Key blank and carrier adapted for positioning a key blank in a cutter during bit cutting

US9073133B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• THE HILLMAN GROUP, INC. · US

Inventors

• Mike Mueller · Phoenix, US
• George Lynn Hagen · Flagstaff, US
• Scott Basham · Chandler, US
• Mark Leslie Tarter · Mesa, US
• Ryan Hamblin · Apache Junction, US
• Carl Ito · Scottsdale, US
• Kenneth C. Booth · Mesa, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 15, 2011
• Grant date: Jul 7, 2015
• Expiry date: Feb 27, 2034

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T409/301008
• WIPO field: Machine tools
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

Implementations of key blank carriers or key blanks with a standard reference features may include alignment features on a key blank head, key blank tip, a key blank carrier coupled to a key blank sleeve and/or a key blank sleeve, and any feature directly attached to any portion of the key that may be used for referencing in the key duplication system, or any combination of these. The standard reference features may allow any key blank brand model to interface with the machine so as to consistently align each key, regardless of its make and model, for cutting in a universally configured key blank clamp that is clamped to reduce the movement of the key blank during duplication cutting.