Handle for welding torch arrangement and welding torch arrangement

Abstract

A handle (10) for a welding torch arrangement (1) is configured to be provided around at least one of a neck (2) of a welding torch (7) or a cable (3), which cable (3) is fixedly attached to the neck (2). The handle (10) comprises at least one control wire (11) for transmitting control signals. The control wire (11) is configured to be fixedly mounted to the cable (3) at a first point (14) of the control wire (11). The handle (10) further comprises at least one switch (12) connected fixedly to a distal end (15) of the control wire (11) and at least one activation button (13) arranged to affect, when activated, to the switch (12) to generate a control signal. The control wire (11) is arranged to extend inside the handle (10) at least between the first point (14) and the distal end (15). The handle (10) is configured to attach to the neck (2) and / or the cable (3) in a movable manner.

Description

[0001] HANDLE FOR WELDING TORCH ARRANGEMENT AND WELDING

[0002] TORCH ARRANGEMENT

[0003] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0004] The present disclosure relates to welding torches, and particularly to a handle for a welding torch arrangement and a welding torch arrangement.

[0005] BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0006] 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, typically 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.

[0007] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

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

[0009] The object of the disclosure is achieved by a handle and a welding torch 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 handle which is movable in relation to the neck of the welding torch.

[0011] An advantage of the handle and the welding torch arrangement of the disclosure is that it enables easy adjustment of the mutual position of the neck and the handle and, thus, enables more pleasant welding of even hard to reach structures. 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;

[0014] Figure 2 illustrates schematically a handle for a welding torch arrangement according to an embodiment in cross-section;

[0015] Figure 3 illustrates schematically a detail of a welding torch arrangement according to an embodiment from one side in perspective;

[0016] Figure 4 illustrates schematically a detail of the welding torch arrangement of Figure 3 from another side in perspective;

[0017] Figure 5 illustrates schematically a welding torch arrangement according to an embodiment in perspective in a partial cross-section;

[0018] Figure 6 illustrates schematically a wire rotation module according to an embodiment, for instance an embodiment of Figure 5, in cross-section;

[0019] Figure 7 illustrates schematically a detail of a welding torch arrangement according to an embodiment in cross-section;

[0020] Figure 8 illustrates schematically a detail of a welding torch arrangement according to an embodiment from one side in perspective;

[0021] Figure 9 illustrates schematically a handle for a welding torch arrangement according to an embodiment in cross-section;

[0022] Figure 10 illustrates schematically a handle for a welding torch arrangement; and

[0023] Figure 11 illustrates schematically a welding torch arrangement.

[0024] 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. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0025] The disclosure relates to welding torches. More particularly, this disclosure related to a handle 10 and a welding torch arrangement 1.

[0026] In this disclosure, the term a handle 10 is mainly used for the entire combination of structural parts that can be provided around a neck 2 and / or a cable 3 of the welding torch 7 as described in the disclosure, but sometimes only for the parts that are arranged rotatably to a neck 2 and / or a cable 3 of the welding torch 7, such as a shell 16 of the handle 10, only. In other words, the handle 10 being rotated or arranged rotatably in relation to the neck 2 and / or the cable 3 doesn't mean that each and every part of the handle 10 must be rotatable, but the handle 10 may also comprise one or more structural parts that are not intended to rotate with the shell 16 of the handle 10. This should be clear for a person skilled in the art from the context.

[0027] Figure 1 illustrates schematically a welding torch, Figure 2 illustrates schematically a handle for a welding torch arrangement according to an embodiment in cross-section, Figure 3 illustrates schematically a detail of a welding torch arrangement according to an embodiment from one side in perspective, Figure 4 illustrates schematically a detail of the welding torch arrangement of Figure 3 from another side in perspective, Figure 5 illustrates schematically a welding torch arrangement according to an embodiment in perspective in a partial cross-section, Figure 6 illustrates schematically a wire rotation module according to an embodiment in cross-section, Figure 7 illustrates schematically a detail of a welding torch arrangement according to an embodiment in cross-section, Figure 8 illustrates schematically a detail of a welding torch arrangement according to an embodiment from one side in perspective, Figure 9 illustrates schematically a handle for a welding torch arrangement according to an embodiment in cross-section, Figure 10 illustrates schematically a handle for a welding torch arrangement, and Figure 11 illustrates schematically a welding torch arrangement.

