Improvements in and relating to Cycles.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 5th June, 1893
Complete Specification Left, 5th Apr., 1894-Accepted, 5th May, 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Cycles.
I, BERTIE HALLETT, of Copthall House, Copthall Avenue, in the City and
County of London, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to
be as follows:-
My invention relates to an improved construction of saddle or seat for use on
cycles or velocipedes, and it consists in forming on, or attaching to, the saddle an
automatic back or support, which when the rider is dismounted forms a backward
horizontal continuation of the saddle, but when the rider is seated it assumes a
position which will give him a back support and thereby enable him to utilize his
strength to propel the machine in a more efficient manner than is possible with the
ordinary saddle now in use.
On to the top of the seat pillar or support is formed or fixed a rigid upward
extension, and from the front of the said pillar a spring support or its equivalent
extends forwards and upwards to carry the front part of the saddle. The rear of
the saddle comes immediately over the centre of the pillar or support, and it is
supported in a horizontal position by means of a coiled spring mounted on the top
of the seat pillar or support, or by means of any suitable equivalent device.
Pivotted to the rear of the saddle proper is a back rest which is so hinged or jointed
to the rear of the saddle that it normally lies in a horizontal position in which
position it will not incommode the rider when mounting. When the rider mounts
and places his weight on the saddle the rear part thereof becomes depressed and
carries the point of the pivotal attachment of the back support below the top of the
rigid upward extension on the seat pillar which thereby causes the back rest to
assume a vertical or approximately vertical position. If desired a suitable catch
may be employed to lock it in this position, but this is not obligatory as the weight
of the rider will keep it in position so long as he is mounted and requires the use of
the rest. Immediately the rider dismounts or removes his weight from the saddle
both the saddle and the back rest assume their normal and horizontal positions
owing to the action of the spring. If found necessary the back rest may be weighted
to assist it in returning to its normal position after use.
Dated this 5th day of June 1893.
ROBT. ED. PHILLIPS, M.J.M.E.,
Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent,
70, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Cycles:
I, BERTIE HALLETT, of Copthall House, Copthall Avenue, in the City and
County of London, Gentleman, 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 :-
My invention relates to an improved construction of saddle or seat for use on
cycles or velocipedes, and it consists in forming on, or attaching to, the saddle
either directly or indirectly an automatic back or support, which when the rider
is dismounted forms a backward horizontal continuation of the saddle, but when the
rider is seated it assumes a position which will give him a back support and thereby
1971

page_text: enable him to utilize his strength to propel the machine in a more efficient manner
than is possible with the ordinary saddle now in use.
In the accompanying drawings which show-by way of example-some methods
of carrying my invention into practical effect:-
Figure 1 Sheet No. I is a view in side elevation-partly in section of my
invention showing the saddle and back rest in their normal position when the rider
is dismounted, and
Figure 2 Sheet No. 1 is a view in side elevation showing the position of the saddle
and back rest when the rider is mounted.
Figures 3 and 4 Sheet No. are similar views showing a modification of my
invention, and
Figure 5 Sheet No. 2 is a view in section of the controlling spring.
Throughout the views similar parts are marked with like letters of reference.
On to the top of the seat pillar A is formed or fixed a rigid upward extension B,
and from the front of the said pillar a spring support C or its equivalent extends
forwards and upwards to carry the front part of the saddle D. The rear of the
saddle comes immediately over the centre of the seat pillar A, and it is supported
in a horizontal position by means of a stem E sliding in the tubular seat pillar A
and resting on a spring F in the said seat pillar. Pivotted to the cantle plate d
of the saddle D either directly or indirectly is a back rest G which normally
lies in a horizontal position as shown by Figure 1 Sheet No. 1 so that it will not
incommode the rider when mounting. When the rider mounts and places his
weight on the saddle D the rear part thereof becomes depressed and carries the
point of the pivotal attachment of the back rest G below the top of the rigid
upward extension B on the seat pillar A which thereby causes the back rest to
assume a vertical or approximately vertical position as shown by Figure 2. If
desired a suitable catch may be employed to lock the back rest in this position,
but this is not obligatory as the weight of the rider will keep it in position so long
as he is mounted and requires the use of the rest. Immediately the rider dismounts
or removes his weight from the saddle both the saddle and the back rest assume
their normal and horizontal positions owing to the action of the spring F. If found
necessary the back rest may be weighted to assist it in returning to its normal
position after use.
In the construction shown by Figures 3, 4 and 5 Sheet No. 2 any ordinary type
of saddle may be used. The seat pillar A is of a T-shape, and at its rear end is
formed or fixed the upward extension B to which the back rest G is pivotted.
On to the forward end of the horizontal arm of the seat pillar A is mounted a
bracket H to which is pivotted by the pin h a bracket J adapted to be clamped to
the spring or underframe C of the saddle. This bracket J is controlled by the
spring F so as to return it to its normal horizontal position after depression.
On to the cantle plate d of the saddle is fixed an arm K preferably carrying a
roller at its free end, which is adapted to engage with the end g of the back
rest G as shown by Figure 3. When the rider mounts the rear part of the saddle
is depressed causing the back rest G to assume a vertical or approximately
vertical position as shown by Figure 4. To limit the depression of the rear
part of the saddle stops a-preferably in the form of rubber blocks-are mounted
on the seat pillar as shown for the spring or underframe of the saddle to
engage with.
I wish it to be particularly understood that I do not limit myself to the precise
details of construction herein before described and illustrated by the accompanying
drawings, but that I hold myself at liberty to make such changes and alterations as
fairly fall within the spirit and scope of my invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
-:
1. The respective combinations of parts forming my improved saddle or seat for

page_text: velocipedes substantially as herein before respectively described and illustrated by
the accompanying drawings.
2. The combination with a cycle saddle or seat, of a back rest arranged and
adapted to operate as and for the purpose hereinbefore described and as illustrated
by Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.
3. The combination with a cycle saddle or seat, of a back rest arranged and
adapted to operate as and for the purpose hereinbefore described and illustrated by
Figures 3, 4 and 5 of the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 5th day of April 1894.
ROBERT E. PHILLIPS, M.I.M.E.,
Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent,
70, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.