US3884121A - Key cutter - Google Patents

Abstract

Key cutting apparatus for cutting a series of longitudinally spaced notches in the bit of a key blank and including: a rotary cutter; apparatus for moving the key blank into engagement with the cutter and comprising a main carriage transversely movable toward and away from the cutter; a sub-carriage supported on the main carriage for longitudinal and transverse movement to preset the longitudinal position of the key blank relative to the cutter and the depth of cut to be made in the key blank when it is moved into engagement with the cutter, and micrometer means for gauging the relative longitudinal and transverse positions of the subcarriage and the main carriage to serve as a guide in presetting the position of the key blank and the depth of cut.

Description

States cart [191 Uit Agius KEY CUTTER [76] Inventor:

Alpena, Mich [22] Filed: June 1, 1971 [21] App]. No 148,785

[52] US. Cl 90/13.05; 83/917 [51] Int. Cl......; B23c 3/35 [58] Field of Search 90/1305; 83/917 Primary Examiner-Francis S. Husar Attorney, Agent, or FirmLearman & McCulloch Frank P. Agius, 1027 Meyers Road,

[451 May 20, 1975 [57] ABSTRACT Key cutting apparatus for cutting a series of longitudinally spaced notches in the bit of a key blank and including: a rotary cutter; apparatus for moving the key blank into engagement with the cutter and comprising a main carriage transversely movable toward and away from the cutter; a sub-carriage supported on the main carriage for longitudinal and transverse movement to preset the longitudinal position of the key blank relative to the cutter and the depth of cut to be made in the key blank when it is moved into engagement with the cutter, and micrometer means for gauging the relative longitudinal and transverse positions of the subcarriage and the main carriage to serve as a guide in presetting the position of the key blank and the depth of cut 12 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures FJENTEB HAY 20 M5 SHEET 10? 3 INVENTOR FRANK F? AGIUS ATTORNEYS mgmggwzoms 3,884,121

sum 3 UF 3 FIGB INVENTOR FRANK P AGIUS ATTORNEYS KEY CUTTER FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to key cutting apparatus for cutting notches in the bit of a key blank and, more particularly, to key cutting apparatus which is adjustable to selectively cut a wide variety of different notches, having varying sizes and depths and positioned at varying longitudinal intervals, in the bit of the key blank.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Key cutting machines are of two general types, either the duplicating type or the code cutting type. Duplicating type machines generally utilize a follower riding along the bittings of an existing key to guide the path ofa cutter wheel which cuts a key blank. Such duplicating machines are commonly found in drugstores, hardwares and other similar shops and are of no particular concern to the present invention.

The present invention relates to code cutting type machines which are primarily used by locksmiths to cut key blanks when there is no existing key which can be duplicated. Codebooks are published listing the spacing and depths of cuts for keys which are utilized to open substantially all types of locks. By following the instructions in the codebooks, a locksmith can manually cut the proper notches in a key blank to duplicate a lost or misplaced key, but such manual cutting is time-consuming and expensive.

Machines which are particularly adapted to code cutting have been provided, but, the known machines are all of the type wherein code cutting is accomplished with preformed and replaceable cam plates or discs which are used to control the relative movement and positions of the key blank and the cutter. With these prior art machines, a set of removable discs is provided for each different type key. When a key for a particular lock is to be cut, the set of discs corresponding thereto is placed on the machine and is used to control the relative travel of a key blank which is in cutting engagement with the cutter wheel such that the notches will be cut at the proper intervals and to the proper depths.

Because of the large number of lock manufacturers, and the large number of different type locks manufactured by each manufacturer, a full complement of such prior art code wheels or cam discs represents an expensive investment and limits the portability of the prior art machines. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide key cutting apparatus which does not employ cam discs or code wheels.

The prior art code type cutting machines employ cooperating cam and cam follower members and stop members which are repeatedly engaged. These members wear with repeated use so that continual adjustment must be made to these members if the machine is to accurately cut a key blank. These machines also utilize locking pins which are insertable into any one of a plurality of preformed apertures, provided in each of the code wheels, to limit the travel of the key blank. After repeated use, these apertures become worn and elongated so that the key blanks are positioned with less precision and are thus inaccurately cut. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide key cutting apparatus which will accurately cut a key blank throughout the life of the machine and with a minimum of adjustment.

