Headgear Assembly

a headgear and assembly technology, applied in the field of headgear, can solve the problems of not optimizing the comfort of the headgear on the head/neck of the user, not maximizing the stability of the headgear, etc., and achieve the effect of comfortable and stable, better form

US20110072553A1Inactive Publication Date: 2011-03-31RIC INVESTMENTS LLC
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
US · United States
Patent Type
Applications(United States)
Current Assignee / Owner
Publication Date
2011-03-31
Estimated Expiration
Not applicable · inactive patent

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Abstract

A headgear assembly for attaching an object to a head of a user is defined by first and second beams adapted wrap around the back of a user's neck and / or head. The first and second beams are generally planer and are adapted to be disposed in a first plane responsive to being stretched flat. The first beam has a first radius of curvature defined in the first plane, and the second has a second radius of curvature defined in the first plane in a same direction as the first radius of curvature. A first member coupling the first beam with the second beam. When donned by the user, the headgear assembly assumes a generally spherical shape that conforms to the back of the human head.
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Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) from provisional U.S. patent application No. 60 / 842,741, filed Sep. 7, 2006, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention generally relates to a headgear adapted to support an object on the head of a user, and, more particularly, to a headgear having curved beams that enable the headgear to assume a spherical configuration when donned by a user.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] There are numerous situations where it is necessary to couple an object to the face of a user. For example, non-invasive ventilation and pressure support therapies involve the placement of a patient interface device, which is typically a nasal mask that covers the nose, a nasal / oral mask that covers the nose and mouth, or full face mask that covers the patient face, on the face of a patient. The pati...

Examples

second embodiment

[0039]Referring now to FIGS. 5-7, a headgear assembly 60 according to the principles of the present invention will be described. As in the previous embodiment, headgear assembly 60 includes first and second beams 62 and 64, respectively, and first and second coupling members 66 and 68. In this embodiment, however, first beam 62 includes end portions 70a and 70b separated by an elastic portion 72. End portions 70a, 70b, second beam 62, and first and second coupling members 66 and 68 are defined as a unitary structure that is semi-rigid, non-stretchy. Examples of materials suitable for forming this unitary structure include: spandex, a lycra lamination, a rubber band that includes a silicone strip, VELSTRETCH, or any combination thereof. As shown in FIG. 7, a pad 74 may be provided over the semi-rigid material to maximize patient comfort. Pad 74 can be provided over a majority of the structure, as shown, or it can be provided only at selected locations.

[0040]The elastic portion of the...

sixth embodiment

[0045]FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate a headgear assembly 150 according to the principles of the present invention. As in the previous embodiments, headgear assembly 150 includes first and second beams 152 and 154, respectively, and first and second members 156 and 158 span the first and second beams. Coupling members 162a, 162b are attached to end portions 160a, 160b of first beam 152, and coupling members 166, 166b are attached to end portions 164a, 164b of second beam 154. In this embodiment, coupling members 162a, 162b are rotatably attached to end portions 160a, 160b so that the coupling member can be moved, i.e., rotated, as indicated by arrows B to suit different types of patient interface devices. FIG. 14 also illustrates a first patient interface device 170 that is situated relatively low in the face of the user, and a second patient interface device 180 (shown in dashed lines) that is situation higher on the face. Giving the upper coupling members the ability to rotate allows t...