A New or Improved Seat or Saddle for Velocipedes and the like.
Year: 1894

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Oct., 1894
Crocification Left. 22nd July, 1895-Accepted, 24th Aug., 1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
A New or Improved Seat or Saddle for Velocipedes and the like.
We, WENTWORTH CHARLES HEIGHTON, of No. 30 School Lane, Kettering
the County of Northampton, Cycle Dealer, and JOHN MEEK of Beulah House,
Chester Street, Coventry, in the County of Warwick, Cycle Manufacturer do
ereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
Our invention relates to seats or saddles for velocipedes and the like and has for
ts objects the avoidance of perineal pressure and the provision of greater freedom
or the movements of the riders legs.
To attain our object we construct the seat in two parts and arrange them side
by side with a suitable distance between them. Each part is capable of rocking
with greater or less freedom, independently of the other, on a horizontal transverse
hinge or an equivalent arrangement.
Each part consists mainly of a shaped metal plate or other suitable frame
adapted to the formation of the parts of the human frame intended to come
directly or indirectly into contact therewith and is preferably provided with a
covering or cushion of leather, felt or other suitable material or of compressed air
confined within a suitable receptacle preferably provided with a valve. According
to one method of constructing the hinge we attach to the underside of the plate or
frame and at right angles to the length thereof a suitable lug having a hole bored
through from end to end. This hole is of cylindrical form except at one or both
We take a cylindrical rod
ends where it gradually enlarges or is coned outwards.
The
of steel or other suitable material and of suitable dimensions and provide it at its
At a suitable distance from
centre with a clip or the like for attaching it to the velocipede or the like.
rod forms a spindle for each lug to rock or hinge on.
the centre in each direction we form or fit a suitable collar adapted to receive the
lateral pressure of the end of the lug adjacent thereto.
On to each end of the rod we pass a cone (of steel or other suitable material and
of suitable form and dimensions) so that the apexes of the cones are directed
towards each other..
The axial apertures through the cones and the parts of the rod concerned may
be made of D section or other means may be adopted to leave the cones free to
slide lengthwise on the rod without allowing them to rotate materially thereon.
We take two springs of suitable material, form and dimensions, the apertures
through the springs being preferably not normally less than the diameter of the
rod, or, if preferred, of a collar or like projection which may be formed on the base
of each of the cones. One end of each spring is adapted to abut against the
base of one of the cones and the other end thereof is adapted to be borne upon,
directly or indirectly by a suitable nut screwed on to each end of the rod which is
The springs may be of such a length as to Deed
threaded to receive it.
compressing in order to get them in position on the rod, and they may be
According to this construction the
0 further compressed by tightening the nuts.
hinges are adjustable for wear and the springs, by increasing the friction between
the coned surfaces, steady or regulate the action of the hinges, but the hinges may
be constructed without these springs and also without the coned surfaces, if desired.
Dall horings may be employed, il desired.

page_text: Instead of employing an actual hinge we may provide for the rocking motion by
means of springs. For example; we may mount each part in a single or double
bow spring preferably provided with a coil near each end, and if desired, one at or
near the centre. In this case the springs would be preferably carried by a cross
bar connected to them near to or at their centres. Or, the cross bar may form the
connecting part of a horizontal H frame on each extremity of which would be
fixed a spiral spring by its lower end, the upper ends of each pair of spiral springs
carrying one of the two parts of the seat. Or, a suitable pneumatic or other
flexible cushion may be interposed between both or each of the two parts of the
seat and a suitable frame.
The directions of the rocking motions of the two parts need not be parallel to
each other but may be set at an angle if desired. Each part of the seat may be
provided with a forward projection adapted to lie between the riders legs so as to
give a lateral hold on the machine through the seat, but such projections are so
constructed as not to cause any injurious pressure on the perineum.
The whole seat or saddle may be mounted on a suitable spring or springs instead
of being attached directly to the velocipede or the like. Suitable springs or other
devices may be employed to' hold' the two parts in position ready for mounting or
for other purposes.
Dated this 20th day of October 1894.
