Welding cart with tool-less securement system

Abstract

Welding carts with tool-less securing systems are disclosed. In some examples, a welding cart can be configured to hold and / or transport a welding-type power supply. The cart and power supply can have a bracket aperture configured to receive a bracket end of a securing bracket. The bracket end can be received by the bracket aperture when a shaft that holds and secures the securing bracket is engaged with a rotation lock of the cart. An actuator connected with the shaft can be configured to rotate the shaft to engage with the rotation lock. A resilient member can bias the bracket end out of the bracket aperture when the shaft is disengaged from the rotation lock. A captive fastener attached with the shaft can ensure that the shaft and bracket retention system remain captive with the cart even when the shaft is disengaged from the rotation lock and / or the securing bracket is biased away from the cart.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure generally relates to welding trolleys, and more specifically to welding trolleys with tool-free fixing systems. Background Technology

[0002] Welding power supplies sometimes need to be moved (and / or transported, relocated, etc.) within or to different work areas. Moving welding power supplies by hand can be inconvenient because they can be large and / or heavy. Furthermore, there may be environmental obstacles that the operator may want to avoid when moving the power supply (e.g., wires, ropes, equipment, debris, people, holes, etc.). This can make the power supply difficult to handle and / or difficult to transport by hand. Therefore, welding trolleys can be used to transport welding power supplies. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Devices and systems are provided for tool-free attachment of a welding power supply to a welding trolley, substantially as shown in at least one of the accompanying drawings and / or described in conjunction with at least one of the drawings, as set forth more fully in the claims.

[0004] These and other advantages, aspects, and novel features of the invention, as well as the details of the examples shown in the invention, will be more fully understood from the following description and accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0005] Figures 1a-1b This is a perspective view of a welded power supply based on various aspects of this disclosure.

[0006] Figures 2a-2b This is a perspective view of an exemplary welding trolley based on various aspects of this disclosure.

[0007] Figure 2c Based on all aspects of this disclosure Figures 2a-2b A side view of an exemplary welding trolley.

[0008] Figure 3a Based on all aspects of this disclosure Figures 2a-2b A close-up perspective perspective view of an exemplary fixing bracket for an exemplary welding trolley.

[0009] Figures 3b-3c It is based on all aspects of this disclosure. Figure 2c A cross-sectional view of an exemplary fixed bracket, taken by section line 3b-3b.

[0010] Figure 4 This disclosure illustrates various aspects that can be discussed with [other parties]. Figures 3a-3c An example of an alternative rotary locking device used in conjunction with a fixed bracket.

[0011] Figures 5a-5b Based on all aspects of this disclosure Figures 1a-1b Exemplary welded power supply and Figures 2a-2c A 3D view of a welding handcart.

[0012] Figure 5c Based on all aspects of this disclosure, Figures 1a-1b Exemplary welded power supply and Figures 2a-2c The welding trolleys are fixed together. Figures 3a-3c A close-up perspective perspective view of an exemplary mounting bracket.

[0013] Preferred examples of this disclosure may be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. Where appropriate, the same or similar reference numerals are used to refer to similar or identical elements in the drawings. For example, reference numerals using letters (e.g., right side wall 108a, left side wall 108b) refer to multiple instances of the same reference numeral (e.g., side wall 108) without that letter. Detailed Implementation

[0014] In the following description, well-known functions or structures may not be described in detail, as well-known functions or structures may obscure this disclosure with unnecessary detail.

[0015] Some examples of this disclosure relate to tool-free securing systems configured to secure a welding power supply to a welding trolley. In some examples, the securing system may include a mounting bracket configured to be received by bracket holes in both the power supply and the welding trolley. The mounting bracket may be further held on a shaft configured to engage a rotary locking element of the welding trolley when the mounting bracket is aligned with the bracket hole.

[0016] The actuator can be connected to the shaft, allowing the operator to manually engage and / or disengage the shaft from the rotary lock without using any additional tools. A snap-fit ​​fastener can be provided to retain the shaft within the rotary lock even when disengaged, preventing part loss. A resilient member can be provided to offset the retaining bracket away from the bracket hole when the shaft disengages from the rotary lock, allowing the operator to easily determine that the securing system (and / or power supply) is in an unsecured state.

