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Patent Searching and Data


Title:
BICYCLE SADDLE
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/1999/048748
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
The invention relates to a saddle of a vehicle such as a cycle, at least comprising: a coupling (16) for arranging the saddle; and a frame (8) which is connected to the coupling (16) and above which is fixed a saddle cover (7) forming a seat, characterized in that during use at least a part of the saddle cover (7) is freely movable up and downward relative to at least the coupling (16).

Inventors:
KEULEN RUDI (NL)
DE WERK ROBERTUS THEODORUS MAR (NL)
Application Number:
PCT/NL1999/000172
Publication Date:
September 30, 1999
Filing Date:
March 25, 1999
Export Citation:
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Assignee:
LEPPER BEHEER B V (NL)
KEULEN RUDI (NL)
WERK ROBERTUS THEODORUS MARIA (NL)
International Classes:
B62J1/00; B62J1/02; B62J1/08; (IPC1-7): B62J1/00; B62J1/08; B62J1/02
Domestic Patent References:
WO1997032774A11997-09-12
Foreign References:
FR2720996A11995-12-15
US5507476A1996-04-16
GB2184698A1987-07-01
US4541668A1985-09-17
DE99557C
GB2319231A1998-05-20
Other References:
None
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
'T, Jong Bastiaan Jacobus (Arnold & Siedsma Sweelinckplein 1 GK The Hague, NL)
Download PDF:
Claims:
CLAIMS
1. Saddle of a vehicle such as a cycle, at least comprising: a coupling for arranging the saddle; and a frame which is connected to the coupling and above which is fixed a saddle cover forming a seat, characterized in that during use at least a part of the saddle cover is freely movable up and downward relative to at least the coupling.
2. Saddle as claimed in claim 1, wherein a shock absorbing springmounting is arranged between at least the saddle cover and the coupling.
3. Saddle as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at the rear relative to the direction of travel of the vehicle the saddle cover is tiltable in vertical direction on a tilting point at the front connected to the frame.
4. Saddle as claimed in claims 13, characterized in that at least a part of the saddle cover is rotatable on an axis corresponding to the length direction of the saddle and to a direction of forward movement of the vehicle.
5. Saddle as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that the axis lies below the saddle cover.
6. Saddle as claimed in claim 4 or 5, characterized in that at the front in the direction of forward movement the saddle cover is connected to the frame for rotation on the axis.
7. Saddle as claimed in any of the claims 46, characterized in that at the rear in the direction of forward movement the saddle cover is connected to the frame for rotation on the axis.
8. Saddle as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the damping means forming the springmounting are arranged at the rear between the saddle cover and the frame in horizontal direction on either side of the axis, which damping means damp the tilting movement of the saddle cover on the axis in the direction of movement of the vehicle.
9. Saddle as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that the damping means comprise at least one spring.
10. Saddle as claimed in claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the damping means comprise at least one body of resiliently compressible material.
11. Saddle as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the saddle cover is connected to the frame at the rear via the coupling which limits the ability to tilt.
12. Saddle as claimed in any of the claims 411, characterized in that the coupling comprises a coupling point through which the axis lies.
13. Vehicle with a saddle as claimed in one or more than one of the foregoing claims.
Description:
BICYCLE SADDLE The present invention relates to a saddle for a vehicle such as a cycle, at least comprising a coupling for arranging the saddle; and a frame which is connected to the coupling and above which is fixed a saddle cover forming a seat.

Such saddles are generally known, wherein the saddle cover is stationary relative to the frame and during use the saddle therefore forms a stationary unit relative to the vehicle on which the saddle is arranged.

The known saddle has the drawback that in use it provides little comfort. This is the result of impacts and shocks during travel which are not absorbed by the pneumatic tyres of the vehicle or for instance of the movement of a user who repeatedly shifts his weight over the saddle so as to then be able to exert force on each of the two pedals of the cycle. The saddle can also be applied in other vehicles such as three-wheelers, mopeds etc.

The present invention has for its object to obviate the above stated drawback of the known art and a saddle is provided to this end which is distinguished in that during use at least a part of the saddle cover is freely movable up and downward relative to at least the coupling. The saddle cover is preferably also rotatable on an axis corresponding to the length direction of the saddle and to a direction of forward movement of the vehicle. The shocks are absorbed during riding in an embodiment with spring-mounting. Since a coupling to the saddle pillar on a vehicle is usually located closer to the rear of the saddle than to the front in the direction of forward movement of the vehicle, said feature wherein a spring-mounting is also arranged at this location has the advantage that damping of shocks

the advantage that damping of shocks through the vehicle takes place precisely at a location where these shocks have the greatest effect on the user. Together with the ability to tilt, a saddle according to the present invention follows the movement of the user during use, thus providing a markedly higher degree of comfort. The axis can be located at its highest through the saddle cover but is preferably located under the saddle cover, so that other degrees of freedom, as will be discussed hereinbelow, are thereby possible.

In a preferred embodiment a saddle according to the present invention is distinguished in that the saddle cover is connected at the front in the direction of forward movement to the frame for rotation on the axis and/or the saddle cover is connected at the rear in the direction of forward movement to the frame for rotation on the axis. The saddle cover must be able to twist with one of the two said rotatable connections. In a saddle with both rotatable connections between the saddle cover and the frame the saddle cover can be rigid, this having the advantage that conventional saddle covers can be used. In addition, with a rigid saddle cover possible wear is considerably reduced relative to twisting saddle covers.

