Support element for the human body, such as a saddle

Support element for the human body or saddle for a vehicle, a bicycle or a motorcycle including a support structure, in which the support element includes at least one fabric component constrained at respective ends or edges to the support structure.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention regards a support element for the human body, for example a saddle for a vehicle, such as a bicycle or a motorcycle, as well as a method for mounting one such support element or saddle.

STATE OF THE PRIOR ART

Many saddles have been proposed for vehicles, which usually comprise a lower casing constrained to a fork, an upper casing constrained to the lower casing and a padding formed on top of the upper casing.

Such saddles therefore have a complex structure that provides for multiple rigid components, as well as connection elements therebetween.

In addition, the saddles proposed up to now, due to the provided elements, are rather heavy and have poor aerodynamic properties.

One saddle according to the state of the art is, for example, the so-called NET™ saddle of Selle Italia provided with an upper layer supported on the lower part by a reticular structure.

Another saddle according to the state of the art is the saddle Saddleco™ by Bombang Inc.

Brooks England has also proposed a saddle provided with an upper layer made of leather and tensioning means for the leather layer, such tensioning means being actuatable by means of a suitable tool.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One object of the present invention is to provide a new support element, e.g. a saddle for vehicles, in particular for bicycles or motorcycles.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a support element which is comfortable and strong/resistant.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a support element which is light.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a saddle for vehicles, in particular for bicycles or motorcycles which is light, resistant and aerodynamic.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a saddle which is capable of providing greater comfort with respect to the front saddles.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new saddle that can be personalized in accordance with a user's needs.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new method for mounting a support element or saddle.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new method for mounting a support element or saddle which is simple and quick to achieve.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a support element or saddle is provided according to the present application.

The present application refers to preferred and advantageous embodiments of the invention.

In the drawing set, equivalent parts or components are marked with the same reference numbers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference toFIGS. 1 to 7, a support element for the human body is illustrated, such as a saddle1for a vehicle, a bicycle or a motorcycle comprising a support structure2as well as at least one fabric component3constrained at respective ends or edges to the support structure2.

The fabric component3includes at least one first filament or a first series of filaments3a. Preferably, the first filament3acomprises a plurality of main sections substantially parallel to each other and extended in substantially longitudinal or front-back direction, and such main sections are connected two-by-two at the tip or back of the saddle. Still more preferably, the sections of the first filament are extended with continuity one next to the other, e.g. at 1-2 mm from each other, for the entire longitudinal extension of the fabric component and for at least part of the transverse extension of the fabric component.

Advantageously, the fabric component comprises only one first filament3a.

In addition, the first filament3acovers the zones of the saddle which, during use, must ensure greater support, in particular an intermediate longitudinal zone that is extended from front to back.

More particularly, the fabric component3is supported by the support structure2only at respective ends3c,3dor edges, while the intermediate or central portion3eof the fabric component3is substantially free, i.e. not resting on other components of the support element or saddle1.

In addition, the fabric component3is preferably placed under tension or slight tension on the support structure, i.e., the fabric component3does not result in sagging or in any case not taut during use. More particularly, the fabric component3is taut in a manner such that the first layer3ais subjected to a tension or elongation such to support the weight of the user or athlete.

The first filament3apreferably has a linear elongation rate, i.e., parallel to the main extension direction of the main sections, lower than 3% and preferably lower than or equal to 2%. If a progressively increasing elongation stress is imparted to such filament, the same undergoes no further elongations after having sustained an elongation equal to 2-3% with respect to its rest length; if however the filament is subjected to a stress in the elongation sense that is greater than a threshold value, the same filament is broken, or rather the threads or filaments thereof are broken.

The first filament3ais also capable of supporting a very high load, e.g., equal to 120 kg, sufficient for supporting a person without being deformed in a substantial manner, i.e., the first filament or the first filaments3aallows/allow obtaining a controlled deformation following which the characteristics of the saddle are not changed.

