Forehead pad for respiratory mask
View Patent ↗A forehead pad for use in a respiratory mask with a forehead support, which includes a base portion to contact a user's forehead, a support post connected to the base portion, and a head adapted to connect the support post to a forehead support. A pair of forehead pads may be joined with a connector.
1. A forehead pad comprising:
a) a base portion, wherein the base portion defines
(i) a first surface, and
(ii) a second surface to contact a user's forehead;
b) a support post, wherein the support post projects from the first surface and comprises
(i) a cut away portion defining an undercut between the cut away portion and the base portion, the cut away portion having a first diameter,
(ii) a generally cylindrical portion extending from the cut away portion, the generally cylindrical portion having a second diameter smaller than the first diameter, and
(iii) a necked down region extending from the generally cylindrical portion, the necked down region having a third diameter smaller than the second diameter; and
c) a head adapted to connect the support post to a forehead support of a respiratory mask, the head having a base connected to the support post and having a tapered shape.
2. A forehead pad according to claim 1 , wherein the generally cylindrical portion extends from the cut away portion at an angle defined between a tangent to the first surface at a point of contact between the support post and the base portion that is less than about 90°.
3. A forehead pad according to claim 2 , wherein the angle is between about 65° and 80°.
4. A forehead pad according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a hollowed out region extending from the second surface a pre-determined distance into the support post.
5. A forehead pad according to claim 4 , wherein the hollowed out region extends into the generally cylindrical portion of the support post.
6. A forehead pad according to claim 4 , wherein the hollowed out region is cylindrical.
7. A forehead pad according to claim 1 , wherein the base portion, the support post, and the head are integrally formed as one piece.
8. A forehead pad according to claim 7 , wherein the base portion, the support post, and the head are molded.
9. A forehead pad according to claim 7 , wherein the forehead pad is formed of flexible material.
10. A forehead pad according to claim 1 , wherein the undercut is triangular.
11. A forehead pad according to claim 1 , wherein the second surface is concave relative to the user.
12. A forehead pad according to claim 1 , wherein the necked down region is tapered.
13. A forehead pad according to claim 1 , wherein the base of the head defines a lip between the head and the support post.
14. A forehead pad according to claim 1 , wherein the head is bullet shaped.
15. A forehead pad according to claim 1 , wherein the head comprises a rounded end opposite the base.
16. A forehead pad according to claim 1 , wherein the support post is axially compressible.
17. A forehead pad assembly, comprising:
two forehead pads according to claim 1 ; and
a connector that connects the base portions of the two forehead pads.
18. A forehead pad assembly according to claim 17 , wherein the two forehead pads and the connector are integrally formed as one piece.
19. A forehead pad assembly according to claim 18 , wherein the two forehead pads and the connector are molded.
20. A forehead support assembly for a respiratory mask, comprising:
a forehead support comprising two apertures; and
a forehead pad assembly according to claim 17 , wherein the forehead pad assembly is repeatably attachable to and detachable from the forehead support assembly by inserting a respective support post of a respective forehead pad into a respective aperture of the forehead support to attach the forehead pad assembly and removing each respective support post from each respective aperture to detach the forehead pad assembly.
21. A forehead support assembly according to claim 20 , wherein each head of the forehead pad assembly is adapted to be attached to the forehead support using a push-on motion.
22. A forehead support assembly according to claim 20 , wherein each head is adapted to provide an audible sound upon successful insertion into a respective aperture of the forehead support.
23. A forehead support assembly according to claim 20 , wherein the support posts and support are structured such that an attachment force to attach the forehead pad assembly and the forehead support is less than a detachment force to detach the forehead pad assembly from the forehead support.
24. A forehead support assembly according to claim 20 , wherein the support post is sufficiently rigid to distribute lines of force from the forehead support evenly across the second surface of the forehead pad.
25. A forehead support assembly according to claim 24 , wherein the support post and the base portion are configured to evenly distribute forces across the second surface without localized pressure points.
26. A respiratory mask assembly comprising the forehead support assembly of claim 20 .
27. A respiratory mask assembly according to claim 26 , wherein the forehead support is adjustably connected to the respiratory mask assembly.