FR2790438A1 - ADJUSTING DEVICE FOR A BICYCLE SADDLE - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention concerns a device for adapting the position of a bicycle saddle (1) to the lay of the land on which it is being ridden, said device consisting of at least two parallel hinge links (4, 6) pivoting about at least two mobile hinges (15, 16) assembled by at least a connecting rod (17) and two fixed hinges (15, 16) supported by at least a component (12) resting on the saddle bar (10). The invention is characterised in that the bicycle saddle is mounted on the connecting rod (17) and the hinge links (4, 6) can take up a stable intermediate position when pivoting from a first locked position (I), wherein they are maintained by return means (34) and a second locked position (X), the locking in one or the other said positions being produced by indexing means (22, 23, 24, 42, 44, 46, 48) while riding on said ground.

Description

ADJUSTING DEVICE FOR A BICYCLE SADDLE

  The present invention relates to the field of two-wheeled vehicles, in particular bicycles and it relates more precisely to an adjustment device for a bicycle saddle. The bicycle saddles are generally provided, to be adjustable in height, by pressing the seatpost into the frame of the bicycle, the depth adjustment (fine adjustment from front to back) is ensured by sliding of the saddle in relation to the clamps. It is also possible to adjust the inclination by turning the flange assembly

  attachment and seat relative to the end of the seat post.

  The problem of adjustment arises differently in the context of a bicycle journey on sloping terrain, in particular in the context of an all-terrain bicycle, because the cyclist's center of gravity is projected backwards, in the case of a climb and forward. in the case of a descent. Thus, following the projection back, during the ascent, the grip of the front wheel is less, the cyclist may lose direction and, ultimately, the bicycle may pitch up, the cyclist loses his balance. Similarly, when descending, the cyclist's center of gravity is thrown forward, which puts him in an unstable, uncomfortable position and in the extreme can trigger a tilt.

over the front wheel.

  To overcome these drawbacks, the cyclist must adjust the position of his center of gravity according to the inclination of the slope. One solution is that it changes its sitting position on the saddle and in the extreme leaves the seat of its saddle, but at the risk of being in uncomfortable positions, less

stable, even risky.

  Furthermore, in the prior art, various solutions for adjusting the saddle have been proposed so that the cyclist keeps his sitting position on

sloping ground.

  Thus, document FR 2529853 discloses a device allowing the cyclist to readjust the position of the saddle so that it retains the same center of gravity relative to the axis of the crankset when climbing a slope. This device comprises a male part comprising an openwork tab which slides inside a female part, guided by the inclination of a groove, the two parts being able to be immobilized relative to each other by a rod. lock actuated by hand by the cyclist while traveling. This solution has the drawback of moving within reduced limits of the

  center of gravity and therefore not very easy to use.

  Another solution is presented in the document FR 2714351, in which is presented a bicycle saddle with two seat parts, the saddle being mounted on a rod comprising a joint which can be tilted forwards or backwards. In the case of using such a saddle, this cyclist must change the seat from one part of the saddle to the other after having previously acted on the joint. This solution has the disadvantage of being uncomfortable, of being able to hinder the cyclist during his pedaling, a part of the seat being able to be between his legs. In addition, this solution requires the use of a special saddle and is generally low in mechanical strength

Operating.

  Furthermore, document FR 2491425 discloses a bicycle saddle mounting device allowing the change of saddle position from an extreme rear position used for flat terrain to an extreme front position more useful for riding. The solution envisaged in this document is the use of a double articulated parallelogram mounted between the saddle and the seat post, the two extreme positions corresponding to the closed positions of the parallelogram. However, the change of position, during the movement by bicycle, proves not easy, because the cyclist must use his hand to overcome the force of the spring which maintains the saddle in one of the extreme positions, to be able to pass to the other position. In addition, other intermediate positions can be achieved according to this document, but only by blocking the rods by bolting, this solution therefore being

  incompatible with a change of positions in motion.

