Improvements in Cycle Saddles.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 28th Sept., 1897-Accepted, 20th Nov., 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Cycle Saddles.
I, REGINALD HADDAN, of the Firm of Herbert Haddan & Co., of 18, Buckingham
Street, Strand, W.C., London Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention a communication to me from abroad by Wilbur Sanders Upson, of
Mansfield, Ohio, in the United States of America, Coal Dealer, 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 improvements in saddles for bicycles or velocipedes;
and it consists in certain features of construction, and combinations of parts, herein-
after described and pointed out in the claims.
In the accompanying drawings, Fig. I is a front side elevation, partly in section,
of a saddle embodying the invention. Fig. II is a top plan of the same, partly in
section and partly broken away. Fig. III is a right hand side elevation relative
to the preceding figures, partly in section. Fig. IV is a top plan in section on
line IV IV Fig. I. Fig. V is a front side elevation, partly in section, of a saddle
having omitted the parts whereby the seats are capable of oscillating independently
of each other. Fig. VI is a right hand side elevation, relative to Fig. V, partly
in section.
The improved saddle for a bicycle or velocipede comprises a horizontally
arranged, or approximately horizontally arranged table A that is seated upon the
correspondingly arranged circular plate or base 3, and is mounted upon an upright
cylindrical lug or bearing rigid with and projecting upwardly from the central
portion of the said plate B. The table A is, therefore, capable of being oscillated
in opposite directions. Table A has, in the case illustrated, a depending annular
flange A10 that is arranged concentrically of the table's axis, and has bearing upon
plate B.
The space between the bearing band the inner side of the aforesaid flange A10 is
divided into two compartments or chambers A", A, arranged at the forward side
and rear side, respectively, of the table's axis. The forward chamber A", is
formed between two ribs or flanges A that are integral with the table, and are
arranged radially of the under side of the forward portion of the table and a suit-
able distance apart. The rear chamber A is formed in a similar manner, namely,
by two flanges or ribs A that are integral with the table, and arranged a suitable
distance apart and radially of the under side of the table's rear portion. Within
each of the generally triangular chambers A" and A2 are two corresponding
generally triangular spring forming blocks R of rubber, or other compressible
and elastic material, that are arranged at opposite sides, respectively, of the said
chamber and at opposite sides, respectively of an upright flange or rib B formed
It will be
upon the supporting plate B and arranged radially of the table A.
observed, therefore that the said elastic blocks R rest upon the plate B; that the
latter has two upwardly projecting ribs or flanges B10, formed upon the upper side
6 the forward portion and rear portion, respectively, of the said plate that the
forward flange or rib B extends between the members of the pair of elastic blocks
in the forward chamber A", and that the rear rib or flange 10 extends between
the members of the pair of elastic blocks within the rear chamber A, and it is

page_text: obvious, also, that one of the elastic blocks in each of said compartments will be
compressed during the oscillation of the table in the one direction, and that the
remaining blocks will be compressed during the oscillation of the table in the one
direction, and that the remaining blocks will be compressed during the oscillation
of the table in the opposite direction, and that the said blocks act to retain the table
in its normal position. Although two pairs of electric blocks I have been shown,
it will be understood that one pair can be made to satisfactorily answer the
purpose, and that this invention, so far as pertains to said subject matter, broadly
involves the formation of a chamber between the opposing surfaces of the table
and the supporting plate, and means confined within said chamber and acting to
retain the table in its normal position, and the means that thus act to retain the
table A in the latter's normal position, is enclosed and not exposed, therefore, to
the weather or where it would be subject matter to injury.
Of course, by the constructon hereinbefore described, the capability of the said
table to oscillate is very limited, and one of the objects of the invention is to pro-
vide means that will not permit the table to oscillate too freely, yet accommodate
an extent of oscillation sufficient to render the saddle comfortable to the rider.
Plate B, upon its under side, is provided with a sleeve or clip E, or other suit-
able device, for holding it to the saddle post (not shown) of a bicycle or velocipede
to a spring or springs (not shown) supported from said post or other member of the
machine.
Lug or bearing extends upwardly through and beyond the table A and has
nuts n or other means upon its upper end at the upper side of the table A and
arranged to prevent upward' displacement of the said table.
