Improvements in and relating to Seats or Saddles for Velocipedes.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 6th Feb, 1888
Complete Specification Left, 30th Oct., 1888
Complete Specification Accepted, 14th Dec., 1888
Improvements in and relating to Seats or Saddles for Velocipedes.
1, HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of
this invention to be as follows :-
This invention relates more particularly to that class of saddles adapted for use in
connection with tricycles and the "Rover Type" of safety bicycles, wherein the said
saddles are supported by bars other than the ordinary curved back-hones, such as are
commonly used in the Standard Type of bicycles.
The object of this invention is to secure greater ease and comfort to riders on
vehicles of the first mentioned class, to avoid the use of certain objectionable framos
heretofore used in the saddles for said vehicles, (said frames being supported under-
neath by springs) and also to prevent a certain objectionable back movement common
to the scats having said frames; to enable the saddie to be adjusted to conform to the
shape and suit the form and desire of the rider; to give the rider greater control of
the machine and to obtain additionable advantages in detail which will be hereinafter set
forth in connection with the description of the mechanism by which the invention is
effected.
Referring to the accompanying drawings embraced in two sheets in which like
letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in each of the several figures,
Figure 1, Sheet 1, is a plan of the underside of a saddle, Figure 2 is a central vertical
section of the same, Figure 3 is a detail plan of a certain rear spring particularly
adapted for use in connection with the improved seat, Figures 4, 5 and 6 are respec-
tively a side view, a plan and a section on lines of a certain casting adapted to coact
with other parts to allow the seat to be adjusted to lie at any desired angle, and
Figure 7 is a detail view of a pivotal bolt adapted to hold the upper parts of the
saddle in place, Figure 8, Sheet 2, is a plan of a certain stretcher bar or support for
the seat; Figure 9 is a section of the same on line y ; Figure 10 is a side view in
detail, showing the mode of holding said bar upon its supports, and Figure 11 is an end

page_text: view of the same and Figures 12, 13, 14 and 16 are detail views showing certain
modifications which will be duly explained.
In said drawings, a, Figure 2, indicates in outline a suitable support or bar of the
vehicle frame; of any desired -construction, indicates a base piece adapted to be
secured on said support, in any suitable manner, but preferably by means of a set
screw or a clump whereby the said base can be easily and quickly removed from said
support, and with it the parts arranged thereon. Said base is preferably provided with
a perforation, c, to receive the horizontal end, a', of the support. It is also provided
with threaded perforations at right angles to the first said perforation, to receive a
set-screw, also a recess, e, at the top, to receive the head of a certain bolt, f, and
with pivotal bearings, or bearings for a pivot, h, adapted to hold the head of the said
bolt, within the said recess, and to allow the said bolt a pivotal movement thereon,
although this said bolt may be made or cast integral with said base. Said base may
also be provided with curved or segmental bearings, as shown in Figure 10 at i, adapted
to allow a segmental casting, Figures 2, 4, 56 10 and 11 provided with correspondingly
curved bearings, h, to be seated thereon, and to be moved backward and forward so
that certain bearings, 1, at the upper part of said casting, 1, will so change their
rulation to the support, a, or the other part of the vehicle that the seat or saddle may
be brought into a position or inclination to suit the convenience or ease of the rider:
the said bearing 1, may be made to lie level, or to incline in either of the two opposite
directions, as will be understood upon reference to Figure 10. The seginental
surfaces may he corrugated or roughened to more certainly prevent slipping.
The casting, is provided with an opening, m, to allow the passage of the bolt
therethrough the said passage or opening being preferably in the form of a slot to
allow of a slight play to the bolt and admit of its changing its angle therein.
;
At the top or upper surface of the casting, j, the same may be provided with
lugs, n, n; said lugs are adapted to enter a recess o' in a stretcher bar, supporting
bar or plate, o, of the seat, and prevent the latter from turning laterally thereon.
These said lugs may be dispensed with and friction alone be depended upon to
prevent such turning, or other suitable means may be provided to accomplish the
desired result.
