Improvements in and relating to Saddles.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 27th Oct., 1898
Complete Specification Left, 27th July, 1899-Accepted, 27th Oct., 1899
Improvements in and relating to Saddles.
JAMES WILLIAM BOYCE, of Ebenezer Villa, Cheltenham, in the County of
Gloucester, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:-
This invention relates to saddles for velocipedes and the like, and to ordinary
riding saddles, and the object thereof in regard to the former type is to construct
a modified combination of pommel and seat, and a false cantle when desired, and
to adapt the said cantle in certain forms to be operated by springs; and in regard
to the latter type to construct a false cantle, and to modify the cantle proper, and
the parts adjacent thereto for the reception and adjustment of such false cantle.
Thus a false cantle may be fixed, detachable, or adjustable in relation to a saddle
tree as the base of an ordinary saddle; or such cantle may be fixed, detachable,
adjustable, or oscillatory in relation to a saddle plate, or frame as the base of a
so-called hygienic, or hammock saddle for velocipedes.
With reference to an oscillating cantle the arrangement may be somewhat as
follows:-
A bar of steel or the like of preferably vertical section may be formed endless,
if desired, by means of brazing, rivetting or the like, its width as thus formed
being preferably greater at its rear than at its fore end, and this bar may be
provided with suitable ears, or equivalents midway or thereabouts of its length,
and at or near either or both ends and it may be likewise provided with strut,
transom, or junction members at any desirable point, and be connected about
midway of its length to a tubular member or members; or an integral portion
of the bar may be formed into a sleeve having flanges or equivalents the full
length of the sleeve, or ears only partially the length thereof; and screw bolts
either vertically or laterally disposed may be used for the purpose of connecting
such tubular member or sleeve to the L pin or equivalent. The aforesaid bar may
likewise be provided at one, or both ends with levers, or links of suitable form
pivotally connected thereto, and these levers, or links may as to one end thereof
be connected to push, or draught spiral springs, which last named may at their
opposite ends be connected to the aforesaid bar, whilst the other ends of said
levers may be adapted to rock, or move to and fro in slotted ears, loops, or the
like connected to, or formed as an integral part of the saddle plate or frame as
the case may be, whilst such levers may likewise be connected to or formed in-
tegrally with the cantle plate or plates, and be suitably padded, or inflated, or
charged with liquid by which arrangement the saddle plate or frame, as and when
the saddle is depressed by the weight of the rider will cause the levers to operate,
and be operated upon by the springs, thereby causing a rotating, or oscillating
action of the cantle so that the support thereat is increased as the seat is depressed.
The seat plate may be provided with suitable cushioning, and where a frame is
adapted as carrying a suspended leather seat there may be an inflated cushion, or
indiarubber pad, or block lodged as between portion of the strained leather seat
and the frame. The upper leather in either event may be provided with projec-
tions of indiarubber, or with quilts or the like of suitable material laterally and

page_text: round the cantle, and on either side of the pommel, the said projections or quilts
being disposed at any suitable angle relative to the plane of the seat. In con-
nection with the hammock type of saddle when the false cantle is adjustable rota-
table arms may, if desired, be used, the seat frame being slotted or ribbed in
addition thereto or otherwise in order to permit the cantle which would in such
a case be in sections-to be moved therein, or thercon. A detachable or a fixed
cantle may be connected to the frame by means of screw bolts, or rivets as the
case may require.
