Application device for a breathing mask arrangement

• US 8,875,710 B2
• Filed: 05/17/2011
• Issued: 11/04/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/22/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ResMed Humidification Technologies GmbH (ResMed Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: ResMed R&D Germany GmbH (ResMed Incorporated)
• Inventors: Heidmann, Dieter, Brandmeier, Richard, Madaus, Stefan, Voegele, Harald
• Primary Examiner(s): DOUGLAS, STEVEN O
• Application Number:
  US13/067,213
• Publication Number:
  US 20110220111A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,267 Days
• Field of Search: 128/206.24, 128/207.11, 128/206.21, 128/206.26, 24/68.R
• US Class Current: 128/207.11
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/06 Respiratory or anaesthetic masks
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0611 with a gusset portion
• 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 16/0644 having the means for adjusting its position
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0655 in the form of a linear or curvilinear slide
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 16/0683 Holding devices therefor

Abstract

An application device for a breathing mask arrangement includes a base portion, a holding portion structured to support a mask and pivotally mounted to the base portion for pivotal movement about a first pivot axis, a right arm element pivotally mounted to the base portion for pivotal movement about a second pivot axis, and a left arm element pivotally mounted to the base portion for pivotal movement about a third pivot axis. The right and left arm elements are each provided with a contact portion for bearing against a right and a left forehead zone respectively of a mask user. The holding portion, the right arm element, and left arm element can be pivoted with respect to the base portion about the respective first, second, and third pivot axes.

Claims

1. A breathing mask, comprising:

a frame;

a sealing structure supported by the frame and adapted to form a seal with a user'"'"'s face;

a forehead support provided to the frame; and

a finger-operated adjusting wheel rotatable about an axis of rotation to adjust a position of the forehead support relative to the frame.

2. A breathing mask according to claim 1, wherein the axis of rotation is adapted to extend substantially perpendicular to a surface of a user'"'"'s forehead.

3. A breathing mask according to claim 1, wherein the forehead support includes a left arm element and a right arm element.

4. A breathing mask according to claim 3, wherein the left and right arm elements include forehead pads.

5. A breathing mask according to claim 3, wherein the adjusting wheel is structured to simultaneously adjust a position of the left and right arm elements relative to the frame.

6. A breathing mask according to claim 1, wherein the adjusting wheel is adapted to be rotated by only one hand of a user.

7. A breathing mask according to claim 1, wherein the adjusting wheel is adapted to be rotated by way of the fingertips of the thumb and the index finger of a user.

8. A breathing mask according to claim 1, wherein the adjusting wheel is coupled to the forehead support by a drive mechanism.

9. A breathing mask according to claim 8, wherein the drive mechanism includes a screw-type drive mechanism.

10. A breathing mask according to claim 8, wherein the drive mechanism includes a spiral-type drive mechanism including a spiral structure provided to the adjusting wheel operatively engaged with an actuating member provided to the forehead support.

11. A breathing mask according to claim 8, wherein the drive mechanism is self-locking.

12. A breathing mask according to claim 1, wherein the adjusting wheel includes profiling along an outside peripheral region thereof.

13. A breathing mask according to claim 12, wherein the profiling includes a fluted or grooved structure.

14. A breathing mask according to claim 1, wherein the adjusting wheel includes a marking to indicate an adjusting effect achieved by rotating the adjusting wheel.

15. A breathing mask according to claim 1, wherein the forehead support is movable into a defined position by the adjusting wheel.

16. A breathing mask according to claim 1, wherein the forehead support includes arm elements that adapted to be maintained in a substantially horizontal position with respect to a user'"'"'s forehead while the adjusting wheel is rotated about the axis of rotation.

21. A breathing mask according to claim 1, wherein the sealing structure includes a body portion that defines a mask interior breathing chamber and a sealing portion structured to engage the user'"'"'s face.

22. A breathing mask according to claim 1, wherein the adjusting wheel is fixable in a desired rotational position.

23. A breathing mask according to claim 22, further comprising a braking structure provided to the adjusting wheel to fix the adjusting wheel in the desired rotational position.

24. A breathing mask according to claim 1, wherein the axis of rotation is adapted to extend substantially perpendicular to a surface of the user'"'"'s forehead,

wherein the forehead support includes a left arm element and a right arm element,

wherein the left and right arm elements include forehead pads,

wherein the adjusting wheel is coupled to the forehead support by a screw-type drive mechanism,

wherein the drive mechanism is self-locking, and

wherein the forehead support is movable into a defined position by the adjusting wheel.

17. A breathing mask, comprising:

a frame;

a sealing structure supported by the frame and adapted to form a seal with a user'"'"'s face;

a forehead support provided to the frame; and

an adjusting dial to adjust a position of the forehead support relative to the frame, the adjustable dial rotatable about an axis of rotation adapted to extend substantially perpendicular to a surface of a user'"'"'s forehead.

18. A breathing mask according to claim 17, wherein the adjusting dial is adapted to be rotated by only one hand of a user.

19. A breathing mask according to claim 17, wherein the forehead support includes arm elements that adapted to be maintained in a substantially horizontal position with respect to the user'"'"'s forehead while the adjusting dial is rotated about the axis of rotation.

20. A breathing mask according to claim 17, wherein the adjusting dial is coupled to the forehead support by a screw-type drive mechanism.

25. A breathing mask according to claim 17, wherein the sealing structure includes a body portion that defines a mask interior breathing chamber and a sealing portion structured to engage the user'"'"'s face.

26. A breathing mask according to claim 17, wherein the adjusting dial is fixable in a desired rotational position.

27. A breathing mask according to claim 26, further comprising a braking structure provided to the adjusting dial to fix the adjusting dial in the desired rotational position.

28. A breathing mask according to claim 17, wherein the forehead support includes a left arm element and a right arm element,

wherein the left and right arm elements include forehead pads,

wherein the adjusting dial is coupled to the forehead support by a screw-type drive mechanism,

wherein the drive mechanism is self-locking, and

wherein the forehead support is movable into a defined position by the adjusting dial.