BICYCLE SEAT

Abstract: A bicycle saddle device including an arrangement (1) for supporting the seat of a user, said supporting arrangement comprising two support parts (2, 3) mutually spaced for receiving the two seat bones, where a part (4) of the supporting arrangement (1) connecting the support parts (2, 3) is arranged substantially on the same level as, or below the support parts so that the main part of a load transferred from the user to the supporting arrangement is absorbed by the support parts (2, 3).

Description: BICYCLE SEAT FIELD OF THE INVENTION AND PRIOR ART The present invention relates to a bicycle saddle device according to the preamble of claim 1 . Conventional bicycle saddles are designed with a base portion extending in the transversal direction of the bicycle, which base portion is intended to receive the seat bones located in the seat of a user, and a portion protruding from the base portion in the forward direction of the bicycle, said portions together forming an approximately triangle-like structure. The force applied by a user on the saddle is transferred from the user to both the base portion and the protruding portion. The protruding portion will by that bear against and act upon the soft parts between the seat bones by a force directed upwardly. The more the cyclist leans forward, i.e. bends the back at the pelvis, the greater part of the force transferred from the cyclist to the saddle will be transferred to the protruding portion instead of to the base portion. Furthermore, the upper surface of the base portion has usually a shape curved upwardly, which means that the surface will pro- trude in the seat between the seat bones. The force deriving from the protruding portion and possibly from the curved surface of the base portion, and directed against the soft parts, press the blood-vessels therein together and ob- structs by that the flow of blood, which leads to numbnesses of the branch area. The portion of the saddle protruding between the legs will also lead to sitsores and blisters. The problem mentioned above are often occurring in particular among competition cyclists, said cyclists often leaning forward a lot during cycling to reduce the air resistance. The problem with uncomfortable saddles is not new and attempts have been done to eliminate the problem mentioned above by new designs of the saddles. The designs of a bicycle saddle resulting from these attempts are described below and commonly for these is that the saddles are designed to reach pressure evenly distributed in the branch, i.e. both on the parts of the skeleton and the soft parts therein. This is achieved by that two recesses designed mutually spaced in the framework of the saddle are arranged for receiving the seat bones located in the seat. By that the respective seat bone of the cyclist is received in respective recess of the framework of the saddle, the .seat of the cyclist will take a position which is lowered and relatively stationary in relation to the saddle and the only unloading the cyclist may receive is when he releases the seat from the saddle and takes a standing cycling position. In US 4 773 705 a bicycle saddle designed substantially elliptical and whose longitudinal direction extends in a transversal direction to the forward direction of the bicycle is described. The saddle has two recesses designed for the seat bones and between these extends a ridge which possibly have a recess that is less marked than the recesses designed for the seat bones. Such a bicycle saddle attains effectively a pressure evenly distributed in the branch of the cyclist. In US 3 844 61 1 a bicycle saddle similar to that in US 4 773 705 is described, but with the difference that one portion protruding from the elliptical portion is arranged in the forward direction of the bicycle. In this connection an upper surface of the protruding portion is arranged at a level above the recesses arranged for the seat bones. Furthermore, the saddle has one or two layers of a resilient material between a cover layer and a base. In US 3 185 522 a bicycle saddle is described which at its rear portion has a recess designed in the forward direction of the bicycle, said recess being intended to correspond to the location of the caudal vertebra of a cyclist. The intention is that the caudal vertebra should be able to move freely and not be irritated during bicycling. Also this saddle has a protruding portion in the forward direction of the bicycle and the upper surface thereof is arranged at level above the recesses. In US 4 063 775 a frame construction for a saddle is described, said construction being substantially shaped in the form of a T and having two recesses for the seat bones in its base and also this construction achieving by that such a pressure evenly distributed in the branch and in the seat as described above. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The object of the present invention is to provide a bicycle saddle device, which eliminates the disadvantages mentioned above in bicycle saddle devices according to prior art. This object is obtained by the device according to the invention by that a part of the supporting arrangement connecting the support parts is arranged substantially on the same level as, or on a lower level than the support parts so that the main part of the load transferred from the user to the supporting arrangement is absorbed by the support parts. With the main part of the load transferred from the user to the supporting arrangement is intended >80%, preferably >90% and in particular >95% of the load. In such a way the area located between the seat bones in the seat of the user will substantially not absorb any load at all and therefor the blood-vessels running in these soft parts will not be compressed and the problem with for example nomb- nesses in these areas will therefor be eliminated. Furthermore, the shape of the saddle according to the invention allows the seat of the cyclist to not be arranged in a fixed