Patent ID: 6893249

Claim:
A valve pin actuating mechanism for use with a valve pin, the valve pin being moveable in a portion of a melt passage of an injection molding machine, the melt passage having an inlet for receiving melt from a melt source, the valve pin actuating mechanism comprising: a valve pin guiding element for connection to the valve pin and for guiding the valve pin along a line of travel, said valve pin guiding element having first and second receiving surfaces, wherein at least one of said receiving surfaces is substantially perpendicular to said line of travel; a linkage element, said linkage element having first and second arms having inwardly facing, opposed engagement surfaces for engaging said first and second receiving surfaces on said valve pin guiding element; and an actuator for moving said linkage element; wherein at least a portion of said valve pin is engaged directly by at least one of said first and second engagement surfaces.