AU2013200445A1 - Performance Seat for Bicycles - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract A performance seat (10) for use with a bicycle, said seat comprising a main support member (11) having a main support surface (12), the support member having a front edge (13) and rear edge (14) and the main support surface (12) being substantially planar and lying in a horizontal plane in at least in the region of seat bones (18, 19) of a rider whereby the seat bones are fully supported. The seat (10) may further include a pommel (15) extending forwardly (X-X) of the main support member (11), a top surface (16) of the pommel at least substantially along its length being disposed in a plane beneath the plane of the main support surface (11).

Description

1 PERFORMANCE SEAT FOR BICYCLES Technical Field This invention relates to a performance seat for bicycles and in particular a seat for use in road racing or other performance applications. The seat of the invention 5 however may also be used in other applications such as in recreational cycling applications. Background Art Bicycle seats are generally of two forms being either in the form of a saddle which a rider straddles to be supported or a seat on which the rider sits. 10 Broadly a bicycle saddle comprises a member having a rider support surface which supports the posterior of a rider and a forwardly extending pommel. In general terms the aim of the design of a cycle seat is to provide a rider support surface which stabilises the posterior of a rider while providing a relatively high level of rider comfort and also provides a low level of interference with the legs of a rider during pedalling. 15 Many attempts have been made to provide a cycle seat meeting these requirements but none has proved totally satisfactory. It would be advantageous if a cycle seat could be devised which more effectively supports the rider's posterior while at the same time permitting the riders legs the freedom to vigorously pedal the cycle. In saddle type seats which are available the pubic bones, in particular the left and right 20 inferior rami of the pubic bones tend to rest on the inclined opposite sides of the pommel and are thus not fully and correctly supported. Unnecessary pressure is thus exerted on the pubic bones and insufficient support is provided for the back and spinal column. It would be desirable therefore if the pubic bone of a rider was supported on a substantially flat surface and it would be further desirable if the rider had unhindered 25 movement of the legs whilst pedalling. Summary of the Invention According to an aspect of this invention there is provided a performance seat for use with a bicycle. The seat suitably includes a main support member or body having a main support surface, the support member having a front edge and a rear edge and the 30 main support surface being substantially planar and lying in a horizontal plane in at least in the region of the seat bones of a rider whereby the seat bones are fully supported. The main support surface of the main support member may comprise an uninterrupted surface or one or more separate surfaces and the term "main support surface" as used ACE245011P 2 throughout the specification and where the context allows includes one or more such surfaces. A pommel suitable extends forwardly of the main support member. The top surface of the pommel at least substantially along its length is suitably disposed in a plane beneath the plane of the main support surface. The pommel suitably terminates 5 short of the perineal region of the rider so as not to interfere therewith while riding. The pommel suitably extends substantially at right angles to the front end of the main support member. Preferably the side surfaces of the pommel joins the front surfaces at the front end of the main support member such that no substantial shoulder or fillet is formed therebetween so as not to interfere with pedaling of the rider. 10 The main support surface or surfaces of the main support member may be substantially planar or flat and lie in a substantially horizontal plane over the majority of its or their surfaces. The main support member however may have in one embodiment a pronounced centrally positioned longitudinally extending ridge formation which extends upwardly 15 from the main support surface to form respective support surfaces disposed on either side of the ridge formation below the ridge formation which provide support for the ischial tuberosities and surrounding soft tissue of a rider. The ridge formation may extend substantially the full length of the main support surface or surfaces between the leading front edge and the rear edge of the main support 20 member or body. The main support surface or support surfaces adjacent the ridge formation may curve upwardly to join the ridge formation. The ridge formation has an apex extending therealong and the formation is configured to extend into a region between the rider's buttocks for resisting lateral movement of the rider's pelvis during riding. 25 Typically the leading edge is spaced a short distance forwardly of the region of the main support surface supporting the ischial tuberosities so as not to interfere unduly with the movement of the thighs of a rider during pedalling. Preferably the apex of the ridge formation is rounded and the leading end or surface of the main support member is angled downwardly and forwardly. 30 In another embodiment, the main support member may have a centrally positioned longitudinally extending recess which extends downwardly from the main support surface such that the main support surface disposed on either side of the recess is above the recess to provides support on opposite sides of the recess for the ischial ACE245011P 3 tuberosities and surrounding soft tissue of a rider. Advantageously the pommel which projects forwardly outwardly from the leading edge of the main set member is arranged centrally of the main support member and is stepped downwardly from the main support surface from adjacent to the main 5 support member. Typically the top surface of the pommel is disposed in a substantially horizontal plane or may slope slightly downwardly towards its leading end. Preferably the rear of the main support member is closely spaced from the rear of the main support surface which supports the ischial tuberosities of rider. In a particularly preferred form the main support member extends laterally such 10 