W. B. MAXFIELD,
Applicants' Agent.
We, WENTWORTH CHARLES HEIGHTON of No: 30 School Lane, Kettering,
in the County of Northampton, Cycle Dealer, and JOHN MEEK of Beulah House,
Chester Street Coventry in the County of Warwick, Cycle Manufacturer 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 seats or saddles for velocipedes and the like and has for
its object the avoidance of perineal pressure and the provision of 'greater freedomn
for. the movements of the riders legs.
To attain our object we construct the seat in two parts and arrange them side
by side with a suitable distance between them.
Each part is capable of rocking with greater or less freedom; independently of
the other, on a horizontal transverse hinge or an equivalent arrangement.
And in order that our invention may be well understood' we 'will describe it with
reference to the accompanying drawings, in which
Figure I, Sheet 1 is a side view in elevation of one form of saddle constructed
according to our invention.
Figure 1 is a plan of the same viewed from the underside, and Figure III is a
front view in elevation of the same.
Figure IV, Sheet 2 is a front view in elevation of another form of saddle
constructed according to our invention.
Figure V is a plan of the same, partly in section, viewed from the underside.
Figures VI, VII, and VIII are side views in elevation showing modifications of
our invention.
Figure 1X is a sectional elevation showing a modification in detail.
Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the drawings.
Referring first to Figure IV and V on Sheet 2. Each part of the seat or
saddle consists mainly of a shaped plate 2 (of metal, wood or other suitable

page_text: Ե
aterial) or other suitable frame adapted to the formation or
uman frame intended to come, directly or indirectly, into contact therewith and is
referably provided with a covering or cushion 4, of felt as shown, or of leather or
f other suitable material or of compressed air confined within a suitable, receptacle
In constructing the hinge 5, we attach to the
referably provided with a valve.
nderside of each plate or frame 2 and at right angles to the length thereof a
uitable lug 6 having a hole 7 bored through from end to end. This hole is of
ylindrical form except at one or both ends 8 where it gradually enlarges or is
coned outwards. We take a cylindrical rod 9 of steel or other suitable material
and of suitable dimensions and provide it at its centre with a clip or the like such
as 10-for attaching it to the velocipede or the like. The rod 9 forms a spindle for
At a suitable distance from the centre,in each
each lug 6 to rock or hinge on.
direction, we form or fit a suitable collar 11 adapted to receive the lateral pressure
If the holes 7 be coned out at the inper
of the end of the lug 6 adjacent thereto.
ends, the collars 11 are coned to fit, as shown, but if the holes 7. be left parallel at
the inner ends the said collars are preferably made square with the rod 9 to
Onto each end of the rod 9 we pass a.
correspond to the inner ends of the lugs 6.
The axial
cone 12 (of steel or other suitable material and of suitable form and dimensions)
so that the apexes of the cones 12, 12 are directed towards each other.
apertures through the cones and the parts of the rod concerned may be made of
D section, or other means may be adopted to leave the cones free to slide
lengthwise on the rod without allowing them to rotate materially thereon. We
take two springs 13 of suitable material, form and dimensions, the apertures
through the springs being preferably not normally less than the diameter of the
rod 9, or, if preferred, of a collar or like projection which may be formed on the
One end of each spring 13 is adapted to abut
base of each of the cones 12.
against to base of one of the cones 12 and the other end thereof is adapted to be.
borne upon, directly or indirectly by a suitable nut 14 screwed on to each end of
The springs 13 may be of such a length
the rod which is threaded to receive it.
as to need compressing in order to get them in position on the rod, and they may
be further compressed by tightening the nuts 14. According to this construction
the hinges are adjustable for wear and the springs, by increasing the friction
between the coned surfaces, steady or regulate the action of the hinges 5, 5. The
hinges may be constructed without the springs 13 and also without the coned
5 surfaces 11, 12, if desired; but if we dispense with the coned surfaces we prefer
to retain the springs in a suitably modified form, to steady or regulate the action
of the hinges.
