Abstract:
The present invention relates to an adjustable pneumatic bicycle saddle (seat) system, and in particular to a system that can have standard, male and racing configurations. In one embodiment, the seat has a plate with a surface and two openings there through. The plate also has two screw holes. A bladder, shaped similarly to the plate, is also provided. The bladder has two side sections inflatable with a selected amount of air. The two sides are connected with crossovers, which are also inflated. Two webs are provided for receiving screws to connect the bladder to the plate. A depression with a hose fitting is further provided between the two sides. A cover perforated with many holes is further provided. A pump with a plunger, main valve and release valve can be used to inflate and deflate the bladder in real time as the user is riding the cycle.

Description:
This patent application claims priority on and the benefit of U.S. provisional application 61/575,215 filed Aug. 18, 2011, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to an adjustable pneumatic bicycle saddle (seat) system, and in particular to a system that can have standard, male and racing configurations, and to a system having an adjustable bladder. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Bicycling is a widely enjoyed activity, both recreationally and competitively. Most cyclists are concerned with comfort. That is, if a seat were more comfortable, the rider would be more likely to engage in more frequent and longer rides. Many improvements have been made to saddles, or seats, over the years. Some examples include: 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,356,205 to Calvert et al. is titled Seat Assembly with a Defined Flexure Region, Venting or Support Nodules. This patent describes a seat assembly having flexure members and ventilation. An elongated aperture is cut into a base plate of the seat assembly and flexure members are formed in a support plate of the assembly which is mounted to the base plate. The flexure members deform into the aperture thus providing a rider with additional comfort due to the flexibility of the seat. A venting hole is provided throughout the seat assembly to aid in rider comfort. A forced air ventilation system forces air to flow throughout the seat assembly, thus giving the rider ample ventilation. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,419,612 to Rassekhi is titled Inflatable Seat Assembly. It describes an inflatable bicycle seat or cover therefor having a plurality of independently inflatable cell assemblies, each of which is made up of one or more inflatable cells. The cell assemblies are connected to a fluid source so that the user can selectively adjust the degree of inflation of each individual cell assembly and, hence, the contour and support of the seat. The cells within each cell assembly are connected by a conduit that restricts fluid flow between cells within the assembly so that the seat will provide firm and stable support even under the forces generated in pedaling. A lightweight fluid source and controller valve are provided to permit selective adjustment of individual cell assemblies so that the contour and support characteristics can be adjusted to suit the individual requirements, from time to time, of the user. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,524,961 to Howard is titled Pneumatic Bicycle Saddle. This patent shows a bicycle saddle having an air-filled bladder. The bladder is a durable plastic film chamber having an easily accessible air pump and release valve that allows the bicyclist to adjust the air pressure to his/her comfort without dismounting and or seeking an air supply. The bladder is fitted into a contoured cavity located in a plastic shell base. The bicyclist&#39;s weight is supported by the bladder which maintains its shape due to material selection and thickness plus a supporting base. Additional dimensional stability is provided by spot welds of the bladder material to control expansion. Also, an optional skirt is provided on the bladder to further hold it in position when inflated. A simple push pump at the rear and a release valve button under the nose of the saddle enables the saddle to be adjusted for pressure. Metal rails provide generous fore and aft adjustment and a place to firmly clamp the saddle to the bicycle seat post. The saddle is covered with a soft flexible material and adhered to the plastic base. The few number of parts and the absence of mechanical gadgetry, allow the saddle to be manufactured, assembled, and offered at low cost. U.S. Pat. No. 5,636,896, also to Howard, is a continuation in part of U.S. Pat. No. 5,524,961. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,634,685 to Herring is titled Inflatable/Deflatable Motorcycle Seat Cushion. It describes an inflatable/deflatable cushion system adapted for installation onto a motorcycle seat may be operated either manually or electrically operated. In the latter case, an electrically operated air compressor is supported on the motorcycle and connected in a pneumatic path to an air port on the cushion. An electrical switch in electrical communication with a source of electrical power on the vehicle includes a first position activating the air compressor, causing the cushion to inflate, and a second position causing the cushion to deflate. In the preferred embodiment the cushion is generally U-shaped and attached to the motorcycle seat such that the rounded section of the U is most rearward on the seat with the ends of the U pointing forwardly. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,039,396 to Muser is titled Bicycle Seat and Seat Cover. It shows a seat covering that is made with a planar base of resilient material and a plurality of resilient spaced columns integrally formed with the base. Each column has a wide end adjacent to the base and a free narrow end remote from the base, the columns extending outwardly on one side of the base to define a shock absorbing surface spaced from the base and creating a flow path for ambient air to travel between the columns. The columns are adapted to flex independently from one another and to converge together or diverge from one another in response to the movement or anatomy of a person, so that friction resulting from relative movement between the covering and the person is minimized. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,135,550 to Tucho is titled Bicycle Seat. It describes a bicycle seat that includes a foam seat cushion member having an inflatable edge cushion provided around the back and side edges of an upper cushion surface thereof and a centrally positioned dual lobe inflatable buttocks cushion. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,390,548 to Cole is titled Bicycle Seat with Inflatable Interior. It shows a bicycle seat with inflatable interior including a bicycle seat comprised of a seat portion and a stem portion. The stem portion couples the bicycle seat to a frame of a standard bicycle. The seat portion has an outer layer and a padded inner layer. The padded inner layer has a recess formed in a central portion thereof. An inflatable cushion is disposed within the recess formed in the central portion of the padded inner layer of the bicycle seat. The inflatable cushion has a generally hourglass configuration. The inflatable cushion has an air tube extending outwardly therefrom and extending outwardly of the bicycle seat. A free end of the air tube has a hand pump coupled thereto for selectively pumping air into the cushion. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,448,676 to Wyner et al. is titled Dynamic Seat with Inflatable Bladder. It shows a bicycle seat for a rider that includes a base having a base top surface with an inflatable bladder having a bladder top surface. The inflatable bladder is disposed on the base top surface and the base top surface and the bladder top surface together form a seat contour profile. A pump is connected to the inflatable bladder to introduce fluid media therein with a release valve fluidly connected to the bladder to permit fluid media to exit therefrom. Also, the bicycle seat of the present invention can be configured to be in the form of a cover to be retrofitted to an existing bicycle seat. In this configuration, the cover includes a base with a structure for securing it to the existing bicycle seat. For example, this structure can be a skirt of material or other releasable type of structure. 
     Each of these patents show products that may work well for their intended purposes. However, solve the problems of the present invention. 
     None show a bladder with crossover portions that allow air to pass between two side sections and that prevent buckling of the sides. 
     None show a seat or saddle with forced air flow between a bladder and a cover. 
     None show a combination pump with a plunger, a release and a shut-off valve. 
     None show a male specific seat designed to reduce and/or eliminate pressure on the male genital areas. 
     Thus there exists a need for an adjustable pneumatic bicycle saddle system that solves these and other problems. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an adjustable pneumatic bicycle saddle (seat) system, and in particular to a system that can have standard, male and racing configurations. In one embodiment, the seat has a plate with a surface and two openings there through. The plate also has two screw holes. A bladder, shaped similarly to the plate, is also provided. The bladder has two side sections inflatable with a selected amount of air. The two sides are connected with crossovers, which are also inflated. Two webs are provided for receiving screws to connect the bladder to the plate. A depression with a hose fitting is further provided between the two sides. A cover perforated with many holes is further provided. A pump with a plunger, main valve and release valve can be used to inflate and deflate the bladder in real time as the user is riding the cycle. 
     According to one advantage of the present invention, the bladder of the standard design has two crossovers. Crossovers advantageously allow air to pass between two side sections and that prevent buckling of the sides. 
     According to another advantage of the present invention, the seat draws air up through the openings in the plate and bladder. The air can exit through the perforations in the seat. This advantageously allows the rider to keep cool and dry. This effect is enhanced by the present design of having a relatively flat cover and rounded bladder. Each successive pedal by the user causes the air to shift within the bladder as one side deforms and the other side expands. 
     According to a still further advantage of the present invention, a pump with a plunger, a release valve and a shut-off valve is provided. The shut-off valve advantageously is a rigid valve that prevents bleeding of the air from the bladder by eliminating reliance on a check valve. 
     According to an advantage of one embodiment of the present invention, a male specific seat design is provided to reduce and/or eliminate pressure on the male genital areas. This is accomplished with the elimination of the front crossover. 
     According to an advantage of a different embodiment of the present invention, the bladder top is raised slightly to form a hump near the front crossover. This provides a slight saddle effect. 
     According to a still further advantage of the present invention, the pressure within the saddle is adjustable in real time. This is accomplished with a pump that is easily mounted to a selected portion of a bicycle frame. 
