PERSPIRATION-ABSORBING FACE PAD FOR VIRTUAL REALITY HEAD MOUNTED DISPLAY

Abstract

The present invention relates to a novel application of perspiration absorption from the face of a user wearing a virtual reality Head Mounted Display (HMD). More particularly, the invention relates to the use of perspiration absorbing materials ergonomically fitted to the user's face to provide a sanitary shield between the user's face and the worn virtual reality HMD. Due to the invention's ergonomic design, perspiration is prevented from entering the user's eyes preventing eye irritation while wearing a virtual reality HMD during vigorous usage. Since the face pad is designed to conform to a general user's face, it is not specific to any make or model of HMD and thus can be used with HMD's from any manufacturer.

Claims

1. A perspiration absorbing face pad comprising: perspiration absorbing material, shaped to fit a human face, covering the face from the top of the forehead to the cheekbones, covering the cheekbones, covering the bridge of the nose and sides of the face between the eye sockets and temples, with openings for two eyes.

2. The perspiration absorbing face pad of claim 1 further comprising: zero or more straps attached to the sides of the perspiration absorbing face pad in configurations that hold the perspiration absorbing face pad to the user's head and face.

3. The perspiration absorbing face pad of claim 1 further comprising: washable perspiration absorbing material enabling multiple uses or alternatively, disposable perspiration absorbing material for a single use.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] FIG. 1 shows the perspiration absorbing face pad from the front.

[0010] FIG. 2 shows the perspiration absorbing face pad and its relationship to a generic virtual reality HMD and its optional foam interface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a perspiration absorbing face pad made of perspiration absorbing material is worn on the face of the user providing a sanitary shield between the user's face and the interface of the virtual reality HMD. Due to its ergonomic design, the perspiration absorbing face pad also prevents perspiration from entering the user's eyes. Since the face pad is designed to conform to a general user's face, it is not specific to any make or model of HMD and thus can be used with an HMD from any manufacturer.

[0012] FIG. 1 is an illustration of the perspiration absorbing face pad from the front. The wide amount of padding on the top is designed to provide effective perspiration absorption on the user's forehead 10. Padding around the sides of the eye openings, over the bridge of the nose, and directly under the eyes is designed to prevent perspiration from building up inside the HMD and entering the user's eyes causing irritation during usage 12. Straps attached to the sides of the face pad 14 are designed to fit around the back of the user's ears keeping the pad in place while putting on and removing the virtual reality HMD. Other embodiments of the face pad include, but are not limited to, a single strap that fits around the back of the user's head, multiple straps around the back of the head, and no straps at all.

[0013] FIG. 2 illustrates how the perspiration absorbing face pad 20 provides a sanitary shield between the user's face 22, and the virtual reality HMD 24. The interface 28 of the virtual reality HMD 24 creates a thermal and vapor seal that causes the user to perspire. The interface 26 is part of the virtual reality HMD 24 and can be made from any soft flexible material and is typically a porous foam. Since the perspiration absorbing face pad 20 is designed to conform to the generic user's face 22, it is independent of any specific HMD design 24 and can be use with any HMD from any manufacturer with or without the interface 26.