Patent ID: 7753050

Claim:
A respiratory mask assembly for delivering breathable gas to a patient, comprising: a frame having a main frame body and a side frame member provided on each lateral side of the main frame body, at least one of the side frame members including an integrally formed locking clip receiver assembly; and at least one locking clip having a main clip body providing a front portion and a rear portion, the front portion adapted to be removably coupled with the at least one locking clip receiver assembly and the rear portion adapted to be removably coupled to a headgear assembly, wherein the rear portion of the locking clip includes a cross bar that forms an opening through which a strap of the headgear assembly can pass and be removably coupled with the cross bar, and the front portion of the locking clip includes a pair of resiliently flexible spring arms that are flexible within the plane of the main clip body, wherein the locking clip receiver assembly includes a slot and the locking clip includes a central support tab positioned between the pair of spring arms, the central support tab inserted into the slot when the locking clip and locking clip receiver assembly are removably coupled so as to prevent relative movement between the locking clip and the locking clip receiver assembly, wherein the slot includes a protrusion and the central support tab includes a groove, the protrusion being inserted into the groove when the locking clip and locking clip receiver assembly are removably coupled to one another, and wherein the protrusion is tapered.