Keys, which are commonly referred to as flat keys, are cut with rectangular notches. There are no known code wheels or cam discs available for slotting flat keys. The customary procedure followed in slotting a flat key has been to clamp a key blank between a pair of carriage supported clamping blocks and move the key blank longitudinally relative to the cutter to a first slotting position. The key blank is then unclamped and the bit of a master key, which is out along its entire length to the desired depth of cut, is clamped between the pair of carriage supported clamping blocks. The key supporting carriage is then moved toward the cutter until the master key engages the cutter wheel to determine the distance which the carriage must move to cut a key blank to the desired depth. The carriage is then returned to its starting position and a key blank is substituted for the master. The carriage is again moved forwardly the same distance as when the master was carried by the clamping blocks. This procedure is repeated for the cutting of each notch. Obviously, the procedure is quite time-consuming. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide apparatus which can be utilized to quickly and accurately slot flat keys.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide key cutting apparatus employing micrometer means to determine the depth of cut and the spacing of the cuts.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide key cutting apparatus which will cut a larger number ofdifferent type keys than have been cut on a single machine heretofore.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be pointed out or will become apparent as the description proceeds.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Apparatus constructed according to the present invention eliminates the necessity for providing substitute cam discs or code wheels for each different type key to be cut and includes movable cutting means and a key supporting carriage means mounted for relative movement transversely toward and away from each other to move a key blank supported on the carriage into and out of engagement with the cutting means, key blank support means longitudinally and transversely translatable on the carriage means to preset, before the key blank is moved into engagement with the cutting means, the longitudinal position of the key blank on the carriage means and the depth to which the key blank will be cut when the key blank is moved into engagement with the cutter, drive means for relatively moving the key blank support means transversely and longitudinally on the carriage means, and means including graduated means movable in response to movement of said drive means for gauging the linear distance the carriage is translated by the drive means to serve as a guide in presetting the relative positions of the key blank and cutting means. Endless spacing means, including a plurality of graduated scales, is provided for measuring the linear distance that the support means moves longitudinally, and is movable in an endless path to dispose a selected one of the scales in measuring relation with the carriage. A slotter wheel having cutting teeth with substantially parallel sides can be utilized to cut notches with substantially parallel sides in a flat key.

The present invention may more readily be described by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view illustrating apparatus constructed according to the present invention, part of a key supporting sub-carriage being broken away to more clearly illustrate an underlying translating screw;

FIG. 2 is an end elevational view of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1, parts of a key supporting subcarriage and a main slide being broken away to more clearly illustrate other portions of the apparatus;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the apparatus illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, parts of a key supporting sub-carriage and a main slide being broken away to more clearly illustrate other portions of the apparatus; and

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view illustrating a cut key, with the original key blank being illustrated in phantom.

THE DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Apparatus constructed according to the present invention is mounted on a base frame F and includes a cutter support post 12, bolted or otherwise suitably secured to the frame F, and journaling a cutter shaft 14. Fixed to the reduced diameter threaded end portion 14a of the cutter shaft 14, by a nut 15, is a cutter wheel or disc 16 including circumferentially spaced cutting teeth 16a, the sides of which converge radially outwardly to a cutting edge portion 16b for cutting longitudinally spaced notches in a key blank, illustrated in phantom at B. Fixed to the opposite end 14b of the cutter shaft 14 is a sheave 18, driven by a belt 20 trained around a pulley 21 which is fixed to the output shaft 22 of a suitable electric drive motor 23.

Apparatus, generally designated A, is provided for supporting and moving the key blank B into engagement with the cutter wheel 16 and is supported for transverse movement on a pair of longitudinally spaced ways 24 fixed to the base frame F. The apparatus A includes a main slide 26 comprising a base member 26a having upstanding front and rear walls 26b and 260 supported thereon and notched grooves 26d receiving the ways 24. The main slide 26 is transversely movable toward and away from the cutter wheel 16 by means of a lever 28 pivoted, by a pivot pin 30, on the frame F. An end portion 28a of the lever 28 is received in a retaining member 31 fixed to the base 26a of the slide 26. The forward movement of the slide 26 is restricted by a stop fixed to the base frame F to halt the forward movement of the slide 26 in the same position each time a notch is cut.

