Connecting structure, handle and arrangement for welding torch

Abstract

A connecting structure (10) for a welding torch (1) is configured to connect a handle (2) of the welding torch (1) to a cable (3) for transmitting electric current. The connecting structure (10) comprises a first end (11) configured to engage with the handle (2), a second end (12) configured to engage with the cable (3), and a longitudinal direction (13) extending from the first end (11) to the second end (12). At least a first connecting part (14) of an outer surface (15) of the first end (11) is formed as a spheroid or a portion of a spheroid. The first connecting part (14) is provided with two first fastening members (16) provided on opposite sides (17) of the first connecting part (14) in relation to the longitudinal direction (13) and configured to engage in each case with one of two second fastening members (31) provided on an inner surface (32) of the handle (2), in such a manner that the connecting structure (10) enables, when connected to the handle (2) at the first end (11) via the first connecting part (14) and the fastening members (16, 31), rotation of the connecting structure (10) in relation to the handle (2) about a bending axis (18) defined by the first fastening members (16).

Description

[0001] CONNECTING STRUCTURE, HANDLE AND ARRANGEMENT FOR WELDING TORCH

[0002] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0003] The present disclosure relates to welding torches, and more particularly to a connecting structure, a handle, and an arrangement for a welding torch.

[0004] BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0005] Traditional welding torches may be hard to handle, especially when welding hard to reach structures requiring turning the welding torch to different directions, as the handles of arc welding torches, such as TIG welding torches, are made of heat resistant, stiff materials. This kind of handles may cause strain to the wrist and arm of the welder, resulting in fatigue and pain in the wrist and arm or the welder. The problem may occur even if a cable cover protecting the cable was connected to the handle by a joint piece. Similar strain may also be caused by welding in difficult locations where the welding position needs to be changed frequently, even if the cable was made of very flexible material.

[0006] There are solutions to these problems, where the handle has been made of flexible material or where the cable is connected to the handle by a bending support. However, handles of such welding torches may be too wide for some welders, the structure may not reach a desired level of bending capabilities, or the structures may be difficult to assemble.

[0007] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0008] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a new connecting structure, handle and arrangement or a welding torch.

[0009] The object of the disclosure is achieved by an apparatus and an arrangement which are characterized by what is stated in the independent claims. Some embodiments of the disclosure are disclosed in the dependent claims.

[0010] The disclosure is based on the idea of providing a connecting structure for connecting a handle of a welding torch to a cable of the welding torch, which has an ellipse-shaped cross section at least at the end connecting to the handle and that the connecting structure and the handle are provided with fastening means configured to engage with each other to enable a mutual rotation of the handle and the connecting structure about an axis defined by the fastening means.

[0011] An advantage of the solution is that a narrower and, thus, easier to use while providing a reliable bending between the handle and the cable. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] In the following the disclosure will be described in greater detail by means of preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which

[0013] Figure 1 illustrates schematically a welding torch shown from a side;

[0014] Figure 2 illustrates schematically a connecting structure according to an embodiment shown in perspective;

[0015] Figure 3 illustrates schematically a connecting structure shown from the second end of the connecting structure;

[0016] Figure 4 illustrates schematically a handle for a welding torch according to an embodiment shown in perspective;

[0017] Figure 5 illustrates schematically an arrangement for a welding torch according to an embodiment shown from a side;

[0018] Figure 6 illustrates schematically a joint element according to an embodiment shown in perspective;

[0019] Figure 7 illustrates schematically a cotter according to an embodiment shown in perspective;

[0020] Figure 8 illustrates schematically a joint element according to an embodiment shown in perspective; and

[0021] Figure 9 illustrates schematically an arrangement for a welding torch.

[0022] The figures are provided for illustrating some features of the disclosure only and are not shown to scale. Same reference numbers are used for similar features in different figures and embodiments. Not all similar features are necessarily provided with reference numbers for the sake of clarity.

