HIGH-PERFORMANCE HEAD WEAR

Abstract

Innovative hat bills can include a relatively stiff body member in combination with a pressure-distribution member. The pressure distribution member can be configured to reduce or eliminate concentrations of pressure applied to a wearer's head, improving comfort and fit compared to conventional head wear. In some embodiments, the pressure-distribution member comprises a viscoelastic material. Disclosed hat bills can include a member defining one or more apertures configured to promote airflow over a wearer's head. Such airflow can promote evaporation of perspiration, cooling a wearers head. Additionally or alternatively, such airflow can reduce a pressure gradient from one side (e.g., an underside) of the bill to another side (e.g., an upper side) of the bill, reducing a likelihood that the headwear will be blown off a wearer's head.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/725,819, filed on Nov. 13, 2012, entitled HIGH-PERFORMANCE HEAD WEAR, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference as if recited in full herein for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

The innovations and related subject matter disclosed herein generally pertain to headwear, with sports caps, visors and general-purpose hats being specific examples of headwear. More particularly, but not exclusively, the innovations relate to high-performance hat brims. (A “brim” is sometimes also referred to in the art as a “bill.”) Some innovative bills of the type disclosed herein include a pressure-distribution member configured to reduce or eliminate concentrations of pressure applied to a wearer's head, improving comfort and fit compared to conventional head wear. Disclosed hat bills can define one or more apertures configured to promote airflow over a wearer's head. Such airflow can promote evaporation of perspiration, cooling a wearers head. Additionally or alternatively, such airflow can reduce a pressure gradient from one side (e.g., an underside) of the bill to another side (e.g., an upper side) of the bill, reducing a likelihood that the headwear will be blown off a wearer's head.

In contrast, conventional hat bills may cause wearers discomfort or headwear to fit poorly. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, many conventional bills have a relatively rigid member 10 defining an overall fixed shape of the bill (e.g., contours 12, 13). The fixed, rigid contour can cause the hat bill to dig into a wearer's forehead in some regions 18, 19 and to entirely lose contact in other regions 14, 16. An article of headwear can include a headband or other head engagement member 15 configured to extend at least partially circumferentially around a wearer's head 30 in a conventional fashion.

As used herein, the term “head engagement member” refers to a portion of an article of headwear at least partially configured to retain the article of headwear on a person's head when donned. Typically, a head engagement member can be positioned adjacent a wearer's head, either in direct contact with the head or in indirect contact with the head, as in the case of a laminate construction.

In FIG. 1, a conventional brim member 10 extends outwardly of the head engagement member 15 relative to the wearer's head 30. The head engagement member 15, extending at least partially around the wearer's head 30, urges the member (e.g., a hat bill) 10 toward the wearer's head and thereby can cause the hat bill 10 (or a portion of the article of headwear positioned between the hat bill and the wearer's head) to press against the wearer's forehead (or other scalp region), applying a “brim force” to the portions of the wearer's head in contact with the member 10.

As used herein, the term “brim force” means an aggregate force applied to a wearer's head by a brim member. Conventional headwear unevenly applies the brim force to a wearer's head, applying relatively high pressure to some areas of a wearer's head and little or no pressure in other areas. For example, since a wearer's head 30 rarely, if ever, has a contour 32 identically matching a contour 12 of the bill 10, the difference in contour between the bill 10 and a region of the wearer's head adjacent the brim member can unevenly apply a brim force to the wearer's head 30. Accordingly, some portions of the bill 14, 16 urge against a wearer's head in some corresponding regions 36, 37, while other portions of the bill 18, 19 either do not contact the wearer's head, or only lightly urge against the wearer's head, in other corresponding regions 34, 35.

