Abstract:
A multi-adjustable bicycle seat configured to conform to a cyclist having a flexible material suspended over the front and rear portions of a frame, wherein at least one adjusting mechanism causes the flexible material to adjust the tension throughout the seat, flatten or otherwise deform the seat to the desired comfort of a rider. The seat material may be completely removable from the frame portion.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application 61/812,620 filed on Apr. 16, 2013, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     COPYRIGHT STATEMENT 
       [0002]    A portion of the disclosure of this patent application document contains material that is subject to copyright protection including the drawings. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0004]    This invention relates to seats for bicycles and more particularly to a seat that is adjustable. 
         [0005]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0006]    Bicycling has many benefits, but if the bicycle seat is too narrow or too wide it may interfere with enjoyment of cycling comfortably. Furthermore, previous bicycle seats generally are limited in their ability to adjust or conform to the body of an individual rider. Thus, a seat having the ability to conform to an individual rider and varied depending on the type of rider or ride is desired. The present application seeks to address this and other limitations of current bicycle seats. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    In an embodiment of a bicycle seat, the bicycle seat includes a seat frame having a rail extending from a nose portion to a rear crossbar. The bicycle seat has a seat portion of a flexible material that is formed over a portion of the nose and the crossbar. The bicycle seat has an adjustable mounting mechanism interposed between the flexible material and the rear crossbar of the frame. The adjustable mounting mechanism is capable of causing adjustment of at least a portion of the flexible material to transform along at least one direction and adjustment of the seating properties of the seat portion. 
         [0008]    In an embodiment, the adjustable mounting mechanism of the bicycle seat is a hook and loop fastener. In an embodiment, the adjustable mounting mechanism of the bicycle seat is a ratchet mechanism. 
         [0009]    In an embodiment, the bicycle seat includes a seat attachment and tilting mechanism that is secured to the rail. In an embodiment, the seat portion of the bicycle seat has a nose segment and a seat segment. 
         [0010]    In an embodiment, the flexible material of the seat portion is a woven material. In an embodiment, the flexible material of the seat portion is a rubber. 
         [0011]    In an embodiment, the seat portion has a coating on the nose segment of the flexible material. In an embodiment, the coating is Teflon. 
         [0012]    In an embodiment, the bicycle seat includes a high-friction material or coating on the seat portion. 
         [0013]    In an embodiment, the material of the seat portion includes a plurality of openings for venting. 
         [0014]    In an embodiment, the transformation of the material causes the material to change the position of the seat portion. 
         [0015]    In an embodiment, the ratio of the length of the seat portion to the width of the seat portion is greater than 1:1.2. In an embodiment, the ratio of the length of the seat portion to the width of the seat portion is greater than 1:1.5. In an embodiment, the ratio of the length of the seat portion to the height of the seat portion over the rails is a ratio of less than 7:1. 
         [0016]    In one embodiment, a multi-adjustable seat is comprised of a frame having a first tensioning mechanism, a textile material formed over a portion of the frame and attached to the first tensioning mechanism. The tensioning mechanism is configured to adjust the stiffness and curvature of the textile for at least one portion and along at least one direction of the textile material. 
         [0017]    Additional adjusting mechanisms may be incorporated to adjust the radii of curvature of the seat from the nose portion to the back for the respective thigh and pedaling stroke of the thighs of users. For example, one adjustment mechanism may cause the nose portion to become narrower, e.g. a cinching device like a zip tie may be used. A cinching mechanism such as Velcro® may also be built directly into the textile material on two portions of the textile material allowing them to be tightened or formed around the nose portion. Two strings cinching the textile material and other such mechanisms like a strap that is formed directly into the textile material have also been considered. 
         [0018]    Another adjustment mechanism may be configured directly into the textile material itself such as a zipper, which allows the length of the nose portion to extend further into the rear portion of the seat. This adjustment allows for individuals to make longer or further back pedal strokes without the back of the leg hitting the seat while pedaling. For example, in one configuration the textile material is unzipped 4 cm on each side for a comfortable ride, while unzipping each side 6 cm allows a longer, less wide, more narrow nose portion helping the rider to make longer back pedal strokes without hitting their leg into the seat. 
