Key cutting and duplicating apparatus having multiple cutting implements and probes

Abstract

A key cutting and decoding apparatus positions a key blank relative to two distinct, independently movable key cutters and decoding probes. A frame includes a reference axis extending longitudinally from the front of the frame to the rear of the frame. Two locking slots hold removable key blank holders upon a carriage assembly. The carriage assembly is arranged for movement along both an X-axis, generally axial direction of the reference axis, and a Y-axis, generally transverse to the reference axis of the frame. A first cutting assembly moves a cutting drill vertically, along a Z-axis generally orthogonal to each of the reference axis, the X-axis and the Y-axis. A second cutting assembly moves a cutting wheel rotationally, about a rotational axis orthogonal to the Z-axis.

Claims

1. A key cutting apparatus comprising: a frame having a reference axis; a microprocessor; a key blank holder; a carriage assembly coplanar to the reference axis and supporting the key blank holder, the carriage assembly configured to be horizontally movable under control of the microprocessor along an X-axis that is orthogonal to the reference axis, and along a Y-axis that is colinear to the reference axis; a cutting drill configured to be actuatable under control of the microprocessor, the cutting drill extending along a longitudinal Z-axis and being vertically movable under control of the microprocessor along the Z-axis, the Z-axis being orthogonal to each of the reference axis, the X-axis, and the Y-axis; and a cutting wheel configured to be actuatable under control of the microprocessor such that a cutting motor causes the cutting wheel to rotate along the first rotational axis orthogonal to the Z-axis and an angle rotating motor causes the cutting wheel to be rotationally positionable about a second rotational axis orthogonal to both the first rotational axis and the Z-axis for cutting biaxial angle notches in a key blank held by the key blank holder.

2. The invention according to claim 1, further comprisong a graphical user interface operably coupled to the microprocessor.

3. The invention according to claim 2, wherein the graphical user interface comprises an application running on a tablet computer.

4. The invention according to claim 2, wherein the graphical user interface comprises an application running on a personal computer.

5. The invention according to claim 1, wherein actuation of a stepper motor by the microprocessor causes the carriage assembly to move along the X-axis.

6. The invention according to claim 1, wherein actuation of a stepper motor by the microprocessor causes the carriage assembly to move along the Y-axis.

7. The invention according to claim 1, wherein actuation of a stepper motor by a microprocessor causes the cutting drill to move about the Z-axis.

8. The invention according to claim 1, further comprising an engraving tip releasably attachable to the cutting drill.

9. The invention according to claim 1, wherein the cutting drill is configured to cut the key blank with at least one of notches, grooves and dimples.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the present key cutting and decoding apparatus;

(2) FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the XY-axis subassembly of the present key and decoding cutting apparatus;

(3) FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the Z-axis subassembly of the present key cutting and decoding apparatus;

(4) FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the rotational axis subassembly of the present key cutting and decoding apparatus; and

(5) FIG. 5 is an electrical block diagram of the control and user interface circuitry of the present key cutting and decoding apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(6) While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail, one specific embodiment, with the understanding that the present disclosure is intended as an exemplification of the principles of the present invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiment illustrated.

(7) The present key cutting apparatus 10 is shown in FIG. 1 as comprising rotating head assembly 11, Z-axis assembly 12, XY-axis assembly 13. tablet device 14, tablet arm 15, tablet arm base 16, machine base 17, machine back base 18, burr collection tray 19, burr collection tray 20, power socket 21, power socket holder 22, deep groove rolling bearing 23, 12-volt power supply 24, 24-volt power supply 25, main circuit board 26, control box 27, safety shield 28, safety shield stops 29. right plate 30, left plate 31, back cover 32, back plate 33, upper cover 34, emergency stop switch 35, on/off power switch 36, safety gate screw 37, safety gate sleeve 38, and safety gate cover 39.

(8) XY-axis assembly 13, also referred to herein as a carriage assembly, is shown in FIG. 2 as comprising X-axis plate 41, X-axis cross rails 42, X-axis left bearing base 43, deep groove rolling 44, X-axis screw 45, X-axis right bearing base 46, bearing plate 47, synchronous wheel 48, X-axis belt 49, X-axis motor holder 50, X-axis shock absorber 51, X-axis stepper motor 52, X-axis sensor 53, Y-axis motor holder 54, Y-axis motor shock absorber 55, Y-axis stepper motor 56, Y-axis belt 57, Y-axis screw nut 58, bearing plate 59, Y-axis screw 60, deep groove rolling bearing 61, Y-axis sensor plate 62, dust cover mount 63, clamp lock stop 64, clamp fastener handle 65, clamp lock pressure plate 66, Y-axis plate 67, Steel brush fixed plate 68, Steel brush 69, Y-axis cover 70, flat milling clamp fastener axis 71, flat milling clamp shoulder gauge 72, flat milling lower jaw 73, flat milling upper jaw 74, easy grip wing nut 75, automotive jaw assembly 76, Y-axis cross rails 77, and Y-axis sensor 78.

(9) Z-axis assembly 12, also referred to herein as the first cutting mechanism, is shown in FIG. 3 as comprising Z-axis base 81, Z-axis sensor 82, Z-axis motor 83, motor bumper 84, Z-axis motor dead plate 85, small synchronous wheel 86, synchronous belt 87, large synchronous wheel 88, ball screw 89, bearing 90, cross rail 91, Z-axis sliding block 92, spindle large pulley 93, spindle round belt 94, spindle motor dead plate 95, spindle motor 96, spindle motor seal plate 97, conductive shell 98, decoder bench insulator 99, decoder fixing sleeve 100, end milling decoder 101, spindle suite 102, end milling cutter 103, and spindle small belt pulley 104.

(10) Rotating head assembly 11, also referred to herein as the second cutting mechanism, is shown in FIG. 4 as comprising cutting motor 111, first cutting motor fixture 112, cutting axis wide belt wheel 113, rotating motor small synchronous wheel 114, rotating motor synchronous belt 115, rotating axis bearing end plate 116, cutting wide belt 117, second cutting motor fixture 118, cutter protection cover 119, angle rotation sensor 120, rotating axis 121, cutter locknut 122, cutter washer 123, cutting wheel 124, decoder rotating pin 125, surface bearing 126, decoder 127, insulating plate 128, cutting axis wide belt wheel 129, decoder reset sensor 130, harness fixer 131, belt protection cover 132, cutting axis 133, decoder washer 134, dust guard 135, carbon brush holder 136, carbon rod 137, cutting axis bearing 138, flat milling cutter head 139, cutting axis bearing 140, cutting axis locking collar 141, and angle rotating motor 142.

(11) The electronic power and control components of the present key cutting and duplicating apparatus are shown in FIG. 5 as comprising X-axis control unit 150, X-axis driver board 151, X-axis stepper motor 52, X-axis sensor 53, Y-axis control unit 152, Y-axis driver board 153, Y-axis stepper motor 56, Y-axis sensor 78, Z-axis control unit 154, Z-axis driver board 155, Z-axis motor 84, Z-axis sensor 82, rotational-axis control unit 157, rotational-axis driver board 156, angle rotating motor 142, angle rotation sensor 120, power socket 21, fuse 158, on/off power switch 36, emergency stop switch 35, control unit 160, 12-volt power supply 24, AC power conversion board 159, 24-volt power supply 25, cutter control board 161, main circuit board 26, four-axis control board 162, LED illuminator 163, door sensor 164, communications board 165, tablet device 14, and optional personal computer 166

(12) Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described. Various modifications, changes and variations may be made in the arrangement, operation and details of construction of the invention disclosed herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The present disclosure is intended to exemplify and not limit the invention.