WO2020170118A1

WO2020170118A1 - Equipment for duplicating keys in mobility

Info

Publication number: WO2020170118A1
Application number: PCT/IB2020/051323
Authority: WO
Inventors: Enrico TOME'
Original assignee: Keyline S.P.A.
Priority date: 2019-02-18
Filing date: 2020-02-18
Publication date: 2020-08-27
Also published as: IT201900002309A1

Abstract

Equipment (1) for duplicating keys in mobility comprises a key duplicating machine (2) and a transport container (3) in which the key duplicating machine (2) is removably housed. The transport container (3) comprises a support base for the key duplicating machine (2) and at least one openable portion (304) to access the key duplicating machine (2) housed therein.

Description

EQUIPMENT FOR DUPLICATING KEYS IN MOBILITY

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the sector of devices for duplicating keys. In particular, the invention relates to easily transportable key duplication equipment, which can be used to duplicate keys in mobility.

BACKGROUND ART

As known, the key duplicating operation consists of reproducing a set of grooves, notches, holes and/or punches which distinguish the key to be duplicated, i.e. define the so-called“encryption” or“code” of the key itself, on a blank key.

Nowadays, keys are normally duplicated by using special mechanical or electronic key duplicating machines.

Mechanical key duplicating machines typically comprise a pair of adjoining clamps to secure a key to be duplicated and a blank key, which must be shaped according to the key to be duplicated, a mechanical probe to detect the encryption of the key to be duplicated and a milling assembly with a milling tool to replicate the detected encryption on the blank key. The clamps are mounted on a common support, which can be moved with respect to a machine frame along two orthogonal directions, while the mechanical probe and the milling assembly are fixed. To carry out the duplication, an operator acts on the common support of the clamps to keep the key to be duplicated in contact with the probe and to make the contact point slide along its entire encryption. The movement of the common support deriving from this “tracking” action is transferred to the blank key, which is thus simultaneously cut by the milling tool in a manner corresponding to the detected encryption.

The electronic key duplicating machines typically comprise a single clamp to secure the key to be duplicated and the blank key, at a later time, a detection assembly, comprising, for example, an electromechanical or optical detector to detect the encryption of the key to be duplicated, and a milling assembly with a milling tool to reproduce the encryption on the blank key. The clamp and/or the detection and milling assemblies are mounted in a movable manner with respect to the machine frame, so that at least two, and sometimes even three, degrees of freedom are achieved. The electronic key duplicating machines further comprise an electronic control unit, through which it is possible to control the movement of the clamp and/or the detection and milling assemblies as well as their operation automatically. To make a duplicate, an operator firstly secures the key to be duplicated in the clamp. Following an activation command, the control unit activates the detection assembly and automatically moves the clamp or detection assembly so that it detects the key encryption. The signals generated by the detection assembly are received by the control unit and processed and stored through special software. When the detection is complete, the key to be duplicated is replaced with the blank one. At this point, the control unit activates the milling assembly and automatically moves the clamp or milling assembly so that the previously detected and stored encryption is reproduced on the blank key. As an alternative to the duplication procedure described above, with the key duplicating machines of the electronic type, it is also possible to make copies from encryptions directly present or loadable in the memory of the control unit, without the need to physically avail of the key to be duplicated. Examples of electronic key duplicating machines are described in EN 102018000005296 and WO 2015/010936 A1.

Although keys are usually duplicated in specialized centers, there is sometimes a need to make duplicate keys in mobility to have a key which is known or which can be encrypted quickly and on-site. This may occur, for example, in the context of emergency interventions by firefighters or operations carried out by law enforcement or secret services.

Small and easily transportable key duplicating machines are required to duplicate keys in mobility. Typically, key duplicating machines of the electronic type are preferred for this use because they are typically smaller in size and offer greater operational flexibility than mechanical key duplicating machines. At the same time, if the original key is not available, only electronic machines allow to obtain the correct encryption on a blank key after the operator has entered the code corresponding to the encryption.

The Applicant found that key duplicating machines specifically designed for or otherwise adapted to be used in mobility, although sufficiently compact to allow frequent and repeated handling, are not entirely satisfactory for ease of transport by an operator. Additionally, there is generally no type of casing to protect the machine from weather, impact, etc., for example, and/or to prevent it from being seen from the outside.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is the object of the present invention to provide a mobile key duplicating machine which is more easily transportable than the known key duplicating machines of the same size.

It is another object of the invention to provide a key duplicating machine for use in mobility which is protected or isolated from the outside environment both during transport and during operation, without hindering its use.