[0017] When the shaft engages with the rotary locking element, the power supply is secured to the welding trolley. This securing position prevents the power supply from falling and / or being lifted off the welding trolley. Therefore, when moving the power supply via the welding trolley, the operator can ensure that the power supply remains in the correct position.

[0018] Some examples of this disclosure relate to a welding trolley comprising: a base having a sidewall including a bracket hole, the sidewall further including a sidewall hole leading to a rotary locking member; a shaft extending through the sidewall hole and configured to engage with the rotary locking member via rotation of the shaft; and a bracket held on the shaft, the bracket being configured to secure a welding power supply to the base when the shaft engages with the rotary locking member and the bracket end of the bracket is received by the bracket hole.

[0019] In some examples, the welding trolley further includes a fastener connected to the end of the shaft, the fastener being configured to retain at least a portion of the shaft within the rotary lock when disengaged from the rotary lock. In some examples, the end of the shaft has an internal channel, and the fastener includes a fastener head and a fastener shank positioned within the internal channel. In some examples, the fastener head is wider than the passage of the rotary lock, thereby preventing the shaft from being removed from the rotary lock.

[0020] In some examples, the welding trolley further includes a misalignment member configured to displace the bracket end outside the bracket hole when the shaft disengages from the rotary lock. In some examples, the misalignment member surrounds the shaft between the rotary lock and the bracket. In some examples, engagement of the shaft with the rotary lock is prevented when the bracket end is misaligned with the bracket slot. In some examples, the welding trolley further includes an actuator configured to rotate the shaft to cause engagement or disengagement of the shaft with the rotary lock.

[0021] Some examples of this disclosure relate to a system comprising: a welding power supply including a housing having a first bracket hole; and a trolley configured to hold the welding power supply, the trolley including: a base having a sidewall including a second bracket hole, the sidewall further including a sidewall hole leading to a rotary lock; a shaft extending through the sidewall hole and configured to engage with the rotary lock via rotation of the shaft; and a bracket held on the shaft, the bracket being configured to secure the welding power supply to the base when: (a) the shaft engages with the rotary lock, (b) a first bracket end of the bracket is received by the first bracket hole, and (c) a second bracket end of the bracket is received by the second bracket hole.

[0022] In some examples, the trolley further includes a fastener connected to the end of the shaft, the fastener being configured to retain at least a portion of the shaft within the rotary lock when disengaged from the rotary lock. In some examples, the end of the shaft has an internal channel, and the fastener includes a fastener head and a fastener shank positioned within the internal channel. In some examples, the fastener head is wider than the passageway of the rotary lock, thereby preventing the shaft from being removed from the rotary lock.

[0023] In some examples, the trolley further includes an offset member configured to offset either the end of a first bracket out of a first bracket hole or the end of a second bracket out of a second bracket hole when the shaft disengages from the rotary lock. In some examples, the offset member surrounds the shaft between the sidewall hole and the bracket. In some examples, it prevents the shaft from engaging with the rotary lock when the bracket ends are misaligned with the bracket slot.

[0024] In some examples, the trolley further includes an actuator configured to rotate the shaft to cause engagement or disengagement of the shaft with a rotary lock. In some examples, the rotary lock includes an insert positioned within a sidewall bore, wherein an inner surface of the insert defines a passage. In some examples, the insert further includes a head anchored against a sidewall, the head extending from the head, the inner surface of the handle defining a passage.

[0025] Figures 1a-1b An exemplary welding-type power supply 100 is shown. As shown, the power supply 100 includes a housing 102. In some examples, the housing 102 may enclose various electrical components configured to allow the power supply 100 to receive input power (e.g., from mains power) and convert the input power into welding-type output power. In some examples, the welding-type output power may be provided to various welding devices (e.g., a welding torch) to perform various welding operations.

[0026] exist Figures 1a-1b In the example, housing 102 includes a front panel 104, a rear panel (not shown) opposite to the front panel 104, a top wall 106, a bottom wall (not shown) opposite to the top wall 106, a right side wall 108a, and a left side wall 108b opposite to the right side wall 108a. Figures 1a-1b In the example, the front panel 104 of the power supply 100 includes an operator interface through which the operator can set certain target characteristics of the welding power. The front panel 104 further includes a slot 110 configured to receive a plug from a welding cable that delivers power from the power supply 100 to the welding equipment.

