EP0321520A1

EP0321520A1 - Inflatable saddle, particularly for bicycles

Info

Publication number: EP0321520A1
Application number: EP88905369A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Ferruccio Fugazzi; Fortunato Fugazzi
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1987-06-10
Filing date: 1988-06-08
Publication date: 1989-06-28
Also published as: WO1988009738A1; EP0302198A2; EP0302198A3; IT8783634A0; IT1217110B; AU1952788A

Abstract

Selle, notamment pour bicyclettes dans laquelle est ménagée, entre son revêtement (3) et sa coque (1), au moins une vessie (2) étanche aux fluides, dont l'élasticité et la déformabilité sont modulables, par variation de la pression du fluide de remplissage, au moyen d'une valve à va-et-vient (20) ou similaire. Ladite vessie (2) n'est pas fixée et peut comporter une pluralité d'éléments, notamment disposés longitudinalement. Le fluide de remplissage est gazeux et la valve (20) est du type permettant l'engagement d'une pompe de bicyclette.Saddle, in particular for bicycles in which is provided, between its covering (3) and its shell (1), at least one fluid-tight bladder (2), the elasticity and deformability of which are adjustable, by variation in the pressure of the filling fluid, by means of a two-way valve (20) or the like. Said bladder (2) is not fixed and may comprise a plurality of elements, in particular arranged longitudinally. The filling fluid is gaseous and the valve (20) is of the type allowing the engagement of a bicycle pump.

Description

Inflatable saddle , particularly for bicycles

The present invention relates to a saddle, particularly for bicycl wherein, between its cover and its hull or support, is provided at leas fluid-tight bladder, whose elasticity and deformability are controllab by varying the pressure of fluid filled therein, through a push-pull va or the Jike.

In the present state of the art, each saddle, particularly for bicycl comprises, between its cover and its hull or support, a soft paddi generally stuck thereto and to the outer cover. Since the characteristics potential practitioners of bicycles cannot be foreseen, the thickness such padding material was planned on the base of an avera practitioner, weighing about 70 Kg, as well as provided with a norma shaped and sized body. Any disagreement from these normal or forese conditions, resulted in a rapid process of padding impoverishing in attitude to harmonize the shocks which starting from the bottom of t bicycle, are transmitted, upwardly affecting the rider's body, particula through the saddle which is the critical point of contact, between bicy and its user. In fact, this is the point where mainly the rider bo impinges on the saddle and in addition is also a physiologically criti part of the body itself. Even the physiologic aspects are different e between man and woman riders, wherein even the challenge betwe bicycle for man and bicycle for woman, is without meaning since b now wear trousers and can ride either seats. The saddles of the prese state of the art, are intended to repeat the characteristics of those, in single piece, made of leather, which are optimal, even nowadays, fr several points of view: that of elasticity and deformability, as well as transpiration. In these saddles, the leather member was stretch between the forward and rear poles, of the saddle frame, in order react to the stresses of the rider body, maximizing the contact poin thus minimizing the specific pressure. This had an effective a stimulating function of massage which favour the formation a development of muscles, mutually responding to the reciproc solicitations, in an harmonious stimulus of all the physiological function tending to a perfect matching saddle-rider. However, the soft padding of these saddles of the present state of the art, instead of providing a maximization of mutual surface of contact, unduly, increased, the specific pressure of contact, at the emerging bones, that penetrate, with shocking effect, the saddle padding and the rider muscles, compressing delicate parts thereof such as, the prostate, the ureter tubes and the like. On the other hand, either saddles amortized only a part of vertical stresses an transmitted completely the horizontal vibrations.

The invention as claimed is intended to remedy these drawbacks. The inventor, with ingenious perception has conceived a saddle, particularly for bicycles, wherein, between its cover and its hull, at least una fluid- tight bladder is provided, whose elasticity and deformability are controllable, by varying the pressure of fluid filled therein, through a push-pull valve or the like.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the fluid-tight bladder, is comprised with a plurality' of bladder members, particularly arranged in longitudinal direction and the filling fluid is a gaseous means, while the push-pull valve is engageable with a bicycle pump.

Such preferred embodiment of the present invention attains its utmost perfection when, for providing the fluid-tight bladder, is used a material of the kind described and claimed in PCT Patent Application No. EP88/0199 (Canadian application No. 561,668) filed on March 16, 1988 entitled: "Process of making of three-dimensional bodies and shapes, substantially hollow, whose deformability and elasticity is controllable as a function of quantity and quality of at least a fluid present in at least one of its internal hollows and bodies and shapes obtained with such process".

In accordance with the present invention, the hull or support, any fluid-tight bladder and the cover are comprised by three members, which are assembleable but independent, whereby the characteristics o each of them may be harmonized with the need of practitioner or service.

