Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Dec., 1897
Complete Specification Left, 17th Sept., 1898-Accepted, 22nd Oct., 1898
We, JOHN BOULTBEE BROOKS, Managing Director of J. B. Brooks and Company,
Limited, of Great Charles Street, in the City of Birmingham, Manufacturers, and
JOHN HOLT, of Great Charles Street, Birmingham aforesaid, Manager of Works,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to cycle saddles, and has for its object, the mounting of
the saddle seat in such a manner that the same admits of following or lending itself
to the movements made by the rider in pedalling.
The invention consists in combining with a spring-supported seat means for
admitting of simultaneous traversing, cross swaying and vertical yielding
movements, and in carrying out one form of the invention, the saddle seat may be
provided on the underside, with a pair of separated stretcher rods
or their
equivalent, connected at their opposite ends respectively to the peak plate or
tension bracket and to the back plate. The said back ends, which may be
separated or set at a greater distance apart than the front ends, may have hanger
brackets depending to a considerable distance below them and with their lower
ends being jointed or connected to the lower terminations of a pair of rocking
radius arms or arc links, whose upper parts are jointed to a cross bar or head,
made fast by a nut or other means to the summit of a single pillar-coiled supporting
spring, disposed centrally between the hanging brackets and links, and with its
lower or rest end made fast to a crossing back bar of a rigid base framing or bracket,
whose other and forward end supports another pillar-coiled spring, whose lower
end is jointedly connected to the said base framing, whilst its upper end is made
fast or rigidly connected to a part of the seat stretcher frames, or to the tension
bracket, or to the peak plate.
The back supporting spring is stayed against rocking motion in the longer
direction of the saddle, but without interfering with its freedom to rock or sway
laterally on the cross-swaying of the seat, by a tie-rod, made fast at one end to the
summit of the spring, or to the cross bar which unites the pair of radius links,
whilst the other end is connected by a universal or other joint, to the base framing,
or to a bracket carried thereon or attached thereon and coming preferably at a point
forward of the attachment boss.
The lower end of the single spring at the front is jointed to the base framing,
which may be of the double-sided pressed out type, or consist of two wires running
one on either side of the boss, or four wires arranged two on each side of the boss,
whilst its summit is made fast to the tension bracket or peak plate, so that when a
traversing motion accompanied by cross sway is set up in the seat, the said spring
inclines from the vertical and also defects laterally in following up or conforming
to the movement made by the seat, whilst the back spring remains erect or
perpendicular when only a forward and back traverse is made but, during a

page_text: swaying movement, the spring, whether distended or compressed, takes the function
of a universal and (to a limited extent) yielding joint about which the seat turns as
a fulcrum.
--
The tie rod may be in the form of a spring, with loop coils introduced, if
necessary, into it, and with the inner end connected to the base framing by a loop
or other spring so as to admit of the necessary universal movement.
It is to be understood that the exact number of springs and the herein described
mode of connecting the supporting springs, need not necessarily be employed so
long as they are capable of supporting the saddle and admit of making the required
movements required by the changes in position of the seat, and further, instead of
employing coiled springs, other forms of springs may be used, such as levering or
loop coiled springs with their ends universally or otherwise connected, and instead
of the radius links being jointed to and swinging from hanging brackets of the
stretcher rods, they may be jointed to any other convenient part of the framing.
Dated this 30th day of November 1897.
JOHN BOULTBEE BROOKS.
ΙΟΗΝ ΠΟΙ
We, JOHN BOULTBEE BROOKS, Managing Director of J. B. Brooks and Company,
Limited, of Great Charles Street, in the City of Birmingham, Manufacturers, and
JOHN HOLT, of Great Charles Street, Birmingham aforesaid, Manager of Works,
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 cycle saddles, and has for its object, the mounting of
the saddle seat in such a manner that the same admits of following or lending it-
self to the movements made by the rider in pedalling.