[0028] A handle 10 of a welding torch 7 and, thus, a welding torch arrangement 1, is a part, where an operator grips the welding torch 7. A purpose of the handle 10 is to allow the operator to control and maneuver the welding torch 7 safely while welding. One embodiment of a welding torch 7 and a welding torch arrangement 1 is shown in Figure 1. In different embodiments, the handle 10 may also have other purposes.

[0029] A handle 10 for a welding torch arrangement 1, such as a handle 10 of any one of the Figures 1-9, is configured to be provided around at least one of a neck 2 of a welding torch 7 or a cable 3, which cable 3 is fixedly attached to the neck 2 at an attachment point 4 of the neck 2 and the cable 3. In other words, the handle 10 may be configured to be provided around, and thus to surround a portion of, the neck 2, the cable 3 or both the neck 2 and the cable 3. According to an embodiment, the handle 10 may be configured to be arranged around both the neck 2 and the cable 3, preferably covering at least the attachment point 4 of the neck 2 and the cable 3. The handle 10 surrounding or covering a portion of the neck 2 of the welding torch 7 and / or the cable 3 attached to the neck 2 refers to the handle 10 extending around the neck 2 and / or the cable 3, respectively, but it does not necessarily need to completely cover the portion of the neck 2 and / or the cable 3 that it surrounds. In other words, the handle 10 may comprise apertures, slots, grooves, or the like.

[0030] The handle 10 comprises at least one control wire 11 for transmitting control signals for controlling at least one function of the welding torch arrangement 1. The control wire 11 is configured to be mounted to the cable 3 at a first point 14 of the control wire 11. According to an embodiment, the control wire 11 may be configured to be fixedly mounted to the cable 3 at the first point 14 of the control wire 11.

[0031] According to an embodiment, the control wire 11 may comprise one continuous wire. According to another embodiment, the control wire 11 may comprise several wires connected to each other by electric connectors (not shown).

[0032] The handle 10 further comprises at least one switch 12 connected fixedly to a distal end 15 of the control wire 11.

[0033] The control wire 11 extends inside the handle 10 at least between the first point 14 and the distal end 15.

[0034] The handle 10 further comprises at least one activation button 13 arranged to affect, when activated, to the switch 12 to generate a control signal. Typically, such an activation button 13 may be used at least for igniting an arc in arc welding. The control signal may comprise for instance a binary electric current signal, where for instance the activation button 13 may affect the on / off state of the electric current, a voltage variation signal, a digital signal, or any other suitable type of control signal. Depending on the embodiment, the activation button 13 may comprise a trigger button, a slide button, a touch sensor, such as a capacitive or touch sensitive button, a rotary button, or another type of an activation button. Depending on the embodiment, the activation button 13 may be activated by pushing and / or rolling the activation button 13, touching the activation button 13, or in another suitable manner.

[0035] The handle 10 is configured to attach to the neck 2 and / or the cable 3 in a movable manner. In other words, the handle 10 is configured to be mounted to the neck 2, to the cable 3, or both to the neck 2 and to the cable 3 in such a manner that the handle 10 can be moved in relation to the neck 2, the cable 3, or preferably to both the neck 2 and the cable 3 during use. The handle 10 being movable in relation to the neck 2 and / or the cable 3 during use refers to the handle 10 being movable at least selectively. In other words, in some embodiments, it may be possible to limit or prevent the movement of the handle 10 in relation to the neck 2 and / or the cable 3, when appropriate, for instance for the actual welding operation. Thereby, the handle 10 being movable in relation to or being configured to attach in a movable manner to the neck 2 and / or the cable refers to the handle 10 being capable move at least a predetermined amount in a predetermined direction in at least one use situation, while the movement may be limited or prevented in a second use situation. For instance, according to an embodiment, the handle 10 may be movable in relation to the neck 2 and / or the cable 3 when the position of the handle 10 in relation to the neck 2 and / or the cable 3 is adjusted, and prevented when the position of the handle 10 in relation to the neck 2 and / or the cable 3 is locked for instance for welding.

[0036] According to an embodiment, the handle 10 may be movable at least in a rotational direction 6 about the longitudinal direction 5 of the neck 2. According to another embodiment, the handle 10 may be movable at least in a longitudinal direction 5 of the neck 2, in other words in a linear direction parallel to the longitudinal direction 5 of the neck 2. According to a further embodiment, the handle 10 may be movable in both a longitudinal direction 5 of the neck 2 and in a rotational direction 6 about the longitudinal direction 5 of the neck 2.