Upon the casting, j, which may be termed an adjustable seat for the stretcher bar,
and which may be integral with said stretcher bar, is or may be arranged said stretcher
bar, o, upon which the saddle seat, which is of the class known as suspension saddles,
is arranged. I prefer to make the stretcher bar and casting or seat, j in two or more
pieces, as in that case the said bar may be adjusted longitudinally on said seat, and
thus the contre of gravity be changed.
The stretcher bar, from the front, where it bears upon the seat, or is supported,
projects forward and upwardly, and at the forward extremity is provided with a
shoulder or bearing, 2, from which a post or stud, g, extends, a spring, r is, or may be
arranged on said studs the same being interposed between the bearings, p², and a
cooperating bearing s, of a front saddle plate, and being adapted to receive the strain
caused by the weight of the rider on the saddle and cushioning the jar of the vehicle,
and thus relieve the rider of the unpleasant effects of such jar.
The spring, r, is but a short one of considerable rigidity, so that there can be but a
slight movement of the bearing s.
The forward bearing of the saddle is approximately rigid, and the rider is given
thereat a certain purchase or basic hold which enables him to operate the movable
parts of the machine, such as the pedals, with greater force, case and certainty, than in
cases where both the front and rear of the saddle are supported on the long and more
flexible springs.
By being arranged on the post or stud, 9, the spring is only allowed a horizontal
movement, and none, or very little lateral movement, so that a lady can seat herself in
the saddle and draw her skirts laterally thereover, without at the same time drawing
the body of the saddle out of place, so that when it springs back, it brings the skirts
with it.
The spring is preferably not a straight one axially, but is given a curve, as shown

page_text: in Figures 2 and 13. By this means, when the weight of the saddle and the rider is
brought thereon, it not only moves axially, but also slightly in a vertical longitudinal
plane. This tends to farther relieve the rider of the forward vibration without
causing him to lose control of the machine.
The forward plate, t, is of peculiar construction, and although specially adapted for
the device shown, may be employed in other devices having proper cooperating parts.
Said plate consists of a rounded plate, t", the sides, of which are perforated, as at t³,
and serve to hold the leather of the saddle in a doubled form at its forward extremity;
the said leather being riveted against said sides by means of the perforation, t³, and
suitable rivets.
At the front, the said forward plate, t, is provided with an eye, s, into which the
stud, g, extends, as shown in Figure 2, and between which bearing and the shoulder, p',
the spring is arranged.
Said eye slides upon the stud, backward and forward, but no material lateral
movement is allowed. A hook or other means may be used to connect the front of
the saddle top to said stretcher plate or har.
The rear plate, u, is provided with lugs, u¹, u¹, which are perforated to allow the
passage therethrough of the ends of a rear spring, v, upon which the rear of the top
or sent is seated.
Said rear spring. is somewhat similar in construction to those heretofore employed,
but embodied certain new features whereby it is adapted to the new conditions
involved in the present invention.
The ends, v, of the spring are threaded, as shown in Figure 1, and are held in the
lugs, u, u, by means of nuts, ².
By means of the nuts the resilient quality of the spring may be materially modified ;
that is to say by screwing up the nuts, the coils. when the same are used, can be made
smaller, and the spring thus rendered less flexible, while by loosening the said nuts,
the reverse results may be secured.
Just back of the threaded extremities of the spring, between said extremities and
the coils or spirals, v³, or the downwardly bent portion, the upper ends, vl, of the
spring are doubled or bent laterally out of a straight course, as shown in Figure 3,
the doubled portions, extending towards one another and serving to secure a
peculiar effect which is desirable in turning curves and it is also effective especially
in allowing a peculiar side movement.
The lower end,, of the spring, where it is brought into connection with the bar, o,
is doubled and extends forward, to provide a suitable base or bearing whereby it may
be firmly and immovably seated on said bar, o.
Said bearing,, is preferably held down upon said bar, o, by means of an upwardly
extending bolt, 2, it cross-piece, 3, adjusted upon said bolt and lying upon said
bearing, and a nut, 4, which is screwed upon the threaded end of said bolt, and
holds the cross-piece, 3, upon the bearing, &, holding the latter down upon the scat of
the bar, o.
