Bicycle Saddle

Abstract

A bicycle saddle having a saddle shell, on the bottom side of which a saddle frame is arranged. A saddle cushion is provided on a top side of the saddle shell. For improved comfort, the saddle cushion laterally protrudes beyond the saddle shell at least in the seat region.

Claims

1. A bicycle saddle comprising: a saddle shell, a saddle frame connected with a bottom side of the saddle shell, and a seat cushion connected with an upper side of the saddle shell, wherein at least in a scat region of the saddle shell, the seat cushion protrudes laterally beyond the saddle shell.

2. The bicycle saddle of claim 1, wherein at least in a region of a saddle tip of the saddle shell, the seat cushion protrudes laterally beyond the saddle shell.

3. The bicycle saddle of claim 1, wherein the seat cushion protrudes laterally at least in a center region of the saddle shell.

4. The bicycle saddle of claim 1, wherein the seal cushion protrudes laterally along an entire circumference of the saddle shell.

5. The bicycle saddle of claim 1, wherein in individual regions, the protrusion of the seat cushion is at least 10 mm.

6. The bicycle saddle of claim 1, wherein the saddle shell has a downward directed edge.

7. The bicycle saddle of claim 6, wherein the downward directed edge is provided in at least one of the seat region, the center region, the region of the saddle tip, and along the entire circumference of the saddle shell.

8. The bicycle saddle of claim 6, wherein the edge has a height of at least 3 mm.

9. The bicycle saddle of claim 1, wherein the seat cushion has a downward directed extension arranged laterally beside the downward directed edge.

10. The bicycle saddle of claim 9, wherein the downward directed extension has a width of at least 10 mm.

11. The bicycle saddle of claim 1, wherein a cover layer is provided on at least a part of an upper side of the seat cushion.

12. The bicycle saddle of claim 1, wherein the seat cushion is made from expanded TPU or includes TPU.

13. The bicycle saddle of claim 1, wherein the seat cushion is made from EPP or includes EPP.

14. The bicycle saddle of claim 1, wherein an upper side of the seat cushion is at least partly uncovered or exposed.

Description

[0028] In the Figures:

[0029] FIG. 1 is a schematic bottom view of a preferred embodiment of a saddle according to the invention,

[0030] FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view along line II-II in FIG. 1, and

[0031] FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view along line iii-iii in FIG. 1.

[0032] An embodiment of a saddle according to the invention has a saddle shell 10 covered by a cushion 12. On a bottom side 14 of the saddle shell 10 receiving elements 16, 18 are arranged which are connected with the saddle shell that, in particular, is formed integrally from plastic material. The receiving element 16 arranged in the region of a saddle tip 2, as well as the receiving elements 18 arranged rearward, seen in the traveling direction, serve for connection with a saddle frame 22 illustrated only in part in FIG. 1.

[0033] In the embodiment illustrated, the saddle shell 10 has a circumferential edge 24 directed downward in the mounted state. The same extends along the outer edge of the saddle shell 10. In the embodiment illustrated, the edge 24 is thus arranged in a rear seat portion 26, a center portion 28 and the region of the saddle tip 20.

[0034] The seat cushion 12 covers the upper side 30 of the saddle shell 10 on the one hand and, in addition, is arranged laterally beside the edge 24 of the saddle shell 10. For this purpose, the seat cushion 12 has an extension 32 formed integrally with the seat cushion. In the embodiment illustrated, the extension extends entirely around the saddle shell and in particular is always in contact with an outer side 34 of the edge 24.

[0035] The edge 24 is directed downward, i.e. away from the bottom side 14 of the saddle shell 10. The edge 24 has a height H of in particular at least 3 mm, preferably 5 mm and particularly preferred 7 mm. In the embodiment illustrated, the extension 32 of the seat cushion has the same dimension, so that the extension 32 completely covers the edge 24 laterally.

[0036] Further, the seat cushion 12 may be completely or partly provided with a cover layer. In the embodiment illustrated, a cover layer 36 is arranged in the center region 28, so as to reduce in particular the friction at the inner side of the thighs.

[0037] FIG. 3 shows a schematic section in the seat portion 26. Similar to the region illustrated in FIG. 2, the seat cushion 12, which is made in particular from TPU, has an extension 32. On its bottom side 38 directed downward in the mounted state, the extension has a horizontal width B of at least 10 mm. Widths of at least 15 mm, at least 30 mm, at least 40 mm and at least 50 mm are preferred. The seat cushion 12 becomes thinner towards the inner side in the direction of a region 40 in which the user sits. When loaded, restoring and gravitational forces are generated in the extension 32, which can be absorbed well in particular by the preferred seat cushion material TPU.

[0038] In a preferred embodiment, the saddle shell 10 has passage openings 42 in particular over its entire area. These serve for manufacturing the saddle by application of vapor to TPU raw material for forming the seat cushion 12. With this manufacturing process a very good connection can be achieved between the seat cushion 12 and the top side 34 of the saddle shell 10.

[0039] In particular, if the seat cushion 12 is a seat cushion of a material preferred according to the invention, such as Infinergy, Elastil and/or Elastopoan, no cover is provided on the upper side 44 of the seat cushion 12, or is provided only in a partial region, as explained with reference to FIG. 2. Thus, the user sits in particular on the exposed or visible surface 44 of the seat cushion 12.