United States Patent
`
`[19]
`
`Crasnianski
`
`11]
`
`[45]
`
`4,159,783
`
`Jul. 3, 1979
`
`[54] SELECTOR-DISPENSER OF FLAT KEY
`BLANKS
`
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Frishauf, Holtz, Goodman &
`Woodward
`
`[75]
`
`Inventor:
`
`Serge Crasnianski, Grenoble, France
`
`[57]
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`[73] Assignee: Kis-France, Grenoble, France
`
`[21] Appl. No.: 835,172
`
`[22] Filed:
`
`Sep. 20, 1977
`
`[30]
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`Oct. 1, 1976 [FR]
`
`France ................................ 76 29616
`
`Int. Cl.2 .............................................. G07F 11/00
`[51]
`[52] U.S. Cl. ........................................ 221/13; 221/81;
`221/120; 221/121; 221/129
`[58] Field of Search ....................... 221/ 13, 77, 80, 81,
`221/88, 120, 121, 123, 124, 129; 194/4, 10
`
`[56]
`
`3,265,245
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`8/1966 Harden ................................. 221/ 124
`
`A key blank selector-dispenser comprises a drum hav-
`ing a central axis aperture and several series of radial
`cells for receiving magazines of key blanks and con-
`tained in respective radial planes of the cylinder. The
`drum is rotatable by an electric motor having an elec-
`tromagnetic brake. Key blank ejectors for each said
`series are provided in said aperture and are located in
`the same diametral plane of the drum.
`A control panel has a number of slots for insertion of
`specimen keys equal to the number of said cells. Means
`actuatable by insertion of a specimen key closes the
`motor circuit to start the motor. A cam on each series of
`cells operates a limit contact when a cell having a de-
`sired blank comes into the plane of the ejectors to effect
`stopping of the motor and actuation of the ejector cor-
`responding to the series selected.
`
`Primary Examiner—Allen N. Knowles
`
`15 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures
`
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`KEYME EX. 1008, PAGE 1
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`KEYME EX. 1008, PAGE 1
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`

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`US. Patent
`
`Jul. 3, 1979
`
`Sheet 1 of 5
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`4,159,783
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`KEYME EX. 1008, PAGE 2
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`KEYME EX. 1008, PAGE 2
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`

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`U.S. Patent
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`Ju1.3, 1979
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`Sheet 2 of5
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`4,159,783
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`KEYME EX. 1008, PAGE 3
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`KEYME EX. 1008, PAGE 3
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`

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`U.S. Patent
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`Jul. 3, 1979
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`Sheet 3 of5
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`4,159,783
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`KEYME EX. 1008, PAGE 4
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`KEYME EX. 1008, PAGE 4
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`

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`KEYME EX. 1008, PAGE 5
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`

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`US. Patent
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`Jul. 3, 1979
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`KEYME EX. 1008, PAGE 6
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`KEYME EX. 1008, PAGE 6
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`

`

`1
`
`4,159,783
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`SELECTOR-DISPENSER 0F FLAT KEY BLANKS
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention relates to apparatus for select—
`ing and dispensing flat key blanks.