that the main support surface provides sufficient support the ischial tuberosities of a rider. In a further embodiment, the main support member may be provided with an upwardly directed ridge adjacent its rear edge. The ridge defines a reaction surface against which the buttocks of a rider may act to enable an enhanced pedalling force to be 15 applied to the pedals of a bicycle. Preferably the member is formed from a substantially rigid material which is covered by a layer of resilient material. Typically the member is formed from a thermoplastic material such as nylon and polypropylene. The bicycle seat will typically include mounting means, for example in the form 20 of a bracket, for mounting the seat onto a seat post for mounting to a bicycle frame. The present invention in a particularly preferred aspect provides a performance seat for a bicycle comprising a main support member having a central longitudinally extending raised ridge formation and a pair of support surfaces on opposite sides of said raised ridge formation, said support surfaces being below said ridge formation and said 25 support surfaces lying in a substantially horizontal plane and being substantially planar in at least in the region of the seat bones of a rider whereby the seat bones are fully supported, a pommel extending forwardly of the main support member, the top surface of the pommel at least substantially along its length being disposed in a plane beneath the plane of the support surfaces, said main support member having a front end and said 30 pommel extending substantially at right angles to said front end of the main support member, said pommel having opposite side surfaces of the pommel which join the front surfaces of the front end of the main support member such that no substantial shoulder or fillet is formed therebetween. ACE245011P 4 Brief Description of the Drawings A bicycle seat in accordance with this invention may manifest itself in a variety of forms. It will be convenient to hereinafter describe in detail two preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is to be 5 clearly understood however that the specific nature of these descriptions does not supersede the generality of the preceding broad description. In the drawings: Fig. 1 is an isometric view of a bicycle seat in accordance with one embodiment of the invention Fig. 2 is a side view of a bicycle seat of Fig. 1; 10 Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the cycle seat of Fig. 1; Figs. 4 and 5 are sectional views from the side and front respectively showing the position of a rider on the seat of Figs. I to 3. Fig. 6 is an isometric view of a bicycle seat in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention; 15 Fig. 7 is a side view of a bicycle seat of Fig. 6; Fig. 8 is a top plan view of the cycle seat of Fig. 6; Fig. 9 is an isometric view of a bicycle seat in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention; and Fig. 10 is a side view of a bicycle seat of Fig. 9. 20 Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments Referring to the drawings and firstly to Figs.1 to 3, there is illustrated a performance bicycle seat 10 in accordance a first embodiment of the invention, the seat 10 comprising a main support member 11 which has a substantially planar main support surface 12 which in use lies in a substantially horizontal plane and extends between a 25 leading edge 13 and trailing edge 14 of the member 11, the leading edge 13 being provided at the upper portion of the leading surface 13' of the member 11. The leading edge 13 and surface 13' extend substantially normal or square to the longitudinal axis X-X of the seat 10 and are positioned relative to the main support surface 12 so that the leading edge 13 of the member 11 does not interfere with the 30 thighs of a rider during pedalling. The leading edge or surface 13 is rounded at its junction with the main surface 12 to make the seat ergonomically attractive and ensure minimum interference with the thighs during pedalling. The seat 10 also includes a pommel 15 which projects forwardly outwardly from ACE245011P 5 the leading surface 13' of the member 11 and arranged substantially centrally relative to the main support member 11 so as to be in axial alignment with the longitudinal axis X X of the seat 10. The pommel 15 is stepped downwardly from the main support surface 12 at or adjacent the leading edge 13 and the top surface 16 of the pommel 15 is 5 substantially horizontal or slopes slightly downwardly towards its leading end 17. This will ensure that the pommel 15 does not significantly place pressure on the genitals or crotch area of a rider but will still provide the rider with a control point to maintain a position centrally on the seat 10 and bicycle. The pommel 15 is shorter than the typical cycle seat pommel although it still extends a substantial distance forwardly of the main 10 support member 11 usually a distance greater than the distance between the front and rear edges 13 and 14 of the main support member 10. The opposite side surfaces of the pommel 15 also extend substantially to the leading surface 13 of the main support member 11 with minimal shoulder or infill (indicated at 16' in Figs. I and 3) provided therebetween. 15 Figs. 4 and 5 illustrate respectively longitudinal and transverse cross-sectional views of the cycle seat of Fig. 1 showing the positions of the pelvic bones of a rider when he or she adopts an upright position during pedalling. The planar surface 12 of the main support member 11 provide full support to the ischial tuberosities 17 and 18 of the rider providing an anatomically correct position for the rider. The surface 12 also 20 supports the tissue of the rider's posterior surrounding the ischial tuberosities 18 and 19. The rider during riding can rock or pivot their pelvis 2 abut the ischial tuberosities 18 and 19 frem a pes4tie where the upper torso of a rider is in an upright position to a position where the upper torso is angled downwardly forwardly ever the handle bars of a bike. During this range of positions, the ischial tuberosities 18 and 19 remain fully 25 supported on the planar surface 12 of the main support member 10. The seat 10 may also optionally include as shown in dotted outline in Figs. 1 and 2, a raised ridge 21 extending along the rear edge 14 of the seat 10. The raised rear edge 21 resists rearward displacement of the pelvis 20 of the rider during pedalling which means that increased force may be applied to the pedals. 