U.S. patent application number 09/878719 was filed with the patent office on 2002-01-10 for bicycle saddle with cut out.
Invention is credited to Bohlen, Lance J., Egger, Robert F., Minkow, Roger.
Application Number | 20020003364 09/878719 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26742930 |
Filed Date | 2002-01-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020003364 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Minkow, Roger ; et
al. |
January 10, 2002 |
Bicycle saddle with cut out
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.
Inventors: |
Minkow, Roger; (Petaluma,
CA) ; Bohlen, Lance J.; (Morgan Hill, CA) ;
Egger, Robert F.; (Watsonville, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KNOBBE MARTENS OLSON & BEAR LLP
620 NEWPORT CENTER DRIVE
SIXTEENTH FLOOR
NEWPORT BEACH
CA
92660
US
|
Family ID: |
26742930 |
Appl. No.: |
09/878719 |
Filed: |
June 11, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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09878719 |
Jun 11, 2001 |
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09583348 |
May 31, 2000 |
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6244655 |
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09583348 |
May 31, 2000 |
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09452546 |
Dec 1, 1999 |
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6106059 |
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09452546 |
Dec 1, 1999 |
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09172738 |
Oct 14, 1998 |
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60062979 |
Oct 18, 1997 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
297/202 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B62J 1/002 20130101;
B62J 1/26 20130101; B62J 1/007 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
297/202 |
International
Class: |
B62J 001/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A seat, comprising: a base having a front which broadens towards
a rear, the rear having a groove, and a connector attached to the
base.
2. The seat of claim 1, wherein the base comprises: a rigid frame,
and a first layer connected to the frame.
3. The seat of claim 2, further comprising: a second layer disposed
between the first layer and the frame.
4. The seat of claim 3, wherein: the first layer is constructed of
a resilient material, and the second layer is constructed of a
resilient material that is denser than the first layer resilient
material.
5. The seat of claim 4, wherein the groove has a dimension matching
an ischial tuberosities dimension whereby pressure is reduced on
the internal pudendal arteries.
6. The seat of claim 1, wherein the groove is beveled.
7. The seat of claim 3, wherein: the second layer is beveled to a
greater extent than the frame, and the first layer is beveled to a
greater extent than the second layer.
8. The seat of claim 7, wherein the groove has a dimension matching
an ischial tuberosities dimension whereby pressure is reduced on
the internal pudendal arteries.
9. A seat, comprising: a connector; a base attached to the
connector, the base having a front which broadens towards a rear,
the rear having a groove, the base further comprising: a rigid
frame; a first layer constructed of a resilient material connected
to the frame, and a second layer constructed of a resilient
material that is denser than the first layer resilient material,
the second layer disposed between the first layer and the frame,
wherein the second layer is beveled to a greater extent than the
frame and the first layer is beveled to a greater extent than the
second layer.
10. A seat, comprising: a base having a font which broadens towards
a rear; the rear having a notched groove, wherein the base further
comprises: a rigid frame, and a resilient material layer connected
to the frame, wherein the resilient material layer is beveled at a
greater angle than the frame.
11. The seat of claim 10, wherein the notched groove has a
dimension matching an ischial tuberosities dimension whereby
pressure is reduced on the internal pudendal arteries.
12. A seat, comprising: a base having a front which broadens
towards a rear; the base having a cavity extending from near the
rear towards near the front of the seat.
13. The seat of claim 12, wherein the base comprises: a rigid
frame, and a first layer connected to the frame.
14. The seat of claim 13, further comprising: a second layer
disposed between the first layer and the frame.
15. The seat of claim 14, wherein: the first layer is constructed
of a resilient material, and the second layer is constructed of a
resilient material that is denser than the first layer resilient
material.
16. The seat of claim 12, wherein the cavity is beveled.
17. The seat of claim 14, wherein: the second layer is beveled to a
greater extent than the frame, and the first layer is beveled to a
greater extent than the second layer.
18. The seat of claim 17, wherein the cavity has a dimension
matching an ischial tuberosities dimension whereby pressure is
reduced on the internal pudendal arteries.
Description
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/062,979.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to the field of bicycle seats,
and more specifically, to anatomically correct support provided by
a seat.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Bicycle seats, or saddles, have traditionally been designed
with a convex profile such that they fit between the body's ischial
tuberosities ("sit bones") with a small protrusion tucked up in the
crotch.
[0004] Prior bicycle seats cause saddle-related numbness in both
male and female riders. This numbness results from pressure on
perineal areas which can actually increase as riders sink farther
into traditional seats.
[0005] In female riders, the arch of the pubic symphysis is
shallow. Sitting on traditional bicycle seats can compress tender
genital tissues against the seat causing irritation to the
genitals.
[0006] In male riders, the crotch area of the body contains nerves
and pudendal arteries leading to the penis. These arteries carry
blood flow that enables erection. Sitting on traditional bicycle
seat can increase the pressure in the pudendal arteries causing a
decrease in blood flow. This decrease in blood flow may cause
numbness potentially leading to impotency in certain male bicycle
riders. Therefore, it is desirable to have a seat with a
construction that is designed to eliminate these problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention pertains to a bicycle seat with a base
having a front which broadens towards a rear having a notched
groove. The base includes a rigid frame and a first layer connected
to the frame. A connector is attached to the base for connecting
the seat to the bicycle.
[0008] Another aspect of the present invention includes a second
layer of resilient material located between the frame and the first
layer that is denser than the first layer material to prevent the
rider from bottoming out on the frame.
