GB2324989A - Cycle saddle - Google Patents

Abstract

A saddle for a cycle has a nose portion 10 and pair of distinct wing portions 11 and 12 extending laterally and rearwardly one to each side from the rear part of the nose portion 10. Each wing portion 11 and 12 defines an arcuate surface 13 which blends smoothly from a forwardly facing region 14 over an upwardly facing region 15 to a further region 16 beyond the upwardly facing region. The upwardly facing regions 15 of the two wing portions lie in substantially the same plane as the upper surface 18 of the nose portion 10 The saddle is formed as a relatively firm one piece shell.

Description

CYCLE SADDLE This invention relates to a saddle for a cycle. Though primarily intended for use with a bicycle, the saddle of this invention could be used, for example, with a tricycle or an exercise bicycle. The term "cycle* as used herein is consequently to be construed broadly and is not limited to a bicycle.

There have been many different designs of saddles for use with cycles.

Unfortunately, all such saddles suffer from certain disadvantages and considerable research and development effort has been expended in attempting to find a satisfactory design for a saddle which displays considerable comfort despite use over a protracted period, which does not restrict a user's leg movements and which properly locates a user's gluteus maximus in order to impart security even whilst pedalling vigorously. It is known to provide a saddle which is relatively soft to enhance comfort, but generally there is then a lack of security in location and abrasion may occur over a period of extended use. Alternatively, a relatively stiff saddle construction may be employed but this tends to be uncomfortable, though allows a rider to apply maximum effort to the pedals. Other proposals for saddles include providing a firm substrate with a gel or other deformable material which may adapt to the rider's form and saddles with relatively movable parts which flex as the rider pedals the cycle. Unfortunately, all of these designs are compromises and the search is still on for a saddle which optimises comfort, does not restrict a rider's movement and gives good location.

The present invention stems from considerable research with different designs of saddle with the general aim of improving the characteristics displayed, primarily so far as comfort, security and freedom of pedalling movement are concerned. By optimising these aspects, it has been found that it is possible for a user to ride a cycle for an extended period with minimal discomfort.

According to the present invention, there is provided a saddle for a cycle, comprising a nose portion and a pair of distinct wing portions, the nose portion being elongate and projecting forwardly of the wing portions, and the wing portions extending laterally and rearwardly one to each side of the nose portion from a rear part thereof, each wing portion being defined by an arcuate surface which has a forwardly-facing region and an upwardly facing region, said arcuate surface extending from the forwardly-facing region over the top of the upwardly-facing region to a further region beyond the upwardlyfacing region, the upwardly-facing regions of the two wing portions lying substantially in the same plane as the top of the nose portion.

Most cycle saddles have a nose portion intended to locate at least partially between a rider's legs and a broadened region behind the nose portion, on which the gluteus maximus at least partially bears. With these known designs of saddle, most of the rider's weight is transferred through his crotch to the saddle though of course a small amount is transferred through the gluteus maximus. By contrast, with the design of cycle saddle of the present invention, most of the weight is transferred through the gluteus maximus to the wings of the saddle and the nose portion merely serves as a location, to keep the rider on the seat and prevent sideways slippage.

The above effect is achieved by the saddle having clearly defined wing portions of a specific external shape and having the upwardly facing regions of those wing portions in substantially the same plane as the top of the nose portion. This ensures that the gluteus maximus may bear on the wing portions, without restricting movement of the rider.

Though the upwardly facing regions of the two wing portions lies in substantially the same plane as the top of the nose portion, the planes may in fact be separated by as much as t 10 mm though preferably the spacing is significantly smaller than that, and typically + 2.5 mm, with the wing plane above the plane of the top of the nose portion. Where the two planes are not strictly co-planar, the planes need not be exactly parallel and could in fact deviate from true parallelism by several degrees.