position in the lateral direction of the saddle, but the cyclist will be able to change the seat position somewhat in the lateral direction and therefor the seat sores and the blisters otherwise usually occurring is effectively obstructed. An embodiment of the invention, in which the respective support part has a section for absorbing the load in a direction substantially opposite to the forward direction of the bicycle, means that the cyclist receives an obstruction against movement of the seat in the backward direction of the bicycle, which means that a larger portion of the load used during cycling is able to be transferred to the pedals for the forward movement in relation to conventional bicycles saddles at which the cyclist has a tendency to glide slightly backwards on the saddle during each pedal movement. This problem of conventional bicycle saddles is more marked for competition cyclists, which on one hand have a strong bend in the area of the back and the seat and on the other hand develop a strong force during the cycling. Another embodiment, which is a further development of the previous embodiment and at which the support parts have a con- cave shape in relation to the rest of the supporting arrangement as seen from the side of the bicycle, means that the seat bones are arranged in a position slightly sinked down in the supporting arrangement while the soft parts located between the seat bones are substantially free from contact or loading, which due to the shape and the movement pattern of the seat bones leads to a supporting arrangement being ergonomically well designed. Another embodiment, which is a further development of the previous embodiment, and in which the connection part and the support parts constitute parts of a continuous upper surface of the supporting arrangement which surface is intended to extend substantially in the transversal direction of the bicycle, means that the possibility for the cyclist to move the seat in the transversal direction of the bicycle is simplified and increased. Another embodiment, in which the device has an arrangement for adjusting the inclination of the supporting arrangement in relation to the bicycle, means that the upper surface of the supporting arrangement intended for the seat of the cyclist may be arranged with different angles in relation to the bicycle and by that one is able to adjust the inclination of the supporting arrangement according to the sitting position desired. This embodiment is advantageous in particular for competition cyclists when the inclination of the supporting arrangement may be changed according to the inclination of the road and the re- quired speed, said supporting arrangement preferably being inclined forward in case of an uphill slope or high speed since a large power output is required. ADDITIONAL PRIOR ART It is known per se that in bicycle saddles arrange a part of the supporting arrangement connecting the support parts on the same level as the support parts, see for example the document SE 345 424, but such bicycle saddles have a stuffing arranged on the framework of the saddle, said stuffing having such a thickness that the force transferred from the saddle to the cyclist will be evenly distributed in the branch of the cyclist. Furthermore, the Swedish patent application 8502506-2 de- scribes a saddle with an enclosure partly filled with a mixture of liquid/air balls in order to spread the pressure equally from the body against the sitting surface. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Below follows a detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention cited as examples with reference to appendend drawings. Fig 1 illustrates a partly cut perspective view of the device according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention. Fig 2 illustrates the device according to the invention in Fig 1 in a view from behind and a cyclist sitting in the saddle which is schematically illustrated. Fig 3 illustrates a side elevation of the device according to the invention in Fig 1 where the supporting arrangement is arranged in the first position. Fig 4 illustrates a side elevation of the device according to the invention in Fig 1 where the supporting arrangement is arranged in a second position. Fig 5 illustrates a partly cut side elevation of the device according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION Fig 1 illustrates a partly cut perspective view of the device according to the invention at a bicycle saddle according to a first embodiment. The device has an arrangement 1 for support of the seat of a user, said supporting arrangement comprising two support parts 2, 3 mutually spaced for receiving the two seat bones located in the seat. Furthermore, the supporting arrangement 1 has a part 4 connecting the support parts 2, 3, and being arranged on the same level as the support parts 2, 3 so that the main part of the load transferred from the user to the supporting arrangement 1 is absorbed or supported by the support parts 2, 3. The upper surface 5 of the supporting arrangement 1 has a recess that extends in the transversal direction of the bicycle. Furthermore, the upper surface 5 of the supporting arrangement 1 has a substantially constant shape in its longitudinal direction, i.e. in the transversal direction of the bicycle. Furthermore, the device has an arrangement 6 for adjusting the inclination of the supporting arrangement 1 in relation to the bicycle. The adjusting arrangement 6 has two toothed plate-like means 8, 9 and 10, 1 1 arranged on each side of the frame 7 of the bicycle and bearing against each other and in engagement with each other. The two plate-like means 8, 10 attached at the frame 7 are connected to the frame 7 at a side located opposite to its toothed surface and the two other plate-like means 9, 11 are attached at the framework 12 of the device. Furthermore, the adjusting arrangement 6 has an operating handle 13, said operating handle being connected in a first end thereof with