Improvements in Velocipede Saddles or Saddle Pads.
Year: 1896

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Velocipede Saddles or Saddle Pads.
I, GEORGE GARNER SMITH, of Riverslie, Crosby Road, Seaforth, in the County
of Lancaster, Solicitor, do hereby declaro, the nature of this Invention to be as
follows:-
This Invention has reference to saddles or saddle pads of velocipedes, that
is, the saddle or saddle pads of bicycles and tricycles, and similar vehicles; and
it has more particularly for its object to provide saddles or saddle pads which
shall be more comfortable, and be ridden upon with greater ease than with those
now generally used.
According to the present Invention, the seat of, or a pad for use upon, a saddle
consists of or comprises a container, in the form of a vessel or vessels, of water-
proof construction-say india-rubber, reinforced, or held in position, by canvas or
like material,-being of shallow or small depth or thickness, and in the form of
a tube coiled or arranged so as to form a pad. In this pad fastening materials,
such as canvas, or the like, extend between the tubes or coils, and between the upper
aud under surfaces.
The saddle or pad thus formed is made in two parts, one on either side; and,
between the two halves, a considerable space is provided, but the two parts aro
connected together below by canvas or leather, or the like, and are supported
and rest upon a suitable bed of metal or leather, or other material, in the caso
of a saddle; or in the case of a pad, upon the ordinary saddle leather, and being
substantially of the same form in plan.
By this construction, the water containing parts are retained in a flat or com-
paratively shallow form, no mattor to what part weight is applied to them, or
how pressed upon.
The coil of the tubular pad, at the rear part of the saddle, on each side, is
carried forward to the front in the 'form of a peak, with a space between them.
This extension may be in the form of a single tube on each side, where they may
be joined together, and provided with a valve of suitable form for filling same.
A space, also, may be provided along the inside through the saddle or pad at the
centre, for ventilation."
In one form of saddle pad, I may have a base of canvas, or like material, and
upon it a tubular canvas container carried round in the form of convolutions, say,
straight or nearly straight on each side of the centre, and then curved outwards
and round outwardly. This forms the back part of the saddle, and the outside
convolution on each side is carried round and forward in the form of a peak or
point. In this chamber of convolutions, I introduce an india-rubber tube, pre-
ferably, of comparatively very thin india-rubber, capable of taking sharp turns
and freely elastic.
In the case of a pad, the canvas or other material base would he provided with
fastening straps, or other suitable fasteners, at the centre of the pad, and at the
outside, by which 'it may be held firmly in position on the saddle. Also, accord-

page_text: ing to this Invention, the front part of the pad is, in some cases, carried down
and under, forming a loop or pocket, which is adapted to fit over the point of the
peak or saddle, and bold it in position thereon; and, in such a case, the valve or
valves may be provided on this part underneath.
By the construction of pad or saddle described, the different parts of the sides
may be made of different shapes, and different depths, and given the contour in
general and in detail, and the parts, the forms and depths required.
As a modified construction of this pad or saddle, in lieu of making it tubular,
the shape and general contour or forin of the parts, and the thickness or depths
thereof, if effected by making an internal casing of upper and lower lamina of
canvas, or like material, secured together by pieces of canvas, string, lies, or liko
means, in rows, or at points. This is then enclosed in india-rubber, to render it
waterproof, and then again, preferably, enclosed within an outer layer or covering
of canvas, or other material.
As a modification under this Invention, in lieu of the pad or saddle being
filled with or containing liquid, it may be filled with air or gas.
Dated this 20th day of November 1806
CHEESBROUGH & ROYSTON,
15 Water Street, Liverpool, Applicant's Patent Agents.
I, GEORGE GARNER SMITH, of Riverslie, Crosby Road, Seaforth, in the County
of Lancaster, Solicitor, 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:-
This Invention has reference to saddles or saddle pads of velocipedes, that
is, the saddle or saddle pads of bicycles and tricycles, and similar vehicles; and
it has more particularly for its object to provide saddles or saddle pads which
shall be more comfortable, and can be ridden upon with greater ease than with those
now generally used.