The invention consists in combining with a spring-supported seat means for
admitting of simultaneous traversing, and vertical yielding movements, as herein-
after fully described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which
Figure 1 represents an elevation, with the seat in section, of a cycle saddle con-
structed and arranged according to one form of our invention.
Figure 2 is a plan of Figure 1 with the seat removed.
Figure 3 is a longitudinal vertical section of Figure 2 upon the dotted line a¹.
Figure 4 is an elevation of the front end of this saddle, and
Figure 5 is a like view of the back thereof.
The same letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the said Figures 1
to 5.
According to this form of the invention, the saddle seat a, is provided on the
underside, with a pair of separated stretcher rods or bars b, each connected at their
opposite ends 61, 62, respectively to the tension bracket al, of the peak plate a², and
to the back or cantle plate a³. The said back ends 62, which may be separated or
set at a greater distance apart than the frout ends 6', are provided with integral or
attached hanging brackets 68, depending to a considerable distance below them and
having their lower ends 64, jointed or connected to the lower terminations c², of a pair
of rocking radius arms or arc links, c,,wbose upper parts c², are jointed by means of a

page_text: cross pin c, to a cross bar or head c³, made fast by a nut c, and pin c³, (or other
convenient means) to the summit d¹, of a single and preferably strong pillar-coiled
seat-supporting spring d, disposed centrally between the hanging brackets and
links, and with its lower or rest end d², made fast to a crossing back bar e¹, of a
rigid base framing or bracket e, whose other and forward end e³, supports another
pillar-coiled spring f, the lower end f, of which is jointedly connected to the said
base framing, whilst its upper end 2, is secured, preferably by joint connection
such as f³, to ears b³, or other like parts of the seat-stretcher frame members b, or
the summit of the said spring may be jointed to the tension bracket, or to the peak
plate.
The back supporting spring d, is stayed against swaying motion in the longer
direction of the saddle, by a tie rod g, made fast at one end g¹, to the summit d', of
the spring d, or to the cross bar c³, which unites the pair of radius links, whilst the
other end 2, is connected by a universal or other joint h, to the summits et, of a
pair of brackets e, carried by, or attached to, the base framing e, and coming
preferably at a point forward of the attachment boss which is secured to the base
frame and connects the saddle to the seat pillar of a bicycle.
i is a supplementary or auxiliary buffering spring which is introduced longitudin-
ally between the stationary base e, and the traversing parts b, of the saddle framing,
preferably by jointedly connecting its rearward end it, to the pin e, disposed between
the summits of the base brackets e5, and fixing the front 2, to a cross piece 6º, dis-
posed between the forward parts b¹, of the seat stretcher members.
The lower end of the single spring f, at the front is jointed at f4, to the base
framing, which may be of the double-sided pressed-out sheet-metal type, as repre-
sented in the drawings, or may consist of two wires running one on either side of
the attachment boss, or of four wires arranged two on each side of the boss, whilst
its summit is jointed, as aforesaid, to the seat stretchers b, adjacent to the tension
bracket or peak plate, so that when a traversing motion is set up in the seat, the
said spring f, inclines from the vertical in following up or conforming to the move-
ment made by the seat, whilst the stayed back spring d, from which the back of
the seat is suspended through the medium of the hanging and rocking links c,
remains erect or perpendicular, whilst the auxiliary check or stay spring i,
which is distended when the seat moves forward and compressed on backward
movement, serves as a means for equalising the movement and preventing undue
traverse.
The tie rod g, instead of being rigid, may also be in the form of a spring,
with loop coils introduced, if necessary, into it, and its inner end may be
connected to the base framing by a loop or other spring so as to admit of the
necessary movement.
As a modification of our invention, instead of suspending the rocking links,
upon which the seat stretcher framing members of the saddle are mounted,
from the summit of a pillar coiled spring or springs mounted upon a rigid base
framing, the said rocking links may be suspended or hung from levering arms or
equivalent extensions of a spring-organised base framing.
