Yoke for headgear

Abstract

The apparatus, method, and system disclosed relates to a headgear assembly for a respiratory system for the delivery of respiratory therapy to a patient. The headgear comprises a yoke at least partially formed from an elastomeric material. The yoke is configured to be stretched under tension to attach the yoke to the headgear assembly.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A headgear assembly for a patient interface of a respiratory system, wherein the headgear assembly comprises:
 at least one strap to wrap around a user's head; and   a yoke connected to ends of the at least one strap ( 3100 , 3130 ), wherein the yoke ( 100 ) comprises:
 a first layer of fabric; 
 a second layer of fabric; 
 at least one opening arranged between the first layer of fabric and second layer of fabric; 
 an aperture providing access to each opening; and 
 one or more loops formed by the second layer of fabric, wherein at least one of the one or more loops forms the aperture, the aperture configured to receive and hold a retention member or an arm of a frame of the patient interface. 
   
     
     
         3 . The headgear assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein the first layer of fabric substantially extends along the length of the yoke. 
     
     
         4 . The headgear assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein the second layer of fabric substantially extends along the length of the yoke. 
     
     
         5 . The headgear assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein an inner edge of the at least one of the one or more loops forms the aperture. 
     
     
         6 . The headgear assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein the first layer of fabric and the second layer of fabric are arranged in only some regions of the yoke. 
     
     
         7 . The headgear assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein the second layer of fabric is arranged at two or more locations along the length of the yoke. 
     
     
         8 . The headgear assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein the yoke comprises a pair of the aperture, one of the pair of apertures is provided at each side region of the yoke. 
     
     
         9 . The headgear assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein the one or more loops comprises multiple loops extending across the length of the yoke and providing multiple attachment or anchor points for the respective retention member or arm. 
     
     
         10 . The headgear assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein the first layer of fabric and the second layer of fabric are made of the same material. 
     
     
         11 . The headgear assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein the first layer of fabric and the second layer of fabric are made of different materials. 
     
     
         12 . The headgear assembly according to  claim 11 , wherein the second layer of fabric is softer than the first layer of fabric. 
     
     
         13 . The headgear assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein the first layer of fabric and the second layer of fabric are joined together by bonding, welding, stitching, or fusing. 
     
     
         14 . The headgear assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein the yoke comprises three or more layers of fabric, the three or more layers of fabric comprising the first layer of fabric and the second layer of fabric. 
     
     
         15 . The headgear assembly according to  claim 14 , wherein the aperture is formed through two or more layers of the three or more layers of fabric. 
     
     
         16 . The headgear assembly according to  claim 14 , wherein the aperture is formed in only the second layer of fabric. 
     
     
         17 . The headgear assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein the yoke is at least partially formed from an elastomeric material that allows the yoke to stretch and flex. 
     
     
         18 . The headgear assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein the yoke is dimensioned so that a middle region of the yoke is held under tension when the yoke is attached to the frame.