Patent Description:
In the practice of cycling, but also during the use of the bicycle as means of transport or as leisure tool, the user discharges most of his weight onto the saddle, the shape and dimensions of which therefore play a fundamental role in comfort of use.

It is known to use saddles that can slightly modify their shape by virtue of the presence of adjustment elements: this type of saddle allows the user to effectively adjust the saddle to their own requirements and their own anatomical shape. For example a saddle according to the preamble of claim <NUM> is shown in the document <CIT>.

All the technical solutions of the known type, however, do not allow completely stable adjustments and have structural limitations when used in extreme configurations.

In some cases, once an extreme configuration has been reached it is no longer possible to revert due to an unwanted jamming of the adjustment assembly.

The aim of the present invention is to solve the problems described above, proposing a saddle that allows stable dimensional and shape adjustments.

Within this aim, an object of the present invention is to propose a saddle which will not jam or be damaged even if brought to extreme adjustment configurations.

Another object of the present invention is to propose a saddle suitable for any type of bicycle.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a saddle which has low costs, is relatively simple to provide and of secure application.

In accordance with the invention, there is provided a saddle as defined in the appended claims.

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of the saddle according to the invention, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:.

With particular reference to the <FIG>, a saddle according to the invention is generally designated by the reference numeral <NUM>.

The saddle <NUM> according to the invention comprises a main frame <NUM> for supporting a pair of symmetrical and mutually opposite wings <NUM>.

The frame <NUM> comprises a member <NUM> for the mutual fixing of the wings <NUM> which is provided with two transverse supporting bars <NUM> each for a pair of sliders <NUM>, <NUM>.

Each slider <NUM>, <NUM> is coupled to front end <NUM> and the rear end <NUM> of a respective wing <NUM>.

The sliders <NUM>, <NUM> are movable along the bar <NUM> according to a predefined stroke, for the adjustment of the distance of each end, at the front one <NUM> and the rear one <NUM>, from the longitudinal central plane of symmetry of the frame <NUM>.

Each slider <NUM> or <NUM> is coupled to a front end <NUM> and a rear end <NUM> of a respective wing <NUM>.

The sliders <NUM> or <NUM> are movable along the bar <NUM> according to a predefined stroke: more specifically, the sliders <NUM> or <NUM> are movable along a predefined portion of the bar <NUM> with respect to extreme configurations (of maximum mutual proximity and maximum mutual distance of the front ends <NUM> or rear ends <NUM> of the wings <NUM>), for the adjustment of the distance of each front end <NUM> and rear end <NUM> from the longitudinal central plane of symmetry of the frame <NUM>.

In the saddle <NUM> according to the invention it is therefore possible to make an adjustment of the mutual distance of the wings <NUM>, keeping them parallel or mutually inclined (in a symmetric or asymmetric manner, according to the specific requirements).

With particular reference to a constructive solution of unquestionable interest in practice and in application, the transverse supporting bar <NUM> is advantageously constituted by a threaded bar <NUM> and each slider <NUM> is usefully constituted by a nut with a thread that is complementary to the one of the threaded bar <NUM>.

The threaded bar <NUM>, in this case, advantageously comprises, at least at its terminal ends, protruding stroke limiting elements <NUM>.

The protruding stroke limiting elements <NUM> prevent the nut (slider <NUM>) from reaching the end of the threaded bar <NUM> and leaving it.

In other words, these elements <NUM> ensure that the two sliders <NUM> always remain correctly engaged on the bar <NUM>, being able to translate along the bar <NUM> only according to a stroke of a predefined extent (comprised between a configuration of mutual resting contact of the ends <NUM> and <NUM>, which corresponds to their maximum proximity, and a configuration of abutment of the slider nut <NUM> on the element <NUM>, which corresponds to the maximum mutual distance of the ends <NUM> and <NUM>).

