Improvements in Saddles for Cycles or Velocipedes and in Devices for Securing the Saddle Adjustably to the Seat-post thereof.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 4th Feb., 1898-Accepted, 9th Apr., 1898
Improvements in Saddles for Cycles or Velocipedes and in Devices
for Securing the Saddle Adjustably to the Seat-post thereof.
I, HERBERT BLOSSOM, of No. 813, Lafayette Avenue, in the Borough of Brooklyn,
in the County of Kings, and City and State of New York, United States of America,
Compass Adjuster, 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 relates to the class of saddles which are adapted to be mounted on
the frame of a cycle. The object of the invention is, in the main, to provide for the
lateral distention of the seat-portion of the saddle, to provide an adjustment of the.
horn or pommel of the saddle vertically with reference to the seat-portion thereof,.
and to provide an adjustable means for securing the saddle to the seat-post of the
cycle-frame.
An embodiment of the saddle having a transversely arranged supporting spring, is
illustrated in Figures 1 to 6, of the accompanying drawing, whereof:-
Figure 1 is a plan of the saddle provided with a seat-pad; and Figure 2 is a side
elevation of the same. Figure 3 is a transverse section on line in Figure 1.
Figures 4 and 4* are views on a larger scale shewing one form of the adjustable clip-
device. Figure 5 is a fragmentary perspective view, on a larger scale than the
principal views, shewing the tension device at the extremity of the pommel.
Figure 6 is a fragmentary view on line x in Figure 1, shewing the means for
adjusting the pommel.
Figures 7 and 8 are sectional views illustrating a slightly modified construction of.
the saddle seen in Figure 1; and Figures 9 and 10 are views illustrating a slightly
modified form of the clip-device shewn in Figures 4 and 4*.
Figures 11 to 18 illustrate a form of the saddle wherein the supporting spring
extends longitudinally of the saddle. In these views Figure 11 is a sectional, side-
elevation of the saddie on line 11 in Figure 12, and Figure 12 is an underside view
of the saddle. Figure 13 is a transverse section on line 13 in Figure 11, and
Figure 14 shews the hinging plate, detached. Figure 15 is a cross-section of the
seat-post and securing clip. Figures 16, 17, 17ª 18 and 18ª illustrate modified
constructions which will be hereinafter described in detail.
Referring primarily to Figures 1 to 6,-1 is the cantle-frame, which may be of
wood and bent to shape. Over this frame is secured the flexible cover, 2, which may
be of leather and extend out to form the pommel or horn B. A flexible wire cord, 3,
is secured in the front edge of the cover 2, its ends being secured to the respective
front ends of the cantle-frame, and the bight made to take over or about a sheave-
stud, 4, on a plate, 5, carried on the front end of a spring, 6. This spring 6 may be
formed by bending a piece of stiff wire upon itself, the rear ends of which are attached
(as will be explained) to the cantle-frame and the front ends guided in flanged keepers
on the plate 5. The bight of the spring 6 is bent down and a tension-screw, 7,
extends rearwardly through said bight and a bearing plate, 8, and screws into a lug, 5*,
on the plate 5. The purpose of this device is to put longitudinal tension on the
cover 2. Under the cantle the spring 6. is attached as best seen in Figures 3 and 6..
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page_text: The
The two branches of the spring are bent upward and at the bends they engage keepers
in a hinge-plate 9 on the cantle. In the upper extremities of the said branches are
formed eyes, 6x, through which screws, 10, are driven into the cantle-fraine.
purpose of this device is to elevate or depress the pommel B by means of the screws 10,
the spring 6 being made to turn about its bearings in the plate 9. The saddle seen
in Figures 1, 2 and 3 has a cushion-pad, 11, made of some soft material, covered with
leather, 12, or the like. It may be cut away at z, and may extend out over the
pommel, but these features are not essential to my invention. This saddle is mounted
on a bow-shaped supporting spring, 13, which is secured adjustably at its ends to the
forwardly projecting ends of the cantle-frame 1. As here shewn the ends of the
spring 13 engage keepers, 14, 14, on the respective arms of the frame and set-
screws, 15, in the keepers hold them firmly but adjustably therein; but other means
may be employed to effect this object.