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`It is well-known that it is often necessary to repro-
`duce flat keys for numerous applications such as door
`keys, ignition keys for cars, keys for door locks, suit-
`cases or various items of furniture, and there are at
`present automatic machines which make it possible very
`rapidly to reproduce profiles of specimen keys from
`blanks of suitable form. Indeed, the various flat keys are
`distinguished from one another not only by their profile
`but also by their length, their width and mainly by their
`cross-sectional form: the result is that the locksmith
`must have available a very large number of blanks of
`different types, from which he must find out the blank
`which is likely to be suitable for reproducing a specific
`specimen key. In order to facilitate the search, it has
`already been proposed to provide dispensers compris-
`ing magazine containers each containing blanks of a
`type which corresponds to a model of key of one maker
`(indeed, keys generally bear the name of either the car
`manufactures, or lock manufactures, and also a refer-
`ence number or code), such magazines being provided
`with means of extracting or ejecting a blank, operated
`by a selector mechanism triggered by insertion of the
`specimen key into a template comprising slots,
`the
`cross-sectional form of which is identical to that of the
`Specimen key. In principle, therefore, it is sufficient to
`designate the slots of the template by the trade mark
`(name of manufacturer and number) of the correspond-
`ing specimen key in order to obtain immediately the
`desired key or indeed, if the specimen does not bear the
`necessary information, to try to insert it successively
`into different slots in the template which at first sight
`are of similar form. However, the known dispensers of
`this type, whether they comprise magazines in the form
`of flat juxtaposed boxes each of which has an ejector
`device, or a rotatable structure having radial cells in
`which the blanks are stacked and which are, by rotation
`of the drum around its axis, automatically positioned
`opposite an extractor or ejector, are extremely cumber-
`some and mechanically complicated, which makes it
`impossible to provide therein a number of cells adequate
`to hold the majority of the types of blanks correspond-
`ing to the various existing model of keys, even those
`used most commonly in various applications.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention relates to a selector-dispenser
`of the rotary magazine drum type for selection of the
`blank by insertion of the specimen key into a template,
`and makes it possible to allow the storage of a very
`large number of types of blanks, for example of the
`order of 500 or more, in a minimum of space due to the
`use of electrical means of selecting and ejecting a blank
`of the desired type.
`The selector-dispenser according to the invention is
`characterized in that the rotatable drum structure com-
`prises several horizontaly superposed series, for exam-
`ple eight in number, of radially extending cells, each of
`said series comprising a very large number, for example
`60, of cells uniformly distributed around the axis of the
`drum, with the cells of the said superposed series being
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`in vertical alignment, and each cell being intended to
`receive a magazine containing a supply of blanks of the
`same type, and in that there is provided an electric
`motor and an associated magnetic brake,
`the drum
`structure comprising a central axially extending aper-
`ture in which an ejector device associated to each of
`said series of cells is mounted on a fixed support, all the
`ejectors being disposed in a same diametral plane of the
`drum structure, and in that there is provided a control
`panel having a number of slots for introduction of speci-
`men keys corresponding to the number of cells of the
`drum structure, the slots being arranged in groups each
`of which has a number of slots corresponding to the
`number of said superposed series of cells, and means,
`actuatable by insertion of a specimen key, being pro-
`vided to effect closing the motor circuit to drive the
`motor, and in that there is associated to each of said
`superposed series of cells a cam for operating a limit
`switch when the cell containing a desired blank comes
`in front of the plane of the ejectors, said limit switch
`being inserted in a circuit to interrupt through a relay
`the supply of current to the motor and to energize the
`magnetic brake and furthermore to operate, through a
`relay, the ejector corresponding to the selected one of
`the said superposed series of cells.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`In the accompany drawings which are given by way
`of example:
`FIG. 1 shows a transverse cross-sectional of the drum
`structure at the level of one of the superposed series of
`cells;
`FIG. 2 is an axial section on a plane at right-angle to
`the plane of the section in FIG. 1;
`,
`FIG. 3 is a section along line III—III of FIG. 2;
`FIG. 4 is a simplified wiring diagram showing the
`principle of operation of the dispenser, and
`‘FIG. 5 shows the complete wiring diagram.
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`The rotatable drum structure shown in FIGS. 1 to 3
`consists of a vertical cylinder 1, which has a central
`axially extending aperture, and which is supported by a
`base plate 2; the drum structure is capable of being
`rotated by means of a geared electrical motor 3, the
`driven pinion 4 of which meshes with a gear wheel 5
`integral with cylinder 1 just above the said base plate.
`An electromagnetic brake 33 which makes it possible to
`block the motor 3 when its supply is cut off is associated
`to the shaft of this motor. The cylinder 1 is formed by an
`assembly comprising a plurality of superposed rings, for
`example eight in number, such as rings 11, 12, 13, 14, 15,
`16, 17 and 18 each having on its periphery a very large
`number, for example 60, ofjuxtaposed cells such as 2011,
`2012. . 2018, 2111, 2112. .
