Patents by Inventor Gerritt W. Kroeze

Gerritt W. Kroeze has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Quick release fastener engagement tool
    Patent number: 11364608
    Abstract: A tool for use with Quick Release (QR) fasteners, and related methods and kits. The tool generally includes an elongate main body with a fastener-receiving area. The fastener-receiving area is configured to simultaneously support the head of the QR fastener and depress the button of the QR fastener. The fastener-receiving area includes a slot that is distally and downwardly open, two shoulders that bound the slot, and a ventral surface. The QR fastener is inserted into the slot so that the head of the QR fastener rests on the first and second shoulders, the collar portion of the QR fastener extends through the slot, and the ventral surface depresses the button of the QR fastener. With the button depressed in this fashion, the retention feature of the QR fastener is released, which allows the worker to manipulate the QR fastener by moving the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Jay Wallace Colacecchi, Gerritt W. Kroeze, Mark James Wilson
  • Quick Release Fastener Engagement Tool
    Publication number: 20200223040
    Abstract: A tool for use with Quick Release (QR) fasteners, and related methods and kits. The tool generally includes an elongate main body with a fastener-receiving area. The fastener-receiving area is configured to simultaneously support the head of the QR fastener and depress the button of the QR fastener. The fastener-receiving area includes a slot that is distally and downwardly open, two shoulders that bound the slot, and a ventral surface. The QR fastener is inserted into the slot so that the head of the QR fastener rests on the first and second shoulders, the collar portion of the QR fastener extends through the slot, and the ventral surface depresses the button of the QR fastener. With the button depressed in this fashion, the retention feature of the QR fastener is released, which allows the worker to manipulate the QR fastener by moving the tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2019
    Publication date: July 16, 2020
    Inventors: Jay Wallace Colacecchi, Gerritt W. Kroeze, Mark James Wilson