The table A has two laterally and outwardly projecting arms A3 and A+ arranged
in line and at opposite sides, respectively, of the table's axis, and that the said
arms are reinforced, upon their under sides, by ribs A5 formed thereon, and
extending outwardly from the depending flange A10 of the said table. Each of
the table arms A3 and A4, in Figs I, II, III and IV, bears a horizontally arranged,
or approximately horizontally arranged, table G that is capable of oscillating and
mounted upon an annular flange A that is formed upon the upper side of the
respective table arm and arranged concentrically of the axis of the said table G
that is provided centrally with a depending cylindrical lug or bearing G pro-
jecting downwardly through a corresponding hole in the respective supporting
table arm. Each table G is, therefore, capable of oscillating in a horizontal plane,
and the pivot forming lug G extends downwardly through the supporting tablo
arm, and has its lower end, at the under side of the said arm, provided with
nuts n or other means for preventing the upward displacement of the said table.
Two ribs or flanges A8, formed upon the upper side of each of the table arms A³ A+
extend inwardly from the annular flange A9 of the said arm, and are arranged a
suitable distance apart and radially of the table supported by said 'arm, and
within the generally triangular space A7 formed between the said flanges or ribs
are provided two corresponding spring forming blocks R₁ of rubber, or other
compressible and elastic material, that rest upon the respective table arm, and are
arranged opposite sides, respectively, of the said space, and at opposite sides,
respectively, of a rib or flange G5 formed upon and depending from the super-
imposed table, which last mentioned flange or rib is arranged radially of the table.
It will be observed, therefore, that the said elastic blocks R₁ are generally
triangular in form, and act to retain the respective table in the latter's normal
position; and that one of the said blocks R¹ is compressed during the oscillation
of the table in the one direction, and that the other block is compressed during the
oscillation of the table in the opposite direction and it will be understood that so
far as the subject matter now being considered is concerned, the invention involves
broadly the location of the means that acts to retain the said table in the latter's
normal position within an enclosed space formed between the said table and the
table supporting member, and means provided within the said space or chamber
and acting to retain the table in its normal position. By the construction herein-

page_text: before descrbed the tables G G cannot oscillate or vibrate too freely, yet the extent
of their capability to oscillate is sufficient to render the saddle much more com-
fortable than a rigid saddle, and the means acting to retain the tables in their
Formal position is not exposed.
Each table G, as already indicated, bears a seat 7 that is preferably circular in
plan, and constructed in any approved manner. Each seat is hinged or pivoted
horizontally at to the table supporting it at or near the table's axis and trans-
versely of the table. The upper or seat forming surface of each seat slants
preferably downwardly and inwardly and the said declination of the two seats
toward each other is instrumental in preventing the rider from slipping laterally
off the saddle. The hinging or pivoting of each seat to the table suporting it
in the manner hereinbefore described, accommodates the tilting of said table
forwardly, and the said forward tilting of the seat is limited by an elastic stop
that consists, preferably, of blocks R2 of rubber, or otherwise compressible or
elastic substance, placed within a cup or pocket G6 (See Figure III) formed in the
forward side of the said table forward of the latter's axis and projecting a suitable
distance above the table. The said stop R2 not only limits the forward tilting of
the seat, but accommodates a slight additional tilt upon the seat's engagement
with the stop. A stop for limiting the movement of the seat in the opposite
direction is provided also and consists, preferably, of a set screw (Fig. III)
that is screwed into a correspondingly threaded hole in the under side of the
seat rearwardly of the seat's axis.
From the foregoing description, it will be observed that each of the seats of the
saddle is capable of somewhat tilting forwardly, and has the capability to slightly
oscillate independently of the other seat; that both seats are capable of being
slightly swung simultaneously about a common upright axis, and that by means
ef said motions and the limited extent of said motions, every motion of the rider
is accommodated without friction or soreness arising therefrom, and without
rendering the motions too free for a rider who prefers a saddle that is not too stiff
or rigid, nor too yielding or accommodating.
The saddle shown in Figs. V and VI, has no tables G, and its seats are hinged
directly to arms A A+ of table A. This saddle is not quite as comfortable as
the saddle illustrated in Figs. I, II, III, and IV, but it is much cheaper in con-
struction, and its oscillating table A and tilting seats render it much more com-
In the construction
fortable than a saddle not provided with the said features.
shown in Figs. V and VI the stops R2 are supported directly from the arms of
table A, and the set screws extend upwardly through correspondingly threaded
holes in the said arms.
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. In a saddle for a bicycle or velocipede, a table having a limited capability of
being oscillated, a plate or base supporting said table, a chamber formed between
the opposing surfaces of the table and support, and means acting to retain the
table in its normal position and contained within the said chamber, substantially
as and for the purpose set forth.
2. In a saddle for a bicycle or velocipede, a seat bearing vertically pivoted
table, a plate or base supporting said table, and means confined between the oppos-
ing surfaces of the said parts and acting to retain the table in its normal position
and having the arrangement and properties required to accommodate only a very
limited oscillation of the said table, substantially as set forth.
