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
  • B62J1/002—Saddles having a seating area with a central cavity or depression
• • 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
  • B62J1/007—Saddles with specific anatomical adaptations

Definitions

• the present finding relates to a bicycle saddle, according to the general part in claim 1.
• the saddle according to the finding is the result of an improvement of the saddle described in the Italian patent Application N.o V12003A000020, by the same Applicant (corresponding to publication n° WO2004/069636.
• the saddle presents two very wide flat rear parts; when the cyclist is seated the coccyx touches the surface and the articulation of the hip is limited during the pedalling action; while the two front tips are long and narrow and interfere with the cremasteric fascia surrounding the spermatic cord provoking pain in the testicles; the front centre line channel is too short to avoid the compression of the pelvic floor structures, thus limiting the blood flow of the penis.
• the saddle presents very wide flat rear parts; when the cyclist is seated the coccyx touches the surface of the saddle and the articulation of the hip is limited during the pedalling action; while the front tips are long and narrow and interfere with the cremasteric fascia surrounding the spermatic cord provoking pain in the testicles;
• the saddle has a flat rear surface and when the cyclist is seated, the coccyx touches the saddle surface, the tip is long and narrow, and during bicycle use, this causes the compression of the pudenda arteries, of the prostate, the deep dorsal artery and vein of the penis and testicles, thus compromising the blood flow of the penis.
• the saddle has a long narrow tip and during bicycle use, this causes the compression of the pudenda arteries, of the prostate, the deep dorsal artery and vein of the penis and testicles, thus compromising the blood flow of the penis.
• the saddle has a long narrow tip and during bicycle use, this causes the compression of the pudenda arteries, of the prostate, the deep dorsal artery and vein of the penis and testicles, thus compromising the blood flow of the penis; the terminal rounded part is limited to being simply for the sake of appearance.
• the PROLINK ZERO saddles have a long narrow tip and when during their use, this causes the compression of the pudenda arteries, of the prostate, the deep dorsal artery and vein of the penis and testicles, thus compromising the blood flow of the penis; the terminal end shape of the tip which is rounded or slightly convex in a downward direction, is attributed for the sake of appearance and not for ergonomic reasons.
• the saddle has a long and narrow and during bicycle use this causes the compression of the pudenda arteries, of the prostate, the deep dorsal artery and vein of the penis and testicles, thus compromising the blood flow of the penis.
• US Patent No. US 2001/0045765 Al the saddle has a long and narrow and during bicycle use this causes the compression of the pudenda arteries, of the prostate, the deep dorsal artery and vein of the penis and testicles, thus compromising the blood flow of the penis; the end shape of the tip slightly convex in a downward direction, is simply attributed for the sake of appearance and not for ergonomic reasons.
• a bicycle saddle must have a central channel of a suitable width in order to avoid the compression of the vascular structures of the perineum: and therefore in order to obtain this, the saddle shall be constructed in a manner so that the cyclist is supported on its structure exclusively on his gluteus muscles, the ischiatic tuberosities, and the ischial pubic rami and the saddle on its sides must have a geometry that during the pedalling action, prevents friction against the gracilis and adducent muscles.
• the saddle according to the finding presents a seat that is uniformly distributed on the gluteus muscles, the ischiatic tuberosity, and the pubic ischium while maintaining the perineal plane free; the eagle beak tip also permits the external genitals to be free of compression.
• the rear width most preferred by cyclists is approximately 130 - 140 mm narrowing inwards to a front width of approximately 40-45 mm where the structures then slope downwards on a non- limiting angle of 30°-45° for racing bicycle saddle, and a non limiting angle of 75° for touring bicycle saddle.
• the geometry of the saddle according to the finding follows the shape of the thigh muscles, thus avoiding friction of the gracilis and adducent muscles that could lead to irritating problems in the lower limbs during pedalling action. In fact, it is a typical habit of professional cyclists to pedal with their knees averagely directed towards the bicycle frame in order to increase their strength and sports performance.
• the saddle according to the finding will now be illustrated and described in detail, with reference to certain particular embodiments thereof, provided by way of non- limiting examples, with the help of the drawing tables wherein:
• FIG. 8 a front view of the saddle according to the finding with the coxal bone positioned on it is illustrated; this shows the space for the housing of the body of the penis between the pubic arch and the centre channel of the saddle according to the finding, and the stable position of the four quadrants of the human body;
• FIG. 10 a perspective view of the coxal bone positioned on the saddle according to the invention is illustrated, where the free articulation of the hip is easily visible as well as that of the body of the penis and testicles arranged between the pubic arch and the saddle according to the finding;
• FIG. 16 the rear view of the shell of the saddle according to the finding produced in carbon is illustrated.
