A bicycle saddle includes: a base structure having a top portion; and a cushion coupled to the top portion of the base structure, the cushion including a first lateral side and a second lateral side separated by a longitudinal plane, wherein each of the first lateral side and the second lateral side includes: a first region having a first stiffness; a second region having a second stiffness that is less than the first stiffness; and a third region having a third stiffness that is less than the second stiffness, wherein a perimeter of the second region is at least 75% enclosed within the first region, and wherein a perimeter of the third region is at least 75% enclosed within the second region.

A bicycle saddle includes: a base structure having a top portion; and a cushion coupled to the top portion of the base structure, the cushion including a first lateral side and a second lateral side separated by a longitudinal plane, wherein each of the first lateral side and the second lateral side includes: a first region having a first stiffness; a second region having a second stiffness that is less than the first stiffness; and a third region having a third stiffness that is less than the second stiffness, wherein a perimeter of the second region is at least 75% enclosed within the first region, and wherein a perimeter of the third region is at least 75% enclosed within the second region.

A seat that includes an upper surface, a lower surface, one or more pressure sensors communicatively coupled to a controller, and a plurality of artificial muscles disposed between the upper surface and the lower surface. Each of the plurality of artificial muscles is communicatively coupled to the controller. Each of the plurality of artificial muscles includes a housing having an electrode region and an expandable fluid region, a dielectric fluid housed within the housing, and an electrode pair positioned in the electrode region of the housing. The electrode pair is actuatable between a non-actuated state and an actuated state such that actuation from the non-actuated state to the actuated state directs the dielectric fluid into the expandable fluid region, expanding the expandable fluid region.

A manufacturing method of a seating device includes manufacturing an outer skin; manufacturing a core member via a foaming process; wrapping the core member in the outer skin, coupling a mounting plate at a bottom surface of the core member; and selectively coupling a mounting structure to the mounting plate to form the seating device. The outer skin is constructed to have a top skin layer adhered on a top surface of the core member, a side skin layer adhered on a side surface of the core member, and a bottom skin layer adhered on a bottom surface of the core member. Particularly, the top skin layer of the outer skin is adhered on the top surface of the core member edge-to-edge to initially align and retain the outer skin on the core member.

A manufacturing method of a seating device includes manufacturing an outer skin; manufacturing a core member via a foaming process; wrapping the core member in the outer skin, coupling a mounting plate at a bottom surface of the core member; and selectively coupling a mounting structure to the mounting plate to form the seating device. The outer skin is constructed to have a top skin layer adhered on a top surface of the core member, a side skin layer adhered on a side surface of the core member, and a bottom skin layer adhered on a bottom surface of the core member. Particularly, the top skin layer of the outer skin is adhered on the top surface of the core member edge-to-edge to initially align and retain the outer skin on the core member.

A bicycle seat assembly that is configured to be attached to a frame of a bicycle includes a seat pan, a foam layer, and an air cell pad. The seat pan is configured to be attached to the frame of the bicycle. The seat pan includes a pair of cutouts that are spaced apart from one another. The air cell pad includes a base and a plurality of upstanding air cells that are coupled to the base, each of the plurality of air cells being configured to retain air. The foam layer can be positioned between the air cell pad and the seat pan; or the air cell pad can be positioned between the foam layer and the seat pan.

A bicycle seat assembly that is configured to be attached to a frame of a bicycle includes a seat pan, a foam layer, and an air cell pad. The seat pan is configured to be attached to the frame of the bicycle. The seat pan includes a pair of cutouts that are spaced apart from one another. The air cell pad includes a base and a plurality of upstanding air cells that are coupled to the base, each of the plurality of air cells being configured to retain air. The foam layer can be positioned between the air cell pad and the seat pan; or the air cell pad can be positioned between the foam layer and the seat pan.

A bicycle seat assembly that is configured to be attached to a frame of a bicycle includes a seat pan, a foam layer, and an air cell pad. The seat pan is configured to be attached to the frame of the bicycle. The seat pan includes a pair of cutouts that are spaced apart from one another. The air cell pad includes a base and a plurality of upstanding air cells that are coupled to the base, each of the plurality of air cells being configured to retain air. The foam layer can be positioned between the air cell pad and the seat pan; or the air cell pad can be positioned between the foam layer and the seat pan.

The present invention regards a moulding unit for producing a support element for the human body, such as a vehicle seat.

The present invention regards a moulding unit for producing a support element for the human body, such as a vehicle seat.