[0023] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0024] Figure 1 illustrates schematically a welding torch shown from a side, Figure 2 illustrates schematically a connecting structure according to an embodiment shown in perspective, and Figure 3 illustrates schematically a connecting structure shown from the second end of the connecting structure.

[0025] Referring to Figures 1 - 3, a connecting structure 10 for a welding torch 1 is configured to connect a handle 2 of the welding torch 1 to a cable 3 for transmitting electric current. More particularly, the connecting structure 10 is configured to connect the handle 2 to a protective structure typically called a cable cover or a cable protector provided to protect the cable 3 from mechanical stresses occurring during welding. Such cable protectors or cable covers per se are known in the art. The cable protector may be made for instance of leather. The actual wire(s) or cable transmitting electric current is provided inside this cable cover, but in this disclosure, the cable and the cable cover are understood as one structural part regardless of the detailed structure and its actual layers, for example.

[0026] The connecting structure 10, such as the connecting structure of Figures 1 - 3, comprises a first end 11 configured to engage with the handle 2, a second end 12 configured to engage with the cable 3, or a cable cover covering the actual cable 3, and a longitudinal direction 13. The longitudinal direction 13 of the connecting structure 10 extends from the first end 11 to the second end 12. In some embodiments, the connecting structure 10 may have an angled shaped, but is such cases the longitudinal direction 13 refers to a direction extends from a center of the first end 11 to a center of the second end 12.

[0027] In the connecting structure 10, at least a first connecting part 14 of an outer surface 15 of the first end 11 is formed as a spheroid or a portion of a spheroid. In other words, the first end 11 of the connecting structure 10 comprises an outer surface 15 or a part of the outer surface 15, which has a rounded shape but not a symmetrical sphere shape. This outer surface 15 or part of the outer surface 15 forms the first connecting part 14.

[0028] The first connecting part 14 is provided with two first fastening members 16 provided on opposite sides 17 of the first connecting part 14 in relation to the longitudinal direction 13. In other words, the two first fastening members 16 are provided on opposite sides of the longitudinal direction 13. According to an embodiment, the two first fastening members 16 are provided symmetrically with respect to each other in relation to a longitudinal center axis of the connecting part 14 (not shown).

[0029] The two first fastening members 16 are configured to engage in each case with one of two second fastening members 31 provided on an inner surface 32 of the handle 2, when the connecting structure 10 is connected to the handle 2. More particularly, the two first fastening members 16 are configured to engage in each case with one of two second fastening members 31 in such a manner that the connecting structure 10 enables, when connected to the handle 2 at the first end 11 via the first connecting part 14 and the fastening members 16, 31 , rotation of the connecting structure 10 in relation to the handle 2 about a bending axis 18 defined by the first fastening members 16. According to an embodiment, the bending axis 18 is defined by the fastening members 16 in such a manner that the bending axis 18 extends from a center of one of the first fastening members 16 to the centre of another first fastening member 16. According to an embodiment, the bending axis 18 pierces the longitudinal axis of the connecting structure 10. According to an embodiment, the first connecting part 14 comprises an ellipse-shaped cross section, wherein the width 19 of the first connecting part 14 in the direction of the bending axis 18 is shorter than the height 20 of the first connecting part 14 in the direction perpendicular to both the bending axis 18 and the longitudinal direction 13. In other words, the width 19 of the first connecting part 14 and the height 20 of the first connecting part 14 are defined in a plane transverse in relation to the longitudinal direction 13 of the connecting structure 10, and the width 19 is measured in the direction of the bending axis 18, and the height 20 is measured in the direction perpendicular to the direction of the bending axis 18.

[0030] According to an embodiment, at least a second connecting part 21 of an inner surface 22 of the second end 12 is formed as a sphere or a portion of a sphere. In other words, the second end 12 of the connecting structure 10 may comprise an inner surface 22 or a part of the inner surface 22, which comprises a shape of a sphere or a portion of a sphere, and this inner surface 22 or the part of the inner surface 22 of the second end 12 forms a second connecting part 21 . The second connecting part 21 of the inner surface 22 of the second end 12 may formed as a sphere or a portion of a sphere in such a manner that the connecting structure 10 enables, when connected to the cable 3 at the second end 12, a 360-degree rotation of the cable 3 in relation to the connecting structure 10 about the longitudinal direction 13.

