WO1999014103A1

WO1999014103A1 - Bicycle seat and method

Info

Publication number: WO1999014103A1
Application number: PCT/US1998/019310
Authority: WO
Inventors: Thomas D. Tollefson; Perry Robinson
Original assignee: Koobi, Llc.
Priority date: 1997-09-17
Filing date: 1998-09-16
Publication date: 1999-03-25
Also published as: AU9569298A

Abstract

A seat or saddle (20, 200, 400) mountable on a bicycle is provided. The seat includes a unitary base (24, 204, 404) and two supporting members (28-30, 208-210, 408-410) extending from the front of the base (24). The base (24, 204, 404) and supporting members (28-30, 208-210, 408-410) cooperate to define a generally medial perineal accommodation (92, 262, 486). One portion of the perineal accommodation is defined by inner surfaces (52-54,228-230, 430-432) of the supporting members (28-30, 208-210, 408-410). The defined perineal accommodation (92, 262, 486) includes a cross-sectional dimension sufficient to prevent or greatly reduce the likelihood of perineal injury to persons using the seat. Both the seat (20, 200, 400) a(28-30, 208-210, 408-410) taper toward ends (64-66, 240-242, 442-444) of the supporting members (28-30, 208-210, 408-410). Corresponding methods are also disclosed.

Description

BICYCLE SEAT AND METHOD

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 (e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/059,106, filed September 17, 1997, and under 35 U.S.C. § 120 to U.S. Design Application Nό\ 29/083,941, filed February 20, 1998, both of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a support for the rider of a bicycle, for example, a road bicycle, mountain bicycle, hybrid bicycle, or stationary/exercise bicycle. More particularly, embodiments of the invention relate to bicycle seats which reduce the likelihood of injury or discomfort to the groin or perineum of the bicycle rider.

2. Description of Related Art Bicycle riding has long been recognized as an enjoyable way to exercise and as imparting many healthful benefits to the rider. However, one disadvantage of bicycle riding is potential injury to, or discomfort in, the organs proximate the perineum, hereinafter the perineal anatomy. Although particularly acute in males, this problem can affect the female population as well.

Bicycle seats, of course, are known in the art. Some prior-art bicycle seats include a partially recessed area in a portion thereof, for example, a central portion thereof. U.S. Patent No. 612,972 to Leech, for example, includes a seat with two forwardly extending horns created by cutting away a portion of a conventional bicycle seat along its medial line. To support the horns, a spring member passes beneath the recessed portion and engages a clip. Upstanding sides of the clip and an associated hook member occupy the space directly beneath the recess in the seat. This presents a significant disadvantage in that these components beneath the central recess can, in certain circumstances, impact the rider's perineal anatomy and potentially cause injury.

U.S. Patent No. 5,387,025 illustrates another prior-art bicycle seat, specifically a split seat having an open central area extending entirely along the seat from front to back. Each half of the seat is independently pivotable about a transverse horizontal axis to accommodate movement of the rider's leg while the rider is pedaling. The seat halves are not connected at their rear portion to the seat. Thus, the overall strength of the seat is significantly reduced. A seat post also underlies the open central area and is thus a potential hazard if the seat post contacts the rider's perineal anatomy.

Other prior-art patents, for example U.S. Patent No. 4,898,422, describe bicycle seats with a central open portion and with closed forward and rearward portions as well. The closed forward portion is disadvantageous because the bicycle rider can potentially slip forward on the seat and contact the forward portion thereby causing an injury.

