Patent Application
20230047737
The present invention relates to bicycle saddles and, more particularly, to a support and cushioning apparatus for bicycle saddles.
When individuals ride bicycles (e.g., road bicycle, off road bicycle or mountain bicycle), regardless of the saddle shape, riding style, bike fit or pelvis anatomy, the full body weight is rested on two small bones, called the ischium bones. Similarly, when individuals ride bicycles in an aerodynamic position (e.g., road bicycle, Time-Trial (TT) bicycle, triathlon bicycle), regardless of the saddle shape, riding style, bike fit or pelvis anatomy, the full body weight rests on two small bones called the pubic bones. Riding of bicycles in any posture requires the riders to maintain the posture throughout the riding, which leads to continuous resting of their full body weight on the ischium bones and tissues under those ischium bones. Riding the bicycle, particularly, in the aerodynamic position tends to rest the full body weight of the rider on the pubis bones and tissue under the pubis bones, which, inter alia, creates concentrated saddle pressure and contact in a small, narrow area of the buttocks.
Accordingly, concentrated saddle pressure and contact in a small, narrow area of our buttocks has a number of negative consequences, including: reduction of performance due to micro-sliding on the saddle, buildup of tenderness and discomfort during long rides, and limiting of blood circulation. This can further lead to painful saddle sores which may initially develop as skin abrasion, then folliculitis (which looks like a small, reddish acne), and finally abscess, which is extremely dangerous and may cause serious infection in human body.
Riders who ride a bicycle in the aerodynamic position, which is a usual posture while riding, for example, road bicycles, Time-Trial (TT) bicycles, and triathlon bicycles, causes concentrated saddle pressure and contact in a small, narrow area of rider's buttocks. This builds tenderness and discomfort during long rides and compromises maintaining the optimal aero position for extended periods of time and reduces performance of the biker due to micro-sliding on the saddle during the pedal motions.
One traditional approach to attempt to resolve these problems is to add more padding to the saddle, either by having it built into the saddle or provided as additional cushion to the saddle; however, this creates more discomfort to biker. It increases the overall height of the bike, and it does not work as a problem solver but, rather, results in more problems. The full body weight will sink down on the ischium bones or the pubis bones to a point where the body weight is again creating a concentrated saddle pressure and contact in a small, narrow area of the buttocks, which can lead to all of the above-described health problems related to concentrated saddle pressure. In the case where a biker rides in the aerodynamic position, like discussed above, there is a resultant buildup of tenderness and discomfort during long rides, compromising the maintaining of an optimal aero position for extended periods of time and reducing performance due to micro-sliding on the saddle during the pedal motion.
As can be seen, there is a need for an apparatus that is designed to increase the contact area and cradle, wedge the ischium bones on the saddle to reduce micro-sliding, prevent saddle sores and provide comfort during long rides. For riders who ride a bicycle (e.g., road bicycle, TT bicycle, triathlon bicycle) in the aerodynamic position, the apparatus of the present invention is designed to add the comfortable support of the ischium bones to the support provided by the pubis bones in the aerodynamic position which create a larger, more comfortable contact area that eliminates micro-sliding, anchors the optimal body position, allows longer times in the aerodynamic position, and provides for comfort during long rides.
One embodiment of the present invention is a soft material apparatus for safety of bicycle riders designed to cradle and wedge the ischium bones of the human hip in the sitting position in a bicycle where the full weight of the body is resting on the ischium bones and the thin tissue directly under the ischium bones or where the full body weight is resting on the pubis bones and the thin tissue directly under such bones. The apparatus is designed to be integrated inside the bicycle saddle, attached to the surface of the bicycle saddle or even integrated inside the padding of bicycle shorts or pants.
For riders who ride a bicycle (e.g., road bicycle, off road bicycle or mountain bicycle), this apparatus is designed to increase the contact area and cradle, wedge the ischium bones on the saddle to reduce micro-sliding, prevent saddle sores and infection caused by the saddle sores and provide comfort during long rides. The riders who ride a bicycle (e.g., road bicycle, TT bicycle, triathlon bicycle) in the aerodynamic position, this apparatus is designed to add the support of the ischium bones to the support provided by the pubis bones in the aerodynamic position to create a larger, more comfortable contact area that eliminates micro-sliding, anchors the optimal body position, and allows longer times in the aero position, and provide comfort during long rides.
