Patent Application
20160101820
Cycling has grown into a popular mode of transportation for both casual and competitive riders. Currently cyclists struggle keeping their bike seats dry during inclement weather when parking bicycles outside. Some cyclists resort to using disposable plastic bags to cover their seats between rides, but this solution requires the rider to remember to bring a bag with when the weather may be wet. This solution also requires the rider to have access to plastic bags which are falling out of favor in many locations and which can be fragile and tear easily thereby making them ineffective at protecting the seat from moisture.
Seat covers can be used to keep the seat dry, but then the rider is left with the problem of storing a wet cover after removing it from the seat. Additionally, an attached seat cover may be subject to theft if visibly left attached to the seat when not in use. Another issue are potentially damaging environmental effects to bicycle seats from conditions such as ultraviolet light, rain, snow, sleet, bird droppings, road debris (such as when transporting a bicycle on a vehicle rack), and the like. What is needed is a bicycle seat cover which can be deployed to protect a seat when needed and stowed and/or removed when not in use.
For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the claimed technology and presenting its currently understood best mode of operation, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the claimed technology is thereby intended, with such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device and such further applications of the principles of the claimed technology as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the claimed technology relates.
A first example of the disclosed invention comprises a cover 10 sized and adapted to cover a saddle-type bicycle 14 seat as shown in
In this example, the storage portion 16 is a pouch 22 comprising a nylon mesh having an elastic-lined open end 24. The open mesh of the pouch 22 allows the cover portion 12 to be exposed to air when in the stowed position, thereby allowing it to dry. An elastic lined opening 24 allows the cover portion 12 to be removed or placed within the mesh pouch 16 as desired while biasing the opening closed. The pouch 16 is secured to the underside of the saddle 14 using a suitable means such as rivets, staples, adhesive, stitching, clips, ties, and the like. In other embodiments, the storage portion is integrated into and/or is formed as part of the saddle. Typically the pouch 16 is disposed entirely under the saddle 14 and may or may not extend below the sides 26 of the saddle. In this example as shown in
Continuing with the present example, the cover body portion 12 and the storage portion 16 as connected by a strap 30. The strap 30 in this particular example comprises two lengths of nylon webbing separably joined by a clip 32. The strap 30 prevents the cover portion 12 from being accidentally lost and the clip 32 allows the cover portion 12 to be removed such as for cleaning or replacement if it becomes damaged. In other examples the strap 30 may be made of plastic, rubber, leather, cloth, or other suitable material. The clip 32 may be made from suitable materials such as metal or plastic or it may be replaced with snaps, buttons, hooks, or other suitable joining means. In still other examples, the joining means is omitted and the cover body portion may be permanently or semi-permanently mounted to the saddle or to the pouch as desired.
The pouch storage portion 52 in this example is made of a solid fabric material so as to protect the cover portion 34 in the stowed position. The opening 58 in the pouch 52 is secured using snaps 60. The cover portion 34 is attached to a strap 62 which is secured to the underside of the saddle 56 using a screw 64 or other suitable fastener. Securing the cover portion 34 to the saddle 56 without an easily released toggle or latch such as in the previous example prevents theft of the cover without cutting or otherwise damaging the device.
The example shown in
The seat covers, straps, and storage pouches in the preceding examples may be made from a variety of suitable materials, both synthetic and natural as well as combinations thereof. Various polymers such as nylon and vinyl, rubber, polytetrafluoroethylene membranes, carbon fibers, cotton, wool, hemp, and the like may be used. Composite and/or layered materials may also be used. In other examples, the cover portion may be made of more than one material, such as a waterproof vinyl outer shell to repel water and having a fleece inner shell to prevent scratching or other damage to an expensive saddle.
In the preceding examples of the disclosed invention, various covers are shown in combination with a traditional saddle-type bicycle seat. This particular type of seat is shown for illustrative purposes only. It is understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the concepts of the disclosed invention could be adapted to fit different styles of bicycle seats including banana seats, ergonomic saddles, micro-saddles, racing saddles, saddles having suspension systems, seats having backs, and other styles of seats or saddles adapted for use on bicycles. It is also understood that the disclosed invention may be adapted for use with seats that are similar in size and configuration to bicycle seats such as scooter, motorcycle, moped, tractor, watercraft, buggy, swing, sled, and snowmobile seats. Covers according the disclosed invention may be generally narrower at one end than the other, generally oval in shape, or any other suitable irregular shape as desired to fit a particular bicycle seat shape and/or style. Typically a cover will be sized and configured so as to at least completely cover a particular bicycle seat on all exposed sides of the seat except for the underside of the seat. It is also understood that the seat or saddle may be made from a variety of materials including metal, plastic, wood, leather, and combinations thereof.
While the claimed technology has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character. It is understood that the embodiments have been shown and described in the foregoing specification in satisfaction of the best mode and enablement requirements. It is understood that one of ordinary skill in the art could readily make a nigh-infinite number of insubstantial changes and modifications to the above-described embodiments and that it would be impractical to attempt to describe all such embodiment variations in the present specification. Accordingly, it is understood that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the claimed technology are desired to be protected.
This application is related to and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/062,360 filed on Oct. 10, 2014 and to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/140,568 filed on Mar. 31, 2015, both of which are incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62062360 | Oct 2014 | US | |
| 62140568 | Mar 2015 | US |
