Machine for multiple key coding

Abstract: The machine (1) for multiple key coding comprises a box-like structure (2) which contains a motor for the actuation of a cutter (3) and/or a brush (4). The box-like structure (2) also comprises a clamp (5) for fixing a coded key and a tracer; a support is oscillatably associated with the box-like structure (2). The support has a first station for the multiple loading of keys to be coded and a second station for removing, conveying and locking the position of a single key to be coded. The second station furthermore allows to unload a single key once it has been coded, and means are provided for moving the first station or the second station with respect to the box-like structure (2). The machine allows to rapidly obtain numerous identical copies starting from a single coded key.

Description: The present invention relates to a machine for multiple and single key coding according to the precharacterising part of claim 1; see e.g. US-A 3 796 130. Known key coding or cutting machines are usually constituted by a box-like structure containing a motor which is adapted for allowing, generally by means of belts, the actuation of a cutter and of a brush. A tracer which interacts with an already-coded key is furthermore associated with the box-like structure. A carriage is furthermore oscillatably associated with the box-like structure; said carriage can move transversely or longitudinally with respect to the box-like structure, and two clamps are rigidly associated therewith; the already-coded key is associated with one clamp and the key to be coded is associated with the second clamp, which can be arranged in front of the cutter. Thus, the operator, after actuating the motor, appropriately moves the carriage so as to duplicate the serrations of the "original" key which interacts with the tracer on the key to be coded by virtue of the action of the cutter. Said known types of machine have considerable disadvantages if it is necessary to make several copies starting from the same "original" key. For example, this is the case in which a condominium administrator must prepare a main door key, a gate key etc. for the dwellers. It is thus necessary to act each time on the clamp in order to couple the key to be coded thereto and disengage it after coding it, with considerable waste of time. It has furthermore been observed that the repetitive nature of this operation causes the operator to no longer perform it with the necessary attention: this entails for example an incorrect placement of the key to be coded at the clamp and thus the obtainment of an unusable coded key. The aim of the present invention is therefore to eliminate the disadvantages described above in known types by providing a machine which allows to rapidly and easily code a large number of keys starting from a single original. Within the scope of the above aim, an important object is to provide a machine which permits to obtain a large number of keys, coded starting from an original, which are all identical. Another important object is to provide a machine which associates with the preceding characteristics that of sparing the operator from manual interventions for the positioning and adjustment of the keys to be coded. Another important object is to provide a machine which is structurally simple and easy to use. Not least object is to provide a machine which associates with the preceding characteristics that of being reliable and safe in use. This aim, these objects and others which will become apparent hereinafter are achieved by a machine for multiple key coding, comprising a box-like structure which contains a motor for the actuation of a cutter and/or brush, a clamp for fixing a coded key and a tracer, characterized in that a support is oscillatably associated with said box-like structure, said support having a first station for the multiple loading of keys to be coded and a second station for removing, conveying and locking the position of a single key to be coded and for unloading a single key after it has been coded, means being provided for moving said first station and/or second station with respect to said box-like structure. Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description of a particular but not exclusive embodiment of the machine according to the invention, illustrated only by way of non-limitative example in the accompanying drawings, wherein: figure 1 is a lateral perspective view of the machine; figure 2 is a lateral perspective view of the first station and of the second station; figure 3 is a view similar to the preceding one, wherein a component of the first station has been omitted for the sake of clarity; figure 4 is a view, similar to the preceding one, of the condition for the removal of a single key to be coded; figure 5 is a view, similar to the preceding one, of the conveyance of the key to be coded; figure 6 is a view, similar to the preceding one, of the condition of the first station suitable for allowing the unloading of a single coded key; figure 7 is an exploded view of the components of the first station and of the second station; figure 8 is a partially sectional view of the condition illustrated in figure 5; figure 9 is a sectional view taken along the plane IX-IX of figure 8; figure 10 is a further lateral perspective view of the machine; figure 11 is a detail view of a means suitable for allowing to vary the position of the support; figure 12 is a view of a different use of the machine. With reference to the above figures, the reference numeral 1 designates a machine for multiple key coding which comprises a box-like structure 2 which contains a motor, not illustrated in the drawings, for the actuation of a cutter 3 and/or of a brush 4 and a clamp 5 for a coded key 6 which interacts with a tracer 7 during key coding. A metallic support 8 is oscillatably associated with the box-like