3. In a saddle for a bicycle or velocipede, a table having a limited capability
of oscillating, the member supporting said table, a chamber or space formed
between the opposing surfaces of the said table and the latter's support, and a
spring confined within the said space and acting to retain the table in the latter's
normal position, substantially as set forth.

page_text: 4. In a saddle for a bicycle or velocipede, a table capable of oscillating, the
member supporting the said table, a chamber formed between the opposing sur-
faces of the table and the latter's support, two compressible and elastic blocks
confined within the said chamber, and a member projecting from one of the oppos
ing surfaces into the said chamber and between the aforesaid blocks, substantially
as and for the purpose set forth.
5. In a saddle for a bicycle or velocipede, a table capable of oscillating, the
member supporting the said table, two ribs or flanges formed upon one of the
opposing surfaces of the said parts and a suitable distance apart, two compressible
and elastic blocks interposed between the said flanges or ribs, and a member
formed upon the other of the said opposing surfaces and projecting between the
said blocks, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
6. In a saddle for a bicycle or velocipede, a table capable of oscillating, the
support for the said table, two ribs or flanges formed upon one of the opposing sur-
faces of the said parts and arranged radially of the table, two corresponding com-
pressible and elastic blocks interposed between the said flanges or ribs, and a
member formed upon the other of the said opposing surfaces and arranged radially
of the table and projecting between the aforesaid blocks, substantially as shown
for the purpose specified.
7. In a saddle for a bicycle or velocipede, a table capable of oscillating, the
member supporting the table, two chambers formed between the opposing sur-
faces of the said table and the latter's support at opposite sides, respectively, of
the table's axis, a pair of compressible and elastic blocks confined within each of
the said chambers and members formed upon the other of the opposing surfaces
and projecting between the blocks of the two pairs of blocks substantially as
shown, for the purpose specified.
8. In a saddle for a bicycle or velocipede, a table capable of oscillating and pro-
vided with a depending annular flauge arranged concentrically of the table's
axis, the member affording bearing for the said flange, two ribs or flanges formed
upon the under side of the table a suitable distance apart, two compressible
and elastic blocks interposed between the said flanges or ribs, and a member
formed upon the table's aforesaid support and projecting between the said blocks,
substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
9. In a saddle for a bicycle or velocipede, two seat bearing tables capable of
oscillating and arranged a suitable distance apart; the support for the said tables;
chambers formed between the opposing surfaces of the tables and the latter's
support, and means confined within the said chambers and acting to retain the
tables in their normal position, substantially as set forth.
10. In a saddle for a bicycle or velocipede, two seat bearing tables capable of
oscillating and arranged a suitable distance apart; the support for the said tables;
a member rigid with and projecting from one of the opposing surfaces of the said
parts, and two compressible and elastic blocks confined at opposite sides, respec-
tively, of the said projecting member, substantially as and for the purpose set
forth.
11. In a saddle for a bicycle or velocipede, two seat bearing tables capable of 4
oscillating and arranged a suitable distance apart; a support for said tables; an
annular flange formed upon the said support below each table and arranged con-
centrically of the said table's axis and suitably applied means confined between
the inner surface of the said flange and the table's axis, and acting to retain the
table in its normal position, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
5
12. In a saddle for a bicycle or velocipede, two seat bearing tables capable of
escillating and arranged a suitable distance apart: a support for said tables two
ribs or flanges formed upon the said support below each table a suitable distance
apart, and two compressible and elastic blocks between the said ribs or flanges,
and a rib or flange formed upon the under side of the table that is arranged over 5
the said blocks, and projecting between the said blocks, substantially as shown,
for the purpose specified.

page_text: 13. In a saddle for a bicycle or velocipede, two seat bearing tables capable of
cscillating and arranged a suitable distance apart, a support for the tables; an
annular flange formed upon the support below each table and arranged con-
centrically of the table's axis and affording bearing for the table; two compressible
and elastic blocks confined between the said flange's inner surface and the table's
axis and a member formed upon the table and projecting between the said blocks,
substantially as shown, for the purpose specified.
14. In a saddle for a bicycle or velocipede, the combination with a vertically
and forwardly tiltable seat; of a compressible and elastic stop arranged to limit
the forward tilting of the said seat, substantially as set forth.
15. In a saddle for a bicycle or velocipede, the combination with a seat support;
the seat horizontally hinged or, pivoted to the said support and transversely of the
saddle and tiltable forwardly, a recess or pocket formed in the said support forward
of the seat's axis, and the compressible and elastic block seated within and pro-
jecting above the pocket and arranged to form a stop for limiting the forward
tilting of the seat, substantially as set forth.
Dit:
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data1907