Year: 1885

page_text: I, ALBERT H. OVERMAN of Boston in the County of Suffolk, State of Massa-
chusetts, in the United States of America, Manufacturer, 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 an improvement in saddles for velocipedes, the object
being to produce a suspension saddle adapted to be attached to and detached from
its supports at pleasure and to protect the garments of the rider and combining
comfort, simplicity and durability.
With these ends in view, my invention consists in a suspension saddle connected
with its supports so as to be attached to and detached from them at pleasure.
My invention further consists in a suspension saddle, extended on each side at
its forward end to form depending. protection skirts or flaps.
My invention further consists in a bicycle having a suspension saddle, a spring
adapted to be thrown forward and having the rear end of the saddle detachably
connected with it, and detachable connection between the forward end of the
saddle and the steering head of the vehicle.
My invention further consists in certain details of construction and combinations
of parts as will be hereinafter described and pointed out in the claims.
In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a view showing a portion of a bicycle
provided with a saddle embodying my invention and represented in section, and
figure 2 is a detached plan view of the saddle with its skirts or flaps extended.
The saddle A, as shown, is made in one piece or undivided and has its rear and
forward ends respectively engaged with the spring B and the stearing-head C of
the bicycle so as to be detachable at pleasure. For this purpose a U shaped stay
is secured within the rear end of the saddle, to which it is conformed in shapo,
while a plate E, terminating in a bifurcated hook F is secured within the forward
end of the saddle. The spring aforesaid is formed from a single piece of heavy,
prepared steel wire shaped to the outline of the rear end of the saddle, coiled to
give it additional elasticity and having parallel ends, through which it is secured
to the back bone G of the bicycle by ineans of straps H held together by eye
LD073

page_text: bolts I, through which the ends of the spring pass. The steering-head C of the
bicycle is provided with a series of holes J to receive a pin K with which the
hook F of the plate E attached to the forward end of the saddle is engaged. The
removal of the saddle is effected by throwing the spring forward with one hand
until the said hook can be disengaged from the pin with the other hand, after
which the saddle is drawn back to disengage it from the spring. To replace the
saddle it is engaged with the spring, which is then thrown forward with one hand
until the hook can be engaged with the pin by the other hand. When detached
the saddle may be rolled into small compass and put into the pocket or otherwise
disposed of. By virtue of the described adaptation of the saddle to be detached
at pleasure it may be protected from rain and weather and the bicycle dismantled
against riding with the least inconvenience.
The sides of the saddle are extended at its forward end to form skirts or flaps L
to protect the garments of the rider and this especially in the adaptation of my
improved saddle to bicycles in which protection from the rim and tire of the wheel
is necessary.
The forward end of the saddle may be raised and lowered as desired by shifting
the pin within the range of the series of holes formed in the steering-head, while
the tension of the saddle and the pliancy of the spring are regulated and controlled
by adjusting the spring and straps either or both, as may be required.
It is apparent, that the construction shown and described is susceptible of some
modification. Thus the stay located in the rear part of the saddle may be replaced
by hooks or other equivalent means of adapting the saddle to be detachably
engaged with the spring. The hook in the forward part of the saddle and the pin
in the steering-head may be modified or replaced by any equivalent devices. If
desired, also provision may be made for controlling the tension of the saddle and
for raising and lowering its forward end through an adjustable strap attached to
its forward end and engaged with the steering-head.
I would therefore have it understood, that I do not limit myself to the exact
construction shown and described but hold myself at liberty to make such changes
and alterations as fairly fall within the spirit and scope of my invention.
I am aware that a non-suspension saddle having protection skirts or flaps
attached to it is old and therefore I do not broadly claim a saddle having protection
skirts or flaps.
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
1st A flexible suspension saddle, a spring forming the rear support of the saddle.
which is detachably hooked to it and detachable connection between the saddle and
its forward support, whereby the saddle may be removed and attached at pleasure,
substantially as set forth.
2nd A flexible suspension-saddle, a U shaped stay secured to its rear end, a spring
forming the rear support of the saddle and adapted to have the said stay detachably
connected with it, and detachable connection between the forward end of the saddle
and its support; whereby the saddle may be attached to and detached from its
supports at pleasure, substantially as set forth.
3rd A. flexible suspension saddle, detachable connection between the same and its
rear support, and a bifurcated hook, attached to its forward end for detachable
connection with its forward support, whereby the saddle may be attached to and
detached from its supports at pleasure, substantially as set forth.
4th A flexible suspension saddle, a spring, located under the same and adapted
to be thrown forward and having the rear end of the saddle detachably connected
with it, and detachable connection between the forward end of the saddle and its
support, whereby the saddle may be attached to and detached from its supports at
pleasure, substantially as set forth,

page_text: 5th A saddle formed of flexible material and suspended at its rear and forward
ends and extended on each side at its forward end to form protection skirts or flaps
for protection against the wheel of the vehicle, substantially as set forth.
6th In a bicycle, a suspension saddle extended on each side, substantiall: as
shown, to form protection skirts or flaps, a spring, adapted to be thrown forward
and having the rear end of the saddle detachably connected with it. A bifurcated
hook secured to the forward end of the saddle and an adjustable pin located in the
steering-head of the vehicle and having the said hook detachably engaged with it,
substantially as set forth.