Improvements in and relating to Cycle Saddles.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 27th Jan., 1894
Complete Specification Left, 27th Oct., 1894-Accepted, 1st Dec., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Cycle Saddles.
J, ROBERT EDWARD PHILLIPS of 47 Sussex Place, South Kensington, in the
County of Middlesex, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to
be as follows:-
My invention relates to a saddle of the suspension or hammock type in which the
seat consists of a piece of leather stretched between the pommel and cantle plates.
Such saddles as at present constructed are flat or approximately flat from front to
rear, though means have been devised whereby such flat seats may be sloped
upwards or downwards at either the front or rear as found most suitable to the
rider, but my invention consists in giving to the seats of such cycle saddles a curved
shape extending upwards at the rear after the pattern of the old-fashioned racing
saddles having a rigid iron frame, the object being to give the rider something to
thrust against which is absent from the present type of saddle.
In carrying my invention into effect I form the spring or supporting frame-
which may be any of the known types-in such a manner that the cantle plate is a
convenient distance above the level of the pommel plate and preferably sloping
slightly forwards, and instead of stretching the piece of leather forming the seat
tightly between the cantle plate and the pommel plate I make it of such a length
that it will give the desired shape to the seat, and I retain the leather in that
desired shape and also render it taut and rigid by stretching taut either that part
forming the front flat part of the seat, or that part forming the inclined back part
of the seat, by means of any suitable tensioning device connected with the spring
or supporting frame of the saddle. The tensioning or stretching device may
consist either of one or more pieces of leather or of bands, cords, chains or their
equivalents, connected to the underside of the leather seat and extending backwards
or forwards as the case may be and connected to the spring or supporting frame
carrying the saddle. The stretching device may be made adjustable to take up the
tension of the piece of leather forming the seat by means of nuts and bolts, buckles
and straps, or other equivalent devices and it may be connected with any suitable
and convenient part either of the spring or supporting frame, of the underframe, or
of the radius bar of the saddle if one is used.
In saddles having radius bars the said bar must be made of a curved shape
suitable to the curved form of the seat.
To prevent any forward or backward movement of the cantle plate when the
same is carried by a very flexible spring or supporting frame I may use a radius
bar connected to some forward part of the underframe of the saddle to prevent the
said movement of the said cantle plate and yet allow it free play up and down.
Dated this 27th day of January 1894.

page_text: Improvements in and relating to Cycle Saddles.
I, ROBERT EDWARD PHILLIPS, of 47, Sussex Place, South Kensington, in the
County of Middlesex, Engineer, 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 a saddle of the suspension or hammock type in which the
seat consists of a piece of leather stretched between the pommel and cantle places.
Such saddles as at present constructed are flat or approximately flat from front to
rear, though means have been devised whereby such flat seats may be sloped
upwards or downwards at either the front or rear as found most suitable to the
rider, but by my invention the seat of the saddle is curved upwards at the rear
after the pattern of the old-fashioned racing saddles having a rigid iron frame, the
object being to give the rider something to thrust against which is absent from the
present type of saddle.
In carrying my invention into effect I form the spring or supporting frame-
which may be of any suitable type-in such a manner that the cantle plate is
carried a convenient distance above the level of the pommel plate and preferably
sloping slightly forwards, and instead of stretching the piece of leather forming the
seat tightly between the cantle plate and the pommel plate I make it of such a
length that it will give the desired shape to the seat, and 1 retain the leather in
that desired shape and also render it taut and rigid by stretching taut either that
part forming the front flat part of the seat, or that part forming the curved or
inclined back part thereof by means of any suitable tensioning device connected
with the spring or supporting frame. The tensioning or stretching device may
consist either of one or more pieces of leather or of bands, cords, chains or their
equivalents connected to the underside of the leather seat and extending backwards
or downwards as the case may be and connected to the spring or supporting frame
carrying the saddle. The stretching device may be made adjustable to take up the
tension of the piece of leather forming the seat by means of nuts and bolts, buckles
and straps, or other equivalent devices, and it may be connected with any suitable
and convenient part either of the spring or supporting frame of the underframe,
or of the radius bar of the saddle if one is used. In saddles having radius bars,
the said bar must be made of a curved shape suitable to the curved form of the
seat.
To prevent any forward or backward movement of the cantle plate when the
same is carried by a very flexible spring or supporting frame I may use a radius
bar connected to some forward part of the underframe of the saddle to prevent the
said movement of the cantle plate and yet allow it free play up and down.
In order that my invention may be fully understood I will more particularly
describe it making reference to the accompanying drawings, in which :
Figure 1 Sheet No. 1 is a view in side elevation--partly in section-of a saddle
showing one manner of carrying out my invention.
Figures 2 and 3 Sheet No. I are views in side elevation and plan respectively
showing a modification in the construction of the stretching device.
Figures 4 and 5 Sheet No. 1 are broken views showing other means of connecting
the stretching device to the supporting frame.
