The present invention relates to a bicycle seat for providing of a seat for a person on a bicycle.

A bicycle has a known bicycle seat that is mountable to a saddle pin that is fixed relative to the seat tube by camping it at the top side thereof at a number of height positions. This way of mounting to a bicycle is de facto standard and advantageous because this allows for an opti mization of the height of the seat in relation to the length of a leg of a user. Furthermore, at the bottom side of the bicycle seat, the seat clamp is commonplace with which the seat can be adjusted horizontally depending on the angle of the seat tube of a bicycle relative to grav ity. As a result, it has been realized in practice in an economical way that a seat is also usable compared to any seat tube. For this purpose, the actuals bicycle seat as a construction at the bottom of it for mounting it to the seat type.

Such constructions have as a disadvantage that of the bicycle seat, such parts are uncomfortable when grasping the saddle as a number of parts at the underside of the seat attached when picking up the bicycle at the seat. Fur thermore, such a construction provides an appearance that detracts from the design of the bicycle as disappearance is determined by the visible parts. A further disadvantage is that when manufacturing the bicycle, the seat is to be con nected to the seat clamp which limits the design freedom for the design of the seat.

In order to overcome such disadvantages, the present invention provides a bicycle seat for providing of a seat for a person on a bicycle, comprising:

- an optional support assembly for mounting of the title to the bicycle, such as comprising a support member for supporting by the support assembly of a seat assembly wherein the support member is preferably mountable or fas tened to a saddle pin,

- the seat assembly comprising:

- a support element,

- fixation means for fixation of the seat assem bly to the support member,

- buffer means, supported by the support element, for providing of a buffering all forces between the bicycle and the person,

- a seat surface defined by the upper side of the buffer means, wherein:

- the support element provides a substantially rigid support supporting the buffer means relative to the support member,

- the support element in top view substantially de fines the shape of this support, and

- the support element is arrangeable on the support member.

An advantage of such a bicycle seat according to the present invention is that the design freedom is obtained that may freely aim at the bicycle seat redesigned wherein no account has to be taken, for example, collectability to the saddle clamp. Furthermore, the side and the underside may be designed in freedom for comfortable grasping by the hand of a rider. With this, parts may be avoided that cause discomfort with such grasping. Furthermore, design freedom is obtained for designing of a bicycle seat in a way that fits the design of the bicycle as a whole because design requirements according to the prior art may be avoided.

A further advantage of a bicycle saddle according to the present invention is that a limited built height be tween the top side of the top tube and the top side of the saddle is achievable because of which the distance between the battles and/or the surface of the earth and top side of the saddle is relatively limited because of which a person with relatively short legs can use a bicycle with a rela tively large frame. Depending on parameters as seating com fort or suspension comfort, height savings are achievable of several centimeters to about a decimeter.

According to a first preferred embodiment, the sup port element is embodied as a support body, preferably em bodied as a formed body, further preferably formed by means of a molding operation or a forming operation from a plate material. By means of such a support body, a flat basis is achievable for supporting thereon of the buffer means, which for example contributes to the limited built height of the seat also pairing this with a suitable support.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the buffer means are arrangeable on or are arranged on the sup port element. With this, also a contribution to the limited built height is achieved.

According to a further preferred embodiment the buffer means comprise at least one zone of material in which each at least one zone of material comprises prede termined buffer characteristics in itself, buffer means are realized wherein each zone of material provides relatively advantages for characteristics at the location of this zone of material. With this, a relatively firm buffer may be ar ranged at the location of the underside of the seat bone and a for example relatively soft buffer arrangeable in the middle of the saddle.

For the purpose of providing a further seat comfort, the buffer means comprise at least one height zone wherein each at least one height zone comprises predetermined buffer characteristics in itself. By means of such a height zone, a relatively longer suspension travel with a suitable suspension force is definable at desired locations, such as at the location of the seat bone. Between such height zones it is further provided that other zones may be filled with very soft foam for realizing an even surface while main taining comfort provided by relatively solid height zones and/or specific zones of material.

To this end, according to a further preferred embodi ment, the buffer means provide a suspension travel depend ing on a force exerted thereon by a person.

