Patents by Inventor Robert Joseph Centner

Robert Joseph 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).

  • Patent number: 12636725
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, a welding contact tip includes a first axial end portion having a welding wire outlet of an internal bore of the welding contact tip. The welding contact tip also includes a threaded middle portion adjacent the first axial end portion. The threaded middle portion includes external threads configured to mate with internal threads of a gas diffuser of a welding torch. The first axial end portion includes a tapered outer surface adjacent the threaded middle portion. The welding contact tip further includes a second axial end portion adjacent the threaded middle portion. In other embodiments, a welding torch liner assembly includes a liner stop configured to be attached to a first axial end of a welding torch liner. The welding torch liner assembly also includes a liner receiver configured to secure a second axial end of the welding torch liner. The second axial end of the welding torch liner is opposite the first axial end of the welding torch liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2026
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Joseph Centner
  • Publication number: 20250367750
    Abstract: An example rotating power adapter configured to provide electrical current to a welding-type tool and comprising: a casing comprising a first end and a second end; and a rotating component within the casing, wherein the rotating component comprises a first interface at the first end of the casing and a second interface at the second end of the casing and is configured to receive a first connection at the first interface and a second connection at the second interface, wherein the first connection is a welding component connection or a first welding cable connection, the second connection is a welding-type tool connection or a second welding cable connection, wherein one or more of the first interface or the second interface are configured to rotate with the rotating component, and wherein the rotating component provides a path for the electrical current from a welding component to the welding-type tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2025
    Publication date: December 4, 2025
    Inventor: Robert Joseph Centner
  • Publication number: 20250357713
    Abstract: An example welding-type system includes a wire feeder for providing electrode wire to a welding torch comprising one or more drive rolls configured to retract or advance the electrode wire; a rotating power connector comprising an outer portion with a hollow bore; and an inner sleeve within the hollow bore, wherein the inner sleeve is configured to receive a power pin of the welding torch in alignment with the one or more drive rolls, conduct electrical power to the power pin, and permit the power pin to rotate with respect to the outer portion, wherein the outer portion is fixed within the wire feeder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2025
    Publication date: November 20, 2025
    Inventor: Robert Joseph Centner
  • Patent number: 12350769
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, a welding contact tip includes a first axial end portion having a welding wire outlet of an internal bore of the welding contact tip. The welding contact tip also includes a threaded middle portion adjacent the first axial end portion. The threaded middle portion includes external threads configured to mate with internal threads of a gas diffuser of a welding torch. The first axial end portion includes a tapered outer surface adjacent the threaded middle portion. In other embodiments, a welding torch assembly includes a gas diffuser having an outer circumferential groove having an outer surface with first and second walls that extend radially outward from first and second opposite axial sides of the outer surface, a nozzle having an inner circumferential rib with a tapered inner surface, and a compressible member disposed within the outer circumferential groove of the gas diffuser and the inner circumferential rib of the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2025
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Joseph Centner
  • Publication number: 20250121451
    Abstract: A welding torch system includes a receiving assembly to receive a contact tip and a welding nozzle. The welding torch system also includes a locking element that retains the contact tip in a partially secure position. Further, the welding torch system includes the welding nozzle configured to couple to the receiving assembly to retain the contact tip in a fully secure position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2024
    Publication date: April 17, 2025
    Inventors: Robert Joseph Centner, Robert Lloyd Warning
  • Patent number: 12202085
    Abstract: A welding torch system includes a receiving assembly to receive a contact tip and a welding nozzle. The welding torch system also includes a locking element that retains the contact tip in a partially secure position. Further, the welding torch system includes the welding nozzle configured to couple to the receiving assembly to retain the contact tip in a fully secure position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2025
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Robert Joseph Centner, Robert Lloyd Warning
  • Publication number: 20250010393
    Abstract: Disclosed example systems include: a welding contact tip having: a first axial end portion having a welding wire outlet of an internal bore of the welding contact tip; a threaded middle portion adjacent the first axial end portion; and a second axial end portion adjacent the middle portion, wherein the middle portion includes external threads and the second axial end portion extends the remaining length of the welding contact tip adjacent the middle portion to an axial end face of the welding contact tip; and a gas diffuser that does not contact the second axial end portion or the axial end face of the welding contact tip, and the gas diffuser is configured to conduct welding current to a welding wire within the internal bore via a current transfer path, wherein the current transfer path includes the middle portion and does not include the second axial end portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2024