Figures 6 and 7 Sheet No. 2 are broken views in side elevation and plan
respectively showing another form the stretching device may assume.
Figures 8 and 9 Sheet No. 2 are broken views in side elevation showing further
modifications of the stretching device.
Figure 10 Sheet No. 2 is a broken view showing the introduction of a spring in
the stretching device.

page_text: Figure 11 Sheet No. 2 is a view in side elevation-partly in section-of a saddle
showing the alternative method of applying the stretching device.
Figures 12 and 13 Sheet No. 3 are views in side elevation-partly in section-
showing the application of my invention to the underframes of saddles having
radius bars.
Figure 14 Sheet No. 3 is a view in side elevation-partly in section-of another
form my invention may assume.
Figures 15, 16 and 17 are views in back elevation, side elevation (partly in
section) and plan respectively showing another form my invention may assume,
and
Figures 18, 19 and 20 are similar views of a further modification of my
invention.
Throughout the views similar parts are marked with like letters of reference.
The supporting frame A of the saddle may be of any of the known types or
constructions with this variation, that the part a adapted to carry the cantle
plate A is extended a convenient distance above the front end a' of the underframe,
to give the necessary upward curve or inclination to the rear part of the seat B.
The seat which is preferably made of leather is of the ordinary shape and it is
attached to the front end a¹ of the underframe A by any of the ordinary devices,
and it is fixed to the cantle plate A by rivets or otherwise in the well-known
manner. The seat B however is made longer than the distance between the front
end a of the underframe and the cantle plate A' and instead of being stretched
tightly between these two parts it is retained in its desired shape i.e., flat for a
convenient distance from the front part and then curved or inclined upwards at the
rear part, by stretching either that part forming the front flat part of the seat as
shown by Figures 1, 2, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, 16 and 19, or by stretching that part
forming the curved or inclined part of the seat as shown by Figure 11.
A convenient form of stretching device consists of a piece of leather or other
textile material C rivetted or otherwise attached to the underside of the seat 'B,
and of a threaded pin or stud D attached at one end to the piece C either by a
hook and eye connection as shown by Figures 1, 10, 12 and 13, or by being
rivetted or sewn thereto or by any other suitable means. The threaded stud D is
passed through a plate E lying across the back part a of the supporting frame and
it is drawn back to stretch the front part b' of the seat B by means of the nut d.
As a modification the stretching device may consist of a piece C of leather or
other suitable material rivetted or otherwise attached to the scat B and folded
and fixed round a bar E adapted to rest against the back part a of the supporting
frame preferably in a groove or recess therein, as shown by Figures 2 and 3,
or to engage with coils a² in the members of the supporting frame as shown
by Figure 4. As a modification of this construction the stretching bar may be
permanently fixed to the members of the supporting frame, or it may be mounted
in small bearings a² thereon as shown by Figure 5.
Instead of using a single flat piece C a band or cord C may be used, the
said band or cord passing round a loose pulley D' carried by the stud D as
shown by Figures 6 and 7. As a further modification the stretching device may
consist of a strap C fixed at both ends to the seat B and passing round the back
part a of the supporting frame A as shown by Figure 8.
When it is desired that the rear part of the seat B shall assume a true curved
shape I prefer to use a band or cord C or its equivalent, the ends of which are
attached to the seat B at two or more places as shown by Figure 9, and are drawn
back by means of a pulley D' as hereinbefore described.
If it is desired to give the seat B increased flexibility a spiral or other suitable
spring F may be interposed between the cross bar E and the tensioning nut & on
the stud D as shown by Figure 10.
When a radius bar G is used I prefer to extend the said radius bar to carry the
cantle plate as shown by Figures 12 and 13.

page_text: As a further modification the rear curved or inclined part of the scat B may be
stretched as shown by Figure 11, in which case the front end of the seat will
require the ordinary tensioning device H.
As a further modification the rear part of the seat B may be cut into strips as
shown by Figures 15 and 17, the alternate strips being fixed respectively to the
cantle plate A¹ and to the plate E carried by the supporting frame A.
Another form my invention may assume is that shown by Figures 18, 19 and 20
in which construction the ends of the cantle plate A' are curved downwards as
shown to carry the ends of the stretching device C which may either be attached
to the cover B at the points a, a, or carried forward and attached to the forward
part of the seat B or to the pommel plate. As a modification of this con-
struction the cantle plate A' may be so bent at its ends or otherwise fashioned to
give the back part of the seat B the desired shape as shown by Figure 14, but as
the tension of the cover would be between the pommel plate and the ends of the
cantle plate the sides of the saddle would be very stiff and unyielding, and
therefore this construction is not to be recommended and is only given as an
alternative method of carrying out my invention.
