Quick change mold insert

Claim 1

A mold adapted for mounting in an injection molding machine comprising: first and second relatively movable mold members coacting in a mold-closed position to define a molding cavity for shaping a molded article, at least one of said members having a sidewall which is readily accessible to a machine operator from the exterior of the mold without removing the mold from the machine; a socket in said one mold member opening into said cavity, said socket having a mouth portion contiguous said cavity which is wider than the remainder of the socket and defines a seat receiving the head of a mold insert; a replaceable mold insert in said socket for changing the mold cavity detail as desired; a molding head on one end of said insert having a shape complementary to said seat, said head being nested in said seat and in-part defining said cavity; a shank extending from said head into the remainder of said socket, said shank having a girth less than said head; a camming surface on the end of said shank opposite said head for dislodging said insert from said socket when engaged by an appropriate tool; at least one mortice in said shank proximate said camming surface said mortice being defined in part by an anchoring surface; a passage in said one member extending between said socket and said sidewall and providing access to said mortice and camming surfaces; and an invertible retaining pin slidable within said access passage to secure said molding head fixedly within said seat throughout a plurality of successive molding cycles, said pin having a wedging surface thereon for engaging said anchoring surface and drawing said head tightly into said seat when said pin is oriented in a first position and subsequently engaging said camming surface for dislodging said insert from said socket when said pin is inverted relative to said first position.