• the saddle according to the finding is designed for use on racing bicycles, with non-limiting length of 27 cm, and rear width of approximately 13-14 cm, on a touring bicycle, with non-limiting length of 20 cm, and rear width of approximately 18-22 cm.
• the saddle presents two identical portions 1, 1', longitudinally symmetrical, with a long central channel 20 at the front part of its median zone.
• Each of these identical portions presents a rear part 2, 2', that conjointly for the racing bicycles have a non- limiting width of 13-14 cm, and a non limiting width of 18- 22 cm for touring bicycles.
• the two parts 2, 2' are reciprocally united by a hollow-shaped section 21.
• their rear portion is sloped in an upward direction on an angle of approximately between 10 and 20 degrees.
• the parts in closest proximity to the central hollow 21 of parts 2 and 2' shown in the figure with reference numerals 2" and 2"' are substantially flat and have an overall dimension of approximately 7 cm, after which they slope downwards in relation to the vertical plane on an angle that varies between approximately 45° and 60°, terminating with the side parts 2' (4) 2' (5) .
• ' parts 2, 2' are configured to resemble a recess 3, that substantially presents a dove ⁇ tail shape whose ends 5' , 5" are at a reciprocal but non- limiting distance from each other of approximately 2.5-3 cm, terminating with a front end 5 in a semi-circular shape.
• the hollow 21 begins from point 5, and as seen previously, said hollow serve as a connecting element for the two parts 2, 2' .
• Such hollow has a variable length between approximately 4-6 cm and a depth of approximately 1.5 cm. Its presence is fundamental in order to prevents the coccyx from touching the saddle surface, and especially in cases where the road surface is particularly uneven.
• the fact that the coccyx does not come into contact with the saddle surface prevents micro-traumas that could occur, provoking considerable pain on the vertebral column.
• the rear parts 2", 2"' are united to the front portion 7", 7"', by a slight slope. At this point the saddle has a total non-limiting width of 7 cm.
• the front portions 7", 1"' are inclined in an upward direction at a non-limiting angle of about 5° for racing saddles and a non limiting angle of approximately 10°-20° for touring saddles, then they are destined to approach each other considerably in a reciprocal manner until they are at a reciprocal distance of approximately 4 - 4.5 cm from each other, at points 8, 8' .
• the side of the saddle slopes in a perpendicular direction downwards, and the corners are suitably rounded to prevent any irritating contact with the skin of the thigh.
• the ischiatic tuberosities and ischial pubic rami are positioned above these front parts of the saddle, and therefore the ischial pubic rami support the concentrated load of the human body which is distributed in a uniform manner for its complete length on the support surface, when the cyclist is seated on the saddle according to the present finding.
• the ischial pubic rami are supported on the front parts 7", 7"', at the points 8, 8' serve to support a part of the weight of the trunk of the human body when the cyclist's hands are positioned on the bicycle handlebars.
• the sections 9, 9' sloped downwards in an eagle-beak configuration on a non-limiting angle of 30°-45° for the racing saddle and a non-limiting angle of 75° for the touring saddle, as can be seen in figure 2.
• the two sections 9, 9' unite in a substantially semi-circular form with a diameter of approximately 4-3.5 cm to maintain the two portions 1, 1' united at the front.
• this also prevents the compression of the body of the penis, the deep dorsal artery and vein, thus maintaining normal blood flow.
• the parts 9, 9' which on the racing bicycle saddle are sloped downwards at a non-limiting angle of 30°-45° are of considerable help to the athlete during the final sprint, or during timing races, at the moment when he moves the pelvis forwards, to provide a minimum support for the gluteus muscles, thus preventing all compression on the anus and in particular, on the prostate.
• the saddle has a particularly streamlined dynamic form.
• This streamlined form is able to satisfy the professional athlete in particular, since he should never feel any irritation or pain when pedalling in training and during a race.
• the central channel 20 at its rear end it has a semi-circular form with a diameter that varies between approximately 3 and 5 cm.
• the channel 20 narrows to a width of approximately 2.5 cm terminating at the front with a zone that also has a substantially semi-circular configuration.
• the anus, the prostate (for male cyclists naturally) can be housed comfortably, the prostate measuring approximately 2.5 cm in diameter according to the scientific tests performed; and the pudenda arteries, dorsal veins and arteries and the body of the penis and the testicles will be positioned on parts 9, 9' .
• the central channel 20 is open, female cyclists will not be subjected to any pressure on the vagina, which maintains constant air flow, an aspect which is important for the preservation of the complex interaction between the micro-organisms that compose the vaginal flora; the vestibule, the inner and outer labia and the clitoris being positioned at the sections 8, 8' .
