GB2171620A

GB2171620A - Clamping device for key cutting machine

Info

Publication number: GB2171620A
Application number: GB08604977A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Manfred Erlenbach
Original assignee: BOERKEY NACHF AUGUST
Current assignee: BOERKEY NACHF AUGUST
Priority date: 1985-03-02
Filing date: 1986-02-28
Publication date: 1986-09-03
Also published as: GB2171620B; GB8604977D0; DE8506063U1

Abstract

The device for clamping key blanks in a cutting machine has two clamping jaws (2,3) each of which is pivotally mounted on a base, the pivotal axes (9, 10) being parallel to one another. Common means (4) affording an abutment for each jaw is provided between the clamping jaws (2, 3) and may form part of the base. One abutment face (4b) and its opposing jaw (2a) may have the same or different configuration to the other abutment face (4a) and jaw (3a). Thrust springs (14, 15) lie around a common clamping screw (7). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Clamping device for key cutting machines The invention relates to a clamping device for key cutting machines, more particularly, a device of the type having clamping jaws adapted to be clamped by a clamping screw against an abutment, the clamping jaws being constructed for securely holding a key blank.

In addition to the known clamping devices which have only a single housing for a key blank to be cut, clamping devices of the above-mentioned type are also known in which two clamping jaws are provided to enable clamping of the key blank in different positions. In the first clamped position, the blank can be cut along the key back while in the second clamped position it can be worked on, for example, in a central longitudinal groove.

In devices having two clamping jaws, the jaws are located at different ends of a common clamping piece. So that the different clamping jaws can be used, the clamping device must in each case be pivotable through 180 about a vertical axis.

Such a construction is complicated, difficult to operate and entails tolerance problems in connection with the pivoting guide.

One object of the present invention is to avoid the problems associated with known clamping devices and to provide a device that can be simply set up, easily and quickly operated and enables accurate cutting.

According to the invention, each clamping jaw is pivotally mounted on a base, the pivoting axes being parallel with one another, and there is between the clamping jaws a common zone which constitutes both abutments.

It has been found to be advantageous for the clamping zones of the two clamping jaws and the abutment zones situated opposite these latter to be in each case differently constructed.

In a preferred embodiment, the abutment is rigidly connected to the base and may expediently form a part of the base.

To facilitate handling, thrust springs may be fitted between the abutment and the clamping jaws opposite thereto, expediently around the thrust springs of the clamping screw.

The clamping device according to this invention can be very easily operated and guarantees a high degree of machining accuracy. Depending upon which clamping made is appropriate, either the upper or lower clamping zone may be used without the need for any initial manipulation of the clamping device, a stage which is vital in the state of the art.

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the clamping device; Figure 2 is a vertical longitudinal section through the clamping device of Figure 1 with a key blank clamped in the upper clamping zone; Figure 3 is a vertical longitudinal section through the clamping device of Figure 1, with a key blank clamped in the lower clamping zone; Figure 4 is a section similar to Figures 2 and 3 through a second embodiment of clamping device in which the lower clamping jaw and an abutment have the same construction as the upper clamping jaw and its abutment.

On a base 1 which is fixed on a holder 5 of a key cutting machine and pivotable about parallel horizontal axes 9 and 10, there are two clamping jaws 2 and 3. Between the two clamping jaws 2 and 3 with clamping zones 2a and 3a provided in the front portions of the said clamping jaws there is an abutment 4 having a lower abutment zone 4a and an upper abutment zone 4b.

Reference numeral 12 denotes the outer contours of the milling cutter. The key blank is designated 11.

A clamping screw 7 traverses a bore in the abutment 4 and two thrust springs 14 and 15 engage around it. A wing nut 6 is tightened, to grip the back of the key blank 11 (see Figure 2) between clamping zone 2a and clamping zone 4b.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the key blank 11 is gripped by clamping zones 3a and 4a, the clamping zone 3a engaging a central longitudinal groove.

The construction of the clamping device shown in Figure 4 is substantially the same as that shown in Figures 1 to 3, except that the lower clamping zones 3b and 4c are virtually identical in shape to the upper clamping zones 2a and 4b.

