DE102010005221A1 - Saddle for use in bicycle, has supports for adjusting height of sitting elements, and fastening element formed such that sitting elements are pivotable around axis similar to user pedalling movement, where axis is defined by transverse bar - Google Patents

Abstract

The saddle (1) has two sitting elements separated from each other, and supports (4) for adjusting height of the sitting elements. A fastening element is slidingly arranged in a transverse bar for adjusting the sitting elements transverse to a driving direction (7) of a bicycle (2). The fastening element is formed such that the sitting elements are pivotable around an axis similar to a pedalling movement (9) of a user (10), where the axis is defined by the transverse bar. A connection element connects the supports and the transverse bar with each other.

Description

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a saddle for a bicycle. In particular, the saddle comprises two seat elements which are separate from each other, the seat elements being height-adjustable via a seat post and adjustable transversely to the direction of travel via at least one fastening element slidably mounted on a cross bar.

Bicycle saddles have not been significantly changed since the invention of the bicycle. They consist in principle of an elongated support, which tapers in the direction of travel and the body weight traps over the pelvic floor. Convenient designs offer a support for the seat legs by a strong expansion of the rear saddle part and allow for upright posture a certain relief of the pelvic floor. This upright posture is hardly possible with modern bicycles, especially with mountain bikes. For racing bikes, it is generally not desirable and thus excluded.

The pelvic floor is conceivably poorly equipped as a support surface for the body weight. It consists of a funnel-shaped muscle and fascia plate, which must stably protect the intestine, the bladder and the internal sex organs and at the same time allow the passage of intestinal and genitourinary organs. A pressure from below is not provided in this system and therefore not physiological.

When sitting on a flat surface, the body weight is forwarded to the pad via the two ischial tuberosities. These ischial tuberosities represent the lower parts of the seat legs, which in turn are connected on both sides with pubis and ilium to the respective hip bone. This stable pelvic ring with force on the pad on bony supports allows a stable and comfortable sitting. When cycling on conventional bicycle saddles, this advantage is not used, but instead charged the sensitive soft tissue judge of the pelvic floor.

Medical practice shows the consequences of this physiologically unhealthy sitting posture. Damage to the skin of the skin leading to ulceration, inflammation of the sensitive genital skins, hemorrhoidal disease and prostate inflammation may occur after longer cycling trips. In sporty ambitious cyclists there are always pressure damages of the nerves in this area, especially of the pubic nerve. This leads to emotional disorders in the genital area, which can last several days. From the USA, many investigations have become known in recent years, which report late damage in terms of infertility in cyclists.

There are known saddle forms that resemble a bench, are mounted transversely and support the legs. However, these saddles have the disadvantage that they exert a strong pressure on the vessel at its leading edge when the thigh is pressed down during the pedaling movement. This leads to a pressure damage of the dermal nerve and the ischial nerve, which pulls in this area of buttocks down into the thigh. These pressure damages can lead to deafness, pain and movement disturbances of the musculature.

The German Utility Model DE 299 00 832 U1 discloses a saddle for pedal-operated devices, in particular bicycles, wherein the saddle has two mutually separate support surfaces for each buttock half and each support surface is rotatable about a transversely arranged to the seat direction horizontal axis. On the one hand, the support surfaces have a substantially planar support surface, and on the other hand, the support surfaces are cylindrical. Further, seating surfaces are arranged on a common cross member and adjustable in the axial direction, wherein the cross member is mounted on a holding device and allows a displacement of the cross member in the sitting direction.

The object of the present invention is to provide a saddle for a bicycle with which ergonomic and dynamic driving is ensured on the anatomical conditions of a user.

The object is achieved by a saddle for a bicycle comprising the features in claim 1.

A saddle, as used according to the invention for a bicycle, has two separate seat elements, which are adjustable in height on a seat post and on the other at least one sliding on a cross bar arranged fastener transversely to the direction of travel.

The height adjustment of the seat elements is analogous to the clamping mechanisms for fixing the seat post in the bicycle frame, such as by a screw-clamp, a screw or a quick release. For Querverstellbarkeit the seat elements, the fastening element of each seat element at least one sleeve, so that the saddle has an individually adjustable distance of the seat elements to each other. Accordingly, different widths of the ischial bone can be taken into account. In the event that a male user cycles, can an exemption of the dam area are created. If the user is female, the pubic area can be relieved. In both the male and the female anatomy, this arrangement of the seat elements leads to a uniform and large-scale pressure reduction in the perineal area or pubic area of the user. In addition, the sleeves are secured in a continuation of the invention against lateral slippage of the respective seat member in the direction of the axis of the crossbar by screws. It is obvious to the person skilled in the art that other elements for transverse adjustability can also be used in the invention.