• channel 20 fully satisfies all the aforesaid requirements provided in the scientific urological research survey; in fact the saddle according to the finding was subjected to scientific urological testing on 29 young healthy cyclists, with a body weight between 45 and 70 kg. and aged between 18 and 30 years old, first simply seated on the saddle of the finding for a period of 15 minutes, followed by a pedalling action on said saddle for a further 15 minutes, measuring the blood flow of the perineal structures, using a Clark type electrode positioned on the gland of the cyclist's penis.
• the saddle has a maximum width that permits the ischiatic tuberosities and the ischial pubic rami to be supported on their internal part.
• figure 1 bis: exploded view of the main saddle components according to the finding of: (A) the padding that will mainly be covered in leather, (B) the supporting shell made in nylon plus a percentage of carbon or other plastic materials, and (C) support rail made of steel tubing.
• Figure 2 vertical longitudinal section we can observe the particular ergonomic form that characterises the saddle according to the finding.
• the overlying padding 11, with a non-limiting thickness of 1-1.5 cm, in the front area, and a non-limiting thickness of 2-5 mm at the rear is made of a two-component polyurethane elastomer foam, or compact or foam polyurethane, or styrol-butylene-styrol, or vulcanised rubber foam, or some other plastic materials suitable for the needs of the saddle of the finding; each of these materials will be used in an appropriate manner in the various models that compose the range of saddles according to the finding.
• These materials which constitute the padding are able to support the body weight of the cyclist when he is seated on the saddle according to the finding, thus preventing the ischiatic tuberosities and ischial pubic rami from touching the underlying support shell.
• the underlying support shell has a non-limiting thickness of approximately 2-3 mm, and is formed to perform an ergonomic function to house the gluteus muscles and a part of the ischiatic tuberosities and, in the front areas, the ischial pubic rami; due to this design and the absolute minimum of support surface, the cyclist' s body weight is uniformly distributed on every square centimetre of the surface when he is seated on the saddle according to the finding, without the cyclist feeling any crushing or bruising of delicate parts of the perineal floor and the juncture of the muscles.
• the saddle according to the finding is a small- sized saddle for a bicycle that fulfils the requirements of the amateur cyclist as well as those of the professional athlete.
• the support rail 13 is fixed to the shell on special seats, in the front 15, on special pockets, at the rear 16, on supports pre-formed on the shell.
• the positioning and blocking of the rail in points 16, is composed in plan view of two prismatic raised elements on which will be fixated with self-threading screws two plates 22, 22' (Fig. 5) previously provided with holes for the screws, and united together by means of a plate 23, bearing the manufacturer' s trademark, which can be seen in figure 11; a strip 18, with a width of approximately 6 mm, and approximately 3.5 mm thick, is applied around the perimeter, and on which the final part of the leather covering of the saddle according to the finding will be later glued and stapled.
• the support rail 13, Figure 5 is formed in a single tube in stainless steel, aluminium, or titanium, or any other materials resistant and lightweight at the same time, with the rear part closed and facing upwards for approximately 4 cm and a width of approximately 10 cm in the upper area, and formed following the shape of the underlying surface of the saddle shell according to the finding.
• the saddle securely attached to the rail, which is in turn fixed to the bicycle support, remains always stable during the pedalling action of the cyclist, when the body weight is placed in an alternating manner on parts 1, 1' of the saddle according to the finding (see fig. 8).
• Figure 6 shows the section of the racing saddle with the dissected coxal bone above it, arranged in a pedalling position of approximately 45°; figure 6 bis with the ischial pubic rami compressing the saddle padding with the weight of the human body; the front surface of the shell is directed in an upward direction on a non-limiting angle of only 5° to house the ischial pubic rami, which in this position, are moved in a downward direction, while the tip of the saddle moves downward at a non-limiting angle of approximately 30° or 45° to permit the professional athlete to place his gluteus muscles on it during the final sprint or during timing races; the gluteus muscles are supported on the rear part directed upwards at a non-limiting angle of 10°-20°.
• Figure 7 shows the section of the touring saddle with the dissected coxal bone above it, set in a pedalling position of approximately 60°; figure 7 bis shows the ischial pubic rami that compress the saddle padding under the weight of the human body; the front surface of the shell is directed in an upward direction on a non-limiting angle of 10°-20° to house the ischial pubic rami which in this touring position, are moved in a upward direction, while the tip is directed downwards at a non-limiting angle of approximately 75°; the gluteus muscles are supported on the rear part directed upwards at a non-limiting angle of 10°-20°.
