Improvements in the Construction of Seats or Saddles for Bicycles, Tricycles, or Similar Carriages.
Year: 1896

page_text: Improvements in the Construction of Seats or Saddles for Bicycles,
Tricycles, or Similar Carriages.
I AMOS KIRBY of 57 The Grove Bedford do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
The body or frame of the seat or saddle, which may be constructed of any con-
venient form and suitable materials, is furnished at or below the whole or part of
its upper surface with a number of springs of spiral or other form, provided with or
made without flattened terminals or cushions on their upper surfaces, which are
either left bare or covered over with cloth leather or other materials, but so arranged
that each spring takes its due proportion of the weight of the rider, who is thus
supported on an elastic surface without any part being exposed to excessive or
injurious pressure.
Improvements in the Construction of Seats or Saddles for Bicycles,
Tricycles, or similar Carriages.
I AMOS KIRBY of 57 The Grove Bedford, of no occupation, do hereby declare the
nature of my said invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
The object of my invention is to effect improvements in the construction of seats
or saddles for bicycles tricycles, and similar carriages.
According to my invention I construct the base of the saddle of any convenient
form, and of wood, metal, papier maché or other suitable materials. I fit the base
with a number of springs, of spiral or other form the upper ends of each of which
may be shaped or provided with a somewhat extended surface, so that a number
of them placed near together form a bearing surface which may be used without
any covering, or may be covered with cloth, felt, leather, or any other suitable
material or materials, but so arranged that each spring sustains its due proportion
of the weight of the rider, who is thereby supported upon an elastic surface without
any part being exposed to excessive or injurious pressure.
And in order that my said invention may be particularly described and ascertained,
reference is hereby made to the accompanying drawings, illustrating one method of
carrying out my invention, and in which similar letters of reference indicate
corresponding parts.

page_text: Fig. 1 is a plan view of a saddle fitted in accordance with my invention and
Fig. 2 is a section on the line ab of Fig. 1.
c is the base of the saddle, which is drilled or bored to receive the stems d, as
shown in Fig. 2. ee are the flattened terminals, discs, or extended surfaces. ff are
spiral springs surrounding the upper parts of the stems, and g g are nuts or heads
attached to or formed on the lower ends of the stems.
The front of the base c is reduced in thickness, and the discs e are combined with
plates hh, which are carried down the front edge of the saddle and riveted to
the lower ends of the stems, as shown in Fig. 2. The front supports thus form a
curved surface and facilitate the motions of the riders limbs while working the
pedals.
I do not confine myself to the precise form and arrangement shown in the drawings,
as it is obvious that the surface of the base of the saddle may be otherwise graduated,
according to the requirements of the rider; and the general form of the saddle and
disposition and form of the springs and supports may be very much varied.
In some cases the stems d may be dispensed with, the springs being of greater
diameter especially of the base, and secured to the base of the saddle in any suitable
manner.
The springs are in such cases preferably formed with an extended upper surface
which may or may not be attached to the cover and to each other.
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 improvements in the construction of seats or saddles for bicycles, tricycles,
and similar carriages, substantially as and for the purposes described.
2. In a saddle for the purposes aforesaid, the application and use of a number of
spring-supported discs or analogous devices or springs with extended surfaces
together forming a spring-supported accumulation of bearing surfaces, with or
without a covering thereto, substantially as herein before described and illustrated
by the drawings.