There is then a need for a bicycle seat which will reduce the likelihood of perineal injury, especially, for example, to males who ride bicycles frequently and /or over rough terrain.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention substantially meets the aforementioned needs of the industry by providing a bicycle seat or saddle mountable on a bicycle. The saddle includes a base and a plurality of supporting members. The plurality of supporting members may extend integrally and forwardly from the base. The base and supporting members may cooperate to define a generally medial accommodation. The generally medial accommodation may extend forwardly, proximate a rear periphery of the base and may at least partially separate the supporting members. The accommodation may be characterized by a cross-sectional dimension sufficient to prevent or reduce the likelihood of injury to a user's perineal anatomy. There is also provided a seat mountable on a bicycle, the seat including a unitary base, first and second generally elongate support members, and a bridging element. The unitary base includes upper and lower surfaces, a rear edge, and a front. The first and second support members may extend from the front of the base, each support member including a rear portion, a front end, and upper and lower surfaces. The rear portion of each support member may adjoin the front of the base. The support members may be one piece with the base and cooperate with the base to define a generally medial perineal accommodation. The perineal accommodation may extend between the rear edge of the base and the front ends of the support members. The perineal accommodation may further include a base portion and a support portion. The upper surface of the base may define the base portion and the support members may cooperate to define the support portion therebetween. The perineal accommodation includes a cross-sectional dimension sufficient to reduce pressure on the perineal anatomy of a user. The bridging element may include first and second ends. The first and second ends of the bridging element may be connected to and extend between the respective first and second support members. The bridging element may be free of structure for mounting the seat to the bicycle.

There is also provided a saddle mountable on a bicycle, the saddle including a unitary base, a pair of generally elongate extensions, a bridge member, and means for protecting a user's perineal anatomy. The unitary base may include upper and lower surfaces and rear and front ends. The elongate extensions may include a front, a rear portion, and upper and lower surfaces. Rear portions of the extensions may extend generally unitarily from the front end of the base. The bridging member spans the extensions and includes opposite ends. Each opposite end of the bridging member may be embedded, or otherwise disposed in an extension. The bridging member may extend between the lower surfaces of the extensions. The perineal protecting means may be defined by the upper surface of the base and by a cooperation of the extensions. The perineal protecting means may extend between the rear end of the base and the front end of each extension. The saddle may be generally tapered from the front end of the base to the front portions of the extensions.

There is also provided a saddle mountable on a bicycle, the saddle including a substantially unitary base and a pair of generally elongate extensions. The unitary base may include upper and lower surfaces and rear and front ends. Each of the extensions may include a front, a rear portion, and upper and lower surfaces. The extensions may also include facing inner surfaces. Rear portions of each extension may extend generally unitarily from the front end of the base. Each extension may generally taper from the rear portion of the extension to the front of the extension. The base and extensions may cooperate to define a substantially medial perineal accommodation. The perineal accommodation may include a base portion and an extension portion. The base portion of the perineal accommodation may be defined by the upper surface of the base. The extension portion of the perineal accommodation may be defined between the inner surfaces of the extensions. The depth of the base portion of the perineal accommodation may be tapered from proximate the extension portion to proximate the rear end of the base portion. The perineal accommodation may be characterized as having a cross-sectional dimension sufficient to reduce pressure on the perineal anatomy of a user. The saddle may be generally tapered from the rear end of the base to the front portions of the extensions.

There is finally provided a method of mounting a seat to a bicycle., the method including the steps of providing the seat and attaching the seat to the bicycle. The provided seat may include a unitary base, first and second generally elongate support members, and a bridging element. The unitary base may include upper and lower surfaces, a rear edge, and a front. The first and second support members may extend from the front of the base. Each support member may include a rear portion, a front end, and upper and lower surfaces. The rear portion may adjoin the front of the base and be one piece with the base. The rear portion and base may cooperate to define a generally medial perineal accommodation. The perineal accommodation may extend between the rear edge of the base and the front ends of the support members. The perineal accommodation may include a base portion and a support portion. The upper surface of the base may define the base portion and the support members may cooperate to define the support portion therebetween. The perineal accommodation may be characterized by a cross-sectional dimension sufficient to reduce pressure on the perineal anatomy of a user. The bridging element may include first and second ends. The first and second ends of the bridging element may be connected to, and extend between, respective first and second support members. The bridging element may be free of structure for mounting the seat to the bicycle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the figures in which like numerals denote like elements and in which:

Figure 1 is a top view of one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a side view of the seat of Figure 1, with a support bar depicted partially in phantom;

Figure 3 is a side view of the seat of Figure 1, with an alternate embodiment of the support bar in phantom;