Figure 6 represents an elevation, with the seat in section, of a cycle saddle
constructed according to this modification, showing the various parts in their normal
position.
Figure 7 is an underside plan of Figure 6.
Figure 8 is a longitudinal vertical section of Figure 2 upon the dotted lines x²,
but showing the several parts in the positions which they assume when the seat is
traversed forward, with the front supporting spring rocked upon its joint and the
equalizing or stay spring distended.
Figure 9 is a front end view of Figure 6 and Figure 10 a back end view of the
saddle (less the check spring) with the parts in the same positions as represented in
Figure 6.
In the said Figures 6 to 10, like letters are used to indicate the corresponding

page_text: parts, a being the saddle seat leather, stretched or distended by stretcher members b
as before and with the rear parts of the latter having hanging brackets 68, to which
the lower ends c², of the rocking radius links c, are jointedly connected, whilst
their upper ends c¹, are hung from the outer ends ¹, of upwardly levering arms or
spring extensions d, of a spring organised base frame e, which preferably has loop
coils such as e¹, at its junction with levering arms whilst the forward end e², has
jointed to it, at f, the foot of the front supporting spring f, whose summit is pivoted
at 3, to the front ends b¹, of the stretcher members b, in like manner as described
in the first arrangement.
i is the longitudinal stay or tie spring directed between the fixed and movable
parts of the framing and by which the traverse of the seat is equalized and the
rocking of the front spring f, and back links c, is restrained, the said spring having
its forward end made fast to a cross bar such as 66, directed between the stretcher
frames b, whilst its rear end is secured by a connection such as c4, to another crossing
piece c³, directed between the rearward ends 1, of the spring arms d; while to ears c
at the ends of the cross bar c³, the upper ends of the rocking links c, are jointed.
Figure 11 represents partly in elevation and partly in section, a cycle saddle
constructed according to another form of the modification shown in Figures 1
to 10.
Figure 12 is an underside plan thereof.
In this arrangement, the coiled spring for supporting the front is dispensed with
and the forward part is supported or hung from a rocking link or links jointed to
a spring member or part of a resilient base framing in like manner as employed in
the last arrangement at the back.
a is the saddle seat and b are the seat stretcher bars, which have opposite pairs
of hanging brackets 63, 6, depending from the rear parts 62, and forward parts b¹,
respectively. The rearward brackets 63, have jointed to them, as before, the lower
ends of the rocking links c, whose upper ends are pivoted to a fitting such as c³,
supported by the outer ends (, of the levering arms d, forming extension of a
spring base frame e, whilst the lower ends of the front brackets 64, have jointed in
common to them, the lower end f¹, of a single rocking link f, suspended from, and
jointed at its upper ends f2, to the converging and connected ends of curved front
springs e, which may either form continuation of the base frame e, or be an
attachınent to the front end thereof. A check spring i, is disposed, as before,
between a portion of the fixed framing b, and a cross bar c³, or equivalent fitting
of the relatively fixed or base framing.
As a further modification of the invention, the rocking links from which the saddle
is suspended either at the back, or at the front, or both, may be connected to the
spring members of the base framing by rubber or yielding joints.
Figure 13 represents partly in section and partly in elevation, the application of
such resilient joints for forming the connection between the back suspension links
and the ends of the rearward levering or spring arms of the base framing.
Figure 14 is an underside plan of Figure 13.
Figure 15 represents one of the said resilient joints with the parts in the positions
they assume when the saddle seat is traversed forwards.
