Patent ID: 6921256

Claim:
A mold positioning system ( 10 ) for use in guiding and aligning first and second mold segments ( 11 , 13 ) in a mold assembly ( 8 ), wherein the mold positioning system ( 10 ) comprises (a) a male member ( 12 ) attached to the first mold segment ( 11 ) and having a tongue portion ( 14 ) with first and second sides ( 52 , 54 ); and (b) a female member ( 20 ) attached to the second mold segment ( 13 ) and having a groove ( 26 ) with first and second inner surfaces ( 28 , 30 ) configured to receive the tongue portion ( 14 ) of the male member ( 12 ) so that the first and second sides of the tongue portion ( 14 ) are adjacent the first and second inner surfaces of the groove ( 26 ) when closing the mold assembly ( 8 ); characterized in that the mold positioning system ( 10 ) further comprises: a channel ( 32 , 34 , 56 , 58 ) formed within at least one of the first and second sides and first and second inner surfaces of the male member ( 12 ) and female member ( 20 ) respectively; and at least one replaceable insert ( 36 ) having a base portion ( 38 ) configured to be received by a channel and a flange portion ( 40 ) having at least one edge overhanging the base portion, the flange portion serving as a wear surface, the replaceable insert ( 36 ) being removable from the channel for replacement to increase the life of the male and female members ( 12 , 20 ).