Further preferably, the buffer means comprise at least a resilient support element, preferably two resilient support elements on both sides relative to the middle as seen in the direction of travel, such as at the location of the respective seat bone. With this, the support, suspen sion travel and/or comfort at the location is maximized. Further preferably, the resilient support element comprises a gas-filled suspension element. Further preferably, the resilient support member comprises a gel filled suspension element. Further preferably, the resilient support member comprises spring means, such as a sheet spring or a com pression spring, such as a conical compression spring. Such a conical compression spring for example has a comfort rat ing advantage that a relatively large support surface is achievable .

According to a further preferred embodiment, the at least one zone of material comprises at least one zone of material with a hard foam and/or at least one zone of mate rial with a soft foam. The effect of a relatively soft foam may be realized by a relatively hard foam with removed re cesses.

For the purpose of comfort at the location of the middle of the seat, 1 of the at least one zone of material comprises a soft zone of material or a hard zone of mate rial between the left side and the right side of the seat. With this, at that location, a relatively soft comfort zone is achievable for the purpose of a middle part of the human body.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the bi cycle seat comprises a mechanical support at the front and/or at the rear of the saddle. With this, a resilient effect of the support element is achievable. Furthermore, a centering effect with respect to the rider is achievable. Further preferably, the bicycle seat comprises a resilient support, such as comprising a rubber, at the front side and/or at the rear side of the seat. With this, a suspen sive effect is realized and/or a relatively high dampening is achieved.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the un derside of the buffer means are formed by a holder layer holding dampening material or the resilient support ele ment. Such a holder layer is preferably manufactured from a nylon with therein shaped recesses or hollow spaces or spaces for arranging therein of a suspense of material, such as a foam or a rubber, such as TPR.

Further preferably, the buffer means comprise a com fort layer, such as comprising memory foam, soft PP and/or hard PP. with this, the comfort for the rider is improved relative to the support that is provided by the support el ement.

Further preferably, the seat surface is formed by the top side of the buffer means and/or by a cover layer or wear layer. With this, the shape of the bicycle seat and the characteristics relative to the rider, as well as the durability of the bicycle seat is improved.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the support element defines a height variation for providing of at least 2 height zones, each with a respective vertical push in travel or suspension travel. With this, it is for example achievable that a suspension travel at the location of the seat bone is relatively longer than a suspension travel near the middle or the front side of the bicycle seat. A longer suspension travel improves for example the conference with respect to writing over an unevenness.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the bi cycle seat comprises adjustment means for adjusting of the position of the seat assembly relative to the support mem ber in a horizontal direction, such as in the direction of travel of the bicycle. With this, the positioning of the rider relative to for example the crank and/or the handle bar is ergonomically adjustable and/or improves.

Further preferably, such adjustment means relate to continuous adjustment means, such as embodied by means of clamping means providing a clamping between the support member and the support element, or embodied by means of screw means providing a mutual displacement between a length of threaded wire and a screw member, such as a nut. With this, a relatively high precision of the adjustability is achieved. Alternatively, such adjustment means relate to discrete adjustment positions, such as by means of inser tion or screwing of at least a pin or bolt in respective insertion positions determining the discrete adjustment po sitions. With this, a relatively easy choice of the adjust ment positions is realized, such as for example based on adjustment rules.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the bi cycle seat comprises bumper means against impacts or abra sion, such as for protecting of the buffer means, prefera bly embodied as an extending edge of the support element extending sideways beyond the dimension or a shape of the buffer means. With this, it is advantageously achieved to reduce wear off relatively soft buffer means by receiving such bumping or scraping against for example a wall by these buffer means. Such buffer means are for example em bodied as parts of the support element that extend beyond the buffer means sideways or bumpers on the support ele ments.

A further aspect according to the present invention relates to a bicycle seat or kit, comprising the bicycle seat and the support assembly. Such aspect according to the present invention provides advantages as indicated in rela tion to the above aspects.

A further aspect according to the present invention relates to a kit comprising a bicycle seat and at least a handle, wherein the top surface of a seat surface of the bicycle seat and the gripping surface of the handle sub stantially have the same appearance and or tactile charac teristics, preferably comprising a similar kind of material and/or the same material. Such aspect according to the pre sent invention provides as advantage that comfort providing elements of the bicycle provide a corresponding appearance or impression to the user because of which a perception of a function correspondence thereof with respect to comfort is perceived by the rider to a high degree.

