WO1999056592A1 - Housse de selle de bicyclette gonflable - Google Patents

Housse de selle de bicyclette gonflable Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1999056592A1
WO1999056592A1 PCT/US1999/009882 US9909882W WO9956592A1 WO 1999056592 A1 WO1999056592 A1 WO 1999056592A1 US 9909882 W US9909882 W US 9909882W WO 9956592 A1 WO9956592 A1 WO 9956592A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
seat cover
bicycle seat
bladder
recited
saddle
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US1999/009882
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Grant A. York
Manuel A. Conde
Original Assignee
Morcon Air, Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US09/074,030 external-priority patent/US6012772A/en
Application filed by Morcon Air, Inc. filed Critical Morcon Air, Inc.
Priority to AU38846/99A priority Critical patent/AU3884699A/en
Publication of WO1999056592A1 publication Critical patent/WO1999056592A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62J—CYCLE SADDLES OR SEATS; AUXILIARY DEVICES OR ACCESSORIES SPECIALLY ADAPTED TO CYCLES AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, e.g. ARTICLE CARRIERS OR CYCLE PROTECTORS
    • B62J1/00—Saddles or other seats for cycles; Arrangement thereof; Component parts
    • B62J1/18—Covers for saddles or other seats; Paddings
    • B62J1/26—Paddings involving other resilient material, e.g. sponge rubber with inflatable compartments
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62J—CYCLE SADDLES OR SEATS; AUXILIARY DEVICES OR ACCESSORIES SPECIALLY ADAPTED TO CYCLES AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, e.g. ARTICLE CARRIERS OR CYCLE PROTECTORS
    • B62J1/00—Saddles or other seats for cycles; Arrangement thereof; Component parts
    • B62J1/18—Covers for saddles or other seats; Paddings
    • B62J1/20—Detachable covers; Detachable pads
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62J—CYCLE SADDLES OR SEATS; AUXILIARY DEVICES OR ACCESSORIES SPECIALLY ADAPTED TO CYCLES AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, e.g. ARTICLE CARRIERS OR CYCLE PROTECTORS
    • B62J1/00—Saddles or other seats for cycles; Arrangement thereof; Component parts
    • B62J1/18—Covers for saddles or other seats; Paddings
    • B62J1/22—Covers with built-in paddings

