Bicycle seats

A seat for a pedal-powered vehicle includes a support frame, a left seat element, a right seat element, and a nose. The left and right seat elements and the nose are implemented as separate components supported by the support frame. The two seat elements support a seated rider's weight while the nose does not. The seat elements and the nose form a gap below the seated rider's perineum area. The seat elements pivot forwards and backwards when the seated rider is pedaling. The seat elements counter-pivot when the seated rider is pedaling. Each seat element includes a concave surface that supports the seated rider.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to bicycle or other pedal-powered vehicle seats, and more specifically, to bicycle seats that are both comfortable and supportive.

2. Description of the Related Art

Standard bicycle seats are not well designed for the human body. Sitting on a bicycle seat compresses tissues and organs and restricts blood flow in the perineum area. Excessive pressure on the ischia tuberosties (IT's or “sit bones”) causes discomfort over prolonged periods of time. Seats that are convex also tend to apply pressure and separation forces to the pelvic bones. The static nature of these seats causes chafing and friction at the transition between a body and a seat. All of these issues cause both comfort and potentially long term medical issues to cyclists.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Described herein are bicycle seats that improve rider comfort. The bicycle seats increase the seat support surface area to redistribute pressure and minimize peak pressure points, while allowing the body and legs to move freely in a motion that promotes optimum biomechanics and power transmission to the pedals of the bike. Compared to conventional bicycle seats, bicycle seats described herein have a larger and more contoured (cupped in a convex surface) surface area that provides a greater pressure redistribution. In various embodiments, the seat surfaces of the separate seat elements rotate in opposite directions for added stability.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

FIG. 1is a perspective view of an example bicycle seat100, according to one embodiment. The illustrated bicycle seat100includes seat elements102,106, a nose110, and a support frame112. The seat elements102,106as well as the nose110are separate and supported by the support frame112. The seat element102(106) has a surface103(107). The seat element102(106) includes a pivot104(108) that connects the seat element102(106) to the support frame112. The seat elements102,106pivot forwards and backwards relative to the support frame112. The support frame112includes a seat adjustment mechanism (not shown) and a seat transmission mechanism (not shown). The seat adjustment mechanism allows adjustment of the separation between the seat elements102,106to accommodate anatomy of different users. The seat transmission mechanism rotates the seat elements102,106in opposite directions. The seat elements102,106support a seated rider's weight while the nose110does not. The nose110provides lateral stability, for example if the rider is standing while pedaling or during cornering or aggressive maneuvers. The nose110preferably is strong enough to support the rider's weight, at least for short periods of time. All components are further described below.

Seat Surfaces

The seat element102(106) has an ergonomically contoured surface103(107).FIG. 2Ais a perspective view of a surface of the seat element102, according to one embodiment. As illustrated, the seat surface103is concave shaped and provides support to a rider seated on the seat element102. The terms “rider” and “user” are used interchangeably herein. Compared to convex or flat seat surfaces, the concave surface103provides increased surface area to reduce surface pressure that causes discomfort from prolonged sitting. The motion of the hips and legs causes the seat element102to pivot forwards and backwards relative to the support frame thereby to maintain maximum surface contact for consistent pressure relief. For example, as illustrated inFIGS. 3A through 3D, the seat element102pivots forwards and backwards such that the surface103maintains contact with a rider's hip and leg area.FIGS. 3A through 3Dillustrate different phases of a riding cycle. To improve the seat pivoting, the pivot axis can be placed behind a seated rider's center of gravity. The center of gravity is typically located in the area of maximum load or the location of the IT. One example is illustrated inFIG. 3E. The pivot axis352is behind the sit bone position354.

To provide comfort and support, the seat elements preferably provide larger contact areas with the rider. Because the seat elements pivot as the rider is pedaling, the seat elements can be made in dimensions that would interfere with a rider's pedaling if the seat elements did not pivot. In some designs, the seat element has an edge-to-edge length of at least 60 mm, and an edge to edge width of at least 120 mm (across both seat elements).