Supported between the front and rear walls 26a and 26b are a pair of fixed guide rods 32 which are slidably received in bores 34a provided in a sub-slide or transverse carriage 34. Although the forward position of the main slide 26 is the same each time a notch is cut, the transverse position of the sub-slide or carriage 34 is adjustable and for this purpose the carriage 34 includes a threaded bore 34b therethrough for receiving a threaded adjusting screw shaft 36 which is journaled in bearings 37 provided in the end wall 26b of the main slide or carriage 26. An adjusting handle or knob 38 is fixed to one end of the screw shaft 36 for turning the screw shaft 36 about its axis.

Fixed to the screw shaft 36, adjacent the handle 38, is micrometer means including a dial 39 having a plurality of graduations 40 about its circumference for indicating the linear distance that the carriage 34 transversely moves on the slide 26 when the handle 38 is turned. A pointer 41, fixed to the upper surface of the end wall 26b, is used as a reference to gauge the distance that the dial 39 has rotated. If, for example, the slide 34 moves a distance of 0.050 inches per revolution of the screw shaft 36 and if the dial 39 is provided with 50 graduations, then rotation of the dial 39 past the pointer 41 a distance equal to the space between the graduations 40 will represent transverse movement of the carriage 34 a distance equal to 0.001 inches. The exact transverse position of the sub-slide or carriage 34 on the slide 26 can thus be accurately controlled to accurately preset the depth to which a key blank B will be cut, as will be more particularly described hereinafter.

Another pointing member 42 is mounted on the carriage 34 and is movable into alignment with a graduated scale 43 mounted on the upper portion of the end wall 26d. In the example chosen, the distance between the graduations of the scale 43 is 0.050 inches. The scale 43 thus provides a relatively course measurement of the transverse position of the key blank 34 relative to the cutter wheel 16 whereas the micrometer dial 40 provides an extremely fine measurement of the transverse position of the sub-slide 34. The distance read on the scale 43 is a measure of the thickness d of the portion of the key blank B remaining between the base b and the root r of a notch n cut in the key blank B.

To increase the accuracy of cutting, a compression spring S disposed between the wall 260 and the subslide 34 to constantly, but yieldably, urge the sub-slide 34 away from the cutter 16 and thus take up any free transverse movement that may exist in the system. The sub-carriage 34 includes a pair of horizontally extending portions 44 (FIG. 3) terminating in a pair of upstanding end walls 46a and 46b which between them support a pair of fixed guide rods 48.

Mounted on the sub-slide 34 for longitudinal movement is a key blank supporting slide 50 including longitudinal bores 50a therein for receiving the guide rods 48 and a threaded bore 52 for receiving a threaded screw shaft 54 journaled in a suitable bearing block 56 provided on the end wall 46a. An adjusting handle 58 is secured to the outer end of the screw shaft 54 for turning the shaft 54 about its axis to longitudinally translate the slide 50. A micrometer dial 60 is fixed on the shaft 54 and cooperates with an indicator plate 62 having a pointer 63 which serves as a reference for measuring the linear movement of the longitudinal slide 50. The relationship between the screw shaft 54, the dial 60 and the pointer 63 is identical to the relationship between the screw shaft 36, the dial 39, and the pointer 41.

Mounted atop the longitudinal slide 50 is a vice or key-clamp member, generally designated 66, comprising a lower clamping block 67 and an upper clamping block 68 having bores 67a and 68a therein for slidably receiving a threaded shaft 69 fixed to the slide 50 and threadedly receiving a thumb screw 70. A pair of springs 71 (FIG. 3) are disposed between the blocks 67 and 68 to spread them apart when the thumb screw 70 is turned out of the block 67 so that a key blank B may be inserted between the blocks 67 and 68 and clamped therebetween when the thumb screw 70 is turned into the block 67.

Also mounted for longitudinal movement on the subslide 34 is a spacing member, generally designated 72,

which comprises a spacing block 74 journaled, by pins 75, between a pair of end rails 76 which are fixed to opposite ends of a lower rail 77 and which threadedly receive a screw shaft 78 which is journaled, at opposite ends, by the end walls 46a and 46b.

