GB2493248A

GB2493248A - Adjustable bicycle bench seat

Info

Publication number: GB2493248A
Application number: GB1211522.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stephen Phythian
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-06-29
Filing date: 2012-06-29
Publication date: 2013-01-30
Anticipated expiration: 2032-06-29
Also published as: GB2493248B; GB201211522D0

Abstract

An adjustable bicycle bench seat 80 having a substantially planar seating area 90 for use in place of a conventional saddle, and in which the seating area 90 is optimally positioned for target users and adjustable in that positioning. Adjustment is by means of rotation of a support arm 130 around a pivot member 270 attached to a collar 200 for attachment to a conventional seatpost 20 of a bicycle 10. The support arm 130 allows the seating area 90 to be rearward of the seat tube 30 and angled relative to horizontal. The seat may be rotated forwards for storage (figure 4). The adjustable bicycle bench seat is intended for use as a direct replacement for a conventional saddle in a conventional upright bicycle for use particularly by people of high BMI. The seat of the present invention allowing ready mounting and dismounting of the seat as well as convenient geometry to allow a pedalling action whilst being supported by a predominantly flat seating area, thus avoiding high-pressure presented by a conventional saddle and particularly disadvantageous for a person of high BMI.

Description

Adjustable Bicycle Bench Seat The present invention relates to an adjustable bicycle bench seat, this being a bicycle seat having a substantially planar seating area for use in place of a conventional saddle, and in which the seating area is optimally positioned for target users and adjustable in that positioning.

Bicycles and bicycle seating are well-established and conventionally comprise a saddle mounted upon a seatpost, the seatpost being itself telescopically adjustable by moving in and out of a seat tube of a bicycle frame. The seatpost being retained relative to the seat tube by means of a seatpost clamp. Such saddles provide support between the legs of the cyclist and, by means of a rear portion which is typically a little wider, provide some support to the buttocks of the cyclist. Whilst the conventional saddle is an effective design allowing the legs of the user to move easily to provide a pedalling action, by moving the upper part of the leg from a substantially horizontal to a substantially vertical position, such saddles provide discomfort and even the potential for injury for cyclists who are particularly large or heavy. Larger people, particularly those having a high body mass index (BMI) such as above 30, find that a saddle exerts considerable pressure on the parts of the body in contact with the saddle, resulting in discomfort and even potential injury. Because of this situation the type of bicycle seat termed a bench seat has been developed. A bench seat comprises a relatively wide and substantially planar seating area, such as in the form of a cushioned horizontal plate on which the cyclist can comfortably rest the buttocks and, because of the large surface area provided the pressure on the body of the cyclist is much reduced.

Bench seats are widely available commercially and are essentially a form of saddle widened laterally. The principal drawback of current bench seats is their inability to be fully adjusted to best suit the individual cyclist and also to allow for sufficient leg movement for efficient pedalling. As mentioned above, pedalling on a conventional bicycle requires that the thighs are allowed considerable vertical movement; that is from a substantially horizontal to a substantially vertical position.

The bench seat makes this more difficult, not least because the construction of a conventional cycle assumes that the user will position themselves directly above the axis of the seat tube.

The present invention addresses the problems of providing seat adjustment, efficient seat location, ergonomic positioning, improved peddling, easy adjustment and improved seat stowage.

The present invention in its various aspects is as set out in the appended claims.

The present invention provides a bench seat for a conventional upright bicycle having a conventional substantially vertical seat tube housing a seatpost upon which a seat or saddle is

locatable,

the bench seat having the features of a planar support area upon which, in use, a cyclist of the conventional upright bicycle sits; a cylindrical collar for gripping the seatpost of the bicycle; a pivot member on the collar; an elongate apertured support bar pivoted upon the pivot member and upon which the planar support area is mounted; an adjustable support member on the collar, were in the support member serves to support the support bar and in which the planar support area of the bench seat is located, in normal use, to the rear of the seatpost of the bicycle.

