Patent ID: 8573211

Claim:
A respiratory mask comprising: (a) a mask body; (b) a cushion operatively coupled to the mask body such that a cavity is defined in the cushion, wherein the cavity is adapted to receive a portion of a user, responsive to the respiratory mask being disposed on such a user, the cushion comprising: (1) a first end portion adapted to be coupled to the mask body, (2) a second end portion adapted for sealing engagement with a face of a user, wherein the second end portion of the cushion is configured to contact a surface of such a user when the respiratory mask is donned by such a user, and (3) a sidewall extending between the first end portion and the second end portion, wherein at least one of the first end portion, the second end portion, and the sidewall is formed from an elastomeric material having an elongation of at least 1000%, and wherein the sidewall of the cushion extends from the mask body along a first plane; and (c) a first support member formed from a rigid or semi-rigid material and operatively coupled to the mask body, the first support member comprising: (1) a first end portion adapted to be coupled to the mask body, (2) a second end portion distal from the first end portion, and (3) a support sidewall extending between the first end portion and the second end portion, and wherein the support sidewall of the first support member extends from the mask body along a second plane that is general parallel to the first plane.