FR2540410A1 - Improved automatic machine for duplicating keys - Google Patents

Abstract

Automatic machine for duplicating grooved keys. It comprises: - a horizontally mobile trolley 3, fitted with two jaws a and b in which the key bits of the master key 9 and of the blank key 8 are clamped and held in two parallel vertical planes. - a milling 45/sensing 46 unit mounted opposite the two keys 8, 9. It is characterised in that: - the milling 45/sensing 46 unit is fixed, but is mounted so as to pivot about a horizontal axis 51, so as to be able to operate in two positions in order to cut the grooves and the ribs respectively. - the mobile key-holding 8, 9 trolley 3, is driven in two movements, one being a known off-centre cyclic movement with a circular pathway in a vertical plane oriented perpendicularly to the milling 45/sensing 46 unit and the other movement being a feed movement in a horizontal plane.

Description

IMPROVED AUTOETIC MACHINE FOR REPRODUCING KEYS
THROAT.

 The invention relates to an improved automatic machine for reproducing grooved keys.

We already know machines of the kind in question including
on the one hand, a mobile carriage fitted with two jaws in which the key to be reproduced, called the model key., and the blank are clamped and held in two parallel planes,
- on the other hand, a probe exploring the grooves of the bit of the model key, associated with a cutter, located opposite the blank, which follows the vertical and horizontal movements of the probe.

 The pruning is carried out using a separate bur.

 We first proposed a machine of the type in question in which the relative movements of the mobile carriage and the probe-cutter assembly were controlled manually. The key reproduction cycle was slow and therefore not very profitable.

 In French patent 73o07 894 of the Applicant, published under No. 2,220,337 (British correspondent 1, 398,804, German 2,349,353), an automatic machine of this type has been proposed, in which the probe-cutter assembly is worn. by a plate animated by a cyclic movement with circular trajectory in a vertical plane oriented perpendicular to the plane of the model key and the blank. In this way, at each cycle, the cutter and the probe are brought together and brought into contact with the model key and the blank, then are moved away from it, so as to allow the free movement of the mobile carriage.

In the French certificate of addition 76.29 618 to the previous patent, published under No. 2,366,085 (British correspondent 1,566,774), the motor controlling the eccentric cyclic movement has two speeds
- one, the weakest, corresponding to the fraction of the cycle during which the cutter cuts the blank,
- the other, the highest, corresponding to the rest of the cycle, the speed change being controlled by a cam actuating a motor power switch.

These two machines, which have been successfully marketed by the Applicants under the 9th names Nodul I and III, however, require the use of four electric control motors, namely
a reduction motor for controlling the horizontal movement of the carriage,
a reduction motor for the eccentric cyclic movement of the probe-cutter assembly,
a fae motor for continuous drive of the bit bit,
a motor for driving the milling cutter, which therefore increases the cost price of these machines.

 The invention overcomes these drawbacks. It aims at an improved automatic machine of the type in question which is more economical to manufacture and operate, which is more mechanically reliable and finally which has an even smaller footprint.

This automatic machine perfected to reproduce the throat keys, of the type comprising
a horizontally movable carriage, fitted with two jaws in which the bits of the model key and the blank are tightened and held in two parallel vertical planes,
. a probe-cutter assembly mounted opposite the two keys,
and in which cyclically the probe-cutter assembly and the key assembly are brought together and brought into contact with one another, then separated in order to allow the movement of the mobile carriage, characterized in that the probe-cutter assembly is fixed, but is mounted to pivot around a horizontal axis, so that it can work in two positions in order to cut the grooves and the pupils respectively,
and in that the keychain mobile carriage is driven by two movements, one cyclic, eccentric, known moreover, with a circular trajectory in a vertical plane oriented perpendicular to the probe-cutter assembly and the other in advance in a horizontal plane.

Advantageously:
- the fixed probe-bit assembly of bit and pupil cutter is controlled by a single motor
- known size (see French patent 2366 085 of the Applicant, cited in the preamble), the eccentric cyclic movement is at two speeds, one slow during the operation of actual size of the bit, the other fast during the advance of the mobile carriage.

In other words, this improved machine differs essentially from the Applicant's current machines
in that it is no longer the probe-cutter assembly which receives the eccentric cyclic movement, but the mobile key-holder carriage, which makes it possible to remove the return spring from the probe-cutter assembly downwards,
in that the probe and cutter assembly of pupils and bit is controlled by a single motor,
and in that the eccentric cyclic movement is obtained by means of two eccentrics guided on a single column.

 The manner in which the invention can be implemented and the advantages which result therefrom will emerge more clearly from the example of embodiment which follows, given by way of nonlimiting illustration, in support of the appended figures.

 Figure 1 is a rear view of a machine according to the invention.

 FIG. 2 is a detailed side view of this machine along the axis B-B 'of FIG. 1.

 FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view along the axis C-C 'of FIG. 2.

 Figure 4 is a front view.

 your Figure 5 is, in section along the axis A-A 'of Figure 4, a detailed view of the probe head-cutter.

 Figure 6 is a summary front view of this machine in working position size of the bits.