Further advantages, features and details of the pre sent invention will be further elucidated on the basis of a description of one or more preferred embodiments with ref erence to the accompanying figures. Similar yet not neces sarily identical parts of different preferred embodiments may be indicated with the same reference numerals.

Fig. 1 relates to a number of views of preferred em bodiments in exploded side view, top view and side view. Fig. 2 relates to a contact you in side view of fur ther preferred embodiments.

Fig. 3 relates to an side view as a cutout and an ex ploded view in perspective of a further preferred embodi ment.

Fig. 4 relates to a cutout fuel other further pre ferred embodiment into states of use.

Fig. 5 relates to representations of a detail of a further preferred embodiment.

Fig. 6 Relates to a representation in cutout of a de tail of a further preferred embodiment.

Fig. 7 relates to a schematic representation of fur ther preferred embodiments.

Fig. 8 relates to a top view of a further preferred embodiment .

Fig. 9 relates to a side view of a further preferred embodiment .

Fig. 10 relates to an exploded view in perspective of a further preferred embodiment.

Fig. 11 relates to a perspective view of a detail of a further preferred embodiment.

Fig. 1 shows a number of preferred embodiments ac cording to the present invention. Fig. 1 a shows a first preferred embodiments. In this preferred embodiment, the seat is formed by means of a support element 2, of which an important effect is that it provides support to the seat. Furthermore, the support element provides shape to the seat. On the support element, buffer means are arranged for improving forces between the bicycle and depression. During writing with the bicycle, the bicycle rolls over an uneven ness that causes forces that are transferred to the rider via the seat. The purpose of the buffer means is to achieve dampening of such forces to the rider. The top side of the buffer means determines the shape and the appearance of the top side of the seat. Further more, the cover layer provides protection for the buffer means, especially for relatively soft or damage prone parts thereof.

The seat is supported relative to the bicycle by a suspension member. The suspension member is preferably con nectable with or connected to a saddle pin for arranging thereof relative to the bicycle. An advantage of such a support member according to preferred embodiments according to the invention is that the bicycle saddle is achievable without the use of a guide rail. With this, a significant amount of height is saved. The support element is arranged relative to the saddle pin, and there with relative to the gravity, under such an angle that an optimal angular orien tation of the seat is achieved. A seat according to the present invention has as advantage that damaging or loosen ing of a saddle clamp cannot occur as the angle of the seat is always in order. A example substantially horizontal, less than 3° deviating from the horizontal, orientation fulfills UCI regulations.

The support element is conceived as a flat plate (see the following) or as a member with several zones of height. In case of for example a relatively low rear side relative to a relatively high front side allows for a relatively longer dampening travel or suspension travel at the rear side. It is an advantage that the combination of the sup port element with the buffer means saves height relative to a saddle according to the prior art because suspension un der the seat base is avoided. With this, the support ele ment is simpler, lighter or more advantageously producible than a seat base according to the prior art that needs to absorb all support forces. The transfer of forces from the rear side to the saddle pin is to a large degree simpler according to the present invention.

This support element is arranged for a horizontal displacement of 20 mm relative to the support member of the optional support assembly. In case of a forward arrange ment, the sloping parts 23 of the support element 2 is ar ranged against a corresponding slope of the support member. In case of a rearward displacement relative to the forward arrangement, the sloping part 23 obtains distance, horizon tal distance, relative to the corresponding sloping part of the support member.

This is the case with preferred embodiments according to Fig. 1. The embodiment according to A comprises a sup port element with a relatively low rear side in combination with a relatively high front side. With this, the a rela tively long suspension travel of these embodiments is achieved. For the purpose of this suspension travel, to distinct able zones of phone are provided, a relatively hard zone 12 directly on the support element with on top of that a relatively soft sound 14 for comfort of the rider. The relatively soft zone is limited to a strip or track in the middle of the seat that extent from the rear side to the front side. This zone provides a soft contact against the body at the location. The relatively hard zone extends at either side of the relatively soft zone from the support element are partly until the top side of the buffer means. This provides a firm suspension action or dampening action at the location of the respective left or right seat bone. The firm suspension action or dampening action of the heart from relative to the seat bone contributes to the rela tively soft dampening of the middle track of soft from on the middle part of the body. With this, the seating assem bly of the seat is covered by means of a cover layer. The embodiment according to B alternatively has a similar hard foam layer that is directly arranged at the support element and to gas-filled, such as air filled damp ening members 15. In comparison of a foam layer, These air filled dampening members provide a distinctable specific comfort with respect to dampening action and/or suspension action in relation to especially the body zone of the re spective seat bone.

