Bicycle saddle and suspension therefor

A bicycle saddle and suspension generally includes a U-shaped suspension member having an elongate portion for attachment to an underside of a bicycle saddle and two end portions with each end portion having an end subtending arcuate member for providing resiliency between the subtended end and the elongate portion. The subtended ends are disposed in an opposing relationship with a pair of rails disposed between the opposing subtended ends. A plurality of resilient members enable tailoring of the resilient characteristics of the suspension in both transverse and longitudinal axis of the bicycle saddle.

The present invention generally relates to cycle saddles and is more 
particularly directed to a bicycle saddle and suspension which not only 
provides an adjustable support for riders of different weights, but 
enables fore-aft flexure of the saddle. 
The majority of bicycle saddles currently available generally include a 
seat portion and a support frame with the saddle being generally 
horizontal along a longitudinal axis with a narrow horn, or pommel, and a 
substantially wider tail portion. 
The seat is generally a shell or frame which may be a molded plastic or 
nylon type material which is covered by a suitable cushion material. A 
finished surface such as a leather, vinyl, or plastic material, may be 
secured over the cushion cover and/or shell to provide a saddle suitable 
for riding. 
In general, prior art saddles utilize a support frame which includes a pair 
of support rails that extend along the longitudinal axis of the saddle and 
are fixed to the underside of the frame by integral molding or any other 
known means. 
The rails extend generally parallel with one another with a predetermined 
distance therebetween for securing the rails to a conventional seat post 
of a bicycle in order to mount the saddle on the bicycle. The rails are 
typically metal such as aluminum, steel, titanium, or the like. 
A bicycle, when ridden over a period of time, may become increasingly 
uncomfortable due to shocks and vibrations transmitted to the bicycle seat 
from uneven road surfaces. This is particularly true when no suspension 
system is provided between the bicycle post and the saddle. However, even 
when such suspension systems are provided, they do not compensate for the 
weight of the rider. 
That is, the suspension systems are not adaptable for use by riders of 
different weights. Even if a separate suspension system is provided, it 
adds significant weight to the bicycle which, of course, is of utmost 
importance in competitive situations. Because the typical bicycle saddle 
only utilizes the padding therein for absorbing vibrations, such 
vibrations caused by bumps or unevenness in the road are transmitted 
directly to the rider. It should be appreciated that over a period of time 
such vibrations cause the rider to become fatigued or sore. 
The bicycle saddle and suspension in accordance with the present invention 
overcomes these disadvantages by providing resiliency between the bicycle 
post and the saddle, which is adjustable to accommodate for riders of 
different sizes and weights. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
A bicycle saddle suspension in accordance with the present invention 
includes a generally U-shaped suspension member having an elongated 
portion which provides a means for attachment to the underside of a 
bicycle saddle and two end portions. Each of the end portions include an 
end subtending arcuate member, extending from the elongate portion, which 
provides a resilient means between the subtended end and the elongated 
portion. The subtended ends are disposed in an opposing relationship and 
rails, which may be generally parallel, are disposed between the opposing 
subtended ends. 
More particularly, in accordance with the present invention, the elongated 
portion means and the arcuate member means may be integrally formed from a 
plastic material. Still more particularly, the arcuate member means of 
each end portion may have a generally C-shaped cross section. 
Importantly, the present invention also comprises at least one resilient 
member means disposed within one of the C-shaped arcuate member means for 
changing the resiliency of the C-shaped arcuate member means. 
Alternatively, two resilient member means may be provided with one 
disposed within one of the C-shaped arcuate member means for changing the 
resiliency of the C-shaped arcuate member means. In this manner a 
different resiliency may be provided to accommodate for either riders of 
different weights or to suit the preference of individual riders. 
When two resilient member means are utilized, they may have different 
resiliency in order to further tailor the resilient characteristics of the 
saddle. That is, a forward portion or horn portion of the saddle may have 
more resilience than the tail portion, or vice-versa. In addition, 
resiliency is provided in a fore-aft direction by the structure of the 
present invention. 