Figure 4 is a bottom perspective, exploded view of the seat of Figure l; Figure 5 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the seat of Figure 1;

Figure 6 is a rear cross-sectional view of the seat of Figure 1;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the seat of Figure 1;

Figure 8 is a top view of an alternate embodiment of the seat of Figure 1; Figure 9 is a side view of the seat of Figure 1; Figure 10 is a bottom view of the seat of Figure 1;

Figure 11 is a front view of the seat of Figure 1;

Figure 12 is a rear view of the seat of Figure 1; Figure 13 is a perspective view of a first alternate embodiment of the seat of Figure 1;

Figure 14 is a top plan view of the seat of Figure 13;

Figure 15 is a side view of the seat of Figure 13; Figure 16 is a bottom plan view of the seat of Figure 13;

Figure 17 is a front view of the seat of Figure 13;

Figure 18 is a rear view of the seat of Figure 13;

Figure 19 is a perspective view of a second alternate embodiment of the seat of Figure 1; Figure 20 is a top view of a third view of a third alternate embodiment of the seat of Figure 1;

Figure 21 is a front view of the seat of Figure 20;

Figure 22 is a side view of the seat of Figure 20;

Figure 23 is a rear view of the seat of Figure 20; and Figure 24 is a bottom view of the seat of Figure 20.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In Figures 1-12, embodiments of a seat/saddle of the present invention are indicated generally at 20. Seat 20 broadly includes base 24, support members or extensions 28-30, bridging element 34, and support bar 38. In this embodiment, support members 28-30 are one-piece extensions of base 24. Although it is possible for support members 28-30 to be separately formed and attached to base 24 by any of several means known to the art, the one-piece construction generally is perceived as providing greater structural strength. Base 24 displays upper and lower surfaces 42- 44, front portion 46, and rear end/periphery 48. Respective support members 28-30 display inner surfaces 52-54, outer surfaces 56-58, rear portions 60-62, and front ends 64-66. As best seen in Figure 4, respective support members 28-30 display lower surfaces 68-70, partitions 72-74, and terminal lower surfaces 76-78. Inner surfaces 52-54 of support members 28- 30 define opening 80. Figure 8 shows an alternative opening 82, which is more rounded than opening 80 proximate rear portions 60-62. As best seen in Figures 4-6, structural components of seat 20 preferably include shell 84, padding layer 86, and cover 88. Rim 89 is present around the periphery of shell 84. Lip 90 extends from rim 89 in a central position proximate rear end 48 of base 24. Shell 84 may be constructed from substantially resilient or rigid synthetic resin. Padding layer 86 includes foam and /or gel or other substances to provide cushioning and protection against shock. Padding 86 may be formed to generally follow the peripheral shape and contours formed by upper surface 42, inner surfaces 52-54 and outer surfaces 56-58. Cover 88 overlays padding layer 86 and is secured in place by any of several means known to the art. Suitable materials for cover 88 include nylon, CORDURA, SPANDURA, SPANDURA II, KEVLAR, leather, vinyl, sparkle vinyl and others known to the art.

As best seen in Figures 1 and 6, base 24 and support members (or elements) 28-30 cooperate to define perineal accommodation 92. Perineal accommodation 92, in turn, may be considered as including base portion 94 and support member /extension portion 96. Perineal accommodation 92 is defined generally medially, proximate longitudinal axis 98 of seat 20. Base portion 94 is a depressed portion defined by upper surface 42 of base 24. Base portion 94 extends from or proximate rear end 48 to the portion of opening 80 proximate rear portions 60-62 of respective support members 28-30. Extension portion 96 of perineal accommodation 92 is defined between inner surfaces 52-54 of respective support members 28-30. Extension portion 92 is coextensive with opening 80 in this embodiment and extends from the portion of opening 80 proximate rear portions 60-62 to the portion of opening 80 proximate front ends 64-66. Base portion 94 and extension portion 96 may be characterized by cross-sectional dimensions such as depth and width thereof. These cross-sectional dimensions may vary among embodiments, but are sufficient to at least partially accommodate e.g. a male perineal anatomy and thereby reduce pressure on the perineal anatomy of a user. The reduced pressure on a user's perineal anatomy will greatly reduce the likelihood of perineal injury or physical discomfort which might otherwise result.

