IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF KEYS FOR LOCKS AND IN THE MACHINERY FOR THAT PURPOSE
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry Vaughan and Thomas Vaughan, of Willenhall,
Staffordshire, Lock Manufacturers, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
THE MANUFACTURE OF KEYS FOR LOCKS AND IN THE MACHINERY FOR THAT
PURPOSE."
Sealed the 9th March 1877, and dated thic 13th September 1876.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry Vaughan and Thomas
Vaughan at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 13th September
1876.
HENRY VAUGHAN and THOMAS VAUGHAN, of Willenhall, Staffordshire, Lock.
Manufacturers. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF KEYS FOR LOCKS AND
IN THE MACHINERY FOR THAT PURPOSE."
This Invention of improvements in the manufacture of keys for all kinds of locks
and in machinery for that purpose consists in applying various modifications of
certain well known tools to the special requirements needed to fit thein exclusively
to manufacture the various portions of the keys used for locks, such as 1st, the bow
or handle; 2nd, the shank or stem, 3rd, the bit or portion applied to the ward;
and 4th, the pin or the portion entering the lock.
The first portion or bow is shaped by a profile machine, that is, I take the ordinary
profile machine, and adapt to it the model or mould of the form of the bow to be cut
both outside of the bow and inside, that is the part called the eye, the model
guiding the cutter and causing it to travel round the outer edge of the bow and
within the eye, and giving the bow and eye the form on the outline of the model.
The second portion or shank is formed by placing the key in a clamping chuck of
a lathe, but in lieu of the hand tool or slide rest tool, I form the cutting tool on the
principle of a pair of screw-cutting dies, which are clamped over the shank and
brought together whilst the key revolves, gradually reducing it down to the required
dimension, and acting on the whole length of the shank between the bit and the
bow at once, so that very great economy of time is gained.
The third portion or bit is formed by ordinary cutters to its outer form, but as to
the ward ways by an entirely new application of the slotting tool which I set so as
to clear the ways and to stop at the desired point, the key is fixed upon a turntablo
so as to give the direction of the cut in any desired position.
[Price 8d.1

page_text: The fourth portion or pin is formed by an entirely new tool, composed of a
cylinder of steel with a cutting edge, which is pushed over the pin, cutting it to its
exact form, the cylinder being cut away at the portion where the bit joins the pin,
so that the pin of the key for all its circumference, except on the line of the bit, is
formed at one stroke in place of forcing the cutting cylinder on to the key; the key
may be forced into the cylinder, or the cylinder may also be formed in two parts to
open and admit the key, the cutting then proceeding inversely.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Henry Vaughan and Thomas Vaughan in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 13th March 1877.
HENRY VAUGHAN and TпомAS VAUGHAN, of Willenhall, Staffordshire, Lock
Manufacturers "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OF KEYS FOR LOCKS AND
IN THE MACHINERY FOR THAT PURPOSE"
This Invention of improvements in the manufacture of keys for locks and in the
machinery for that purpose, consists in applying various modifications of certain well
known tools to the special requirements needed to fit them exclusively to manu-
facture the various portions of the keys used for locks, such as, first, the bow or
handle; second, the bit or portion applied to the wards; and third, the pin or
portion entering the lock, and upon which the key rotates
In the Drawings accompanying the Specification Sheet 1 shews the edge milling
and profiling machines for forming the bow or handle.
Figure 1 is a front elevation; Figure 2, plan showing key in position, and the
model or former; Figuro 3, end elevation.
Sheet 2, an ordinary slotting machine with the improvements added to adapt it
for cutting out the wards in the bit of the key. Figure 1 is an end elevation of the
machine; Figure 2, front clevation of the same
Sheet 3, drifting machine; Figure 1, end elevation; Figure 2, front elevation;
Figure 3, section of the drifting tool, full size.
Elge Milling and Profiling Machine, Sheet 1, Figures 1, 2, and 3.-The machine
is of the ordinary type to which we lay no claim, our Invention consisting only in the
lies a, b, Figure 3, for holding the key blank to be operated on in combination with
the set screw c, by which each successive key is brought up to the proper position
to be operated on by the cutter d, guided by the former e, the key being placed
in the dies, the former guides the cutter in the way well known in profiling
machines till the bow is cut to its shape both outside and in the eye.
Ward Cutting Machine, Sheet 2, Figures 1 and 2-The Invention herein consists
in adapting our improvements to an ordinary slotting machine, and consists in the
combination of the rest a, circular table b, vice c, and vice jaws d. The jaws d are
moveable to adapt them for the particular kind of key to be slotted; they are put in
action by the sciew and handle c. When the key is placed in the jaws the slotting
tool opperates to cut the wards in the key, this being accomplished in the usual
way, and the machine may, as is usual, be made self-stopping.
The means by which each successive key is brought into position to insure
uniformity is accomplished by set screws in the slide rest a, shewn at g, g; the
slotting always commences in the centre, the one screw h, shewn in Figure 1, giving
the normal position for the commencement of the cuts; the two screws g, g, giving
the position for the cross wards and hook, one screw giving the desired position
for the cross ward on one side the bridge ward. When completed, the table is
turned half way round, and the table brought up to the opposite screw, and the
cutting again commences after the table is brought up to the normal position given
by the screw h.
Drifting Machine, Sheet 3.—Figure 1, end elevation; Figure 2, front elevation;

page_text: Figure 3, section of the drifting tool full size. This machine is sumilar to a slotting
machine, the slotting tool being replaced by the nearly circular drifting tool, and
the Invention consists in the form of the drifting tool, tool or die, and its application
to cutting or shaping the pin of a key. The key is placed, as shewn, ready for the
operation, and vertically in the jaws a, a, of the vice b, clamped by the handle c, by
means of a screw not shewn. The drift tool d, shewn in section, Figure 3, is fixed
at e in a socket which slides up and down in the ways f; the cutting edge of the
tool forms the pin for about three fourths of its circumference, the bit being slightly
touched and the remainder passing up the slot as the tool is brought down in the
ordinary manner of slotting machines.
Having now described and particularly set forth the said Invention, and the
manner of carrying the same into effect, we claim,-
Firstly The herein described manner of shaping the key blank into the bow or
handle, by holding it in the special holder and in combination with the set screw
for the operation of the shaping machine, substantially as described.
Secondly. The arrangement of the vice and jaws for holding the key in
combination with the circular table and slide rest for holding a key, for receiving
the action of a slotting machine, for the purpose of cutting the wards, substantially
as described.
Thirdly. The drift tool and the manner of using the same in forming the pins of
keys on the greater part of their circumference, substantially as described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Henry Vaughan have hereunto set my hand
and seal, this Twelfth day of March, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy-seven.
HY. VAUGHAN. (L.S.)