This construction is preferably carried out as shown in Figures I, II and III on
Sheet 1. Each plate 2 is provided with a cushion 4 stuffed with cotton wool or
40 the like and covered with wash-leather or other suitable material.
The clinging, uneven surface of wash-leather is well adapted to give the rider
a secure seat on the machine. The hinge 5 is made up of a lug 6, the bar 9 and, a
distance piece or sleeve 15. The lug 6 is attached to the plate 2 by screws 16 or
other suitable means and is formed with two bosses 17 which are bored through (7)
adapted to occupy the space on the
45 in line to work on the bar 9. The sleeve 15
bar 9 between the bosses 17, 17 and is provided with a boss and set screw 18 adapting
it to be locked to the bar 9 at any convenient position thereon longitudinally or
circumferentially. The normal tilt or pitch of the saddle and the distance between
the two parts thereof may be regulated by fixing the sleeves 15 at different
The bolt 19 is
50 positions
on the bar 9. Each sleeve 15 carries a mousetrap spring 13, one end of
which is coiled round to form an eye 21 to receive a bolt 19.
screwed into a second boss on the sleeve 15 and holds the spring thereto. The
other end 22 of the spring 13 runs off at a tangent and engages with a sleeve o
-55 pocket 20 rivetted to the plate 2. The spring is adapted to return the plate to it
normal position after being moved in either direction when the pressure is removed
and is convenient for holding the parts of the saddle in position when mounting
and for the prevention of rattle. In the modification shown in Figure IX o

page_text: Sheet 2, the lug 6 is provided with a hollow cylindrical projection 23, having a
transverse hole 7 through the root adapted to receive the rod 9 which is formed
with a flat 25 along one side. The spring 13 is compressed by an adjustable
screw 24 which bears directly or through a suitable plug or foot 26, on the flat 25.
The lug 6 is fixed to the plate by any suitable means and when the plate rotates
on the rod 9 the spring 13 is compressed and will tend to restore the plate to its
original position on removal of the pressure, as will be readily understood.
To prevent lateral movement along the rod, a suitable collar should be fixed to
the rod on each side of the lug 6 at the ends of the holes 7. Such collars may be
provided with set screws enabling them to be fixed in different positions on the rod,
laterally thus regulating the distance between the two parts of the saddle. Balĺ
bearings may be applied if desired.
Instead of employing an actual hinge we may provide for the rocking motion by
means of springs. For example, as shown in Figure VI on Sheet 2 we may mount
each part on a single or double bow spring, 13, preferably provided with a coil
near each end or if desired one at or near the centre. In this case the springs
would be preferably carried by a cross bar 9 connected to them near to or at their
centres. Or the cross bar may form the connecting part of a horizontal H frame
on each extremity of which would be fixed a spiral spring 13 by its lower end;
the upper ends of each pair of spiral springs carrying one of the two parts of the
seat as shown in Figure VII on Sheet 2. In the cases described with reference to
Figures VI and VII on Sheet 2 we prefer to provide a central supporting spring
such as 27 therein shown, to take the greater part of the weight of the rider and
allow of the other spring or springs being weak and flexible enough to let the parts
of the seat move sufficiently freely with the legs of the rider.
Or, as a further modification, a cushion of india-rubber or other suitable flexible
material may be interposed between both or each of the two parts of the seat and
a suitable frame. This cushion may conveniently be constructed on the pneumatic
principle as shown in Figure VIII on Sheet 2, where an air-tight, inextensible
bladder 13 of suitable construction is interposed between two dished plates 28, 29
of suitable form and material fixed respectively to the parts of the saddle 2 and to
the cross arm 9. The bladder may be filled with compressed air during the course
of manufacture but is preferably fitted with a suitable valve 30.
The directions of the rocking motions, of the two parts of the saddle need not
be parallel to each other but may be set at an angle if desired. Each part of the
seat may be provided with a forward projection such as 31 (Figure VI, Sheet 2)
adapted to lie between the riders legs, so as to give a lateral hold on the machine
through the seat, but such projections are so constructed, by keeping them low and
forward, as, not to cause any injurious pressure on the perineum. The whole seat
or saddle may be mounted on a suitable spring or springs as indicated at 27 in
Figures I, II, and III on Sheet 1, instead of being attached directly to the
velocipede or the like.