Thus, it is self explaining as the saddles, according to the presen invention, even if not stretched between the poles, respond to the stress of the user body, maximizing the reciprocal points of contact, in order to minimize the specific pressure therebetween. This provides an effecti massage, which favours the formation and development of muscl mutually responding to reciprocal stress. On the other hand, la sad according to the present invention amortizes either vertical a horizontal vibrations. The three members of the saddle, according to t present invention, are optionally interchangeable by the bicyc practitioner. It will be appreciated that the cover may be easily a quickly removed and applied. Such cover removal releases also t bladder which correspondingly may be interchanged too.

One way of carrying out the invention is described in detail belo with reference to drawings which illustrate two specific embodiments, which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a saddle, according to the prese invention.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a saddle, according to the prese invention, as seen from one side slightly thereabove.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a saddle, according to the prese invention as seen from one side slightly thereunder. Some parts of t saddle cover and its rim have been broken to show their mutu characteristics.

Referring now to the figures of the drawings, a saddle, particularly f bicycles, comprises, a hull or support 1, with springs 1', a soft padding and an outer cover 3. Conventionally, the padding 2, made of foam material, not shown, is fastened by sticking it to the hull 1 and to t cover 3, in a fashion not shown, and the cover 3, in turn, is stuck, in fashion not shown, to the hull 1.

In accordance to the present invention, the soft padding 2 comprised by at least a fluid-tight bladder 2, to be filled with a gaseo and/or liquid fluid, includes a bag 2' which can be filled in through push-pull valve 20, connected to the bottom of the pointed end thereof.

Moreover, according to the present invention, the cover 3 envelope therein the bottom section of the saddle hull 1 and its springs 1' and i hereunder fixed, with a quick fastening 4. The quick fastening comprises a rim 43, which is sawn to the bottom inner edge 34 of cove 3. Such a rim 43 is provided with two pairs of interengaging couplin members 40, 41; 40', 41' in the form of snap fasteners. To assemble th saddle members 1 , 2, 3 , the fluid-tight bladder 2 is maintaine substantially empty or collapsed, while the cover 3 is being applied Thereafter, the bladder 2 is filled with gaseous fluid, generally with air through the valve 20. This confers stability and firmness to the mounte saddle. Thus a higher responsivity with respect to a conventional saddl is provided, particularly when horizontal and vertical shocks are to b absorbed and amortized.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention .th fluid-tight bladder 2 is comprised by a plurality of bladder members, no shown, particularly arranged in a longitudinal direction and connected t the same push-pull valve 20. Particularly suitable to this end is a fluid tight bladder 2 made of material of the kind described and claimed i PCT Patent Application No. EP88/0199 (Canadian application No. 561,668 filed on March 16, 1988, entitled: "Process of making of three dimensional bodies and shapes, substantially hollow, whose deformabilit and elasticity is controllable as a function of quantity and quality of a least a fluid present in at least one of its internal hollows and bodies an shapes obtained with such process".

Claims

C L A I M S

1. Saddle, particularly for bicycles, characterized in that, between i cover (3) and its hull (1), is provided with at least a fluid-tight bladd (2), whose elasticity and deformability are controllable, by varying t pressure of fluid filled therein, through a push-pull valve (20) or the lik

2. Saddle, particularly for bicycles, as claimed in claim characterized in that the fluid-tight bladder (2) whose elasticity an deformability are controllable, is provided free.

3. Saddle, particularly for bicycles, as claimed in claims 1 e characterized in that the fluid-tight bladder (2), is comprised by plurality of bladder members, particularly arranged longitudinally.

4. Saddle, particularly for bicycles, as claimed in claims from 1 to characterized in that the filling fluid is a gaseous means, while the pus pull valve (20) is of the kind engageable by a bicycle pump.

5. Saddle, particularly for bicycles, as claimed in preceding claim characterized in that the fluid-tight bladder (2), is made with a materi of the kind described and claimed in PCT Application No. EP88/019 (Canadian application No. 561 ,668) filed on March 16, 1988 of sam applicant entitled: "Process of making of three-dimensional bodies an shapes, substantially hollow, whose deformability and elasticity i controllable as a function of quantity and quality of at least a flui present in at least one of its internal hollows and bodies and shape obtained with such process".

6. Saddle, particularly for bicycles, as claimed in preceding claim characterized in that the hull or support (1), the fluid-tight bladder (2 however realized and the cover (3) comprise three members, which ar assembleable but independent, whereby the characteristics of each o them may be harmonized with the need of practitioner or service.

7. Saddle, particularly for bicycles, as claimed in preceding claims characterized in that the cover (3) is provided with a quick fastening (4).

8. Saddle, particularly for bicycles, as claimed in claim 7 characterized in that the cover quick fastening (4) comprises a rim (43) which is sawn to the bottom inner edge (34) of the cover (3), such a ri being provided with two pairs of interengaging coupling members (40 41; 40', 41') in the form of snap fasteners.