Improvements in Pneumatic Bicycle Saddles.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 18th Aug., 1896
Complete Specification Left, 12th Jan., 1897-Accepted, 27th Feb., 1897
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Pneumatic Bicycle Saddles.
A communication from SAGER MANUFACTURING COMPANY, a manufacturing
corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of New York,
in the United States of America, and having its principal place of business at
No. 25 Otsego Street, in the City of Rochester, in said State.
I, ALFRED JULIUS BOULT, Chartered Patent Agent, of 111 Hatton Garden,
Holborn Circus, London, in the County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The modern safety bicycle is made with a frame as rigid as possible, and, in
order that the rider may have a comfortable seat, it has been customary to employ
springs interposed between the bicycle frame and the saddle leather, to prevent
the shocks and shaking due to riding over rough ground. Some pneumatic saddles
hove been produced, which do not, however, conform to the requirements of a
comfortable and practicable seat. These pneumatic saddles have been of two
classes, of which one is a pneumatic hag of suitable form, which is suspended at
ite ends and is flexible throughout. This form of saddle is objectionable in that it
clings too closely to the rider in all bis positions, and conforms itself too closely
to his shape, and the result of this is a constant tendency to irritation and chafing.
The other form of pneumatic saddle has a rigid base-plate on which is fastened
one or mere pneumatic cushions, in some cases arranged longitudinally of the
saddle and in other cases transversely thereof. All of the cushions known to me
in both of these classes of saddles, have the serions defect of allowing the rider to
"float" upon the cushion or cushions, meaning thereby that the seat of the rider
is indefinite and insecure, because he moves about upon these cushions upon every
change of position or of pressure, usually due to the downward thrust of the leg in
propelling the machine. As one leg is depressed, the pressure upon the cushion
causes the air contained in it to move about within the cushion and to create an
upward bulging at all points of the cushion, except at the point where the leg in
its downward thrust creates the greater pressure just mentioned. This bulging
tends not only to raise the rider, but also to move him sidewise, and thus tends to
produce an uncertain seat.
In all bicycle saddles it is important that there should be means of preventing
pressure upon the perineum and at the end of the spine, and of providing
depressions in which the pelvic bones may rest, inasmuch as the ends of the pelvic
bones are the parts which naturally take the pressure when a rider is in the seated
position.
In no prior saddle, with which I am acquainted, have all these objectionable
features been eradicated, and it is the object of my invention to obviate these
difficulties and to provide a comfortable saddle which is easy to construct, which
is casily taken apart for repairs, and which, by reason of the elasticity of the
pneumatic tubes, ia sensitive to changes of pressure, but in which, at the same
time, the cushions are incapable of displacement.
I accomplish these results; and my invention consists in the parts and the
arrangement thereof hereinafter described.

page_text: I provide a rigid base-plate, which may be of any suitable material, but which
I prefer to make of wood. A curved bar is fastened to the bottom of the base,
by means of bolts, and the bar is attached to a bicycle in any suitable manner, as
by a clip. The curvature of the bar may be such as to provide for tilting the
saddle to suit its rider. Instead of the bar and clip, any other suitable device
may be used for attaching the base-plate to a bicycle.
At two points, corresponding to the positions of the ends of the pelvic bones,
the base-plate is perforated, and at 'two other points the base is perforated for the
valves of the pneumatic pads. While the valves are placed at the extreme rear
portion of the saddle, it is obvious that they may be attached to the pads at any
convenient point. The edge of the base-plate and the edges of the perforations
are provided with a series of holes for the purpose hereinafter described. The
saddle is, in general form, two circular cushions with a pommel piece joining and
extending from them.
