US3413892A - Automatic key duplicating machine - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 3, 1968 CASEY ET AL 3,413,892

AUTOMATIC KEY DUPLICATINGMACHINE Filed Nov. 5, 1966v 10 Sheets-Sheet 1 m I L125 Dec. 3, 1968 w CASEY ET AL 3,413,892

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AUTOMATIC KEY DUPLICATING MACHINE Filed Nov. 5, 1966 10 Sheets-Sheet 10 Q.\ v m ww u SE v Wm \EN 6mm mm MAL A 51 20/ n m a. NA" 0 i0 mRw o H 58 mw 3m n k -1- 92A danm r u $24 #24 Wm QW \nw 2 www Q lo M J:

V Z a United States Patent 3,413,892 AUTOMATIC KEY DUPLICATING MACHINE William E. Casey, Chicago, and Herman L. Seiden, Skokie, Ill., assignors to Vend-A-Key Corporation, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Delaware Filed Nov. 3, 1966, Ser. No. 591,802 15 Claims. (Cl. 9013.05)

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An automatic key duplicating machine is disclosed of the type having a key-cutting cycle in which an automatic vise closes to clamp a key element during the duplicating operation and opens thereafter to release the key element at the conclusion of the cycle, wherein there is incorporated a vise, structure, control circuits and instrumentalities, and an automatic gauging mechanism having a holddown device moveable to selectively pre-set starting positions close to the key element to engage, urge and hold the latter in a proper position in the vise while it is still open but without excessive force, the presetting movements being controlled by gauge signals from a source such as the disclosed mechanism for dispensing key elements from groups having different characteristic dimensions of the type alluded to.

This invention relates to automatic key duplicating machines, and particularly, but not by limitation, the type which is adapted to coin-controlled operation in conjunction with blank dispensing apparatus adapted, on deposit of suitable coins, to dispense a key blank matching the patrons key which is to be duplicated, such blank and patrons key being seized by dual vise mechanism for the duration of an automatic cutting cycle triggered responsive to placement of the respective key elements in the vises in consequence of which a rotary cutter is caused to trace the pin or code notches in the patrons key and duplicate the cuts in the blank.

In order for such machines to perform consistently and produce work-able duplicates of the original key, the latter and the key blank must be properly seated in the vise means. carelessness on the part of the patron in inserting the original key and blank in the machine for automatic seizure by the vise means, such as failure to insert either key element fully into its receptacle, tilting either key element, and inattentively inserting the original or specimen key while it is attached to a ring, chain, or case of keys in a way to apply leverage and imbalance at the head of the key, are all comm-on sources of failure of automatic key duplicating machines to perform properly, and all eliminated by the present disclosures as the result of provision of means for signalling a certain dimensional characteristic of the key body to the automatic vise means to preset the latter accordingly in advance of closure of the vises and the commencement of the cutting cycle, whereby certain hold-down gauges are enabled to apply safely an effective force upon each key element deposited in the vises to position the same properly pending closure of the vise jaws prior to initiation of the cutting cycle.

Additional features distinguishing the disclosed improvements relate to the provision of cycling, supervisory and gauging circuits operatively correlated to require the proper placement of matching original and blank key elements in the vises in a predetermined order and position as requisites to each initiation of a cutting cycle; to the provision of mechanism for dispensing key blanks having different shapes and certain differing dimensional characteristics, and means for signalling to the cutting mechanism the particular characteristic of any blank which has been dispensed whereby to preset a gauge head to prepare the Patented Dec. 3, 1968 "ice same in certain respects to receive and seize such blank, as well as the corresponding specimen or master key which the cutting mechanism is to duplicate; to the provision of a, vise mechanism having dual movable jaws yieldingly actuated in synchronous closing and opening action by means of screw shafts jointly driven by a reversible motor means through spring-relief coupling rneans adapted to account for differential loading resulting from possible differences in the thickness of the two key bodies, for example, in the event the master or specimen key has been worn thin, or cutting particles have lodged on the vise jaws, and so on.

Still further aspects of novelty and utility characterizing the invention relate to the provision of a highly compact cutting-head capable of consistently accurate performance in programmed or in automatic operation by unskilled individuals, such as will patronize the coin-controlled form of the apparatus, together with key-blank identifying and dispensing apparatus and control circuit means for operation with the coin-controlled form of the apparatus, and details of structural and functional novelties inherent in the preferred embodiment thereof described hereinafter in view of the annexed drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevation of the cutting head with vises shown in open condition and the gauging head or carrier lowered to the stand-by position;

FIGURE1-A is a fragmentary top plan view of the dual vise means seen along lines 1A1-A of FIGURE FIGURE 2 is a side elevation looking along lines 2--2 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an opposite side elevation looking in the direction of lines 3-3 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a rear elevation of the cutting unit or head with the gauging carrier similarly lowered to standby position, as in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 5 is another front elevation showing the vise jaws closed and the gauging head fully elevated, as during the cutting cycle;

FIGURE 6 is a section with parts shown in elevation taken along lines 6--6 of FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 7 is a perspective detail of one of the holddown members;

FIGURE 8 is a perspective detail of one of the keyactuated vise triggers with parts separated;

FIGURE 9 is a frontal perspective of a key blank dispenser;

FIGURE 10 is a top plan view of the device of FIG- URE 9;

FIGURE 11 is a side elevation of the dispenser of FIGURE 9;

FIGURE 12 is a bottom plan view of the dispenser of FIGURE 9;

FIGURE 13 is a pictorial functional schematic illustrative of the operation of the coin-controlled form of the apparatus;

FIGURE 14 is a circuit diagram.