[0009] Yet another aspect of the present invention includes a
groove with dimensions approximately equal to the dimensions of a
human body ischial tuberosities such that pressure is reduced on
the internal pudendal arteries.
[0010] Other features and advantages of the present invention will
be apparent from the accompanying drawings and from the detailed
description that follows.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and
not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying
drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar
elements and in which:
[0012] FIG. 1 shows a top perspective of a bicycle seat having a
groove cut out of the rear of the seat.
[0013] FIG. 2 shows a cross-section of a bicycle seat that
implements one embodiment of the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 3 shows an alternate embodiment of the seat having a
cavity cut out of a foam layer.
[0015] FIG. 4 shows a top view of the ischial tuberosities in
relation to one embodiment of the seat cut out.
[0016] FIG. 5 shows a cross section of the ischial tuberosities in
relation to a rear view of one embodiment of the seat cut out.
[0017] FIG. 6 shows an alternate embodiment of the seat having a
beveled groove.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] A bicycle seat with cut out is described. The seat is
designed to reduce the side effects attributable to seat pressure
on the crotch area of a bicycle rider. The seat reduces pressure on
the internal pudendal arteries and prevents decreased blood flow
that may cause numbness and impotency in some male riders.
[0019] FIG. 1 shows a top perspective of one embodiment of the
bicycle seat having a triangular groove, or notch, 15 cut out of
the rear of seat 10. The seat has a resilient material layer 30 on
top of a frame 20. The configuration of groove 15 is designed to
match the anatomy of the ischial tuberosities of the pelvis in an
anatomically correct way to relieve pressure on the pudendal
arteries. For one embodiment of the seat the interior of groove 15
is notched and beveled. A notch is defined as a V-shaped cut that
begins at the rear of the seat and narrows as it extends towards
the front of seat 10. Beveled is defined as an angle formed by the
top surface of the seat and the interior surface of the groove that
is less than 90 degrees. For example, groove 15 measures
approximately 21/4" wide at its rear, extends up to 10" into seat
10, and is beveled at approximately a 60 degree angle. These
dimensions can be varied to accommodate different sized pelvic
structures and intended uses. In another embodiment, groove opening
15 is bridged such that a rigid material spans and connects one
side of groove opening 15 to the other side.
[0020] In other embodiments, the opening of groove 15 can be in the
form of a different shape such as a rectangle, ellipse, or
hyperbola.
[0021] FIG. 2 shows a cross-section of one embodiment of seat 10.
Frame 20 is constructed from plastic or another rigid material such
as titanium or aluminum. A connecting bar 50 is attached to the
underside of frame 20 to attach seat 10 to a bicycle seat post (not
shown). Resilient layer 30 is on top of frame 20. As is known to
those skilled in the art, layer 30 can be constructed from many
resilient or elastic materials such as a polyurethane foam or
gel.
[0022] In another embodiment, another resilient material layer 40
is between frame 20 and layer 30. Layer 40 is bonded to layer 30.
Layer 40 consists of a high resiliency polyurethane foam. The foam
has a durometer reading in the range of 40-50 durometer units. In
other embodiments, layers 30 and 40 can be constructed from other
resilient or elastic materials that are well known to those skilled
in the art.
[0023] In another embodiment, layer 40 is constructed from a
material that is denser than layer 30 to prevent the rider from
bottoming out on frame 20. Bottoming out is a condition that occurs
when the layers have fully compressed under weight. This results in
the rider in effect sitting on the frame, not supported by the
layers.
[0024] An alternative embodiment of seat 10 contains only layer 30
over frame 20. Yet another embodiment of seat 10 contains only
layer 40 over frame 20.
[0025] The typical thickness of layers 30 and 40 can vary from
approximately {fraction (1/16)}" to 1". An outer layer 35 is used
to cover layers 30 and 40 and attaches to frame 20. Outer layer 35
is a synthetic material. For other embodiments, outer layer 35 may
be constructed from other materials such as leather or fabric.
[0026] FIG. 3 shows an alternate embodiment of seat 10 having a
triangular cavity cut out of layer 30. In other embodiments, the
cavity can be different shapes such as a rectangle, ellipse, or
hyperbola. The cavity can also be cut out of either, or both,
layers 30, 40 and frame 20. In other embodiments the cavity is also
cut out of the rear of seat 10 forming a groove as described
above.
[0027] The configuration of the cut out is designed to match the
anatomy of the ischial tuberosities of the pelvis in an
anatomically correct way to relieve pressure from the pudendal
arteries. The distance between the ischial tuberosities of an adult
varies between approximately 2" to 41/2". The cut out is large
enough so that there is space underneath the pelvis between the
ischial tuberosities along the length of the pudendal arteries. In
another embodiment, the top surface of seat 10 is approximately
flat. FIG. 4 shows a top view of the ischial tuberosities in
relation to one embodiment of the cut out. FIG. 5 shows a cross
sectional view of the ischial tuberosities in relation to a rear
view of one embodiment of the cut out.
[0028] FIG. 6 shows an alternate embodiment of seat 10 where the
groove in layers 30 and 40 extends forward further than the groove
in frame 20. The groove is notched with each layer beveled to a
greater extent than the layer beneath it such that layer 40 extends
farther forward than frame 20 and layer 30 extents farther forward
than layer 40. This configuration allows for space for the scrotum
while providing uniform support of the user through the entire
range of foam layer compression. As the beveled layers 30 and 40
compress, the user's body comes in surface contact with more of the
seat thereby increasing the support to the user.
[0029] In the foregoing specification, the invention has been
described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments thereof.
It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes
may be made thereto without departing from the broader spirit and
scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. The
specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an
illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.
* * * * *