Forehead support for facial mask

• US 7,472,704 B2
• Filed: 03/02/2005
• Issued: 01/06/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: ResMed Pty Ltd. (ResMed Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Resmed Limited (ResMed Incorporated)
• Inventors: Gunaratnam, Michael Kassipillai
• Primary Examiner(s): Douglas; Steven O
• Application Number:
  US11/068,863
• Publication Number:
  US 20050139219A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,406 Days
• Field of Search: 128/202.27, 128/206.21, 128/206.23, 128/206.24, 128/206.27, 128/207.11, 128/206.28, 128/201.22, 128/201.23, 128/201.29
• US Class Current: 128/206.21
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0066 Blowers or centrifugal pumps
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/06 Respiratory or anaesthetic masks
• 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 16/0683 Holding devices therefor

Abstract

A forehead support (10) for a respiratory mask (14). The forehead support (10) includes a pair of arms (22). The arms (22) are each adapted to locate a forehead cushion (30). The arms (22) are also adapted to pivot relative to each other. The arms (22) are also selectively lockable at two or more angular positions relative to each other. The forehead support (10) can thus be adjusted to suit the facial topography of the wearer of the respiratory mask (14).

Claims

1. A forehead support for a respiratory mask, said forehead support including a pair of arms, wherein:

the arms are adapted to pivot relative to each other;

the arms are selectively lockable at two or more angular positions relative to each other, and each arm includes a base structure configured for coupling with a frame of a respiratory mask wherein each of the arms includes first and second lateral ends, the respective first lateral ends being juxtaposed adjacent one another and the second lateral ends being positioned remote from one another when the arms are positioned in the two or more angular positions.

2. The forehead support as claimed in claim 1, wherein the arms are also adapted to each pivot relative to the respiratory mask.

3. The forehead support as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the arms include a cylindrical recess adapted to pivotally receive a cylindrical boss provided on the respiratory mask.

4. The forehead support as claimed in claim 1, wherein one of the arms includes a tongue adapted to be received in one of at least two grooves provided on the other arms so as to lock the arms at one of two or more predetermined said angular positions.

5. The forehead support as claimed in claim 4, wherein the tongue is provided on a flexible member which is adapted to permit the tongue to be moved out of engagement with the grooves by manual manipulation of the member.

6. The forehead support as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a forehead cushion provided to each of the arms.

7. A forehead support as claimed in claim 6, wherein the forehead cushions have a curved shape which allows them to roll over the wearer'"'"'s forehead during angular adjustment of the arms.

8. The forehead support as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the arms includes a connector to connect a head strap thereto.

9. The forehead support as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first lateral ends are positioned adjacent a pivoting portion of the forehead support.

10. The forehead support as claimed in claim 1, further comprising one said forehead cushion positioned between each pair of first and second lateral ends.

11. A forehead support for a mask comprising a pair of arms each having a first end and a second end, and at least one forehead cushion, wherein the arms are constructed and arranged to pivot with respect to one another about the respective second ends between a first angular position relative to one another and a second angular position relative to one another, wherein the at least one forehead cushion has a curved shape which allows it to roll over the wearer'"'"'s forehead during angular adjustment of the arms, and wherein each arm includes a base structure configured for coupling with a frame of a respiratory mask.

12. A forehead support as claimed in claim 11, further comprising a locking mechanism constructed and arranged to lock the arms at an angular position relative to one another.

13. A forehead support as claimed in claim 11, wherein the at least one cushion includes two forehead cushions spaced a distance apart, the distance between the forehead cushions being adjustable by changing an angular position of the first arm relative to the second arm.

14. The forehead support as claimed in claim 11, wherein the respective first ends are juxtaposed adjacent one another and the second ends are positioned remote from one another when the arms are positioned in the first and second angular positions.

15. A forehead support for a respiratory mask, comprising:

a first arm; and

a second arm adjustably coupled to the first arm in at least first and second fixed angular orientations;

the first and second arms including collinear cylindrical recesses defining an axis about which the first and second arms may pivot as a unit whilst in the first and second fixed angular orientations, wherein the first arm includes a flexible member including a tongue, and the second arm includes at least first and second grooves defining the first and second positions, respectively, the tongue being biased towards the grooves and wherein each of the arms includes first and second lateral ends, the respective first lateral ends being juxtaposed adjacent one another and the second lateral ends being positioned remote from one another when the arms are positioned in the first and second angular orientations.

16. The forehead support as claimed in claim 15, wherein the flexible member includes a first part supported by the first arm and a second part supporting the tongue, and a brace bridging the first and second parts.

17. The forehead support as claimed in claim 15, wherein the tongue has a radiused leading corner and each said groove has a similar radius provided on a corresponding corner, to allow adjustment in a ratchet-like fashion.

18. The forehead support as claimed in claim 15, wherein the flexible member includes a U-shaped portion.

19. The forehead support as claimed in claim 18, wherein the flexible member includes a protruding member positioned at a free-end of the U-shaped portion.