an axis 14 extending through the plate-like means 8-1 1 and the frame 7, see Fig 2, said axis having a threaded portion at the side of the plate-like means 9 that is opposite to the operating handle 13. The threaded portion of the axis 14 co-operates with a screw nut 15 attached at the plate-like means 9. The toothed surfaces of the respective plate-like means 8-1 1 have a radially shaped toothed structure starting from a centre point. The radially toothed structure may be seen in Fig 5. The transversal axis 14 extends through the centre point. The radially toothed struc- ture is constituted by radially extending pointed ridges, which are mutually spaced in the radial direction. The operating handle 13 is within reach from one side of the adjusting arrangement 6 and controllable with one hand only. The operating handle 13 is controllable between two different positions, which positions cor- respond to releasing and locking of the plate-like means 8-1 1 , i.e. bringing these out and in engagement to each other. It is by 8 this possible to adjust the inclination of the supporting arrangement 1 about an axis extending in the transversal direction of the bicycle, here the axis 14, stepwise according to the requirements, said steps corresponding to the radial distance between two mutually adjacent teeth of the plate-like means 8-1 1 . The adjusting arrangement 6 is designed so that the change of inclination of the supporting arrangement 1 is able to be performed by a cyclist during cycling by operating with one hand only. The adjusting of the inclination of the supporting arrangement 1 is done by operation of the operating handle 13 by the cyclist to the position for releasing the toothed surfaces of the plate-like means 8-1 1 , said cyclist influencing the upper surface 5 of the supporting arrangement 1 by his seat when leaning to a position desired and the operating handle is then brought to a position locking the toothed surfaces of the plate-like means 8-11. Fig 2 is a view from behind of the first embodiment of the device according to the invention and with a cyclist 16 located on the supporting arrangement 1 , said cyclist being fragmentary and in form of a skeleton and schematically shown with the purpose of illustration. A sitting person in general sits on two angled pro- trudings of the pelvis, the so called seat bones 17, 18. These seat bones are intended to support the weight of the body. By the design of the upper surface 5 of the supporting arrangement 1 according to the invention the seat bones 17, 18 will be received by the curved surface while the part of the seat located between the seat bones 17, 18 will be substantially free from contact with the surface 5 or at least receiving a very small part of the load transferred from the cyclist 16 to the supporting ar- rangement 1 . The area of the seat located between the seat bones 17, 18 including soft parts and present blood-vessels therein. By the design of the upper surface 5 of the supporting arrangement 1 according to the invention the blood-flow in this area will not in any way be obstructed by the shape of the sup- porting arrangement 1 . By that the upper surface 5 of the supporting arrangement 1 has a section extending substantially horizontal in the transversal direction of the bicycle, which section extends through both the support parts 2, 3 and the connection part 4, the seat bones obtain a good support without that the blood-flow is obstructed and this also leads to the ad- vantage that the cyclist with the purpose of load releasing may lean the weight alternately on one seat bone and on the other seat bone. The concave design of the upper surface 5 of the supporting arrangement 1 gives a good support for the seat bones 17, 18 since these are shaped rounded, and due to the small extent of the supporting arrangement 1 in the longitudinal direction of the bicycle the swinging legs of the cyclist will almost receive free movability and the problem arising in conventional saddle devices regarding blisters in the branch and on the inside of the thighs is effectively eliminated. Furthermore, the concave shape may be designed individually according to the shape of the seat of the user and/or requirements from the user. The cyclist, due to that the upper surface 5 of the supporting arrangement 1 , in the transversal direction of the bicycle, has a continuous shape located at the same level across its whole length, may move the seat somewhat in the lateral direction, which means that his sitting position is changed and therefor ulceration in the seat area and exhaustion of the body are obstructed. Fig 3 illustrates a cross-section view of the first embodiment of the device according to the invention. The supporting arrangement 1 has a framework 12 in the form of two cylinder-shaped members 19, 20 parallel arranged at a mutually distance, said members being connected with means of a spacer member 21 . Furthermore, the framework 12 has a plate-like member 22 arranged over and at least partly around the cylinder-shaped members 19, 20 and,.having an upper surface with a shape that substantially corresponds to the shape of the upper surface 5 of the supporting arrangement 1 . The plate-like member 22 is pref- erably of a metallic material in the form of for example a shaped plate but may also be of plastic material in the form of for exam- 10 pie moulded or extruded plastic. One such suitably plastic material is for example polyurethane. Furthermore, for the purpose of comfort the plate-like member 22 is covered by a layer of a material with greater flexibility than the material of the plate-like member. The cover layer 23 is in this connection preferably of a semi-hard material such as a suitable plastic, leather or the like. Within the scope of the claims according to the invention the cover layer 23 may also be constituted of a thinner stuffing. The cover layer 23 should have such a small thickness that the cy- clist does not sink down with the seat in this layer so that