Abstract: A swivel head assembly for a dual head oxy-fuel torch which incorporates a fixed oxygen delivery head and a 360 degree rotatable fuel delivery head mounted coaxially upon the oxygen delivery head, such that regardless of whether the torch is pushed forward, drawn backward or manipulated to either side, the fuel delivery head can be readily repositioned relative to the oxygen delivery head so as to always lead the delivery of oxygen for preheating, thus accommodating ease of arm movement and avoiding the need for cumbersome body movement and positioning around the target cutting surface.

Abstract: A carriage is disclosed for holding and guiding a tool along a specified path on a workpiece at a controlled, substantially constant speed. The carriage has at least one drive roller disposed on a bed with drive means for rotating the drive roller. A pair of idler rollers are attached to the bed in opposed relation to the drive roller. A pair of transverse rollers are mounted on the bed and are adapted to ride along an upper edge of a flange disposed on the workpiece.

Abstract: A wheeled holder is designed to hold and carry a welding torch stably along a chosen welding line. The holder includes adjusting means for varying the mounting position of the torch relative to the wheels. The circumferential edge of each wheel is designed as a knife edge to improve the holder's ability to be steered along a curved line.

Abstract: The invention is for an oxy cutting torch holder having a frame with a pair of vertically adjustible posts with bearing wheels at their lower ends. A nozzle-receiving passageway is disposed in the frame with a novel nozzle retaining device. Provision is made for replacement of a post by a transversely extending arm carrying an extension with a pointed end to enable cutting in a circle.

Abstract: A guide assembly for a torch tip for a hand held cutting torch with the guide assembly being operable to locate the torch tip a preselected distance from a workpiece whereby the tip will be substantially precluded from engaging the heated workpiece surface and with the guide assembly being selectively adjustable to vary the preselected distance and being actuable to guiding and non-guiding conditions.

Abstract: In a torch cutting machine for thermally cutting hot elongate members which are conveyed horizontally at a varying speed or with a varying direction of movement, a torch-carrying carriage is movable parallel to and with the elongate member during the cutting operation, by virtue of a clamping means engaging the elongate member. A protective hood is disposed in the direct vicinity of the elongate member, beneath the machine, for the purposes of protecting it from heat and radiation. The hood moves synchronously with the machine or elongate member in the cutting operation, and the hood has apertures through which the torch and the clamping means extend.

Abstract: An improved guide for cutting-off and/or bevelling pipe with a torch using a ring-shaped member with circular guide-surfaces fixed around the pipe, includes the ring-shaped member circumference forming axially spaced first and second rim-and-ledge tracks engaged respectively by wheels of frame-mounted outer bogies; inner bogies positioned for running on the inner surface of the ring mount to the outer bogies resiliently to accommodate irregularities in the tracks; the frame has first and second ends for holding torch-carrying depth-adjustment mechanisms with the torch respectively at 37 degrees to the axis of the work and at 90 degrees to the axis of the work, as selected; provisions permitting rotation of the torch about the flame axis and quick attachment-detachment of the torch are disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for re-claiming used or damaged tube turns and rendering them equivalent to new tube turns with correctly oriented openings. A salvaged tube turn is temporarily fixed to a platform in a position such that the longitudinal axis of one of tube turn ends is approximately perpendicular to the plane of an adjacent circular track. The platform is moved so that the opening of the tube turn end is near the circular track. The circular track is then accurately centered with respect to the opening by use of a spider or the like which is temporarily fixed to the center of the track. Either the spider (and track) or the tube turn is moved so that the spider engages the interior of the opening.

Abstract: An oxy-acetylene torch, having a welding and cutting handpiece wherein a flame nozzle is in communication with a gas mixing chamber and a cutting nozzle is in communication with an oxygen conduit, the cutting nozzle being supported from and displaced from the flame nozzle and so inclined to the central axis of the flame nozzle as to direct the oxygen stream into a flame when issuing from the flame nozzle.

Abstract: Apparatus for automatically maintaining a cutting torch a predetermined distance from an uneven work surface having transverse and longitudinal irregularities includes a slide member which is adapted to move in a vertical direction in response to such irregularities and is pivotally attached to a support arm, roller means ride on and traverse the uneven work surface, the support arm is attached to the roller means and a cutter torch is fixed in a holder vertically, adjustably attached to the support arm.

