초록 ▼

Inflatable harness respiratory apparatus (10) is provided having an improved comfort control assembly (16) allowing reduction in the engagement force exerted by the fitting surface (20) of the mask (12) against the face of the user. The mask (12) is equipped with an inflatable harness strap element

Inflatable harness respiratory apparatus (10) is provided having an improved comfort control assembly (16) allowing reduction in the engagement force exerted by the fitting surface (20) of the mask (12) against the face of the user. The mask (12) is equipped with an inflatable harness strap element (26) having terminal ends (28, 30) supported on stationary, tubular mask mounts (36) via housing assemblies (38). In one embodiment, the terminal ends (28, 30) are releasably locked onto the mounts (36) by means of locks (52), but are axially shiftable along the length of the mounts (36) in order to adjust the effective distance between the fitting surface (20) and the terminal ends (28, 30). An adjustment button (78) may be depressed in order to disengage the locks (52) and permit shifting of the associated terminal end (28, 30). Alternately, an intermediate comfort position is pneumatically achieved by controlled pressurization of an internal cavity (128) within the housing assembly (88).

대표청구항 ▼

[ We claim:] [1.] In respiratory apparatus adapted to fit upon the head of a user and comprising a mask presenting a fitting surface adapted to fit against the face of said user, means for delivery of pressurized breathable gas into said mask, and an extensible, selectively inflatable and deflatable

[ We claim:] [1.] In respiratory apparatus adapted to fit upon the head of a user and comprising a mask presenting a fitting surface adapted to fit against the face of said user, means for delivery of pressurized breathable gas into said mask, and an extensible, selectively inflatable and deflatable strap element presenting a pair of terminal ends operably connected with said mask, said strap element when inflated assuming an enlarged configuration allowing ready donning of the apparatus over the head of the user, said strap element when deflated assuming an initial position and coming into engagement with the user's head and thereby drawing said mask into tight engagement with the user's face, the improvement of a comfort adjustment for the respiratory apparatus allowing lessening of the engagement force exerted by the mask against the user's face, said comfort adjustment comprising:a mounting member on said mask operatively supporting at least one of said strap elementterminal ends and allowing relative translational shifting movement between said one strap element terminal end and said mask fitting surface;a stop for locking said one strap element terminal end on said mounting member; and an adjuster operable to selectively disengage said stop and permit adjustment of the relativeposition of said one element terminal end and said mask fitting surface to any of a plurality of positions when said strap element is deflated and assumes said initial position and draws said mask into said tight engagement with the user's face,said stop operable to lock said strap element terminal end on said mounting member at any of said plurality of positions,said mounting member including mechanism operable to cause said strap element to reassume said initial position when the strap element is subjected to an inflation/deflation cycle, irrespective of the position of said strap element terminal end prior to said inflation/deflation cycle.