Areas of relatively higher, concentrated pressure, 14, 36 and 16, 37 are sometimes referred to as “pressure points.” In addition to causing pressure points, a mismatch in contour can also create areas of relatively lower pressure 18, 34 and 19, 35 on a wearer's head, as just described. Uneven pressure distributions arising from conventional bills are uncomfortable and make conventional bills susceptible to slipping off a wearer's head. And, if the headwear is tightened (as may occur with adjustable headwear), the wearer may experience discomfort from the regions of relatively higher pressure, even if the pressure is correspondingly more evenly distributed between pressure points and regions of lower pressure. Moreover, conventional padded or elastic liners do not sufficiently alleviate the problem of pressure points and/or uncomfortable fits.

Conventional bills also typically prevent sufficient airflow from passing over a wearer's head to promote evaporative cooling of the wearer's head. In addition, conventional bills typically prevent sufficient rates of airflow to pass through them to suitably reduce lifting forces applied to the bill from, for example, wind. Accordingly, conventional headwear can be uncomfortable to wear during periods of increased activity.

U.S. Publication No. 2009/025113 discloses a visor molded as a single piece from a flexible, elastic foam rubber. The disclosed visor is perforated and has a sweatband liner made of an absorbent or wicking material.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,903,921 discloses a bill having a unitary construction for a visor or cap. Disclosed bills are made of closed-cell, chemically cross-linked, polyolefin. A headband used with the visor or cap can be made of an open cell foam to absorb perspiration and be self-wicking.

U.S. Publication No. 2008/0000013 discloses a wicking layer in a visor of a cap. The wicking layer is made of a synthetic woven material.

Thus, there remains a need for improved headwear, including improved hat bills configured to provide increased wearer comfort. For example, there remains a need for hat bills having a substantially rigid body to provide improved fit, retention and aesthetic appeal while substantially evenly distributing pressure over a relatively larger area of the wearer's head. There also remains a need for low-lift hat bills, and hat bills configured to promote airflow over a wearer's head.

SUMMARY

The innovations disclosed herein overcome many problems in the prior art and address the aforementioned as well as other needs. The innovations disclosed herein pertain to certain aspects of headwear, for example, hat bills configured to improve wearer comfort. Some disclosed innovations pertain to hat bills having a pressure-distribution member configured to generally eliminate areas of pressure concentration applied to a wearer's head. Other disclosed innovations pertain to apertured hat bills configured to promote airflow over a wearer's head, to reduce lift forces applied to the bill, or both. Some innovative embodiments of headwear disclosed herein are configured to more evenly distribute a brim force over a region of a wearer's head relative to conventional headwear, thereby reducing an upper-most magnitude of pressure applied to a wearer's head relative to upper-most pressures applied to a wearer's head by conventional headwear.

According to a first innovative aspect, bills for headwear are disclosed. For example, a bill for an article of headwear can have a distal portion and a proximal portion. When the headwear is donned by a wearer, the distal portion can be spaced apart from the wearer's head and the proximal portion can be positioned between the wearer's head and the distal portion. The bill can have a non-homogeneous construction, at least as between the proximal portion of the hat bill and the distal portion of the hat bill. In some instances, the distal portion of the hat bill has a substantially higher durometer than a durometer of the proximal portion. The proximal portion of the hat bill can include a viscoelastic material.

Some disclosed articles of headwear have a head engagement member configured to extend circumferentially around a wearer's head. A body member can be configured to extend outwardly of the head engagement member relative to the wearer's head. The head engagement member can also be configured to retain the body member in the outwardly extending orientation relative to the wearer's head and to urge the body member toward the wearer's head, applying a brim force to a portion of the wearer's head.

A compliant pressure-distribution member can be configured to distribute the brim force generally uniformly over the portion of the wearer's head. The body member can define a recessed head-engagement region having a concave region and a convex region. The compliant pressure-distribution member can be positioned within the recessed head-engagement region.

The pressure-distribution member can include or be formed from a material exhibiting viscoelastic properties in response to a compressive load. The head engagement member and the compliant pressure-distribution member can define a substantially unitary construction. In some instances, the head engagement member and the body member define a substantially unitary construction.

The compliant member can include a brim portion configured to extend generally outwardly relative to the wearer's head. A vertical portion of the compliant member can extend generally transversely relative to the brim portion and around the wearer's head.