A permanent or portable cantle may take the form of an inflatable stuffed, or
equivalent roll extended on to the lateral edges of the seat. In a suspension
saddle this cantle may be formed so as to overlap the cantle proper, and thereby
take on both direct and indirect pressure; a block of indiarubber, or an inflatable
pad or the like may in such a case be lodged as between the suspended leather
seat, and the frame at this point. Likewise in this hammock type of saddle
either with, or without the false cantle, the levers at the pommel end may in
addition to being connected to the frame as already described be connected to a
portion of the seat leather which last named, as to the pommel portion thereof
may be divided into three or more parts springing from, and being formed in-
tegrally with, or connected to the main, or seat portion; such parts as forming
the pommel may as to the central part be connected to the lever aforesaid, whilst
the two outside parts may be connected to the saddle frame; or the arrangement
may be reversed, if desired, notwithstanding that the object in view may probably be
more satisfactorily achieved by the former arrangement of pommel, seeing thereby
'the tension on the side parts would remain normal whilst that on the central part
would be reduced or increased accordingly as the working of the lever is arranged;
or by the alternative arrangement the centre part may remain normal whilst the
lateral parts are slackened or are put to greater tension. These pommel members
may enclose cane, spiral springs, cork, indiarubber, whipcord, raw hide, or any
equivalent suitable for the purpose and may be lined, or otherwise suitably
charged, and may be formed round or otherwise in cross section.
In order to facilitate the adjustment of the tension of the pommel, and the seat
portions relatively to each other, the bar, or bars may be formed to accomodate a
steel or like member of suitably arched form to take on the lodgment of the seat
leather at the grip of the thighs, or near thereto, and from this member the seat
leather may be tensioned so that by modifying the tension or other of the springs
by means of tension pins, or single or double action screws and nuts, or their
equivalents for the purpose, the seat leather may be tightened or slackened as to
either the pommel or the cantle end independently of each other. The member
aforesaid may be adapted to slide or tilt on the bar or bars, and to be adjusted
thereon in one or more positions, and be provided with an indiarubber, or other
cushion, or lining.
The fixed, detachable, or adjustable false cantle as adapted to ordinary riding,
hunting, steeplechase, or side saddles may be held by, or work on suitable
plates, or in sockets adjusted or connected to the saddle tree in such a position as
to admit of the pannel fitting round them, or otherwise.
Dated this 26th day of October 1908.

page_text: what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer
tained in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to saddles for velocipedes and the like, and also to ordi-
nary riding saddles; the object thereof in reference to the former type being to
construct a modified combination of pommel and seat, with false cantle when
desired, and to adapt the said cantle in certain forms to be operated by springs;
and in reference to the latter type of saddle, to construct a false cantle, and to
modify the cantle proper, and the parts adjacent thereto for the reception and
adjustment of such false cantle. Thus a false cantle may be fixed, detachable,
or adjustable in relation to a saddle tree as the base of an ordinary saddle; or such
cantle may be fixed, detachable, adjustable or oscillatory in relation to a saddle
plate, or frame as the base of a so called hygienic or of a hammock saddle for
velocipedes. By means of the oscillating cantle the support thereat is increased
as the seat is depressed.
In the accompanying drawings.
Fig. 1 is representative of a side elevation of a velocipede suspension saddle
with oscillatory false cantle.
Fig. 2, is representative of an inverted plan of the aforesaid saddle, and sup-
porting arch.
Fig. 2, is representative of a rear end elevation of the same saddle.
Fig. 2, is representative of a rear end elevation of a like saddle provided with
pull and pressure springs.
Fig. 2, is representative of a part side elevation of saddle shewn Fig. 1, Fig. 2,
shewing the arrangement of the detachable supporting arch.
Fig. 2 is representative of a cross section of the aforesaid supporting arch,
midway of its length.
Fig. 2, is representative of a section of adjustable cantle.
Fig. 3, is representative of an end elevation of clip, shewing adjustment of
saddle base frame thereto.
Fig. 4, is representative of an inverted, or underside plan of supporting arch,
as adjusted to base frame and sleeve clip.
Fig. 5 is representative of a side elevation of the aforesaid supporting arch as
adjusted to base frame of saddle.
Fig. 5, is representative of a cross section of the aforesaid supporting arch,
midway of its length.
Ecrew,
Fig. 5, is representative of a cross section of L. pin, sleeve, sleeve adjusting
base frame, inner member of supporting arch, spring, and adjusting screw.
Fig. 6, is representative of a side elevation of clip as adjusted to L pin.
Fig. 6, is representative of a section of cylinder.
