EP3504113A1

EP3504113A1 - Bicycle saddle

Info

Publication number: EP3504113A1
Application number: EP17749458.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Andreas Krause; Franc Arnold
Original assignee: Ergon International GmbH
Current assignee: Ergon International GmbH
Priority date: 2016-08-24
Filing date: 2017-08-08
Publication date: 2019-07-03
Also published as: WO2018036808A1; US20200255079A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a bicycle saddle having a saddle shell (10), on the bottom side (14) of which a saddle frame (22) is arranged. A saddle cushion (12) is provided on a top side (30) of the saddle shell (10). For improved comfort, the saddle cushion (12) laterally protrudes beyond the saddle shell (10) at least in the seat region (26).

Description

bicycle saddle

The invention relates to a bicycle saddle.

Bicycle saddle have a saddle shell usually made of hard plastic. The underside of the saddle shell is connected to a saddle frame. The saddle frame is usually connected to a rear portion of the saddle shell and the saddle tip. The saddle frame is usually connected via a clamping element with the seat tube, which is clamped in the seat tube of the bicycle frame. On a top of the saddle shell a saddle pad is arranged.

On the market, to improve comfort, there are a variety of saddles including, for example, specially designed saddle pads with gel inserts. Further, the provision of damping elements between the underside of the saddle shell and the saddle frame for comfort improvement is known. Bicycle saddles with improved seating comfort, however, usually have a relatively high weight.

The object of the invention is to provide a bicycle saddle with good comfort properties.

The object is achieved according to the invention by a bicycle saddle according to claim 1.

The bicycle saddle according to the invention has a saddle shell, the bottom of which with a saddle frame and the top with a saddle pad connected is. According to the invention, the saddle pad is designed such that it protrudes laterally beyond it, at least in a seating area of the saddle shell. The seating area of the saddle shell is the widened rear area of the saddle, in which the seat bones of the user are arranged. By the lateral supernatant of the saddle pad according to the invention, the resilience of the saddle is improved in this area. The dynamics occurring when pedaling can thus be easily absorbed by the saddle. The projecting area of the Satteipo Isters has the advantage that this further realizes a good damping but due to the possibility of Wegknickens or Wegbewegens this part of the Satteipo Isters the comfort is improved.

In a preferred embodiment of the bicycle saddle according to the invention, the saddle pad is not only in the seating area, but also in the area of the saddle tip and / or a central region of the saddle shell laterally beyond this. The saddle tip here is the front of the saddle in the direction of travel and the middle region is the transition region between the seating area and the area of the saddle point. It is particularly preferred that the corresponding supernatant of Satteipo Isters is provided on the entire circumference of the saddle shell. As a result, an improvement in seating comfort is achieved in different seating positions. Furthermore, the production of the seat cushion, in particular in a seat cushion, which projects laterally over the entire circumference of the saddle shell, simplified.

The projection of the saddle pad against the outer edge of the saddle shell is preferably greater than 10 mm and in particular greater than 15 mm. In particular, the supernatant may be more than 30 mm, more than 40 mm, or possibly even more than 50 mm. The supernatant is measured horizontally with the saddle mounted. Optionally, the supernatant may be different in individual areas of the saddle. In particular, in the seating area, it is preferable to provide a larger projection than in the area of the saddle point. Furthermore, it is preferred that the saddle shell has a downwardly facing edge. The edge thus points in the assembled state downwards or in the direction of the saddle frame. By such a downwardly facing edge stiffening of the saddle shell takes place. In this respect, it is possible, for example, to produce a saddle shell made of a more elastic and / or thinner material with the same rigidity. It is preferred that the edge is circumferential. Optionally, however, such an edge may also be provided only in some areas. In this case, it is preferable to provide such a rim in particular in the seating area on both sides of the saddle shell, since the loading of the saddle shell is greatest in this area.

Furthermore, it is preferred that the edge has a height of more than 3 mm, in particular more than 5 mm and particularly preferably more than 7 mm. The height of the edge must not always have the same height even with circumferential edge. It is again preferred that in the seating area the edge has a greater height than, for example, in the area of the saddle point.

