Key cutting machine with a code selectable key duplicating system

In a key cutting machine including a key follower for engaging and tracing the contour of a defined length bit notch pattern formed in a blade of a master key where the bit notch pattern is formed by a plurality of notch segments each having a defined length and a defined elevation and a key cutter coupled to the key follower to reproduce the traced bit notch pattern of the master key in a blade of a key blank, a code selectable key duplicating system for forming a simulated bit notch pattern corresponding to the bit notch pattern of a selected master key where the simulated bit notch pattern is defined by a coded sequence consisting of n code data fields where the position of each code data field within the coded sequence designates the position of each notch segment along the length of the master key bit notch pattern and where the data in each code data field designates the elevation of each master key notch, the code selectable key duplicating system comprising:

• a. a notch pattern simulator divided into a selectable series of n adjacent notch segments where each notch segment includes a notch length compatible with the length of the corresponding master key notch segment and a notch surface having an elevation configured to equal the elevation designated by the data in each code data field, the surfaces of the selected notch segments forming a surface contour creating a simulated bit notch pattern corresponding to the bit notch pattern designated by the coded sequence;
• b. an alignment fixture for positioning the notch pattern simulator relative to the key follower such that the key follower engages and traces the simulated bit notch pattern and the key cutter reproduces the simulated bit notch pattern in the blade of the key blank to produce a cut key blank which functions as a substituted for the selected master key;
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• c. the key follower of the key cutting machine including an upper face segment with a bevelled tracing surface and a lower face segment with a key tracing surface.

In a key cutting machine including a key follower for engaging and tracing the contour of a defined length bit notch pattern formed in a blade of a master key where the bit notch pattern is formed by a plurality of notch segments each having a defined length and a defined elevation and a key cutter coupled to the key follower to reproduce the traced bit notch pattern of the master key in a blade of a key blank, a code selectable key duplicating system for forming a simulated bit notch pattern corresponding to the bit notch pattern of a selected master key where the simulated bit notch pattern is defined by a coded sequence consisting of n code data fields where the position of each code data field within the coded sequence designates the position of each notch segment along the length of the master key bit notch pattern and where the data in each code data field designates the elevation of each master key notch, the code selectable key duplicating system comprising:

• a. a notch pattern simulator divided into a selectable series of n adjacent notch segments where each notch segment includes a notch length compatible with the length of the corresponding master key notch segment and a notch surface having an elevation configured to equal the elevation designated by the data in each code data field, the surfaces of the selected notch segments forming a surface contour creating a first simulated bit notch pattern corresponding to the bit notch pattern designated by the coded sequence, wherein the selectable series of n adjacent notch segments is defined by a series of n notch elevation selector plates having a vertical axis and a first vertically extending edge surface divided as a function of relative elevation into n stepped edge segments each having a different lateral position relative to the vertical axis to define a first set of n adjacent notch segments creating the first simulated bit notch pattern;
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• b. an alignment fixture for positioning the notch pattern simulator relative to the key follower such that the key follower engages and traces the simulated bit notch pattern and the key cutter reproduces the simulated bit notch pattern in the blade of the key blank to produce a cut key blank which functions as a substitute for the selected master key.