[0037] According to an embodiment, a length (not shown) of the control wire 11 measured from the first point 14 to the distal end 15 of the control wire 11 is longer than a distance, such as the distance along a surface of the handle 10, between the first point 14 and the distal end 15 of the control wire 11. In other words, the control wire 11 may not extend along a straight line between the first point 14 and the distal end 15, but instead the length of the control wire 11 between the first point 14 and the distal end 15 may be longer than the direct distance between the first point 14, where the control wire 11 may be fixed to the cable 3, and the distal end 15, where the control wire 11 is fixed to the switch 12. In such embodiments, the control wire 11 may, in other words, be arranged for instance in a bent or curved manner between the first point 14 and the distal end 15.

[0038] According to an embodiment, the control wire 11 may be arranged to form a first loop 17, which first loop 17 of the control wire 11 enables the movement of the handle 10 in relation to the neck 2 in the longitudinal direction 5. This is, thus, one of the alternatives, in which the control wire 11 may be arranged for instance in a bent or curved manner between the first point 14 and the distal end 15.

[0039] According to an embodiment, the handle 10 may further comprise a first guiding structure 38 provided on an inner surface 35 of the handle 10. According to an embodiment, a portion of the first loop 17 may then be received in the first guiding structure 38 to guide the varying of the geometry of the first loop 17, when the handle 10 is moved in relation to the neck 2 in the longitudinal direction 5. According to an embodiment, the first guiding structure 38 may comprise for instance a groove and / or one or more protrusions provided on the inner surface 35 of the handle 10. The groove, protrusion(s) and / or other type of guiding structure(s) 38 may be arranged for instance to limit the movement of a portion of the length of the control wire 11 in on direction, for instance in a lateral direction, while enabling the movement in another direction, such as in a longitudinal direction, like the longitudinal direction 5 of the neck 2. Thus, the handle 10 may be provided with a first guiding structure 38 in embodiments, where the movement of the handle 10 is enabled at least in the longitudinal direction 5 of the neck 2.

[0040] According to an embodiment, the first loop 17 may comprise two legs, a first leg 18 and a second leg 19, a first bend 20 connecting the first leg 18 to the second leg 19, and a first open end 21 opposite to the first bend 20. In other words, the first loop 17 may comprise a U-like shape, where the substantially parallel parts for the first leg 18 and the second leg 19. It should be noted that while a loop in this disclosure, such as the first loop 17, would comprise a U- like shape, it doesn't mean that the legs, such as the first leg 18 and the second leg 19, would necessarily be of equal length. Thus, the U-shape is not necessarily symmetrical in all, or any, positions of the handle 10 in relation to the neck 2 and / or the cable 3. According to an embodiment, the first leg 18 and the second leg 19 may be arranged to extend in the longitudinal direction 5 of the neck 2 in such a manner that when the handle 10 is moved in the longitudinal direction 5 in relation to the neck 2, the first bend 20 shifts in the longitudinal direction 5 and one of said legs 18, 19 contracts while the other one of said legs 19, 18 extends, thereby enabling the movement of the handle 10 in relation to the neck 2 in the longitudinal direction 5. In other words, moving the handle 10 in relation to the neck 2 may cause one leg to extend and the other leg to contract, which moves the position of the first bend 20 in the longitudinal direction 5.

[0041] According to an embodiment, the first leg 18 may be fixedly connected to the switch 12 via the distal end 15 of the control wire 11 and the first open end 21 may be directed towards the cable 3 in the longitudinal direction 5.

[0042] According to an embodiment, at least a portion of the first leg 18 may be provided in the first guiding structure 38.

[0043] According to an embodiment, the control wire 11 may be further configured to form, instead of or in addition to the first loop 17, a second loop 22. The second loop 22 may enable the movement of the handle 10 in relation to the neck 2 in the rotational direction 6, more particularly in the rotational direction 6 about the longitudinal direction 5. According to an embodiment, the second loop 22 may comprise two legs, namely a third leg 23 and a fourth leg 24, a second bend 25 connecting the third leg 23 to the fourth leg 24, and a second open end 26 opposite to the second bend 25. According to an embodiment, the third leg 23 and the fourth leg 24 may be arranged to extend in the rotational direction 6 of the neck 2 in such a manner that when the handle 10 is moved in the rotational direction 6 in relation to the neck 2, the second bend 25 shifts in the rotational direction 6 and one of the third leg 23 and the fourth leg 24 contracts while the other one of the legs, in other words the fourth leg 24 or the third leg 23, respectively, extends, thereby enabling the movement of the handle 10 in relation to the neck 2 in the rotational direction 6. In other words, the shape and function of the second loop 22 may be similar to the first loop 17 but be arranged in the rotation direction 6 instead of the longitudinal direction 5. The second loop 22 may form either a left-hand loop or a right-hand loop depending on the embodiment.