According to the invention, such objects are achieved by a key duplicating machine for use in mobility having the features set out in appended claim 1. Preferred aspects of such equipment are the subject of the relevant dependent claims.

In particular, the invention relates to equipment for duplicating keys in mobility comprising a key duplicating machine, wherein the key duplicating machine is removably housed in a transport container, which comprises a support base for the key duplicating machine and at least one openable portion to access the key duplicating machine housed therein.

Advantageously, the provision of a transport container that is structurally separate from the key duplicating machine allows to configure the transport container with greater freedom and to adopt shapes and solutions that make transporting the equipment as easy as possible, regardless of the specific configuration of the key duplicating machine housed therein. Furthermore, in this manner, if the dimensions are compatible, the same transport container can be used with different key duplicating machines.

Furthermore, the transport container can also advantageously perform a protective function for the key duplicating machine housed inside the key duplicating machine from bad weather, shocks, etc., for example, both during actual transport and during operation. In particular, in the second case, the presence of at least one openable portion in the transport container ensures that an operator can easily access the key duplicating machine housed inside the transport container without having to remove it from the transport container for use. Additionally, the transport container can also be used to conceal the key duplicating machine from outside view, which is desirable, for example, when the equipment is intended for use by law enforcement or secret services.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the key duplication equipment of the invention, the transport container is portable on the shoulder. More preferably, the transport container is configured as a backpack. This configuration of the transport container is particularly convenient for transporting the known key duplicating machines, which even in the most compact designs are still relatively heavy and therefore uncomfortable to transport by hand, especially on long journeys and/or inaccessible places. Furthermore, this solution allows the operator to have both hands free to perform other tasks even while transporting the equipment.

Either alternatively or additionally, the transport container could comprise at least one pair of wheels at the support base and an extendable gripper element to allow handling it as a trolley.

Preferably, the transport container comprises a load-bearing frame and a casing associated therewith. A structure of this kind makes it advantageous to obtain transport containers which combine the necessary load-bearing features with low weight in a simple, cost-effective manner.

The frame preferably comprises a bottom plate, which defines the support base of the transport container and a top plate, opposite to the bottom plate, connected to each other by uprights.

The casing is preferably flexible. Conveniently, the casing can be made of one or more layers of one or more sheet-like materials. The material or materials forming the casing are preferably chosen to combine low weight with good mechanical resistance to tearing/abrasions, and good resistance to weathering, particularly to water.

Furthermore, the casing is preferably soundproof. This allows to acoustically isolate the key duplicating machine during the operation inside the transport container. This may be useful, in particular, in the case of the use of the invention equipment in operations carried out by law enforcement or secret services. Preferably, the support base of the transport container comprises fixing means for the removable fixing of the key duplicating machine. The key duplicating machine can be anchored securely to the transport container through these fixing means, preventing it from moving unwanted inside the transport container, particularly during transport.

Preferably, the transport container has a substantially parallelepiped or cubic shape. This shape makes it particularly easy to create the transport container structure described above and can be adapted well, with a minimum of additional space, to the shape of most known transportable key duplicating machines.

In this case, preferably, at least one openable portion of the transport container is obtained in, and more preferably substantially coincides with, one side surface of the transport container.

In a preferred embodiment of the key duplicating machine of the invention, the transport container comprises two openable portions arranged to allow access to two different sides of the key duplicating machine housed therein.

If the transport container has a parallelepiped or cubic shape, the two openable portions are preferably obtained in, and more preferentially coincide substantially with, two adjacent sides of a side surface of the transport container.

Such choices allow to guarantee wide and convenient access to the key duplicating machine housed inside the transport container, without adversely affecting the structure of the latter.

Preferably, the transport container comprises at least one outer pocket. Such an outer pocket can be advantageously used to transport the accessories of the key duplicating machine, such as a portable power battery, a laptop computer to control the operation of the key duplicating machine, a set of milling tools or other service material.

Preferably, the one outer pocket is in communication with the inside of the transport container through at least one opening. Such an opening may be advantageously used for the passage of power or data transmission cables, which extend between a device housed in the outer pocket and the key duplicating machine housed inside the transport container, thus preventing the need to make these connections on-the-fly outside the transport container whenever the invention key duplicating equipment is used.

Preferably, electronic key duplicating machines are chosen because of their greater compactness and the possibility of defining the encryption on a blank key even in the absence of the original key.