The planar support area, itself supported on by the elongate apertured support bar, is preferably positioned, in use, at an angle of from 120 to 1600 from the axis of the seatpost, i.e. the angle between the planar surface and the axis of the seatpost. This serves to tilt the planar support area forward and allows sufficient freedom of movement whilst still returning sufficient support for the cyclist. For a person of body mass index of 30 up to 40 BMI the angle in use is preferably between 126° and 135°. Fora person of body mass indexof4o orgreaterthe angle in use is preferably between 135° and 145°. For completeness, when a seatpost is not present, i.e. for the invention before installation, the angle can be measured by defining the cylindrical axis of the internal diameter of the collar 200 of the seat.

A particular benefit of the seat of the present invention is that the angle of the planar support area to the seat tube is adjustable between 1200 and 160°, preferably between 126° and 145°. By optionally limiting adjustment to between these angles it guarantees that the set seat will be substantially in the preferred orientation for optimal use when set up.

The benefit of the present invention is that the elongate apertured support bar is located upon the cylindrical collar by means of a pivot member, preferably in the form of an elongate bolt with associated nut contribute so that tightening the pivot member compresses the collar around, in use, a seatpost and also compresses the elongate apertured support bar against the collar, this allows simultaneous adjustment of the angle of the planar support area and of alignment of the seat (rotationally) by means of a single adjustment. This is particular beneficial since the bench seat being relatively wide compared to a bicycle frame is more easily knocked sideways, such as if a bicycle falls over, than a conventional saddle.

The size of the seating area in the form of the planar support area and corresponding cushion of a bench seat a further advantage of the present invention is that loosening of the pivot member readily enables the seat to be placed in a stowed position in which the angle of the planar support area to the axis of the seatpost is increased by more than 120°, typically to around 1500, for folding the seat forward into a storage position for easy transport in which the cushion of the seat approaches or abuts the crossbar (if present) of the bicycle. To this end of the pivot member may be separated from its function of compressing the collar, for example, the pivot member may comprise studding attached to the collar and an associated nut, for example, a wing nut for securing and releasing the support bar and a separate, preferably axially aligned portion of studding with associated nut for compression of the collar. This configuration is particularly helpful when rapid adjustment to allow storage of the seat is required.

The collar may preferably comprise a vertical support surface around the pivot member for abutting a corresponding surface portion of the support bar, those surfaces being radially ribbed to intermesh and therefore restrict pivoting, such as of the support bar on the collar, preferably in 25° increments (from 2.5° radially spaced ribs, range 2° to 3°), when the pivot member is in a normally tightened position. Having a single contact face for the ribbing enables this adjustment to be made easily, whereas multiple brackets would give problems aligning the ribs accurately.

The present invention is particularly suitable for use by people having a high Body Mass Index (BMI).

A high body mass index for the purposes of the present invention is a BMI of greater than 30. The dimensions of the planar seating area are hence preferably a width of 30 cm or greater, and a depth (front-back) of 15 cm or greater with a practical maximum of around 50 cm in width and 25 cm in depth. The planar support area preferably comprises a cushion to further distribute the weight of a seated Rina and therefore reduce the pressure on the rider when mounted on the bicycle. The cushion is preferably made from a pad of what is known in the trade as Reconstituted (Super firm) foam of between 2 and 3 cm in thickness (i.e. height) The cushion the preferably comprises a plastic coated fabric cover, preferably the coating is made from PVC, as this gives a high degree of friction and reduces the tendency of a rider to slip forward on the planar support area.

The present invention in its various embodiments will now be illustrated by means of the following diagrams, in which: Figure 1 shows a side view of a first embodiment of the present invention in an, in use, position mounted on a bicycle; Figure 2 shows a side view of a second embodiment of the present invention differing in adjuster positioning and showing higher seat angle in an, in use, position mounted on a bicycle; Figure 3 shows the first embodiment in which the planar support area is in a second position/angle in an, in use, position mounted on a bicycle; Figure 4 shows a side view of the first embodiment when the seat is in a stowed position in an, installed, position mounted on a bicycle; Figure 5 shows a side view of the planar support area including attachment bracket and cushion; Figure 6 shows a side view of the support bar for use in the present invention; Figure 7 shows a side view of the collar and adjustable support member mounted on a seatpost; Figure 8 shows the first embodiment in which the planar support area is disengaged from the support bar to illustrate the interrelation of those parts; Figure 9 shows a further embodiment of the planar support area in which the attachment bracket is biased forward compared to the cushion; Figure 10 shows a plan view of the collar, adjustable support member, pivot, and support bar suitable for use as part of the present invention; and Figure 11 shows a view from below of the collar, adjustable support member, pivot and support bar as shown in Figure 10.