`. 2113, etc., the cells bearing the
`same reference number as the reference index of the
`corresponding ring being disposed on the same genera-
`trix of the cylinder. Disposed in each cell is a magazine
`consisting of a case 6 (FIG. 3), in the shape of an in-
`verted U open at the back and at the bottom, and in
`which key blanks are stacked, a different model being
`stacked in each cell. These flat key blanks are consti-
`tuted as shown in FIG. 1 by a flat shank 7 and a rela-
`tively narrow head perforated at 9, these blanks being
`subsequently associated, before or after cutting of the
`profile, with a separate operating head, for example of
`plastics material. On the upper wall of each case 6, that
`is to say on the base of the inverted U, there is fixed a
`
`KEYME EX. 1008, PAGE 7
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`KEYME EX. 1008, PAGE 7
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`

`

`3
`rod 10 of sufficient length to be engaged in the holes 9
`of all the blanks 7 contained in the magazine, except for
`the lowest one which rests directly on the bottom of the
`corresponding cell. A spring 19 is engaged over the rod
`10 pushing all these blanks downwardly so that after the
`blank occupying the lowest position has been ejected by
`means which will be described hereinafter, the follow-
`ing blank will take its place.
`On the underside of each of the rings 11 to 18 there is
`a cam such as 22, each cam being capable of actuating
`the nose 23 of the movable contact of a limit switch 24
`corresponding to a vertical row of cells. The switches
`24 are mounted on a central fixed support disposed in
`the central aperture of the drum structure, each of these
`switches is operated by its associated cam in order in-
`stantly to stop the motor driving the drum 1 when,
`during rotation of the drum, the vertical row of cells
`containing the selected cell is brough in the diametral
`plane containing the ejector means which bring about
`ejection of the blank onto one of the plates forming
`inclined surfaces 2511, 2512, 2513 .
`.
`. 2513 directing the
`ejected blank to a receptacle 26 (FIG. 1).
`It is to be understood that the cams and/or their
`associated limit switches are angularly shifted with
`respect to each other to be able to stop the drum struc-
`ture with a selected vertical row of cells in front of the
`ejectors. Thus,
`the limit switches may be vertically
`aligned and the cams angularly shifted with respect to
`each other for an angle which corresponds to the angu-
`larly distance between two adjacent cells lying in a
`same horizontal plane. But a reverse arrangement may
`also be adopted.
`.
`Mounted on the central fixed support disposed in the
`central aperture of the cylinder structure,
`there are
`ejector means, one per superposed levels or series of
`cells uniformly distributed around the axis of the drum,
`each comprising an electromagnet 27 (FIGS. 1 to 3)
`which is energized at the moment when the selected cell
`stops in the vertical plane in which all the ejector elec-
`tromagnets are located, in front of the delivery plates
`25. Each of the electromagnets comprises a movable
`member 28 which is attracted when the electromagnet
`is energized and connected by a very short cable 29 to
`a return device mounted on the fixed support and com-
`prising a small pulley 30 which this cable causes to turn
`and a larger pulley 31 on which is wound a longer cable
`34 attached to a steel tongue 32 guided in a swallowtail
`slide and penetrating the cell which has stopped oppo-
`site the electromagnet in order to eject therefrom the
`blank 7 resting on the bottom of the cell and which is
`not retained by the rod 9 of the corresponding magazine
`6. A return spring restores the tongue 32 to its initial
`position after ejection of the blank. By virtue of this
`return, the stroke of the tongue is longer than that of the
`armature of the electromagnet which makes it possible
`to reduce the bulk of the latter and at the same time to
`achieve a shorter operating time. It will be seen herein-
`after that in order to obtain 'a very rapid operation of the
`ejector electromagnets which impart a very abrupt
`movement to the ejector tongue 32, the ejector electro-
`magnet is energized by a brief high intensity pulse pro-
`duced by the discharge of a previously charged capaci-
`tor.
`
`The principle of selection of the cell containing the
`blanks corresponding to a specimen key which is to be
`reproduced will now be explained.