         [0019]    In some embodiments the first tensioning mechanism may be comprised of a crank, reel, hook and loop (Velcro®) system, or other tensioning mechanism known in the art. 
         [0020]    In some embodiments the textile material is inelastic, flexible, porous, and water resistant. 
         [0021]    In some embodiments, an aerated front nose piece is formed as part of the frame in order to promote increased airflow, wherein the textile material is formed around and attached to the nose piece. The nose piece may have holes, an abscess, or otherwise promote airflow through to the sitting area to reduce chafing and dampness due to perspiration. 
         [0022]    In some embodiments a tilting mechanism is formed as part of the seat to adjust the overall angle of the seat with respect to the bicycle. This tilting mechanism may also be attached to a post used to slidably insert into a bicycle frame. 
         [0023]    In an embodiment of a bicycle seat, the seat includes a seat frame having a rail that extends from a nose portion to a rear crossbar. The seat has a seat portion of a flexible material that is formed over a portion of the nose and the crossbar. The seat portion has a nose segment and a seat segment. The bicycle seat has a hook and loop fastener interposed between the flexible material and the rear crossbar of the frame. The adjustable hook and loop fastener mounting mechanism is capable of causing at least a portion of the flexible material to transform along at least one direction. The transformation of the material causes the material to change the position of the seat portion. 
         [0024]    In an embodiment, the adjustable bicycle seat has a coating on the nose segment of the flexible material. 
         [0025]    In an embodiment, the seat portion has a high-friction material or coating. 
         [0026]    In an embodiment, the seat portion has a plurality of openings in the material for venting. In an embodiment, the ratio of the length of the seat portion to the width of the seat portion is greater than 1:1.5. 
         [0027]    In an embodiment, the seat attachment and tilting mechanism is secured to the rail. 
         [0028]    These and other embodiments are described in more detail herein. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0029]    The foregoing and other objects, aspects, features, and advantages of the disclosure will become more apparent and better understood by referring to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0030]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an adjustable bicycle seat according to the invention; exploded away from a bicycle post; 
           [0031]      FIG. 2A  is a exploded perspective view of the adjustable bicycle seat; 
           [0032]      FIG. 2B  is a bottom view of the seat portion; 
           [0033]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the adjustable bicycle seat; 
           [0034]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an alternative frame for an adjustable bicycle seat; 
           [0035]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an alternative frame for an adjustable bicycle seat; 
           [0036]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  illustrate a venting system incorporated into an adjustable bicycle seat; 
           [0037]      FIG. 7  illustrates various adjustment mechanisms for use with an adjustable bicycle seat and the ways each seat may be adjusted or deformed; 
           [0038]      FIGS. 8A-8C  illustrate various side profiles of bicycle seats and the curvature that may be formed from nose to back; 
           [0039]      FIG. 9  illustrates an adjustable seat having adjustability in the nose segment and web portion; 
           [0040]      FIG. 10  illustrates various contours or wing portions that may be formed with the adjustable seats; 
           [0041]      FIGS. 11A and 11B  illustrate a top view of adjustments to the length and curvature of the nose portion of a bicycle seat; 
           [0042]      FIG. 12  illustrates the frame portion of an adjustable bicycle seat; 
           [0043]      FIG. 13  illustrates a rear rotatable crossbar for use with an adjustable bicycle seat; and 
           [0044]      FIGS. 14A and 14B  illustrate the cross-bar and frame of  FIGS. 9 and 10  in two different configurations; and 
           [0045]      FIGS. 15A and 15B  illustrate a rotating mechanism for adjusting the crossbar with respect to the attached frame of an adjustable bicycle seat frame and a tool to make such adjustment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0046]    The present application seeks to provide a solution to the aforementioned problems by a multi-adjustable bicycle seat that may conform to the use and comfort of an individual rider. 