Fig. 7, is representative of inverted plan of cantle end of an ordinary riding
saddle shewing detachable cantle in position.
In the aforesaid drawings like letters and figures indicate like or equivalent
parts.
A, indicates suspended leather seat.
B, oscillatory false cantle. b adjustable cantle, 'cantle cushion.
C, velocipede saddle base frame. e upper member of tension frame, e lower
member of tension frame, brace or junction piece or binder, c³ slots or eyelets.
CC, base frame extension member.
CCC, extension member transom.
D, slotted levers,
slotted lever pivots.
E, cushion, or buffer cylinders. e cylinder base and frame transom el spring
base and frame transom.
EE, section of cylinder.
F, buffers or cushions.
G, frame standards, or pillars. 9 guide rods. g' standard, or pillar studs, g
sleeves, supporting arch bolts.

page_text: H, seat leather cantle plate.
Hi, nuts on supporting arch bolts 3, and on the guide rods
I, seat leather tension boss.
J, seat leather tension screw.
K, spiral, and blade springs, & crossties.
L, draught spring tension screw,
M, draught spring tension boss.
bow thereon.
g.
N, supporting arch, inner member therof, ¹ studs or cross stays, n² inter-
cepting pad, n³ supporting arch and inner member rivets.
O clip.
o hollow screw, o nut thereon, o saddle bar adjusting screw, and
adjustable cantle screw, o nut thereon, of lower screw on clip, o nut thereon,
of shoulders or ribs on the clip, o' sleeve adjusting screw.
P, sleeve on base frame.
A, A, section of ordinary saddle tree a, a, seat leather.
BB detachable cantle of an ordinary riding saddle.
bb cantle plate socket.
bb, socket plate rivets.
bb, cantle plate connecting screw.
bbcantle backing plate.
bbcantle backing plate screws.
bb socket mouth.
C'C' section of riding saddle pannel.
In reference to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the leather seat A having been blocked, may
thereafter be suspended as shewn and hereinafter described.
It is, as to the pommel end secured to the tension boss I, which may, if desired,
be a two-piece member, that is to say an outer stamping or shell, and a solid core
for the purpose of receiving the tension screw, in which event the shell may be
rivetted to the core as shewn; the rear of the seat leather being secured to the
cantle plate H in the ordinary way. The upper tension frame members may be
connected to said cantle plate, and to the cantle standars G by means of screws
and nuts or their equivalents, and the pommel end of this upper member of the
tension frame may be brought up at a right angle, and be passed through portion
of the pommel standard G-an opening being provided for this purpose and be
lodged against the elevated front of said standard; both, ends whereof may be
elevated as shewn, in order to effect more uniform bearing for the tension screw.
The lower members of the tension frame may be connected to the pommel and
cantle standards by means of screws and nuts; and as here shewn in reference
to the cantle end Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the connecting screws may be extended in
order to, and by way of forming guide rods which may be locked in their position
on the standards by means of nuts, and may likewise be provided with a shoulder.
if desired; these guide rods would work through the buffers F and cylinder bases
or frame transoms e; both pommel and cantle standards may be subject to the
same arrangement, or otherwise. The upper and lower members of the tension
frame may be provided with a binder, brace, or junction piece which
wise, if desired be extended laterally, in order to serve the purpose of a cross-stay
as well as a binder.
may like-
The cylinders E may, of desired, be secured to the base frame C by means of
rivets passed through their sides and into the said frame; or the cylinders may
be secured to the said frame transoms e in the manner shewn Fig. 2, offside:-
that is to say by allowing portions of the lower edge of the cylinder to project
through holes in the frame transoms, and then rivetting said portions; such a
cylinder may be formed from a piece of ordinary metallic tube, and thus obviate
forming a flange on the lower edge of the cylinder. Or the cylinder may be
formed by stamping from sheet metal two oblong strips, and bringing their ends
together so as to form a rib, or flange at a right angle to the body of the cylinder,
and thereafter rivetting, or otherwise securing the parts together. The cylinders
may likewise have their sides pierced, or slotted so that the portion so treated

page_text: may form a burr on the inside, in order to afford a grip upon the buffers, and
thereby effect the satisfactory seating thereof, without interfering with their
elasticity. Section of such a cylinder is shewn Fig. 6.