`As illustrated in the simplified diagram in FIG. 4,
`there is associated to the dispenser a control panel not
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`4
`shown but arranged as will be described with FIG. 5,
`which panel comprises a number of template members
`35 corresponding to the number of cells per level of the
`structure drum,
`in other words 60 in the example
`chosen. Disposed in each plate 35 are slots equal in
`number to that of the stages of the drum, in other words
`eight in the example chosen, the slots 36, 36’, 36” on
`each plate 35 having in cross-section a form correspond-
`ing respectively to that of the blanks contained in the
`eight cells which are in vertical alignment that is dis-
`posed along the same generatrix of the drum. The tem-
`plate members are made of an electrical conducting
`material, and introduction of the specimen key 40 into
`one of the slots has the effect of making an electrical
`connection between this plate and one of the terminals
`37, 37’, 37" .
`.
`. disposed behind the plate and respec-
`tively connected by eight horizontal conductors 38, 38',
`of which only three are shown in FIG. 4, to eight verti-
`cal conductors, 39, 39’, 39” .
`.
`. of which only three are
`shown.
`
`. are respectively con-
`.
`The conductors 39, 39’, 39" .
`nected to the windings of eight level or stage relays R
`11, R 12, R 13 .
`.
`. which are mounted in parallel on the
`supply circuit. The supply circuit is thus closed by in-
`sertion of the specimen key 40 into the template and
`monitored furthermore by the limit switch 24, which is
`normally closed, on the ring 12 of the stage in which is
`contained the cell containing the blanks corresponding
`to the slot 36’ into which the key 40 has been inserted.
`Mounted in the circuit which is thus monitored by the
`specimen key and the limit switch 24 is a push button
`switch 41 controlling operation of the motor via the
`winding of the relay R 19 mounted in series with the
`armatures r 11, r 12, r 13 .
`.
`. of the stage relays R11 to
`R18. Other armatures r’ll, r'12, r'l3 .
`. .‘of the stage
`relays are mounted respectively in series with the ejec-
`tor electromagnets 2711, 2712 .
`.
`. disposed in the corre-
`sponding stages 11 to 18.
`The dispenser according to the simplified diagram
`functions as follows:
`
`Insertion of the specimen key 40 into the slot 36’
`prepares the supply circuit of relay R12 of the corre-
`sponding level of cells, which circuit is completed by
`manually pushing push-button 41 in its operating posi-
`tion, thus causing energization of the motor 3 ‘with the
`result that the drum 1 is rotated about its axis. When the
`ring 12 arrives in the position in which the vertical row
`of cells including the cell containing the blanks corre-
`sponding to the specimen key 40 is in front of the verti-
`cal row of ejectors, the cam 22 associated to the ring 12
`effects opening of the limit switch 34. The relay R12 is
`de-energized and its armature r12 opens and causes
`de-energizing of the relay 19 which cuts the supply to
`the motor so that the drum stops in the selected angular
`position the brake 33 blocking the rotor of motor 3. At
`the same time, the armature r’12 closes the circuit of
`electromagnet 2712 of the corresponding level or super-
`posed series of cells and actuates the ejector so that a
`blank corresponding to the specimen key 40 is passed
`into the receptacle 26.
`FIG. 5 shows the complete wiring diagram of the
`dispenser comprising 60 templates 351 to 3550 disposed,
`in order to reduce the overall height of the control
`panel,
`in six columns each containing templates and
`each plate, like the plate 35 in the diagram in FIG. 4,
`offering eight slots corresponding to eight vertically
`aligned cells of the superposed series of cells.
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`KEYME EX. 1008, PAGE 8
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`KEYME EX. 1008, PAGE 8
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`5
`As an alternative to the simplified diagram of FIG. 4,
`the push-button 41 controlling the supply of motor 3 is
`disposed in an alternating current supply circuit of for
`example 220 volts. The supply circuit includes a trans-
`former 42 having multiple tappings and a rectifier
`bridge 43 providing for example a direct current of 35
`volts, while a rectifier bridge 44 is supplying a direct
`current of for example 24 volts to the magnetic brake 33
`and to the various relays referred to hereinabove. When
`energized, the armature r19 of the relay 19 closes the
`circuit of the motor and, when it is de-energized, it
`closes the circuit of the brake 33 through its armature
`r’19 to stop the drum in the selected angular position.
`The main source of ac. supplies directly the charging
`circuit of the capacitor 45 which is intended to provide
`the control pulse for the ejector electromagnets 2711 .
