GB2555785A

GB2555785A - An edge ledge attachment for a bicycle saddle

Info

Publication number: GB2555785A
Application number: GB1618686.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter Cubis Alan; Edward Cubis Tom
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2016-11-06
Filing date: 2016-11-06
Publication date: 2018-05-16

Abstract

An additional seating surface 1 to attach to a bicycle saddle 2 or seat of similar type, to create a wider sitting area for the user. The device has a generally horizontal seating surface but can have shells, padding, or recesses (Figs 16-21). The device may have a cover, and this may have light reflective or light emitting properties. The device has an attachment means 8 - 10 for connecting to the rear of a saddle and may be hinged to allow for selective adjustment. There may be a clip or clamp to secure the device to the underside or rim of the saddle (Fig 3 and 4). In a further embodiment the saddle may have projections that protrude transversely from the sides of the rear part of a standard cycle saddle (Fig 7, 22 and 23). The device is intended to support the gluteal sulcus and crease part of the bike riders buttock area.

Description

(54) Title of the Invention: An edge ledge attachment for a bicycle saddle Abstract Title: Supplementary Seating Attachment for Bicycle Saddle (57) An additional seating surface 1 to attach to a bicycle saddle 2 or seat of similar type, to create a wider sitting area for the user. The device has a generally horizontal seating surface but can have shells, padding, or recesses (Figs 16-21). The device may have a cover, and this may have light reflective or light emitting properties. The device has an attachment means 8 -10 for connecting to the rear of a saddle and may be hinged to allow for selective adjustment. There may be a clip or clamp to secure the device to the underside or rim of the saddle (Fig 3 and 4). In a further embodiment the saddle may have projections that protrude transversely from the sides of the rear part of a standard cycle saddle (Fig 7, 22 and 23). The device is intended to support the gluteal sulcus and crease part of the bike rider’s buttock area.

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Description

An Edge Ledge Attachment for a Bicycle Saddle.

This invention relates to a device for a cyclist and their existing bicycle saddle which inhibits the cyclist or rider from fully seating into a part or section of their saddle sitting area and vice versa and simultaneously increasing the width of horizontal plane or near horizontal plane over the areas affected by this inhibitor and therefore this device changes bearing and support to the perineum and buttocks and altering the mode and effect of sit from that device when in use upon the host bicycle saddle in combination with that host saddle and a crucial position of placement for the front leading edge or contact edge of this device in relation to a width and position of the existing saddle and also to the individual cyclist or rider Gluteal Sulcus or horizontal gluteal crease for essential leg movement, and this placement is enabled by an attachment means that when secured to the host saddle underside enables this device also to be put into or out of a position of use with one movement or rotation whilst in-travel or whilst cycling, as and when a change of bearing and an altered sit mode to that of their existing saddle is required to prevent soreness and discomfort, or for more support.

Most bicycles sold in recent times are supplied with a sports or slim type saddle, and many sports saddles are sold separately as are other saddles including larger saddles, comfort and gel saddles. Nowadays bicycle parts, components and accessories are a bigger business than bicycles sold complete. Cycling has seen many changes over the years and even though a bicycle basically looks the same as ever, every component and part has changed, evolved, improved or been re-engineered. But there's one thing that hasn't changed, saddle soreness and discomfort. Many of us have been on a bicycle ride and experienced bearing pressures or discomfort to our posteriors, but invariably we have to keep going to keep up with our cycling friends or to complete the journey, and as we have found out there's little we can do, even though we may try to change our sitting or riding position, we try to sit to one side or the other or further back or a little forward on our saddle that is perfectly shaped to force you into that one position that's causing you discomfort and this same problem occurs to varying degrees with larger, comfort and gel saddles also.

The organisation 'British Cycling' web site says, regarding avoiding saddle soreness, try to stand up out of your saddle every 10-15 minutes to give your buttocks a bit of a break.

Many cyclists and in fact more cyclists than ever want their bicycle to look a certain way, to be sleek, sporty and stylish and to confirm to certain biking or cycling trends or categories, and that often means sports saddles. But of course, not forgetting that most saddles are comfortable for a short period of time, and it's good to see cycling organisations talking about this problem and manufacturers supplying advice and lubes and creams for soreness and discomfort.

We now know with medical evidence that these problems can be serious and are on an increase partially due to the fact that more people are riding bicycles than before and more people are taking on more regular and extreme cycling pursuits. In the UK alone more than three million bicycles have been sold each year for the past several years and hundreds of thousands of us ride on a daily and weekly basis.

