Patents by Inventor Phillip Gerlings
Phillip Gerlings has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 10406607Abstract: A clamp is disclosed for a key making machine. The clamp may have an anvil, and a door movable toward the anvil to sandwich a key blank therebetween. The clamp may also have a gate pivotally connected to the door and configured to engage the key blank.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2017Date of Patent: September 10, 2019Assignee: The Hillman Group, Inc.Inventors: Phillip Gerlings, Michael Schmidt, Lawrence Perea
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Patent number: 10400474Abstract: An identification module is disclosed for use in a key making machine. The identification module may have a key receiving assembly configured to receive only a shank of an existing key. The identification module may also have a tip guide, configured to receive a tip of the shank of the existing key. The tip guide may have a slot that exposes a tip end of the shank. The identification module may also have an imaging assembly configured to capture an image of the tip end through the slot.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2019Date of Patent: September 3, 2019Assignee: The Hillman Group, Inc.Inventors: Byron Keith Grice, Phillip Gerlings, John Clayton Campbell, Michael James Schmidt
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Patent number: 10301844Abstract: An identification module is disclosed for use in a key making machine. The identification module may have a key receiving assembly configured to receive only a shank of an existing key. The identification module may also have a tip guide, configured to receive a tip of the shank of the existing key. The tip guide may have a slot that exposes a tip end of the shank. The identification module may also have an imaging assembly configured to capture an image of the tip end through the slot.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2017Date of Patent: May 28, 2019Assignee: The Hillman Group, Inc.Inventors: Byron Keith Grice, Phillip Gerlings, John Clayton Campbell, Michael James Schmidt
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Publication number: 20190153749Abstract: A fabrication system is disclosed for use in a key making machine. The fabrication system may have a housing with a slot configured to receive a key blank, and a receiving unit configured to accept a shank of the key blank at the slot. The receiving unit may be configured to mechanically align the shank as it is inserted by a user. The fabrication system may also have a clamp movable between an open position and a closed position, and an actuator. The actuator may be configured to move the receiving unit and the key blank to the clamp, and to move the receiving unit away from the key blank after the clamp has moved to the closed position.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2019Publication date: May 23, 2019Inventor: Phillip GERLINGS
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Patent number: 10196834Abstract: A fabrication system is disclosed for use in a key making machine. The fabrication system may have a housing with a slot configured to receive a key blank, and a receiving unit configured to accept a shank of the key blank at the slot. The receiving unit may be configured to mechanically align the shank as it is inserted by a user. The fabrication system may also have a clamp movable between an open position and a closed position, and an actuator. The actuator may be configured to move the receiving unit and the key blank to the clamp, and to move the receiving unit away from the key blank after the clamp has moved to the closed position.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2016Date of Patent: February 5, 2019Assignee: The Hillman Group, Inc.Inventor: Phillip Gerlings
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Publication number: 20180071838Abstract: A clamp is disclosed for a key making machine. The clamp may have an anvil, and a door movable toward the anvil to sandwich a key blank therebetween. The clamp may also have a gate pivotally connected to the door and configured to engage the key blank.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2017Publication date: March 15, 2018Inventors: Phillip Gerlings, Michael Schmidt, Lawrence Perea
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Publication number: 20180010364Abstract: An identification module is disclosed for use in a key making machine. The identification module may have a key receiving assembly configured to receive only a shank of an existing key. The identification module may also have a tip guide, configured to receive a tip of the shank of the existing key. The tip guide may have a slot that exposes a tip end of the shank. The identification module may also have an imaging assembly configured to capture an image of the tip end through the slot.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2017Publication date: January 11, 2018Inventors: Byron Keith Grice, Phillip Gerlings, John Clayton Campbell, Michael James Schmidt
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Patent number: 9797163Abstract: An identification module is disclosed for use in a key making machine. The identification module may have a key receiving assembly configured to receive only a shank of an existing key, and an imaging assembly configured to generate an image of the shank while the existing key is being manually held in the key receiving assembly. The identification module may also have a housing configured to house the key receiving assembly and the imaging assembly. The housing may have a slot formed therein to receive the existing key. The identification module further may have a tip guide configured to receive a tip of the shank of the existing key as the tip is inserted through the slot. The tip guide may be linearly movable by insertion of the existing key from a first location at the slot to a second location away from the slot.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2014Date of Patent: October 24, 2017Assignee: The Hillman Group, Inc.Inventors: Byron Keith Grice, Phillip Gerlings, John Clayton Campbell, Michael James Schmidt
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Patent number: 9580932Abstract: A key assembly is disclosed. The key assembly may have a blade with a head portion, a shank, and a transition region connecting the head portion to the shank. The key assembly may also have a head configured to receive the blade. The head may have a shoulder located at the transition region to limit engagement of the head with the blade, and at least one tang located at an end of the head opposite the shoulder. The at least one tang may be configured to engage a recess located within a side of the head portion and inhibit removal of the head from the blade.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2015Date of Patent: February 28, 2017Assignee: The Hillman Group, Inc.Inventors: Phillip Gerlings, Michael James Schmidt, Gary Edward Will, Bryan K. Solace
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Publication number: 20160346847Abstract: A fabrication system is disclosed for use in a key making machine. The fabrication system may have a housing with a slot configured to receive a key blank, and a receiving unit configured to accept a shank of the key blank at the slot. The receiving unit may be configured to mechanically align the shank as it is inserted by a user. The fabrication system may also have a clamp movable between an open position and a closed position, and an actuator. The actuator may be configured to move the receiving unit and the key blank to the clamp, and to move the receiving unit away from the key blank after the clamp has moved to the closed position.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2016Publication date: December 1, 2016Inventor: Phillip GERLINGS