The cutting unit, as seen in FIGURE 2, comprises a sloping pedestal casting 20 upon which is secured, as at 21, a lower base casting 23 having a. forward shelf 24 (FIGURE 1 also) and a rearward flange 25 upon which are respectively bolted the footings 26A and 27A of a pair of upright legs or columns in the form of castings 26 and 27 joined at their upper ends by a cross member 28 to form the framework for a vertical slideway for a reciprocable overhead carrier casting 36, also referred to as the gauge head or gauge carrier, which is guided, as at carrier slide bosses 33, upon a pair of vertical slide rods 31, 32 each respectively situated adjacent one of the columns or legs 26, 27, as in the front view of this arrangement seen in FIGURE 1, wherein it will be further observed that the left-hand margin of the carrier fits into a vertical slideway (FIGURES 2 and 5 also) arranged as part of the left-hand column or leg structure 27.

The carrier 36 has mounted thereon certain key-gauging hold-down instrumentalities and actuating mechanism therefor, as will appear more fully hereinafter, and is vertically reciprocable under the driving effort of a reversible electric carrier motor 38, FIGURES 3 and 4, equipped with an attached reduction gear means 38A having an output pinion 39 meshing with a long gear rack 40 aflixed at the left-hand side of the carrier as seen in FIGURE 1 or the right-hand side when viewed rearwardly as in FIGURE 4. In FIGURE 2 the carrier 36 is shown in a lowered standby position, whereas in FIG URE 6 it is shown withdrawn to the fully elevated position occupied during the cutting operation. From the latter positions, the carrier can occupy any of three lowered hold-down positions determined by signals from the blank dispensing means.

Situated on the forward base shelf 24 at the front of the unit, as viewed in FIGURES 1 and 1A, is a dual key vise assembly comprising first and second fixed vise jaws or posts 41, 41A and corresponding first and second companion bearing posts 42, 42A, respectively paired to journal coaxially-aligned first and second worm screw shafts 43, 43A.

A first movable vise jaw 44 is screw-threaded to travel on the shaft 43 and a second such jaw 44A travels on the other worm shaft 43A. Fast on each of the worm shafts 43, 43A are corresponding driven gears 45, 45A each exposed through a slot in the forward shelf 24 for driving engagement with a corresponding driving gear 46, 46A therebelow, the latter driving gears each floating freely on a drive shaft 47 journalled on the base casting as at 48, 48A, and having secured thereon two spring hubs 49, 49A each carrying a corresponding torsion relief spring 50, 50A, the respective ends of each of which engage in the hubs supporting them and in the hubs of the appertaining driving gears 46, 46A whereby to yieldingly couple the latter with said drive shaft 47 in order that any load differential at the two vises shall not damage the vise driving mechanism, as otherwise might be the case, for example, if a key blank does not match in blade thickness the specimen key as when the latter is worn very thin or is twisted from usage or possibly cocked in the vise.

Means for reversely rotating the driving shaft 47 to open and close the vises comprises, FIGURES 1 and 3, a large intermediate gear 54 journalled at one side of the base casting and driven by the output pinion 55 of a reduction gear unit forming part of a reversible vise motor 57, the drive shaft of which has a brake disc 58 secured thereon and engaged and stopped by a spring-driven brake shoe 59 which is withdrawn by energization of a brake solenoid 60 governed by control circuitry to be described and effective to release and apply the brake at the beginning and end of each cutting cycle, as will appear more fully hereafter.

When the vise motor 57 is energized to drive in one or the other direction, the two movable vise jaws 44, 44A will be shifted in corresponding opening or closing displacements relative to their respective stationary jaws 41, 41A through the agency of the described duplicate gear trains 45, 46, 47, 49, 50, 54, 55, the energization of the vise motor being further governed in each cutting cycle, in a manner elsewhere described, by limit switches 120, 121, 122, situated adjacently on the base casting and actuated by trip pins 52 and 53 on the intermediate vise gear 54.

As viewed from the side in FIGURE 2 and from the rear in FIGURE 4, the key cutting means on the cutting head comprises a rotatable cutting disc 61 fast on the shaft 62 of a cutter motor 64 secured on a table casting 66 pivotally supported for rocking motion on trunnions 67 which are part of a slide bed casting 68 glidingly supported partly on a horizontal guide rod 69 and partly along its side flanges 70 of the slide bed casting which glide on the main base casting.

Beneath the rear of the motor table is a compression spring 73 which rocks the table forward to dispose the cutting wheel yieldingly in a lowered position for advance against the nose of the key blank in starting the cut. The upper portions of the cutting wheel are shrouded by a safety shield 95 fixed as at 95A on projections from the motor table.

Alfixed along the lower side of the bed casting flange is a horizontal gear rack 74, FIGURE 2, meshing with the output drive pinion 75 of the reduction gear unit of a reversible table motor 76 affixed at the side of the main base casting to shift the cutter table fore and aft toward and away from the vise mechanism 41 44, etc. and the key elements secured therein.

At the rear of the base casting, FIGURES 2 and 4, is a table-return limit switch 77 having an actuating arm 77A engaged by an adjustable pin 66P carried at the rear of the bed casting flange 66, such that when the motor drives the table or cutting head assembly to the limit of its rearward travel back to its normal starting position, the limit switch will open the motor circuit for that direction of its reversible drive.

Similarly, at the front of the base casting, FIGURES l and 2, there is provided a forward table limit switch 78 in a corresponding energizing circuit for the table motor to be actuated by a button 68B at the end of the slide bed casting situated to engage the actuating arm 78A of this switch through a hole 23H in the main base casting when the motor has shifted the table to the limit of permitted forward or cutting travel, and setting up part of a circuit for returning the table to its rearward position.

Means for guiding the cutting wheel in key-cutting operation comprises (FIGURE 5) a depending stylus finger 96 disposed in alignment above the left-hand (master) key vises 41, 44, in positions such that the bottom edge of the stylus engages in the code or pin notches of the specimen or master key KM-, clamped in the said vise means, as the cutter table advances, for example, from right to left in FIGURE 6, so that the table and therefore the cutting wheel 61 will trace out the identical code notch pattern on the blank key -KB, the cutter table 66 pivoting up and down on trunnions 67 conformably with the up and down tracing movements of the stylus as it moves along the notches of the master key.

