U.S. patent application number 11/237031 was filed with the patent office on 2007-03-29 for bicycle seat.
Invention is credited to Steve Toll.
Application Number | 20070069557 11/237031 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37892972 |
Filed Date | 2007-03-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070069557 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Toll; Steve |
March 29, 2007 |
Bicycle seat
Abstract
The present invention relates to new and improved seats for
bicycles, which is specially designed to conformingly support the
perineal/genital regions of the rider in order to improve rider
comfort, and permit improvements in a rider's pedaling efficiency,
and power output while remaining seated, and at the same time
allows the rider to remain in contact with the seat in all
positions to assure constant control of the bicycle.
Inventors: |
Toll; Steve; (Lutz,
FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
AKERMAN SENTERFITT
P.O. BOX 3188
WEST PALM BEACH
FL
33402-3188
US
|
Family ID: |
37892972 |
Appl. No.: |
11/237031 |
Filed: |
September 28, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
297/202 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B62J 1/007 20130101;
B62J 1/002 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
297/202 |
International
Class: |
B62J 1/00 20060101
B62J001/00 |
Claims
1. A bicycle seat comprising: a small front-end section, a medial
end section having a top, a bottom, sides, and a rear end section,
wherein the seat widens from the front-end section to the back-end
section and defines a length L and a width W; wherein the seat
includes a central grove positioned in the longitudinal center of
the seat; wherein the central groove extends rearward to
approximately 30-40% the length L of the seat to at least the
medial section; wherein the front-end section is divided into two
small noses separated by a cutout d; wherein the sides of the
medial section curve inward at the point where the two noses are
divided.
2. The bicycle seat of claim 1 wherein d is between 15-30 mm.
3. The bicycle seat of claim 1 wherein the length of the seat is
240 mm and the width is 135 mm.
4. The bicycle seat of claim 1 wherein the length of the front-end
section is between 50-75 mm.
5. The bicycle seat of claim 1 wherein the length of the front-end
section is 65 mm.
6. The bicycle seat of claim 1 wherein the maximum depth for the
groove is between 90-100 mm.
7. The bicycle seat of claim 1 wherein the sides of the medial
section begins to curve inward at approximately 65 mm from the tip
of the nose to approximately 175 mm from the tip of the nose.
8. The bicycle seat of claim 1 wherein the sides of the medial
section curve inward to a vertical height of approximately 17
mm.
9. The bicycle seat of claim 1 wherein the seat weights
approximately 225 grams.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Technical Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates to a bicycle seat. More particularly,
the invention relates to a bicycle seat, which comfortably supports
a bicycle rider.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] The basic design of a bicycle seat has not changed
significantly over the years. The shape of modern bicycle seats has
a generally horizontal profile with a narrow front-end section (the
nose or horn) and a wider, flared tail section with a concave
intermediate section for thigh clearance.
[0005] The seats include a pliable, semi-rigid molded plastic, or
nylon shell, over which conforming padding material is placed, and
finally a leather, plastic, or vinyl cover is fitted. The use of
new materials in modern seats has resulted in a lighter, more
durable and more appealing seat than those of even twenty years
ago, but the seat contours remain substantially the same.
[0006] The seat of a bicycle is required to perform a number of
functions for the rider. It must support the rider comfortably for
rides of long duration, it must position the rider for maximum
efficiency in pedaling the bicycle, and it must aid the rider in
controlling and stabilizing the bicycle. Various seat
configurations have been devised to attempt to meet these
objectives simultaneously. Because a rider may assume different
positions with respect to the pedals of the bicycle in order to
achieve maximum power for different conditions, e.g., uphill versus
level riding, it is desired that as the rider moves his body for
optimal positioning, the seat should remain in contact with the
rider to assure constant control.
[0007] Furthermore, it has being known to bicycle riders that the
conventional bicycle seat can cause chafing, blistering, bruising,
and possibly injury to the rider.
[0008] The design of the bicycle seat does not always provide a
sufficient degree of comfort. The primary cause of discomfort is
the pressure exerted on sensitive areas of the body (i.e. the
sacral, coccal, ischial, and perineal/genital regions) when the
weight of the rider rests on a traditional bicycle seat.
[0009] There have been various attempts in the prior art to design
bicycle seats that provide greater comfort and hygienic safety.
