ALEXANDRIA, Va., July 14 -- United States Patent no. 12,678,995, issued on July 14, was assigned to SIMPSON STRONG-TIE COMPANY INC. (Pleasanton, Calif.).

"Sealant spreader device for use in filling voids in prepared holes for glued-in-rod structures" was invented by Steven E. Pryor (Carson City, Nev.), Emory L. Montague (Pleasanton, Calif.), Guy T. Anderson (Ashland, Ore.), Quentin Hibben (Elburn, Ill.), Corey Clark (Hendersonville, Tenn.), Marlou Rodriguez (Naperville, Ill.), Randy Daudet (Richland, Wash.), Robert Leichti (Bend, Ore.), Paul McEntee (Fremont, Calif.), Michael Wesson (Elk Grove, Calif.), Donald Weems (Manteca, Calif.) and Von Yang (Stockton, Calif.).

According to the abstract* released by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office...