The selectively pre-set gauging means carried on the vertically-reciprocable carrier head 36 comprises, as in FIGURE 1, a pair of vertically- reciprocable plungers 81, 82 slidable in bossed slideways 83, formed as part of a forward shelf 37 integral with the carrier casting 36, and respectively aligned with one of the key vises therebelow, as in FIGURE 2. At their upper ends these plungers respectively have pin and slot connections 85 with one end of a corresponding bell crank 86 or 86A, the opposite ends of which are provided with cam rollers 87 respectively riding on the configured rims of a gauge control cam 88 fixed on the output shaft 89 of a reduction gear means 90 forming part of a reversible gauge motor 91 affixed at the rear of the carrier casting, as in FIGURES 2 and 4, the reverse driving operations of which will control the raising and lowering of the pair of plungers in any of the three gauging positions of the head signalled by the blank-dispensing apparatus. A spring 93 acting on the cranks urges the plungers normally upward.

At their lower ends the aforesaid gauging plungers are each equipped with an elongated metal gauge and holddown block 81F or 82F, FIGURES 2, 3, respectively dis posed so as to lie in lengthwise alignment with the long upper edges of the master and blank key blades secured in the Wises therebelow with said upper edges exposed for such hold-down engagement. Each gauge block has a relatively resilient shoe 815 or 828 respectively afiixed to the key-engaging faces thereof (FIGURE 7) to cushion the hold-down pressure which the plungers will apply to the key elements. However, the shoes 81S and 828 have differing degrees of resiliency, the former being adapted to engage the original or master key and the tumbler notchings therein, and accordingly this shoe is of a relatively softer material containing rubber or equivalent compressibly-yieldable material which can press into the notches, while the shoe 823 which engages the flat edge of the blank is relatively harder and will be made of neoprene or the like. (See also FIGURE 7.)

In addition to the foregoing hold-down gauging means, the gauging head or carrier is equipped with a pair of supervisory vise witches 100, 100A respectively associated with the master key vise and blank vise, FIGURES 1 and 2, and respectively affixed to the underside of the forward shelf 37 above each vise in alignment with a corresponding trigger plate 101 or 102 carried at the forward end of a sliding block 103 on said shelf, FIGURES 2, 8, slidably supported in part on a rod 104 and a set of slideway plates 105 afiixed to the underside of said shelf adjacent the corresponding switch, the latter in each instance having a spring-urged actuating button 106 engaged by the trigger plate 101 or 102 of the corresponding block assembly to actuate the switch when the corresponding trip plate is pushed inwardly upon insertion of the corresponding master key or blank, as the case may be, the shoulder stop of which will bear against the trip plate when the key is pre:sed fully into the entrance slot atforded by the open vise.

Thus, it is required that both key elements be fully and properly inserted for alignment with the corresponding vise jaws and hold-down seating before the vise jaws close, the aforesaid supervisory SWitches being connected in control circuits, as will appear, to prevent initiation of the cutting cycle until the keys are properly inserted in respect to the depth of entry thereof, as by said trip plates, the subsequent action of the hold-down shoes and plungers being a further and forcible positioning means to the same ends.

A system of supervisory limit and cycling switches controls the motor up and down gauging and standby positioning of the gauge head 36, including a set of four control cams 110A, 110B, 110C, 1101), all fixed on the drive shaft 89 of the gauge motor 91, as in FIGURES 2, 4, 6, and 13.

Carried on a bracket 112 which is part of the carrier casting, FIGURE 2, is a battery of cam cycle switches 114A, 114B, 114C, 114D, each having an actuating member aligned with the corresponding one of the cycling cams 110A D for actuation by the latter during reverse rotation of the cam motor in actuating the holddown means, said cycle switches being connected in a cycle control circuit to be described.

A set of four gauge limit switches, 116A, 116B, 116C, 116D, is provided, as in FIGURE 3, in fixed positions on the base casting beneath a rearwardly projecting finger bracket 119, which may be an integral part of the carrier casting 36, there being four switch actuating fingers 117A, 117B, 117C, 117D adjustably threaded into said projecting bracket, each in overlying alignment with the actuating button of a corresponding one of said gauge limit switches, it being observed that each said switch finger is adjusted to a vertical position to engage its corresponding switch-actuating button at a certain vertical position of the gauge carrier or head to break the carrier motor circuit on reaching such position cooperatively with other circuit controls to be described. The first, second and third of these gauge limit switches are connected in a gauging circuit to be effective in response to a corresponding size signal from a black dispensing means, while the fourth such limit switch governs the positioning of the carrier head in its normal standby position, as will appear more fully hereafter.

The aforementioned fourth carrier or gauge limit switch 116D governs only the control circuitry for the return of the carrier to standby position, there being a fifth and last carrier limit switch 124. FIGURES 1 and 5, affixed to the front of the carrier casting 36 in alignment with a trip plate fixed on the frame so as to be engaged by the actuating button 124B of said switch on arrival of the carrier at the upper limit of its permitted travel up to fully elevated position in the cutting cycle, said switch being connected, as will appear, in a control circuit which effects stoppage of the carrier motor for this purpose.

One of the key-blank dispensing units is depicted in FIGURE 9 and comprises a base plate surmounted by a back wall 141 and two adjoining side plates 142, 143, the latter having turned-in flanges 144 spaced from each other to afford a vertical guide slot 144A.

Adjustably attached to each of the side plates by pin and slot means 145 and a locking wing nut 146- are adjustable magazine wing plates 147 and 148, the former having a narrow offset guard flange 147A and the latter having a considerably wider offset flange 148A set at .an angle greater than 90 to its main plate body, as seen in FIGURE 10, so that the magazine plates and flanges define a blank-stacking cavity 149 of irregular shape, wider at one side to accommodate the heads of the key blanks, and narrowing toward the other side to confine the blades or shanks of said blanks, the vertical extent of this cavity being sufiicient to stack as many as 50 blanks per loading, and the wing plates being shiftable by loosening the wing nuts 146 to confine keys of different size and shape securely but freely for dispensing displacement by means to be described.

