Patent ID: 8292556

Claim:
A key cutting machine comprising: a key cutting element; a clamp mechanism configured to clamp a key blank, the clamp mechanism moveable in a first direction transverse to the key cutting element and moveable in a second direction transverse to the first direction between an engaged position wherein the key blank is capable of engaging the key cutting element and a disengaged position wherein the key blank is not capable of engaging the key cutting element; a carriage motor connected to the clamp mechanism to move the clamp mechanism in the first direction between a first position wherein the key blank engages the cutting element and a second position wherein the key blank is a distance away from the cutting element; wherein the key cutting machine is configurable between multiple modes, the modes comprising: a first mode wherein the clamp mechanism is held in the engaged position without manual assistance and the carriage motor controls movement of the clamp mechanism in the first direction between the first and second positions; a second mode wherein the clamp mechanism is held in the engaged position without manual assistance and the carriage motor does not control movement of the clamp mechanism in the first direction; a third mode wherein the clamp mechanism is manually held in the engaged position and the carriage motor does not control movement of the clamp mechanism; and wherein a roller bearing is connected to the clamp mechanism, and, in the first and second modes, the clamp mechanism is held in the engaged position by the roller bearing engaging a plate.