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to bicycles and bicycle seat or saddle covers. Particularly, the present invention relates to bicycle seat covers designed to provide adjustable degrees of cushion, added surface area, and comfort to a bicycle saddle.
  • the inventions disclosed above are unlike the current invention in that they are susceptible to debilitating problems such as material fatigue or reduction of thickness of cushioning materials, with the result that there is either a decrease in body support area and/or a loss in shock absorption. Moreover, such designs often utilized attachment means susceptible to fatigue including string and elastic. Additionally, none of the above mentioned designs provides, effectively, an increase in surface area for distribution of weight.
  • each of the above inventions lack all of the elements of the current invention and none of such disclosures suggest the simple combination provided herein.
  • the prior inventions have been comprised of foams which have proven unsatisfactory due to their compressibility resulting in loss of shock absorbence to the rider. Moreover, such materials have been prone to breaking down over a period of use rendering the seats and seat covers useless.
  • the current invention comprises an adjustable air bladder within a thick polyurethane vinyl which is resistant to breakdown, is simple in construction, and is easy to inflate, deflate, attach and remove without fatigue to its component parts. Additionally, it has been recognized by certain practitioners within the medical field that the typical current design of bicycle seats pose a detriment to nerves and arteries in the crotch area.
  • the current invention provides a solution to such compression problems by furnishing an increased surface area to disperse pressure on such vital body parts and by providing a thick, low vibration compressible air cushion in that vital area. Summary of the Invention It is a primary object of the invention to provide an air cushion cover for a bicycle seat having the capacity to adjust the degree of cushion by means of a hand operated air pump.
  • the pressure valve assembly comprise a dual purpose pressure valve arrangement such that it may be used to regulate the flow of air being pumped into the bladder as well as air being expelled from the bladder.
  • the means by which air may be forced past one valve in the dual purpose valve assembly and into the bladder is a hand operated ball pump.
  • the polyurethane vinyl material be sealed around the circumference of the bladder and further sealed to form quilted air pockets around and about the bladder using heat sealing methodologies including radio frequency (RF) heat sealing.
  • RF radio frequency
  • FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the invention showing its component elements
  • Figure 2 is a bottom plan view of the invention showing one embodiment of attachment means, namely attachment of hook and loop fasteners;
  • Figure 3 is a frontal perspective view to the invention attached to a bicycle seat;
  • Figure 4 is a bottom view of the invention showing hook and loop attachment strategy to a bicycle seat;
  • Figure 5 is a front view of the invention attached to a bicycle seat
  • Figure 6 is a top view of the invention attached to a bicycle seat
  • Figure 7 is a rear view of the invention attached to a bicycle seat
  • Figure 8 is a side view of the invention attached to a bicycle seat
  • Figure 9 is a detail diagram of the ball pump and dual valve assembly
  • Figure 10 is a side view of the ball pump and valve assembly.
  • the cover 10 is made of at least one sheet, and preferably two sheets, of a resilient polyurethane vinyl such as DUREFLEXTM polyurethane films manufactured by Deerfield Urethane, 8 Fairview Way, Whatley, MA, 01093, having a thickness of between 10 and 20 mil.
  • a resilient polyurethane vinyl such as DUREFLEXTM polyurethane films manufactured by Deerfield Urethane, 8 Fairview Way, Whatley, MA, 01093, having a thickness of between 10 and 20 mil.
  • a resilient polyurethane vinyl such as DUREFLEXTM polyurethane films manufactured by Deerfield Urethane, 8 Fairview Way, Whatley, MA, 01093, having a thickness of between 10 and 20 mil.
  • a second heat seal 12 which forms the outer boundary of air bladder 14.
  • a third seal between the opposing layers is provided in a sinusoidal curve 15 so as to provide air chambers or pockets 16, 17, 18, and 19 thereby creating quilting of the bladder when it is inflated.
  • the quilting results in a single, connected air chamber in which the pockets increase in size from front to rear as shown.
  • a graduated pocket arrangement allows for better stability for a rider by providing increased support under a rider's pelvic bones.
  • polyurethane vinyl material is of a type having generally a hardness of 90, specific gravity of 1.14, and tear strength of at least 425.
  • Bulb 20 may be made so as to possess memory of resting state shape.
  • the bulb is made of natural latex rubber having a wall thickness of about 0.07 inch and an overall diameter of generally 1.3 inches and a length from intake valve to exit valve of about 1.75 inches.
  • the bulb may further be uniquely designed to provide a flattened surface on one side of the bulb sphere as depicted in Fig. 10. Such a feature will allow the bulb to posses a relatively low profile against the bicycle seat bottom when the apparatus is attached to the saddle.
  • the bulb has located on one end thereon a one-way plastic air intake check valve 21 and on the other end an air exit check valve 22 and air channel tube 23.
  • air is forced out the exit valve 22 and into air channel tube 23.
  • air is sucked into the bulb through the check valve 21 from surrounding environmental air as the bulb returns to its resting state shape.
  • Air that is forced into the air channel tube 23 passes directly into the bladder 14 via connection tube 24.
  • the connection tube 24 is located along a lateral portion of the bladder 14 such that when the invention is strapped to a bicycle saddle the connection tube 24 lies directly beneath the saddle near the bicycle saddle post 4 (Figs. 3 and 4).
  • the pressure release valve 25 is a push button operated valve well understood in the art such as a push button release valve manufactured by Martin -Weston Company, 10860, 76th Court, Unit B, Largo, FL 33777.
  • the invention includes areas of polyurethane vinyl material external to the bladder
  • the bulb and valve assembly, wings 28, and 29, may have attached thereto hook fasteners 31 , and 32, and wings 26 and 27 may have attached thereto loop fasteners 33 and 37.
  • wings 26 and 27 may have attached thereto loop fasteners 35, and 36 while wing 30 may have attached thereto hook fastener 34.
  • the fasteners may be snaps such that component elements thereof may be located on the wings in a similar fashion as described for the hook and loop fasteners.
  • the bulb may have attached thereto a hook and loop fastener 38 positioned to mate with a like fastener 37 attached to wing 27 so that the bulb may be kept snugly against the bottom of the seat.
  • the invention is first placed on the saddle 3 and the wings 28 and 29 opposite the bulb/valve assembly are wrapped under the saddle.
  • the opposing wings 26 and 27 having the bulb/valve assembly are wrapped under the saddle and secured to the first wrapped wings via the fasteners.
  • wing 30 is wrapped under the saddle 3 from the rear and attached to wing 26 via fasteners. Note that the wrapping strategy permits the invention to fit seats of varying widths and varying tapered fronts.
  • a hollow, cylindrical gap will be created by the wrapped invention beyond the tip of the tapered front portion of the seat.
  • the bladder can now be filled to the desired pressure using a pumping device, preferably a bulb pump 20 as shown in the accompanying drawings. Because of the secure fit originating from the fasteners and method of wrapping, as well as the pressure caused by the expansion of the bladder 14, the saddle cover is secured tightly to the saddle 3. If the cyclist desires to reduce the pressure in the bladder all that is required is momentary activation of the pressure release valve. To remove the cover from the saddle, the user need only to deflate the bladder and detach the fasteners.
  • a pumping device preferably a bulb pump 20 as shown in the accompanying drawings.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Mattresses And Other Support Structures For Chairs And Beds (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne une housse (10) de selle de bicyclette dont on peut régler le gonflage au moyen d'une pompe (20) à réservoir et d'une soupape (25) à relâchement de pression à deux voies. La pompe (20) à réservoir est positionnée de manière à permettre un accès facile en vue du gonflage/dégonflage d'une poche (14) de gonflage à compartiment unique. La housse (10) de selle est fixée amovible à une selle (3) de bicyclette équipée d'attaches à boucles et crochets (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37). La housse (10) de selle offre au cycliste plus de confort et une meilleur effet amortisseur en raison de l'aspect matelassé de sa poche de gonflage (15) et de la superficie accrue qu'offre la selle de bicyclette. Parmi les matériaux envisagés figure un polyuréthane vinyle relativement épais, résistant à l'eau, antibactérien et élastique.
PCT/US1999/009882 1998-05-06 1999-05-05 Housse de selle de bicyclette gonflable WO1999056592A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU38846/99A AU3884699A (en) 1998-05-06 1999-05-05 Inflatable bicycle seat cover

