Retractable hat tether device

Abstract

A retractable hat tether apparatus for a hat having a cap portion. The tether apparatus includes a guide base movably mounted to the cap portion for movement thereof along a fixed path between a first position and a second position. A flexible tether includes a first end and an opposite second end thereof mounted to the guide base. A clip device is configured for releasable attachment to a user's clothing. The clip device is mounted to the first end such that, when the guide base moves along the fixed path between the first position and the second position, the tether and the clip device move between a retracted condition, positioning the tether substantially along the fixed path, and an extended condition, positioning the tether at an exterior of the cap portion to enable the clip device to be mounted to the user's clothing.

1. A retractable hat tether apparatus for a hat having a cap portion, said tether device apparatus comprising:
 a zipper mechanism mounted to the cap portion, and having a guide base configured to movably mount to said cap portion for movement thereof movable along a fixed path between a first position, proximal one end of the zipper mechanism, and a second position, proximal an opposite end of the zipper mechanism; 
 a flexible tether having a first end and an opposite second end thereof mounted to said guide base, said tether having a length similar to the length of travel of said guide base along the fixed path between the first position and the second position; and 
 a clip device configured for releasable attachment to a user's clothing, said clip device being mounted to said first end, 
 wherein when said guide base moves along the fixed path between said first position and said second position, said tether and said clip device move between a retracted condition, positioning said tether substantially along the fixed path, and an extended condition, positioning said tether at an exterior of said cap portion to enable the clip device to be mounted to said user's clothing. 
 
     
     
       2. The tether apparatus according to  claim 1 , further including:
 a guide device configured to mount to said cap portion along said fixed path, and adapted to cooperate with said guide base for guided movement thereof along the fixed path between the first position and the second position. 
 
     
     
       3. The tether apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein
 said guide device cooperates with said cap portion to form forms at least a portion of a pocket upon which a substantial portion of said tether retracts into said pocket in said retracted condition, when said base is moved to said first position. 
 
     
     
       4. The tether apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein
 the length of said tether is similar to the length of travel of said base along the fixed path from the first position to the second position.   
     
     
       5. The tether apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein
 said guide device and said guide base cooperate to form a zipper mechanism.   
     
     
       6. The tether apparatus according to claim  3  2, wherein
 said guide device is affixed to an interior side of the cap portion. 
 
     
     
       7. The tether apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein
 said guide device and said guide base cooperate to form a zipper mechanism.   
     
     
       8. The tether apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein
 said guide device extends substantially from a frontside of said cap portion to a rearside of said cap portion. 
 
     
     
       9. The tether apparatus according to claim  8  2, wherein
 said guide device further extends substantially through a crown of along said cap portion. 
 
     
     
       10. The tether apparatus according to  claim 1 , further including:
 a pull tab member mounted to said guide base for manual manipulation of said guide base along said fixed path.   
     
     
       11. The tether apparatus according to  claim 1 , further including:
 a snap device configured to mount mounted to said cap portion, and adapted to cooperate with said clip device for releasable mounting thereof to said cap portion. 
 
     
     
       12. The tether apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein
 said snap device includes a snap post sized and dimensioned to snap fit through a slot in said clip device.   
     
     
       13. A retractable hat tether apparatus for a hat having a cap portion with an interior surface, said tether device apparatus comprising:
 a mounting assembly having a flexible guide portion adapted to affix mounted to the cap portion, and configured to conform substantially to the shape of the cap interior surface upon which said guide portion is mounted; 
 a guide base movably mounted to said guide portion for movement thereof along a fixed path between a first position and a second position; 
 a clip device configured for releasable attachment to a user's clothing; and 
 a flexible tether having a length at least as long as the length of travel of said guide base along the fixed path between the first position and the second position, said tether having one portion thereof mounted to the clip device, and another portion thereof mounted to said guide base such that when said guide base moves along the fixed path of said guide portion, between said first position and said second position, said one portion of said tether and said clip device move between a retracted condition and an extended condition, enabling the clip device to be mounted to said user's clothing. 
 
     
     
       14. The tether apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein
 said guide portion cooperates with said cap portion to form forms at least a portion of an elongated pocket upon which a substantial portion of said tether retracts into said pocket in said retracted condition, when said guide base is moved to said first position. 
 
     
     
       15. The tether apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein
 the length of said tether is similar to the length of travel of said guide base along the fixed path between the first position and the second position.   
     
     
       16. The tether apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein
 said guide portion is affixed to an interior side of the cap portion. 
 
     
     
       17. The tether apparatus according to  claim 16 , wherein
 said guide portion extends substantially from a frontside of said cap portion to a rearside of said cap portion. 
 
     
     
       18. The tether apparatus according to  claim 17 , wherein
 said guide portion further extends substantially through a crown of said cap portion.   
     
