LID CONSTRUCTION FOR BREATHING APPARATUS

• US 20150197378A1
• Filed: 03/24/2015
• Published: 07/16/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Limited
• Original Assignee: Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Limited
• Inventors: Miller, Jeremy Livingston, Kat, Arjen David
• Granted Patent: US 9,546,025 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/16 Devices to humidify the respiration air A61M16/1045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/162 Water-reservoir filling system, e.g. automatic
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2209/06 Packaging for specific medical equipment
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 43/166 and connected by separate interfitting hinge elements fixed to the container and the lid respectively
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 43/26 Mechanisms for opening or closing, e.g. pedal-operated for refuse receptacles B65F1/1623
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 65/52 Other locks for chests, boxes, trunks, baskets, travelling bags, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 3/022 allowing an additional lateral movement, e.g. for sealing
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 7/1066 requiring a specific angular position
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2999/00 Subject-matter not otherwise provided for in this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/4984 Retaining clearance for motion between assembled parts
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/57 Operators with knobs or handles

Abstract

A breathing assistance apparatus has a lid and latch assembly configured for one-handed operation. The apparatus also includes a hinge assembly that separates when over-rotated but that reengages upon closing of the lid onto the main body of the apparatus.

Claims

1. A breathing assistance apparatus comprising a lid and a main body, the lid and the main body selectively enclosing a cavity, the lid comprising a button member and at least one hinge assembly.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the lid further comprises a component adapted to be engaged with one or more fingertips while the button member is depressed.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the button member is spring-biased away from the at least one hinge assembly.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the button member is spring biased away from the at least one hinge assembly.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the at least one hinge assembly allows pivotal movement of a lid relative to the main body.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one hinge assembly allows pivotal movement of the lid relative to the main body.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the at least one hinge assembly comprises a guide structure and cam structure, the guide structure and the cam structure configured to cause sliding movement of the post during rotation of the post.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the hinge assembly comprises at least one post and at least one support, the supports overlying the post and the post being positioned in board of an outer perimeter of the lid.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the hinge assembly comprises a clip extending along at least an axial length of the post, the clip being positioned on an opposite side of the post from the supports such that the post is captured between the clip and the supports.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the hinge assembly comprises at least one post and at least one support, the supports overlying the post and the post being positioned inboard of an outer perimeter of the lid.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the at least one support defines an opening that permits the at least one post to pass through the opening such that in use the lid can be moved from a detached state to an attached state relative to the main body.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the at least one hinge assembly comprises a guide structure and cam structure, the guide structure and the cam structure configured to cause sliding movement of the post during rotation of the post.

13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the hinge assembly comprises a clip extending along at least an axial length of the post, the clip being positioned on an opposite side of the post from the supports such that the post is captured between the clip and the supports.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the at least one hinge assembly comprises a guide structure and cam structure, the guide structure and the cam structure configured to cause sliding movement of the post during rotation of the post.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one hinge assembly comprises a guide structure and cam structure, the guide structure and the cam structure configured to cause sliding movement of the post during rotation of the post.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the guide structure comprises a guide surface, wherein in use the guide surface contacts the cam structure to move the lid from a detached state to an attached state relative to the main body via the sliding movement of the post as a result of closing motion of the lid.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the sliding movement only occurs when the lid is moved from a disengaged state to an engaged state with respect to the main body.

18. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the sliding movement of the post is substantially horizontal with the supports being positioned at least vertically above the post with the lid in the closed position.

19. A method of opening a lid of a breathing apparatus, the method comprising moving a button member toward an engagement component to unlatch the lid and then rotating the lid to an opened position without the user having to reposition a hand.

20. A method of engaging a lid on a main body of a breathing apparatus, the method comprising placing a post alongside at least one support member with the lid in an open position, pivoting the lid toward a closed position such that at least one engaging structures formed on the lid and at least one engaging structure formed on the main body cause the lid to translate into an engaged structure with the lid being pivotable while in the engaged structure.