[0027] exist Figures 1a-1bIn the example, the top wall 106, bottom wall, front panel 104, rear panel, and side walls 108 are joined together to form a generally rectangular cuboid housing 102. As shown, the housing 102 further includes a front support 112 formed where the side walls 108 connect to the front panel 104. The front support 112 leads to a front handle 114a of the housing 100, through which the operator can lift, push, pull, turn, and / or otherwise manipulate the power supply 100 (and / or the welding trolley 200 to which the power supply 100 is fixed). Figures 1a-1b In the example, housing 102 also includes a rear handle 114b, through which an operator can lift, push, pull, turn and / or otherwise manipulate the power supply 100.

[0028] exist Figures 1a-1b In the example, housing 102 further includes a frame 116a positioned at the bottom edge of the right side wall 108a and a frame 116b positioned at the bottom edge of the left side wall 108b. As shown, each frame 116 includes two bracket holes 350 located near the lower corner of the side wall 108. In some examples, each frame 116 may have more (e.g., 3, 4, etc.) or fewer (e.g., 1) bracket holes 350. In some examples, the bracket holes 350 may be arranged within the side wall 108 or other portions of housing 102, rather than within the frame 116. In some examples, the bracket holes 350 may be configured to receive the bracket end 306 of a fixed bracket 302, as discussed further below.

[0029] exist Figures 1a-1b In one example, the protruding feet 118 extend from the bottom wall near the bracket holes 350 of the frame 116. In some examples, the power supply 100 may include more (e.g., 5, 6, 8) or fewer (e.g., 1, 2, 3) protruding feet 118. In some examples, the shape of the protruding feet 118 may be determined and / or configured to mate with the hollow shoe-shaped opening 218 formed in the welding trolley 200, as further discussed below.

[0030] Figures 2a-2c An exemplary welding trolley 200 is shown. As shown, the trolley 200 includes a base 202 configured to receive and / or hold a welding power supply 100. A bottle support platform 204 is mechanically connected to the rear of the base 202. Wheels 206 are coupled to the bottle support platform 204 and the base 202 to support the welding trolley 200 and allow easy movement of the trolley 200 (and / or the held power supply 100).

[0031] exist Figures 2a-2cIn some examples, the base 202 includes a front wall 208, a rear wall (not shown) opposite to the front wall 208, a right side wall 210a, a left side wall 210b opposite to the right side wall 210a, and a top wall 212. In some examples, the base 202 may also include a bottom wall (not shown) opposite to the top wall 212. As shown, the front wall 208, rear wall, right side wall 210a, and left side wall 210b together form a generally rectangular cuboid. In some examples, the base 202 may be made of sheet metal. In some examples, the base 202 may enclose a substantially hollow interior.

[0032] exist Figures 2a-2c In the example, the top wall 212 of the base 202 includes an generally flat surface. As shown, a hollow shoe-shaped opening 218 is formed on the surface of the top wall 212. Although in Figures 2a-2b The example shows four hollow shoe-shaped openings 218, but in some examples, more (e.g., 5, 6, 7, 8, etc.) or fewer (e.g., 2, 3) hollow shoe-shaped openings 218 may be formed on the top wall 212. In some examples, the number of hollow shoe-shaped openings 218 and the number of protruding legs 118 may be the same. In some examples, the hollow shoe-shaped openings 218 may be positioned and / or configured to complement and / or accommodate the protruding legs 118 of the power supply 100. In some examples, the protruding legs 118 may be received by the hollow shoe-shaped openings 218 when the power supply 100 is correctly positioned on the trolley 200. In this way, the protruding legs 118 and / or the hollow shoe-shaped openings 218 can be used as alignment surfaces to correctly position the power supply 100 on the trolley 200.

