Source: https://patents.google.com/patent/US9592359
Timestamp: 2018-03-24 10:33:12
Document Index: 615497273

Matched Legal Cases: ['Application No. 10', 'Application No. 2004800402201', 'Application No. 08161868', 'Application No. 08161868', 'Application No. 2011', 'Application No. 2012203522']

US9592359B2 - Forehead support for facial mask - Google Patents
US9592359B2
US9592359B2 US13470962 US201213470962A US9592359B2 US 9592359 B2 US9592359 B2 US 9592359B2 US 13470962 US13470962 US 13470962 US 201213470962 A US201213470962 A US 201213470962A US 9592359 B2 US9592359 B2 US 9592359B2
US13470962
US20120222681A1 (en )
A respiratory mask assembly includes a respiratory mask including a mask shell and a mask cushion, a forehead support adjustably coupled to the mask, and an angular adjustment member. The forehead support includes a joining member provided to the mask shell and a cushion frame pivotally mounted to the joining member. The cushion frame is adapted to be selectively locked against pivotal movement in at least three predetermined angular positions relative to the joining member by a tongue and slot arrangement. The angular adjustment member allows relative angular adjustment between the cushion frame and the joining member. The angular adjustment member includes a pair of flexible arms that are adapted to be flexed towards one another to disengage the tongue from a respective one of the slots, and releasing the flexible arms allows the flexible arms to resiliently flex away from one another to engage the tongue and the respective slot.
This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/585,732, filed Sep. 23, 2009, allowed, which is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/510,607, filed Aug. 28, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,610,916, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/700,252, filed Nov. 4, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,234,466, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/264,326, filed Oct. 4, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,860,269, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/502,745, filed Feb. 11, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,532,961, which claims the benefit of Australian Patent Application No. PQ 1040, filed Jun. 18, 1999, each incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
The joining member 14 is connected on top of the mask shell 17 generally adjacent and above the wearer's nose. It will be appreciated that the nasal mask 16 shown is just one example of a respiratory mask that could be supported by the forehead support 10. For example, the forehead support also finds application in supporting full-face (i.e. nose and mouth) masks.
FIG. 8 shows a second embodiment of a forehead support 50 according to the present invention Like reference numerals to those used in describing the first embodiment will be used to denote like features in relation to the second embodiment.
a respiratory mask including a mask shell and a mask cushion;
a forehead support adjustably coupled to the mask, the forehead support including a joining member provided to the mask shell and a cushion frame pivotally mounted to the joining member so that the cushion frame can change an angular position with respect to the mask shell, wherein the cushion frame is adapted to be selectively locked against pivotal movement relative to the joining member in at least three predetermined angular positions by a tongue and slot arrangement including a tongue adapted to be received in one of at least three slots so as to lock the cushion frame and joining member at one of the at least three predetermined angular positions; and
an angular adjustment member to allow selection between the at least three predetermined angular positions, the angular adjustment member including a pair of flexible arms spaced from one another a predetermined distance, the flexible arms are adapted to be flexed in a flexed configuration such that they flex toward one another to disengage the tongue from a respective one of the at least three slots, and the flexible arms are adapted to be released from the flexed configuration to allow the flexible arms to resiliently flex away from one another to engage the tongue in the respective one of the least three slots.
2. A respiratory mask assembly according to claim 1, wherein each flexible arm of the pair of flexible arms includes an angled end portion adapted for manual manipulation, the angled end portions extending in directions opposite one another.
3. A respiratory mask assembly according to claim 1, wherein the forehead support pivots relative to the mask about a generally fixed pivot axis.
4. A respiratory mask assembly according to claim 3, wherein the pair of flexible arms extend substantially perpendicular to the pivot axis.
5. A respiratory mask assembly according to claim 1, wherein the cushion frame is adapted to locate one or more forehead cushions.
6. A respiratory mask assembly according to claim 1, wherein the cushion frame include an upper cross portion that supports a forehead cushion and extends substantially parallel to an axis about which the cushion frame pivots.
7. A respiratory mask assembly according to claim 1, wherein the cushion frame and joining member include at least one shaft and slot assembly by which the cushion frame pivots.
8. A respiratory mask assembly according to claim 1, wherein the cushion frame includes a slotted head strap connector portion at each lateral end of the cushion frame.
9. A respiratory mask assembly according to claim 1, wherein the mask includes a swivel elbow through which pressurized breathable gas is supplied.
10. A respiratory mask assembly according to claim 1, wherein the mask is a nasal mask.
11. A respiratory mask assembly according to claim 1, wherein the mask is a full-face mask.
12. A respiratory mask assembly according to claim 1, wherein the angular adjustment member is centrally located on a lower end of an upright portion of the cushion frame.
13. A respiratory mask assembly according to claim 1, wherein the angular adjustment member is oriented towards a front and top of the mask shell.
14. A respiratory mask assembly according to claim 1, wherein the angular adjustment member provides one-handed operation to symmetrically adjust the position of the cushion frame.