[0044] According to an embodiment, the handle 10 may comprise a wire rotation module 27. The wire rotation module 27 may comprise an inner part 28 fixed to the cable 3 and an outer part 29 surrounding the inner part 28 and connected rotatably to the inner part 28. According to an embodiment, the outer part 29 may be connected to the handle 10 in a movable manner in a longitudinal direction 5. In other words, the outer part 29 of the wire rotation module 27 may be movable in relation to the handle 10 in the longitudinal direction 5 of the neck 2, when the handle 10 is mounted to the welding torch 7. According to an embodiment, the second loop 22 may be received inside the wire rotation module 27 between the inner part 28 and the outer part 29.

[0045] According to an embodiment, an end of the fourth leg 24 at the second open end 26 is fixed to the inner part 28 of the wire rotation module 27. According to an embodiment, the end of the fourth leg 24 at the second open end 26 comprises the first point 14 of the control wire 11 or is provided adjacent to the first point 14.

[0046] According to an end of the third leg 23 at the second open end 26 may be arranged to exit the wire rotation module 27 at a predetermined exit point 30. In other words, the point of the control wire 11 forming the end of the third leg 23 at the second open end 26 may be fixed to the predetermined exit point 30, which forms the position at which the control wire 11 exits from between the inner part 28 and outer part 29 of the wire rotation module 27 in all the mutual positions of the inner part 28 and the outer part 29. Thereby the geometry of the second loop 22 may be arranged to vary within the wire rotation module 27, when the handle 10 is moved in relation to the neck 2 in the rotational direction 6.

[0047] According to an embodiment, where the control wire 11 is configured to form both the first loop 17 and the second loop 22, the end of the third leg 23 at the second open end 26 may be provided adjacent to the second leg 19. In other words, the end of the third leg 23 at the second open end 26 may be directly or indirectly connected to the second leg 19, more particularly to an end of the second leg 19 at the first open end 21.

[0048] According to an embodiment, the wire rotation module 27 may comprise a second guiding structure 31 provided in the inner part 28. According to an embodiment, a portion of the fourth leg 24 may then be received in the second guiding structure 31 to guide the varying of the geometry of the second loop 22, when the handle 10 is moved in relation to the neck 2 in the rotational direction 6. According to an embodiment, the second guiding structure 31 may comprise for instance a groove and / or one or more protrusions provided on the outer surface of the inner part 28. The groove, protrusion(s) and / or other type of guiding structure(s) 31 may be arranged for instance to limit the movement of a portion of the length of the control wire 11 in on direction, for instance in a longitudinal direction 5 of the neck 2, while enabling the movement in another direction, such as in a rotational direction, like the rotational direction 6 about longitudinal direction 5 of the neck 2. Thus, the handle 10 may be provided with a second guiding structure 31 in embodiments, where the movement of the handle 10 is enabled at least in the rotational direction 6.

[0049] According to an embodiment, such as an embodiment of Figures 2 to 6, the handle 10 and / or the welding torch arrangement 1 may comprise a first rotation limiting part 39 and the first rotation limiting part 39 may be provided with at least one rotation limiting structure 33. The at least one rotation limiting structure 33 may be arranged to limit, preferably physically, rotation of the handle 10 in relation to the neck 2 and / or the cable 3 to a predetermined amount, such as to a predetermined angle of rotation 34 and / or to predetermined range of mutual positions of the handle 10 and the neck 2 and / or the cable 3.

