Patent ID: 6036164
Filing Date: 2000-03-14
Classification: B62J

Abstract:
A shock absorbing apparatus for a bicycle seat comprising:a stationary post having a cylindrical configuration with a first predetermined diameter along an entire length thereof, the stationary post having an annular flange coupled to a center thereof and extending radially therefrom, the annular flange having a lower disk-shaped portion and an upper frusto-conical portion, the upper frusto-conical portion having a pair of cylindrical guide rods upwardly extending therefrom, the guide rods being located at diametrically opposite sides of the annular flange, each guide rod having a lower end fixedly coupled against pivoting to the upper frusto-conical portion of the annular flange, a free upper end, a short arcuate extent adjacent the lower end of the respective guide rod, and elongated linear extent adjacent the free upper end of the respective guide rod, the linear extents of the guide rods being extended substantially parallel to one another and substantially parallel to the stationary post, wherein the guide rods each have a length equal 1/2 that of the stationary post, whereby a lower half of the stationary post is removably coupled within a seat sleeve of a bicycle with the lower disk-shaped portion abutting the sleeve;the stationary post having a longitudinal axis, the guide rods and the longitudinal axis of the stationary post lying in a common vertical plane with one another;a tubular movable post having a hollow cylindrical interior with a second predetermined diameter along an entire length thereof which is greater than the first predetermined diameter, the movable post having an annular flange coupled to an open lower end thereof and extending radially therefrom, the annular flange of the movable post having a lower disk-shaped portion and an upper frusto-conical portion and a pair of semi-circular cut outs formed in diametrically opposed points on the annular flange of the movable post, the movable post further including a top end coupled to a bottom of a padded seat of the bicycle and a lower end of the movable post telescopically slidably receiving an upper half of the stationary post wherein the semi-circular cut outs slidably receive the linear extents of the guide rods of the stationary post, the movable post being interposed between the guide rods, the upper ends of the guide rods being spaced apart beneath the seat to permit downwards movement of the movable post to permit additional telescopic receiving of the stationary post into the movable post, the hollow cylindrical interior of the movable post defining a compartment therein for holding air therein; andan air valve having a rotatable dial for allowing the selective release of air from the compartment of the movable post, the rotatable dial of the air valve being rearwardly extended from the movable post and positioned between the seat and the upper ends of the guide rods.