CA1146460A - Inflatable bicycle seat/cushion - Google Patents

Inflatable bicycle seat/cushion

Info

Publication number
CA1146460A
CA1146460A CA000374427A CA374427A CA1146460A CA 1146460 A CA1146460 A CA 1146460A CA 000374427 A CA000374427 A CA 000374427A CA 374427 A CA374427 A CA 374427A CA 1146460 A CA1146460 A CA 1146460A
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
cushion
bicycle seat
bag
bag means
stiffener
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired
Application number
CA000374427A
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Ian Kirkpatrick
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
KIRKPATRICK IAN
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to CA000374427A priority Critical patent/CA1146460A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of CA1146460A publication Critical patent/CA1146460A/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62JCYCLE SADDLES OR SEATS; AUXILIARY DEVICES OR ACCESSORIES SPECIALLY ADAPTED TO CYCLES AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, e.g. ARTICLE CARRIERS OR CYCLE PROTECTORS
    • B62J1/00Saddles or other seats for cycles; Arrangement thereof; Component parts
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62JCYCLE SADDLES OR SEATS; AUXILIARY DEVICES OR ACCESSORIES SPECIALLY ADAPTED TO CYCLES AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, e.g. ARTICLE CARRIERS OR CYCLE PROTECTORS
    • B62J1/00Saddles or other seats for cycles; Arrangement thereof; Component parts
    • B62J1/18Covers for saddles or other seats; Paddings
    • B62J1/26Paddings involving other resilient material, e.g. sponge rubber with inflatable compartments

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Mattresses And Other Support Structures For Chairs And Beds (AREA)

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A pneumatic bicycle seat cushion, which may be separate from or part of a bicycle seat, includes a pair of rubber or elastomeric bags defining a pair of expansion chambers extending longitudinally of the cushion in parallel relationship to each other. The bags are covered by an inexpansible, e.g., polyvinyl chloride cover. A stiffener extends lon-gitudinally between the bags, with a valve for introducing air into a port extending between the expansion chambers. When pressure is applied to the top surface of the cushion, the air moves horizontally or down-wardly rather than against the body of the rider.

Description

This invention relates to a bicycle seat or attachment there-for, and in particular to an inflatable bicycle seat or attachment for such a seat.
In general, bicycle seats are decidedly uncomfortable devices, particularly when used for a long period of time. Various attempts have been made to solve the problem of bicycle seat discomfort. Examples of such attempts are described in Canadian Patents Nos. 52,829, issued to S. D. Van Meter on July 6, 1896; 59,633, issued to F. W. Roe on April 15, 1898; and 225,510, issued to A. E. Anderson on November 17, 1925; and in United States Patents Nos. 403,078, issued to C. F. Swett on May 7, 1889;
415,291, issued to S. E. Gilbert on November 19, 1889; 540,725, issued to W. H. Craig on June 11, 1895; 562,919, issued to J. H. Sager on June 30, 1896; and 602,732, issued to W. H. Craig on April 19, 1898.
The two main causes of bicycle seat discomfort are chafing of the rider's skin, and pain in the region of the pelvic protuberances caused by road shocks through the seat~ With many of the devices disclosed by the above mentioned patents, the proposed solution to the problem is to provide a pneumatic cushion, the surface of which flexes and distorts against the internal air pressure. Often, the cushions have intensified the problem of chafing while solving the problem of pain in the pelvic pressure areas mentioned hereinbefore. With an inflated seat containing one bag or sac, compression of the seat surface in one area results in expansion of the seat surface in a second area, i.e., the seat bulges in the second area, thus conforming to the anatomy of the rider. Thus, there js an increase in the surface area of that portion of the seat in contact 114646(~

with the rider, increasing the possibility of chafing in such area. More-over, the constantly changing air pressure can be unpleasant. On the other hand, if the flexibility of the riding surface is reduced to control chaflng, the ability of the seat to absorb shock is also reduced.
Thus, it is readily apparent that the solution to the discom-fort problem is not a single celled cushion. Another proposal which is not particularly effective is the use of one or more cells in a bicycle seat cushion, the cells being defined by inelastic walls. This proposal also relies on surface distortion for pressure point relief which results in greater body contact and thus raises the possibility of increased chafing.
The present inventor has found that there must be somewhere for displaced air to go, wjthout increasing the risk of chafing. The object of the present invention is to overcome, at least partially, the problems of prior bicycle seat cushion arrangements by providing a rela-tively simple and effective pneumatic bicycle seat cushion.
Accordingly, the present invention relates to a pneumatic blcycle seat cushion comprjsing first and second inflatable bag means defining first and second air chambers, said first and second bag means extending longitudinally of said cushion in substantially parallel rela-tionship to each other, each of said first and second bag means including flexible top and bottom sheets of material permitting expansion of said bag means at least downwardly; a substantially planar, rigid central stiffener extending longitudinally of the cushion beneath said bottom sheets, said stiffener separating said first and second bag means; port 6~

