Chairs and seats – Straddle seat – Pneumatic cushion
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-13
2001-10-23
Cranmer, Laurie K. (Department: 3624)
Chairs and seats
Straddle seat
Pneumatic cushion
C297S200000, C297S215000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06305743
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to bicycle seat assembly's, and more particularly to a pneumatic bicycle seat assembly.
2. Description of the Related Art
Over the past several years, bicycling has regained popularity. Despite such gain and the plethora of improvements in bicycling apparatus, a comfortable bicycle seat remains absent. Many attempts have focused on the bicycle seat with pneumatic seats appearing to be the most promising improvement. But, current designs and apparatus are found to be still be deficient.
Examples of pneumatic bicycle seats are U.S. Pat. No. 5,524,961 to Howard, U.S. Pat. No. 5,330,249 to Weber et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,280,993 Heh, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,244,251 to Bouria. Additionally, U.S. Pat. No. 4,611,851 to Noyes et al., discloses a rotocasted or injection molded hollow saddle pneumatic seat.
There exists a need for a pneumatic bicycle seat that conforms to and supports the anatomical shape of either male or female bicyclists and that is uncomplicated to manufacture. Such a pneumatic bicycle seat is not yet found in the art. The present invention substantially fulfills this need.
It is therefore, the general purpose of the instant invention to provide a new, improved pneumatic bicycle seat assembly which is simple, practicle and economic to manufacture, employ and maintain.
The pneumatic bicycle seat of the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts, design and complications of the prior art, and in doing so provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of providing an improved pneumatic bicycle seat which is simple, practical and economic to manufacture, employ and maintain. The prior patents and commercial techniques do not suggest the simple inventive combination of component elements arranged and configured as disclosed and claimed herein.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an improved pneumatic bicycle seat assembly adapted for use with a standard bicycle seat post and is defined by the appended claims with the specific embodiment shown in the attached drawings. The pneumatic bicycle seat assembly has an exterior covering which is in contact with the seated bicyclist and is a soft, flexible leather, lycra, or other suitable durable material. The exterior covering is sewn together to fit over the other components of the pneumatic bicycle seat assembly. The exterior covering has an opening in the bottom through which the bicycle post attachment member can be placed for attachment to the base of the pneumatic bicycle seat assembly.
The pneumatic bicycle seat assembly has a bracket located on the bottom thereof. The bracket provides for attachment of the pneumatic bicycle seat assembly to the bicycle post attachment member. For purposes of this description, front and rear, and up and down, will be with reference to the position of the pneumatic bicycle seat assembly when the same is attached to and properly positioned on a bicycle. The bracket is a rod of suitable size bent at the center to form an eye, with each of the two leg portions extending rearward from the eye in mirror image fashion. As the two leg portions extend along their length rearward from the eye, they slightly separate from each other, commencing such separation at the eye. As the two leg portions extend along their length from the eye, they are angled downward at a first bend and outward from each other at a second bend. As the two leg portions further extend along their length from the eye, past the second bend, they are angled upward at a third bend. The angle at the first bend and the angle at the third bend result in the eye of the bracket being positioned slightly lower than the first bend and the bracket sloping slightly downward from the first bend to the eye. As the two leg portions extend further along their length from the eye, past the third bend, they are angled severely upward in a 180 degree angle at a fourth bend. The fourth bend results in the two leg portions being bent back over themselves in a vertical fashion. As the two leg portions extend further along their length from the eye, past the fourth bend, they are angled severely outward in a second 180 degree angle at fifth bend.
The pneumatic bicycle seat assembly has a base. The base is of plastic, nylon or other sturdy material. The base securely attaches to the bracket and rests on top of the bracket. The front of the base has a cushion, which cushion extends from the very front portion of the base to the front portion of a hold down bracket.
The pneumatic bicycle seat assembly has a pneumatic bladder, which pneumatic bladder is a one piece self-enclosed element which is separate from and disposed between the base and the exterior covering such that the pneumatic bladder adjustably supports the ischial tuberosity bones and surrounding muscle and tissue and avoids the perineum tissue of the bicyclist. The pneumatic bladder is covered and secured to the base by means of the hold-down bracket which extends through the exterior covering and the base. The pneumatic bladder is secured to the base and covered and further secured on the base by means of the exterior covering. The pneumatic bladder has an enclosed hollow chamber generally divided into two compartments with passage for air therebetween. The pneumatic bladder has securely attached to a rear portion thereof an external valve. In another embodiment, the pneumatic bladder comprises two enclosed hollow chambers each having an external valve securely attached to a rear portion thereof and providing for no air passage therebetween. The external valve and a pneumatic pump cooperate to both inflate and deflate the pneumatic bladder.
Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new, improved pneumatic bicycle seat assembly which is simple and of a reasonable cost to manufacture, maintain and replace, which is of durable and reliable construction, and which is economically available to the buying public.
REFERENCES:
patent: 595111 (1897-12-01), Perry
patent: 1518157 (1924-12-01), Linder
patent: 4504089 (1985-03-01), Calvert et al.
patent: 5938277 (1999-09-01), Rioux et al.
patent: 606076 (1926-06-01), None
patent: 409951 (1945-03-01), None
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