[0031] According to an embodiment, the second connecting part 21 may comprises a circular cross section, wherein the width 24 and height 25 of the second connecting part 21 are equal to each other. In other words, the width 24 of the second connecting part 21 and the height 25 of the second connecting part 21 are defined in a plane transverse in relation to the longitudinal direction 13 of the connecting structure 10, and the width 24 is measured in the direction parallel to the bending axis 18, and the height 25 is measured in the direction perpendicular to the direction of the bending axis 18.

[0032] According to an embodiment, the second connecting part 21 may comprise a circular cross section, wherein the width 24 and height 25 of the second connecting part 21 are equal to each other. According to an embodiment, the width 24 and height 25 of the second connecting part 21 are greater than the width 19 of the first connecting part 14.

[0033] According to an embodiment, at least a second connecting part 21 of an inner surface 22 of the second end 12 comprises an ellipse-shaped cross section, wherein the width 24 of the second connecting part 21 in a direction parallel to the bending axis 18 is shorter than the height 25 of the second connecting part 21 in a direction perpendicular to both the bending axis 18 and the longitudinal direction 13. According to an embodiment, the width 24 of the second connecting part 21 may be same as the width 19 of the first connecting part 14 and / or the height 25 of the second connecting part 21 may be same as the height 20 of the first connecting part 14.

[0034] According to an embodiment, each first fastening member 16 comprises at least one of a recess or a through hole provided on the outer surface 15 of the first end 11 . According to another embodiment, each first fastening member 16 comprises a protrusion protruding outwards from the outer surface 15 of the first end 11 .

[0035] According to an embodiment, the connecting structure 10 comprises a waist part 23 provided between the first end 11 and the second end 12. The waist part 23 may be narrower than the width 19 of the first connecting part 14 and the width 24 of the second connecting part 21 and / or the height 20 of the first connecting part 14 and a height 25 of the second connecting part 21 . According to an embodiment, the shape and position of the waist part 23 may be configured to define a maximum length of mutual rotational movement of the connecting structure 10 and the handle 2.

[0036] According to an embodiment, the connecting structure 10 is formed as a separate structural part. According to an embodiment, the connecting structure 10 may be formed as an integrated part of a bending support structure 6 of the welding torch 1 .

[0037] Figure 4 illustrates schematically a handle for a welding torch according to an embodiment shown in perspective;

[0038] A handle 2 for a welding torch 1 , such as the handle 2 of Figure 4, is configured to be connected to a cable 3 for transmitting electric current via a connecting structure 10. Similarly, to what is explained in connection with the connecting structure 10 embodiments, the handle 2 may more particularly be configured to connect to the protective structure, typically called a cable cover or a cable protector and provided to protect the cable 3 from mechanical stresses occurring during welding, via the connecting structure 10.

[0039] The handle 2 comprises a connecting end 33 configured to engage with the connecting structure 10, a distal end 34 at an end opposite to the connecting end 33, and a longitudinal direction 35 extending from the connecting end 33 to the distal end 34.

[0040] In the handle 2, at least a third connecting part 36 of an inner surface 32 of the connecting end 33 is formed as a spheroid or a portion of a spheroid. In other words, an inner surface 32 or a part of an inner surface 32 at the connecting end 33 of the handle 2 may form the third connecting part 36, which third connecting part 36 may be formed as a spheroid or a portion of a spheroid. An inner surface 32 of the handle 2 at the third connecting part 36 may be provided with two second fastening members 31. The two second fastening members 31 may be provided on opposite sides 38 of the third connecting part 36 in relation to the longitudinal direction 35. The two second fastening members 31 may be configured to engage in each case with one of two first fastening members 16 provided on an outer surface 15 of the first end 11 of the connecting structure 10, in such a manner that the connecting structure 10 enables, when connected to the handle 2 at the first end 11 via the first connecting part 14 and the fastening members 16, 31 , rotation of the connecting structure 10 in relation to the handle 2 about a bending axis 18 defined by the second fastening members 31 .