         [0047]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a perspective view of an adjustable bicycle seat  30  according to the invention is shown. The adjustable bicycle seat  30  is shown exploded away from a bicycle post  28 . The adjustable seat  30  has a seat frame or chassis  32  with a pair of rails  34  that extend from a nose  36  to a rear crossbar  38 . The adjustable bicycle seat  30  has a seat attachment and tilting mechanism  42  that interacts and attaches to the bicycle post  28 . The seat attachment and tilting mechanism, the seat post clamp  42 , allows the seat frame or chassis  32 , via the seat rails  34 , to be attached to the bicycle post  28  or other feature of a bicycle frame. In addition the seat attachment and tilting mechanism  42  allows the seat frame  32  to be tilted such that the nose portion  36  is lower than the rear crossbar  38  and vice versa. 
         [0048]    The adjustable bicycle seat  30  has a seat portion  50  that extends from the nose  36  to the rear crossbar  38 . The seat portion  50  is formed of flexible material  52 . In the embodiment shown the seat portion  50  has a plurality of ventilation holes  54 . 
         [0049]    The seat portion  50  while formed of one piece of flexible material  52  has several segments including a nose segment  56  which is narrow and a seat segment  58 . In the embodiment shown the length from the nose  36  to the rear crossbar  38  is 10.6 inches (27 centimeters). The width of the nose segment  56  is 1.24 inches (3.14 centimeters). The width of the seat segment  58  is 16.5 inches (42 centimeters). The width of the seat segment  58  to the length of the seat is a ratio of greater than 1:1 and in the embodiment shown it is 42:27 or 1.55:1. 
         [0050]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , an exploded perspective view of the adjustable bicycle seat  30  is shown. The seat attachment and tilting mechanism  42  for attaching to the bicycle post is not shown in  FIG. 2 . The seat frame  32  has the rails  34  that extend from the nose  36  to the rear crossbar  38 . In the embodiment show, the rear crossbar  38  is one piece having a central back portion  62  and a left arm or wing  64  and a right arm or wing  66 . The adjustable bicycle seat  30  has a pair of end caps  68  that are received in the end of the arms  64  and  66  of the rear crossbar  38 . 
         [0051]    Referring to  FIG. 2B , a bottom view of the seat portion  50  is shown. The seat portion  50  has a plurality of hook fasteners  72  that are secured to the flexible material  52 . The hook fasteners  72  interact with the loop fasteners  74  on the rear cross bar  38  to both secure and allow adjustment of the seat portion  50 . 
         [0052]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , a side view of the adjustable bicycle seat  30  is shown. The rail  34  of the seat frame  32  extends from the nose  36  to the rear crossbar  38 . The seat portion  50  is spaced from the rails  34  in the center portion. In an embodiment, the seat portion  50  is over 2.36 inches (6 centimeters) from the rails  34 . The ratio of the length of the seat to the height of the seat portion over the rails is a ratio of less than 7:1 and in the embodiment shown it is 4.49:1. The spacing of the rail from the seat portion allows the seat portion as the material gives or conform under the user&#39;s weight not to deform down to the rails  34 . 
         [0053]    The adjustment of the hook and loop fasteners  72  and  74 , such as Velcro®, between the flexible material  52  of the seat portion  50  and the center back portion  62  of the rear cross bar  38  allows for adjustment of the curvature of the seat portion  50 . The adjustment of the hook and loop fasteners  72  and  74  between the flexible material  52  of the seat portion  50  and the two arms  64  and  66  allows for adjustment of the flatness lengthwise, the flatness widthwise, the stiffness overall. It is recognized that the entire seat portion  50  can be replaced with other seat portion  50  with different material property. 
         [0054]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , a perspective view of an alternative frame for an adjustable bicycle seat  80  is shown. The seat frame or seat chassis  32  of the adjustable bicycle seat  80  includes a pair of rails  34  sweeping under a nose portion  36  and ending under a crossbar  38 . The crossbar  38  has a center back portion  62  and a pair of arms or wings  64  and  66  extending rearward from the center rear portion  56 . 
         [0055]    The flexible material  52 , not shown in this FIG., may be formed over a part of the nose portion  36  of the frame and extended to and formed over the center back portion  62  of the rear crossbar  38  and the arms  64  and  66 . The arms  64  and  66  are generally used to help form the width and form of the seat portion  50 . 
