Abstract:
An improved connection apparatus is structured to extend between a mask ( 8 ) and a headgear ( 12 ). The headgear has a first strap ( 16 ) and a second strap ( 20 ) structured to overlie the patient&#39;s head. The connection apparatus can be generally stated as including a clip apparatus ( 24 ) and a face plate. The clip apparatus can be generally stated as including a clip ( 32 A,B) having a first mount ( 44 ) that is structured to be connected with the first strap and a second mount ( 48 ) that is structured to be connected with the second strap. The face plate is structured to overlie at least a portion of the mask. The face plate ( 28 ) can be generally stated as including an attachment apparatus having a connection upon which the clip is structured to be disposed. At least a portion of the clip is removable from at least a portion of the connection.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This patent application claims the priority benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/642,152 filed on May 3, 2012, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates generally to a respiratory patient interface device structured to provide a flow of breathing gas to a patient, and, more particularly, to a connection apparatus that enables a pair of straps of a headgear to be mounted to a clip which is, in turn, mounted on a mask of the respiratory patient interface device. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    There are numerous situations where it is necessary or desirable to deliver a flow of breathable gas non-invasively to the airway of a patient, i.e., without intubating the patient or surgically inserting a tracheal tube in their esophagus. For example, it is known to ventilate a patient using a technique known as non-invasive ventilation. It is also known to deliver continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) or variable airway pressure, which varies with the patient&#39;s respiratory cycle, to treat a medical disorder such as sleep apnea syndrome, in particular, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), or congestive heart failure. 
         [0006]    Non-invasive ventilation and pressure support therapies involve the placement of a respiratory patient interface device including a patient interface that is typically secured on the face of a patient by a headgear assembly. The patient interface may be, without limitation, a nasal mask that covers the patient&#39;s nose, a nasal cushion having nasal prongs that are received within the patient&#39;s nares, a nasal/oral mask that covers the nose and mouth, or full face mask that covers the patient&#39;s face. It is known to maintain such devices on the face of a wearer by a headgear having one or more straps adapted to fit over/around the patient&#39;s head. Because such respiratory patient interface devices are typically worn for an extended period of time, it is important for the headgear to maintain the patient interface in a desired position while doing so in a manner that is comfortable to the patient. 
         [0007]    Such respiratory patient interface devices typically must also form a reliable and generally fluid-tight seal with the face of the patient in the vicinity of the airways in order to ensure that the flow of air is delivered to the airways and does not leak from around the patient interface. Due to the great variability of the facial features of the various patients who require such therapy, reliable seals have sometimes been difficult to provide and/or maintain. 
         [0008]    Previously known devices have sometimes been difficult to use on an ongoing basis due to the difficulty inherent in adjusting multiple straps of a headgear with respect to a mask. For example, and as is indicated generally in  FIG. 1 , a previously known respiratory patient interface device A is depicted as being situated on a patient C and as including a mask E that is connected with a headgear G. The headgear G includes a first strap I that extends over the temporal region of the head of the patient C and a second strap J that extends over the occipital region of the head of patient C. An elastic tie element M extends between the first and second straps I and J and resists movement of the first strap I in a direction generally toward the eye of patient C. However, the first and second straps I and J each have an adjustable connection (such as through the use of hook and loop fasteners) with the left side of mask E, and headgear G further includes another set of first and second straps (not expressly depicted herein) that likewise connect with the opposite side (i.e., the right side) of mask E for a total of four adjustable connections between headgear G and mask E. 
         [0009]    While all four of the straps of headgear G need not necessarily be detached from mask E in order to remove respiratory patient interface device A from patient C, the interplay of four adjustable straps that connect with mask E can make the proper adjustment of respiratory patient interface device A for comfort and fit tedious and sometimes difficult. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    In certain embodiments, the general nature of the invention can be stated as including an improved connection apparatus that is structured to extend between a mask and a headgear. The mask is structured to provide a flow of breathing gas to a patient. The headgear has a first strap and a second strap, at least a portion of the first strap being structured to overlie at least one region of the patient&#39;s head, and at least a portion of the second strap being structured to overlie at least one other region of the patient&#39;s head. The connection apparatus can be generally stated as including a clip apparatus and a face plate. The clip apparatus can be generally stated as including a clip having a first mount that is structured to be connected with the first strap and a second mount that is structured to be connected with the second strap. The face plate is structured to overlie at least a portion of the mask. The face plate can be generally stated as including an attachment apparatus having a connection upon which the clip is structured to be disposed. At least a portion of the clip is removable from at least a portion of the connection. 
