Improvements in the Construction of Saddles for Cycleš and the like.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 11th Jan., 1899-Accepted, 11th Feb.,
1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Construction of Saddles for Cycleš and the like.
I, WILLIAM ALFRED LampLugh, of 66, Rue Kléber, Levallois-Perret, Depart-
ment of the Seine, France, Saddle Maker, 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:-
This invention relates to improvements in the construction of saddles for cycles
and the like and consists in an arrangement of saddle frame in which part is
constructed of metal and part of girth or band; the object of the invention, among
other points, being to simplify the construction of such frames to render them
economical; to facilitate the mounting thereof; to reduce their weight; to render
them more solid, superior and more appropriate for the use for which they are
intended; and, in general, to improve the structure and operation thereof.
For this purpose my invention prevents the different constructional features
as described hereinafter and represented in the accompanying drawings, in
which:-
Figs. 1 and 2 are respectively a side elevation and a plan, of a saddle frame,
embodying my improvements, and Figs. 3 and 4 indicate modifications.
On the suspension spring or springs 2, provided with the ordinary carriage or
slide 3, or with any other suitable device for fixing and adjusting the saddle to
the machine, are placed. At the front a metal piece or socket 4 connected in
any known and appropriate manner to the springs. In the drawing this metal
socket 4 (Fig. 1) is simply slid over the head and bears against a shoulder 5 of
the screw bolt 6 forming with the nut 7 the tension adjusting device of the frame.
At the back, a plate of stamped sheet iron 8, fixed to the springs by means of
bolts and nuts 9 and 10 (Fig. 1).
The whole of the metal pieces, so far, described, form the body or under struc-
ture of the saddle frame. This construction is a known one and other suitable
forms may be used.
It is not new to construct the surface of a saddle frame by the aid of girths,
cords or thongs, and I do not intend to claim same but only the method of con-
structing same herein described with any proper modification of same.
To the metal piece or socket 4 of the body is fastened, for instance by means
of rivets 11, a piece of band 12 of any appropriate material, preferably of
girthing forming a loop, closed for example by metal eyes 13 or a buckled piece.
with which piece of band engages a ring 14 of approximately triangular shape.
This device, which serves for fastening the band which forms the bearing
surface of the frame at the front part may however be replaced by some other
suitable arrangement.
Along the rear edge of the plate 8 of the body or near the rear edge passes a
wire 15, the two ends 16 of which engage with corresponding holes, provided in
the plate 8, and which are folded up or suitably bent in order to prevent them
from leaving the said holes.
The plate 8 has metal hooks 17 which are rivetted or otherwise fixed to the
late and behind and under which passes the wire 15.

page_text: A single length of girth or its equivalent 18 passes alternately around the
wire 15 and through the ring 14, so as to form an almost triangular bearing sur-
face or one conforming in its outline to the shape which the superstructure or
cover of the saddle must receive.
Fig. 2 illustrates the preferred method of winding the girth around the ring
and the metal wire, the constituent pieces of the band are marked I, II, III, IV,
V, VI, VII, as indicating the course followed in the winding operation.
The two ends or extremities of the girth or band are fixed by means of metal
eyes 19 to the wire 15 as will be seen by reference to Fig. 2 where it will be noticed
that each loop formed on the end of the girth or band 18 is carried round the
wire 15 between two points which are bounded by the hook 17 so that the bear-
ing surface of the frame thus produced distributes the whole weight and all the
stresses which it has to bear over the whole of this surface and nearly uniformly
over all the points of support. It is also evident that this frame can be easily
constructed as it comprises but one single length of band, is light and solid, and
it further produces certain results, not attained in former saddle frames, or at
least results superior thereto.
i
I would further remark that where the band consists of girthing. I take care
to so place the fastening-eyes that the fibres and threads will not be cut, and this
I prefer to do by moving the threads apart by means of a pointed tool and by
increasing, the diameter of these holes gradually in such a manner as to avoid
any rupture, so that when completed the frame does not present any weak point
or one inferior in resistance to the rest of the surface.
