Head gear apparatus for use with a nasal mask

Abstract

The invention provides a head gear apparatus for use in combination with a conventional nasal mask. The head gear apparatus includes a first frame member and a second frame member. Each frame member includes a substantially rigid shaft between 2 to 3 inches in length with a frictionally resistive surface. A flange with a receiving member eyelet is secured to the lower ends of the shafts to secure the frame members to the lower attachment members of the mask. An extension with a receiving member eyelet is secured to the upper ends of the shafts at an obtuse angle to secure the frame members to the upper attachment member on the mask. A strap is received by the shaft of each frame member for retaining the nasal mask on a person's face.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A head gear apparatus for use in combination with a nasal mask comprising: 
 a first frame member including a substantially rigid shaft having a lower end and an upper end, a flange secured to the lower end of the shaft, a first receiving member secured to the flange, an extension secured to the upper end of the shaft, a second receiving member secured to the extension, said first frame member attached to the mask by attachment of the receiving member on the flange to a lower attachment member on the mask and by attachment of the receiving member on the extension to an upper attachment member on the mask;    a second frame member including a substantially rigid shaft having a lower end and an upper end, a flange secured to the lower end of the shaft, a first receiving member secured to the flange, an extension secured to the upper end of the shaft, a second receiving member secured to the extension, said second frame member attached to the mask by attachment of the receiving member on the flange to a lower attachment member on the mask and by attachment of the receiving member on the extension to an upper attachment member on the mask;    a strap received by the shaft of first frame member and the shaft of the second frame member.    
     
     
         2 . A head gear apparatus for use in combination with a nasal mask as in  claim 1  in which said shaft of said first frame member and said shaft of said second frame member are each coated with a material providing a resistive surface for retaining said strap.  
     
     
         3 . A head gear apparatus for use in combination with a nasal mask as in  claim 1  in which said shaft of said first frame member and said shaft of said second frame member are each fabricated of a material providing a resistive surface for retaining said strap.  
     
     
         4 . A head gear apparatus for use in combination with a nasal mask as in  claim 1  in which said extension of said first frame member and said extension of said second frame member are each secured to the upper ends of each frame member's said respective shaft at an obtuse angle.  
     
     
         5 . A head gear apparatus for use in combination with a nasal mask as in  claim 1  in which said shaft of said first frame member and said shaft of said second frame member is each between 2 and 3 inches in length.  
     
     
         6 . A head gear apparatus for use in combination with a nasal mask as in  claim 1  in which said extension of said first frame member and said extension of said second frame member is each between 2 and 3 inches in length.  
     
     
         7 . A head gear apparatus for use in combination with a nasal mask as in  claim 1  in which said flange of said first frame member and said flange of said second frame member is each between 0.25 and 1 inch in length.  
     
     
         8 . A head gear apparatus for use in combination with a nasal mask as in  claim 1  in which each receiving member consists of an eyelet.  
     
     
         9 . A head gear apparatus for use in combination with a nasal mask comprising: 
 a first frame member including a substantially rigid shaft between 2 to 3 inches in length with a frictionally resistive surface and having a lower end and an upper end, a flange secured to the lower end of the shaft, a first receiving member secured to the flange, an extension secured to the upper end of the shaft at an obtuse angle, a second receiving member secured to the extension, said first frame member attached to the mask by attachment of the receiving member on the flange to a lower attachment member on the mask and by attachment of the receiving member on the extension to an upper attachment member on the mask;    a second frame member including a substantially rigid shaft between 2 to 3 inches in length with a frictionally resistive surface and having a lower end and an upper end, a flange secured to the lower end of the shaft, a first receiving member secured to the flange, an extension secured to the upper end of the shaft at an obtuse angle, a second receiving member secured to the extension, said second frame member attached to the mask by attachment of the receiving member on the flange to a lower attachment member on the mask and by attachment of the receiving member on the extension to an upper attachment member on the mask;    a strap received by the shaft of first frame member and the shaft of the second frame member.