Abstract: A key manufacturing machine utilizing a drilling assembly adapted to perform a drilling operations including a rotating assembly having a number of attaching block assemblies circumferentially spaced at its top portion. Each of the attaching block assemblies has a setting wheel which includes an integral wheel part and a shaft part, and which is turnable to set a desired position. A number of set screws are each disposed within a corresponding threaded hole on the wheel part of the attaching block assembly to be adjustable to respective depths. A sensing device is utilized to sense the depth of each set screw for controlling the drilling depth during the drilling operation.

Abstract: A key cutting machine capable of duplicating a key blank from a master key and cutting a key blank to form a desired key from a lock manufacturer's code or number governing the depths of the cuts and the spaces between them being formed in the key blank. The key cutting machine having a plurality of interchangeable discs each of which has a plurality of depth cut-outs arranged circumferentially on one of its sides corresponding with the key cut-out depths specified by various key and lock manufacturers and having a plurality of interchangeable spacing keys, each of which has a plurality of longitudinally spaced configurations arranged in various different patterns in accordance with various key and lock manufacturer's code or identifying number.

Abstract: An impressioning key for making an impression of the tumblers of a lock comprises a key blank having a main portion of relatively hard material with a recess in an upper forward edge portion. A tumbler engaging portion consisting substantially wholly of lead is secured to the main portion in the recess, the tumbler engaging portion being a solid pre-shaped body of lead filling the recess.

Abstract: A key duplicating apparatus is disclosed which includes a base and platform supporting a reciprocating carriage assembly and a pivotally mounted housing. The carriage assembly has a key securement means which secures a blank key and a template key in alignment for positioning, respectively, with a notch cutting means and a notch depth indicating means, so that a template key may be duplicated by cutting notches of a predetermined depth and position into the shank portion of the blank key.The duplicate key may be cut by use of the template key as a pattern, with a guide cam affixed to the indicating means aligned with a cutter wheel affixed to the notch cutting means. Alternatively, the guide cam may have indicia about its circumference, which may be used to "dial" and decode a manufacturer's code for the purpose of creating a duplicated key. As the guide cam is rotated, the invention may be used to cut a duplicate key from the notch pattern presented in the code.

Abstract: A key is an assembly of a thermoplastic handle and a blade, which are formed separately from each other. The blade is substantially flat, and includes on each of its opposite sides a plurality of parallel longitudinal lands having forwardly-facing bittings thereon, and a plurality of parallel longitudinal grooves which alternate with the lands and space them apart. The bittings serve to engage transverse rows of axially reciprocatable tumblers in a cylinder lock, and the grooves receive lock wards therein, while the distal end of the blade engages the lock to determine the depth of insertion of the key blade. The blade also is provided with a capture pin opening, and with a proximal end structure which cooperates with the handle in assembling the key. The blade is made from a length of bar stock which is rolled in order to form lands and grooves on the sides of a flat strip.

Abstract: A machine for cutting flat keys having extending tumbler-receiving recesses includes a mount for a key blade blank, a mount for a cutter, mechanism mounting the blank mount and the cutter mount for movement relative to each other for cutting a longitudinal tumbler-receiving recess in a blade blank mounted on the blank mount with a cutter mounted on the cutter mount, and mechanism mounting the blank mount and the cutter mount for adjustment of their relative positions to adjust the position of the cutter transversely with respect to the blade blank, whereby a plurality of tumbler-receiving recesses may be cut in the blank thereacross. A holder for the blade blank is pivotally mounted on the blank mount for 180-degree rotation about the longitudinal axis of the blank, whereby the recesses may be cut in opposite sides of the blank.

Abstract: A pantograph angular bitted key cutting machine is provided which facilitates the replication of angular bitted keys, commonly known as MEDECO.RTM. keys by automatically replicating the position, depth and angularity of each tooth. Accurate angularity, the most difficult of the variables to replicate, is assured by ensuring that the center of rotation of the angular tooth wall is perpendicular to the radius of the cutting head. Two major embodiments are provided. In the first, the cutting head and the guide which aligns with the original key are fixed in the same line. In the second embodiment the guide and the original key are placed directly behind the cutting head and the blank duplicate key.