As best seen in Figures 1-3 and 5-8, bridging element 34 preferably is a unitary U-shaped member generally extending between lower surfaces 76-78 of respective support members 28-30. Exemplary bridging element 34 is continuous with support bar 38 in this embodiment. Figure 4 shows bridging element 104, an alternative embodiment of bridging element 34. Bridging element 104 is separately formed from, thus not continuous with, support bar 38. Because ends of bridging element 34 are embedded, however, the discontinuity is hidden from view. Bridging elements 34, 104 are substantially round in cross-section. However, bridging elements of the present invention may be provided in any of a number of cross- sectional geometries. Bridging elements 34, 104 are preferably made from stiff, weather-resilient materials, such as synthetic resin, various metals such as vanadium, titanium, steel, flash steel, chromology, hollow chromology, as well as other materials known to the art. Bridging elements 34, 104 may also be directed toward the rear of seat 20, instead of toward the front. Bridging elements 34, 104 are not used in attaching seat 20 to a bicycle or other suitable vehicle in this embodiment. Hence, bridging elements 34, 104 are free or substantially free of structure for mounting seat 20 to the bicycle or other vehicle.

Exemplary support bar 38 is formed from a single piece of material. However, support bar 38 may include legs 108-110 and cross member 112. Respective legs 108-110 terminate in tips 114-116 and join cross member 112 at bends 118-120. Leg 108 is further divided into sections 122-126. As seen in Figure 4, sections 122-126 are formed by bends 130-132. In a like manner, leg 110 is divided into sections 136-140 by bends 144-146. While each leg 108-110 is divided into three sections in this embodiment, the number of sections formed is not critical to the invention. The number of sections formed in legs 108-110 is rather determined by factors such as the width and depth of shell 84 as well as requirements for mounting seat 20 to a particular bicycle or other structure. Generally, support bar 38 may be made from similar materials and with similar dimensions as bridging element 34. Tips 114-116 preferably are disposed inside partitions 72-74 and cross member 112 is disposed between lower surface 44 and lip 90 when support bar is attached to the embodiment depicted in Figure 4. However, as previously discussed, support bar 38 may be continuous with bridging element 34. If so, support bar 38 and bridging element 34 may be considered as being separated by bends (not depicted).

As best seen in Figure 1, seat 24 may be considered as presenting a generally tapering appearance as viewed from rear end 48 to front ends 64- 66 of support members 28-30. Support members 28-30 may also be viewed as presenting a generally tapering appearance from rear portions 60-62 to front ends 64-66. Opening 80, hence, extension portion 96 of perineal accommodation 92, represents a proportion of the longitudinal dimension of saddle 20. The proportion of the longitudinal dimension of saddle 20 occupied by opening 80 may be between about 25% and 75%, between about 33% and 75%, between about 50% and 67%, or about 67%. In one embodiment, seat 20 is about 10.5 inches in length and about 5.5 inches in width; base 24 is about 4.5 inches in length and about 5.5 inches in width; and extensions 28-30 are about 6.0 inches in length and about 0.75 inches in width. Other embodiments of seat 20 may be between about 8 and 12 inches long and about 4 and 7 inches wide. Corresponding bases 24 may be between about 4 and 6 inches in length; corresponding extensions 28-30 may be between about 4 and 8 inches in length and between about 0.5 and 1.0 inch wide; and opening 80 may be between about 0.25 and 1 inch wide. Of course, other lengths and widths of base 24 and support members 28-30 are contemplated as well. Factors determining these dimensions include desired overall seat size and particular uses for which seat 20 is contemplated.