The clip for securing the saddle to the seat-post as shewn in Figures 2, 3, 4 and 4^
comprises a U-shaped stirrup, 16, which takes under the arm X of the post and has
a set-screw, 17, at its lower part to bear on the arm. The upright branches of the
stirrup have each an aperture through which the spring 13 is passed, said spring
resting on a block, 18, between said branches and resting on the arm X. In order to
allow the saddle to be tilted or rocked so as to elevate or depress the front end of the
cantle-frame, the lower faces of the bars 16* of the branches of the stirrup have
protuberances, 16, which bear on the spring, 13, at the middle of its width, while
the block 18 has two inclined faces, 18*, on which the lateral edges of the broad
spring 13 rests. By driving the block 18 along the arm X the spring 13, and with it
the saddle, may be tilted toward the front or rear as desired.
Figures 9 and 10 are, respectively, a side and front view of a modified form of this
clip wherein a saddle-piece, 18ª, is placed in the stirrup under the arm X, the latter
resting on the ends of said saddle-piece. A nut, 17ª, on the lower part of the stirrup
bears on the saddle-piece 18ª and forces it upward in clamping the device on the arm X.
The lateral edges of the broad spring 13 bear on inclined margins of the apertures
in the upright branches of the stirrup and the lower face of the block 18 is rounded
so that the tilting of the spring and saddle may be effected, as in the case of the
clip-device before described.
The embodiment of the saddle shewn in Figures 7 and 8 has the cantle-frame 1
constructed of metal instead of wood and the cushion-pad is omitted. The spring 13
is shewn as composed of two overlapping plates or lamina instead of one. The
longitudinal spring 6 is made of flat steel instead of wire. The means shewn in
Figure 7 for elevating and depressing the pommel consists of a bracket, 19, on the
cantle-frame, having in it a keeper, 19x, engaged by the rear end of the spring 6.
A screw, 20, is driven upward into the bracket and it projects downwardly through
the spring 6, the latter being collared between a shoulder, 20%, and a nut, 21, on the
screw. The adjustment is made by driving the screw in or out and the nut 21 is for
clamping the spring fast.
The saddle may be distended laterally by spreading the branches of the cantle-
frame, and then securing the ends of the spring 13 firmly. After adjusting or tilting
the seat-portion of the saddle by means of the clip, the pommel may be independently
elevated or depressed as desired, and then fixed in the position set.
Where the supporting spring of the saddle extends longitudinally some modification
is required for attaining the objects sought. Such a saddle is illustrated in
Figures 11 to 14. In this embodiment of the invention the pommel B is first
elevated or depressed to the desired extent by tilting the entire saddle, the tilting
being effected at the clip, C, which secures the saddle to the arm X. After this is
effected the front edge of the seat-portion of the saddle is elevated or depressed as
desired by turning the cantle-frame 1 about the point where it is hinged to the
supporting spring 13 at the back. In the construction shown, the cantle-frame is
distended by a transverse bar, 22, which has nuts, 22ª, at its ends. The supporting
spring 13 is of wire, bent as seen in Figures 11 and 12, the rear ends of the
spring-branches being hinged at 13b, 13b, (Figure 12) in a hinging plate, 23

page_text: (Figure 14), on the extreme rear portion of the cantle-frame. At its front end the
bend or bight of the spring 13 adjustably engages a suitable pommel-piece in the
saddle. In order to elevate or depress the front edge of the cantle-frame
independently of the pommel, and secure it in the position set, one of several
devices may be employed. That contemplated in the construction of Figures 11 to 14
consists of a wedge-slide, 24, guided below on the branches of the spring 13, and
above in a slot in the hinging plate 23, and an operating screw, 25, collared in
the plate 23, and screwing into said slide, whereby the latter may be driven
rearwardly into the V-shaped space between the cantle-frame and the supporting
spring. Other adjusting devices for this purpose are shown in Figures 16 to 184.
In Figure 16 the spring 13 is of flat steel and rests on a hinging-fulcrum, 26, on the
cantle-frame, and screws and nuts, 27, serve to tilt or rock the cantle-frame on said
fulcrum with respect to the spring. Figures 17 and 17 shew a form where the wire
spring 13 has a bight or bend, 28, at its rear end which extends forward of the
hinges 13b, and takes about an adjusting nut, 29, on a screw, 30. In
Figures 18 and 18ª, the branches of the spring 13 extend forward and outward from
the hinging points 13b and the upturned, screw-threaded ends engage collared
nuts, 29, on the respective forwardly extending arms of the cantle-frame. Any
suitable device for effecting this adjustment may be employed.