Preferably, the saddle shell and provided on the outer edge of the saddle shell rim is integrally formed.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the saddle pole on a downwards, preferably integrally formed with the saddle pad approach. The approach is preferably arranged laterally next to the edge. If an edge is provided, the approach preferably completely covers it in side view. In this respect, the approach preferably has a height which corresponds at least to the height of the edge in the corresponding area. If no saddle shell is provided with peripheral edge, the corresponding approach can also be provided in areas where no edge on the saddle shell is provided. By providing at least one appropriate approach, the comfort of the saddle can be further improved.

Furthermore, it is preferred that the approach has a width which corresponds to the width of the supernatant. In this respect, it is preferred that an inner side of the lug bears against an outer side of the edge of the saddle shell, provided such an edge is provided. An outer side of the neck then closes in side view with the outside of the saddle pad. In order to change the properties of the saddle pad in individual areas, it is also possible that the approach only partially abuts the intended edge and otherwise has a distance from the edge, or a corresponding recess between the neck and the edge is provided. As a result, a greater elasticity is realized.

The approach has in a horizontal embodiment according to the supernatant of the saddle pad a width of at least 10 mm, preferably at least 15 mm and in particular at least more than 30 mm. Also approaches with a width of more than 40 mm or even more than 50 mm are possible. The width of the approach is the width measured according to the projection when the saddle is mounted in the horizontal direction.

Due to the inventively preferred, in particular as wide as possible supernatant or approach, the elasticity or resilience of the saddle is improved in the corresponding area. In this respect, a corresponding projection or approach in the seating area is particularly preferred. The material of the seat cushion creates a restoring force in addition to the increased elasticity and deformability.

The saddle pad preferably comprises thermoplastic elastomers (TPE). Preference is given to the use of foams, such as PU foams. In particular, closed-cell foams are preferred. The saddle pad has in particular TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) and is particularly preferably made of this material. Particularly suitable for this purpose is the material manufactured by BASF under the product name "Infinergy". Processes for the production of TPU are described, for example, in EP 692 510, WO 00/44821, EP 11 74 459 and EP 11 74 458. Furthermore, it is preferred that the saddle pad is made of EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate), or has EVA. Further, as the materials, EPP (expanded polypropylene) and EPE (expanded polyethylene) can be used. A combination of these materials with each other or a combination of the materials with other materials is possible, for example in a multi-layer structure. In particular, mixtures with co- or terpolymers can also be used. As a result, different damping and movement properties of the Sattelpo Isters can be achieved. It is also possible to densify the corresponding materials in different areas more strongly, so that in this way the damping and movement properties can be influenced.

Furthermore, a thermoplastic elastomeric ball foam is suitable as material for the saddle pad. Such a foam is offered by Sekisui under the product name "ELASTIL". This is in particular a closed-cell foam. In a preferred embodiment, the saddle pad according to the invention on a thermoplastic elastomeric ball foam, in particular Elastil or is made of this. Also possible is a combination with the other described, suitable for the training of Sattelpo Isters materials.

Another well-suited material for forming the saddle pad is a polyester-based PU material. Particularly suitable here is the material offered by BASF under the brand name "Elastopan". Preferably, the saddle pad comprises or is made of such material, again, it being possible to combine this material with other described materials. It is particularly preferred that the saddle pad has one or more particle foams and in particular is made of one or more particle foams. As base material in this case E-PTU, EPP, EPS, EPE or similar foams are particularly preferred. Particle foams in this case usually consist of small beads of the expanded base material. These shaped as beads or other body particles are placed in a tool such as a mold or the like under temperature, possibly also under water vapor in its final form. Particle foams have the particular advantage that they have a low density, a good heat / cold insulation and good damping properties.

