Patent ID: 7162778

Claim:
A mask strap adjuster comprises a base ( 10 ) having a proximal end; a distal end; a top side; a bottom side; an outer surface; two cap recesses ( 11 ) formed respectively in the top and bottom sides of the base near the distal end of the base and corresponding to each other, and each recess having a bottom; and two notches ( 111 ) formed in the base through the bottom of the recess and corresponding to each other; a stationary shaft ( 12 ) mounted between the two cap recesses ( 11 ) in the base; two caps ( 14 ) slidably mounted respectively in the cap recesses ( 11 ), and each cap ( 14 ) having a bottom; and two nubs ( 141 ) formed at the bottom of the cap ( 14 ) and extending into the notches ( 111 ) in a corresponding one of the cap recesses ( 11 ); two springs ( 19 ) mounted respectively in the cap recesses ( 11 ) between the caps ( 14 ) and the bottoms of the cap recesses ( 11 ); a cover recess ( 16 ) formed in the outer surface of the base ( 10 ); a cover ( 20 ) mounted in the cover recess ( 16 ) in the base and having an inner surface; a top edge; a bottom edge; a proximal end; a pawl ( 22 ) formed on the inner surface of the cover near the distal end of the cover ( 20 ); and two nubs ( 23 ) formed on the inner surface of the cover ( 20 ) respectively at the top and bottom edges of the cover ( 20 ), corresponding to each other and selectively abutting the nubs ( 141 ) on the cap ( 14 ).