HARNESS FOR WEARABLE RESPIRATORY DEVICE
Some embodiments of the invention are directed to a system configured to support a mask worn on a human head, such as over the human's mouth. The system may comprise a strap having two ends. The strap is adapted to affix to the mask at the ends, and to surround the sides of the head. A headband is adapted to rest approximately over the crown of the head, and comprises one or more features adapted to support the strap on its path around the head so that the strap rests above the human's ears.
1 . A system for supporting a mask on a human head, comprising a strap and a headband, where:
the strap comprises an elastic material, including but not limited to fabric, rubber or webbing that is configured to surround the sides and back of the head while attaching on its two ends to the mask and securing it against the face;
the headband is shaped like an arch and configured to rest approximately over the crown of the head while conforming to both sides of the head;
the headband is further configured with features at both of its tips that can attach to or support the strap, and
the headband and the strap are separate pieces
so that when the mask is worn by a user, the strap is attached to the mask and forms a path around the head, where the strap is supported along its path around the head and above the ears by the features at the tips of the headband, thereby pulling the strap slightly upward without the strap resting on the user's ears.
2 . The system of claim 1 , where the support of the headband creates a bend in the strap and results in a slight upward pull on the mask while the strap pulls the headband downwards.
3 . The system of claim 1 , where the headband comprises a plastic polymer or a composite material with greater stiffness than the strap.
4 . The system of claim 1 , where the strap is supported at more than one point at each end of the headband.
5 . The system of claim 1 , where the supporting feature in the headband is comprises at least one slot that the strap can be threaded through.
6 . A system for measuring, assisting or managing breath when it is worn on a person, comprising a mask and a harness,
the mask configured to circumscribe an area of the person's face that includes at least one of the mouth and the nostrils
the harness comprising a main strap and a separate supporting headband, where
the strap comprises a continuous band of fabric, rubber, webbing or elastic composite that is configured to surround the sides and back of the head while attaching to the mask on each of its two ends and pulling the mask against the face;
the headband is configured to rest approximately over the crown of the head with its and extend along sides of the head to a point that is near the ears,
the headband is further configured with features at both of its tips that can attach to or support the strap, and
the headband and the strap are separate pieces of material
so that when the mask is worn by a user, the strap is attached to the mask and forms a path around the head, where the strap is supported along its path around the head and above the ears by the features at the tips of the headband, thereby pulling the strap slightly upward without the strap resting on the user's ears.
7 . A system for supporting a mask on a human head, comprising a strap and a headband, where:
the strap comprises an elastic material, including but not limited to fabric, rubber or webbing that is configured to surround the sides and back of the head while attaching on its two ends to the mask and securing it against the face;
the headband is shaped like an arch and configured to rest approximately over the crown of the head while conforming to both sides of the head;
the headband is further configured with curved shelves at both of its tips, the curved shelves configured to support the strap, and
the headband and the strap are separate pieces
so that when the mask is worn by a user, the strap is attached to the mask and forms a path around the head, where the strap is supported along its path around the head and above the ears by the features at the tips of the headband, thereby pulling the strap slightly upward without the strap resting on the user's ears.