Headgear assemblies and interface assemblies with headgear

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12102765-B2
Application number	US-202017061544-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 1, 2020
Priority date	Sep 16, 2014
Publication date	Oct 1, 2024
Grant date	Oct 1, 2024

Abstract

A headgear system and/or an interface assembly incorporating a headgear system that, in some configurations, is configured to transform from elasticated or “stretchy” behavior to “inelastic” behavior at least in response to normal or expected forces encountered during the intended therapy. In some configurations, upon fitment to the head of a user, the system automatically adjusts toward or to an appropriate size. A headgear portion or assembly for use in combination with a breathing apparatus in some configurations is at least substantially inelastic and is three dimensional in shape. The headgear portion or assembly can comprise a plastic core and a textile casing. The headgear, or part thereof, may also have integrally moulded labels, connectors, adjustment mechanisms and/or grips.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A headgear assembly for a respiratory interface comprising:
a rear portion;
a front portion;
a first elastic side portion on a first side of the headgear assembly;
a second elastic side portion of a second side of the headgear assembly;
at least one filament that extends along at least one of the first elastic side portion and second elastic side portion, the at least one filament coupled to at least one of the rear portion and the front portion;
at least one directional lock assembly, wherein the at least one directional lock assembly comprises:
a housing comprising: a first end wall, a second end wall, a first side wall, a second side wall, a first chamber, a second chamber, and wherein the first side wall and the second side wall extends between the first end wall and the second end wall,
a first lock element and a second lock element configured to pivot between an open position and a locked position,
wherein the first end wall, the second end wall, the first lock element and the second lock element comprise openings for the at least one filament to pass through, wherein the openings in the first end wall and the openings in the second end wall are aligned with each other, and
wherein each of the first chamber and the second chamber comprise lock element retainers that are configured to pivotally retain the first lock element and the second lock element within the first chamber or the second chamber respectively;

wherein the at least one filament passes through the at least one directional lock assembly, and wherein the at least one directional lock assembly is configured to selectively engage the at least one filament to resist movement of the at least one filament relative to the at least one directional lock assembly, and
wherein the rear portion comprises at least one filament housing that accommodates a portion of the at least one filament.

2. The headgear assembly of claim 1 , wherein the at least one filament housing is located on a rear headgear portion.

3. The headgear assembly of claim 1 , wherein the rear portion and the front portion are inelastic.

4. The headgear assembly of claim 1 , wherein the rear portion comprises:
at least one strap, the at least one strap comprising a moulded plastic core; and
an integrated textile casing comprising a knitted, woven, or braided tube.

5. The headgear assembly of claim 4 , wherein the at least one strap includes a conduit extending in a lengthwise direction along the at least one strap within an interior of the integrated textile casing.

6. The headgear assembly of claim 5 , wherein the conduit is the at least one filament housing that accommodates a portion of the at least one filament.

7. The headgear assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first elastic side portion and the second elastic side portion comprise at least one stretch elements and at least one non-stretch elements.

8. The headgear assembly of claim 7 , wherein the at least one non-stretch elements provide a maximum extension.

9. The headgear assembly of claim 7 , wherein the at least one non-stretch elements provide a hard stop.

10. The headgear assembly of claim 1 , wherein the at least one directional lock assembly is located on the rear portion.

11. The headgear assembly of claim 1 , wherein the at least one filament connects a transformational lock assembly on the first side of the headgear assembly with a transformational lock assembly on the second side of the headgear assembly.

12. The headgear assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first chamber and the second chamber are separated by an internal wall of the housing, the internal wall comprising an opening for the at least one filament to pass through, wherein the opening in the internal wall and the openings in the first end wall and second end wall are aligned with each other.

13. The headgear assembly of claim 1 , wherein each of the first chamber and the second chamber comprises a pair of lock element retainers aligned on opposing side walls of the housing.

14. The headgear assembly of claim 1 , wherein the rear portion comprise one or more straps and wherein at least one of the one or more straps comprises a textile outer layer and a plastic core, the plastic core comprising two long sides and two short sides, the textile outer layer being secured to the two long sides of the plastic core and spaced from the two short sides of the plastic core to create voids or air gaps on each lateral edge of at least one of the one or more straps.

15. The headgear assembly of claim 14 , wherein the textile outer layer secured to the two long sides of the plastic core forms an integral structure.

16. The headgear assembly of claim 15 , wherein the textile outer layer is secured to the two long sides of the plastic core by an injection of molten plastic within the textile outer layer such that a mechanical bond is formed between the plastic core and the textile outer layer.

17. A system comprising the headgear assembly of claim 1 , and a respiratory interface.

18. The headgear assembly of claim 6 , wherein the moulded plastic core comprises the conduit.

19. The headgear assembly of claim 1 , wherein the rear portion comprises one or more straps and at least one of the one or more straps comprises a seamless textile tube, the seamless textile tube comprising:
a first fold on a first lateral side of at least one of the one or more straps; and
a second fold on a second lateral side of at least one of the one or more straps,
wherein a first lateral cavity, a second lateral cavity, and a central cavity are formed within the seamless textile tube,
wherein the central cavity comprises a plastic core bonded to the seamless textile tube to form an integral structure.

20. The headgear assembly of claim 19 , wherein a first portion of the seamless textile tube is secured to the plastic core by a mechanical bond created by injection of molten plastic within the central cavity of the seamless textile tube.

21. The headgear assembly of claim 19 , wherein the central cavity of the seamless textile tube surrounds the plastic core completely.

Assignees

• Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Ltd

Inventors

• Huddart Brett John
• Hammer Jeroen
• Slight Matthew Robert Geoff
• Kapelevich Vitaly
• Felix David Monroy
• Gordon Callum Ross
• Walls Bruce Michael
• Bornholdt Melissa Catherine
• Stephenson Matthew Roger
• Freestone Paul Mathew
• Graham Ryan Anthony
• Mclaren Mark Arvind

Classifications

• A61M16/06

  Respiratory or anaesthetic masks · CPC title

• A61M2210/0618

  Nose · CPC title

• A61M16/0866

  Passive resistors therefor · CPC title

• A61M16/0825

  with ball-sockets · CPC title

• A61M2205/0216

  Materials providing elastic properties, e.g. for facilitating deformation and avoid breaking · CPC title