The damping means in the embodiment of the saddle with the saddle cover which is connected at the rear to the frame for rotation on the axis has the further advantage that the saddle cover is balanced and the upper surface of the saddle cover is oriented horizontally when not in use. A user moreover undergoes a force in a direction opposed to his movement over the saddle, which force is preferably adjusted such that the effect of the rotation of the saddle cover is maintained and this further prevents a very great effort being required from the user to keep his balance. The damping means can comprise at least one spring but are alternatively or additionally designed as at least one body of resiliently compressible material.

In another preferred embodiment the saddle cover is connected to the frame at the rear via a coupling limiting the ability to tilt. The coupling serves herein to guide and control the tilting of the saddle cover at the rear. The coupling preferably comprises a coupling point, for instance a central coupling point, through which runs the axis which defines the rotation of the saddle cover. This ensures that the saddle is rotatable on the axis in any pivot position of the rear part of the saddle cover on the pivot point at the front.

The invention will be further elucidated on the basis of the following description which is formulated with reference to the annexed figures. In the drawing: Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a cycle with a saddle according to the present invention; Fig. 2 shows a partly cut-away perspective view of the saddle shown in fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a schematic side view elucidating the pivoting of the saddle cover in a saddle according to the present invention; and Fig. 4 is a schematic rear view of a saddle according to the present invention elucidating the rotation thereof.

The cycle 1 shown in fig. 1 is of a per se usual type with a tube frame 2 ยป with wheels 3 and a transmission formed by pedals 4 and chain 5. The saddle is designated here with 6.

During use a cyclist shifts his or her weight over saddle 6 so as then to exert force on each of the pedals 4. Saddle 6 according to the present invention co- displaces in this movement and moreover guides this movement, so that the comfort of the user is high during cycling.

The saddle 6 shown in fig. 1 will be described with reference to figures 2,3 and 4.

Saddle 6 comprises a saddle cover 7 which is fixed above a frame designed with rods 8. Rods 8 support a block 9 having therein a recess 10 arranged from the top.

Block 9 is arranged close to the rear of the frame formed by rods 8.

On the underside of saddle cover 7 is arranged a protrusion 11 which fits into recess 10, wherein saddle cover 7 is up and downwardly movable in a movement wherein protrusion 11 slides in and out of recess 10.

The attachment of saddle cover 7 to the front part of the frame formed by rods 8 forms a tilting point for this up and downward movement of the rear part of the saddle cover, wherein this up and downward tilting movement is guided and is limited by means of pin 12. In correspondence with the range of the tilting movement and pin 12 the protrusion 11 is provided with a passage 13 through which pin 12 is placed.

In the above described manner the tilting movement of the rear part of saddle cover 7 is possible as shown schematically in fig. 3 with full lines and broken lines.

On the rear part of the saddle between saddle cover 7 and the frame formed by rods 8 are arranged damping means which are designed here as bodies 14 of resiliently compressible material. These bodies 14 exert a substantially upward force on the saddle cover relative to the frame formed by rods 8, particularly when the saddle cover is loaded with the weight of a user. Bodies 14 thus form a spring-mounting for the saddle which has the effect on saddle 6 shown in fig. 3. That is, the spring-mounting formed by resiliently compressible bodies 14 urges saddle cover 7 from the position shown in broken lines to the position shown in full lines.

Saddle cover 7 is furthermore rotatable on the axis running through the connection, designated 15, and pin 12. This rotation movement is depicted schematically in fig. 4 and serves to guide and follow the shifting of weight of a user over the saddle cover.

Connection 15 is therefore such that saddle cover 7 can rotate on the rods 8 forming the front part of the frame. Protrusion 11 with passage 11 therein is further formed in correspondence with recess 10 and pin 12, so that the protrusion can rotate on the pin 12 with pin 12 through the passage 13.

The bodies 14 of resiliently compressible material are situated in horizontal direction on either side of the axis running through connection 15 and through pin 12. This is shown in fig. 4.

The bodies 14 of resiliently compressible material limit the rotation movement of saddle cover 7 on the axis so as to guide and cause the shifting of weight by the user to take place evenly. The resistance provided by the bodies of resilient material 14 is shown clearly from the position of saddle cover 7 and of these bodies 14 shown with broken lines in fig. 4. Use can alternatively or additionally be made of a single body of resilient material or at least one conventional spring. A single body of resiliently compressible material extends substantially transversely of the axis. A single spring can be arranged between the frame formed by rods 8 and saddle cover 7 around block 9 with recess 10 and protrusion 11 with the passage 13 for pin 12 therein. The configuration of the assembly of block 9 and protrusion 11 can further be reversed, wherein pin 12 remains stationary relative to saddle cover 7 instead of the shown and described situation wherein pin 12 remains substantially stationary relative to the frame formed by rods 8. As shown most clearly in fig. 3, the frame formed by rods 8 is fixed to tube frame 2 of the cycle by means of a fastening 16. Block 9 can alternatively be fixed directly to tube frame 2 of the cycle, whereby the necessity for rods 8 is substantially obviated. Herein or in further configurations the frame is then formed by block 9 and rotation of the saddle cover on the axis and tilting of the rear part of saddle cover 7 at the rear

can both be realized in the assembly of the block and the protrusion.

These and other possible embodiments of the invention will occur to a skilled person after examination of the foregoing description of an embodiment with reference to the annexed drawings, which embodiments must all be deemed as lying within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.