[0050] According to an embodiment, such as an embodiment of Figures 2 to 6, the first rotation limiting part 39 may be arranged in a rotatable manner around the neck 2 of the welding torch and / or the cable 3. A corresponding counter part for each rotation limiting structure 33 may be provided for instance in the outer part 29 of the wire rotation module 27 and / or in a second rotation limiting part 40. According to an embodiment, the second rotation limiting part 40 may be provided in a fixed manner around the neck 2 of the welding torch 7 and / or the cable 3 and adjacent to the first rotation limiting part 39 such that at least one rotation limiting structure 33 provided in the first rotation limiting part 39 and at least one rotation limiting structure 33 provided in the second rotation limiting part 40 is arranged to engaged with each other in at least one mutual rotational position of the first rotation limiting part 39 and the second rotation limiting part 40 in such a manner that the rotation is limited.

[0051] According to an embodiment, a first rotation limiting part 39 and the outer part 29 of the wire rotation module 27 may comprise rotation limiting structures 33 arranged to physically limit the rotation of the handle 10 in relation to the inner part 28 to a predetermined angle 34.

[0052] According to an embodiment, the rotation limiting structures 33 of the first rotation limiting part 39, the second rotation limiting part 40 and / or the outer part 29 of the wire rotation module 27 may comprise groove(s) 47 extending in the circumferential direction, which is the rotational direction 6, and shoulder(s) 48 defining the groove(s) 47 at an end of the groove 47 in question in the circumferential direction, as can best be seen in Figures 3, 4, and 6.

[0053] According to an embodiment, such as an embodiment of Figures 2 to 6, the first rotation limiting part 39 may be arranged to affect, when rotated in relation to the neck 2 of the welding torch and / or the cable 3, the outer part 29 of the wire rotation module 27. Depending on the embodiment, the first rotation limiting part 39 may be fixed to the outer part 29 of the wire rotation module 27 to rotate with the outer part 29 in a synchronized manner, or the outer part 29 of the wire rotation module 27 may comprise a rotation limiting structure 33 arranged to limit the rotation of the first rotation limiting part 39 alone or for instance together with a rotation limiting structure 33 of the second rotation limiting part 40 physically to a predetermined angle 34.

[0054] According to an embodiment, where rotation limiting structures 33 in the form of grooves 47 and shoulders 48 are provided in the first rotation limiting part 39, the second rotation limiting part 40 and the outer part 29 of the wire rotation module 27, the rotation of the handle 10 in relation to the neck 2 and / or the cable 3 may be limited to a value in the range of 300 to 360 degrees. In other words, the predetermined angle 34 may be in the range of 300 to 360 degrees. According to an embodiment, this may comprise a freedom of rotation of 150 to 180 degrees in both directions from a neutral middle position. According to an embodiment, this may comprise a combination a predetermined angle 34 in the range 150 to 180 degrees between the first rotation limiting part 39 and the outer part 29 of the wire rotation module 27, as shown in Figure 6, and a corresponding predetermined angle in the range of 150 to 180 degrees between the first rotation limiting part 39 and the second rotation limiting part 40. According to an embodiment, the predetermined angle 34, whether defined by one or several rotation limiting structures 33, or pairs or sets of rotation limiting structures 33, may be in the range of 355 to 365 degrees, thus enabling a substantially full turn of the handle 10 in relation to the neck 2 and / or the cable 3 but preventing them from turning over that, which might for instance damage the control wire 11.

[0055] According to another embodiment, such as the embodiments of Figures 7 to 9, instead of or in addition to the rotation limiting structures 33 being provided in the first rotation limiting part 39, the second rotation limiting part 40, and / or the outer part 29 of the wire rotation module 28, at least one rotation limiting structure 33 may be provided in a further part of the handle 10 and / or the welding torch arrangement 1. Such a further part may comprise a part disclosed elsewhere in this disclosure, such as the inner part 28 and / or the outer part 29 of the wire rotation module 27, or a separate part such as the first and the second rotation limiting part 39, 40. According to an embodiment, such as the embodiments of Figures 7 to 9, the inner part 28 and the outer part 29 of the wire rotation module 27 comprise rotation limiting structures 33 arranged to physically limit the rotation of the outer part 29 in relation to the inner part 28 to a predetermined angle 34. It is clear for a person skilled in the art that such rotation limiting structures 33 physically limiting rotation of two parts provided one surrounding the other for instance in a coaxial manner may comprise for instance protrusions and / or counter surfaces provided on surfaces of the parts facing each other, such as the inner surface of the outer part 29 and the outer surface of the of the inner part 28 or other structures of the handle 10 and / or the welding torch arrangement 1, for instance according to a further embodiment disclosed in this disclosure.

