Leader pin locking device

A leader pin and bushing combination for aligning mold halves, said leader pin integrally comprising a cylindrical base, a frustoconical tapered portion with a broad end and a narrow and integrally formed at its broad end onto one end of said cylindrical base, and a guide pin projecting away from said narrow and;

• said leader pin including a shoulder having a diameter which is larger than the diameter of said tapered portion formed on the end of said cylindrical base opposite said tapered portion, said bushing comprising a sleeve having an opening with internal contours which are complementary to the outer contours of said tapered section and said guide pin, the tapered portions of said leader pin and said bushing guiding and directing said mold halves into alignment as they close.

A leader pin and bushing combination for aligning mold halves, said leader pin integrally comprising a cylindrical base, a frustoconical tapered portion with a broad end and a narrow end integrally formed at its broad end onto one end of said cylindrical base, and a guide pin projecting away from said narrow end;

• said bushing comprising a sleeve having an opening with internal contours which are complementary to the outer contours of said tapered section and said guide pin, the tapered portions of said leader pin and said bushing guiding and directing said mold halves into alignment as they close, said bushing including a shoulder on the end of said sleeve.

A tool having opposed parts which open and close during a work cycle, a plurality of leader pins mounted on at least one of said parts with opposing bushings mounted on the other of said parts, said leader pins and bushing cooperating to form guides for aligning said parts as they open and close, said leader pins and bushing having complementary contours comprising first elongated cylindrical members for slidingly guiding said parts during final closing movement of said parts, and second and frustoconical members formed on the end of said cylindrical member for aligning said parts as they move toward said final closing movement, said frustoconical parts in said complementary contours terminating in abutting ledges which come together to limit closing travel of said parts in order to limit the pressure between said frustoconical members.

The tool of claim 4 or claim 6 wherein said leader pins and said bushings are separate and removable parts which may be replaced when worn, and shoulders on said pins and bushings for accurately positioning them when they are replaced.