Most bicycle saddles are designed for their effectiveness of how that saddle shape best fits within the human form but not necessarily to how the human sits upon a surface and for a duration, and we know that the human form has many varying skeletal, muscular and tissue differences, it's little wonder discomfort and soreness is commonplace from a saddle that is basically one size fits all, and in combination with poor or incorrect setting position of the saddle to the seat post and bicycle just adding to this problem. Saddle manufacture and design is big business and they can afford top designers, cycling and sports professions and use latest technologies, best machines and materials but still the problem exists.

So this would strongly suggest that we are using the saddle incorrectly and for too long a period. If we look at how most saddles are constructed we would see the hard shell with its small areas of horizontal top sitting area that has down curvatures to its edges which fit into the human form, but puts tremendous pressure on the sit bones and perineum and often the larger saddles have the same shell with more paddings but still bear to the same areas.

To overcome these problems the present invention proposes the Edge Ledge Attachment for a bicycle saddle. This device is a flat plate or body positioned upon and adjustably held equally across part of the sitting area of a host bicycle saddle by an attachment means, and this plate or body has a front leading edge aligned to an individually specific position related to that cyclists horizontal gluteal crease of the buttocks when seated up against and along this leading edge and supported upon the horizontal width of the plate body or ledge in combination with the host saddle at its existing position of correct setting. Effectively this device with its rigid front leading edge parallel to the shorter axis of the host saddle at or about at the riders gluteal crease acts as a ledge or perch with its increased horizontal width therefore creating a higher percentage of even support and fattening central areas of the posterior rather than the thinning of these areas from the down curves of the existing saddle alone, and this device inhibits the rider from the bearing in of those areas beneath the device and offering more horizontal width.

The attachment means of this device is in three key parts. One part of this attachment is in the form of protrusions from the underside and rear of the plate or body of the device with connective and rotation capable endings to the second key component of the attachment of a bent rod or member that adjustably connects to the parallel rails or splay of the parallel rails or the saddle suspension or underside from where this bent rod or member forms a fixed point at its other end to the rear and underside of this host saddle at which a corresponding connective and rotation capable ending or a join to the device protrusions and the third part of the attachment means being the fastenings component to the suspension rails and bent rod or member. The fixed point adjustably created at the rear underside of the host saddle is to create a rotation point that will facilitate a rotation of the device plate or body for its front leading edge positional placement upon the host saddle and also allow for a rotation out of use to the rear of the host saddle, the rotation connection of the bent rod or member is spring worthy so that the device plate or body can be completely removed, leaving the attachment rod or member still attached to a correct setting for reattachment again.

The device has been designed with its manufacture in mind so the main plate or body can be moulded, formed, fabricated, pressed or even three dimensionally printed with process in common use at the present time and the attachment means can be formed or constructed from stock material or manufactured from processes used at the present time and made from materials used at the present time namely moulded plastic and light weight metals with an off the shelf fastening.

The device has also been designed with a whole range of embodiments and further embodiments in mind which could include the main plate or body being made from different material as with wood, laminates or various plastics or lightweight metals and also having recesses or meshing, holes, cutouts or areas raised in relief upon or within its surface. Further embodiments of varying size, shape and colours and further embodiments where the device has coatings, coverings or paddings or even light reflecting or light emitting properties. The attachment means could have embodiments of special shaping or modification to attach to specialist or non-parallel bar saddles and the overall device could have an embodiment of redesign to fit specific saddles of a particular brand or for devices or machines which have saddles but are not bicycles but utilise a bicycle saddle or similar, and further embodiments of a device or devices of horns or wing like protrusions each side of the saddle shorter axis and parallel to this axis with alignments to the line of points of reverse curve of saddle and alignment to the cyclists gluteal sulcus as before which are formed or even drilled and screwed in to the existing saddle shell sitting area at each side flush to the top line of the existing sitting area top line.

Now we will describe the invention with reference to the drawings and figures provided within this document.

Drawing Page 1/4, Figure 1 shows an isometric type front view of a bicycle saddle with the device body 1, upon the saddle sitting area 2, which has a parallel alignment to the shorter axis line of this saddle 3, the front leading edge or front contact edge 4, with its alignment of parallel to the shorter axis which has an individually specific position in relation to that rider or cyclists horizontal gluteal crease when upon the positioned device upon the host saddle in a riding or cycling position.

Another setting point for the front leading edge 4, is the relationship of the alignment with that host saddle nose splay 5, and it curves out to the sitting area at its widest point of continuing curve to the point of reverse curve 6, as would be seen on a plan view, and this point or close range of point either side of the host saddle would form between them a line for the front leading edge or front contact edge of the device body.

