US289272A - Bicycle-saddle - Google Patents

Description

(No` Modem T. J. KIRKPATRICK.

` vBICYCLE SADDLE.

No. 289,272. Patented Nov'. 27, 1888.

n PETERS, PholLixhognpmr. wnshinglan. D. C.

Unire STATESl -ATENr Fries.

THOMAS JEFFERSON KIRKPA'IRIGK, OF SPRINGFIELD, OHIO.

BICYCLE-SADDLE;

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 289,272, dated November 27,1883,

Application tiled July 11, 1883-. (No model.) A

.To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that LT. J. KIRKPATRICK, of Springfield, in the county of Clarke and State of Ohio, have invented certain Improvements in Bicycle-Saddles, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates more particularly to improvements upon the bicycle-saddlev for which Letters Patent of the United States were granted to me on the 29th dav of May, `1883, No. 27 8,560.

The improvement consists, mainly, in combining with the frame or tree having elevated ends and a flexible seat suspended therefrom winding-drums and locking devices located at the front, as a means of straining the flexible seat and giving the same the required tension.

Referring t0 the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a perspective view of my improved saddle. Fig. 2 is alongitudinal section of the same on the linexx. Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the frame or tree, having the seat or 4saddle proper removed therefrom.

A represents the tree or frame, the rear end of which is elevated and curved to sustain and give formto the rear end of the saddle, while its forward end is forked to pass on opposite sides of the head of the machine, and adapted to sustain the forward ends or arms of the seat, which are forked to correspond, as in my original patent, above referred to. The forward arms, a., of the frame are each provided with an elevated bar, b, and below and in rear of said bar with a transverse roller, c, the outer end of which is made o1' angular form, as shown at el, to seat a wrench or other rotating device,

and provided with a ratchet-wheel, e, which.

is engaged and prevented from turning back ward by a pawl, f, pivoted to the frame.

B represents the` seat or saddle proper, consisting of a sheet of flexible or pliable material secured at its rear end rigidly to the upper rearedge of the tree, and having its two forward arms or ends passed over the respective bars b and secured to the rollers or drums c, so that upon rotating said drums they are caused to apply a" longitudinal strain or tension to the saddle, which is suspended at its ends only. By tightening the drums Iam enabled to apply any required degree of tension to l the saddle, and thus to render the saine more or less elastic and to adapt it to riders of different weights. The fact that the two drums are adjustable independently of each other admits of the strain being applied to the two sides of the saddle independently, thus securing equal stiffness at the two sides, notwithstanding the variable elasticity of the material at different points. the rollers or drums as the most simple and convenient means of straining the saddle, screws or equivalent devices may be substituted therefor.

In order t0 prevent the cllafing 0f the rider7 s limbs upon the edges of the saddle, I provide the seat or saddle proper on each side of its neck or contracted portion with a downwardly-curved extension, g. These extensions or flaps are preferably formed in one piece with theysaddle proper, and` being curved downward, as shown, they afford an elastic rounded edge and adapt the saddle to sustain the Weight of the rider in an easy and comfortable manner. s y

The frame may be constructed of Sheetsteel, malleable iron, or other suitable material, it being preferred in practice to stamp the entire frame in one piece from sheet-steel, this method of construction securing strength, lightness, and elasticity. Vhile the elasticity of the saddle or seat proper is relied upon mainly to render the saddle yielding, it is found in practice that when the frame or tree is made sufficiently light it will yield to a limited extent under strain, and serve t-he additional purpose of a spring. It is to be observed that when in action the seat orsaddle rises and falls in a vertical direction and without longitudinal motion, this characteristic being an important one, in that it avoids the danger ofthe rider being thrown over the head of the machine. Vhile the seat divided at the forward end is preferred, the device may used at the front of a suspension-seat which is not divided.

The present invention is restricted to those matters and things which are hereinafter claimed, and as to all matters which may be described or shown, but which are not claimed, the right is reserved to makethe same the sub ject of a separate application.

Vhile it is preferred to make use of I ani aware that saddles have been hitherto constructed in which an elastic sheet constituting the seat proper was combined with a frame having upturned ends, from which the seat was suspended by rigid connections.

I ain also aware that sectional saddle frames or trees have been provided with adj usting de vices in various forms, for the purpose of permitting variations in the tension of the seat; but, so' far as I am aware, such devices have universally failed to give satisfaction, and have therefore been practically abandoned.

' Having thus described iny invention, what I claini is l. In combination with the saddle tree or franie having` its ends raised and its forward end forked or bifurcated, and two independent positively-acting adjusting devices, substantially as described, acting upo'n the forward ends of the seat, whereby the two sides may THOMAS JEFFERSON KIRKPATRICK.

Titnessesz (l. E. THORNE, R. A. VORTHINGTON.

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