The cross-bar or piece, 3, may be recessed on the underside, to receive the two
parallel or approximately parallel parts of the doubled bearing, thus securing a more
perfect frictional contact and preventing any lateral movement of the hearing, 2 on
its seat.
The upper side of the bar, o, is provided with projections, 11, adapted to engage
the sides of the bearings, v, and prevent a lateral movement.
Between the perforated lugs and the unts for holding the upper extremities of the
spring within said lugs, are interposed washers, 12, of peculiar construction. These
are provided at their central parts, around the perforations therein, with raised
ridges, 183, on their outer sides, to provide for irregularities in the castings and
direction of the threaded portions of the spring, enabling the nut to gain less frictional
contact with said lugs, thus lessening the liability of automatic unscrewing and to
also to obviate the use of an extra set-nut.
By means of the device thus described, I am enabled to accommodate the saddle to
the exact requirements of the rider. by changing the centre of gravity of the seat,

page_text: varying the inclination of the same, adjusting the spring in its relation to its seat on
the bar, o, and also in its relation to the rear plate of the seat, and while I secure
peculiar rigidity or firmness at the forward part of the saddle or bearing, against
which the legs of the rider can find a reliable purchase, I obtain thereat sufficient
spring to deaden or cushion the vibration incident to riding over irregular-surfaces,
such as a paved street.
By my construction, I am furthermore enabled after once finding the proper
adjustment with reference to the inclination or pitch of the seat, the centre of gravity
of the saddle, the desired elasticity of spring, etc., to quickly remove the saddle, as a
whole, from the vehicle to keep the saddle dry should a sudden storm of rain happen
while riding, without disturbing any of said features of adjustment, so that when the
rider desires to re-insert the saddle into the vehicle, all that is necessary to place the
bar b, upon the support or bar a of the vehicle and then turn the set screw to fix
the parts permanently in their proper relative positions.
I am fully aware that changes of construction or modifications herein may be made,
without departing from the spirit of this invention; for example in the construction
of the rear spring v, the coils may be dispensed with and the said spring be constructed
as in figures 12 and 14, and I may add additional springs, as for example figures 2
and 13, in which I have shown vertical springs, and the first supporting the
flexible seat at about the centre thereof, and the latter supporting it at the forward
part, against vertical depression.
Dated this fith dow of Tinh 1000
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: I, HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co. Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, 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 more particularly to that class of saddles adapted for use in
connection with tricycles and the "Rover Type" of safety bicycles, wherein the said
saddles are supported by bars other than the ordinary curved back-bones, such as are
commonly used in the Standard Type of bicycles.
The object of this invention is to secure greater ease and comfort to riders on
vehicles of the first mentioned class, to avoid the use of certain objectionable frames
beretofore used in the saddles for said vehicles, (said frames being supported under-
neath by springs) and also to prevent a certain objectionable back movement cominon
to the seats having said frames; to enable the saddle to be adjusted to conform to the
shape and suit the form and desire of the rider; to give the rider greater control of
the machine and to obtain additionable advantages in detail which will be hereinafter
set forth in connection with the description of the mechanism by which the invention
is effected.
Referring to the drawings filed with the Provisional Specification embraced in two
sheets in which like letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in each of the
several figures, Figure 1, Sheet 1, is a plan of the underside of a saddlo, Figure 2 is a
central vertical section of the same, Figure 8 is a detail plan of a certain rear spring
particularly adapted for use in connection with the improved seat, Figures 4, 5 and 6
are respectively a side view, a plan and a section on lines of a certain casting
adapted to coact with other parts to allow the seat to be adjusted to lie at any desired
angle, and Figure 7 is a detail view of a pivotal bolt adapted to hold the upper parts
of the saddle in place, Figure 8, Sheet 2, is a plan of a certain stretcher bar or
support for the seat; Figure 9 is a section of the same on line y: Figure 10 is a
side view in detail, showing the mode of holding said har upon its supports, and
Figure 11 is an end view of the same and Figures 12, 13, 14 and 16 are detail views
showing certain modifications which will be duly explained.