         [0011]    These and other objects, features, and characteristics of the present invention, as well as the methods of operation and functions of the related elements of structure and the combination of parts and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of the following description and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts in the various figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is, as mentioned above, a depiction of a prior art respiratory patient interface device installed on a patient; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a side elevational view of an improved respiratory patient interface device that comprises an improved connection apparatus in accordance with a first embodiment of the disclosed and claimed concept; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a side view of a portion of the connection apparatus of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a top plan view of the connection apparatus of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a side elevational view of an improved respiratory patient interface device that includes an improved connection apparatus in accordance with a second embodiment of the disclosed and claimed concept; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a side elevational view of an improved respiratory patient interface device that includes an improved connection apparatus in accordance with a third embodiment of the disclosed and claimed concept; 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is a sectional view as taken along line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is an exploded side elevational view of an improved respiratory patient interface device that includes an improved connection apparatus in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the disclosed and claimed concept; 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  is a top plan view of a portion of the connection apparatus of  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  is a front elevational view of a clip the improved connection apparatus of  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 11  is a side elevational view of an improved respiratory patient interface device having an improved connection apparatus in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the disclosed and claimed concept; 
           [0023]      FIG. 12  is a side elevational view of an improved respiratory patient interface device having an improved connection apparatus in accordance with a sixth embodiment of the disclosed and claimed concept; 
           [0024]      FIG. 13  is a side elevational view of an improved respiratory patient interface device having an improved connection apparatus in accordance with a seventh embodiment of the disclosed and claimed concept; and 
           [0025]      FIG. 14  is a side elevational view of an improved respiratory patient interface device having an improved connection apparatus in accordance with an eighth embodiment of the disclosed and claimed concept. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
       [0026]    As used herein, the singular form of “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. As used herein, the statement that two or more parts or components are “coupled” shall mean that the parts are joined or operate together either directly or indirectly, i.e., through one or more intermediate parts or components, so long as a link occurs. As used herein, “directly coupled” means that two elements are directly in contact with each other. As used herein, “fixedly coupled” or “fixed” means that two components are coupled so as to move as one while maintaining a constant orientation relative to each other. 
         [0027]    As used herein, the word “unitary” means a component is created as a single piece or unit. That is, a component that includes pieces that are created separately and then coupled together as a unit is not a “unitary” component or body. As employed herein, the statement that two or more parts or components “engage” one another shall mean that the parts exert a force against one another either directly or through one or more intermediate parts or components. 
         [0028]    Directional phrases used herein, such as, for example and without limitation, top, bottom, left, right, upper, lower, front, back, and derivatives thereof, relate to the orientation of the elements shown in the drawings and are not limiting upon the claims unless expressly recited therein. 
         [0029]    As can be seen in  FIG. 2 , an improved respiratory patient interface device in accordance with the disclosed and claimed concept includes an improved connection apparatus  4  that extends between a mask  8  and a headgear  12 . As is generally understood in the relevant art, mask  8  is configured to be engaged with the face of a patient and to provide a flow of breathing gas to the airways of the patient. Headgear  12  includes a first strap  16  and a second strap  20  that are adjustably connected with connection apparatus  4 . In the depicted exemplary embodiment, first and second straps  16  and  20  are adjusted through the use of hook and loop fasteners, although other adjustment structures can be employed with departing from the present concept. As will be set forth in greater detail below, connection apparatus  4  advantageously enables mask  8  and/or headgear  12  to be removed from the patient without the need to individually remove or readjust either of first and second straps  16  and  20 . 
         [0030]    More particularly, connection apparatus  4  can be said to include a clip apparatus  24  and a face plate apparatus  28 . As can be understood from  FIGS. 2-4 , face plate apparatus  28  is disposed on and at least partially overlies mask  8  whereas headgear  12  is connected with clip apparatus  24 . As will be set forth in greater detail below, the advantageous interplay between clip apparatus  24  and face plate apparatus  28  advantageously enables headgear  12  to be moved with respect to mask  8  without the need to individually remove either of first and second straps  16  and  20  from connection apparatus  4 , which facilitates such removal and also facilitates the reinstallation of the respiratory patient interface device on the patient. 
