SLAG REMOVAL APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR REMOVING SLAG THEREOF

Abstract

The present disclosure is directed to a novel slag removal tool that combines an integrated sawtooth edge with a chipping hammer and a metal notch for securing and opening various ring pull or pull tabs on metal compartments, and facilitating the removal of a slag portion from a welded surface by eliminating the need to switch tools during the removal process.

Claims

1. A slag removal apparatus for removing a slag portion from a welded surface, comprising: a handle, said handle located at a proximal end of said slag removal apparatus; a sawtooth edge, said sawtooth edge located near a distal end of said slag removal apparatus, said sawtooth edge comprising a plurality of teeth, said plurality of teeth configured to remove slag from said welded surface when drawn or pushed across the slag portion; and a chipping hammer, said chipping hammer located near said distal end of said slag removal apparatus, said chipping hammer comprising a blade, said blade configured to remove said slag portion from said welded surface when the blade strikes the slag portion; said handle, sawtooth edge, and said chipping hammer integrated into a single tool, thereby facilitating the removal of said slag portion from said welded surface by eliminating the need to change tools during said slag portion removal.

2. The slag removal apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said slag removal apparatus is manufactured from hardened sheet metal.

3. The slag removal apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said hardened sheet metal is AR225.

4. The slag removal apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said integrated slag removal apparatus is approximately 13.25 inches long and approximately 4.375 inches wide.

5. The slag removal apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said sawtooth edge is curvilinear.

6. The slag removal apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said sawtooth edge is straight.

7. The slag removal apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said sawtooth edge has a radius that is approximately 6 inches, and a curve length of approximately 9.5 inches.

8. The slag removal apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said sawtooth edge has approximately 53 teeth.

9. The slag removal apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said chipping hammer is located on the opposite side of said sawtooth edge.

10. The slag removal apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said chipping hammer is located on the same side of said sawtooth edge.

11. The slag removal apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said handle comprises at least one plastic molded piece.

12. The slag removal apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said plastic molded piece is attached to said slag removal tool using fasteners.

13. The slag removal apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said handle comprises a rope or cord.

14. The slag removal apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said rope or cord comprises a paracord wrap.

15. The slag removal apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a notch, said notch located at said distal end of said slag removal apparatus.

16. The slag removal apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said notch is configured to form an edge, said edge is shaped such that said edge secures a ring pull on a metal compartment for removing the pull off top of the compartment.

17. The slag removal apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a wire brush, said wire brush located near said distal end of said slag removal apparatus, said wire brush integrated into said slag removal apparatus for facilitating the removal of said slag portion from said welded surface.

18. The slag removal apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a measuring device, said measuring device located near said distal end of said slag removal apparatus, said measuring device integrated into said slag removal apparatus for measuring purposes.

19. The slag removal apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a hole in the distal end for hanging said slag removal apparatus when not in use.

20. The slag removal apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a hook in the proximal end for hanging said slag removal apparatus when not in use.

Description

DRAWINGS

[0031] The preferred embodiments of the disclosure will be described in conjunction with the appended drawings provided to illustrate and not to the limit the disclosure, where like designations denote like elements, and in which:

[0032] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a slag removal tool having an integrated chipping hammer and sawtooth edge, in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0033] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a slag removal tool having an integrated chipping hammer, a sawtooth edge and a notched end, in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0034] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a slag removal tool having an integrated chipping hammer, a sawtooth edge and a wire brush, in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0035] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a slag removal tool having an integrated chipping hammer with a spring grip and a sawtooth edge, in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0036] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a slag removal tool having an integrated chipping hammer with a spring grip, a sawtooth edge, a notched end and a wire brush, in accordance with the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] As described herein, the present disclosure relates to a novel slag removal tool 10 for removing slag portions from a welded surface, and the method of using the slag removal tool 10. FIG. 1 shows the preferred embodiment of the slag removal tool 10, which comprises a handle 12 at the proximal end 14 of the tool 10, and a chipping hammer 16 at the distal end 18 of the tool 10. Additionally, the tool 10 comprises a blade 20, which comprises a sharp point 21, at the end of the chipping hammer 16 on the blade side 24, and a sawtooth edge 22 on the cutting side 26. The handle 12 comprises a handle grip or knob 28 closer to the proximal end 14.

[0038] The parts of the tool 10 are integrated so that the user can hold the slag removal tool 10 at the handle 12 and the knob 28 will keep the tool 10 from slipping out of the user's hand during use. As detailed herein, the handle 12 at or near the proximal end or base 14 of the slag removal tool 10, can be just the device itself, formed to fit a human hand, or it can be a spring-type device, made of wood, rubber or plastic (non-conductive material), or any material that allows the user to better grip the tool 10 during use. Alternatively, the handle device 12 may comprise a single-piece or multiple pieces molded plastic, held in place by fasteners or glue. The handle 12 may also be made of one or more pieces of wood, metal or rubber material, anything that provides a slip resistant grip.