[0056] In other words, the predetermined angle 34 may, in some embodiments, be a combination of two pairs of rotation limiting structures 33 coupled to each other directly or indirectly, such as directly by the first rotation limiting part 39 in the embodiment of Figures 2 to 6, instead of one pair or set of rotation limiting structures, such as in the embodiments of Figures 7 to 9. In other words, in the embodiment of Figures 2, 3, and 4, for instance, the rotation of the handle 10 starting from a first extreme position may be arranged to first rotate the outer part 29 of the wire rotation module 27 coupled to rotate with the handle 10, until the shoulders 48 of the outer part 29 engages with a first shoulder 48 of the first rotation limiting part 39. This may be arranged to bring the handle 10 in the neutral middle position in relation to the neck 2 and / or the cable 3. When the handle 10 is rotated further in relation to the neck 2 and / or the cable 3, the first rotation limiting part 39 may be arranged to continue rotating, until a second should 48 of the first rotation limiting part 39 engages with a shoulder 48 of the second rotation limiting part 40. This may be arranged to bring the handle 10 to its second extreme position in relation to the neck 2 and / or cable 3.

[0057] On the other hand, in an embodiment only comprising one pair or set of rotation limiting structures 33, such as in the embodiments of Figures 7 to 9, rotating the handle 10 in relation to the neck 2 and / or the cable 3 may rotate a structural part rotating with the handle 10 and provided with at least one rotation limiting structure 33, such as the outer part 29 of the wire rotation module 27, or the handle 10, for instance an inner surface of the handle 10, may comprise at least one rotation limiting structure 33. A structural part coupled with the neck 2 and / or the cable 3 in a non-rotating manner, such as the inner part 28 of the wire rotation module 27, may be provided with at least one rotation limiting structure 33. Then, the rotation limiting structures 33 may be arranged to engage with each other in one or both of the extreme positions of the handle 10, when the handle 10 is rotated in relation to the neck 2 and / or cable 3.

[0058] According to an embodiment (not shown), the first rotation limiting part 39 may comprise a separate structural part arranged between the handle 10 and at least one of the neck 2 of the welding torch or the cable 3 in a rotational manner in such way that the first rotation limiting part 39 is rotatable in relation to both the handle 10 and at least one of the neck 2 of the welding torch or the cable 3, while limiting the mutual rotation of the handle 10 and at least one of the neck 2 of the welding torch or the cable 3. In such embodiments, the first rotation limiting part 39 may comprise at least one rotation limiting structure 33 and at least one of the handle 10, the neck 2 of the welding torch, the cable 3, or a further part arranged directly or via further parts to at least one of the handle 10, the neck 2 of the welding torch, the cable 3 in a nonrotation manner comprises a counter rotation limiting structure 33. Thereby, such first rotation limiting part 39 may be arranged to limit the mutual rotation of the handle 10 and the neck 2 of the welding torch and / or the cable 3 physically to a predetermined angle 34.

[0059] The predetermined angle 34 refers to the entire angle of rotation enabled, whereby for instance a predetermined angle of 90 degrees refers to a 45- degree freedom of rotation in both directions from the neutral middle position. According to an embodiment, the predetermined angle 34 may be in the range of 100 to 360 degrees, preferably in the range of 135 to 360 degrees, most preferably in the range of 180 to 360 degrees.

[0060] According to an embodiment, the inner surface 35 of the handle 10 and the outer part 29 of the wire rotation module 27 comprise linear movement limiting structures 36 arrange to physically limit the movement of the wire rotation module 27, and thus the cable 3, in the longitudinal direction 5 in relation to the handle 10 to a predetermined length 37. It is clear for a person skilled in the art that such linear movement limiting structures 36 physically limiting mutual linear movement of two parts may comprise for instance protrusions and / or counter surfaces provided on surfaces of the parts facing each other, such as the inner surface 35 of the handle 10 and the outer surface of the of the outer part 29, and / or at ends of the part(s) in the linear direction. According to an embodiment, the predetermined length 37 may be in the range of 10 to 200 mm, preferably 30 to 150 mm.

[0061] According to an embodiment, at least a part of the control wire 11 provided within the handle 10 may be covered by a protection liner 32. According to an embodiment, the protection liner 32 may comprise at least one of a metal or plastic material. According to an embodiment, the protection liner 32 may comprises a spiral made of a metal material, such as steel, or a plastic material.