  The object of the present invention is to remedy these drawbacks, at least in part. The object of the present invention is a bicycle saddle adjustment device allowing the cyclist to modify the position of his center of gravity as a function of the inclination of the terrain on which he is riding, while giving him a flat seat and him allowing to keep a distance appreciably

  constant between the saddle and the crankset axle.

  Another object of the invention is a bicycle saddle adjustment device making it easy and easy to change the position of the

saddle while riding.

  Another object of the invention is a bicycle saddle adjustment device which can be used with a universal, traditional bicycle saddle or with

any other type of saddle existing.

  A further object of the invention is a bicycle saddle adjustment device of simple, compact, robust construction, reliable in operation,

  while having a reduced weight and a low manufacturing cost.

  These goals are achieved by a bicycle saddle adjustment device making it possible to adapt the position of the saddle to the configuration of the terrain covered, consisting of at least two parallel articulated rods pivoting around at least two mobile joints joined by at least a connecting rod and two fixed articulations supported by at least one piece bearing on the seat post, characterized in that the bicycle saddle is arranged on the connecting rod and that the articulated rods can occupy at least one position stable intermediate in their pivoting from a first stop position o they are held by return means and a second stop position, the blocking in one or other of said positions being done by indexing means during movement on said land. Such a device, the saddle of which is mounted on the connecting rod located between the two articulated parallel rods allows, by the pivoting of the latter, a displacement of the saddle forwards for a first stable position called ascent, behind for another position stable, called downhill, as well as in a plurality of other intermediate positions adapted to the slope of the terrain. After a first adjustment of the height and the inclination of the saddle, adjustment made for a flat ground, the cyclist begins his race and according to if he must go up or down a hill and according to the angle of inclination of this one Ci, it adjusts the position of the saddle forwards or backwards. Thus, the saddle moves parallel to its initial position, in a median longitudinal plane passing through the seat post and perpendicular to the axis of the crankset. The cyclist thus keeps a constant seat and substantially the same distance between the axis of the crankset and the saddle, which

  allows you to keep the same muscle rhythm during exercise.

  Advantageously, the adjustment device of the invention comprises indexing means which comprise a lever, a return spring pushing said lever into an indexing opening and control means allowing said audit

  indexing lever to release said opening.

  This has the advantage of being able to move quickly from a stable position to

  the other while using simple construction indexing means.

  According to a first embodiment of the invention, the indexing lever is pivotally mounted on one of the rods and it has one end actuated by the control means, while the other end has a projection which

  lodges in an opening of a flange under the thrust of the return spring.

  This variant has the advantage of simplified indexing, the protrusion of the lever being able to easily follow the contour of the flange and be housed in its openings

pushed by the return spring.

  According to a first variant of the first embodiment, the device according to the invention comprises return means constituted by a spring, one end of which is secured to one of the articulated rods, the other end being fixed

on the flange.

  This allows for a simple, discreet means of recall and a construction

simplified device.

  According to a second variant of the first embodiment, the device according to the invention comprises return means constituted by a spring mounted on a rod sliding in a damper body, one end of said rod being integral with one of the articulated rods and one end of the body being

  secured to the opposite articulated link.

  This solution has the advantage of a more robust construction, while remaining simple and reliable in operation. In addition, the body of such a spring can

  accommodate other components, such as a shock absorber.

  According to a second embodiment of the invention, the device has an indexing lever secured to the spring body, said lever comprises at one of its ends a protuberance which is caused to be housed in an opening

practiced in the spring rod.

  This variant has a great compactness, the indexing means, as well as the return means, being arranged between the articulated parallel links which further simplifies construction, thus optimizing its weight,

  significant characteristics for a bicycle.

  Advantageously, the control means of the adjustment device according to the invention comprise a cable controlled by a control lever arranged

on the handlebars of the bicycle.

  This gives the advantage of being able to carry out the locking / unlocking command and therefore to pass from one stable position to another, directly on the handlebars, thus keeping both hands on the latter, in an easy and comfortable manner, an essential parameter for using a bicycle

All Terrain.