[0039] The chipping hammer 16 on the hammer side 24 of the tool 10 can be used to remove thick slag or a slag portion by repeated blows or strikes to the slag portion or slag surface. The serrated side 26 can be used to remove large amounts of the slag portion or slag by a pulling or pushing motion of the sawtooth edge 22 across the surface of the slag portion. It is this dragging or pushing motion, instead of a hammer motion, that will remove large sections of the slag portion in just one pull of the slag removal tool 10 on the slag. In an alternative embodiment, the chipping hammer 16 can be located on the same side as the sawtooth side 26, thereby further decreasing the number of moved necessary to remove the slag portion.

[0040] The sawtooth or serrated edge 22 can also dig deep into the toes (as defined by the American Welding Society) of the weld to remove stubborn slag, which is very important when welding “code” quality joints on pipe or plate. This is commonly done to prevent slag inclusions, which must be removed before the next welded pass can be made or it may be seen in an x-ray when inspected. In addition, weldments that are subject to a destructive test must have all slag removed or the weldment could fail testing. The serrated edge 22 of the tool 10 has several teeth along the curved edge 22, which allow the teeth 32 to remove slag on both curved and straight weldments.

[0041] In the preferred embodiment, the slag removal tool 10 is made from hardened sheet metal, such as AR225, AR235 or AR400, and is 0.125 inches thick throughout the device (although other thicknesses can be used). This particular sheet metal is abrasive resistant and able to hold-up to repetitive blows and vibration. This sheet metal also allows for slag to be removed from harder materials such as, stainless steel, chromium alloys, nickel alloys, and others without damaging or rounding the teeth. Other materials and thicknesses can be used by themselves or in combination to provide similar characteristics can be used to obtain the same or similar results.

[0042] Alternative embodiments comprise a tool 10 that has a handle 12 and a knob 28 that are not flat and can have a round grip as described herein and as understood by one having ordinary skill in the art.

[0043] The slag removal apparatus 10 is approximately 12 inches in length, approximately 3 inches in width and 0.125 inches thick, and in the preferred embodiment, the slag removal tool 10 is 13.25 inches long from the proximal end 14 to the distal end 18, and 4.375 inches wide when measured from the tip of the blade 20 to the middle of the sawtooth edge 22 (when extended to be even with the blade 20). Additionally, the sawtooth edge has a 6 inch radius with a curve length of 9.5 inches. The curvature allows for slag to be removed effectively from flat plate and sheet metal but also from curved or round plate, sheet, pipe or tubing metal as well. An alternative embodiment comprises a straight sawtooth edge, or other shapes that can be employed to remove slag from the surface of a welded joint or surface.

[0044] The knob 28 is located at the proximal end, and the handle 12 is approximately 3.5 inches from the knob 28 to the beginning of the sawtooth edge 22. The sawtooth edge 22 is 4 to 4.5 inches from the proximal end 14 and continues to the distal end 18, but due to the curvature of the sawtooth edge 22, the perimeter 30 of the sawtooth edge 22 is longer.

[0045] The sawtooth edge contains a serrated side with several teeth 32 that, in the preferred embodiment, is 8.375 inches on each side. The number of teeth can vary depending on the size of the sawtooth edge 22 and the size of the teeth 32. In the preferred embodiment, there are about 53 teeth 32, but the number can vary with similar results. As with all of these dimensions in the preferred embodiment, alternative embodiments can utilize different dimensions and sizes to obtain the same or similar results.

[0046] Once a piece (or pieces) of metal have been welded together and the result is an unfinished piece of material or a welded surface containing slag to be removed, the slag removal tool 10 can be used. During the slag removal process, the tool 10 is held by the user at the handle 12 such that the blade side 24 is down and facing the welded piece, where the slag has been deposited. The user can use the chipping hammer 16 in a downward force such that the sharp edge 21 of the blade 20 of the chipping hammer 16 will strike the welded surface at the slag portion. This will remove some of the slag portion from the welded surface. This motion can be repeated numerous times to remove as much of the slag portion as is feasible with that step of the process.

[0047] Next, the user can reverse the grip on the handle 12, if the sawtooth edge 22 and the chipping hammer 16 are on opposite sides of the tool 10, such that the sawtooth side 26 is now facing downward. Using the sawtooth edge 22, the user can continue to saw, scrape or file the area of the weld in which remains slag. This step of the process, pushing and pulling the sawtooth edge 22 over the slag portion of the welded surface, will remove additional slag portion from the welded surface to get the weld and the piece closer to the finished form.

[0048] FIG. 2 shows an alternative embodiment of the slag removal tool 10 comprising an additional can opener or notch 34 in the distal end 18. In the preferred embodiment, the notch 34 is oblong shaped with an approximate opening that is 0.5 inches across and the opening is oblong and approximately 0.75 inches in depth. The notch 34 comprises an edge 46 configured to open a ring pull or pull tab (not shown) that often accompanies a metal canister, such as a hermetically sealed welding rod can with a tab (not shown). The user can use the edge 46 of the notch 34 to open a welding rod can without putting down the slag removal apparatus 10.