         [0056]    In contrast to the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-3  where the arms  64  and  66  project forward, the arms project backward in  FIG. 4 . The distinction between forward and backward projecting arms results is the forward projection influences the shape of the seating surface to be saddle-like and the backward facing projection eliminates the direct contact of the arms with the thighs of any user. 
         [0057]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , a perspective view of an alternative frame  32  for an adjustable bicycle seat  90  is shown. The nose portion  36  of the seat frame  32  contains a through hole or aperture  90  that allows air to circulate through the nose portion  36  and under the flexible material  52  that is formed over the seat frame  32 . In the seat frame  32 , the arms  64  and  66  extend slightly forward (toward the nose portion  36 ) and outward. The arms  64  and  66  and the center back portion  62  of the rear cross bar  38  have hook fasteners  66  that work in conjunction with loop fasteners  68  on the flexible material  52  to secure the flexible material  52  over the seat frame  32  and form an adjustable seat  50 . 
         [0058]    Still referring to  FIG. 5 , the adjustable bicycle seat  90  shows the seat attachment and tilting mechanism  42 . This seat attachment and tilting mechanism or seat post clamp  42  allows the seat frame  32 , via the rails  34 , to be attached to the bicycle post  28  or other feature of a bicycle frame. In addition the seat post clamp  42  allows the frame to be tilted such that the nose portion is lower than the crossbar and vice versa. 
         [0059]    Referring to  FIG. 6A , a closer view of a nose portion  36  having the through hole or aperture  92 , through which air flow as represented by arrows  96  may travel, is shown.  FIG. 6B  illustrates an adjustable seat  90  having a flexible material  52 , which is a textile material in the embodiment formed over the nose portion  36  of the seat frame  32  as well as the rear crossbar  38  including the center back portion  62  and the arms  64  and  66 . The rails  34  of the seat frame  32  space the nose portion  36  and the rear crossbar  38  apart; the flexible material, the textile material,  52  is slung between the nose portion  36  and the rear crossbar  38 . In the embodiment, the rails  34  are welded to the nose portion  36  and the rear crossbar  38 . 
         [0060]    The attachment and tilting mechanism  42 , not shown in this FIG., is also fixed to the rails  34  of the seat frame  32 . Air flow  96  is illustrated as entering through the opening  92  of the nose portion  36 , flowing under the textile material  52 , which may be porous, thus allowing the rider to be cooled. This may help prevent chaffing as it helps reduce and remove perspiration from a rider. 
         [0061]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , various adjustment mechanisms for use with an adjustable bicycle seat  100  are illustrated and the ways each seat may be adjusted or deformed are shown. The adjustable bicycle seat  100  shown in  FIG. 7  is similar to the adjustable bicycle seat  90  of  FIG. 6B . However in contrast to the adjustable bicycle seat  90  of  FIG. 6B , the adjustable bicycle seat  100  has a mechanical tightening mechanism  104  attached to or formed into the crossbar by which a “Front-to-Back” tightening of the seat may occur. The mechanical tightening mechanism  104  has a ratchet mechanism such as a window shade. 
         [0062]    Referring to  FIGS. 8A-8C , various side profiles of bicycle seats and the curvature that may be formed from nose to back are illustrated. The adjustment of the hook and loop fasteners  72  and  74  to adjust the flexible material  52  of the seat portion  50  with the center back portion  62  of the rear crossbar  38  adjusts the curvature. The dips and curves a “front-to-back” adjustment may allow for are illustrated in  FIGS. 8A-8C . For example, the curve  102  formed in  FIG. 8A  has a deeper groove than the flat profile of  106  in  FIG. 8C  and the slight dip  104  shown in  FIG. 8C . 
         [0063]    Referring back to  FIG. 7 , the arms  64  and  66  may rotate up/down or in/out to help adjust the forming of the seat cover from “side-to-side.” The rotation of the arm varies the curvature or flatness of the seat. For example, the downward rotation of the arms  64  and  66  and the tightening of the center portion will increase the curvature. In some embodiments, not shown, arms  64  and  66  may extend inward, outward, up and down, which may be used as another method to adjust the “side-to-side” adjustment, width and form of the seat. 
