Patent Abstract:
A seat post for a frame, said seat post comprising, a tubular section having a circumference; said tubular section including one or more slots; and said one or more slots extending through a portion of the circumference of said tubular section.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates to bicycles or other similar wheeled vehicles, and more particularly, to a seat post for use with a bicycle and other types of wheeled vehicle. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The seat post of a bicycle supports the seat of the bicycle connecting it to the bicycle frame. Known seat posts comprise a round, square or aerodynamic cross section with a continuous tube wall and a bracket at the top end to which the bicycle saddle or seat can be attached. The seat post normally is inserted in the seat tube of the bicycle and held in place by a clamp at the top of the seat tube. 
         [0003]    Different materials have been used to save costs, increase strength and reliability and increase stiffness. Different shapes have been used and the aerodynamic shape has become quite common. The aerodynamic shape helps to reduce the overall drag of a bicycle frame particularly as it is normally used in conjunction with an aerodynamic seat tube. These seat tubes are however typically quite rigid, and as a result transmit shock and vibration directly to the seat and rider. 
         [0004]    Many different configurations have been introduced to reduce vibration and shock through the seat tube, including springs, shock absorbing cylinders, mechanical levers and elastomer sleeves between the seat post and seat tube. These configurations typically add weight to the bicycle and can involve complicated mechanisms which are expensive to make. 
         [0005]    In view of the foregoing, there remains a need for improvements in the art of seat posts for use with bicycles and like wheeled vehicles. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention is directed generally to a seat post and seat post configuration suitable for use with a bicycle or other type of wheeled vehicle. 
         [0007]    According to one embodiment, the present invention comprises a seat post for a frame comprising: a tubular section having a circumference; the tubular section includes one or more slots; and the one or more slots extend through a portion of the circumference of the tubular section. 
         [0008]    According to another embodiment, the present invention comprises an aerodynamically shaped seat post for a bicycle frame, the aerodynamically shaped seat post comprises a leading edge and a trailing edge, and respective curved side edges formed between the leading edge and the trailing edge; and one or more slots extending through the trailing edge and a portion of the curved side edges towards the leading edge. 
         [0009]    According to a further embodiment, the present invention comprises a seat tube mast for a bicycle frame, the seat tube mast comprises: a tubular section having a circumference; the tubular section includes one or more slots; and the one or more slots extending through a portion of the circumference of the tubular section. 
         [0010]    According to yet another embodiment, the present invention comprises a bottom bracket; a top tube, a head tube, a down tube and a seat tube; one end of the top tube and one end of the down tube being affixed to the head tube, and another end of the top tube being affixed to one end of the seat tube; first and second seat stays, and first and second chain stays, and one end of each of the seat stays being affixed to the seat tube, and another end of each of the seat stays being affixed to respective ends of the chain stays; another end of the down tube and another end of the seat tube and another end of each of the chain stays forming a juncture for connecting or affixing the bottom bracket; the bottom bracket comprising a cavity configured for receiving a pedal crank shaft; the seat tube being configured to receive a seat post; and the seat post comprising a tubular section having a circumference; the tubular section including one or more slots; and the one or more slots extending through a portion of the circumference of the tubular section. 
         [0011]    Other aspects and features of the present invention will become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following exemplary embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying figures. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which show by way of example, embodiments according to the present invention, and in which: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  shows a bicycle with a seat post according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is an isolated view of the seat post of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a sectional view of the seat post according to an embodiment of the invention and taken across Line A-A in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a sectional view of the seat post according to a second embodiment of the present invention and corresponds to the section taken through Line A-A in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is a sectional view of the seat post according to another embodiment of the present invention and corresponds to the section taken through Line A-A in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is a sectional view of the seat post according to a further embodiment of the present invention and corresponds to the section taken through Line A-A in  FIG. 2 ; and 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  is an isolated view of a seat post configuration in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
       [0020]    Like reference numerals indicate like elements in the drawings. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0021]    Reference is first made to  FIG. 1 , which shows a bicycle generally indicated by reference  100  and configured with a seat post according to an embodiment of the present invention. The seat post is indicated generally by reference  112  in  FIG. 1 . While embodiments of the present invention are described in the context of a bicycle, it will be appreciated and understood that the invention may be suitable for other vehicles having a seat supported by post configuration. 
         [0022]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the bicycle  100  comprises a frame indicated generally by reference  110  and front and rear wheels indicated by references  103  and  105 , respectively. The frame  110  is configured with the seat post assembly  112 , a handlebar and headstock indicated by  116 , and a pedal crank assembly  118 , in known manner. The pedal crank assembly  118  comprises one or more chain wheels, indicated generally by reference  150 . The frame  110  comprises a head tube  120 , a top tube  122 , a down tube  124 , a seat tube  126 , a pair of chain stays  128 , indicated individually by references  128   a ,  128   b , and a pair of seat stays  130 , indicated individually by references  130   a ,  130   b . The components of the frame  110  are assembled or otherwise affixed at respective ends using known techniques, such as welding or gluing, etc. . . . , as will be familiar to one skilled in the art. It will also be apparent to one skilled in the art that the frame  110  may comprise additional tubes or tube configurations, and the frame  110  depicted in  FIG. 1  is merely illustrative of a typical bicycle frame. 