     
       19. The tether apparatus according to  claim 17 , wherein
 said mounting assembly is in the form of a zipper mechanism.   
     
     
       20. The tether apparatus according to  claim 13 , further including:
 a pull tab member mounted to said guide base for manual manipulation of said guide base along said fixed path.   
     
     
       21. The tether apparatus according to  claim 13 , further including:
 a snap device configured to mount to said cap portion, and adapted to cooperate with said clip device for releasable mounting thereof to said cap portion.   
     
     
       22. The tether apparatus according to claim  21 , wherein 13, further including: 
 saida snap device includes a snap post sized and dimensioned to snap fit through a slot in said clip devicemounted to said cap portion, and adapted to cooperate with said clip device for releasable mounting thereof to said cap portion. 
 
     
     
       23. A hat assembly comprising:
 a dome-shaped cap member having an interior side thereof: 
 a mounting assembly having a flexible guide portion affixed to the cap member, and configured to conform substantially to the shape of a cap interior surface upon which said guide portion is mounted; 
 a guide base movably mounted to said guide portion for movement thereof along a fixed path between a first position, proximal one end of the guide portion and a second position, proximal an opposite end of the guide portion, said guide portion forming an elongated pocket extending substantially along the fixed path; 
 a clip device configured for releasable attachment to a user's clothing; and 
 an elongated flexible tether having one portion thereof mounted to the clip device, and another portion thereof mounted to said guide base such that when said guide base moves along the fixed path between said first position and said second position, said one portion of said tether and said clip device move moves between a retracted condition, upon which a substantial portion of said tether retracts into said pocket when said guide base is moved to said first position, and an extended condition, enabling the clip device to be mounted to said user's clothing. 
 
     
     
       24. The hat assembly according to  claim 23 , wherein
 said guide portion cooperates with said cap member to form an elongated pocket upon which a substantial portion of said tether retracts into said pocket in said retracted condition, when said guide base is moved to said first position.   
     
     
       25. The hat assembly according to claim  24  23, wherein
 the length of said tether is similar to the length of travel of said guide base along the fixed path between the first position and the second position. 
 
     
     
       26. The hat assembly according to claim  24  23, wherein
 said guide portion is affixed to the interior side of the cap member. 
 
     
     
       27. The hat assembly according to  claim 26 , wherein
 said guide portion extends substantially from a frontside of said cap member to a rearside thereof. 
 
     
     
       28. The hat assembly according to  claim 27 , wherein
 said guide portion further extends substantially through a crown portion of said cap member.   
     
     
       29. The hat assembly according to claim  27  23, wherein
 said mounting assembly is in the form of a zipper mechanism. 
 
     
     
       30. The hat assembly according to  claim 23 , further including:
 a pull tab member mounted to said guide base for manual manipulation of said guide base along said fixed path.   
     
     
       31. The hat assembly according to  claim 23 , further including:
 a snap device configured to mount to said cap member, and adapted to cooperate with said clip device for releasable mounting thereof to said cap member. 
 
     
     
       32. The hat assembly according to  claim 31 , wherein
 said snap device includes a snap post sized and dimensioned to snap fit through a slot in said clip device.   
     
     
       33. A retractable tether apparatus for headwear having an interior surface, said tether apparatus comprising:
 a flexible guide portion mounted to said headwear and configured to conform substantially to the shape of the headwear interior surface upon which said guide portion is mounted;   a guide base movably mounted to said guide portion for movement thereof along a fixed path between a first position, proximal one end of the guide portion, and a second position, proximal an opposite end of the guide portion;   a flexible tether having a first end and an opposite second end thereof mounted to said guide base, said tether having a length similar to the length of travel of said guide base along the fixed path between the first position and the second position; and   a device mounted to said first end,   wherein when said guide base moves along the fixed path between said first position and said second position, said tether and said device move between a retracted condition, positioning said tether substantially along the fixed path, and an extended condition, positioning said tether substantially at an exterior of said headwear to enable operative access to said device.   
     
     
       34. The tether apparatus according to claim 33, wherein
 said guide portion forms at least a portion of a pocket upon which a substantial portion of said tether retracts into said pocket in said retracted condition, when said base is moved to said first position.   
     
     
       35. The tether apparatus according to claim 33, wherein
 said guide portion and said guide base cooperate to form a zipper mechanism.   
     
     
       36. The tether apparatus according to claim 33, further including:
 a coupling device mounted to said headwear and adapted to cooperate with said device for releasable mounting thereof to said headwear.   
     
