Key duplication system with key blank orientation detection features

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12128486-B2
Application number	US-202016919363-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 2, 2020
Priority date	Mar 17, 2017
Publication date	Oct 29, 2024
Grant date	Oct 29, 2024

Abstract

Systems and methods for duplicating keys are disclosed. A key duplication system receives a key blank into a key receiving module. The key receiving module includes opposable jaws that assist with alignment of the key blank within the module. The key receiving module also includes an end stop that engages the tip of the received key blank and is linearly displaced as the key blank is further inserted. The linear displacement of the end stop is compared to a known value corresponding to a length of the shank of the key blank, and if the displacement does not match the known value, the user is instructed to re-orient the key blank.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A key blank receiving module for a key duplication system, comprising:
a slot configured to receive a shank of a key blank;
two opposing jaws configured to engage the received key blank, the two jaws having different lengths such that front ends of the two jaws are offset from each other along a longitudinal direction of the jaws, wherein a first jaw of the opposing jaws is fixed and a second jaw of the opposing jaws is movable;
an end stop configured to receive a tip of the shank of the key blank as the tip is inserted through the slot, the end stop being capable of linear displacement via insertion of the key blank; and
one or more sensors configured to detect the linear displacement of the end stop.

2. The key blank receiving module of claim 1 , wherein the first jaw is shorter than the second jaw.

3. The key blank receiving module of claim 1 , further including a shield extending along a length of the end stop.

4. The key blank receiving module of claim 3 , wherein the shield includes one or more mechanical features configured to prevent contact between the end stop and other components of the key blank receiving module.

5. The key blank receiving module of claim 4 , wherein the one or more mechanical features is selected from the group consisting of a side guide that prevents movement of the end stop in the longitudinal direction within the key blank receiving module and a protrusion that prevents movement of the end stop in a transverse direction within the key blank receiving module.

6. The key blank receiving module of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the one or more sensors is a potentiometer.

7. The key blank receiving module of claim 6 , wherein the end stop is a plunger of the potentiometer.

8. The key blank receiving module of claim 6 , wherein the end stop comprises a recess configured to receive the tip of the received key blank.

9. The key blank receiving module of claim 8 , wherein the received key blank has an offset tip, and the recess of the end stop is shaped like the offset tip.

10. The key blank receiving module of claim 1 , wherein the end stop comprises a recess configured to receive the tip of the received key blank.

11. The key blank receiving module of claim 10 , wherein the received key blank has an offset tip, and the recess of the end stop is shaped like the offset tip.

12. A key duplication system, comprising:
a key blank receiving module, wherein the key blank receiving module comprises:
a slot configured to receive only a shank of a key blank;
two opposing jaws configured to engage the received key blank, wherein one of the opposing jaws of the key receiving module is fixed and the other jaw is moveable;
an end stop configured to receive a tip of the shank of the key blank as the tip is inserted through the slot, the end stop being capable of linear displacement via insertion of the key blank; and
a shield extending along a length of the end stop; and

a controller configured to control the key receiving module.

13. The key duplication system of claim 12 , further including:
one or more sensors configured to detect the linear displacement of the end stop; and
a display for displaying information to a user, wherein the controller is in communication with the one or more sensors and configured to control the display.

14. The key duplication system of claim 12 , wherein front ends of the two jaws are offset from each other along a longitudinal direction of the jaws.

15. The key duplication system of claim 14 , wherein a first jaw of the opposing jaws is fixed and a second jaw of opposing jaws is movable.

16. The key duplication system of claim 15 , wherein the first jaw is longer than the second jaw.

17. The key duplication system of claim 15 , further including at least one sensor configured to detect a contact between a shoulder of the key blank and a front end of the second jaw.

18. The key duplication system of claim 12 , wherein the shield includes a protrusion that prevents movement of the end stop in a transverse direction within the key blank receiving module.

Assignees

• Hillman Group Inc

Inventors

• Schmidt Michael
• Grice Byron

Classifications

• B23Q35/46

  Supporting devices therefor · CPC title

• B23C3/355

  Holders for the template keys · CPC title

• B23C2235/28

  Key blanks · CPC title

• B23C2235/32

  Measurement systems · CPC title

• B23C3/35 Primary

  Milling grooves in keys · CPC title