Improvements in Pneumatic Saddles for Cycles and other like Vehicles.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 11th June, 1896
Complete Specification Left, 31st Dec., 1896-Accepted, 6th Mar., 1897
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Pneumatic Saddles for Cycles and other like
Vehicles.
I, WILLIAM SALISBURY SHARPE, of 214 Gloucester Terrace, W., in the
County of London, Physician, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:-
My invention relates to improvements in pneumatic saddles for cycles and other
like vehicles, which consists of four or more pneumatic bags with valves fitted into
separate chambers of leather mounted on a suitable shaped metallic plate.
I carry out my invention by forming a suitable shaped base plate perforated or
otherwise, and on this said plate I sew or eyelet a suitable leather covering, and
also I build up in leather four or more chambers with wall divisions, and enclose
in each chamber a pneumatic bag with a valve and stopper. The valves may
project from underneath the plate or be placed in any other suitable position. At
the top and the surroundings of the four divisions aforesaid I cover or build up
with leather, and attach on each side of the saddle a suitable shaped (inflated or
otherwise) flap.
The aforesaid saddle may be covered or constructed of leather or of any other
suitable material to enclose four or more india rubber bags, with valves. Each of
the valves may be connected together if desired.
The metal plate may be curved or bent to any suitable shape, and bolted or
otherwise fixed to the seat arm of a cycle.
Dated this 11th dar of June 1896
J. P. BAYLY,
18 Fulham Place, London, W., Agent for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Pneumatic Saddles for Cycles and other like
Vehicles.
I, WILLIAM SALISBURY SHARPE, of 214 Gloucester Terrace, W., in the
County of London, Physician, 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 :-
My invention relates to improvements in pneumatic saddles for cycles and other
like vehicles, which consists of four or more pneumatic bags with valves fitted into
separate chambers of leather mounted on a suitable shaped metallic plate.
And in order that my invention may be thoroughly understood, I now proceed
to describe the accompanying drawing thereof, reference being had to letters and
figures marked thereon.
Fig. 1, is a plan of the top of the saddle before the cover is fixed thereto.
Fig. 2. is a plan of the underside of the saddle.

page_text: Fig. 3, is a side elevation of Fig. 1, with the cover in section.
Fig. 4, is a section on line A. B.
Fig. 5, is a back elevation of Fig. 1.
Fig. 6, is a part of the back of the cover f showing the ventilation holes i.
In carrying my invention into practice I construct a frame n of the shape
described by the dotted line in Fig. 2, terminating in the front with a hook and
at the back, flattened and set out into a suitable angle and perforated by two
holes k without loss of substance, the said hook b and holes k, k, being for the
attachment of an ordinary spring. I also perforate the back of the frame n with a
suitable number of smaller holes p to carry the lace d.
Above the frame n I place a thin plate of sheet steel, aluminium or other
suitable metal, turned well over the edge of the frame n and so fix it securely to
the frame. I perforate this plate h with holes g for valve tubes m but much larger
than said tubes and fitted to size of tubes with leather cemented on or with eyelets
or otherwise to avoid chafing same, and i for ventilation, it is also perforated with
holes k and p as is the frame. The smaller holes p being countersunk to avoid
chafing the face.
Above the aforesaid plate h I place a leather foundation / the same being rigidly
fixed thereto by a lace d which passes through eyelets and holes p as in Figs. 2, 4,
and 5; and on the top of the leather foundations I sew four leather chambers a, a,
and with a slit or opening-o formed at each-base. The four leather
chambers a, a, and c, c, are sewed to vertical walls j of leather. In each of the
chambers insert an india rubber pneumatic bag e with a valve and stopper m.
There being no air communication between the two sides of the saddle at any part.
The base of each pneumatic bag being protected against chafing from lace of slit
by a leather tongue o'. The valves may project from underneath the plate or be
placed in any other suitable position as indicated by dotted lines in Figs. 1, and 2.
At the top and the surroundings of the four divisions or chambers I cover (or
build up with leather) with a stamped covering of leather with a suitable shaped
flap on each side.
The aforesaid saddle may be covered or constructed of leather or of any
other suitable material to enclose four or more india rubber pneumatic bags
with valves.
The chambers a, a, and c, c, project over the edge of plate at all points which
can possibly come into contact with the body of a rider as shown in Fig. 2, and is
separate at points marked x, x, so as to freely fold over.
The back chambers c, c, are made slightly higher than the front ones a, a, and
also themselves slightly higher at the back than at the front in order to give a firm
support when the saddle is tilted slightly backwards.
Cover is attached all along to the vertical walls ; but free at the edge, being
thus able to rise and fall with varying compression of the air without altering its
shape. The cover is ventilated above and at back.
A leather lining g is cemented to the underside of the plate h.
The metal plate may be curved or bent to any suitable shape, and bolted or
otherwise fixed by means of a suitable flexible spring to the seat arm of a cycle.
Advantages of my invention are as follows:-
1. It is perfectly steady and firm and can give no sensation of wabbling or
insecurity.
2. It is supported along its whole length and cannot, therefore, alter or lose
its shape.
3. It is resilient and soft in every part which can possibly come into contact
with the body.
4. It offers a broad, firm and comfortable seat.
5. It is adequately ventilated.
6. Spinal jar is impossible.
7. Chafing is impossible.
8. Perineal, or any other bruising is impossible.

page_text: 9. Its shape is such as to give great additional power in hill climbing. It also.
aids in maintaining an erect and graceful position.
10. The fulness and softness of any one or more of its sections can be adjusted
independently of the rest.
11. It will be of especial value for motor cycles, in which a far larger proportion
of the weight rest upon the saddle, than in ordinary pedal machines.
12. It can readily be made in special sizes and proportions to suit individual
riders.
13. No special apparatus is required for its management. The ordinary
spanner and pump supplied with every pneumatic machine, answer every purpose.
14. This saddle is especially designed for ladies.
15. When the saddle is adjusted in its proper position, i.e. slightly tilted
backwards, there is practically no bearing on the peak, the whole weight being
supported on the broad back.
16. As a medical man, I consider that this saddle ensures against all the
injuries and discomforts so commonly suffered by ladies as the result of cycling.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. In pneumatic saddles for cycles, the combination of the two front leather
chambers a, a, and the two back leather chambers c, c, with openings o tongues o¹
and the leather foundation / vertical walls j pneumatic bags e valves and stoppers m.
plate frame n hook b perforations i, p, and q, lining g holes k and stamped leather
cover f, substantially as herein described and according to the accompanying
drawing.
2. In pneumatic saddles for cycles, the combination of the four chambers a, a,.
and c, c, containing pneumatic india rubber bags e built up on a leather foundation
and fixed to the plate h by a lace d through eyelets and holes, substantially as herein
described and according to the accompanying drawing.
3. In pneumatic saddles for cycles, the combination of the various parts.
constructed in the manner above described in this specification for the purpose.
specified.
4. In pneumatic saddles for cycles, the combination of the metallic frame and
plate, leather foundation with air chambers built up thereon, said air chambers.
projecting over the edge of plate at all points which can possibly come into contact
with the body of a rider, substantially as herein described and shewn in the:
accompanying drawing.
1
1000
J. P. BAYLY,
18 Fulham Place, London, W., Agent for the Applicant.