Patent Abstract:
A bicycle seat and adjustable mount includes an arcuate rail extending generally upward and backward from a base mounted on a bicycle seat post, and a seat support slidably mounted on the rail and capable of being positioned at various positions along the rail. The seat support preferably carries a seat having a planar laterally elongated base with terminal upstanding hip restraints to position the rider on the seat.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    This invention relates to seat assemblies for bicycles. More particularly, this invention relates to seat assemblies allowing for adjustment in angle, height and longitudinal position of the seat without the rider having to dismount from the bicycle.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The seat of a bicycle is required to perform a number of functions for the rider. It must support the rider comfortably for rides of long duration, it must position the rider for maximum efficiency in pedaling the bicycle, and it must aid the rider in controlling and stabilizing the bicycle. Various seat configurations have been devised to attempt to meet these objectives simultaneously. Because a rider may assume different positions with respect to the pedals of the bicycle in order to achieve maximum power for different conditions, e.g., uphill versus level riding, various adjustable seat mountings also have been devised.  
           [0003]    Most bicycle seats are elongated in a longitudinal direction with respect to the bicycle frame, and typically have transverse extensions with a forward-extending pommel to conform to the rider&#39;s anatomy and to aid in stabilizing and controlling the bicycle. This configuration of the seat, having a convex transverse cross-section, concentrates the force of the seat under the rider&#39;s ischial tuberosities and becomes uncomfortable, especially for rides of long duration. Furthermore, in recent years evidence has been accumulating that in some cases the pommel of the seat pressing on this perineal area can cause injury. Various seats without pommels have been devised, but control has been sacrificed by not having the pommel to straddle.  
           [0004]    Preferably, the seat should be configured with a concave transverse cross-section to distribute the force of the seat over the rider&#39;s buttocks, and the seat should have elevated sides to provide the control lost by eliminating the pommel. Also, as the rider moves his body for optimal positioning, the seat should move along the same path to remain in contact with the rider to assure constant control, and the front of the seat should tilt downward to permit longitudinal pressing against the seat to counter forward thrust on the pedals, thereby increasing the thrust on the pedals to provide for maximum effort by the legs in turning the crank and to provide for maximum utilization of the rider&#39;s weight. At other times the rider wishes to have the seat in a lower, backward position and bends forward to minimize wind resistance.  
           [0005]    Since adjustments to most seats require dismounting from the bicycle, the seat remains stationary with respect to the bicycle frame while the rider is riding. Consequently, when the rider rises from the seat for greater power, he can no longer use the seat for stabilizing the bicycle—with considerable increase in effort, stabilization and control must now be achieved with his arms. Furthermore, when the rider stands up, any forward thrust on the pedals must be countered by pulling backward on the handlebars with his arms. (It should be noted that the only effort by the rider that contributes to forward movement of the bicycle is that which he can exert with his legs by applying force to the pedals, and any energy expended by his arms other than for steering is wasted energy.)  
           [0006]    Preferably, the seat should snugly fit the rider by inward leaning flexible sides and/or by use of a constraining member such as a belt. The rider should then be able to unlock the seat remotely from one or more of its various constraining locks and move to a new orientation carrying the seat with him. When in the new desired attitude, the rider should be able to relock the seat in its new attitude.  
           [0007]    Accordingly, a need has continued to exist for an adjustable, comfortable bicycle seat assembly that can aid the rider in providing maximum pedaling force, can provide the rider with continual control in various pedaling positions, and avoids the possible injury associated with a seat having a pommel. It also would be preferable for the rider to be able to perform all releasing and locking of the seat without removing his hands from the handlebars.  
           [0008]    Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a seat assembly for a bicycle.  
           [0009]    A further object is to provide a bicycle seat that does not have a pommel.  
           [0010]    A further object is to provide a bicycle seat having side supporting members.  
           [0011]    A further object is to provide a bicycle seat having angled and/or inward tilting side support members capable of grasping the sides of the buttocks of the rider to maximize control and to facilitate moving the seat into a new attitude.  