Electromagnetically-actuated means for ejecting the key blanks one at a time from the magazine, FIGURE 11, comprises the provision on a shelf plate 150 beneath the body of a solenoid 151 having a plunger 152 conmeeting with a leg 153 depending from an ejector slide plate 154 slidingly supported on the base plate 140 and also guidedly supported by means of an upstanding flange 155 aflixed thereto above said leg and carrying a pair of plungers 156 slidably guided through the rear wall plate 141 of the structure, there being a light compression spring 157 on each plunger acting to move the ejector plate and hence the solenoid plunger (which may, however, have its own internal spring-not shown) to a normally retracted position (FIGURE 12 also).

On energization of the solenoid, its plunger moves the ejector plate inwardly at the bottom of the magazine to engage and push the lowermost key blank therefrom for gravitatin-g descent into a delivery chute (not shown) in a suitable calbinet structure in which a bank is situated containing usually 30 or more such magazines, each stocking a different type of key blank for selective dispensation in response to selective energization of the corresponding ejecting solenoids, said magazines being mounted on inner wall surfaces of the cabinet by means of a hanger bracket 158, FIGURES -9 and 11, affixed to the rearward wall of each magazine unit.

Mounted on an additional shelf bracket 160 beneath each solenoid, FIGURES 11, 12 is a corresponding supervisory switch 161 having an actuating arm 161A disposed in the path of the aforesaid depending leg 153 to be pushed by the latter on its inward ejection movement to close a signal circuit to the corresponding one of the gauge relays R-l, R2, R-3, FIGURES 13 and 14.

An EMPTY signalling supervisory switch 164 is disposed near the bottom of the well, formed by the body plates 141, 142, 143, said switch having an actuating arm 164A exposed through a slot 166 in one of the angled flanges of the sidewall plates for engagement by a follower weight 168 having an averaged configuration to fit into all of the irregular configurations of the key blank magazine to press down upon the stack of blanks therein and assure firm disposition of the lower- 7 most blank on the bottom plate for removal by the ejecting plate as aforesaid (FIGURES l and 11).

The follower weight is provided with a headed pin 169, FIGURE 10, 'which fits freely into the vertical slot 144A formed by the edges of the two magazine plates whereby the weight is guided in its downward movement, the weight being further provided with a knurled handle pin 170 on its outer face which is freely exposed through the gap between the angled magazine plates for manual engagement in order that it may be elevated and removed for restocking the supply of blanks.

When the follower and signalling weight descends to a level corresponding to the presence of only one key blank remaining in the magazine, it engages the switch actuating arm 164A to operate the switch and actuate certain Empty control circuits and signals, FIGURE 9.

Each type of key blank stocked in the various magazines will have a characteristic blade or shank width falling within a range of three dimensions for the great majority of the most commonly used keys, and it is this characteristic dimension which the novel dispensing means will signal to pre-set the hold-down gauging means of the cutting head.

Associated with a battery of such key magazines will be a testing or blank-identifying means, which in one embodiment may take the form of a key barrel 180, FIGURE 13, having a keyway adapted to fit one particular make or form of key shank or blade. The inner end of the keyway is open so that the nose of the key may protrude if the inserted master or specimen key 9 The operation of the principal functional components of the machine, as described in view of the pictorial and schematic representations in FIGURE 13, begins with the deposit of the requisite sum in the usual cointesting device (not shown) to actuate the coin switch 230 and the coin relay R-8 which, in turn, pulls in a vend relay R-4 of the latching type serving to establish a power circuit for the ensuing cycle, the circuit means and connections for these and other operations being described in detail hereinafter in view of FIGURE 14.

Following deposit of the money, the patron fits his master key KM into a matching test barrel 180B, and the nose of the key fully entered therein will actuate switch means 184B to energize the ejecting solenoid EJ2 which in turn will actuate another switch means 235 to close switch contacts 235 and energize the appertaining one of the three gauge relays R2 respectively corresponding to the size of the particular key blank dispensed, which in this example can be assumed to be a padlock key having the Group II blade width characteristic of the average key of this type.

The gauge relay R2 is also of the latching type, and will be latched in operated condition for the remainder of the cycle to control certain resetting circuits in addition to its important function in pre-setting the gauge head by completing a size-signalling circuit through a corresponding limit switch LM2 to the head motor 38 in the Down direction thereof, sending the carrier or head 36 from its standby position just above the vises to a lower position suitable for the ensuing hold-down operations involving a key of the Group II size, the carrier causing said LM2 switch to open and stop the head motor on reaching this level.

The blank key element delivered by the foregoing dispensing operations will be retrieved by the patron from a delivery cup in the cabinet (not shown) adapted to house the apparatus in its coin-controlled form, and will be inserted through a suitable slot therein into the right-hand or blank key vise 44A, the shoulder of the key pressing against the trigger plate 102 to actuate the corresponding trigger switch A and thereby cause the gauge cam motor 91 to rotate the cam 88 clockwise and drive the hold-down shoe 828 down upon the blank and press it into a proper horizontal orientation in its vise, following which one of the control cams B will actuate its switch means CM-Z to stop this particular operation of the cam motor.

The patron next inserts the master key KM into the lefthand vise 44, actuating the corresponding trigger switch means 100-101 in like manner, which causes the cam motor to start again and turn the gauge or hold-down cam 88 still farther and drive the left-hand hold-down shoe 818 down upon the master key, another one of the control cams 110D then actuating its switch CM4 to stop the cam motor for the second time with both key elements now firmly seated down in their vises, this cam switch operation further actuating a vise control relay, such as the relay R6 of FIGURE 14, which will energize the vise motor 57 and cause it to turn the vise driving screw shafts 43, 43A in a direction to close the two vise jaws 44, 44A upon the keys.