     Other advantages, benefits, and features of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the detailed description of the invention and studying the drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a top view of a preferred seat embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a bottom view of a preferred embodiment of a plate of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of the plate illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of the plate illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 5  is a top view of a preferred embodiment of a bladder of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a side view of the bladder illustrated in  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 7  is a rear elevation view of the preferred seat embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view taken along line 8-8 in  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 9  is a rear view illustrating movement within the bladder in one direction during use of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9A  is similar to  FIG. 9 , but illustrates movement in the opposite direction. 
         FIG. 10  is a top view of an alternative preferred seat embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  is a bottom view of an alternative preferred embodiment of a plate of the present invention. 
         FIG. 12  is a top view of the plate illustrated in  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 13  is a side view of the plate illustrated in  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 14  is a top view of an alternative preferred embodiment of a bladder of the present invention. 
         FIG. 15  is a side view of the bladder illustrated in  FIG. 14 . 
         FIG. 16  is a rear elevation view of the preferred seat embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 17  is a cross-sectional view taken along line 17-17 in  FIG. 16 . 
         FIG. 18  is a top view of an additional alternative preferred seat embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 19  is a bottom view of an additional alternative preferred embodiment of a plate of the present invention. 
         FIG. 20  is a top view of the plate illustrated in  FIG. 19 . 
         FIG. 21  is a side view of the plate illustrated in  FIG. 19 . 
         FIG. 22  is a top view of an additional alternative preferred embodiment of a bladder of the present invention. 
         FIG. 23  is a side view of the bladder illustrated in  FIG. 22 . 
         FIG. 24  is a rear elevation view of the preferred seat embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 18 . 
         FIG. 25  is a cross-sectional view taken along line 25-25 in  FIG. 24 . 
         FIG. 26  is a side view of a preferred pump of the present invention. 
         FIG. 26A  is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line 26A-26A in  FIG. 26 . 
         FIG. 26B  is similar to  FIG. 26A , but shows the release valve placed in an air release position. 
         FIG. 27  is a partial side view of a bicycle showing the seat fixed to a seat post and the pump mounted on the bicycle frame at a selected position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     While the invention will be described in connection with one or more preferred embodiments, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to those embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 
     The present invention may be used with a bicycle having a frame  5  and a post  7 . The seat of the present invention can be connected to the post in any suitable manner, and the pump can be connected to the frame or elsewhere on the bike. For example, the pump could be mounted under the seat or on the handle bars (or elsewhere) without departing from the broad aspects of the present invention. It is appreciated that while the many illustrated embodiments of the present invention are illustrated with respect to a bicycle, that the present invention could nevertheless be used with other structures without departing from the broad aspects of the present invention. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 1-9A , it is seen that a first preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. The saddle, or seat,  10  has a top  11 , a bottom  12 , a front  13 , a back  14  and two sides  15  and  16 , respectively. The seat  10  has a seat longitudinal axis  17 . The seat  10  has a plate  20 , a bladder  40  and a cover  90 . Each of these components is described in detail below. 
     The plate  20  is preferably made of a suitably strong and rigid material. For example, the plate may be made of plastic or metal. Yet, it is appreciated that other materials may be used without departing from the broad aspects of the present invention. 
     The plate  20  has a top surface  21  and an opposed bottom surface. The plate further has two openings  22  and  23 , respectively that pass through the plate  20 . The openings are preferably centrally aligned and symmetrical about a plate longitudinal axis  30 . Plate longitudinal axis is preferably parallel to the seat longitudinal axis  17 . Two screw holes  25  and  26  are further provided. The screw holes are preferably located along the plate longitudinal axis. In this regard, the screw holes  25  and  26  define two points along the plate longitudinal axis. Mounting rails  29  are provided on the bottom or underside of the plate  20 . Rails  29  are used to mount the seat  10  to a post. 
     The bladder  40  is preferably made of a strong yet flexible material. Two possible materials are rubber and plastic. Yet, any suitable material could be used without departing from the broad aspects of the present invention. 
     The bladder  40  has a top  41  and a bottom  42 . The bladder  40  further has a first side section  45  and a second side section  46 . The first and second side sections are preferably mirror images of each other about a bladder central axis. The bladder central axis is preferably parallel with the plate longitudinal axis and the seat longitudinal axis  17 . A front crossover  50  and a back crossover  51  interconnect the sides  45  and  46 . The crossovers can be inflated and deflated as the sides are inflated and deflated. The sides and crossovers have the same internal air pressure. A raised portion or hump  47  can be provided on the bladder top  41  adjacent or at and preferably includes the front crossover. The hump  47  is formed by a slight upwards taper to provide a saddled effect on the seat  10 . 
