Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100052234 | Key clamping device - A clamping device comprising for clamping a plurality of key styles is provided. The clamping device includes a base block and a clamping block rotatably connected to the base block. The clamping block may include a plurality of sides configured to clamp a key between the clamping block and the base block. A sidewinder key clamp may be connected to the clamping device. The sidewinder key clamp may be capable of clamping a first style of key in a horizontal position and clamping a second style of key in a vertical position. The clamping device may further include a multi-faced block with a plurality sides rotatably connected to the clamping block. Each side of the multi-faced block may have a geometry configured to clamp a key between the multi-faced block and the base block. | 03-04-2010 |
20110079652 | RADIO FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION (RFID) SYSTEM FOR MANUFACTURING, DISTRIBUTION AND RETAILING OF KEYS - A key assembly having an identification member secured to the key. In one embodiment, the identification member includes a programmable device that contains information indicative of one or more characteristics of the key that can be used to identify at least one of a) the type of key, b) the type of key blank, c) an origination address, d) a destination address, e) a manufacturer, f) a manufacturing date, and g) a lot number. Another embodiment may include a key, and an identification member secured to the key, wherein the identification member includes a programmable device that contains information indicative of a) the key type, b) the type of key blank, and c) cutting instructions for a key cutter to determine cut characteristics. Additional embodiments may include an automobile key and an identification member secured to the automobile key, where in the identification member includes memory for use as mobile data storage. | 04-07-2011 |
20110164938 | Key Duplication Machine - Apparatus, methods, and other embodiments associated with a key duplication machine are described. In one embodiment, an assembly for duplicating a master key includes an optical imaging device, a logic, a clamping assembly, and a cutting member. The optical imaging device is capable of capturing an optical image of at least a portion of the master key. The logic is capable of determining a key pattern of the master key from the optical image of the master key. The clamping assembly is capable of clamping a key blank and the cutting member is capable of cutting a key pattern into said key blank. | 07-07-2011 |
20120014762 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HOLDING KEYS DURING THE CUTTING PROCESS - A method and apparatus for holding a key or key blank while copying a key including at least one holder having an opening configured to at least partially enclose at least two sides of a keyway is provided herein. The opening of the holder includes at least one longitudinal groove or one longitudinal protrusion configured to mate with at least one longitudinal protrusion or longitudinal groove of the keyway. A user slides a first holder over the keyway of a key blank, and a second holder over a keyway of a key to be copied and places the holders into clamping jaws of a key cutting machine prior to copying a key. | 01-19-2012 |
20120038453 | DATA KEY AND METHOD OF USING SAME - Some of the inventive concepts described herein include a data key having a computer readable medium containing information indicative of a bitting pattern for a master key. The bitting pattern on the data key may be downloadable to a key cutting device to cut a duplicate key that has the same bitting pattern as the master key. In addition, a method of creating a data key is also provided herein. The method includes identifying a type of key; identifying a bitting pattern; and storing the type of key blank required and bitting pattern to be cut in the key blank on a computer readable medium. | 02-16-2012 |
20120084182 | RADIO FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION (RFID) SYSTEM FOR MANUFACTURING, DISTRIBUTION AND RETAILING OF KEYS - An automated inventory control system including a merchandising rack for displaying one or more products that is located at a retail outlet store is disclosed herein. The merchandising rack receives or displays one or more products having associated electronic identification devices secured thereto. An electronic reading device automatically scans all of the one or more electronic identification devices and determines data related to the products without the need for a manual initiating a scan for each of the one or more electronic identification devices. A host computing device receives instructions to initiate a scan from the receiver, initiates the scan by, and receives the data from, an electronic reading device and causes data to be transmitted to a computer under the control of a distributor, supplier or manufacturer. | 04-05-2012 |
20120213603 | KEY CLAMP ROTATION CONTROLLER - A key clamping device includes a first key clamp, a second key clamp and a rotational device connected to the first and second key clamps. The rotational device may facilitate rotation of the first and second key clamps. | 08-23-2012 |
20120243957 | KEY DUPLICATION MACHINE - Apparatus, methods, and other embodiments associated with a key duplication machine are described. In one embodiment, an assembly for duplicating a master key includes an optical imaging device, a logic, a clamping assembly, and a cutting member. The optical imaging device is capable of capturing an optical image of at least a portion of the master key. The logic is capable of determining a key pattern of the master key from the optical image of the master key. The clamping assembly is capable of clamping a key blank and the cutting member is capable of cutting a key pattern into said key blank. | 09-27-2012 |
20130039714 | KEY CUTTING MACHINE - A key cutting machine includes a housing, carriage, key clamp, and motor to drive the carriage. The key cutting machine may include a vacuum removably attached to the housing. The key cutting machine may be selected between manual, automatic, and semi-automatic user modes. Additional improvements or features of a key cutting machine are also described. | 02-14-2013 |
20130094918 | KEY CUTTING MACHINE - A key cutting machine is provided for cutting a key blank from a master key. The key cutting machine comprises a first cutting member that rotates about a substantially horizontal axis for cutting a key pattern on a key blank and a second cutting member that rotates about a substantially vertical axis for cutting a key pattern on a key blank. Additional improvements or features of a key cutting machine are also described. | 04-18-2013 |
20130294857 | KEY DUPLICATION MACHINE - Apparatus, methods, and other embodiments associated with a key duplication machine are described. In one embodiment, an assembly for duplicating a master key includes an optical imaging device, a logic, a clamping assembly, and a cutting member. The optical imaging device is capable of capturing an optical image of at least a portion of the master key. The logic is capable of determining a key pattern of the master key from the optical image of the master key. The clamping assembly is capable of clamping a key blank and the cutting member is capable of cutting a key pattern into said key blank. | 11-07-2013 |
20140300041 | KEY CLAMP ROTATION CONTROLLER - A key clamping device includes a first key clamp, a second key clamp and a rotational device connected to the first and second key clamps. The rotational device may facilitate rotation of the first and second key clamps. | 10-09-2014 |
20140321935 | KEY CUTTING MACHINE - A key cutting machine includes a housing, carriage, key clamp, and motor to drive the carriage. The key cutting machine may include a vacuum removably attached to the housing. The key cutting machine may be selected between manual, automatic, and semi-automatic user modes. Additional improvements or features of a key cutting machine are also described. | 10-30-2014 |
20140377026 | METHOD AND APPARATUS DOR HOLDING KEYS DURING THE CUTTING PROCESS - A method and apparatus for holding a key or key blank while copying a key including at least one holder having an opening configured to at least partially enclose at least two sides of a keyway is provided herein. The opening of the holder includes at least one longitudinal groove or one longitudinal protrusion configured to mate with at least one longitudinal protrusion or longitudinal groove of the keyway. A user slides a first holder over the keyway of a key blank, and a second holder over a keyway of a key to be copied and places the holders into clamping jaws of a key cutting machine prior to copying a key. | 12-25-2014 |