Upon the base-plate are placed two independent tubular pads, preferably mado
of elastic or soft india-rubber, for each of which is provided a valve of any suitable
character. The pads are the same in form and are similarly disposed with
reference to the medial longitudinal line of the saddle. As seen from above, each
pad is contracted transversely at the pommel end and gradually enlarges to the
other end; and each pad follows, through the greater portion of its length, the
exterior line of the side of the plate on which it lies; aud at the ends the pads
are curved around the perforations so as to form a coiled annular cushion from
which extend the ends to form the pommel of the saddle. Each pad, therefore,
is of a partial S-form. The cover, of leather or of other flexible but inexpansible
material, is stretched over both pads and is fastened to the exterior edge of
the plate in a suitable manner, but preferably by a lacing which passes through
holes near the edge of the saddle leather and through the holes above mentioned
around the edge of the base-plate. At points corresponding to the perforations,
the saddle leather is depressed or is drawn down by tubular extensions, to extend
through the opening in the coil of the tubular pad down to the edge of the
perforatious, and is laced to sait edges, whereby vertical apertures are made
through the whole saddle on each side of the center thereof, thus holding the pads
firmly in place, and providing ventilating apertures for keeping the saddle cool,
and depressions for the pelvic bones of the rider. Along the medial longitudinal
line of the base-plate and the cover, are a series of perforatious for a lacing, which
may extend the whole length of the saddle, if desired, but which ordinarily it is
unnecessary to extend for more than part of the length thereof. By means of the
lacing, the cover is drawn down along the line of the lacing toward the base-plate,
and thereby forms a depression along said medial line for preventing perineal
pressure, and also holds the tubes firmly in place and separate from each other.
These lacings prevent both tubes or either tube from moving to one side or the
other under eccentric or sidewise pressure, and thus I produce a firm but easy seat.
The lacing may be drawn down more or less to increase or reduce the area aud
depth of the perineal depression, and thus the saddle is adapted to fit different
riders independently of the weight of the rider or of the degree of inflation of the
pneumatic pads.
The following resulte, among others, are produced by ny saddle: when the
rider, sitting in the usual riding position, presses downward, in pedalling, on one
side or the other of the saddle, the pneumatio pad on the side of the greatest
pressure does not vary perceptibly in its contour, and the air is not forced from
that side of the saddle to the other side thereof, nor does the air move within the
pad in such a way as to lift or move the rider; the depressions or perforations
tend to keep the rider in his proper position, and, when of the proper size, keep
tlo saddle cool; the longitudinal perineal depression extends to the rear of the
zaddle; if desired, in order to take pressure from the end of the spine; the pommel
of the saddle is always soft and becomes more so when the pressure on the rear of
the saddle is relieved, and thus the liability of accident is prevented when the

page_text: rider is thrown forward upon the pommel; the use of soft or elastic rubber for
the pneumatic tubes increases the flexibility, soltness and comfort of the saddle;
and as the pneumatic tubes are held definitely in place between the rigid base-plate
and the flexible but inexpansible cover, a firm and non-floating saddle is produced;
the movement of the air in the tubes can only be from end to end thereof, and
cannot be from side to side with referenco to the saddle; and the lacings may be.
easily loosened or detached in order to examine or remove the pneumatic tubes, or
to repair the saddle. The use of tubes also permits me to produce a saddle that is
not too thick and that does not coutain too great a volume of air, while at the same
time having a sufficiently large surface.
It is obvious that the form of the base may be much varied; the shape of the
pads, as for instance, by connecting one end with its tube at the point of contact:
therewith, may be varied; the manner of connecting the cover to the base may
be varied; and that other changes of construction may be made without departing
from the spirit of my invention.
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicant.
Improvements in Pneumatic Bicycle Saddles.
A communication from SAGER MANUFACTURING COMPANY, a manufacturing
corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of New York,
in the United States of America, and having its principal place of business at
No. 25 Otsego Street, in the City of Rochester, in said State.
1, ALFRED JULIUS BOULT, Chartered Patent Agent, of 111 Hatton Gardeu,
Holborn Circus, London, in the County of Middlesex, 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:-
and
In the drawings accompanying this specification,-.
Fig. 1 is a top plan view of this saddle with the cover removed;
Fig. 2 is a side elevation of this saddle, a portion of the cover being removed;
Fig. 3 is a cross section of this saddle on the line - of Figs. 1 and 2.
The moderu safety bicycle is made with a frame as rigid as possible, and, in
order that the rider may have a comfortable seat, it has been customary to employ
springs interposed between the bicycle frame and the saddle leather, to prevent the
shocks and shaking due to riding over rough ground. Some pneumatic saddles
have been produced, which do not, however, conform to the requirements of a
comfortable and practicable seat. These pneumatic saddles have been of two
classes, of which one is a pneumatic bag of suitable form, which is suspended at its
ends and is flexible throughout. This form of saddle is objectionable in that it
clings too closely to the rider in all his positions, and conforms itself too closely to
his shape, and the result of this is a constant tendency to irritation and chafing.