 FIG. 7 is a partial partial front view of the pivoting probe-cutter head of this machine in the working position, pupil size.

 Figure 8 is a summary perspective view of the pivoting head.

Referring to the figures, this automatic machine perfected for cutting the groove keys essentially comprises a carcass (1), for example made of Zamac, formed essentially of two parts
- the upper one, intended to receive the tool or the cutting head (2) (probe-cutter assembly),
- the other lower, intended to receive the mobile carriage (3).

 This mobile carriage (3) has two jaw jaws a and b (Figures 4 and 6) each formed of two parts, one mobile (4), the other fixed (5), each actuated by vice screws ( 6) and (7) known, using a rod or the like which is housed in orifices provided for this purpose on the periphery of these screws (6) and (7). These jaws a and b enclose and maintain in two parallel vertical planes respectively a blank (8) of a groove key (positioned facing the cutter (45)) and the model key (9) positioned opposite the probe (46) ).

 The mobile carriage (3) slides transversely on two parallel horizontal columns (10) and (12) (see Figures 2 and 4) so that it can be positioned relative to the head (2), thanks to a handle. A knurled button (11) immobilizes the carriage itself (3) in its lateral translation. The vice-holding plates (13) and (14) and the horizontal parallel lower columns (15) and (16) form with the upper columns (10) - (12) a deformable parallelogram. A spiral spring (17) attached on the one hand to the horizontal column (16) and on the other hand, at the head of the axis of the eccentric (20) allows the carriage (3) to be brought up.

 On the vertical column (18) (see Figures 2 and 4), secured to a box (19) which supports the base of the parallelogram (15-16), slide two horizontal axes (20) and (21) driven from above below by eccentrics (22) and (23) controlled by pinions (24-25), mounted greased, and worms (26-27). These worms (26-27) (see Figure 1) are integral with a shaft (28) rotated by a gear motor (29).

 In a manner comparable to what is already described in French patent 76. 29 618 of the Applicant cited in the preamble, this motor (29) is at two speeds by supplying at two different voltages determined by the position of the eccentrics (22-23 ) and this, thanks to the optical cams (302 31, 32) (see Figures 2 and 3) associated with phototransistors and a printed circuit (33). The cam (30) gives the neutral position, the cam (31) the high point and the cam (32) the start of work position. Thus, during a complete revolution of the eccentrics, there is first of all a portion, of 90 degrees of angle approximately, at slow speed corresponding to the phase during which the cutter (45) cuts the blank (8), then then a portion, of about 270, at fast speed corresponding to the advance of the carriage (3 ).

 The movement of advance of the carriage (3) and more precisely of advance from front to rear (see Figures 2 and 4), is given by a rack (35), integral with the horizontal columns (10-12) which meshes with a toothed pinion (36) controlled by a geared motor (37). This motor (37) according to the work cycles (size of the bits or size of the pupils) operates continuously or intermittently.

Travel limit microswitches (40-41) (see Figure 3) act on cams (42) (interior position) and (43) (exterior position) for the amplitude travel of the carriage (3)
The housing (19) is kept pressed against the frame (1) by means of a spiral spring (50) (see FIG. 3), which also makes it possible to make up for the play and to maintain the parallelism of the model key (9) and of the blank (8) relative to the milling cutter (45) - feeler (46) assembly.

 The upper part of the machine has a pivot axis (51) for the working head (2) (cutter probe assembly. Thus, on request, it is possible to work either in the cutting position of the bit grooves (FIG. 6), either in the pruning position of the pupils (FIG. 7) This head (2) is locked in the chosen position thanks to a locking handle (52) of a known type with screws.

 The working tool (2) comprises a plate (75) on which is mounted the milling cutter (45) -palpeur (46) assembly. In known manner, the lower part of this feeler (46), intended to come to explore the grooves of the bit of the model key 19) has a profile in an arc having the same radius as that of the cutter (45). This probe (46) is adjustable in height on the plate (75) by means of a guide plate (76) on which it can be fixed in position by means of screws (77).

 The bit bit (45) (see Figure 2) is mounted in a vertical plane on a horizontal spindle (53) rotated in rotation by a toothed wheel (5) and a pinion (55), mounted greased, integral with the horizontal shaft (57) of a synchronous electric motor (56). This shaft (57) carries at the end of the pinion (55) (see FIG. 5) a bevel gear (58) meshing in another identical bevel gear (59) integral with the vertical spindle (60) at the end of which is mounted the sap milling cutter (61) This pupil milling cutter - (61) cooperates with the threaded feeler (62) which is fixed to the frame ( 1) (Figure 4) par'intermediate finger (65) controlled by a nut (66) and locked in position by a handle (67) with a flange (68).

Thus, when one wishes to pass from the breakdown position tone (figure 6) to the position 9e (figure 7), one unscrews the handle (52), which dissociates the head (2-75), then one rotates manually this set to the right and finally we relock (52)
A stop (69) (figure 4) adjustable in the transverse plane makes it possible to adjust the working height of the èvese
References (70) to (74) respectively designate
the start switch (70),
. the automatic operating switch (71),
the operation switch step by step (72),
a total counter (73),
a stop (74) for adjusting the milling height of the bit (FIG. 4).