As a further incident of the aforesaid closure of the vises, the supervisory switches (V-1), 121 (V-Z) effectuate circuits to energize the head motor 38 to withdraw the head carrier 36 upwardly out of the way to its highest position Where the motor is stopped by the head limit switch HDL; and concurrently with such withdrawal of the head, the motor 64 for the cutting wheel 61, together with the cutter carriage motor 76, are energized,

starting the travel of the cutter toward the blank key while the associated stylus 96 (FIGURE 5) traces along the notches in the master key to duplicate the configurations in the blank.

A third supervisory vise switch 122 (V-3) illuminates an advisory lamp 108 from the AC. line terminals P-1, P-2 when the vises are closed as aforesaid to signify that the cutting operation is in progress and will be terminated when the lamp is extinguished by reopening of the vises, this feature being omitted from the circuitry of FIGURE 14 to simplify the latter so far as possible.

On reaching the end of its forward excursion, the cutter carriage actuates its forward limit switch 278 (indicated at 78, FIGURE 2) causing a relay means, such as R5 in FIGURE 14, to reverse the carriage motor and return the carriage back to its home or Back position where it will actuate the Back or rear limit switch 283A (indicated at 77, FIGURE 6) to stop the carriage motor.

Such actuation of the rear limit switch also initiates the terminal resetting operations by energizing all of the reset coils RR-l RR-4 for the gauge and vend relays, which were latched up at the beginning of the cycle, in consequence of which other control relays, such as a carriage control relay R5 and vise control relay R-6, FIG- URE 14, are dropped out and cause the vise motor 57 to operate reversely to reopen the vises, and to energize the head motor 38 reversely to lower the gauge head 36 to its standby position at which it will be stopped by the fourth limit switch LM-4, thus concluding the cycle.

Detailed circuit operation FIGURE 14 depicts circuit means for elfectuating the operations of the coin-controlled form of the machine described in view in FIGURE 13, it being assumed that the patron deposits the requisite coins (e.g. 35) in the usual coin testing device (not shown) which will preferably be of the type holding the deposit in escrow until the vending cycle is properly initiated and thereafter cause the money to be collected, but will return the money in case the supply of merchandise (key blanks) is exhausted or there is a functional failure of some sort.

The deposit of coins will result in closure of coin switch contacts 230, energizing the coil 231 of the coin relay R8 from power supply conductor P-1 from the usual alternating current terminals, and assuming that the patrons master key which is to be duplicated has a blade width corresponding to the Group 11 class of keys, for instance a padlock key, and that it is fitted into a matching test barrel T-2, the nose of the key will cause closure of contacts 233, 233B (corresponding to switch 184B, FIGURE 13) and break a chain connection with contacts 233A in the corresponding test switch, thereby energizing the corresponding ejector solenoid EI2 causing ejection of the proper key blank from a corresponding one of the dispensing magazines as described in view of FIGURES 9 through 12, as an incident of which the contacts 235 of the appertaining ejector switch 161 (FIGURES 11 and 12) will close and energize the corresponding gauge relay R2 for the Group II type of key, this relay becoming latched in operated condition to be released only by energization of a separate reset coil RR-2 at the end of the cycle, it being observed that the three gauge relays R-l, R2, R3, as well as the vend relay R4, are all of the latching type, and that there will be as many of the gauge relays R-1 R-S as there are different types of key sizes to be dispensed in a given machine.

As a result of the foregoing dispensation of a key blank, the gauge or size-signalling contacts 240 of the corresponding gauge relay R2 close and apply power from power-supply conductor P1 via conductor 241 to energize the vend relay coil through the now-closed R8 relay contacts 242, thereby closing contacts 243, 243B thereof, also connecting with the aforesaid power on conductor 241, whereby such power is now latched-in to a feed conductor 244 for substantially the remainder of the operating cycle.

A further result of this operation of the vend relay switch means is the breaking of contact 243 with its normal contact 243A to actuate the usual escrow unit of the associated coin-testing device (not shown) to Collect, as indicated, the deposited money in the known manner; and this in turn causes the coin switch contacts 230 to reopen and drop out the RS coin relay almost immediately.

When the vend relay R4 operates, power is applied via its contacts 243, 243B closed, from feed conductor 244, V-1 contacts 252, 252A to conductor 253 commoned to the guage limit switches LM1, LM-2, LM-3, and thence via the now-closed R-2 gauge relay contacts 255 to conductor 256 connecting with the Down winding 271 of the head motor 38, causing the gauge head or carrier 36 to descend to the position signalled by actuation of the dispensing unit, which, in this example, will be the position required for a class II key, this circuit to the head motor being quickly opened to stop the motor at this particular position by the engagement of the corresponding actuating finger 117B on the head casting (FIGURE 3) with the corresponding limit switch LM-2 to open the contacts 257 and stop the head motor.

The cutting operation requires insertion first of the blank key in the right-hand blank vise, the key shoulder pressing against the corresponding trigger plate 101A to actuate the corresponding blank switch 100A, closing its contacts 246, 246B to set up a chain circuit, beginning with, contacts 247, 247B of the third cam switch CM3 thereby connecting power from feed conductor 244 to conductor 251 to energize the Down winding 250 on the gauge cam motor 91, with a resultant depression of the right-hand gauge block and shoe to press the blank key down into its vise, as explained in view of FIGURE 13, this operation of the cam motor being stopped a first time by opening of the cam switch CF-3 contacts 247, 247B accompanied by reclosure of CM-3 contacts 247, 247A, so that the chain circuit is now shifted to and through the left-hand trigger switch 100 for the Master Key vise.

The insertion next of the Master Key in its vise accordingly closes trigger switch contacts 248, 248B and energizes through CM4 contacts 249, 249A and conductor 251, the Down winding 250 of the cam motor once again in the same direction, causing the gauge cam to resume its clockwise rotation and depress the plunger for the left-hand vise to press its hold-down block and shoe against the Master Key, the CM4 cam switch cont-acts reopening almost at once to stop this second operation of the cam motor with proper shoe pressure as determined by the cam timing.