           [0012]    A further object is to provide a bicycle seat having support members together with a constraining member such as a belt to maximize control and to facilitate moving the seat into a new attitude.  
           [0013]    A further object is to provide a bicycle seat assembly that can ride along a rail so that the seat assembly can be simultaneously adjusted in both longitudinal position and in height.  
           [0014]    A further object is to provide a seat assembly that can follow an optimal path positioning and supporting a rider over a full range of riding conditions.  
           [0015]    A further object is to provide a seat assembly that can be adjusted in tilt position while riding the bicycle.  
           [0016]    A further object is to have remotely controllable lock/release control from the handlebars for the several degrees of freedom in regard to the attitude of the seat assembly.  
           [0017]    A further object is to have independently and/or simultaneously releasable degrees of freedom in regard to the attitude of the seat assembly.  
           [0018]    A further object is to provide a bicycle seat assembly which can be tilted in a vertical plane to provide buttock support as counter-thrust for forward thrust on the pedals.  
           [0019]    A further object is to provide a bicycle seat assembly wherein a rail that supports a seat can be shifted forward and backward and tilted to provide optimum seat positioning.  
           [0020]    A further object is to provide a secondary tilt mechanism between the seat and the seat mount that rides on the rail.  
           [0021]    A further object is to minimize counter-productive arm effort in control of the bicycle and countering forward thrust on the pedals.  
           [0022]    Other objects of the invention will become apparent from the description of the invention which follows.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0023]    The above described needs have now been met by various aspects of the present invention, including a seat assembly having a concave transverse support member together with upstanding side support members slidably mounted on a rail.  
           [0024]    In one aspect, the present invention provides a seat with a concave transverse support member and upstanding side support members slidably mounted on a rail via a seat mounting assembly that may be securely positioned at a plurality of locations along the rail. Depending upon the shape of the rail, the seat mounting assembly may comprise a single bushing with a partially circular channel, or a bushing box containing multiple bushings allowing for sliding along differently curved regions of the rail. The seat assembly may be secured at locations along the rail by hand via a plunger assembly, or electromechanically via a solenoid.  
           [0025]    In another aspect, the present invention provides a seat as above that may be tiltably mounted on the seat mounting assembly and secured at a plurality of tilt positions. The tilt of the seat may likewise be adjusted through use of a plunger assembly or a solenoid.  
           [0026]    In another aspect, the present invention provides a seat as above that may be adjusted along a translation rail mounted over the frame of the bicycle. The translation rail may be maintained level through use of an adjustable support assembly, and the seat may be secured at different locations along the rail through use of a plunger assembly or a solenoid.  
           [0027]    In another aspect, the present invention provides a seat as above that may be adjusted rotationally about a central member and secured at a plurality of locations about the member through use of a plunger assembly or a solenoid.  
           [0028]    In another aspect, the present invention provides a seat with a transverse and concave support member with upstanding side members that have slots to receive a restraining member or inwardly deflecting regions to hold a rider&#39;s hips.  
           [0029]    In another aspect, the present invention provides a substantially spherical bushing having a bore therethrough to permit sliding along a rail and an opening to permit securing about a keel, where the diameter of the bore varies to permit sliding along differently curved regions of the rail. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0030]    [0030]FIG. 1A shows a side elevational view of a bicycle equipped with a bicycle seat mounting of the invention positioned in a lowered position.  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 1B shows a side elevational view of the bicycle of FIG. 1A with the seat in a somewhat raised position.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 2 shows a top plan view of the seat of the invention.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 3 shows a side elevational view of the seat and one embodiment of the seat mounting assembly.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the seat and seat mounting assembly.  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the seat.  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 5A is an isometric view of another embodiment of the seat.  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of a keel and arcuate rail assembly of one embodiment of the invention.  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of the keel and arcuate rail assembly of FIG. 6.  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the bushing box of one embodiment of the invention.  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of the bushing box of FIG. 8.  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 10 is a front elevational view of the bushing box of FIG. 8, including a bushing therein.  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 11 is a cross-section of the bushing box of FIG. 8 and the bushing of FIG. 10 along the line  11 - 11 .  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 12 is a cross-section of the bushing box of FIG. 8 and the bushing of FIG. 10 along the line  12 - 12 .  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 13 shows a side elevational view of a bicycle equipped with another embodiment of a bicycle seat assembly of the invention.  