         [0064]    Referring to  FIG. 9 , the adjustable seat  120  having adjustability in the nose segment  56  and web or wing portion, the seat segment  58 , of the seat portion  50  is shown. The flexible material  52  of the seat portion  50  has a stress distribution mechanism  124 , such as zippers formed around the nose portion or segment  56  of the seat portion  50 , which may be used to adjust the stress distribution lines formed in malleable or textile material  52  from the stress distribution mechanism  124  to the back portion of the seat portion  50 . Stress distribution lines  126  have been drawn in for illustrative purposes to show that lines of tension or stress are formed along the seat that lead back to the nose portion. Depending how open or closed the stress distribution mechanism  124  is around the nose helps define where those stress lines are formed. This is important, because many riders have different body types that prefer pressure to be applied or reduced to the groin and buttocks area. One of the principles behind this stress distribution mechanism  124  is to determine the amount and area at which the stress lines are formed. Other stress distribution mechanisms  124  contemplated may include zip ties, straps, or strings built into the textile material  52 , hook and loop material formed on a portion of textile material  52  and other mechanisms to adjust how much of the nose portion ‘sees’ the stress from the tightened seat. Though not all devices are described, any mechanism that adjusts these stress lines would be within the scope of this application. 
         [0065]    In conjunction with the stress distribution mechanism  124 , another sitting adjustment mechanism  130 , such as a locking zipper formed in the flexible material  52 , may be formed into the web portion or segment  60  of the seat which allows for the contour of the seat on each side to be adjusted. 
         [0066]    The seat portion  50  is defined into three segments: the nose segment  56 , the sitting segment  58 , and an interposed wing segment  60 . The sitting segment  58  includes a waterproof, ventilated, high-friction surface (e.g. coating or fabric add-on). The nose segment  56  includes a smooth, waterproof, low-friction (e.g. coating or fabric add-on). 
         [0067]    Referring to  FIG. 10 , various contours or wing segments  60  that may be formed with the adjustable seats are described herein. A contour line  140   a  shows a nose portion or segment  56  with minimal web/wing flare, the web segment  60 , before the rear portion, the seat segment  58 , of the seat portion  50 ; this change in the radius of curvature allows for further tailoring to the use and the type of ride. The contour line  140   b  illustrates a more gradual seat flaring from the nose portion to the rear portion, while the contour line  140   c  illustrates the widest variation with the shortest nose portion before flaring into the rear portion. 
         [0068]    Referring to  FIGS. 11A and 11B , a pair of top profiles illustrating some examples of adjustments that can be made to the web/wing portion  60  is shown. These adjustments again help with the pedal stroke of a rider and how far back the legs may extend without hitting into the seat. 
         [0069]    In at least one embodiment the seat cover formed of textile material has a nose portion that is formed in a conical-like shape to slide over the nose portion of the frame. This textile material may be formed of several materials including trampoline material that is often tightly woven polyethylene or nylon, which allows for breathability, is UV resistant, and is very durable. The seat may be formed of a single piece of material and sewn or bonded together at various portions, along with having various mechanisms such as zippers incorporated therein to be used with the frame described herein. The textile could be a trampoline fabric such as a basket-weaving of polypropylene plastic with a filler (carbon black) for additional weatherproofing. 
         [0070]    Referring to  FIG. 12 , a frame  170  having a pair of coupling mechanisms  172  is shown. The frame  170  of the seat frame  168  has a pair of rails  34  that extend from the nose portion  36  to the coupling mechanisms  172 . The coupling mechanisms  172  each have an opening  174  for a fastener. 
         [0071]    A crossbar  180 , such as the one illustrated in  FIG. 13  may be attached to the pair of coupling mechanisms  172  and even rotated about. Referring to  FIG. 13 , a crossbar  180  having a center back portion  182  and a left arm  184  and a right arm  186 , is shown. The crossbar  180  of the seat frame  168 , in addition to the center back portion  182  and the arms  184  and  186 , has a pair of attachment points  188 . The attachment points  188  may have a reduced diameter that fits inside of a coupling mechanism  172  of the frame  170 . The attachment points  188  have a plurality of positioning taps  192  formed around the outer surface of the attachment point  188  which allow for a screw, bolt, pin, or fastening mechanism to pass through the opening  174  of the coupling mechanism  172  into the attachment mechanism  188 . 