The block 54 includes a plurality of faces 74a each having a graduated scale thereon. The distance between the graduations of each scale are different from the graduations of each other scale and are spaced at distances corresponding to the distances most frequently used in cutting keys. An indicator 82 is mounted on the longitudinal slide 50 for alignment with the graduations of the selected scale 74a to serve as a guide in determining when the slide 50 has longitudinally moved the proper distance for the key blank being cut. A knurled end 80 is provided on one end of the shaft 78 for facilitating the manual gripping thereof to turn the shaft 78 about its axis and longitudinally translate the block 74 relative to the carriage 34 so that the left end graduation, as viewed in FIG. 3, may be moved into alignment with the indicator pointer 82a of the indicator 82'. Each lock manufacturer identifies each lock and associated key with a code number which can be utilized by a locksmith to identify, from the previously mentioned code books, the number of cuts, the longitudinal spacing of the cuts and the depths of the cuts to be made in the bit of a key blank to be cut. The depths to which the notches are to be cut are normally measured from the shoulder s of the key blank to the longitudinal center of the notch being cut. The relative positions of the parts is such that when the translating knob 58 is turned so that the key support slide 50 is moved into engagement with the wall 46b of the transverse carriage 34, a radial line extending from the axis of the cutter shaft 14 through the cutting edge 16a of the cutter 16 substantially lies in the plane of the end surface 50a of the block 50. The longitudinal position of all code cuts are measured from a reference point comprising a shoulder s of the key blank, the first cut being spaced a given distance from the shoulder s and all remaining cuts generally being equidistantly spaced from each other and the first cut a predetermined lesser distance. Since the shoulder s of the key blank B abuts the end surface 50a and since the cutting edge 16a lies in the plane of the end surface 50a, movement of the block 50 toward the right, as viewed in FIG. 3, a given distance also moves an oppositely disposed shoulder of the key blank B relative to the cutter 16 the same distance. This distance can, of course, be read on the micrometer dial 64.

Key blanks B are generally provided with a pair of shoulders s and s. A double shouldered key blank B is positioned between the clamping blocks 67 and 68 with the rear shoulder s in engagement with the end surface 50a of lower block 67. Sometimes, however, keys having a single shoulder s must be cut. Since single shouldered keys do not have a shoulder s to abut the block 67, a key stop 84 is pivotally mounted on the upper block 68 and is movable between an inoperative position, illustrated in chain lines in FIG. 2, and an operative position, illustrated in solid lines in FIG. 2, for abutting the front shoulder s (FIG. 1) ofa single shouldered key blank B. This insures that the shoulder s of each key blank is always positioned in the same location relative to the cutter wheel 16 when the slide 50 is translated to the far left, as viewed in FIG. 1.

THE OPERATION A key blank B is inserted between the upper and lower clamp members 67 and 68 so that the shoulder s is in abutting relation with the end surface 50a of the block 67. If the key blank has no shoulder s, the key stop 84 is swung from the chain line position, illustrated in FIG. 2, to the solid line position, illustrated in FIG. 1, and the key blank B is positioned between the clamp members 67 and 68 so that shoulder s is in engagement with the key stop 84. The thumb screw 70 is then turned to tightly clamp the key blank B between the clamp members 67 and 68. The key stop 82 is returned to the original chain line position at the rear of the block. If the key blank B is double shouldered, the rear shoulder s is positioned in engagement with the end surface 50a of the clamping member 67.

The initial starting position of the key blank B is then adjusted longitudinally by turning the spacing crank 58 for the translating screw shaft 54 until the longitudinal carriage 50 is moved into engagement with the subcarriage wall 46b. The spacing crank 58 is then turned in the opposite direction a partial turn to bring the zero position of the micrometer dial 60 into alignment with the pointer 63. In this position of the carriage 50, the cutting edge 16]; of the cutter 16 is in alignment with the shoulder s and the plane of the end wall 50a. The spacing crank 58 is then turned to move the carriage 50 and key blank B a distance equal to the distance that the root of the first cut is to be longitudinally spaced from the shoulder s. If, for example, the first notch is to be cut 0.218 inches from the shoulder s, the spacing crank 58 is turned clockwisely, as viewed in FIG. 2, four complete revolutions (0.200 inches) plus a partial revolution (0.018 inches). This will place the center of the cutter teeth 16a at a distance equal to 0.218 inches from the shoulder s of the key blank B.