         [0045]    [0045]FIG. 14 is a side elevational view of a rotation assembly, translation assembly, and support assembly of the bicycle seat assembly of FIG. 13.  
         [0046]    [0046]FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the rotation assembly and translation assembly of FIG. 14 mounted on a seat tube.  
         [0047]    [0047]FIG. 16 is a side elevational view of a second embodiment of the seat mounting assembly.  
         [0048]    [0048]FIG. 17 is a front elevational view of the seat mounting assembly of FIG. 16.  
         [0049]    [0049]FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the seat mounting assembly of FIG. 16.  
         [0050]    [0050]FIG. 19 is a cut-away view of a bushing box and bushings used with the seat mounting assembly of FIG. 16 with a retaining cover removed.  
         [0051]    [0051]FIG. 20 is a side view of a plunger assembly that may be used with various assemblies of the present invention.  
         [0052]    [0052]FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a translation rail support assembly used with an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0053]    [0053]FIG. 22 is an isometric view of a tilt assembly used with an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0054]    [0054]FIG. 23 is a cut-away view of the tilt assembly of FIG. 21.  
         [0055]    [0055]FIG. 24 is an isometric view of an embodiment of the present invention using solenoids. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0056]    The invention will now be described with reference to the drawings, which illustrate preferred embodiments of the adjustable seat assembly of the invention and are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention.  
         [0057]    Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B,  6  and  7 , bicycle  10  comprises a frame or top tube  12 , a down tube  14 , a seat tube  16 , a front wheel  18 , a rear wheel  20 , and a chain drive mechanism  22 . At least an upper portion of seat tube  16  is hollow and holds a shaft  17  (hidden), adjustable in height via a shaft adjustment member  19 . Shaft  17  and shaft adjustment member  19  may comprise any arrangement commonly available. A keel base  30  is mounted on top of seat tube  16 , or, if extended, shaft  17 . For ease of discussion, reference to mounting the base  30  on seat tube  16  shall include shaft  17 . Base  30  is generally rectangular in cross-section and may be mounted by any suitable means known in the art.  
         [0058]    Extending rearwardly and upwardly from base  30  is arcuate rail  40  and keel  41 . The rail may have a circular cross-section, such as cross-section  35  shown in FIG. 7, which is simplest to form and conducive to the easiest motion therealong. However, any cross-section, e.g., triangular., square, rectangular, polygonal or the like may be used. Rail  40  is integral with or attached to keel  41 . Keel  41  inhibits left-to-right pivoting of the seat and mounting assembly during movement along the rail. Rail  40  has a plurality of rail detents  42 . As will be explained, rail detents  42  enable seat mounting assembly  50  and seat  90  to be secured at a plurality of positions along rail  40 .  
         [0059]    The shape of the rail determines the position of the seat with respect to the normal position when it is displaced along the rail. In one embodiment, rail  40  may be a circular arc as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. As shown in FIGS.  10 - 12 , a bushing  70  for positioning the seat  90  along such a circular rail  40  requires only a complementary arcuate channel  62  having a curvature matching that of rail  40 , together with a neck portion to accommodate the keel. However, as shown for example in FIG. 14, the rail may have other curved shapes in order to position the seat  90  in other positions with respect to the normal position.  
         [0060]    Accordingly, the rail may have an elliptical, parabolic, hyperbolic or compound curvature, and may even have a linear portion. For ease of discussion, any of these curvatures will be described by the term “arcuate.” When a non-circular arcuate rail is used, as will be explained infra in connection with FIGS.  16 - 19 , the mounting assembly will typically require a plurality of individual bushings  70 ′ mounted within the assembly and capable of angular rotation to accommodate the varying angles required to fit the varying curvature of the rail.  
