WO2023070176A1

WO2023070176A1 - Locksmith tool and method for cutting a key therewith

Info

Publication number: WO2023070176A1
Application number: PCT/BG2021/000028
Authority: WO
Inventors: Daniel Georgiev ATANASOV
Original assignee: Atanasov Daniel Georgiev
Priority date: 2021-10-29
Filing date: 2021-10-29
Publication date: 2023-05-04

Abstract

The invention relates to a locksmith tool and in particular to a device for cutting door keys. The locksmith tool can find application as a portable locksmith cutting tool, used for making keys and duplicates of keys for door locks. The locksmith tool comprises a main body (4) and a cutting mechanism (2), which are two separate units that interact during the cutting of the key blank (10).

Description

LOCKSMITH TOOL AND METHOD FOR CUTTING A KEY THEREWITH

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a locksmith tool and in particular to a device for cutting secret keys. The locksmith tool is applicable in the field of locksmith services as a portable locksmith cutting device, used for making keys and making duplicates of secret keys for locks.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are situations, such as theft or loss of original keys, renting a room, denying access to a room, blocking the lock, damaging the tongue, wear of a locking plate, jamming or breaking a key in the plug, in which cases it is necessary to change the keys of cash or secret locks or make new ones. It is very often necessary to perform this operation on the spot It is not always necessary to change the locking mechanisms - a lock or a plug with secret keys. In this case, it is advisable to recode the pins of the plug, as the pins are positioned in a new, unique manner and the secret combination becomes completely new. Subsequently, duplicates of the key must be produced for the already recoded plug. The advantages of recoding the secret lock are that it is faster in the event of an emergency response, such as stolen or lost keys, and costs less compared to the purchase of new mechanisms. Recoding is a very good option when there is a need to change the cartridge often, for example when renting premises.

For the most part, the keys are coded flat products having the following parts: a working coded long section that is inserted into the plug of the lock, hereinafter a working blade, a bow, or head which is the large section of the key and serves as a handle to turn the key, a shoulder between the working blade and the bow which is a lateral restriction for stopping the key from entering past a certain point, a tip which is the end of the working blade and opposite the bow, notches and bittings on the working blade, and keyway which determines the profile and overall shape of the working blade of the key. On the bow of the original or the key blank can be engraved a variety of information regarding that particular key, as manufacturer information, type of following parts: a working coded long section that is inserted into the plug of the lock, hereinafter a working blade, a bow, or head which is the large section of the key and serves as a handle to turn the key, a shoulder between the working blade and the bow which is a lateral restriction for stopping the key from entering past a certain point, a tip which is the end of the working blade and opposite the bow, notches and bittings on the working blade, and keyway which determines the profile and overall shape of the working blade of the key. On the bow of the original or the key blank can be engraved a variety of information regarding that particular key, as manufacturer information, type of keyway, bitting of the key. Notches are the recesses that are cut into and make up the bittings of the key. Notches have various depths and are essentially the combination code that matches the pins in the lock. The coding is performed by a series of notches having various strictly defined depths located at specific distances from a certain starting point. This starting point can be either the shoulder or the tip of the working blade of the key. Modern locks and their keys are characterized by higher precision and accuracy. Narrowing the tolerances of the depths of the notches and pins, as well as the intervals between them, allows a greater variety in the code sequences, and hence lead to higher security of locking. It is known from the locksmith practice that the tolerances of the depths of the notches are about 10 times narrower than the tolerances of the intervals between the notches. That is, in order to ensure that the key is cut with high precision, it follows that locksmith devices and tools should be more precise, while at the same time being simpler, in order to provide higher kinematic accuracy. They should have fewer links between the cutting tool and the key blank to be cut.

In the general case, the devices for cutting keys are conditionally divided into two main types. The first type works on the principle of cutting a key blank workpiece by following and copying the profile of the original key to be duplicated. The second type are devices for cutting by code, as no sample key is needed, which devices work by executing preset coding parameters of the key notches by depth and intervals or using a set of keys with coded depths. Conjoint type devices are also known, which are a combination of the previous two types of devices, working on the principle of duplication, but by following and copying the profile of removable codified media containing the coding information about the pitch and depth of the cuts.