  Preferably, the adjustment device according to the invention comprises a shock absorber in order to reduce the shocks during displacement, in particular during the descent i

on a bicycle.

  According to an advantageous variant, said damper is made of a flexible material such as an elastomer. Such a shock absorber is reliable, discreet while presenting a cost of

weak manufacturing.

  Advantageously, the adjustment device according to the invention comprises fixed articulations integral with a support piece bearing directly on the

bicycle frame.

  This solution has improved mechanical strength and at the same time gives the advantage of being able to adapt easily to the bicycle frame, in particular to the so-called "full suspension" mountain bike (mountain bike equipped with front and rear shock absorbers), this by allowing a more precise and easier adjustment of the initial position of the bicycle saddle relative to the

  frame, before getting on the saddle.

  Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly

  in the light of the description and the drawings which follow, illustrating, by way of

  nonlimiting examples, embodiments of the invention.

  Thus, reference is made to Figures 1 to 5, o - Figure 1 shows sectional views along a median longitudinal plane passing through the axis of the bicycle rod of the adjustment device according to a first variant of the first embodiment of the invention, the device being shown in three operating positions; - Figure 2 shows other sectional views of the device according to a first variant of the first mode illustrating the indexing means; - Figure 3 shows a sectional view along a median longitudinal plane passing through the axis of the bicycle rod showing the adjustment device in a position according to a second variant of the first embodiment of the invention; - Figure 4 shows sectional views similar to those of Figure 1, but illustrating a second variant of the first embodiment of the invention; - Figure 5 shows sectional views of the device according to Figure 4 showing the indexing means; - Figure 6 shows a sectional view along a median longitudinal plane passing through the axis of the bicycle rod illustrating the adjustment device according to a second embodiment of the invention; - Figure 7 shows sectional views similar to those of Figures 1 and 4, but according to the second embodiment of the invention; - Figure 8 shows different views of the device according to the second embodiment - Figure 9 shows sectional views along a median longitudinal plane passing through the axis of the bicycle frame showing an advantageous variant of the invention. The adjustment device according to the different variants of the invention is arranged between the bicycle saddle 1 and the seat post 10 or between the saddle 1 and the bicycle frame 52. The saddle 1, which is of universal or conventional type is fixed to the upper part of the adjustment device by saddle clamps 2 and 5, the connecting rod 17, the fixing means 3 are, for example, of the screw type. These fixing means make it possible to adjust the depth and the inclination of the saddle relative to the rod before mounting.

on the bicycle.

  The adjustment device according to the invention comprises two parallel links 4,6, of substantially equal lengths, the links assembled on fixed 9,13 and mobile 15,16 joints connecting them to the different parts of the device. The front 6 and rear 4 links are assembled relative to each other by means of a connecting link 17 forming the upper part of the device and serving as a support for the saddle 1. The fixed joints 9, 13 are supported by a part 8, 12 engaged in the bicycle rod 10. Axes are fixed in each articulation 9, 13, 15, 16 around which the rods are made to pivot in their movement during operation. Thus, the front 6, rear 4, and connecting rods 17 form,

  together with their respective joints, an articulated parallelogram.

  The links 4,6 are held in a high stop position I by return means 18, 34. They pivot around their articulations from the high stop position I to a limit position called the low stop X passing through several intermediate positions. Indexing means 14,20,21,22,23,24,44,46,48 ensure the locking of the articulated parallelogram

  in one or other of these so-called stable positions.

  According to a first embodiment of the invention, shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the indexing means comprise an indexing lever 20 mounted pivoting about an axis 25 supported by the link 4. The lever 20 has at the one of its ends of the fixing means 27, for example by screw, for a non-flexible cable 22. Control means 26, preferably actuated by a control lever arranged on the handlebars of the bicycle, pull on the cable 22 and direct the pivoting of the indexing lever 20. The lever 20 has at the opposite end a projection 21 which is designed to engage in an indexing orifice 14 of the part 8. A compression spring 24 maintains the projection 21 lever 20 in the indexing hole 14, as best seen in Figure 2c. By actuating the control means 26, the projection 21 of the indexing lever 20 releases the orifice 14, as visible in FIG. 2b. FIG. 2a shows the arrangement of the lever 20 relative to the rod 46, as well as the means 27 for fixing the cable 22 by

compared to lever 20.