means in said stiffener interconnecting said first and second air chambers permitting the limited passage of air from one chamber to the other during use; and a flexible, inexpansible cover means on said first and second bag means, whereby pressure applied to one area of the cushion is transmitted predominantly downwardly and horizontally.
The invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying dnawings, which illustrate preferred embodi-ments of the invention, and wherein:
Figure 1 is a perspective view from above and the rear of a bicycle seat incorporating a cushion in accordance with the present in-ventioni Figure 2 is a perspective view from above and the rear of the elements of the bicycle seat of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a perspective view from below and the front of another form of cushion in accordance with the present invention; and Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the cushion of Figure 3 near the rear end thereof.
Referring to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, one embodiment of the present invention is intended for use in a combination including a seat or saddle cover 1 of essentially the conventional type. The cushion js defined by the cover 1, inflatable bags generally indicated at 2 and a base generally indicated at 3. The cover 1 is provided with a pair of rearwardly extending wings 4 for covering the upper surface of the expan-sion section of bags 2.
Each bag 2 is defined by flexible rubber or elastomeric top ~146460 and bottom sheets 5 and 6 bonded together at their edges 7. Inner edges 8 of the bags 2 are bonded to a thin (approximately 1/8 inch) stiffener 9, which extends longitudinally between the bags. Each bag 2 being con-strained, in the preferred embodiment(s), for expansion downwardly and rearwardly. A transversely extending port 10 extends through the stiff-ener 9 providing fluid communication between the bags. A valve 11 mounted on the bottom of the stiffener 9 is connected to the port 10 for introduc-ing air into the bags.
The base 3 is formed of rigid or semi-rigid material and in-cludes a front end 12 for receiving the front end of the cover 1. Pockets 13 in the top surface of the rear end of the base 3 receive the bags 2, with the stiffener 9 resting on a planar central portion 14 for the valve 11 .
Of course, the cover 1, bags 2 and base 3 are normally glued or otherwise interconnected to form the unit illustrated in Figure 1, and the base 3 is provided with the usual bracket 16 for mounting the assem-bled seat on a bicycle seat post 17. As will be appreciated, cover 1 and base 3 act together to control direction and degree of expansion of bag 2.
With reference to Figures 3 and 4, a second embodiment of the invention which is a detachable bicycle seat cushion, includes a pair of bags 18 mounted on the bottom surface of a flexible, inextensible cover 19 formed of polyvinyl chloride, leather and the like. For added comfort, a sheet 20 of high density foam or sponge rubber is interposed between the bags 18 and the cover 19. The bags 18 are defined by a pair of exten-sible rubber or elastomeric sheets 21 and 22. A thin, hard plastic (polyethylene) stiffener plate 23 is mounted between the foam sheet 20 and the top sheet 21 to reduce upward expansion of the bags 18.
The sheets 21 and 22 are mounted on the cover 1g and divided into the two bags 18 by a thin, hard strip 24 of plastlc which extends around the periphery of the sheets 21 and 22. For the most part, the strlp 24 overlaps the outer edges of the sheets 21 and 22. The strip 24 includes a central stiffener 25 extending longitudinally of the cushion for defining a separation between the bags 18. A gap 26 in the stiffener 25 permits the sheets 21 and 22 to separate to define a port 27 between the bags 18. Air is introduced into the port 27 and thus into the bags 18 through a valve 28 of the type commonly used in inner tubes.
Front end 29 of the cover 19 extends forwardly beyond front end 30 of the strip 24. The front part of the cover 19 includes flaps 31 and 32 integral with the remainder of the cover for mounting the cushion on a bicycle seat. Velcro (trademark) fasteners (not shown) are provided on the portions of the flaps 31 and 32 which overlap when mounted on a seat.
Expansion of bags 18, and the control of expansion of bags is as described heretofor with reference to Figures 1 and 2. While both embodiments of the invention include valves for inflating the bags, it is readily apparent that the bags could be inflated and sealed, i.e., the valves could be omitted. Such arrangement suffers from the disadvantage that the pressure or degree of inflation of the bags cannot readily be changed.
In use, both embodiments of the invention function in essen-tially the same manner. The cushion is inflated to the degree desired by the rider, normally so that the cushion depresses slightly under the weight of the rider. When increased pressure is applied to the upper surface of the cushion, the displaced air moves to the area of least re-sistance, i.e., rearwardly and downwardly in the case of the detachable cushion (Figures 3 and 4) or where the cushion is incorporated in the bicycle seat (Figures 1 and 2). The downward expansion of the bags serves two purposes. Firstly, the displaced air does not move laterally and upwardly, causing pressure against the body of the rider and possible chafing, and secondly, road shcoks are directed against and absorbed by the elastic walls of the bags rather than by the rider.
Further modifications and alternative embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the fore-going description. Accordingly, this description is to be construed as illustrative only and is for the purpose of teaching those skilled in the art, the manner of carrying out the invention. ~t is further understood that the form of the invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as the presently preferred embodiment. Various changes may be made in the shape, size and general arrangement of components, for example, equivalent elements may be substituted for those illustrated and described herein, parts may be used independently of the use of other features, all as will be apparent to one skilled in the art after having the benefits of the description of the invention.

