Depressed Portion Spaces Body Supporting Surfaces Patents (Class 297/202)
  • Patent number: 6149230
    Abstract: A bicycle saddle for seating a bicycle rider includes a shell, foam padding, leather cover, a suspension rail, and a seating surface including right and left sides, divided by a substantially V-shaped open surface extending from a rear edge of the saddle forwardly, and a longitudinal depression extending from the apex of the V-shaped open space forwardly to the anterior portion of the saddle. The right and left sides of the saddle thereby provide laterally spaced apart left and right posterior support surfaces for supporting the right and left ischeal tuberosities of the bicycle rider, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Trek Bicycle Corporation
    Inventor: Keith D. Bontrager
  • Patent number: 6139098
    Abstract: A bicycle seat designed for optimized anatomical protection of a cyclist operating a bicycle having an upper seating surface adapted to incline from a lower forward portion, upward to an upper backward portion. The lower forward portion has an upward extending projection establishing a front catch for the gluteal fold region of the cyclist's buttocks. In addition, the bicycle seat includes a support having a forward frame member pivotally attached to a trailing beam that includes a first side extension and a second side extension coplanar with the first extension. The support provides reinforcement for a cushion including the upper seating surface and a stem portion which is aligned over the forward frame member. A channel, formed in the cushion, extends from the stem portion, flanked by a pair of elongate pads each having a front end and a rear end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Inventor: Juan R. Carrillo
  • Patent number: 6106059
    Abstract: A bicycle seat with a base having a front which broadens towards a rear that has a notched groove. A connector is attached to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger Minkow, Lance J. Bohlen, Robert F. Egger
  • Patent number: 6095601
    Abstract: A bicycle saddle has a base which is formed of a main body and an elastic body. The main body is provided with a shock-absorbing area which is in turn provided with a plurality of receiving spaces, and partitions located between the receiving spaces. Each receiving space has a shoulder portion located along the periphery thereof such that the shoulder portion is beneath the level of the top of the shock-absorbing area. The partitions and the shoulder portions are level with each other and are provided with a plurality of through holes. The elastic body is filled in the shock-absorbing area by molding such that the elastic body is anchored securely in the through holes and that the elastic body covers the shoulder portions, and the top and the bottom of the partitions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Inventor: Tsai-Yun Yu
  • Patent number: 6079775
    Abstract: A bicycle seat has no horn and permits an even weight distribution on the ischia of the cyclist as well as permitting unobstructed pedalling and correct positioning in relation to the handlebars and pedals to maximize efficiency and comfort of pedalling. The seat has a wide rear portion moulded to support the buttocks at both the rear sides and a front portion which has a leading edge extending at right angles to the frame. The leading edge lies in the physiological creaseline of the cyclist between the thighs and buttocks. The seat is attached to the seat post close to its leading edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Assignee: Supaseat Holdings Limited
    Inventor: Donald Garth Lawson
  • Patent number: 6045180
    Abstract: A cycle seat providing rider comfort and accommodating various styles of riding while providing substantially minimal pressure on the urogenital area of the rider during pedalling. The lateral portions of the seat do not interfere with the thighs of the rider during pedalling, thus allowing the legs of the rider to be angle downward to meet the pedals of the seat with substantially minimal obstruction. The cycle seat includes a ridge-like member intermediate to support surfaces which are adapted to support respective ischial tuberosities of the rider. The central ridge-like member supports the coccyx and the pubic bones of the rider when the upper torso of the rider is substantially upright and is also capable of supporting the public bones when the rider's pelvis is angled substantially forward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: Harrodon Holdings Limited
    Inventor: Peter David Clutton
  • Patent number: 6039395
    Abstract: A bicycle saddle includes two support members preferably supported by a base component which connects the saddle to a bicycle. The support members are positioned on the base component in a laterally spaced apart arrangement about a longitudinal axis of the saddle, leaving an open area between the support members. Each support member includes a nose portion and a back portion. The back portion includes a downwardly sloped front surface and a downwardly sloped aft surface. The front and aft surfaces meet at a ridge or transition surface which is preferably swept rearwardly along with the front surface. The nose portion of each support member extends from an inside edge of the front surface forwardly and generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the saddle. In this configuration, the saddle supports the cyclist at the tuberosities of the ischium, along the junction of the back of the thigh and the buttocks, and somewhat along the junction of the inner thigh and the torso.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: Wabuco
    Inventor: Russell D. Culbertson
  • Patent number: 6019425
    Abstract: A bicycle saddle cover includes a fabric/film enwrapment having a top, bottom and a perimeter with the perimeter being in the shape of a bicycle saddle. An elastomer molded to the enwrapment top creates at least one depression in the enwrapment top in order to accommodate a rider's anatomy and a tie cord disposed in the enwrapment body is provided for its cinching the cover around the bicycle seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Inventor: Paul M. Yates
  • Patent number: 5927802