Drawing Page 1/4 figure 2, shows an isometric type rear view of a bicycle saddle with the device body 1, upon a part of the saddle sitting area 2, with its front leading edge 4, and a longer axis and centre line 7, with the device body greater width extending out equally from the centre to its ends to a width the same as or greater than the width of the host saddle beneath.

Protrusions from the underside of the body 8, with their rotating capable endings 9, which correspond to the endings of the member 10, that connect to the host saddle underside and forming a fixed point at the rear for a rotation to be enabled for the device to be positioned in and out of use.

Drawing Page 2/4. Figure 3 shows a side view of the device 1, upon a host saddle sitting area 2, under the device body on each side are protrusions for connective purposes and shown at 8, is one of these protrusions that connects to the bent rod or member of 10, that has an attachment to the host saddle suspension rails 11, by a fastening 12, and this adjustably fastened rod or member has shaping to allow for adjustment for down movement of position by a design bend at 13,. An outline of a cyclists rear upper thigh and buttocks upon the device showing the relationship of front leading edge and horizontal gluteal crease 14.

Drawing Page 2/4 shows a front view of the host saddle and demonstrates how the underside of the body partially fills the void between the host saddle down curves or padding and shows how the body protrusion 15, help to stabilise the body upon a section or part of the sitting area and demonstrates the area of gaping between body and host saddle.

Drawing Page 2/4 shows an upturned or underside isometric type view of the device 1 connected to the host saddle with the body protrusions of 8, with the corresponding endings and a connection at 9, to the bent rod or member 10, to suspension rails in this instance connected to 11, and fastened with nut and bolt connectors 12.

Drawing Page 3/4, Figure 6, shows plan views of the device body with further embodiments of shape and surface changes, Figures 16, 17,18 and 19 show varying shape and size of body that could also have a shaped or curved front leading or contact edge for a more personalised positioning upon the host saddle and Figures 20, 21 show further embodiment of body with holes or recesses or areas raised in relief upon its surface. In summary the Edge Ledge attachment for a bicycle saddle could have a multitude of sizes, shapes, and features about its surface or to its body but all based on individual specific positions and alignments related to the individual cyclist and their existing host bicycle saddle with an adjustably capable attachment means to enable these specific alignments and positions of placement of device body upon a host saddle.

Drawing Page 4/4, Figure 7 shows a front view isometric type drawing of further embodiment of a saddle with moulded or bolt on bolt off protrusions to key alignments of front leading contact edge to rider gluteal sulcus and saddle line of points of reverse curves and alignment of top edges and line to top edge of sitting area with horns 22, and wings 23.

Claims

1. An Edge Ledge attachment for a bicycle saddle is an accessory for an existing bicycle saddle consisting of a connective attachment means with holding and adjustable positioning capability which enables the device part surface sitting body that has a front leading edge or front contact edge of a width similar to or greater than the width of an existing bicycle saddle, to be placed upon and equally across a part or cross section of the sitting area of a host bicycle saddle to an alignment of parallel to the shorter axis of that saddle and to an alignment of the front leading edge of body with the line between both points or area of reverse curve either side of the host saddle nose to sitting area curve widest point on plan and also the front leading edge aligned to an individually presumed and actual specific point with that cyclist or riders horizontal gluteal crease of the buttocks and this placement of device body inhibits the action of and affects from that covered part of the existing host saddle sitting area now overlaid, overhung and over sailed by this wide part surface body of raised sitting area that mechanically and physically changes contact, support and bearing to that rider from a prior mode of fully astride upon the penetrating sitting areas within the form of the posterior and perineum to an altered mode of astride and semi perching along the edge and upon the ledge of placed device body upon the host saddle.

2. An Edge Ledge attachment for a bicycle saddle according to Claim 1 comprising of an embodiment of an attachment means of protrusions from both sides of the device surface body underside or underside and rear at an area where during placement a gaping or void between the overhanging overlaid device body and the down curves of existing host saddle and saddle padding would be apparent and these protrusions extend out from the rear underside of device body to the rear end or end and side of the existing host saddle and bend down and an ending to those protrusions of a joint of a spindle or boss and a corresponding hole or aperture to give rotation capability at this joint of a fixed and predetermined position of a joint ending form this fixed point of an attachment member that extends from this position at the rear and underside to an adjustable fastening fixed point at the saddle suspension rails and this extended fixed point joint at the saddle rear enables a one part rotational movement for positioning of the device body into or out of a position of alignment of placement and use with one movement or one hand whilst in travel or cycling or upon the cycling device.

