Improvements in Saddles for Velocipedes."
Year: 1896

page_text: Improvements in Saddles for Velocipedes."
I HENRY LOUIS SCHAFFNER of 8 Vin Cerretani, Florence in the Kingdom of Italy,
Doctor of Dental Surgery do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
The chief objection to the ordinary velocipede saddle is that the rider cannot sit
firmly and fairly on the saddle and at the same time have free movement of the legs
and consequently in order to obtain this freedom of movement the body of the rider
is tipped forward as it were and the perineum presses on the beak of the saddle
which pressure causes a kind of paralysis of those parts of the body which to say the
least is extremely uncomfortable if not dangerous to health.
Now the object of the present invention is to obviate this inconvenience and
otherwise to simplify and improve the construction of velocipede saddles.
The simplest form of seat is a horizontal bar and when seated thereon the bones of
the pelvis will be in rear thereof.
In carrying out my invention I provide in point of fact a bar for the rider to sit
upon which bar is placed on the centre of gravity and may he of a length equal to
the width of the body thus providing for a wider saddle than heretofore which will
provide for the greater comfort of the rider. But such a seat if rigid will not allow
for the free movement of the leg when making the downward stroke and the rider
would thus be thrown forward. Means are therefore provided for giving the freedom
of movement required.
To this end the saddle may be mounted so that it may have an oscillating or
rocking motion as well as a horizontal axial motion on a pivot by which means the
seat will be forced backwards on one side of the pivot by the downward motion of
the leg of the rider and will advance on the other side of the pivot while the other leg
is being raised so that an equalization of the movements of the body will take place
and the risk of being thrown forward will be obviated.
The invention also consists in certain details of construction which will be more
particularly referred to hereafter and which will tend greatly to the comfort of the
rider.
For the purposes of my invention in its simplest form I provide on the saddle pin
a socket to receive a pivot pin or vice versa. This pin or socket is formed in one with
a slotted block to which the frame of the saddle is connected.
A pair of stops projecting to the rear is provided which limit the movement of the
saddle in a horizontal direction and means are also provided for fixing the seat when
desired.
The frame of the saddle is formed in two parts a main portion and a beak portion.
The main portion consists of a length of rod which is passed laterally through the
block on the line of the axis. The ends are bent upwards nearly at a right angle and
then backwards a convenient distance and are finally curved round to correspond to
the back of the seat the ends being left free. In plan view the appearance of this part

page_text: of the frame will be somewhat that of the letter D. A leather saddle or cover will
be provided which will be attached to the frame as hereinafter described.
To form the beak portion of the frame I take a length of rod and pass one end
through holes in the block say from front to back and secure it therein by a wedge
which will lie between the two parts of the frame and jam them securely in the block.
At a short distance in rear of the block the length of rod is bent back upon itself so
that it will projeet forward over the block. Or the rod may be clamped direct to the
L or saddle pin. At its free end the rod enters a socket secured to the beak of the
saddle to receive it.
The beak portion of the saddle is not absolutely necessary in the improved
arrangement of saddle but it has its advantages and for this reason is retained.
To secure the leather saddle or cover to the main frame I provide eyes formed
with threaded sockets or bosses to receive clamping screws.
The eyes are strung on the rod and are clamped thereto by the clamping
screws which are provided with square beads to fit an operating key.
The leather saddle or cover is formed with suitably placed eyeletted holes through
which the screws are passed. This arrangement will permit of tightening up t
saddle when and where desired.
The greater amount of tension will be given from side to side on the line of
the axis and I thus produce what I have heretofore termed the bar, and the bones
of the pelvis will fall in rear of this line. The back part of the cover which will
be attached to the frame will form a support for the back portion of the seat of the
rider and thus an extremely comfortable saddle will be provided.
In addition to the axial motion which I give to the saddle, the saddle may be fitted
at the sides with elastic gores which will give to the pressure of the leg and further
freedom will be given by the beak of the saddle rocking on the point of the beak
frame so as to relieve all pressure on the inside of the leg and permit the leg
to be straightened out to its fullest extent.
In some cases the saddle may be mounted on a point or pivot or universal joint so
that it may have the oscillatory or rocking motion before referred to but the same
effect may to some extent be effected by the use of the elastic gores just mentioned
and the rocking of the beak on the point of the beak frame thus when I speak of an
oscillating or rocking motion I wish it to be understood that I mean any equivalent
therefor.
Instead of the pivot pin I may attach to the block a bevelled disc. This disc will
fit into a box carried by the saddle pin and provided with ball bearings.
The leather saddle may be laced or attached in any other manner to the frame if
preferred.
I would here remark that the details of construction may be varied without
departing from the principle of my invention which is to provide for a horizontal
axial movement of the saddle with a corresponding oscillatory or rocking motion
whereby the disadvantages above mentioned will be obviated.
Dated this 20th day of T... LOOC
I, HENRY LOUIS SCHAFFNER, of 8 Via Cerretani, Florence, in the Kingdom of Italy.
Doctor of Dental Surgery, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what