The claimed invention differs from what currently exists. There is no other solution in the field that is designed to cradle, wedge the ischium bones to increase the contact area and cradle, wedge the ischium bones on the saddle to reduce micro-sliding, prevent saddle sores and provide comfort during long rides. There is no other solution in the field that, for a cyclist in the aerodynamic position, is designed to add the support of the ischium bones to the support provided by the pubis bones in the aerodynamic position to create a larger, more comfortable contact area that eliminates micro-sliding, anchors the cyclist's optimal body position, allows longer times in the aero position, and provides comfort during long rides.
The present invention is an improvement on what currently exists. There are no other solutions in the in the field that are design to cradle, wedge the ischium bones or designed to add the support of the ischium bones to the support provided by the pubis bones in the aerodynamic position to improve performance and comfort for bicycle riders. As mentioned above, the only previous approach has been to add more padding to the saddle or adding more padding to biking shorts and pants on the buttock area around the ischium and pubis. Further, the solution described herein is specifically designed to detach into separate sections in order to provide individualized, customizable support for the user it is intended for. Methods in accordance with the present invention are disclosed that facilitate maximum support and maximum improved performance for the cyclist.
These traditional approaches do not work, as discussed above. The full body weight will sink down the ischium bones or the pubis bones to a point where the body weight is again creating a concentrated saddle pressure and contact in a small, narrow area of the buttocks, which leads to tenderness and discomfort during long rides, and limit circulation, leading to painful saddle sores. In the case of the aerodynamic position, it builds tenderness and discomfort during long rides, compromises maintaining the optimal aero position for extended periods of time and reduces performance due to micro-sliding on the saddle during the pedal motion.
The foregoing descriptions outline some pertinent features and objects of the present invention. These may be illustrative of more exhaustive and comprehensive features described later in the application. The technical terms used in this document, are meant with the same meaning as understood by a typical expert of the field which is related to the invention. These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.
The following figures are included to illustrate certain aspects of the present disclosure and should not be viewed as exclusive embodiments. The subject matter disclosed is capable of considerable modifications, alterations, combinations, and equivalents in form and function, without departing from the scope of this disclosure.
The subject disclosure is described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure such that one skilled in the art will be enabled to make and use the present invention. It may be evident, however, that the present disclosure may be practiced without some of these specific details.
Broadly, one embodiment of the present invention is a bicycle saddle cushion and support apparatus for a user. It is provided in separable sections, both of which being selectively positionable on the bicycle saddle. Both sections are provided with multiple protrusions and an opening in a central portion thereof to provide support to the ischium bones of the user. Both sections are designed to be positioned based a widest portion of the bicycle saddle and the sitting bone width of the user.
Referring now to
Referring specifically to
The base 14 has two distinct sections (see left and right sides of
Each section further includes a plurality of protrusions 18, 20, 22, 24 (all formed of a cushioning material) for providing unique support for specific sections of a cyclist's buttocks. As shown in
On each front-to-middle outer portions of the apparatus 10 are provided a plurality of ischium outer cradle protrusions 20 (which form, in essence, a non-continuous wall of support), which are also molded onto the base 14. As shown in
On outer rear portions of each section of the apparatus 10 are reduced height protrusions 22 which effectively form an ischium cradle channel. This channel is a gap in the ischium outer cradle protrusions 20 engineered to allow the anatomy of the ischium 32a to settle onto the wall of support defined by the ischium outer cradle protrusions 20. Specifically, the reduced height protrusions are designed to directly support a widest point of the user's ischium 32a, and the method of ensuring that is the case is described in greater detail below.
Making further reference to
On inner sides of each section is ischium inner padding 28. The padding 28 is provided proximal the ischium inner cradle protrusion 18, as shown in
Connecting the two aforementioned left and right sections of the apparatus 10 is an alignment bridge 26, as shown in
Making reference now to
In particular, as shown in
As will be appreciated by those with skill in the art from the foregoing, both embodiments of the present invention function to achieve similar ends. In simple terms, the apparatuses 10, 40 are designed to increase the contact area, cradle, and wedge the ischium 32a bones on the saddles 12, 42 to increase performance (i.e., eliminate micro-sliding and vibration) during the pedal motion and provide comfort during long rides.
