Apparatus for injection molding elongated objects

An injection molding apparatus having a main axis, comprising:

• a mold structure including a mold cavity therein;
• an elongated core disposed in the mold cavity such that a mold envelope is defined between the mold cavity and the core, the mold envelope being bounded by an inner sidewall, an inner endwall disposed at an end of the inner sidewall, an outer sidewall spaced apart from the inner sidewall, and an outer endwall spaced apart from the inner endwall;
• a nozzle disposed adjacent the outer endwall, including an interior channel in fluid communication with the mold envelope;
• a valve gate pin disposed in the nozzle and moveable along the main axis between a closed position in which it forms a part of the outer endwall and blocks fluid flow between the interior channel and the mold envelope, and an open position in which it permits fluid flow between the interior channel and the mold envelope;
• and
• a locking pin disposed within the core and moveable along the main axis between a retracted position in which the locking pin is free of the outer endwall, and an extended position in which the locking pin is received within the outer endwall so as to prevent relative lateral movement of the core and the mold cavity.