    Abstract: A bicycle seat employs a suspension platform that provides yieldable flexible support of the weight of a bicyclist through contact primarily with the buttocks rather than the crotch of the bicyclist. The suspension platform is formed by a triangular-shaped flexible membrane attached to and extending over and between rigid rear cross and front nose support members mounted respectively to a front end and a pair of rear ends of a U-shaped frame member such that the membrane is held in a taut flat condition under tension so as to provide the flexible support of the bicyclist's buttocks. The membrane is constructed of an inelastic fabric material having a pair of opposite side wing sheets and a longitudinal central band all made of longitudinal strands extending parallel to one another and held together by cross strands interwoven with the longitudinal strands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Inventor: Donald A. Kesinger
  • Patent number: 5918931
    Abstract: A bicycle saddle includes two support members preferably supported by a base component which connects the saddle to a bicycle. The support members are positioned on the base component in a laterally spaced apart arrangement about a longitudinal axis of the saddle, leaving an open area between the support members. Each support member includes a nose portion and a back portion. The back portion includes a downwardly sloped front surface and a downwardly sloped aft surface. The front and aft surfaces meet at a ridge or transition surface which is preferably swept rearwardly along with the front surface. The nose portion of each support member extends from an inside edge of the front surface forwardly and generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the saddle. In this configuration, the saddle supports the cyclist at the tuberosities of the ischium, along the junction of the back of the thigh and the buttocks, and somewhat along the junction of the inner thigh and the torso.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Inventor: Russell D. Culbertson
  • Patent number: 5911475
    Abstract: A saddle cover for a racing cyclist, especially for the male cyclist racing in the aerotuck position where the male organ is pinched awkwardly against the bicycle seat or saddle. The saddle cover includes a pair of front elongate relatively raised resilient cushion portions on a front portion of the saddle, running forwardly and rearwardly and being spaced transversely of each other such that the male organ is cradled on and between the elongate resilient cushions. The saddle cover further includes a pair of rear generally elliptical relatively raised resilient cushion portions on a rear portion of the saddle for the bony portions of the buttocks. The front pair of cushions is spaced from the rear pair of cushions such that the space therebetween is relatively depressed. The saddle cover is resiliently stretchable over a conventional saddle. Further, if desired, the cover may be integral with the saddle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1999
    Inventor: Toshikazu Nakahara
  • Patent number: 5890760
    Abstract: A bicycle seat cushion that has a relatively thick, main cushioning base with a foam material interior and a protective outer cover. The base has a narrow, pentagonal arrow shape when viewed from the top with the pointed portion at the front. The cushion includes a secondary cushioning base carrying a pair of spaced apart, relatively thin, firm, cushioning pads. The secondary base is detachably connected to the bottom of the main base. The position of the secondary base is adjustable longitudinally relative to the main base. The main base cushions the rider's buttocks while the two cushioning pads provide additional cushioning for the rider's pelvic bones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1999
    Inventor: Brigitte Kirstein
  • Patent number: 5873626
    Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a seat comprises a frame to be sat on by a user, which frame includes two side portions for supporting the ischial tuberosities and for substantially avoiding the application of pressure to the perineal body and the other perineal structures of the user. Each of the side portions includes a hollow loop portion for reducing the weight of the frame and for displacing the pressure onto a multiplicity of different support points. The frame further includes a portion, at the rear of the seat, connecting the side portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Inventor: David L. Katz
  • Patent number: 5823618
    Abstract: A pedestal seat having an adjustable base for supporting a first resilient suspension system for a pair of separate and spaced-apart cushioned body halves adapted for independent articulation with respect to each other is disclosed. A second resilient suspension system is disposed in each of the of the respective body halves adapted to bear against skeleton contact points of the user's torso. The first suspension system employs a pair of leaf springs having opposite ends attached to each of the respective body halves with a coil spring interconnecting one end of each leaf spring with a selected end of each body half. The adjustable base releasably secures the midsection of each leaf spring to a common pedestal or stanchion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1998
    Inventors: Harry M. Fox, Joyce L. Fox
  • Patent number: 5791730
    Abstract: An improved bicycle seat is disclosed which is especially advantageous for mountain bike riding. When descending, a cyclist may improve the handling of the bicycle by changing his position relative to the bicycle. A rearmost portion of the inventive seat is provided with a generally planar ramped surface that extends rearward to the trailing edge to allow the rider to shift his weight to the back of the seat and lower his center of gravity. The rider may move further back completely off of the seat and lower his position below the level of the seat. Tapered edges are provided along the sides to allow for easy entry back onto the seat from the ramped surface or from behind and beneath the seat. The ramped surface and tapered edges also allow the rider to contact the seat comfortably when not fully seated on it to better control the bicycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1998
    Assignee: Avocet, Inc.