         [0031]    Clip apparatus  24  can be said to include a pair of clips  32 A and  32 B, it being noted that only clip  32 A is expressly depicted in  FIG. 2 . Face plate apparatus  28  can be said to include a face plate  36  and a pair of attachment apparatuses  40 A and  40 B. Attachment apparatus  40 A is cooperable with clip  32 A, and attachment apparatus  40 B is cooperable with clip  32 B. Clips  32 A and  32 B each have a first mount  44  and a second mount  48  that are cooperable with first and second straps  16  and  20 , respectively. In the depicted exemplary embodiment, first and second mounts  44  and  48  are each in the form of an elongated receptacle that are structured to receive one of first and second straps  16  and  20  therein. While the interaction between first and second straps  16  and  20  is depicted in  FIG. 2  only with respect to clip  32 A, it is understood that headgear  12  has a pair of straps that are likewise each adjustably connected with first and second mounts  44  and  48  of clip  32 B. 
         [0032]    Attachment apparatuses  40 A and  40 B can be said to each include a pivotable connection element in the exemplary form of a pivot pin  52  that is situated on face plate  36  and that is pivotably receivable in a hole  56  ( FIG. 4 ) formed in each of clips  32 A and  32 B. Clips  32 A and  32 B are thus pivotable with respect to face plate  36  about pivot pins  52 . 
         [0033]    Attachment apparatuses  40 A and  40 B further each include a fixed connection element in the exemplary form of a hook-shaped locking tab  60  situated on each of clips  32 A and  32 B and which are each receivable in one a pair of apertures  64  formed in face plate  36  on opposite sides thereof (it being noted that only the aperture  64  that is situated on the left side of face plate  38  is expressly depicted herein, it being further noted that the aperture  64  situated on the right side of face plate  38  is in a mirror image location as that depicted in  FIG. 2 ). 
         [0034]    While attachment apparatuses  40 A and  40 B are discussed in the hierarchy herein as being a part of face plate apparatus  28 , it is noted attachment apparatuses  40 A and  40 B are intended to enable cooperation between face plate  36  and clips  32 A and  32 B. As such, certain of the various components of attachment apparatuses  40 A and  40 B may be situated on face plate  36 , and certain of the various components of attachment apparatuses  40 A and  40 B may be situated on clips  32 A and  32 B, and such relationship may be changed from what is expressly depicted herein without departing from the scope of the present concept. It thus is expressly noted that in other embodiments than those expressly depicted herein the various arrangements of elements can be varied without departing from the scope of the disclosed and claimed concepts. 
         [0035]    As can be understood from  FIG. 2 , when locking tab  60  is received in aperture  64 , clip  32 A is retained in a generally fixed relation with respect to face plate  36 , and thus first and second straps  16  and  20  are retained in a fixed relationship with respect to mask  8 . Such a condition can be considered to be a locked condition of attachment apparatus  40 A. However, and as can be understood from  FIG. 3 , when locking tab  60  is released from aperture  64 , clip  32 A is pivotable about pivot pin  52 , which can be considered to be an unlocked condition of attachment apparatus  40 A. The same can be said for clip  32 B. 
         [0036]    In the unlocked condition of attachment apparatus  40 A, and the corresponding (but not expressly depicted herein) unlocked condition of attachment apparatus  40 B, first and second straps  16  and  20  and thus headgear  12  are permitted to move with respect to mask  8 , which permits mask  8  and/or headgear  12  to be removed from the patient. Advantageously, however, such removal of mask  8  and/or headgear  12  occurs without removing or adjusting either of first and second straps  16  and  20 . Rather, first and second straps  16  and  20  remain connected with clip  32 A, and clip  32 A is released from its fixed relationship with face plate  36  and is pivotable with respect to face plate  36 . As such, mask  8  and/or headgear  12  can be removed from the patient without disturbing the adjustment (of first and second straps  16  and  20 ) for fit and comfort that had already been achieved. Similarly, mask  8  and headgear  12  can be reinstalled on the patient and the locking tabs  60  returned to apertures  64  in order to reinstall the respiratory patient interface device on the patient. Such reinstallation of mask  8  and headgear  12  on the patient without the need to adjust either of first and second straps  16  and  20  pursuant to such removal and/or replacement results in the significant time savings to the patient, which is highly desirable. Moreover, since the fit of mask and headgear  8  and  12  on the patient can be repeatedly replicated without the need for readjustment, comfort and fit can generally be said to be improved as a result. 
