Abstract:
The cycle seat with adjustable sides includes a base plate having a forward and optionally a rearward guide plate thereon. Each guide plate includes laterally adjustable left and right arm extensions, with each arm having a generally vertical wing extending upwardly therefrom. The arms of each pair simultaneously adjust inwardly and outwardly opposite one another, permitting a single adjustment to adjust both wings of a set equally. Each wing pair includes a latch mechanism, which is adjustable as the cyclist rides the cycle. The seat may be installed per se upon a bicycle or other cycle, or may be installed in combination with a longitudinal and/or arcuate and vertical adjustment mechanism for the seat. The cycle seat greatly reduces or eliminates the need for a pommel, while assuring that the seat remains in contact with the hips and/or thighs of the cyclist at all times to assure more complete control.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
   This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/960,979, filed Oct. 23, 2007. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates generally to seating devices for bicycles and other pedal powered cycles. More specifically, the present invention comprises various embodiments of a cycle seat having laterally adjustable side panels or wings, which provide lateral support for the hips and upper thighs of the rider. The cycle seat per se may be installed upon a cycle, or may be installed in combination with other seat adjustment mechanisms, as desired. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   Cycle seats, particularly for relatively unstable vehicles such as bicycles and unicycles, must provide reasonable security for the cyclist while also providing the cyclist with leverage for maneuvering the cycle. This has been accomplished conventionally by means of a relatively small seating surface with a forwardly extending pommel that fits between the upper thighs of the cyclist, enabling the cyclist to brace against the pommel to a certain extent while pedaling and/or maneuvering. The forwardly extending central pommel has its disadvantages, however, with perhaps the chief disadvantage being the pressure applied to the perineal area of the cyclist during certain riding conditions. 
   As a result, a number of cycle seat configurations have been developed which greatly reduce or eliminate the forwardly extending central pommel. Most such seats provide some other means for the cyclist to stabilize himself or herself on the cycle, e.g., by means of generally vertical, laterally disposed side panels or wings extending upwardly from the opposite left and right edges of the seat. Such laterally disposed wings can be of some assistance in providing better control for the rider, but this is generally true only under a relatively narrow set of conditions. For example, when the cyclist stands on the pedals for greater leverage when accelerating or hill climbing, he or she must perform all other control functions with the arms, as there is no seat contact. Even in the case of an articulating seat, the seat must contact different parts of the cyclist&#39;s body at different times, i.e., the hips when the rider is standing on the pedals during hard pedaling operations, with contact reverting to the upper thighs when the cyclist is seated upon the seat. Moreover, a seat with fixed lateral side members or wings cannot possibly fit all cyclists; some form of adjustment is required, and such adjustment should be achievable by the cyclist while actually cycling, as the cyclist adjusts his or her position relative to the seat during different cycling conditions. 
   The present inventors are aware of a number of adjustable cycle seating configurations that have been developed in the past. An example is found in German Patent No. 10,253,575, published on May 13, 2004. This publication describes (according to the drawings and English abstract) a bicycle having a longitudinally and vertically adjustable seat by means of a pivotally mounted seat post structure and a turnbuckle link having an adjustable length. The seat configuration per se is only generally indicated. 
   Thus, a cycle seat with adjustable sides solving the aforementioned problems is desired. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The cycle seat with adjustable sides includes a base plate having either one or two laterally disposed wing adjustment guide plates thereon, i.e., a forward and a rearward guide plate in the case of a double mechanism. Each guide plate includes two tracks for corresponding laterally adjustable arms, with each arm having a generally vertical wing at its distal end. Each pair of arms, i.e., the two arms of the front guide plate and the two arms of the rear guide plate, includes a pinion gear therebetween, thus requiring the two corresponding arms to adjust outwardly and inwardly simultaneously and equally relative to one another. A latch mechanism is provided for each guide plate and corresponding left and right arm assembly, with the latch mechanisms being adjustable by the cyclist while operating the cycle. A seat is immovably affixed atop the base plate, with the wing adjustment mechanism and inner portions of the arms being captured between the seat and the underlying base plate. 