The equipment for duplicating keys in mobility of the invention may be advantageously marketed either in combined form, i.e. with the key duplicating machine housed in the transport container, or in the form of a kit comprising the key duplicating machine and the transport container separately.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Further features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent in light of the detailed description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment thereof, illustrated by the way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

- Fig. 1 diagrammatically shows a frontal view of a preferred embodiment of equipment for duplicating keys in mobility according to the invention, with an openable portion of the transport container in open condition;

- Fig. 2 diagrammatically shows a perspective view of the equipment in Fig. 1 with two openable portions of the transport container in open condition;

- Fig. 3 diagrammatically shows a partial side perspective view of the equipment in

Fig. 1 , with an openable portion of the transport container in open condition;

- Fig. 4 diagrammatically shows a front view of the equipment transport container in Fig. 1 , in a completely closed condition;

- Fig. 5 diagrammatically shows a partial frontal perspective view of the transport container in Fig. 4, in open condition;

- Fig. 6 diagrammatically shows a partial lateral perspective view of a first side of the transport container in Fig. 4, in open condition;

- Fig. 7 diagrammatically shows a partial side perspective view of a second side of the transport container in Fig. 4;

- Figs. 8, 9 diagrammatically show two perspective views from the top of the transport container in Fig. 4, with an open top pocket, and

- Figs. 10, 10a diagrammatically show two perspective views of the key duplicating machine of Fig. 1 extracted from the transport container, in two different operating configurations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

Figs. 1 -3 diagrammatically show a preferred embodiment of equipment for duplicating keys in mobility according to the present invention, indicated as a whole by reference numeral 1.

The equipment 1 comprises a key duplicating machine 2 and a transport container 3. The key duplicating machine 2 is structurally independent of the transport container 3 and is housed inside it in a removable manner.

The key duplicating machine 2, shown also separately in Figs. 10, 10a, is preferably an electronic key duplicating machine which is known in itself, so it will be described below in its essential aspects only.

With reference to Figure 3, the key duplicating machine 2 comprises a machine frame with a base 201 and a support wall 202 which extends vertically from the base 201. On the one hand, the support wall 202 defines a machine workspace, in which there is a clamping assembly 203 to secure the keys to be duplicated, the encryption of which must be detected, and/or the blank keys to be cut corresponding to a detected or known encryption, and a milling assembly 208 to cut blank keys. If an encryption detection function is also provided, there will also be a corresponding detection assembly in the workspace, e.g. optical or electromechanical (not shown in the figures).

The clamping assembly 203 comprises a clamp 204, shown only in Fig. 3. The clamp 204 is mounted on a slide 205 which can be moved on a corresponding guide 206 fixed to the base 201 along an X-direction, parallel to the base 201 and perpendicular to the support wall 202. The milling unit 208, only partially visible in Fig. 3, typically comprises a motorized spindle on which a milling tool can be mounted (not shown). The milling assembly 208 is mounted on a first slide (not shown in Fig. 3) which can be moved on a respective guide 210 along a Z- direction, parallel to the support wall 202 and perpendicular to the X-direction. The rail 210 is mounted on a second slide 21 1 which can be moved on a pair of rails 212 (only one of which is partially shown in Fig. 3) along a Y-direction, parallel to the support wall 202 and perpendicular to the X- and Z-directions. Therefore, as a whole, the clamping assembly 203 and the milling assembly 208 form a processing system with three degrees of freedom, which is very flexible and particularly adapted to duplicate of both flat and laser or punched keys.

The working space with the clamping assembly 203 and the milling assembly 208 described above is conveniently delimited by a protective cover comprising a fixed part 214a and a movable part 214b. The movable part 214b is preferably designed as a pivoting hood which can be either raised (Fig. 10) or lowered (Fig. 10a), respectively, either to allow or to deny access to the working space. Preferably, at least the movable part 214b of the protective cover is transparent.

The key duplicating machine 2 is also preferably equipped with a grip handle to 215 to facilitate gripping during movements, e.g. when inserting or removing it from the transport container 3.

Flowever, the specific configuration of the key duplicating machine 2 is not binding for the purposes of this invention. By way of example, the key duplicating machine 2 could also be configured as described in document IT102018000005296, the contents of which are fully incorporated herein for reference.

In the preferred embodiment of the equipment 1 shown herein, the transport container 3, also shown separately in Figs. 4-9, is configured as portable on the shoulder. In particular, the transport container 3 comprises a pair of shoulder straps 301 (see Figs. 6 and 7) which allow them to be transported as backpacks. Alternatively, the transport container may also comprise a single shoulder strap. The transport container 3 preferably has a basic parallelepiped shape comprising a lower face 302, an upper face 303, a front face 304, a rear face 305, at which the shoulder straps 301 are provided, and a pair of side faces 306, 307, and delimits an inner space 308 adapted to contain the key duplicating machine 2 completely and preferably having a volume only slightly greater than the volume of the latter, to limit the overall dimensions.