         [0023]    The front wheel  103  is coupled in known manner to the frame  110  through a front fork assembly  132 . Similarly, the rear wheel  105  is connected or attached to the frame  110  at the junction of the chain stays  128  and the seat stays  130 . In known manner, the rear wheel  105  includes a rear gear (e.g. a gear or a gear pack)  156  which is coupled to the pedal crank assembly  108 , i.e. the chain wheel(s)  150 , through a chain  158  for example. The bottom bracket  140  couples and supports the pedal crank assembly  118 . The rear wheel  103  is driven by the rotational forces applied to the pedal crank assembly  118  and transferred to the rear gear  156  through the chain wheel  150  and the chain  158 . 
         [0024]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the seat post assembly  112  according to an embodiment comprises a seat post  160  according to an embodiment of the invention. The seat post  160  has a top end  162  which is configured to attach or otherwise mount a seat indicated generally by reference  166 . The seat post  160  also comprises a lower or bottom end  164  that is inserted into the seat tube  126  of the frame  110 . The height of the seat  166  is adjusted by changing the position of the seat post  160  in the seat tube  126 , and utilizing a seat clamp  168  to lock the seat post  160  (and the seat  166 ) in the desired position. 
         [0025]    Reference is next made to  FIG. 2 , which shows the seat post assembly  112  in more detail and according to an embodiment of the invention. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the seat post  160  is mounted in the seat tube  126  and held in place with the seat tube clamp  168 . The seat  166  is mounted to the top end  162  of the seat post  160  using a clamp mechanism, a bolted configuration or a suitable connectors or fasteners. According to another aspect, the seat post  160  comprises a circular, square, aerodynamic or other shaped cross section or geometry which may or may not match the cross section of the seat tube  126  for the frame  110 . In accordance with an embodiment according to the present invention, the seat post  160  is configured with one or more gaps or slots  170 , indicated individually by references  170   a ,  170   b ,  170   c  . . .  170   n  in  FIG. 2 . The gaps  170  are in a generally horizontal orientation with respect to the longitudinal axis defined by for the seat tube  126 . According to another aspect, the number, angle, geometry and dimensions of the gaps  170  is based in part on the properties of the material used for the seat tube  126  and/or the desired properties of the seat tube  126  and/or the seat post  160 , as will be described in more detail below. 
         [0026]    The gaps or slots  170  in the seat tube  160  are configured to allow the seat tube  160  to flex. According to an exemplary implementation, the gaps or slots are suitably dimensioned to provide flexing without substantially weakening the structure, and the final dimensions will depend in part on the strength of the material utilized for the seat tube. According to another aspect, the size, number and/or location of the gaps  160  are configured to achieve a desired amount of flexure and/or direction of flexure. The flexure allows the seat post  160  to absorb some of the shock and vibration transmitted through the bicycle frame  110  and thereby reduces the amount of vibration transmitted to the seat  166  and subsequently to the rider. 
         [0027]    In accordance with another embodiment, the gaps or slots  170  (i.e. some or all) are fully or partially filled with a damping material, such as an elastomer or similar material indicated generally by reference  172  in  FIG. 2 . The damping material  172  functions to further dampen vibrations transmitted through the seat post  160 . For instance, as the seat tube  160  flexes the edges of the slots  170  move closer together and then farther apart and vice versa. The damping material  172  functions to dampen this movement by resisting the closing (and also restricting the opening). In accordance with a further aspect, the damping material  172  is inserted into one or more individual gaps or slots  170 , for example, the slots  170   a  and  170   b . In accordance with another aspect, the slots  170  and the adjoining internal void volume in the seat post  160  is filled with the damping material  172 . 
         [0028]    Reference is made to  FIG. 3 , which shows a cross-sectional view of a seat post according to an embodiment of the present invention and indicated generally by reference  300 . The section is taken along the Line A-A in  FIG. 2 . The seat post  300  comprises an aerodynamic shape with a leading edge  302 , a trailing edge  304  and curved side edges  306  and  308 . According to an embodiment, the seat post  300  includes an internal wall  310 , which functions to reinforce or strengthen the seat post structure. According to an embodiment, the seat post  300  is configured with one or more gaps or slots indicated by  312 , for example, as described above for gaps or slots  170  ( FIG. 2 ). As shown, the gap  312  extends from the trailing edge  304  forward through the sides  306  and  308 . To maintain structural strength for the seat post  300 , the slots  312  do not extend to, or do not breach, the internal wall  310 . This configuration maintains the structural strength of the closed cross-section formed by the internal wall  310  and the forward portions of the side walls  306 ,  308  extending from the internal wall  310  to the leading edge  302 . According to another embodiment, the gaps or slots  312  may be extended forward to the internal wall  310  or past the internal wall  310 , for example, where the structural strength is not critical for the bicycle design or application, or structural strength is achieved through the utilization of materials or fabrication techniques. 