Examples of duplicating devices of the first type are disclosed, for example, in AU708996B1 , FR2709693A1 , GB1350905A, US1948260A, US3810416A, US4521142A, US4898504A, US2007105484A1 , US2013309033A1, US2008145163A10, W2001A10, W10. These are usually stationary duplicate machines, mostly electric and / or automated, equipped with a rotary cutting tool. They also contain a pair of connected support modules - clamps that move synchronously, as well as a touch profile probe. One clamp presses the original key firmly and the other clamp holds tightly the key blank workpiece. The touch profile probe tracks down the profile of the original key. The cutting tool cuts the notches of the key blank to the desired depth in the specified order. Although widespread and relatively inexpensive, these devices are very inefficient and complex, usually require a pedestal to be placed in a stable position, some are bulky and heavy and cannot be easily carried, as well as cannot be held in hand in the cutting process.

A device of a conjoint type for cutting a secret key according to a predetermined code is disclosed, for example, in US2021129237, comprising a body, a retainer for retaining a key blank and a cutting tool for cutting out coding notches on the working blade of a key blank workpiece, as well as a tracking code template including a clamp of pins and a plurality of pins with a length calculated from the set code, mounted in the pin clamp, the code template being provided with a touch profile probe that follows the sequence of pins located at different depths. This device is not a hand tool and requires a base for stable position. It is bulky, and works with replaceable sets of very small pins that can be easily lost.

The second type devices are key code cutting devices that work by executing predefined coding parameters, without the need for an original key or pattern to be traced by touch. Pre-known coding information is used for the number of the key or lock for which the slicened key is intended, which is assigned to a coding mechanism, providing the desired sequence of notches with set depths on the key blank. The key cutter can be made with punch or cut die, or with rotary cutting tools. There are known, for example, from US1995798A, US2626663A, US2626663A, US2626663A, US3633451A, US4468994A, US 4717294 portable handheld cutting devices for secret keyes, each containing a body having a key blank holder and a cutting tool for cutting coding notches on the key blank workpiece, handle for controlling the cutting tool, a restrictor of the movement of the cutting tool, as well as a cam mechanism with a stand for fixing the desired depth of cut and moving in the longitudinal direction. These tools are more suitable for emergency cutting of car keys and are not accurate enough to cut keys for precision modern locks used in premises doors. In addition, they cannot be easily integrated into mechanically or electrically operated devices, thus preventing any automation. The cam mechanisms contain different sets of multiple individual cams for different locks and key numbers, providing combinations of depths, which increases inaccuracy and makes the devices more inconvenient to operate. In addition, a number of connected parts with many kinematic connections are involved between the cutting tool and the key blank, which increases the possibility of error buildup during cutting. The cutting tool works with the force of impact, which depends on the strength of the spring and is subject to faster wear.

Also known from EP 3527756 is another cutting device for secret keyes comprising a cutting mechanism, a cutting tool for forming notches on the working blade of a key blank coded in depth and distance having the possibility of fastening in the cutting mechanism, a body, a first module for holding a key blank which first module is capable of being inserted into a first orifice in the body, a second module for positioning the cutting tool along the working blade of a key blank which second module is capable of sliding into a second orifice in the body. This device is complex and bulky, and requires a base when working. When working with the device, both modules - the first and the second slide in the respective orifice of the body pursuant to the set distances between the notches according to the type of lock. This creates inconvenience and increases the possibility of inaccuracies when cutting the key blank. The second module also serves as a template for the depths of the notches pursuant to the code of the lock, which depths are established by a touch probe integrally connected to the cutting tool. Thus, the kinematic chain between the cutting tool and the template is extended, which reduces the accuracy in making the depths of the notches on the key blank.

It is clear that the market for locksmith tools for cutting keys has an urgent need for an economical portable hand-held device for accurate and fast cutting of keys on site, which is simple and easy to operate.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a locksmith tool which is simple and easy to manipulate, providing precision when cutting keys for security and cash locks, and which tool is of increased reliability.