         [0037]    Much of the foregoing discussion has been in terms of clip  32 A, and it is understood that in the depicted exemplary embodiment clips  32 A and  32 B are mirror images of one another, as are attachment apparatuses  40 A and  40 B. In removing mask  8  and/or headgear  12  from the patient, the patient can move either or both of clips  32 A and  32 B from the locked condition to the unlocked condition and pivot either or both of them with respect to face plate  36 , after which mask  8  and/or headgear  12  can be removed from the patient. 
         [0038]    It is understood, however, that such removal potentially can be performed by moving only a single one of clips  32 A and  32 B to the unlocked condition and pivoting it with respect to face plate  36 . In this regard, therefore, it is understood that alternative embodiments of connection apparatus  4  potentially may be configured to have only a single clip, such as clip  32 A, with first and second straps  16  and  20  of headgear  12  mounted thereto. Such a clip may be situated at either the left side or the right side of mask  8 , and the straps at the side of headgear  12  opposite the clip may connect directly with mask  8  and/or face plate  36 . As such, it is expressly noted that the pair of clips  32 A and  32 B are provided herein in an exemplary fashion and for purposes of convenience to the user, and it is thus also understood that the advantageous results provided herein can be achieved through the potential use of only a single one of clips  32 A and  32 B. 
         [0039]    Moreover, further embodiments are set forth below and are described generally in terms only of the left side of a respiratory patient interface device. For each of the additional embodiments set forth below, it is understood that such embodiments typically will have similar structures at the right side of the respiratory patient interface device, but that such structures are not expressly described herein for purposes of simplicity of disclosure. It is likewise understood, however, that the additional embodiments below can potentially be configured to include such structures at only one side of such respiratory patient interface device and can still provide the advantageous benefits described herein. 
         [0040]      FIG. 5  depicts another improved respiratory patient interface device that includes an improved connection apparatus  104  in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. Connection apparatus  104  is similar to connection apparatus  4  in that it includes a clip apparatus  124  and a face plate apparatus  128  that are cooperable and that are movable between locked and unlocked conditions. However, face plate apparatus  128  includes a face plate  136  that further has an elongated slot  168  formed therein within which pivot pin  152  is slidably situated. That is, clip apparatus  124  is pivotable about pivot pin  152 , and pivot pin  152  is additionally slidable within slot  168 . Slot  168  provides for improved range of movement of a headgear with respect to a mask in the unlocked condition, which is advantageous. 
         [0041]    Moreover, slot  168  has a seat  172  formed therein that is structured to receive pivot pin  152  when clip apparatus  124  is in its locked condition. That is, while connection apparatus  104  is depicted herein only in its unlocked condition, it can be understood that in moving connection apparatus  104  to its locked condition, pivot pin  152  is received against seat  172 , and the locking tab of clip apparatus  124  is received in the aperture formed in face plate  136 . In such a condition, both pivoting and sliding movement of pivot pin  152  with respect to face plate  136  is resisted. 
         [0042]    An improved respiratory patient interface device having an improved connection apparatus  204  in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention is depicted generally in  FIGS. 6 and 7  in conjunction with another mask and headgear. Connection apparatus  204  includes a clip apparatus  224  having a clip  236 , and further includes a face plate apparatus  248  having a face plate  236 . Face plate apparatus  228  further includes an attachment apparatus  240 . While attachment apparatus  240  is similar to attachment apparatus  40 A, some differences exist in that attachment apparatus  240  is configured as a seat  272  having a receptacle  274  that is structured to lockably and releasably receive clip  232  therein. Specifically, and as can be seen from  FIG. 7 , clip  232  and receptacle  274  have cooperative structures that enable such locking and removability and which, in the depicted exemplary embodiment, include a protrusion  276  situated on clip  232  and a depression  278  formed in seat  272 . As can be understood from  FIG. 7 , protrusion  276  is received in depression  278  to lock clip  232  with respect to seat  272 . However, clip  232  is also provided with a finger grip  280  which permits the user to grasp clip  232  and pull it from receptacle  274  by overcoming the frictional forces between protrusion  276  and depression  278  and to detach clip  232  as a whole from seat  272 . Such removal enables the mask and/or the headgear to be removed from the patient. Clip  232  can be returned to seat  272  in a reverse fashion. 
         [0043]    As can be understood from  FIG. 6 , the two straps of the headgear are received in first and second mounts  244  and  248 , respectively, which are situated at alternate sides of seat  272  when clip  232  is received in receptacle  274  of seat  272 . Moreover, it can be understood that finger grip  280  is generally in an anterior position with respect to seat  272  and first and second mounts  244  and  248  when the respiratory patient interface device is mounted on a patient. 
