Patents by Inventor Michael A. Hoopes

Michael A. Hoopes 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).

  • Apparatus and methods for weight distribution and sway control
    Patent number: 8186702
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to apparatus, systems, and methods for distributing the weight of a trailer to a towing vehicle and controlling the sway of that trailer relative to the towing vehicle. An embodiment of the present invention includes a spring arm coupled to the towing vehicle and an attachment mechanism for selectively placing the spring arm in mechanical communication with the trailer. The attachment mechanism includes a bracket assembly reversibly attachable to the trailer; a shoe bracket reversibly attachable to the bracket assembly; and a friction pad coupled to the shoe bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Cequent Trailer Products Inc.
    Inventors: Richard W. McCoy, Michael A. Hoopes
  • Single jaw mechanism for fifth wheel hitch
    Patent number: 7654552
    Abstract: A jaw for a fifth wheel hitch assembly includes a jaw body having a stepped bearing surface. A jaw assembly for a fifth wheel hitch assembly includes a jaw body, a control handle and a connecting link where the connecting link is pivotally connected to the control handle on the jaw body. A fifth wheel hitch assembly includes a base assembly for mounting to a towing vehicle, a head assembly carried on the base assembly and a jaw assembly carried on the head assembly. That jaw assembly includes a jaw body having a stepped bearing surface for engaging a king pin of a trailer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Cequent Towing Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Hoopes, Richard W. McCoy, Thomas W. Lindenman, Anthony S. Roberts
  • Apparatus and methods for weight distribution and sway control
    Publication number: 20080143078
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to apparatus, systems, and methods for distributing the weight of a trailer to a towing vehicle and controlling the sway of that trailer relative to the towing vehicle. An embodiment of the present invention includes a spring arm coupled to the towing vehicle and an attachment mechanism for selectively placing the spring arm in mechanical communication with the trailer. The attachment mechanism includes a bracket assembly reversibly attachable to the trailer; a shoe bracket reversibly attachable to the bracket assembly; and a friction pad coupled to the shoe bracket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2007
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Inventors: Richard W. McCoy, Michael A. Hoopes
  • Jaw assembly for fifth wheel hitch assembly
    Publication number: 20040070170
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a jaw assembly and a fifth wheel hitch assembly incorporating that jaw assembly. The jaw assembly includes a control handle, a jaw bolt connected to the control handle and a biasing element. The jaw bolt includes an arcuate edge portion having a radius of curvature of between about 1.24 and about 3.24 inches. The fifth wheel hitch assembly includes a frame, a head assembly mounted on that frame and the above-described jaw assembly carried by that head assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2003
    Publication date: April 15, 2004
    Inventors: Thomas W. Lindenman, Richard W. McCoy, Michael A. Hoopes
  • Hitch bar
    Patent number: D475327
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Reese Products Inc.
    Inventors: Richard W. McCoy, Thomas W. Lindenman, Michael A. Hoopes
  • Face plate for oval tube hitch receiver
    Patent number: D424989
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: Reese Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard W. McCoy, Chad A. McCoige, Donald L. Pancheri, Michael A. Hoopes
  • Elliptical tube receiver with extended bracket
    Patent number: D424990
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: Reese Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard W. McCoy, Chad A. McCoige, Donald L. Pancheri, Michael A. Hoopes
  • Pair of elliptical tubes for hitch receiver
    Patent number: D427118
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: Reese Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard W. McCoy, Chad A. McCoige, Donald L. Pancheri, Michael A. Hoopes
  • Calcium hypochlorite tablet
    Patent number: D685080
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Eagle Controlled 2 Ohio Spinco, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard H. Ferguson, Rebecca Craig Fulmer, Michael A. Hoops