GB2284395A

GB2284395A - Resilient cycle saddle mounting

Info

Publication number: GB2284395A
Application number: GB9322000A
Authority: GB
Inventors: George Tungpalan Bartolome
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1993-10-26
Filing date: 1993-10-26
Publication date: 1995-06-07
Also published as: GB9322000D0; CN1104972A

Abstract

The saddle mounting includes spring means disposed between a support column 200 slidably supported in a sleeve 220 mounted on the frame of the cycle 100 in order to provide resilient support for the seat 150. Damping may be provided in addition to the spring means. In a further embodiment, fig 4, the frame may be provided by front and rear frame sections connected by a leaf spring arrangement, with the seat mounting column pivotally mounted thereto by link 302. <IMAGE>

Description

A CYCLE This invention relates to a cycle more particularly, but not exclusively, to a bicycle.

Bicycles have been known for many years and it is a disadvantage of existing bicycles that ride quality, particularly over rough ground, can be uncomfortable.

It is an object of the invention to provide a cycle which provides a more comfortable ride for the user.

According to the invention there is provided a cycle having a frame, means for supporting a saddle relative to the frame; and spring means disposed between the frame and the saddle.

Preferably the spring means is either in the form of one or more coil springs which provide a support for the saddle relative to the frame or, alternatively, the saddle support may be connected to the frame via a leaf spring arrangement.

The spring means has the effect of absorbing impact forces from the road surface thus providing a more comfortable ride for the user.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 Is a schematic view of a bicycle incorporating a first embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 Is a part-sectional view of the connection between the saddle and frame of the embodiment of figure 1.

Figure 3 Is a part-sectional side view in the direction of arrow 3' of figure 2.

Figure 4 Is a view similar to figure 1 of a second embodiment of the invention.

Figure 5 Is a sectional view in the direction of arrows 5'-5' of figure 4.

With reference to figures 1-3 a first embodiment of the invention is shown which is applied to a bicycle generally illustrated in figure 1. The bicycle includes a frame 100 to which front and rear wheels 110,120 are connected by a respective front and rear forks 115,125. Handlebars 130 are connected to forks 115 which are rotatable relative to frame 100 at joint 140, to allow the bicycle to be steered.

A seat 150 is connected to a seat support 200 described in more detail below which in turn is connected to frame 100 as shown more clearly in figure 2. The hub of rear wheel 120 is connected via a chain 160 to a sprocket 165. The sprocket 165 is in turn connected to pedals 170 for rotation thereof. The pedals are mounted on a shaft 180 (figure 3) in 180O opposed positions and the shaft 180 is rotatably journaled in a support member 185 which is connected to frame 100. Tension in the chain 16() is maintained by means of a spring tensioner arrangement 165 which comprises a roller 166 pivotally mounted on a swinging arm 167 relative to fork 125 and biased to maintain tension in the chain 160 by a spring means 168.

The bicycle schematically illustrated in figure 1 is of generally standard construction except for the mounting arrangement of the seat support 200 which will be described in more detail with reference to figures 2 and 3.

The seat 150 is initially supported by a tube 205 which is slidably received in a support tube 210. A collar 215 is connected to tube 210 and by tightening collar 215, the joint between tubes 205, 210 may be made firm, the arrangement thus allowing adjustment of the height of seat 150 relative to pedals 170. Tube 210 is slidably received within tube 220 which is connected via a casing 230 to frame 100, the casing 230 being of box like construction, with the base 232 being welded to a flat 234 on frame tube 100, the sides 236 being welded to the base 232 and a peripheral flange 238 being welded and extending from the free end of each side 276. A cover plate 239 is connected to flange 238 by nut and bolt combinations 237, the plate 239 being welded to tube 220.

The tube 210 is welded to a reaction plate 212 retained within the casing 230 and between the reaction plate and the base of the casing 232 a plurality of belical springs 214 are disposed, each spring 214 being positioned about a upstanding guide member 216 welded to base 232 and projecting, for free movement, through a corresponding opening in reaction plate 212.

Annular collar 213 is welded to the upper surface of reaction plate 212 and, at the maximum extension of springs 214 abuts against the lower surface of cover plate 239.

In use, as the bicycle is ridden over a bumpy road surface, the shocks from the road surface will be transferred to the rider via the arrangement of springs 214, which will absorb and to some extent damp the shock forces, thus providing a more comfortable ride.

A second embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to figures 4 and 5.

The embodiment of figures 4 and 5 is similar to figure 1 except that the helical springs 214 have been replaced by a leaf spring assembly 300 which is disposed between sections 102, 104 of frame 100. In order to provide additional stability for the seat support 200, swinging arm 302 is connected by means of pivotal joints 304, 306 to the support 200 and frame portion 104. The leaf spring arrangement 300 is connected to frame portions 102, 104 by means of joints 308, 310.

The leaf spring assembly 300 includes a leaf member 320 to which four upstanding connector members are welded. The connector members 322 each support a pedal sprocket connection member 324 between which member 185 is connected in which shaft 180 is rotatable journaled. Support 200 is welded directly to member 320.

In use, the leaf springs provide a similar shock-absorbing effect to coil springs 214 of the first embodiment.

In order to enhance ride quality still further, a gas filled shock absorber may be provided to give a damping effect on the spring means. For example, in the embodiment of figure 4 the shock absorber may replace the swinging arm 302 and in the embodiment of figure 2, the shock absorber may be connected between tube 210 and casing 230.

Adjustments in chain tension caused by fluctuations in the position of sprocket 165 due to action of the leaf spring assembly 300 are compensated for by means of the chain tensioner 165. The chain tensioner 165 may take the form of a derailleur.

Claims

1. A cycle comprising a frame, means for supporting a saddle relative to the frame; and spring means disposed between the frame and the saddle.

2. A cycle as claimed in claim 1 wherein the spring means comprises a leaf spring.

3. A cycle as claimed in claim 1 wherein the spring means comprises at least one helical spring.

4. A cycle as claimed in claim 2 wherein the support means comprises a support member connected to the leaf spring and a further support member connected to the frame.

5. A cycle as claimed in claim 4 wherein the further member is pivotally supported relative to the support and to the frame.

6. A cycle as claimed as in claim 3 wherein the support means comprises a support member slideably received in a further member connected to the frame.

7. A cycle as claimed in claim 6 wherein the support member includes a reaction flange at one end, the flange bearing on said spring means, the spring means being contained within a casing into which the support member protrudes.

8. A cycle as claimed in any one of the preceding claims being a bicycle.

9. A cycle substantially as herein before described with reference to the accompanying drawings.