[0033] In some examples, the power supply 100 and / or cart 200 may include different alignment surfaces. For example, the cart 200 may include an angled base 202 having stops positioned around the base 202 to aid in the alignment of the power supply 100. In such an example, gravity may cause the power supply 100 to slide downwards along the base 202 until it encounters the stops, which are used to align the power supply 100 with the cart 200. In some examples, the cart 200 may include one or more posts that can be received by one or more complementary anchors of the power supply 100. The anchors may include slots, holes, openings, apertures, and / or other suitable structures. The posts may be formed on and / or attached to the base 202. The anchors may be formed on and / or attached to the power supply 100 (e.g., on the sidewalls and / or bottom walls of the power supply 100). In some examples, the power supply 100 may alternatively include a post, and the trolley 200 may include anchors. In some examples, when the power supply 100 is positioned on the trolley 200, the post may engage with the anchors to align the power supply 100 and the trolley 200.

[0034] exist Figures 2a-2c In the example, the welding trolley 200 includes a tool-less fixing system comprising four fixing brackets 302 secured to a base 202 of the welding trolley 200. Specifically, Figures 2a-2c Two mounting brackets 302 are shown attached to the right side wall 210a of the base 202, and two mounting brackets 302 are attached to the left side wall 210b of the base 202. The tool-less mounting system further includes bracket holes 350 on the base 202, near the mounting brackets 302. In some examples, the bracket holes 350 of the power supply 100 may also be considered part of the tool-less mounting system. In some examples, the tool-less mounting system may include more or fewer mounting brackets 302 and / or bracket holes 350.

[0035] Figures 3a-3c The mounting bracket 302 is shown in more detail. Figures 3a-3c In the example, the mounting bracket 302 is connected to the base 202 via a shaft 304. As shown, the mounting bracket 302 has two bracket ends 306 that are bent at approximately right angles away from the body 308 of the mounting bracket 302 to form a C-shape and / or a U-shape. The mounting bracket 302 further includes a bracket opening 310 through which a portion of the shaft 304 extends. As shown, the flange 312 of the shaft 304 is wider than the bracket opening 310, thereby preventing the bracket 302 from moving further away from the base 202 of the trolley 200 along the shaft 304.

[0036] exist Figures 3a-3c In some examples, the actuator knob 314 is coupled to the end 316 of the shaft 304. In some examples, the actuator knob 314 may be configured to rotate the shaft 304 when the actuator knob 314 itself is rotated. In some examples, a different actuator may be used instead of the actuator knob 314 (e.g., a wrench). In some examples, the retaining bracket 302 may be rotatable about the shaft 304, such that rotating the actuator knob 314 and / or the shaft 304 may not necessarily rotate the retaining bracket 302, and vice versa. This configuration allows the operator to align the bracket end 306 of the retaining bracket 302 with the bracket hole 350 and / or move the bracket end 306 away from the bracket hole 350 without rotating the shaft 304, and vice versa.

[0037] exist Figures 3a-3c In the example, shaft 304 is generally cylindrical and includes an engagement portion 318 configured to engage with a rotary locking member 320 of the tool-free fixing system. As shown, engagement portion 318 includes threads configured to engage with complementary threaded grooves 322 in the rotary locking member 320. In some examples, engagement portion 318 of shaft 304 may be configured to engage with rotary locking member 320 only when bracket end 306 is aligned with bracket hole 350.

[0038] exist Figures 3a-3c In the example, the elastic member 324 surrounds the shaft 304 between the fixed bracket 302 and the rotary locking member 320. As shown, the elastic member 324 is a conical (and / or conical) spring with a larger diameter near the fixed bracket 302 and a smaller diameter near the rotary locking member 320. This configuration allows the spring to retract into itself when compressed, thus occupying a minimal amount of space. In some examples, the elastic member 324 may instead be a compressible material, such as memory foam or rubber. In some examples, the elastic member 324 may be a polymer washer or a separate locking washer.

[0039] In some examples, the retaining bracket 302 can be clamped (and / or held in place) between the resilient member 324 and the flange 312 of the shaft 304. This arrangement prevents lateral movement of the retaining bracket 302 along the shaft 304 while still allowing the retaining bracket 302 to rotate about the shaft 304, thereby aligning the bracket end 306 with the bracket hole 350. In some examples, when the shaft 304 disengages from the rotary locking member 320, the force of the resilient member 324 (e.g., spring force) can push (and / or deflect) and / or push the bracket 302 away from the base 202 and out of the bracket hole 350. In some examples, when the bracket 302 disengages from the rotary locking member 324, the resilient member 324 can deflect the retaining bracket 302 by a distance such that the operator can clearly see that the bracket 302 is not engaged and therefore the power supply 100 and the trolley 200 are not secured together. In some examples, when the shaft 304 is disengaged from the rotary lock 320, the resilient member 324 can further offset the engagement portion 318 of the shaft 304 away from the rotary lock 320 (e.g., via a force applied to the bracket 302). In some examples, when the shaft 304 is engaged with the rotary lock 320, the resilient member 324 can be pressed between the fixed bracket 302 and / or the rotary lock 320 (and / or the trolley 200).