According to the present Invention, the seat of, or a pad for use upon, a saddle
consists of or comprises a container, in the form of a vessel or vessels, of water-
proof construction, riz. india-rubber, held in position by canvas or
like material, and being of shallow or small depth or thickness, and in the form of
a tube coiled or arranged so as to form a pad. In this pad fastening materials,
such as canvas, or the like, extend between the tubes or coils, and between the upper
and under surfaces.
The saddle or pad thus formed is made in two parts, one on either side, and,
between the two halves, a considerable space is provided, but 'the two parts uro
connected together below by canvas or leather, or the like, and are supported
and rest upon a suitable bed of metal or leather, or other material, in the case of a
saddle or, in the case of a pad, upon the ordinary saddle leather--and are
substantially of the same form in plan.
By this construction, the water containing parts are retained in a flat or com-
paratively shallow form, no matter to what part weight is applied to them, or
how pressed upon.
The coil of the tubular pad, at the rear part of the saddle, on each side, is
carried forward to the front in the form of a penk, with a space between them.
This extension may be in the form of a single tube on each side, where they may

page_text: he joined together, and provided with a valve of suitable form for filling same.
A space, also, may be provided along the inside through the saddle or pad at the
centre, for ventilation.
In one form of saddle pad, I may have a base of canvas, or like material, and
upon it a tubular canvas container carried round in the form of convolutions, say,
straight or nearly straight on each side of the centre, and then curved outwards
and round outwardly. This forms the hack part of the saddle, and the outsido
convolution on each side is carried round and forward in the form of a peak or
point. In this chamber of convolutions, I introduce an india-rubber tube, pre-
ferably, of comparatively very thin india-rubber, capable of taking sharp turns
and freely elastic.
In the case of a pad, the canvas or other material base would be provided with
fastening straps, or other suitable fasteners, at the centre of the pad, and at the
outside, by which 'it may be held firmly in position on the saddle. Also, accord-
ing to this invention, the front part of the pad is, in some cases, carried down
and under, forming a loop or pocket, which is adapted to fit over the point of the
peak or saddle, and hold it in position thereon; and, in such a case, the valve or
valves may be provided on this part underneath.
y the construction of pad or saddle described, the different parts of the sides
may be made of different shapes, and different depths, and given the contour in
general and in detail, and the parts, the forms and depths required.
As a modified construction of this pad or saddle, in lieu of making it tubular,
the shape and general contour or form of the parts, and the thickness or depth
thereof, is effected by making an internal casing of upper and lower lamina or
canvas, or like material, secured together by pieces of canvas, string, ties, or like
means, in rows, or at points. This is then enclosed in india-rubber, to render it
waterproof, and then again, preferably, enclosed within an outer layer or covering
of canvas, or other material.
Two forms of the application of this Invention are illustrated in the necom-
panying drawings; one being a saddle, and the other a pad, adapted to be applied
to an existing saddle or saddle frame. The saddle pad is illustrated in
Figures 1 to 3, in which Figure 1 is a plan partly in section: Figure 2 is a cross
section through A A Figure 1; and Figure 3 an outside elevation. The saddle
is shown in Figures 4 to 6 in which Figure 4 is a plan; Figure 5 an outside
elevation and Figure 6 a back end view.
Reference in the first instance is made to Figures 1 to 3, and, for convenience,
as the saddle pad is of the same structure exactly on each side of its centre line, I
will describe in the specification of the details of the structure, one side of the
pad. In these drawings, a ropresents a lower layer or sheet of canvas or similar
material, forming the base of the container case;
is the roof or
upper sheet of the case; and C are division walls or sents, сон-
necting the base a with the roof or upper sheet b. The walls or septa c are sewn
(or otherwise suitably joined) on to the base a and roof b, and together with these
parts provide a construction which in cross section presents a structure consisting
of a number of substantially rectangular casings. In the case shown in the draw-
ings, the canvas divisions or septa c are so arranged, worked, and joined up with
the base a and roof b that they produce a chamber of continuous form commencing
from the point r; that is to say, the continuous chamber is coiled up in convolu-
tions one about the other in the horizontal plane, the outer end d of the coil being
continued forward along the outer edge of the pad, i.e. along the peak, to its end.