         [0044]    As can be understood from  FIGS. 8-10 , an improved respiratory patient interface device having an improved connection apparatus  304  in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention is structured to extend between a mask and a headgear and to be a part of an improved respiratory patient interface device for use on a patient. Connection apparatus  304  can be said to include a clip apparatus  324  and a face plate apparatus  328  that are cooperable with one another. Clip apparatus  324  includes a clip  332 , and face plate apparatus  328  includes a face plate  336 . Clip  332  can be said to include a base  382  adjacent an opening  384  and to further include an elongated lug  386  having a first mount  344  and a second mount  348  formed in lug  386  at a location distal to base  382 . It is understood that the exemplary embodiment of connection apparatus  304  actually includes a pair of clips  332 , although only a single instance of clip  332  is depicted herein for purposes of simplicity. 
         [0045]    As can be understood from  FIG. 9 , face plate  336  includes a pair of legs  388 A and  388 B that each have a seat  390 A and  390 B, respectively, formed therein at the free end thereof. It can be understood from  FIG. 8  that base  382  of clip  332  is lockably and removably received in seat  390 A, and should be clear to one of ordinary skill in the relevant art the other instance of clip  332  that is not expressly depicted herein is likewise lockably and removably receivable in seat  390 B. 
         [0046]    As can further be understood from  FIG. 9 , legs  388 A and  388 B are movable between a free state (which exists when clips  332  are removed from seats  390 A and  390 B) and a deflected state (as is indicated in dashed lines at the numerals  388 A′ and  388 B′, although clips  332  are not expressly depicted in  FIG. 9  for purposes of simplicity of disclosure). Seats  390 A and  390 B in their free state are situated in a direction generally anterior to the position of such seats  390 A and  390 B in the deflected position of legs  388 A and  388 B (depicted in dashed lines at the numerals  388 A′ and  388 B′ in  FIG. 9 ). In this regard, it is noted that  FIG. 8  depicts the deflected state of leg  388 A′, albeit with clip  332  removed from seat  390 A for purposes of illustration. 
         [0047]    When base  382  is received in seat  390 A, the two are lockably connected together. Such connection can potentially be made pivotable if base  382  is of a circular profile in cross-section, although such a feature is merely optional. 
         [0048]    Moreover, clip  332  can be removed from seat  390 A by the user pulling finger grip  380  to release base  382  from seat  390 A. Upon the release of clip  332  from seat  390 A, leg  388 A returns to its free state as is indicated generally in  FIG. 9 , which is in a direction anterior to the position of leg  388 A when in the deflected position and situated on a patient. In this regard, therefore, it can be understood that legs  388 A and  388 B in their free state are relatively more visible to the patient than in their deflected position by virtue of their being protruded in the free state in a generally anterior direction with respect to the patient. Such positioning of legs  388 A and  388 B facilitates the reattachment of clips  332  thereto at the appropriate time. 
         [0049]    An improved respiratory patient interface device having an improved connection apparatus  404  in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the disclosed and claimed concept is depicted generally in  FIG. 11 . Connection apparatus  404  is an alternative connection apparatus that includes certain features that can be incorporated into an improved respiratory patient interface device in accordance with most any of the foregoing embodiments. Connection apparatus  404  includes a clip apparatus  424  and a face plate apparatus  428 , with clip apparatus  424  having a clip  432  that includes a base  482  and a lug  386 . The lug  386  extends in a generally posterior direction with respect to base  482  when the mask and headgear are situated on a patient. In the depicted exemplary embodiment, first mount  444  is situated on lug  486 , and a second mount  444  is situated on base  482 . In the depicted exemplary embodiment of connection apparatus  404 , lug  486  is connected with the one of the straps of the headgear that is situated superior to the other of the straps of the headgear when the respiratory patient interface device with connection apparatus  404  is mounted on the patient. First mount  444  is situated in a generally posterior direction compared with second mount  448  when the respiratory patient interface device is situated on a patient, and lug  486  thus resists the headgear strap that is connected therewith from moving in a direction toward the eye of the patient, which is desirable. 
