Patents by Inventor William Giannakakos

William Giannakakos 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).

  • Patent number: 8495807
    Abstract: A prewinder apparatus attachable to a drive tool to install a helical coil insert includes a body connected to the drive tool. An adapter rotates and is releasably connected to the body at operator selected positions. A prewinder portion displaces in/out of the body. The prewinder portion translates into the body until a fastener engaged with the prewinder portion contacts a stop member defining a predetermined helical coil insert insertion depth. A mandrel axially extends from the prewinder portion when the prewinder portion moves into the body to rotatably insert the helical coil insert. A clutch engages/disengages the mandrel from a drive member. A second clutch or a stall device stalls the drive tool after coil insertion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Newfrey LLC
    Inventors: Jan Szewc, William Giannakakos, William J. Lutkus, Anthony Graham
  • Publication number: 20110158769
    Abstract: A helical-shaped insert to engage a threaded fastener to a receiving member includes a helical coil having a plurality of coil sections having inner and outer surfaces forming a thread shape, and opposing first and second coil end sections. A removable tang extends radially inward from the first coil end section. A continuously curved surface at a finished end of the second coil end section forms a tangent point where the continuously curved surface tangentially meets the second coil end section outer surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2011
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: NEWFREY LLC
    Inventors: William Giannakakos, William J. Lutkus, John F. Carvalho
  • Patent number: 7862283
    Abstract: A helical-shaped insert to engage a threaded fastener to a receiving member includes a helical coil having a plurality of coil sections having inner and outer surfaces forming a thread shape, and opposing first and second coil end sections. A removable tang extends radially inward from the first coil end section. A continuously curved surface at a finished end of the second coil end section forms a tangent point where the continuously curved surface tangentially meets the second coil end section outer surface. A notch in the first coil end section proximate to the tang and positioned between the inner and outer surfaces permits removal of the tang by mechanical failure at the notch. A second notch in the second coil end section and the continuously curved surface assist coil removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Newfrey LLC
    Inventors: William Giannakakos, William J Lutkus, John F Carvalho
  • Publication number: 20100325857
    Abstract: A prewinder apparatus attachable to a drive tool to install a helical coil insert includes a body connected to the drive tool. An adapter rotates and is releasably connected to the body at operator selected positions. A prewinder portion displaces in/out of the body. The prewinder portion translates into the body until a fastener engaged with the prewinder portion contacts a stop member defining a predetermined helical coil insert insertion depth. A mandrel axially extends from the prewinder portion when the prewinder portion moves into the body to rotatably insert the helical coil insert. A clutch engages/disengages the mandrel from a drive member. A second clutch or a stall device stalls the drive tool after coil insertion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: NEWFREY, LLC
    Inventors: Jan Szewc, William Giannakakos, William J. Lutkus, Anthony Graham
  • Patent number: 7634844
    Abstract: A prewinder apparatus attached to a drive tool to install helical coil inserts includes an adapter attached to the drive tool. A rotatable tubular sleeve in the adapter is engaged with the tool drive and has opposed engagement walls of a longitudinal slot extending through a hollow portion. A mandrel has a threaded first end and a pin transversely extending from a second end positioned within the longitudinal slot. A stop slides within the adapter member and rotatably receives the sleeve. The stop has a plurality of external threads. A stop regulator rotatably disposed in the adapter member has internal threads engaged with the stop external threads. The stop is axially displaceable within the adapter member and infinitely positionable along the stop external threads by manually rotating the stop regulator. A ball or male detent member biased to engage detent cavities of the stop regulator provides predetermined stop axial displacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: Newfrey LLC
    Inventors: Jan Szewc, William J. Lutkus, William Giannakakos
  • Publication number: 20070245533
    Abstract: A prewinder apparatus attached to a drive tool to install helical coil inserts includes an adapter attached to the drive tool. A rotatable tubular sleeve in the adapter is engaged with the tool drive and has opposed engagement walls of a longitudinal slot extending through a hollow portion. A mandrel has a threaded first end and a pin transversely extending from a second end positioned within the longitudinal slot. A stop slides within the adapter member and rotatably receives the sleeve. The stop has a plurality of external threads. A stop regulator rotatably disposed in the adapter member has internal threads engaged with the stop external threads. The stop is axially displaceable within the adapter member and infinitely positionable along the stop external threads by manually rotating the stop regulator. A ball or male detent member biased to engage detent cavities of the stop regulator provides predetermined stop axial displacement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2006
