Patent GB-952978-A (GB)
Title: Key-blank dispenser-and-cutter apparatus
IPC: B23C3/35
Filed: 1962-11-21
Abstract: 952,978. Milling. N. WEINER, and I. MARCUS. Nov. 21, 1962 [Nov. 24, 1961], No. 43972/62. Heading B3K. [Also in Division G4] Apparatus for duplicating keys comprises coin-controlled means for dispensing a blank key of the general shape of the key to be duplicated and contouring means for shaping the blank key to the precise shape of the original key. Both a key blank 41, Fig. 3, after it has been dispensed upon the insertion of a coin and use of the original key (see Division G4), and the original key 4 are inserted in the respective slots in the front wall of the apparatus so that they are gripped in the notches of vices 11, 10, and in this position are arranged to cooperate, respectively, with the rotating cutter wheel 20 and follower 25 of the contouring means. The cutter and follower are mounted on a slidable superstructure 3 on a carriage 2 which is so pivoted at 27, Fig. 6, for up-and-down swinging movement on a base 1 that, as the slide moves forwardly and rearwardly in relation to the two keys, the follower engages the upper shaped edge of the original key and so controls the action of the cutter on the blank 4<SP>1</SP>; during this action a spring 79 urges the cutter and follower into contact with the keys. Rotation of the cutter and reciprocation of the slide are caused by a motor 44 in a control circuit which is only effective to start the motor when a first switch has been closed by the action of the dispensing section in delivering the blank and two further switches have been closed by the shoulders of the two keys 4, 4<SP>1</SP> provided these are correctly positioned in the vices. The motor 44 rotates the cutter through a belt drive and reciprocates the slide through a worm 50, Fig. 11, worm wheel 52 on a shaft 53 passing through an opening in the slide 3 and either a disc 54 which is mounted on the shaft 53 and carries a pin 55 engaging an elliptical groove 56 in the carriage 2 or a crank-and-connection between the shaft and the carriage. When the gear 52 has made one complete revolution it opens a switch in the main power circuit to stop the machine. The two keys 4, 4<SP>1</SP> when inserted in the vices 10, 11 are initially gripped by spring fingers 6, 6<SP>1</SP> on the lower face of a weighted lever 21 which is so connected through linkage with the slide 3 that clamping pressure by the fingers is released during reciprocation of the slide. The keys are then clamped by pivoted jaws 12, 13 adapted to be swung to closed position by the energization of a solenoid which is in the control circuit of the motor 44 and may be arranged to swing a cam 34 acting with or without springs 16, 16<SP>1</SP> on the jaws. In an alternative arrangement, operating of the contouring means is started after the keys 4, 4<SP>1</SP> have been initially clamped in the vices 10, 11 by the fingers 6, 6<SP>1</SP>, by a handle 36, Figs. 3 and 6, which when pulled down closes a switch 58 to start the motor 44 and acts through a roller 35 upon the cam 34 to close the jaws 12, 13. The handle is retained in its lowered position by a latch 61 which is disengaged when the slide 3 returns to its rearward position and so permits the handle to rise under spring action to its upper position; in this movement, the jaws 12, 13 are released and the switch 58 opened.