Figure 12 shows a view from above of an alternative arrangement of the collar comprising, adjustable support member, pivot member and support bar having features analogous to those in Figure 10.

Features disclosed in this document include: a bicycle, shown as a part view in the drawings; seatpost of bicycle; seat tube of bicycle frame; crossbar of bicycle frame; and rear support tube of bicycle frame.

Features of the present invention include: bench seat; planar support area comprising; cushion; support plate; attachment bracket; apertures in attachment bracket for connection to support bar; support bar; apertures in support bar for connection to attachment bracket; pivot aperture; planar support area securing means, (bolts and corresponding nuts); support bar support member, (bolt, welded or with corresponding nut); collar; 205 collar extension; 210 adjustable support member; 220 adjusting support bolt; 230 support bolt washers; 240 support bolt nuts, upper 240, lower 240', optionally integrated into tube; 250 support bolt location tube, optionally threaded; 260 vertical face of collar, optional ribbed; 265' corresponding obverse of face 265 of support bar, optional mating rib to 260; 270 pivot member, bolt; 275 pivot bolt nut, two positions shown, figures 10, ii; 275' butterfly nut, particularly for use with 260, 265 ribbed face; and 280 support plate.

Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention in side view. A bicycle, 10, comprising (in part view) a seat tube in which a seatpost is adjustably mounted (the seat tube typically comprising a compression collar for retaining the seatpost but this is not shown for clarity), a crossbar, 40, (on a male version of the upright bicycle) and a rear support tube (leading to the hub of the rear wheel). Mounted, in use upon such a bicycle is a bench seat of the present invention 80. The bench seat comprises a planar support area 90; support bar 130 upon which the planar support area is adjustably mounted; a pivot member located in an aperture 140 at an end of the support bar 130 remote from an end at which the planar support area 90 is predominantly mounted; and an adjustable support member in which the pivot member to 270 is mounted.

The bench seat 8Oof the present invention is mounted upon the seat tube at an upper end of the seat tube and secured by tightening pivot bolt 270 so as to compress the collar 200 around the seat tube by securing the bench seat assembly 80 to the bicycle. On first use a user will typically adjust the adjustable support member by means of loosening support nuts 240, 240' and moving them along adjusting support bolt 220 so as to increase or decrease the amount of the adjusting support bolt 220 protruding above the collar 200, this adjusting the support height of the support bar relative to the bicycle and hence the angle of the planar support area to the frame of the bicycle. A preferred angle to allow ready movement of the legs for pedalling and adequate support of the buttocks of a high BMI rider is preferably between 135 and 145° in angle as measured between the axis of the seat tube (which are an upright bicycle is typically tilted 170 from vertical to the rear) and the horizontal plane of the planar support area. After adjustment the pivot bolt 270 is tightened using pivot bolt nut 275, this engages, where present, the ribbed faces 260 of the collar 200 and the ribbed face 265 of the support bar 130 so as to prevent rotation of the support bar relative to the collar, and hence the bicycle. This turning preferably occurs when the upper end of the adjusting support bolt 220 in the form of support plate 280 is resting upon the support bar support member 130, which is attached to the support bar 130. This provides two points of support for the support bar giving a safe and rigid support for a rider who sits on the planar support area, 90. Planar support area 90 comprises a support plate 110, with an attachment bracket 120 welded (i.e. retained on) to the underside of the support plate 110 approximately centrally and forward to back, the attachment bracket 120 being perpendicular to the support plate 110. The support plate as a cushion 100 mounted on it, the cushion comprising a non-slip covering over a high-density foam. This has been found optimal for this use to avoid the rider slipping forward on the seat 80 and also allowing the rider to comfortably perch on the seat, thus allowing the seat to be used rearward of the axis of the seat tube and hence, since the pedals have an axis perpendicular but otherwise in line with the seat tube the legs of the rider can move adequately to peddle even though a bench seat rather than a saddle is used. This is a considerable advantage over existing seat where the user is effectively sitting further forward than is comfortable. Angling the planar support area forwards also enables the rider to use the pedalling action to provide a degree of support or, to readily enable greater pressure to be placed on the pedals, such as may be required when going uphill. The rider may therefore remain seated whilst placing bodyweight on the pedals, the user of a conventional saddle typically needing to stand up on the pedals to achieve this effect. Further, by placing the seat rearward and at an angle the rider can partially dismount the bicycle (i.e. be astride the bicycle when stationary) by simply moving forward over the crossbar. For some high BMI people this requires the length of the crossbar to accommodate them and hence moving the seat rearward of the seat tube axis give sufficient room for this to occur without hindering the person or by getting in the way of the handlebars. These benefits actually depend upon the size of the bicycle on the size of the person, but in general, a typical upright bicycle and a typical person of BMI 30 will find these benefits when using the present invention.