   The above-described seat assembly may be installed per se upon a bicycle, unicycle, tricycle, or other pedal powered vehicle. Other embodiments provide for the longitudinal and/or articulating adjustment of the cycle seat, in accordance with additional mechanism. 
   These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is an environmental, perspective view of a cycle seat with adjustable sides according to the present invention, installed upon a bicycle. 
       FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the cycle seat of  FIG. 1 , illustrating its various components and their relationships with one another. 
       FIG. 3  is a right side elevation view in section of the seat assembly, showing the interrelationship of the various components. 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the cycle seat, showing its attachment to a longitudinal and arcuate adjustment mechanism on the upper frame of a bicycle. 
       FIG. 5  is a detailed right side elevation view of a slightly modified embodiment of the cycle seat assembly of  FIG. 4 , showing the seat in its lowermost horizontal position on the adjustment mechanism. 
       FIG. 6  is a detailed right side elevation view of the embodiment of  FIG. 5 , showing the seat with the arcuate track raised to adjust the seat position. 
       FIG. 7  is an exploded view of an alternative embodiment of a cycle seat with adjustable sides according to the present invention, having only a single set of adjustable sides for cradling the hips. 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the seat of  FIG. 7  installed upon the longitudinal and arcuate adjustment assembly of  FIG. 5 . 
   

   Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings. 
   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   The present invention comprises various embodiments of a cycle seat having laterally adjustable sides and other adjustment means. The cycle seat provides lateral bracing or support for the thighs and/or hips of a cyclist, thereby reducing the need for a seat pommel between the upper thighs of the cyclist. The seat may be mounted directly upon the seat post of the cycle, or upon additional adjustment mechanism(s) for further seat adjustment, as desired. 
     FIG. 1  of the drawings illustrates a first embodiment of the present cycle seat  10  mounted directly upon the seat post P of the frame F of a bicycle B, with  FIGS. 2 and 3  illustrating further details of the laterally adjustable side mechanism. The seat  10  includes a base plate  12  upon which the remainder of the mechanism is attached. At least one pair of laterally adjustable extension arms are installed atop the base plate  12 , with there preferably being forwardly disposed left and right side thigh extension arms  14   a  and  14   b  and rearwardly disposed left and right side hip extension arms  16   a  and  16   b.    
   Each of the forward or thigh support extension arms  14   a ,  14   b  includes a base plate attachment end portion  18   a ,  18   b  and an opposite distal or outboard thigh wing or bolster attachment end portion  20   a ,  20   b . The rearward or hip support extension arms  16   a ,  16   b  include similar base plate attachment ends  22   a  and  22   b , with opposite distal or outboard hip wing or bolster attachment end portions  24   a  and  24   b . Left and right side thigh support wings or bolsters  26   a  and  26   b  attach to the respective thigh wing or bolster attachment end portions  20   a  and  20   b  of the forward extension arms  14   a ,  14   b , with left and right side hip support wings or bolsters  28   a  and  28   b  attaching to the hip wing or bolster attachment end portions  24   a ,  24   b  of the rearward extension arms  16   a  and  16   b . The various bolsters or wings  26   a  through  28   b  may be padded or upholstered, as shown along the inboard surfaces of the two left side wings  26   a  and  28   a  in  FIG. 1 . 
   The various extension arms  14   a  through  16   b  are captured upon the base plate by respective forward and rearward guide plates  30  and  32 , with the two guide plates  30 ,  32  extending laterally across the base plate  12  and being attached thereto by appropriate fasteners (cap screws, etc.). Each guide plate  30 ,  32  includes a pair of underlying extension arm channels, i.e., extension arm channels  34   a ,  34   b  for the forward or thigh extension arm guide plate  30  and extension arm channels  36   a ,  36   b  for the rearward or hip extension arm guide plate  32 . These extension arm channels  34   a  through  36   b  are shown in the sectional view of  FIG. 3 , with the respective extension arms  14   a  through  16   b  installed therein. 
