Improvements in Bicycle Saddles.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Feb., 1899-Accepted, 10th June, 1899
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Bicycle Saddles.
We, HERMANUS THOMASSEN, Engineer, of 2, Oosterparkstraat, 215, Amsterdam,
and DR. JULIUS NORD, Physician, of Arnhemsche Weg, I. 89B, Amersfoord,
Netherlands, 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:-
There are in existence already .bicycle saddles having two cushions, which are
separated from each other by an intervening space longitudinally of the saddle's
axis, and which are capable of turning upon their adjacent edges. In a saddle
of this kind, the two halves, formed in the shape of cushions, have each been
carried by a spring, the ends of which, at the same time, form pivots (lying parallel
to the axis of the saddle) for the saddle halves to turn upon, and these latter are
linked to one another by arms rigidly secured to the same. By this arrangement,
a yielding of the halves of the saddle to varying pressures is obtained, but there
is one great disadvantage, present, and that is, when one half of the saddle is
pressed down, the other half, by reason of the link connections, goes down also,
so that the half of the seat resting thereon loses its point of support, more or less.
This disadvantage is removed by the saddle forming the subject of the present
application, in that, in this case, both cushions are pivotally mounted on rigid
pivots parallel to the axis of the saddle, and supported at their centres by springs
adjustable according to their tension. Here the springs serve to support the
saddle cushions, these latter being carried by the rigid pivots. Any separation
of the two halves of the saddle can, therefore, not take place, and as there is no
connection between the two halves, each of them may be forced down to corres-
pond to the varying load, without influencing the position of the other half of the
saddle. Both halves of the saddle are therefore compelled to fit closely to the
halves of the seat, but are free, by reason of their yielding support, to assume
any desired angle with respect to each other.
In the accompanying drawings is shewn a form of saddle embodying the present
invention.
Fig. 1 is a front view, and
Fig. 2 an underneath plan view, partly in section.
C
Each pad or cushion a has a special metal lower portion or frame b, the edge c
of which, being turned to or directed towards the longitudinal axis of the saddle,
is connected pivotally with the trough-shaped centre portion d of the saddle.
In the example illustrated, the said edge of the underframe b is provided with
two lugs e, which are inserted in slots (Fig. 2) of the middle portion d, and are
f
pivotted therein upon pins y screwed into the part d through the said lugs. At
that part where the under frame and the middle portion & are hinged together,
the adjacent edges of the parts and d are so shaped (Fig. 1), that the cushions
can only be moved slightly higher than is shewn by full lines, and only slightly
lower than shewn in dotted lines. Each cushion a is independently supported by
one or more springs (spiral, india-rubber, or the like); in the drawing, there is
shewn a spiral spring h for each cushion, attached rigidly at one end to the under

page_text: frame 6 of the cushion, and at its other end resting upon the washer i of a screw k.
This screw is adjustable in the saddle carrier m, so that the tension of the springs
may be regulated at pleasure. Beneath the saddle carrier, and centrally thereof,
is the usual pivotted sleeve n, which serves to affix the saddle to the pin.
The seat surface of this saddle becomes greater, on mounting the machine,
to a greater or less extent, according to the weight of the rider and the tension
of the supporting springs.
The saddle is available, without any alteration whatsoever, either for gentle-
men's or ladies' use, and as it has no peak or head (as will be seen from Figure 2),
cannot injure the body of the rider.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is:
-
A velocipede saddle consisting of two halves capable of turning on their adjacent
edges, and having a space between them lying in the axis of the saddle, and
characterized by the fact that the halves of the saddle are not connected to one
another in any way, and are carried by rigid pivots, and supported on springs
adjustable according to their tension, for the purpose of enabling the two upwardly
spring-pressed halves to assume any desired angle with respect to each other,
under varying loads,-and-to provide for close contact of the same with the halves
of the seat.