Though the two wing portions could extend laterally away from the nose portion and rearwardly to a relatively small extent, it is preferred that the included angle between the forwardly facing regions of the two wing portions lies in the range of 60 to 1200 and more preferably is substantially 80". The radius of curvature of the greater part of the arcuate surface of each wing portion advantageously lies in the range of 15 mm to 120 mm and more preferably in the range of 30 mm to 80 mm. Tests have shown that results are optimised when the radius of curvature of each forwardly facing region is substantially constant, and is about 55 mm. The radius of curvature could however vary smoothly over the entire arcuate surface, from a maximum in the forwardly-facing region to a minimum at the rear of the upwardly-facing region.

Each wing portion should extend from the centre line of the nose portion laterally through a distance sufficiently great to ensure there is sufficient area for the transfer of weight, but not so far as to inhibit movements. Typically, the lateral length of each wing portion1 determined along the forwardly-facing region from the nose portion to the outer edge of said surface, is in the range of 75 mm to 300 mm, and typically substantially 160 mm.

As little weight is transferred to the nose portion, the shape and length of that nose portion is not particularly critical. Typically the length of the nose portion, from its junction with each wing portion to the forward end of the nose portion, is from 30 mm to 300 mm and typically 180 mm. The external surface of the nose portion could be essentially rounded, in transverse cross-section, or could have a substantially flat top surface which merges into a pair of side cheeks, which themselves may be substantially planar.

The saddle of this invention may be formed as a shell-like structure including suitable mountings to permit the saddle to be attached to an adjustable pillar, in the usual way with bicycles. The shell-like structure may itself be resiliently deformable or may be generally rigid but in that case there may be advantages in providing a resiliently deformable covering for the structure. One possible manufacturing technique could be the moulding of the shell like structure from a suitable grade of plastics material, the structure then being covered with a more resilient material having on its extemal surface a wear-resistant and waterproof skin.

By way of example only, one specific embodiment of cycle saddle constructed and arranged in accordance with the present invention will now be described in further detail, reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is an under-plan view of the saddle, excluding a mounting arrangement, for clarity; Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the saddle of Figure 1; Figures 3 and 4 are perspective views respectively from the front and one side and from the rear of the saddle; and Figure 5 is a top plan view of the saddle.

The embodiment of saddle illustrated in the accompanying drawings is in the form of a one piece shell having a shape defined to optimise the performance of the saddle when in use by a rider of a cycle to which the saddle is fitted. The saddle comprises a one piece plastics material moulding though mounting bars (not shown) as appropriate may be incorporated in the moulding to permit the attachment of the saddle to the saddle pillar of a cycle.

For example, the saddle may be moulded from a firm but resiliently deformable grade of polyurethane. If greater softness or resilience is required, then a covering of a softer material may be applied to the finished saddle. Other possibilities would include moulding the saddle by a multi-layer process so as to provide an outer resilient layer bonded to a more rigid inner layer.

As can be seen from the drawings, the saddle has a nose portion 10 and two wing portions 11 and 12 each of which extends laterally and rearwardly to each side of the centre line of the nose portion. Each wing portion has an arcuate outer surface 13, which blends smoothly from a forwardly facing region 14, through an upwardly facing region 15 to a further region 16 which is directed generally rearwardly. Through these regions, the radius of curvature is substantially constant though beyond the further region 16, and thus over a lower rearward region 17, the radius of curvature may change significantly and become smaller. However, over this region 17, the shape of the wing is essentially cosmetic and does not affect the function of the saddle, and so the region 17 could be configured differently. For example, the region could have an increasing radius of curvature, so as in effect to taper downwardly.

The nose portion 10 has an upper surface 18 and two side cheeks 19.

At the forward end 20 of the upper surface, the saddle is rounded as best appreciated from Figure 2. The upper surface 18 and the upwardly facing region 15 of the two wing portions 11 and 12 are substantially co-planar, as best appreciated from Figure 2. However, the plane of those upwardly facing regions may be slightly (and typically 2.5 mm) above the plane of the nose portion 10.