These and other objects of the present invention are achieved by a locksmith tool comprising a cutting mechanism, a cutting tool for forming notches coded in depth and distance on the working blade of a key blank with the possibility of fastening in the cutting mechanism, a main body with at least two orifices, a first base module for holding the key blank, which first base module is movable and with the possibility to be placed and fixed in at least one position in the first orifice of the main body and having at least one axial groove providing access of the cutting tool to the working blade of the key blank for cutting coded notches, a second slider module, with the possibility of controllable sliding in the other second orifice of the main body in steps corresponding to the coded distances between the notches. In addition, in the present invention the axes of the two orifices of the main body are parallel and lie in one plane, the first orifice being lower and located in the lower part of the main body and the second orifice being upper and located above the first orifice, such as between the two openings of the main body has an axial slot compatible with the axial groove of the base module so as to provide access of the cutting tool for cutting the coded notches to the working blade of the key blank. This makes the main body very compact and lightweight. The second slider module has a through hole perpendicular to its axis for the passage of the cutting tool and is equipped with stops located at distances from each other, corresponding to the coded distances between the notches on the key, used to position the cutting tool along the working blade of the key blank when placed in the base module. Such a design of the main body enables the locksmith tool to be held by hands without requiring a base for placement. The cutting mechanism comprises a swivel handle with a longitudinal opening, a cutting tool positioned and fastened in the longitudinal opening that can be rotated and axially moved and a stepper mechanism mounted in the swivel handle for fixing the magnitude of the axial movement of the cutting tool according to the coded depth and distance of the processed notch. The stepper mechanism includes a coding element with coded depths and distances corresponding to the depths and distances of the notches on the key, as well as a retainer for locking the coding element at a given position during the cutting of each of the notches. The retainer has the possibility to be fixedly connected to the cutting tool so as to limit its axial movement to the coded depth of the notch which is being processed. In this way, all encoding parameters of the key notches, both in depth and distance, are directly and immediately controlled by the stepper mechanism. Such a constructive scheme has a shortened kinematic circuit and provides an opportunity for the realization of portable hand locksmith tools that are sufficiently accurate and reliable when cutting keys for complex modern locks. The hand-held locksmith tools according to the invention can be easily modified and attached to universal hand-held drilling machines to provide a more even pressure during the cutting process.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the main body and the cutting mechanism of the locking tool are two separate units. This allows easy and precise manual operation of the tool, especially suitable for emergency cutting of a new key, without the need for a base to install.

In another preferred embodiment, the base module further comprises at least one aperture for inserting a key blank with a profile compatible with the keyway profile, which aperture for inserting a key blank is connected to the corresponding axial groove for access of the cutting tool so that it can cut the notch with the greatest depth. This embodiment allows the production of standardized base modules with unified main keyway profiles of the leading aperture and helps to adapt the tool for cutting different types and kinds of keys, such as secret and dimple keys.

In another preferred embodiment, the stepper mechanism has an axis of rotation perpendicular to the axis of the longitudinal opening of the swivel handle, the coding element is a flat cam mounted on the axis of rotation of the stepper mechanism, as the outer profile of the cam is helical with formed shallow cuts for contact with the retainer, wherein the location of each cut on the helical surface determines the depth and location of the notch to be processed as a function of the radius vector of the spiral, and the retainer is located coaxially at the upper end of the cutting tool opposite its cutting part, as the upper end is able to contact the shallow cuts on the outer profile of the cam. The proposed stepper mechanism is very simple and with a minimum number of details, using only one cam coding element for cutting a key with similar coding parameters, which increases accuracy and reduces the possibility of error accumulation.

In another embodiment of the invention, the cutting tool is a monolithic tail milling cutter with a spiral cutting part and with a cutting tip formed by a profile reciprocal to the profile of the notches of the key.

