Patent ID: 8573200

Claim:
A system for delivering a breathing gas to a user comprising: (a) a gas flow/pressure generating device adapted to produce a flow of gas, the gas flow generating device having a housing and an outlet on an exterior of the housing; (b) a patient interface assembly adapted to be worn by such a user; and (c) a conduit assembly having a first end portion operatively coupled to the outlet of the housing and a second end portion operatively coupled to the patient interface assembly, wherein the conduit assembly carries the flow of gas from the gas flow generating device during operation of the gas flow generating system; (d) a magnetic coupling assembly comprising: (1) a first member operatively coupled to the second end portion of the conduit assembly, the first member having a channel having a plurality of walls, (2) a second member operatively coupled to the patient interface assembly, the second member having a flange, and (3) a plurality of magnetic elements disposed on the first member in the channel and the second member on a bottom of the flange such that in an engaged position the flange is received in the channel and engages the walls and the magnetic elements on the first member are attracted to the magnetic elements on the second member and rotating the first member relatively to the second member causes a repulsive force to be generated between the magnetic elements on the first member and the magnetic elements on the second member.