WO2008152615A2

WO2008152615A2 - Bicycle saddle

Info

Publication number: WO2008152615A2
Application number: PCT/IB2008/053372
Authority: WO
Inventors: Francesc Xavier Roset Castells
Original assignee: Francesc Xavier Roset Castells
Priority date: 2007-06-15
Filing date: 2008-06-13
Publication date: 2008-12-18
Also published as: WO2008152615A3; ES1066035U; ES1066035Y

Abstract

This saddle includes a cross bar (2) solidly joined to the upper end of the saddle tube (1), the cross bar (2) and the saddle tube (1) forming a general 'T' shape because of its perpendicular layout relative to the longitudinal plane of the bicycle. The cross bar (2) is associated to a shock absorber member of a saddle surface defining both arms or lateral prolongations of the saddle areas for resting the user's buttocks. In one embodiment, the cross bar (2) is solidly joined with the saddle tube by permanent attachment means and in a second embodiment by means of a removable and adjustable tightening device.

Description

DESCRIPTION

BICYCLE SADDLE

Object of the invention

The present invention relates to a bicycle saddle intended to be used as a saddle by a user.

Background of the invention Bicycles are equipped with a saddle that is a surface of support for the user's buttocks, who can thus utilize these vehicles in a sitting position. There are different types of saddles, but the majority used are constituted by a saddle tube that can be housed in an opening of the bicycle frame and is lockable by means of a clamp or similar, and a saddle member on its upper end, which is articulated in order to be inclined in the longitudinal plane of the bicycle and having an approximately triangular plant, with a vertex or end orientated towards the front portion and an area more or less widened at the rear portion, defining an upper surface more or less curved or convex.

Among these saddles there are the so-called "racing" or sports type ones, that are slightly lengthened and taper forwards, the rear portion being a bit wider, but, even in this way, notably narrow. These saddles have the drawback of being uncomfortable for long periods of use and produce a numbness of the crotch in sporadic users or those using the bicycle simply for recreational or easy ride purposes. This is because of the fact that these saddles are orientated in such a way as to get in the way of the legs during pedalling as less as possible, especially when the user has to pedal standing or vigorously, without taking account of those situations where the user is sitting for a long period of time.

Other so-called "easy ride" bicycle saddles have a widener rear portion in order to provide a bigger support surface, and the two front inclined areas allow for the passage of the thigh when pedalling, but with a greater friction. These saddles are more comfortable to be used by occasional users, but they are more tedious for habitual users and sports men and women. Furthermore, these saddles still cause numbness problems if they are badly graduated regarding inclination.

Description of the invention

The bicycle saddle, object of this invention, has some technical particularities intended to facilitate the use of the bicycle and to provide comfort to the user, especially in easy ride and recreational conditions and not sports conditions.

Indeed, the saddle of the invention includes a cross bar stably joined to the upper end of the saddle tube, configuring a "T" shape because of its perpendicular layout regarding the longitudinal plane of the bicycle. The cross bar is associated to a shock absorber member forming the surface of the saddle, which is slightly cylindrical, semi-cylindrical, tapered or similar, so that the user may rest their buttocks on both arms or lateral prolongations of the said saddle. In this way, the body of the user rests on the saddle in a different way to that of a conventional saddle, having the middle area of the pubis free of the pressure that leads to the above-mentioned numbness caused by the front portion of conventional saddles. The movement of the user's thighs is completely free during pedalling since they do not laterally rub any part of the saddle, therewith avoiding also the problem caused by other saddles considered to be of certain comfort.

In a first embodiment, the shock absorber member of the cross bar includes padding on its outside edge providing greater comfort and avoiding the transmission of knocks and vibrations produced by ground holes and irregularities to the body, also avoiding the hardness of the cross bar.

In an alternative embodiment, the shock absorber member of the cross bar includes a support surface or casing which is slightly rigid, curved from the front backwards, and resting on said cross bar with at least two parallel intermediated springs or elastic devices, in order to provide a proportional and stable suspension. This support surface can be a rigid cylindrical or partially cylindrical edge in steel or aluminium, for example.

The casing includes a rib or longitudinal stiffened bar and two curved reinforcements for coupling the springs.

The shock absorber member of the saddle, whether padding or rigid casing supported by springs, has a protecting and decorative lining or outside covering. The said lining can be in imitation leather, textile or other wearing resistant material, and its surface can be provided with various designs or even with trademarks or advertising motives in a clearly visible position on the rear area. This saddle has furthermore the advantage that it allows for placing the bicycle in an upside-down but stable position. Indeed, the cross bar of the saddle, together with the handlebars, allows for the upside-down positioning of the bicycle with total stability, something that is advantageous when the bicycle has no kickstand or support to stay standing by itself or, for example, if sand dirtying the chain when leaving the bicycle in the beach is to be avoided. A further advantage of this saddle is that it improves the folding of folding bicycles, as it allows for all the structure to be in a flatter shape without protruding elements.

In an embodiment of the invention, the cross bar is solidly joined to the upper end of the saddle tube by some means of permanent fixation, preferably welding.

In a second embodiment of the invention said cross bar is solidly joined with the upper end of the saddle tube by means of a removable and adjustable tightening device, which is known per se, including: an adjustable clamp for its fixation to the upper end of the saddle tube with different inclination, at least a holding jaw of the cross bar of the saddle and a tightening common element of the clamp and the jaw. The above-mentioned tightening device allows for securing the saddle relative to the saddle tube with the desired inclination and separating the saddle from the saddle tube. In this embodiment, the cross bar has at least a lower appendix for hooking and securing the tightening device.