[0041] According to an embodiment, the third connecting part 36 may comprise an ellipse-shaped cross section. The width 39 of the third connecting part 36 in the direction of the bending axis 18 may be shorter than the height 40 of the third connecting part 36 in the direction perpendicular to both the bending axis 18 and the longitudinal direction 35.

[0042] According to an embodiment, each second fastening member 31 comprises a protrusion protruding inwards from the inner surface 32 of the connecting end 33. The second fastening members 31 engaging in each case with one of two first fastening members 16 may comprise receiving in each case a second fastening member 31 in each one of the two first fastening members 16.

[0043] According to an embodiment, each second fastening member 31 comprises at least one of a recess or a through hole provided on the inner surface 32 of the connecting end 33. The second fastening members 31 engaging in each case with one of two first fastening members 16 may comprise receiving in each case a first fastening member 16 in one of the two second fastening members 31 .

[0044] In other words, the protrusions may be provided either in the handle 2 or in the connecting structure 10, and the counterpart, namely the connecting structure 10 and the handle 2, respectively, may comprise the recess or the through hole. When the protrusion is received in the recess or the through hole, the protrusions may be configured to rotate in the recess or through hole to enable the mutual rotation of the handle 2 and the connecting structure 10. Preferably, the protrusions and / or the recess or through hole may comprise a rotationally symmetrical shape conforming to the counter part is such a manner that the protrusion rotates smoothly in the recess or through hole.

[0045] Figure 5 illustrates schematically an arrangement for a welding torch according to an embodiment shown from a side, and Figure 9 illustrates schematically an arrangement for a welding torch. An arrangement 4 for a welding torch 1 , such as an arrangement of Figure 5 and / or 9, may comprise a connecting structure 10 and a handle 2 according to an embodiment or combination of embodiments disclosed in this description and accompanying claims and drawings.

[0046] According to an embodiment, the first connecting part 14 of the connecting structure 10 and the third connecting part 36 of the handle 2 may be configured to at least partly conform to each other in such a manner that the connecting structure 10 enables, when connected to the handle 2 at the first end 11 via the first connecting part 14 and the fastening members 16, 31 , rotation of the connecting structure 10 in relation to the handle 2 about a bending axis 18 defined by the first fastening members 16.

[0047] According to an embodiment, the first fastening members 16 or the second fastening members 31 may comprise protrusions, and the second fastening members 31 or the first fastening members 16, respectively, may comprise a recess or a through hole. Each one of the protrusions may be, in each case, received in one of the recesses or through holes, whereby the first fastening members 16 are engaged with the second fastening members 31 to connect the connecting structure 10 to the handle 2.

[0048] According to an embodiment, the arrangement 4 further comprises a cable 3 for transmitting electric current. According to an embodiment, the cable 3 may comprise, at a connecting end 5 configured to be connected to the connecting structure 10, a fourth connecting part 42 of an outer surface 41 of the cable 3. According to an embodiment, the fourth connecting part 42 may be formed as a sphere or a portion of a sphere and formed to at least partly conform to the second connecting part 21 , in such a manner that when the fourth connecting part 42 is received inside the second connecting part 21 , thus engaging the second end 12 of the connecting structure 10 with the cable 3, the second connecting part 21 and the fourth connecting part 42 form a spherical joint connecting the cable 3 to the connecting structure 10. Thereby, the connecting structure 10 may enable a 360-degree rotation of the cable 3 in relation to the connecting structure 10 about the longitudinal direction 13.

