Mask cushion and frame assembly

• US 6,412,487 B1
• Filed: 02/09/2000
• Issued: 07/02/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Resmed Limited (ResMed Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Resmed Limited (ResMed Incorporated)
• Inventors: Smart, Gregory S., Gunaratnam, Michael K., Kwok, Philip R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lewis, Aaron J.
• Application Number:
  US09/501,004
• Time in Patent Office: 874 Days
• Field of Search: 128/205.25, 128/206.24, 128/206.26, 128/207.13
• US Class Current: 128/206.24
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/06 Respiratory or anaesthetic masks
• 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 16/0683 Holding devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 2210/0618 Nose

Abstract

A respiratory mask assembly includes a rigid mask frame (160) with a rim portion comprising a rearwardly projecting tongue (620) and lateral flange (640) and a cushion (180) having a rim with a corresponding groove (740) and a rearwardly facing shoulder (720). A clip in the form of a collar (800) passes over the cushion, engaging behind the shoulder (720), and has securing tabs (820) which engage recesses (660) in the flange (640).

Claims

1. A respiratory mask assembly for delivering breathable gas to a patient, said mask assembly having a rear side which in use is a patient side of said mask assembly, said mask assembly comprising (i) a substantially rigid mask frame defining a cavity with a rear opening, and a rim portion surrounding said rear opening, said rim portion including a rearwardly projecting tongue, (ii) a flexible mask cushion acting to space the mask frame away from the patient'"'"'s face, said cushion having a rim portion which includes a groove receiving said projecting tongue of the mask frame, and wherein an outer surface of the cushion forms a rearwardly facing shoulder, and (iii) a clip member passing over the mask cushion, having cushion retaining means engaging behind said shoulder of the cushion and securing means which includes at least one securing tab which engages a respective recess formed in a lateral flange of said rim portion of said mask frame so as to retain the mask cushion on the mask frame, wherein said securing tab includes a resilient detent which is retained forward of said flange, and wherein said clip member comprises a collar member having a plurality of said tabs and the mask frame includes a respective plurality of said recesses angularly spaced about said rim portion.

2. A respiratory mask assembly according to claim 1 wherein in said mask assembly is a nasal mask and wherein the collar has three of said tabs.

3. A respiratory mask assembly according to claim 1 wherein in said mask is a full face mask and wherein the collar member has six of said tabs.

4. A respiratory mask assembly for delivering breathable gas to a patient, said mask assembly having a rear side which in use is a patient side of said mask assembly, said mask assembly comprising (i) a substantially rigid mask frame defining a cavity with a rear opening, and a rim portion surrounding said rear opening, said rim portion including a rearwardly projecting tongue, (ii) a flexible mask cushion acting to space the mask frame away from the patient'"'"'s face, said cushion having a rim portion which includes a groove receiving said projecting tongue of the mask frame, and wherein an outer surface of the cushion forms a rearwardly facing shoulder, and (iii) a clip member passing over the mask cushion, having cushion retaining means engaging behind said shoulder of the cushion and securing means which engages the mask frame so as to retain the mask cushion on the mask frame, wherein the clip member comprises a collar member having first securing means which engages the mask frame and allows pivoting of the clip to a position at which second securing means clips into engagement with the mask frame.

5. A respiratory mask assembly for delivering breathable gas to a patient, said mask assembly having a rear side which in use is a patient side of said mask assembly, comprising (i) a substantially rigid mask frame defining a cavity with a rear opening, and a rim portion surrounding said rear opening, said rim portion including a rearwardly projecting tongue, (ii) a flexible mask cushion acting to space the mask frame away from the patient'"'"'s face, said cushion having a rim portion which includes a groove receiving said projecting tongue of the mask frame, and wherein an outer surface of the cushion forms a rearwardly facing shoulder, and (iii) a clip member passing over the mask cushion, having a cushion retainer to engage behind said shoulder of the cushion and a frame retainer to engage the mask frame so as to retain the mask cushion on the mask frame, wherein said clip member comprises a collar member having a plurality of securing tabs which engage a respective plurality of recesses in the mask frame, said recesses being angularly spaced about said rim portion.