Patent ID: 7469428

Claim:
A retractable tether apparatus for headwear comprising: a guide base configured to movably mount to said headwear for movement thereof along a fixed path between a first position and a second position; a functional device providing a function; a covered parking structure cooperating with said headwear to form a covered parking receptacle formed and dimensioned for sliding receipt of the functional device therein in a manner substantially concealing the functional device under the parking structure when positioned therein; and a flexible tether having one portion thereof mounted to the functional device, and another portion thereof mounted to said guide base such when said guide base moves along the fixed path between said first position and said second position, said tether and said functional device move between a retracted condition, positioning said tether substantially along the fixed path and orienting said functional device proximate to said parking receptacle for sliding receipt therein during periods of nonuse, and an extended condition, positioning said tether at an exterior of said headwear to enable functional access to the functional device.