The bicycle saddle suspension may include a plurality of separate resilient 
member means for changing the resiliency of the C-shaped arcuate member 
means with each of the plurality of separate resilient member means having 
a different resiliency and are adapted to be removably inserted within one 
of the C-shaped arcuate member means. In this manner an entire spectrum of 
resiliency is provided by the suspension system in accordance with the 
present invention. 
Further tailoring of the suspension system in accordance with the present 
invention includes providing arcuate member means with different 
thicknesses or different radii of the C-shaped arcuate member means. 
In combination, the present invention also encompasses a bicycle saddle 
having a shell with a tail portion and a horn extending therefrom. In this 
embodiment, a generally U-shaped suspension member, having an elongate 
portion, may be integrally molded to an underside of the bicycle shell. 
The U-shaped suspension member further includes two end portions with each 
end portion having an end subtending arcuate member means extending from 
the elongate portion for providing resiliency between the subtended end 
and the elongation portion means. The subtended ends are disposed in an 
opposing relationship and a pair of generally parallel rails are disposed 
between the opposing subtended ends.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
With reference to FIG. 1, there is shown a bicycle saddle 10 in accordance 
with the present invention, which generally includes a shell 12 having a 
tail portion 14 and a horn 16 extending therefrom. 
The shell 10 may be formed from a suitable plastic material and may 
incorporate an infinite variety of shapes or sizes as may be desired in 
accordance with the nuances of various bicycle riders. 
A suspension 20 is provided which includes a generally U-shaped suspension 
member 22 having an elongate portion means for attachment to an underside 
26 of the shell 12. 
As shown in FIG. 1, the suspension member may be integrally formed with the 
shell 12 underside 26. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 2, the elongate 
portion means 24 may be attached to the shell 12 by means of conventional 
nuts 30 and screws 32, heat staking or ultrasonic welding. 
In general, the U-shaped member 22 may be formed from any suitable plastic, 
nylon or metallic material. However, when integrally formed with the 
shell, it may be of the same material as the shell 12 or of a different 
polymeric material, depending upon molding sophistication. 
Again referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the generally U-shaped suspension member 
20 further includes subtending arcuate member means 36, 38 extending from 
the elongate portion 24, which provide rocker-like resiliency between the 
subtended ends 36, 38 and the elongate portion 22. As more clearly shown 
in FIG. 2, the arcuate member means 36, 38 have a generally C-shaped cross 
section and the subtending arcuate member means 36, 38 are disposed in an 
opposing relationship with a pair of generally parallel rails 40, 42 
disposed therebetween. The rails 40, 42 may be formed from any suitable 
material, such as aluminum, steel or titanium and attached to support 
portions 44, 46, 48, 50. 
Importantly, the present invention may include the rails 40, 42 as insert 
molded into the support portions 44, 46, 48, 50. This configuration 
facilitates mounting of the rails 40, 42 in an inexpensive manner 
heretofore not utilized in the manufacture of bicycle saddles and bicycle 
saddle suspensions. Advantageously, such assembly provides an economic 
benefit for the saddle 10 and suspension 20 made in accordance with the 
present invention. 
It should be appreciated that the thicknesses of the arcuate portions 36, 
38 may be different in order to tailor the resiliency of the arcuate 
portions 36, 38 which is manifested between the rails 40, 42 and the shell 
12. Further, cut-outs 54, 56 may also be provided to tailor the 
resiliency. 
More importantly, with regard to custom-tailoring of the resiliency of the 
suspension system 20 to a particular rider, resilient members 60, 62, may 
be provided and shaped for conforming tightly within the C-cross section 
of the arcuate members 36, 38 as shown in FIG. 2. These resilient members 
60, 62 may be formed of any suitable rubber or elastomer and sized to be 
frictionally held within the arcuate members 36, 38 or may include 
protruding portions (not shown in FIG. 2) for extending into the cutout 
54, 56 for stabilizing the resilient members 60, 62 within the arcuate 
members 36, 38. 
