CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN BICYCLES SADDLES
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Alfred Lamplugh and George Frederick Brown,
both of Birmingham, in the County of Warwick, for the Invention of "CERTAIN
IMPROVEMENTS IN BICYCLES SADDLES."
Sealed the 20th December 1878, and dated the 9th July 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Alfred Lamplugh and
George Frederick Brown at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the
9th July 1878.
JAMES ALFRED LAMPLUGH and GEORGE FREDERICK BROWN, both of Birming-
bam, in the County of Warwick. "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN BICYCLES
SADDLES."
Our Invention consists in the construction or combination of certain parts, herein-
after described, whereby bicycle saddles are rendered elastic or yielding to the
movement of the body when in application, thus imparting ease and facility to the
rider.
We will now describe our Invention thus:-
In making a bicycle saddle we adopt the ordinary seat, formed with the cantle at
one end, and at the extreme the pummell; we then employ a metallic plate in form
somewhat approaching the said seat; the surface of this metallic plate is concaved,
so that the forms corresponding to the pummell and cantle are in elevation, and to
these we suspend the said seat, having secured the same by rivetting or otherwise.
The sides of the metallic plate we arrange in form most suitable to our require-
ment.
The chief object in this our said Invention is to construct a saddle by dispensing
with rigidity, hitherto existing, and this is effected by suspending the seat, as above
described, imparting elasticity to any movement the rider may require.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said James Alfred Lamplugh and George Frederick Brown in the Great
Seal Patent Office on the 8th January 1879.
JAMES ALFRED LAMPLUGH and GEORGE FREDERICK BROWN, both of Birming-
ham, in the County of Warwick. " CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN BICYCLE
SADDLES."
Our Invention consists in the construction or combination of certain parts,
herein-after described, whereby bicycle saddles are rendered elastic or yielding to
the movement of the body when in application, thus imparting ease and facility to
the rider.
We will now describe our Invention thus:-
In making a bicycle saddle we adopt the ordinary seat, formed with the cantle
at one end, and at the extreme the pummell; we then employ a metallic plate in
form somewhat approaching the said seat; the surface of this metallic plate is con-
caved, so that the form corresponding to the pummell and cantle are in elevation,
and to these we suspend the said seat, having secured the same by rivetting or
otherwise. The sides of the metallic plate we arrange in form most suitable to our
requirement.
The chief object in this our said Invention is to construct a saddle by dispensing
with rigidity, hitherto existing, and this is effected by suspending the seat, as above
described, imparting elasticity to any movement the rider may require.
Hitherto bicycle saddles have been made with a rigid iron plate inside the seat,
being between the seat and lining of same. We in our Invention dispense with this
said plate; we form the seat entirly of yielding materials, such as leather, silk,
canvas, india-rubber, cloth, or any other material most suitable to our purpose, and
then support the said yielding seat so that no part of the rider's thigh comes in con-
tact with a rigid or unyielding substance.
And in order that this our said Invention may be fully understood, we shall now
proceed more particularly to describe the same, and for that purpose shall refer
to the accompanying Sheet of Drawings, and to the letters of reference indicated
thereon.
Fig. 1 is a side elevation; Fig. 2, a side elevation partly in section; Fig. 3, a plan
or front elevation; Fig. 4, a back elevation; Fig. 5, one part detached in elevation.
Fig. 6, a side elevation; Fig. 7, a plan view of same.
In Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, the same letters of reference indicate the same parts.
In Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 we illustrate our Invention, "Certain Improvements in
Bicycle Saddles," as applied to the parts of bicycles connected to the spring and
backbone in the usual manner.
In Figs. 3, 4, 5, our Invention is shewn detached.
*
"a" is the backbone, to which is connected the spring "b," and this carries the
saddle or seat "c." "d" is a plate in parts corresponding in form to "c" to which
it is connected by rivetting or otherwise, as shewn at "e," "e," "e," Fig. 2, but more
clearly at Fig. 4; this said plate "d" is made of metal or other suitable material,
metal by preference. "f" "f" are loops secured to "d," through which is passed
the strap of the tool bag.
By reference to Fig. 2 the chief features of our claim is shewn.
The plate "d" is so concaved in its form that when the yielding seat or saddle
"c" is connected to the extreme ends of "d," the said seat, or that part where the
rider is located, is entirely suspended.
In Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 the letters marked thereon indicate the same parts.
We here illustrate our Invention which dispenses with the olden method of con-
necting the seat or saddle to the spring or backbone by the employment of a spring,
bracket, or support at the one end, while at the other end is a connecting or regu-
lating screw and loop.

page_text: "a" is the seat or saddle, in construction as before described; "6" is a bracket
for supporting "a" at the cantle end, and the base of which is connected to the
backbone "c" at "d." At the pommell end we affix the loop "e" for receiving the
catch "f" actuated by means of the regulating screw "h" and the nut "i," affixed
to the head of the guide or steering fork "j" by the ring "k." This mechanism has
the double purpose of securing and also supporting "a."
Having now described and ascertained the nature of this our said Invention,
and the manner in which the same is or may be performed, we would observe in
conclusion that we do not limit ourselves to the precise details herein given, and
shewn on the accompanying Drawings, as various modifications may be mado
therein while retaining the essential features of our said Invention, but what we
claim as new and desire to be secured to us by the herein-before in part recited
Letters Patent is,―
First. The application and use of a plate of metal or other suitable material for
the purpose of suspending the yielding seat or saddle, in combination with parts
herein-before described, and illustrated by Figs. "1," "2," "3," "4," "5," or any
modification thereof.
Second. The application and use of the supporting bracket in combination with
parts for supporting the yielding seat or saddle, and dispensing with a central
bearing, as herein-before described, and illustrated by Fig. 6 and Fig. 7, or any
modification thereof.
In witness whereof, we, the said James Alfred Lamplugh and George Frederick
Brown, have hereunto set our hands and seals, this Thirtieth day of
December, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-
icht
Witness,
THOMAS KENDRICK,
JAMES ALFRED LAMPLUGH.
(L.S.)
GEORGE FREDERICK BROWN. (L.S.)