The invention also relates to a set of locksmith tools comprising one or more locksmith tools, the characteristics of which are described above. Preferably, the set of locksmith tools comprises a plurality of base modules each having an aperture for inserting a key blank, made with a profile compatible with the keyway profile of the respective lock, a plurality of slider modules, the stops of each of which are located at distances from each other corresponding to the coded distances between the notches or the dimples on the keys for different locks, also contain a plurality of coding elements having different coded depths and distances for different locks, as well as a plurality of cutting tools having cutting tips shaped to match the profile of the notches of the respective keys. This facilitates the formation of preferred sets of selected unified elements of the locksmith tool that are compatible for cutting one or more types of keys with coded notches. In a more preferred embodiment, the set comprises one or more of decoding plates for determining the depth of the notches, used to read the codes of the locks.

The invention further relates to a method of cutting a key with the locksmith tool described above, comprising the steps of determining the code characteristics by depths and distances of the key notches, placing and fixing in a first lower orifice of a main body of the locking tool a base module having at least one axial groove providing access of a cutting tool to the working blade of the key blank for cutting coding notches, inserting a key blank to be cut in the base module, placing a slider module in a selected initial working position in a second upper orifice of the main body having the possibility for controllable sliding and fixing in the orifice in successive steps corresponding to the coded distances between the key notches, placing and fastening a cutting tool for forming coding notches on the working blade of the key blank to a cutting mechanism of the locksmith tool with the possibility of rotational and axial movement. Before cutting the coding notches on the key blank, a few steps are performed. These are: the steps of positioning and fastening the cutting tool in a longitudinal opening of a swivel handle of the cutting mechanism, before that a retainer from a stepper mechanism of the locksmith tool is fixed to the cutting mechanism to limit the axial movement of the cutting tool to the coded depth of the notch, placing and fastening in the swivel handle a coding element of the stepper mechanism of the locksmith tool having coded depths and distances corresponding to the depths and distances of the notches on the key, where the coding element being in contact with the retainer, after that follows the step of putting in the cutting part of the cutting tool in the through hole of the slider module, perpendicular to its axis until the key blank is reached. The cutting itself is performed by turning and pressing the swivel handle so that the cutting tool performs cutting until the coded depth is reached, after which the slider module is moved and fixed in the next position, and the step of rotating the stepper mechanism so that the coding element to occupy the next position, which is fixed by the retainer. Following are the steps of cutting the next notch and moving the slider module with subsequent rotation of the stepper mechanism to the next step, which is repeated until cutting of all provided notches for the corresponding key. The final step is removing the working part of the cutting tool from the through hole of the slider module and removing the cut key. If necessary, the cut key is finished in the known ways to fit the lock. The method illustrates the extreme simplicity of operation with the locksmith tool according to the invention, which reduces the possibility of wrong actions of the operator, which would lead to scrapping of the cut key blank. Cutting a key blank can be done by an operator with less experience and practice. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures shown illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the invention as follows:

Figs. 1a,b show an external view in axonometry of the locksmith tool and with the main body partially removed;

Fig. 2 shows the main body in axonometry;

Figs. 3a, b show images of the first base module;

Figs. 4a, b show images of the second slider module;

Fig. 5 shows in axonometry the cutting mechanism;

Fig- 6 shows a section of the swivel handle;

Fig. 7 shows in axonometry the axis for the coding element of the stepper mechanism;

Figs. 8a, b show images of a set of coding elements in axonometry and a coding element in view;

Figs. 9a, b show images of the retainer in section and in axonometry;

Fig. 10 shows a cutting tool with a round head.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is illustrated by the accompanying figures, in which a preferred exemplary embodiment is shown.

Fig. 1a shows a perspective view of the locksmith tool according to the invention, which includes a parted carrier 1 and a cutting mechanism 2 with a cutting tool 3.

The elements of the carrier 1 are shown in Fig. 2, Figs. 3a, b and Figs. 4a, b. Fig. 2 shows a main body 4, which is monolithic and whose length corresponds to the length of the working blade of the cut key. The main body 4 has two longitudinal orifices located one above the other - a lower through orifice 5 and an upper through orifice 6, and between the two orifices 5 and 6 of the main body 4 there is an axial slot 7 connecting them, intended for passing and guiding the cutting tool 3. The axes of the two orifices 5 and 6 are parallel and lie in this case in the plane of symmetry of the main body 4. The upper through orifice 6 of the main body 4 is open at the top along its entire length in order to ensure unimpeded movement of the cutting tool 3. The external shape of the main body can be any shape, but it is preferable to be ergonomic and to provide comfort of the hand during manual processing.

