Patents by Inventor Michael Richard Laluna

Michael Richard Laluna 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: 9033828
    Abstract: A ball hitting training device for batting practice including a stand, a moveable ball holder supported by the stand, and an electronic controller. The electronic controller can move the ball holder side-to-side horizontally, in a swinging motion vertically, inward and outward horizontally, and/or up and down. A vacuum pump and a suction line can support a ball via a suction cup which is part of the ball holder. A computer including memory and a program are included to determine a three dimensional baseball strike zone for a player based on inputs as to at least the player's height and shoulder location. The electronic controller directs the ball holder to move the ball through the determined three-dimensional strike zone at various heights during a batting training session to train the hand-eye movement of a batter to hit the ball at varying locations within the determined three-dimensional strike zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Robosport Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Salvatore LoDuca, Michael Richard LaLuna, Nicholas J. Derba
  • Publication number: 20130203527
    Abstract: A ball hitting training device for batting practice including a stand, a moveable ball holder supported by the stand, and an electronic controller. The electronic controller can move the ball holder side-to-side horizontally, in a swinging motion vertically, inward and outward horizontally, and/or up and down. A vacuum pump and a suction line can support a ball via a suction cup which is part of the ball holder. A computer including memory and a program are included to determine a three dimensional baseball strike zone for a player based on inputs as to at least the player's height and shoulder location. The electronic controller directs the ball holder to move the ball through the determined three-dimensional strike zone at various heights during a batting training session to train the hand-eye movement of a batter to hit the ball at varying locations within the determined three-dimensional strike zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Inventors: Salvatore LoDuca, Michael Richard LaLuna, Nicholas J. Derba
  • Patent number: 8425352
    Abstract: A hitting training aid is provided, such as a mechanical tee for batting practice. The mechanical tee may present a ball to a batter at various heights, positions, speeds, and angles to simulate real game conditions. The mechanical tee may include a vertical stand with a variable position, retractable post that supports flexible tubing with a suction cup at the end to hold a ball in a suspended manner for striking. The mechanical tee may have a motor and vacuum pump configuration to provide suction, and may automatically feed balls to a batter. The vertical stand may additionally have an air compressor and an attachment for pneumatically tossing or propelling a ball upward for striking. The mechanical tee may move, or toss, a ball to variable and/or random placements within a three dimensional strike zone. A portable stand may have several telescopic pistons for lifting a ball at various placements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Robosport Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Salvatore Loduca, Michael Richard Laluna
  • Publication number: 20130085020
    Abstract: A hitting training aid is provided, such as a mechanical tee for batting practice. The mechanical tee may present a ball to a batter at various heights, positions, speeds, and angles to simulate real game conditions. The mechanical tee may include a vertical stand with a variable position, retractable post that supports flexible tubing with a suction cup at the end to hold a ball in a suspended manlier for striking. The mechanical tee may have a motor and vacuum pump configuration to provide suction, and may automatically feed balls to a batter. The vertical stand may additionally have an air compressor and an attachment for pneumatically tossing or propelling a ball upward for striking. The mechanical tee may move, or toss, a ball to variable and/or random placements within a three dimensional strike zone. A portable stand may have several telescopic pistons for lifting a ball at various placements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Inventors: SALVATORE LODUCA, Michael Richard Laluna