Improvements in Adjustable Seat Connections for Velocipedes.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Mar., 1891-Accepted, 25th Apr., 1891
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Adjustable Seat Connections for Velocipedes.
We, GEORGE HILTON SMITH, Machinist, Irk View, Rhodes, near Manchester,
RICHARD KENT HARTLEY, Manager, Springwood House, Chadderton, near
Oldham, ISAAC SHIMWELL MCDOUGALL, Chemist, Thornleigh, Higher Broughton,
Manchester, all in the County of Lancaster, 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 :-
Our invention relates to the adjusting and attaching arrangements of bicycle and
other velocipede seats or saddles and its object is to enable such seats to be.
instantaneously attached or detached from a bicycle or tricycle and instantaneously
adjusted to any convenient height. At the same time to provide for the absolute
security of the seat while in use and entirely obviate the difficulty of slipping which
often arises with seat attachments of existing construction.
In carrying our invention into effect we may adopt modified arrangements of our
main construction but in all modifications we arrange that the pressure caused by
the weight of the rider securely holds the seat fastening but in such manner that
when the weight is removed the seat may be immediately detached or its height.
altered as required.
According to one arrangement we provide the seat pillar or other portion of the
bicycle frame to which the saddle or seat is attached with a socket in which there
fits and slides a rack projection carrying the saddle or seat. At the upper part of
the socket or tube we arrange a toothed segment piece pivoting in a projection or
attachment and we cause this toothed segment piece on its pitch circle to be
eccentric to the centre from which it pivots. The eccentricity causes the teeth to
lock firmly into the rack teeth when the seat is thrust down and so the weight of
the rider is firmly sustained, while when weight is removed the rack may be at
once withdrawn and the seat thereby detached or adjusted in height as desired.
Referring to the accompanying sheet of drawings:-
Figure 1 shows the invention constructed and applied as hereinbefore described.
Figures 2 and 24 are side and end elevations of a modification intended for
application to some existing bicycles.
Figure 3 shows an arrangement in which a pawl is adopted and
Figure 4 is a lever modification while
Figure 5 illustrates a modification in which an eccentric is adopted with a smooth
or serrated edge.
In Figure 1 the tubular seat pillar N carries a head piece or lugs E from which
pivots a toothed segment piece C at the pivot D. The pitch circle of the teeth is
struck from a centre such as x removed from that of D so that the rack B cut in
the seat or saddle carrier or rod A engages easily with the lower teeth but when
the rack is forced down by the weight of the rider, the upper teeth thrust hard
against the rack teeth and prevent further movement. In this manner the weight
of the rider is firmly and efficiently supported.
When it is desired to detach the saddle the rod A is pulled out in the direction
of the arrow and the segment C at once slacks back and releases the rack B
permitting it to be pulled freely out of gear.
When it is desired to adjust the height of the saddle the thumb piece E' is
depressed and the segment piece held out of gear till the desired height is attained
when it is again slipped into gear and so the height is fixed.
In existing bicycles or other velocipedes when a rod such as A¹ Figure 2 is used
to attach the saddle we cut a rack B' on the existing horizontal rod and we arrange
a segment rack C¹ pivoting at D' in a sliding piece F and we pivot a rod or piece G

page_text: at the same centre D. This rod or piece G carries the saddle attached in any
ordinary manner as G¹ and when G is thrown back in the direction of the arrow,
F may then be readily moved off A. and with it the saddle and the rod G. In
order to adjust the height of the saddle a screw H is supplied pressing against
the tongue piece Q and a butting edge I allows within limits freedom of move-
ment about the axis D₁ independently of the segment piece C and so the angle
of G and therefore the height of the seat may be varied. The eccentricity of
the segment piece is so proportioned as to bring a fair but not excessive pressure
to bear upon the teeth.
In Figure 3 the teeth B are of ratchet configuration and a pawl K preferably
broad faced engages the teeth and holds the seat. The thumb piece E¹ is the
same as in Figure 1 and the action in adjusting or withdrawing is also similar.
In Figure 4 the arrangement resembles Figure 2 but one lever projection C is
adopted to engage teeth B' instead of the toothed segment piece C. Otherwise
the adjustments and action are as we have hereinbefore described.
In Figure 5 the rack B is dispensed with and also the segment rack C and we
apply a smooth surface B³ in conjunction with an eccentric piece C³ of such
proportions that the friction between the surfaces due to the eccentric is sufficient
to sustain the rider. Although smooth surfaces may be adopted yet we generally
prefer that the surfaces B³, C be roughened or serrated when we are enabled to
entirely dispense with rack and toothed segment pieces.
It will be noted that throughout these modifications the pressure due to the
weight of the rider holds the saddle or seat firmly in position and immediately
upon removal of this pressure the saddle may be at once removed or its height
adjusted.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is:-
(1.) Supporting a velocipede saddle or seat by means of a toothed rack and
eccentric toothed segment piece substantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore
described and illustrated at Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings.
(2.) The arrangement of a sliding piece carrying an eccentric toothed segment
piece and saddle rod or holder moving on a horizontal or nearly horizontal rack
substantially as and for the purposes hereinbefore described and illustrated
in Figures 2 and 24 of the accompanying drawings.
(3.) Supporting a velocipede saddle or seat by pawl and lever arrangement
substantially as described with reference to Figures 3 and 4 of the accompanying
drawings.
(4.) The eccentric arrangement for supporting a velocipede seat whether
smooth, roughened or serrated surfaces are used substantially as described and
illustrated with reference to Figure 5 of the drawings.
Dated this 20th day of March 1801
CLERK & MARKS,
13, Temple Street, Birmingham, Agents for Applicants.