After use, a seat of the present invention can be conveniently stowed for transportation by loosening pivot bolt 270 and rotating the support bar 130 through around 1100 so that the cushion is directly above the crossbar 40 region, thus reducing the area of the cycle for storage. The presence of ribbing on the vertical faces 260, 265 in conjunction with a butterfly nut 275 enables this to be accomplished manually for rapid storage and secure deployment. Further, optionally, the support plate 110 may be rotatable relative to the attachment bracket 120 so as to enable rotation of the support plate 110 by 90° such that the effective width of the seat 90 is reduced, thus further reducing the effective volume occupied by a bicycle comprising the present invention when stored. Rotation by may be by means of a central pivot bolt between the planar support area and the attachment bracket 120, the pivot bolt having a securing nut and corresponding studs to enable convenient siting of the planar support area relative to the attachment bracket 120 in crossways (in use) and lengthways (stored) positions.

These features are not shown on the diagrams.

As can be seen from the diagrams the planar support area 90 can be secured at different locations along (i.e. forward-backward) the support bar 130 to accommodate different users, in particular, this this is particularly useful where the user is relatively tall for the bicycle and this can be allowed for by the user sitting further back, rather than extending the seatpost upwards since dismounting for a high BMI person moving their leg over the top of the seat is not necessarily easy particularly if the seat is raised high on an extended seatpost.

The combination of the tilt adjustment of the planar support area and the forward-backward adjustment gives a range of adjustment particularly suited to high BMI cyclists. When used in combination with the adjustable support (bolt 220 and associated features) this provides a secure and robust, whilst ergonomically effective seating arrangement particularly for high BMI cyclists.

In some embodiments of the present invention the support bar support member may also perform the function of a planar support area securing means 145, this is achievable by using a suitable nut and bolt such that the nut and bolt can be used to both secure the attachment bracket 122 the support bar 130 as well as to rest against the support plate 280 of the adjusting support bolt 220, which is part of the adjustable support member. In this instance the width of the upper surface of the support plate to 80 will be particularly elongated to allow support over a greater range of movement (compare feature 280 in figures 3 and 4 in this respect).

The pivot member is located forward of a seat post on which it is in-use mounted, the enables the force to be more evenly distributed about the seat post, allows easier adjustment and a longer swing and hence more gradual adjustment of the support bar.

Optionally collar extension 205 rather than having a tube in the adjustable support member 205 and associated nuts 240 is either a threaded tube, preferably with an associated lock nut (either 240 or 240'). This simplifies construction.

Further, to reduce the potential for any twisting motion the collar extension 205' of the adjustable support member 205 is preferably integrated into the collar 200 as shown in figure 12.

For completeness, the present invention is a bicycle bench seat, whilst the invention is used in conjunction with a conventional upright bicycle and is thus conveniently described in this use invention does not include a bicycle except in the instance were the invention is directed to a bicycle equipped with a seat as defined above.

