Patents by Inventor Lee Wheelbarger

Lee Wheelbarger 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: 12377336
    Abstract: A training tool for tennis has a head assembly, a stand assembly, and a vertical polymer flexible rod assembly connecting the substantially polymer head assembly to the stand assembly. The vertical polymer flexible rod assembly oscillates when a ball member held in the head assembly is hit by a racket. The system is operably coupled to sensors and a processor designed to detect how effectively a user has hit the retained ball member with a racket. The head assembly is disposed on a top end of the vertical polymer flexible rod assembly at a concave portion of a proximal face of a retaining plate member designed to contiguously abut at least a distal surface of the top end of the vertical polymer flexible rod assembly, the retaining plate member coupled to a distal surface of a ball cup member by the proximal face of the retaining plate member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2025
    Inventors: Lenny Schloss, Lee Wheelbarger, Robert Cantrell
  • Patent number: 12370409
    Abstract: An alternate reality training system for tennis is operationally coupled to a head assembly, a stand assembly, and a vertical polymer flexible rod assembly connecting the substantially polymer head assembly to the stand assembly. The vertical polymer flexible rod assembly oscillates when a ball member held in the head assembly is hit by a racket. An alternate reality software system is adapted to synchronize with oscillations to present substantially simultaneous cues for hitting a physical ball member coupled to the head member and convert associated data to a virtual ball member adapted to visually present data from hitting the physical ball member and associated user data. Data includes variables of power, accuracy, timing, trajectory, spin, and impact sweet spot from which to calculate virtual ball flight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2025
    Inventors: Lenny Schloss, Lee Wheelbarger, Robert Cantrell
  • Publication number: 20240216778
    Abstract: A training tool for tennis has a head assembly, a stand assembly, and a vertical polymer flexible rod assembly connecting the substantially polymer head assembly to the stand assembly. The vertical polymer flexible rod assembly oscillates when a ball member held in the head assembly is hit by a racket. The system is operably coupled to sensors and a processor designed to detect how effectively a user has hit the retained ball member with a racket. The head assembly is disposed on a top end of the vertical polymer flexible rod assembly at a concave portion of a proximal face of a retaining plate member designed to contiguously abut at least a distal surface of the top end of the vertical polymer flexible rod assembly, the retaining plate member coupled to a distal surface of a ball cup member by the proximal face of the retaining plate member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2022
    Publication date: July 4, 2024
    Inventors: LENNY SCHLOSS, LEE WHEELBARGER, ROBERT CANTRELL
  • Publication number: 20220288457
    Abstract: An alternate reality training system for tennis is operationally coupled to a head assembly, a stand assembly, and a vertical polymer flexible rod assembly connecting the substantially polymer head assembly to the stand assembly. The vertical polymer flexible rod assembly oscillates when a ball member held in the head assembly is hit by a racket. An alternate reality software system is adapted to synchronize with oscillations to present substantially simultaneous cues for hitting a physical ball member coupled to the head member and convert associated data to a virtual ball member adapted to visually present data from hitting the physical ball member and associated user data. Data includes variables of power, accuracy, timing, trajectory, spin, and impact sweet spot from which to calculate virtual ball flight.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2022
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Inventors: LENNY SCHLOSS, LEE WHEELBARGER, ROBERT CANTRELL
  • Patent number: 8333671
    Abstract: A reciprocating ball sports trainer for improving an individual's ability to properly strike a ball. A ball is affixed to the top of flexible supports, allowing the ball to move in an arc once it is struck. A timing light is provided for illuminating a lens to indicate the proper time for the user to strike the ball. Various sensors are included for determining whether the ball was correctly struck. A number of parameters relating to the manner in which the ball was struck are sensed and recorded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Inventors: Lee Wheelbarger, Leonard J. Schloss