Within the container thus formed, the india rubber tube, designated e is
enclosed. The rubber of which the tube is made is comparatively thin, highly
elastic, and of good quality, and is, in consequence, capable of being readily
stretched out and taking sharp turns, so as to take freely the forms of the spaces
produced by the cellular canvas structure described. For instance, rubber of the
quality and thickness commonly employed for making toy-balloons may be used
with advantage. The canvas or like containers a, with rubber tubes or like

page_text: containers for the water or liquid, are enclosed in a lower cover h, of leather or
equivalent material, and an upper cover i of similar material, the upper leather
cover being, preferably, blocked, to neatly fit over and enclose the container of the
parts above described. Between the roof or cover sheet b, and the leather or like
case i, there is introduced in most cases a pad or layer of felt j.
Generally the pad consists of two liquid filled pads,, supports, or cushions,
standing upon a base, and arranged one on either side of the centre line, with n
space along the centre of the pad of considerable width, preferably in about the
proportions shewn, and substantially of the full depth of the containers or parts
at either aide of it, containing the water or liquid. By this construction, all
pressure between the legs is avoided, the whole weight of the rider being borno
entirely on the two side cushions of the pad, and the seat is well ventilated. The
two tubes d are carried forward along the edges of the pad, so as to directly lie
above the edges of the peak portion of the saddle to which the pad is applied, so
that the pliable or soft nature provided by the liquid charged parts, is provided
not only at the seat proper of the saddle, but along the edges of the parts against
which the legs of the rider bear and work.
The front portion of the pad shewn in the drawings, is provided with a part 1,
which is an extension of the cover of the pad, and is carried round and underlaps
the usual peak, or ends of the springs of the saddle. This part is secured by
lacing ', as shewn, or other suitable fastenings, or it may be permanently con-
nected with the upper part of the cover i forming a pockot, into which the ends
of the springs or the peak of the saddle fits.
With regard, generally, to the means of fastening the pad upon the saddle, it is
provided with a central ring m, fastened to the base canvas a, or leather, or both,
in any suitable known way, and links or loops n secured to the lower
corners of the pad at each side, and at the back; and by means of a strap or cord
passed through the links n and m under the saddle, the pad is held in position;
that is, the links n at each side and back of the pad are connected to the central
loop or ring m, which is passed through the ordinary central aperture of, or a
special aperture in, the saddle.
When the saddle or parts thus described are made up and finished, the tubes e
are filled with water (or other suitable liquid), which is charged into them at
sufficient pressure to stretch the rubber, and fill the rectangular spaces within the
continuous chambers formed by the canvas or like container. The effect of the
filling is, that the roof or cover canvas of each of the spaces of the chambers
of the pad become slightly arched, but as a whole, the effect is that the surface of
the leather on the top of the two side hydraulio seats or cushions, is smooth and
even; and, in action, no matter where pressuro is applied to the
surfaces, the effect is that thero is only a local depression at that point,
without any corresponding distension of the pads or cushious at other portions,
this result being attained by the structure described, by which the water is pre-
vented from distending tho container as a whole..
The water may be charged into the rubber tubes and retained therein by a valve,
Hay at the end of the tubes d or other part; or the tulles may be sealed or closed
permanently after being filled.
