Bicycle Saddle

Abstract

A bicycle saddle includes a saddle shell and a saddle cushion being connected with the top surface thereof. Further, a saddle frame is provided, having a front end connected with the saddle shell in a region of a saddle tip. A holding element is connected with a rear end of the saddle frame. A damper element is arranged between the holding element and a lower side of the saddle shell, the damper element being in surface connection with the lower side.

Claims

1. A bicycle saddle comprising a saddle shell, a saddle cushion connected with a top surface of the saddle shell, a saddle frame having a front end connected with the saddle shell in a region of a saddle tip, a holding element connected with a rear end of the saddle frame, and a damper element arranged between the holding element and the saddle shell, wherein the damper element is in surface connection with a lower side of the saddle shell.

2. The bicycle saddle of claim 1, wherein the damper element extends across the entire width of the saddle shell.

3. The bicycle saddle of claim 1, wherein the damper element has curved saddle side surfaces.

4. The bicycle saddle of claim 1, wherein the damper element has a curved rear side.

5. The bicycle saddle of claim 3, wherein a lateral edge of at least one of the side surfaces, the lateral edge being directed towards the saddle shell, has a contour corresponding to the contour of the saddle shell in this region.

6. The bicycle saddle of claim 3, wherein a lateral edge of the rear side, the lateral edge being directed towards the saddle shell, has a contour corresponding to the contour of the saddle shell in this region.

7. The bicycle saddle of claim 3, wherein the damper element is arranged in a sitting portion of the saddle.

8. The bicycle saddle of claim 1, wherein the width of the holding element is larger than the width of the saddle shell in a sitting portion of the saddle.

9. The bicycle saddle of claim 1, wherein the width of the holding elements substantially corresponds to the width of the damper element at a contact surface between the holding element and the damping element.

10. The bicycle saddle of claim 1, wherein the width of the damper increases from the holding element towards the saddle shell.

11. The bicycle saddle of claim 10, wherein the damper element has a grip opening in a rear side thereof.

12. The bicycle saddle of claim 11, wherein a grip element is provided in the grip opening, and wherein the grip element is connected with the holding element for force transmission.

13. The bicycle saddle of claim 1, wherein, in a sitting portion, the holding element is connected with the saddle shell exclusively via the damper element.

14. The bicycle saddle of claim 1, wherein the damper element is made of a particle foam comprising an E-TPU, EPP, EPS or EPE as base material.

15. The bicycle saddle of claim 1, wherein the damper element has doubly curved saddle side surfaces.

16. The bicycle saddle of claim 1, wherein the damper element has a doubly curved rear side.

17. The bicycle saddle of claim 3, wherein lateral edges of both of the side surfaces, the lateral edges being directed towards the saddle shell, have a contour corresponding to the contour of the saddle shell in this region.

Description

[0023] The invention will be explained hereunder in detail with reference to a preferred embodiment and the accompanying drawings.

[0024] In the Figures:

[0025] FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a bicycle saddle of the present invention,

[0026] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the bicycle saddle from below,

[0027] FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of the parts of a bicycle saddle, and

[0028] FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of the parts of the bicycle saddle.

[0029] The bicycle saddle comprises a saddle shell 10, wherein a saddle cushion 14 is connected with an upper side 12 of the saddle shell 10. In a sitting portion 16, i.e. the portion in which the user typically sits on the saddle, a damper element 20 is connected with a lower side 18 of the saddle shell 10. The damper element 20 is connected with a contact surface 24 of a holding element 26 via a contact surface 22. The saddle further comprises a saddle frame 28, wherein a rear end 30 of the saddle frame 28 is connected with the holding element 26 and a front end 32 of the saddle frame 28 is connected with a lower side 198 of the saddle shell 10 in the region of a saddle tip 34.

[0030] The damper element 20, which is in particular made of a particle foam such as the product Infinergy or the like, is arranged in full-surface contact with the corresponding lower side 18 of the saddle shell, or rests completely on the same. The connection is made by gluing the damper element to the lower side 18 of the saddle shell or by an adhesive joining during the manufacturing process. The upper side 36 is convexly curved, as is shown in particular in FIG. 4, the curvature corresponding to the lower side 18 of the saddle shell 10 in this region.

[0031] In the embodiment illustrated the two opposing side surfaces 38 of the damper element 20 are doubly-curved. Likewise, in the embodiment illustrated, the rear side 40 of the damper element 20 is doubly-curved. Starting from the holding element 26, both the side surfaces 38 and the rear side 40 are first concavely curved, the bend then passing into a convex bend ending at the lower side 18 of the saddle shell 10.

[0032] A lateral edge 42 of the damping element 20, directed towards the saddle shell 10, substantially comprises an outer contour identical with the saddle shell 10 in order to allow for the maximum full-surface contact of the damper element 20 on the lower side 18 of the saddle shell 10.

[0033] Further, in the embodiment illustrated, the damper element 20 has a grip opening 44 in the rear side 40. A grip element, not illustrated in the Figures, may be arranged in the grip opening 44. Such a grip element may in particular be connected with the holding element 26 or may be formed integrally with the same. Thereby, the force acting on both contact surfaces 22 and 24 when lifting the bicycle is reduced and in particular a disengagement of this connection is avoided.

[0034] The saddle frame 28 is fastened to the lower side 19 of the saddle shell 10 by known holding elements, recesses and the like. In the embodiment illustrated, the rear end 30 is inserted into openings in the holding element 26; in particular, the two web-shaped rear ends of the saddle frame 28 can be glued in the openings of the holding element 26.