Pneumatic bicycle saddle

• US 5,524,961 A
• Filed: 05/15/1995
• Issued: 06/11/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Charles R. Howard
• Original Assignee: Charles R. Howard
• Inventors: Howard, Charles R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nelson, Jr., Milton
• Application Number:
  US08/441,458
• Time in Patent Office: 393 Days
• Field of Search: 297/452.22, 297/195.1, 297/199, 297/200, 297/215.16, 297/DIG. 2, 297/DIG. 3, 297/215.14, 297/215.13, 297/215.16, 297/452.41
• US Class Current: 297/199
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 1/26 Paddings involving other resilient material, e.g. sponge rubber with inflatable compartments
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 297/02 Molded

Abstract

A bicycle saddle having an air-filled bladder. The bladder is a durable plastic film chamber having an easily accessible air pump and release valve that allows the bicyclist to adjust the air pressure to his/her comfort without dismounting and or seeking an air supply. The bladder is fitted into a contoured cavity located in a plastic shell base. The bicyclist'"'"'s weight is supported by the bladder which maintains its shape due to material selection and thickness plus a supporting base. Additional dimensional stability is provided by spot welds of the bladder material to control expansion. Also, an optional skirt is provided on the bladder to further hold it in position when inflated. A simple push pump at the rear and a release valve button under the nose of the saddle enables the saddle to be adjusted for pressure. Metal rails provide generous fore and aft adjustment and a place to firmly clamp the saddle to the bicycle seat post. The saddle is covered with a soft flexible material and adhered to the plastic base. The few number of parts and the absence of mechanical gadgetry, allow the saddle to be manufactured, assembled, and offered at low cost.

Claims

1. A saddle for a bicycle comprising:

a molded base shaped to conform to a human perineum region, said base having a front tapered end, a rear widened end, top and bottom surfaces;

said base having a cavity within the top surface, said cavity also shaped substantially like the shape of said base;

said base having a pump opening through the rear widened end, said pump opening communicating with said cavity, and having a valve opening through the bottom surface of said base, adjacent to the front tapered end;

said base also having a pair of front rail receiving openings positioned in the bottom surface of said base, adjacent to the front tapered end, and a pair of rear rail receiving openings also positioned in the bottom surface of said base, adjacent to the rear widened end;

a pair of rails, each rail having a forward section and a rearward section with said rearward section of each rail being substantially parallel to one another, and each of said rearward sections having a length that permits said saddle to be adjusted forwardly and rearwardly on said bicycle, said rearward sections being attached in said rear rail receiving openings and said forward sections being attached in said front rail receiving openings;

an inflatable bladder, attached to said base, and dimensioned to fit within said cavity of said base;

a compressible air pump, attached to said bladder through said pump opening in said base, such that when said pump is compressed, air is pumped into said inflatable bladder;

a release valve, attached to said bladder through a release opening in said base, such that when said release valve is opened, air is released from said bladder.

2. The saddle of claim 1 further comprising:

a cover shaped substantially similar to said base such that said cover encloses the top surface of said base.

3. The saddle of claim 2 wherein said cover is leather.

4. The saddle of claim 2 wherein said cover is plastic.

5. The saddle of claim 1 wherein said bladder further comprises a top surface, a bottom surface, and a plurality of interconnections between said top surface and said bottom surface of said bladder such that said interconnections cause said bladder to retain its shape within said cavity when said pump inflates said bladder.

6. The saddle of claim 5 wherein said bladder is plastic and said interconnections between said top and bottom surfaces of said bladder are spot welds of the plastic material.

7. The saddle of claim 1 wherein said bladder further comprises a top surface and a skirt that is attached to said top surface, wherein said skirt firmly attaches said bladder to said base.

8. The saddle of claim 7 wherein said skirt is attached to said base using an adhesive.

9. The saddle of claim 1 wherein said bladder is fabricated from urethane material having a thickness ranging from approximately 10 to 15 mils.

10. The saddle of claim 1 wherein said base is molded from at least one thermoplastic selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, polyetheylene, polyurethane, nylon, and polycarbonate.