Key cutting machine

1. A key cutting machine for performing a key cutting operation on a key blank comprising:

a housing capable of collecting key shavings during a key cutting operation;

a key cutting element located at least partially within said housing, said key cutting element capable of cutting a key pattern onto said key blank without said key blank contacting said housing during said key cutting operation;

a clamp mechanism connected to and outside of said housing for maintaining said key blank in a fixed orientation during the cutting operation; and

a vacuum port in fluid communication with said housing, said vacuum port capable of removeably connecting a vacuum tube that, when connected to said vacuum port, is capable of removing said key shavings from said housing during said key cutting operation and, when said tube is disconnected from said vacuum port, said tube can be used as a vacuum wand to remove key shavings on or surrounding said key cutting machine.

2. The key cutting machine of claim 1 , and further comprising a brush for buffing the cut key blank.

3. The key cutting machine of claim 1 wherein said vacuum port includes a quick-disconnect element permitting reliable connection and disconnection of said vacuum tube.

4. The vacuum system of claim 3 wherein said vacuum port is located within said housing.

5. The vacuum system of claim 4 wherein said quick-disconnect element comprises at least one aperture for receiving at least one connection element associated with said vacuum tube.

6. The vacuum system of claim 5 wherein said at least one connection element comprises at least one protrusion capable of being received within said at least one aperture associated with said vacuum port.

7. The vacuum system of claim 6 wherein said key cutting element is a key cutting wheel.

8. A vacuum system for removing key shavings from a key cutting machine during a key cutting operation on a key blank comprising:

a housing positioned at least partially about a key cutting element of said key cutting machine, said key cutting element capable of cutting a key pattern onto said key blank without said key blank contacting said housing during a key cutting operation;

a clamp mechanism connected to and outside of said housing for maintaining said key blank in a fixed orientation during the cutting operation;

a vacuum port in fluid communication with said housing;

a vacuum device; and

a tube connected to said vacuum device and removeably connected to said vacuum port, so that when said tube is connected to said vacuum port, said vacuum device is capable of removing said key shavings from said housing during the key cutting operation and, when said tube is disconnected from said vacuum port, said tube can be used as a vacuum wand to remove key shavings in an area generally surrounding said key cutting machine.

9. The vacuum system of claim 8 wherein said housing is capable of collecting key shavings during said key cutting operation.

10. The vacuum system of claim 9 , and further comprising a brush for buffing the cut key blank.

11. The vacuum system of claim 9 wherein said vacuum port includes a quick-disconnect element permitting reliable connection and disconnection of said vacuum tube.

12. The vacuum system of claim 11 wherein said vacuum port is located within said housing.

13. The vacuum system of claim 12 wherein said quick-disconnect element comprises at least one aperture for receiving at least one connection element associated with said vacuum tube.

14. The vacuum system of claim 13 wherein said at least one connection element comprises at least one protrusion capable of being received within said at least one aperture associated with said vacuum port.

15. The vacuum system of claim 14 wherein said key cutting element is a key cutting wheel.