Improvements in Saddles for Cycles.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 13th May, 1896
Complete Specification Left, 13th Feb., 1897-Accepted, 27th Mar., 1897
Improvements in Saddles for Cycles.
We HENRY DOUGLAS LOWDELL of 28 Elmfield Road Balham, Loudon S.W.,
Clerk and FREDERIC EASTMEAD of 39 Victoria Street Westminster,
London S.W. Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention consists in an arrangement by the use of which the injurious
effects of perineal pressure are avoided.
In order to effect this we construct our saddle of an elastic tube inflated by air
or similar means or of a tube of inelastic but flexible material, carried on a suitably
shaped framework and curved and shaped so as to be narrow at the front or peak
of the saddle and wide enough at the back to support the rear part of the
tuberosities of the ischia.
The tube may be made endless, and may or may not be divided at the front or
back, or both front and back, and the ends of the tube or tubes when divided may
be furnished with links to connect them to each other.
The framework carrying the tubes may be made of flexible material to act as a
spring, and it may be furnished with springs in the usual manner.
Dated this Twelfth day of May 1806
HENRY DOUGLAS LOWDELL.
FREDERIC EASTMEAD.
Improvements in Saddles for Cycles.
We, HENRY DOUGLAS LOWDELL of 28 Elmfield Road, Balham, London S.W.
Clerk, and FREDERIC EASTMEAD of 39 Victoria Street, Westminster,
London S.W. Engineer 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 :-
This invention consists in an arrangement by the use of which the injurious
effects of perineal pressure are avoided.
In cycle saddles as usually constructed that portion of the saddle which comes
under the perineum and on which the perineum rests causes, during riding, an
inconvenient and sometimes dangerous pressure on the perineum.
In our arrangement we construct the saddle so as to leave an open space into
which the perineum can drop, the weight of the body being supported by the
tuberosities of the ischia at the back and by the pressure of the legs on the sides of
the saddle at the front.
In order to effect this we construct our saddle of an elastic tube inflated by air
or similar means or of a tube of inelastic but flexible material or of a solid cord of
sufficient diameter of suitable material carried on a suitably shaped framework

page_text: and curved and shaped as hereinafter to be shown with reference to the accom-
panying drawings so as to be narrow at the front or peak of the saddle and wide
enough at the back to support the rear part of the tuberosities of the ischia leaving
a space inside the skeleton of the saddle into which the tuberosities of the ischia
and the perineum as herein before mentioned can drop. The tube or cord may be
'made endless, or may as we prefer be divided at the front or it may be divided at
the back, or the saddle may be made of two tubes or cords one at each side thus
making a division at both front and back. When divided the adjacent ends of the
tube or tubes, or cord or cords of the framework supporting them may be provided
with links or other similar suitable devices in order to regulate the relative motion
between the ends of the tube or tubes, or cord or cords.
These links may be made adjustable if desired.
The framework carrying the tube or tubes, or cord or cords may be made of
flexible material to act as a spring, or it may be stamped, pressed, cast, or other-
wise manufactured out of suitable material and furnished with springs in the usual
*manner.
Referring to the drawings:-
Fig. 1 shows a plan of the saddle made with the tube or cord endless.
Fig. 2 shows a plan of the saddle made with a division at the front.
Fig. 3 shows a plan of the saddle made with divisions at both front and back.
Fig. 4 shows a plan of the saddle made with a division at the back.
Fig. 5 shows an elevation of the front of the saddle looking rearwards, with the
link A connecting the framework carrying the tubes or cords B B 1.
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. Cycle saddles consisting of a skeleton framework padded with suitable
material.
2. The use in cycle saddles of the nature described of a pneumatic tube or
tubes.
3. The use in cycle saddles of the nature described of an inelastic tube or tubes
or of a solid cord or cords.
4. The use in cycle saddles of the nature described of a link or links to
regulate the relative motion of the adjacent ends of the tube or tubes, or cord or
cords.
5. The combination of pneumatic or uninflated but clastic tube or tubes or
of a cord or cords, with a suitably shaped framework and a link or links
substantially as set forth and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 12th day of February 1897.
HENRY DOUGLAS LOWDELL.
FREDERIC EASTMEAD.