An Improved Cycle Saddle Support.
Year: 1895

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Cycle Saddle Support.
ALBERT JAMES SOUTHEY, Surgeon, Colnbrook, Bucks, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:
A support for the saddles of bicycles and other velocipedes so constructed that
the saddle can be raised or lowered within certain limits by the rider without his
dismounting and so that when the saddle is lowered the rider while seated on it can
place his feet on the ground while when it is raised the rider is at a convenient
hight for working the treadles of the cycle. I effect this in the following
manner.
In the place usually occupied by the saddle bar of a cycle having a fixed saddle
I insert a tube or socket about 18 inches long, the lower end being closed and the
upper open. In the bottom of this tube I place a strong spiral spring above
which in the tube I place a saddle bar of the usual shape but longer and made
with a slot in which a stud or feather fixed on the inside of the tube engages.
This is to prevent the saddle bar turning round in the tube. Or any other suitable
device may be used to prevent the saddle bar turning round while allowing it to
slide freely up and down in the tube. I fix a spring catch either to the tube or
the bar so arranged that the catch will securely fix the bar in the tube at either
extremity of the travel permitted but will allow the bar to slide freely in the tube
between the two extremes. I fix a cord or other connection between the handle
of the cycle and this catch so that the rider can conveniently withdraw the catch
at will and allow the bar to rise or fall within the limit of the travel provided.
I provide suitable stops to prevent the bar travelling beyond the limit desired.
I fix the saddle to the bar in the usual way. I intend this apparatus to be used
thus When the rider desires to mount the cycle he depresses the saddle bar by
pressing on the saddle until the spring catch engages and secures the bar at the
The rider then mounts, the saddle being
lower extremity of the travel allowed.
at such a bight that he can easily keep his feet on the ground. He then starts the
cycle in the usual way and then, by putting the greater part of his weight on to
the handles and treadles and by withdrawing the spring catch, allows the saddle
bar to rise, by the pressure of the spiral spring, to the top extremity of the travel
When the rider
allowed and there engage with and be fixed by the spring catch.
desires to stop or dismount he withdraws the spring catch, allowing the greater
part of his weight to remain on the saddle. The spiral spring is depressed by the
rider's weight till the bar falls to the lower extremity of the travel allowed
5 and there engages with and is fixed by the spring catch. The saddle is now
at such a hight that the rider can place his feet on the ground.
Dated this 23rd day of September 1895.

page_text: I, ALBERT JAMES SOUTHEY, of Colnbrook near Slough in the County of
Bucks, Surgeon, 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 :-
My invention consists of a support for the saddles of bicycles and other
velocipedes, so constructed that the saddle can be raised and lowered within
certain limits at the will of the rider without his dismounting, and to a sufficient
extent to allow him to easily put his feet on the ground when the saddle is lowered,
while when it is raised he is at a convenient height for advantageously working
the pedals of the machine.
In order that my invention may be clearly understood reference is had to the
accompanying drawings, upon which,
Figure 1, is an elevation of my improved cycle saddle support shewing the
saddle and its support in the top position.
Figure 2 being a similar view shewing the movable support in its lowest
position to facilitate mounting, dismounting or resting.
In carrying out my invention, I insert in the down-tube, or place usually
occupied by the saddle-pillar of a cycle having a fixed saddle, a tube or socket A,
closed at its lower end and open at its upper end, and of sufficient dimensions for
the purposes hereinafter described. Within the tube or socket A, and at the
lower end thereof I arrange a spiral spring B capable of being depressed when
the weight of the rider is allowed to act upon it, and above the spring B is placed
a seat-pillar C of ordinary form but longer than usual, and provided with a longi-
tudinal slot D for the purpose of engaging a stud or feather E, formed on, or
secured to the interior face of the tubular socket A. By this arrangement the
seat-pillar C while prevented from turning in the socket A, is capable of sliding
up and down therein upon the application of sufficient downward pressure, and the
subsequent reaction of the spring B against which it abuts, as shewn on the
drawings. Or, in lieu of the stud and slot above described, I may adopt any
other suitable device to prevent the seat-pillar from turning while allowing it an
up-and-down movement in the tube A.
Suitable stops are provided on the seat-pillar to limit its travel upwards and
downwards within the socket. For this purpose a shoulder F may be formed on
the upper part of the pillar C to abut against the upper end of the socket A,
and the longitudinal slot D arranged to terminate at such a position that the
stud E in the socket acts as a stop at the end of the upward movement.
In order to secure the seat-pillar C in the tube or socket A either in its highest
or in its lowest position as and when required, I arrange a spring-catch G
(see Figures 1 and 2) on the socket to automatically engage with recesses Hon
the pillar Cat the upper and lower limits of its travel. To release the catch G
when required, and allow the seat-pillar C to rise or fall to the extent provided
within the limits of its travel, a cord or other suitable connection I is arranged
between the handle-bar of the machine and the spring-catch G whereby the latter
may be withdrawn from engagement. The saddle is mounted upon and secured to
the movable seat-pillar in any ordinary manner.
In use, when the rider desires to mount a cycle fitted with the above described
arrangement, he withdraws the spring-catch G by pulling the cord or other con-
nection I, and depresses the seat-pillar by exerting pressure on the saddle until the
spring-catch engages with the pillar C thereby securing it in its lowest position
(Figure 2). In this position the height of the saddle is such as to enable the
rider to mount and still to keep his feet on the ground. He then starts the

page_text: machine in the usual manner, and by putting the greater part of his weight on
to the handles and pedals, and at the same time withdrawing the spring-catch G
by means of the cord or other connection I, unlocks the seat-pillar C which then
ascends by pressure of the spiral spring B to the top of its travel where it is.
engaged by the spring-catch G and thus secured in its highest position, as shewn
on Figure 1. When the rider desires to dismount, or to stop without dismounting,
he withdraws the spring-catch G from engagement, at the same time allowing his
weight to bear as fully as possible on the saddle. The spiral spring B yields under
the rider's weight till the seat-pillar C descends to the lower extremity of the
travel allowed, and is there engaged and secured by the spring-catch G in the
position shewn on Figure 2. The saddle is then at such a height that the rider
can readily place his feet on the ground and keep the machine at a standstill
without dismounting.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
A seat-pillar C for bicycles and other velocipedes, movably arranged within a
socket A inserted in the ordinary down-tube and detachable therefrom, said
socket A being closed at its lower end and provided with a spiral spring B
arranged below the end of the seat-pillar, and a stud E, engaging in a longitudinal
slot D, formed in said movable pillar C, serving as a stop and guide for the purpose
of limiting the movement of the pillar, substantially as and for the purposes
described.
Dated this 1. wenty-second day of sun
For the Applicant,
GEDGE & FEENY,
60 Queen Victoria Street, London, E.C., Chartered Patent Agents.