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US09/074,030 1998-05-06
US09/074,030 US6012772A (en) 1998-05-06 1998-05-06 Inflatable bicycle seat cover
US10172699A 1999-03-10 1999-03-10
US29/101,726 1999-03-10

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1999056592A1 true WO1999056592A1 (fr) 1999-11-11

Family

ID=26755173

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US1999/009882 WO1999056592A1 (fr) 1998-05-06 1999-05-05 Housse de selle de bicyclette gonflable

Country Status (2)

Country Link
AU (1) AU3884699A (fr)
WO (1) WO1999056592A1 (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2344514A (en) * 1998-12-07 2000-06-14 Basf Corp Polyurethane foam seating components

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1991751A (en) * 1933-04-08 1935-02-19 Porter Saddle & Harness Compan Seat cushion
US4786104A (en) * 1988-03-24 1988-11-22 Fellenbaum Ernest S Bicycle seat cover assembly with triangular elastic under flap members
US4957286A (en) * 1988-10-14 1990-09-18 The Faulhaber Co. Seat with weight measuring capabilities
US5280993A (en) * 1992-04-14 1994-01-25 Hsh Ah Yeh Inflatable cushioning saddle for bicycle
US5318344A (en) * 1992-11-25 1994-06-07 Wang Sui Mu Detachable bike seat jacket
US5634685A (en) * 1995-03-20 1997-06-03 Herring; Charles Inflatable/deflatable motorcycle seat cushion
US5823618A (en) * 1996-02-04 1998-10-20 Fox; Harry M. Anatomically compensating size varying and adjustable shock absorbing split bicycle seat

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1991751A (en) * 1933-04-08 1935-02-19 Porter Saddle & Harness Compan Seat cushion
US4786104A (en) * 1988-03-24 1988-11-22 Fellenbaum Ernest S Bicycle seat cover assembly with triangular elastic under flap members
US4957286A (en) * 1988-10-14 1990-09-18 The Faulhaber Co. Seat with weight measuring capabilities
US5280993A (en) * 1992-04-14 1994-01-25 Hsh Ah Yeh Inflatable cushioning saddle for bicycle
US5318344A (en) * 1992-11-25 1994-06-07 Wang Sui Mu Detachable bike seat jacket
US5634685A (en) * 1995-03-20 1997-06-03 Herring; Charles Inflatable/deflatable motorcycle seat cushion
US5823618A (en) * 1996-02-04 1998-10-20 Fox; Harry M. Anatomically compensating size varying and adjustable shock absorbing split bicycle seat

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2344514A (en) * 1998-12-07 2000-06-14 Basf Corp Polyurethane foam seating components

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
AU3884699A (en) 1999-11-23

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