1. A device for clamping key blanks in a key cutting machine, comprising clamping jaws adapted to be clamped by a clamping screw against an abutment, the clamping jaws being constructed for securely holding a key blank, wherein each clamping jaw is pivotally mounted on a base, the pivoting axes being parallel with each other and wherein common means affording an abutment for each jaw is provided between the clamping jaws.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the clamping zones of the two clamping jaws and abutment zones opposite thereto are in each case of different construction.

3. A device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the abutment is rigidly connected to the base.

4. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the abutment constitutes a part of the base.

5. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein between the abutment and the clamping jaws opposite the latter there are thrust springs.

6. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the thrust springs engage around the clamping screw.

7. A device for clamping key blanks in a key cutting machine constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 3 and Figure 4, of the accompany

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Clamping device for key cutting machines The invention relates to a clamping device for key cutting machines, more particularly, a device of the type having clamping jaws adapted to be clamped by a clamping screw against an abutment, the clamping jaws being constructed for securely holding a key blank. In addition to the known clamping devices which have only a single housing for a key blank to be cut, clamping devices of the above-mentioned type are also known in which two clamping jaws are provided to enable clamping of the key blank in different positions. In the first clamped position, the blank can be cut along the key back while in the second clamped position it can be worked on, for example, in a central longitudinal groove. In devices having two clamping jaws, the jaws are located at different ends of a common clamping piece. So that the different clamping jaws can be used, the clamping device must in each case be pivotable through 180 about a vertical axis. Such a construction is complicated, difficult to operate and entails tolerance problems in connection with the pivoting guide. One object of the present invention is to avoid the problems associated with known clamping devices and to provide a device that can be simply set up, easily and quickly operated and enables accurate cutting. According to the invention, each clamping jaw is pivotally mounted on a base, the pivoting axes being parallel with one another, and there is between the clamping jaws a common zone which constitutes both abutments. It has been found to be advantageous for the clamping zones of the two clamping jaws and the abutment zones situated opposite these latter to be in each case differently constructed. In a preferred embodiment, the abutment is rigidly connected to the base and may expediently form a part of the base. To facilitate handling, thrust springs may be fitted between the abutment and the clamping jaws opposite thereto, expediently around the thrust springs of the clamping screw. The clamping device according to this invention can be very easily operated and guarantees a high degree of machining accuracy. Depending upon which clamping made is appropriate, either the upper or lower clamping zone may be used without the need for any initial manipulation of the clamping device, a stage which is vital in the state of the art. Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the clamping device; Figure 2 is a vertical longitudinal section through the clamping device of Figure 1 with a key blank clamped in the upper clamping zone; Figure 3 is a vertical longitudinal section through the clamping device of Figure 1, with a key blank clamped in the lower clamping zone; Figure 4 is a section similar to Figures 2 and 3 through a second embodiment of clamping device in which the lower clamping jaw and an abutment have the same construction as the upper clamping jaw and its abutment. On a base 1 which is fixed on a holder 5 of a key cutting machine and pivotable about parallel horizontal axes 9 and 10, there are two clamping jaws 2 and 3. Between the two clamping jaws 2 and 3 with clamping zones 2a and 3a provided in the front portions of the said clamping jaws there is an abutment 4 having a lower abutment zone 4a and an upper abutment zone 4b. Reference numeral 12 denotes the outer contours of the milling cutter. The key blank is designated 11. A clamping screw 7 traverses a bore in the abutment 4 and two thrust springs 14 and 15 engage around it. A wing nut 6 is tightened, to grip the back of the key blank 11 (see Figure 2) between clamping zone 2a and clamping zone 4b. In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the key blank 11 is gripped by clamping zones 3a and 4a, the clamping zone 3a engaging a central longitudinal groove. The construction of the clamping device shown in Figure 4 is substantially the same as that shown in Figures 1 to 3, except that the lower clamping zones 3b and 4c are virtually identical in shape to the upper clamping zones 2a and 4b. CLAIMS

7. A device for clamping key blanks in a key cutting machine constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 3 and Figure 4, of the accompany ing drawings.