WO1995025662A1

WO1995025662A1 - Bicycle saddle

Info

Publication number: WO1995025662A1
Application number: PCT/EP1995/001086
Authority: WO
Inventors: Karl Jörg URBAN
Original assignee: Urban Karl Joerg
Priority date: 1994-03-23
Filing date: 1995-03-22
Publication date: 1995-09-28

Abstract

The seat (1) of the bicycle saddle is formed by a frame (6) of padded material which can be sprung. The legs (6' and 6'') of the frame (6) can be sprung independently of each other. The area for the perineum (D) is curved downwards in an almost arcuate shape and the region for the male genitalia (G) is lowered. The saddle nose (9) is lower than the region for the genitalia (G). The seat (1) can be secured to a bicycle frame (5) horizontally and in bracket-like manner by a spring support (2), a saddle holder (3) and a saddle support (4). Slide connections (10) with shock-absorbing elements (11) can be disposed between the seat (1) and the spring support (2). A wedge (12) for the coccyx, shaped parts (14) in the padding (13), adjustable curvature, a spacer (15) and inclination of the seat additionally contribute to ride comfort and above all protection of the region of the perineum (D) or genitalia (G).

Description

Bicycle saddle

The invention relates to the construction of a bicycle saddle, which is aimed at protecting the soft parts of the perineum area and at anatomically adapting its seat to the movements of the cyclist.

In the case of a bicycle saddle, two opposing requirements are to be met simultaneously. On the one hand, the cyclist must sit and at the same time perform complicated movements with the body, especially with the legs (lower body). In addition, for purely anatomical reasons, it is necessary to change the posture from time to time. This changes the load on the saddle, the reaction of which is usually unfavorable for the cyclist.

ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS In conventional saddles, these conditions and requirements are only taken into account to the extent that a suspension of the saddles relative to the seat post or the seat post relative to the bicycle frame is ensured. The saddle itself remains an almost rigid element with the disadvantages in question. The situation of sitting and turning the pedals with your legs inevitably leads to such a shape of the saddle, in which the soft parts of the perineal area are most loaded, while the much more resilient seat parts ( Buttocks, pubis, cheeks) take over an insufficient part of the load.

A partial technical solution to this problem can be found in the German laid-open specification P 43 27 234. It describes a bicycle saddle, the seat of which represents a U-shaped bracket made of padded resilient material, which is fastened horizontally like a console to a spring support. The two legs of the bracket represent free-standing, almost parallel, independent, spring-loaded bracket parts. For its part, the spring support is fastened to a saddle holder, which is and can be adjusted via a seat post on the bicycle frame, just like the U- Shaped bracket, shaped like a bracket made of resilient material and attached to the saddle holder like a bracket.

A closer look at the human anatomy in connection with cycling shows that in the riding position the genitals are more bulged than the entire perineal area. The load areas of conventional saddles from the saddle nose to the end of the saddle run in an almost horizontal plane and, moreover, they are arched in the opposite direction to the anatomy of the perina area. This means that the soft tissue area of the driver must first be compressed and deformed in order to then adapt to the surface of the seat. The greatest deformations and loads on these sensitive fabrics take place at the apex of these saddle arches. The consequences of this are nerve irritations (pain), lack of blood circulation and, viewed in the longer term, this creates the conditions for physical complaints. Furthermore, when sitting on such saddles, the driver's scrotum is raised from its original anatomical position and subsequently pressed and squeezed between the pedaling legs and on the saddle nose. This is particularly noticeable when moving from an upright posture to the sportier low position. These conditions are rarely taken into account and only to the extent that horizontal, long-lying depressions are formed in the area of the saddle lugs.

It is therefore within the scope of the invention to technically optimize the solution to the problem of simultaneous sitting and cycling under the contradicting conditions and requirements mentioned, and above all the stress in the perina area of the human body, with its sensitive tissues and organs, such as pubic border, ureter, prostate, etc. to reduce. It is equally important to distinguish between protection of the Perina area and To create vital protection and to design the saddle in such a way that its reaction to the entire flesh, as a result of body weight, is optimally distributed. This distribution of forces should be ensured in accordance with the different resilience of the tissues, muscles and bones involved.

A corresponding technical solution according to the invention is provided in that the seat of a bicycle saddle represents an almost U-shaped bracket made of padded resilient material, which is horizontally attached to a spring support in the manner of a console and its legs have two free-standing, almost parallel runs , independently of each other spring-elastic, represent bracket parts. Furthermore, the legs of the stirrup are shaped in such a way that the area between the contact surface for the coccyx - and this for the genitalia is arched downward in an almost circular arc, and that the area for the male genitalia, immediately adjacent to it, is lowered . The area of the saddle nose is also lowered, lower than the genital area. For its part, the spring support is fastened to a saddle holder, which is adjustably arranged on the bicycle frame via a seat post and, like the U-shaped bracket, can be shaped like a bracket from resilient material and attached to the saddle bracket in the manner of a console.

Another embodiment of this invention provides that the seat of the bicycle saddle is slidably disposed opposite the spring carrier, for example in the region of the saddle nose. Sliding Connections here can contain damping elements, such as springs and elastomers.

All combinations of the different variants of seat brackets, spring supports, as well as sliding connections and damping elements between them, are regarded as inventive.

The circular arc-shaped contact surface is channel-shaped in the direction of travel in the embankment area. A second, lower-lying longitudinal channel is formed in the center of this channel.

There is a so-called tail wedge in the tailbone zone.