In said drawings, a, Figure 2, indicates in outline a suitable support or bar of the
vehicle frame, of any desired construction, indicates a base piece adapted to be
secured on said support, in any suitable manner, but preferably by means of a set
screw or a clamp whereby the said base can be easily and quickly removed from said
support, and with it the parts arranged thereon. Said base is preferably provided
with a perforation, c, to receive the horizontal end, a', of the support. It is also
provided with threaded perforations at right angies to the first said perforation, to
receive a set-screw, d; also a recess, e, at the top, to receive the head of a certain
bolt, f, and with pivotal bearings, or bearings for a pivot, h, adapted to hold the

page_text: head of the said bolt, f, within the said recess, and to allow the said bolt a pivotal
movement thereon, although this said bolt may be made or cast integral with said
base. Said base may also be provided with curved or segmental bearings, as shown
in Figure 10 ati, adapted to allow a segmental casting, Figures 2, 4, 5 6 10 & 11,
provided with correspondingly curved bearings, k, to be seated thereon, and to be
inoved backward and forward so that certain bearings, i, at the upper part of said
casting, j, will so change their relation to the support, a, or the other part of the
vehicle that the seat or saddle may be brought into a position or inclination to suit
the convenience or ease of the rider: the said bearing 1, may be made to lie level, or to
incline in either of the two opposite directions, as will be understood upon reference
to Figure 10. The segmental surfaces may be corrugated or roughened to more
certainly prevent slipping.
The casting,, is provided with an opening, m, to allow the passage of the bolt
therethrough the said passage or opening being preferably in the form of a slot to
allow of a slight play to the bolt and admit of its changing its angle therein.
i
At the top or upper surface of the casting, j, the same may be provided with
lugs, n, n; said lugs are adapted to enter a recess o¹ in a stretcher bar, supporting
bar or plate, o, of the seat, and prevent the latter from turning laterally thereon.
These said lugs may be dispensed with and friction alone be depended upon to
provent such turning, or other suitable means may be provided to accomplish the
desired result.
Upon the casting, j, which may be termed an adjustable seat for the stretcher bar,
and which may be integral with said stretcher bar, is or may be arranged said stretcher
bar, o, upon which the saddle seat, which is of the class known as suspension saddles,
is arranged. I prefer to make the stretcher bar and casting or seat, j in two or
more pieces, as in that case the said bar may be adjusted longitudinally on said seat,
and thus the centre of gravity be changed.
The stretcher bar, from the front, where it bears upon the seat, or is supported,
projects forward and upwardly, and at the forward extremity is provided with a
shoulder or bearing, p', from which a post or stud, g, extends, a spring, r, is or may
be arranged on said studs the same being interposed between the bearings, p², and
a cooperating bearing, s, of a front saddle plate, and being adapted to receive the strain
caused by the weight of the rider on the saddle and cushioning the jar of the
vehicle and thus relieve the rider of the unpleasant effects of said jar.
The spring, r, is but a short one of considerable rigidity, so that there can be but a
slight movement of the bearing, s.
The forward bearing of the saddle is approximately rigid, and the rider is given
thereat a certain purchase or basic hold which enables him to operate the movable
parts of the machine, such as the pedals with greater force, ease and certainty, than
in cases where both the front and rear of the saddle are supported on the long and
more flexible springs.
By having arranged on the post or stud, g, the spring is only allowed a horizontal
movement and none or very little lateral movement, so that a lady can seat herself
in the saddle and draw her skirts laterally thereover without at the same time
drawing the body of the saddle out of place, so that when it springs back it brings
the skirts with it.
The spring is preferably not a straight one axially but is given a curve as shown
in Figures 2 & 13 by this means when the weight of the saddle and the rider is
brought thereon, it not only moves axially but also slightly in a vertical longitudinal
plane, this tends to further relieve the rider of the forward vibration without causing
him to lose control of the machine.
The forward plate, t, is of peculiar construction, and although specially adapted for
the device shown, may be employed in other devices having proper cooperating
parts. Said plate consists of a rounded plate, t¹, the sides, t² of which are perforated,
as at t, and serve to hold the leather of the saddle in a doubled form at its forward
extremity; the said leather being riveted against said sides by means of the
perforation, t³, and suitable rivets.

