US Patent 9669486 Contact tip assembly for a welding torch

A securement member for securing a contact tip to a welding torch assembly is provided. A channel extends axially therethrough and has an internal shoulder that extends into this channel. This internal shoulder abuts against a shoulder on the contact tip, capturing the contact tip between the shoulder and a seating surface on the diffuser and securing the contact tip in the torch assembly. The contact tip is securely seated without threading engagement, facilitating quick release and installation. The exemplary securement member couples to the diffuser such that the egress of fluid from the diffuser is blocked when used for gasless welding. This blocking allows a user to leave the diffuser secured to the welding torch when a gasless electrode is in use.