Apparatus for injection molding over-molded articles

An injection mold for producing over-molded articles comprising:

• a cavity plate having first and second cavities mounted thereon, said second cavity having a cavity depth less than the cavity depth of said first cavity;
• a core plate having a core mounted thereon, said core plate being movable relative to said cavity plate;
• a cavity extension comprising a pair of cavity elements located about said core, said cavity extension having a depth substantially equal to the difference between the cavity depths of said first cavity and said second cavity and defining a geometric configuration different from that of said first cavity;
• and
• cavity extension operating means on said core plate to move said pair of cavity elements between an open position wherein said core can be inserted into said first cavity between said pair of cavity elements and a closed position wherein said pair of cavity elements are combined with said second cavity to form a composite cavity which receives said core.

An injection mold for producing over-molded articles, comprising:

• a cavity plate having first and second cavities mounted thereon, said second cavity having a cavity volume greater than the cavity volume of said first cavity, each of said first and second cavities having means to receive an injection nozzle;
• a core plate having a core mounted thereon;
• a cavity extension adjacent said core;
• and
• cavity extension operating means on said core plate to move said cavity extension between a disengaged position, wherein said cavity extension is distal said first cavity and said mold is closed by inserting said core into said first cavity, and an engaged position, wherein said cavity extension combines with said second cavity to form a composite cavity and said mold is closed by inserting said core into said composite cavity.