The first filament or the first series of filaments3acan be made of high-density polyethylene, polyethylene, polyethylene admixed with filaments of a second material, such as polyamide or polyester.

If desired, the fabric component3also comprises at least one second filament or a second series of filaments3bknitted together with or on the first filament3a. More particularly, the second filament3bcomprises knitted filaments which are melted together, as well as with the first filament or first series of filaments3aat the time of knitting or melting-yarn. With reference to the second filament or the second series of filaments3b, since the first filament3acan be abrasive and such to ruin the clothes of the user of the support element1, the second filament3bcarries out the function of defining a comfortable seating zone, such as to not abrade the material of the user's clothes in contact with the support element1.

Due to the melting of the filaments or melting yarn, it is possible to confer a desired form to the saddle and in particular to the sides thereof. For such purpose, the zone on the sides is rounded, and due to this it is possible to avoid making pockets or the like with inserts or supports. In addition, due to the melting yarn, the form or shape of the saddle remains substantially fixed or in any case elastically yieldable also at the sides, so that even if the sides of the saddle or better yet of the fabric component3are subjected to stresses, these always return into the original position.

In substance, the first filament3aconstitutes a weft element, while the second filament or the second series of filaments3bconstitutes a warp element.

In addition, the fabric component3and in particular the second filament3bthereof does not have stitching, in particular at the tip and at the sides, such to ensure high comfort for the user. If desired, stitchings could be provided with aesthetic, not structural function.

If desired, the fabric component3can also comprise a layer of protection of the respective edges or sides (not illustrated in the figures), which reduces the friction with the legs or thighs of a user and improves the appearance of the support element.

The fabric component3on the upper part delimits the seat surface7for a user.

In substance, the fabric component is constituted by a tensile structure, actually thermo-welded, which is given by weaves of different weft and warp filaments, so as to obtain a three-dimensional structure.

With reference to the non-limiting embodiment illustrated in the figures, a saddle according to the present invention comprises a front F, a back R and two sides S1, S2, while the support structure2includes a fork4, a first block component or hollow component5mounted on the tip4aof the fork4as well as a second block component or hollow component6mounted on or connected to the back4bof the fork4, and in such case the fabric component3delimits a first frontal portion3c, if desired pocket-like, constrained to or fitted on the first component5as well as a second rear portion3d, if desired pocket-like, constrained to or fitted on the second component6.

In addition, as stated above, the main longitudinal sections of the first filament3aare advantageously arranged parallel to the longitudinal extension or to the direction A-A from back R to front F of the saddle.

Preferably, the fabric component3is supported by the support structure2only at respective ends3c,3dor edges, by the tip4aand by the back4bof the fork4, while the intermediate or central portion3eof the fabric component3is substantially free, i.e. it does not rest on other components of the saddle1.

With regard to the pocket portions3c,3d, these respectively delimit an opening for the insertion and housing, if desired substantially to size, of the block or hollow components5,6, so that the first pocket portion3cdelimits a first opening O1directed towards the back R and closed towards the front F, while the second pocket portion3ddelimits a second opening O2directed towards the front F and closed towards the back R. Clearly, the openings O1and O2are below the seat surface7.

The fabric component3can then have lateral flaps3f,3gprojecting downwards, constituting the sides S1, S2of the saddle.

At the edge or at the sides, the fabric component can also have ribs or superstructures or folded flaps.

In addition, inserts or supports can also be provided, such as bands of carbon co-extruded with plastic, carbon sheets or sheets made of another material intended to cover the entire length of the saddle or in particular the sides of the saddle. Such supports could be glued or inserted under the first filament or between the first and the second filament.

In addition, the fabric component is constrained to the support structure by means of glue, e.g. thermosetting materials or those intended to ensure a hot melting.

Alternatively, the fabric component could also comprise lateral pockets in which elements are insertable provided for conferring a correct configuration to the saddle, in particular at the respective edges, or saddle protective elements or elements intended for preventing the saddle from undergoing high bending.

