Mask and headgear connector

• US 6,374,826 B1
• Filed: 02/15/2000
• Issued: 04/23/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/18/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: ResMed Pty Ltd. (ResMed Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Resmed Limited (ResMed Incorporated)
• Inventors: Gunaratnam, Michael K., Kwok, Philip R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Weiss, John G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): PATEL, MITAL B
• Application Number:
  US09/504,220
• Time in Patent Office: 798 Days
• Field of Search: 128/206.16, 128/205.25, 128/206.12, 128/206.21, 128/206.24, 128/206.27, 128/206.28, 128/207.11, 24/305.5, 24/305.1, 243/36, 245/721, 245/731.1, 245/811, 245/781
• US Class Current: 128/206.27
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/06 Respiratory or anaesthetic masks
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0605 Means for improving the adaptation of the mask to the patient
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0616 with face sealing means comprising a flap or membrane projecting inwards, such that sealing increases with increasing inhalation gas pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0622 having an underlying cushion
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0633 with forehead support
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0638 in the form of a pivot
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/065 in the form of a pivot
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0666 Nasal cannulas or tubing devices for improving normal breathing through the nose A61F5/08; nose filters A62B23/06; outside holding devices A61M25/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0672 Nasal cannula assemblies for oxygen therapy
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0683 Holding devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/08 Bellows; Connecting tubes having means for taking samples G01N1/22; Water traps; Patient circuits
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0816 Joints or connectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2205/02 characterised by a particular materials
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0618 Nose
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/45529 Requiring manual force applied against bias to interlock or disengage

Abstract

A connector arrangement joining a respirator mask and headgear is adapted for single-handed disengagement by the patient, A first, rigid connector part 470 is formed into the rigid mask frame 400, with a mating second connector 600 attached to a strap of the headgear. The connectors are held away from the patient'"'"'s face by the connection to the mask frame.

Claims

1. A respiratory mask and headgear combination comprising a respiratory mask having a rigid mask frame, adjustable headgear for securing said mask on a patient, said headgear including at least one attachment strap, said mask frame having rigidly secured thereto a rigid first connector, further comprising a second connector adapted for releasable mating with said first connector, said second connector having means for connection of said attachment strap of the headgear, wherein

said first and second connectors form a press-release connection between said mask frame and said strap;

said first connector is a female connector integrally and rigidly formed with said mask frame;

said second connector is a corresponding male connector; and

said male connector includes a resiliently biased cantilever member depending from a leading end portion of said male connector and having means for locking engagement with said female connector.

2. A respiratory mask and headgear combination according to claim 1, wherein said cantilever member has a leading end, a trailing end, locking means located intermediate said leading end and trailing end for engaging with said first connector, and release means located adjacent said trailing end.

3. A respiratory mask and headgear combination according to claim 2 wherein said release means comprises a raised portion adjacent a trailing end of said cantilever member.

4. A respiratory mask and headgear combination according to claim 3 wherein a space is provided immediately behind said trailing end of the cantilever member.

5. A respiratory mask and headgear combination according to claim 4 wherein said locking means comprises at least one lug on a forward surface of said cantilever member, said lug engaging a corresponding socket of said first connector.

6. A respiratory mask and headgear combination according to claim 1, wherein said first and second connectors are spaced forwardly of the patient'"'"'s face by said rigid mask frame.

7. A respiratory mask for use with a headgear having male connectors thereon, each of the male connector portions including at least one resiliently biased locking element, the respiratory mask comprising:

a mask frame; and

a pair of female connector portions formed in one piece with the mask frame and being configured to receive the male connector portions therein;

wherein

the mask frame includes a front wall portion defining a forward end of the mask frame, the front wall portion having a circular gas inlet aperture configured to connect to a gas delivery conduit, the mask frame including a pair of inclined side wall portions and a base portion, each of the side wall portions and the base portion having a portion thereof connected to the front wall portion;

the mask frame includes a rim at rear edges of the inclined side wall portions and the base portion, the rim defining a rearward end of the mask frame and being configured to allow a cushion to be attached thereto;

each of the female connector portions includes a generally oblong slot, the generally oblong slot being formed by a first wall structure that is disposed between respective side wall portions and the base portion, a pair of parallel spaced opposing wall structures extending generally perpendicularly from the first wall structure and a second wall structure extending between and connected to the pair of spaced opposing wall structures, the second wall structure being spaced from and generally parallel to the first wall structure, each of the first and second wall structures and the pair of spaced opposing wall structures having an inward end portion and an outward end portion defining a direction that extends generally radially outwardly relative to the circular gas inlet aperture, the outward end portions defining the generally oblong slot therebetween; and

the second wall structure includes at least one recess extending therethrough configured to cooperate and receive the at least one resiliently biased locking element of the male connector portions the at least one recess being formed adjacent the generally oblong slot.

