An unattended semi-automatic, coin operated duplicate key vending machine for use by members of the general public, the machine having a supply of key blade blanks with different cross sectional shapes in storage. The correct blank may be quickly selected by a customer by placing his key into one of a plurality of slots or selector openings, each of the slots adapted to receive a key blade of different shapes which cross section corresponds to the shape of one of the blanks in storage. Positioning the key in the correct slot thus selects a blank of appropraite cross section and automatically positions such blank for milling a duplicate profile. By placing the key to be duplicated in a second slot or key receiving opening, the profile of the key blade blank is cut with great precision to provide a faithful representation of the original key that will smoothly and without jamming operate the tumbler of the original lock. Simultaneous with the discharge of the duplicate key blade, the machine provides a durable plastic, snap, fit, irremovable head which may be easily secured to one end of the blade so as to complete the key with a conventional key head.
A machine (1) for multiple key cutting comprises a box-like structure (2) which contains a motor for the actuation of a cutter (3) and/or a brush (4). The box-like structure (2) also comprises a clamp (5) for fixing a coded key and a tracer; a support is oscillatably associated with the box-like Structure (2). The support has a first station for the multiple loading of keys to be cut and a second station for removing, conveying and locking the position of a single key to be cut. The second station furthermore allows unloading a single key after it has been cut, and movement of the first or second station with respect to the box-like structure (2). The machine allows one to rapidly obtain numerous identical copies starting from a single coded key.
A key duplicating apparatus having automatic key clamping mechanisms for a master key and a key blank, a circular key follower and a key cutter mounted on a pivoting base that pivots and slides on a support shaft, and a mounting plate for mounting the clamping mechanisms and the support shaft. The apparatus is preferably automatically controlled by a microprocessing circuit. Also, the circular key follower is eccentrically mounted on a mounting shaft for adjustment of the depth of cutting of the key blank.
A backhoe (100) has a hydraulic cylinder (316, 317) with a piston (318, 319) that rotates a rotatable boom (108). A lockable slider block (322) slides on the piston. Movement of the lockable slider block in one direction is caused by a spring (328, 329) mounted around the piston, and in another direction is caused by the telescoping of the piston into the hydraulic cylinder. The backhoe includes a hydraulic valve (340) that controls hydraulic pressure to the hydraulic cylinder and a sensor (320) coupled to the hydraulic valve. Once locked to a position on the piston, the lockable slider block engages the sensor on each occasion the rotatable boom rotates beyond a preselected angle of rotation. Engagement of the sensor causes actuation of the hydraulic valve, thereby preventing further rotation of the boom by the hydraulic cylinder. Alternative embodiments have an encoder (120, 130) that digitizes the position of the boom, and a microcomputer (410) that is programmed to actuate the hydraulic valve.
A key duplicating machine having a key clamping assembly for supporting a key blank and a customer key to be duplicated, a key cutter assembly having a cutter wheel for cutting a pattern on the supported key blank and a follower for tracing a tooth patter on the supported customer key, a housing having a front wall, a top wall and a chip collection drawer lcoated below the front and top walls, the key clamping assembly being mounted on the front wall and the key cutter assembly being mounted on the top wall such that no obstructions exist between the key cutter assembly and the chip collection drawer located below the top wall, so that chips formed from a key cutting operation by the key cutter assembly fall unimpeded to the chip collection drawer, and surfaces which may collect the chips are minimized. In a preferred embodiment, a motor driven cam assembly actuates the key cutter assembly and a finger for locating the key blank and customer key of the key clamping assembly, the cam assembly being mounted on a rear portion of a top wall behind a midwall, and the midwall acts as a barrier to prevent chips produced during a cutting operation from progressing to the cam assembly. The key clamping assembly and key cutter assembly each include modules which accommodate keys for both single and simultaneous double key cutting.
In a method and apparatus for duplicating an original key, the keyway and keycode of the original key are measured and duplicated in a preform. The preform used in the duplication process need not include any keyway or keycode prior to the duplication process and, therefore, a single type of preform may be used in generating duplicates of many different types of keys. The apparatus may be automated to take the measurements of the original key and to cut the duplicate key, thus reducing the possibility of producing a nonfunctional duplicate.