• Figure 8 shows a front view of the saddle according to the finding and a dissection of the coxal bone housed above the saddle surface of parts 1, 1' (fig.); the four quadrants -upper left hand ql, upper right hand q2, lower left hand q3, lower right hand q4, all remain in a perfectly stable position in the correct axis with the saddle during any kind of pedalling action even intense or excessive, also due to the above described support rail, thus permitting all the muscles of the lower limbs and other vital functions to interact in a uniform manner.
• Figure 9 shows the dissection of the perineal floor structures, the ischiatic tuberosities, ischial pubic rami, gluteus muscles and genitals, their position on the surface of the saddle; inside the channel 20, the coccyx, anus, pudenda arteries, prostate, body of the penis, deep dorsal vein and artery of the penis, penis skin, and testicles are housed without being subject to any compression, the same principle being applied to prevent compression on the vagina, inner and outer labia and the clitoris for female cyclists. In this manner the blood flow of the penis is uninterrupted during the cyclist's pedalling action.
• Figure 10 shows the perspective view of the dissection of the coxal bone positioned on the surface of the saddle according to the finding, demonstrating how the space occupied by the body of the penis and the testicles is free of any obstruction in points 8, 8' in figure 1, and parts 9, 9' fig, which are directed downwards in eagle beak form in these zones at a non-limiting angle of 30°-
• Figure 11 shows the rear view of the saddle according to the finding with the dissection of the gluteus muscles, the coccyx, and the sacrum, positioned on the surface of the saddle according to the finding; it can be seen that the coccyx is at a reasonable distance from the surface of the saddle due to the presence of the hollow 21 (Fig. 1) and that the gluteus muscles find an ergonomic support on the side surfaces of the saddle that slope downwards at an approximate angle of 45°-60°.
• the bridge plate 23 (fig.5) that connects the two fixing plates 22, 22', of the rail, will be used to display the manufacturer's trademark for marketing the saddle according to the finding.
• Figure 12 shows the plan view of the touring saddle which has a non-limiting length of 20-22 cm, and with a non- limiting width of approximately 18-20 cm at the rear part, as well as the central channel (20) (fig 1) which has a width of approximately 4-5 cm at the rear part and a width of approximately 2.5-3 cm at the front part.
• Figure 13 shows a plan view of the saddle according to the finding for amateur cyclists, which has a non- limiting width of approximately 14 cm at the rear part, terminating at the front parts with a non-limiting width of 3.5-4.5;
• the centre line channel 20 (fig 1) has a width of approximately 3.5 cm at the rear part and a width of approximately 2.5 cm at the front part, and a non limiting length of 27 cm, while the non-limiting length for the women's model is 25 cm.
• Figure 14 shows the plan view of the competition racing saddle according to the finding which has a non-limiting width of 13 cm at the rear part, and a non-limiting length of 27 cm; the figure also shows the section of the construction detail in the position of points 8 and 8' (fig. 1), wherein, in this position the internal side surfaces open from a lower position in an upward direction at an angle of 30° so that in this position the central channel 20, (fig 1), widens in the upper part as far as approximately 3 cm.
• This aspect is important for professional athletes, who during training and races, almost always keep their trunk in a downward facing position, and this shape of the points 8, 8', fig. 1, permits the body of the penis to be housed in a satisfactory ergonomic space, preventing any compression of the deep dorsal vein and artery of the
• figure 15 shows a longitudinal section of the shell made of carbon material only.
• the rear part that projects in an upward direction has been removed from the support rail 13 (fig. 5), which is provided with the saddle of this finding, and has been replaced with two elements that form an integral part of the shell in question (see fig. 15 bis) which move in a downward direction until they are in contact with the rear part of the rail, which has a closed form at this point, and then they are fixed in the underlying part by a suitable plate held by two extra- light metal self-threading screws.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Professional, Industrial, Or Sporting Protective Garments (AREA)
• Orthopedics, Nursing, And Contraception (AREA)
• Motorcycle And Bicycle Frame (AREA)
• Steering Devices For Bicycles And Motorcycles (AREA)
• Percussion Or Vibration Massage (AREA)
• Automatic Cycles, And Cycles In General (AREA)
• Mechanical Control Devices (AREA)
• Tires In General (AREA)

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Cited By (43)

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Citations (15)

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• 2004
  • 2004-08-11 IT IT000204A patent/ITVI20040204A1/it unknown
• 2005
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  • 2005-07-28 JP JP2007525212A patent/JP4885135B2/ja not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2005-07-28 AT AT05771444T patent/ATE477994T1/de active
  • 2005-07-28 EP EP05771444A patent/EP1781528B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
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