An Improved Pneumatic Saddle for Bicycles and other Velocipedes.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Feb., 1892
Complete Specification Left. 24th Oct., 1892-Accepted, 21st Jan., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Pneumatic Saddle for Bicycles and other Velocipedes.
PEARSON JACQUES JACKSON Advertising Agent 72 Park Road Newcastle-
upon-Tyne do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The bottom foundation of the seat of the saddle may be made of wood, iron,
metal or other suitable material. Attached to this foundation and underneath
same is a metal or other projection for the purpose of affixing the saddle which may
be loosely dropped into a socket or fastened by screws, nuts or bolts to any bicycle
or machine. On the upper side or top of the foundation is placed either loose or
fixed as desired-a bag or case made of india rubber, gutta percha, skin or other
material capable of expansion by inflation & arranged & shaped in such a manner
as to cover the entire surface of the foundation or even to overlap both sides and
back & front of the said foundation. The process of inflating the bag will be
identical with that as used in inflating pneumatic tyres for bicycles. The cock can
be placed either front, back, or either side of the bag, case or saddle, or be placed
To prevent
so as to go entirely through the foundation and underneath the seat.
the bag or case or any part of the bag or case from bulging out too far in any
direction or getting out of shape, the bag or case must be made in various parts of
different thicknesses & strength to enable it to stand the strain while in process of
inflation or in actual use. The bag or case may be further protected or covered in
all or in part by an outside casing of leather or any other approved substance.
3010100
P. J. JACKSON.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Pneumatic Saddle for Bicycles and other Velocipedes.
PEARSON JACQUES JACKSON Advertising Agent 17 Grainger Street & 72 Park
Road Newcastle-on-Tyne 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:-
The saddle when completed consists of three parts, the first which is a solid or
perforated metal or other plate and hereinafter called "The Foundation." The
second part is the india rubber or other bag the outer part or coating of which may
be made having open tubes of rubber or other material going entirely through its
body so as to admit of air. The third part is the cover which is loose and which
may be made of canvass or any other material.
1st. The foundation consists of a metal or other plate which may or may not be
perforated so as to admit passage of air (see Figure A) the outer edges of which
plate are bevelled all round to prevent injury to saddle or rider from friction
(see H Figure B). Underneath this foundation is a metal brackett (see C
Figure B). In this brackett is an aperture (see D Figure B) through which is
passed the shoulder of an angle-shaped or pin see E Figure B, at the bottom
point of the brackett is a drilled screw hole and nut, see F Fig. B, which nut either
tightens or loosens the L pin which pin is placed in the ordinary way to the
machine enabling the seat to be raised or lowered to any desired height.
2nd. The india rubber or other bag of suitable material Fig. C is manufactured
in such a manner that when inflated it will retain the shape similar to that of an
ordinary bicycle saddle as the following explanation will shew:-The top surface
of the rubber bag is flat, & to keep this portion flat, i.e. to prevent it from bulging

page_text: out too far during process of inflation, the rubber must be extra thick while all the
side portion is of thinner rubber, to allow of a little expansion when inflated. The
bottom of the bag, i.e. the part which fits into the metal plate is also made of
sufficiently thick rubber so as to allow it just to expand a little to make it curve so
as to fit on to the metal plate which is slightly curved to correspond, i.e. hollowed
out as it were. Now, when the rider sits upon the bag, the top portion will
immediately give a little and so adapt itself to the riders figure, while the sides
over which the legs hang, being of thinner rubber is more comfortable to the rider
and gives, every time the legs move during pedaling. As the bag will cause some
riders to get heated in this state, i.e., without any ventilation, I intend making
2 kinds of rubber bags, one with ventilation and the other without. To allow of
ventilation there must first be 3 round holes about the size of a florin in the metal
plate Fig. A, then there must be 3 corresponding holes right through the rubber
bag which is moulded in that fashion Fig. C, so that when the bag is placed on the
plate there will be a current of air right through the plate and the rubber bag
which makes riding more agreeable and cool. Complete sketch Fig. D.
3rd. The covering of the rubber bag may be of any material, but canvass is the
most suitable for the purpose. It consists of 3 pieces of canvass-1st the top,
2nd the side, 3rd the bottom piece. These 3 parts are sewn together so as to form
a kind of cap, the shape of which corresponds with the rubber bag itself, but is a
little larger to allow it to entirely cover the rubber bag and the edges of the metal
plate. The bottoni part is slit open and bound with leather (to prevent the canvass
getting raggy) and near the edges are eyelets to admit of laces. The canvass
covering can now be placed over the rubber bag (the edges of which overlap the
metal plate) and laced up tightly. Having the rubber bag and the edges of the
metal plate thus covered, renders it more comfortable riding than it would be if no
cover was used, in which case friction would be caused between the leg and the
metal plate edges. There is no air hole required in the canvass covering as in the
plate and rubber bag, as the air can pass freely through the canvass.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
1st. The invention of a saddle made on pneumatic principles.
2nd. The introduction of a lighter saddle than a great many of those at present
existing, which at the same time prevents vibration and secures greater comfort to
the rider and also affords a better grip in the saddle than can be obtained in any
other saddle.
3rd. Its adaptability to suit the figure, shape or build of the rider while being
pneumatic there is no unnecessary width or length of seat space.
Dated this 22nd day of October 1892.
F. J. JACKSON.