    Publication date: October 25, 2007
    Inventors: Jan Szewc, William Lutkus, William Giannakakos
  • Publication number: 20060222476
    Abstract: A helical-shaped insert to engage a threaded fastener to a receiving member includes a helical coil having a plurality of coil sections having inner and outer surfaces forming a thread shape, and opposing first and second coil end sections. A removable tang extends radially inward from the first coil end section. A continuously curved surface at a finished end of the second coil end section forms a tangent point where the continuously curved surface tangentially meets the second coil end section outer surface. A notch in the first coil end section proximate to the tang and positioned between the inner and outer surfaces permits removal of the tang by mechanical failure at the notch. A second notch in the second coil end section and the continuously curved surface assist coil removal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2005
    Publication date: October 5, 2006
    Inventors: William Giannakakos, William Lutkus, John Carvalho
  • Publication number: 20050238461
    Abstract: Disclosed are fastener inserts for preventing galvanic corrosion in fastener assemblies by coating fastener inserts with a resin bonded chromate free fluoropolymer composition having an average viscosity of between about 20 to 30 seconds at 25° C. Also disclosed is a method for providing coated inserts as well as the coated inserts produced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2004
    Publication date: October 27, 2005
    Inventors: William Lutkus, William Giannakakos
  • Patent number: 6860173
    Abstract: A tool for installing a helical coil insert in a tapped hole formed in a workpiece includes a tubular body having a bore extending along its axis, a mandrel coaxially disposed in the bore of the tubular body, a motor for rotating the mandrel, and an air cylinder for applying an axial force to the mandrel. The tubular body includes a recess at one end for carrying a helical coil insert in alignment with the bore. An opening in the tubular body allows a user access to the recess. The tubular body is moveable to position the helical coil into selective engagement with the mandrel, whereby rotation of the mandrel installs the helical coil insert a selected depth in the tapped hole of the workpiece. In addition, the mandrel slides axially within the bore of the tubular body to remove the tang from the helical coil insert upon installation of the helical coil insert in the tapped hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: Newfrey LLC
    Inventors: David W. Newton, William Giannakakos, William J. Lutkus, Michael Bardelli
  • Patent number: 6840728
    Abstract: The present invention provides for fastener inserts and methods of manufacturing the same. The fastener inserts include selectively removable tangs which can be broken away more cleanly than with other commercially available fastener inserts. Further, the methods of manufacture offer a significant improvement in the production process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: Newfrey LLC
    Inventors: William Giannakakos, John F. Carvalho, Roger Zitnay, J. Peter Ferreira
  • Publication number: 20040112179
    Abstract: A tool for installing a helical coil insert in a tapped hole formed in a workpiece includes a tubular body having a bore extending along its axis, a mandrel coaxially disposed in the bore of the tubular body, a motor for rotating the mandrel, and an air cylinder for applying an axial force to the mandrel. The tubular body includes a recess at one end for carrying a helical coil insert in alignment with the bore. An opening in the tubular body allows a user access to the recess. The tubular body is moveable to position the helical coil into selective engagement with the mandrel, whereby rotation of the mandrel installs the helical coil insert a selected depth in the tapped hole of the workpiece. In addition, the mandrel slides axially within the bore of the tubular body to remove the tang from the helical coil insert upon installation of the helical coil insert in the tapped hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2002
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventors: David W. Newton, William Giannakakos, William J. Lutkus, Michael Bardelli
  • Patent number: 6726422
    Abstract: Described herein are fastener inserts formed from a titanium alloy which reduce corrosion in a fastener assembly. In addition to reduced corrosion, particularly galvanic corrosion, the fastener insert is lightweight and provides improved strength to weight ratios as compared to stainless steel fastener inserts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Newfrey LLC
    Inventor: William Giannakakos
  • Patent number: 6726421
    Abstract: A helical thread insert having a removable tang attached to the front end of the insert, a retention device, and a removal notch located along the rear portion of the insert. The removable tang is oriented radially inward and includes a “V” shaped notch oriented along a bottom of a thread to detach the tang at a specified point. The retention device is located at a rear end of the thread insert and prevents counterclockwise, or removal rotation of the insert by engaging female threads of the bore in which the helical thread insert is disposed. The removal notch is formed along an inner surface of the insert proximal to the retention device to allow a tool to actuate the retention device inward, generally away from the female threads of a parent material, to allow relatively free counterclockwise rotation and removal of the thread insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Newfrey LLC