Referring back toFIG. 2A, the surface103is elongated at the front surface with a progressively softer leading edge206that allows for more surface area, and better contact with the seat to assure rotation. Without this softer transition area on the thigh, high cadence rotation/oscillation of the seat is not as effective. This zone also reduces the stress line at the front of the seat surface for more comfort. A seat element may be attached with a seat padding that provides grip and additional comfort as well as stability. One example is illustrated inFIG. 2B.

FIG. 2Bis a perspective view of a seat padding250, according to one embodiment. The seat padding250can be attached to and/or detached from a seat element. Different seat padding may be used for different morphology, gender and types of cyclists. The seat padding252holds and stabilizes the user from sliding forward during forward rotation, especially at the transition area252between gluteus maximus and the hamstring muscle. The seat padding252preferably does not interfere with the hamstring muscle or tendon.

Adjustment of Seat Elements

Users can adjust the seat elements, for example, the separation between the seat elements. Separation of the seat elements102,106can be adjusted to accommodate the geometry of pelvis and to relieve the strain on the pelvic symphysis cartilage.FIG. 4Ais a perspective view of the example seat100. As previously described, the seat elements102,106have concave surfaces. The distance401is the distance between the portions of the seat element102that support the ischial tuberosities—IT's. The distance401can be adjusted to accommodate the geometry of pelvis.FIG. 4Bis a perspective view of the example seat100. The distance402is the lateral separation between the opposing edges of the seat elements102,106. The lateral separation402can be adjusted to substantially eliminate the strain on the pelvic symphysis cartilage that holds together the pelvic arch. Separation strain is caused by traditional convex bicycle seat surfaces by spreading apart the IT's. InFIG. 4B, the seat elements102,106are more widely separated than inFIG. 4A.

In the example ofFIG. 4, the seat100includes a mechanical screw separation mechanism410that can be maneuvered to adjust the distances401,402.FIGS. 4C and 4Dare plan views of the mechanical screw separation mechanism410in an expanded state (wider separation of seat elements) and a compressed state (narrow separation of seat elements), respectively. In the illustrated example, switching between different states of the mechanical screw separation mechanism410can be adjusted by rotating the center screw412. Rotating the center screw412clockwise (or counter-clockwise) expands (or compresses) the mechanical screw separation mechanism410which in turn increases (or decreases) the distances401,402.

In some embodiments, in a seat element102(106), the relative position of the pivot110(or112) can be adjusted.FIG. 5illustrates adjusting the relative position of the pivot104in the seat element106. As illustrated, there is Velcro between the seat surface107and the pivot104. A bottom502of the seat surface107includes male Velcro (+) and the top surface of the pivot104includes female Velcro (−). The pivot104can be separated from and attached to the seat surface107via the Velcro. When attached, the top surface504of the pivot104contacts the bottom surface502of the seat surface107. Adjusting the relative position of the pivot104(or108) in the seat element102(or106) can in turn adjust the distances401,402. Separating the seat surface from the pivot further allows users to replace seat surfaces with different levels of contouring. Modular seat elements offer flexibility and customization. Users can install different seat elements on a support frame.

In some embodiments, sliders are used to adjust separation of the seat elements102,106.FIG. 6illustrates adjusting the relative position of the pivot104in the seat element102via a slider604. As illustrated, the bottom surface602of the seat surface103includes a slider606. Specifically, the top surface604of the slider606is secured to the bottom surface602of the seat surface103. The pivot104includes a groove607for receiving the slider606. By sliding the slider606in the groove607, the relative position of the pivot104can be adjusted. Adjusting the relative position of the pivot104(or108) in the seat element102(or106) can in turn adjust the distances401,402.

In some embodiments, a sliding mechanism is used to adjust separation of the seat element102,106.FIGS. 7A through 7Cillustrate adjusting the relative position of the pivot104relative to the support frame112. In the illustrated example, only the shaft of the support frame112is shown. As illustrated inFIG. 7C, three screws701can be secured to compress the boring of the pivot104on the support frame thereby to interlock the pivot104to the support frame112. Releasing the three screws701allow the pivot104to slide along the support frame112thereby to adjust the distances401,402. For example, compared to the seat element's102position inFIG. 7A, the seat element102is further away from the center of the support frame112inFIG. 7B.

