Patents by Inventor Nicholas J. Derba

Nicholas J. Derba 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: 10112097
    Abstract: A batting tee system includes a housing, a ball holder for holding a ball, a neck coupled between the housing and the ball holder, an actuator, and a control system. The actuator may be positioned in the housing and operable to actuate the neck along the axis to extend and retract the neck from the housing thereby increasing and decreasing a distance between the ball holder and the housing. The control system may be operable to cause the actuator to actuate the neck to a first random position along the axis. The control system may be further operable to cause the actuator to actuate the neck to a second random position along the axis, different than the first, after a ball is hit from the ball holder when the neck is in the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: Robosport Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Salvatore LoDuca, Michael R. LaLuna, Nicholas J. Derba
  • Publication number: 20180056160
    Abstract: A batting tee system includes a housing, a ball holder for holding a ball, a neck coupled between the housing and the ball holder, an actuator, and a control system. The actuator may be positioned in the housing and operable to actuate the neck along the axis to extend and retract the neck from the housing thereby increasing and decreasing a distance between the ball holder and the housing. The control system may be operable to cause the actuator to actuate the neck to a first random position along the axis. The control system may be further operable to cause the actuator to actuate the neck to a second random position along the axis, different than the first, after a ball is hit from the ball holder when the neck is in the first position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Applicant: Robosport Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Salvatore LoDuca, Michael R. LaLuna, Nicholas J. Derba
  • 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