[0049] Figure 6 illustrates schematically a joint element according to an embodiment shown in perspective, and Figure 7 illustrates schematically a cotter according to an embodiment shown in perspective, and Figure 8 illustrates schematically a joint element according to an embodiment shown in perspective. In Figure 8, the cotter is provided in the joint element. According to an embodiment, the connecting end 5 of the cable 3 comprises a bending support structure 6 comprising multiple joint elements 7 provided adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction 13. Each joint element 7 may have a first end 27, a second end 28 and a waist part 29 between the first end 27 and the second end 28. According to an embodiment, the first end 27 of the first joint element 7 at the connecting end 5 of the cable 3 comprises the fourth connecting part 42, the first end 27 of the rest of the other joint elements 7 comprises on an outer surface 43 a connecting part at least functionally similar to the fourth connecting part 42, and the second end 28 of each one of the joint elements 7, except for the last joint element 7 seen from the connecting end 5 of the cable 3, comprises on an inner surface 44 a connecting part at least functionally similar to the second connecting part 21. Thereby two adjacent joint element 7 form, in each case, a spherical joint connecting the first joint element 7 at the connecting end 5 of the cable 3 to the connecting structure 10 and the rest of the joint elements 7 to an adjacent joint element 7 in such a manner that the bending support structure 6 enables a 360-degree rotation of the joint elements 7 in relation to, in each case, the connecting structure 1 or the adjacent joint element 7 about longitudinal direction 13.

[0050] According to an embodiment, at least a part of an outer surface 26 of the second end 28 of joint elements 7 is formed as a portion of a sphere cut in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction 13. Thereby rotation about axes perpendicular to the longitudinal direction 13 is limited by the shape of the outer surfaces 30, 26 of the second end 12 of the connecting structure 10 and / or the adjacent joint elements 7.

[0051] According to an embodiment, the first end 27 of one or more joint elements 7 comprises a slit 46 extending from an edge 47 of the first end 27 towards the waist part 30 of the joint element 7.

[0052] According to an embodiment, an inner surface 48 of the first end 27 of the joint element 7 comprises a recess 49 extending in a direction of circumference of the inner surface 48 on both sides of the slit 46.

[0053] According to an embodiment, the recess 49 only extends over a portion of the circumference of the inner surface 48. Thereby, a portion of the inner surface 48 without a recess is provided opposite to the slit 46.

[0054] According to an embodiment, the arrangement 4 further comprises a cotter element 8 comprising a longitudinal part 50 configured to fit in the slit 46 and a circumferential part 51 configured to fit in the recess 49. Thereby the slit 46 enables the first end 27 of the joint element 7 to be compressed, when it is inserted into the second end 12, 28 of the connecting structure 10 or an adjacent joint element 7. The cotter element 8 may be provided inside the second end 12, 28 in such a manner that the longitudinal part 50 is provided in the slit 46 and the circumferential part 50 is provided in the recess 49, as best seen in Figure 8. Thereby the cotter element 8 secures and strengthens the inner surface 48 to keep its original shape, when the first end 27 of the joint element 7 is decompressed after being provided in its place in the second end 12, 28 of the connecting structure 10 or the adjacent joint element 7.

[0055] According to an embodiment, the welding torch 1 comprises at least one of the following: a connecting structure 10, a handle 2, or an arrangement 4 according to an embodiment or a combination of embodiments disclosed in this description or accompanying claims and drawings.

[0056] According to an embodiment, the welding torch 1 may be a MIG welding torch, a MAG welding torch, a TIG welding torch or a plasma torch.

[0057] According to an embodiment, the disclosed joint element 7 according to an embodiment disclosed in this description and / or accompanying claims and / or drawings, such as the joint element 7 with a slit 46 for a cotter element 8, or an arrangement comprising such a joint element 7 and the cotter element 8, may be used independently without a connecting structure 10.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A connecting structure for a welding torch, wherein the connecting structure is configured to connect a handle of the welding torch to a cable for transmitting electric current, characterized in that the connecting structure comprises a first end configured to engage with the handle, a second end configured to engage with the cable, and a longitudinal direction extending from the first end to the second end, wherein at least a first connecting part of an outer surface of the first end is formed as a spheroid or a portion of a spheroid, and wherein the first connecting part is provided with two first fastening members provided on opposite sides of the first connecting part in relation to the longitudinal direction and configured to engage in each case with one of two second fastening members provided on an inner surface of the handle, in such a manner that the connecting structure enables, when connected to the handle at the first end via the first connecting part and the fastening members, rotation of the connecting structure in relation to the handle about a bending axis defined by the first fastening members.

