Improvements in Saddles for Velocipedes.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 9th Feb., 1897-Accepted, 8th May, 1897
[Communicated from abroad by PARDON WILBUR TILLINGHAST, of Edgewood,
in the Town of Cranston, and State of Rhode Island, United States of America,
Manufacturer.]
Improvements in Saddles for Velocipedes.
1, HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co., Patent
Agents, 45 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:-
It may be possible to use some of my improvements in connection with nearly al
forms of saddles, but they relate more particularly to that class of bicycle saddles
having as the foundation of the seat, numerous strands of leather radiating from or
near the pommel to a cantle, which forms the rear and a portion of the sides of the
saddle. Although these strands in this class of saddle, are attached at the front
part of the same to a device which is adapted to be pushed forward to take up
slack or stretch, yet they are brought back to the rear of the pommel nearly
parallel with each other, and radiate only from this rearward point.
One part of my improvement consists in strands radiating from the front end
of the pommel to the cantle, giving a longer reach of strands and greater
elasticity and further, these long strands pass over the top of the metallic
device at the pommel, by which the strands are held, without bearing directly
upon the metal, thus forming a yielding surface, or cushion.
My invention consists further of a leather blank, being a strip of leather,
slit at each end into strands suitable for the strands of a bicycle saddle, with
an intermediate portion whole or unslitted. Instead of one piece of leather
this blank may be made of two pieces for the purpose of cutting the stock to
better advantage; these two pieces of leather can be riveted or sewed together.
The intermediate or unslitted portion of leather may be approximately of the
length of the adjusting screw ordinarily located at the pommel, and is placed
longitudinally over the same. A ring encircles the blank at about the point
where the strands spring out from the outer end of the integral or unslitted part.
This ring is caught over the end of the adjusting screw, which is provided with a
shoulder or stop near its outer end. The outer strands embraced by this ring are
laid back over the outside of the ring and carried to the cantle. This arrangement
would expose the leather, as it passes through the ring, to abrasion against the
shoulder or stop on the screw. To avoid this difficulty, I insert a second ring
preferably sinaller than the first, or the equivalent of such second ring, uext to the
screw and between that and the leather, so that the leather rests on the exterior of
the second ring, and then passes within the first ring. The screw may then be
turned without grinding or wearing into the leather.
In disposing the two sets of strands, I carry the inner group to that portion of
the cantle constituting the respective sides of the saddle, and the longer strands
which have been passed through the ring at the outer end of the adjusting screw,
to that portion of the saddle constituting the right and left rear.
These latter strands pass over nearly or all of the inner group, and sustain the

page_text: greater part of the weight of the rider, and being longer, they afford a greater
degree of elasticity than the other group.
The inner group of strands also pass through a binder at the rear of the
pommel; this binder may be of any desired material, preferably a inetal ring,
which clusters the strands and determines the shape of the front of the seat.
In building a saddle it is possible to have the strands extend from the ends of
the cantle to the pommel at any desired angle, by simply moving this clustering
ring forward or back; the ring is secured in its proper position by taking a
turn round the ring with one or more strands, preferably the two outermost.
A binder may also be made by taking a turn round a portion or all of the
inner group of strands with one or more strands of the same group, and at the
point where they begin to radiate.
The three part metal nut at the pommel, which receives the supporting rod
and which contains the adjusting screw, is slightly inclined with reference to
the plane of the cantle, so that the strands radiating from the outer end of the
screw are above and clear of the metal parts, rendering the surface of the
pommel soft and elastic, and I dispense with the additional metal parts usually
employed at the front end of the pommel to hold the strands.
In arranging the strands of the front and longer group, I prefer to carry a
few of the outermost, or in other words, the left and right hand strands respectively,
across to the opposite sides, for example; the left hand strand at the front of the
pommel will cross the top of the pommel, and extend to the right rear of the
cantle.
This enables a uniform width of the pommel to be maintained back to the point
where the inner group of strands begin to radiate.
My invention consists further in the means of attaching the cover of the saddle
to the cantle and to the pommel, and in the finish around the edges of the
saddle cover.
i
The cover, preferably of leather, is provided with a lining of felt or suitable
substance. It is a common practice to fasten this felted saddle cover to the
foundation by screws and rivets and in some cases to pass lacings or stitches through.
the cantle and through the overlapping edges of the cover, showing long loops on.
the outside of the cover at the back of the cantle. The cover at the pommel, has
also been laced to some part of the saddle foundation or support; this method of
fastening, as well as by screws and rivets, detracts from the appearance of the
saddle, and it is my object to secure the cover to the foundation without exteriorly.
showing fastenings of any nature. My form is to pass these lacings through the
lining only, and return them through the holes in the cantle, back and forth, and
lacing the pommel in a similar manner to or under the foundation of the saddle
across to the opposite side.
Another fastening of my invention consists in binding the felted cover in the
usual manner and cementing the rear to the cantle, and the front end to the
pommel.
My preferred fastening consists of straps sewed, or otherwise fastened to the
cover, at or near its lower edge, which straps are then lapped over the cantle and
fastened thereto. These straps may be fastened to the lining, but I prefer to sew
through the straps when sewing on the binding; this giving a good finish and being.
a saving of time.