[0010] In order to provide greater comfort to the rider, the prior
art teaches pre-forming concave regions into the horizontal seat
surface corresponding to the pelvic bone and perineum regions of
the rider. The purpose is to reduce compression on the pudendal
arteries and nerves while not interfering with movement of the
rider's legs in the pedaling motion.
[0011] Another way to add conform to a bicycle seat is by adding a
cushioning material to the seat surface. A cloth cover or like
material is selectively stuffed with a flexible and resisting
material to form soft cushion lobes in strategically placed ridges
to support the pelvic bones of the rider. The recent trend in seat
design is to find the right amount of padding necessary to provide
adequate comfort to the rider, while still conforming to the seat
shell. Too little padding conforms to the semi-anatomic shape of
the seat nicely, but padding (especially foam) gives out at the
point of most pressure and therefore bottoms out at the most
painful areas directly beneath the pelvic bones. To address the
point pressure problem inherent with foam-padded seats,
manufacturers have introduced a viscoelastic polymer (VEP) padding
to replace the foam padding on today's state of the art seats.
These types of seats employ a gel like polymer to displace point
loads under the ischial tuberosities. The gel like padding creates
pressure displacement by immersing the buttocks area in a
semi-liquid padding and spread out the point load pressure upon the
ischial tuberosities. Because the gel like padding is a moveable
fluid it still cannot firmly grip the pelvis; thus, undue movement
of the pelvis occurs during a pedaling motion. This excessive
movement or grinding of the pelvic areas can cause bruising, groin
pain, numbness, urethritis, neuritis, seat sores, and chafing.
[0012] These problems are aggravated by the friction and pressure
that is caused to be exerted on the blood vessels and nerves along
the inner and underside of the rider's pelvic region. The front-end
section (nose) of the seat fits directly against the pelvic
structures. This results in occlusion of arteries and veins
supplying blood flow to the penis, as well as, compression of local
nerves as they are sandwiched between the nose of the bicycle seat
and the bony structures of the anterior pelvis. The resultant
outcome is a numbing effect or paresthesia, as reported by many
cyclists that can result in sustained paresthesia of the groin and
penis, delayed or immediate impotence, and perhaps even an elevated
prostate specific antigen.
[0013] In addition, recent studies have linked perineal pressure
caused by traditional bicycle seats to urinary tract and yeast
infections. 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.
[0014] 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.
[0015] Therefore, it is desirable to have a seat with a
construction that is designed to eliminate these problems. In order
to overcome these problems, the prior art provides the seat with a
groove at the nose portion of the bicycle seat, which results in a
right side nose portion separated by a gap from the left side nose
portion. The opening reduces the downward pressure exerted on the
genital area by the rider's weight.
[0016] U.S. Pat. No. 6,193,309 entitled "Bicycle Seat" to Gootter,
et al." is an example of this approach. A disadvantage of this
design is that in order to reduce the downward pressure exerted on
the genital area, the Gootter reference forms a deep opening on the
seat to receive the privates of the rider. However, such
exaggerated deep opening become excruciatingly uncomfortable,
especially during vigorous pedaling, since they require the rider
to carefully align his or her privates with the deep opening. This
becomes increasingly difficult when the rider must repetitively
"get out of" the seat in order to stretch his or her legs or to
move his position frequently to use different muscles to
accommodate continuously changing terrain.
[0017] Accordingly, there is a need in the art for an improved
bicycle seat that is specially contoured to fully support the
coccyx, sacrum, and ischium bones, while providing a relieved area
for the perineum/genital regions. This includes the support of the
corresponding tissues and musculature surrounding these
aforementioned pelvic areas.
[0018] In addition, there is also a need for a seat that would
facilitate a bicycle rider's assuming several differing positions
on the seat while avoiding the creation of undesirable pressure on
the rider's perineum.
[0019] Furthermore, there is also a need for a seat that
conformingly fits a rider's pelvis and buttocks by evenly
distributing the point loads between the bony projections of the
rider's pelvic region and the seat.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0020] It is an object of the present invention to provide a
bicycle seat design that does not cause rider discomfort during or
after extended periods of use.
[0021] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
bicycle seat that is specially contoured to fully support the
coccyx, sacrum, and ischium bones, while providing a relieved area
for the perineum/genital regions.