  According to a first variant of the first embodiment and as visible in Figures 1 and 2, the return means of the links 4,6 in the high stop position I are represented by a spring 18. As best seen in Figure 2b , the return spring 18 has one end fixed to the rod 4, while the other end is fixed to a flange 8 supported by the seat post 10. The flange 8 comprises a flange rod 12 which engages and is blocked in the seat post 10. On a lateral face of the flange 8, as visible in FIG. 1,

  the indexing openings 14 are made.

  In operation, during movement by bicycle, the device is in one of its stable positions, because the projection 21 of the indexing lever 20 is engaged in the indexing opening 14 of the flange 8. To change the position of the saddle depending on the slope of the terrain, in particular to move it forwards or backwards, compared to the previous position, the cyclist must accomplish

  some maneuvers, as will be explained later.

  In order to change the position of the saddle while riding, the cyclist first rises from his saddle in order to release the stresses on the bicycle saddle due to its weight, stresses which act implicitly on the indexing lever 20. In at the same time it actuates the control means 26, in particular by pressing the control lever on the handlebar which pulls on the cable 22. Subsequently the cable 22 compresses the spring 24, the opening 14 being released by pivoting the lever around the axis 25. At this moment, the adjustment device, in particular the articulated parallelogram, being no longer blocked, it tends to occupy its high position

I, pushed by the spring 18.

  At this moment, if the cyclist is approaching a climb, and he wishes to move his saddle forward, he lets the device move towards its high position I and he locks it in a suitable intermediate position, adapted to the slope of the land. Locking in the chosen position is done by releasing the control lever on the handlebar which releases the spring 24 and forces the lever to pivot so that the projection 21 of the latter is introduced into a corresponding opening 14. Thus, the cyclist changed the position of his saddle while riding, the saddle now being in a higher position and more forward by

  relative to its starting position, but while remaining parallel to it.

  Conversely, if the cyclist is approaching a descent, and he wants to move his saddle back, he rises again from the saddle and once again actuates the control lever on the handlebars. The saddle, carried by the adjustment device,

  again tends to occupy its high position, being pushed by the spring 18.

  At this time, the cyclist sits on the saddle and pushes it down, while holding down the control lever on the handlebars. The saddle follows the movement given backwards and downwards until the cyclist finds the most suitable position, in accordance with the incline of the descent. It then releases the control lever on the handlebar which locks the indexing lever 20 in a

  corresponding indexing openings or orifices 14.

  To return to a position relating to a movement on flat ground, it repeats the same operations, letting the device push the saddle into an intermediate position lying somewhere between the so-called ascent and descent positions as described above, and he locks it in

this new position.

  We can thus notice that any change of saddle position is done while riding, in an easy way, without much effort and practically without breaking of rhythm. A multiplicity of intermediate positions are possible between a high limit position I and a low limit position X. The number of possible positions, within the framework of this variant, is a function of the number of openings 14 made on the flange 8. By way of non-limiting example, a device according to

  the invention can include between 3 and 21 positions, preferably 7.

  The pivoting of the links 4,6 from a high limit position I to a low limit position X, corresponds to an angular displacement of between 10 and 90, by

preferably 48.

  The links 4, 6 and 17 are made of a light metallic material of the aluminum, titanium, steel type and any type of light and resistant metallic alloy, or of a composite material, for example based on carbon or of material known under the name commercial "kevlar". They can be in the form of articulated bars, such

  as shown in the figures, or even articulated tubes.

  Advantageously, the device comprises an articulated parallelogram, composed, as shown in the figures, of two parallel rods 4, 6 having substantially the same length and a connecting rod 17 supporting, preferably in its median part, the saddle 1. In d other variants not shown in the figures, the adjustment device may include two articulated parallelograms, fulfilling the same function, parallel to one another, arranged with the

  same way between the saddle 1 and the bicycle rod 10.