It may be observed at this juncture that, with both key elements now seated down in their vises and both holddown shoes thus engaged, cam switches CMl and CM-3 and CM4 are now off normal; the CM1 cam switch contacts 252 now being closed to the Up cam motor winding 253, but without effect because the blank-key trigger switch is also off normal at this time, so that if the blank key is withdrawn forcibly at this stage from its vise, its trigger switch contacts 246, 246A reclose and at once energize said Up winding through CM-l contacts 252 closed, and cause the cam motor to reverse until the CM-1 switch reopens, thereby withdrawing the holddown shoes. Moreover, the same reversal will occur if the master key is withdrawn, because the corresponding trigger contacts 248 will fall back to contact 248A and apply power through CM2 contacts 299 closed and likewise energize the Up winding, assuming that the blank key remains in its vise. Thus, withdrawal of either or both of the key elements will interrupt the cycle and avoid malfunction and interference with the self-cycling control circuits.

In order to prevent the machine in its coin-operated embodiment from being put out of service by being left with the operating cycle incomplete, intentionally or otherwise, as for example by failure to insert keys after the money is deposited, a guard circuit is provided in the form of a time-delay switch 190 of the thermal variety connected to effect closure of certain automatic resetting circuits after a delay of about seconds, following the operation of the coin relay R-8, if the cycle does not go forward as by withdrawal of either or both key elements as aforesaid, or failure to insert one or both keys after deposit of the money, this circuit being explained hereinafter in connection with the normal resetting means.

Assuming that both key elements are now secured in their respective vises by the sequential insertion thereof and application of the hold-down means by the cam motor, as aforesaid, the vises will now be closed by energization of the vise motor 57 owing to actuation of the vise control relay R6 by the shiftin of cam switch CM4 contact 249 to contact 249B to apply power through the aforesaid cam-switch chain circuit to the coil 260 of this relay, as a result of which the closing (CL) win-ding 265 of the vise motor will be energized by R6 contacts 263, 2633, conductor 266, the second vise supervisory switch or V-2 normal contacts 267, 267A, closed (-because at this time the vises still stand open), gauge relay R2 contacts 268, 268A closed, and normal chaincircuit contacts 268C on the R-1 relay to power B.

While power is applied to the closing winding of the vise motor at contact 265, the brake release coil 60 is energized via conductor 266X and contacts 281 on the R6 relay. When this motor circuit is broken the brake will be applied to eliminate over-ride on the vise screws. A similar braking action occurs in the opening operation.

When the vises are fully closed, the second of the vise supervisory switches 121 or V-2 is actuated to shift contact 267 to contact 267B, breaking the vise motor close circuit at 267A, and applying this power now via the normally closed special reset switch contacts 295 on RR-7, the normal contact 264A of the head upper limit switch HDL, and via conductor 269 to the Up winding 270 of the head motor 38 causing the head carrier 36 to be withdrawn from above the vises to its fully-elevated condition at which it actuates the upper limit switch HDL, shifting contact 264 to contact 26413 to stop the head motor and start the cutter motor by applying power via conductor 273 to the winding thereof, this same power being applied via branch conductor 273X to the normal contacts 274, 274A of the carriage control relay RS, which will now energize the Forward winding 276 of the carriage motor (CXG) via conductor 275 and advance the cutter wheel to engagement with the key blank and reproduce the code notching of the master key in response to the tracing of the stylus 96, as previously explained.

Having completed the cutting traverse, the carriage will engage the actuating arm of the forward carriage limit switch and close its contacts 278, thereby applying power from a branch 244A of the feed conductor to energize the winding 279 of the carriage reverse relay RS, opening its normal contacts 274, 274A, and closing contact 274 with contact 274B, thereby stopping the forward drive of the carriage motor while simultaneously closing another set of R contacts 280 which will apply power from feed conductor 244 via contacts 283, 283B of the carriage return (back) switch (77) to energize the Back or homing winding 277 of the carriage motor via conductor 282, it being observed that while the carriage is away from its home position, said contacts 283, 283B are closed, and on reaching home position these contacts will open and this carriage-return circuit will be broken, whereupon the terminal phase of the cycle is reached with contact 283 dropping back to contact 283A, applying power through RS contacts 285, 285A, now closed, the normally closed contacts 286, 286A of the special reset relay RR7, and conductor 287 commoned to the three resetting coils RR-l, RR2, RR-3, corresponding to the three illustrative latching gauge relays RI, R2, R3, with the result that the particular relay R2 operated in this operational example is released and all R2 contacts are restored counterclockwise to their normal positions shown and the final phase of the cycle effects opening of the vises and return of the gauge head to its standby position.

On tripping out or release of relay R-Z, relays R-4, R-5, and R6 are dropped out, R4 mechanically as the result of actuation of its trip or release coil RR4 from direct power supply B through the gauge-relay chainconnected normal contacts 268C, 268, 268A reclosed, and normal contacts 268D on R3 to the RR-4 release coil 288, this final dropping of the vend relay R4 opening the power-feed contacts 243, 243B to conductor 244, which also drops out the holding circuit for relay RS via conductor 273X and contacts 274, 274B; relay R6 dropping out through the cam-switch chain circuit because of disconnection of power from feed conductor 244.

When relay R4 drops out, its contacts 290 reclose, thereby energizing the open winding 300 of the vise motor via LM-4 contacts 291 closed in the UP position of the head, conductor 292, the contacts 301 of the first vise supervisory switch V1, which is closed while the vises are closed, and will open, again when the vises open. The brake coil 60 will also be energized again at this time via a branch conductor 292X and normal contacts 297 on vise control relay R6 dropped, thereby releasing the brake 5859 on the vise motor during the opening operation.

Meanwhile, the DOWN winding 271 of the head motor will be energized by power connected directly from the source D through normal contacts 298 on the standby limit switch LM-4, now reclosed, and conductor 256, and when the carrier reaches the standby position (slightly above the vises) the limit switch LM-4 will be open to stop the head motor, and the cycle is at an end.