    Inventors: William Giannakakos, John F. Carvalho
  • Patent number: 6704984
    Abstract: A prewinder apparatus for selective attachment to an installation tool is provided. The prewinder apparatus includes a support structure selectively attachable to the installation tool, a prewinder attached to the support structure, the prewinder having first and second threaded apertures, and a mandrel having a threaded end and a coupling end. The threaded end is in threaded engagement with the second threaded aperture. The coupling end is in selective operable engagement with the drive tool, whereby the drive tool rotatably drives the mandrel relative to the prewinder for rotatably driving the helical coil insert through the second threaded aperture to prewind the helical coil insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Newfrey LCC
    Inventors: Jan Szewc, William J. Lutkus, William Giannakakos
  • Publication number: 20030215296
    Abstract: An insert useful for replacing damaged threads in a hole is provided. The damaged threads originally extend along an axial length of the hole. The insert has an inner surface having inner threads corresponding to the damaged threads being replaced. The insert also has an outer surface having outer threads extending an axial length that is greater than the originally extending axial length of the damaged threads. The insert may be used to replace damaged threads in a spark plug hole. A kit including the insert, a tap having a thread milling section, and a retention mechanism implement is also provided. Preferably, the retention mechanism implement is an expansion tool for imbedding knurled threads into surrounding material. The tap has torque engagement mechanism with an outer radial dimension which is substantially equal to or smaller than the maximum outer radial dimension of the tap. An associated method is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2002
    Publication date: November 20, 2003
    Inventors: John D. Botelle, Ron Phillips, William Giannakakos
  • Patent number: 6644149
    Abstract: An apparatus for removing helical thread inserts having a removal notch formed along a female thread surface. The apparatus can selectively extract helical thread inserts by selectively engaging the removal notch and actuating the end of the insert radially inward to prevent the end of the insert from engaging threads of the bore which it is disposed in. The apparatus includes a handle, a head attached to the handle, and a manually operable key. The head includes a bore formed therethrough having a central axis offset from central axis of the head, whereby the key is rotatably supported in the bore and includes an engaging lip for selectively engaging the removal notch of the insert and allowing for easier removal of the insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Newfrey LLC
    Inventors: William Giannakakos, William Lutkus, J. Peter Ferreira
  • Publication number: 20030190217
    Abstract: The present invention provides for fastener inserts and methods of manufacturing the same. The fastener inserts include selectively removable tangs which can be broken away more cleanly than with other commercially available fastener inserts. Further, the methods of manufacture offer a significant improvement in the production process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2003
    Publication date: October 9, 2003
    Inventors: William Giannakakos, John F. Carvalho, Roger Zitnay, J. Peter Ferreira
  • Patent number: 6588305
    Abstract: A notch-forming extraction tool for helically coiled wire inserts according to the invention includes a mandrel with a second end having a tooth adapted to form and be received by a notch of the insert. A first end opposite the second end is received in a bushing of a handle portion for connecting the mandrel to the handle. Left-hand rotation of the handle contracts the insert about the second end of the mandrel to facilitate removal of the insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Newfrey LLC
    Inventors: William Giannakakos, Roger L. Zitnay
  • Patent number: 6561913
    Abstract: The present invention provides for fastener inserts and methods of manufacturing the same. The fastener inserts include selectively removable tangs which can be broken away more cleanly than with other commercially available fastener inserts. Further, the methods of manufacture offer a significant improvement in the production process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Newfrey LLC
    Inventors: William Giannakakos, John F. Carvalho, Roger Zitnay, J. Peter Ferreira
  • Publication number: 20030086772
    Abstract: Described herein are fastener inserts formed from a titanium alloy which reduce corrosion in a fastener assembly. In addition to reduced corrosion, particularly galvanic corrosion, the fastener insert is lightweight and provides improved strength to weight ratios as compared to stainless steel fastener inserts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2001
    Publication date: May 8, 2003
    Inventor: William Giannakakos