   Each of the extension arms  14   a  through  16   b  includes a toothed rack disposed along the inboard or base plate attachment portion thereof. The forward extension arm racks  38   a ,  38   b  are shown attached to the base plate attachment portions  18   a ,  18   b  of the forward extension arms  14   a ,  14   b , with the rearward racks  40   a ,  40   b  being shown separated from their respective base plate attachment portions  22   a ,  22   b  of the two rearward extension arms  16   a ,  16   b . The toothed edges or faces  42  of each pair of racks, i.e., the forward rack pair  38   a ,  38   b  and the rearward rack pair  40   a ,  40   b  face one another, and engage respective forward and rearward pinion gears  44  and  46  disposed therebetween, which, in turn, rotate on shafts affixed within their respective forward and rearward guide plates  30  and  32 . Rack clearance slots are provided through the guide plates  30  and  32 , i.e., clearance slots  48   a ,  48   b  in the forward guide plate  30  for the two racks  38   a ,  38   b  of the forward arms  14   a  and  14   b , and slots  50   a ,  50   b  in the rearward guide plate  32  for the two racks  40   a ,  40   b  of the rearward arms  16   a  and  16   b.    
   Thus, each extension arm of an extension arm set or pair, e.g., the two forward extension arms  14   a ,  14   b , is forced to move simultaneously with, but opposite to, its opposite arm due to their toothed racks  38   a ,  38   b  simultaneously engaging the forward pinion  44 . As the pinion  44  rotates e.g., clockwise when viewed from above, both the left and right forward extension arms  14   a  and  14   b  are caused to move outwardly simultaneously with one another. Thus, the rider of a cycle equipped with the cycle seat  10  may push or pull either of the two extension arms of an extension arm set, or their corresponding wings or bolsters, e.g., the left front arm  14   a  and/or its wing  26   a , to adjust both wings of the pair or set inwardly or outwardly simultaneously with one another. 
   The seat  10  with its laterally adjustable side wings or bolsters also includes a locking mechanism for each wing or bolster pair. The forwardly disposed rack of the front extension arm pair and the rearwardly disposed rack of the rear extension arm pair, i.e., racks  38   b  and  40   a , each include detents  52  and  54  along their respective forward and rearward faces, i.e., those faces opposite their toothed faces  42 . A forward extension arm locking knob  56  is adjustably secured to the forward portion of the base plate  12  by a block  58 , with the knob  56  controlling forward and rearward motion of a detent engaging pin  60  for selective engagement of the detents  52  of the forward rack  38   b . A rearward extension arm locking knob  62 , retaining block  64 , and pin  66  function similarly to the forward knob and pin assembly to selectively engage the detents  54  of the rear rack  40   a.    
   These knobs  56  and  62  are spring-loaded to cause their pins  60  and  66  to engage the corresponding rack detents  52  and  54 . When either of these knobs  56  and/or  62  is pulled outwardly, i.e., away from the remainder of the mechanism, the corresponding pin  60  or  66  is withdrawn from the detents  52  or  54  of its respective front or rear rack  38   b  or  40   a , allowing the cyclist to adjust the corresponding front or rear wings or bolsters  26   a ,  26   b  or  28   a ,  28   b . The knob mechanisms may be temporarily locked in an outward, i.e., detent disengaged, position against their internal springs by conventional means, e.g., quarter-twist detents or catches, etc., to hold the lock knobs and their pins clear of the rack detents. Suitable lock knobs and pins are manufactured by the Carr-Lane Manufacturing Co. of St. Louis, Mo., and may be used for the detent engagement and locking knobs and pins described above. Alternative mechanisms serving substantially the same function may be substituted. 
