Key cutting machine and method
AssigneeThe Hillman Group, Inc.
InventorsMichael A. Mueller, Warren W. Stansberry
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A key cutting machine for cutting a notch pattern on a key blank is disclosed. The key cutting machine comprises a pair of cutting heads and a clamp mechanism. Each cutting head includes a cutting wheel having an edge and an alignment structure mounted behind the cutting wheel. Each alignment structure has a key guide portion aligned tangent to the edge of a corresponding cutting wheel to engage and position a key blank laterally. The clamp mechanism is positioned between the cutting heads and is configured to hold the key blank stationary.
Claims98
A key cutting machine, comprising:
- a pair of cutting heads, each cutting head including a cutting wheel having an edge;
- an alignment structure mounted behind each cutting wheel, each alignment structure having a key guide portion aligned tangent to the edge of a corresponding cutting wheel to engage and position a key blank laterally;
- and
- a clamp mechanism positioned between the cutting heads and configured to hold the key blank stationary.
A key cutting machine for cutting a notch pattern on a key blank, comprising:
- a housing including a top frame and a base;
- and
- a pair of cutting heads suspended below the top frame of the housing without being supported on the base of the housing, each cutting head including a cutting wheel rotatable to cut the notch pattern on the key blank.
A key cutting machine for cutting a notch pattern on a key blank, comprising:
- a housing including a top frame;
- a pair of cutting heads positioned within the housing, each cutting head including a cutting wheel rotatable to cut the notch pattern on the key blank;
- and
- a clamp mechanism positioned between the cutting heads, the clamp mechanism including a lower clamp and an upper clamp, the upper clamp being suspended from the top frame of the housing and vertically movable relative to the lower clamp to hold the key blank stationary.
A key cutting machine for cutting a notch pattern on a key blank, comprising:
- a clamp mechanism configured to hold the key blank stationary;
- a tip stop mechanism positioned behind the clamp mechanism and configured to engage a tip of the key blank and position the key blank longitudinally;
- and
- a pair of cutting heads movable relative to the clamp mechanism, the cutting heads being movable longitudinally in unison and movable independently of each other laterally, each cutting head including a cutting wheel rotatable to cut the notch pattern on the key blank.
A method for cutting a notch pattern on a key blank using a key cutting machine, the key cutting machine including a clamp mechanism, a tip stop, and a pair of cutting heads, each cutting head including a cutting wheel and a paddle mounted behind the cutting wheel, the method comprising the steps of:
- moving the cutting heads laterally to position the paddles at lateral positions spaced apart from each other by a width of the key blank;
- inserting the key blank into the clamp mechanism;
- positioning the key blank laterally by engaging the key blank with the paddles;
- engaging a tip of the key blank with the tip stop;
- positioning the key blank at a correct longitudinal position by moving the tip stop longitudinally;
- clamping the key blank stationary using the clamp mechanism;
- and
- moving at least one of the cutting heads relative to the clamp mechanism to cut the notch pattern on the key blank.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.