US 12,128,486 B2
Key duplication system with key blank orientation detection features
Michael Schmidt, Gilbert, AZ (US); and Byron Grice, Phoenix, AZ (US)
Assigned to THE HILLMAN GROUP, INC., Cincinatti, OH (US)
Filed by The Hillman Group, Inc., Cincinnati, OH (US)
Filed on Jul. 2, 2020, as Appl. No. 16/919,363.
Application 16/919,363 is a continuation of application No. 15/919,693, filed on Mar. 13, 2018, granted, now 10,737,335.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/472,961, filed on Mar. 17, 2017.
Prior Publication US 2020/0331076 A1, Oct. 22, 2020
Int. Cl. B23C 3/35 (2006.01); B23Q 35/46 (2006.01)
CPC B23C 3/35 (2013.01) [B23C 3/355 (2013.01); B23Q 35/46 (2013.01); B23C 2235/28 (2013.01); B23C 2235/32 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A key blank receiving module for a key duplication system, comprising:
a slot configured to receive a shank of a key blank;
two opposing jaws configured to engage the received key blank, the two jaws having different lengths such that front ends of the two jaws are offset from each other along a longitudinal direction of the jaws, wherein a first jaw of the opposing jaws is fixed and a second jaw of the opposing jaws is movable;
an end stop configured to receive a tip of the shank of the key blank as the tip is inserted through the slot, the end stop being capable of linear displacement via insertion of the key blank; and
one or more sensors configured to detect the linear displacement of the end stop.