Seat Transmission

In various embodiments, the seat elements102,106counter-pivot. That is, the seat elements102,106pivot in opposite directions. The support frame112includes a transmission system that counter-pivots the seat elements102,106. The purpose of the counter-pivot is to: 1) mimic the natural movement cycle of the legs during cycling, and 2) provide an opposing reaction such that the user does not slide out of the seat unintentionally (action/reaction). In various embodiments, the transmission system can include a differential, a mechanical linkage, or a cable linkage. During cycling, when one leg pedals downward, the other leg pedals upward. The contour of the seat surfaces corresponding to the upward moving leg provides most of the forward stability. By counter-pivoting the seat elements, forward slippage of the pelvis is reduced. This provides additional pelvic stability during the rotation cycle.

FIGS. 8A and 8Billustrate the seat100including a differential800for counter-pivoting seat elements102,106. The support frame112includes the differential800as a part of a transmission system. The support frame112also includes shafts802,804that drive rotation of the seat elements102,106, respectively. The differential800couples and counter-rotates the shafts802,804. Specifically, the co-axial gear trains806-809counter rotate the shafts802,804. The counter-rotation of the shafts802,804counter-pivots the seat elements102,106.FIG. 8Bis an enlarged view of the differential800.

FIG. 9Ais a line drawing illustrating a mechanical linkage900for counter-pivoting seat elements102,106. The support frame112includes the mechanical linkage900as a part of a transmission system. The illustrated mechanical linkage900includes bodies901-903connected at joints905,907. The body901is connected to the seat element106via the joint910, and the body903is connected to the seat element102via the joint911. The bodies901and903move in opposite directions due to the pivot906. In the illustrated example, the joints905and907are sliders. The joints910and911are hinges.

FIGS. 9B-Dillustrate different positions during operation of an example mechanical linkage900.FIG. 9Billustrates a “neutral” position of the mechanical linkage900. The bodies901,903are substantially vertically overlaping with each other. The seat elements106,102are substantially in the same plane that is parallel to the ground.FIG. 9Cillustrates one extreme pivoting state of the mechanical linkage900. The body901is more elevated than the body903. The body901moves upward and the body903moves downward, which counter-pivots the seat elements106,102. Similarly,FIG. 9Dillustrates the opposite pivoting state of the mechanical linkage900. The body901is less elevated than the body903. The body901moves downward and the body907moves upward, which counter-pivots the seat elements106,102.

FIG. 10illustrates a cable linkable1000for counter-pivoting seat elements102,106. The terminal1001(1002) of the cable linkage1000is connected to the bottom surface of the seat element106(102). The cable1000may be enclosed in a sheath1003. When a user's right leg pushes downward on the front portion of the seat element102, the seat element102moves downward and pivots forwards. The cable1000causes the seat element106to move upward and pivot backwards.

Tilt Adjustment

In some embodiments, a tilt of the seat elements can be adjusted by a rider. The tilt of the seat surfaces can be adjusted to reposition a user's pelvis if the user adjusts posture.FIGS. 11A-11Cillustrate adjusting a tilt of the seat surface. The tilt of the seat surface can be measured by the angle1102relative to the ground, which reflects the forward tilt of the body and pelvis. For example, the tilt pivots forwards (backwards) and the angle1102increases (decreases) for a more engaged and performance (relaxed and upright) posture.FIG. 11Ashows a more upright posture and a less tilted seat.FIG. 11Cshows a more aggressive posture and a more tilted seat.FIG. 11Bin in between. As previously described, the seat includes a transmission system that can implement a variety of ways for counter-pivoting the seat elements. Adjusting the tilt of the seat elements is further described in connection withFIGS. 12 through 15. In various embodiments, the rider can adjust the tilt of a seat element during riding.

FIGS. 12A through 12Dillustrate adjusting the tilt of a seat element in a transmission system including a differential. The differential800is coupled to a slider1200. The position of the slider1200can be adjusted thereby to adjust the tilt of the seat element. The position of the slider1200can be adjusted by hand as illustrated inFIG. 12B. In other embodiments, the position of the slider1200can be adjusted by rotating a screw1202as illustrated inFIG. 12C. Tensioning or relaxing the cable1204can also adjust the position of the slider1200as illustrated inFIG. 12D. In some designs (such as inFIG. 12d), the tilt of the seat surfaces and/or the separation of the seat elements can be adjusted while the user is riding.

