The Hillman Group, Inc.

Mike Mueller

Kenneth C Booth

George Lynn Hagen

Mark Leslie Tarter

Carl T Ito

Scott Basham

Ryan Hamblin

Mark Yeary

A key model identification and feedback system includes a key identification housing, a master key receiving aperture, a master key identifier, a processor in communication with the master key identifier, and a feedback module. The processor is configured to access a database defining a plurality of known key models, compare the physical characteristics of the master key with physical characteristics of the known key models in the database to identify a model of the master key, and communicate the model of the master key to the feedback module coupled to the key identification housing. The feedback module, responsive to the communication from the processor, outputs an indication of the model of the master key and directions to a location remote from the key identification housing where a key blank having the same model of the master key is available for duplicating the master key.

Master key identification and feedback system

A key duplication system may include a housing, a key blank receiving aperture, a cutter and a clamp adjacent to the receiving aperture, wherein the key blank is guided to a predetermined position in relation to the cutter through engagement of a carrier with the housing. A method of aligning a key blank blade with a key blank carrier in relation to a cutter may include guiding a key blade into a cutting position through contact with a key blade receiving aperture, securing at least a portion of the carrier with a clamp, cutting a key bit pattern into the key blank blade and releasing the key blank.

Interaction between a key duplication housing and a key blank carrier

Implementations of key blank carriers or key blanks with a standard reference features may include alignment features on a key blank head, key blank tip, a key blank carrier coupled to a key blank sleeve and/or a key blank sleeve, and any feature directly attached to any portion of the key that may be used for referencing in the key duplication system, or any combination of these. The standard reference features may allow any key blank brand model to interface with the machine so as to consistently align each key, regardless of its make and model, for cutting in a universally configured key blank clamp that is clamped to reduce the movement of the key blank during duplication cutting.

Key blank and carrier adapted for positioning a key blank in a cutter during bit cutting

A key duplication system comprising a key duplication housing wherein at least one key receiving aperture on a first side of the housing sized to receive a key blade and at least one key clamp adjacent to the at least one key receiving aperture, the clamp comprising a first clamp arm with a surface topography corresponding to a first key blade surface topography and a second clamp arm with a surface topography corresponding to a second key blade different from the first key blade.

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Phoenix, AZ, United States of America

Mike Mueller