Abstract: A kit and method for constructing a temporary key template from a key code of a lock having pin tumblers is disclosed. The temporary key template is used as a master in order to make a permanent duplicate key having appropriate serrations from a suitable uncut key. The kit includes a converter blank key having an elongate bar in which a plurality of apertures are provided. These apertures are spaced at predetermined distances from one another which correspond to the respective distances between the pin tumblers of the lock. A plurality of different pins are provided which are adapted to be inserted into any of the apertures so that a predetermined upper portion of the pin extends above the elongate bar. The particular pin need for an aperture is determined by the key code so that by filling the appropriate apertures with appropriate pins, a temporary key template is constructed which is easily duplicated on a conventional key duplicating machine.

Abstract: A cavity key duplicating machine having an upright drill which may be moved upward and downward and has an adjustable stroke, an upright guide which may be moved upward and downward together with the upright drill, as well as the left and right vises secured on an upper carriage slidably secured on a lower carriage slidably secured on a base. A ring-shaped stroke adjuster is releasably secured on a pinion shaft rotatably secured on a case, and having an inner pin formed thereof in order that the inner pin can be stopped by a fixed pin mounted on the side of the case when it is rotated by the pinion shaft for the control of the stroke of the upright drill.

Abstract: For producing security keys, in a first method step bore patterns differing from one another are produced, each bore pattern having the same number of bore locations. The corresponding bores are standard bores, which however may vary in terms of their bore depth. In a second method step, a prespecified number of selected bore locations in each bore pattern is varied in terms of their positions. In a third method step, each selected bore locations is additionally varied in terms of a prespecified number of bore shapes differing from one another.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for reproducing coded keys adapted to machines for reproducing keys by scanning and comprising a rotary cutter and a follower adapted to be displaced simultaneously in two orthogonal directions, wherein said device comprises a support, a first carriage mounted to move with respect to the support, a second carriage mobile with respect to the first and bearing a bar provided with a single notch whose shape is that of the notches of the key to be reproduced, the two carriages being mobile respectively in the longitudinal direction of the bar and in the direction of the depth of the notch thereof, means for immobilizing one of the carriages in one of several marked positions each corresponding to one of the possible locations for the notches of the key to be reproduced, and means for immobilizing the other carriage in one of several marked positions each corresponding to one of the possible depths for these notches.

Abstract: The machine comprises a milling cutter of the so-called cup type whereto a manually movable bracket is articulated. The bracket has journalled thereon a stand having the reference key clamps mounted thereon and the clamps for the key blank to be milled. The keys lay in two respective parallel planes extending perpendicularly to the bracket articulation axis and containing the cutter rotation axis and the contact point of a feeler arranged to sense the reference key profile, respectively.

Abstract: A machine for cutting a contoured edge into a key blank according to a predetermined guide surface. The key blank is mounted in a vise located at one end of a fixture which has means for establishing the guide surface at a second end. The fixture is journaled on a stationary shaft for pivoting about and horizontally sliding along the shaft. A cutting wheel is journaled for rotation on an arbor and is arranged to be engaged by the key blank as the fixture is moved. A stationary stylus is arranged to contact the guide surface to control the pivoting movement of the fixture. A spring urges the fixture to pivot in one direction to cause the stylus to contact the guide surface and the cutting wheel to cut into the key blank in accordance with the guide surface as the fixture slides horizontally along the shaft. The guide surface comprises a series of rotatable disks aligned on a shaft which have successive steps of different depths formed on a portion of the periphery of each disk.

Abstract: A method of forming a key including providing a key blank of V-shaped transverse cross section so as to have two blade portions joined by a base portion. The method further includes forming teeth on the blade portions and then bending the blank to a substantially U-shaped transverse cross section.