         [0029]    Reference is next made to  FIG. 4 , which shows a cross-sectional view of a seat post according to an embodiment of the present invention and indicated generally by reference  400 . The section is taken along the Line A-A in  FIG. 2 . The seat post  400  comprises an aerodynamic shape with a leading edge  402 , a trailing edge  404  and curved sides  406  and  408 . According to an embodiment, the seat post  400  includes a curved internal wall  410 , which functions to reinforce or strengthen the seat post structure. According to an aspect, the seat post  400  comprises a circular tube  414  and the internal wall  410  is continuation of the curved sides or radius of the internal circular tube  414 . According to an embodiment, the seat post  400  is configured with one or more gaps or slots indicated by  412 , for example, as described above for gaps or slots  170  ( FIG. 2 ). As shown, the gap  412  extends from the trailing edge  404  forward through the sides  406  and  408 . To maintain structural strength for the seat post  400  and according to an embodiment, the gaps or slots  412  do not extend to, or do not breach, the internal wall  410 . This configuration maintains the structural strength of the closed cross section formed by the internal circular tube  414 . According to another embodiment, the gaps or slots  412  may be extended forward to the internal wall  410  or past the internal wall  410 , for example, where the structural strength is not critical for the bicycle design or application, or structural strength is achieved through the utilization of materials or fabrication techniques. 
         [0030]    Reference is next made to  FIG. 5 , which shows a cross-sectional view of a seat post according to an embodiment of the present invention and indicated generally by reference  500 . The section is taken along the Line A-A in  FIG. 2 . The seat post  500  comprises an aerodynamic shape with a leading edge  502 , a trailing edge  504  and curved side edges or side walls  506  and  508 . According to an embodiment, the seat post  500  includes first and second internal walls  510  and  511 , which form respective tubular sections  514  and  516 , and function to reinforce or strengthen the seat post structure. According to an embodiment, the seat post  500  is configured with one or more gaps or slots indicated by  512 , for example, as described above for gaps or slots  170  ( FIG. 2 ). As shown, the gap  512  extends from the trailing edge  504  forward through the sides  506  and  508 , respectively. To maintain structural strength for the seat post  500  and according to an embodiment, the gaps or slots  512  do not extend to, or do not breach, the internal wall  511 . This configuration maintains the structural strength of the closed cross sections formed by the internal walls  511  and  510  and the internal wall  510  and the forward portions of the side walls  506 ,  508  extending from the internal wall  511  to the leading edge  502 . According to another embodiment, the gaps or slots  512  may be extended forward to the internal wall  511 , or past the internal wall  511 , for example, where the structural strength is not critical for the bicycle design or application, or structural strength is achieved through the utilization of materials or fabrication techniques. 
         [0031]    Reference is next made to  FIG. 6 , which shows a cross-sectional view of a seat post according to an embodiment of the present invention and indicated generally by reference  600 . The section is taken along the Line A-A in  FIG. 2 . The seat post  600  comprises an aerodynamic shape with a leading edge  602 , a trailing edge  604  and curved side edges or side walls  606  and  608 . According to an embodiment, the seat post  600  is configured with one or more gaps or slots indicated by  612 , for example, as described above for gaps or slots  170  ( FIG. 2 ). As shown, the gap or slot  612  extends from the trailing edge  604  forward through the sides  606  and  608 . To maintain structural strength for the seat post  600 , the slots  612  do not extend all the way forward to the leading edge  602 . 
         [0032]    While  FIGS. 3 to 6  illustrated embodiments of the seat post  112  with aerodynamic cross-sections or profiles, it will be appreciated that the seat post  112  may also comprise a circular cross-section or geometry with one or more gaps or slots  170  as described above. 
         [0033]    Reference is made to  FIG. 7 , which shows a seat tube mast according to another embodiment of the present invention and indicated generally by reference  700 . The seat tube mast  700  replaces the seat post configuration described above for  FIG. 1  and is formed in the seat tube  126  of the frame  110 . The seat tube mast  700  includes a top end  702  is configured in known manner to attach or otherwise connect to the seat  166 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , the seat tube mast  700  comprises one or more gaps or slots  704 , indicated individually by references  704   a ,  704   b ,  704   c  . . .  704   m . The gaps or slots  704  are configured as described above. According to an embodiment, the gaps or slots  704  may be partially or fully filled with a dampening material  706  as also described above. According to another aspect, the seat tube mast  700  can be configured with the geometries and/or slot arrangements as described above. 
         [0034]    The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The embodiments described and disclosed are to be considered in all aspects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather that by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1