SEAT STRUCTURE FOR BICYCLE WITH ANTIWEAR PROTECTION

Abstract: A seat of saddle structure for bicycle with anti-wear protection comprising a shaped frame (2) of substantially rigid pre-formed material provided with means for connection to a bicycle frame, a padding (5) anchored to the upper surface (4) of the shell and a covering layer (6) placed on the upper side of the padding and fixed to the lower edge (7) of the shell (2). There is provided at least an anti-wear layer of elastically yielding material (9, 9') protruding from the lateral surface of the covering layer (6) so as to avoid direct contact of the seat with abrasive external surfaces. A pair of anti-wear layers (9, 9') protruding from the lateral surface of the seat, are placed in substantially symmetric positions with respect to the longitudinal axis (L) of the same, in the zone of maximum transversal section of the seat.

Description: SEAT STRUCTURE FOR BICYCLE WITH ANTIWEAR PROTECTION Technical field The present invention relates to a bicycle seat or saddle structure with anti- wear protection. Background art A known saddle structure currently on the market comprises a frame or preformed shell, generally made of rigid or semirigid plastic material, having means for connection to a bicycle frame, a padding made of elastically yielding material anchored to the shell in the upper zone and covered with an external protection layer of laminar flexible material fixed along the lower edge of the shell. An example of such known seat structures is illustrated in the Italian Patent No. 1 ,270,728. A drawback of such known seat structures is their short operative life caused by wear or damage of the protection layer in case of a fall on the asphalt and/or when parking of the bicycle with leaning against external surfaces like walls and the like. In fact, repeated contact of the seat against abrasive surfaces causes in a short time tear of the cover with subsequent exposure of the padding. Abrasions and damage of the protection layer can also reduce aesthetic quality of the seat by altering colours and damaging possible writings, as well as ornamental or advertising graphics. A general aim of the present invention is to obviate the above drawbacks by providing a seat with remarkable resistance to abrasions and to collisions in the zone of the external cover, and in particular of the lateral edges. Another aim is to provide a bicycle seat which can maintain for a long time the same aesthetic and functional characteristics of the newly-made seat. In accordance with one preferred aspect of the invention there, is provided a seat structure for bicycle with anti-wear protection which comprises a shaped frame of substantially semirigid material having means for connecting to a bicycle frame, a padding fixed to the upper surface of the shell and an external protection layer located on the upper side of said padding and along the lower edge of the frame, and at least one anti-wear layer of elastomeric material, protruding from the lateral surface of the protection layer to prevent direct contact of the seat with abrasive external surfaces. By providing one or more lateral layers, the protection layer will be more resistant to abrasions and to collisions, thus maintaining the aesthetic and functional aspect of the seat unchanged for a longer time. Brief description of drawings Further characteristics and advantages of the seat structure according to the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment, illustrated only by way of illustrative but non- limitative example with the aid of the attached drawings Figures in which: Fig. 1 illustrates an upper plan view of a structure of the seat according to one preferred aspect of the invention; Fig. 2 illustrates a side view of the seat structure of fig. 1 ; Fig. 3 illustrates a partially sectioned rear view of the seat structure of Fig. 1 according to the plane III - III. Detailed description of the invention With reference to the cited figures, there is illustrated a seat structure according to the invention, globally identified with the reference numeral 1 , which has a traditional shape substantially symmetric with respect to a longitudinal axis L, comprising a back portion 1 ' for supporting the user's pelvis connected to an extended front portion 1 " for supporting the pubic zone of the same user. The structure 1 comprises a frame or shell 2 of rigid or semirigid preformed material, for example made by pressing or injecting plastic materials like nylon, PET, PVC, more or less loaded with reinforcing material. On the lower portion 3 of frame 2, it is possible to provide fixing means of a known type for fixing the seat to the frame of a bicycle, not illustrated in the drawings. A padding 5 of elastically yielding material is fixed on the upper surface 4 of frame 2. This material has an elevated elastic memory, and can for example be made from an expanded PUR (polyurethane), possibly added with materials having limited elastic memory of the gel type. A covering and protection layer 6, for example of Lycra ® or imitation leather, is laid on the padding 5 and fixed to frame 2 along the lower edge 7 of the same. According to the invention, the seat comprises at least an antiwear layer 9 preferably of elastically yielding elastomeric material, protruding from the covering 6 lateral surface so as to define a small protective cushion to impede direct contact of the seat cover with abrasive external surfaces like walls and the like. In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the seat comprises a pair of antiwear layers 9, 9' in substantially symmetric position according to the longitudinal axis L, placed in proximity of the zone of maximum transversal section of the seat so as to protrude from the lateral sides 10, 10' of the latter. More precisely, each layer 9, 9' is provided with an internal portion 1 1 , 1 1 ' inserted and bound in a respective concavity of complementary shape of covering 6 and an external portion 12, 12' protruding from the cover profile and having sufficient thickness to allow some elastic yield in case of tangential or perpendicular collision of the seat against an external surface. The external portion 12, 12' of every layer 9, 9' is slightly rounded towards the outside so as to be shaped approximately like a continuation of the curved profile of the protection layer 6. Preferably, layers 9, 9' are made of polyurethane foam obtained by mixing a trifunctional polyether poliol with MDI (Difenilmetane of isocianate) pure prepolymerized isocyanade and a chain extender, for example by moulding or injection. The material structure of the layers is preferably of closed a cell microcellular type, adapted to guarantee a high collision absorption degree, preferably with a breaking elongation of more than 100%. Colouring of layers 9, 9' will be possible by mixing the colouring substance with the polyurethane mass before polymerisation so as to obtain a uniform pigmentation of the whole material structure. It is possible to add to the above-mentioned colouring substances stabilising substances adapted to prevent colour alterations caused by ultraviolet rays during sunlight exposure. From the above disclosure, it is apparent that the seat according to the invention fulfils the aims set out above and in particular presents a long operation life of the seat and substantially maintains its aesthetic and functional aspect. Even if the seat according to the invention has been described with particular reference to the enclosed drawings it is susceptible to numerous modifications and variations, all falling within the inventive concept expressed in the attached claims. The contents of Italian Patent Application No. VI98A000088, for which priority is claimed, are incorporated herein by reference.