         [0061]    Referring to FIGS. 2 through 5A, a seat  90  is secured to seat mounting assembly  50 , such as by one or more bolts  94 . However, any means of securing the seat to the seat mounting assembly is suitable. For example, adhesive mounting, a dovetail clamp mounting, or the like could be used. The upper ends of the bolts  94  are preferably recessed into the surface  92  of the seat  90 . Surface  92  extends generally transversely to frame  12  of bicycle  10  and preferably has a slightly concave form, as best shown in FIG. 4. A concave form with about a 40 inch radius is believed to be most advantageous.  
         [0062]    From the rider&#39;s perspective, seat  90  has a right end  96 , a left end  98 , a front  100 , and a rear  102 . The surface  92  does not have a nose or pommel as is found in more conventional bicycle seats. Accordingly, this seat avoids the problem of injury caused by conventional seats. A right side  104  extends upwardly from right end  96 , and a left side  106  extends upwardly from left end  98  to provide lateral support and location for the rider&#39;s hips. As shown in FIG. 5, right side  104  and left side  106  may preferably be angled to provide appropriate support. Also, slots  108  and  110  may be provided on right side  104  and left side  106 , respectively, and a belt (not shown) may be employed through the slots so as to hold the rider more securely to seat  90 . In addition, surface  92  of seat  90  may include two generally concave regions  112  to accommodate the rider&#39;s buttocks.  
         [0063]    A second embodiment of the seat is shown in FIG. 5A. In this embodiment, right and left sides  104 ′ and  106 ′ have inwardly deflected regions  114 ′ and  116 ′, respectively. These regions act to hold the rider&#39;s hips in place on the seat and reduce or avoid the need for a separate restraining member.  
         [0064]    Two embodiments of seat mounting assembly  50  will now be explained in further detail. The first embodiment, shown in FIGS.  8 - 12 , may be used with a circular rail, as in FIGS. 1A and 1B. In this embodiment, seat mounting assembly  50  comprises a generally hollow bushing box  52  having a top surface  54 , a front  56 , a rear  58 , a bottom  60 , a right side  57 , and a left side  59 . Within bushing box  52  and extending along its length from front to back is a single bushing  70 , comprised of a right half  71  and a left half  73 , which are fitted together over rail  40  and keel  41 . When assembled, bushing  70  has a partially circular channel  62  shaped to slidably fit over the rail, including a neck portion  63  that rides along keel  41  and prevents left-to-right pivoting thereabout. Channel  62  also includes inlet  65 , which is shaped to allow the seat mounting assembly to rest atop keel base  30 . The left and right halves of bushing  70  also have holes (not shown) aligned with holes  51  on left and right sides of bushing box  52  to accept bolt-and-nut combinations  55  to fix bushing box  52  and bushing  70  about the rail. (Alternatively depending on the particular construction of the rail, the bushing box and bushing might be mounted on the rail by sliding them over an end of the rail. In that case, the two-half construction of bushing  70  would not have to be used.)  
         [0065]    In the second embodiment shown in FIGS.  16 - 19 , used with the rail of FIG. 14, mounting assembly  50 ′ comprises a bushing box  52 ′ having a top surface  54 ′, a front  56 ′, a rear  58 ′, a bottom  60 ′, a right side  57 ′ and a left side  59 ′. Rather than being generally hollow, as in the first embodiment, bushing box  52 ′ is generally solid, except for a channel  62 ′ running along the bottom  60 ′ of bushing box  52 ′ from front  56 ′ to rear  58 ′. The right side  57 ′ of bushing box  52 ′ may comprise a retaining cover attached to the left side by bolt assemblies  55 ′ through holes  51 ′ 
         [0066]    As shown in FIGS.  17 - 19 , bushings  70 ′ are located within cavities  64 ′ in channel  62 ′, which also includes neck  63 ′. These bushings may be made of any material that provides a smooth sliding fit on rail  40 . Suitable materials include synthetic polymers such as teflon (polytetrafluoroethylene) and the like. A coventional bronze bushing material could also be used. As shown in FIG. 19, bushings  70 ′ are of a spherical shape. That is, each bushing has a substantially spherical body  170 ′ having a bore  172 ′ therethrough along a diameter of the body. An opening  174 ′, to be aligned with neck  63 ′, is formed along a periphery of the body connecting to the bore. The bore and opening together allow the bushing  70 ′ to slide along rail  40  and keel  41 . The bore  172 ′ should be larger in diameter at each of its ends than at the center of the bushing to accommodate regions of rail  40  of different curvatures. In mounting bushings  70 ′ on rail  40  and keel  41 , the bushings may be slid over the end of the rail, with bore  172 ′ accommodating the rail, and opening  174 ′ accommodating the keel. The bushing box  52 ′ is then fitted over the bushings, and the bushings are then secured within bushing box  52 ′ by means of mounting bolts  55 ′. Alternatively, the bushings may be split.  
