Improvements in Saddles for Bicycles or other Foot Propelled Vehicles.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 28th May, 1897-Accepted, 3rd July, 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Saddles for Bicycles or other Foot Propelled
Vehicles.
I, WILLIAM SANFORD SMITH, residing at 25, McKenzie Crescent, in the City of
Toronto, in the County of York, in the Province of Ontario, Traveller, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in saddles for
bicycles and other foot propelled vehicles, and the object of the invention is to so
construct the saddle that it will provide a seat having sufficient rigidity to enable
the rider to propel the vehicle, and sufficient flexibility and resiliency to relieve
the rider of that common and uncomfortable sensation known as jarring; and the
invention consists essentially of a saddle-tree, an independent seat-plate locate.l
below the saddle-tree, and sustained by elastic supports connected to the under side
of the saddle-tree; the whole device being hereinafter more fully set forth and
more particularly pointed out in the claims.
In the drawings, Fig. 1, represents a perspective view of the skeleton saddle,
looking at it from the top.
Fig. 2, is a similar view looking at it from the bottom.
Fig. 3, is a plan view of the saddle-tree or frame.
Fig. 4, is a plan view of the seat-plate.
Fig. 5, is a perspective view of the saddle upholstered.
Fig. 6, is a perspective view of the clip.
Fig. 7, is an inverted view of the frame of an alternative form of saddle, and
Fig. 8, is a view of the same saddle looking at it from the top. Like letters of
reference refer to like parts through the specification and drawings.
A represents the saddle-tree, consisting of a stem a terminating at one end in
a horn a¹, and at the opposite end in two outwardly branching curved arms all, a".
The inner edge of each of the arms a", all is concaved, whilst the outer edge of
each of the said arms is convexed. Whilst not confining myself to any particular
material for the saddle-tree A, I prefer to make it of wood strengthened, when
necessary, by a metallic plate B fastened to its under side. C represents the
seat-plate, located below the saddle-tree A, and preferably independent of any
direct connection with it, the middle of the plate C being vertically below the
middle of the stem a. The seat-plate C, as shewn in the drawings, is substantially
heart-shaped (in plan) and consists of two pockets or recesses c, c', each adapted to
receive a seat D. The pockets c, c¹, forward of the middle portion of the plate, are
united, and at the rear of said middle portion, are separated by a space d, slightly
greater in width than the width of the stem a. The back of each of the
pockets c, c¹ is curved, to correspond with the curvature of the inner edges of the
arms a, a. The pockets c, c', and the connecting portion between the said pockets
a: the forward end of the seat-plate C, are made integrally of metal. Each of the
pockets or recesses c, c¹ consists of a bottom cll, and an upwardly turned flange c³ at
the outer edge of the pocket. Within the pockets or recesses c, are the seat pads
ID 017

page_text: or cushions D, made of any suitable material. E, E, represent two sets of elastic
supports connected to the frame or saddle-tree, and adapted to sustain the
seat-plate C. Each of the supports E, E, consists of a substantially V-shaped
arm e, e, connected at the front end to the under side of the horn a' of the
saddle-tree A. The end of each arm e, e, is coiled to form a helical spring f.
The springs are each connected to the under sides of the arms a", al, in their
proper relative position. Each of the V-shaped arms is connected to the horn a¹
of the saddle-tree by means of a bolt and nut g, and the springs are similarly
connected by means of bolts and nuts g to the under side of the arms a", a
Connected to the under side of the saddle-tree A is the saddle-spring H, which may
be of any suitable shape. I represents the clip for fastening the saddle to the saddle
post. The clip I consists of a substantially U-shaped bracket J, the ends ; of
which extend above the saddle spring H, a yoke K above the spring H through
which pass the ends j, nuts L screwed on the ends j, a moveable block M within
the bracket J below the spring H, the under side of the block M having a semi-
circular recess m, corresponding with a similarly shaped recess j¹ in the bracket J.
The top of the saddle post passes through the recesses m, j', and by tightening the
nuts L the block is forced against the top of the saddle post with sufficient pressure
to rigidly connect the saddle spring to the said saddle post. By so arranging the
clip that the tightening nuts are above the saddle springs, it is possible to bring
the saddle close to the top of the saddle post.