Claims: Claims 1 . Seat structure for bicycle with antiwear protection, comprising a shaped frame (2) of substantially semirigid material and connectable to a bicycle frame, a padding (5) fixed to the upper surface (4) of the frame and an external protection layer (6) located on the upper side of said padding and along the lower edge (7) of the frame, and at least one antiwear layer preferably of elastomeric material (9, 9'), protruding from the lateral surface of the protection layer (6) to prevent direct contact of the seat with abrasive external surfaces. 2. Seat structure according to claim 1 , characterised by the provision of a pair of said layers (9, 9') protruding from the external lateral surface of the seat. 3. Seat structure according to claim 2, characterised by the fact that the layers (9, 9') of said pair are located in symmetrical positions according to the longitudinal axis (L) of the seat in proximity of the zone of maximum transversal seat section. 4. Seat structure according to any one or more of the previous claims, characterised by the fact that every layer (9, 9') presents an internal peripheral portion for fixing it to a concavity of complementary shape of the cover (6). 5. Seat structure according to claim 4, characterised by the fact that every layer (9, 9') presents an external portion of substantially bowed shape with a profile connected with the outside peripheral profile of said cover (6). 6. Seat structure according to claim 1 , characterised by the fact that every layer (9, 9') has a thickness allowing elastic deformation in case of perpendicular and/or tangential collision. 7. Seat structure according to claim 1 , characterised by the fact that every layer (9, 9') is made of material with elastic memory with microceliular closed structure. 8. Seat structure according to claim 7, characterised by the fact that said material with elastic memory is made of a polyurethane foam. 9. Seat structure according to claim 8, characterised by the fact that said polyurethane foam is made by a mixture of a trifunctional polyether poliol with MDI (Difenilmetane of isocianate) pure prepolymerized isocyanade and a chain extender. 10. Seat structure according to claim 1 , characterised by the fact that the basic material of every layer (9, 9') has a breaking elongation of more than 100%. 1 1 . Seat structure according to claim 1 , characterised by the fact that said at least one layer (9, 9') is integrally pigmented with pigment resistant to sunlight.

Inventors: BIGOLIN RICCARDO, BIGOLIN, RICCARDO
Applicants: BIGOLIN RICCARDO, SELLE ROYAL SPA, BIGOLIN, RICCARDO, SELLE ROYAL S.P.A.
Application year: 1999
Main classification: B62J1
IPC codes: B62J1