Abstract: The combination of a cylinder lock and key, wherein the key comprises a blade with a longitudinally extending edge portion at one side of the blade provided with a coded surface for engaging the ends of a row of locking pins in the cylinder core of the lock. The coded surface has code portions which engage a segment of the end of each pin spaced from the center thereof, and transition portions for guiding the pins between adjacent code portions and which are of concavely curved cross-sectional shape to provide for arcuate engagement with the pins, the code portions and transition portions of the coded surface being open to the side of the key blade and spaced from the other side thereof. The coded surface is produced by moving a rotary cutting tool relative to the key blank with substantially the same movement as the pins undergo relative to the key as the latter is inserted into and removed from the cylinder of the lock.

Abstract: A system for testing key duplicating machines to determine the accuracy thereof. This system is provided with a pair of identical detector plates each of which are intended for alignment positioning of the key and key blank within the two vises of the key duplicating machine. Portions of the detector plates which are to be in contact with the vises are provided with an insulating surface, and portions of the remainder of the detector plates are electrically conductive and are exposed for contact. An electrical circuit is provided which attaches to these detector plates such that electrical continuity can be determined visually when the guide member of the key duplicating machine contacts the detector plate held in the appropriate vise.

Abstract: A tubular key blank is received in a rotatable, indexable chuck. The chuck is positioned below a selectively actuatable milling tool that is movable vertically and horizontally to mill grooves at designated positions in the key blank.

Abstract: A machine for cutting a tubular key from a tubular key blank. The tubular key blank is mounted on a stanchion and is rotatable in respect thereto. Also, the tubular key blank is movable a limited lineal distance in respect to the stanchion. A key ejector assembly is connected with the key blank supporting mechanism to manually eject the key after the key has been cut. A cutter is mounted on a mounting assembly which is lineally movable in two directions (perpendicular to each other) in respect to the base. Measurement means in the form of a plurality of dial indicators are mounted between the base and the mounting assembly to accurately ascertain the extent of movement of the mounting assembly in respect to the tubular key blank. A decoder mechanism is mounted on the base which is to be used to measure the length of grooves already cut within a tubular key permitting that key to be duplicated within the tubular key blank mounted within the key supporting structure.

Abstract: A machine for the manufacturing of tubular keys wherein the tubular key to be cut is tightly supported within a support means which includes the use of a pivotable indexing plate which will precisely pivot the key to any desired pivotal location. The key is to be lineally movable upon a base in a direction transverse to the longitudinal center axis of the key. A measuring indicator is provided to accurately determine the amount of lineal movement of the key in the transverse direction. A motor driven rotatable cutter is also mounted for lineal movement on the base. The lineal movement of the cutter is parallel to the longitudinal center axis of the key. Another measuring indicator is employed to accurately measure the extent of movement of the cutter with respect to the key. The cutter is capable of being driven at various rotational speeds.

Abstract: A key blank impressioning tool has a pair of pivotally, interconnected parts for manipulation by the hands of the user. As one of the parts is grasped by one hand to apply torque to the key blank in the keyway of the lock to in turn tend to turn the plug of the lock, the second part of the tool is used by the other hand of the operator for the purpose of reciprocating a block so as to strike light blows of such nature as to create indentations in one edge of the blank to thereby identify the location and depth of the tumbler cuts to be made in the key blank.

Abstract: A key cutting machine formed of a non-movable, horizontal shaft and an L-shaped lever centrally journalled upon the shaft for sliding and pivoting movement. A vise mounted upon the end of the horizontal part of the lever holds a key blank. A stylus mounted upon the vertical end of the lever contacts and moves upon a guide surface. This causes the lever to pivot, to conform to the shape of the guide surface, as it moves in the direction of the shaft. A cutter blade mounted above the vise engages and cuts the blank in accordance with the lever movement. The guide surface is formed by a series of disks which are axially aligned about a horizontal axis that is parallel to the shaft axis. The adjacent disks are arranged in face-to-face contact with each other and are relatively rotatable about their respective axes.

Abstract: A key duplicating machine for tubular keys wherein a key carrier is mounted to axially rotate the tube of the key blank and longitudinally shift the tube for endwise movement into a rotary cutter and rotary indexing to successive cuts.