[0022] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
bicycle seat specially contoured to un-weight sensitive genital
areas of both male and female riders.
[0023] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
bicycle seat specially contoured to distribute the rider's weight
evenly over a larger surface of the seat thereby eliminating point
loads between the rider's pelvic bones and the hard contact area of
the seat.
[0024] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
bicycle seat that remains in contact with the rider in all
positions to assure constant control of the bicycle.
[0025] The present invention relates to new and improved seats for
bicycles, which is specially designed to conformingly support the
sacral, coccyx, ischial and perineal/genital regions of the rider
in order to improve rider comfort, and permit improvements in a
rider's pedaling efficiency, and power output while remaining
seated, and at the same time allows the rider to remain in contact
with the seat in all positions to assure constant control of the
bicycle.
[0026] The bicycle seat according to the present invention
comprises:
[0027] a small front-end section,
[0028] a medial end section having a top, a bottom, a sides,
and
[0029] a rear end section.
[0030] The seat widens from the front-end section to the back-end
section and defines a length L, a width W, and includes a central
grove positioned in the longitudinal center of the seat. The
central groove extends rearward to approximately 30-40% the length
L of the seat to at least the medial section.
[0031] In addition, the front-end section is divided into two small
noses separated by a cutout d. Furthermore, the sides of the medial
section curve inward at the point where the two noses are
divided.
[0032] The seat of the present invention comprises of combined
features that provide full anatomical support and accommodation for
areas of the pelvis (including the surrounding tissues and
musculature) not heretofore supported by prior art seat
designs.
[0033] In addition, the bicycle seat of the present invention is
exceptionally comfortable to use even for very long periods of
riding.
[0034] It is light in weight, small, attractive in appearance, and
streamlined. The seat weight approximately 225 grams and its height
is 45 mm.
[0035] The seat of this invention does not rely on the very
flexible nature of today's padding materials to conform to the
ischial areas of the pelvis. Instead, the seat of the present
invention relays in a combination of features, such as extended
nose, raised sides, cutout, and central groove, to provide greater
and more even weight support to the rider. The elevation of the
side of the medial section provides close anatomic support to
unsupported rear sections of the pelvis so that a whole new
dimension in load distribution is created. Thus, pressure upon the
perineum/genital region is greatly diminished.
[0036] The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the more pertinent
and important features of the present invention in order that the
detailed description of the invention that follows may be better
understood and so that the present contribution to the art can be
more fully appreciated. Additional features of the invention will
be described hereinafter, which form the subject of the claims of
the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art
that the concept and the specific embodiments disclosed may be
readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other window
facade for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention.
It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such
equivalent structures do not depart from the spirit and scope of
the invention as set forth in the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0037] The description of the invention, together with the
accompanying drawings, should not be construed as limiting the
invention to the example shown and described, because those skilled
in the art to which this appertains will be able to devise other
forms thereof within the ambit of the appended claims.
[0038] FIG. 1 is a perspective right side view of a seat for a
racing bicycle constructed in accordance with the first embodiment
of the present invention.
[0039] FIG. 2 is a perspective left side view of the seat for a
racing bicycle constructed in accordance with the first embodiment
of the present invention.
[0040] FIG. 3 is a perspective top view of the seat for a racing
bicycle constructed in accordance with the first embodiment of the
present invention.
[0041] FIG. 4 is a top view of the seat for a racing bicycle
constructed in accordance with the first embodiment of the present
invention.
[0042] FIG. 5 is a perspective top view of the seat for a sport
bicycle constructed in accordance with the second embodiment of the
present invention.
[0043] FIG. 6 is a perspective backside view of the seat for a
sport bicycle constructed in accordance with the second embodiment
of the present invention.
[0044] FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective side view of the seat for
a sport bicycle constructed in accordance with the second
embodiment of the present invention.
[0045] FIG. 8 is a perspective side view of the seat for a sport
bicycle constructed in accordance with the second embodiment of the
present invention.
[0046] FIG. 9 is a backside view of the seat for a touring bicycle
constructed in accordance with the third embodiment of the present
invention.
[0047] FIG. 10 is a perspective front view of the seat for a
touring bicycle constructed in accordance with the third embodiment
of the present invention.
[0048] FIG. 11 is perspective side view of seat for a sport bicycle
constructed in accordance with the third embodiment of the present
invention.