The carrier 1 also comprises a base module 8 (Figs. 3a, b), representing a monolithic body with a keyway profile aperture 9, in which a key blank 10 can be inserted. The base module 8 is slidable and is mounted in the main body 4, in this case it is fixed on one side in the longitudinal direction in the lower orifice 5 of the main body 4. The base module 8 is prevented from its scrolling in the lower orifice 5 of the main body 4, as the cylindrical surfaces being cut in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal symmetrical plane of the carrier 1 , thus forming reciprocal cuts 11. The base module 8 has in this case an axial groove 12, also providing access of the cutting tool 3 to the working blade of the key blank workpiece 10 for cutting coded notches 13. The axial groove 12 of the base module 8 is connected to the keyway profile aperture 9. The axial slot 7 of the main body 4 is compatible with the axial groove 12 of the base module 8, in this case they are made of the same size and configuration. The fixing of the base module 8 to the main body 4 can be carried out, for example, by means of a spring stopper 14 located in the lower through orifice 5 of the main body 4 (see Fig. 2), detachably entering a small restrictive cut-out on the outer surface of the base module (not shown in the drawings). The shape of the keyway profile aperture 9 corresponds to the type of the key blank to be cut, and a visible marking of the identification marks of the type of the key blank and the brand of the lock is applied on the front of the base module. In this case, a base module is shown, which is designed for cutting a secret key, in which the cuts are formed on the narrow side of the working blade of the key. When a dimple key is to be cut, the profile aperture of the base module is formed perpendicular to the axial groove. In all cases, it must be possible for the side of the key blank to be processed to face the cutting tip of the cutting tool.

The carrier 1 is also provided with a slider module 15, shown in more detail in Figs. 4a, b. The slider module 15 is also a monolithic body. It is placed in the upper aperture 6 of the main body 4 and can be slid into it in predetermined steps, corresponding to the coded distances between the notches of the key. On the front of the slider module 15 there is also a visible marking of the identification marks for the coded distances between the notches of the key and the mark of the lock. At one end, a through hole 16 is drilled perpendicular to its axis, through which the cutting tool 3 passes to reach through the axial slot 7 of the main body 4 and through the axial groove 12 of the base module 8 to the surface of the key blank 10, which will be processed. The slider module 15, similarly to the base module 8, is prevented from scrolling in the upper aperture 6 of the main body 4 by provided reciprocal cuts 17 in the upper aperture 6 of the main body 4. The fixing of the desired position here is also provided by a spring stop 18, located in the upper through aperture 6 of the main body 4 (see Fig. 2), detachably entering a series of stops 19 arranged in a line coaxial with the axis of the slider module 15, made as shallow arcuate notches on the outer surface of the slider module 15.

The cutting mechanism 2 and its elements are shown in Fig. 5 - Fig. 10. It comprises a swivel handle 20, with a cutting tool 3 and a stepper mechanism 21 mounted therein, comprising a coding element 22 and a retainer 23.

The swivel handle 20 is shown independently in section in Fig. 6. It is a rotating body with a longitudinal opening 24, in which is situated the cutting tool 3 and in this case is made with a thread cut at its lower end or is made with a step. A limiting bushing 25 is provided to limit the longitudinal movement of the cutting tool 3, which is wound into the thread, but can also be pressed into a step (Fig. 5). At the upper end of the swivel handle 20, another transverse hole 26 is drilled, perpendicular to the longitudinal opening 24, which transverse hole 26 serves to fasten and bear the axis of rotation of the stepper mechanism 21. The external shape of the swivel handle 20 can also be any shape, but it is preferable to be ergonomic and to provide convenience for rotation and application of pressure by hand during manual processing. In this case, it is made as two truncated cones, between which there is a rough cylindrical part 27 to eliminate slipping during manual rotation.