   The cycle seat  68  is immovably affixed atop the base plate  12  and its forward and rearward guide plates  30  and  32 , and associated mechanism. The inboard or base plate end portions  18   a ,  18   b  and  22   a ,  22   b  of the extension arms  14   a  through  16   b  are thus captured between the seat  68  and the underlying guide plates  30 ,  32  and base plate  12 . However, they are free to slide inwardly and outwardly beneath the seat  68  and within the corresponding channels  34   a  through  36   b  of their guide plates  30  and  32 , when the corresponding forward and/or rearward lock knobs  56 ,  62  are pulled to disengage their pins  60 ,  66  from the detents  52 ,  54  of the forward and rearward racks  38   b  and  40   a . This allows the lateral spacing between the forward and rearward wings  26   a ,  26   b  and  28   a ,  28   b  to be adjusted by the cyclist relative to the seat  68  therebetween. 
     FIGS. 4 through 6  illustrate additional seat adjustment mechanisms that may be incorporated in the cycle seat  10 , if so desired. The seat adjustment mechanisms of  FIGS. 4 through 6  are removably attached to the upper member U of the frame F of a bicycle B, and provide for the longitudinal, arcuate, angular, and/or leveling adjustment of the seat assembly  10  in a plane coplanar with the bicycle frame F. The seat adjustment mechanism of  FIGS. 4 through 6  includes a straight, elongate cycle frame attachment rail  70  having a forward end removably secured to the upper member U of the cycle frame F by a bracket  72  and removable attachment pin  74 , and an opposite rearward end removably attached to the seat post member P by conventional means, e.g., seat post clamp  76  as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
   A seat base support sleeve  78  is slidably and adjustably installed along the attachment rail  70  to provide longitudinal adjustment of the seat assembly  10 , with the sleeve  78  being selectively locked in position along the rail  70  by a lateral pin  80  ( FIG. 4 ) or vertical lock pin or screw  82  ( FIGS. 5 and 6 ). Alternatively, the lateral pin or vertical lock screw may be replaced by a conventional electrically actuated solenoid having an electromagnetically actuated pin  80  or  82 . In the case of the manually or solenoid actuated lateral pin  80  of  FIG. 4 , the pin selectively engages one of a series of laterally disposed detents  81  along the side of the cycle frame attachment rail  70 . In the case of the manually actuated vertical locking screw or solenoid actuated pin  82  of  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the screw or pin  82  selectively engages one of a series of vertically disposed detents  83 , shown in broken lines in  FIGS. 5 and 6  in the frame attachment rail  70 . 
   The sleeve  78  includes an arcuate quadrant plate  84  integrally formed therewith and extending upwardly from the forward end thereof. A pivot pin  86  is removably installed transversely through the arcuate center of the quadrant plate  84 , with a series of detent passages  88  being formed through the plate adjacent the periphery thereof. A bifurcated seat track support arm  90  is pivotally secured to the origin of the quadrant plate  84  by the pivot pin  86 , and is selectively secured at the desired angle through one of the detent passages by a lock pin  92 . Alternatively, the lock pin  92  may be manually actuated, or may be actuated by a conventional electrically-actuated solenoid, in the manner of the alternative solenoids described further above for actuating the pins  80  and/or  82  for locking the position of the seat base support sleeve  78  along the frame attachment rail  70 . 
   A seat assembly support track web  94  extends from the seat track support arm  90 , with an arcuate seat assembly support track  96  having a cycle structure attachment portion  98  integrally formed with the web  94  and seat track support arm  90  and an opposite upper distal end  100 . A seat assembly attachment trolley  102  travels along the arcuate seat assembly support track  96 , and may be selectively locked in position thereon by a trolley position lock pin  104  selectively engaging one of the lock pin passages  106  formed laterally through the arcuate seat assembly support track  96 . 
   Alternatively, the lock pin  104  may be actuated by a conventional electric solenoid, as in the case of the alternative solenoids described further above for actuating the pins  80  and/or  82  for locking the position of the seat base support sleeve  78  along the frame attachment rail  70 . The seat base  12  of the seat assembly  10  is pivotally secured to the seat assembly attachment trolley  102  by a leveling pivot  108 , which passes through a bracket  110  affixed to the underside of the seat base plate  12 . A lateral seat leveling lock pin  112  (or alternatively, another solenoid) selectively engages one of a series of seat leveling pin detents  114  disposed through the side plate of the seat trolley  102  in a semicircular arc about the seat leveling pivot  108 , similar to the series of seat arm lock detent passage  88  disposed about the trolley support arm pivot  86  through the arcuate quadrant plate  84 . 