With reference to the constructive solution described earlier, it is specified that the protruding stroke limiting elements <NUM> may advantageously be of the type chosen preferably from pins accommodated within transverse through holes of the ends of the threaded bar <NUM>, grub screws engaged within transverse holes of the ends of the threaded bar <NUM>, screws engaged within transverse holes of the ends of the threaded bar <NUM>, cotter pins accommodated within transverse through holes of the ends of the threaded bar <NUM>, stop rings (of the type of those known as snap rings) accommodated within respective slots of the ends of the threaded bar <NUM>, terminal nuts rigidly coupled to respective ends of the threaded bar <NUM>.

In general, any protruding stroke limiting element <NUM> is suitable to achieve the aim described previously and therefore various constructive solutions are not excluded (including the plastic deformation of the ends themselves of the threaded bar <NUM>).

Furthermore, it is specified that the frame <NUM> conveniently comprises respective seats <NUM> for the rotatable accommodation of the threaded bar <NUM>.

Each seat <NUM> is in turn provided with means for the stable locking of the bar <NUM>.

In particular, the stable locking means may advantageously comprise a threaded transverse hole <NUM> and a locking screw <NUM> which can be tightened in the hole.

When the screw <NUM> is tightened in the hole <NUM>, its terminal end abuts and is forced against the external surface of the threaded bar <NUM>, so as to cause its locking. This locking operation can be performed after the adjusting of the mutual distance of the front ends <NUM> or rear ends <NUM> of the wings <NUM>, by imposing rotations of the threaded bar <NUM>, by acting on its central portion <NUM>.

The central portion <NUM> of the bar <NUM> in fact comprises at least one recess <NUM> within which it is possible to insert a tool A with which to adjust (i.e., with which to turn the threaded bar <NUM> until the front ends <NUM> or rear ends <NUM> of the wings <NUM> are arranged at a mutual distance that complies with one's own requirements).

With particular reference to <FIG> not forming part of the invention as defined in the appended claims, a transverse supporting bar <NUM> is constituted by a rigid rod <NUM> provided with a pair of slots <NUM> which are symmetrical with respect to its central plane.

In this case, a pair of sliders <NUM> are each constituted by a threaded member.

The front end <NUM> or rear end <NUM> of each wing <NUM> comprises a receptacle with a thread that is complementary to the thread of the threaded member (slider <NUM>) for the fastening of said threaded member (slider <NUM>) on said receptacle, with consequent clamping of the rigid rod <NUM> between the threaded member (slider <NUM>) and the front end <NUM> or rear end <NUM> of the wing <NUM>.

It is specified that in this case each threaded member (slider <NUM>) may be conveniently fastened on the receptacle of the front end <NUM> or rear end <NUM> of the wing <NUM> at any position along the respective slot <NUM> of the rod <NUM> in a manner that is independent of the other threaded member (the other slider <NUM>).

Therefore, in practice, within the scope of the constructive solution described herein, the front ends <NUM> or rear ends <NUM> of the wings <NUM> can be coupled rigidly to the rod <NUM> according to any configuration, even non-symmetrical ones.

Therefore, this embodiment gives assurance to the user that the saddle <NUM> is shaped even in a non-symmetrical manner, thus compensating for problems arising from specific requirements or skeletal-postural problems of said user.

It is specified that the threaded member (slider <NUM>) may advantageously comprise a terminal head provided with actuation portions chosen from manual ones, of the type of rings, flaps, levers and the like, and for tools, of the type of contoured seats, contoured external surfaces, and the like.

In practice, by using threaded members (sliders <NUM>) that have an end ring or a so-called "butterfly" terminal or a transverse lever, the user can adjust at will the position of each front end <NUM> or rear end <NUM> along the rod <NUM> (within the stroke allowed by the respective slot <NUM>), without the need to have any tools.

If the threaded members (sliders <NUM>) have a hexagonal (or contoured) terminal head, the user may perform the adjustment by using a suitable wrench or pliers; if the terminal head has a contoured cavity, the user may use screwdrivers, contoured wrenches (such as Allen wrenches, Torx wrenches, spline wrenches and the like) and other tools of this type to adjust the position of the ends <NUM> of the wings <NUM>.