While two resilient members 60, 62 are shown within each of the arcuate 
members 36, 38 in FIGS. 2 and 3, it should be appreciated that only one 
need be utilized. Further, the present invention encompasses a plurality 
of such resilient members 60, 62, each having different resiliency in 
order to provide adjustable vibration and shock compensation to the shell 
12, depending upon anticipated road conditions and rider size, weight and 
desired comfort. A rider can select from the plurality of resilient 
members 60, 62 in order to tailor the suspension system to his own style 
of riding and personal preference as well as contemplated ride duration 
and terrain conditions. In fact, a change in the suspension 20 resiliency 
can be made during a bicycle tour, if desired, by the rider, 
As illustrated in FIG. 3, the resilient members 60, 62 as well as the 
arcuate members 36, 38 working in combination provide transverse 
resiliency indicated by the arrows 66, 68, which result in a transverse 
displacement indicated by the dashed lines 70, 72. 
However, a suspension 20 in accordance with the present invention also 
provides for fore-aft resiliency as well as rocker-type resiliency is 
illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5. It is to be noted that the resilient members 
60, 62 are not shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 for sake of clarity in illustrating 
the resiliency provided by the basic U-member 22 structure. This fore-aft 
resiliency along a longitudinal axis 80 (see FIG. 1) is important in very 
coarse terrain situations wherein the bicycle frame transmits fore and aft 
shocks to a bicycle seat post (not shown) to which the rails 40, 42 are 
attached. The resiliency provided by the suspension system is indicated by 
arrows 82, 84 and dash lines 86, 88 in FIGS. 4 and 5 when coupled with 
transverse resilient movement as shown by arrows 90, 92, 94, 96, 
rocker-type movement/resiliency is provided by the suspension 20 in 
accordance with the present invention. 
It should also be appreciated, as shown in FIG. 5, that the arcuate member 
radius 36 may have a different radius than the arcuate member 38, in order 
to further control the resiliency and harmonics of transmitted vibration 
in order to provide a smoother more comfortable ride. 
With reference to FIG. 6, there is shown an alternative embodiment 98 of a 
suspension made in accordance with the present invention shown in a 
representative cross sectional manner similar to FIG. 2, but with the 
shell 12 not being shown for the sake of clarity. Attachment of the 
suspension 98 to the shell 12 being made with contact of an elongated 
portion 100, as hereinabove described in connection with the saddle 10 and 
suspension 12. That is, the suspension 98 may be integrally molded with 
the shell 12 or attached thereto by nuts and screw 30, 32, as shown in 
FIG. 2. 
In this embodiment, a single arcuate member means 100 extends from the 
elongate portion 100 and provides resiliency between an end 102 and the 
elongate portion 100. 
As hereinabove described, in connection with the suspension 20 shown in 
FIG. 2, at least one rail 104 may be insert molded into support portions 
106, 108. 
Also, as hereinabove described, a resilient member 109 may be provided 
within the arcuate member 98 in order to provide adjustable vibration and 
shock compensation, as hereinabove discussed. 
With reference to FIG. 7, there is shown yet another embodiment 110 in 
accordance with the present invention, having elongate member 112, which 
may be attached to an underside 26 of the shell 12 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, 
and hereinabove described in connection with the suspension 20 and the 
suspension 94 shown in FIG. 6. 
Turning again to FIG. 7, two depending end portions 114, 116 are attached 
to and subtend the elongate portion 112 and may be formed from any 
suitable resilient material. Each end portion 114, 116 includes angular 
portions 118, 120, 122, 124, which provide resiliency between the end 
portions 114, 116 and the elongate portion 112. The depending end portions 
114, 116 are disposed in an opposing relationship and one or more rails 
130 are disposed therebetween, preferably by insert molding, to support 
portions 132, 134 as hereinabove described in connection with the 
embodiments 20 and 94. 
Although there has been hereinabove described a bicycle saddle and 
suspension in accordance with the present invention, for the purpose of 
illustrating the manner in which the invention may be used to advantage, 
it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited thereto. 
Accordingly, any and all modifications, variations, or equivalent 
arrangements which may occur to those skilled in the art, should be 
considered to be within the scope of the invention as defined in the 
appended claims.