   The above-described seat adjustment mechanism illustrated in  FIGS. 4 through 6  is capable of providing both longitudinal adjustment of the seat position along the longitudinal rail  70 , and angular, arcuate, and height adjustment of the seat position by means of the angularly adjustable arcuate track  96  and trolley  102 . Leveling of the seat assembly  10  with respect to the rail  70  is also provided by tilting the seat assembly  10  with respect to the trolley  102  by means of the seat-leveling lock pin or solenoid  112  and corresponding detents  114  in the seat trolley  102 , as discussed further above. However, it will be seen that the adjustment mechanism of the longitudinal rail  70  and its sleeve  78  and adjustment mechanism of the arcuate track  96  and trolley  102  may be separated from one another, if so desired. If purely longitudinal movement of the seat assembly  10  is desired, the seat trolley  102  may be removed from the arcuate seat assembly support track  96 , and the longitudinal sleeve  78  removed from its rail  70 . The trolley  102  may then be installed directly to the rail  70  by installing the trolley position lock pin  104  through one of the lateral passages of the rail  70 . Alternatively, the angular, arcuate, height, and leveling adjustment of the seat assembly  10  may be provided without longitudinal adjustment, by removing the attachment pin  86  of the bifurcated seat track support arm  90  from the quadrant  84 , and removing the rail  70  from the upper member U of the bicycle frame F. The seat track support arm  90  may then be reinstalled through the passage of the upper frame previously used to secure the forward end of the rail  70  through the upper member U of the frame F. 
     FIGS. 7 and 8  illustrate another embodiment of the cycle seat, designated as cycle seat  210 . The seat  210  includes only a single laterally adjustable wing pair positioned to cradle the hips. Those components of the seat  210  that are identical to the components of the seat  10  illustrated particularly in  FIGS. 2 and 4  of the drawings retain the same reference numerals. 
   The seat  210  includes a base plate  12  upon which the remainder of the mechanism is attached. At least one pair of laterally adjustable extension arms are installed atop the base plate  12 , preferably with rearwardly disposed left and right side hip extension arms  16   a  and  16   b.    
   Each of the hip support extension arms  16   a ,  16   b  includes a base plate attachment end portion  22   a ,  22   b  and an opposite distal or outboard thigh wing or bolster attachment end portion  24   a ,  24   b . Left and right side hip support wings or bolsters  228   a  and  228   b  attach to the hip wing or bolster attachment end portions  24   a ,  24   b  of the rearward extension arms  16   a  and  16   b . The wings or bolsters  228   a ,  228   b  differ from the corresponding components of the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 6  due to the angular extension flanges  229  extending forwardly and rearwardly from each wing  228   a ,  228   b . These extension flanges  229  provide some additional rigidity for the wings or bolsters  228   a ,  228   b , and may be incorporated with any of the wings or bolsters  26   a ,  26   b ,  28   a , and/or  28   b  of the first embodiment. The bolsters or wings  228   b  may be padded or upholstered, as shown along the inboard surfaces of the two left side wings  26   a  and  28   a  in  FIG. 1 . 
   The extension arms  16   a  and  16   b  are captured upon the base plate by a guide plate  32 . The guide plate  32  may extend laterally across the base plate  12  and be attached thereto by appropriate fasteners (cap screws, etc.). The guide plate  32  includes a pair of underlying extension arm channels  36   a ,  36   b . These extension arm channels  34   a  through  36   b  are shown for the rear adjuster assembly in the sectional view of  FIG. 3 , with the extension arms  16   b  installed therein. 