In preferred embodiments, the apparatuses 10, 40 should be molded as a single piece use material with a hardness range of 5-20 Durometer in the Shore A scale to achieve the right balance between support, deformation, and cradle/wedging performance. While the embodiments described herein offer superior configurability for each individual cyclist, the apparatuses 10, 40 may also be built as an insert under the saddle surface or be embodied as an attachment to the cycling shorts of a bicycle rider to provide the aforementioned ischium support.
Reference is now made to
More specifically, first, the saddle 12, 42 is wiped dry of moisture and oils to ensure it will get good adhesion. Second, the position on the saddle to place the apparatus is established and a small marking is made on the saddle for such placement. As part of this step, a user may locate the widest point 72 on their saddle and draw a line (or make a few dots) with a writing utensil (such as a felt pen) between those two points. This is generally denoted by the dashed line in
Fourth, the sit bone (i.e., ischium 32a) width 74 is determined. This can be done by a couple of methods. One approach is to estimate the sit bone width 74 based upon biking short size. For example, a men's extra small size may correspond to a 90 millimeter (mm) sit bone width, whereas a men's size small may correspond to a 100 mm sit bone width, etc. Another approach is to physically measure the sit bone width 74 in the following manner. Undulated heavy paper may be provided in a kit, which can be sat on by the user, with the undulation facing up. The user, after sitting on it, may do a small “butt hop” to create bone markings on the undulations, and the distance between the two small centers may then be measured (this distance being the sit bone width 74).
Fifth, an adhesive cover from the self-adhesive 30, 62 may be removed and the apparatus 10, 40 attached to the saddle 12, 42. The left and right sections are positioned based on the widest point of the saddle 12, 42 and the sit bone width determined. The ischium cradle channels 22, 52 are aligned to be co-axial with the widest point of the saddle and spaced from one another at the same distance as the sit bone width 74 that was previously determined. These points are generally denoted by reference number 76. As shown in
Therefore, the disclosed systems and methods are well adapted to attain the ends and advantages mentioned as well as those that are inherent therein. The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the teachings of the present disclosure may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. Furthermore, no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown, other than as described in the claims below. It is therefore evident that the particular illustrative embodiments disclosed above may be altered, combined, or modified and all such variations are considered within the scope of the present disclosure. The systems and methods illustratively disclosed herein may suitably be practiced in the absence of any element that is not specifically disclosed herein and/or any optional element disclosed herein.
While apparatuses and methods are described in terms of “comprising,” “containing,” or “including” various components or steps, the apparatuses and methods can also “consist essentially of” or “consist of” the various components and steps. All numbers and ranges disclosed above may vary by some amount. Whenever a numerical range with a lower limit and an upper limit is disclosed, any number and any included range falling within the range is specifically disclosed Also, the terms in the claims have their plain, ordinary meaning unless otherwise explicitly and clearly defined by the patentee. Moreover, the indefinite articles “a” or “an,” as used in the claims, are defined herein to mean one or more than one of the elements that it introduces. If there is any conflict in the usages of a word or term in this specification and one or more patent or other documents that may be incorporated herein by reference, the definitions that are consistent with this specification should be adopted.
The use of directional terms such as above, below, upper, lower, upward, downward, left, right, and the like are used in relation to the illustrative embodiments as they are depicted in the figures, the upward or upper direction being toward the top of the corresponding figure and the downward or lower direction being toward the bottom of the corresponding figure. Likewise, directional terms such as front and rear (or back) are used in relation to orientation of the saddle (with a front portion of the saddle being towards a front side of the bicycle).
As used herein, the phrase “at least one of” preceding a series of items, with the terms “and” or “or” to separate any of the items, modifies the list as a whole, rather than each member of the list (i.e., each item). The phrase “at least one of” allows a meaning that includes at least one of any one of the items, and/or at least one of any combination of the items, and/or at least one of each of the items. By way of example, the phrases “at least one of A, B, and C” or “at least one of A, B, or C” each refer to only A, only B, or only C; any combination of A, B, and C; and/or at least one of each of A, B, and C.