Description of Figures

To complement the description that is being made and in order to make the comprehension of the characteristic of the invention easier, this patent specification is accompanied by drawings where, in an illustrative and not limitative character, the following are represented:

- Figure 1 shows an elevational view of the saddle.

- Figure 2 shows a profile view of the saddle. - Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a bicycle with the saddle of the new invention installed.

- Figure 4 shows a cross section of the saddle.

- Figure 5 shows a sectioned elevational view of the saddle in its variant with shock absorption by means of springs.

- Figure 6 shows a sectioned profile view of the saddle in its variant with shock absorption by means of springs.

- Figure 7 shows an elevational view of an exemplary embodiment of permanent union, by means of welding, between the cross bar of the saddle and the upper end of the saddle tube, by taking away a part of the outside lining and the padding element of the saddle.

- Figure 8 shows a lower perspective view of an embodiment of the saddle, provided with lower appendixes for its attachment to the saddle tube by means of a tightening removable device. - Figure 9 shows a profile view of a variant embodiment of a removable union between the cross bar of the saddle of previous Figure and the upper end of the saddle tube, by means of a removable tightening device, by partially taking away the shock absorber member and the outside lining of the saddle to allow the visualization of the cross bar. - Figure 10 shows a rear elevational view of the removable tightening device of Figure 9.

- Figure 11 shows a lower plant view of the removable tightening device of Figure 9.

Preferred embodiment of the invention

As one may see in the referenced figures, the saddle includes a saddle tube (1 ), whose upper end is attached to a cross bar (2) defining all together a general "T" shape. The saddle tube (1 ) can be housed in the opening (3) of the bicycle frame and is lockable by means of a clamp or conventional member for its holding, in such a position that the cross bar (2) is positioned perpendicular to the longitudinal plane of the bicycle, so that the user rests their buttocks on both arms or lateral prolongations of the saddle. On this cross bar (2) there is a shock absorber member to increase the comfort of use and improve its external look. In a first embodiment of the invention, depicted in Figure 4, the saddle includes a padding (4) in polyurethane foam as shock absorber member, that covers the external edge of the cross bar (2). This padding (4) is protected by a lining or coating (5), in this case in imitation leather, that can be decorated, and which forms an approximately cylindrical supporting shape for the user.

In a second embodiment of the invention, depicted in Figures 5 and 6, the saddle includes a support surface or casing (6) which is slightly rigid, curved from the front backwards, defining a nearly cylindrical surface, and resting on the cross bar (2) by means of absorbing elements, represented in this case by intermediate parallel springs (7) or elastic elements. The casing (6) includes in its lower face a stiffening longitudinal rib or bar (8) and two curved reinforcements (9) for coupling the springs (7) at their upper ends. The casing (6) is protected by an external lining or coating (5) for its protection and decorative finishing in imitation leather covering its entire surface and the lateral ends.

In Figure 7 an exemplary embodiment of the means used to permanently join the cross bar (2) to the upper end of the saddle tube (1 ), specifically represented by a welding (10), may be seen.

In Figure 8 a variation of the embodiment of the saddle is depicted, where the cross bar (2) has lower appendixes (21 ) intended to allow for the attachment on the saddle tube (1 ) by means of a removable and adjustable tightening device (11 ), whose characteristics may be appreciated in Figures 9, 10 and 11.

This tightening device (11 ) includes: an adjustable clamp (12) for its attachment to the upper end of the saddle tube (1 ), two holding jaws (13) that embrace the lower appendixes (21 ), like a bridge, of the cross bar (2), and a tightening member (14) which is common for the clamp (12) and the holding jaws (13); said member (14) being depicted by a screw and the corresponding lock nut. The nature of the invention as well as an example of preferred embodiment being sufficiently described, the materials, shape, size and arrangement of the elements described may be modified, providing that this does not involve an alteration of the essential characteristics of the invention as claimed in the following.

Claims

1. Bicycle saddle, of the type comprising a saddle tube (1 ), which can be housed in an opening (3) of the bicycle frame and is lockable by means of a clamp or the like, wherein a saddle surface of the saddle is arranged in the upper end of said saddle tube (1 ), characterized in that it includes a cross bar (2) solidly joined to the upper end of the saddle tube (1 ), forming a "T", because of its perpendicular layout relative to the longitudinal plane of the bicycle, and in that the cross bar (2) is associated to a shock absorber member of a saddle surface, which is slightly cylindrical, semi-cylindrical, tapering or similar, both arms or lateral prolongations of the saddle defining areas for resting user's buttocks.

2. Saddle, according to claim 1 , characterized in that the shock absorber member is constituted by padding (4) on the external edge of the cross bar (2).

3. Saddle, according to claim 1 , characterized in that the shock absorber member of the cross bar (2) includes a slightly rigid support surface or casing (6), which is curved from the front backwards, and resting on said cross bar (2) by means of at least one intermediate spring (7) or elastic element.

4. Saddle, according to claim 3, characterized in that the casing (6) includes a longitudinal stiffening rib or bar (8) and two curved reinforcements (9) for coupling the springs (7).

5. Saddle, according to claim 1 , characterized in that the shock absorber member has a protecting lining or coating (5) with a decoration, advertising or analogue motives.

6. Saddle, according to any of previous claims, characterized in that the cross bar (2) is solidly joined to the upper end of the saddle tube (1 ) by permanent attachment means, such as welding (10).

7. Saddle, according to any of claim 1 to 5, characterized in that the cross bar (2) is solidly joined to the upper end of the saddle tube (1 ) by means of a removable and adjustable tightening device (11 ).

8. Saddle, according to claim 7, characterized in that the cross bar (2) has at least a lower appendix (21 ) for hooking and securing the tightening device (11 ).