ALEXANDRIA, Va., June 25 -- United States Patent no. 12,337,448, issued on June 24, was assigned to Laitram LLC (Harahan, La.).
"Hinge-rod removal and insertion tool" was invented by David Hess (Kenner, La.), Stephen M. Melancon (Mandeville, La.), Adam E. Bannerman (Mandeville, La.), Rob O. Brady (Sarasota, Fla.), Jason L. Viera (Bradenton, Fla.), Erik A. Holmen (Lakewood Ranch, Fla.) and Joel R. Chartier (Lakewood Ranch, Fla.).
According to the abstract* released by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office: "A hinge-rod removal and insertion tool for opening and closing modular conveyor belts during installation and servicing. The tool is a pliers with jaws forming a split aperture. The jaws open to admit the end of the hinge rod of a modular ...