8. A respiratory mask assembly comprising:

a headgear structure including at least one elongate strap, each end of the elongate strap being doubled over to form a loop;

a pair of male connector portions attached to the elongate strap, each of the male connector portions including a trailing portion that has a pair of spaced side portions and a cross bar extending transversely therebetween to define a strap receiving aperture configured to allow the strap to pass therethrough so that the crossbar is disposed within the loop of the strap, each of the male connector portions also including a leading portion that has a pair of longitudinally extending side beams spaced slightly inwardly from the side portions, the leading portion including a cross piece extending between the side beams and defining a leading edge of the male connector portions, the leading portion of each male connector portions also including a cantilevered member extending from an intermediate portion of the cross piece toward the trailing portion of the male connector portions, the cantilevered member being movable between deflected and undeflected positions and being resiliently biased toward the undeflected position, the cantilevered member including a locking element extending outwardly therefrom, the locking element being positioned on the cantilevered member generally spaced from the cross piece, the leading portion of each male connector portions including a ridge structure adjacent the trailing portion and extending generally perpendicularly relative to the side beams;

a mask frame; and

a pair of female connector portions formed in one piece with the mask frame and being configured to receive the male connector portions therein;

wherein

the mask frame includes a front wall portion defining a forward end of the mask frame, the front wall portion having a circular gas inlet aperture configured to connect to a gas delivery conduit, the mask frame including a pair of inclined side wall portions and a base portion, each of side wall portions and the base portion having a portion thereof connected to the front wall portion;

the mask frame includes a rim at rear edges of the inclined side wall portions and the base portion, the rim defining a rearward end of the mask frame and being configured to allow a cushion to be attached thereto;

each of the female connector portions includes a generally oblong slot, generally oblong slot being formed by a first wall structure that is disposed between respective side wall portions and the base portion, a pair of parallel spaced opposing wall structures extending generally perpendicularly from the first wall structure and a second wall structure extending between and connected to the pair of spaced opposing wall structures, the second wall structure being spaced from and generally parallel to the first wall structure, each of the first and second wall structures and the pair of spaced opposing wall structures having an inward end portion and an outward end portion defining a direction that extends generally radially outwardly relative to the circular gas inlet aperture, the outward end portions defining the generally oblong slot therebetween; and

the second wall structure includes at least one recess extending therethrough configured to cooperate and receive the at least one resiliently biased locking element of the respective male connector portion, the at least one recess being formed adjacent the generally oblong slot,

wherein the leading portion of each male connector portion is capable of being passed through the generally oblong slot of the respective female connector portion, such that the leading portion is disposed substantially between the first and second wall structures and substantially between the pair of spaced opposing wall structures, including the pair of longitudinally extending side beams being disposed between and generally parallel to the respective pair of spaced opposing wall structures, the cross piece being disposed proximate and generally parallel to the inward end portion of the first wall structure, the cantilevered member extending substantially between the first and second wall structures, the locking element being positioned within the recess, and the trailing portion being disposed adjacent to the outward end portions of the first and second wall structures and the spaced opposing wall structures.

9. A respiratory mask and headgear combination comprising a respiratory mask having a rigid mask frame, adjustable headgear for securing said mask on a patient, said headgear including at least one attachment strap, said mask frame having rigidly secured thereto a rigid first connector, further comprising a second connector adapted for releasable mating with said first connector, said second connector being connected to said attachment strap of the headgear, wherein

said first and second connectors form a press-release connection between said mask frame and said strap;

said first connector is a female connector integrally and rigidly formed with said mask frame;

said second connector is a corresponding male connector; and

said male connector includes a resiliently biased cantilever member depending from a leading end portion of said male connector and being lockable with said female connector.