`.
`. 2713 at the time of discharge. This discharge occurs
`through armatures r’11 to r’12 of relays R 11 to R 1.2 as
`indicated above and via thyristors TH 11 to TH 18. The
`charging and discharging of the capacitor is controlled
`respectively by the armature r'45 of a charging relay R
`45 and by the armature r’46 of a relay RT 45 which is
`time controlled by a timing circuit 47, the time lag relay
`RT 45 likewise controlling through its armature r T 45
`the relay R 19 which starts and stops the motor 3;
`It frequently happens that the keys of one and the
`same manufacturer have identical cross-sections so that
`they can therefore be introduced into a same slot of the
`template, but are of different lengths. Nevertheless, in
`order that the shorter keys may close the circuit of the
`relay R corresponding to the cell containing the corre-
`sponding blanks, while on the other hand the longer
`keys of the same cross-section cannot close the circuit
`of the relays corresponding to the shorter blanks, the
`key blanks of different lengths and of the same cross-
`section are distributed over cells situated on different
`levels. In order to achieve this result, the templates 35
`comprise as shown in FIG. 4, behind the slot 36’ corre-
`sponding to the cross-section of keys of different
`lengths, supplementary terminals 37a” and 37a'". It will
`be assumed for example that the terminal 37' corre»
`sponds to the longest length of key and that the corre-
`sponding blanks are contained in a cell of the cell level
`controlled by relay R 14. Nevertheless, introduction of
`the specimen key at the same time completes the circuits
`of the terminals 37" and 37’” which corresponds to cells
`situated in the stages or levels referenced 13 and 14. In
`order to prevent the shortest or medium length blank
`being selected when the longest specimen key is in—
`serted, the relays R 13 and R 14 comprise supplemen-
`tary armatures r'13 and r’l4 mounted in series with the
`armature r 12 of the relay R 12 and which are mounted
`in such a way as to lock the circuit of the ejector 2712
`when the desired blank corresponds to the stage of the
`relay R 13 or R 14 and reciprocally a supplementary
`armature r"14 being mounted in series with the arma-
`ture r13 of the ejector electromagnet 2713, so that only
`the armature r14 of the relay R 14 produces operation
`of the electro-ejector 2714.
`The dispenser likewise comprises a direct manual
`control which makes it possible to select the blanks
`corresponding to the most current specimen keys which
`the operator knows by heart. In this case, instead of
`operating the drum by inserting the specimen key into
`one of the templates 35, the operator actuates one of the
`push button switches 481, 482, 483, 483 .
`.
`. which via
`horizontal conductors 49, 49’, 49” respectively con-
`nected to the vertical conductors 39', 39", 39’” .
`.
`. close
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`6
`the circuits of the stage relays R11 to R13, these push
`buttons being moreover connected to a conductor 50
`controlled by a supplementary armature r'” T 45 of the
`time delay relay RT 45. These push buttons 48 are asso-
`ciated with limit switches 51 connected to limit
`switches on the templates in which the blanks to be
`selected are located, so that the operation of the appara-
`tus based on actuation of the push buttons 48 is the same
`as that which has been described above.
`What is claimed is:
`1. In an apparatus for automatic selecting and dis-
`pensing a key blank corresponding to a specimen key to
`be reproduced having
`.
