Abstract: A torch for cutting, gouging or welding metal including a body having a central longitudinal axis for connection to sources of pressurized gas and electrical potential and a swivel housing threadably connected to the body for rotation relative to the body about the axis and a tubular handle around the body and the swivel housing. The handle has front and rear sections manually relatively rotatable. The front section and swivel housing are rotatable as a unit, and the rear section and body are rotatable as a unit so that rotation of one section relative to the other effects rotation of the swivel housing relative to the body. The torch includes a head forward of the swivel housing having an opening for holding an electrode and includes an elongate unitary swivel member having a forward end non-rotatably attached to the head and a rearward swivel end disposed in an opening of the swivel housing.

Abstract: A strain relief assembly for reducing bending of a welding cable used to deliver welding wire, welding gas and electricity from a welding machine to a welding gun for welding a workpiece. The assembly includes first and second strain relief elements surrounding and extending along the welding cable for supporting and providing strain relief to the cable. The assembly also includes a connector for attaching the strain relief elements to at least one of the machine and the gun. The first strain relief element extends a first distance from the connector for supporting the cable. Thus, the first element reduces bending of a first portion of the cable positioned inside the first strain relief element. The second strain relief element extends a second distance, which is greater than the first distance, from the connector for supporting the cable and the first strain relief element.

Abstract: A gas lens assembly for an arc welding torch includes a lens body having a rearward end and a forward end, a passage through the lens body from its forward end to its rearward end for receiving an electrode therethrough and for permitting flow of an inert gas in a forward direction in the passage. A lens housing is secured to the lens body and defines a chamber around a forward end portion of the lens body. One or more openings in the forward end portion of the lens body enable the inert gas to flow from the passage into the chamber. The gas lens assembly further includes a flow control device associated with the housing through which said inert gas is adapted to flow in a forward direction. The flow control device controls the flow of the inert gas therethrough so that the gas exists the flow control device as a laminar stream of gas moving in a forward direction. The laminar stream is adapted to blanket a weld puddle during a welding operation on a workpiece.