[0040] exist Figures 3a-3c In one example, the rotary locking member 320 includes an insert positioned within an aperture 326 of the base 202. In some examples, the insert may include a rivet nut. As shown, the rotary locking member 320 is substantially cylindrical, having a locking member head 328 and a locking member shank 330 extending from the locking member head 328. The locking member head 328 is anchored to a sidewall 210 of the base 202 around the aperture 326. As shown, the diameter of the locking member head 328 is wider than the diameter of the aperture 326, thereby preventing the locking member head 328 from entering the aperture 326. However, the locking member shank 330 is shown with a diameter smaller than the diameter of the aperture 326, such that the locking member shank 330 can extend through the aperture 326 into the base 202.

[0041] exist Figures 3a-3c In the example, the opening 332 in the locking head 328 leads to a passage 334 defined by the inner surface of the locking handle 330. The inner surface of the locking handle 330 further includes a threaded groove 322 that is complementary to and configured to engage with the thread of the engagement portion 318 of the shaft 304. By contacting the engagement portion 318 of the shaft 304 with the complementary engagement portion (e.g., the threaded groove 322) of the rotary lock 320 and subsequently rotating the shaft 304 (e.g., via a knob 314) in the correct engagement direction, the shaft 304 can be locked into engagement with the rotary lock 320.

[0042] In some examples, shaft 304 and / or rotary locking member 320 can be configured such that the operator only needs to rotate shaft 304 to a minimum (e.g., a quarter turn, half turn, a full turn, 1.25 turns, 1.5 turns, etc.) to complete engagement. In some examples, the length of the engagement portion 318 of shaft 304 and / or the length of the locking member shank 330 (and / or the threaded groove 322) can be appropriately configured to introduce this functionality. In some examples, other features of the engagement portion 318, the locking member shank 330, and / or the threaded groove 322 are configured to introduce this functionality.

[0043] Figure 4 An exemplary configuration is shown that ensures that only minimal rotation is required to fully engage the shaft 404 with the rotary locking member 420. Figure 4 In the example, the rotary lock 420 has a passage 434 with intermittent grooves 422 on opposite sides of the passage 434, separated by smooth portions 423. Simultaneously, the shaft 404 forms two engaging portions 418 formed by intermittent threads. The shaft 404 also has a flat (non-engaging) portion 419 separating the engaging portions 418. The passage 334 similarly forms a smooth portion 423 without any grooves. The diameter of the passage 434 at the smooth portion 423 is slightly larger to accommodate the engaging portions 418. In this configuration, the shaft 404 can be pushed into the passage so that its engaging portion 418 aligns with the smooth portion 423 of the passage 434, and its flat portion 419 aligns with the intermittent grooves 422 of the passage 434. The shaft 304 can then be fully engaged with the rotary lock 320 via a quarter turn of rotation of the shaft 304, such that the engaging portion 418 of the shaft becomes aligned and / or engaged with the intermittent grooves 424 of the passage 434.

[0044] exist Figure 4 In some examples, shaft 420 also has a shaft head 412 with a notch 415 configured to receive an actuator (e.g., an Allen wrench). In some examples, shaft head 412 may help retain the retaining bracket 302 for replacement of flange 312. In some examples, the actuator (e.g., actuator knob 314) may be permanently coupled to shaft head 412. In some examples, the actuator may be coupled to shaft head 412 only when needed (e.g., via notch 415) and subsequently removed.

[0045] In some examples, the inner surface of the locking shank 330 may have other configurations that engage with the engagement portion 318 of the shaft 304. For example, a cam locking arrangement may be used instead of a thread. In some examples, a passage 334 and / or a threaded groove 322 (and / or other engagement configurations) may be formed in the base 202 itself, instead of in the insert. However, this may result in increased production costs.