page_text: At the front, the said forward plate, t, is provided with an eye, s, into which the
stud, g, extends, as shown in Figure 2, and between which bearing and the
shoulder, p, and the spring is arranged.
Said eye slides upon the stud, backward and forward, but no material lateral
movement is allowed. A hook or other means may be used to connect the front of the
saddle top to said stretcher plate or bar.
The rear plate, u, is provided with lugs, u', u', which are perforated to allow the
passage therethrough of the ends of a rear spring, u, upon which the rear of the top
or seat is seated.
Said rear spring is somewhat similar in construction to those heretofore employed, but
embodying certain new features whereby it is adapted to the new conditions involved
in the present invention.
The ends, v², of the spring are threaded, as shown in Figure 1, and are held in the
lugs, u, u, by means of nuts,
By means of the nuts the resilient quality of the spring may be materially modified;
that is to say by screwing up the nuts, the coils, when the same are used can be
made smaller, and the spring thus rendered less flexible, while by loosening the said
nuts, the reverse result inay be secured.
Just back of the threaded extremities of the spring, hetween said extremities and
the coils or spirals, o, or the downwardly bent portion, the upper ends, v¹, of the spring
are doubled or bent laterally out of a straight course, as shown in Figure 3, the
doubled portions, extending towards one another and serving to secure a peculiar
effect which is desirable in turning curves and it is also effective especially in allowing a
peculiar side movement.
The lower end, , of the spring, where it is brought into connection with the bar, o,
is doubled and extends forward, to provide a suitable base or bearing whereby it may
be firmly and immovably seated on said bar, o.
Said bearing, v, is preferably held down upon said bar, o, by means of an upwardly
extending bolt, 2 a cross-piece, 3, adjusted upon said bolt and lying upon said
bearing, and a nut, 4, which is screwed upon the threaded end of said bolt, and
and holds the cross-piece, 3, upon the bearing, , holding the latter down upon the
seat of the bar, o.
The cross-bar or piece, 3, may be recessed on the underside, to receive the two
parallel or approximately parallel parts of the double bearing, thus, securing a more
perfect frictional contact and preventing any lateral movemont of the bearing, v³
on its seat.
The upper side of the bar, o, is provided with projections, 11, adapted to allow the
sides of the bearings, , to engage therewith to prevent a lateral movement.
Between the perforated lugs and the nuts for holding the upper extremities of the
spring within said lugs are interposed washers, 12, of peculiar construction. These
are provided at their central parts around the perforations therein with raised.
ridges, 13, on their outer sides, to provide for irregularities in the castings and
direction of the threaded portions of the spring, and enabling the nut to gain less
frictional contact with said lugs, thus lessening the liability of automatic unscrewing
and also to obviate the use of an extra set nut.
By means of the device thus described, I am enabled, to accommodate the saddle
to the exact requirements of the rider by changing the centre of gravity of the seat
varying the inclination of the same, adjusting the spring in its relation to its seat on
the bar, o, and, also in its relation to the rear plate of the seat, and while | secure
peculiar rigidity or firmness at the forward part of the saddle or bearing against
which the legs of the rider can find a reliable purchase I obtain therent sufficient
spring to deaden or cushion the vibration incident to riding over irregular surfaces,
such as a paved street.
By my construction, I am furthermore enabled after once finding the proper
adjustment with reference to the inclination or pitch of the seat, the centre of gravity
of the saddle, the desired elasticity of spring, etc., to quickly remove the saddle, as a

page_text: whole, from the vehicle, to keep the saddle dry should a sudden storm of rain happen
while riding, without disturbing any of said features of adjustment, so that when the
rider desires to re-insert the saddle into the vehicle, all that is necessary to place the
bar, b, apon-the-support or bar, a, of the vehicle and then turn the set screw to fix
the parts permanently in their proper relative positions.
