Improvements in Cycle-saddles.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 31st Mar., 1896
Complete Specification Left 31st Dec. 1893-Accented. 20th Mar 1897
Date of Application, 31st Mar., 1896
Complete Specification Left 31st Dec. 1895-Accented. 20th Mar 1897
Improvements in Cycle-saddles.
I, REGINALD HADDAN, of the Firm of Herbert Haddan & Co., of 18 Bucking-
ham Street, Strand. W.C., London, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature
of this invention a communication to me from abroad by Jules Chaix of Paris in
the Republic of France, Engineer, to be as follows:-
This invention relates to a saddle for cycles consisting of a posterior oscillating
part and an anterior fixed or removable nose. The back-part is formed by two
symmetrical platforms, of any material, reposing on one side upon one or more
rigid or flexible pieces and on the other side, upon one or more elastic supports
conveniently arranged. It may receive on its upper or under part, fixed or
removable cushions in any supple or elastic materials, having a convenient form
for assuring rational and hygienic support to the cyclist.
The elastic supports fixed at any supporting points, are constituted by springs
of any form with or without coils, helical, of round square or other section or
of blades, air-chambers etc., or of any other convenient elastic arrangements.
When these supports give on one side under the action of the descending leg
of the cyclist, they retake their first position on the other side, at the same time
as the ascending leg rises. The back platforms follow therefore the alternative
movements of the legs and oscillate without mechanical articulations by the simple
flexion of the leather or of any other flexible materials interposed between the
movable parts and the other parts of the saddle. However mechanical articulations
may be employed, if desired.
The nose, of any length, may be made of any rigid or flexible material. It
inay be invariably united to the other parts of the saddle or be detachable.
By composing the nose of supple or elastic material, such as felt, hair, caoutchouc,
springs etc. it may be made inoceuous in the case of a fall forwards. It may be
made inovable, in order to adjust it forwards or backwards to incline it more or
less, or to separate it even completely from the other parts of the saddle. This
removable nose may be also applied not only to the hereinbefore described saddle,
but also to any other saddle.
Dated this 31st day of March 1896.
HERBERT HADDAN & Co.,
Agents for Applicant.
Improvements in Cycle-saddles.
I, REGINALD HADDAN, of the Firm of Herbert Haddan & Co., of 18, Bucking-
ham Street, Strand, London, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention, a communication to me from abroad by Jules Chaix, of Paris, in the
Republic of France, Engineer, and in what manner the same is to be performed,
to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
My saddle is composed essentially of two symmetrical platforms, separated by
a longitudinal partial or complete space, said platforms being able to oscillate

page_text: without articulations around the posterior or intermediary, more or less rigid
pieces, by pressing forwards upon one or more elastic supports conveniently
arranged.
The saddle is provided with a fixed peak (Figs. 3 and 4) or with a detachable
peak (Figs. 1 and 2).
By removing the latter (Fig. 10) a saddle without a peak is obtained (Fig. 9).
The platforms are separated by a longitudinal space avoiding any contact with
the perineal regions. They are composed of any material flexible, supple or
elastic and can for instance be cushions c, in felt or in caoutchouc, carried by
rigid plates p, the whole of convenient form for rational and hygienic contact with
the cyclist.
The elastic supports fixed on any points of the fixed supports are formed by any
elastic devices, springs caoutchouc, etc. In Figs. 1, 2 and 9 these are spiral
springs, the posterior branches of which are attached to the rigid piece a, and
the other branches of which support on the front the movable platforms. The
loops X are clamped to the framing. In Figs. 3 and 4 is used a spring R in the
shape of a U which can slide in its fastenings allowing of varying the suppleness
of the suspension. In Figs. 5 and 6, there are employed spiral springs s. In
Figs. 7 and 8, there are on each side one or two blades L fixed upon a support d
and displaceable longitudinally or transversely by means of grooves.
oscillations are made without frictional articulations and consequently without
lubrication, and without wearing, and noise, by the simple flexure of the leather
at b (Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 9) or of any other flexible material; springs,
caoutchouc, etc., interposed between the movable pieces and the fixed pieces, for
instance, blade-springs of U shape (Figs. 5 and 6). These oscillations allow the
platforms to follow the alternative movements of the legs.
The
The inclination which is taken by the platform on the side where the leg
descends offers a solid support against shock, whilst the other platform on the
side of the rising leg, rises and takes again the previous position thus preventing
forward sliding. On the other side, the oscillations made round the fixed pieces,
the distance of the articulation of the thigh-bone, or femur to the axle of the
pedal remains constant, resulting in a better utilisation of muscular effort. In
the before described arrangement of elastic supports, the alternative movements
of the platforms are independent. In order to increase the lifting of the ascending
platform, in order to better prevent forward sliding, one can connect the movements
by an anterior lever M, (Fig. 11.) operating like a balance-lever. The elastic
fastenings m, m and the support N operate as general joints without friction.
They can be realised by springs or any other elastic arrangements.
The before described device constitutes a saddle without peak. The peak of
any length and of sufficiently reduced width in order to avoid friction between the
thighs, can be fixed or movable.
With a fixed peak (Figs. 3 and 4) the leather of the saddle hollowed along
its axis is prolonged at B and is attached at its extremity upon a rigid or flexible
support. In order to make the contact less hard, in case of a fall, one can
interpose between the leather and the support any supple or elastic material f
(felt, caoutchouc, spring etc.).
In Figs. 1 and 2 the movable peak B is attached upon a support / which is
connected to the framing by means of the loops y. These loops allow of lifting or
lowering the peak by rotation round the framing, to bring it forwards or backwards,
at pleasure. It can therefore be given any position and even be taken off, if
desired, which allows of transforming easily a saddle with peak into a saddle
without a peak or inversely.
This movable peak can be formed of supple or elastic materials, covered with
skin, leather or any fabric. It is fixed upon the support by pins or by any other
fastening means. This support can be formed of, rigid blades fulfilling the same
purpose. The movable peak can be applied not only to the above described
saddle but also to any other saddles without peaks. The before described

page_text: arrangements of different parts of the saddle might be combined together in
other ways than those indicated in the drawings, and although I claim especially
these arrangements, I reserve to myself to use others for the same purpose,
without modifying the characteristics and the principle of my invention as
herein before described.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is:
1. An improved saddle for cycles with oscillating platforms, provided or not
with a fixed or movable peak, which platforms can be formed of supple cushions,
the oscillations being made without frictional articulations substantially as set
forth.
2. A movable peak for a cycle-saddle which can be made in supple material,
applicable to the before mentioned and any other cycle saddle, substantially as
described and set forth.
R. HADDAN.