Method and apparatus for forming a profile groove in a key blank
AssigneeWinloc AG
InventorBo Widén
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and an apparatus for forming a profile groove in an elongated key blank having a key blade with opposite side surfaces. The profile groove is formed in a surface of the key blank by a punching or a broaching tool with at least one tooth. The punching or broaching tool is forced and guided longitudinally in parallel to the key blank so as to cut out the material of the key blank into the desired profile shape, corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the at least one tooth. At the same time, the opposite side surfaces portions of the key blank are clamped or held firmly between opposite holding surfaces of a fixture, causing a firm abutment and retaining action on the longitudinal side surface portions of the key blank located adjacent to and all along the profile groove being formed.
Claims15
A method of forming a profile groove in an elongated key blank having a key blade with opposite side surfaces, said method comprising:
- forming said profile groove in a surface of said key blank by means of a broaching tool with at least one tooth which is forced and guided longitudinally in parallel to said elongated key blank so as to cut out material from said key blank into a desired profile shape, corresponding to a cross-sectional shape of said at least one tooth, said profile groove extending in a predetermined area from a distal end of the key blade towards a grip portion of the key blade, while
- at the same time holding said opposite side surfaces of the key blank between opposite holding surfaces of a fixture, causing a firm abutment and retaining action on the longitudinal side surface portions of the key blade located adjacent to and all along said profile groove being formed, whereby the key blank material adjacent to said profile groove is retained in a fixed state without being deformed during the broaching operation.
A broaching apparatus for forming a profile groove in an elongated key blank, comprising:
- a longitudinally guided broaching tool with at least one tooth for forced movement longitudinally along the key blank and cutting out said profile groove in said key blank during a broaching operation, said profile groove extending in a predetermined area from a distal end of the key blade towards a grip portion or the key blade,
- a fixture provided with a guiding device for longitudinally guiding said broaching tool during said broaching operation, and
- a holding device in said fixture, said holding device having two opposite holding surfaces adapted to abut against two opposite, longitudinal side surface portions of said key blank during said broaching operation, causing an abutment and retaining action on the longitudinal side surface portions located adjacent to and all along said profile groove being formed, whereby the key blank material adjacent to said profile groove is retained in a fixed state without being deformed during the broaching operation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.