The body member and the compliant member can define respective shell portions. An outwardly extending portion of the compliant member can matingly engage a corresponding recessed portion of the body member such that the compliant member and the body member together define a concave region generally corresponding to a contour of a wearer's head.

For example, the body member can define a recessed region defining a secondary recess. A portion of the compliant member can be positioned in the secondary recess. A periphery of the body member can define a first concave portion corresponding to the recessed region of the body member, a second concave portion corresponding to the secondary recess and a convex portion positioned between the first concave portion and the second concave portion. The recessed region of the body member can define a periphery having a generally S-shaped contour corresponding to the secondary recess.

According to another aspect, an innovative article of headwear can include a crescent-shaped shell portion defining a convex outer periphery and a concave inner periphery. The concave inner periphery can define a secondary recess having a corresponding recessed periphery. A compliant member can be positioned within the secondary recess. The compliant member can define a corresponding outer periphery and a corresponding inner periphery, and the outer periphery of the compliant member can correspond to the recessed periphery of the secondary recess. The inner periphery of the compliant member can have a contour corresponding to the concave inner periphery of the crescent-shaped shell portion.

The secondary recess of the shell portion can define a generally s-shaped contour.

The compliant member can be configured to exhibit a viscoelastic response to a compressive load. The compliant member can at least partially define a head-engagement region configured to urge against a wearer's head and to distribute a contact force between the wearer's head and the article of headwear more evenly than the contact force would be distributed absent the compliant member.

The shell can define an aperture extending therethrough. The aperture can be a louvered aperture configured to direct a flow of air toward a wearer's head.

In some instances, the shell can define a generally planar surface, a portion of a generally cylindrical surface, a portion of a generally hyperbolic surface, a portion of a generally parabolic surface, a saddle-shaped surface, or a combination thereof. An aperture can extend through such a shell in a generally transverse direction and can be configured to direct a flow of air toward a wearer's head.

Articles of headwear as disclosed herein can include a cover extending over at least a portion of the shell portion, a portion of the compliant member, or both.

The foregoing and other features and advantages will become more apparent from the following detailed description of disclosed embodiments, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Unless specified otherwise, the accompanying drawings illustrate aspects of the innovative subject matter described herein.

FIG. 1 illustrates a top-plan view of a conventional hat bill being worn on a wearer's head.

FIG. 2 illustrates an isometric view from in front of and above an innovative hat bill of the type shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates a top-plan view of an innovative hat bill.

FIG. 4 illustrates a top-plan view of an innovative hat bill of the type shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 illustrates a top-plan view of the hat bill shown in FIG. 2 being worn on a wearer's head.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following describes various principles related to improved headwear by way of reference to specific examples of hat bills and related headwear constructs. In some innovative embodiments, disclosed bills define a plurality of apertures to permit air to flow through the bill. In other innovative embodiments, disclosed bills have a relatively rigid body member and a compliant pressure-distribution member configured to reduce or eliminate concentrations of pressure applied to a wearer's head.

One or more of the disclosed principles can be incorporated in various headwear configurations to achieve any of a variety of improved performance characteristics. Headwear described in relation to particular applications or uses are merely examples of headwear incorporating one or more aspects of the innovative principles disclosed herein and are used to illustrate the disclosed principles. Accordingly, headwear having attributes that are different from those specific examples discussed herein can embody one or more of the innovative principles, and can be used in applications not described herein in detail. Thus, such alternative embodiments also fall within the scope and spirit of this disclosure.

FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 show respective innovative shell constructs for hat bills. FIG. 5 shows such a construct being worn on a wearer's head as a hat bill (or visor).

