Patents by Inventor Joseph R. McNeal

Joseph R. McNeal 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: 9655783
    Abstract: Examples of strap attachment systems and goggles including same are described. Goggles according to the present examples may include a lens, a strap connector attached to the lens, and a strap including an attachment portion configured to be removably coupled to the strap connector. The strap connector may be fixedly or removably attached to the lens, and in certain examples the strap connector is pivotally coupled to the lens. A strap connector according to some examples herein includes a first molded body including a passage and a second molded body including a post, the passage configured to engage the post when inserted into the passage to secure the connector to the lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Smith Optics, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph R. McNeal
  • Patent number: 9642749
    Abstract: Goggles, goggle frames, and methods for adjusting a fit of a goggle frame are disclosed. In an example goggle, the goggle includes a frame and a lens. The frame includes a lens receiving portion and a face contact portion. The face contact portion includes a nose recess including an adjustable member for changing a contour of the face contact portion. The lens is configured to be mounted to the lens receiving portion. In an example goggle frame, the goggle frame includes a lens opening for mounting a lens thereto and a nose recess portion including a fit adjustment member. The fit adjustment member is configured to be deformed from an undeformed shape to a deformed shape and to retain the deformed shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Smith Optics, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph R. McNeal, George T. Giroux
  • Patent number: 9345622
    Abstract: A goggle is disclosed having a frame with upper and lower frame portions with the upper frame portion being substantially more rigid than the lower frame portion. A fastener secures the upper perimeter of a lens to the upper frame portion. The lower portion includes slots receiving tabs extending from opposing sides of a notch in the lens for receiving the wearer's nose. The fastener includes an elongate member insertable within a slot formed in the lens and rotatable to a crosswise position hindering removal of the elongate member from the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Smith Optics, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph R. McNeal, George T. Giroux
  • Patent number: 9072331
    Abstract: Goggles, goggle attachment systems, and helmets are described. One such goggle attachment system includes an attachment post and a resilient goggle strap tab. The attachment post includes a post portion and a stop and the goggle strap tab includes an opening. The goggle strap tab is configured to be stretched and the opening pulled over the stop and onto to the post portion. The goggle strap tab is retained on the post portion by the stop. An example goggle includes a frame, a resilient strap attached to the frame, and a resilient goggle strap tab attached to the strap. The goggle strap tab having an opening disposed between a strap tab and a tab pull. The goggle strap tab is configured to stretch when pulled by the tab pull along a longitudinal axis and the opening being asymmetrical about an axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis when stretched.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Smith Optics, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph R. McNeal
  • Patent number: 9044057
    Abstract: Goggles, goggle attachment systems, and helmets are described. One such goggle attachment system includes an attachment post and a resilient goggle strap tab. The attachment post includes a post portion and a stop and the goggle strap tab includes an opening. The goggle strap tab is configured to be stretched and the opening pulled over the stop and onto to the post portion. The goggle strap tab is retained on the post portion by the stop. An example goggle includes a frame, a resilient strap attached to the frame, and a resilient goggle strap tab attached to the strap. The goggle strap tab having an opening disposed between a strap tab and a tab pull. The goggle strap tab is configured to stretch when pulled by the tab pull along a longitudinal axis and the opening being asymmetrical about an axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis when stretched.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Smith Optics, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph R. McNeal
  • Patent number: 9009874
    Abstract: Lens assemblies and goggles are disclosed. One example lens assembly includes a lens having a plurality of vent openings and having a button opening elongated in shape. A button configured to fit and slide in the button opening includes a portion that extends through the lens and terminates in a button end. A shutter having a plurality of vent openings and a button attachment opening is attached to the button end at the button attachment opening. The vent openings of the shutter overlap the vent openings of the lens with the button in a first position and the vent openings of the lens covered by the shutter with the button in a second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Smith Optics, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph R. McNeal
  • Patent number: 8938819
    Abstract: Lens assemblies and goggles are disclosed. One example goggle includes a lens assembly. The lens assembly includes a lens and a ventilation shutter configured to cover vent openings of the lens in a first position and expose the vent openings of the lens in a second position. The shutter has substantially the same transparency as the lens and is slidably attached to the lens by a button. The button extends from an exterior lens surface through the lens to an interior lens surface and has a button end configured to extend through the shutter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Smith Optics, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph R. McNeal
  • Publication number: 20140250573
    Abstract: Examples of strap attachment systems and goggles including same are described. Goggles according to the present examples may include a lens, a strap connector attached to the lens, and a strap including an attachment portion configured to be removably coupled to the strap connector. The strap connector may be fixedly or removably attached to the lens, and in certain examples the strap connector is pivotally coupled to the lens. A strap connector according to some examples herein includes a first molded body including a passage and a second molded body including a post, the passage configured to engage the post when inserted into the passage to secure the connector to the lens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: SMITH OPTICS, INC.