Typical dimensions for the saddle described above, intended for use by an adult male, are as follows: Dimension Identifier Range Preferred value Included angle between wings a 60-180 80" upper surface 18 Spacing of upper surface 18 and A + 10 mm + 2.5 mm plane of upper upwardly facing regions 15 Radius of curvature of forwardly B 30 - 80 mm 55 mm facing region 14 Length of each wing portion C 75 - 300 mm 160 mm Length of nose portion D 30 - 300 mm 180 mm Test examples of saddles constructed within the range of dimensions specified above and particularly with the specific preferred dimensions were found to give a high degree of comfort despite an extended period of use with minimal friction and abrasion whilst at the same time giving a rider a high degree of security and with minimal restriction of the pedalling effort.

Claims (23)

1. A saddle for a cycle, comprising a nose portion and a pair of distinct wing portions, the nose portion being elongate and projecting forwardly of the wing portions, and the wing portions extending laterally and rearwardly one to each side of the nose portion from a rear part thereof, each wing portion being defined by an arcuate surface which has a forwardly-facing region and an upwardly facing region, said arcuate surface extending from the forwardly-facing region over the top of the upwardly-facing region to a further region beyond the upwardly-facing region, the upwardly-facing regions of the two wing portions lying substantially in the same plane as the top of the nose portion.

2. A saddle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upwardly-facing regions of the two wing portions lie in a wing plane substantially parallel to the plane of the top of the nose portion, the spacing between said planes lying in the range of* 10 mm.

3. A saddle as claimed in claim 2, wherein the spacing between said planes is in the range of + 2.5 mm.

4. A saddle as claimed in claim 2, wherein the wing plane is above the plane of the top of the nose portion.

5. A saddle as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the included angle between the forwardly-facing surfaces of the two wing portions lies in the range of 40 to 1500.

6. A saddle as claimed in claim 5, wherein the included angle between the forwardly-facing surfaces of the two wing portions lies in the range of 60 to 1200.

7. A saddle as claimed in claim 6, wherein the included angle between the forwardly-facing surfaces of the two wing portions is substantially 80 o

8. A saddle as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the radius of curvature of the greater part of the arcuate surface of each of the two forwardly-facing surfaces of the two wing portions is lies in the range of 15 mm to 120 mm.

9. A saddle as claimed in claim 8, wherein said radius of curvature lies in the range of 30 mm to 80 mm.

10. A saddle as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the radius of curvature of the greater part of the arcuate surface of each of the two forwardly-facing surfaces of the two wing portions is substantially constant.

11. A saddle as claimed in claim 10, wherein the radius of curvature of the greater part of the arcuate surface of each of the two forwardly-facing surfaces of the two wing portions is substantially 55 mm.

12. A saddle as claimed in any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the radius of curvature of the arcuate surface of each of the two forwardly facing surfaces of the two wing portions varies smoothly over the extent of the surface.

13. A saddle as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the lateral length of each wing portion, determined along the forwardly-facing surface from the nose portion to the outer edge of said surface, is in the range of 75 mm to 300 mm.

14. A saddle as claimed in claim 13, wherein said lateral length of each forwardly-facing surface is substantially 160 mm.

15. A saddle as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the length of the nose portion, from the junction with each wing portion to the forward end of the nose portion, is from 30 mm to 300 mm.

16. A saddle as claimed in claim 15, wherein said length of the nose portion is substantially 180 mm.

17. A saddle as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein extemal surface of the nose portion has a substantially flat top surface, which merges into a pair of side cheeks.

18. A saddle as claimed in claim 17, wherein each side cheek is substantially planar.

19. A saddle as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the nose portion and the two wing portions are formed as a shell-like structure.

20. A saddle as claimed in claim 19, wherein the shell-like structure is resiliently deformable.

21. A saddle as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the nose portion and the two wing portions are provided with a resiliently deformable covering.

22. A saddle as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein beneath the upper surfaces of the saddle there is provided a mounting for a conventional seat stem of a cycle.

23. A saddle as claimed in claim 1 and substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.