1
It is evident that the winding of the band need not necessarily follow the course
and arrangement indicated; and that a good many modifications are possible from
this point of view. It is also clear that the wire 15 will be bent or shaped and
will comprise the proper number of supporting points suitably distributed over
the plate 8 to accord with the manner in which the band is to be laid or wound.
It must not be lost sight of, that the main object of the invention is to dis-
tribute the weight and the other stresses, due to concussions, vibrations and
the like, which the bearing surface of the frame has to support, over a large
number of points of the body; to distribute the stress uniformly over each piece
of the band; and, within each piece of band, uniformly over each fibre of such
piece. With this end kept in view the construction which I have just described
may be varied.
It will be understood that though a single band of girthing only has been
described; it has been for the sake of simplifying the manufacture and rendering
the same more economical, and it will be understood that several lengths of
girthing, cords, thongs, or the like may be used in place thereof.
It is also evident that I should not depart from the spirit of my invention by
substituting for the wire 15 a range of staples or cramp hooks 20 (Fig. 3), made
to follow each other along the rear edge of the plate 8 and which would have the
same function as the wire; that this wire or thèse cramp hooks might also be
replaced by slots 21 (Fig. 4) formed in the plate 8, and separated at intervals,
by the webs 22 which serve to prevent the band, cords or thongs from becoming
displaced.
In order to prevent such displacement of the band or the like, the wire 15 or
its equivalent may be given a polygonal outline, that is to say, a shape com-
prising straight parts connected by sharp angles or corners; so that the band or
the like would be prevented from slipping and from becoming displaced upon its
straight parts.
Lastly the wire or its equivalent 15, instead of lving above the rear edge of
the plate 8. might also be placed behind this edge, in which case it would form
a horizontal rearward projection.
The proper tension is imparted to the device, after the same has been mounted
on the metal body, by means of the adjusting device 6, 7 or another equivalent.
The forms and dimensions of the saddle frame described may be varied and
such materials may be employed as are considered most suitable,

page_text: 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. A saddle frame for cycles and the like, comprising a metal body or under-
structure and a bearing surface, for the superstructure of the saddle, consisting
of a band, cord, or thong, so arranged as to uniformly distribute the weight and
the stresses, which such surface is required to support, over a large number of
bearing points of the understructure and uniformly over each piece of band,
cord or thong substantially as described.
2. In a saddle frame of the kind described in the first claim, the combination
with the band, cord or thong constituting the bearing surface, of parts or devices,
arranged at the front and at the back of the body, and adapted for the holding
or winding over of the band or the like so as to distribute the stress, which each
piece of band or the like supports, in a substantially uniform manner over each
piece and, within each piece, in a substantially uniform manner over each fibre
of the piece substantially as described.
3. In a saddle frame of the kind described in the first claim, the combination
with the band, cord or thong, constituting the bearing surface and a means for
fastening the band or the like to the front of the frame body, of a device for
attaching the band to the rear of the body, consisting of rails or the like around
which the band or the like may be carried, these rails being integral with, or
fixed to, the back part of the body and forming a number of supporting points,
distributed over the whole rearward outline of the body, and so arranged that the
pieces or strips of band are prevented from becoming displaced substantially as
described.
4. In a saddle frame of the kind described in the preceding claims, a bearing
surface formed of a single length of material substantially as and for the purpose
described.
5. In a saddle frame of the kind described in the preceding claims, the com-
bination with the bearing surface of a body comprising a device for adjusting
the tension of the bearing surface, substantially as described.
6. In a saddle frame for cycles and the like having a bearing surface, formed
of a single band or the like, the arrangement of winding of the band and the
arrangement and construction of the points of support of the band on the body,
substantially as described and illustrated with accompanying drawing.
7. The improved saddle frame for cycles and the like substantially as
described and as illustrated in the accompanying drawing.
Dated this 11th day of Tonne 1900
PHILIP M. JUSTICE,
Chartered Patent Agent, London, for the Applicant.