Selectively-activatable headwear retention device

Abstract

Apparatus and associated methods relate to a retaining module coupled to headwear to selectively increase friction between the headwear and a user's head. In an illustrative example, the retaining module includes a coupling region coupled to an inner surface of the headwear. The retaining module may, for example, include an engaging region extending from the coupling region and including a retaining surface. The retaining module may be configured, for example, such that the engaging region is selectively operable between a stowed mode in which the retaining surface is substantially separated from the wearer's head by a portion of the headwear, and a deployed mode in which the retaining surface engages the wearer's head such that a coefficient of friction between the head and the headwear is increased relative to the stowed mode. Various embodiments may advantageously provide selectable levels of resistance to removal of the headwear.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A headwear apparatus comprising:
 a crown configured to at least partially encircle a head of a wearer;   a headband coupled to an inner surface of the crown and configured such that it contacts the head of the wearer when the crown is operated onto the head of the wearer; and,   a retaining module comprising:
 a coupling region coupled to the crown; and, 
 an engaging region extending from the coupling region and comprising a retaining surface, 
   wherein the retaining module is configured such that the engaging region is selectively operable between:
 a stowed mode in which the retaining surface is substantially separated from a forehead of the wearer by the headband, and, 
 a deployed mode in which the retaining surface engages the forehead of the wearer such that a coefficient of friction between the forehead and the headband is increased relative to the stowed mode. 
   
     
     
         2 . The headwear apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the coupling region is substantially disposed behind the headband. 
     
     
         3 . The headwear apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the engaging region is releasably coupled to at least one of the headband and the crown in the deployed mode. 
     
     
         4 . The headwear apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the engaging region is releasably coupled by at least one magnet. 
     
     
         5 . The headwear apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the retaining surface comprises silicone. 
     
     
         6 . The headwear apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the engaging region comprises a plurality of synthetic setae extending from the engaging region such that distal ends of the plurality of synthetic setae are configured to contact the forehead in the deployed mode. 
     
     
         7 . The headwear apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a bill extending substantially radially outward from at least a portion of the crown. 
     
     
         8 . A headwear apparatus comprising:
 a retaining module comprising:
 a coupling region coupled to an inner surface of a headwear; and, 
 an engaging region extending from the coupling region and comprising a retaining surface, 
   wherein the retaining module is configured such that the engaging region is selectively operable between:
 a stowed mode in which the retaining surface is substantially separated from a head of a wearer by a portion of the headwear, and, 
 a deployed mode in which the retaining surface engages the head of the wearer such that a coefficient of friction between the head and the headwear is increased relative to the stowed mode. 
   
     
     
         9 . The headwear apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the retaining module is configured such that, in the deployed mode, the retaining surface contacts skin of the head. 
     
     
         10 . The headwear apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the engaging region comprises a plurality of setae extending distally from the retaining surface such that, in the deployed mode, distal ends of the plurality of setae are configured to engage the head of the wearer. 
     
     
         11 . The headwear apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the engaging region and the coupling region are formed from a continuous material. 
     
     
         12 . The headwear apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the engaging region and the coupling region are releasably coupled together. 
     
     
         13 . The headwear apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the retaining surface is configured such that, in the deployed mode, a force applied to the headwear increases a force required to overcome friction between the head and the retaining surface and move the retaining module relative to the head. 
     
     
         14 . The headwear apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the engaging region extends from the coupling region such that, in the deployed mode, a force applied to lift the headwear from the head of the wearer induces a tensile force between the engaging region and the coupling region. 
     
     
         15 . The headwear apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the engaging region is configured to engage at least a portion of a forehead of the wearer. 
     
     
         16 . The headwear apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the headwear comprises a hat. 
     
     
         17 . The headwear apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the headwear comprises a headband configured to at least partially encircle a head of the wearer. 
     
     
         18 . The headwear apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the headband is stitched to a crown of the headwear. 
     
     
         19 . An apparatus comprising:
 a headwear configured to be selectively coupled to a head of a wearer; and,   means for selectively retaining the headwear to the head of the wearer, the means for selectively retaining the headwear being coupled to the headwear and comprising a retaining surface selectively operable between:
 a stowed mode in which the retaining surface is substantially separated from the head of the wearer by a portion of the headwear, and, 
 a deployed mode in which the retaining surface engages the head of the wearer such that a coefficient of friction between the head and the headwear is increased relative to the stowed mode. 
   
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the retaining surface comprises a plurality of setae extending distally from the retaining surface such that, in the deployed mode, distal ends of the plurality of setae are configured to engage the head of the wearer.