In Figures 13-18, another embodiment of the present invention is depicted generally as seat/ saddle 200. Seat 200 broadly includes base 204 and support members 208-210. A bridging element, such as bridging element 34, is not present in this embodiment. A support bar such as support bar 38, may be used in connection with seat 200 to enable seat 200 to be mounted to a bicycle or some other suitable vehicle. Base 204 displays upper and lower surfaces 214-216, front portion 218, and rear end/periphery 220. As best seen from Figure 16, base 204 displays rim 222 and includes lip 224. Lip 224 extends from rim 222 proximate a central portion of rear end 220.

Support members 208-210, respectively, display inner surfaces 228- 230, outer surfaces 232-234, rear portions 236-238, front ends 240-242, and lower surfaces 244-246. Partitions 248-250 are present on respective support members 208-210 and lower surfaces 252-254 extend between partitions 248- 250 and front ends 240-242. Respective inner surfaces 228-230 of support members 208-210 define opening 256. Web 258 spans opening 256.

Base 204 and support members 208-210 cooperate to define perineal accommodation 262. Perineal accommodation 262 includes base portion 264 and extension portion 266. Base portion 264 is defined by upper surface 214 of base 204. Extension portion 266 is coextensive with web 258 and is thus bounded by inner surfaces 228-230 and an upper surface of web 258. In this embodiment, base and extension portions 264-266 are disposed medially and generally linearly along seat 200. Base portion 264 is generally wider and deeper proximate opening 256 than at a more shallow and narrow portion proximate rear end 220. Extension portion 266 of perineal accommodation 262 tapers toward front ends 240-242. Base and extension portions 264-266 may be characterized by cross-sectional dimensions such as width and depth. These cross-sectional dimensions are sufficient to accommodate the perineal anatomy of a user as discussed and described above. As best seen from Figures 14-16, seat 200 generally tapers from rear end 220 toward tips or front ends 240-242 of respective support members 208-210. A further tapering may be observed with respective to opening 256. Opening 256 tapers toward tips 240-242 as well. Moreover, support members 208-210 also generally taper toward tips 240- 242.

Referring to Figure 19, a second alternate embodiment of the present invention is indicated generally at 300. Seat 300 includes base 304, support members 308, 310, bridging element 314, and optionally includes support bar 318. Support bar 318 may be similar to support bars 38, 150 as discussed above. Base 304 includes or displays upper surface 322, front portion 324 and rear end 326. Support members 308, 310 include or display respective inner surfaces 330, 332, outer surfaces 334, 336, rear portions 338, 340, and front ends 342, 344. Web 348 extends between lower surfaces of support members 308, 310. Web 348 may be an extension of a cover resembling cover 88 (discussed above) and may be made of similar materials. Lower surfaces of seat 300 may be substantially similar to those for previously discussed embodiments. Peripheral portions of base 304 cooperate with outer surfaces 334, 336 to present a general tapering from base 304 to front ends 342, 344. Moreover, a cross-sectional dimension of base portion 352 tapers as it nears rear end 326. Optionally support portion 354 may also taper in width toward front ends 342, 344. Generally medial perineal accommodation 350 is formed or displayed by the cooperation of base 304 and support members 308, 310 and includes base portion 352 and support portion 354. Base portion is defined by upper surface 322. Inner surfaces 330, 332 and web 348 define and partially bound base portion 352. Seat 300 differs from other embodiments of the present invention in that both bridging element 314 and web 348 are present.

A third alternate embodiment is depicted in Figures 20-24 generally as seat 400. Seat 400 includes base 404, support members 408, 410, and optionally includes support bars 414, 416. Base 404 includes or displays upper surface 420, lower surface 422, front portion 424, and rear end 426. Support members 408, 410 include or display respective inner surfaces 430, 432, outer surfaces 434, 436, rear portions 438, 440, front ends 442, 444, and lower surfaces 446, 448. Gripping members 450, 452 may be present on respective lower surfaces 446, 448. Inner surfaces 430, 432 define opening 454. Seat 400 differs from other embodiments in the lack of both a bridging element and a web. Base 404 and support members 408, 410 cooperate to form and define perineal accommodation 486. Perineal accommodation 486 may be considered to include base portion 488 and extension portion 490. Base portion 488 is defined by upper surface 420 and support portion 490 is defined between inner surfaces 430, 432 of respective support elements 408, 410. Peripheral edges of base 404 and outer surfaces 434, 436 of support members 408, 410 cooperate to generally taper toward front ends 442, 444. Moreover, tapering may be present with respect to perineal accommodation 486 as well. A cross-sectional dimension of base portion 488 may taper as base portion 488 nears rear end 426. While not depicted as such, a cross-sectional dimension of support portion 490 may taper as support portion nears front ends 442, 444 of respective support members 414, 416.