The example illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 shows the general form a saddle
pad according to this invention takes, the pad shewn being a mans; but in
Figures 4 to 6, a complete saddle according to the invention is illustrated, the
example given being a woman's saddle of ordinary form, that is, with a short
peak, and relatively broad seat. In this case, the bottom part is of the ordinary
form and shape of a saddle, which it may be assumed is of leather, as in an
ordinary saddlo, and supported in any known suitable way. Onto the upper side
of this base h, the two tubular canvas container structures, comprising the lower
and upper sheets a b and septa c, and the peak ribs or parts d, are placed, one at
either side, and secured thercon by a suitable adhesive cement or other material,
such as rubber solution or the like. Then over these, and the peak ribs d, the

page_text: leather or equivalent strong cover is placed, this cover having been previously
blocked out into the required shape, with the pressed out parts covering directly
the seat portions and the peak ribs. These parts project upwards to the depth of
the containers, aud so fit neatly and evenly over them, with the large recess k
along the centre of the saddle between them. This leather cover is also carried
down round the edges of the saddle base h, where it is neatly finished off with
such edge. In this case also, between the leather cover i and the roof of the
container cases, a layer of felt will be provided. The general effect is, that the
saddle, as a whole, has the appearance of a simple shaped saddle of the required
form made in one piece. The invention, however, is not restricted to this par-
ticular form shown.
In this saddle shewn, the scat portion proper, and the liquid filled parts of the
peak portions are in separate portions; that is to say, the ribs d . the peak consist
of separate lengths of tube, while the seat portions are made in the form of a
continuous chamber extending from a central point to the outside, the convolutions
of the container case being arranged as illustrated. With regard, however, to the
seat portions, these may be modified as regards the arrangement of chambers or
container cases and rubber tubes; that is, they may be arranged in the form of
short lengths built up and disposed side by side substantially in the manner
described, or the rubber tubes may be turned round backwards and forwards, or
in similar mauners, in all cases producing the two side raised cushions or seats,
with a space k in the centre of the saddle.
With regard to the general characteristics of a saddle having liquid filled or
charged seat portions, that is, the characteristics in addition to the effects above
referred to, while it provides a pliable and yielding seat, and affords a full anti-
vibratory effect, it is of comparatively small depth, and the quantity and weight
of water employed is relatively small; moreover, it is cool for the rider, and not
being under pressure, it is not liable to burst under ordinary conditions. Further
more, as regards the pad or saddle shewn in the drawings, the construction by
which the central passage or space k is provided, affords the two benefits, namely,
(1) that pressure by the saddle between the legs is entirely avoided, and (2) ventila-
tion along the central part of the seat.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is:-
1. A velocipede saddle or saddle pad, comprising a chambered container or
containers of suitable flexible material charged with liquid, the said chamber
portions at the seat proper forming practically a uniform or even pad or cushion;
arranged and adapted to operate substantially as herein set forth.
2. A velocipede saddle or saddle pad consisting of chambered containers of
suitable flexible material having a plurality of convolutions, or portions arranged
side by side, containing within them rubber tubes charged with liquid, arranged
on either side of the saddle, and enclosed in a suitable cover, the seat portions
being disposed apart, producing a space along the saddle or pad; arranged and
adapted to operate substantially as herein set forth.
3. In a velocipede saddle or saddle pad, having seat or cushion parts on eithor
side of the saddle, consisting of the canvas or like base sheet a, roof b, septa or
divisious c, enclosed in an outer cover i, and having within them thin rubber
tubes e charged wth liquid; as set forth.
4. A velocipede saddle or saddle pad comprising a container chamber on either
side of the suddle or pad, charged with liquid and enclosed in a leather or
equivalent casing above and below, and with liquid charged peak ribs or
portions d; substantially as set forth.
5. A velocipede saddle pad with water charged containers substantially as
described, and having a peak adapted to fit over the peak, or ends of the spring,
of the saddle; substantially as herein set forth.

page_text: 6. The hydraulic velocipede saddle pad as a whole, particularly as shewn in
and set forth with reference to Figures 1 to 3.
7. The hydraulic velocipede saddle, as a whole, particularly as set forth with
reference to Figures 4 to 6.
Dated this 20th day of Anril 1897.
CHEESBROUGH & ROYSTON,
15 Water Street, Liverpool, Applicant's Putent Agents.