Improvements by
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Jan., 1897-Accepted, 10th Apr.,
1397
Improvements by
I, ADOLPHE ULANOWSKY of 66 Newski Prospect St. Petersburg in the Empire
of Russia, Nobleman, 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 :-
My invention has for its object improvements in cycle saddles and will be described
with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which,-
Figure 1 is a plan view of the steel frame and leather covering of this improved
saddle;
Figure 2 is a horizontal section of the indiarubber cushion ;
Figure 3 is a front elevation showing the method of mounting the saddle on
springs;
Figure 4 is a section of Figure 2 on the line A B ;
Figure 5 is a side elevation of Figure 3
Figure 6 is a cross section of the means for gripping the pin or saddle bar;
Figure 7 is a side elevation of the same;
Figure 8 is a sectional view of the disc o shown in Figure 6;
Figure 9 is a plan view of the indiarubber cushion ;
Figure 10 is a section of Figure 1 on the line A-B.
Figures 11 and 11 are sections of Figure 2 on the lines C-D and E-F
respectively.
:
My improved saddle consists of the following parts:-
C
1. As framework of the seat there is provided a semicircular thin steel frame A,
with two large open indentations a at those parts where, when seated on the saddle,
the tuberosities of the ischium (tubera ischi) of the rider are located. The centres
of these indentations are, according to the size of the saddle, at a distance of from
8 to 12 centimetres, as these dimensions correspond to the average anatomical
dimensions of the distance apart of the tuberosities of the ischium (tubera ischi)
which has been ascertained by numerous measurements taken from skeletons.
The edges of the frame and the indentations made therein are bent or turned
over downwards, in order to allow of the thin narrow pieces of steel remaining bent
under the weight of the rider.
Springs are screwed in the central points zz of the frame. The frame is bent
in at these points which consequently are situated beneath the surface of the frame,
as shown in the drawing. The part which projects between the indentations a,
serves for better fixing the centre of the cushion lying on the frame. The pro-
jection v is divided into two parts by a slit ol which allows of an automatic even
if very slight bending of each half of the projection on the movement of either
foot of the rider. The projection is a little bent upwards, so that it is not
precisely on the same level with the frame. The frame itself is covered with elastic
and pretty hard leather, which is fastened on the bent edge of the frame by means
of rivets.
2. A pneumatic semicircular indiarubber cushion B, containing two hollows b
connected in the centre of the saddle, which cushion is inflated by means of a valve
arranged beneath it.
In the centre of the front part of the cushion is an opening, which allows air to
flow from one part to the other during the journey.
In this part the edges of the cushion are made considerably thicker in order to

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avoid any bulging, through pressure on the sides of the cushion, so that, to a certain
extent, the stability of the seat is maintained. As this pneumatic indiarubber
cushion is stuck to the leather, covering the steel frame, it forms a convenient soft
bicycle seat, which allows free movement of the legs during the journey.
The tuberosities of the ischium (tubera ischi) rest on the elastic air filled cushion,
so that the muscles of the rear and inner surface of the hips (superficies femoris
posteriores et internal) which during the journey are mostly exposed to movement,
scarcely come in contact with the seat and as the latter does not offer any hindrance
to their free movement they consequently undergo no inconvenient friction precisely
owing to the herein before described pneumatic arrangement of the saddle.
As the right foot depresses the pedal and the muscles of the under side of the
thigh press simultaneously on the saddle, air is forced from the right.half of the
cushion into the left, which swells up simultaneously with the rising of the left
foot.
3. Two spiral steel springs c on which the saddle is mounted. The construction
of these may be seen from the drawings. These spiral springs, which are clamped
beneath to the L pin or saddle bar extend apart in both directions and the two ends
of each meet above at one point and are attached to the frame by means of screws
at the points which undergo the greatest pressure of the rider. In this manner it
is possible to obtain, with an extremely simple form of construction, the advantage
of an entire stability not only when the pressure comes on the centre of the saddle
but also on its sides or edges.
4. The holder or cliped which attaches the saddle by the springs to the L. pin or
saddle bar of the machine and consists of two clamps d which are pressed to one
another by means of a screw. The pair of springs c.situated between them is
gripped by means of the screw k wbich passes through the lower half of the.clamp.
The screw k pressing on the L pin or frame bars by means of. a disco, causes a
compression of the spiral springs: and fixes them thus in the clamp.device.
My invention is characterized by the following advantages:-
1. The saddle whilst giving a very large supporting surface exerts no deleterious
pressure on the perineum, nor consequently also on the prostate of the rider. This
extremely deleterious pressure.on the perineum is unavoidable in all the systems of
saddle.construction hitherto employed.
My saddle can therefore be employed without harm.by those who suffer from a
diseased condition of the perineum.or the prostate.
2. My saddletaffords. a firm steady and soft support to those parts of the body
which according to their anatomic build, are precisely intended for sitting, that is,
it is suited to the tuberosities of the ischiuni.and the nates.
3. By the removal of pressure and friction from the perineum, and the soft parts
of the rear and inner surface of the hips and thighs; a completely free movement
of the feet: is permitted when travelling, whilst in the systems of cycle saddles
hitherto employed there was always friction between the saddle and the inner parts
of the thighs, so that free movement was considerably impeded and limited, which
is a matter of no little importance as regards the preservation of the strength and
the health of the rider.
4. The size of the seat corresponds to the weight of the rider, and the frame is
therefore made in three dimensions of various thicknesses, one for a rider of from
about 72 up to 126 lbs., another for those from 126 up to 181 lbs. and another for
those above 181 lbs. in weight.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said.inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is,-
1. In a cycle saddle, an indiarubber. cushion formed substantially as.hereinbefore
described and illustrated.
2. In a cycle saddle a cushion-supporting frame shaped substantially as and for
the purpose herein before set forth.

page_text: 3. In a cycle saddle, the improved construction of clip or clamps for attaching
the saddle to the machine, substantially as described and shown.
4. A cycle saddle supported by two spiral springs extending laterally outwards
and each having its two ends connected together and to the saddle substantially as
hereinbefore described and shown.
5. The general construction and combination of parts taken as a whole forming
the improved cycle saddle, substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated.
Dated this 8th day of January 1897.
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, Agents for the Applicant.