In contrast to single-piece support bars 38, 150, support bars for seat 400 may lack a cross piece and may be deployed in pairs. Such support bars are depicted as support bars 414, 416. Support bars 414, 416 include respective first portions /sections 456, 458, second portions /sections 460, 462, and curved portions/sections 464, 466. First portions 456, 458 and second portions 460, 462 are separated by bends 468, 470 on respective support bars 414, 416. First portions 456, 458 and curved portions 464, 466 are separated by bends 472, 474 on respective support bars 414, 416. While first, second and curved portions are described and depicted, the number of portions present on support bars 414, 416 is not critical to the invention and is governed by similar considerations as discussed above with respect to support bars 38, 150. Tips 476, 478 are optionally present on ends of respective second portions 460, 462 and tips 480, 482 are optionally present on ends of respective curved portions 464, 466. Support bars 414, 416 may be made of similar materials as support bars 38, 150. Tips 476, 478, 480, 482 may be made of resilient materials such as synthetic resins, natural rubber and other materials known to the art. The present invention is intended to include other embodiments which include generally medial perineal accommodations with sufficient cross-sectional dimensions to accommodate a portion of a user's perineal anatomy. Such other embodiments include those in which support members are connected toward the front ends or tips thereof. Moreover, the respective proportions of the base and support portions of the perineal accommodations of the present invention may vary as well. Shell 84 may be formed by molding, injection molding, or other methods known to the art. Padding layer 86 may be affixed to shell 84 by various glues. Cover 88 may then be placed over padding layer 88 and wrapped such that edges of cover 88 fold under shell 84 and can be stapled or glued to lower surface 44. Because numerous embodiments may be made of this invention without departing from the spirit thereof, the scope of the invention is not to be limited to the embodiments illustrated and described. Rather, the scope of the invention is to be determined by appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A seat, the seat mountable on a bicycle and comprising: a unitary base comprising upper and lower surfaces, a rear edge and a front; first and second generally elongate support members extending from the front of the base, each support member comprising a rear portion, a front end, and upper and lower surfaces, the rear portion adjoining the front of the base, the support members being one-piece with the base and cooperating with the base to define a generally medial perineal accommodation extending between the rear edge of the base and the front ends of the support members, the perineal accommodation comprising a base portion and a support portion, the upper surface of the base defining the base portion and the support members cooperating to define the support portion therebetween, the perineal accommodation having a cross- sectional dimension sufficient to reduce pressure on the perineal anatomy of a user; and a bridging element comprising first and second ends, the first and second ends of the bridging element extending between the respective first and second support members, the bridging element being substantially free of structure for mounting the seat to the bicycle.

2. The seat of claim 1, in which the first and second ends of the bridging element are embedded in the respective first and second support members.

3. The seat of claim 1, in which the bridging element extends between lower surfaces of the support members.

4. The seat of claim 1, in which a depth at a location of the base portion of the perineal accommodation is less than a depth of the support portion of the perineal accommodation.

5. The seat of claim 1, in which the support portion of the perineal accommodation is completely open from top to bottom.

6. The seat of claim 1, in which the support portion of the perineal accommodation is completely open at the front of the seat.

7. The seat of claim 1, further comprising a web extending between lower surfaces of the first and second support members, the support portion of the perineal accommodation being bounded by an upper surface of the web.

8. The seat of claim 1, in which the bridging element is continuous with the support bar.

9. The seat of claim 1, in which the bridging element is separately formed from the support bar.

10. The seat of claim 1, further comprising a support bar operably disposed proximate the lower surfaces of the base and elongate members.