2. A connecting structure according to claim 1 , wherein the first connecting part comprises an ellipse-shaped cross section, wherein the width of the first connecting part in the direction of the bending axis is shorter than the height of the first connecting part in the direction perpendicular to both the bending axis and the longitudinal direction.

3. A connecting structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least a second connecting part of an inner surface of the second end is formed as a sphere or a portion of a sphere, in such a manner that the connecting structure enables, when connected to the cable at the second end, a 360-degree rotation of the cable in relation to the connecting structure about the longitudinal direction.

4. A connecting structure according to claim 3, wherein the second connecting part comprises a circular cross section, wherein the width and height of the second connecting part are equal to each other.

5. A connecting structure according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the second connecting part comprises a circular cross section, wherein the width and height of the secondconnecting part are equal to each other and greater than the width of the first connecting part.

6. A connecting structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least a second connecting part of an inner surface of the second end comprises an ellipse-shaped cross section, wherein the width of the second connecting part in a direction parallel to the bending axis is shorter than the height of the second connecting part in a direction perpendicular to both the bending axis and the longitudinal direction.

7. A connecting structure according to any one of claims 1 - 6, wherein each first fastening member comprises at least one of a recess or a through hole provided on the outer surface of the first end.

8. A connecting structure according to any one of claims 1 - 6, wherein each first fastening member comprises a protrusion protruding outwards from the outer surface of the first end.

9. A connecting structure according to any one of claims 1 - 8, wherein the connecting structure comprises a waist part provided between the first end and the second end, which waist part is narrower than the width of the first connecting part and the width of the second connecting part and / or the height of the first connecting part and a height of the second connecting part.

10. A connecting structure according to any one of claims 1 - 9, wherein the connecting structure is formed as a separate structural part.11 . A handle for a welding torch, wherein the handle is configured to be connected to a cable for transmitting electric current via a connecting structure, characterized in that the handle comprises a connecting end configured to engage with the connecting structure, a distal end at an end opposite to the connecting end, and a longitudinal direction extending from the connecting end to the distal end, wherein at least a third connecting part of an inner surface of the connecting end is formed as a spheroid or a portion of a spheroid, and wherein an inner surface of the handle at the third connecting part is provided with two second fastening members provided on opposite sides of the third connecting part in relation to the longitudinal direction and configured to engage in each case with one of two first fastening members provided on an outer surface of the first end of theconnecting structure, in such a manner that the connecting structure enables, when connected to the handle at the first end via the first connecting part and the fastening members, rotation of the connecting structure in relation to the handle about a bending axis defined by the second fastening members.

12. A handle according to claim 11 , wherein the third connecting part comprises an ellipse-shaped cross section, wherein the width of the third connecting part in the direction of the bending axis is shorter than the height of the third connecting part in the direction perpendicular to both the bending axis and the longitudinal direction.

13. A handle according to claim 11 or 12, wherein each second fastening member comprises a protrusion protruding inwards from the inner surface of the connecting end, and wherein the second fastening members engaging in each case with one of two first fastening members comprises receiving in each case a second fastening member in each one of the two first fastening members.

14. A handle according to claim 11 or 12, wherein each second fastening member comprises at least one of a recess or a through hole provided on the inner surface of the connecting end, and wherein the second fastening members engaging in each case with one of two first fastening members comprises receiving in each case a first fastening member in each one of the two second fastening members.

15. An arrangement for a welding torch, characterized in that the arrangement comprises a connecting structure according to any one of claims 1 - 10 and a handle according to any one of claims 11 - 14.