[0062] According to an embodiment, the welding torch 7 may be a MIG welding torch, a MAG welding torch, a TIG welding torch or a plasma torch.

[0063] According to an embodiment, a welding torch arrangement 1 may comprise a neck 2 of a welding torch 7, a cable 3, and a handle 10 according to an embodiment or combination of embodiments disclosed in this disclosure comprising this description and accompanying claims and drawings. In the welding torch arrangement 1, the handle 10 may be attached to the neck 2 and / or the cable 3 in a movable manner. According to an embodiment, the handle 10 may be movable at least in a rotational direction 6 about the longitudinal direction 5 of the neck 2. According to another embodiment, the handle 10 may be movable at least in a longitudinal direction 5 of the neck 2, in other words in a linear direction parallel to the longitudinal direction 5 of the neck 2. According to a further embodiment, the handle 10 may be movable in both a longitudinal direction 5 of the neck 2 and in a rotational direction 6 about the longitudinal direction 5 of the neck 2.

[0064] According to an embodiment, the welding torch arrangement 1 may further comprises a locking arrangement 46 for locking the position of the neck 2 in relation to the handle 10. According to an embodiment, the locking arrangement 46 may comprise a collar 41 fixed to the handle 10. According to an embodiment, the collar 41 may comprise a tapered portion 42 directed toward the neck 2 and a threaded portion 43 directed toward the handle 10. According to an embodiment, the locking arrangement 46 may further comprise a nut 44 provided around the neck 2. The nut 44 may comprise an inner threaded portion 45 configured to engage with the threaded portion 43 of the collar 41. According to an embodiment, the nut 44 may be arranged to compress the tapered portion 42 of the collar 41 to the neck 2, when the nut 44 is mounted to the collar 41 by the threaded portions 43, 45 to provide a friction locking of the mutual position of the neck 2 and the handle 10.

[0065] According to another embodiment (not shown), the locking arrangement 46 may comprise a geared collar fixed to surround the neck 2. According to an embodiment, the geared collar may comprise a geared outer surface. According to an embodiment, the geared outer surface may comprise three or more teeth. According to an embodiment, the teeth may extend in a radial direction of the geared collar. According to an embodiment, the geared outer surface may comprise teeth provided along the entire outer circumference of the geared outer surface. According to an embodiment, the geared outer surface may only comprise a portion of the outer surface of the geared collar in the longitudinal direction 5 of the neck 2. In other words, the teeth may only extend along a portion of the geared collar in the longitudinal direction 5. According to an embodiment, the locking arrangement 46 may further comprise at least one spring provided on an inner surface 35 of the handle 10. According to an embodiment, each spring may extend in a longitudinal direction 5 of the neck 2. According to an embodiment, the spring may be arranged to be received between two adjacent teeth, when no rotational force exceeding a threshold force is applied to the handle 10, and to deflect to move over the adjacent tooth to enable rotation of the handle 10 in relation to the neck 2 and / or the cable 3, when the force applied to the spring by an operator by rotating the handle 2 exceeds the threshold force.

[0066] Thereby to geared outer surface of the geared collar and the spring may be arranged to form a form locking of the mutual position of the neck 2 and the handle 10 in a step-wise manner defined by the number on teeth provided. According to an embodiment, the locking arrangement 46 may comprise two springs. According to one embodiment, the two springs may be provided on opposite sides of the handle 10. This may provide a more secure locking of the mutual position of the handle 10 and the neck 2.

[0067] According to an embodiment, each tooth may be tapered outwards. In other words, the width of each tooth in the circumferential direction may decrease outwards. This may provide a smoother rotation of the handle 10 in relation to the neck 2. It is also obvious for a person skilled in the art that the disclosed aspects and embodiments may be combined and that, as the technology advances, the concept of this disclosure may be implemented in various ways. The disclosed solution and its embodiments are not limited to the examples described in this description but may vary within the scope of the claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A handle for a welding torch arrangement, which handle is configured to be provided around at least one of a neck of a welding torch or a cable, which cable is fixedly attached to the neck at an attachment point of the neck and the cable, which handle comprises at least one control wire for transmitting control signals for controlling at least one function of the welding torch arrangement, the control wire being configured to be mounted to the cable at a first point of the control wire; at least one switch connected fixedly to a distal end of the control wire, the control wire being arranged to extend inside the handle at least between the first point and the distal end; and at least one activation button arranged to affect, when activated, to the switch to generate a control signal, wherein the handle is configured to attach to the neck and / or the cable in a movable manner.