According to the invention, the fastening element is designed such that the seat elements are designed to be pivotable by means of an axis defined by the crossbar, analogous to a pedal kick movement of a user. With this configuration, the seat elements are moved diametrically when pedaling. That is, the seat member is pivoted upward in the direction of travel when the associated foot of the user moves down during the pedal pedal movement of the other pedal. The seat member associated with the pedal, with the foot of the user moving down, is thus pivoted downwardly. Preferably, the pivoting function of the respective seat element is realized about the axis of the transverse rod by at least one rolling and / or sliding bearing provided in the fastening element.

Rolling and sliding bearings are known in many forms and designs on the market and in use. Their task is to support or guide mutually moving parts while absorbing and transmitting the forces that occur.

The advantages of the invention are particularly evident when an adjustment of each seat element is assigned such that thus an adjustment of the seat element is also possible along the direction of travel. Furthermore, the adjusting element of each seat element is designed such that the seat element can be fixed by means of a fixing element integrated in the fastening element. In one embodiment, the adjusting element is, for example, a clamping carriage arranged in the seat element along the direction of travel, which can be fixed by means of a screw or the like integrated in the fastening element and thus prevents slippage of the seat elements in the direction of travel

By means of this individual longitudinal adjustability, a seat position of the user can be taken, by which a rubbing or sliding of the buttocks and the legs is avoided on the saddle. Furthermore, by this adjustability, the seat elements can be so far preferred under the thighs of the user, so that a free mobility of the knee joints is possible, that is, the user sits similar to a chair. This seat position significantly reduces the saddle pressure because the thighs absorb more or less of the total weight. Due to the distribution of weight distribution on the thighs pedaling movement is supported insofar as that the bike ride is a total of power-saving and also relieved by the change in the emphasis of Pedaltretkrafteinleitung the knee joints.

A continuation of the invention may provide that a linkage is attached to at least one front seat element in such a way with at least one Pedaltretwerk, so that cycling is possible without knee, lower leg and foot load of the user.

Furthermore, a seat surface of each seat element is shaped such that at least one system is formed on an outer boundary and / or inner boundary. Preferably, the seat surface of each seat member is shaped such that a shell-like trough is formed with two systems, so that the user is given a good longitudinal and cornering stability when riding a bicycle.

As already described above, the saddle on a seat post and a crossbar. Connected to the seat post and the crossbar via a connecting element, which is advantageously a solid connection, but also a releasable connection between the seat post and crossbar can be given.

In the following, the invention and its advantages will be explained with reference to the accompanying figures. Showing:

1 a schematic structure of a bicycle, with which a user rides on the saddle of the invention bicycle;

1 a view of an embodiment of the saddle according to the invention; and

3 a perspective view of the saddle after 1 from underneath.

For identical or equivalent elements of the invention, identical reference numerals are used. Furthermore, for the sake of clarity, only reference symbols are shown in the individual figures, which are required for the description of the respective figure. The illustrated embodiments are merely examples of how the invention Saddle can be designed for a bicycle and represent no final limit.

1 shows a schematic structure of a bicycle 2 with which a user 10 on the saddle of the invention 1 Bike rides. The saddle 1 includes two separate seating elements 3 (please refer 2 and 3 ), which has a seat post 4 are height adjustable. Furthermore, the seat elements 3 about other elements (see 2 and 3 ) on the one hand transversely to the direction of travel 7 adjustable and the other analogous to a pedal kick movement 9 a user 10 pivotally configured so that the seat elements 3 be moved diametrically when pedaling. That is, it becomes the seat element 3 in the direction of travel 7 panned up when the associated foot 20 the user 10 on the other pedal during the pedal kick movement 9 moved down. The other seat element 3 swings down accordingly.

2 shows a view of an embodiment of the saddle according to the invention 1 for a bike 2 (not shown here). The saddle 1 comprises in this embodiment two separate seating elements 3 On the one hand, a seat post 4 height adjustable and the other two on a crossbar 5 slidably mounted fasteners 6 transverse to the direction of travel 7 are adjustable. The seat post 4 and the crossbar 5 are by means of a connecting element 19 connected. For Querverstellbarkeit the seat elements 3 has the fastener 6 of each seat element 3 at least one sleeve 11 on. This can be the saddle 1 individually in relation to the distance of the seat elements 3 adjusted to each other. It is obvious to the person skilled in the art that other elements for transverse adjustability can also be used in the invention.