[0049] FIG. 12 is a backside view of a seat for a touring bicycle
constructed in accordance with the second embodiment of the present
invention.
[0050] FIG. 13 is a side view illustrating the position of the
rider on the seat of FIG. 1 while in racing position.
[0051] FIG. 14 is a top view of the seat for a racing bicycle of
FIG. 1 illustrating the dimensions of seat.
[0052] FIG. 15 is a side view of the seat for a racing bicycle of
FIG. 1 illustrating the dimensions of seat.
DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0053] The design of the bicycle seat according to the present
invention provides various unique anatomic conforming features by
fully supporting the sacrum, coccyx, and complete ischium of the
rider.
[0054] To facilitate the understanding of the present invention,
the invention will be explained by using as a sample the seat to a
racing bike (first embodiment). A skilled artisan will understand
that certain modifications are inherent in order to adapt the seat
of the present invention to a touring or sport bicycle.
[0055] The seat 10 of the present invention includes:
[0056] a rigid shell/frame (not shown),
[0057] a cushioned area 12, and
[0058] an outerwear surface 14.
[0059] The frame is a one-piece frame preferably made of an
injection molded polypropylene, polyurethane, polymer, ABS
copolymer, nylon or other like material. The shell/frame includes
an attachment device 20 for mounting the seat to the bicycle's
frame 30.
[0060] The attachment device and the outerwear surface are all
conventional and well known to those skilled in the art and will
not be discussed in detail.
[0061] The seat 10 includes a very small front-end section (nose)
40, a medial end section 50, and a rear end section (tail) 60. The
seat widens from the front-end section to the back-end section and
defines a length L and a width W.
[0062] Please note that compare with the traditional bicycle seat,
the seat of the present invention is of smaller length and width.
After extensive research, the present inventor discovered that the
preferably overall length of the seat should be 240 mm and the
width 135 mm.
[0063] Front-End Section (Nose)
[0064] A feature of the present invention is the elimination of the
elongated nose part of the traditional seat. The nose of the seat
according to the present invention is very small compared with the
nose of the traditional seats. The length of the nose is between
50-75 mm, preferably 65 mm.
[0065] The seat includes a central grove 90 positioned in the
longitudinal center of the seat. This central groove 90 creates a
narrow space where the rider's perineal/genital regions are
positioned without experiencing any contact (e.g. pressure, pain)
with the bicycle seat 10. The groove 90 is sized and contoured to
provide pressure relief due to the contact of the private parts
(perineum and/or genitalia, depending on forward or rearward riding
position, respectively) of both male and female riders.
[0066] The central groove extends rearward to approximately 30-40%
the length L of the seat to at least the medial section 50, and
preferably to the point M where medial curves inward, which will be
discussed below.
[0067] The maximum depth for the groove is between 90-100 mm. This
feature of the present invention is an important feature because
the groove 90 does not need to be overly deep to provide adequate
pressure relief as required by the seats of the prior art. This
feature will overcome the disadvantages presented by the
exaggerated deep front openings of the prior art that were
previously discussed.
[0068] It is understood that the exact dimensions corresponding to
the depth, width, and height of the groove 90 may vary within the
scope of this invention, depending on the performance and comfort
requirements of different riders and their bicycles. These
dimensions can be varied to accommodate different sized pelvic
structures and intended uses.
[0069] The front-end section 40 is divided into two small noses 70
that do not extend several inches farther forward than the front
section as the traditional seat. Having a small nose eliminates the
pressure on the perineum area produced by the traditional seats.
Thus, the problems associated with numbness and decreased blood
flows are eliminated.
[0070] Each of the noses 70 is strategically positioned and padded
to provide support and cushioning for the rider's thighs. The noses
provide support for the upper back portion of the rider's thighs,
thereby reducing the amount left to be supported by the buttocks
and groin area.
[0071] In addition to the narrow nose, the design of the present
invention includes as a feature a cutout 100, which separates the
right side nose 70 from the left side nose 70 at the front-end
section 40 of the seat. This distance is indicated by reference
character d, which is between 15-30 mm, preferably 25 mm.
[0072] The present invention contemplates having the central groove
in the form of a different shape such as a rectangle, ellipse,
pear, or hyperbola.