The other form of pneumatic saddle has a rigid base-plate on which is fastened
one or more pneumatic cushions, in some cases arranged longitudinally of the
saddle and in other cases transversely thereof. All of the cushions known to me
in both of these classes of saddles, have the serious defect of allowing the rider to
"float" upon the cushion or cushions, meaning thereby that the seat of the rider
is indefinite and insecure, because he moves about upon these cushions upon every
change of position or of pressure, usually due to the downward thrust of the leg

page_text: in propelling the machine. As one leg is depressed, the pressure upon the cushion
causes the air contained in it to move about within the cushion and to create an
upward bulging at all points of the cushion, except at the point where the leg in
its downward thrust, creates the greater pressure just mentioned. This bulging
tends not only to raise the rider, but also to move him sidewise, and thus tends to
produce an uncertain seat.
In all bicycle saddles it is important that there should he means of preventing
pressure upon the perineum and at the end of the spine, and of providing
depressions in which the pelvic bones may rest, inasmuch as the ends of the
pelvic bones are the parts which naturally take the pressure when a rider is in the
seated position.
In no prior saddle, with which I am acquainted, have all these objectionable
features been eradicated, and it is the object of this invention to obviate these
difficulties and to provide a comfortable saddle which is easy to construct, which is
easily taken apart for repairs, and which, by reason of the elasticity of the
pneumatic tubes, is sensitive to changes of pressure, but in which, at the same
time, the cushions are incapable of displacement.
These results are accomplished; and this invention consists in the parts and the
arrangement thereof hereinafter described and claimed.
In the drawings A is a rigid base-plate, which may be of any suitable material,
but which it is preferred to make of wood. In the form shown, a curved bar B is
fastened to the bottom of the base A, by means of bolts b, and the bar is attached
to a bicycle in any suitable manner, as by a clip C. The curvature of the bar B
may be such as to provide for tilting the saddle to suit its rider. Instead of the
bar B and clip C, any other suitable device may be used for attaching the
base-plate A to a bicycle.
At two points a a, corresponding to the positions of the ends of the pelvic bones,
the buse-plate A is perforated, and at two other points a' a' the base is perforated
for the valves d d of the pneumatic pads. While the valves d d' are shown at the
extreme rear portion of the saddle, it is obvious that they may be attached to
the pads at any convenient point. The edge of the base-plate A and the edges of the
perforations a a are provided with a series of holes for the purpose hereinafter
described. The saddle shown in the drawing is intended principally for the use of
women, and is broader and sborter thau the saddle intended for the use of men,
and, as will be seen in Fig. 1, it is in general form two circular cushions with a
pommel piece joining and extending from them.
Upon the base-plate A are placed two independent tubular pads D D', preferably
made of clastic or soft india-rubber, for each of which is provided a valve d d', of
any suitable character. The pads are the same in form and are similarly disposed
with reference to the medial longitudinal liue of tho saddle. As seen from above,
each pad is contracted transversely at the pommel end and gradually enlarges
to the other end dd; and each pad follows, through the greater portion of its
length, the exterior line of the side of the plate A on which it lies; and at the
ends and the pads are curved around the perforations a a, so as to form a
coiled annular cushiou from which extend the ends dd to form the pommel of the
saddle. Each pad, therefore, is of a partial S-form. The cover E, of loather or
of other flexible but inexpansible material, is stretched over both pads and is
fastened to the exterior edge of the plate A in a suitable manner, but preferably
by a lacing F, which passes through holes near the edge of the saddle leather and
through the holes above mentioned around the edge of the base-plate A. At
points corresponding to the perforations a a, the saddle leather is depressed or is
drawn down by tubular extensions e e, to extend through the opening in the coil of
the tubular pad down to the edgo of the perforations a a, and is laced to said
edges as at, whereby vertical apertures are inade through the whole saddle on ench
side of the center thereof, thus holding the pads Ď D' firmly in place, and
providing ventilating apertures for keeping the saddle cool, and depressions for the
pelvic bones of the rider. Along the medial longitudinal line of the base-plate A

page_text: and the cover E, are a series of perforations for a lacing F, which may extend
the whole length of the saddle, if desired, but which ordinarily it is unnecessary to
extend for more than part of the length thereof. By ineaus of the lacing F, the
cover is drawn dowu along the line of the lacing toward the base-plate A, aud'
thereby forms a depression along said medial line for preventing perineal pressure,.
and also holds the tubes D D firmly in place and separate from each other.