   Each of the extension arms  16   b  includes a toothed rack disposed along the inboard or base plate attachment portion thereof. The racks  40   a ,  40   b  are shown separated from their respective base plate attachment portions  22   a ,  22   b  of the two extension arms  16   a ,  16   b . The toothed edges or faces  42  of each rack  40   a ,  40   b  face one another, and engage a pinion gear  46  disposed therebetween that in turn rotates on a shaft affixed within the guide plate  32 . Rack clearance slots  50   a  and  50   b  are provided through the guide plate  32  for the two racks  40   a ,  40   b  of the arms  16   a  and  16   b.    
   Thus, each extension arm of the extension arm set or pair  16   a ,  16   b  is forced to move simultaneously with, but opposite to, its opposite arm due to their toothed racks  40   a ,  40   b  simultaneously engaging the pinion  46 . As the pinion  46  rotates, e.g., clockwise when viewed from above, both the left and right extension arms  16   a  and  16   b  are caused to move outwardly simultaneously with one another. Thus, the rider of a cycle equipped with the cycle seat  210  may push or pull either of the two extension arms of an extension arm set, e.g., the left arm  16   a  and/or its wing or bolster  228   a , to adjust both wings of the pair or set inwardly or outwardly simultaneously with one another. 
   The seat  210  with its laterally adjustable side wings or bolsters also includes a locking mechanism for the wing or bolster pair. The rearwardly disposed rack  40   a  of the extension arm pair includes detents  54  along its rearward face, i.e., the face opposite the toothed face  42 . A rearward extension arm locking knob  62  is adjustably secured to the rearward portion of the base plate  12  by a block  64 , with the knob  62  controlling forward and rearward motion of a detent engaging pin  66  for selective engagement of the detents  54  of the rack  40   a.    
   The knob  62  is spring-loaded to cause the pin  66  to engage its rack detent  54 . When the knob  62  is pulled outwardly, i.e., away from the remainder of the mechanism, the pin  66  is withdrawn from the detent  54  of its rear rack  40   a , allowing the cyclist to adjust the wings or bolsters  28   a ,  28   b . The knob mechanism may be temporarily locked in an outward, i.e., detent disengaged, position against its internal spring by conventional means, e.g., quarter-twist detents or catches, etc., to hold the lock knob and its pin clear of the rack detents. Suitable lock knobs and pins are manufactured by the Carr-Lane Manufacturing Co. of St. Louis, Mo., and may be used for the detent engagement and locking knob and pin described above. Alternative mechanisms serving substantially the same function may be substituted. 
   The cycle seat  268  is immovably affixed atop the base plate  12  and its guide plate  32 , and associated mechanism. The inboard or base plate end portions  22   a ,  22   b  of the extension arms  16   a  and  16   b  are thus captured between the seat  268  and the underlying guide plate  32  and base plate  12 . However, they are free to slide inwardly and outwardly beneath the seat  268  and within the corresponding channels  36   a  and  36   b  (as shown for the rear wing or bolster assembly in  FIG. 2 ) of the guide plate  32 , when the lock knob  62  is pulled to disengage its pin  66  from the detent  54  of the rack  40   a . This allows the lateral spacing between the wings  228   a  and  228   b  to be adjusted by the cyclist relative to the seat  268  therebetween. 
   In conclusion, the cycle seat  10 , with its laterally adjustable bolsters or wings and various adjustments provided by the additional mechanisms shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , provides a multitude of seating configurations for the cyclist. The provision of laterally-adjustable wings or bolsters for the thighs and/or hips of the cyclist allows the cyclist to apply lateral thrust for controlling the balance of the cycle by means of the thigh and/or hip wings of the seat, with the lateral adjustment of the wings allowing cyclists of widely differing body builds to make use of the same seat mechanism. It will be seen that the cycle seat  10  in its various embodiments may be incorporated into virtually any practicable type of pedal-powered cycle, regardless of the number of wheels or seats the cycle may have. This seat mechanism with its laterally adjustable bolsters or wings, particularly in combination with the other adjustment mechanisms described herein, serve to greatly facilitate the comfort and control of the cyclist, particularly during strenuous riding conditions. 
   It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.