2. A handle according to claim 1, wherein the handle is movable in both a longitudinal direction of the neck and in a rotational direction about the longitudinal direction of the neck.

3. A handle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a length of the control wire measured from the first point to the distal end of the control wire is longer than a distance between the first point and the distal end of the control wire.

4. A handle according to claim 3, wherein the control wire is arranged to form a first loop, which first loop of the control wire enables the movement of the handle in relation to the neck in the longitudinal direction.

5. A handle according to claim 4, wherein the handle further comprises a first guiding structure provided on an inner surface of the handle, wherein a portion of the first loop is received in the first guiding structure to guide the varying of the geometry of the first loop, when the handle is moved in relation to the neck in the longitudinal direction.

6. A handle according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the first loop comprises two legs, a first leg and a second leg, a first bend connecting the first leg to the second leg, and a first open end opposite to the first bend, wherein the first leg and the second leg are arranged to extend in the longitudinal direction of the neck in such a manner that when the handle is moved in the longitudinal direction in relation to the neck, the first bend shifts in the longitudinal direction and one of said legs contracts while the other one of said legs extends, thereby enabling the movement of the handle in relation to the neck in the longitudinal direction.

7. A handle according to claim 6, wherein the first leg is fixedly connected to the switch via the distal end of the control wire and the first open end is directed towards the cable in the longitudinal direction.

8. A handle according to any one of claims 5 - 7, wherein at least a portion of the first leg is provided in the first guiding structure.

9. A handle according to any one of claims 4 - 8, wherein the control wire is further configured to form a second loop, which second loop enables the movement of the handle in relation to the neck in the rotational direction.

10. A handle according to claim 9, wherein the second loop comprises two legs, a third leg and a fourth leg, a second bend connecting the third leg to the fourth leg, and a second open end opposite to the second bend, wherein the third leg and the fourth leg are arranged to extend in the rotational direction of the neck in such a manner that when the handle is moved in the rotational direction in relation to the neck, the second bend shifts in the rotational direction and one of said legs contracts while the other one of said legs extends, thereby enabling the movement of the handle in relation to the neck in the rotational direction.

11. A handle according to claim 10, wherein the handle further comprises a wire rotation module, which wire rotation module comprises an inner part fixed to the cable and an outer part surrounding the inner part and connected rotatably to the inner part,wherein the second loop is received inside the wire rotation module between the inner part and the outer part, wherein an end of the third leg adjacent to the second leg at the second open end is arranged to exit the wire rotation module at a predetermined exit point, and wherein an end of the fourth leg at the second open end is fixed the inner part of the wire rotation module, whereby the geometry of the second loop varies within the wire rotation module, when the handle is moved in relation to the neck in the rotational direction.

12. A handle according to claim 11, wherein the wire rotation module comprises a second guiding structure provided in the inner part, wherein a portion of the fourth leg is received in the second guiding structure to guide the varying of the geometry of the second loop, when the handle is moved in relation to the neck in the rotational direction.

13. A handle according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the inner part and the outer part of the wire rotation module comprise rotation limiting structures arranged to physically limit the rotation of the outer part in relation to the inner part to a predetermined angle.

14. A handle according to claim 11 or 12, wherein a first rotation limiting part and the outer part of the wire rotation module comprise rotation limiting structures arranged to physically limit the rotation of the handle in relation to the inner part to a predetermined angle.

15. A handle according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the predetermined angle is in the range of 100 to 360 degrees.

16. A handle according to any one of claims 11 - 15, wherein the inner surface of the handle and the outer part of the wire rotation module comprise linear movement limiting structures arrange to physically limit the movement of the wire rotation module, and thus the cable, in the longitudinal direction in relation to the handle to a predetermined length.

17. A handle according to claim 16, wherein the predetermined length is in the range of 10 to 200 mm.

18. A handle according to any one of claims 1 - 17, wherein at least a part of the control wire provided within the handle covered by a protection liner.

19. A handle according to claim 18, wherein the protection liner comprises at least one of a metal or plastic material.

20. A welding torch arrangement comprising a neck, a cable, and a handle according to any one of claims 1 - 19, wherein the handle is attached to the neck and / or the cable in a movable manner.

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