structure 2 and said clamp, a first station 9 and a second station 10 for the keys 11 to be coded are associated with said support. The first station 9 allows the multiple loading of said keys 11 to be coded and is constituted by an insertion element 12 which comprises, on one side, a first shoulder 13 which is shaped partially complementarily to the head 14 of the key 11 to be coded and comprises, on the other side, a pair of second shoulders 15 which are mutually spaced so as to accommodate the terminal end 16 of the key 11 to be coded. By virtue of the presence of the first shoulder 13 and of the second shoulders 15, the insertion element 12 allows to stack a plurality of keys 11 to be coded with different shapes and of different types; said keys are unloaded, through an adapted first opening 17 defined below the insertion element 12, at the underlying second station 10. Advantageously, the insertion element 12 has adapted inclined planes 18 which are suitable for facilitating the correct placement of the keys 11 to be coded at the first opening 17. The second station 10 allows to remove, convey and lock the position of a single key 11 to be coded so as to allow its subsequent coding; said second station 10 furthermore allows to unload the coded key 6 prior to the beginning of the machining of a subsequent key 11 to be coded removed from the overlying insertion element 12. The second station 10 furthermore comprises a base 19 for unloading the coded keys 6; above said base 19 there is an intermediate guiding plate 20, and said base 19 is arranged parallel thereto so as to define, between the base and the plate, a compartment 21 which has a second opening 22 which is defined on the side opposite to the cutter 3 and is suitable for allowing to unload the coded key 6. Said intermediate guiding plate 20 furthermore has a third opening 23 which has such a shape as to allow the passage of the coded key 6 into the underlying compartment 21. A first longitudinal through slot 24 is furthermore defined on the intermediate guiding plate 20 and is interposed between the second opening 22 and the third opening 23. A pair of third shoulders 25 furthermore protrudes laterally from the intermediate guiding plate 20; said third shoulders are arranged along a longitudinal axis which is parallel to the axis of the first slot 24 and have wings 26a and 26b which are arranged on the same plane, face one another and define guides for a loading plate 27 which is slidingly associable thereat. An unloading plate 28 is furthermore arranged below and adjacent to the base 19, and a second slot 29 is defined thereon; said slot 29 has a first portion 30, arranged along a longitudinal axis which is parallel to the axis of the first slot 24, and a second portion 31, arranged along an inclined axis with its terminal end directed toward the cutter 3. Said unloading plate 28 can move with respect to the intermediate guiding plate 20 along an axis which is perpendicular to the axis of the first longitudinal slot 24. A third slot 32 is furthermore defined on the underlying base 19 at said first longitudinal slot and is identical thereto as to dimensions and arrangement. In order to allow the translatory motion of the unloading plate 28 there is a pin 33 which affects a first hole 34 defined at the loading plate 27, the underlying first slot 24, the second slot 29, the third slot 32 and then an arm 35 which can move by means of adapted first actuators 36, such as pistons and/or worm screws, which can be associated at the second station 10 or at the support 8. The configuration of the unloading plate 28 is such as to conceal, during the removal of a key 11 to be coded from the insertion element 12, the third opening 23 defined on the intermediate guiding plate 20. A seat 37 is furthermore defined at the loading plate 27, proximate to the end adjacent to the overlying second shoulders 15, and is shaped complementarily to, or suitable for accommodating, the head of a key 11 to be coded which passes through the first opening 17 from the insertion element 12 to said loading plate 27. In the initial step, illustrated in figure 3, the first actuators 36 in fact push the pin 33 in the direction opposite to the second portion 31 of the second slot 29 of the unloading plate 28: in this manner the loading plate 27 is moved so as to arrange the seat 37 at the region underlying the first shoulder 13 of the insertion element 12, so as to allow the head 14 of the key 11 to be coded to become arranged at said seat 37, falling into it by gravity and due to the weight of the further keys to be coded which are stacked above it. In this position, the unloading plate 28 furthermore closes the third opening 23 defined on the intermediate guiding plate 20. The first key to be coded, which is then inserted at the insertion element 12, is arranged as shown in figure 4 at the loading plate 27. The subsequent step of the use of the machine entails the further activation of the first actuators 36 so as to arrange the pin 33 approximately at the opposite end, with respect to the preceding step, of the first slot 24 and therefore of the third slot 32. In this condition, the blade 38 of the key 11 to be coded is arranged on one side at an abutment plate 39 and can be positioned, on the other side, at the tooth 40, also known as shoulder of the key, for connection with the head 14 at a gauge 41 which can move transversely to the blade 38 and is associated with the support 8. The abutment plate 39 is associated at an adapted body 42 which is arranged laterally to the base 19 and possibly supports the first actuators 36. During this step of the conveyance of the single key 11 to be coded, the gauge 41 is initially spaced from the blade 38. This is due to the fact that not all keys to be coded have the same head and/or the same blade: this entails the use of loading plates 27 which have a seat 37 shaped