3. An Edge Ledge attachment for a bicycle saddle according to Claim 2 comprising of a spring tension releasing action of the extending member from the saddle suspension to the endings of the fixed point joint which allows this corresponding joint with the body protrusions to separate under spring tension within its length and therefore making that device body detachable and vice versa.

4. An Edge Ledge attachment for a bicycle saddle according to Claim 1 comprising of an embodiment of the device surface body with a horizontal or flat surface plane to the body and front leading or front contact edge of the body.

5. An Edge Ledge attachment for a bicycle saddle according to Claim 1 comprising of an embodiment of the device surface body with differing plane to the front leading edge or front contact edge which angles or curves away from the main body plane to give definition to that front edge.

6. An Edge Ledge attachment for a bicycle saddle according to Claim 1 comprising of an embodiment of the device surface body of general horizontal plane with minor shaping and raised or lowered contours to its plane of body and front leading edge.

7. An Edge Ledge attachment for a bicycle saddle according to Claim 1 comprising of an embodiment of the device surface body with areas about its surface for tactile purpose with hollows or cut outs or areas raised in relief upon or within the surface body of device body.

8. An Edge Ledge attachment for a bicycle saddle according to Claim 1 comprising of an embodiment of the device surface body as a frame outlined body with infill's of struts and meshing to form the surface of the device body surface.

9. An Edge Ledge attachment for a bicycle saddle according to Claim 1 comprising of further embodiment of the relationship of size or scale or shape between the device body and front leading edge is altered so the front leading edge or front contact edge is more pronounced or raised and extended back into a more diminished surface body and the alignment for this altered surface device is the same of similar to leading or contact front edge alignments of Claim 1.

10. An Edge Ledge attachment for a bicycle saddle according to Claim 1 comprising of a further embodiment where the device surface body has paddings, coating or coverings to all or part of its surfaces or edges.

11. An Edge Ledge attachment for a bicycle saddle according to Claim 1 comprising of a further embodiment for the device surface body or attachment means or both to have light reflective properties to their surface edges or to have capability for light emission or generation of light from their surfaces or edges or for the inclusion of light emitting devices within or about the surface body or attachment means.

12. An Edge Ledge attachment for a bicycle saddle according to Claim 1 comprising of a further embodiment where the attachment means for holding and adjustable positioning the device surface body upon the existing host saddle is by a moulded or semi-moulded or adaptable and pliable silicone or foam plastic to the underside of the device surface body that lays upon by surface suction or gravity to the existing saddle surfaces.

13. An Edge Ledge attachment for a bicycle saddle according to Claim 1 comprising of a further embodiment for a connective attachment means with hold and adjustable position capability by the means of hooks or cranked clips from the existing saddle underside edges connected to band or bonds of cord or elastic that are adjustably connected each side and front to back of the underside of the device surface body from protrusions capable of holding cord or band and adjustment made.

14. An Edge Ledge attachment for a bicycle saddle according to Claim 1 comprising of a further embodiment whereby the shaping and relative dimensions of all of this device body and attachment means are specific to a particular brand, make or shape of existing saddle or any bicycle saddle or where the device body or attachment means has modification or capability to attach to and have placement upon a specific saddle.

15. An Edge Ledge attachment for a bicycle saddle according to Claim 2 comprising of a further embodiment where the member or part of attachment means that extends from the fixed point joint with rotation capability endings to an adjustable fastening to the existing saddle rails would be able and capable to fasten to the existing saddle springs or springs assemble.

16. An Edge Ledge attachment for a bicycle saddle according to Claim 2 comprising of a further embodiment whereby the protrusions from the underside or underside and rear of the device surface body are a separate component to that of the surface body and by a corresponding connection of these parts can be joined together or be removed or by a similar or another corresponding connection these protrusions or projections can be folded down so not to protrude to a great amount for storage or packaging purposes.

17. An Edge Ledge attachment for a bicycle saddle according to Claim 1 comprising of a further embodiment whereby the device body is in two parts in the form of one protrusion each side of the sitting area parallel to the saddles shorter axis and moulded out from or bolted to the area where the alignment of the front contact edges aligns to the rider's gluteal sulcus horizontal crease and the line of both points of reverse curve of the saddle and the top line of protrusion align to the top line of sitting area surface with individual or joint connections to the host saddle.

Intellectual

Property

Office

Application No: GB1618686.8 Examiner: Gareth Jones