When the front part of the seat is stretched back and the stretching device
is provided with an adjustment as shown by Figures 1, 6, 9, 10, 12 and 13, the
ordinary tensioning device H at the front of the saddle may if desired be
dispensed with, but when the stretching device is not provided with an adjustment
as shown by Figures 2, 8, 14, 16 and 19 the tensioning device H at the front
end of the saddle must be retained. Also when the curved or sloping back part
of the seat is stretched as shown by Figure 11, the said ordinary tensioning device
must be retained.
The front part of the seat B may be attached to the front of the supporting
frame A either as shown, or in any convenient manner, and if a tensioning device
is used it may be constructed as shown or in any other convenient manner.
I wish it to be particularly understood that I do not limit myself to the precise
details of construction herein before described and illustrated by the accompanying
drawings, but that I hold myself at liberty to make such changes and alterations as
fairly fall within the spirit and scope of my invention.
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) The improvement in cycle saddles, substantially as hereinbefore described
and illustrated by the accompanying drawings.
(2) A cycle saddle having a seat supported at each end by a frame and stretched
from any convenient part of its length by a stretching device connected to the
supporting frame to cause the seat to assume a flat shape for a part of its length
and a curved or inclined shape at the back, as and for the purpose set forth.
(3) In a cycle saddle, the combination of a supporting or spring frame having
the back part adapted to carry the cantle plate extended higher than the front part
thereof, of a seat of a greater length than the distance between the cantle plate and
the front end of the supporting or spring frame, and of a stretching device attached
to the seat and to the supporting or spring frame respectively, as and for the
purpose set forth.
(4) In a cycle saddle, the combination with the supporting frame A and the
seat B, of a stretching device such as C acting between the supporting frame and
the seat, specifically, as and for the purpose, set forth.
(5) In a cycle saddle, the combination with the supporting frame A and the
seat B, of a combined stretching and tensioning device, specifically as herein before
described.
(6) In a cycle saddle, the combination with the supporting frame A; of the
seat B connected to both ends of the frame A and having a tensioning device H at
its front end; and of the stretching device consisting essentially of a flexible

page_text: piece C attached to the seat B and passing round, bearing against, or otherwise
connected to the rear or back end of the supporting frame A, all combined and
arranged as and for the purpose set forth.
(7) In a cycle saddle, the combination of the frame A of the seat B connected
to both ends of the frame; and of the compound stretching and tensioning device
consisting essentially of the flexible piece C, the hooked stud D, the nut d'and the
bar E, all combined, arranged and adapted to operate, as and for the purpose set
forth.
(8) In a cycle saddle, the combination of the frame A; of the seat B connected
to both ends of the frame; of the combined stretching and tensioning device
consisting of the flexible piece C, the hooked stud D, the nut d, the spring F and
the bar E, all combined arranged and adapted to operate as and for the purpose
set forth.
(9) In a cycle saddle, the combination of the frame A; of the seat B connected
to both ends of the frame; of the combined stretching and tensioning device
consisting of the flexible piece C having both its ends attached to the seat B, the
bracket stud D carrying the pulley D' round which the piece C passes the nut d
and the bar E, all combined, arranged and adapted to operate, as and for the
purpose set forth.
(10) In a cycle saddle, the combination with a frame having its rear part raised
to carry the cantle plate and adapted to support or carry a cross bar, of a flexible
seat attached at its rear end to the cantle plate and at its front end to the forward
part of the supporting frame, and of a stretching device attached both to the seat
and to the supporting frame so as to stretch the inclined or curved back part of the
seat, as and for the purpose set forth.
(11) In a cycle saddle, the combination with the supporting frame A and the
seat B, of a radius bar G adapted to carry the seat, and of a stretching device
(either in combination with or without a tensioning device) attached to the seat
and radius bar respectively, as and for the purpose set forth.
(12) In a cycle saddle, the combination with a frame having its rear part raised
to carry the cantle plate and adapted to support or carry a cross bar, of a flexible
seat attached at its front end to the pommel plate or forward end of the supporting
frame and having its rear end split and the alternate parts attached to the cantle
plate and cross bar respectively, as and for the purpose set forth.
(13) In a cycle saddle, the combination with a supporting frame having the back
part adapted to carry the cantle plate extended higher than the front part thereof,
of a seat of a greater length than the distance of the cantle plate and the front end
of the supporting frame, of a cantle plate having its ends curved downwards, of a
stretching device such as C connecting the flexible seat at any suitable part in its
length to the downwardly curved ends of the cantle plate, as and for the purpose
set forth.
(14) In a cycle saddle, the combination with a supporting frame having a back
part adapted to carry the cantle plate extended higher than the front part thereof,
of a cantle plate having its ends curved downwards and so fashioned as to give the
requisite shape to the rear part of the seat, and of a flexible seat fixed to the cantle
plate throughout its length and attached at its front end to any suitable tensioning
device carried by the forward end of the supporting frame, as and for the purpose
set forth.
•
Dated this 27th day of October 1891
ROBERT E. PHILLIPS.