30 Referring now to Figs. 6 to 8, there is illustrated a further embodiment of bicycle seat 22 according to the invention which is similar to the embodiment of Figs. I to 3 and in which similar components have been given similar numerals. Thus the seat 22 has a main support member 11 and a pommel 15 as in Figs. 1 to 3. In this embodiment ACE245011P 6 however the main support member 11 is provided with a centrally positioned longitudinally extending ridge formation 23. The ridge formation 23 extends from the rear edge 14 substantially to the front edge 13' of the main support member 10 which thus defines two planar support surfaces 24 on either side of the ridge formation 23 5 which has a substantially convex cross section. The support surfaces 24 are in a common substantially horizontal plane to support the ischial tuberosities 18 and 19 as in the embodiment of Figs. 1 to 5. This provides a level seat contact for the sit bones (ischial tuberosities) providing correct spinal support and removing angled sit bone contact which causes irritation of body tissues. The rear sections of the surfaces 24 extend 10 beyond the position of the sit bones to introduce lateral support for the buttocks and hold the rider's body "up" away from central body contact with the seat. The difference in height between the surfaces 24 and the ridge formation 23 facilitates support for the coccyx of a rider when the rider's torso is substantially upright. The ridge formation 23 also acts to resist sideways movement of the pelvis during 15 pedaling thus holding the rider centrally eradicating lateral movement of the hips that causes "pelvic float" and lower back strain. The ridge formation 23 sits comfortably into the buttocks holding the rider's body tissue into the public arch to provide optimum cushioning support. The ridge formation 23 only comes into contact with the rear half of the rider's pelvic floor with the central section then dropping away to remove all 20 pressure from the rider's genitals and central crotch area. The cross sectional shape of the ridge formation 24 is roughly complementary to that of the arch region of the pubic bones. Thus if the rider adopts an upright position when pedalling, the weight of the rider is spread between the ischial tuberosities 18 and 19 and coccyx. 25 The lowered pommel 15 removes unhealthy pressure from the central crotch area even when riding in an aerodynamic position. The lowered pommel 15 combined with the correct rear support removes body trauma and improves riding performance as recreational and competitive cyclists remain fresher and stronger for the duration of each ride. 30 The cut-away front edge 13 of the mid-section of the seat 22 removes the "shoulders" found in traditional saddles to provide a totally unhindered leg action during pedaling. This action removes all chafing of the inner thighs and central crotch area and enables a complete and powerful pedaling stroke for improved performance. The cut ACE245011P 7 away shape ensures that the rider does not have to move forward as in the prior art to avoid any shoulders to pedal and can remain seated on the level rear surfaces 24 to retain correct support Referring now to Figs. 9 and 10 there is illustrated yet a further embodiment of 5 bicycle seat 25 according to the invention which again is similar to the embodiment of Figs. I to 3 and in which similar components have been given similar numerals. Thus the seat 25 has a main support member 11 and a pommel 15 as in Figs. 1 to 3. In this embodiment however the main support member 11 is provided with a centrally positioned longitudinally extending groove or recess 26. The groove or recess 26 10 extends from the rear edge 14 to the front edge 13' of the main support member 10 which thus defines two planar support surfaces 27 on either side of the recess 26. The support surfaces 26 are in a common substantially horizontal plane to support the ischial tuberosities 18 and 19 as in the embodiment of Figs. 1 to 5. The recess 26 enables the weight of the rider to be spread between the ischial 15 tuberosities 18 and 19 which are squarely supported on the surfaces 27 and further allows for variations in physique of rider or riding preference of physical condition. Further the recess 26 allows the rider to shift laterally of the main support member 11 of the seat without obstruction. Both seats 22 and 25 can also includes a raised ridge 21 along the rear edge of the 20 main support member 11 as in Figs. 1 and 2 to resists rearward displacement of the pelvis 20 of the rider during pedalling. Each seat 10, 22 and 25 also includes mounting means in the form of a bracket 28 for mounting the seat to a seat post in a conventional manner. An advantage of the seats described above with reference to the drawings is that 25 they permit the rider the freedom to pedal vigorously while seated on the cycle seat in either an upright or a bent over pedalling position. Yet a further advantage of the cycle seat described above is that it is reasonably comfortable and does not interfere with the genitals of a rider. The seat bones or ischial tuberosities are supported surely on flat surfaces which will remove the excess movement that causes rubbing of the body tissues 30 about the sit bones and strain on the back which occurs when the seat bones are not correctly supported. The cut-away or square leading edge of the main support member which joins the pommel removes the shoulder between the pommel and main support member to ACE245011P 8 provide an unhindered leg action during pedalling. This removes the need of a rider to pull himself forward to avoid a shoulder allowing the rider to retain a more stable and central position. Waste of pedalling power is therefore avoided and enhanced riding performance results. Further as the pommel is lower than the main support surface, 5 pressure on the perineum is substantially reduced. The terms "comprising" or "comprises" as used throughout the specification and claims are taken to specify the presence of the stated features, integers and components referred to but not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other feature/s, integer/s, components or group thereof. 10 Whilst the above has been given by way of illustrative embodiment of the invention, all such variations and modifications thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of the invention as herein described.