In a similar manner as the dampening members accord ing to B, the preferred embodiment according to C provides dampening members 16 embodied as a specific phone directed at interaction with the seat bone. Alternatively, a filling with a gel is provided.

Fig. 1 D shows a side view of such preferred embodi ments. In relation to the known bicycle seat, the present built, structure and features of preferred embodiments ac cording to the present invention provide a distinct able appearance that improves the appearance as a whole of the bicycle in a surprising manner. The limited height over which a seat according to the present invention extends from the bottom side thereof to the top side thereof allows for usability of the bicycle for a larger range of leg lengths.

The preferred embodiments according to Fig. 2 are provided with a height increased part 24, 24' of the sup port element at the front side and/or the rear side of the support element. With this, the support element provides an amount of suspension action at the respective side in it self by relatively high forces that are exerted by the body of the rider to the support element. With this, the support element also provides a certain amount of centering effect to the user with respect to the seat in the lengthwise di rection thereof. In the variant according to Fig. 2 B, this increase in height 25, 25' is embodied as a soft or resili ent material, such as a rubber that softens forces that are exerted to the body because of the presence of this in creased height.

The support member according to this preferred embod iment comprises a base plate 25 and a shape definition mem ber 26, preferably arranged at the baseplate. This baseplate is arranged for a horizontal displacement rela tive to the support member of the optional support assem bly. With this, the baseplate is provided with an elongated slot 31 for movably arranging therein of connecting means, such as a bolt for connecting of the support member 25 with a fixation plate 27, thereby exciting the baseplate. The slot 31 has an end 31' at the front side thereof and an end 31" at the rear side thereof.

The baseplate 25 according to this preferred embodi ment provides substantially firmness and support to the bottom side of the saddle. The shape definition member 26 provides a connection between the baseplate and the buffer means that are arrangeable on top of the shape definition member 26. The shape definition means comprise a recess 29 for receiving of at least a part of the buffer means, for contributing to the length of a suspension travel or damp ening travel thereof. Furthermore, the shape definition means comprise an opening 28 for arranging therein of the fixation plate 27 in any displaced state of the seat rela tive to the support member. When the seat is arranged in the frontmost state, the fixation plate is at the rear side of this opening 28 and when the seat is arranged in the rearmost state, the fixation plate is at the front side of this opening 28. Furthermore, this preferred embodiment comprises variants of foam fillings as described in the above. The preferred embodiment according to Fig. 4 relates to a variant wherein the seat is continuously adjustable by means of a horizontal screw connection relative to the sup port member 51 and saddle pin 52 of the support assembly 50. A nut 41, preferably with an elongated shape for providing of friction, with an in the thread is rotation- ally fastened to the support elements. A length of threaded wire 43 is fixedly fastened relative to the support element 2 of the seat. The end part 42 of the nut 41 is provided with grippers for an Allen key that can be accessed by an opening 53 in the support member. The rotational fastening of the note in the support member is achievable by means of a slot 44 in which, preferably on both sides, a ridge of the support element extends. As a result, horizontal ad justment of the seat in relation to the support member is achieved in this preferred embodiment.

An alternative fastening with horizontal adjustabil ity of the seat relative to the support member is shown in Fig. 5. Herein, the support member of the seat comprises a T-shaped slot 55,56 wherein a slot part 55 facilitates a beyond the support member extending T-piece 57. At the rear side of the support member, a fixation slot 58 for fixation of the support member relative to the support element is arranged by means of a sliding bolt 59. Alternatively, the head of this sliding bolt is arrangeable and embedded in the support member. With this, the dampening action or the suspension action of the buffer member that is arranged above is unaffected. An advantage of such a preferred em bodiment is that the displaceability and fixation may be performed by means of a single operation of the sliding bolt 59.