As can be seen in particular in Figs. 2, 5 and 6, the structure of the transport container 3 comprises a rigid supporting frame and a casing associated with the frame. The frame comprises a bottom plate 31 1 , which defines a support base for the key duplicating machine 2 and coincides with the lower face 302 of the transport container 3, a rectangular sky plate 312, opposite to the bottom plate 31 1 , which coincides with the upper face 303 of the transport container 1 , and four 313 uprights which join the bottom plate 31 1 and the sky plate 312 at the respective corners. The frame components are conveniently made of one or more light rigid materials, e.g. light metals or metal alloys or hard plastics.

The bottom plate 31 1 comprises fixing means to fix the key duplicating machine 2 to the plate itself in a removable manner and then to make it integral with the transport container 3. In the embodiment shown here, such fixing means comprise at least one internally threaded bushing 317 protruding from the surface of the base plate 31 1 (see Fig. 5). In the base 201 of the key duplicating machine 2, there is at least one hole (not shown in the figures) in which a fixing screw 318 (see Fig. 3) can be inserted to engage the bushing 317.

As can be seen in particular in Figs. 5 and 6, the base plate 31 1 may also have one or more of its edges turned up to form a cavity which is at least partially closed. This cavity can be used to collect scraps and objects that may fall during the use of the key duplicating machine 2, preventing them from being dispersed inside the transport container 3. At least some of the turned-up edges can also be used as a reference for the base 201 of the key duplicating machine 2 housed inside the transport container 3.

The casing is preferably made of flexible material and is precisely fitted around the frame and possibly fixed to it at several points. In particular, the casing may conveniently consist of one or more layers of one or more sheet materials, preferably based on artificial or synthetic fibers, and be made from one or more pieces of such material(s) appropriately shaped and assembled, e.g. sewn, glued and/or heat-bonded together.

In any case, the material or materials forming the casing are chosen to combine low weight with good mechanical resistance to tearing/abrasions and weather tightness, in particular impermeability.

Furthermore, the casing is preferably soundproof. The soundproofing properties may be intrinsic to the material or to at least one of the materials forming the casing or casings or may result from the coupling of several materials.

To allow access to the inner space 308, i.e. the key duplicating 2 housed therein, the transport container 3 comprises two openable portions, substantially coinciding respectively with its front face 304 (see Figs. 1 , 2, 5 and 7) and its side face 306 (see Figs. 2, 3 and 6). Through such openable portions, it is possible both to insert/extract the key duplicating machine 2 into/from the transport container 3 and to access it from two separate sides so that it can be conveniently used directly inside the transport container 3 itself, without having to extract it therefrom for use. In particular, the opening portion coinciding with the front face 304 of the transport container 3 allows lateral access to the key duplicating machine 2 (see Fig. 1 ), while the opening portion coinciding with the side face 306 of the transport container 3 allows frontal access to the key duplicating machine (see Fig. 3). The aforementioned openable portions of the transport container 3 are preferably opened/closed through the respective zippers 314 and 316.

The transport container 3 is preferably equipped with one or more outer pockets, which can be used in particular for transporting accessories of the key duplicating machine 2.

In particular, in the embodiment shown herein, the transport container 3 comprises a first outer pocket 320 at the fixed side face 307 (see Figs. 4 and 7). The outer pocket 320 is provided with a closing flap 321 , which can be opened and closed through a zipper 322 and, as shown in particular in Figs. 5 and 6, is preferably in communication with the inner space 308 of the transport container 3 through at least one opening 323 formed in the side face 307. The outer pocket 320 may be used to accommodate and transport a portable power supply device (not shown), such as a rechargeable battery, for the key duplicating machine 2. The electrical connection between the power supply device and the key duplicating machine 2 can be advantageously achieved completely inside the transport container 3, through a power cable 4 through opening 323.

The transport container 3 further comprises a second outer pocket 324 at the openable side face 306 (see Figs. 1 and 4). Except for the absence of an opening communicating with the inner space 308 of the transport container 3, the outer pocket 324 is substantially identical to the first outer pocket 320 and is also provided with a closing flap 325 which can be opened and closed through a zipper 326. The accessories of the key duplicating machine 2, such as a set of milling tools, and/or other objects related to its use, such as blank keys to be cut, etc., can be stored in the outer pocket 324.