    Publication date: January 9, 2025
    Inventor: Robert Joseph Centner
  • Publication number: 20200361019
    Abstract: A welding torch system includes a receiving assembly to receive a contact tip and a welding nozzle. The welding torch system also includes a locking element that retains the contact tip in a partially secure position. Further, the welding torch system includes the welding nozzle configured to couple to the receiving assembly to retain the contact tip in a fully secure position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2020
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Inventors: Robert Joseph Centner, Robert Lloyd Warning
  • Patent number: 10773332
    Abstract: A welding torch system includes a receiving assembly to receive a contact tip and a welding nozzle. The welding torch system also includes a locking element that retains the contact tip in a partially secure position. Further, the welding torch system includes the welding nozzle configured to couple to the receiving assembly to retain the contact tip in a fully secure position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
    Inventors: Robert Joseph Centner, Robert Lloyd Warning
  • Publication number: 20170282278
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, a welding contact tip includes a first axial end portion having a welding wire outlet of an internal bore of the welding contact tip. The welding contact tip also includes a threaded middle portion adjacent the first axial end portion. The threaded middle portion includes external threads configured to mate with internal threads of a gas diffuser of a welding torch. The first axial end portion includes a tapered outer surface adjacent the threaded middle portion. In other embodiments, a welding torch assembly includes a gas diffuser having an outer circumferential groove having an outer surface with first and second walls that extend radially outward from first and second opposite axial sides of the outer surface, a nozzle having an inner circumferential rib with a tapered inner surface, and a compressible member disposed within the outer circumferential groove of the gas diffuser and the inner circumferential rib of the nozzle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2017
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Inventor: Robert Joseph Centner
  • Publication number: 20170165780
    Abstract: In certain embodiments, a welding contact tip includes a first axial end portion having a welding wire outlet of an internal bore of the welding contact tip. The welding contact tip also includes a threaded middle portion adjacent the first axial end portion. The threaded middle portion includes external threads configured to mate with internal threads of a gas diffuser of a welding torch. The first axial end portion includes a tapered outer surface adjacent the threaded middle portion. The welding contact tip further includes a second axial end portion adjacent the threaded middle portion. In other embodiments, a welding torch liner assembly includes a liner stop configured to be attached to a first axial end of a welding torch liner. The welding torch liner assembly also includes a liner receiver configured to secure a second axial end of the welding torch liner. The second axial end of the welding torch liner is opposite the first axial end of the welding torch liner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Publication date: June 15, 2017
    Inventor: Robert Joseph Centner
  • Publication number: 20170080512
    Abstract: A welding torch system includes a receiving assembly to receive a contact tip and a welding nozzle. The welding torch system also includes a locking element that retains the contact tip in a partially secure position. Further, the welding torch system includes the welding nozzle configured to couple to the receiving assembly to retain the contact tip in a fully secure position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Inventors: Robert Joseph Centner, Robert Lloyd Warning
  • Publication number: 20170080510
    Abstract: A welding torch system includes a nozzle, a contact tip retainer assembly, and a diffuser assembly. The diffuser assembly couples to the neck of a welding torch. Additionally, the welding torch system includes a contact tip axially secured between the contact tip retainer assembly and the diffuser assembly. Further, the nozzle axially secures the contact tip retainer assembly and the contact tip to the diffuser assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Inventors: Robert Joseph Centner, Robert Lloyd Warning
  • Publication number: 20160144446
    Abstract: A method to replace a contact tip in a welding system includes applying a first force toward a neck of a welding torch to remove the contact tip via a quick release mechanism. Additionally, the method includes inserting a new contact tip into the quick release mechanism and applying a second force on the new contact tip toward the neck of the welding torch until the new contact tip is locked in place within the quick release mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2014
    Publication date: May 26, 2016
    Inventors: Robert Joseph Centner, Robert Lloyd Warning
  • Patent number: 6123095
    Abstract: A vacuum breaker for use in a fluid supply system is provided. The vacuum breaker comprises a body having an interior, a fluid inlet, a fluid outlet, and an atmospheric air vent. The body is adapted to permit fluid to flow through the interior from the fluid inlet to the fluid outlet. A first seat disposed within the interior of the body. A bonnet having a second seat communicates with the air vent and the interior. A displacable float cup is disposed between the bonnet and the first seat. The float cup adapted to be sealingly seated against the second seat when the vacuum breaker is subject to an open flow condition, and to be sealingly seated against the first seat when the vacuum breaker encounters a pressure loss condition. Gaskets are provided to enhance the seal at the first and second seats. Both seats are above a water level within the body of the vacuum breaker. At the open flow condition the float cup seals the air vent and at the pressure loss condition the float cup opens the air vent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Assignee: WaterSaver Faucet Co.
    Inventors: Steven Allen Kersten, Robert Joseph Centner