Key Cutting Machine

Abstract

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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A key cutting machine comprising:
 a base member;   a first cutting member connected to said base member and capable of cutting a standard key pattern onto a key blank;   a second cutting member connected to said base member and capable of cutting a sidewinder key pattern onto a key blank;   a carriage connected to said base;   a first key clamp connected to said carriage, said carriage moveably secured to said base member and operable to move toward and away from the first and second cutting members.   
     
     
         2 . The key cutting machine of  claim 1  further comprising a driver connected to said carriage to automatically drive movement of the carriage during key cutting operations. 
     
     
         3 . The key cutting machine of  claim 1  wherein said second cutting member is rotatable about an axis substantially perpendicular to said base member. 
     
     
         4 . The key cutting machine of  claim 1  wherein said first and second cutting members are fixedly mounted to said base member. 
     
     
         5 . The key cutting machine of  claim 1  wherein said second cutting member is a drill-type cutting member. 
     
     
         6 . The key cutting machine of  claim 1  further comprising a first tracing member connected to said base member and capable of tracing a key pattern from said master key. 
     
     
         7 . The key cutting machine of  claim 6  further comprising a second tracing member connected to said base member and capable of tracing a sidewinder key pattern from said master key. 
     
     
         8 . The key cutting machine of  claim 1  wherein said carriage is moveable along two axes. 
     
     
         9 . The key cutting machine of  claim 8  wherein said two axes are substantially perpendicular. 
     
     
         10 . The key cutting machine of  claim 9  wherein said two perpendicular axes are substantially parallel to said base member. 
     
     
         11 . The key cutting machine of  claim 1 , wherein the driver comprises a motor. 
     
     
         12 . The key cutting machine of  claim 1  further comprising a second key clamp connected to said carriage. 
     
     
         13 . The key cutting machine of  claim 1  wherein said second cutting member is rotatable between a cutting position and a storage position. 
     
     
         14 . The key cutting machine of  claim 1  wherein said second cutting member is removably mounted to the base member. 
     
     
         15 . A key cutting machine comprising:
 a base member;   a first cutting member connected to said base member and capable of cutting a key pattern onto a key blank;   a second cutting member connected to said base member and capable of cutting a sidewinder key pattern onto a key blank;   a first carriage secured to said base member having a first key clamp adjacent the first cutting member; and   a second carriage secured to said base member having a second key clamp adjacent the second cutting member   
     
     
         16 . The key cutting machine of  claim 15  wherein said second cutting member is rotatable between a cutting position and a storage position. 
     
     
         17 . The key cutting machine of  claim 15  further comprising a wire brush. 
     
     
         18 . A key cutting machine for cutting key blanks from master keys having master key patterns, said key cutting machine comprising:
 a base member;   a first cutting member connected to said base member and capable of cutting a standard key pattern onto a key blank;   a second cutting member connected to said base member and capable of cutting a sidewinder key pattern onto a key blank;   at least one tracer disposed above the base; and   at least one key clamp connected to a carriage, said carriage movably secured to said base member and operable to move toward and away from the first cutting member, the second cutting member, and the tracer.   
     
     
         19 . The key cutting machine of  claim 18  further comprising a driver connected to said carriage to automatically drive movement of the carriage during key cutting operations. 
     
     
         20 . The key cutting machine of  claim 18  wherein said tracer is removeably secured to a plate, said plate is connected to the second cutting member.