appropriately according to the head of the key to be coded. Advantageously, the loading plate 27 has a seat 37 which is shaped so as to accommodate any type of head of keys which can be coded with the machine 1. The gauge 41 can thus move along an axis which is transverse to the blade 38: the gauge is in fact moved by a shaft 43 which has, at one end, a gear 44 which is rotated in both directions by the reciprocating motion of a rack 45 which is actuated by means of second actuators which are accommodated within the body 42. Advantageously, the step for the conveyance of the key to be coded provides that when the terminal end 16 of said key begins to affect the abutment plate 39 the gauge 41 is open, i.e. spaced from the blade. Subsequently, as the key is moved, the closure of the gauge is actuated, and said gauge moves adjacent to the blade 38 until the tooth 40, also known as key shoulder, for connection to the head 14 abuts thereon. After a preset time, the activation of third actuators 46 follows; said third actuators are arranged above the body 42 and position an adapted plate 47 so as to clamp the blade 38 of the key 11 to be coded. Once said key to be coded has been locked, the gauge 41 is reopened, thus allowing to code the key. Once key coding has ended, a command is given to the third actuators 46 so that the blade of the key, which is now coded, is no longer pressed by the plate 47. A command is subsequently sent to the first actuators 36 in order to transmit motion to the pin 33 and thus to the loading plate 27 so as to extract the now coded key from the abutment plate 39; simultaneously, due to the shape of the second slot 29, the unloading plate 28 moves transversely to the first longitudinal slot 24, so as to allow the third opening 23, defined on the intermediate guiding plate 20, to overlap the seat 37 defined on the loading plate 27, as illustrated in figure 6. In this manner the coded key 6 "falls" into the underlying compartment 21 and thus affects the base 19, protruding through the second opening 22. It has thus been observed that the invention has achieved the intended aim and objects, a machine having been provided which allows to rapidly and easily code a large number of keys, all having the same characteristics, starting from a single original. The machine furthermore spares the operator from manual interventions for the positioning and adjustment of the keys to be coded, which occur automatically so as to ensure excellent uniformity in the repetitiveness of the coding. Finally, the first station and the second station are extremely compact and can thus be applied even to conventional machines instead of the second clamp arranged in front of the cutter. The fact is furthermore stressed that since it is not always necessary to code keys in a multiple sequence, the assembly constituted by the first station and the second station may be removable from the machine 1, and a clamp 48 may be repositioned in its place and be arranged in front of the cutter 3, all by virtue of adapted means such as, for example, pins which can be inserted in complementarily shaped seats defined on the support 8. By using said clamp 48 it is possible to code the keys individually, such as, for example, in the case of car keys, which have a plastic head and seldom need to be duplicated in large quantities. The invention is naturally susceptible to numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the same inventive concept as claimed. Thus, the assembly constituted by the first station and the second station can also be mounted on electronic-control machines as well as on mechanical units. The materials and dimensions which constitute the individual components of the machine may naturally be the most appropriate according to the specific requirements. Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the scope of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims: Machine (1) for multiple key coding, comprising a box-like structure (2) which contains a motor for the actuation of a cutter (3) and/or a brush (4), a clamp (5) for fixing a coded key (6) and a tracer (7), characterized in that a support (8) is oscillatably associated with said box-like structure, said support having a first station (9) for the multiple loading of keys (11) to be coded and a second station (10) for removing, conveying and locking the position of a single key to be coded and for unloading a single key once it has been coded, means being provided for moving said first station and/or said second station with respect to said box-like structure. Machine according to claim 1, characterized in that said first station for the multiple loading of said keys to be coded is constituted by an insertion element (12) suitable for allowing to stack a plurality of keys to be coded which comprises, on one side, a first shoulder (13) which is partially shaped complementarily to the head of said key to be coded and, on the other side, a pair of second shoulders (15) which are mutually spaced so as to accommodate the terminal end of said key to be coded. Machine according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that after said keys have been coded they are unloaded at said second station through an adapted first opening defined below said insertion element. Machine according to claims 1 and 3, characterized in that said second station for removing, conveying and locking the position of a single key to be coded comprises a base (19) for unloading said keys after coding, an intermediate guiding plate (20) being arranged above said base, said plate being arranged parallel to said base so as to define, between said plate and said base, a compartment (21) which has a second opening (22) which is defined on the side opposite to said cutter and is suitable for allowing to unload said keys after coding. Machine according to claims 1 and 4, characterized in