Chairs and seats – Straddle seat – Bow spring-mounted
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-01
2001-07-17
Barfield, Anthony D. (Department: 3636)
Chairs and seats
Straddle seat
Bow spring-mounted
C297S198000, C297S195100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06260919
ABSTRACT:
The present invention generally relates to bicycle saddles and is more particularly directed to a bicycle saddle having controllable cushioning.
In bicycle saddles for general use, and for high performance, the stiffness of the saddle can materially affect user comfort and performance. Saddle flexibility or resilience is desirable in order to promote user comfort. However, a saddle that is soft and spongy also permits a substantial degree of vertical movement which, in turn, promotes user abrasion and soreness.
Of fundamental importance in a bicycle saddle with regard to its overall resiliency is the bicycle saddle frame. While many frames have been developed, none have directly enabled longitudinally flexing thereof. This longitudinal flexing, in combination with the proper resilient cushion disposed thereon, can effect a substantially improved and more comfortable ride than bicycle saddles currently available. Thus, it is important that the bicycle frame and the cushion utilized in combination therewith work in a synergistic manner in order to provide a superior ride for the user.
While adjustment mechanisms and systems have been provided for enabling a change in flexibility for the saddle, most of these systems require tedious adjustments which are time consuming, and not amenable to adjustment in the field.
It should be appreciated that under prolonged use a saddle may tend to relax which changes the stiffness or resilient characteristics of the saddle. Thus, field adjustment is important in enabling the cyclist from realizing full enjoyment and comfort of the saddle and bicycle.
The present invention provides a bicycle saddle in which a flexible frame is utilized in combination with a resilient cushion in order to provide a comfortable ride for a user. Importantly, the resilience of the saddle is adjustable in order to enable the saddle to be used by both general purpose and high performance cyclists. Further, the adjustment is easily performed in the field utilizing a screwdriver. Accordingly adjustment for saddle relaxation, hereinabove mentioned, or a change in road conditions is easily accomplished.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A bicycle saddle in accordance with the present invention generally includes a flexible frame having a W-shaped cross section for enabling longitudinal flexing of the W-frame. The frame includes fore and aft depending portions which define the W-shaped cross section, with the depending portions being disposed between the horn and a tail of the W-frame. Thus, the W-frame in accordance with the present invention, because of its shape, inherently provides for flexing in a longitudinal direction. This direction of freedom, or flexing, has heretofore not been available with prior art frames.
A cover can be attached to the W-frame at horn, tail and center of the W-frame in order to provide a dual hammock saddle. The tension of the cover between the horn and center and the center and the center and tail may be different in order to customize the resiliency of the saddle.
Alternatively, a resilient cushion is disposed under the cover and on the flexible W-frame between the horn and the tail and rail means are provided and fixed to the fore and aft depending portions for attaching the flexible frame to a bicycle.
Means are provided for adjustably compressing the resilient cushion in order to change an effective resiliency of the cushion between a rider and the frame. This adjustable resiliency, when taken in combination with the longitudinal flexing capability of the frame, provides for multiple degrees of cushioned freedom of movement for the rider.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the means for adjustably compressing the resilient cushion, includes a seat material disposed over the resilient cushion between the frame horn and the tail, and at least one fore tension screw attached between the seat material and the frame horn and at least one aft tension screw attached between the seat material and the tail frame. The control over the change of resiliency may be enhanced by utilizing a supporting floor.
Support for the floor may be further enhanced through the use of ribs, disposed in the fore and aft depending portions, which provide a means for supporting the frame floor.
The compressing means may include two horn tension screws attached to the frame horn and a front of the seat material and further, means for angularly positioning the two horn screws with respect to one another may be provided in order to provide both longitudinal and lateral tension to the seat material. This arrangement materially affects the tensioning provided on the seat material which, in turn, provides a greater degree of effecting a change in the resiliency of the cushion by various tension screw settings.
Similarly, the compressing means may include two tail tension screws attached to the W-frame in a rear of the material in which the aft tension screws are angularly positioned in order to provide a means to both longitudinally and laterally tension the seat material. The effect of the two aft tension screws is similar to the two fore tension screws hereinabove described.
In addition, the compressing means may further comprise a third tail tension screw attached to the W-frame and the material rear and means for positioning the third tail tension screw between the two tension screws to enable the third tail tension and screw to provide an additional longitudinal tension to the seat material.
The tensioning may be enhanced by utilizing front rod and rear rod means attached, respectively, to the two horn tension screws and the three tail tension screws and the seat material in order to distribute tension imparted to the seat material by the tension screws.
In another embodiment of the present invention, means for adjustably compressing the resilient cushion may comprise an inflatable bladder disposed between the flexible frame and the resilient cushion. In combination therewith, the tension screws may also be utilized to provide a further degree of resiliency control on the cushion.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3146024 (1964-08-01), Timms
patent: 5108076 (1992-04-01), Chiarella
patent: 6010188 (2000-01-01), Yates
Barfield Anthony D.
Hackler Walter A.
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