Fig. 7 shows an axis 28 of the step mechanism 21 which enters and mounts in the transverse hole 26. The axis 28 is provided with a front dial 29 on which are marked the numbers of the positions occupied by the step mechanism 21 when manually rotating the axis relative to a marker 30 formed on the swivel handle 20 immediately above the dial 29 (see Fig. 6).

The coding element 22 (Fig. 6) is mounted on the axis 28 of the step mechanism 21 . The coding element 22 is a flat cam, as shown in Fig.8a. The outer profile of the cam is helical with shaped shallow cuts 31 for contact with the retainer 23, which in this case are made parallel to the axis of the cam. The location of each cut 31 on the spiral surface determines the depth and location of the processed notch 13 on the key blank 10 as a function of the radius vector of the spiral. The cuts 31 form equal angles with each other. Fig. 8b shows a set of coding elements 22 for different unified combinations of depths and distances. The magnitude of the change in depth of two adjacent cuts has unified values, and for each coding element of the set it is marked on the front side of the coding element and can vary, for example from 0.3 to 0.65 mm, as shown in FIG. 8b.

The retainer 23 of the stepper mechanism 21 of the cutting mechanism 2 is shown in Figs. 9a, b. It is mounted on the tail of the cutting tool 3 (see Fig. 6) by means of a blind hole 32. It is a blind sleeve on the front of which a stop-tip 33 is formed. In this case the stop-tip 33 ends with an edge 34 which is adapted to interact with the cuts 31 of the coding cam 22.

Fig. 10 shows an exemplary cutting tool 3. In this case it is a monolithic tail cutter having a cylindrical cutting part and a spherical head with four teeth. The tail 35 is adapted for mounting to the retainer 23.

Locksmith tool sets may include a set of decoding plates, known in the art, for determining the depth of the notches, used to read the codes of the locks.

The details of the locksmith tool can be made of various materials with high strength, for example steel or high-strength technical plastics.

Although the description above contains many specifics, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. Thus, the scope of this invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.

Claims

1. A locksmith tool comprising a cutting mechanism, a cutting tool for forming notches of coded depth and distance on a working blade of a key blank with the possibility of fastening the cutting tool in the cutting mechanism, a main body with two or more orifices, a first base module for holding the key blank, which first base module is movable and having the possibility to be placed and fixed in at least one position in a first orifice of the main body and having at least one axial groove providing access of the cutting tool to the working blade of the key blank for cutting coded notches, a second slider module, having the possibility of controllable sliding in a second orifice of the main body in steps corresponding to the coded distances between the notches, characterized in that:

- the axes of the first and second orifices (5,6) of the main body (4) lie in one plane, the first orifice (5) being located in the lower part of the main body (4) and the second orifice (6) being located above the first orifice (5), as an axial slot (7) between the two orifices (5,6), compatible with the axial groove (12) of the base module (8), so as to provide access of the cutting tool (3) to the working blade of the key blank (10) for cutting the coded notches (13);

- the second slider module (15) has a through hole (16) perpendicular to its axis for passing the cutting tool (3) and is provided with stops (19) located at distances from each other corresponding to coded distances between the coded notches (13) on the key blank (10);

- the cutting mechanism (2) comprises a swivel handle (20) having a longitudinal opening (24), the cutting tool (3) positioned and fastened therein with the possibility of rotational and axial movement in the longitudinal opening (24) and a stepper mechanism (21) mounted in the swivel handle (20) for fixing the magnitude of the axial movement of the cutting tool (3) according to the coded depth and distance of a coded notch (13) being processed;

- the stepper mechanism (21) comprising a coding element (22) with coded depths and distances corresponding to the depths and distances of the coded notches (13) on the key (10), as well as a retainer (23) capable of being mounted on the cutting tool (3) for locking the coding element (22) at a given position during cutting of each of the coded notches (13);

- the retainer (23) is capable of being fixedly connected to the cutting tool (3) so as to limit its axial movement to the coded depth of a notch being processed.

2. The locksmith tool according to claim 1 , characterized in that the main body (4) and the cutting mechanism (2) of the locksmith tool are two separate units.

