Abstract: A flex plate for a guiding device of an injection molding machine includes a body extending between a front surface, a back surface, a top surface, and a bottom surface. A plurality of through holes extend between the top surface and the bottom surface for aligning the flex plate with a foot of the guiding device, and a plurality of guide shoe holes formed in the bottom surface of the flex plate couple the flex plate to a guide shoe of the guiding device. A front plate couples the front surface of the flex plate to the foot of the guiding device, and a plurality of slots define a central portion of the flex plate. The central portion of the flex plate is elastically deformable about a torsional axis and can pivot relative to the guide shoe and foot of the guiding device.

Abstract: Apparatus for actuation of split locking nuts of a two platen injection molding machine. Each split locking nut has opposed mating nut halves movable in translation relative to a strain rod therebetween to selectably engage the strain rod. Mating nut halves of two split locking nuts are interconnected by connecting rods to define a pair of split nuts: a master split locking nut driven by an actuator; and a slave split locking nut to which motion is transferred by the connecting rods. Motion of a driven nut half of each master split locking nut is coupled to the opposed mating nut half by at least one coupling mechanism, each comprising a pivot arm and two pivot links interposed between the pivot arm and the opposed mating nut halves whereby translation of a driven nut half is coupled to effect equal and opposite translation of the opposed mating nut half.

Abstract: Apparatus for actuation of split locking nuts of a two platen injection molding machine. Each split locking nut has opposed mating nut halves movable in translation relative to a strain rod therebetween to selectably engage the strain rod. Mating nut halves of two split locking nuts are interconnected by connecting rods to define a pair of split nuts: a master split locking nut driven by an actuator; and a slave split locking nut to which motion is transferred by the connecting rods. Motion of a driven nut half of each master split locking nut is coupled to the opposed mating nut half by at least one coupling mechanism, each comprising a pivot arm and two pivot links interposed between the pivot arm and the opposed mating nut halves whereby translation of a driven nut half is coupled to effect equal and opposite translation of the opposed mating nut half.