that said intermediate guiding plate has a third opening (23) whose shape allows the passage of said keys, after coding, into said underlying compartment. Machine according to claims 1 and 5, characterized in that a first longitudinal through slot (24) is defined on said intermediate guiding plate and is interposed between said second opening and said third opening. Machine according to claims 1 and 6, characterized in that a pair of third shoulders (25) protrudes laterally to said intermediate guiding plate, said shoulders being arranged along a longitudinal axis which is parallel to the axis of said first slot, said shoulders having wings which are arranged on the same plane, face one another and define guides for a loading plate (27) which is slidingly associable thereat. Machine according to claims 1 and 7, characterized in that an unloading plate (28) is arranged below and adjacent to said intermediate guiding plate, a second slot (29) being defined on said unloading plate, said second slot having a first portion (30) arranged along a longitudinal axis which is parallel to the axis of said first slot and a second portion (31) which is arranged along an inclined axis with its terminal end directed toward said cutter. Machine according to claims 1 and 8, characterized in that said unloading plate is allowed to move with respect to said intermediate guiding plate along an axis which is perpendicular to the axis of said first slot. Machine according to claims 1 and 9, characterized in that a third slot (32) is defined at said first slot on said underlying base, the dimensions and arrangement of said third slot being identical to those of said first slot. Machine according to claims 1 and 10, characterized in that it comprises means for moving said unloading plate, said means being constituted by a pin (33) which affects a first hole (34), defined at said loading plate, said underlying first slot, said second slot, said third slot and then an arm (35), which can move by means of adapted first actuators (36), such as pistons and/or worm screws, which are associable at said second station or at said support. Machine according to claims 1 and 11, characterized in that the configuration of said unloading plate is such as to conceal, during the removal of one of said keys to be coded from said insertion element, said third opening provided on said intermediate guiding plate. Machine according to claims 1 and 12, characterized in that a seat (37) is defined at said loading plate proximate to the end adjacent to said overlying second shoulders, said seat being shaped complementarily to, or being suitable for accommodating, the head of one of said keys to be coded. Machine according to claims 1 and 13, characterized in that it comprises first actuators which are suitable for pushing, in a preliminary phase, said pin in the direction opposite to said second portion of said second slot of said unloading plate, so as to force said loading plate to move so as to arrange said seat at the region underlying said first shoulder of said insertion element, allowing said head of said key to be coded to arrange itself at said seat, said unloading plate closing, in this condition, said third opening defined on said intermediate guiding plate. Machine according to claims 1 and 14, characterized in that said first actuators also force said pin to move in the direction of said second portion of said second slot until said blade of said key to be coded is arranged at an abutment plate (39), a gauge (41) being arrangeable on the side opposite to said abutment plate, said gauge being movable transversely to said blade and temporarily abutting at a tooth (40) or shoulder which connects said blade to said head. Machine according to claims 1 and 15, characterized in that said gauge is initially spaced from said blade during the step of the conveyance of one of said keys to be coded and affects said blade until it abuts against said tooth or shoulder only if the terminal end of said key to be coded has already partially affected said abutment plate. Machine according to claims 1 and 16, characterized in that said gauge can move along an axis which is transverse to said stem and is moved by a shaft (43) which has, at one end, a gear (44) which is rotated in both directions by the reciprocating motion of a rack (45) which is actuated by means of second actuators which are accommodated inside said body. Machine according to claims 1 and 17, characterized in that it comprises third actuators (46) which are arranged above said body and are suitable for pressing an adapted plate (47) at a part of said blade of one of said keys to be coded, locking said blade, said second actuators spacing said gauge again from said blade after said step. Machine according to claims 1 and 18, characterized in that once key coding is complete, said third actuators raise said plate with respect to said blade and then said pin and said loading plate extract said coded key by means of said first actuators from said abutment plate until said key is arranged at said third opening, defined on said intermediate guiding plate, and at said seat, defined on said loading plate, said opening and said seat being mutually superimposed due to the configuration of said second slot, which forces said unloading plate to move transversely to said first slot. Machine according to claims 1 and 15, characterized in that said abutment plate is associated at a body which is arranged laterally to said base and possibly supports said first actuators. Machine according to claims 1 and 3, characterized in that said insertion element has adapted inclined planes suitable for facilitating the correct positioning of said keys to be coded at said first opening.

Inventors: OLIANA PIERLUIGI, OLIANA, PIERLUIGI
Applicants: OLIANA PIERLUIGI, OLIANA, PIERLUIGI
Application year: 1991
Main classification: B23C3
IPC codes: B23C3