Patent ID: 8048184

Claim:
A baffle tool that permits a baffle, such as may be used to filter an airstream passing through a hood, to be safely and reliably manually removed and installed by a person who may remain standing on the floor, comprising: a longitudinally extensive handle; a pair of filter plates, each of said pair of filter plates pivotal with respect to each other of said filter plates and to said handle; filter-engaging prongs protruding from said filter plates distal to said handle; an actuator moveable with respect to said handle; and a pair of rods linking said actuator to said filter plates; a first quadrilateral linkage defined on a first side by a first one of said pair of rods, on a second side by a first one of said pair of filter plates, on a third side by said longitudinally extensive handle, and on a fourth side by actuator; a second quadrilateral linkage defined on a first side by a second one of said pair of rods, on a second side by a second one of said pair of filter plates, on a third side by said longitudinally extensive handle, and on a fourth side by actuator, said first side and said third side crossing each other; such that movement of said actuator effects pivotal movement of said filter plates relative to said handle.