FIG. 13illustrates adjusting the tilt of a seat element in a transmission system including a mechanical linkage. By tensioning cable1304, the whole mechanism is pulled down. This implies that the seat pads102,106tilt up to return to a horizontal position. On the other hand, relaxing the cable1304lets the whole mechanism rise up. This implies that the seat pads102,106tilt down. A spring and a screw help to adjust the angle.

Additional Seat Adjustments

FIGS. 14A-14Eillustrate adjusting a seat element, according to one embodiment. In this example, seat elements102,106can be rotated to adjust their separation.FIG. 14Ashows a top view of the seat andFIG. 14Bshows the bottom view. In these figures, the seat element102can rotate about pivot point1402. The position of the seat is fixed by a feature1403that travels along arc1404. For example, feature1403may be a screw thread that aligns with slot1404, with a bolt or other fastener fixing the position. This mechanism allows a fan-like motion, as shown inFIGS. 14C-14E. InFIG. 14C, the seat is configured for sit bones with a separation of 110 mm. The width of the seat is 132 mm.FIG. 14Dis for 125 mm sit bones with a seat width of 147 mm.FIG. 14Eis for 138 mm sit bones with a seat width of 160 mm.

FIGS. 15A-15B and 16A-16Billustrate lateral adjustments of a seat element, according to additional embodiments.FIGS. 15A and 15Bshow top and bottom views of a seat with one seat element102installed. The lateral position of the seat element is adjustable along the direction of the slots1504, i.e. along the right-left direction. The seat element102may contain screw threads1503, with bolts used to fix the position of the seat element.

FIG. 16Ashows a top view of another seat with one seat element102installed.FIG. 16Bshows a bottom perspective view of the seat element102.FIG. 16Cis an exploded view of the seat. The lateral position of the seat element is adjustable along two dimensions. The bottom piece has two slots1604along one direction, and the seat element102has two corresponding slots1603along the perpendicular direction. This allows for adjustment along both directions.

Other adjustments are also possible. For example, as shown inFIG. 17, the seat elements102,106may be rotated along an axis1702,1706oriented along the forward-backward direction. That is, the seat elements may be rolled right or left. This may be used to raise or lower the center of the seat relative to the edges. If the right seat element102is rolled to the right while the left seat element106is rolled to the left, this will raise the center of the seat relative to the edges.

Body Stability and Alignment on the Seat

The nose110provides stability during cornering, and also guides the user into proper alignment and position on the seat surface. Cyclists rely on the nose of the bike during cornering and aggressive maneuvers to provide stability as the seat may come into contact with their inner thighs. The nose of the seat also provides a guide to properly alignment the body on the seat after repositioning or standing up in the pedals. The seat nose110and the seat surfaces103,107form a gap below a user's perineum area. This gap relieves pressure and minimizes friction to the perineum area to prevent discomfort and chafing. In addition, the aerodynamic design reduces drag and increases airflow in the perineum area, improves comfort, and reduces moisture that causes related skin conditions. The design eliminates the need for padded bicycle shorts that tend to absorb and hold moisture and heat that causes discomfort and skin conditions. Soft materials may also be used in this gap region. This may give the illusion of a more traditional seat while still functioning the same with respect to pressure relief.

The seats described herein can also be used in other pedal-powered vehicles such as tricycles, unicycles, aircrafts, paddle boats, hydrocycles, and the like.

Although the detailed description contains many specifics, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but merely as illustrating different examples and aspects of the invention. It should be appreciated that the scope of the invention includes other embodiments not discussed in detail above. Various other modifications, changes and variations which will be apparent to those skilled in the art may be made in the arrangement, operation and details of the method and apparatus of the present invention disclosed herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. Therefore, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.

In the claims, reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless explicitly stated, but rather is meant to mean “one or more.” In addition, it is not necessary for a device or method to address every problem that is solvable by different embodiments of the invention in order to be encompassed by the claims.