A New or Improved Saddle Cover for Velocipedes.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd May, 1896-Accepted, 20th June, 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A New or Improved Saddle Cover for Velocipedes.
I, MERCEDES DE LASKI of 6, Great Cumberland Place, London, no calling,
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 new or improved saddle cover for velocipedes, the
object being to provide a pneumatic cover of simple construction and which while
being extremely light shall afford a perfect seat or support for the tuberosities of
the ischia (the cushioned bones which act as the seat of the human frame).
In carrying my invention into practical effect, I provide a basis of rubber,
leather or other suitable material upon which is mounted under a suitable cover of
rubber, rubberized canvas or other confining medium an air tube, arranged in such
a manner as to follow to a greater or lesser extent the outline or contour of the
saddle for which the cover is intended.
The cover is furnished with any required number of straps, tapes or the like,
conveniently arranged for the purpose of securing it in position, while to the back
portion an air valve is fitted for the purpose of inflation.
In order that my invention may be more fully understood, I will now proceed to
describe same with reference to the accompanying drawings in which
Fig. 1 is a plan of my improved saddle cover, Fig. 2 being a cross section of
same.
Figs. 3 and 4 show respectively two sections taken through the side of the cover
and illustrating slight modifications in the construction.
Fig. 5 is an end elevation of the saddle cover with the basis in section.
My improved saddle cover consists essentially of the basis a of suitable shape
upon which is mounted an air tube b, the said cover being furnished with straps or
tapes and a valve v by means of which it may be inflated.
According to the form of construction shown in Figs. 1 and 2 the air containing
chamber c is formed integrally with the flange or strip extending around same
and forming the cover proper. In this arrangement it consists of an inner layer of
rubber r, and outer layer of rubber enclosing between them canvas or other
suitable confining medium m, the whole being arranged and constructed much
after the manner of an ordinary single tube pneumatic tyre.
According to a modified form of construction my improved saddle cover consists
of the basis 6 (Fig. 3) which may be of leather, rubberized canvas or other suitable
material upon which is mounted an air tube b¹ enclosed by any suitable confining
medium b. In this form or arrangement one edge e of the confining medium is
secured to the basis b in any convenient manner, while the other edge el passes
through the central opening o, and is folded underneath as shown in Fig. 3, while
in the arrangement shown at Fig. 4 the two edges e, e' are fixed to the top of the
basis b.
In some cases the basis b upon which the air containing chamber c is mounted,
may have its edges curved over as shown at Fig. 5, so as to grip the saddle when
in position and prevent its slipping about.
My improved saddle cover may be made in various sizes and shapes to suit
requirements, while the basis b may consist merely of a strip of sufficient width to
support the air containing chamber c, with the small projecting portion or flange

page_text: running around the outside, thus leaving a large central opening or the said basis
may consist of one piece of material of sufficient size to cover the whole of the
saddle upon which the air containing chamber is mounted. In this case the central
portion of the cover is closed and may be furnished or not as required with any
suitable number of small holes or perforations.
It is obvious that although I have described my improved saddle cover as
designed to be secured to the saddle by means of straps tapes or the like it could
also, if desired, be made to closely fit the saddle and be permanently cemented
thereto in any convenient manner so as to practically combine the cover with
the saddle and thus provide a firm, comfortable and reliable seat for riding
purposes.
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 :-
1. The new or improved saddle cover consisting essentially of a basis b having
mounted upon it an air containing chamber c, following more or less the outline or
contour of the saddle, and constructed and arranged substantially as herein
described and shown in the accompanying drawings and for the purposes
specified.
2. The new or improved saddle cover for velocipedes substantially as herein
-described and shown and for the purposes specified.
Dated this 29th day of April 1896.
F. G. CASSELL
(Of Cassell & Co.),
22, Glasshouse Street, Regent Street, London, W.,
Agent for the Applicant.