These lacings prevent both tubes or either tube from moving to one side or the
other under eccentric or sidewise pressure, and thus a firm but easy seat is produced..
As shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 3, the lacing F may be drawn down more or
less to increase or reduce the area and depth of the perineal depression, and thus-
the saddle is adapted to fit different riders independently of the weight of the
rider or of the degree of inflation of the pneumatic pads.
The following results, among others, are produced by this saddle: when the
rider, sitting in the usual riding position, presses downward, in pedalling, on one
side or the other of the saddle, the pneumatic pad on the side of the greatest
pressure does not vary perceptibly in its contour, and the air is not forced from
that side of the saddle to the other side thereof, nor does the air move within the:
pad in such a way as to lift or move the rider; the depressions or perforations a a,
tend to keep the rider in his proper position, and, when of the proper size, keep.
the saddle cool; the longitudinal perineal depressions extend to the rear of the
saddle, if desired, in order to take pressure from the end of the spine; the pommel
of the saddle is always soft and becomes more so when the pressure on the rear of
the saddle is relieved, and thus the liability of accident is prevented when the rider
is thrown forward upon the pominel; the use of soft or clastic rubber for the
pneumatic tubes increases the flexibility, softness and confort of the saddle; and
as the pneumatic tubes are held definitely in place between the rigid base-plate A
and the flexible but inexpansible cover E, a firm and non-floating saddle is
produced; the movement of the air in the tubes can only be from end to end
thereof, and cannot be from side to side with reference to the saddle; and the
lacings may be easily loosened or detached in order to examine or remove the
pneumatic tubes, or to repair the saddle. The use of tubes also permits of
producing a saddle that is not too thick and that does not contain too great a
volume of air, while at the same time having a sufficiently large surface.
It is obvious that the form of the base A, may be much varied; the shape of
the pads, may be varied, as, for instance, by connecting the end or d³ with its
tube at the point of contact therewith; the manner of connecting the cover to the
base may be varied; and that other changes of construction may be made without
departing from the spirit of my invention or from the terms of the following
cluims.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, as communicated to me by my foreign correspondents and in what manner the
same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is:-
a
1. A saddle for bicycles and the like, comprising rigid base-plate, a pair of
independent elastic cushions arranged on opposite sides of the longitudinal line of
the saddle, said cushions consisting of pneumatic tubes coiled at one end to
conform to the seat portion proper and having the other end extending lengthwise
into the pommel, and a flexible inexpansible cover secured to the base-plate at the
outer edges and on the medial longitudinal line of the saddle to form separate
compartments for the tubes; substantially as described.
2. A saddle for bicycles and the like, comprising a rigid base-plate, a pair of
independent elastic cushions arranged on opposite sides of the longitudinal line of
the saddle and separated by a perineal longitudinal depression, said cushions
consisting of pneumatic tubes coiled at one end to conform to the seat portion
proper, and having their other ends extending lengthwise into the pommel;
substantially as described.
3. A saddle for bicycles and the like, comprising a rigid base-plate having

page_text: ventilating openings about centrally of each half of the seat portion proper, a
flexible inox pabeible cover secured to said base-plate at the sides to hold it on, aud
at the edges of the ventilating openings to continue said openings through the
saddle and form pelvic-bone depressions, and connected thereto on the medial
longitudinal line of the saddle to form a perineal depression between said openings,
and an independent tubular pneumatic pad enclosed between the base-plate and the
cover on each side of the longitudinal center of the saddle, said pads surrounding
the ventilating openings at thoir rear ends, and extending forwardly into the
pommel; substantially as described.
4. A saddle for bicycles and the like, comprising a rigid base-plate, a pair of
independeut pneumatic pads arranged on opposite sides of the central longitudinal
line of the saddle with a porineal depression between them, und separate depressions
for the pelvic-bones on opposite sides of said line, said pads surrounding said hip
bone depressions and being supported upon the base-plate, and having a flexible
inelastic cover removably secured to the plate at the edges and adjustably connected
therewith on the central longitudinal line by lacing, whereby the cover is removable
and the depth of the perineal depression regulable; substantially as described.
Dated this 12th day of January 1897.
BOULT & WADE,
Agents for the Applicant.