The moveable block M is provided with flanges m³ to embrace the sides of the
U-shaped bracket J, to maintain the block M in its proper position when moving
vertically, and when embracing the saddle post. The yoke K is recessed to form
a seat for the supporting spring H. By providing the yoke K with a seat k the
possibility of any side motion on the part of the clip is practically avoided.
The action of the saddle is as follows: In riding over a smooth surface there is
practically no action on the part of the saddle, but the moment that a rough or
uneven surface is reached, the seat-plate C and supports E, E, yield sufficiently to
relieve the rider of vibration, developed during the progress of the vehicle, the
springs and seat-plate having sufficient strength and resiliency to return to their
normal position when the cause of the vibration has ceased. By uniting the
pockets, the motion of one pocket is transmitted to the other, and by this means
both pockets are caused to move unitedly, thus equalising the action of the
supports E, E. In the event of a breakage of one of the supports E, E, the down-
ward movement of the seat-plate will be arrested by the saddle spring H. The
seat pads or cushions elevate the rider sufficiently above the saddle-tree A
prevent any portion of the saddle-tree coming into contact with the genital organs,
either when the seat-plate C is in its normal position, or in its depressed position.
As shewn in Figs. 7 and 8 the saddle-tree consists of a horn a¹ and a shank a
extending rearwardly from the horn. The scat-plate C is substantially the same
in shape and construction as that shewn in Figs. 1, 2 and 4. I find it advisable,
however, in some cases to strengthen the seat-plate C by a substantially V-shaped
brace U connected to the bottom of the pockets e, c¹.
By reference to Figs. 7 and 8 it will be noticed that the seat-plate C is provided
with a nose P extending forwardly below the horn a' of the saddle-tree, to which it
is connected by means of bolts R, R, passing through the front of the saddle-
spring H, the nose of the seat-plate, and the horn of the saddle-tree. The saddle-
spring H extends rearwardly from the under side of the horn a' of the saddle-tree,
and when clear of the rear of the seat-plate C branches outwardly to form two
arms h, h, curved to correspond to the curvature of the back of the seat-plate C.
Embracing the horn a¹ of the saddle-tree is a hood Q, which completely covers the
top of the bolts R, R. and prevents them coming into contact with any part of the
rider's garments. Connected to the under side of the arms h, h, and to the under
side of the horn a' of the saddle-tree are two sets of elastic supports E, E, similar
in construction and purpose to the clastic supports E, E, shewn and described in
connection with the structure illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 of the drawings.

page_text: By providing the saddle-spring H with outwardly branching arms h, h, the
ams a, a, of the saddle-tree 'A can be entirely dispensed with, without
interfering, however, with the action of the saddle.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, I hereby declare that what I claim is :-
:-
1. A bicycle saddle consisting of a saddle-tree, an independent seat-plate located
below the saddle-tree, and elastic supports sustaining the seat-plate connected
to the saddle-tree, substantially as specified.
2. A bicycle saddle consisting of a saddle-tree, an independent seat-plate below
the saddle-tree, elastic supports sustaining the seat-plate connected to the saddle-
tree, and seat-pads supported by the seat-plate, substantially as specified.
3. A bicycle saddle consisting of a saddle-tree, an independent seat-plate located
below the saddle-tree, elastic supports sustaining the seat-plate connected to the
saddle-tree, each support consisting of a substantially V-shaped arm terminating
in a coiled spring, substantially as specified.
4. A bicycle saddle consisting of a saddle-tree, an independent seat-plate located
below the saddle-tree, elastic supports sustaining the seat-plate connected to the
saddle-tree, each support consisting of a substantially V-shaped arm terminating
in a coiled spring, and seat-pads supported by the seat-plate, substantially as
specified.
5. A bicycle saddle consisting of a saddle-tree, substantially T-shaped, comprised
of a stem and two outwardly branching arms at the rear end of the stem, a
seat-plate located below the saddle-tree, the rear of the seat-plate shaped to
correspond with the inner edge of the said arms, an outwardly turned flange
5 surrounding each side of the seat-plate to form pockets for the seat-pads, and
springs connected to the arms and stem of the saddle-tree to sustain the seat-plate
substantially as specified.
