Pivoting Nose-Less Bicycle Seat

• US 20120242121A1
• Filed: 01/14/2012
• Published: 09/27/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 01/17/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ulrich, Karl Thatcher
• Original Assignee: Ulrich, Karl Thatcher
• Inventors: Ulrich, Karl Thatcher
• Granted Patent: US 8,668,259 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 297/201
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 1/00 Saddles or other seats for cycles; Arrangement thereof; Component parts
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 1/007 Saddles with specific anatomical adaptations
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 1/02 Saddles resiliently mounted on the frame; Equipment therefor, e.g. springs
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 1/08 Frames for saddles; Connections between saddle frames and seat pillars; Seat pillars attaching seat pillars to cycle frames B62K19/36

Abstract

This invention relates to bicycle saddles. Several scientific studies have pointed to the risks of damage to the pudendal nerves and arteries associated with extended bicycle riding with conventional bicycle seats. It is the object of this invention to to provide a bicycle seat that can support the rider'"'"'s weight while minimizing the pressure on the region near the pudendal canal. A further object of the invention is to allow the rider'"'"'s legs to pedal without interference with the seat. A further object of the invention is to provide comfortable seating while bicycling. The invention consists of a relatively wide, flat seating surface—with no nose—that supports the sit bones of the rider and that pivots about a vertical axis to allow the seating surface to move out of the way of the rider'"'"'s legs when pedaling on the down stroke.

Claims

1. A nose-less pivoting bicycle seat comprising:

a. an upper seat and

b. a lower seat;

c. wherein said upper seat further comprises

i. a starboard sit bone support surface and

ii. a port sit bone support surface,

iii. wherein said starboard sit bone support surface and said port sit bone support surface are disposed in the X direction on opposites sides of the Y axis,

iv. wherein said starboard sit bone support surface and said port sit bone support surface are oriented such that they lie substantially within a single plane; and

d. wherein said lower seat comprises attachment means for rigidly connecting said lower seat to a bicycle; and

e. wherein said upper seat and said lower seat are connected by a pivot, wherein said pivot comprises an axis substantially oriented in the Z direction and approximately centered in the X direction.

2. The seat of claim 1 wherein the angle of rotation allowed by the pivot is restricted to less than plus or minus 15 degrees.

3. The seat of claim 1 wherein an elastic element restores said upper seat to a center position after it is rotationally deflected about said pivot.

4. The seat of claim 1 wherein said pivot comprises an axis that intersects said single plane at a location in the Y dimension bounded by the extent of said upper seat in the Y dimension.

5. The seat of claim 1 wherein said attachment means of said lower seat further comprises two substantially parallel rail elements for attaching to a bicycle, and wherein said rail elements are oriented substantially along the Y dimension and are attached to said lower seat at only their aft ends.

6. The seat of claim 5 wherein said rail elements further comprise removable caps attached at their forward ends, and wherein said removable caps are larger in diameter than said rail elements.