Although preferably the cross section of the buffers may be like that of an
ordinary cushion tyre it is not implied that they are necessarily so; they may be
formed square, octagon, hexagon, or any equivalent shape.
The slotted pommel lever D may be formed as an one piece member or other-
wise, that is to say, it may be a solid stamping, or be formed of a strip of metal
bent to shape, and afterwards rivetted together, if desired, or a two part lever
may be stamped, to shape shewn Fig. 1, and Fig. 2, from sheet metal, and be
rivetted together at any point the end carrying the plunger may be formed when
stamping, or be afterwards bent in order to close together under the head of the
plunger, prior to rivetting the two portions of the lever together. The lever is
connected to the base frame by means of the pivot d, its plunger end carrying
the spiral pressure spring K and working through the frame stay el, said stay
being rivetted to the base frame, and thereby forming a base for the lower end of
the spring K. The slotted pommel lever is connected to the base frame C by
means of the pivot d. The studs gl may be rivetted, or otherwise secured to the
standards G. The slotted lever or levers at the rear may be formed in one piece
with the false cantle B, carrying the cushion or cushions ; or the said cantle
be formed as a distinct member, and be detachable in reference to the aforesaid
lever or levers by means of screws and nuts, or be rivetted thereto.
may
The false cantle may be formed as shewn, or in any other of several possible
ways, that is to say it may be slotted, and be adapted to be raised or lowered, or
set back on the lever or levers, or it may, if desired, be dispensed with. The
draught springs K may be two or more in number, their rear extremities being
connected to the lower extremity of the slotted cantle lever D; whilst their for-
ward extremities are connected to the swivel loops or bows on the tension screws L,
said screws working through bosses M. These tension screws may be readily
detachable by omitting to provide them with heads; their forward extremities
being pierced instead.
The slot is for the purpose of admitting the adjusting or set screw Fig. 3,
said screw passing thence through the hollow screw o, which carries the nuts o¹,
these last named being for the purpose of securing the upper portions of the clip
or clamping boss in position on the L pin, the lower portions of said clip being
secured by means of the screw of and nut o; this arrangement admits of the clip
being adjusted to the pin prior to the saddle being placed in position thereon.
The clip may be thickened, or ribbed for the purpose of strengthening it, and at
the same time affording grooves wherein the lower edges of the base frame may
find lodgment; the edges of said grooves likewise acting as shoulders for the
tension bosses M, When the saddle is placed in position on the clip it is secured
thereon by means of the adjusting screw o², said screw being passed through the
hollow screw which acts as a sleeve--and secured by means of the nut 3. The
upper portions of the clip may be provided with ribs of Fig. 6; or such portions
may be thickened throughout their length. When it is desired to use additional
draught springs at the rear, a lever or levers may be pivotted to the base frame
at or near the points marked * Fig. 2, as shewn by means of Fig. 2B, and if
desired the draught springs operating at such points may be accompanied by
pressure springs having their bases located at or adjacent to the points where
the guide rods g. Fig. 2, pass through the transom c: and in such a case the out
side draught springs K Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, may be dispensed with, the cylinders E
and buffers having their positions modified as shewn Fig. 2, to accomodate
the working of the levers D, there shewn. In this last named figure only the
off side pressure spring is shewn at the cantle end, and for the purpose of clear-
ness at this point, portion of the base frame is shewn as having been cut away.
If the small pressure spring K, Fig. 2" be adjusted as between the base of the
standard G and the transom e Fig. 2", at the pommel end of the saddle; the cylin-

page_text: der and buffer may, if desired, be dispensed with. The frame transoms e may
be stamped to any desired shape, and the levers 1 may be provided with studs,
whilst the standards G may be slotted to accomodate the working thereof. Quilts
of any desired formation may be set up on the seat leather. The levers D and
pull springs may be dispensed with, if desired, when pressure springs are used.