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Patent number: 9506272Abstract: A key assembly is disclosed. The key assembly may have a blade with a head portion, a shank, and a transition region connecting the head portion to the shank. The key assembly may also have a head configured to receive the blade. The head may have a shoulder located at the transition region to limit engagement of the head with the blade, and at least one tang located at an end of the head opposite the shoulder. The at least one tang may be configured to engage a recess located within a side of the head portion and inhibit removal of the head from the blade.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2014Date of Patent: November 29, 2016Assignee: The Hillman Group, Inc.Inventors: Phillip Gerlings, Michael James Schmidt, Gary Edward Will, Bryan K. Solace
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Patent number: 9487968Abstract: A fabrication system is disclosed for use in a key making machine. The fabrication system may have a housing with a slot configured to receive a key blank, and a receiving unit configured to accept a shank of the key blank at the slot. The receiving unit may be configured to mechanically align the shank as it is inserted by a user. The fabrication system may also have a clamp movable between an open position and a closed position, and an actuator. The actuator may be configured to move the receiving unit and the key blank to the clamp, and to move the receiving unit away from the key blank after the clamp has moved to the closed position.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2014Date of Patent: November 8, 2016Assignee: The Hillman Group Inc.Inventor: Phillip Gerlings
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Publication number: 20160097219Abstract: A key assembly is disclosed. The key assembly may have a blade with a head portion, a shank, and a transition region connecting the head portion to the shank. The key assembly may also have a head configured to receive the blade. The head may have a shoulder located at the transition region to limit engagement of the head with the blade, and at least one tang located at an end of the head opposite the shoulder. The at least one tang may be configured to engage a recess located within a side of the head portion and inhibit removal of the head from the blade.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2015Publication date: April 7, 2016Applicant: The Hillman Group Inc.Inventors: Phillip GERLINGS, Michael James SCHMIDT, Gary Edward WILL, Bryan K. SOLACE
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Patent number: 9243426Abstract: A key assembly is disclosed. The key assembly may have a blade, and a head configured to receive the blade. The key assembly may also have a locking feature separate from the blade and the head. The locking feature may be received by the head and configured to inhibit removal of the blade from the head via interference. The locking feature may deform during connection to the blade.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2014Date of Patent: January 26, 2016Assignee: The Hillman Group, Inc.Inventors: Phillip Gerlings, Michael James Schmidt
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Publication number: 20150049181Abstract: An identification module is disclosed for use in a key making machine. The identification module may have a key receiving assembly configured to receive only a shank of an existing key, and an imaging assembly configured to generate an image of the shank while the existing key is being manually held in the key receiving assembly. The identification module may also have a housing configured to house the key receiving assembly and the imaging assembly. The housing may have a slot formed therein to receive the existing key. The identification module further may have a tip guide configured to receive a tip of the shank of the existing key as the tip is inserted through the slot. The tip guide may be linearly movable by insertion of the existing key from a first location at the slot to a second location away from the slot.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2014Publication date: February 19, 2015Applicant: The Hillman Group Inc.Inventors: Byron Keith GRICE, Phillip GERLINGS, John Clayton CAMPBELL, Michael James SCHMIDT
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Publication number: 20150047399Abstract: A key assembly is disclosed. The key assembly may have a blade, and a head configured to receive the blade. The key assembly may also have a locking feature separate from the blade and the head. The locking feature may be received by the head and configured to inhibit removal of the blade from the head via interference. The locking feature may deform during connection to the blade.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2014Publication date: February 19, 2015Inventors: Phillip GERLINGS, Michael James SCHMIDT
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Publication number: 20150047398Abstract: A key assembly is disclosed. The key assembly may have a blade with a head portion, a shank, and a transition region connecting the head portion to the shank. The key assembly may also have a head configured to receive the blade. The head may have a shoulder located at the transition region to limit engagement of the head with the blade, and at least one tang located at an end of the head opposite the shoulder. The at least one tang may be configured to engage a recess located within a side of the head portion and inhibit removal of the head from the blade.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2014Publication date: February 19, 2015Applicant: The Hillman Group Inc.Inventors: Phillip GERLINGS, Michael James SCHMIDT, Gary Edward WILL, Bryan K. SOLACE
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Publication number: 20150050094Abstract: A fabrication system is disclosed for use in a key making machine. The fabrication system may have a housing with a slot configured to receive a key blank, and a receiving unit configured to accept a shank of the key blank at the slot. The receiving unit may be configured to mechanically align the shank as it is inserted by a user. The fabrication system may also have a clamp movable between an open position and a closed position, and an actuator. The actuator may be configured to move the receiving unit and the key blank to the clamp, and to move the receiving unit away from the key blank after the clamp has moved to the closed position.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2014Publication date: February 19, 2015Applicant: The Hillman Group Inc.Inventor: Phillip GERLINGS
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Patent number: 8925807Abstract: A power generation circuit and process for providing electrical power and data transfer by means of a module attached to the audio port of a mobile electronic device. Power and data may be exchanged with an auxiliary device, which may be a sensor or a data processing device. A description of several possible power generation circuits is provided, as well as a description of different sensors and data processing devices which may be attached to a power generation circuit. The power generation circuit is particularly designed to provide a low interference and low voltage ripple output with high total power availability and efficiency.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2014Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Inventors: Daniel Utley, Phillip Gerlings
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Publication number: 20140265642Abstract: A power generation circuit and process for providing electrical power and data transfer by means of a module attached to the audio port of a mobile electronic device. Power and data may be exchanged with an auxiliary device, which may be a sensor or a data processing device. A description of several possible power generation circuits is provided, as well as a description of different sensors and data processing devices which may be attached to a power generation circuit. The power generation circuit is particularly designed to provide a low interference and low voltage ripple output with high total power availability and efficiency.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Inventors: Daniel Utley, Phillip Gerlings