Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 11th Sept., '1896
Complete Specification Left, 5th Mar., 1897 Accepted, 10th Apr., 1997
I, WALTER CLIFFORD, of 8 Grosvenor Street, Grosvenor Square, in. the
County of London, Dental Surgeon, do hereby declare the nature of this invention,
to be as follows:-
My invention relates to improvements in cycle saddles, and is designed to
provide a saddle which, shall readily adjust itself, according to the pressure upon
it, and which, moreover, shall be free from the anatomical objections which apply
to ordinary cycle saddles.
To this end, the saddle plate, frame, or support, of my improved cycle saddle, is
divided longitudinally into two similar and equal parts which are connected
together by suitable joints or hinges. Upon their under sides, these, two parts are
acted upon by a spring or springs tending to keep them in their normal position,
but permitting each of them to move downward independently of the other, in case
of the pressure falling unevenly on the saddle.
According to one construction, two curved springs are arranged, longitudinally,
one under cach of the parts of the saddle, and pivotally connected therewith at
their ends, while a second curved spring is arranged transversely, so that its ends
press upward the two parts of the saddle.
The seat or cushion is formed of leather, or other suitable material, and consists
of two pads so connected as to leave a recess or channel, of any suitable width,
between them, in order to prevent perineal pressure.
The pads are arranged one on each of the parts of the saddle plate or frame,
which latter may be dished or hollowed, and be formed of metal or other
appropriate material..
I, WALTER CLIFFORD, of 8 Grosvenor Street, Grosvenor Square, in the
County of London, Dental Surgeon, do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described
and ascertained in' and by the following statement, reference being had to the
accompanying drawings and to the letters and figures marked thereon, that is
to say:-
My invention relates to improvements in cycle saddles of the ordinary or peaked
type, and is designed to provide a sud lle which shall relily a ljust itself,

page_text: according to the pressure upon it, and which, moreover, shall be from the
anatomical objections which apply to ordinary peaked cycle saddles.
To this end, the saddle plate, frame, or support of my improved cycle sad lle is
divided longitudinally into two similar and equal parts or halves, which are con-
nected together by suitable joints. or hinges. Upon their under sides, these two
parts or halves are acted upon by springs tending to keep them in their normal
position, but permitting each of them to move downward independently of the
other, in case of the pressure falling unevenly on the saddle.
And in order that my invention may be readily understood, I will describe the
same fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which :
Fig. 1 is a plan of the saddle plates or seat, the pad or cover having been
removed..
Fig. 2 is an underside view of the same.
.
Figs. 3 and 4 are side and rear elevations, respectively, with the pad or cover
attached.
Fig. 5 is a similar view to Fig. 4 shewing the saddle in a position it would
assume when depressed by the action of the rider in working the machine.
Figs. 6, 7 and 8 shew detail views of a certain part of the improved saddle.
According to my invention, the two corresponding similar and equal parts or
halves a, a', of the saddle plate or seat are formed of sheet metal, preferably with
turned. down edges or rims, and 'are connected, near their front and rear en ls, by
lugs or arms b, b, pivotted together by screw pins and nuts, so forming hinges.
Integral with these arms, are small plates 62, 63, bent at right angles thereto to
enable said arms to be firmly secured by riveting, or otherwise, to the underside of
the saddle plates. Each part or half of the saddle, also on its underside, is
provided with a longitudinal spring c, c, preferably coiled at its front and rear en ls,
and terminating in hooks e, e, by means of which they are secured or sprung into
holes in the arms b; b, so as to form a pivotal connection with the plates constituting-
the saddle.
In addition to these springs I provide a transverse spring d of C, or bow, shape,
which arrange near the rear of the saddle and on the underside thereof, such
spring being common to both parts or halves, and adapted to further support them,
while permitting of their up and down movement. Said spring d is arranged to
engage with its two ends into loops e secured to the underside of the plates a, a', and
is prevented from disengagement or lateral movement by cutting away the edges at
such ends, as shewn at Fig. 8.
The longitudinal springs c, c', pass underneath the transverse spring d, and are
connected to the latter by hooks having screw-threaded ends and nuts for
tightening the parts together, thus ensuring great flexibility and steadiness for the
saddle.
The parts or halves a, a', 'are each provided with a pad or cover g riveted to the
edges or rims of said halves, and the padding or stuffing material is, by preference,
placed directly upon such parts or halves.. The pads are connected by a flexible
web, which is preferably provided with perforations for ventilating purposes.
This web may either consist of a separate strip sewn to the pads g, or it may be in
one and cut out with the covering material, in which latter case it will be
advantageous to stitch additional strips gl inside that part of the cover for securing
the latter to the rim of the parts or halves a, a'. The object of this flexible web
is to enable the two parts or halves of the saddle to yield independently of each
other to the movements of the legs of the rider, to prevent perineal pressure, and
to afford ventilation. When the saddle is in its normal position, as indicated by
Fig. 4, the web h folds down between the two parts a, a', but stretches out
somewhat, as indicated by Fig. 5, when the said parts are depressed.
i is a saddle clip of any ordinary construction, in which the longitudinal
springs c, c, are held, and also by which the saddle is secured in position on
the Tor L pillar of the machine.

page_text: Having now particularly, described and ascertained the nature of my said.
invention, and in what manner the same may be performed I declare that I
claim,
1. A cycle saddle divided longitudinally into two similar and equal parts or
halves pivotally connected together and supported by longitudinal springs, and by
a transverse spring common to both parts or halves, substantially as set forth.
2. The combination, in a cycle saddle as characterized in the preceding claim, of
a pad or cover formed in two parts connected together by a flexible web, preferably
perforated, substantially as and for the purpose described.
3. My improvements in cycle saddles whereby the two parts or halves thereof
are rendered.free to move up or down independently of each other and to yield to
the movements of the rider, substantially as herein before described and shewn with.
reference to the annexed drawings.
Dated this 5th day of March 1897.
ERNEST DE PASS,
Chartered Patent Agent,
78, Fleet Street, London, and 5 Market Street, Nottingham,
Agent for the Applicant.