Patents Assigned to Progress Mfg. Inc.
  • Publication number: 20110215286
    Abstract: A system for supporting a vehicle. The system may include a vehicle jack in mechanical communication with a jack foot and a striker plate. The jack foot is rotatable relative to the vehicle jack on a rotation axis disposed on the vehicle jack and perpendicular to a long axis of the vehicle jack. The jack foot includes a base at a distal end of the jack foot. The jack foot also includes a cam surface at least in part at a proximal end of the jack foot. The cam surface is aligned with the striker plate and interacts with the striker plate to rotate the jack foot in response to movement of the vehicle jack from a lowered position to a raised position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Applicant: Progress Mfg. Inc.
    Inventor: Jason Harper
  • Patent number: 7967320
    Abstract: An accessory for trailer hitch systems having components for equalizing loads and reducing trailer sway. The accessory includes a jacket for attaching to a bracket that supports a load equalizing spring bar. The bracket may include a lateral extending portion for supporting the spring bar. The jacket may include a socket for receiving the lateral extending portion of the bracket, such that the jacket may be removably installed on the bracket. The jacket may include a contact surface for contacting the spring bar. The contact surface may include a different coefficient of friction or a different shape, as compared to the lateral extending portion of the bracket, such that movement of the spring bar with respect to the bracket may be altered as compared to conditions in which the spring bar is supported on the bracket without the jacket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Progress Mfg, Inc.
    Inventors: Jed K. Anderson, Matthew C. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7934742
    Abstract: An apparatus for raising a spring arm of a trailer hitch. The apparatus may include a lift, such as a jack, for attaching to a tongue of a trailer. A link member may be pivotally attached to the lift. The link member may also be pivotally attached to a bracket which may be attached to the spring arm. A brace member may be attached to the link member on an end opposite the bracket. As the lift raises the link member, the link member may pivot about the brace member such that movement of the bracket may be amplified as compared to movement of the lift. Moreover, lifting of the spring arm can be easily accomplished.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Progress Mfg., Inc.
    Inventors: Jed Anderson, Fred P. Smith
  • Publication number: 20100320040
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to trailer and towing safety devices, and more particularly, but not necessarily entirely, to trailer automatic braking devices that initiate braking when a trailer becomes separated from its tow vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Applicant: Progress Mfg. Inc.
    Inventor: Jed Anderson
  • Publication number: 20080277903
    Abstract: An apparatus for raising a spring arm of a trailer hitch. The apparatus may include a lift, such as a jack, for attaching to a tongue of a trailer. A link member may be pivotally attached to the lift. The link member may also be pivotally attached to a bracket which may be attached to the spring arm. A brace member may be attached to the link member on an end opposite the bracket. As the lift raises the link member, the link member may pivot about the brace member such that movement of the bracket may be amplified as compared to movement of the lift. Moreover, lifting of the spring arm can be easily accomplished.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2008
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Applicant: PROGRESS MFG., INC.
    Inventors: Jed Anderson, Fred P. Smith
  • Patent number: 7025370
    Abstract: A hitch head is disclosed as part of a trailer hitch. The hitch head may include an upper surface having an opening for receiving a stem of a hitch ball. A back side of the hitch head may include a pair of ridges for defining an area for receiving an attaching member for attaching the trailer hitch to a towing vehicle. The hitch head may also include a pair of weld recesses between the ridges for defining channels for receiving welds. The ridges and the recesses on the hitch head allow the attaching member to be positioned and welded to the hitch head in a more time efficient manner. The ridges and recess are also configured to reduce the amount of weld material required to weld the attaching member to the hitch head without reducing the strength of the welds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Progress Mfg. Inc.
    Inventors: Jed Anderson, Kenneth Mauerman