As used herein, the term “shell” means a thin-walled structure having a three-dimensional shape with a length along each of two coordinate directions being substantially greater than a length along a third coordinate direction. In some examples, a shell can be a substantially planar member having a length along each of an x-axis and a y-axis being substantially greater than a length (e.g., a “thickness”) along a z-axis. FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate a generally planar shell. In other examples, a shell can be defined relative to a polar coordinate system, or another non-Cartesian coordinate system. An example of a curved shell is shown in FIG. 2. The shell shown in FIG. 2 is a curved member having a length along a z-axis and a length along an angular coordinate (e.g., the “Θ-coordinate”) being substantially greater than a length (e.g., a “thickness”) along a radial axis (e.g., the “r-coordinate”). Notably, a shell can have an arbitrarily selected (e.g., variable) outer periphery, curvature and thickness provided that a “thickness” measured along (or relative to) a selected coordinate is substantially less than a length measured along (or relative to) two other selected coordinates. In some examples, the thickness can be between about 3% and about 15%, for example between about 5% and about 10%, of a length measured along another coordinate axis.

Each of the innovative constructs 20 shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 5 defines an outer periphery having a suitable contour for use as a hat bill or visor. In addition to defining a periphery having a suitable contour for use as a hat bill or visor, shell constructs disclosed herein can have a generally planar shape, a generally cylindrical shape, a generally hyperbolic shape, a generally parabolic shape, a saddle shape, or any other shape suitable for use as a hat bill. FIGS. 3 and 4 show a generally planar construct. FIG. 2 shows a generally parabolic construct.

Each of the constructs 20 has a corresponding pressure-distribution member 40, 40′, 40″ configured to generally evenly distribute pressure over a region (e.g., a forehead region) of a wearer's head (e.g., head 30 in FIG. 5). Referring, for example, to FIG. 5, the construct 20 has a distal portion 26 and a proximal portion 40. As shown in FIG. 5, when the headwear is donned on a wearer's head 30, the distal portion 26 can be spaced apart from the wearer's head 30 and the proximal portion 40 can be positioned between the wearer's head 30 and the distal portion 26. The bill 30 can have a non-homogeneous construction, at least as between the proximal portion 40 of the hat bill and the distal portion 26 of the hat bill. For example, the distal portion of the hat bill 20 can have a substantially higher durometer than a durometer of the proximal portion 40. The proximal portion 40 can be formed from, or can include, a viscoelastic material. Providing a relatively more compliant material adjacent a wearer's head can permit the headwear to generally conform to the head's actual contour (see e.g., FIG. 5).

For example, as shown in FIG. 2, a crescent-shaped shell construct 20 can define a convex outer periphery 21 and a concave inner periphery 22. The construct 20 can have a body member 20a and a pressure-distribution member 40. The body member 20a can be relatively stiffer than the pressure-distribution member 40. In some embodiments, the body member 20a can be molded from a relatively rigid material, such as, for example, a stiff plastic or other polymer, with ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) and polyurethane being specific, but not exclusive, suitable examples.

The pressure-distribution member 40, on the other hand, can be molded from a relatively compliant material, such as, for example, a material having viscoelastic material properties (herein referred to as a “viscoelastic material”).

A viscoelastic material exhibits both viscous and elastic characteristics when undergoing deformation. Viscous materials, like honey, resist shear flow and strain linearly with time when a stress is applied to them. Elastic materials strain instantaneously when a stress is applied or removed. Viscoelastic materials exhibit strain characteristics of both viscous materials and elastic materials, e.g., for a fixed strain a resistive force generated by the material can relax over time, yet the material can recover its original shape when the stress is removed entirely.

In contrast to the relatively rigid body member 20a, a pressure-distribution member 40 formed of a viscoelastic material can be particularly well-suited for high-performance head wear. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, such a viscoelastic pressure-distribution member 40 can conform to a contour 32, 34, 35, 36, 37 of a wearer's head, even if the contour does not identically match an undeformed contour of the crescent-shaped construct 20 (shown in FIG. 2).

As shown in FIG. 5, when worn as headwear, or as a portion of an article of headwear, the convex inner periphery 22 can be a positioned adjacent the wearer's head 30 (e.g., adjacent the wearer's forehead or adjacent the wearer's occipital protuberance), defining a proximal portion of the construct. The construct 20 can extend outwardly of a wearer's head 30 (e.g., cantilevered from the wearer's head as shown in FIG. 5) such that the convex outer periphery 21 is positioned distally from the wearer's head.