[0046] In some examples, locking engagement between the shaft 304 and the rotary lock 320 may only be possible when at least one bracket end 306 is aligned with the bracket hole 350 in the base 202 of the trolley 200. In examples where the power supply 100 is correctly positioned on the trolley 200, locking engagement may only be possible when both bracket ends 306 are aligned with both bracket holes 350. Without such alignment, at least one bracket end 306 may abut against a portion of the base 202 (and / or a portion of the power supply 100), thereby preventing the shaft 304 from moving into a state engaged with the rotary lock 320. However, when the bracket ends 306 are correctly aligned, the shaft 304 may engage with the rotary lock 320. In some examples, by moving the shaft 304 into a state engaged with the rotary lock 320, the bracket end 306 can be moved into the bracket hole 350, for example, as... Figure 3c As shown.

[0047] In some examples, when the shaft 304 engages with the rotary locking member 320, the shaft 304 and / or the rotary locking member 320 can prevent the shaft 304 from moving laterally out of the rotary locking member 320. In some examples, when both bracket ends 306 are in the bracket hole 350, the base 202 and / or frame 116 defining the bracket hole 350 can abut against the bracket ends 306 and prevent the power supply 100 and / or the trolley 200 from moving longitudinally away from each other, thereby securing the power supply 100 to the trolley 200.

[0048] exist Figures 3b-3c In the example, the end portion 336 of the shaft 304 has an internal channel 338 defined by the inner surface of the end portion 336. As shown, the fastener shank 342 of the fastener 340 is positioned within the internal channel 338. Figures 3b-3c In the example, the inner surface of the end portion 336 includes a threaded groove that complements and is configured to engage with the thread on the fastener shank 342. The fastener shank 342 extends from the fastener head 344, which abuts against the end of the shaft 304. The fastener head 344 is wider (and / or has a larger diameter) than the inner channel 338 and the passage 334.

[0049] In some examples, the dimensions of the fastener head 344 and the secure connection between the fastener shank 342 and the shaft 304 ensure that the shaft 304, the retaining bracket 302, and / or the actuator knob 314 remain held fastened to the base 202 of the trolley 200, thus preventing potential loss of parts. This can be particularly important in examples where the shaft 304 and the rotary locking member 320 disengage and the resilient member 324 offsets the retaining bracket 302 away from the base 202. In such examples, the fastener 340 provides the maximum extent to which the shaft 304 and / or the retaining bracket 302 can offset away from the base 202. At this maximum extent, the fastener head 344 will abut against the rotary locking member 320 and prevent the shaft 304 from moving further out of the rotary locking member 320. If the fastener 340 is not there, when the shaft 304 disengages from the rotary locking member 320, the force of the resilient member may push the shaft 304 completely out of the rotary locking member 320, potentially resulting in the loss of many parts of the tool-free fastening system.

[0050] While the fastener head 344 can be large enough to prevent the shaft 304 from being removed from the rotary lock 320, in some examples, the fastener head 344 can also be small enough to accommodate the nearby hollow shoe opening 218. Figures 3a-3c In the example, the hollow shoe-shaped opening 218 creates a recess in the base 202 near the path of the shaft 304. As shown, when the shaft 304 is fully engaged with the rotary lock 320, the end portion 336 of the shaft 304 extends just below the hollow shoe-shaped opening 218. Therefore, the fastener head 344 must be small enough to allow the shaft to extend below the recess of the hollow shoe-shaped opening 218 when the shaft 304 is engaged with the rotary lock 320.

[0051] exist Figures 3b-3c In the examples, fastener 340 is depicted as a bolt or nut. In some examples, fastener 340 may also be a C-clamp and / or a cotter pin. In some examples, different alignment surfaces may be used, which may make the dimensions of fastener 340 less important.

[0052] In some examples, when transporting the welded power supply 100 on the trolley 200, the operator can use the tool-free securing system described above. Initially, the operator can rotate the securing bracket 302 to misalign it with the bracket hole 350 in the trolley 200, thereby preventing obstruction of the placement of the power supply 100 on the trolley 200. Figure 5aAn example is shown where the mounting bracket 302 is rotated approximately 90 degrees to misalign with the bracket hole 350 before the power supply 100 is placed on the trolley. The operator can then position the power supply 100 on the trolley 200. In some examples, the operator can use the alignment surfaces of the trolley 200 and / or the power supply 100 (e.g., the hollow shoe-shaped opening 218 and / or the protruding foot 118) to properly position the power supply 100 on the trolley 200.