In reference to Fig. 4, and Fig. 5, the supporting arch N may be formed of a
stamped outer plate, and a bent inner plate n; and the two may be rivetted
together along the crown of the arch and be provided with a pad of any suit-
able flexible material. The studs or cross stay's n¹ are passed in a lateral direction
through the inner plate and are connected thereto by means of rivetting, or by
means of nuts, or equivalents. The studs or stays, whether one or more be used,
ride on the endless flat spring K, or its equivalent, the ends whereof may be bent
round the cross stays or rods k, which hold the spring in position, and which may
be either permanently secured by rivetting their ends against the base frame, or
be detachably secured by means of their ends being threaded and operated on by
nuts. The slots care formed in the base frame C, and through these the cross
stays n¹ pass. The base frame C Fig. 4. and Fig. 5 may be rivetted to the sleeve P,
Fig. 4, if desired, and such sleeve may, or may not be provided with eyelets c³,
on outwardly extended portions. Or a stamped plate may be bent into U shape
and may be rivetted to said base frame thereby enabling the saddle to be fixed
over a sleeve previously secured to the L pin by means of a screw o7, the aforesaid
U shape plate having an opening adapted to pass over the head of the screw o
and being secured in position by means of a screw passed transversely through the
base frame C.
Fig. 5 represents a cross section of the seat leather, pad, supporting arch N,
and its inner member n, as on a vertical line drawn through the central slot of
Fig. 5. Fig. 5 represents a cross section of the L pin, sleeve, and adjusting screw,
in connection with the base frame C carrying the endless or other flat spring K,
the base frame being secured in position by passing its U shape lower extremity
over the head of the screw o, and thereafter passing through the said frame the
bolt o³, and securing same by means of the nut o3. The lower extremities of the
inner member n when extended below the bolt of must be slotted to accomodate
its movement against the sides of the base frame and the bolt o² must be shouldered
near its threaded extremity so that the nut o may work up to the shoulder of the
bolt. Fig. 2 shews a longitudinal section of the supporting arch for this type of
saddle. The frame extension member CC and its transom, or secondary member CCC
are secured together by means of cross-stays k, or by rivets. The extension mem-
ber CC is the equivalent of the inner member of Fig. 5, but is connected to the
base frame instead of to the supporting arch N, so as to admit the working of
the bolts 3, and the spiral pressure springs K. The bolts may be shouldered
immediately under their heads, and be provided with a thread to carry the nuts H',
or the heads may be dispensed with, the bolts being shouldered near their upper
extremities, which being passed through the crown of the supporting arch, may be
thereafter rivetted on the top of the arch. The extension member CC may be
portably secured to the base frame by means of screws and nuts, or be rivetted
thereto; or the base frame and extension member may be stamped out in one
piece from sheet metal, and may thereafter be bent into the desired form, the
crown of the arch being formed by rivetting the two edges when they are brought
together and overlapped; or the two edges may be brought flush with each other,
the transom CC, and the cross-stays, being sufficient to secure and maintain
rigidity of the parts at this point. The object of this supporting arch is to in-
crease the lateral rigidity of the suspension type of saddle, and thereby to afford a
firmer grip, whilst not unduly interfering with the vertical action of the suspen-
sion principle, or the tensioning arrangement.
Fig. 2 shews section of adjustable cantle, its position on the cantle H being
modified by means of the screw 02 and nut 03, and the eyelets c. Fig. 6 shews
section EE, of cylinder E when constructed in two parts.

page_text: When an adjustable non-oscillating cantle is used in connection with a veloci
pede hammock, or suspension saddle, and is constructed in two parts, each part
would have its lower extremity turned up into U shape, and be pierced at one or
more points for the purpose of admitting a screw pin or pins which would like-
wise engage openings formed in the ordinary cantle plate which carries the sus-
pended leather seat. The ordinary cantle plate would be formed to afford greater
depth than usual, at the back.