Claims (5)

1. A performance seat for use with a bicycle, said seat comprising a main support member having a main support surface, the support member having a front edge and a rear edge and the main support surface being substantially planar and lying in a horizontal plane in at least in the region of the seat bones of a rider whereby the seat 5 bones are fully supported.

2. A seat as claimed in claim 1 wherein said main support surface comprises an uninterrupted surface or one or more separate surfaces.

3. A seat as claimed in claim 2 wherein a pommel extends forwardly of the main support member, the top surface of the pommel at least substantially along its length 10 being disposed in a plane beneath the plane of the main support surface.

4. A seat as claimed in claim 3 wherein said pommel extends substantially at right angles to the front end of the main support member and the side surfaces of the pommel joins the front surfaces of the front end main support member such that no substantial shoulder or fillet is formed therebetween. 15

5. A performance seat for use with a bicycle, said seat comprising a main support member having a central longitudinally extending raised ridge formation and a pair of support surfaces on opposite sides of said raised ridge formation, said support surfaces being below said ridge formation and said support surface lying in a substantially horizontal plane and being substantially planar in at least in the region of the seat bones 20 of a rider whereby the seat bones are fully supported, a pommel extending forwardly of the main support member, the top surface of the pommel at least substantially along its length being disposed in a plane beneath the plane of the support surfaces, said main support member having a front end and said pommel extending substantially at right angles to said front end of the main support member, said pommel having 5 opposite side 25 surfaces of the pommel which join the front surfaces of the front end of the main support member such that no substantial shoulder or fillet is formed therebetween.