any spreading of pressure in the branch occur, but the cover layer is only intended to obstruct wearing or wearing out of the seat bones. The plate-like means 9, 1 1 are connected with the framework 12 via for example a welding joint since these are of metallical materials suitable for welding. The plate-like member 22 is preferably attached to the cylinder-shaped members 19, 20 -and/or the spacer member 21 via a welding joint since these are of metallical materials suitable for welding. According to a further embodiment, the plate-like member 22 extends around the cylinder-shaped members and its ends are attached to the spacer member 21 . The design of the framework 12 with cylinder-shaped members 19, 20 and a spacer member 21 connecting these, should be regarded in an exemplifying object only. The cylinder-shaped members 19, 20 may for example be re- placed by that the plate-like member is bended to a loop at the positions for the cylinder-shaped members. Fig 4 illustrates a partly cut elevation view of the first embodiment of the device according to the invention where the sup- porting arrangement 1 is arranged in a position different from the position illustrated in Fig 3. Because of the possibility to change the inclination of the supporting arrangement 1 with means of the adjusting arrangement 6 and therefor the upper surface 5 of the supporting arrangement, a cyclist may change said inclination according to requirements on the comfort of the bicycling and the size and the direction of the force that is 1 1 transferred from the cyclist to the supporting arrangement. When the cyclist excerts a high pressure on the pedals, for example at an uphill slope or during fast cycling, it is advantageously that the cyclist receives a stronger support in the back- ward direction of the bicycle so that the cyclist not is gliding to and fro on the supporting arrangement. Thus, rear section 24 of respective support part 2, 3 absorbs in an advantageous way load to a higher degree in a direction substantially opposite to the forward direction of the bicycle compare with the position in Fig 3. When cycling while excerting a high pressure on the pedals the cyclist is strongly leaned forward to reach a good power transmission and a front section 25 of the upper surface 5 is therefor arranged substantially horizontal to achieve a comfortable sitting. When cycling while excerting a lower pressure on the pedals it may be comfortable to sit in a position more upright and where the inclination of the supporting arrangement 1- again may be changed to the position illustrated in Fig 3. The two positions illustrated in Fig 3 and Fig 4 should be considered as two examples of inclinations of the supporting arrangement 1 . How- ever, within the scope of the claims according to the invention the supporting arrangement 1 may be inclined within an angle range of at least 90°. Such an advantageously angle range may vary between two end positions, namely a first one where the rear section 24 is arranged substantially horizontal and a sec- ond position where the rear section 24 is arranged substantially vertical. The upper surface 5 of the supporting arrangement 1 may also be shaped with a more or less pronounced angle between the rear section 24 and the front section 25 within the scope of the invention. The depth of the curved shape is de- pendent on the anatomy of the cyclist that will use the supporting arrangement and for an adult said depth is between 5-25 mm and preferably between 10-20 mm and in particular it is advantageously that the depth has a value of approximately 15 mm. With a curved shape of the upper surface 5 is intended that this may have a structure all the way from a substantially groove- shaped to a substantially angled structure. 12 Fig 5 illustrates a second embodiment of the device according to the invention, in which the supporting arrangement 1 has a framework 26 of a workable material and preferably of a pour- able material such as for example plastics or wood materials or any other carrying material. The plate-like means 9, 1 1 are preferably attached at the framework 26 via a glue joint or a screw joint. Similar to the first embodiment also the supporting arrangement has a cover layer 23. Besides increasing the comfort, the cover layer 23 may contribute to increasing the aesthetical effect and protect the framework. The adjusting arrangement 6 may be designed in several different ways within the scope of the claims according to the invention. According to the design illustrated in Fig 1 -5 of the plate- like means 8-1 1 , these means have a large number of teeth, which means that the supporting arrangement 1 may be adjusted in a corresponding number of directions. Alternatively, the plate-like means may be designed with only a small number of teeth or ridges so that the supporting arrangement 1 is able to be set in a small number of directions only, for example three directions. Furthermore, the toothed structure may have many different designs within the frame of the claims according to the invention, for example the teeth may be pointed designed, but they may also have a rounded shape. Instead the adjusting ar- rangement 6 may have for example means (not showed) designed to allow variable adjusting in a number of positions between two end positions of the inclination of the supporting arrangement 1 about an axis extending in the transversal direction of the bicycle. To achieve such a variable adjusting of the incli- nation, the adjusting means has for example a ball joint. In this case, a ball-shaped part is connected with one of the frame 7 and the framework and one part shaped corresponding to the design of the ball part is arranged for receiving the ball part and attached to the other of the frame 7 and the framework. By ar- ranging the surfaces, bearing against each other and being active, in the ball joint so that a resistance against a movement of 13 the surfaces with respect to each other is present, the adjusting of the