Abstract: A system for using a cutting torch for making accurate curved, straight and beveled cuts. A supporting and guiding device is attached to cutting torches, which may be of various sizes and shapes, and includes an elongated bar having a ring and opposed set screw clamp at one end to receive the torch tip. A member on the elongated bar carries a workpiece engaging knife-edge wheel and supports the lower parallel tube of the torch, this member being removably mounted on and slidable along the bar to desired positions. The height bar above the wheel is adjustable for positioning the burning tip at the correct angle and spacing with respect to the workpiece. The wheel can be positioned with its plane transverse to the bar for making curved or lateral cuts, or parallel to the bar for making longitudinal straight, perpendicular or bevel cuts. A centering pin is slidably positionable on the bar for making long radius cuts.

Abstract: Shape cutting apparatus includes a transverse beam rigidly mounted on a pair of spaced carriages which are provided with wheels for translation along a pair of parallel, longitudinal rails. A tracer and holder assembly therefor are mounted for translation along the transverse beam. Each carriage is provided with a servomotor, which motors are connected electrically in parallel across a source of potential such as the output of a servoamplifier. Upon energization of the motors, the beam is driven along the rails at speeds up to 120 i.p.m. and greater while the tracer cornering capability is equivalent to the capability previously only attainable at lower speeds, e.g. 50-60 i.p.m. Thus, higher cutting speeds are obtained without degradation of cutting accuracy and without resort to expensive structural stiffening, additional electronic control circuitry, or precision rack and pinion carriage drive mechanisms.

Abstract: A pipe having a guide pattern or template mounted on and surrounding it is rotatable about its longitudinal axis while a pattern follower actuates a cutting or welding tool to move longitudinally as the pipe rotates. The follower and tool are carried by a frame supported on the pipe by rollers. The frame is mounted on a support for universal tilting and for horizontal sliding in one direction to ensure that the follower and tool bear a constant relationship to the pipe irrespective of any undulations or out-of-round features of the pipe.

Abstract: A safety carriage for supporting and guiding an acetylene torch in which the torch nozzle can be spaced a desired distance above the work being cut by the flame and the carriage has an asbestos lined pan underlying the operator's hand for protecting it. The device can be guided along a line which is to be cut by the torch flame. An anti-glare shield supporting frame can be attached to the torch for protecting the operator's eyes and this same frame also supports an asbestos shield which is positioned directly behind the torch nozzle and in front of the pan to prevent sparks from the torch flame striking the operator's hand. A frame supporting cross arm with rollers at its ends can be used for moving the torch nozzle in an arc for making a circular cut having a large radius or a center pivot can be substituted for cutting a smaller circle.

Abstract: A cutting torch apparatus comprising a cutting torch arranged to be mounted on a movable frame for movement over the workpiece with the torch comprising a torch body and support therefore integrated into a double acting hydraulic cylinder and piston device in which the torch body is equipped as a piston and is reciprocably mounted in a cylinder through which the torch body extends to dispose the torch nozzle for application to the workpiece. The torch body is equipped with a feeler or guide member mounted for a lost motion movement range axially of the nozzle and having a plurality of feeler elements in coplanar relation that ride on the workpiece in spaced apart relation about the nozzle. The piston and cylinder device are incorporated in a hydraulic system, that includes a hydraulic pressure liquid and a hydraulic pressure liquid flow orienting or directional control valve of the mechanical servo type, for supporting the torch body and moving same axially of its nozzle.

Abstract: An automated apparatus for sequentially forming integrally fused battery terminals on a plurality of storage batteries is described wherein a head means having a mold means adjustably mounted thereon is automatically movable with respect to a vertical axis, and has slidably mounted thereon a burning means for automatically producing a variable-intensity flame for melting said battery elements to form said integrally fused battery terminal during a vertical stroke thereof. An automated post burn station is further described having a conveyor means for advancing batteries sequentially to said burning station and for aligning said batteries with respect to said station for the above described fusing process. A plurality of novel sensors incorporated into the automated post burn station facilitates the rapid, automatic processing of batteries, while providing a high degree of safety and reliability.