It is specified that the fixing member <NUM> may advantageously comprise a connecting element 4a for the coupling of the front ends <NUM> or rear ends <NUM> of the wings <NUM> in a mutually adjacent configuration (or, in general, in a fixed mutual position).

Such connecting element 4a may conveniently comprise a tip <NUM> which is integral with the frame <NUM> and is designed to be accommodated within mutually opposite receptacles of the wings <NUM>.

Each receptacle has a shape and dimensions which are substantially complementary to those of one half of the tip <NUM>.

In the examples shown in the accompanying figures, the tip <NUM> may be constituted by a metallic stem, which is integral with the frame <NUM> and is U-shaped: the front ends <NUM> of the wings <NUM> are partially retained by a terminal <NUM> which also has an internal contoured portion suitable for the stable accommodation of the tip <NUM>.

Obviously, the connecting element 4a may be arranged likewise between the rear ends <NUM>, if one wishes to provide a configuration in which said rear ends <NUM> of the wings are fixed, while the mutual distance between the front ends <NUM> is adjustable.

In general, the saddle <NUM> according to the invention allows an adjustment of the mutual distance of the front ends <NUM> and of the rear ends <NUM>.

These adjustments may allow mutual arrangements of the wings <NUM> in a symmetrical or asymmetric manner, as a function of the specific requirements of the user.

Finally, it is specified that the wings <NUM> may conveniently be made of a material preferably chosen from metals, polymers, composite materials, wood and combinations thereof.

The use of these materials ensures that the wings <NUM> are elastically deformable, being therefore more comfortable for the user.

Advantageously, the present invention solves the problems described earlier, proposing a saddle <NUM> that allows stable dimensional and shape adjustments.

Stability is ensured by the fact that the predetermined stroke along which the rear ends <NUM> of the wings <NUM> can mutually move ensures that the sliders <NUM> or <NUM> never reach extreme positions that might cause malfunctions.

Positively, the saddle <NUM> according to the invention does not suffer jamming or damage even when brought to extreme adjustment configurations: these extreme adjustment configurations remain in any case within the predetermined maximum stroke within which the saddle <NUM> is safely adjustable.

Usefully, the saddle <NUM> is suitable to be installed on any type of bicycle.

Validly, the saddle <NUM> is relatively simple to provide in practice and has low costs: these characteristics make the saddle <NUM> according to the invention an innovation of secure application.

In the exemplary embodiments shown, individual characteristics, given in relation to specific examples, may actually be interchanged with other different characteristics that exist in other exemplary embodiments.

In practice, the materials used, as well as the dimensions, may be any according to the requirements and the state of the art.

Claim 1:
A saddle (<NUM>) of the type comprising a main frame (<NUM>) for supporting a pair of symmetrical and mutually opposite wings (<NUM>), said frame (<NUM>) comprising a member (<NUM>) for the mutual fixing of said wings (<NUM>) which is provided with two transverse supporting bars (<NUM>) each for a pair of sliders (<NUM>, <NUM>), each slider (<NUM>, <NUM>) being coupled to a front end (<NUM>) and a rear end (<NUM>) of a respective wing (<NUM>), said sliders (<NUM>, <NUM>) being movable along a respective said bar (<NUM>) at said front end (<NUM>) and at said rear end (<NUM>) according to a predefined stroke, for an adjustment of a distance of each said front and rear end (<NUM>, <NUM>) from a longitudinal central plane of symmetry of said frame (<NUM>), so as to make it possible to make an adjustment of the mutual distance of said wings (<NUM>), keeping them parallel or mutually inclined, in a symmetric or asymmetric manner, according to the specific requirements, characterised by said transverse supporting bar (<NUM>) being a threaded bar (<NUM>) and each said slider (<NUM>) is a nut with a complementary thread, said bar (<NUM>) comprising, at least at its terminal ends, protruding stroke limiting elements (<NUM>).