`a rotatable drum structure (1)
`radial cells (20) in each of which stacked blanks of the
`same model can be located provided in said drum
`structure;
`and ejector means (27, 28, 32) for ejecting a blank
`opposite to which a cell, containing blanks of the
`selected type has been moved by a rotary move-
`ment of the drum structure controlled by insertion
`of a specimen key (40) to be reproduced into a
`template (35) formed with at least one slot (36)
`having, in cross-section, a form identical to that of
`the specimen key,
`wherein in accordance with the invention, a number
`of superposed series of cells (20) are uniformly
`distributed on the periphery, of said drum structure
`(1), the cells of said series of cells being in vertical
`alignment, and each cell being capable to store a
`magazine (6) containing a supply of key blanks (7,
`8) of a same type;
`an electric motor (3) is provided connected to rotate
`the drum; and a magnetic brake (33) is provided for
`blocking the motor when the drum has reached a
`preselected position;
`said drum structure being formed with a central axi-
`ally extending aperture;
`a fixed support located within said aperture of the
`drum, the ejector means (27, 28, 32) being carried
`by said support and including one ejector device
`provided for each of said superposed series of cells,
`all ejector devices being disposed in a same diametrial
`plane of the .drum; said template including a control
`panel strip (35), the number of slots (36) in said strip
`corresponding to the total number of cells, for
`introduction of specimen keys (40), said slots being
`arranged in groups each of which have the number
`of slots corresponding to the number of superposed
`series of cells;
`means (37) controlled by insertion of a specimen key
`in a slot for establishing power supply to the motor
`circuit to start the motor (3), cam means (22) asso-
`ciated with each of said superposed series of cells,
`a cam operated switch (24) associated with each of
`said cam means to coact therewith when a selected
`cell containing a desired blank is brought in front of
`the ejector devices, and a relay controlled circuit
`means in which said switch is inserted for cutting
`off the motor (3), for operating the magnetic brake
`(33) and for operating the ejector means (27, 28, 32)
`corresponding to the selected one of said super-
`posed series of cells.
`2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an indi-
`vidual cam is fixedly associated with each of the rings
`and radially associated with the radial position of a cell
`which during rotation of the drum passes over the cam
`operated switches (24) corresponding respectively to
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`KEYME EX. 1008,- PAGE 9
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`KEYME EX. 1008, PAGE 9
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`4,159,783
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`7
`the cells, each switch controlling a circuit closed by
`introduction of a specimen key into the corresponding
`slot in the control panel; the relay controlled circuit
`means respectively containing the windings of relays of
`cells of which the armatures controls the triggering of
`the ejector device and the winding of a relay control-
`ling the circuit of the motor and the brake.
`3. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein each
`ejector device comprises an electromagnet having a
`movable armature cable controlled by the armature,
`and a steel tongue operated by said cable which has a
`thickness slightly less than that of a blank, said tongue
`being guided in the support for the electromagnet for
`acting on a key blank which is situated at the bottom of
`a pile of key blanks contained in a magazine contained
`in a cell.
`'
`
`4. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the maga-
`zines contained in the cells comprise a box open at the
`rear and at the back, and a vertical rod of sufficient
`length to engage in holes provided in the heads of a
`stack of blanks, and a spring urging the blanks towards
`the bottom of the cell, the rod stopping short of the
`lowest blank in the stack to permit ejection by the elec-
`tromagnet.
`5. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein
`circuit means are provided to connect the windings of
`the ejector electromagnets at the moment of their
`operation to receive the discharge of a capacitor;
`a charge circuit for the capacitor including a mul-
`titapped transformer;
`a rectifier bridge; a resistor;
`and a timing relay, to control the circuit of the motor
`and of the brake.
`6. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the relay
`controlled circuit means includes relay switch means
`respectively connected in the circuit controlled by
`the cam operated switches of the corresponding
`cells and further connected in series with a relay
`controlling the circuit of the motor and the brake,
`and controlling the discharge of the capacitor of
`the corresponding ejector.
`7. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the tem-
`plate formed with the slotsfor introduction of specimen
`keys corresponding to the superposed series of cells,
`which are contained in respective radial planes of the
`drum structure, comprises a plurality of conductive
`plates connected to a corresponding cam operated
`switch and wherein the end of a specimen key which is,
`in use, introduced therein connects a plate to one of a
`selected terminal, for selection of an individual cell.
`8. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein in the
`event of there being blanks of the same cross—section but
`of different lengths, the plates,
`in which are located
`slots having a form identical to this cross-section, com-
`prise a plurality of terminals situated at different dis-
`tances from the plate and corresponding to the different
`lengths of blanks of same cross-section, said terminals
`being respectively connected to the conductors feeding
`the ejector means of the series of cells in which these
`blanks of different lengths are respectively located, and
`relays controlling the discharge of the capacitor in the
`circuits of the ejector electromagnets, and comprising
`at least one supplementary armature disposed in series
`thereas and mounted to cut the supply circuit of the
`ejecting magnets not corresponding to the desired
`length of blank when the capacitor is discharged.