[0053] After placing the power supply 100 on the trolley 200, the operator can align the bracket end 306 with the bracket hole 350 of the power supply 100 and the trolley 200, and engage the shaft 304 with the rotary lock 320 by turning the knob 314 in the correct direction. Figures 5b-5c An example of a fixed bracket 302 in a fixed position is shown, wherein the shaft 304 is fully engaged with the rotary locking member 320. Once fixed, the operator can move the trolley 200 and the power supply 100 as a unit, for example, by pushing the trolley 200 via the handle 114 of the power supply 100. If there is an obstacle on the ground that the operator wishes to avoid, the operator can control the trolley 200 to go around the obstacle. Alternatively or additionally, the operator can lift the trolley 200 to go over the obstacle by lifting the power supply 100 (e.g., via the handle 114). In this case, the fixed bracket 302 can transfer the operator's lifting force from the power supply 100 to the trolley 200, so that the trolley 700 is also lifted.

[0054] After transport is complete, the operator can disengage the shaft 304 from the rotary locking member 320 by actuating the knob 314 in the opposite direction. Once disengaged, the force of the resilient member 324 can automatically push the bracket end 306 out of the bracket hole 350 without requiring manual intervention from the operator. In some examples, the bracket end 306 can be pushed out of the bracket hole 350 at a noticeable speed, thus providing the operator with a clear and obvious indication that the power supply 100 is no longer secured to the trolley 200. The power supply 100 can then be removed from the trolley 200.

[0055] Therefore, the tool-less securing system described above allows the operator to easily secure the power supply 100 to (and / or remove the power supply 100 from) the welding trolley 200 without using any additional tools. Furthermore, the tool-less securing system provides very clear and obvious indications when the power supply 100 is no longer secured to the welding trolley. Additionally, the tool-less securing system provides a means to keep all components of the tool-less securing system connected to the welding trolley 200, thereby preventing accidental loss and / or misplacement of parts.

[0056] Although this method and / or system has been described with reference to certain embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes can be made and equivalents can be substituted without departing from the scope of this method and / or system. For example, components of the disclosed examples can be combined, divided, rearranged, and / or otherwise modified. Furthermore, many modifications can be made to adapt particular situations or materials to the teachings of this disclosure without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Therefore, this method and / or system is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed. Instead, this method and / or system will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims, whether literally or according to the doctrine of equivalents.

[0057] As used herein, "and / or" refers to any one or more items in a list connected by "and / or". For example, "x and / or y" refers to any element in the three-element set {(x),(y),(x,y)}. In other words, "x and / or y" means "one or both of x and y". As another example, "x, y and / or z" refers to any element in the seven-element set {(x),(y),(z),(x,y),(x,z),(y,z),(x,y,z)}. In other words, "x, y and / or z" means "one or more of x, y and z".

[0058] As used herein, the terms “e.g.” and “for example” list one or more non-restrictive examples, instances, or illustrations.

[0059] As used herein, the terms “connection,” “connected to,” and “connected to” refer to structural and / or electrical connections, whether attachment, affixation, joining, joining, fastening, linking, and / or other forms of fixation. The term “attachment” refers to attachment, affixation, joining, joining, fastening, linking, and / or other forms of fixation. The term “connection” refers to attachment, affixation, joining, joining, fastening, linking, and / or other forms of fixation.

[0060] The terms “approximately” and / or “roughly”, when used to modify or describe a value (or range of values), location, orientation, and / or action, mean approximately close to that value, range, location, orientation, and / or action. Therefore, the embodiments described herein are not limited to the listed values, ranges, locations, orientations, and / or actions, but should include reasonable and practicable deviations.

[0061] As used herein, a welding power supply and / or power source means any device that provides output power for welding, cladding, plasma cutting, induction heating, laser processing (including laser welding, laser composite processing and laser cladding), carbon arc cutting or planing, and / or resistive preheating when input power is applied thereto, including but not limited to transformer-rectifiers, inverters, converters, resonant power supplies, quasi-resonant power supplies, switch-mode power supplies, and the associated control circuitry and other auxiliary circuitry.

