Chairs and seats – Straddle seat – Sectional or split relatively movable supporting surface
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-09
2001-07-03
Nelson, Jr., Milton (Department: 3624)
Chairs and seats
Straddle seat
Sectional or split relatively movable supporting surface
C297S202000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06254180
ABSTRACT:
This invention relates to a support system and in particular to a bicycle seat.
The present invention is an improvement or modification to the seat as disclosed in my international application PCT/AU96/00273 and my international application PCT/AU94/00284. The contents of these earlier international applications are incorporated into this specification by this reference.
This invention may be said, in the first aspect, to reside in a support system, including;
a first support portion and a second support portion for receiving a riders buttocks; and
and a hinge for allowing each of the first and second support portions to undergo independent arcuate movement having a component at least in a substantially vertical plane when the rider is seated on the support portions and performing a pedalling motion.
This invention may also be said, in the first aspect, to reside in a support system, including;
a first support portion and a second support portion for receiving a riders buttocks;
a front portion coupled to the first and second support portions; and
and a hinge between the first and second support portions and the front portion for allowing each of the first and second support portions to undergo substantially independent arcuate movement having a component at least in a substantially vertical plane when the rider is seated on the support portions and performing a pedalling motion.
According to this aspect of the invention the independent arcuate movement of the support portions provides both comfort and energy return to the person when the person is seated on the support portion and performing a pedalling motion such as that performed when riding a bicycle. Furthermore because of the movement of the support portions friction is reduced which in turn reduces chaffing.
Preferably the first and second support portions are separated by a longitudinal slot. However, in other embodiments the first and second support portions could be connected by a thin longitudinal hinge member so the first and second portions are formed on a single support member and wherein the longitudinal hinge allows independent arcuate movement of the first and second support portions.
Preferably the hinge comprises a first hinge between the first support portion and the front portion and a second between the second support portion and the front portion.
Preferably the support system includes an integral shell which includes the first and second support portions, the front portion and the hinge with the hinge being defined by a transition between the support portions and the front portion.
In the embodiment of the invention where the support system includes the integral shell, the integral shell including the hinge is preferably formed from a resilient plastics material such as nylon 6, 6 polycarbonate, polyethylene or the like so that the first and second support portions can move in the arcuate direction by flexure of the hinge and the resilient nature of the material will cause the first and second support portions to tend to return to their initial position as load is removed from them during pedalling motion.
Preferably the shell is provided with upholstery which covers the shell.
Preferably the support system has connecting means for connecting the support system to an article, the connecting means being coupled to the front portion between a front end of the front portion and the hinge so as not to interfere with flexing movement of the hinge and the arcuate movement of the first and second support portions.
Preferably the connecting means comprise connecting rails.
In one embodiment the connecting rails are coupled to the shell by embedding portions of the rails into the shell when the shell is formed. In other embodiments the rails may be coupled to the shell by securement members which are attached to the shell or which are formed integral with the shell. In still further embodiments the rails may be formed integral with the shell.
Preferably support portions are cupped shaped for receiving the ischial bone region and buttock region of a rider.
Preferably the front portion comprises a truncated nose.
In one embodiment the front portion includes a soft padding to extend the length of the truncated nose. In this embodiment the soft padding merely collapses when contacted by a rider so that the front portion has the appearance of a conventional bicycle seat with an elongated nose but the front portion preforms little or no vertical support function for a rider. In this embodiment, the front portion may provide some lateral support function to assist in stability and centring of the rider on the seat.
A further aspect of the invention may be said to reside in a support system including;
first and second support portions, the first and second support portions-each having a depression for receiving the ischial regions of a persons anatomy;
a raised portion between and forward of the depressions of the first and second support portions, for receiving the ramus of the ischial regions or the ischial regions of a persons anatomy;
and a nose section which extends forwardly of the support portions and which declines from the support portions towards a front end of the nose section.
In this aspect of the invention the support is configured so that most of the riders weight will be centred on the ischial bones and buttock region of the rider and supported in the depressions of the first and second support portions. This therefore decreases the amount of compression of the users anatomy other than the vicinity of the ischial bones to increase comfort and prevent significant pressure from being applied to other portions of the buttocks outside the ischial region.
Preferably the first and second support portions are separated by an elongated slot.
Preferably the first and second support portions and the front portion are integral with one another by being made as an integral shell.
Preferably the support portion includes upholstery on the shell.
A further aspect of the invention may be said to reside in a support system, including;
a support portion for receiving a users buttocks;
a truncated nose extending forwardly from the support portion;
a soft collapsible upholstery member provided on the nose portion for extending the nose portion forwardly and/or upwardly with respect to the support portions.
According to this aspect of the invention the self collapsible member on the nose portion gives the seat the appearance of a conventional bicycle seat but nevertheless performs little or no vertical support function because of the collapsibility of the material when pressure is applied to it. This reduces pressure to the soft tissue of the nose section against a user when on the support system. The soft collapsible material provides a centring member so that a person can centre him or herself on the support portion relative to the truncated nose and the collapsible material and truncated nose may also provide some lateral support to assist centring and stability of a rider when seated on the support system.
The self collapsible material may be a foam or sponge material or polyurethane or the like.
Preferably the support portions and truncated nose are formed as a integral shell from plastics materials such as nylon 6,6 polycarbonate, polyethylene or like material.
The invention may also be said to reside in a bicycle seat, including:
a unitary shell having a nose portion and a rear portion, the shell being formed from a flexible material;
a slot in the rear portion dividing the rear portion into two separate support portions; and
each of the support portions being independently movable relative to the nose portion and each other by flexure of the flexible material from which the shell is formed so that a transition between the two separate support portions and the nose portion forms a hinge allowing the two separate support portions to undergo substantially independently movement when a rider is seated on the bicycle seat and pedalling a bicycle.
Preferably the bicycle seat includes a cushioning skin over an upper surfa
Clark & Elbing LLP
Jr. Milton Nelson
Nelson Seating Pty. Ltd.
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