In reference to Fig. 7 the pannel CC, is for the purpose of clearness, shewn as
partly cut away thereby giving a view of the tree A, A and its near side belly.
The bent plate bb, may be secured to the tree by means of the rivets bb, as
shewn, or in any other desirable manner, the false cantle being adapted to fit-
the socket formed on the said plate 6. The false cantle may be constructed of one
or more stamped plates and may be hinged by means of a screw 62 or the like if
desired. This screw may be passed into a threaded socket fixed in the ordinary
cantle which may be suitably thickened at its point of junction with the bars of
the tree, and likewise as to any of the surrounding parts. The false cantle may
be suitably stuffed and covered either by being sewn round and edged up, or a
lightly stuffed, or indiarubber pad may be covered and secured to this false cantle
by means of a backing plate, or plates 63 and screws bb4 or by screws and nuts.
The offside shews the cantle proper with the seat drawn on and the false cantle,
and the pannel in position. The opening 665 may be formed when portion of the
seat leather is taken up in blocking and in place of being drawn together may
he strengthened, if desired, sewn round and edged up. The lower edge of the
cantle plate BB may be extended to fit under the plate on the bars, such plate
being slightly undulated to admit thereof.
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 velocipede saddle having a seat leather A suspended on the tension
member I, and the cantle plate H with the tension frame members c, connected
to the upper ends of the standards G, and the tension frame members c¹ connected
to the lower ends of said standards, carrying the guide rods g; the same being
by means of the slotted levers D, mounted upon the springs K; said levers and
springs being connected to each other and to the base frame C in such manner
that the springs and levers operate upon each other as the load upon the seat is
increased, or decreased; their movement being regulated by means of the buffers E
located in the cylinders F or equivalents adjusted to the transom members e,
substantially as and for the purpose hereinbefore specified, and illustrated by
means of the accompanying drawings.
Secondly, A velocipede saddle having a seat leather A suspended on the pom-
mel member I, and the cantle plate H, with the tension frame members c con-
nected to the upper ends of the standards G; and the tension frame members c¹
connected to the lower ends of the said standards, which are mounted upon
slotted levers D carrying the false cantle B, in such manner as to cause the said
false cantle to oscillate forward as pressure is exercised upon the seat A.; the
return, backward, or lifting movement thereof being occasioned by pressure springs
connected to and adjusted as between the aforesaid cantle plate H and the tran-
soms on the base frame C.
Thirdly, A velocipede saddle comprising the several members as herein before
specified in reference to and illustrated by means of Fig. 1, and Fig. 2, and
Fig. 2, and Fig. 2, and Fig. 2°, and Fig. 2º, and Fig. 2, and Fig. 3, and Fig. 4,
and Fig. 5, and Fig. 5, and Fig. 5", and Fig. 6, and Fig. 6, of the accompanying
drawings.
Fourthly, The false cantle B adapted as an adjustable, detachable, or fixed
portion of the lever or levers D.
Fifthly, Forming the adjustable cantle in sections, and securing the same to

page_text: the cantle plate of a hammock saddle, so that the said sections may be moved into
contact with, or away from each other.
Sixthly, Adjusting the flexible buffers F within cylinders E, or equivalents
to the base frame C, so that they serve as resilient intercepting and regulating
agents for the standards G, as and when the springs are working under vibratory
load tension; and at the same time admit of vertical movement of the guide
rods g, secured at their upper ends to the aforesaid standards, and their free lower
ends working through the frame transom e, and acquiring lateral stability from
contact therewith.
. Seventhly, The supporting arch N substantially as and for the purpose herein-
before specified, and illustrated by means of the accompanying drawings Fig. 4,
and Fig. 5.
Eighthly, A tension boss having its base located upon a standard G and being
operated by means of a screw J held in position by, and working through the ends
of the aforesaid standard G.
Ninthly, The combination with a riding saddle of any type, of a detachable,
or adjustable false cantle, substantially as and for the purpose hereinbefore speci-
fied, and illustrated by means of, and in relation to Fig. 7 of the accompanying
drawings.