As the supporting spring extends longitudinally in the construction of
Figures 11 to 15, it will be obvious that the clips of Figures 4 and 4^, or 9 and 10
will not serve. For this construction the clip shewn in Figures 11 and 15 may be
employed. This comprises a tubular, slotted seat-arm X, having the margins of the
slot turned inward; a slide, 31, in said tubular arm and provided with an upright
screw, 31*; a saddle-plate, 32, with hollowed seats at its four corners, respectively, to
receive the curved members of the spring 13; a cap-plate, 33, to rest on the spring-.
members, and a clamping nut, 34, which screws down on the screw 31 and bears on
the cap-plate. I do not, however, limit myself to the use of this particular form of
clip.
The purpose of the present invention is to provide a comfortable and firm seat which
becomes transversely concave under the rider's weight owing to the transverse tension,
thus preventing any harmful pressure on or distension of the parts in contact with it,
and which, by reason of the independent adjustment of the pommel may be adapted
to the comfort of every rider.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
First In a saddle for cycles, the combination with the seat-portion, of a movable
horn or pommel, and means for holding said horn or pommel in angularly adjusted
positions relatively to the said seat-portion.
Second: In a saddle for cycles, the combination with the seat-portion, of means for
distending said seat-portion laterally, a movable horn or pommel, and means for
adjusting and fixing said horn or pommel at different angles vertically with respect to
and independently of the said seat-portion.
Third A saddle for cycles having means for lateral distention of the seat-portion
by spreading apart the arms of the curved cantle-frame, substantially as shewn and
specified.
Fourth A saddle for cycles having a transverse supporting spring, a longitudinally
extending spring carrying the pommel or horn on its front end, and means for turning
this pommel-carrying spring about the point where it is hinged to the cantle, for
elevating and depressing the said pommel, substantially as shewn in Figures 1 to 6,
inclusive, of the drawings.
Fifth A saddle for cycles having the curved cantle-frame, the cover of flexible
material, the movable pommel or horn, the transverse supporting spring, and the
pommel-supporting spring 6 hinged to the cantle-frame and provided with means for
operating it substantially as shewn in Figures 7 and 8 of the drawings.

page_text: Sixth: A saddle for cycles having a movable pommel or horn and means for
adjusting said pommel or born independently of the seat-portion, and having the
pommel-piece 5, and flexible cord 3, the latter extending from the sides of the seat
around the front of the cover 2 and said pommel-piece, substantially as shewn in
Figures 1; 2 and 5 of the drawings.
Seventh: The combination with the saddle, of the clip-device for securing it to the
seat-post, substantially as shewn in Figures 2, 3, 4-and 4A of the drawings.
:
Eighth The modified form of clip for securing the saddle to the seat post, as-shewn.
in Figures 9 and 10 of the drawings.
▾
Ninth A saddle for cycles having means for distending the seat-portion thereof
and means for adjusting the inclination of said seat-portion with respect to the
pommel or horn thereof, substantially as shewn in Figures 11 and 12 of the
drawings.
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Tenth A saddle for cycles having a supporting spring 13, extending longitudinally
and supporting the pommel or horn B on its front end, said spring being hinged to
the rear portion of the cantle-frame at its rear end, and means for turning the cantle-
frame about said hinge or hinges for elevating or depressing its front end, substantially
as shewn in Figures 11, 12, 13 and 14.
Eleventh The modified construction of the means for hinging the cantle to the
supporting spring and for turning it about the hinging point shewn in Figure 16 of
the drawings.
Twelfth The modified construction of the means for hinging the cantle to the
supporting spring and for turning it about the hinging point shewn in Figures 17
and 17.
Thirteenth The modified construction of the means for hinging the cantle to the
supporting spring and for turning it about the hinging point shewn in Figures 18.
and 18.
:
Fourteenth A saddle for cycles constructed and operating substantially as herein
described and shewn in the drawings for the purposes set forth.
Dated thin und dov
HORY 1900
STEPHEN WATKINS,
Wolverhampton, Agent for the Applicant.
STEPHEN WATKINS,
Wolverhampton, Agent for the Applicant.