         [0067]    In either embodiment, the bushing box also includes a hole  66  (or  66 ′) in right side  57  (or  57 ′). (See FIGS. 9, 16.) In the first embodiment, hole  66  is aligned with hole  66   a  in the right half  71  of bushing  70 . (FIG. 12 actually shows a corresponding pair of holes  66  and  66   a  in the left side of the assembly for ease of visibility. Of course, holes can be provided on both sides so that the assembly may just as easily be used by a left-handed rider as a right-hander rider.) As shown in FIG. 19, in the second embodiment, hole  66   a ′ is provided in one of the bushings  70 ′ and extends from an outer surface of bushing  70 ′ to the bore. When the bushing box  52 ′ is placed. around the bushings  70 ′, hole  66   a ′ in the one bushing will be aligned with hole  66 ′ in the bushing box.  
         [0068]    In either embodiment, an arcuate positioning member  80  is then threaded into hole  66  (or  66 ′) and projects through hole  66   a  (or  66   a ′) to rotatably secure bushing  70  (or  70 ′) in bushing box  52  (or  52 ′). Mounting assembly  50  ( 50 ′) is secured about rail  40  such that retaining member  80  is secured in one of rail detents  42 . (Again, in the embodiment disclosed, the retaining member is provided on the right side of the seat mounting assembly for ease of access by a right-handed rider. Of course, a left-handed version may also be constructed.)  
         [0069]    Arcuate positioning member  80  may be any suitable form of spring loaded retaining bolt or plunger assembly commonly available. One such device is Carr Lane P/N CL-4-HRP. As shown in FIG. 20, the plunger assembly  80  comprises an externally threaded barrel  320  containing a plunger shaft  322  that can reciprocate within the barrel  320 . The plunger shaft  322  is normally advanced by a spring (not shown) within the barrel  320 , so that the tip  324  of the shaft  322  engages one of the rail detents  42  to hold the bushing box  52  in a fixed position with respect to rail  40 . The plunger shaft  322  can be withdrawn by pulling on knob  326  and locked in the retracted position by turning the knob  326 . The bushing box  52  is then free to be moved to a new position along the rail at which another rail detent  42  is located, and is secured in place by releasing the plunger shaft  322  to engage the rail detent  42 . Although the plunger  80  is illustrated as a means for locking the seat  90  in a position along the rail  40 , other means for fixing the seat  90  may be employed. For example, a clamp pressing the sides of the neck  63  in the bushing  70  firmly against the sides of the keel  41  could be employed, or an electronically operated solenoid such as that shown in FIG. 24, as will be developed infra.  
         [0070]    Another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS.  13 - 15 . In this embodiment a translation assembly  300  is provided to enable movement of the seat assembly longitudinally along the frame of the bicycle. Translation assembly  300  includes translation rail  302 , which is secured to seat tube  16  in the rear and is secured to frame  12  in the front via support assembly  306 . Translation rail  302  includes transition detents  304 . A sliding base  330  is slidably mounted on translation rail  302 . Sliding base  330  includes hole  310  (not shown) through which translation positioning member  308  is mounted. Translation positioning member  308  may be a spring loaded retention bolt or plunger assembly as discussed above or may be electromechanical as discussed infra. In operation therefore, when the rider pulls on knob  312  of translation positioning member  308 , base  330  may slide along translation rail  302 . When knob  312  is released, translation positioning member  308  will spring back into the next translation detent  304  that is encountered, and base  330  will now be secured in this new position.  