supporting arrangement 1 in the position required may be done by that the cyclist via its seat acts upon the supporting arrangement with a force in a direction required while the resis- tance of friction between the surfaces is overcomed. However, the ball joint may also be designed with a locking means that in a first position acts upon the active surfaces in the ball joint with such a strong force that the friction force between the surfaces barely may be overcomed by a force on the supporting arrange- ment transferred by the cyclist via the seat and in another position substantially eliminating the friction resistance between the surfaces, said cyclist being able to easily bring the supporting arrangement in the position desired via a bending of the seat or the back. However, a variable adjusting of the inclination of the supporting arrangement 1 may also be achieved by that two adjusting means with surfaces bearing against each other, which means preferably are plate-like, has such a structure that a relative turning movement between the means is obstructed by a friction force arising between the surfaces. Similar to the first embodiment of the invention the adjusting means are connected via an axis running in the transversal direction of the bicycle and extending perpendicular to said surfaces, said turning being done about this axis. Furthermore, the friction force should be so great that an undesired turning about the axis and by that in- clination of the supporting arrangement during cycling is avoided. When a change in inclination of the supporting arrangement 1 is desired the cyclist acts upon the supporting arrangement 1 via the seat with a force large enough to overcome the friction resistance between the surfaces. However, the sup- porting arrangement 1 may also be designed with a locking means which in a first position acts upon the active surfaces with such a large force that the friction force between the surfaces barely is overcomed by a force transferred from the cyclist via the seat to the supporting arrangement and which in a second position substantially eliminating the resistance of friction between the surfaces, said cyclist being able to easily 14 bring the supporting arrangement in the position desired via bending of the seat or the back. The operating of the adjusting arrangement may be done either in the way described above by means of an operating handle that is arranged on one side of the part of the frame to which the device is connected, or by arranging a hand-lever in the proximity of the handle bars or on the handle bars of the bicycle, said hand-lever being accordingly connected to the plate-like means via a force transferring connection so that the operating of the adjusting arrangement may be done while the cyclist has both hands placed on the handle bars or in the proximity thereof. Length, width and deep of the upper surface of the supporting arrangement may be varied according to different users and the supporting arrangement is designed in different dimensions depending on the design thereof for children or adults, and the detailed design of the supporting arrangement may be varied within the scope of the claims according to the invention de- pending on if the user for example is a person who does physical exercise, or who is a competition cyclist etc. It is also possible to design the device with a spring arrangement. One possibility would be to arrange the section of the frame to which the device is attached resilient in relation to the remaining part of the frame. The spring arrangement has suitably spring means operating with gas. The spring arrangement may also be arranged between the framework and the frame or the adjusting arrangement. According to a further embodiment of the device, the device has means to allow an inclination of the supporting arrangement about an axis imagined in the forward direction of the bicycle. By designing these means so that the inclination may be done by a force transferred by the cyclist via the seat to the support- 15 ing arrangement, the inclination may be done alternately to and fro corresponding to the pedal movements done by the cyclist. It is stressed that the embodiments described above and illus- trated in the drawing should be considered as examples only. Thus, the invention may be realised in different ways without departing from the basic idea of the invention. In particular, it is pointed out that a man skilled in the art is capable of making various modifications of the exemplified embodiments, after re- ceiving knowledge about the solution of the invention, without departing from the scope of the claims. In order to make the device in a higher degree aesthetically attractive and/or to protect the framework the cover layer 23 is preferably arranged substantially covering the framework both as seen from above and from the side. The framework 12, 26 has been described above only to have one material, but it is also within the scope of the invention that the framework consists of two or more materials. The different materials may therefor for instance be arranged in layers. By arranging the framework with a first layer of a carrying material and at least one further layer on top of that layer of a material with a lower density an increased shock absorbing capacity is achieved. Even the cover layer 23 may be constituted by a material that increases the shock absorbing capacity of the device. Furthermore, the cover layer 23 may be designed with different thicknesses according to choice of material, requirements from users etc, and the thickness illustrated in Fig 1 -5 should only be regarded as an example. It is also within the scope of the claims according to the invention that the upper surface of the supporting arrangement 1 is designed with a ridge extending parallel with the extent of the recess, or a ridge extending on both sides of the recess, said 16 ridge/ridges achieving a deeper recess and by that a more pronounced receiving for the seat bones.