15. A respiratory mask assembly to supply breathable gas to a wearer's airways, comprising:
a mask cushion provided to the mask shell;
a forehead support including a forehead cushion frame and a joining member integrally moulded with the forehead cushion frame and joined by an integral hinge such that the forehead cushion frame and the joining member are pivotable relative to each other about the integral hinge; and
a locking mechanism to selectively lock the forehead cushion frame in two or more predetermined angular positions relative to the joining member.
16. The respiratory mask assembly according to claim 15, wherein the mask shell is integrally formed with the joining member.
17. The respiratory mask assembly according to claim 15, wherein the forehead support is moulded from polypropylene.
18. The respiratory mask assembly according to claim 15, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a tongue and groove arrangement.
19. The respiratory mask assembly according to claim 18, wherein the locking mechanism includes an adjustment member to engage and disengage the tongue and groove arrangement.
20. The respiratory mask assembly according to claim 19, wherein the adjustment member includes a flexible member and button protruding from the flexible member, and the flexible member includes a tongue adapted to be received in at least one groove.
21. The respiratory mask assembly according to claim 20, wherein the button and the tongue are inherently biased to a position engaging said at least one groove.
22. The respiratory mask assembly according to claim 15, wherein the forehead cushion frame is adapted to locate one or more forehead cushions.
23. The respiratory mask assembly according to claim 15, wherein the forehead cushion frame includes a slotted head strap connector adapted to connect a head strap.
24. The respiratory mask assembly according to claim 15, wherein the integral hinge is a living hinge.
25. A method of manufacturing a respiratory mask assembly comprising:
moulding a forehead support including a forehead cushion frame and a joining member in a substantially flat configuration;
pivoting the forehead cushion frame through approximately 180 degrees relative to the joining member; and
engaging a locking mechanism to selectively lock the forehead cushion frame in a predetermined angular position relative to the joining member.
26. The method according to claim 25, wherein moulding a forehead support includes joining the forehead cushion frame to the joining member by an integral hinge such that the forehead cushion frame and the joining member are pivotable relative to each other about the integral hinge.
27. The method according to claim 25, further comprising integrally molding a mask shell with the joining member.
28. The method according to claim 25, wherein moulding a forehead support includes molding the forehead support from polypropylene.
29. The method according to claim 25, wherein engaging a locking mechanism includes engaging a tongue in one of at least two grooves.
30. The method according to claim 25, wherein the joining member and the forehead support are formed in one piece and connected via a living hinge.
US13470962 1999-06-18 2012-05-14 Forehead support for facial mask Active 2022-05-03 US9592359B2 (en)
US12585732 Continuation US8186348B2 (en) 1999-06-18 2009-09-23 Forehead support for facial mask
US20120222681A1 true US20120222681A1 (en) 2012-09-06
US9592359B2 true US9592359B2 (en) 2017-03-14
WO1990001963A1 (en) 1988-08-26 1990-03-08 Kopala John A Nasal adaptor device and nares seals
EP0873906B1 (en) 1997-04-25 2004-10-20 I.T.W. De France Article comprising two elements articulated relative to one another
Communication of a Notice of Opposition dated Jan. 22, 2014 issued in a corresponding EP Patent No. 1 985 327 (EP Appln. No. 08161868.8), together with a Notice of Opposition dated Jan. 13, 2014 (filed Jan. 15, 2014), together with an English translation (52 pages).
Communication Pursuant to Article 94(3) EPC (Examination Report) mailed Sep. 18, 2015 in European Application No. 10 185 071.7 (6 pages).
English Translation of Office Action from corresponding Chinese Patent Application No. 2004800402201.
Feb. 25, 2016 Decision Rejecting the Opposition (Article 101(2) EPC) issued in European Application No. 08161868.8 (5 pages).
Feb. 25, 2016 Minutes of the Oral Proceedings Before the Opposition Division issued in European Application No. 08161868.8 (5 pages).
International Search Report for PCT/EP2004/012811 dated Apr. 12, 2005.
Kwok et al, Australian PQ 1040, Jun. 18, 1999. *
Mask 16 Photo raphs, Hans Rudolph Inc.. Hans Rudolph Silicone Rubber Face Mask/8900.
Office Action issued in a corresponding Japanese Application No. 2011-106504 (dated Nov. 13, 2012) with English translation thereof and Office Action Summary.
Patent Examination Report No. 1 issued in a corresponding Australian Application No. 2012203522, dated Jul. 30, 2013.
Product Brochure for "Sullivan Miracle" Face Mask, ©1997, ResMed, 4 pages.
Product Brochure for "Sullivan Mirage" Face Mask, ©1998, ResMed, 4 pages.
Summons to Attend Oral Proceedings Pursuant to Rule 115(1) EPC mailed May 29, 2015 in European Patent No. 1985327 (EP Appln. No. 081611868.8) (7 pages).
US20130037033A1 (en) 2013-02-14 Respiratory masks with gusseted cushions