Apparatus capable of positioning a key blank relative to cutting device in multiple operational modes
AssigneeHPC, Inc.
InventorsMartin Jalove, Esteban Suarez
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus for positioning a key blank relative to a key cutter. The apparatus includes a frame having an axis. A carriage assembly is attached to the frame and arranged for movement in a generally axial direction and a generally transverse direction relative to the axis. A key blank holder is attached to the carriage assembly. A drive assembly coupled to the carriage assembly is selectively operable to move the carriage assembly in a generally transverse direction. A bias assembly is selectively operable to bias the carriage assembly toward the key cutter.
Claims33
An apparatus for positioning a key blank relative to a key cutter, comprising:
- a frame having an axis;
- a carriage assembly attached to the frame and arranged for movement in a generally axial direction and a generally transverse direction relative to the axis;
- a key blank holder attached to the carriage assembly;
- a drive assembly coupled to the carriage assembly for moving it in the generally transverse direction, having operable and inoperable conditions;
- and
- a bias assembly having operable and inoperable conditions, wherein in a first operational mode, the bias assembly is inoperable, and the drive assembly is operable to impart transverse movement to the carriage assembly, and in a second operational mode, the bias assembly is operable to bias the carriage assembly toward the key cutter, and the drive assembly is inoperable.
An apparatus for positioning a key blank relative to a key cutter, comprising:
- a frame having an axis;
- means for connecting the key blank to the frame such that the key blank is moveable in a generally axial direction and a direction generally transverse to the axis;
- means for biasing the key blank toward the key cutter, the biasing means having operable and inoperable conditions;
- and
- means for driving the connecting means, the driving means having operable and inoperable conditions, wherein in a first operational mode, the biasing means is inoperable, and the driving means is operable to impart transverse movement to the connecting means, and in a second mode of operation the driving means is inoperable and the biasing means biases the connecting means toward the key cutter.
A method of using a key cutting machine, comprising:
- inserting a key blank in a key blank holder positioned on a carriage assembly arranged for generally axial movement and generally transverse movement with respect to an axis of a frame to which the carriage assembly is mounted,
- selecting between a first operational mode for the key cutting machine, wherein a drive assembly is operational to move the carriage assembly transversely and a bias assembly, for biasing the carriage assembly toward the key cutter, is not operational, and a second operational mode, wherein the drive assembly is not operational, and the bias assembly is operational,
- positioning the key blank relative to the key cutter in the selected operational mode.
A key cutting machine having a duplication mode and a code cutting mode, comprising:
- a frame;
- a key cutter mounted to the frame;
- a carriage moveably attached to the frame;
- a key blank holder positioned on the carriage;
- a gauge mounted to the frame that measures a location of the carriage assembly relative to the key cutter;
- and
- an engagement member moveably attached to the carriage, wherein the engagement member is moveable between a first position, corresponding to the code cutting mode, in which it engages the gauge, and a second position, corresponding to the duplication mode, in which it is disengaged from the gauge.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.