page_text: manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement :-
My invention relates to saddles for velocipedes.
The chief objection to the ordinary velocipede saddle is that on account of its
narrowness and hardness it is uncomfortable and even harmful. Many attempts
have been made to produce a broader saddle, but as the wings on each side are in the
way of the legs, they have had to be gradually reduced in size.
The object of my said invention is to provide means whereby a broad, comfortable
and secure seat can be obtained, which will offer a minimum amount of resistance
on the sides and a maximum amount of elasticity at the centre.
The simplest form of seat is a horizontal bar or cross seat of the requisite width;
any person using such a seat will find a support for the fleshy parts of the thighs, and,
as the bony protuberances fall behind it, the body will be prevented from slipping
forward. A saddle constructed on that principle would, if rigid, evidently not allow
for the free movement of the legs, and the rider, when effecting the downward stroke,
would find himself thrown forward.
To overcome this difficulty, the seat is articulated on the median line in such a
manner that within a certain limit it can freely oscillate horizontally and vertically
and at the same time adapt itself to the fleshy parts while in motion.
This arrangement, while offering no resistance on either side, maintains a constant
support and enables the limb pushing downwards to move at the same time the other
on the opposite side forward, which is an important feature.
The peculiarity of my system lies in the fact that the centre of the horizontal"
movement, whether a pivot, ball socket, ball bearing or other joint be used, does not
correspond to the centre of gravity of the rider, but lies on the median line, a certain
distance ahead of the said centre of gravity, almost under the peak of the saddle.
The distance is regulated by the fact that, the weight of the rider being thrown on
the opposite side to which pressure is brought to bear on the crank, an automatic
balancing will result from the correct position of the centre of motion.
With this
position of the pivot, the peak remains steady and the steering of the machine is not
prejudiced.
From the foregoing it is evident that a short pivot cannot turn freely as long as
the weight which it bears is situated at the extremity of a proportionately long arm;
another support which moves round it will have to be found. The accompanying
drawings show too slightly varying frames mounted on two different supports both
based on the principle hereinbefore set forth, viz., a universal articulation, a movable
rear support, both situated on the median line and with the centre of gravity of the
rider falling conveniently between them.
The invention also consists in certain details of construction which will hereinafter
be more particularly referred to and which will tend to greatly increase the rider's
comfort.
For the purposes of my invention in its simplest form, I provide a horizontal
bracket plate or support to which the frame is connected. At the front extremity of
the bracket is a socket fitted to receive a pivot or vice versa, the articulation
being loose enough to allow the saddle to rock sideways. At the rear extremity is a
roller bearing part of the weight and which, like the pivot, rests on a base-plate;
this latter being connected to the L-pin by means of a boss, or directly to the
extremity of the saddle pillar with which it forms a slide.
Instead of the roller, I may make use of any kind of pliable support, such as
felt or like fabric, a padded, air or water cushion, or even a suitably shaped
solid body, provided it be situated between the bracket and base plate and
permit a certain lateral displacement of the rear extremity of the bracket and a
limited turning movement of the latter on its own axis. The metallic roller
support in conjunction with the loose pivot gives the freest and best articulation,.
but a semi-fixed support, offering some resistance to the motion may often be
preferred.

