SHOCK-ABSORBING BICYCLE SEAT MOUNT SYSTEM

Abstract: In preferred embodiment, a shock-absorbing bicycle seat mount, including: a post (210) fixedly attached to a bicycle seat (212) at a proximal end of the post, a distal end (220) of the post being inserted into a bicycle seat tube (270) for axial movement therein; biasing apparatus (224) disposed within the seat tube to support the post and provide a cushioning action for the post and the bicycle seat; and apparatus (250, 610) to prevent rotational movement of the post within the seat tube.

Description: SHOCK-ABSORBING BICYCLE SEAT MOUNT SYSTEM DESCRIPTION Field of the Invention - The present invention relates to bicycles generally and, more particularly., but not by way of limitation, to a novel shock-absorbing bicycle seat mount system. Background Ait - Ordinarily, bicycle [bike] seats are supported on a post that is tightly clamped in a bike seat tube portion of a bike frame. This is true for movable bicycles and also for stationary exercise bikes. Seat height location is provided by a certain extension of the seat post upwardly [ cont'd next page] and outwardly from the tube. At a post height extension for a particular rider's desired seat height, a clamp located at the top of the tube is tightened to prevent any dislocation movement of the seat post. Thus, the seat post becomes, in . effect, integral with the rigid bike frame which ordinarily does not provide for any road mechanical shock absorption other than that absorbed by the bike's inflated rubber tires and front fork shock absorbers when the latter are provided. It would be desirable, therefore, to have the seat 'post supported on a compression coil spring inside the tube so that some, of the imparted road shock would be absorbed by that spring. A seat. post that would be enabled to move in a quasi-vertical motion along the • longitudinal axis of and inside the seat tube unrestricted by a. tightened clamp as described • above but restricted as to it's rotational, "swivel" ' , motion is preferentially required for this desired shock absorbing effect. • Accordingly, it is a principal objective of the present invention to provide a shock-absorbing bicycle seat • mount that absorbs imparted road shock. It is a further objective of the invention to provide such a bicycle seat mount that prevents rotational motion of the bicycle seat mount. It is an additional objective of this invention to provide such a bicycle seat mount that can either be retrofitted to an existing bicycle or incorporated in the bicycle at the time of manufacture of the bicycle. ■ It is another objective of this invention to provide such a bicycle seat mount that can be economically constructed. It is yet a further objective of this invention to provide such a bicycle seat mount that .can be easily • installed in a seat tube and attached thereto. Other objectives of the ' present invention, as well as particular features, elements, and advantages thereof, will be elucidated in, or be apparent from, the following description and the accompanying drawing figures.

Claims: CLAIMS I claim a shock-absorbing bicycle seat mount system comprising, amongst other component parts: 1] A cylindrical shaped, unitary, self contained, all-in-one component part which, when inserted into a bicycle seat tube is restricted from completely falling down into said seat tube by a flange at the component part's upper perimeter and which, the part itself, simultaneously engages both a bicycle seat post and a corresponding seat tube such that it allows for longitudinal, "up/down" motion of a bicycle seat post while simultaneously preventing lateral, swivel motion of the seat post as it travels longitudinally in the seat tube. [FURTHER CLAIMS WHICH ARE TO BE CONSIDERED PART OF THE HEREIN APPLICATION ARE ENUMERATED IN THE US PATENT APPLICATION WHICH IS CLAIMED FOR PRIORITY FILING DATE AND WHICH WELL BE PROVIDED WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED 16 MONTH TIME AS PER PCT RULES] . Applicant/Inventor: John P. Faltings Ref: 09/752,086

Inventors: FALTINGS JOHN P, FALTINGS, JOHN, P.
Applicants: FALTINGS JOHN P, FALTINGS, JOHN, P.
Application year: 2001
Main classification: B62J
IPC codes: B62J1