The fork4of such saddle1can be annular and comprise two lateral prongs4c,4dthat are bridge-connected, at a front end thereof, by means of a front curved portion or C-shaped portion4adefining the tip of the fork4and, at a rear end thereof, by means of rear curved portion or C-shaped portion4bdefining the back of the fork4. The fork4can be made of carbon, if desired carbon fiber or resin, or made of metal such as steel, aluminum or titanium, or made of plastic or of another material.

Each prong4c,4ccan then include two sections that are tilted with respect to each other, and, more particularly, from the tip4ato the back4b, a first substantially rectilinear section4cl,4d1that, in use, is horizontal or slighted tilted with respect to the horizontal, with the rear end (i.e., distal from the tip4aand proximal to the back4b) at a height below the front end thereof, and then a second section4c2,4d2tilted relative to the respective first section4c1,4d1by an angle between 60° and 120°, preferably 80°-100°, with the front end (i.e. proximal to the tip4aand distal from the back4b) at a height much lower than the rear end thereof; the second section4c2,4d2is then much more tilted with respect to a direction that is horizontal during use.

In addition, the fork4can have, from the tip to the rear end of the prongs, a width that is progressively increasing in a substantially gradual manner. The rear curved portion4binstead has, starting from the rear ends of the prongs4c,4d, a width first increasing until it reaches a maximum width equal to about ⅕-2 times the distance between the rear ends of the prongs4c,4d, and then decreasing.

With reference to the block or hollow components5,6, the first component5can comprise a tapered body within which the tip4aof the fork4is arranged and fixed, while around the same, the first pocket portion3cof the fabric component3is fitted and mounted. In addition, the first hollow component5can comprise a pair of half-shells5a,5bmounted opposite each other with respect to the tip4aof the fork4and connected by means of a connection means, such as a screw or a bolt8, such connection means during use being housed in the zone delimited by the front curved portion4a; if desired the screw or the bolt8, during use, is abutted, from the interior (i.e. starting from the zone delimited by the portion4a), against a wall section of the front curved portion4a, so as to be opposed to the unthreading of the fork4from the first hollow component5.

The second hollow component6can instead comprise a box-like element that is substantially curved and defining a seat9for housing the back4bof the fork4or of the rear curved portion4b, and such seat9is open towards the front F. Around the box-like element6, the second pocket portion3dof the fabric component3is also fitted and mounted.

Clearly, the fork could also not be annular, and could have a substantially U-shaped configuration, with the rear ends of the prongs constrained to and if desired glued or connected to size in an anchorage or suspension component.

The fork could also have a stiffening element4e, seeFIG. 6, which can be extended from one prong4cto the other4d, if desired at the respective rear ends.

The support element or saddle (seeFIG. 6once again) could then have one or more constraining or tensioning components10a,10bof the fabric component3. For such purpose, the constraining or tensioning component or components10a,10bcould delimit an insertion slit for a respective edge section of the fabric component3and then have clamping means, such as one or more clamping screws10c,10dset to tighten the edge of the fabric component3within the slit of the component or of a respective constraining component10a,10b. The constraining component10a,10bcould be provided at the front F and/or at the back R of the support element and, more particularly, in a zone below the seat surface7.

A constraining component10aarranged on the front F could for example be usable in replacement of a block or hollow component5and comprise a pair of half-shells10a1,10a2mounted opposite each other with respect to the tip4aof the fork4and connected by means of a clamping means, such as one or more screws or bolts10c, with a front portion of the fabric component arranged and tighten between the two half-shells10a1,10a2.

If desired, a constraining component10b—e.g., usable in replacement of a block or hollow component6—placed on the back could instead constitute the anchorage or suspension component constrained to the rear ends of the prongs4c,4dof the fork4.