One each fastener 6 is designed such that the seating elements 3 over one through the crossbar 5 defined axis 8th analogous to a pedal kick movement 9 (not shown) of a user 10 (Also not shown) are designed pivotable. Preferably, the pivoting function of the respective seat element 3 around the axis 8th the crossbar 5 by at least one in the fastener 6 existing rolling and / or plain bearings 12 realized. It is obvious to the person skilled in the art that other types of bearing can also be used in the invention. Furthermore, two adjusting elements 13 (please refer 3 ) of the seating elements 3 assigned in such a way that thereby an adjustment of the seat element 3 along the direction of travel 7 is possible. The adjusting elements 13 are designed such that the seat elements 3 about each one in the fastener 6 integrated fixing device 14 are detectable.

In the embodiment according to 2 is a seat 3a of each seat element 3 shaped so that an outer boundary 15 and an inner boundary 16 each with a plant 17 is formed, so that the seat 3a of each seat element 3 a bowl-like hollow 18 with two plants 17 has trained. It is also conceivable that the seat 3a of each seat element only at an outer boundary 15 or an inner boundary 16 a plant 17 has trained. Preferably, the seat surface 3a each seat element always a plant 17 at the inner boundary 16 on, because the inner boundary 16 much to the driving stability of each user 10 contributes.

The embodiments of the seat elements 3 , Seats 3a and at least one attachment 17 in terms of shape, material, size and weight can have a variety of constructive designs, as each user 10 has different standards in terms of comfort and sportiness.

3 shows a perspective view of the saddle 1 to 1 from underneath. All elements are already in 2 described. The adjusting element 13 for adjusting each seat element 3 along the direction of travel 7 is shown here. The fasteners 6 can suitably in the adjustment 13 along the direction of travel 7 be moved.

The present invention has been described in terms of preferred embodiments. Nevertheless, changes and modifications of the bicycle saddle designs proposed herein may be made without departing from the scope of the following claims.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

saddle

2

bicycle

3

seat element

3a

seat

4

seatpost

5

crossbar

6

fastener

7

direction of travel

8th

axis

9

pedaling motion

10

user

11

shell

12

Rolling and / or plain bearings

13

adjustment

14

fixing

15

outer boundary

16

inner boundary

17

investment

18

trough

19

connecting element

20

foot

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 29900832 U1 [0007]

Claims (8)

Saddle ( 1 ) for a bicycle ( 2 ), whereby the saddle ( 1 ) two separate seating elements ( 3 ) and wherein the seat elements ( 3 ) via a seat post ( 4 ) height adjustable and at least one on a crossbar ( 5 ) sliding fastener ( 6 ) transverse to the direction of travel ( 7 ) are adjustable, characterized in that the fastening element ( 6 ) is configured such that the seat elements ( 3 ) over one through the crossbar ( 5 ) defined axis ( 8th ) analogous to a pedal movement ( 9 ) of a user ( 10 ) are designed pivotally. Saddle ( 1 ) according to claim 1, wherein the fastening element ( 6 ) of each seat element ( 3 ) at least one sleeve ( 11 ) for adjusting the respective seat element ( 3 ) in the direction of the axis ( 8th ) of the crossbar ( 5 ) having. Saddle ( 1 ) according to claim 1, wherein the fastening element ( 6 ) of each seat element ( 3 ) at least one rolling and / or sliding bearing ( 12 ) for the pivotable mounting of the respective seat element ( 3 ) around the axis ( 8th ) of the crossbar ( 5 ) having. Saddle ( 1 ) according to claim 1, wherein an adjusting element ( 13 ) of each seat element ( 3 ) is assigned such that thereby an adjustment of the seat element ( 3 ) along the direction of travel ( 7 ) is achievable. Saddle ( 1 ) according to claim 4, wherein the adjusting element ( 13 ) of each seat element ( 3 ) is configured such that the seat element ( 3 ) via a in the fastener ( 6 ) integrated fixing device ( 14 ) is detectable. Saddle ( 1 ) according to claim 1, wherein a seating surface ( 3a ) of each seat element ( 3 ) is shaped such that at an outer boundary ( 15 ) and / or inner boundary ( 16 ) at least one installation ( 17 ) is trained. Saddle ( 1 ) according to claim 1 and 6, wherein the seat surface ( 3a ) of each seat element ( 3 ) is shaped such that a shell-like depression ( 18 ) with two plants ( 17 ) is trained. Saddle ( 1 ) according to claim 1, wherein the seatpost ( 4 ) and the crossbar ( 5 ) by means of a connecting element ( 19 ) are connected.

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