Before the cut is made, the rotary position of the hex spacing block 72 is adjusted so that the proper scale is adjacent the pointer 41. For example, if the longitudinal distance between the center of the notches to be cut is 0.156 inches, that scale 74a having graduations spaced at 0.156 inch intervals is moved adjacent the pointer 41. The longitudinal position of the hex spacing block is adjusted so that the leftmost graduation (FIG. 2) of the 0.156 inch scale 74a is moved into alignment with the pointer 41 on the indicating plate 82 by manually turning the hex spacing block knob on the shaft The depth adjustment of the apparatus is controlled by turning the depth crank 38 to turn the screw shaft 36 and move the carriage 34 transversely until the pointer 42 is aligned with the graduation, on the plate 43 which is nearest the desired cutting depth. For example, if the desired depth of cut is to be 0.325 inches, then the pointer 42 is aligned with either the 0.300 or 0.350 inch mark. Finer adjustment of the carriage 34 is then made by aligning the proper one of the graduations 40 on the dial 39 with the pointer 41. For example, for a depth cut of 0.325 inches, the knob 38 is turned to move the key blank B away from the cutter wheel 16 until the pointer 42 is in alignment with the graduation mark designated 0.300 inches. The depth crank 38 is then turned in the opposite direction to move the key blank B toward the cutter wheel 16 so that 25 graduations 40 pass the indicator 41, or in other words, the carriage 34 is transversely moved 0.025

inches in the opposite direction. The depth crank 38 is then swung between the solid line position, illustrated in FIG. 1, and the chain line position, also illustrated in FIG. 1, to move the key blank B into engagement with the cutter wheel 16. The presetting of the carriage 34 will dictate the depth to which the wheel 16 will cut. The wheel 16 will cut the blank B so that the depth d (FIG. between the root r of a notch and the back edge of the key bit is 0.325 inches.

The handle 28 is then swung in the opposite direction to return the key blank B to the chain line position. It should be understood, of course, that a spring or other suitable means, could be connected between the bandle 28 and the frame F to automatically return the slide 26 when the handle 28 is released. The spacing crank 58 is then turned to move the pointer 82a into alignment with the second leftmost graduation on the scale 74a. The depth crank 38 is turned to again preset the position of the key blank B according to the information in the code book. The handle 28 is then swung from the solid line position to the chain line position and the operation is repeated.

The majority of keys have notches cut with converging sides. Keys, known, as flat keys, are customarily cut with notches having sides which are substantially parallel. The apparatus constructed according to the present invention can also be used to cut square notches in the key blank B by merely replacing the cutter wheel 16, which has teeth with converging sides, with a slotter wheel (not shown) having teeth with sides which are substantially parallel.

It is to be understood that the drawings and descriptive matter are in all cases to be interpreted as merely illustrative of the principles of the invention, rather than as limiting the same in any way, since it is contemplated that various changes may be made in various elements to achieve like results without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Key cutting apparatus for cutting longitudinally spaced notches in the bit of a key blank, said apparatus comprising:

a frame;

a main carriage movably mounted on said frame;

a sub-carriage movably mounted on said carriage;

a key blank supporting carriage movably mounted on said sub-carriage;

a movable cutter on said frame;

means for transversely moving a key blank into and out of engagement with said cutter comprising: means mounting one of said carriages for longitudinal movement and the other two of said carriages for transverse movement toward and away from said cutter; and means for presetting, before the key blank is moved into engagement with said cutter, the relative longitudinal and transverse positions of said carriages and said cutter comprising: indexible means for longitudinally indexing said one carriage a predetermined distance before cutting commences; additional indexible means for transversely indexing a first carriage of said two carriages before cutting commences; and means, including micrometer means on said carriages and said indexible means, for gauging the relative linear movement of said one and said first carriages for presetting before the cutting operation commences, the longitudinal position of said key blank and cutter and the 5 depth of cut to be made when said key blank engages said cutter; 7 means for transversely moving the other of said two transversely movable carriages to operative cutting position; and stop means for interrupting the transverse movement of said other of said two transversely movable carriages in the same operative position regardless of the depth of cut to be made in said key blank. 2. Key cutting apparatus for cutting a series of longil5 tudinally spaced notches in the bit ofa key blank comprising:

a frame; key blank supporting means for supporting a key blank; key blank cutting means for cutting a key blank on said supporting means; means mounting said cutting means and supporting means on said frame for relative longitudinal and transverse movement such that one of said cutting means and said supporting means is movable relative to the other of said cutting means and supporting means between a removed, inoperative position and key cutting position in which the key blank and cutting means are engaged at a key cutting station including: carriage means movable in a transverse to-and-fro path of travel between a removed position and an operative position adjacent said key blank cutting station; sub-carriage means, mounting one of said key blank cutting means and said key blank supporting means, supported by said carriage means for longitudinal and transverse movement thereon; depth and longitudinal position control means for transversely and longitudinally adjusting therelative positions of said cutting means and said key blank supporting means including means for longitudinally and transversely adjusting the position of said sub-carriage means on said carriage means to preset, before the key blank and the cutting means are moved into cutting engagement and while said carriage means is in said removed position, the relative longitudinal and transverse positions of said key blank and said support means to predetermine the relative longitudinal position of said key blank and said cutting means and the depth of cut to be made in said key blank when said carriage means is moved to said operative position and said cutting means and said key blank are moved into cutting engagement; means for transversely moving said carriage means between said removed position and said operative position to move said one of said supporting means and said cutting means in a cutting path of travel;

I stop means in the path of said carriage means for interrupting the movement of said carriage means in the same operative position regardless of the depth of cut to be made in said key blank; and

means, including micrometer means, for gauging the relative transverse and longitudinal positions of said sub-carriage means and said carriage means to serve as a guide in presetting the relative positions of said key blank and said cutting means and to gauge the depth ofcut to be made in the key blank so that the depth of cut can be accurately con trolled.

3. The apparatus ofclaim 2 wherein said sub-carriage means includes a first carriage transversely movable on said carriage means and a second blank supporting carriage longitudinally movable on said first carriage;

said position control means comprises rotatable means including a first rotary member reaetable between said carriage means and said first carriage for relatively transversely moving said first carriage, and said carriage means, and a second rotary member reactable between said first and second carriages for relatively longitudinally moving said first and second carriages.

4. The apparatus set forth in claim 3 including rotatable spacing control means longitudinally adjustable on said first carriage and mounted for rotation about its axis to any selected one of a plurality of circumferentially spaced positions, said spacing means including a plurality of rows of longitudinally spaced graduations, the graduations of each row being spaced at intervals different from the spacings between the graduations of the other rows, said second carriage including means cooperating with the graduations of the selected row to gauge the distance said second carriage is moved between cuttings.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 including screw means reactable between said first carriage and said spacing means to longitudinally move said spacing means relative to said second carriage.

6. The apparatus of claim 4 including non-rotatable graduation means cooperating with said base and said first carriage for serving as a guide in presetting said first carriage.

7. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said base is mounted for transverse movement on said frame, and said means for relatively moving said cutting means and said base comprises means for moving said base transversely toward and away from said cutting station to move a blank supported thereon into and out of engagement with said cutting means.

8. Key cutting apparatus for cutting a series of notches according to a predetermined code designating depths of cut at longitudinally spaced intervals along the bit of a key blank, said apparatus comprising:

a frame;

a cutting station;

movable cutting means for cutting notches in a key blank moved to said cutting station;

carriage means mounted on said frame for movement transversely toward and away from said cutting means;

key blank support means for supporting a key blank longitudinally translatable on said carriage means to preset, before the key blank is moved into engagement with the cutting means, the longitudinal position of said key blank on said carriage means; endless spacing means including a plurality of spaced graduated scales for measuring the linear distance said support means moves longitudinally on said carriage means and being movable in an endless path to dispose a selected one of said settles in measuring relation with said carriage meansg the distance between the graduations on any scale being different from the distances between the graduations on the remaining scales;

and means for presetting, before the key blank is moved into engagement with the cutting means, the longitudinal position of the support means and key blank, and successively longitudinally indexing the support means a distance equal to the distance between the graduations on said selected scale.

9. The key cutting apparatus of claim 8 wherein said key support means includes a pointer; said endless means being longitudinally translatably mounted on said carriage means; and rotatable means for translating said endless spacing means longitudinally relative to said key support means to align said key support pointer with one of the graduations of one of said scales.