The resetting coil RR4 for the vend relay R4 is continually energized from power connection B through the normal chain-connected contacts Rl R3, 268C, 268, 268D of the gauge Signalling relays as a guard feature preventing operation of the machine in case of power failure during the operating cycle, in which event the machine would reset at once if the power were turned on again.

For proprietary and servicing purposes, two manual over-ride switches MRS, VRS are provided for access to maintenance personnel only. The manual switch MRS has contacts 320 closed by operation thereof and connected with power source F to energize the coil 324 of the special reset relay RR7, the operation of which will close R7 contacts 286 with contact 286B (upper right) to apply power C via conductor 287 to energize all gauge reset relays RRl, RR2, RR3 and initiate a resetting operation such as would have been effected by return of the cutter carriage to Home at the normal conclusion of a cycle as last described, depending upon the position of the gauge head at the time, this same actuation of RR7 also closing its contacts 272 to apply power E via HDL limit switch contacts 264, 264B, if the head is up, to start the cutter motor and energize the carriage control relay R5 to start the carriage motor forward, in case there has been a main power interruption in midcycle, thereby causing the cutter to retrace its previous incomplete travel and complete the cycle thereafter in the normal manner.

If, however, the head is not up when RR7 is actuated, then in that case upper limit switch contacts 264, 264A would be closed to send the head back up again, causing the HDL upper limit switch to close its contacts 264 and 264B to restart the cutter and restore the carriage relay R-S to energized condition to cause a retrace operation of the carriage and cutter and followed thereafter by a normal resetting and opening of the vise, so that the patrons key will be cut and both keys released notwithstanding the power interruption.

The other manual over-ride switch VRS is a visereleasing means which is operable to energize the open winding 300 of the vise motor in case of circuit or component failure in order that the patrons key can be promptly released from its vise. To this end the vise release switch comprises contacts 305, 305A connecting power from source connection E via conductor 306 connecting with conductor 292X to said motor winding, it being apparent that operation of this switch at any time when the vises are closed can energize the vise motor directly to release the vise, whereas actuation of the firstmentioned manual over-rise switch means MRS initiates the terminal phase of the cycle by tripping out the four reset coils for the latching relays.

Still another supervisory over-ride means is the timedelay switch previously alluded to which may take the form of a thermal relay having a heater element 194 energized from power connection F and normal contacts 195 on the Vise Control Relay R6, such that if the machine is cycled in the usual manner, but the patron for any reason fails to insert the key elements in the vises, for a delay of preferably around 180 seconds, in which the relay is not caused to operate, then the delay over-ride switch contact 196 will close and energize the coil 324 of the special reset relay RR-7 with the same results heretofore described in connection with closure of RR-7 contacts 286A and 286B in tripping out the four reset coils Rl R-4.

The commercial form of the coin-controlled embodiment of the apparatus includes cabinet illuminating lamps, empty signal lamps associated with the ejectors, and the usual power line interlock relay, all of which have been omitted in order to simplify the circuit diagram of FIGURE 14 so far as possible, the cutting-cycle annunciator or cycle in progress lamp 108 being described in view of the schematic of FIGURE 13 for the same reason and included in its detailed novel cooperation with the vise-actuating mechanism which controls it.

We claim:

1. In a key duplicating mechanism, the combination with vise mechanism for clamping a key element for the duration of a predetermined duplicating cycle of operation of duplication means therein under control of a principal control circuit operable to initiate and conclude each such duplicating cycle, of: cyclically operable gauge mechanism including a key-element hold-down means positioned relative to said vise mechanism for movement in a hold-down cycle from any of a plurality of preselectable starting positions close to the vise mechanism and a key element therein, and thereafter into engagement with said key element to urge the same into a predetermined position of alignment at least during closure of the vise mechanism until the key element is clamped thereby, and thereafter to effect disengagement of the hold-down means from the key element at the conclusion of said hold-down cycle and as a function of conclusion of said duplicating cycle; and additional control circuit means for said gauge mechanism cooperable with said principal control circuit means and responsive to gauge signals received from a source of such signals for effecting a presettting movement of the hold-down means to one of said starting positions prior to engagement thereby of the key element as aforesaid, and finally to complete and conclude said holddown cycle dependently upon completion of said duplicating cycle.

2. In key duplicating apparatus of the type adapted for use with key blank dispensing mechanism, means for positioning a master key and a key blank element relative to a cutting mechanism, comprising: a vise for a master key, a vise for a blank key, screw means for opening and closing said vises; reversible vise motor means reversely driving said screw means; a gauge carrier mounted to reciprocate vertically down toward and upwardly away from said vises; reversible carrier motor means for reciprocating the carrier; a key hold-down shoe device for each vise supported thereabove on the carrier, each said device being movable independently of the other to and from pressing engagement against a key element in the appertaining vise; reversible hold-down motor means movable with the carrier and having a progressive driving interconnection with said hold-down devices to move first one and then the other in hold-down action as aforesaid; means for dispensing key blanks having different critical measurements in a certain dimension; circuit means actuated by each dispensing means to provide a gauge signal dependently upon which of said critical measurements is present in the blank dispensed, said circuit means being connected with said carrier motor means to energize the same to move the carrier downwardly from a standby position to a gauging position in relation to the vises and related to the particular measurement of the dispensed blank; and switch means cooperable with said circuit means for deenergizing the carrier motor means to stop the carrier at any of the requisite gauging positions signalled as aforesaid responsive to movement of the carrier into such positions.