`9. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the arma-
`ture of each ejecting device controls the steel tongue for
`
`8
`acting on a blank to be ejected by means of a return
`device comprising a cable attached to the said armature
`for operating a smaller pulley which is rigidly rotatable
`with a second pulley operating the tongue through
`another cable, the diameter of this second pulley being
`greater than that of the first, smaller pulley whereby the
`stroke of the tongue is increased with respect to that of
`the armature of the electromagnet; and return means are
`provided for returning the armature and the tongue to
`their initial positions.
`10. An apparatus for automatically selecting and dis-
`pensing a key blank corresponding to a specimen key
`to be reproduced, comprising
`a cylindrical rotatable drum (1) having a central axi-
`ally extending aperture, said drum being rotatable
`about a fixed support located with said aperture,
`said drum being composed of a number of super-
`posed rings defining individual radially-located
`cells (20) each cell being capable of storing a dis-
`pensing magazine (6) containing one or more iden-
`tical key blanks (7, 8);
`an ejector means (27, 28, 32) for ejecting a key blank
`from said dispensing magazine, said ejector means
`being fixedly located within said aperture of said
`drum and including individual ejector devices, at
`least one of said ejector devices being provided for
`each superposed ring of cells;
`a drive means (3) coupled to said rotatable drum for
`rotating said rotatable drum relative to said fixed
`ejector means;
`a braking means (32) coupled to said drive means, for
`quickly stopping rotation of the drum when the
`drum has reached a predetermined position; and
`a control means including a key pattern sensing
`means (35, 36, 37) electrically connected to said
`drive means, brake means and ejector means,
`which upon insertion of the specimen key, acti-
`vates the drive means in accordance with the
`sensed pattern to selectively rotate said drum until
`the cell containing the required key blanks is
`aligned with the corresponding ejector device of
`said ring of cells, said control means being con-
`nected to deactivate the drive means and activate
`the braking means thereby stopping the predeter-
`mined cell in aligned position with said ejector
`device, and, uponactivation of said ejector device
`ejecting a key blank from said cell.
`11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said key pat-
`tern sensing means comprises a plurality of template
`slots corresponding in number to the number of cells
`contained in said drum, said slots each having a unique
`cross-sectional area.
`12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said slots are
`arranged in groups corresponding in number and posi-
`tion to Said vertically aligned cells.
`13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the cells of
`series are vertically aligned with cells of the superposed
`rings of cells.
`14. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said control
`means comprises a separate cam means for each of said
`vertically aligned cells and radially uniquely associated
`with axially aligned cells, and a switch associated with
`each of said cam means for de-energizing the drive
`means, energizing the brake means, and energizing the
`ejector means when a selected cell containing the de-
`sired blank is aligned with the ejector device.
`15. Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein each of
`said superimposed rings include a cam means, the re-
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`5
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`10
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`KEYME EX. 1008, PAGE 10
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`KEYME EX. 1008, PAGE 10
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`4,159,783
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`9
`spective cam means of the respective rings being radi-
`ally Shifted With respect to each other, and facmg the
`central apperture;
`a series of cam-operated switches, axially disposed
`within said drum and respectively actuated upon 5
`passage of a respective cam means passed one of
`the switches, upon rotation of the drum, to control
`the angular position of the drum by matching actu—
`ation of one of said switches with a key-pattem
`
`10
`
`10
`sensed by the sensing means, said sensing means
`additionally associating a selected one of said axi-
`ally aligned , rings with the radially determined
`posrtion lay the ”Farm selected cam and SWItCh
`combination, to uniquely 1dent1fyaspec1fic cell and
`permit control 0f ejection Of a blank from the
`uniquely identified cell.
`"
`*
`‘
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`*
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`"
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`15
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`20
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`25
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`30
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`KEYME EX. 1008, PAGE 11
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`KEYME EX. 1008, PAGE 11
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`WWW—T
`
`UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION
`
`
`
`PATENT N0.
`DATED
`
`INVENTOR(S)
`
`:
`;
`
`:
`
`£1,159,783
`July 3, 1979
`
`Serge CRASNIANSKI
`
`It is ce