Patent ID: 7600513

Claim:
A respiratory mask assembly comprising: a headgear structure including at least one strap portion having an; a male connector portion attached to the end of the at least one strap portion, the male connector portion including a trailing portion that has a pair of spaced side portions and a cross bar extending transversely therebetween, the male connector portion also including a leading portion that has a pair of longitudinally extending side beams spaced slightly inwardly from the side portions, the leading portion including a cross piece extending between the side beams and defining a leading edge of the male connector portion, the leading portion of the male connector portion also including a cantilevered member extending from an intermediate portion of the cross piece toward the trailing portion of the male connector portion, the cantilevered member being movable between deflected and undeflected positions and being resiliently biased toward the undeflected position, the cantilevered member including a locking element extending outwardly therefrom, the locking element being positioned on the cantilevered member generally spaced from the cross piece, the leading portion of the male connector portion including a ridge structure adjacent the trailing portion and extending generally perpendicularly relative to the side beams; a mask frame; and a female connector portion secured to the mask frame and being configured to receive the male connector portion therein.