Patent · US Expired

Key decoding apparatus

US4090303A · kind A · utility

40Cited by
3References
5Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateApr 22, 1976
Grant dateMay 23, 1978
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 22, 1996

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10T409/30112
  • WIPO fieldMachine tools
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

Method and apparatus for decoding and duplicating a key wherein the notches in the shank of the key are coded to a predetermined coded depth and spacing therebetween. An index card having a sequential index thereon corresponding to the predetermined coded depth is inserted into a housing and the key to be duplicated is inserted into a slot in the housing where it engages an indexing member which enters one of the notches on the key and indicates on the card the coded depth of that notch. The angle of cut of the same notch may also be determined. The remaining notches of the key may be decoded in like manner. The same index card is then inserted into a housing which includes an indexing drum having notches therein with spacing therebetween corresponding to the predetermined coded spacing of the key to be duplicated. A blank key is firmly secured in a predetermined position on the housing and movable in a direction toward a grinding wheel. The indexing drum is indexed corresponding to the predetermined coded spacing between the notches of the key to be duplicated and the blank key is moved into cutting engagement with the grinding wheel. The depth of the cut made by the grinding whee…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.