11. The seat of claim 10, the support bar comprising a first end and a second end, and in which the first and second ends of the support bar are disposed in respective first and second support members.

12. The seat of claim 1, in which each support member is generally tapered toward the front end thereof.

13. The seat of claim 1, further comprising a padding layer disposed over and formed to upper surfaces of the base and support members.

14. The seat of claim 13, in which the padding layer comprises foam rubber.

15. The seat of claim 13, further comprising a cover disposed over the padding layer.

16. The seat of claim 1, in combination with a bicycle.

17. A saddle, the saddle mountable on a bicycle and comprising: a unitary base comprising upper, lower, and outer surfaces and rear and front ends; a pair of generally elongate extensions, each extension comprising a front, a rear portion, and upper, lower, inner, and outer surfaces, rear portions of the extensions extending generally unitarily from the front end of the base; a member bridging the extensions and comprising opposite ends, each end of the bridging member embedded proximate the lower surface of one extension; and means for protecting a user's perineal anatomy, the perineal protecting means being defined by the upper surface of the base and the inner surfaces of the extensions, the perineal protecting means extending between the rear end of the base and the front end of each extension, the saddle being generally tapered from the rear end of the base to the front portions of the extensions.

18. The saddle of claim 17, in which the protecting means is substantially medially disposed.

19. The saddle of claim 17, in which the protecting means includes a base portion defined by the upper surface of the base and an extension portion defined by the inner surfaces of the extensions.

20. The saddle of claim 19, in which the protecting means includes a web extending between the lower surfaces of the extensions and in which a portion of the perineal protecting means is bounded by the web.

21. The saddle of claim 17, in which the outer surfaces of the base and extensions cooperate to present a profile generally tapering toward the front ends of the extensions.

22. The saddle of claim 17, in which each extension generally tapers toward the front thereof.

23. A saddle, the saddle mountable on a bicycle and comprising: a substantially unitary base comprising upper and lower surfaces and rear and front ends; and a pair of generally elongate extensions, each of the extensions comprising a front, a rear portion, and upper and lower surfaces, the extensions also comprising facing inner surfaces, rear portions of each extension extending generally unitarily from the front end of the base, each extension generally tapering from the rear portion of the extension to the front of the extension, the base and extensions cooperating to define a substantially medial perineal accommodation, the perineal accommodation comprising a base portion and an extension portion, the base portion of the perineal accommodation being defined by the upper surface of the base and the extension portion of the perineal accommodation being defined between the inner surfaces of the extensions, the base portion of the perineal accommodation being tapered from proximate the extension portion to proximate the rear end of the base portion, the perineal accommodation having a cross-sectional dimension sufficient to reduce pressure on the perineal anatomy of a user, the saddle being generally tapered from the rear end of the base to the front portions of the extensions.

24. The saddle of claim 23, further comprising a member bridging the extensions and comprising opposite ends, each end of the bridging member embedded in an extension, the bridging member extending from the lower surfaces of the extensions.

25. The saddle of claim 23, in which the extension portion of the perineal accommodation is defined such that the extension portion tapers toward the front portions of the extensions.

26. A method of mounting a seat to a bicycle, comprising the steps of: providing the seat, the seat comprising a unitary base comprising upper and lower surfaces, a rear edge and a front, first and second generally elongate support members extending from the front of the base, each support member comprising a rear portion, a front end, and upper and lower surfaces, the rear portion adjoining the front of the base, the support members being one-piece with the base and cooperating with the base to define a generally medial perineal accommodation extending between the rear edge of the base and the front ends of the support members, the perineal accommodation including a base portion and a support portion, the upper surface of the base defining the base portion and the support members cooperating to define the support portion therebetween, the perineal accommodation having a cross- sectional dimension sufficient to reduce pressure on the perineal anatomy of a user, and a bridging element comprising first and second ends, the first and second ends of the bridging element being connected to and extending between the respective first and second support members, the bridging element being free of structure for mounting the seat to the bicycle; and attaching the seat to the bicycle.