Claims (6)

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY OR
PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A pneumatic bicycle seat cushion comprising first and second inflatable bag means defining first and second air chambers, said first and second bag means extending longitudinally of said cushion in substan-tially parallel relationship to each other, each of said first and second bag means including flexible top and bottom sheets of material permitting expansion of said bag means at least downwardly; a substantially planar, rigid central stiffener extending longitudinally of the cushion beneath said bottom sheets, said stiffener separating said first and second bag means; port means in said stiffener interconnecting said first and second air chambers permitting the limited passage of air from one chamber to the other during use; and a flexible, inexpansible cover means on said first and second bag means, whereby pressure applied to one area of the cushion is transmitted predominantly downwardly and horizontally.
2. A cushion according to claim 1, including a stiffener integral with said central stiffener extending around the bottom periphery of said first and second bag means.
3. A cushion according to claim 1, including valve means for introducing air into said port means between said first and second air chambers.
4. A cushion according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said cover means comprises the top surface of a bicycle seat.
5. A cushion according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said cover includes side flaps extending outwardly beyond side edges of said bag means for wrapping around a bicycle seat in overlapping relationship to each other, facilitating mounting of the cushion on a bicycle seat.
6. A cushion according to claim 1 to 3, including a rigid base for holding said first and second bag means and defining a bicycle seat base; pocket means in said base for receiving said first and second bag means, said cover means defining the top surface of a bicycle seat.
CA000374427A 1981-04-01 1981-04-01 Inflatable bicycle seat/cushion Expired CA1146460A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA000374427A CA1146460A (en) 1981-04-01 1981-04-01 Inflatable bicycle seat/cushion

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA000374427A CA1146460A (en) 1981-04-01 1981-04-01 Inflatable bicycle seat/cushion

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA1146460A true CA1146460A (en) 1983-05-17

Family

ID=4119608

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA000374427A Expired CA1146460A (en) 1981-04-01 1981-04-01 Inflatable bicycle seat/cushion

Country Status (1)

Country Link
CA (1) CA1146460A (en)

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5318344A (en) * 1992-11-25 1994-06-07 Wang Sui Mu Detachable bike seat jacket
US5634685A (en) * 1995-03-20 1997-06-03 Herring; Charles Inflatable/deflatable motorcycle seat cushion
WO1998022331A1 (en) * 1996-11-16 1998-05-28 Brian Anthony Cox Saddles for pedal-driven machines
US6086151A (en) * 1995-11-09 2000-07-11 Vanaranta Consulting Oy Chair apparatus with resilient support member
US6176546B1 (en) 1999-11-10 2001-01-23 George Edward Andrews Bicycle saddle
WO2014037798A3 (en) * 2012-09-10 2017-02-02 Vectrix International Limited Inflatable seat and method of use
CN109969304A (en) * 2019-03-25 2019-07-05 陶超凡 A kind of manufacturing method of top-surface camber type air cushion, saddle, seat cushion, backrest and air cushion

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5318344A (en) * 1992-11-25 1994-06-07 Wang Sui Mu Detachable bike seat jacket
US5634685A (en) * 1995-03-20 1997-06-03 Herring; Charles Inflatable/deflatable motorcycle seat cushion
US6086151A (en) * 1995-11-09 2000-07-11 Vanaranta Consulting Oy Chair apparatus with resilient support member
WO1998022331A1 (en) * 1996-11-16 1998-05-28 Brian Anthony Cox Saddles for pedal-driven machines
US6176546B1 (en) 1999-11-10 2001-01-23 George Edward Andrews Bicycle saddle
WO2014037798A3 (en) * 2012-09-10 2017-02-02 Vectrix International Limited Inflatable seat and method of use
CN109969304A (en) * 2019-03-25 2019-07-05 陶超凡 A kind of manufacturing method of top-surface camber type air cushion, saddle, seat cushion, backrest and air cushion

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