6. A bicycle saddle consisting of a saddle-tree, substantially T-shaped, comprised
of a stem and two outwardly branching arms at the rear end of the stem, a seat-
plate located below the saddle-tree, the rear of the seat-plate shaped to correspond
with the inner edge of the said arms, an upwardly turned flange surrounding each
side of the seat-plate to form pockets for the seat-pads, springs connected to the
arms and stem of the saddle-tree to sustain the seat-plate, and seat-pads supported
by the seat-plate, substantially as specified.
7. A bicycle saddle consisting of a saddle-tree, substantially T-shaped, comprised
of a stem and two outwardly branching curved arms at the rear of the stem, an
independent seat-plate below the saddle-tree, consisting of two pockets integrally
united at their forward end, clastic supports connected to the under side of the
saddle-tree to sustain the seat-plate, each support consisting of a substantially
V shaped arm, connected at the Vend to the horn of the saddle-tree, and a coiled
spring integrally formed with the outer end of each arm, the upper end of the
springs connected to the under side of the outwardly branching arms of the
saddle-tree, substantially as specified.
8. A bicycle saddle consisting of a saddle-tree, substantially Tshaped, comprised
of a stem and two outwardly branching curved arms at the rear of the stem, an
independent seat-plate below the saddle-tree, consisting of two pockets integrally
united at their forward end, elastic supports connected to the under side of the
saddle-tree to sustain the seat-plate, each support consisting of a substantially
V-shaped arm, connected at the Vend to the horn of the saddle-tree, a coiled
spring integrally formed with the outer end of each arm, the upper end of the
springs connected to the under side of the outwardly branching arms of the
saddle-tree, and seat-pads supported by the seat-plate, substantially as specified.
9. The saddle hereinbefore described and illustrated in the accompanying
drawings.
10. The bicycle saddle hereinbefore described and illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8
of the drawings

page_text: 11. The saddle-tree for a bicycle hereinbefore described and illustrated in
Figs. 1 and 3 of the drawings.
12. The seat-plate for a bicycle-saddle hereinbefore described and illustrated
in Figs. 1, 2 and 4 of the drawings.
13. The elastic supports for a bicycle-saddle hereinbefore described and
illustrated in Figs. 2 and 7 of the drawings..
14. The clip for fastening the saddle-spring to the saddle-post hereinbefore
described and illustrated in Fig. 6 of the drawings.
15. A bicycle saddle consisting of a saddle-tree, a seat-plate located below the
saddle-tree, a saddle-spring having one end connected to the saddle-tree, and the
opposite end provided with two outwardly branching arms, and elastic supports
connected to the saddle-tree and to the arms of the saddle-spring to elastically
sustain the seat-plate, substantially as specified.
16. In a bicycle saddle a saddle-tree, consisting of a horn, and a shank extending
rearwardly from the horn, a seat-plate located below the saddle-tree consisting of
two independent pockets integrally united at their front end, a saddle-spring con-
sisting of a shank, and two outwardly branching arms at the rear end of the shank,
means for fastening the front end of the shank and the seat-plate to the horn of
the saddle-tree, and elastic supports connected to the outwardly branching arms of
the saddle-spring and to the saddle-tree, to elastically sustain the seat-plate,
substantially as specified.
17. In a bicycle saddle a sadille-tree, consisting of a horn, and a shank extending
rearwardly from the horn, a seat-plate located below the saddle-tree consisting of
two independent pockets integrally united at their front end, a saddle-spring
consisting of a shank, and two outwardly branching arms at the rear end of the
shank, means for fastening the front end of the shank and the seat-plate to the
horn of the saddle-tree, elastic supports connected to the outwardly branching
arms of the saddle-spring and to the saddle-tree, to elastically sustain the
a coiled spring the V shaped end connected to the horn of the saddle-tree, and the
seat-plate, each support consisting of a substantially V-shaped arm terminating in
coiled springs connected to the outwardly branching arms of the saddle-spring,
substantially as specified.
Dated this 22nd day of Ver 1807
HUGHES & YOUNG,
23, Coleman Street, London, E.C., Agents for Applicant.