A Pneumatic Cycling and Riding Cushion.
Year: 1896

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
A Pneumatic Cycling and Riding Cushion.
SOPHIE AMELIA GREENE The Yews Weeke Hill Winchester Hants Married-
without a calling known as Millie S. Greene do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
A pneumatic air-cushion to be worn attached to the person.
It is fashioned so that it shall entirely protect those parts of the body which are
most exposed to injury from the saddle. The cushion is filled with air at both
ends and has two divisions to keep the greater volume of air just where it is most
needed.
The cushion is attached to a shaped india-rubber belt, and is suspended by
atraps of the same. These pass through slots in the belt and can be drawn up to
suit the wearer's convenience.
The cushion is made of india-rubber and is fitted with covers of washable
material.
The middle section of the cushion for ladies' wear, is perforated, and filled with
cotton wool, so arranged that it can be renewed at the wearers pleasure.
The man's cushion is entirely pneumatic and has no cotton wool filling.
Dated this 24th day of September 1896.
COMPLETE SPE
A Pneumatic Cycling and Riding Cushion.
SOPHIE AMELIA GREENE The Yews Weeke Hill Winchester Married without a
calling do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement:-
An india-rubber pad or cushion, shaped to fit the body of wearer. The pad has
two ends, which are formed somewhat like blunt arrow-heads, with an oval
aperture in the middle of each.
These pads or cushions, are filled separately with air by means of a small tube
at either end of the pad. This pad can be filled by the wearer by simply placing
the vulcanite tap at one end of the tube to the lips, or when prefered the tube can
be filled without a tap, also by the lips, and can then be turned back and tied with
thread, or turned back and fastened by a small elastic band.
At either end of these two pads are strong square loops formed of the same india-
rubber as the pad. The air pads are made of unequal sizes, the smaller pad pro-
tects the front of the body, it is worn above the region of the bladder, the larger one

page_text: bears the weight of the back part of the body. These pads are connected by a
perforated pouch, and this is worn immediately beneath the body itself, it can
be filled with cotton wool at the wearers convenience. After being filled the
pouch is rolled back again into its original position. This connecting pouch
measures three and a half inches in length, and one inch and three quarters in
width.
The pad has a loose washing cover of sateen or flannel which prevents the india-
rubber from drawing the flesh. It is attached by two bands of webbing (which
are fitted with toothless buckles) and these bands are fastened to a circular shaped
belt, and this belt is worn round the waist beneath the outer garments of the
cyclist.
The pad for male wearers differs somewhat in shape from the one for females.
The back pad is differently shaped, it is longer, and more taper than the one for
females, and it is fastened by a strap from the back of the pad or cushion to the
waist belt.
The cushion is inflated with air in the same manner as the pad for females.
The pad which is to be worn by males, has no pouch between front and back pads.
The front pad is inflated with air only half-way up. The top part of the pad
is planned to form a pouch. This can be filled and refilled with flax or cotton
wool to suit the wearer's convenience.
The front pad is not attached to the waist-belt, but fastens round the top part of
the leg, in such a manner that it gives support to the most delicate parts of the body,
and at the same time prevents perineal pressure, from the saddle.
Both these pads are also made in other materials and not inflated with air.
They are shaped precisely like the india-rubber pneumatic ones, but are formed
of Turkish towelling, chamois leather, stockingnette, and flannel, and are filled
with horse-hair cotton-wool or flax. They are not efficacious durable and hygenic,
as the india-rubber ones are, but are suitable for temporary use only
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING OF MALE PAD
"A" Front pad, which is inflated with air in the lower section, has a pouch at
the upper part, which can be filled with cotton-wool or flax, and the size can be
modified according to the stoutness of the wearer. The Top of the pad carries a
strap, which passes round the top part of the leg and hack through the loop in
section "A." In this way the pad is kept to the left side, and prevents the
pressure from the peak of the saddle.
"B" The junction between the front and back pads, this part is not inflated,
but simply forms a sort of stran of double india-rubber.
"C" The back pad which fits evenly between the points of the Ischia, can be
inflated to suit the wearer. It has a narrow oval aperture, tapering towards the
junction, which prevents the air from collecting in too great a volume at any
point.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS.
(A) Front of pad, this part covers the front part of body, above the region of
the bladder. The strap passes up perpendicularly over the stomach and meets the
band round the waist.
(B) Pouch containing flax or cotton-wool, it opens opposite "letter B" and
turns out for refilling.
(C) Back of pad, which supports the buttocks, of the wearer.
The strap
continues perpendicularly up the spine until it reaches the belt round the waist.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature, of the said in-
vention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:-
1st An article which from its form and manufacture will prevent the injurious
perineal pressure of the peak of the saddle, as no other known contrivance can.

page_text: 2nd. That the pads being filled separately their size and resistance can be
altered and modified, without inconvenience, to suit the wearer's comfort, the
likelihood of the heavier part of the body forcing too great a volume of air towards
the front, is also prevented.
3rd. Its hygenic qualities, for the india-rubber can be washed with impunity,
after use, and the wool in the pouch can be removed after every ride, if desirable.
Dated this 19th day of June 1897.
SOPHIE AMELIA GREENE.