The production of the seat cushion from the preferred materials listed above, in particular from thermoplastic polyurethane, such as particularly preferably from the material Infinergy and preferably also from the materials elastil and / or elastopane, has the particular advantage that no saddle cover must be provided, the Spanned over saddle pad. Such coatings, which completely surround the seat cushion and are fastened to the underside or edge region of the saddle shell with the latter, are necessary when using conventional foams, since these do not have sufficient stability. When using the above materials, such a saddle coating is not required, since these materials, in particular the materials Infinergy and / or Elastil and / or Elastopan, have a sufficiently high stability.

It is therefore preferred that at least portions of the seat cushion have no saddle cover or seat cover. In particular, those regions made from the preferred materials described above do not have a corresponding coating. Preferably, no coating is provided. The saddle pad thus directly forms the open or visible surface on which the user sits. The use of TPU has the particular advantage that this gives a good flexibility with good restoring force (rebound behavior). Furthermore, TPU can be well connected to the top of the saddle shell. TPU is in the form of a ball before being processed, and hot steam flows through it to produce the Satteipo Isters. To improve the connection between the seat cushion and the upper side of the saddle shell, it is particularly preferred that the raw material of the TPU is already arranged on the saddle shell and is then vapor-deposited. In this way, a direct connection between the seat cushion and the top of the saddle shell can be achieved. The raw material of the TPU is in this case introduced together with the saddle shell in an appropriate form and then steamed. It is furthermore particularly preferred that the saddle shell has passage openings. These are in particular regularly distributed over the entire saddle shell arranged, in particular cylindrical openings. This makes it possible to carry out the vapor deposition of the TPU raw material through the saddle shell, ie from an inner or underside of the saddle shell. As a result, the connection between the TPU and the top of the saddle shell is further improved.

The material used for the saddle pad in a preferred embodiment has a good resilience. In addition to TPU TPU foams and / or EVA foams are suitable for the production of Satteipo Isters. The rebound behavior of the Satteipo Isters is preferably in the range of preferably more than 30%, in particular more than 40% and particularly preferably more than 50%.

The saddle pad has, in particular in a seat region of the saddle, a modulus of elasticity of 0.1 to 10 MPa, in particular 0.1 to 5 MPa and particularly preferably 0.1 to 1.0 MPa. The particularly preferred material Infinergy E-TPU has a modulus of elasticity of 0.1 to 0.5 MPa. Furthermore, it is particularly preferred that the seat cushion has a low weight due to its low density. In particular, the elastomeric body has a density of less than 1 g / cm ³ , more preferably less than 0.5 g / cm ³ , and especially less than 0.2 g / cm ³ . One of the most preferred materials, the Elastil material, has a density in the range of 0.05 to 0.2 g / cm ³ .

An upper side of the saddle pad may be at least partially provided with a cover layer. In this case, the pad may be covered by a cover layer. Likewise, a cover layer or parts of a cover layer may be bonded to the saddle pad by gluing or vapor deposition. The corresponding cover layer is for example preferably provided at approaches of the saddle pad in the middle region of the saddle, since in this area the saddle rests against the inner side of the thigh and rubs the thigh inside here on the saddle.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to a preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Show it :

1 is a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of a saddle according to the invention from below,

Figure 2 is a schematic sectional view taken along the line II-II in

Figure 1 and

Figure 3 is a schematic sectional view taken along the line III-III in

FIG. 1 An inventive embodiment of a saddle has a saddle shell 10 which is covered with a pad 12. On an underside 14 of the saddle shell 10 are in particular integrally connected to the saddle shell made of plastic receiving elements 16, 18 are arranged. The receiving element 16 arranged in the region of a saddle tip 20 and the receiving elements 18 arranged at the rear in the direction of travel serve for connection to a saddle frame 22 shown only in its lugs in FIG.

The saddle shell 10 has in the illustrated embodiment a circumferential, in the assembled state downwardly facing edge 24. This extends along the outer edge of the saddle shell 10. In the illustrated embodiment, the edge 24 is thus arranged both in a rear seating area 26, a central area 28 and the area of the saddle point 20.