Figure 16 is an elevation of the back end of the saddle and Figure 17 a like
view of the forward end.
a is the seat, 6 the stretcher members with brackets 63, 64, depending from them
at back and front. e is the base framing with the radius link f, jointedly hung from
the front spring member e¹, thereof, whilst dare the rearward levering arms, the
ends d', of which are fitted with rubber or resilient joints i, for connecting thereto
the back radius links c, whose lower ends are jointed to the brackets 63, of the seat
stretcher members b. These joints each consist of a pair of rubber or elastic
blocks 1, 2, threaded upon the summits of the link c, and disposed one above and
one below the eyed or equivalent metallic fitting d², attached to the levering spring
and being confined between upper and lower washers or plates 3, 4, the whole of

page_text: the parts being kept together by a nut is, screwing onto the extreme end of the link,
which is thus resiliently suspended from the arm d. Each of the upper blocks ¹
has its foot end located within a cup or sinking d³, made in the top side of the eye d²
whilst the holes d', through the said eyes, have ample clearance to admit of the
oscillation of the radius links on the movement of the seat. No check or stay
spring is employed in this arrangement and the movement of the seat is restrained
and equalized by the resilient joints i.
On a rider mounting the saddle, his weight is transmitted through the arms of the
stretcher frame, and through the jointed radius links to the levering arms or spring
organized portions of the base framing, which are straightened out or drawn down
and at the same time the coils are closed.
Then on the rider pedalling, a to and fro traversing or reciprocating movement is
imparted (by the movements of the riders body) to the saddle seat and stretcher
framings relative to the fixed parts of the base framing and the jointed links are
rocked to and fro upon their joint centres whilst by the alternating variations of
weight pressure set up by the pedalling action, the levering arms of the spring
base rise and fall and thus act as an anti-concussion means.
Figure 18 represents a still further modification of our invention, in which the seat
framing is suspended by a system of jointed links, whose upper ends are pivoted
to another form of spring organized base or underframing, consisting of longitudinal
members supported upou the summits of coiled springs mounted upon a rigid base
framing to which the attachment boss is secured.
a
is the saddle seat and is a stretcher framing which has depending
brackets 63, 64, whilst e is the rigid base framing, carrying at its back and front
ends et, d¹, respectively, pillar coiled springs f and d, which support a pair of
longitudinal stay members e², or equivalent framing whose ends are connected to
the said pillar springs while a swaying connection between this resilient supporting
framing and the seat stretcher framing b, is made by suspended links c, c¹, whose
lower ends are respectively jointed to the brackets 63, bt, of the members b,
whilst their upper ends are pivoted at es, et, to the spring supported members e².
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is
First In a cycle saddle having hanging and swaying links, mounting the said
links upon springs, or stayed springs or other yielding connections substantially as
described and set forth.
Secondly-In a cycle saddle having a swaying seat, mounting the framing which
carries the seat at one end upon a swaying or joint-ended spring or springs, and at
the other end upon a spring-supported link or links, and with an equalizing or
check spring arranged between a part of the fixed framing and the movable seat
frame, substantially as described and set forth in Figures 1 to 5.
Thirdly In a cycle saddle having a swaying seat, mounting the framing which
carries the seat upon swaying links which are jointedly connected to, and supported
by, a spring organized base or equivalent framing, substantially as described and
set forth.
Fourthly-In a cycle saddle having a swaying seat, mounting the framing
which carries the seat at one end upon a rocking or joint-ended spring or springs,
and at the other end upon a rocking-link or links suspended from levering or
supporting arms of a spring organized base or like framing, with or without a
check spring or equivalent means to equalize the movement of the seat so
mounted, substantially as described and set forth in Figures 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10.
Fifthly In a cycle saddle having a swaying seat, the combination with a
saddle seat, mounted upon seat stretcher framings, of a system of rocking links,
carried by the said stretcher framing and with their upper ends being suspended
from, and connected by rubber or resilient joints, such as i, to the back and front

page_text: ends or levering portions of a spring or organized base or like framing, with the
parts of the said joints being arranged and operating substantially as described and
set forth in Figures 13 to 17.
Dated this 16th day of September 1808
JOHN BOULTBEE BROOKS.
JOHN HOLT.
By Henry Skerrett,
24, Temple Row, Birmingham, Agent for Applicants.