         [0072]    Referring to  FIGS. 14A and 14B , the cross-bar and frame of  FIGS. 12 and 13  are shown in two different configurations. In  FIG. 14A , in the embodiment shown the crossbar  180  and arms  184  and  186  are pointed downward relative to the rails  34  of the seat frame  32 . In  FIG. 14B , the arms  184  and  186  are more level or planar with the nose portion  36  of the frame  32 . 
         [0073]    In some embodiments the crossbar  180  is a unibody shape, thus adjusting the tilt of the crossbar  180  up or down modifies the arms  184  and  186  pointing up or down. For example see  FIGS. 11A-B . However, in other embodiments, the arms of the crossbar/endbar may be individually rotatable and adjusted accordingly. Opposite threaded screws may be used to affix the arms to the crossbar, such that when pressure is applied from a rider sitting on the seat, the arms on each side tighten. It is contemplated a hex wrench may be used to adjust hex screws affixing the arms to the crossbar/endbar. 
         [0074]    Curvature can help the rider maintain position during more forward riding. The varying of the arms varies the flatness of the seat portion  50 . If the arms are parallel to the ground, the surface across the seat segment of the seat portion is flat. However if the arms (wings) are rotated down 15 or 30 degrees into fixed slots, then the sitting surface across would be curved. 
         [0075]    Referring to  FIG. 15A  a rotating mechanism for adjusting the crossbar  38  with respect to the attached seat frame  32  of the adjustable bicycle seat  80  is shown. Referring to  FIG. 15B , a tool  210  to make such adjustment is shown. A closer view of attaching a crossbar  180  to the rail  34  of the seat frame  32  is shown. The attachment portion  188  is slid into the coupler  172  with a through-hole  194  that may used with the positioning taps/holes  192  to adjust the angle of the crossbar  180  relative to the frame as previously discussed. A detachable or permanently fixed tool  210 , such as a T-handle pull pin, may be used to insert a pin that fixes the crossbar  180  in place relative to the frame, and through a pulling of the handle removes the pin to adjust the crossbar  180  around the circumferentially placed holes of the attachment portion  190 . Again, this causes the arms, not seen here, to rotate up or down, which changes the surface area and pressure distribution lines of the seat cover formed over the frame. Other push/pull mechanisms may be similarly used that may or may not be spring loaded. For example, some exercise bikes have similar mechanisms to raise and lower the height of the seat. 
         [0076]    The above description is merely illustrative. Having thus described several aspects of at least one embodiment of this invention including the preferred embodiments, it is to be appreciated that various alterations, modifications, and improvements will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Such alterations, modifications, and improvements are intended to be part of this disclosure, and are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description and drawing are by way of example only. 
         [0077]    It is recognized that the seat portion  50  of the adjustable bicycle seat can be secured to the nose portion  36  of the seat frame  32  by various methods including by hook and loop fasteners; the nose segment  56  of the seat portion  50  is formed to receive the nose portion  36 . The nose segment  56  can be formed by glue, staple, or sewn or other methods. 
         [0078]    It is recognized the flexible material  52  of seat portion  50  can be formed of various outdoors-resistant materials. The material can consist of a single layer of rubber, textile, other materials or derivative of these materials. While multiple layers in certain embodiments will decrease ventilation and increase chafing discomfort, in certain embodiments multiple layers may use to increase stiffness and tailor the property of the seat portion  50 . 
         [0079]    It is recognized that the seat portion can have a high-friction coating or high friction material section on the seat segment of the seat portion. It is recognized that the nose segment can have a low-friction coating or a fabric. The distinction in coefficient of friction allows the rider to cycle their thighs past the nose portion with minimal friction-induced chafing. 
         [0080]    It is recognized the tensioning segments including the adjustable mechanism can be other items beside the hook and loop fasteners and ratchet such pulley system, screws, bolts, zippers, cinches, magnets, and rivets.