     A web  55  is provided. The web  55  is preferably solid (not inflatable) and spans between the sides  45  and  46 . A screw hole  56  is provided for receiving a screw. The screw passes through hole  56  and is received within hole  25  in plate  20 . 
     A web  60  is further provided. The web  60  is similar in thickness as web  55 , and also interconnected sides  45  and  46 . Web  60  has a screw hole  61  for receiving a screw. The screw passes through hole  61  and is received within hole  26  of the plate  20 . 
     Hence, it is seen that screws are used to connect the bladder  40  to the plate  20  via screw holes. 
     A depression  70  is further provided. The depression  70  is preferably approximately ¾ as thick as the sides of the bladder. The depression  70  has a hose fitting  71  that preferably depends below the bladder  20 . The fitting  71  may be barbed, threaded, designed in another suitable manner for removably being connected to an air line of a pump. Depression  70  does not create a pressure point on the user as it is not as tall as the sides. Yet, it is appreciated that the depression does have sufficient volume to receive the fitting and disperse into or evacuate air from the bladder  40 . 
     A pass  75  or opening is through the bladder  20  between sides  45  and  46 . Pass  75  is located between the back crossover  51  and web  55 . 
     A second pass  80  is also provide and passes through the bladder  20  between sides  45  and  46 . Pass  80  is located between web  55  and depression  70 . 
     As seen best in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , from left to right, the bladder  40  along its longitudinal axis has a rear crossover  51 , a first pass  75 , a web  55 , a second pass  80 , a depression  70 , a web  60  and the front crossover  50 . The passes, webs and depression form a valley  85  along the longitudinal axis  84  between the crossovers  50  and  51  that relieve pressure from the sensitive parts of a rider&#39;s anatomy. 
     Pass  75  is similar in size and shape as opening  22  in plate  20 . 
     Pass  80  and depression  70  in combined shape is similar to the size and shape of opening  23  in plate  20 . In this regard, the fitting  71  of the depression  70  extends into and partially or entirely through opening  23 . 
     A cover  90  is further provided. Cover  90  has a top  91  with holes  92  there through. The holes  92  allow air to pass through the seat cover  90 . The cover  90  further has sides  93  and a bottom  94 . The bottom extends below the bottom of the plate  20  so that the cover  90  covers and contains the plate  20  and bladder  40 . 
     As seen in  FIG. 9 , air can flow through the openings  22  and  23  of plate  20  and corresponding passes  75  and  80  of the bladder  40 . The air can then pass through the holes  92  in the top  91  of the cover  90 . The air flow can occur under normal static conditions. The air flow is also enhanced by the movement of the rider. In this regard, looking at  FIGS. 9 and 9A , it is seen that the bladder changes shape during the left/right pedaling of the cyclist. Air evacuating from a bladder side causes the opposite side to expand. Yet, the cover stays relatively flat during the expansion and collapse of the respective bladder sides. The expanding bladder expels any air between the bladder and cover (on the particular bladder side) and that air may exit out the holes  92  in the cover. When that excess volume is released (opposite pedal), voids, gaps or partial separations can form between the bladder and the cover. These air gaps can be fed through the openings in the plate and bladder. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 10-17 , it is seen that a second preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. The saddle, or seat,  110  has a top  111 , a bottom  112 , a front  113 , a back  114  and two sides  115  and  116 , respectively. The seat  110  has a seat longitudinal axis  117 . The seat  110  has a plate  120 , a bladder  140  and a cover  190 . Each of these components is described in detail below. Seat  110  is a male specific design that is intended to alleviate pressure from the male anatomy. 
     The plate  120  is preferably made of a suitably strong and rigid material. For example, the plate may be made of plastic or metal. Yet, it is appreciated that other materials may be used without departing from the broad aspects of the present invention. 
     The plate  120  has a top surface  121  and an opposed bottom surface. The plate further has two openings  122  and  123 , respectively that pass through the plate  120 . The openings are preferably centrally aligned and symmetrical about a plate longitudinal axis  130 . Plate longitudinal axis is preferably parallel to the seat longitudinal axis  117 . Two screw holes  125  and  126  are further provided. The screw holes are preferably located along the plate longitudinal axis. In this regard, the screw holes  125  and  126  define two points along the plate longitudinal axis. Mounting rails  129  are provided on the bottom or underside of the plate  120 . Rails  129  are used to mount the seat  110  to a post. 