[0073] The central groove and the cutout cooperate with each other
to define an open space for relieving pressure on the pudendal
arteries of a seat occupant; thus, the seat provides increased
comfort during extended periods of use, due to a redistribution of
the rider's weight.
Medial Section
[0074] The medial section 50 includes an area 80 to support a
rider's buttocks when the rider is in the performance position and
the rider's tailbone is positioned over the medial section.
[0075] In the medial section 50 between the front end section 40
and the rear end section 60, the sides of the medial section 50
curves inward (elevates) at the point where the two noses 70 begin
to form.
[0076] Furthermore, the seat is designed to begin the elevation at
the exact point where the ischial tuberosities of the pelvis will
be supported by the seat. This elevation in the sides closely
follows the elevation of the rear right and left ischium of the
pelvis. The unique design of the present invention provides
pressure relief to the ischium in substantially all possible seated
riding positions.
[0077] The center of the seat begins to curve inward at
approximately 65 mm from the tip of the nose to approximately 175
mm from the tip of the nose. The center curves inward to a vertical
height of approximately 17 mm above point M (see FIG. 15).
[0078] In addition, the elevation of the medial section encourages
proper lower back curvature (lumbar lordotic curvature) such that
the rider assumes a more efficient posture. In addition, this
feature avoids interferences with the hamstring muscle of the
rider; thus, the rider can rotate his hips forward allowing him to
obtain a more aerodynamic position.
[0079] Wind tunnel testing has proven that the above position puts
the rider into a more aerodynamic position allowing the rider to
save 15 to 20 seconds off of a 40K time trial.
[0080] The length of the medial section of the seat is between
90-130 mm, preferably 110 mm.
Rear End Section (Tail)
[0081] The rear portion supports the rider's buttocks when the
rider is in the touring position and the rider's tailbone is
positioned over the rear portion.
[0082] A feature of the present invention is that the top surface
of seat 10 is approximately flat. The surface of the traditional
seats includes an inclination towards the nose of the seat.
[0083] The tail section 60 is well-padded and relatively skinny (as
compared with bicycle seats of the traditional configuration). The
widest point is approximately 135 mm.
[0084] Furthermore, the present invention considers placing a gel
layer against any appreciable lateral movement relative to the
shell and be of a thickness and in a location, which permits only
limited up and down deflection. It has been found that the thin gel
layer should be located below the rider's ischial pelvic or sitting
bones and genital areas, and if the gel layer extends downwardly
onto the sloping side portions of the seat, it will undesirably
cause excessive movement for the rider along with rubbing and
chafing of the skin.
[0085] The gel layer should have sufficient thickness to provide
adequate deformation to relieve excessive pressure on the pelvic
bones so as to provide a comfortable ride.
[0086] A layer of relatively firm plastic foam is advantageously
and preferably provided between the seat lower shell and the
flexible cover to provide additional resilient support for the
rider and for constraining the gel layer.
[0087] The present embodiments of this invention are, thus, to be
considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive; the
scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims
rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come
within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are
intended to be embraced therein.
[0088] The seat of the present invention comprises of combined
features that provide full anatomical support and accommodation for
areas of the pelvis (including the surrounding tissues and
musculature) not heretofore supported by prior art seat
designs.
[0089] In addition, the bicycle seat of the present invention is
exceptionally comfortable to use even for very long periods of
riding.
[0090] It is light in weight, small, attractive in appearance, and
streamlined. The seat weight approximately 225 grams and its height
is 45 mm.
[0091] The seat of this invention does not rely on the very
flexible nature of today's padding materials to conform to the
ischial areas of the pelvis. Instead, the seat of the present
invention relays in a combination of features, such as extended
nose, raised sides, cutout, and central groove, to provide greater
and more even weight support to the rider. The elevation of the
side of the medial section provides close anatomic support to
unsupported rear sections of the pelvis, so that a whole new
dimension in load distribution is created. Thus, pressure upon the
perineum/genital region is greatly diminished.
Seat for a Touring Bicycle
[0092] The seat for a touring bicycle is design for maximum
comfort. The present invention contemplates adding high-density
foam padding to the basic design, widening the seat base and adding
a leather covering.
Seat for a Sport Bicycle
[0093] The seat for a touring bicycle is designed for maximum
comfort. The present invention contemplates adding gel padding to
the basic design, smaller seat than the seat for the touring
bicycle and adding a leather covering.
* * * * *