[0049] As for hermetically sealed welding rod cans or boxes, there are several different size boxes of rods, but the 50 pound box is the most commonly sold. The edge 46 of the notch or can opener 34 is sized and configured to help the tab on the can slide deep into the opening 34 to prevent slippage. Once the tab on the can is deep into the opening 34, the notch 34 can then rotate off the serrated side 26 of the tool 10 which is a semi-circular shape 30. The shape 30 creates leverage as it pushes upon the can which makes opening easy.

[0050] Again, the user can use the edge 46 of the notch 34 to slide in under the ring and force it to open. The shape of the notch 34 and location allows the user to impart proper leverage when removing the canister top by applying an even distribution to the tab and removing the tab and the top from the canister. Accordingly, the notch 34 can be used to remove the entire top (not shown) that is attached to the ring. This step allows the removal of the top of the canister or container without the user putting the tool 10 down and using his or her hands, thereby saving time and mitigating the chance of getting cut by the top.

[0051] FIG. 3 shows another alternative embodiment of the slag removal tool 10 comprising a wire brush 36 in which the user can clean and possibly finish the procedure for removing the slag portion from the welded surface. Although as described herein, the teeth 32 of the sawtooth edge 22 are intended to remove any stubborn slag when dragged, pulled, pushed or sawed across the weld, the wire brush 36 can be sized to allow the removal tool 10 to access the area of slag removal to clean up the residual slag that wasn't removed from the area. The wire brush 36 comprises multiple wires 38 bunched together to create the friction necessary to remove the residual slag from the welded portion. In use, the user reverses the grip of the handle 12 so that the chipping hammer 16 is again facing downward. The user can then run the wires 38 of the wire brush 36 across the welded portion in which the chipping hammer 16 and the sawtooth edge 22 were previously used thereby removing the slag residue.

[0052] FIG. 4 shows another alternative embodiment of the slag removal tool 10 comprising a spring handle 40, which wraps around the handle 12 and provides the user with a better grip of the tool 10. The spring handle 40 also provides a reduction in resonance when using the slag removal tool 10. Additionally, the handle 12 can incorporate a slip resistant grip 42 to further assist the user in gripping the slag removal tool 10. The spring handle 40 and the slip resistant grip 42 can be used together or can be used, one without the other. In alternative embodiments, the handle 12 may comprise a molded plastic, wood, metal or rubber material, attached by glue, fasteners, or other ways known in the industry, that will provide a slip resistant grip.

[0053] FIG. 4 also shows an alternative embodiment of the slag removal tool 10 comprising a rule or ruler 44 meant for measuring. The rule lines can be found on blade or flat side 24 of the slag removal tool 10 or the opposite side of the serrated teeth 26. The measuring rule 44 can have a range of zero to six inches in ⅛.sup.th or 1/16.sup.th inch increments, although any range and increments can be used, as understood by one having ordinary skill in the art. The rule 44 provides a measuring tool 44 as measurements in the welding industry are commonly used, and the user will not have to put the tool 10 down to separately pick up a measuring tape or ruler to measure certain items while using the tool 10. This rule 44 can be held off of the 90-degree hammer side to ensure a straight line.

[0054] FIG. 5 shows yet another alternative embodiment of the slag removal tool 10 comprising all of the features described herein. The slag removal tool 10 comprises a handle 12 containing a spring handle 40 and a slip resistant grip 42 (although any type of slip resistant handle will work), a chipping hammer 16 with the chipping blade 20, a sawtooth edge 22 with multiple teeth 32, a notch 34, a rule 44 and a wire brush 36 with multiple wires 38.

[0055] An alternative embodiment comprises an opening or hole 48 and/or a cutaway portion, hang tag or rope 50 for hanging the slag removal tool when not in use. The opening or hole 48 can be at the distal end or proximal end and the opening or hole 48 and/or a cutaway portion, hang tag or rope 50 can be included when forming the handle 12, or can be cut into the tool 10 itself. The tool 10 can then be hung from either side, depending on the location of the opening.

[0056] The slag removal tool 10 of this embodiment allows the user to remove any canister tops, as necessary, chip away at the slag portion and saw or file the slag portion of the welded surface, measure as necessary and use the wire brush to further clean and finish the area where the slag portion was removed. The entire process is accomplished with a single integrated slag removal tool 10, without the need to use another tool.

[0057] It will be understood that the embodiments of the present disclosure, which have been described, are illustrative of some of the applications of the principles of the present disclosure. Although numerous embodiments of this disclosure have been described above with a certain degree of particularity, those skilled in the art could alter the disclosed embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of this disclosure.

[0058] All directional references (e.g., upper, lower, upward, downward, left, right, distal, proximate, leftward, rightward, top, bottom, above, below, vertical, horizontal, clockwise, and counterclockwise) are only used for identification purposes to aid the reader's understanding of the present disclosure, and do not create limitations, particularly as to the position, orientation, or use of the disclosed system and methods.

[0059] Additionally, joinder references (e.g., attached, coupled, connected, and the like) are to be construed broadly and may include intermediate members between a connection of elements and relative movement between elements. As such, joinder references do not necessarily infer that two elements are directly connected and in fixed relation to each other. It is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not limiting. Changes in detail or structure may be made without departing from the spirit of the disclosed apparatus, system and methods as disclosed herein.