         [0071]    Support assembly  306  will now be discussed in further detail. Support Assembly  306  is adjustable in height so that when the height of the seat assembly is adjusted via seat shaft  17 , the translation assembly, and in particular, the translation rail  302 , may be maintained level. As shown in FIG. 21, support assembly  306  generally comprises clamp  330 , clamp pin  332 , clamp screw  334 , and block  336 . Clamp screw  334  is a threaded jackscrew, a larger-diametered portion of which is screwed into in threaded hole  338  in translation rail  302 . The smaller diametered portion of screw is secured in block  336  so that the bottom of block  336  together with clamp  330  securely holds top tube  12 . Clamp pin  332  is used to securely hold block  336  and clamp  330  together. In order to raise translation rail  302 , screw  334  is turned in a clockwise direction.  
         [0072]    Also provided in this embodiment is a rotation assembly  200 . Rotation assembly  200  includes central member  202 . In this particular embodiment, central member  202  is in the form of a portion of a circle, although other forms may be used. Central member  202  includes rotation detents  204 . Member  202  has an outer edge  206  which conforms to an inner edge  244  of arcuate keel and rail unit  240 . The rotation assembly also includes lever  208  which extends along the bottom of unit  240  and is pivotally mounted in a hole  210  in member  202  via a bolt (not shown).  
         [0073]    Lever  208  includes a hole  214  (not shown) to receive a rotation positioning member  212 . Member  212  extends into one of the rotation detents  204 . The rotation positioning member  212  may be a solenoid or a spring loaded retaining bolt or plunger assembly such as those discussed above. Member  212  includes knob  216 . In operation, therefore, the rider may pull on knob  216  in order to release member  212  from one of the rotation detents  204 . Lever  208  and unit  240  may then be rotated with respect to member  202 . When knob  216  is released, rotation positioning member  212  will extend into the next detent  204  that is encountered, thus securing the rotation assembly  200  in a new position.  
         [0074]    An alternative seat mounting assembly includes a tilting assembly  150 . As shown in FIGS. 22 and 23, bushing box  152  is attached to a platform  154  using a bolt through a pivoting center  156 . Box  152  has sloped left and right edges  158  and  160 , respectively. The underside of platform  154  includes tilt detents  162 , and bushing box  152  also includes a hole  166  to accept a tilt positioning member  164 . Tilt positioning member  164  may be a solenoid or a spring loaded retaining bolt or plunger assembly such as discussed above, including a knob  168 . When the rider pulls on knob  168 , tilt positioning member  164  is removed from tilt detent  162 , and platform  154  may then rotate around an arc limited by left and right edges  158  and  160 . When the rider releases knob  168 , tilt positioning member  164  will extend into the one of tilt detents  162  that it next encounters, thus securing platform  154  in its new position.  
         [0075]    Referring to FIG. 24, any or all of arcuate rail positioning member  80  (not shown), rotation positioning member  212 , translation positioning member  308 , and tilt positioning member  164  (not shown) may be replaced with electromechanical control members, such as solenoids  400 . The solenoids may preferably be activated by double-throw, single-pull toggle switches  410 , such as are commonly available, so that pressing and holding the toggle forward would release one positioning member, and pressing and holding the same toggle rearward would release a different positioning member. In this manner, four positioning members may be controlled by just two such switches. The switches may be located at any convenient location, such as on the handlebars of the bicycle. Alternatively, an easily accessible control panel may be provided. Power may be provided via a battery pack  420  which, in the particular embodiment shown, may be mounted under frame  12 .  
         [0076]    The invention having now been fully described, it should be understood that it may be embodied in other specific forms or variations without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. Accordingly, the embodiments described above are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1