Method and Apparatus for Key Origination

Abstract

A retainer, that holds a group of precision, off-the-shelf components in relative alignment so as to allow a standard key duplicating machine to function as a key code origination machine is disclosed. A person of ordinary skill in pinning a lock and operating a key duplicating machine is able to practice the invention. An aspect of the invention is that an ordinary, inexpensive key duplicating machine can be converted to code-cutting functionality with minimal cost, requiring no adaptation of key duplicating machine. Also disclosed are methods of positional registration, machine error compensation, and notch shaping.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A method for generating an original key specified by a code using a key duplicating machine, comprising:
 calculating one or more length dimensions from said code;   selecting one or more pins corresponding to said length dimensions;   providing a retainer to align said pins at a predetermined spacing in a longitudinal direction;   affixing said retainer into a master vise of said key duplicating machine;   affixing a key blank into a slave vise of said key duplicating machine;   registering a position of said retainer relative to said key blank;   tracing a profile formed by said retainer and said pins using a tracer of said key duplicating machine;   whereby said key duplicating machine transforms said key blank into said original key corresponding to said code.   
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the calculation of said pins further comprises adjusting said length dimension of each said pin individually, to compensate for measured inaccuracies in said key duplicating machine. 
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 1  further comprising selecting a tracer and selecting a cutter for said key duplicating machine. 
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the calculation of said length dimension of said pins results in selecting a shorter pin in order to produce a deeper cut in said key blank. 
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the registration of said position of said retainer relative to said key blank is performed by referencing a setup key. 
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein said retainer remains affixed in said master vise while exchanging said pins, whereby a subsequent registration is obviated. 
     
     
         7 . An assembly for adapting a key duplicating machine to transform a key blank into an original key specified by a code, comprising:
 a retainer;   a plurality of cavities in said retainer, disposed in a longitudinal direction;   a plurality of slots in said retainer, substantially aligned with said cavities;   a plurality of pins having a length calculated from said code, installed in said cavities;   whereby said retainer and said pins form a template for said key duplicating machine to trace, and thereby transform said key blank into said original key corresponding to said code.   
     
     
         8 . An assembly according to  claim 7  wherein said retainer further comprises one or more reference surfaces for longitudinal registration of said retainer relative to said key blank. 
     
     
         9 . An assembly according to  claim 7  further comprising an elongated strip, spanning said retainer, whereby said pins are substantially captured while said retainer is manipulated. 
     
     
         10 . An assembly according to  claim 9  further comprising one or more magnets imbedded in said retainer whereby said elongated strip is temporarily secured in place by an attractive force due to said magnets. 
     
     
         11 . An assembly according to  claim 7  wherein said slots are a calculated dimension wider in said longitudinal direction than a tracer of said key duplicating machine, whereby said tracer is able to translate in said longitudinal direction, such that a corresponding flat region of a cut results in said original key, said flat region widened by a dimension substantially equal to said calculated dimension. 
     
     
         12 . An assembly according to  claim 7  wherein said retainer further comprises at least one selected from the group of a ridge, groove, channel and step in said longitudinal direction whereby said retainer is registered in a transverse direction with a mating feature in a master vise of said key duplicating machine. 
     
     
         13 . An assembly according to  claim 7  wherein said cavities in said retainer extend to a top surface whereby said pins are exchangeable while said retainer remains affixed in a vise of said key duplicating machine. 
     
     
         14 . A system to transform a key blank into an original key specified by a code, comprising:
 a key duplicating machine;   a retainer having a plurality of cavities disposed in a longitudinal direction at a predetermined spacing, installed in a master vise of said key duplicating machine;   a plurality pins having a length calculated from said code, installed in said cavities;   whereby said retainer and said pins form a tracing template for said key duplicating machine to transform said key blank into said original key corresponding to said code.   
     
     
         15 . A system according to  claim 14  wherein said key duplicating machine further comprises a cutter rotatable about a transverse axis, whereby cuts having an angle adjustable about said transverse axis result in said key blank.