In practice we find the best results are obtained by sitting, back on the saddle
so that the ischial tuberosities are behind a vertical plane drawn through the axis
of the hinge
or the equivalent thereof, and we construct the various parts of the
saddle with a view to the rider occupying this position.
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 we
are aware that seats or saddles for velocipedes and the like have already been
constructed in two parts arranged side by side with a space between them and
adapted to rock independently on horizontal hinges, and we are aware that seats
or saddles for velocipedes or the like have also already been constructed in two
parts adapted to be adjusted laterally relatively to each other and we do not
broadly clain either of these constructions as our invention, but what we do
claim is :-
1. In a seat or saddle for velocipedes and the like constructed in two parts

page_text: arranged side by side and capable of rocking on horizontal transverse hinges,
regulating the action of the said hinges by springs substantially as herein described
and as illustrated by Figures I, II, and III of the accompanying drawings.
2. In a seat or saddle for velocipedes and the like constructed in two parts
arranged side by side and capable of rocking on horizontal transverse hinges,
regulating the action of the said hinges by springs substantially as herein described
and as illustrated by Figure IX of the accompanying drawings.
3. In a seat or saddle for velocipedes and the like constructed in two parts
arranged side by side and capable of rocking on horizontal transverse hinges,
regulating the action of the said hinges and making the same adjustable for wear
by springs and coned surfaces, substantially as herein described and as illustrated
by Figures IV and V of the accompanying drawings.
4. In a seat or saddle for velocipedes and the like constructed in two parts
arranged side by side and capable of rocking on horizontal transverse hinges,
constructing each of the said hinges of a lug such as 6 adapted to be attached to
the plate and formed with bosses 17, 17, of a rod such as 9, and of a sleeve such
as 15 adapted to lie between the said bosses 17, 17 and to be locked to the rod at
any convenient position thereon, with or without a spring such as 13, all combined,
arranged and operating substantially as herein described and as illustrated in
Figures I, II, and III of the accompanying drawings.
5. In a seat or saddle for velocipedes and the like constructed in two parts
arranged side by side and capable of rocking on horizontal transverse hinges,
constructing each of the said hinges of a lug such as 6, adapted to be attachel to
the plate and formed with a projection such as 23 having a transverse hole such
as 7, of a rod such as 9 having a flat such as 25, of a spring such as 13 compressed
by a screw such as 24, with or without a plug such as 25 and of collars adapted
to be fixed to the rod 9 on each side of the lug 6, at any convenient position
thereon laterally, all combined, arranged and operating substantially as herein
described and as illustrated in Figure 1X of the accompanying drawings.
6. In a seat or saddle for velccipedes and the like constructed in two parts
arranged side by side, providing for a rocking motion of each part independently
of the other by means of springs as distinct from actual hinges, substantially as
herein described.
7. In a seat or saddle for velocipedes and the like constructed in two parts
5 arranged side by side, providing for a rocking motion of each part independently
of the other by means of springs as distinct from actual hinges, substantially as
herein described with reference to Figure VI of the accompanying drawings.
8. In a seat or saddle for velocipedes and the like constructed in two parts
arranged side by side, providing for a rocking motion of each part independently
0 of the other by means of springs as distinct from actual hinges, substantially as
herein described with reference to Figure VII of the accompanying drawings.
9. In a seat or saddle for velocipedes and the like constructed in two parts
arranged side by side, providing for a rocking motion of each part independently
of the other by means of springs as distinct from actual hinges, substantially as
5 herein described with reference to Figure VIII of the accompanying drawings.
10. In a seat or saddle of the kinds referred to in the preceeding claims,
providing each part thereof with a projection such as 31 in Figure VII of the
accompanying drawings, as and for the purpose set forth.
1005
Dated this 20 aj
W. BESTWICK MAXFIELD,
Registered Patent Agent,
19 Bowling Green Street, Leicester, Applicants' Agent.