The front end of the cover I prefer to fasten by making a pocket on the under
side and slipping the pommel into the same from the rear; this pocket may be in
the form of a bridge piece, extending across from side to side, and sewed into and
with the binding of the saddle cover, or it may be one or more short straps fastened
in a similar manner; it may also be in two pieces and laced together at the centre,.
but I prefer to bridge over the space, as it not only serves as a fastening for the
front of the cover, but also shields the fittings located at that point, and gives a
much beater appearance. One other feature of my invention is that whereas the
trout end of the saddle cover is secured against a noticeable lateral and vertical

page_text: movement by the use of this pocket, it is free to move longitudinally; the cover
is made longer than the foundation, and this fact together with the freedom of
movement referred to, prevents any strain or tension on the cover which materially
lengthens the life of the same, and the foundation can be stretched without straining
the cover.
Hereto-
A further improvement is in the form of the seat portion of the cover.
fore, saddle covers have been made with plain, and also with padded tops, the said
In
pads occupying the whole of that portion of the saddle designed for the seat.
my invention the cover is provided with pads that have their beginning at the front
of the seat and taper rearwardly, preferably terminating at the point approximating
the centre between the front and the rear of the seat. I also prefer to extend the
pads across the front of the seat on either side of the pommel; the general plane
of the saddle is preserved over the other parts of the seat including the pommel
and longitudinal centre in the rear of the said pommel; the said longitudinal centre
compares in its hygienic effect with the depression lying between the two padded
portions of the so called hygienic saddles; it also gives a proper ventilation of the
saddle, the said ventilation being further aided by forming openings through the
cover and its lining, arranged longitudinally of the saddle.
By confining the pads to the portions of the seat as above set forth, a saddle is
preduced that has a constant tendency to retain the rider in a central position, and
the depression in the centre of the cantle herein referred to, lends assistance to
the same end.
The weight of the rider depresses the cover slightly at the points supporting the
pelvis, and when the general plane of the saddle is adjusted in the usual manner,
the tapering pads form a barrier against a forward movement, and being located
on either side of the longitudinal centre of the cover, they cannot come in injurious
contact with the body. I prefer to line the cover with sheet felt over the entire
saddle, in addition to the pads above described.
A further improvement consists in the form of cantle employed to relieve the
coccyx of all pressure when the weight of the rider is supported on the saddle.
I curve the top of the cantle so as to lower the centre and rearmost part in
reference to the general plane of the top; the cover for the saddle is corre-
spondingly shaped, and this prevents a pressure on the coccyx, and allows the
rider to
assume any position either upright or inclined, without the lower
vertebra coming in contact with the saddle and the general plane of the saddle
being preserved, the weight of the rider is borne on that portion of the body
intended by nature to receive it.
The saddle is made wider than those heretofore used, and the top of the cantle
on the inner side is bevelled to such a degree that the lacing strands bear only on
the upper and outer edge even when very slack and depressed by the weight of
the body; this construction secures comfort, in that the body can never feel the
hard substance of which the cantle is formed. Instead of a plain bevel at the
top edge, it can be formed with a bead along the top, preferably at its outermost
edge, although it will be operative if located away from the said edge.
I prefer also, to make the cantle of wood although metal is suitable.
A further improvement is the means for attaching the saddle to the seat
post of the bicycle. There are various fastenings or clips in use made of
forgings or castings. The cost of finishing up to the point of nickeling these
pieces is quite an item, and it is my purpose to make a clip that will
materially reduce this cost. I accomplish it by using sheet metal and a proper
shaped wire.
The Ushaped yoke having ends that engage the two supporting rods of the
ordinary saddle, has a hub at the lower end to receive the set screw that clamps
the parts to the seat post. I prefer to employ this piece as a strap.or yoke, made
from a steel wire about one eighth of an inch in thickness, and a half inch or more
wide, bent substantially in a U shape with the ends bent over to form hooks that.
engage one side of the supporting rods of the saddle; a bridge piece engages the

page_text: made by bridging across the cover from side to side. The foundation of the saddle
consists of the strands of lacings d, the cantle e, supporting rods f, nut g, and.
adjusting screw h.
The strands d, are preferably made of one piece of leather; the forward group.
passes through the ring i, which is held on the end of the adjusting screw h.:
The clustering ring j, determines the point of radiation of the inner group of
strands; the same thing can be accomplished without the ring, by binding the
group at this point with a turn around them with one or more opposite strands,.
or crossing or interweaving them.
The cantle e, is preferably made of wood.
The supporting rods f, are of ordinary construction, screwed to the cantle and
held at the forward end in the nut g; a washer k, is placed on the adjusting screw
to prevent wearing the strands.
In Figures 10, 11 and 12, 7, represents the lacing for securing the cover to the-
cantle.
Figures 13, 14 and 15 show a strap fastening m.
In Figures 16 and 17, the cover is close fitting and is cemented to the cantle.
A supporting bead n, for the cover is shown in Figure 18, in both wood and
metal.