    Inventor: Bernhard J. Hoffacker
  • Patent number: 5765912
    Abstract: An off-road bicycle having a resilient nose for cushioning impacts when a rider shifts his weight forward on a bicycle. The saddle, constructed from a shell having a relatively narrow nose and wide rear section and a suspension rail attached to the front and rear parts of the seat, includes a resilient pad placed underneath the nose between the shell and the front end of the rail. A rigid shim placed over the rail distributes a load from the rail across a substantial surface area of the pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Assignee: Trek Bicycle Corporation
    Inventor: Keith D. Bontrager
  • Patent number: 5720518
    Abstract: A universal bike seat and exercycle seat cushion that is placed on top of conventional bike seats, having two separate matching cushioning devices whose surface area is smaller than the conventional bike seat upon which they are placed allowing unlimited placement adjustment options for the rider. The cushioning devices have multiple stages of cushioning materials including low density open cell foam, high density open cell foam and low density closed cell foam, and are semi-oval in shape, which creates a no-contact, `pressure-free` zone for the rider's tail bone, soft tissues and genitalia. The device may be secured to the bike seat by appropriate means, such as a slip cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Inventor: Craig R. Harrison
  • Patent number: 5645315
    Abstract: A cycle saddle for a female, comprising a saddle body that defines a support surface on which a female can be supported, the support surface being profiled to conform anatomically to the shape of a female's buttock and genital regions. The saddle body comprises a cushion section that is adhesively bonded to a rigid moulded plastics base section, with the cushion section having a posterior region that defines a raised laterally flared cantle, and an intermediate region and an anterior region transitioning from the posterior region to form a horn section. The anterior region is raised thereby forming together with the posterior and intermediate regions, a continuous longitudinally concave profile for snugly supporting the buttock, perineal and pubic regions of a female.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Assignee: Martin David Walker
    Inventors: Martin David Walker, Edward Joseph Khoury
  • Patent number: 5387024
    Abstract: An improved saddle for sport bicycles includes a saddle framework made of a plastic material, covered by a coating material and supported by a curved tubular metal element, to the framework being connected a rear connecting portion or bridge element, the frame, at a rear central portion thereof, further including a slot having a set width.The framework is moreover provided, at its front portion, with a cavity in which a bellows element can be arranged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1995
    Inventor: Giuseppe Bigolin
  • Patent number: 5165752
    Abstract: A novel bicycle saddle especially useful for female cyclists is disclosed. This saddle contains a base and a cushion. The cushion contains two resilient sections which have different physical properties such as, e.g., different densities, indentation load deflection ratings, tensile strengths, and elongations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1992
    Inventor: Georgena Terry
  • Patent number: 4898422
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a bicycle seat having a narrow front portion which broadens to a wider rear portion. A central cut-out of arrowhead shape is formed in the seat to provide relief for an occupants external genitalia. An elevated hump structure is also included on the seat surface to provide a rest for the superficial perineal space of an occupant. The particular structural characteristics of the seat improve the qualities of seat design and user comfort.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 6, 1990
    Inventor: Robert V. West, III
  • Patent number: 4290644
    Abstract: This invention consists of a recess-ventilated collapsible tent motorcycle seat especially referring to a motorcycle seat with a ventilation recess of appropriate width longitudinally down the middle of the seat, said recess having along its bottom a plurality of ventilation holes, the middle of said recess being equipped with a tent mechanism which can be easily erected and collapsed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1979
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1981
    Inventors: Jinn-Yih Hu, Kun-Si Hu, Sue-Jan Hu
  • Patent number: 4218090
    Abstract: A new and improved bicycle seat which is suitably designed to allow the cyclist to sit in the seat and obtain immediate and longlasting comfort without being concerned and plagued with saddlesores after long periods on the seat. The seat is further designed to be durable and efficient in addition to being comfortable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1978
    Date of Patent: August 19, 1980
    Inventors: Neal D. Hoffacker, Bernhard J. Hoffacker
  • Patent number: 3997214
    Abstract: A compartmented bicycle seat padding adapted to be secured to a bicycle seat having depressions formed therein and wherein said padding is enclosed by an outer leather-like exterior and the compartments of said padding receives a formable, stable, dilatant or thixotropic padding material of said padding such as polybutadiene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1974
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1976
    Assignee: The Jacobs Corporation
    Inventor: David L. Jacobs