Claims

<claim-text>Claims, 1. A bench seat for a conventional upright bicycle having a conventional substantially vertical seat tube housing a seatpost upon which a seat or saddle islocatable,the bench seat comprising the features of a planar support area upon which, in use, a cyclist of the conventional upright bicycle sits; a cylindrical collar for gripping the seatpost of the bicycle; a pivot member located on the collar; a support bar pivoted at a first end upon the pivot member and upon which the planar support area is mounted remote from the first end; the seat being configured so that, in normal use, planar support area is located to the rear of the seatpost of the bicycle and at a forward tilted angle.</claim-text> <claim-text>2. The bench seat of claim 1 wherein the pivot member is located forward of a seatpost on which the seat is, in-use, mounted.</claim-text> <claim-text>3. The bench seat of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the collar is extended rearward of a seat post on which it is in-use mounted to support an adjustable support in the form of a collar extension upon which is located an extendable and retractable member, such as a bolt, configured to support the support bar and thereby also the planar support area.</claim-text> <claim-text>4 The bench seat of claim 3 wherein the adjustable support is a bolt having an enlarged head for supporting a support bar support member attached to the support bar, the bolt being extendable and retractable by means of rotation in the adjustable support member.</claim-text> <claim-text>5. The bench seat of any preceding claim wherein the adjustable angle is between from 120 to 1600 in a clockwise direction from the axis of the seatpost.</claim-text> <claim-text>6. The bench seat of any preceding claim wherein the adjustable angle is adjustable by release of pivot bolt nut (275, 275') such that the planar support area may be pivoted clockwise through a further 1200 or so to enable the seat to be stowed for transport of bicycle upon which it is, in use, mounted, whilst a further securing means retains the collar, in use, on the seatpost of a bicycle upon which the seat is mounted.</claim-text> <claim-text>7. The bench seat of any preceding claim wherein the support bar 130 is a sole means for coupling the collar 200 to the planar support area 90 8. The bench seat of any preceding claim wherein an adjustable support member 210 abuts the support bar 130 for supporting the support bar.9. The bench seat of any preceding claim wherein the planar support area is substantially rectangular and has a width greater than a depth.10. A conventional upright bicycle equipped with a bench seat of any of claims 1 to 9 11. A bench seat as hereinbefore described with reference to figures 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 12.12. A conventional upright bicycle equipped with a bench seat as defined in claim 11.Amendment to the claims have been filed as follows Claims, 17 1. A bench seat (80) for a conventional upright bicycle having a conventional substantially vertical seat tube (30) housing a seatpost (20) upon which a seat orsaddle is locatable,the bench seat (80) comprising the features of a planar support area (90) upon which, in use, a cyclist of the conventional upright bicycle sits; a cylindrical collar (200) for gripping the seatpost (20) of the bicycle; a pivot member (270, 275) located on the collar; a support bar (130) pivoted at a first end upon the pivot member (270) and upon which the planar support area (90) is mounted remote from the first end; the seat being configured so that, in normal use, planar support area (90) is located to the rear of the seatpost (20) of the bicycle and at a forward tilted angle wherein an adjustable support member (210) abuts the support bar (130) for supporting the support bar.
2. The bench seat of claim 1 wherein the pivot member (270, 275) is located forward of a seatpost on which the seat is, in-use, mounted.
3. The bench seat of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the collar (200, 205) is extended rearward of a seat post on which it is in-use mounted to support an adjustable support in the form of a collar extension upon which is located an extendable and retractable member, such as a bolt, configured to support the support bar (130) and thereby also the planar support area.4 The bench seat of claim 3 wherein the adjustable support is a bolt having an enlarged head for supporting a support bar support member (150) attached to the support bar, the bolt being extendable and retractable by means of rotation in the adjustable support member.5. The bench seat of any preceding claim wherein the support bar 130 is a sole means for coupling the collar (200) to the planar support area (90).C\J 6. The bench seat of any preceding claim wherein the planar support area r (90) is substantially rectangular and has a width greater than a depth.7. A conventional upright bicycle equipped with a bench seat of any of claims 1 to 6 8. A bench seat as hereinbefore described with reference to figures 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 12.9. A conventional upright bicycle equipped with a bench seat as defined ri claim 8.</claim-text>