As FIGS. 2 and 5 show, the relatively stiffer (e.g., higher durometer) body member 20a and the relatively compliant (e.g., lower durometer) pressure-distribution member 40 can be complementarily shaped relative to each other. As but one example, the concave inner periphery 22 of the construct 20 can be configured generally to conform to a wearer's head with a periphery 23 of the body 20a and a periphery 41 of the compliant member 40 having complementary (e.g., continuous) contours. The body member 20a can define a secondary recess having a corresponding recessed periphery 25, and the compliant member 40 can be positioned within the secondary recess.

In particular, the secondary recess 25 can extend inwardly of the body 20a toward the outer periphery 21 and away from the inner periphery 23 of the body 20a. The compliant member 40 defines an outer periphery 41 and an inner periphery 42. The outer periphery 41 of the compliant member 40 can matingly correspond to the recessed periphery 25 of the secondary recess, and the inner periphery 42 of the compliant member can have a contour corresponding to the concave inner periphery 23, such that the inner periphery 22 of the shell 20 is substantially continuous.

In some embodiments, a smoothly contoured, convex region 25a can extend between the inner periphery 23 and a smoothly contoured concave region 25b of the secondary recess 25. Such a smooth, s-shaped contour can further reduce pressure concentrations.

The construct 20 can provide substantially improved comfort to a wearer by generally eliminating areas of pressure concentration, even without an exact match in contour between the convex contour 32, 34, 35, 36, 37 of the wearer's head 30 (FIG. 5) and the concave contour 22 of the member 20. For example, the pressure-distribution member 40 can at least partially define a head-engagement region configured to conform to a contour of the wearer's head, as shown in FIG. 5, evenly distributing pressure between the inner periphery 22, 42 of the member 20.

In contrast, a conventional hat bill of the type shown in FIG. 1 does not conform to the wearer's head 30. The dashed line in FIG. 5 shows a comparison of the contour of the inner periphery 12 of a conventional hat bill of the type shown in FIG. 1 to the resulting contour of the pressure-distribution member 40 having conformed to the wearer's head 30. The conventional hat bill causes an uneven pressure distribution and associated pressure points.

By conforming to a contour of the wearer's head, the innovative pressure-distribution member 40 urges relatively evenly against a wearer's head and distributes a contact force, or brim force, between the wearer's head 30 and the brim member 20 more evenly than the contact force would be distributed by a conventional hat bill configured as shown in FIG. 1. Such a relatively even pressure distribution substantially improves wearer comfort.

A headband or other head engagement member 15 (FIG. 5) can be coupled to or integrated with a hat bill of the type disclosed herein. For example, the body member 20a and a head engagement member 15 can form a unitary construction. Alternatively, the head engagement member and the pressure-distribution member 40 can define a unitary construction. For example, a head engagement member can define an outwardly extending brim portion having a shell configuration, as described above. An elongate band can be configured to extend at least partially circumferentially around a wearer's head and can define vertical portion of the head engagement member extending generally transversely relative to the outwardly extending brim portion. Stated differently, the compliant pressure-distribution member 40 and the head engagement member 15 can define a saddle-shaped, unitary construct.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show alternative embodiments of innovative hat bills similar to those just described in relation to FIGS. 2 and 5. In FIGS. 3 and 4, the body members 20b and 20c each define a plurality of apertures 26 extending therethrough.

The apertures 26 extend generally transversely through the shell 20b, 20c. In some embodiments, the apertures 26 extend generally perpendicularly to the shell. In other embodiments, the apertures extend generally obliquely to the shell, defining louvered apertures.

As indicated by the arrows 27a, 27b, the apertures 26 permit air to pass through the construct 20. For example, relatively cooler air can fall through the apertures 26, as indicated by the arrow 27a, and air heated by a wearer's face can rise through the apertures, as indicated by the arrow 27b. The apertures 26 can direct a flow of air over a user's head, promoting evaporation of perspiration and cooling of the wearer.