3. The locksmith tool according to claim 1 , characterized in that the base module (8) further comprises at least one aperture (9) for placing a key blank (10) with a profile compatible with the keyway profile, which aperture (9) is connected to the corresponding axial groove (12) for access of the cutting tool (3) so that the notch can be cut to the greatest depth.

4. The locksmith tool according to claim 1 , characterized in that the stepper mechanism (21) has an axis of rotation located perpendicular to the axis of the longitudinal opening (24) of the swivel handle (20), the coding element (22) is a flat cam mounted on the axis of rotation of the stepper mechanism (21), as the outer profile of the cam (22) being helically formed with shallow cuts (31) for contact with the retainer (23), wherein the location of each cut (31) on the helical surface determines the depth and location of a notch to be processed (13) as a function of the radius vector of the spiral, and the retainer (23) is located coaxially at the upper end of the cutting tool (3) opposite its cutting part, as the upper end being able to contacts the shallow cuts (31) on the outer profile of the cam (22).

5. The locksmith tool according to claim 1 , characterized in that the cutting tool (3) is a manual monolithic tail milling cutter with a spiral cutting part and with a cutting tip formed by a profile reciprocal to the profile of the notches of the key.

6. A set of locksmith tools comprising one or more locksmith tools of claims 1 to 5. 15

7. The set of locksmith tools according to claim 6, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of base modules (8) each having an aperture (9) for inserting a key blank made with a profile compatible with the keyway profile of the respective lock, a plurality of slider modules (15), with stops (19) of each of which being located at distances from each other corresponding to the coded distances between the notches or the dimples on the keys for different locks, it also contains a plurality of coding elements (22) having different coded depths and distances for different locks, as well as a plurality of cutting tools (3) having cutting tips shaped to coincide with the profile of the notches (13) of the respective keys (10).

8. The set of locksmith tools according to claim 6, characterized in that it further comprises one or more of decoding plates for determining the depth of the notches used to read the codes of the locks.

9. A method for cutting a key with the key tool of claims 1 to 4, comprising the steps of determining the code characteristics by depths and distances of the key notches, inserting and fixing in an opening of the main body of the locksmith tool a base module having at least one axial groove providing access of the cutting tool to the working blade of the key blank for cutting coding notches, inserting the key blank to be cut in the base module, placing a slider module in a selected initial working position in a second upper orifice of the main body having the possibility for controllable sliding and fixing in the orifice in successive steps corresponding to the coded distances between the key notches, placing and fastening a cutting tool for forming coding notches on the working blade of the key blank to a cutting mechanism of the locksmith tool with the possibility of rotational and axial movement, sequentially cutting the coding notches on the key blank, characterized in that that:

- before cutting the coding notches (13) on the key blank (10), the cutting tool (3) is placed and fastened in a longitudinal opening (24) of a swivel handle (20) of the cutting mechanism (2);

- before placing and fastening the cutting tool (3) to the cutting mechanism (2), a retainer (23) of a stepper mechanism (21) of the locking tool is installed on its tail to limit 16 the axial movement of the cutting tool (3) to the coded depth of the processed notch, (13);

- placing and fastening in the swivel handle (20) a coding element (22) of the stepper mechanism (21) of the locking tool having coded depths and distances corresponding to the depths and distances of the notches (13) on the key (10), such as the coding element (22) comes into contact with the retainer (23);

- putting in of the working part of the cutting tool (3) into a through hole (16) of the slider module (15), perpendicularly situated to its axis until the key blank (10) is reached; - turning and pressing the swivel handle (20) so that the cutting tool (3) performs cutting until the coded depth is reached;

- moving and fixing the slider module (15) in the next step;

- rotating the stepper mechanism (21) in the next step so that the coding element (22) occupies the next position, which is fixed by the retainer (23); - cutting the next notch (13), moving the slider module (15) and rotating the stepper mechanism (21) of the next step until all the notches (13) provided for the respective key are cut;

- removing the working part of the cutting tool (3) from the through hole (16) of the slider module (15) and removing the cut key (10).