Stud welding collet

Abstract

A new adjustable collet for stud welding employs a plurality of electrically energizable jaws coordinated to firmly grasp studs of various shapes, sizes and orientations while welding them to a work surface. This adjustable collet will also ensure better contact with the stud and thus reduce the likelihood of arcing and faulty welds. Premature collet wear will also be averted by reducing the amount of sliding contact between the collet and the stud.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. An adjustable collet for stud welding which comprises: 
       a plurality of electrically energized jaws, each jaw having a least one surface for the contacting a stud, and an adjusting means, in association with said jaws, for opening and closing said jaws and holding a stud between each of the contacting surfaces, said adjusting means further comprising means for diametrically positioning said jaws in contact with a stud and mechanically holding the contact surfaces against a stud in a positive locked relationship when said jaws are in a closed position.  
     
     
       2. An adjustable collet according to  claim 1  having a pair of jaws. 
     
     
       3. An adjustable collet according to  claim 1  wherein said adjustment means contains a turnbuckle link coupled to said jaws. 
     
     
       4. An adjustable collet according to  claim 1  wherein said adjustment means contains a pair of links pivotally coupled to said jaws which permit said jaws to open and close with a scissors action. 
     
     
       5. An adjustable collet according to  claim 1  wherein said adjustment means includes motor means for closing and holding said jaws, in a fixed relationship with a stud. 
     
     
       6. An adjustable collet according to  claim 1  herein said adjustment means includes a threaded link coupled said jaws, said link further including a hex nut which is rotatable to open and close said jaws. 
     
     
       7. In combination with a stud welding device, an adjustable collet having a plurality of electrically energized jaws, each jaw having at least one surface for contacting a stud, and an adjusting means, in association with said jaws, for opening and closing said jaws and holding a stud between each of the contacting surfaces, said adjusting means further comprising means for diametrically positioning said jaws in contact with a stud and mechanically holding the contact surfaces against a stud in a locked relationship when said jaws are in a closed position. 
     
     
       8. An adjustable collet for stud welding which comprises: 
       
         a plurality of electrically energized jaws, each jaw having at least one surface for the contacting a stud, and an adjusting mechanism, in association with said jaws, for opening and closing said jaws and holding a stud between each of the contacting surfaces,  
       
       
         said adjusting mechanism further comprising mechanism for positioning said jaws in contact with a stud and mechanically holding the contact surfaces against a stud in a locked relationship when said jaws are in a closed position, said adjusting mechanism being adjustable to accommodate studs of varying diameters by positioning said jaws closer together or farther apart for different studs. 
       
     
     
       9. An adjustable collet according to  claim 8  wherein said jaws comprise a pair of jaws diametrically positioned around a stud. 
     
     
       10. An adjustable collet according to  claim 8  wherein said adjustment mechanism comprises a turnbuckle link coupled to said jaws. 
     
     
       11. An adjustable collet according to  claim 8  wherein said adjustment mechanism comprises a pair of links pivotally coupled to said jaws which permit said jaws to open and close with a scissors action. 
     
     
       12. An adjustable collet according to  claim 8  wherein said adjustment mechanism comprises a threaded link coupling said jaws, said link further comprising a hex nut which is rotatable to open and close said jaws. 
     
     
       13. An adjustable collet according to  claim 8  wherein said adjustment mechanism comprises a motor for positioning said jaws in a fixed relationship with a stud. 
     
     
       14. A method of stud welding, comprising 
       
         providing a stud welding device having an adjustable collet having a plurality of electrically energized jaws, each jaw having at least one surface for contacting a stud, and an adjusting mechanism, in association with said jaws, for opening and closing said jaws and holding a stud between each of the contacting surfaces, said adjusting mechanism further comprising mechanism for positioning said jaws in contact with a stud and mechanically holding the contact surfaces against a stud, said adjusting mechanism being adjustable to accommodate studs of varying diameters by positioning said jaws closer together or farther apart for different studs,  
       
       
         providing a stud to be welded,  
       
       
         providing a motor in said adjustment mechanism for positioning said jaws in a fixed relationship with a stud,  
       
       
         adjusting said adjusting mechanism,  
       
       
         placing said stud in said jaws,  
       
       
         closing said jaws to hold said first stud, and  
       
       
         welding said stud with electrical energy delivered through said contacting surfaces. 
       
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 14 , further comprising 
       
         providing a second stud to be welded,  
       
       
         adjusting said adjusting mechanism,  
       
       
         placing said second stud in said jaws,  
       
       
         closing said jaws to hold said second stud, and  
       
       
         welding said second stud with electrical energy delivered through said contacting surfaces. 
       
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 14  wherein said stud welding device is provided with a pair of jaws, and wherein said jaws are diametrically positioned around said stud. 
     
     
       17. A method of stud welding, comprising 
       
         providing a stud welding device having an adjustable collet having a plurality of electrically energized jaws, each jaw having at least one surface for contacting a stud, and an adjusting mechanism, in association with said jaws, for opening and closing said jaws and holding a stud between each of the contacting surfaces, said adjusting mechanism comprising a turnbuckle link coupled to said jaws for positioning said jaws in contact with a stud and mechanically holding the contact surfaces against a stud, said adjusting mechanism being adjustable to accommodate studs of varying diameters by positioning said jaws closer together or farther apart for different studs,  
       
       
         providing a stud to be welded,  
       
       
         adjusting said adjusting mechanism by rotating said turnbuckle,  
       
       
         placing said stud in said jaws,  
       
       
         closing said jaws to hold said stud, and  
       
       
         welding said stud with electrical energy delivered through said contacting surfaces. 
       
     
     
       18. A method of stud welding, comprising 
       
         providing a stud welding device having an adjustable collet having a plurality of electrically energized jaws, each jaw having at least one surface for contacting a stud, and an adjusting mechanism, in association with said jaws, for opening and closing said jaws and holding a stud between each of the contacting surfaces, said adjusting mechanism comprising a pair of links pivotally coupled to said jaws for positioning said jaws in contact with a stud and mechanically holding the contact surfaces against a stud, said adjusting mechanism being adjustable to accommodate studs of varying diameters by positioning said jaws closer together or farther apart for different studs,  
       
       
         providing a stud to be welded,  
       
       
         adjusting said adjusting mechanism,  
       
       
         placing said stud in said jaws,  
       
       
         closing said jaws to hold said stud with a scissors action, and  
       
       
         welding said stud with electrical energy delivered through said contacting surfaces. 
       
     
     
       19. A method of stud welding, comprising 
       
         providing a stud welding device having an adjustable collet having a plurality of electrically energized jaws, each jaw having at least one surface for contacting a stud and at least one jaw having threads, and an adjusting mechanism, in association with said jaws, for opening and closing said jaws and holding a stud between each of the contacting surfaces, said adjusting mechanism comprising a threaded link engaging said jaw threads, and a hex nut which is rotatable to open and close said jaws for positioning said jaws in contact with a stud and mechanically holding the contact surfaces against a stud, said adjusting mechanism being adjustable to accommodate studs of varying diameters by positioning said jaws closer together or farther apart for different studs,  
       
       
         providing a stud to be welded,  
       
       
         adjusting said adjusting mechanism by rotating said hex nut,  
       
       
         placing said stud in said jaws,  
       
       
         closing said jaws to hold said stud with a scissors action, and  
       
       
         welding said stud with electrical energy delivered through said contacting surfaces.