As well, allowing air to pass through the apertures 26 can at least partially equilibrate an air pressure above the shell 20b, 20c with an air pressure below the shell. An air pressure gradient across the shell (e.g., from below the shell to above the shell) can tend to urge the shell either up or down. Stated differently, an interaction of the shell with wind can generate aerodynamic lift. If the wind is sufficiently strong, the aerodynamic lift can blow a corresponding article of headwear off of a wearer's head. However, a reduced difference in air pressure from below a hat bill to above the hat bill corresponds to a reduced aerodynamic lift.

In some instances, an innovative hat bill can generally consist of a construct of the type illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3, 4, and 5. In other instances, an innovative hat bill can include a construct of the type shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 4, and 5 in combination with one or more other members. As but one example, a fabric (e.g., a cloth or other woven material) can form a cover, and the construct 20 can be an insert positioned within the cover. Such a cover can be over-sewn or otherwise coupled to the construct in a known fashion (e.g., by an adhesive or stitching). Some fabrics “breathe”, e.g., permit air to pass through them. Thus, a hat bill having a perforated insert, even if covered, can permit air to pass through the bill, providing benefits as described herein.

Accordingly, in addition to being relatively more comfortable that conventional headwear, presently disclosed innovative headwear can also reduce a likelihood that an article of headwear will be blown from a wearer's head as compared to conventional headwear. For example, by conforming to a wearer's head, the pressure-distribution member 40 can increase a frictional retaining force between the headwear and the wearer's head. In addition, a perforated hat bill can reduce the amount of aerodynamic lift applied to the headwear by wind of a given speed and direction.

This disclosure references the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, wherein like numerals designate like parts throughout. The drawings illustrate specific embodiments, but other embodiments may be formed and structural and logical changes may be made without departing from the intended scope of this disclosure.

Directions and references (e.g., up, down, top, bottom, left, right, rearward, forward, etc.) may be used to facilitate discussion of the drawings but are not intended to be limiting. For example, certain terms may be used such as “up,” “down,”, “upper,” “lower,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “left,” “right,” and the like. Such terms are used, where applicable, to provide some clarity of description when dealing with relative relationships, particularly with respect to the illustrated embodiments. Such terms are not, however, intended to imply absolute relationships, positions, and/or orientations. For example, with respect to an object, an “upper” surface can become a “lower” surface simply by turning the object over. Nevertheless, it is still the same surface and the object remains the same. As used herein, “and/or” means “and” or “or”, as well as “and” and “or.”

All references, including any prior art references, referred to herein are hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes.

The principles relating to any example can be combined with the principles described in relation to any one or more of the other examples. Accordingly, this detailed description shall not be construed in a limiting sense, and following a review of this disclosure, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate the wide variety of headwear that can be devised using the various concepts described herein. Moreover, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein can be adapted to various configurations without departing from the disclosed principles. Thus, in view of the many possible embodiments to which the disclosed principles can be applied, it should be recognized that the above-described embodiments are only examples and should not be taken as limiting in scope. We therefore reserve all rights to the subject matter disclosed herein, including the right to claim all that comes within the scope and spirit of the following claims, as well as all aspects of any innovation shown or described herein.

Claims

1. An article of headwear comprising:

a head engagement member configured to extend at least partially circumferentially around a wearer's head;

a body member configured to extend outwardly of the head engagement member relative to the wearer's head, wherein the head engagement member is further configured to retain the body member in the outwardly extending orientation relative to the wearer's head and to urge the body member toward the wearer's head and thereby apply a brim force to a portion of the wearer's head;

a compliant pressure-distribution member disposed in a proximal portion of the body member and applying the brim force to the portion of the wearer's head.

2. An article of headwear according to claim 1, wherein the compliant pressure distribution member is configured to distribute the brim force generally uniformly over the portion of the wearer's head, and wherein the body member defines a recessed head-engagement region having a concave region and a convex region, and wherein the compliant pressure-distribution member is positioned within the recessed head-engagement region.

