Strap length adjusting apparatus

A method for adjusting a length of a strap comprising:

• providing a first stationary element;
• providing a second stationary element;
• providing a middle element positioned between said first and second elements, said middle element being rotatable with respect to said first and second elements;
• providing first and second coupling members on said first stationary element and said middle element, respectively;
• providing a biasing device linked to said first and second coupling members;
• providing a strap partially wound about a rod that extends from said middle element and
• selectively placing said biasing device either in a first operational position in which said first and second coupling members are coupled with each other such that said middle element cannot rotate with respect to said first stationary element, or in a second operational position in which said first and second coupling members are decoupled from each other such that said middle element can rotate with respect to said first stationary element;
• and
• wherein in said second operational position, said rod rotates with said middle element so that said strap winds about said rod either clockwise or counterclockwise so as to continuously change a length of said strap that extends away from said rod, and wherein in said first operational position, said rod cannot rotate with said middle element so that said strap cannot wind about said rod.