The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 24, 1999
Filed:
Oct. 20, 1997
Gary Hannah, Merriam, KS (US);
Michael D Ford, Independence, MO (US);
Nellcor Puritan Bennett, Pleasanton, CA (US);
Abstract
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).