1 am fully aware that changes of construction or modifications herein may be
made, without departing from the spirit of this invention; for example in the
construction of the rear spring, v, the coils may be dispensed with and the said spring
be constructed as in Figures 12 and 14, and I may add additional springs, as for
example Figures 2 and 13, in which 1 have showu vertical springs, and, the first
supporting the flexible seat at about the centre thereof, and the latter supporting it at
the forward part, against vertical depression.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed as communicated to me by my
Foreign Correspondent I declare that what I claim is :
1, The saddle for tricycles etc., combining therein a base, b, a stretcher bar
arranged thereon, a spring bearing upon said bar at the rear thereof, and a seat
suspended between, or on the said spring and the forward end of said bar,
substantially as set forth.
2, The saddle for tricycles, etc., combining therein a base, b, adapted to be secured
on a suitable support a, of the frame of the vehicle, and adjustable bar or plate, o, hield
upon said base, providing at its rear end a seat for the rear spring and extending
upward at its forward end to engage the forward part of the seat for the rider,
a rear spring and the said seat of the rider suspended upon said spring and upward
extensions of said har or plate, o, substantially as set forth.
3, In a saddle, the combination of a base, a stretcher har adapted to be adjusted
thereon at any desirable inclination, a spring and a seat, said parts being arranged
and combined, substantially as set forth.
4, In combination in a saddle, a base adapted to receive a supporting portion of the
vehicle frame, a segmental casting, a bar, o, a pivotal bolt holding said parts together,
and a suitable seat carried by said bar, substantially as and for the purposes
set forth.
5, In a saddle, the combination with a base, b, stretcher bar, o, and intermediate
means adapted to hold said bar at a variety of angles. or inclinations on said base, a
spring seated on said bar, o, at the rear end thereof, a seat carried by said spring and
by the forward end of the bar, substantially as set forth.
6, In a saddle, the combination with the forward plate having an eye, a seat held
upon said forward plate, and a stretcher bar extending upward and forward into said
eye, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
7, In a saddle, the forward plate having downwardly extending side plates, and an
eye or bearing adapted to receive and hold the forward extremity of the bar, o, and
provide bearings for a forward spring, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
8, In combination, in a saddle, a base having a curved bearing, a casting having a
correspondingly curved bearing, a bar carried by said casting, means for fixing the
said parts and a saddle seat for the rider, suitably suspended upon said bar, substan-
tially as and for the purposes set forth.
9, In a saddle, in combination, a base perforated to receive the support and
provided with a set screw, curved bearings and a pivotal bolt, a casting engaging said
curved bearings and providing a seat for a stretcher bar, a spring arranged at the
rear of said "bar and a seat for the rider, substantially as and for the purposes
set forth.
4
10, In a saddle, in combination, a base, a stretcher bar arranged thereon, a spring
beld upon said bar and longitudinally adjustable thereon and a seat for the rider,
carried by said spring and bar, substantially as set forth.
11, In a saddle, a stretcher bar having a shoulder, a forward plate, a seat for the

page_text: rider secured on said forward plate, and a spring arranged on said stretcher bar and
bearings on said shoulder and forward plate, substantially as and for the purposes
set forth.
12, In combination, in a saddle, a stretcher bar, a rear spring and a forward
spring, said forward spring being arranged on said stretcher bar and bearing against
the shoulder thereof, and a seat for the rider, said parts being arranged and combined,
substantially as set forth.
13, In combination with a stretcher bar, o, spring and seat of a base having a
segmental bearing, a casting having a corresponding bearing and lugs, n, and bolt,
substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
14, In a saddle, the spring having a base, coils, and ends, v', which latter are bent
toward one another, as at o, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
15, In a saddle, the spring having a base, coils or spirals, ³, bends, »,
threaded ends, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
and
16, In a saddle the combination with the rear plate, having perforated lugs, of a
spring having threaded ends and nuts for holding and adjusting said ends with said
lugs, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
17, In combination with a bar or plate, c, and the seat for the rider, of a segmental
forward spring or springs, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
18, In combination with a saddle seat, stretched or suspended between front and
rear bearings, an intermediate spring adapted to support the central part of the
saddle seat, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
Date this 2011 L..
1000
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London,
Agents for the Applicant.