In Figure 21 o, is the yoke that embraces the seat post r, and engages the
supporting rods f; p, is the bridge piece having openings s, through which pass the
free ends of the yoke e; a central hub t, is formed on the bridge piece and is.
threaded to receive the set screw u, the whole forming a most compact fastening.
and having other advantages herein before recited.
Having now described and ascertained the nature of the 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 :-
Claim 1. In a saddle for bicycles of the class specified, strands to form the seat,
radiating in two groups to the cantle, one group radiating from the front of the
pommel, and the other from an interior point near the rear of the pommel, substan-
tially as described for the purpose set forth.
Claim 2. In a bicycle saddle a group of strands radiating from the front of
the pommel to the cantle, extending over and having no contact with the metallic
parts of the pommel, thereby forming a yielding surface or cushion for the
pommel, substantially as described.
Claim 3. In a bicycle saddle, a group of strands radiating from the front end
of the adjusting screw, at the front of the pommel, in combination with a ring
or its equivalent, supported on the front end of the adjusting screw for holding
said strands, all substantially as set forth.
Claim 4. In a bicycle saddle, the combination of the front group of strands, the
ring for holding the same, and the ring or guard between said strands and the
screw, all substantially as specified.
Claim 5. In a seat for a bicycle or other vehicle saddle, a blank of leather
slitted or stranded at each end, with an intermediate unslitted portion substantially
as described.
Claim 6. In a saddle for a bicycle or other vehicle, a group of strands extending.
from the pommel and radiating to the cantle; the point of radiation being
determined by an integral binding, made by interweaving or encircling strands of
the group with strands of the same group substantially as described.
Claim 7. A cover for a bicycle saddle having padded portions beginning at the. "
front of the seat and tapering rearwardly substantially as described.
Claim 8. A saddle for bicycles or other vehicles having padded portions at the
front of the seat tapering rearwardly, and terminating at or near the centre of the
said seat between the pommel and cantle, substantially as described.
Claim 9. In a saddle for "icycles or other vehicles a padded seat increasing in.
thickness as it nears the pmmel substantially as described.
:

page_text: Claim 10. A saddle for a bicycle or other vehicle having pads extending across
the front of the seat on either side of the pommel, and tapering rearwardly to the
general plane of the saddle, substantially as described.
Claim 11. A saddle for a bicycle or other vehicle having pads extending above
the general plane of the saddle and increasing in thickness as they near the pommel,
substantially as described.
Claim 12. A saddle for a bicycle or other vehicle having padded portions at the
front of the seat, tapering rearwardly, and terminating at or near the centre of the
seat between the pommel and cantle, a general plane being preserved over
the other parts, which include the pommel and longitudinal centre in the rear of
said pommel.
Claim 13. A bicycle saddle consisting of a foundation or support and a covering
for the same, in combination with means, substantially as described for securing
the cover to the foundation without exteriorly showing fastenings.
Claim 14. The means for securing a saddle cover to the foundation or support
for the same,
by cementing the parts together, substantially as described.
Claim 15. The means for securing a saddle cover to the foundation or support
for the same, consisting of straps or the equivalent attached to both the cover and
the foundation, substantially as described.
Claim 16. The means for securing a saddle cover to the foundation or support
for the same, consisting of lacings, engaging both the lining of the cover and the
foundation substantially as described.
Claim 17. In a saddle for bicycles or other vehicles, a cover secured to the
foundation at one end and held at its opposite end by means of a pocket or its
equivalent substantially as described, and having a connection adapted to allow a
longitudinal movement independent of the foundation.
Claim 18. A saddle cover secured to the foundation at the rear end, and the
forward connection adapted to allow of an independent longitudinal movement of
the foundation as and for the purpose specified.
Claim 19. A saddle cover secured to the foundation at the rear end, and having
a connection at the forward end adapted to allow a longitudinal adjustment of the
foundation, independent of the cover, substantially as described.
Claim 20. In a bicycle saddle a cantle having its top outlined at the rear and
centre curved to a point below the general plane of the cantle, substantially as and
for the purpose specified.
Claim 21. A cantle for a bicycle having its rear and centre cut down to a point
below the general plane of the cantle, substantially as described.
Claim 22. A cantle for a bicycle saddle supporting the rear and sides of the
seat upon its outermost top edge, substantially as described.
Claim 23. In a cantle for a bicycle saddle a seat supporting the bead or edge
continued above the balance of the cantle, substantially as described.
Claim 24. A clip for securing a saddle to the seat post, consisting of a sub-
stantially U-shaped strap with hooked ends that engage one side of the saddle
supporting rod, a bridge piece engaging the opposite sides of the said rods, and a
set screw carried by the bridge piece, substantially as described.
Claim 25. In a clip for securing a saddle to a bicycle, a substantially U-shaped
strap, having hooked ends the whole being formed from a straight blank, substan-
tially as described.
Claim 26. In a clip for securing a saddle to a bicycle, a bridge piece provided
with a hub or socket for the purpose of carrying a set screw and integral sides,
substantially at right angles to the central body, substantially as described.
Dated this 9th day of February 1897.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45 Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.