Patents by Inventor Robert J. Centner

Robert J. Centner has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20230166346
    Abstract: An example welding torch neck adapter includes: an electrically conductive body configured to detachably attach to a handle assembly of a consumable electrode-fed welding torch on a first portion of the conductive body and configured to detachably attach to a neck of the welding torch on a second portion of the conductive body to secure the neck to the handle assembly; and a guide tube positioned within the conductive body and configured to support a first consumable wire liner in alignment with a liner lock of a second consumable wire liner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2022
    Publication date: June 1, 2023
    Inventors: Stephen Bennett, II, Robert J. Centner
  • Publication number: 20220161371
    Abstract: An example wire liner retention apparatus includes: a body comprising a bore extending longitudinally through the body, the bore configured to permit passage of a welding wire liner through the bore; a clamp configured to apply a compressive force to the welding wire liner in a radial direction within the bore to limit movement of the welding wire liner with respect to the body; and a compression adjustment mechanism configured to adjust the compressive force applied by the clamp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2021
    Publication date: May 26, 2022
    Inventor: Robert J. Centner
  • Patent number: 11305371
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and/or methods for providing welding systems or portions of welding systems that provide a tip-retention device that is configured to direct gas radially towards a contact tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy L. Jansma, Robert J. Centner, Jeffrey G. Wells
  • Patent number: 11268693
    Abstract: A welding torch having a nozzle assembly with multiple attachment methods is disclosed. The nozzle assembly includes a nozzle shell, an electrically insulating sleeve, and a nozzle insert. The nozzle insert is configured for attachment to gas diffuser assemblies with different attachment mechanisms (e.g. a slip-on mechanism relying on frictional force, and/or screw-on mechanism relying on torque).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. Centner
  • Patent number: 11192202
    Abstract: A welding torch having a nozzle assembly with multiple attachment methods is disclosed. The nozzle assembly includes a nozzle shell, an electrically insulating sleeve, and a nozzle insert. The nozzle insert is configured for attachment to gas diffuser assemblies with different attachment mechanisms (e.g. a slip-on mechanism relying on frictional force, and/or screw-on mechanism relying on torque).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventor: Robert J. Centner
  • Publication number: 20210069817
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and/or methods for providing welding systems or portions of welding systems that provide a tip-retention device that is configured to direct gas radially towards a contact tip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2020
    Publication date: March 11, 2021
    Inventors: Jeremy L. Jansma, Robert J. Centner, Jeffrey G. Wells
  • Patent number: 10882133
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and/or methods for providing welding systems or portions of welding systems that provide a tip-retention device that is configured to direct gas radially towards a contact tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Jeremy L. Jansma, Robert J. Centner, Jeffrey G. Wells
  • Patent number: 10710189
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and/or methods for providing welding systems or portions of welding systems that provide a tip-retention device that is configured to direct gas radially towards a contact tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Jeremy L. Jansma, Robert J. Centner, Jeffrey G. Wells
  • Publication number: 20190242573
    Abstract: A welding torch having a nozzle assembly with multiple attachment methods is disclosed. The nozzle assembly includes a nozzle shell, an electrically insulating sleeve, and a nozzle insert. The nozzle insert is configured for attachment to gas diffuser assemblies with different attachment mechanisms (e.g. a slip-on mechanism relying on frictional force, and/or screw-on mechanism relying on torque).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2019
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    Inventor: Robert J. Centner
  • Publication number: 20190240766
    Abstract: A welding torch having a nozzle assembly with multiple attachment methods is disclosed. The nozzle assembly includes a nozzle shell, an electrically insulating sleeve, and a nozzle insert. The nozzle insert is configured for attachment to gas diffuser assemblies with different attachment mechanisms (e.g. a slip-on mechanism relying on frictional force, and/or screw-on mechanism relying on torque).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2019
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    Inventor: Robert J. Centner
  • Publication number: 20180214973
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and/or methods for providing welding systems or portions of welding systems that provide a tip-retention device that is configured to direct gas radially towards a contact tip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Publication date: August 2, 2018
    Inventors: Jeremy L. Jansma, Robert J. Centner, Jeffrey G. Wells
  • Publication number: 20180214972