 The reference (80) designates a potentiometer for adjusting the intermittent advance of the motor (37).

 The size of a throat wrench is as follows. In the jaw (4, 5) b the model key (9) is tightened.

In the other jaw (4, 5) a, the blank (8) is tightened.

The carriage (3) is in the front position, that is to say the one furthest from the head (2-75). This head (2-75) is locked by (52) in the size of the bit position (Figure 6).

 The switch (70) is toggled to start the cycle.

 The rotation of the motor (29) causes the rotation of the eccentrics (22-23), therefore the movement of raising and lowering of these eccentrics (22-23) on the column (18) and thus the eccentric cyclic movement with circular trajectory of the carriage mobile (3) in a vertical plane oriented perpendicular to the milling cutter (45) -perpector (46). By this eccentric cyclic movement, we approach the blank (8) of the cutter (45), then engages this blank (8) on this cutter (45), which gives the size of the bit. Simultaneously, the rotation of the second motor (37) causes the rotation of the pinion (36), therefore the advance backwards in a horizontal plane of the rack (35), therefore of the case (19) which carries the - tau-chariot (3).

 In known manner, the synchronism of these two motors (29) and (37) is adjusted, so that when the cutter (45). is in work, the motor (37) does not rotate, and when this cutter (45) is no longer engaged on the blank (8), this motor (37) rotates rapidly to advance the carriage (3). More precisely, the advance of this carriage (3) is carried out when the eccentrics (22-23) are in the low position, while on the other hand, the size of the bits is effected when these eccentrics (22-23) are in the high position.

 When you want to cut the pupils, you unlock (52), you manually tilt the head (2) to the right and you relock (52) (Figure 7). In this size position of the pupils, the finger (65) (FIG. 5) presses on the upper surface (4 b) of the jaw, in order to limit the ascent of the box (19) carriage carrier (3) under the effect of the spring. (17). The height of the pupil probe (62) is then adjusted by the nut (66) and once in position, the finger (65), and therefore the probe (62), is blocked by the handle (67). The strawberry (61) then cuts the pup.

 During the whole cycle, the cutter (61) rotates and the motors (37 and 56) are in synchronism during the outward and return movements in milling.

The improved automatic machine of the invention has many advantages over current ballast solutions.
- reduced footprint
- excellent mechanical reliability because there are fewer moving parts d
- a favorable cost price since there is only one motor (instead of two) for the control of the two milling stations.

 It can therefore be successfully used for the automatic reproduction of throat keys.

Claims (7)

 1 / Advanced automatic machine for reproducing throat keys, of the type comprising  a carriage (3) movable horizontally, provided with two jaws a and b in which the bits of the model key (9) and of the blank (8) are tightened and held in two parallel vertical planes,  a milling cutter (45)-probe assembly (46) mounted opposite the two keys (8), (9),  and in which cyclically the milling cutter assembly (45) feeler (46) and the key assembly (8), (9) are brought together and brought into contact with one another1 and then separated in order to allow the movement of the mobile carriage (3), characterized ::  in that the milling cutter (45) - feeler (46) assembly is fixed, but is pivotally mounted about a horizontal axis (51), so as to be able to work in two positions in order to cut the grooves and the holes respectively,  and in that the movable carriage (3) key holder (8), (9) is animated by two movements, the known eccentric cyclic cyclic circular path in a vertical plane orients perpendicularly to the milling cutter (45) - feeler (46 ) and the other in advance in a horizontal plane  2 / Machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the eccentric cyclic movement of the mobile carriage (3) is two speeds, one slow corresponding to the phase of size of the bits, the other rapid corresponding to the advance of the carriage movable (3) in the horizontal plane.  3 / Machine according to one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the mechanism in.primant the carriage (3) its eccentric cyclic movement, comprises a gear motor (29) which rotates a shaft (28) which carries two worms (26-27) in which mesh pinions (24-25) integral with the eccentrics (22-23), which, by a horizontal axis (20-21), slide along a vertical column (18 ).  4 / Machine according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the advance movement of the mobile carriage (3) key holder (8), (9) in a horizontal plane is obtained by a reduction motor (37) the shaft of which drives a toothed pinion (36) on which a rack (35) meshes with two horizontal columns (10-12) on which the mobile carriage (3) key holder (8-9) rests  5 / Machine according to one of claims 1 to 4 characterized in that the two bit cutters (45) and burrs (61) are controlled by a single motor (56).  - On the other hand, there is mounted at the end an angle gear (58) on which meshes another angle gear (59) integral with the vertical spindle (60) of the milling cutter (61).  on the one hand, there is mounted a pinion (55) in which meshes a toothed wheel (54) which rotates the horizontal spindle (53) of the bit (45) of bit,  6 / Machine according to claim 58 characterized in that this single motor (56) comprises a horizontal shaft (57) on which  7 / Machine according to one of claims 5 and 6, characterized in that it comprises a pupil probe (62), intended to cooperate with the pupil milling cutter (61), fixed to the end of a finger (65) controlled by a nut (66) and capable of being locked in position by a handle (67).