Patents by Inventor Malcolm Neal Houston

Malcolm Neal Houston 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: 7686449
    Abstract: Disclosed is an eyewear retention system. In some embodiments, the eyewear retention system retains a lens by using at least one padding structure located between the lens and the lens holder. In some embodiments, the lens can be press fit into the frame and retained by the resulting interference fit. The lens holder, such as an orbital, can fully or partially surround the lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Oakley, Inc.
    Inventors: James H. Jannard, Malcolm Neal Houston, Carlos D. Reyes, Ryan Saylor
  • Patent number: 6250756
    Abstract: Disclosed is an interchangeable nosepiece system for an eyeglass frame. The nosepieces system can be used to adjust the orientation of a lens on a wearer's face such that the optical centerline of each lens extends in a predetermined relationship with respect to the wearer's actual straight ahead line of sight. The nosepieces are removably mounted onto eyewear and may be customized for the facial geometry of a particular wearer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: Oakley, Inc.
    Inventors: James H. Jannard, Malcolm Neal Houston, Carlos D. Reyes, Ryan Saylor
  • Publication number: 20010001570
    Abstract: Disclosed is an optically corrected lens for nonprescription eyeglasses. In a preferred embodiment, the anterior surface of the lens lies on a portion of a first sphere having a first center. The posterior surface of the lens lies on the surface of a second sphere having a second center. The first and second centers are offset from one another to provide a tapered lens. The lens is oriented on the head of the wearer by a frame that maintains the lens in a position such that a line drawn through the first and second centers is maintained substantially in parallel to the normal sight line of the wearer. Lenses are thus provided which have improved optics when mounted in an as-worn orientation such that they exhibit both vertical “rake” and horizontal “wrap.” Methods of making the lenses, and eyewear incorporating the lenses, are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 1999
    Publication date: May 24, 2001
    Inventors: MALCOLM NEAL HOUSTON, JAMES H. JANNARD, CARLOS D. REYES
  • Patent number: 6168271
    Abstract: Disclosed is an optically corrected lens for nonprescription, dual lens eyeglasses. In a preferred embodiment, the anterior surface of the lens lies on a portion of a first sphere having a first center. The posterior surface of the lens lies on the surface of a second sphere having a second center. The first and second centers are offset from one another to provide a tapered lens. The lens is oriented on the head of the wearer by a frame that maintains the lens in a position such that a line drawn through the first and second centers is maintained substantially in parallel to the normal sight line of the wearer. Methods of making the lenses, and eyewear incorporating the lenses, are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Assignee: Oakley, Inc.
    Inventors: Malcolm Neal Houston, James H. Jannard, Carlos D. Reyes
  • Patent number: 6106116
    Abstract: Disclosed are dimensionally stable eyeglass orbitals, pivotably mounted in an eyeglass frame. In one embodiment, the eyeglass orbitals are investment cast from substantially pure titanium or a titanium based alloy. The orbitals hold the lenses in the as-worn orientation such that the optical centerline of each lens extends in a predetermined relationship with respect to the wearer's theoretical straight ahead line of sight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Oakley, Inc.
    Inventors: Malcolm Neal Houston, James H. Jannard, Carlos D. Reyes, Ryan Saylor
  • Patent number: 6056399
    Abstract: Disclosed is an interchangeable nosepiece system for an eyeglass frame. The nosepieces system can be used to adjust the orientation of a lens on a wearer's face such that the optical centerline of each lens extends in a predetermined relationship with respect to the wearer's actual straight ahead line of sight. The nosepieces are removably mounted onto eyewear and may be customized for the facial geometry of a particular wearer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: Oakley, Inc.
    Inventors: James H. Jannard, Malcolm Neal Houston, Carlos D. Reyes, Ryan Saylor
  • Patent number: 6010218
    Abstract: Disclosed are optically corrected lenses for nonprescription dual lens eyeglasses. Left and right lenses are each vertically and horizontally tapered, and are each characterized by optical centerlines. The lenses are mounted in dual lens eyewear frames with rake and wrap, with the optical centerlines each vertically displaced from the normal line of sight in an as-worn orientation. The vertical displacement corresponds to the degree of rake in a manner resulting in optical correction of the lenses. Lenses are thus provided which have improved optics when mounted in the raked and wrapped as-worn orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: Oakley, Inc.