16. An arrangement to claim 15, wherein the first connecting part of the connecting structure and the third connecting part of the handle are configured to at least partly conform to each other in such a manner that the connecting structure enables, when connected to the handle at the first end via the first connecting part and the fastening members, rotation of the connecting structure in relation to the handle about a bending axis defined by the first fastening members.

17. An arrangement according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the first fastening members or the second fastening members comprise protrusions, and the second fastening members or the first fastening members, respectively,comprise a recess or a through hole, and wherein each one of the protrusions is, in each case, received in one of the recesses or through holes, whereby the first fastening members are engaged with the second fastening members to connect the connecting structure to the handle.

18. An arrangement according to any one of claims 15 - 17, wherein the arrangement further comprises a cable for transmitting electric current, wherein the cable comprises, at a connecting end configured to be connected to the connecting structure, a fourth connecting part of an outer surface of the cable, wherein the fourth connecting part is formed as a sphere or a portion of a sphere and formed to at least partly conform to the second connecting part, in such a manner that when the fourth connecting part is received inside the second connecting part, thus engaging the second end of the connecting structure with the cable, the second connecting part and the fourth connecting part form a spherical joint connecting the cable to the connecting structure, whereby the connecting structure enables a 360- degree rotation of the cable in relation to the connecting structure about the longitudinal direction.

19. An arrangement according to claim 18, wherein the connecting end of the cable comprises a bending support structure comprising multiple joint elements provided adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction, wherein each joint element has a first end, a second end and a waist part between the first end and the second end, and wherein the first end of the first joint element at the connecting end of the cable comprises the fourth connecting part, the first end of the rest of the other joint elements comprises on an outer surface a connecting part at least functionally similar to the fourth connecting part, and the second end of each one of the joint elements, except for the last joint element seen from the connecting end of the cable, comprises on an inner surface a connecting part at least functionally similar to the second connecting part, whereby two adjacent joint element form, in each case, a spherical joint connecting the first joint element at the connecting end of the cable to the connecting structure and the rest of the joint elements to an adjacent joint element in such a manner that the bending support structure enables a 360-degree rotation of the joint elements in relation to, in each case, the connecting structure or the adjacent joint element about longitudinal direction.

20. An arrangement according to claim 18 or 19, wherein at least a part of an outer surface of the second end of joint elements is formed as a portion of a sphere cut in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, whereby rotation about axes perpendicular to the longitudinal direction is limited by the shape of the outer surfaces of the second end of the connecting structure and / or the adjacent joint elements.21 . An arrangement according to claim 19 or 20, wherein the first end of one or more joint elements comprises a slit extending from an edge of the first end towards the waist part of the joint element.

22. An arrangement according to any one of claims 19 - 21 , wherein an inner surface of the first end of the joint element comprises a recess extending in a direction of circumference of the inner surface on both sides of the slit.

23. An arrangement according to claim 22, wherein the recess only extends over a portion of the circumference of the inner surface, whereby a portion of the inner surface without a recess is provided opposite to the slit.

24. An arrangement according to claim 22 or 23, wherein the arrangement further comprises a cotter element comprising a longitudinal part configured to fit in the slit and a circumferential part configured to fit in the recess, whereby the slit enables the first end of the joint element to be compressed, when it is inserted into the second end of the connecting structure or an adjacent joint element, and the cotter element may be provided inside the second end in such a manner that the longitudinal part is provided in the slit and the circumferential part is provided in the recess, whereby the cotter element secures and strengthens the inner surface to keep its original shape, when the first end of the joint element is decompressed after being provided in its place in the second end of the connecting structure or the adjacent joint element.

25. A welding torch, wherein the welding torch comprises at least one of the following: a connecting structure according to any one of claims 1 - 10, a handle according to any one of claims 11 - 14, or an arrangement according to any one of claims 15 - 24.

26. A welding torch according to claim 25, wherein the welding torch is a MIG welding torch, a MAG welding torch, a TIG welding torch or a plasma torch.

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