3. An article of headwear according to claim 1, wherein the pressure-distribution member comprises a material which exhibits viscoelastic properties in response to a compressive load.

4. An article of headwear according to claim 1, wherein the head engagement member and the compliant pressure-distribution member define a substantially unitary construction, or the head engagement member and the body member define a substantially unitary construction.

5. An article of headwear according to claim 1, wherein the compliant member further comprises a brim portion configured to extend generally outwardly relative to the wearer's head and a vertical portion extending generally transversely relative to the brim portion.

6. An article of headwear according to claim 1, wherein the body member and the compliant member comprise respective shell portions, and wherein an outwardly extending portion of the compliant member matingly engages a corresponding recessed portion of the body member such that the compliant member and the body member together define a concave region generally corresponding to a contour of a wearer's head.

7. An article of headwear according to claim 2, wherein the body member defines a recessed region having a secondary, outwardly extending recess, and wherein a portion of the compliant member is positioned in the secondary recess.

8. An article of headwear according to claim 6, wherein a periphery of the body member defines a first concave portion corresponding to the recessed region of the body member, a second concave portion corresponding to the secondary recess and a convex portion positioned between the first concave portion and the second concave portion.

9. An article of headwear according to claim 7, wherein the recessed region of the body member defines a periphery having a generally S-shaped contour corresponding to the secondary, outwardly extending recess.

10. An article of headwear according to claim 1, wherein the compliant pressure-distribution member comprises a material having a relatively lower durometer than a durometer of material forming the body member.

11. An article of headwear comprising:

a crescent-shaped shell portion defining a convex outer periphery and a concave inner periphery, wherein the concave inner periphery defines a secondary recess having a corresponding recessed periphery;

a compliant member positioned within the secondary recess, wherein the compliant member defines a corresponding outer periphery and a corresponding inner periphery, wherein the outer periphery of the compliant member corresponds to the recessed periphery of the secondary recess and wherein the inner periphery of the compliant member has a contour corresponding to the concave inner periphery of the crescent-shaped shell portion.

12. An article of headwear according to claim 11, wherein the compliant member is configured to exhibit a viscoelastic response to a compressive load.

13. An article of headwear according to claim 11, wherein the compliant member at least partially defines a head-engagement region configured to urge against a wearer's head and to distribute a contact force between the wearer's head and the brim member more evenly than the contact force would be distributed absent the compliant member.

14. An article of headwear according to claim 11, wherein the shell defines an aperture extending therethrough.

15. An article of headwear according to claim 14, wherein the aperture comprises a louvered aperture configured to direct a flow of air toward a wearer's head.

16. An article of headwear according to claim 11, wherein the shell defines a generally planar surface, a portion of a generally cylindrical surface, a portion of a generally hyperbolic surface, a portion of a generally parabolic surface, a saddle-shaped surface, or a combination thereof.

17. An article of headwear according to claim 16, wherein an aperture extends through the shell in a generally transverse direction and is configured to direct a flow of air toward a wearer's head.

18. An article of headwear according to claim 11, wherein the secondary recess of the shell portion defines a generally s-shaped contour.

19. An article of headwear according to claim 11, further comprising a cover extending over at least a portion of the shell portion and a portion of the compliant member.

20. A bill of an article of headwear, wherein the bill has a shell-configuration comprising a distal portion and a proximal portion, wherein, when the headwear is donned by a wearer, the distal portion is spaced apart from the wearer's head and the proximal portion is positioned between the wearer's head and the distal portion, wherein the hat bill has a non-homogeneous construction at least as between the proximal portion of the hat bill and the distal portion of the hat bill.

21. A bill of an article of headwear according to claim 20, wherein the distal portion of the hat bill has a substantially higher durometer than a durometer of the proximal portion.

22. A bill of an article of headwear according to claim 21, wherein the durometer of the proximal portion is between about 20 shore A and about 60 shore A.

22. A bill of an article of headwear according to claim 19, wherein the proximal portion of the hat bill comprises a viscoelastic material.