Improvements in Velocipede Saddles.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 19th S pt., 1894-Accepted, 23rd Feb., 1895
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Velocipede Saddles.
I, CARL REMPEN of Hannover, in the Empire of Germany, Merchant, 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 cycle saddles and seats for velocipedes. Saddles and
seats such as hitherto used have been deficient in elasticity and the shocks
produced by a machine passing over rough streets and roads are still very much
felt by riders, notwithstanding the use of pneumatic tyres.
This invention has for its object, the remedying of this defect by the use of a
pneumatic cushion which is more or less inflated according to requirements. This
cushion extends from the front to the back of the seat and may be cither used on
existing saddles conjointly therewith, or arranged directly upon the metallic
support of the saddle, which, in such cases, is made to assume a special form when
no other fixing means are used, or the pneumatic cushion is combined with a plate
or the like for the more efficient fixing of the same to the metallic supporting
framings of ordinary leather saddles. In all cases the pneumatic cushion is fixed
either to the leather of the saddle or to the iron support by means of screws,
rivets, straps and buckles or the like.
The cushion is made airtight and of elastic material, which is used either alone
or with protective casings; the latter may also be used for connecting the air
chamber to the corresponding parts of the saddle. The cushion may be entire, or
may form an annular chamber with a central ventilating opening. It has already
been stated that the quantity of air contained in the pneumatic cushion can be
regulated; this is of great importance inasmuch as more or less flexibility can
then be imparted to the seat.
Figure of the accompanying drawing represents, in side elevation such a
pneumatic cushion, fixed upon a leather saddle. The air chamber of this cushion
is provided with an envelope or protective casing.
Figure 2 is a longitudinal section of the same and Figure 3 a transverse section
thereof.
Figure 4 is an underside view of the cushion, showing the edges of the envelope,
used to fix thereto the pneumatic cushion, stretched or spread out.
Figures 5 and 6 show a plan view and a horizontal section of an air chamber
having several ventilating perforations.
The air chamber a is made of very strong india-rubber of suitable thickness,
and in the form of a single annular chamber or compartment having a central
opening or perforation b, and is surrounded with the envelope c, which can be
doubled at the top over the surface of the seat.
The envelope c has a hollow edge c¹ provided with a running cord d, which
serves to tighten the said edge, whilst the front of the envelope is provided with a
strap e for attaching the pneumatic cushiou to the leather seat.
The pneumatic cushion is preferably fixed to the leather saddle before inflating
the same, although it may be fixed after inflation. To fix the cushion, the front of
the envelope e is pushed upon the pummel of the saddle and the cushion is attached
by means of the strap e, the edges c¹ are then completely folded over the edges of
the leather saddle (see Figure 3) and are secured in position by tightening the
running cord d, and tying the same, thus securing the pneumatic cushion and the
leather saddle together.

page_text: Figures 5 and 6 show an air chamber which, besides its central opening is
provided with several other holes f.
The lower part of the air chamber a is provided with a flexible tube g closed by
a valve g. This pipe is long enough to enable the cushion to be inflated if
required whilst in position, and to be stowed away under the saddle when out of
use. The valve g' may be fixed directly to the air chamber without the inter-
vention of the flexible tube. A suitable part of the envelope at the lower edge of
the opening 6 for instance, is provided with an opening, through which the air
chamber may be introduced or withdrawn for repairs or other purposes. This
opening may be closed by buttons or studs as shown in Figure 4, or by lacings
hooks and eyes or other means.
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. A pneumatic cushion for the seats of velocipedes consisting of an
elastic air chamber, having the form of a saddle and fixed with or without an
envelope, or enclosing cover either to the saddle supports or to existing leather
seats, substantially as and for the purpose described and set forth.
Secondly. In pneumatic cushions for cycle saddles, the combination with the
air chamber a of a longitudinal ventilating slit or piercing, substantially as and
for the purpose described and set forth in Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4.
Thirdly. In pneumatic cushions for cycle saddles the combination with the
air chamber a of several perforations or air holes f, substantially as described and
.set forth.
Fourthly. In the envelopes or enclosing casings of pneumatic seatings, as
referred to in the preceding claims, providing the same an opening for the intro-
duction or removal of the air sack, which opening is closed by means of studs,
buttons, hooks and eyes, running cords or the like, substantially as described and
.set forth.
Dated the 10th day of September 1894.
CARL REMPEN,
By Henry Skerrett,
6, Livery Street, Birmingham, Agent for Applicant.