  A second variant of the first embodiment is illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 5. According to this variant, the return means consist of a spring 34 mounted on a rod 30 sliding in a spring body 32, one end 36 of said rod 30 being integral with one of the articulated links 4,6 and one end

  38 of the body 32 being secured to the opposite articulated link 4,6.

  In Figures 6 to 8 is shown a second embodiment of the invention o the indexing lever 44 is integral with the spring body 32 and that it has at one of its ends a protuberance 46 which is caused to be housed in an opening made in the spring rod 40. According to an advantageous variant embodiment of the invention, the adjustment device according to the invention comprises a shock absorber 28 attenuating the shocks during movement, in particular during the descent by bicycle. This shock absorber can be made of a flexible material of the elastomer type. In other variants not shown in the drawings, the shock absorber may be of the type

  hydraulic, pneumatic or oleopneumatic.

  According to another advantageous variant of the invention, represented in FIG. 9, the adjustment device according to the invention comprises articulated links 4,6 whose fixed joints 9,13 are integral with a support piece 66 bearing directly on the frame 52 of the bicycle. This support piece 66 is linked to the end of the link 68 by the articulation 70. The other end of this link 68 is fixed to a frame flange 56 by means of fixing systems 64, this giving the support 66, through lights 58 and the degrees of freedom necessary for height and depth adjustment

  similar to a classic seatpost.

Claims (10)

  1. Bicycle saddle adjustment device making it possible to adapt the position of the saddle (1) to the configuration of the terrain covered, consisting of at least two parallel articulated links (4,6) pivoting around at least two mobile joints (15,16) joined by at least one connecting rod (17) and two fixed joints (9,13) supported by at least one part (8,12,66) bearing on the seatpost (10) or the frame (52), characterized in that the bicycle saddle is mounted on the connecting rod (17) and that the articulated rods (4,6) can occupy at least one stable intermediate position in their pivoting from a first stop position (I) where they are held by return means (18, 34, 50) and a second stop position (X), the blocking in one or the other of said positions being done by indexing means (14,20,21,22,23,24,44,46,48)   during the movement on said land.   2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said indexing means (14,20,21,22,23,26,44,46,48) comprise an indexing lever (20, 44), a spring return pushing said lever into an indexing opening (14,48) and control means (26) allowing said indexing lever   (20,44) to release said opening (14,48).   3. An adjustment device according to claim 2, characterized in that said indexing lever (20) is pivotally mounted on one of the rods (4,6) and it has one end actuated by the control means (26) , while the other end has a projection (21) which is housed in an orifice (14) of a   flange (8) under the thrust of the return spring (24).   4. An adjustment device according to claim 2, characterized in that said indexing lever (44) is integral with the spring body (32) and that it comprises at one of its ends a protuberance (46) which is brought to stay in a   opening in the spring rod (40).   5. Adjustment device according to claim 2, characterized in that said control means (26) comprise a cable (22) controlled by a lever   on the handlebars of the bicycle.   6. Adjustment device according to claim 1, characterized in that said return means consist of a spring (18), one end of which is secured to one of the articulated rods (4,6), the other end being fixed on the flange (8).   7. An adjustment device according to claim 1, characterized in that said return means are constituted by a spring (34) mounted on a rod (30) sliding in a spring body (32), one end (36) of said rod (30) being integral with one of the articulated links (4,6) and one end (38) of the   body (32) being integral with the opposite articulated link (4,6).   8. Adjustment device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in   which it comprises a shock absorber (28) attenuating the shocks during the   travel, especially during the descent by bicycle.   9. Adjustment device according to claim 8, characterized in that said   shock absorber is made of a flexible material such as an elastomer.   10. Adjustment device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized   in that the fixed joints (9,13) are integral with a support piece (66)   bearing directly on the frame (52) of the bicycle.