Abstract: A machine for cutting a key blank edge into a duplicate, predetermined key edge shape, which shape is identified by a code. The blank is clamped within a vise mounted upon one end of an elongated lever which has a stylus mounted upon its opposite end and is centrally journalled upon a fixed shaft for sliding movement along the shaft and for rocking about the shaft. A guide is positioned adjacent the stylus so that as the lever is moved along the shaft, the stylus contacts and moves upon the guide surface in a path parallel to the shaft. The guide surface is formed by clamping together in face to face relationship, a number of substantially identical, narrow, elongated, thin blades, each having a guide edge which is formed with successive steps of predetermined depth and length.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for decoding and duplicating a key wherein the notches in the shank of the key are coded to a predetermined coded depth and spacing therebetween. An index card having a sequential index thereon corresponding to the predetermined coded depth is inserted into a housing and the key to be duplicated is inserted into a slot in the housing where it engages an indexing member which enters one of the notches on the key and indicates on the card the coded depth of that notch. The angle of cut of the same notch may also be determined. The remaining notches of the key may be decoded in like manner. The same index card is then inserted into a housing associated with a grinding wheel. The depth of the cut made by a grinding wheel on the blank key is indicated on the card by a pointer pivotally secured in the housing.In an alternate embodiment, the same index card is inserted into a housing and the position of the key to be duplicated is calibrated with respect to the grinding wheel.

Abstract: This invention describes a method of making a sheet metal zig-zag key for a lock. The technique of making a zig-zag key, either as a duplicate of another or in the original form, consists of passing a heavy current through the key so as to get it into a plastic state such as, for example, a red heat, and then deforming it into the desired shape.

Abstract: The depth key set for a given key type includes a pair of depth keys for each desired cut depth. The first key in each pair is utilized in making cuts at the odd numbered cut positions and the second key in each pair is utilized in making cuts at the even numbered positions. The depth key set may be utilized in association with a standard key cutting machine and provides guidance for the cutter in making both the forward and rearward slopes of each cut.

Abstract: A rotary cutter type key cutting machine for duplicating keys in which the V-shaped notches that define the bitting are obliquely oriented both left and right. Identical vises mounted on a hinged carrier which swings about an axis parallel to that of the rotary cutter, grip the pattern key and the key blank and present the same respectively to a position-identifying stylus and the rotary cutter. The vises are rotatable in unison about their connections with the carrier, permitting them to be so oriented that as the carrier is swung towards the axis of the cutter, the bitted and about-to-be-bitted edges of the pattern key and the key blank are either parallel to the cutter axis or inclined with respect thereto in one direction or the other depending upon the direction the vises have been rotated.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for decoding and duplicating a key wherein the notches in the shank of the key are coded to a predetermined coded depth and spacing therebetween. An index card having a sequential index thereon corresponding to the predetermined coded depth is inserted into a housing and the key to be duplicated is inserted into a slot in the housing where it engages an indexing member which enters one of the notches on the key and indicates on the card the coded depth of that notch. The angle of cut of the same notch may also be determined. The remaining notches of the key may be decoded in like manner. The same index card is then inserted into a housing which includes an indexing drum having notches therein with spacing therebetween corresponding to the predetermined coded spacing of the key to be duplicated. A blank key is firmly secured in a predetermined position on the housing and movable in a direction toward a grinding wheel.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing copies of keys comprises a pair of vertically spaced clamps, one of which clamps the key to be duplicated and the other of which clamps the key blank to be cut. A movable carriage carries, in vertically spaced relationship, a stylus for tracing the contours of the key being duplicated and a driven cutter for cutting the key blank. A drive mechanism drives the carriage through a working stroke carrying the stylus and cutter, respectively, along the length of the key and key blank so as to cut the key blank into the shape of the key, and a cam arrangement thereafter displaces the carriage laterally so that the drive mechanism returns the carriage through a return stroke while maintaining the stylus and cutter out of contact with the keys.