Claims: 17 CLAIMS: 1 . A bicycle saddle device including an arrangement (1 ) for supporting the seat of a user, said supporting arrangement comprising two support parts (2, 3) mutually spaced for receiving the two seat bones (17, 18) located in the seat, said support parts being intended to at least partly absorb a load transferred from the user (16) to the supporting arrangement, characterized in that a part (4) of the supporting arrange- ment connecting the support parts (2, 3) is arranged substantially on the same level as, or on a lower level than the support parts so that the main part of the load transferred from the user to the supporting arrangement is absorbed by the support parts. 2. A device according to claim 1 , characterized in that respective support part (2, 3) has a section (24) for absorbing the load in a direction substantially opposite to the forward direction of the bicycle. 3. A device according to any previous claim, characterized in that the support parts (2, 3) have a concave shape in relation to the rest of the supporting arrangement (1 ) as seen from the side of the bicycle. 4. A device according to any previous claim, characterized in that the connection part (4) and the support parts (2, 3) constitutes parts of a continuous upper surface (5) of the supporting arrangement (1 ), said surface being intended to ex- tending substantially in the transversal direction of the bicycle. 5. A device according to claim 4, characterized in that the upper surface (5) of the supporting arrangement (1 ) has a re- cess extending substantially in the transversal direction of 18 the bicycle and the support parts (2, 3) and the connection part (4) constitute parts of the recess. 6. A device according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the upper surface (5) of the supporting arrangement (1 ) has a substantially constant shape in its longitudinal direction, i.e. in the transversal direction of the bicycle. 7. A device according to claim 4, 5 or 6, characterized in that the supporting arrangement (1 ) has a framework (12, 26) connected to the bicycle frame (7), said framework having an upper surface with a shape substantially corresponding to the shape of the upper surface (5) of the supporting arrangement (1 ). 8. A device according to claim 7, characterized in that the framework (12) is constituted by metallic material. 9. A device according claim 7, characterized in that the frame- work (12, 26) is constituted by plastic material. 10. A device according to any of claims 7-9, characterized in that the supporting arrangement (1 ) has a layer (23) covering at least the upper surface of the framework and being of a material with larger flexibility than the material of the framework (12, 26). 1 1. A device according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the device has an arrangement (6) for adjusting the in- clination of the supporting arrangement (1 ) in relation to the bicycle. 12. A device according to claim 1 1 , characterized in that the adjusting arrangement (6) has means for adjusting the incli- nation of the supporting arrangement (1 ) about an axis ex- 19 tending in the transversal direction of the bicycle into at least two end positions. 13. A device according to claim 12, characterized in that the adjusting means is adapted to allow variable adjusting of the inclination of the supporting arrangement in a number of positions between the two end positions. 14. A device according to claim 13, characterized in that the adjusting means has a ball joint. 15. A device according to claim 14, characterized in that the surfaces of the ball joint bearing against each other and being active are arranged so that a resistance against a move- ment of the surfaces with respect to each other is present. 16. A device according to claim 12, characterized in that the adjusting means is adapted to allow a gradual adjusting of the inclination of the supporting arrangement (1 ) in a number of positions between the two end positions. 17. A device according to claim 16, characterized in that the adjusting means has means (8-1 1 ) provided with teeth, and that different mutual tooth positions correspond to the differ- ent positions. 18. A device according to any of claims 12-17, characterized in that the adjusting arrangement (6) has an operating handle (13) connected to the adjusting means for operating between two different positions, said positions corresponding to releasing and locking of the adjusting means, respectively. 19. A device according to claim 18, characterized in that the operating handle (13) is within reach from one side of the adjusting arrangement (6) and controllable by one hand only. 20 20. A device according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the device has means for resilient connection with the bicycle frame (7).

Inventors: THOFELT LARS, THOFELT, LARS
Applicants: THOFELT LARS, THOFELT, LARS
Application year: 1998
Main classification: B62J1
IPC codes: B62J1