The transport container 3 further comprises a third outer pocket 327 at the top face 303. The outer pocket 327 is preferably made as an extensible pocket and is shown in a folded or closed configuration in Figs. 1 and 4 and in a fully extended or open configuration as shown in Figs. 2 and from 7 to 9. A closing flap 328, which can be opened and closed through a snap buckle 329 (see Fig. 4) and one or more pairs of fastening strips forming a respective hook-and-loop system (Velcro®) (see Figs. 1 , 2, and from 7 to 9) are preferably provided for closing it and are useful to adjust the volume of the closed pocket according to its actual content and to increase containing safety.

As shown in particular in Figs. 8 and 9, the outer pocket 327 can be used to accommodate and transport a laptop or tablet 5 dedicated to control the operation of key duplicating machine 2. For this purpose, the outer pocket 327 may advantageously comprise a reclining support 331 , either fixed or fixable to a bottom of the pocket itself, consisting of the sky plate 312 of the transport container frame 3. The reclining support 331 secures the laptop or tablet 5 against unwanted movement while making it easier to use directly inside the pocket. The portable computer or tablet 5 can be connected to the key duplicating machine 2, in particular to an electronic control unit thereof (not shown), via a wireless or wired connection. In the case of a wired connection, at least one opening for the passage of a wire is preferably made in the bottom of the outer pocket 327, i.e. in the sky plate 312, so that the connection is completely inside the transport container 3. In the equipment for duplicating keys in mobility 1 , however, it is possible to do without a dedicated device, such as a laptop or tablet 5, to control the operation of the key duplicating machine 2 because such a function can also be performed by an external device, such as a smartphone provided with a specific application.

The structure of the apparatus 1 for duplicating keys in mobility described above is specifically designed to allow the use and operation of the key duplicating machine 2 directly inside the transport container 3 and, except for the insertion and extraction of keys into and from the machine, even with the casing completely closed. However, the equipment 1 may also be marketed in the form of a kit separately comprising at least the key duplicating machine 2 and the transport container 3, and possibly also a portable power supply device with power cable 4 and/or a dedicated control device, such as a laptop or tablet 5, for the key duplicating machine 2.

Claims

1. Equipment (1 ) for duplicating keys in a mobility status comprising a key duplicating machine (2), characterized in that the key duplicating machine (2) is removably housed in a transport container (3), wherein the transport container (3) comprises a support base (31 1 ) for the key duplicating machine (2) and at least one openable portion (304, 306) to access the key duplicating machine (2) housed therein.

2. Equipment (1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the transport container (3) comprises at least one shoulder strap (301 ), making it portable on the shoulder.

3. Equipment (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the transport container (3) comprises a supporting frame (31 1 , 312, 313) and a casing associated with the frame (31 1 , 312, 313).

4. Equipment (1 ) according to claim 3, wherein the frame (31 1 , 312, 313) comprises a bottom plate (31 1 ) defining said support base (31 1 ) and a sky plate (312), opposite the bottom plate (31 1 ), connected to each other by means of uprights (313).

5. Equipment (1 ) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the casing is soundproof.

6. Equipment (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said support base (31 1 ) comprises fixing means (317) for removably fixing the key duplicating machine (2).

7. Equipment (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the transport container (3) has a substantially parallelepiped or cubic shape.

8. Equipment (1 ) according to claim 7, wherein the at least one openable portion (304, 306) is obtained in, and preferably substantially coincides with, one face (304, 306) of a side surface (304, 305, 306, 307) of the transport container (3).

9. Equipment (1 ) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the transport container (3) comprises two openable portions (304, 306) arranged so as to allow access to two different sides of the key duplicating machine (2) housed therein.

10. Equipment (1 ) according to claim 9 when depending on claim 7, wherein the two openable portions (304, 306) are obtained in, and preferably substantially coincide with, two adjacent faces (304, 306) of a side surface (304, 305, 306, 307) of the transport container (3).

1 1. Equipment (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the transport container (3) comprises at least one outer pocket (320, 324, 327).

12. Equipment (1 ) according to claim 1 1 , wherein the at least one outer pocket

(320) is in communication with the inside of the transport container (3) by means of at least one opening (323).

13. Equipment (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the key duplicating machine (2) is of the electronic type.

14. A kit for duplicating keys in movement comprising:

- a key duplicating machine (2), and

- a transport container (3) for receiving the key duplicating machine (2), comprising a support base (31 1 ) for the key duplicating machine (2) and at least one openable portion (304, 306) for accessing the inside thereof.

15. A kit according to claim 14, further comprising a rechargeable battery capable of being connected to said key duplicating machine (2) by means of a power cable (4).