10. Key cutting apparatus for cutting longitudinally spaced notches in the bit of a key blank, said apparatus comprising:

a frame;

a movable cutter on said frame;

means for transversely moving a key blank into and out of engagement with said cutter comprising:

a main carriage mounted on said frame for transverse movement toward and away from said cutter between a removed position and an operative position;

a sub-carriage supported on said main carriage for transverse movement relative thereto;

a key blank supporting carriage mounted on said sub-carriage for longitudinal movement relative thereto;

indexible means reactable between said main carriage and said sub-carriage for indexing said subcarriage transversely on said main carriage a predetermined distance;

graduated means on said main carriage and said indexible means for gauging the relative linear movement of said main and sub-carriage for presetting, before said main slide reaches said operative position and before the cutting operation commences, the depth of cut to be made when said key blank engages said cutter; and

additional indexible means re'actable between said sub-carriage and said blank supporting carriage for relatively longitudinally moving said subcarriage and said blank supporting carriage to preset the relative longitudinal position of said cutter and said key blank.

ll. The apparatus set forth in claim 10 further including additional graduated means mounted on said sub-carriage for longitudinal movement, and being rotatable about its own axis to a plurality of circumferentially spaced positions relative to said axis, said additional graduated means including circumferentially spaced rows of uniformly spaced graduations, the graduations of each row being spaced at distance different from the spacing of the graduation in every other row.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said additional graduated means comprises a spacing block longitudinally movable to a position in which said blank supporting carriage is aligned with one of the graduations in one of the rows, said additional indexible means being operable to move said blank supporting carriage a distance equal to the distance between graduations of any selected row after each notch is cut.

Claims (12)

1. Key cutting apparatus for cutting longitudinally spaced notches in the bit of a key blank, said apparatus comprising: a frame; a main carriage movably mounted on said frame; a sub-carriage movably mounted on said carriage; a key blank supporting carriage movably mounted on said sub-carriage; a movable cutter on said frame; means for transversely moving a key blank into and out of engagement with said cutter comprising: means mounting one of said carriages for longitudinal movement and the other two of said carriages for transverse movement toward and away from said cutter; and means for presetting, before the key blank is moved into engagement with said cutter, the relative longitudinal and transverse positions of said carriages and said cutter comprising: indexible means for longitudinally indexing said one carriage a predetermined distance before cutting commences; additional indexible means for transversely indexing a first carriage of said two carriages before cutting commences; and means, including micrometer means on said carriages and said indexible means, for gauging the relative linear movement of said one and said first carriages for presetting before the cutting operation commences, the longitudinal position of said key blank and cutter and the depth of cut to be made when said key blank engages said cutter; means for transversely moving the other of said two transversely movable carriages to operative cutting position; and stop means for interrupting the transverse movement of said other of said two transversely movable carriages in the same operative position regardless of the depth of cut to be made in said key blank.

2. Key cutting apparatus for cutting a series of longitudinally spaced notches in the bit of a key blank comprising: a frame; key blank supporting means for supporting a key blank; key blank cutting means for cutting a key blank on said supporting means; means mounting said cutting means and supporting means on said frame for relative longitudinal and transverse movement such that one of said cutting means and said supporting means is movable relative to the other of said cutting means and supporting means between a removed, inoperative position and key cutting position in which the key blank and cutting means are engaged at a key cutting station including: carriage means movable in a transverse to-and-fro path of travel between a removed position and an operative position adjacent said key blank cutting station; sub-carriage means, mounting one of said key blank cutting means and said key blank supporting means, supported by said carriage means for longitudinal and transverse movement thereon; depth and longitudinal position control means for transversely and longitudinally adjusting the relative positions of said cutting means and said key blank supporting means including means for longitudinally and transversely adjusting the position of said sub-carriage means on said carriage means to preset, before the key blank and the cutting means are moved into cutting engagement and while said carriage means is in said removed position, the relative longitudinal and transverse positions of said key blank and said support means to predetermine the relative longitudinal position of said key blank and said cutting means and the depth of cut to be made in said key blank when said carriage means is moved to said operative position and said cutting means and said key blank are moved into cutting engagement; means for transversely moving said carriage means between said removed position and said operatIve position to move said one of said supporting means and said cutting means in a cutting path of travel; stop means in the path of said carriage means for interrupting the movement of said carriage means in the same operative position regardless of the depth of cut to be made in said key blank; and means, including micrometer means, for gauging the relative transverse and longitudinal positions of said sub-carriage means and said carriage means to serve as a guide in presetting the relative positions of said key blank and said cutting means and to gauge the depth of cut to be made in the key blank so that the depth of cut can be accurately controlled.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said sub-carriage means includes a first carriage transversely movable on said carriage means and a second blank supporting carriage longitudinally movable on said first carriage; said position control means comprises rotatable means including a first rotary member reactable between said carriage means and said first carriage for relatively transversely moving said first carriage, and said carriage means, and a second rotary member reactable between said first and second carriages for relatively longitudinally moving said first and second carriages.