         [0050]    Another embodiment of the connection apparatus in accordance with a sixth embodiment of the disclosed and claimed concept is depicted generally in  FIG. 12  at the numeral  504 . Connection apparatus  504  is an alternative connection apparatus that includes certain features that can be incorporated into an improved respiratory patient interface device in accordance with most any of the foregoing embodiments. Connection apparatus  504  includes a clip apparatus  524  and a face plate apparatus  528 , with clip apparatus  524  including a clip  532  having a base  582  and a lug  586 . Connection apparatus  504  is similar to connection apparatus  404  in these respects. However, on connection apparatus  504 , lug  586  is connected with the one of the straps of the headgear that is situated inferior to the other straps of the headgear. That is, a first mount  544  is situated on base  582 , and a second mount  548  is formed on lug  586 . Moreover, clip  532  further includes a brace  592  situated at a position distal on lug  586  that slidably receives in a pocket formed thereon the superior strap that is received in first mount  544 . The connection of posterior-extending lug  586  and the connection of brace  592  with the superior strap resist movement of the superior strap in a direction generally toward the eye of the patient, which is desirable. 
         [0051]      FIG. 13  depicts at the numeral  604  another connection apparatus in accordance with a seventh embodiment of the disclosed and claimed concept. Connection apparatus  604  is an alternative connection apparatus that includes certain features that can be incorporated into an improved respiratory patient interface device in accordance with most any of the foregoing embodiments. Connection apparatus  604  includes a clip apparatus  624  and a face plate apparatus  628  that are cooperable with one another, with face plate apparatus  628  including an attachment apparatus  640  that comprises a seat  672 . Clip apparatus  624  comprises a clip  632  having a base  682  that is receivable on seat  672 . Clip  632  further includes a first lug  686  that extends in a posterior direction from base  682  and which has a first mount  644  formed at a distal end thereof. Moreover, clip  632  includes a second lug  694  that likewise extends in a generally posterior direction from base  682  and which has a second mount  648  formed at a distal end thereon. (The posterior direction is mentioned with respect to the connection apparatus  604  being mounted on a patient.) Base  682  is lockably receivable on seat  672  and is removable therefrom by the patient with the use of a finger grip  680 . Lockable retention of clip  632  on seat  672  retains first and second lugs  686  and  694  in a generally fixed position with respect to the mask and thus resists movement of both the superior and the inferior straps of the headgear in a direction generally toward the eye of the patient, which is desirable. 
         [0052]    A further connection apparatus in accordance with an eighth embodiment of the disclosed and claimed concept is depicted generally in  FIG. 14  at the numeral  704 . Connection apparatus  704  is an alternative connection apparatus that includes certain features that can be incorporated into an improved respiratory patient interface device in accordance with most any of the foregoing embodiments. Connection apparatus  704  is similar to connection apparatus  604  in that connection apparatus  704  includes a clip apparatus  724  and a face plate apparatus  728 , with the face plate apparatus  728  including an attachment apparatus  740  having a seat  772 . Likewise, clip apparatus  724  includes a clip  732  having a base  782  from which extend (in a generally posterior direction with respect to a patient) a first lug  786  on which a first mount  744  is formed and a second lug  794  on which a second mount  748  is formed. Further advantageously, a brace  792  resiliently extends between first and second lugs  786  and  794 . First and second lugs  786  and  794  thus can be made of a relatively flexible material such as fabric or silicone rubber material since the tension among the straps of the headgear and the first and second lugs  786  and  794  provides a sufficient level of tension to resist movement of any of the structures of clip apparatus  724  and the headgear connected therewith for moving toward the eye of the patient, which is desirable. 
         [0053]    The various embodiments thus advantageously enable a headgear and a mask to be removed from a patient and to be reinstalled thereon substantially without the need to individually remove straps of a headgear or to adjust them. Such configurations thus advantageously facilitate such removal and reinstallation of the improved respiratory patient interface device and improve comfort and fit to the patient. 
         [0054]    In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. The word “comprising” or “including” does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those listed in a claim. In a device claim enumerating several means, several of these means may be embodied by one and the same item of hardware. The word “a” or “an” preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. In any device claim enumerating several means, several of these means may be embodied by one and the same item of hardware. The mere fact that certain elements are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that these elements cannot be used in combination. 
         [0055]    Although the invention has been described in detail for the purpose of illustration based on what is currently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that such detail is solely for that purpose and that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover modifications and equivalent arrangements that are within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For example, it is to be understood that the present invention contemplates that, to the extent possible, one or more features of any embodiment can be combined with one or more features of any other embodiment.