Further refinements of this invention provide that various shaped pieces are arranged in and under the upholstery of the saddle and are movable and adjustable, mounted. Interchangeable shaped pieces of different hardness can be provided for receiving the pubic bone or ischium.

Further advantageous features result when the symmetrical parts of the bracket and / or the spring support are horizontally movable and adjustable via a mechanism.

The entire saddle can be adjusted about the transverse axis using an inclination mechanism. This mechanism can also be operated from the handlebar via a fixing device.

The saddles manufactured according to the invention have the advantage over the conventional ones that their suspension behavior changes within wide limits, especially in the perina area. is cash. However, their most important advantages lie in the area of riding comfort, whereby the bicycle saddle as a whole retains its almost classic shape, at the same time adapts to the anatomy and accommodates the movement sequence.

The mobility of the two symmetrical halves of the seat bracket is smaller in the area of the ischium or pubis, and greater in the perina area and in the area of movement of the thighs, the perineal area of the cyclist remaining almost unloaded.

Adapted to the human anatomy, this saddle ensures comfortable and healthy cycling. Each part of the body that is involved or stressed finds its preformed place and takes over a part of the total seat load that suits it.

Since every square centimeter is important for body weight gain, the tail wedge also contributes to this by increasing the surface area.

Due to the adjustable fittings and the horizontal adjustability of the legs of the bracket, the saddle can be individually adapted in terms of shape (curvature) and hardness.

Thanks to the inclination mechanism, the movement sequence of driving at different inclination positions of the body is quickly and diversely matched.

Two embodiments according to the invention are in the lying drawings and are described in more detail below. FIGS. 1 to 4 show axonometrically different variants of the bow-shaped seat. Figures 4. and 5. represent side views of two variants of the saddle according to the invention and its attachment to the bicycle frame ^" .

The seat (1) of the bicycle saddle represents an almost U-shaped bracket (6) made of padded, resilient material and is arranged in a cone-like manner via a spring support (2) on a saddle holder (3) so that the legs (6 ' and 6 '') of the bracket (6) stand freely and are aligned in the direction of the handlebar of the bicycle. The entire saddle is attached to a bicycle frame (5) via a seat post (4). All of these parts can be moved, adjusted and tightened against each other.

The legs (6 'and 6'') of the bracket (6) are bent and the padding (7) is shaped such that the perineal area (D) - between the contact surface for the coccyx (8) and this for the male Genitalia (G) - is almost arched downwards, and that the area for the male genitalia (G) is lowered. The saddle nose (9) is lower than the genital area (G) and is lowered. A tail wedge (12) is formed in the rear part of the saddle (8). Movable shaped pieces (14) are arranged on the bracket (6), under the padding (13). An expansion bolt (15) is articulated in the bend of the bracket (6) between the genital area (G) and the perineal area (D) with the legs (6 'and 6''). One, via a fixing device, from the len- Ker of actuatable, inclination mechanism (16) is arranged on the saddle holder (3). In the saddle nose (9) there is a sliding connection (10) between the seat bracket (6) and the spring support (2). The sliding connection (10) is equipped with a spring as a damping element (11).

When riding with this saddle, the seat (1) and spring carrier (2) work together to ensure the vertical suspension of the body. The legs (6 'and 6' ') of the bracket (6) spring according to the lower body movements of the cyclist. Through its. The shape of the seat (1) converts a substantial part of the vertical stresses into horizontal forces, which are absorbed by the damping elements (11) via the sliding connections (10).

Claims

Bicycle saddle claims

1. Bicycle saddle, consisting of a seat (1) which can be fastened horizontally in a console-like manner to a bicycle frame (5) via a spring support (2), a saddle holder (3) and a saddle support (4) Seat (1) is an almost U-shaped bracket (6) made of padded resilient material, the legs (6 'and 6 ") of which are two free-standing, almost parallel, independently resilient bracket parts, characterized thereby that the legs (6 'and 6 ") and / or the padding (7) of the bracket (6) are shaped such that the dam area (D) - between the contact surface for the rump- leg (8) and this for the male genitalia (G) - is arched downwards in an almost circular arc shape, and that the area for the male genitals (G) is lowered.

2. Bicycle saddle according to claim 1, characterized in that the saddle nose (9) is lowered, lower than the genital area (G).

3. Bicycle saddle according to claim 1 or 2, characterized gekennzei¬ chnet that its seat (1) opposite the spring support (2) is slidably disposed, for example. In the area of the Sattelna¬ se (9).

4. Bicycle saddle according to claim 3, characterized in that the sliding connections (10) between the seat (1) and the spring support (2) contain damping elements (11).

5. Bicycle saddle according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the circular arc-shaped seat for the dam (area) (D) is channel-shaped in the direction of travel and that in the middle of this gutter a second deep-lying longitudinal groove is formed.

6. Bicycle saddle according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that in the coccyx zone an upwardly curved tail wedge (12) is formed.

7. Bicycle saddle according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that in or under the upholstery (13) of the seat (1) fittings (14) are arranged and movable, and adjustable, are stored.

8. Bicycle saddle according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that interchangeable shaped pieces of different hardness are provided in the area for the sit bones or pubis.

9. Bicycle saddle according to one of claims 1 to 5, gekenn¬ characterized by changeable and adjustable curvature and / or expansion (15) of the U-shaped bracket (6) and / or the spring support (2).

10. Bicycle saddle according to one of claims 1 to 5, marked by an adjustable inclination mechanism (16) which can be actuated from the handlebar via a fixing device.