     The bladder  140  is preferably made of a strong yet flexible material. Two possible materials are rubber and plastic. Yet, any suitable material could be used without departing from the broad aspects of the present invention. 
     The bladder  140  has a top  141  and a bottom  142 . The bladder  140  further has a first side section  145  and a second side section  146 . The first and second side sections are preferably mirror images of each other about a bladder central axis  184 . The bladder central axis is preferably parallel with the plate longitudinal axis  130  and the seat longitudinal axis  117 . A back crossover  151  interconnects the sides  145  and  146 . The crossover  151  can be inflated and deflated as the sides are inflated and deflated. The sides  145  and  146  and crossover  151  have the same internal air pressure. 
     A web  155  is provided. The web  155  is preferably solid (not inflatable) and spans between the sides  145  and  146 . A screw hole  156  is provided for receiving a screw. The screw passes through hole  156  and is received within hole  125  in plate  120 . 
     A web  160  is further provided. The web  160  is similar in thickness as web  155 , and also interconnected sides  145  and  146 . Web  160  has a screw hole  161  for receiving a screw. The screw passes through hole  161  and is received within hole  126  of the plate  120 . Web  160  spans to the front  113  of the seat  110 . 
     Hence, it is seen that screws are used to connect the bladder  140  to the plate  120  via screw holes. 
     A depression  170  is further provided. The depression  170  is preferably approximately ¾ as thick as the sides of the bladder. The depression  170  has a hose fitting  171  that preferably depends below the bladder  120 . The fitting  171  may be barbed, threaded, designed in another suitable manner for removably being connected to an air line of a pump. Air is added to and/or evacuated from the cavity via the depression  170 . 
     A pass  175  or opening is through the bladder  120  between sides  145  and  146 . Pass  175  is located between the back crossover  151  and web  155 . 
     A second pass  180  is also provide and passes through the bladder  120  between sides  145  and  146 . Pass  180  is located between web  155  and depression  170 . 
     As seen best in  FIGS. 14 and 15 , from left to right, the bladder  140  along its longitudinal axis  184  has a rear crossover  151 , a first pass  175 , a web  155 , a second pass  180 , a depression  170  and web  160 . The passes, webs and depression form a valley  185  along the longitudinal axis  184  between the crossover  151  and the seat front  113  that relieve pressure from the sensitive parts of a rider&#39;s anatomy. It is seen that the valley  185  is bound on one side by the rear crossover  151  and is unbound at the seat front. 
     Pass  175  is similar in size and shape as opening  122  in plate  120 . 
     Pass  180  and depression  170  in combined shape is similar to the size and shape of opening  123  in plate  120 . In this regard, the fitting  171  of the depression  170  extends through opening  123 . 
     A cover  190  is further provided. Cover  190  has a top  191  with holes  192  there through. The holes  192  allow air to pass through the seat cover  190 . The cover  190  further has sides  193  and a bottom  194 . The bottom extends below the bottom of the plate  120  so that the cover  190  covers and contains the plate  120  and bladder  140 . 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 18-25 , it is seen that a third preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. The saddle, or seat,  210  has a top  211 , a bottom  212 , a front  213 , a back  214  and two sides  215  and  216 , respectively. The seat  210  has a seat longitudinal axis  217 . The seat  210  has a plate  220 , a bladder  240  and a cover  290 . Each of these components is described in detail below. Seat  210  is a racing specific design. 
     The plate  220  is preferably made of a suitably strong and rigid material. For example, the plate may be made of plastic or metal. Yet, it is appreciated that other materials may be used without departing from the broad aspects of the present invention. 
     The plate  220  has a top surface  221  and an opposed bottom surface. The plate further has two openings  222  and  223 , respectively that pass through the plate  220 . The openings are preferably centrally aligned and symmetrical about a plate longitudinal axis  230 . Plate longitudinal axis is preferably parallel to the seat longitudinal axis  217 . Three screw holes  225 ,  226  and  227  are further provided. The screw holes are preferably located along the plate longitudinal axis  230 . In this regard, the screw holes  225 ,  226  and  227  define three points along the plate longitudinal axis. Mounting rails  229  are provided on the bottom or underside of the plate  220 . Rails  229  are used to mount the seat  210  to a post. 