3. A key duplicating machine having vises to receive and clamp a master key and a blank key, key-actuated trigger switch means at each vise operable responsive to receipt of a key element therein, stylus-guided cutter means mounted on a reciprocable carriage for movement to and from duplicating engagement with key elements in said vises, and motor means for driving the carriage and cutter means in stylus guided key-duplicating action from and back to a home position; wherein there is provided a gauge head vertically reciprocable above the vises and having a standby position, a plurality of lowered gauging positions, and an upwardly withdrawn position; reversible head motor means for moving the head to and from said positions; limit switch means corresponding to each such head position and operable responsive to movements of the head to such positions and connected in circuit with head motor means for respectively stopping the head at such positions responsive to energizations of the head motor means by cycling circuit means; key hold-down means for each vise and movable with the gauge head and reversely operable in any of said gauging positions to and from engagement with a key element in the appertaining vise to free or press the element down into its vise; reversible gauge motor means carried with the head for actuating said hold-down means; vise motor drive means reversible to open and close the vises; control switch means actuated by the gauge motor means; and cycling circuit means including in cooperative combination a starting switch means establishing a connection with a source of operating power, gauge switch means selectively operable to provide gauge signals for said head, carriage limit switch means actuated by the carriage in an advanced and key-duplicating position and a home starting position thereof, together with supervisory switch means actuated by the vice drive means in open and closed conditions of the vises and having connection with said trigger switch means for initiating a cutting cycle following actuation of the starting switch means and responsive to insertion of key elements in each of said vises to actuate said trigger switch means and, in the order named: to actuate said head motor means to a gauging position determined by one of said gauge limit switch means and one of said gauge signalling switch means; to actuate said vise motor means to close said vises; to actuate said head motor means to elevate the head to withdrawn position; to actuate said cutter and carriage motor means to initiate a cutting traverse to said advanced position from and back to said home position whereby to cut the blank in duplicate of the master key; and to reversely energize the vise drive motor means to open the vises; to stop the cutter motor means; and to reversely energize the head motor means to lower the head to standby position in conclusion of a cycle initiated by operation of said starting switch means.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said key hold-down means comprises a plunger mounted on the head and reciprocable toward and away from a corresponding vise, together with key-engaging shoe means movable by each plunger; wherein said gauge motor means includes a reversible motor carried by the head and a reversible gauge cam driven thereby, cam follower drive means for each plunger driven by said gauge cam, and means acting on said cam follower drive means yieldingly urging said plungers to withdraw said shoes to a starting position away from said vises.

5. Mechanism as set forth in claim 4 wherein said holddown means comprises a block carried by each plunger and a key-engaging shoe thereon of yieldable material of the class of rubber, the shoe adapted engage the blank key element having a lesser resilience than that of the shoe engaging the master key, and the material of the latter shoe having a resilience capable of conforming engagement into the code configurations of the master key.

6. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said control switch means actuated by the gauge motor means comprises a set of cams rotated by said motor and cam switch means actuated by each cam and connected in the cycling circuit means as aforesaid.

7. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said vise motor drive means comprises a fixed vise jaw and a movable jaw for each vise; worm screw means reversibly rotatable for closing and opening said movable jaws jointly relative to their fixed jaws; reversible motor means and gear means driven thereby for reversely turning the worm screw means to open and close the vises by action of the movable jaws as aforesaid, and supervisory switch means actuated by the drive means in the open and the closed conditions of the vises for controlling circuits for signalling said conditions.

8. Mechanism according to claim 7 wherein said vise motor-drive means includes -a gear train inter-posed between said vise motor means and said worm screw means, and said supervisory switch means is actuatedby means movable with one of the gears in said train.

9. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said machine further includes a plurality of key-blank dispensing devices each operable to eject a key blank of a given type characterized by a critical gauging dimension, blanks dispensed by some of said devices having different critical dimensions than those dispensed by other such devices; wherein said gauge switch means comprises a switch cooperatively associated with each of one or more said dispensing devices dispensing blanks having the same critical dimension whereby to provide gauge signals respectively corresponding to a particular critical dimension to which the gauge head will be moved to gauging positions as set forth dependently upOn which type of blank is dispensed.

10. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said cycling circuit means includes override switch means connected therein for operation following an operation of said starting switch means but prior to initiation of the cutting cycle as aforesaid, to effect termination of the cycle without actuation of the trigger swich means.

11. Apparatus according to claim wherein said override switch means is a manually operable switch.

12. Apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said override switch means is an electrically-controlled time delay switch connected in said cycling circuit for operation automatically following operation of said starting switch to initiate an operating cycle of the mechanism and at the conclusion of a predetermined time delay during which said vises are not closed.

13. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said cycling circuit means includes manually operable switch means connected therein for operation to energize the vise motor means directly to effect opening of the vises in the event the latter are closed.

14. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein there is provided a further signalling means controlled by said vise motor drive means as a function of its vise-closing operation to provide a signal persisting for the time during which said vises remain closed.

15. In a key duplicating machine, the combination with key-clamping vises and reversible vise-motor means driving the same in closing and opening clamping action, motor driven cutting and tracing means, and motor driven carriage meas moving the cutting and tracing means to and from key-duplicating engagement with key elements in said vises, and a cycling circuit including a starting switch operable to condition said circuit for a cycle of operation to energize said vise motor means and the motor means for said cutting means, and said carriage means in a cycle including in the order named, closure of said vises, displacement of the carriage means to travel the cutting means in duplicating operation relative to said vises and the key elements therein and retreat thereform, and termination of the cycle by opening of said vises, and means for positioning the key elements in their respective vises prior to clamping action thereof as aforesaid and comprising a carrier movable toward the edges of the respective key elements in said vises; key engaging means on the carrier aligned with each vise for edge engagement as aforesaid; reverse drive means operable to move the carrier toward said key element selectively to any of sevenal predetermined positions of proximity to the engaged edges of the key elements; and electrically-controlled, reversely-operable drive means moving with the carrier and operable to move the key-engaging means into engagement with the edges of the respective keys in the corresponding vises; together with circuit means and controlled by said cycling circuit for actuating said reverse drive means to engage the key elements as aforesaid prior to operation of the vise motor means in closing said movable jaws and to maintain such engagement during the clamping operation of said jaws, and thereafter to withdraw said key engaging means a predetermined distance away from the vises and restore the said key-engaging means to a normal starting position on the carrier.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,323,420 6/1967 Roxburgh --13.05

ANDREW R. JUHASZ, Primary Examiner.

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