4. The apparatus set forth in claim 3 including rotatable spacing control means longitudinally adjustable on said first carriage and mounted for rotation about its axis to any selected one of a plurality of circumferentially spaced positions, said spacing means including a plurality of rows of longitudinally spaced graduations, the graduations of each row being spaced at intervals different from the spacings between the graduations of the other rows, said second carriage including means cooperating with the graduations of the selected row to gauge the distance said second carriage is moved between cuttings.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 including screw means reactable between said first carriage and said spacing means to longitudinally move said spacing means relative to said second carriage.

6. The apparatus of claim 4 including non-rotatable graduation means cooperating with said base and said first carriage for serving as a guide in presetting said first carriage.

7. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said base is mounted for transverse movement on said frame, and said means for relatively moving said cutting means and said base comprises means for moving said base transversely toward and away from said cutting station to move a blank supported thereon into and out of engagement with said cutting means.

8. Key cutting apparatus for cutting a series of notches according to a predetermined code designating depths of cut at longitudinally spaced intervals along the bit of a key blank, said apparatus comprising: a frame; a cutting station; movable cutting means for cutting notches in a key blank moved to said cutting station; carriage means mounted on said frame for movement transversely toward and away from said cutting means; key blank support means for supporting a key blank longitudinally translatable on said carriage means to preset, before the key blank is moved into engagement with the cutting means, the longitudinal position of said key blank on said carriage means; endless spacing means including a plurality of spaced graduated scales for measuring the linear distance said support means moves longitudinally on said carriage means and being movable in an endless path to dispose a selected one of said scales in measuring relation with said carriage means, the distance between the graduations on any scale being different from the distances between the graduations on the remaining scales; and means for presetting, before the key blank is moved into engagement with the cutting means, the longitudinal position of the support means and key blank, and successively longitudinally indexing the support means a distance equal to the distance between the graduations on said selectEd scale.

9. The key cutting apparatus of claim 8 wherein said key support means includes a pointer; said endless means being longitudinally translatably mounted on said carriage means; and rotatable means for translating said endless spacing means longitudinally relative to said key support means to align said key support pointer with one of the graduations of one of said scales.

10. Key cutting apparatus for cutting longitudinally spaced notches in the bit of a key blank, said apparatus comprising: a frame; a movable cutter on said frame; means for transversely moving a key blank into and out of engagement with said cutter comprising: a main carriage mounted on said frame for transverse movement toward and away from said cutter between a removed position and an operative position; a sub-carriage supported on said main carriage for transverse movement relative thereto; a key blank supporting carriage mounted on said sub-carriage for longitudinal movement relative thereto; indexible means reactable between said main carriage and said sub-carriage for indexing said sub-carriage transversely on said main carriage a pre-determined distance; graduated means on said main carriage and said indexible means for gauging the relative linear movement of said main and sub-carriage for presetting, before said main slide reaches said operative position and before the cutting operation commences, the depth of cut to be made when said key blank engages said cutter; and additional indexible means reactable between said sub-carriage and said blank supporting carriage for relatively longitudinally moving said sub-carriage and said blank supporting carriage to preset the relative longitudinal position of said cutter and said key blank.

11. The apparatus set forth in claim 10 further including additional graduated means mounted on said sub-carriage for longitudinal movement, and being rotatable about its own axis to a plurality of circumferentially spaced positions relative to said axis, said additional graduated means including circumferentially spaced rows of uniformly spaced graduations, the graduations of each row being spaced a distance different from the spacing of the graduation in every other row.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said additional graduated means comprises a spacing block longitudinally movable to a position in which said blank supporting carriage is aligned with one of the graduations in one of the rows, said additional indexible means being operable to move said blank supporting carriage a distance equal to the distance between graduations of any selected row after each notch is cut.

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