[0062] As used herein, welding power refers to power applicable to the following: welding, cladding, plasma cutting, induction heating, CAC-A and / or hot wire welding / preheating (including laser welding and laser cladding), carbon arc cutting or planing, and / or resistance preheating.

Claims

1. A welding handcart, comprising: A base having a rotary locking element and a sidewall including a support hole, the sidewall further including a sidewall hole leading to the rotary locking element, the rotary locking element including an insert positioned within the sidewall hole, and an inner surface of the insert defining a passageway; A shaft extending through the sidewall hole and configured to engage with the rotary lock via rotation of the shaft; as well as A bracket held on the shaft, the bracket being configured to secure a welded power supply to the base when the shaft engages with the rotary locking member and the bracket end of the bracket is received by the bracket hole.

2. The welding trolley of claim 1, further comprising a fastener connected to an end of the shaft, the fastener being configured to retain at least a portion of the shaft within the rotary lock when the shaft is disengaged from the rotary lock.

3. The welding cart of claim 2, wherein, The end of the shaft has an internal channel, and the fastener includes a fastener head and a fastener shank, the fastener shank being positioned within the internal channel.

4. The welding trolley as described in claim 3, wherein, The fastener head is wider than the passage of the rotary locking member, thereby preventing the shaft from being removed from the rotary locking member.

5. The welding trolley of claim 1, further comprising an offset member configured to offset the end of the bracket outside the bracket hole when the shaft is disengaged from the rotary locking member.

6. The welding trolley as described in claim 5, wherein, The offset member surrounds the axis between the rotary locking member and the bracket.

7. The welding trolley as described in claim 1, wherein, When the end of the bracket is not aligned with the bracket hole, it prevents the shaft from engaging with the rotary locking member.

8. The welding trolley of claim 1, further comprising an actuator configured to rotate the shaft to cause the shaft to engage or disengage from the rotation lock.

9. The welding trolley of claim 1, wherein the insert further comprises a head and a handle, the head being anchored against the sidewall, the handle extending from the head, and the inner surface of the handle defining the passage.

10. A system for securing a welding power supply to a welding trolley, comprising: A welded power supply, the welded power supply comprising a housing having a first support hole; as well as Welding trolley, configured to hold the welding power supply, the welding trolley comprising: A base having a rotary locking element and a sidewall including a second support hole, the sidewall further including a sidewall hole leading to the rotary locking element, the rotary locking element including an insert positioned within the sidewall hole, and the inner surface of the insert defining a passage. A shaft extending through the sidewall hole and configured to engage with the rotary locking member via rotation of the shaft; and A bracket held on the shaft, the bracket being configured to secure the welded power supply to the base when: (a) the shaft engages with the rotary locking member, (b) a first bracket end of the bracket is received by a first bracket hole, and (c) a second bracket end of the bracket is received by a second bracket hole.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein, The welding trolley further includes a fastener connected to the end of the shaft, the fastener being configured to retain at least a portion of the shaft within the rotary lock when the shaft is disengaged from the rotary lock.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein, The end of the shaft has an internal channel, and the fastener includes a fastener head and a fastener shank, the fastener shank being positioned within the internal channel.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein, The fastener head is wider than the passage of the rotary locking member, thereby preventing the shaft from being removed from the rotary locking member.

14. The system of claim 10, wherein, The welding trolley further includes an offset member configured to offset the end of the first bracket outside the first bracket hole or the end of the second bracket outside the second bracket hole when the shaft is disengaged from the rotary locking member.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein, The offset member surrounds the shaft between the sidewall hole and the bracket.

16. The system of claim 10, wherein, When the end of the second bracket is not aligned with the second bracket hole, the shaft is prevented from engaging with the rotary locking member.

17. The system of claim 10, wherein, The welding trolley further includes an actuator configured to rotate the shaft to cause the shaft to engage or disengage from the rotation lock.

18. The system of claim 11, wherein the insert further includes a head and a handle, the head being anchored against the sidewall, the handle extending from the head, and an inner surface of the handle defining the passage.

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