     
       37. The tether apparatus according to claim 33, wherein
 said device is a clip device.   
     
     
       38. A retractable tether apparatus for headwear comprising:
 a zipper mechanism mounted to the headwear, and having a guide base movable along a fixed path extending between a first position, proximal one end of the zipper mechanism, and a second position, proximal an opposite end of the zipper mechanism; and   a flexible tether having a first end and an opposite second end thereof mounted to said guide base such that when said guide base moves along the fixed path, between said first position and said second position, said first end portion of said tether moves between a retracted condition and an extended condition, said tether having a length similar to the length of travel of said guide base along the fixed path between the first position and the second position.   
     
     
       39. The tether apparatus according to claim 38, wherein
 said zipper mechanism includes a guide portion mounted to the headwear, said guide base being movably mounted to said guide portion for movement thereof along the fixed path between the first position and the second position.   
     
     
       40. The tether apparatus according to claim 39, wherein
 said guide portion forms at least a portion of an elongated pocket extending substantially along the fixed path upon which a substantial portion of said tether retracts into said pocket in said retracted condition, when said guide base is moved to said first position.   
     
     
       41. The tether apparatus according to claim 38, further including:
 a device mounted to the first end of said flexible tether.   
     
     
       42. The tether apparatus according to claim 41, wherein
 said device is a clip device.   
     
     
       43. The tether apparatus according to claim 41, further including:
 a coupling device mounted to said headwear and adapted to cooperate with said device for releasable mounting thereof to said headwear.   
     
     
       44. A headwear assembly comprising:
 headgear mountable to a head of a user:   a mounting assembly having a flexible guide portion mounted to the headgear, and configured to conform substantially to the shape of an interior surface of said headgear upon which said guide portion is mounted;   a guide base movably mounted to said guide portion for movement thereof along a fixed path between a first position, proximal one end of the guide portion, and a second position, proximal an opposite end of the guide portion; and   an elongated flexible tether having a length similar to the length of travel of said guide base along the fixed path from the first position to the second position, said tether having one portion thereof, and an opposed another portion thereof mounted to said guide base such that when said guide base moves along the fixed path between said first position and said second position, said one portion of said tether moves between a retracted condition and an extended condition.   
     
     
       45. The headwear assembly according to claim 44, wherein
 said mounting assembly is in the form of a zipper mechanism.   
     
     
       46. The headwear assembly according to claim 44, wherein
 said guide portion cooperates with said headgear to form an elongated pocket upon which a substantial portion of said tether retracts into said pocket in said retracted condition, when said guide base is moved to said first position.   
     
     
       47. The headwear assembly according to claim 44, further including:
 a device mounted to the one portion of said flexible tether.   
     
     
       48. The headwear assembly according to claim 47, wherein
 said device is a clip device.   
     
     
       49. The headwear assembly according to claim 44, further including:
 a coupling device mounted to said headgear and adapted to cooperate with said device for releasable mounting thereof to said headgear.   
     
     
       50. A headwear assembly comprising:
 headgear mountable to a head of a user:   a zipper mechanism having a guide portion affixed to the headgear, and a guide base movably mounted to said guide portion for movement thereof along a fixed path between a first position and a second position; and   an elongated flexible tether having one portion thereof, and an opposed another portion thereof mounted to said guide base such that when said guide base moves along the fixed path between said first position and said second position, said one portion of said tether moves between a retracted condition and an extended condition,   said guide portion cooperates with said headgear to form an elongated pocket extending substantially along the fixed path of the guide base from the first position proximal one end of the guide portion and the second position proximal an opposite end of the guide portion, upon which a substantial portion of said tether retracts into said pocket in said retracted condition, when said guide base is moved to said first position.   
     
     
       51. The headwear assembly according to claim 50, wherein
 the length of said tether is similar to the length of travel of said guide base along the fixed path between the first position and the second position.   
     
     
       52. The headwear assembly according to claim 50, further including:
 a device mounted to the one portion of said flexible tether.   
     
     
       53. The headwear assembly according to claim 52, wherein
 said device is a clip device.   
     
     
       54. A retractable tether apparatus for headwear comprising:
 a zipper mechanism having a guide portion mounted to the headwear, and having a guide base movably mounted to said guide portion along a fixed path extending between a first position, proximal one end of the zipper mechanism, and a second position, proximal an opposite end of the zipper mechanism; and   a flexible tether having a first end and an opposite second end thereof mounted to said guide base such that when said guide base moves along the fixed path, between said first position and said second position, said first end portion of said tether moves between a retracted condition and an extended condition,   said guide portion forming an elongated pocket extending substantially along the fixed path of the guide base from the first position proximal said first end of the zipper mechanism and the second position proximal said opposite end of the zipper mechanism, upon which a substantial portion of said tether retracts into said pocket in said retracted condition, when said guide base is moved to said first position.   
     
     
       55. The tether apparatus according to claim 54, further including:
 a device mounted to the one portion of said flexible tether.   
     
     
       56. The tether apparatus according to claim 55, wherein
 said device is a clip device.