The constraining component10bplaced on the back R could also comprise a pair of half-shells mounted opposite each other with respect to the back of the fork4or to the rear ends of the prongs of the fork4and connected by means of a clamping means, such as one or more screws or bolts, with a rear portion of the fabric component arranged and tighten between the two half-shells of the constraining component10b.

With reference toFIGS. 8 to 10, several embodiments of a saddle1in accordance with the present invention are illustrated, which differ from each other due to the tilt of the sections4c1,4d1relative to the respective sections4c2,4d2of the prongs4c,4dof the fork4, as well as due to the extension of the lateral flaps3f,3gof the fabric component.

A method for mounting a support element or saddle1according to the present invention comprises the following steps:making a fabric component3;arranging at least two support elements11,12approachable-movable away on a main frame13;arranging at least two portions5,6,10a,10bof the support structure2, each on a respective support element11,12;constraining or fitting ends or edges3c,3dof the fabric component3to or on the portions5,6,10a,10bof the support structure,moving the support elements11,12, so as to move away the two portions5,6,10a,10bof the support structure and thereby stretching the fabric component3;releasing the fabric component3with the portions5,6,10a,10bof the support structure2from the main frame13, for example by first releasing the support elements11,12or part thereof from the main frame13and then releasing the fabric component3with the portions5,6,10a,10bfrom the support elements11,12or from part thereof.

In particular, if the support element is a saddle1, then the block or hollow components5,6or the constraining components10a,10bof the support structure2are arranged and constrained, e.g. by means of screws or bolts, each on a respective support element11,12and, when they are in an approached position, a tip end3cof the fabric component3is fitted or constrained on/to a component5,10athereof, and a rear end3dof the fabric component3is fitted or constrained on/to a component6,10b. Subsequently, by moving away the support elements11,12, one stretches the fabric component3and in particular the intermediate or central portion3ein a manner such that the first layer3ais subjected to an elongation between 0.5% and 3%.

In addition, before or after having released the fabric component3with the portions5,6,10a,10bof the support structure2from the support elements11,12, a spacer component or a fork4is connected or constrained to the two portions5,6,10a,10bof the support structure2.

In order to achieve a method according to the present invention, a fabric component3is attained by knitting a first filament3aor only one first filament3awith substantially parallel main sections placed alongside each other, preferably by knitting the sections with continuity one next to the other, e.g., at 1-2 mm from each other. Preferably, for obtaining a fabric component3, provision is also made for a step for making a second filament3bwhich is knitted together with the first filament3aor knitted thereon. The second filament can also be obtained via knitting together with the first filament, with melting of the filaments at the time of knitting.

A method according to the present invention can be conducted with the aid of a machine14(seeFIGS. 11 to 15) which comprises a frame13including a base15having a shaft16and two uprights17,18, one or both of which slidably mounted on the base15; such uprights17,18carry the support elements11,12at the top, which can be removably connected, if desired by means of bolts, at the head of the uprights17,18. The shaft16is mounted through holes of the two uprights17,18and, more particularly, it can be externally threaded and intended to be used for meshing with an internally threaded portion of the uprights17,18defining the respective holes for the passage of the shaft16. Means for rotating the shaft16are then provided for, e.g. a small wheel19mounted or fitted on the shaft16. By actuating the rotation means19, a sliding is determined for approaching or moving away the uprights17,18and hence the support elements11,12.

The machine14can also be used for carrying out tests on the fabric component3.

As will be understood, a support element according to the present invention is very light, aerodynamic and has a very simple structure, considering that the seat portion is only constituted by the fabric component, hence without casings or the like below the same. Nevertheless, the fabric component, in particular due to the configuration of the first filament, is very resistant and, in particular due to the second filament or the second series of filaments, comfortable for the user.

In addition, the support element also has a very pleasant appearance which can vary as a function of the user's tastes. With regard to such aspect, it is in fact possible to easily integrate logos, designs or writing in the fabric component, without requiring stitchings.

Modifications and variations of the invention are possible within the protective scope defined by the claims.