     The bladder  240  is preferably made of a strong yet flexible material. Two possible materials are rubber and plastic. Yet, any suitable material could be used without departing from the broad aspects of the present invention. 
     The bladder  240  has a top  241  and a bottom  242 . The bladder  240  further has a first side section  245  and a second side section  246 . The first and second side sections are preferably mirror images of each other about a bladder central axis  284 . The bladder central axis is preferably parallel with the plate longitudinal axis  230  and the seat longitudinal axis  217 . A front crossover  250  and a back crossover  251  interconnect the sides  245  and  246 . The crossovers  250  and  251  can be inflated and deflated as the sides are inflated and deflated. The sides  245  and  246  and crossover  251  have the same internal air pressure. 
     A web  255  is provided. The web  255  is preferably solid (not inflatable) and spans between the sides  245  and  246 . A screw hole  256  is provided for receiving a screw. The screw passes through hole  256  and is received within hole  225  in plate  220 . Web  255  is located adjacent the rear crossover  251 . 
     A web  260  is further provided. The web  260  is similar in thickness as web  255 , and also interconnected sides  245  and  246 . Web  260  has a screw hole  261  for receiving a screw. The screw passes through hole  261  and is received within hole  226  of the plate  220 . 
     A web  265  is further provided. The web  265  is similar in thickness as web  255 , and also interconnected sides  245  and  246 . Web  265  has a screw hole  266  for receiving a screw. The screw passes through hole  266  and is received within hole  227  of the plate  220 . 
     Hence, it is seen that screws are used to connect the bladder  240  to the plate  220  via screw holes. 
     A depression  270  is further provided. The depression  270  is preferably approximately ¾ as thick as the sides of the bladder. The depression  270  has a hose fitting  271  that preferably depends below the bladder  220 . The fitting  271  may be barbed, threaded, designed in another suitable manner for removably being connected to an air line of a pump. Air is added to and/or evacuated from the cavity via the depression  270 . 
     A pass  275  or opening is through the bladder  220  between sides  145  and  246 . Pass  275  is located between the web  265  and web  260 . 
     A second pass  280  is also provide and passes through the bladder  220  between sides  245  and  246 . Pass  280  is located between web  260  and depression  270 . 
     As seen best in  FIGS. 22 and 23 , from left to right, the bladder  140  along its longitudinal axis  284  has a rear crossover  251 , web  255 , a first pass  275 , a web  26 , a second pass  280 , a depression  270 , web  265  and front crossover  250 . The passes, webs and depression form a valley  285  along the longitudinal axis  284  that relieves pressure from the sensitive parts of a rider&#39;s anatomy. 
     Pass  275  is similar in size and shape as opening  222  in plate  220 . 
     Pass  280  and depression  270  in combined shape is similar to the size and shape of opening  223  in plate  220 . In this regard, the fitting  271  of the depression  270  extends through opening  223 . 
     A cover  290  is further provided. Cover  290  has a top  291  with holes  292  there through. The holes  292  allow air to pass through the seat cover  290 . The cover  290  further has sides  293  and a bottom  294 . The bottom extends below the bottom of the plate  220  so that the cover  290  covers and contains the plate  220  and bladder  240 . 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 26-27 , it is seen that a preferred embodiment of a pump  310  is illustrated. Pump  310  has a body  311 , a plunger  312 , a main valve  313 , a release valve  314  and a pin hole  315 . 
     Plunger  312  is preferably made of a resilient material, wherein it can be depressed to force air to pass through a line  320  to the bladder. Yet, the plunger  312  resiliently returns to form under while drawing in fresh air. 
     When the bladder is inflated to an intended pressure, a main valve  313  can be rotated to prevent air from bleeding out through an internal check valve. 
     The release valve  314  is preferably disk shaped and is biased to have a flat profile. The valve  314  is operated with a finger. When it is in the seal position, it covers a pin hole  315 . When it is in the open position, part or all of the valve  314  can be pulled away from the body  311  to expose the pin holes  315  and allow air to escape the system. It is understood that while two sides are shown moved to the release position, that release of bladder air could be accomplished with a single side being pulled away from the body. The release valve  314  is biased towards the seal position wherein the pin holes are sealed. 
     It is appreciated that other types of seals may be used without departing from the broad aspects of the present invention. 
     Thus it is apparent that there has been provided, in accordance with the invention, an adjustable pneumatic bicycle saddle system that fully satisfies the objects, aims and advantages as set forth above. While the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.