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and/or methods for providing welding systems or portions of welding systems that provide a tip-retention device that is configured to direct gas radially towards a contact tip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Publication date: August 2, 2018
    Inventors: Jeremy L. Jansma, Robert J. Centner, Jeffrey G. Wells
  • Publication number: 20170239746
    Abstract: Reversible contact tips and welding assemblies for reversible contact tips are disclosed. An example welding contact tip includes a first axial end portion having a welding wire outlet of an inner bore of the welding contact tip, a threaded middle portion adjacent the first axial end portion, wherein the threaded middle portion comprises external threads configured to mate with internal threads of a gas diffuser of a welding torch, and a second axial end portion adjacent the threaded middle portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2017
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventor: Robert J. Centner
  • Publication number: 20140312023
    Abstract: A welding gun neck for a welding gun includes an elongated tubular body having an end connectable to a gas diffuser. The elongated tubular body includes a threaded external surface adjacent the end. The threaded external surface defines a male, threaded portion. The male, threaded portion is mateable with a female thread of the gas diffuser. The threaded external surface includes a straight portion and an adjoining tapered portion. The welding gun neck is connectable to both a gas diffuser having a straight female thread and a gas diffuser having a tapered female thread.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2013
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Robert J. Centner, Duane S. Snapp, Robert L. Warning
  • Publication number: 20140110386
    Abstract: A compressible end-fitting for a welding gun liner includes a tubular body. A head is disposed at an end of the tubular body. The head is wider in diameter than the tubular body. A sleeve is disposed around the end portion of the tubular body that includes the head. The sleeve includes a stepped inner surface defining a shoulder. At least one biasing member is disposed between the head and the shoulder. The biasing member(s) urges the head outwardly away from the sleeve. An annular stop on an outer surface of the tubular body is contactable with an edge of the sleeve to limit movement of the head relative to the sleeve. The head is linearly retractable from a resting position into the sleeve by application of an axial force, and the biasing member(s) returns the head to the resting position when the axial force is removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2013
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Inventor: Robert J. Centner
  • Patent number: 8686317
    Abstract: A removable cooling collar is provided for cooling the nozzle of a welding nozzle. This collar includes first and second parts in fluid communication with a chamber that extends circumferentially within a hollow structure. Cooling fluid circulating through the chamber facilitates dissipation and/or extraction of heat in the nozzle, in turn reducing the likelihood of weld splatter adhesion on the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. Centner
  • Patent number: 8362394
    Abstract: A neck for a welding torch includes a rigid, non-tubular, elongated member having opposite first and second ends. The first end is connectable to a rear portion of the welding torch. The second end is connectable to a welding tip portion of the welding torch. The member locates and holds the welding tip portion in a precisely given location, and does not communicate welding power, welding wire, shielding gas, or cooling water between the first and second ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. Centner
  • Publication number: 20090039066
    Abstract: A neck for a welding torch includes a rigid, non-tubular, elongated member having opposite first and second ends. The first end is connectable to a rear portion of the welding torch. The second end is connectable to a welding tip portion of the welding torch. The member locates and holds the welding tip portion in a precisely given location, and does not communicate welding power, welding wire, shielding gas, or cooling water between the first and second ends.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2008
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Applicant: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventor: Robert J. Centner
  • Patent number: 6979799
    Abstract: A welding system having a welding gun. The welding gun is adapted with a trigger. The welding gun may have a lever to lock the trigger in a desired pivoted position. The lever may pivot the trigger as the lever is pivoted. The welding gun may have a trigger extension to enable a user to pivot the trigger by depressing the trigger extension. The trigger extension may be plastically deformed. The trigger extension may be removable. The trigger extension may be rotatable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. Centner
  • Patent number: 6822196
    Abstract: A welding system having a welding gun with a handle. The handle is adapted to cool the interior of the handle with a flow of air. The handle may be adapted with a plurality of ventilation holes to enable air to pass through the handle. The handle may have a plurality of ribs disposed along the interior of the handle to direct air flow around a conductive member disposed therein. The ribs may be adapted to direct the air to flow radially and/or longitudinally around the interior of the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Robert J. Centner