The saddle pad 12 covers on the one hand an upper side 30 of the saddle shell 10 and is additionally arranged laterally next to the edge 24 of the saddle shell 10. For this purpose, the seat cushion 12 has an integrally formed with the saddle pad approach 32. In the illustrated embodiment, the approach runs completely around the saddle shell and is in particular always on an outer side 34 of the edge 24 at.

The edge 24 is down, i. led away from the bottom 14 of the saddle shell 10. The edge 24 has a height H which is in particular at least 3 mm, preferably 5 mm and particularly preferably 7 mm. In the illustrated embodiment, the neck 32 of the saddle pad on the same dimension, so that the neck 32 the edge 24 completely covers the side.

Furthermore, the saddle pad 12 may be completely or partially provided with a cover layer. In the illustrated embodiment is in Central region 28, a cover layer 36 is arranged, in particular to reduce the friction on the inner side of the thighs.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic section in the seating area 26. The seat cushion 12, which is produced in particular from TPU, has a shoulder 32 similar to the area shown in FIG. The projection 32 has a horizontal width B of at least 10 mm on its underside 38 pointing downwards in the mounted state. Preferred are widths of at least 15 mm, at least 30 mm, at least 40 mm and at least 50 mm. The seat cushion 12 is then thinned inward toward a portion 40 in which the user is seated. In the approach 32 arise under load restoring and gravitational forces, which can be well received in particular by the preferred seat cushioning material TPU.

In a preferred embodiment, the saddle shell 10, in particular over its entire area through openings 42. These are used to produce the saddle for vapor deposition of TPU raw material for forming the seat cushion 32. With the help of this manufacturing process, a very good connection between the seat cushion 32 and the top 34 of the saddle shell 10 can be achieved.

In particular, when the seat cushion 12 is a seat cushion made of material which is preferred according to the invention, in particular Infinergy, Elastil and / or Elastopan, no coating is provided on an upper side 44 of the seat cushion 12 or at least only a partial area, as explained in FIG , intended. The user thus sits in particular on the open or visible surface 44 of the seat cushion 12.

Claims

claims

A bicycle saddle having a saddle shell (10), a saddle frame (22) connected to a lower side (14) of the saddle shell (10) and a saddle pad (12) connected to an upper side (30) of the saddle shell (10), characterized in that the saddle pad (12) protrudes laterally beyond it at least in a seating area (26) of the saddle shell (10).

2. Bicycle saddle according to claim 1, characterized in that the saddle pad (12) protrudes laterally at least in the region of a saddle tip (20) of the saddle shell (10).

3. bicycle saddle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the saddle pole (12) projects laterally at least in a central region (28) of the saddle shell.

4. Fahrradsattl according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the saddle pad (12) projects laterally over the entire circumference of the saddle shell (10).

5. bicycle saddle according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the supernatant of Sattelpo Isters (12) in particular, in all areas at least 10 mm, in particular at least 15 mm, in particular at least 30 mm, in particular at least 40, particularly preferred at least 50 mm.

6. bicycle saddle according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the saddle shell (10) has a downwardly facing edge (24).

7. bicycle saddle according to claim 6, characterized in that the edge (24) in the seating area (26) and / or in the central region (28) and / or in the region of the saddle tip (20) is provided and particularly preferably provided on the entire circumference of the saddle shell is.

8. bicycle saddle according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the edge (24) has a height (H) of at least 3 mm, in particular at least 5 mm and more preferably at least 7 mm.

9. bicycle saddle according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the saddle pad (12) has a downwardly facing projection (32), which is preferably arranged laterally next to the edge (24).

10. Bicycle saddle according to claim 9, characterized in that the projection (32) has a width of at least 10 mm, in particular at least 15 mm, in particular at least 30 mm, in particular at least 40, particularly preferably at least 50 mm.

11. bicycle saddle according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that at least a cover layer (36) is provided on an upper side of the seat cushion.

12. bicycle saddle according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the saddle pad is made of expanded TPU or has TPU.

13. bicycle saddle according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the saddle pad is made of EPP or EPP has.

14. Bicycle saddle according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that an upper side (44) of the saddle pad (12) is at least partially uncovered or open.