Anthony Allen Nicholas

US Patent:

55383742, Jul 23, 1996

Filed:

Aug 12, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/289860

Inventors:

Stephan W. Cole - Moreland Hills OH
Eric R. Hammonds - Mantua OH
Anthony Nicholas - Cleveland OH
Richard Ryai - Cleveland OH
David J. Sot - Strongsville OH
Samuel J. Zelenak - Strongsville OH
Ronald B. Berringer - Akron OH

Assignee:

American Consumer Products, Inc. - Solon OH

International Classification:

B23C 335

US Classification:

409132

Abstract:

A key duplicating machine which automatically liens the original and blank keys, clamping the keys in alignment with the appropriate clamping pressure, cuts double-sided keys in a single pass, prevents operation of the machine without the presence of the original and blank keys in the machine and which is capable of accepting virtually any type of key shape for duplication. The invention includes a single-sided key duplicating module having a motor driven cutter wheel which is slidably mounted on a travel table that, in turn, is slidably mounted on a base plate. The travel table includes a motor driven stacked cam assembly which engages fixed cam followers in the base plate, so when rotated, the cam assembly, travel table and cutter wheels are moved first in a cutting pass, then in a return pass with respect to the original and blank keys. The cam assembly also includes a cam follower which displaces the cutting wheel sidewardly away from the blank key on the return pass. The original and blank keys are pressed against alignment surfaces by springs prior to clamping, and the springs are displaced away from the keys to provide clearance for the cutter wheel during cutting.

US Patent:

56605099, Aug 26, 1997

Filed:

Apr 3, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/415490

Inventors:

Stephan W. Cole - Moreland Hills OH
Ronald B. Berringer - Akron OH
Hugh F. Groth - Richfield OH
Eric R. Hammonds - Mantua OH
Michael G. Koubek - Stow OH
Anthony Nicholas - Cleveland OH
Richard Ryai - Cleveland OH
David J. Sot - Strongsville OH
Paul J. Takacs - Hudson OH
Samuel J. Zelenak - Strongsville OH

Assignee:

American Consumer Products, Inc. - Solon OH

International Classification:

B23C 335

US Classification:

409 81

Abstract:

A key duplicating machine having a key clamping assembly for supporting a key blank and a customer key to be duplicated, a key cutter assembly having a cutter wheel for cutting a pattern on the supported key blank and a follower for tracing a tooth patter on the supported customer key, a housing having a front wall, a top wall and a chip collection drawer lcoated below the front and top walls, the key clamping assembly being mounted on the front wall and the key cutter assembly being mounted on the top wall such that no obstructions exist between the key cutter assembly and the chip collection drawer located below the top wall, so that chips formed from a key cutting operation by the key cutter assembly fall unimpeded to the chip collection drawer, and surfaces which may collect the chips are minimized. In a preferred embodiment, a motor driven cam assembly actuates the key cutter assembly and a finger for locating the key blank and customer key of the key clamping assembly, the cam assembly being mounted on a rear portion of a top wall behind a midwall, and the midwall acts as a barrier to prevent chips produced during a cutting operation from progressing to the cam assembly. The key clamping assembly and key cutter assembly each include modules which accommodate keys for both single and simultaneous double key cutting.