    Inventors: Malcolm Neal Houston, James H. Jannard, Carlos D. Reyes
  • Patent number: 6010217
    Abstract: Disclosed is an optically corrected shield for unitary lens eyeglasses or safety helmets. The shield is characterized by an optical centerline and a mechanical centerline, which intersect each other at an angle. The lens is oriented on the head of the wearer by a frame or helmet that maintains the lens in a position such that the optical centerline is maintained substantially in parallel to the normal sight line of the wearer. Lenses are thus provided which have improved optics when mounted in an as-worn orientation such that they exhibit both vertical "rake" and horizontal "wrap." Methods of making the lenses, and eyewear incorporating the lenses, are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: Oakley, Inc.
    Inventors: Malcolm Neal Houston, James H. Jannard, Carlos D. Reyes, Ryan Saylor
  • Patent number: 5969789
    Abstract: Disclosed is an optically corrected lens for nonprescription, dual lens eyeglasses. In a preferred embodiment, the anterior surface of the lens lies on a portion of a first sphere having a first center. The posterior surface of the lens lies on the surface of a second sphere having a second center. The first and second centers are offset from one another to provide a tapered lens. The lens is oriented on the head of the wearer by a frame that maintains the lens in a position such that a line drawn through the first and second centers is maintained substantially in parallel to the normal sight line of the wearer. Methods of making the lenses, and eyewear incorporating the lenses, are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: Oakley, Inc.
    Inventors: Malcolm Neal Houston, James H. Jannard, Carlos D. Reyes
  • Patent number: 5805261
    Abstract: Disclosed are dimensionally stable eyeglass orbitals, pivotably mounted in an eyeglass frame. In one embodiment, the eyeglass orbitals are investment cast from substantially pure titanium or a titanium based alloy. The orbitals hold the lenses in the as-worn orientation such that the optical centerline of each lens extends in a predetermined relationship with respect to the wearer's theoretical straight ahead line of sight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: Oakley, Inc.
    Inventors: Malcolm Neal Houston, James H. Jannard, Carlos D. Reyes, Ryan Saylor
  • Patent number: 5689323
    Abstract: Disclosed is an optically corrected lens for nonprescription, dual lens eyeglasses. In a preferred embodiment, the anterior surface of the lens lies on a portion of a first sphere having a first center. The posterior surface of the lens lies on the surface of a second sphere having a second center. The first and second centers are offset from one another to provide a tapered lens. The lens is oriented on the head of the wearer by a frame that maintains the lens in a position such that a line drawn through the first and second centers is maintained substantially in parallel to the normal sight line of the wearer. Methods of making the lenses, and eyewear incorporating the lenses, are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1997
    Assignee: Oakley, Inc.
    Inventors: Malcolm Neal Houston, James H. Jannard, Carlos D. Reyes
  • Patent number: 5648832
    Abstract: Disclosed is an optically corrected lens for nonprescription, dual lens eyeglasses. In a preferred embodiment, the anterior surface of the lens lies on a portion of a first sphere having a first center. The posterior surface of the lens lies on the surface of a second sphere having a second center. The first and second centers are offset from one another to provide a tapered lens. The lens is oriented on the head of the wearer by a frame that maintains the lens in a position such that a line drawn through the first and second centers is maintained substantially in parallel to the normal sight line of the wearer. Methods of making the lenses, and eyewear incorporating the lenses, are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Assignee: Oakley, Inc.
    Inventors: Malcolm Neal Houston, James H. Jannard, Carlos D. Reyes
  • Patent number: D385291
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Assignee: Oakley, Inc.
    Inventors: James H. Jannard, Peter Yee, Malcolm Neal Houston
  • Patent number: D398022
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignee: Oakley, Inc.
    Inventors: James H. Jannard, Peter Yee, Malcolm Neal Houston