GB671075A - Improvements in or relating to the manufacture of keys for rotary cylinder locks - Google Patents

Abstract

671,075. Punching. UHER, E. Oct. 11, 1949 [Oct. 21, 1948], No. 26049/49. Class 83 (iv). Flat keys for rotary cylinder locks are made by punching from metal blanks, or a continuous metal strip, the active portions of different heights in successive operations, means being provided for locating the blank &c. step-bystep in accordance with the spacing of the active portions. The invention is shown applied to keys having serrations on both edges to actuate the tumblers of the lock in both directions without the use of springs. As shown in Figs. 2 to 5, pairs of punches 7, 7a ... 10, 10a with trapezoidal cutting edges 23, are carried by a plate 26 and are adapted for slide movement in recesses 24 of a base-plate 11. The punches are guided between notched dies 12 secured to the plate 11. The step-bystep insertion of the key is determined by lugs 18a, Fig. 3, acting as stops for the end of the key, projecting from a plate 18 which is adjustably spaced from the edge of the plate 11. The adjusting-means comprises slides 15 traversing the plate 11 and carried by extensions 16 of the plate 18. The slides 15 are provided with staggered rack-teeth 19, 19a, Fig. 4, to co-operate with plates 20 engaging slots in the base-plate 11 and actuated, against the reaction of springs 69, by the descent of the bar 26 in the operative stroke of the punches. The bar 18 is urged away from the plate 11 by springs 17 to actuate the slides 15. Fig. 6 shows a modification for producing the key-webs from a continuous metal tape. As shown, the tape 30 is fed through a frame 32 from which the units are severed by a punch 35 co-operating with a fixed die 34. The frame 32 is recessed at 38 to house a slide 37 in which is housed a second slide 39 carrying a pin 40 for successive engagement with holes 41 along the tape 30. The stroke of the slide 37, which may be effected by pneumatic or electric means (not shown), is controlled by abutment of a stop 41 on the slide with stops 43 ... 46 connected by levers 47 ... 50 to selectively-operated keys 51 ... 54. The slide 39 is formed with ratchet-teeth 56, 57 which co-operate with spring-controlled dogs 63, 64 mounted respectively on a sliding bar 58 and the slide 37. It is stated that the apparatus may be automatically controlled by means of a cam-controlled device and, that means may be provided for automatically numbering the punched webs and for recording on a paper web the identifying number of the key.