page_text: A stop for limiting the displacement is also provided, and may either, present the
shape of an elastic or metallic collar surrounding the bracket or that of a screw-pin
or bolt slightly inclined upwards to the rear so as to keep the plates at an equal
distance while sliding over each other; the pin or bolt passes freely in enlarged
passages across the plates.
The main portion of the frame of the saddle consists of a rod which is passed
laterally through the bracket and secured to it by means of a wedge which enters
with the said rod into a slot made for the purpose. This gives a fixed position,
but a more elaborate plan and one which allows of the tilting of the frame
consists in the use of two or three wedges instead of one. They are segments of
a cone, and, when drawn together by their screw-threaded extremity through a
corresponding conical passage, they clutch the frame as tightly as need be. The
ends of the rod are then bent upwards nearly at a right angle to a convenient
height, then backwards, and they are finally curved round to correspond to the
back of the seat, the ends being left free. In plan, the appearance of this part
of the frame will be somewhat that of the letter D. If only a short peaked saddle
is required, the ends of the said. frame, instead of being cut short at the back,
are sharply bent inward and forward, running almost parallel to each other and
left as long as desired. Care is however taken to depress them below the horizontal
line, otherwise they would produce undue pressure on the perineum. For convenience.
sake I will call this the B frame.
Should a longer and steadier peak be desired, the D frame must be resorted to and
a separate arm attached to the front extremity of the bracket.
When giving this arm the shape of a fork the branches of which swivel round the
centrál cone, it is rendered adjustable, and the same nut which, clutches the
frame is used to hold it in position. It is also rendered adjustable lengthwise, a
special clamp being used for the purpose.
A leather cover is secured to the frame being either laced to an internal smaller
frame fastened underneath the main frame, or by means of eyes formed with
screw threaded sockets strung along the back and side of such frame and having
clamping screws which, when passed through eyelets placed at the edge of the
cover, enable the latter, to be tightened up when and where desired. These
clamping screws are provided with square heads to fit a key or spanner.
The peak part of the cover is riveted to one or two caps which form sockets for
the pivoted end or ends of the frame, thus forming another articulation.
The saddle cover may also be fitted at the sides with elastic gores or springs
uniting the edges of a slit; this device, while giving a softer support for the fleshy
parts, allows the leg to be straightened out to its fullest extent.
In the accompanying drawings,
Figure 1 illustrates my oscillating saddle with a B frame, as seen from
underneath; the base plate though removed being outlined.
Figure 2 represents a cross section of the same,
Figure 3 is a front view of the base plate with the boss attached to it.
Figure 4 represents my oscillating saddle mounted with the D frame on a semi-
fixed support; it is seen from underneath and with the base plate removed.
Figure 5 represents a cross section of the same with the sliding base plate.
Figure shows a corresponding front view.
Figure 7 shows a clamp with the frame connected to it.
A designates the leather cover; B the sockets which support the peak; C the
slit, with the connecting springs protected by a soft leather patch; C the elastic
gores; E, Figures 4 and 5, the clamping serers used for securing the cover to the
frame; E', Figure 1, the interior supplementary frame used for the lacing of the
cover; a the so-called D frame, and a the prolongation which converts it into a
B frame; b b 6, Figures 4 and 5, the parts that constitute the adjustable peak
arm, belonging to the D frame; c the bracket plates or supports for the frame;
d the clutching cone, and d the nut which locks it; the fixed pivot, about
which the bracket turns; g a bolt or screw pin used for connecting parts together

page_text: and limiting the motion; g¹ a bridge for the same purpose; h, Figures 1 and 2,
the hard steel roller used as a support; the pad also serving as a support, its
shape varying according to the material used, i the base plate attached to the
boss j, Figure 2, or clamped with the grooved head of the piu J (Figures 5 and 6) to
the pillar, the extremity of which is divided and channelled for the purpose;
1, Figure 7, the universal boss designed to take the place of the articulation when
a fixed saddle is desired, as is the case with beginners, being locked by the same
clutch which holds the frame.
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 :-
First. A velocipede saddle with a transverse adjustable wire spring frame opened
and free behind, said frame resembling either the letter D or B, substantially as set
forth.
Second. An independent and adjustable peak arm with a free articulated cap at its
outer extremity for the support of the covering, substantially as set forth.
Third. A segmental conical clutch, locked by a single nut, for the purpose of
connecting the frame and the peak arm to the bracket, substantially as set forth.
Fourth. A covering laced or clamped round the frame by means of set screws
permitting the lateral as well as longitudinal tension of the covering, substantially as
set forth.
Fifth. A system of goring the sides of the covering, rendering it softer and more
adaptable to the seat while in motion, substantially as set forth..
Sixth. A horizontal bracket carrying the frame and provided with a universal
articulation at its front extremity, near the peak of the saddle, for the purpose of
enabling the weight of the rider to shift from one side of the machine to the other
and automatically contrebalance the pressure brought to bear upon the cranks,
substantially as set forth.
Seventh. A movable support placed below the bracket behind the articulation and
bearing with it, as it turns, part of the weight, and at the same time permitting the
bracket to rock laterally on its own axis, substantially as set forth.
Eighth. A base plate for the reception of the articulation and its rear support,
substantially as set forth.
Ninth. A slide and nut at the end of the saddle pillar for the reception and
adjustment of the base plate, substantially as set forth.
Tenth. A universal boss, worked by the same nut which clutches the frame, for the
purpose of fixing the saddle when the motion is not required, substantially as set
forth.
Dated this noth
11007
CHARLES JUNGE,
Agent for the Applicant.