HEADGEAR ASSEMBLIES AND INTERFACE ASSEMBLIES WITH HEADGEAR
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.
1 . A headgear assembly for supporting a respiratory interface on a user, comprising:
a substantially inelastic rear portion;
a substantially inelastic front portion configured to be connected to the respiratory interface;
a first elastic side portion on a first side of the headgear assembly;
a second elastic side portion on a second side of the headgear assembly;
at least one filament that extends through or along at least one of the first elastic side portion and the second elastic side portion, the at least one filament coupled to one of the inelastic rear portion and the inelastic front portion;
at least one restriction arrangement;
wherein the at least one filament passes through the at least one restriction arrangement, and wherein the at least one restriction arrangement 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 restriction arrangement;
wherein the at least one restriction arrangement is configured to provide a first resistance force to movement or attempted movement of the at least one filament in a direction that allows the inelastic rear portion and the inelastic front portion to move away from one another, and a second resistance force to movement or attempted movement of the at least one filament in a direction that allows the inelastic rear portion and the inelastic front portion to move toward one another, wherein the second resistance force is less than the first resistance force; and
wherein the inelastic rear portion, the inelastic front portion, the first elastic side portion and the second elastic side portion define a closed loop perimeter.
2 . The headgear assembly of claim 1 , wherein the inelastic front portion is rigid.
3 . The headgear assembly of claim 1 , wherein the inelastic front portion is configured to be removably connected to the respiratory interface.
4 . The headgear assembly of claim 1 , wherein the inelastic front portion defines at least one collection passage that accommodates a portion of the at least one filament.
5 . The headgear assembly of claim 4 , wherein the inelastic front portion is curved, and the at least one collection passage is curved along with the inelastic front portion.
6 . The headgear assembly of claim 1 , wherein each of the first elastic side portion and the second elastic side portion comprises an end cap having an opening through which the at least one filament passes.
7 . The headgear assembly of claim 6 , wherein the end cap is coupled to the inelastic front portion.
8 . The headgear assembly of claim 1 , wherein the at least one filament defines a hard stop at a maximum extended length to limit extension of the headgear assembly and define a maximum length of the closed loop perimeter of the headgear assembly.
9 . The headgear assembly of claim 1 , wherein the at least one filament comprises a first filament associated with the first elastic side portion and a second filament associated with the second elastic side portion.
10 . The headgear assembly of claim 9 , wherein the at least one restriction arrangement comprises a first restriction arrangement associated with the first elastic side portion and a second restriction arrangement associated with the second elastic side portion.
11 . The headgear assembly of claim 9 , wherein the inelastic front portion defines a first collection passage that accommodates a portion of the first filament and a second collection passage that accommodates a portion of the second filament.
12 . The headgear assembly of claim 1 , wherein the at least one restriction arrangement comprises a directional lock comprising a housing defining an interior space, a first opening and a second opening, wherein each of the first opening and the second opening communicates with the interior space, the directional lock comprising at least one lock element pivotally coupled to the housing for rotation about a pivot axis, the at least one lock element comprising an aperture configured to receive the at least one filament, wherein the at least one lock element is movable between a first position, in which the aperture is aligned with the first opening and the second opening, and a second position, in which the aperture is not aligned with the first opening and the second opening.
13 . The headgear assembly of claim 12 , wherein the at least one lock element comprises a first lock element and a second lock element.
14 . The headgear assembly of claim 13 , wherein the housing comprises an internal wall positioned between the first lock element and the second lock element.
15 . The headgear assembly of claim 14 , wherein the internal wall comprises an opening through which the at least one filament passes, and wherein when the first lock element and the second lock element are in the first position, the first opening, the second opening, the aperture of the first lock element, and the aperture of the second lock element are aligned in a substantially straight line, and when the first lock element and the second lock element are in the second position, a path of the at least one filament through the directional lock is non-linear or tortuous and movement of the at least one filament is restricted.
16 . The headgear assembly of claim 13 , wherein each of the first lock element and the second lock element comprise a shaft and an arm that extends from the shaft, the arm comprising the aperture through which the at least one filament passes.
17 . The headgear assembly of claim 16 , wherein the arm comprises a first section and a second section, wherein the first section extends radially or perpendicularly from the shaft and the second section extends at an obtuse angle from an end of the first section.
18 . The headgear assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first elastic side portion and/or the second elastic side portion comprises a braided, knitted or woven element.
19 . The headgear assembly of claim 1 , wherein each of the first elastic side portion and the second elastic side portion is tubular and hollow in cross section, the at least one filament extending through at least one of the first elastic side portion and the second elastic side portion.