The preferred embodiment according to Fig. 6 provides a simple adjustment in 3 settings of the horizontal display stability of the seat. To this end, the support element 2 is provided with three embedded nuts 58, 58', 58". These embedded nuts server for screwing therein of the adjustment bolt 59 when an opening 59' is arranged at the location of the embedded nuts. With this, the support element to ac cording to this preferred embodiment is horizontally ad justable in three settings.

The already indicated distinct able zones of material are shown in greater detail in Fig. 7 in several preferred embodiments. These embodiments differ with respect to the shape of the zones of material. Variant A relates to a var iant with a track of soft foam 14 arranged in a zone of ma terial with heartfelt 12, wherein the track is wider at the rear side of the seat then at the front side and extends from the rear side to the front side. Variant B relates to a variant with a substantially elongated zone of material was soft foam 14 that is arranged at the rear side for providing of a soft dampening at that location. Variant C relates to a similar variant as variant A wherein the track of soft foam 14 that extends from the front side to the rear side has a widening at the location of the widening of the seat, or about one third from the rear of the seat.

This variant provides a higher degree of soft dampening at that location.

Variant D provides, next to the zone of material of the hard foam 12 and the soft foam 14, a zone of material of memory foam 17 on top of that. This is further covered by a cover layer 4. The zone of material of memory foam 17 provides as optionally added comfort layer additional seat comfort for the writer of the bicycle.

Fig. 8 shows a top view of a preferred embodiment of a further bicycle seat according to the present invention. Along the sides of the widest part of the bicycle seat, bumper means 19 are arranged, such as embodied as an ex tending part of the support element or as a bumper as along the support element for protection of the buffer means and/or the cover layer 4.

Fig. 9 shows an exploded view in perspective view of a further preferred embodiment. This comprises a support element made from a plastic wherein the firmness is ob tained by the shape and by incorporated ribs. Furthermore, the support element 2 is manufactured from a top part 92 and a bottom part 91 that are mountable, such as by means of a screw connection 95 or a step connection. In the top part 92, spaces that are filled with buffer material 96 are provided for providing of a suspension action or a dampen ing action. On top of that, a layer of hard foam 97 is ar ranged with therein a central channel 98 and two openings 99 for arranging therein of a soft foam. Also the central channel 98 is filled with a foam, preferably memory foam. A reason for this is that with this, in combination with seat comfort, and even top services provided which is advanta geous for prevention of water, such as rainwater, that re mains in the channel, and because it provides a better ap pearance to the top surface 4 of the seat.

By the vertical coaction of the bodies 96, 97 and 101, within the understanding of the present invention, a comfortable suspension action is provided bulk to the buffer body with a sufficient suspension travel and/or dampening travel and a sufficient buffering. Also, the hor izontal slide ability is provided wherein the support mem ber is displaceable in the slot shaped opening 29, such as with the embodiment according to for example Fig. 3 is de scribed in greater detail.

Fig. 10 provides a further variant of the optional support assembly 50 with a transverse support 51' relative to the support element in the width thereof. The support assembly is achieved in various ways. A variant is that the support assembly is formed from a whole or is formed to a whole, with a saddle pin 52. A further variant is that a support member is provided for mounting to the top side of the saddle pin, preferably by means of a member befitting the saddle pin. With this, it is preferable that the sup port assembly to the underside of the support member fits within the profile of the saddle pin for maximum lower ability to the bottom side of the support member of the support assembly into the seat tube of the frame. With this, it is achieved that the top surface of the saddle ex tends as little as possible above the top side of the top tube of the frame. It is advantageously provided that a combination or a kit of a bicycle seat with a support as sembly is provided.

According to preferred embodiment, the support ele ment is substantially rigid. This means that the support element is substantially shape determining for providing of a shape in which support is provided in top view. Also, the support element determines the shape in side view. The sup port element is substantially rigid, which means that the support element is intended as a substantially fixed shape, but within the boundaries of material properties, it has elastic characteristics because of which it can deviate and therefore serve that are exerted on it by the human body or the writer of the bicycle.

The present invention is described in the foregoing on the basis of preferred embodiments. Different aspects of different embodiments are expressly considered disclosed in combination with each other and in all combinations that on the basis of this document, when read by a skilled person of the area of skill, fall within the scope of the invention or are deemed to be read with the disclosure of this document. These preferred embodiments are not limita tive for the scope of protection of this document. The rights sought are defined in the appended claims. kkkkk