    Inventor: JOSEPH R. MCNEAL
  • Publication number: 20140185002
    Abstract: Eyewear and eyewear frames are described, which may include temples having a contoured profile for a cooperating fit, for example, with circumaural headsets. Eyewear frames according to the examples herein may include a pair of temples coupled to a front portion of a frame, each of the temples having a hinge portion and an arm portion. The arm portions may bend inward from the hinge portion towards a region defined between the temples and may bend outward and curve around a head of a wearer for a conformal fit with the head of the wearer. The arm portion of the temples may further have a generally flattened profile in the transverse cross-section to provide a low profile against the head of the wearer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: Smith Optics, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph R. McNeal
  • Publication number: 20140115761
    Abstract: Goggles, goggle frames, and methods for adjusting a fit of a goggle frame are disclosed. In an example goggle, the goggle includes a frame and a lens. The frame includes a lens receiving portion and a face contact portion. The face contact portion includes a nose recess including an adjustable member for changing a contour of the face contact portion. The lens is configured to be mounted to the lens receiving portion. In an example goggle frame, the goggle frame includes a lens opening for mounting a lens thereto and a nose recess portion including a fit adjustment member. The fit adjustment member is configured to be deformed from an undeformed shape to a deformed shape and to retain the deformed shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: Smith Optics, Inc.
    Inventors: JOSEPH R. MCNEAL, George T. Giroux
  • Publication number: 20130340153
    Abstract: Lens assemblies and goggles are disclosed. One example goggle includes a lens assembly. The lens assembly includes a lens and a ventilation shutter configured to cover vent openings of the lens in a first position and expose the vent openings of the lens in a second position. The shutter has substantially the same transparency as the lens and is slidably attached to the lens by a button. The button extends from an exterior lens surface through the lens to an interior lens surface and has a button end configured to extend through the shutter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Applicant: Smith Optics, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph R. McNeal
  • Publication number: 20130019387
    Abstract: Lens assemblies and goggles are disclosed. One example lens assembly includes a lens having a plurality of vent openings and having a button opening elongated in shape. A button configured to fit and slide in the button opening includes a portion that extends through the lens and terminates in a button end. A shutter having a plurality of vent openings and a button attachment opening is attached to the button end at the button attachment opening. The vent openings of the shutter overlap the vent openings of the lens with the button in a first position and the vent openings of the lens covered by the shutter with the button in a second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: Smith Optics, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph R. McNeal
  • Patent number: 8316470
    Abstract: A goggle is disclosed having a frame with upper and lower frame portions with the upper frame portion being substantially more rigid than the lower frame portion. A fastener secures the upper perimeter of a lens to the upper frame portion. The lower portion includes slots receiving tabs extending from opposing sides of a notch in the lens for receiving the wearer's nose. The fastener includes an elongate member insertable within a slot formed in the lens and rotatable to a crosswise position hindering removal of the elongate member from the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Smith Optics, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph R. McNeal, George T. Giroux
  • Publication number: 20120180202
    Abstract: Goggles, goggle attachment systems, and helmets are described. One such goggle attachment system includes an attachment post and a resilient goggle strap tab. The attachment post includes a post portion and a stop and the goggle strap tab includes an opening. The goggle strap tab is configured to be stretched and the opening pulled over the stop and onto to the post portion. The goggle strap tab is retained on the post portion by the stop. An example goggle includes a frame, a resilient strap attached to the frame, and a resilient goggle strap tab attached to the strap. The goggle strap tab having an opening disposed between a strap tab and a tab pull. The goggle strap tab is configured to stretch when pulled by the tab pull along a longitudinal axis and the opening being asymmetrical about an axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis when stretched.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2011
    Publication date: July 19, 2012
    Applicant: Smith Optics, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph R. McNeal
  • Publication number: 20090038059
    Abstract: A goggle is disclosed having a frame with upper and lower frame portions with the upper frame portion being substantially more rigid than the lower frame portion. A fastener secures the upper perimeter of a lens to the upper frame portion. The lower portion includes slots receiving tabs extending from opposing sides of a notch in the lens for receiving the wearer's nose. The fastener includes an elongate member insertable within a slot formed in the lens and rotatable to a crosswise position hindering removal of the elongate member from the slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2007
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Inventors: Joseph R. McNeal, George T. Giroux
  • Patent number: D629034
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Smith Optics, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph R. McNeal, George T. Giroux
  • Patent number: D687880
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Smith Optics, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph R. McNeal, George T. Giroux
  • Patent number: D698854
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Smith Optics, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph R. McNeal
  • Patent number: D700929
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Smith Optics, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph R. McNeal
  • Patent number: D710930
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Smith Optics, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph R. McNeal