Bicycle seat

Abstract

A bicycle seat is shown which includes a shell ( 11 ) formed from plastics material which has two buttock support portions ( 12 and 14 ) separated by a slot ( 16 ). The shell ( 11 ) includes a nose portion ( 18 ) and the transition between the support portions ( 12 and 14 ) and the nose portions ( 18 ) formes hinges ( 20 and 22 ) for allowing the support portions ( 12 and 14 ) to move independently with respect to one another in arcuate fashion during pedalling motion of the bicycle. A support rail ( 40 ) is coupled to the underside of the shell ( 11 ) and may have free ends ( 145 ) which act as stops to limit the amount of movement of the support portions ( 12 and 14 ). Springs ( 184, 190 ) may be provided between the mounting rail ( 40 ) and the shell ( 11 ). In other embodiments, FIGS. 42 to 80 , the seat may include chambers for receiving air to cushion and provide support for a rider.

The claims defining the invention are as follows:  
     
         1 . A support system, including; 
 a first support portion and a second support portion for receiving a riders buttocks; and    and a hinge for allowing each of the first and second support portions to undergo independent arcuate movement having a component at least in a substantially vertical plane when the rider is seated on the support portions and performing a pedalling motion.    
     
     
         2 . A support system including; 
 first and second support portions, the first and second support portions each having a depression for receiving the ischial regions of a persons anatomy;    a raised portion between and forward of the depressions of the first and second support portions, for receiving the ramus of the ischial regions or the ischial regions of a persons anatomy;    and a nose section which extends forwardly of the support portions and which declines from the support portions towards a front end of the nose section.    
     
     
         3 . The support system of    claim 2   , wherein the first and second support portions are separated by an elongated slot.  
     
     
         4 . he support system of    claim 2   , wherein the first and second support portions and the front portion are integral with one another by being made as an integral shell.  
     
     
         5 . The support system of    claim 2   , wherein the support portion includes upholstery on the shell.  
     
     
         6 . A support system, including; 
 a support portion for receiving a users buttocks;    a truncated nose extending forwardly from the support portion;    a soft collapsible upholstery member provided on the nose portion for extending the nose portion forwardly and/or upwardly with respect to the support portions.    
     
     
         7 . The support system of    claim 6   , wherein the self collapsible material is a foam or sponge material or polyurethane or the like.  
     
     
         8 . The support system of    claim 6   , wherein the support portions and truncated nose are formed as a integral shell from plastics materials.  
     
     
         9 . A bicycle seat, including: 
 a nose portion;    a rear portion for receiving a rider's buttocks;    the nose portion and rear support portion having an upper surface and a lower surface;    a mounting rail coupled to the lower surface;    a cut-out in the nose portion for receiving a front portion of the mounting rail to hold the front portion of the mounting rail to the bicycle seat; and    securing means for securing the mounting rail to the lower surface substantially at a middle portion of the lower surface so the rear portion is free and not connected to the mounting rail.    
     
     
         10 . he bicycle seat of    claim 9   , wherein the securing means comprises a bracket and bolt and nut for clamping the mounting rail to the lower surface.  
     
     
         11 . The bicycle seat of    claim 10   , wherein the bolt is embedded in the shell for receiving the nut and the bracket to couple the bracket and therefore the mounting rail to the bicycle seat.  
     
     
         12 . A support system including: 
 an inflatable housing which defines a chamber for receiving a fluid; and    wherein when a user is supported by the support system and moves, fluid is caused to move from one part of the housing to another part of the housing so that the said one part can change its shape and/or form and the fluid flow to said another part causes the said another part to change its shape and/or form in response to the change in fluid in said another part of the housing.    
     
     
         13 . The support system of    claim 12   , wherein the housing includes a fluid inlet in the housing for enabling fluid to enter the housing.  
     
     
         14 . The support system of    claim 12   , wherein the housing includes rigid sections so that the general shape of the housing is maintained notwithstanding the fact that the housing is able to expand or collapse during movement of the user on the seat.  
     
     
         15 . The support system of    claim 12   , wherein the housing includes two housing portions joined by a fluid passage so that when fluid passes from one part of the housing to the another part of the housing, the fluid passes through the fluid passage to thereby direct the fluid to particular parts of the housing for expansion of those parts of the housing.  
     
     
         16 . The support system of    claim 12   , wherein the housing is made from elastomeric material such as rubber, elasticated plastic or like stretchable material to enable expansion and contraction of the housing as the fluid moves from one part of the housing to another part of the housing.  
     
     
         17 . The support system of    claim 16   , wherein the seat has a base plate for supporting the housing.  
     
     
         18 . The support system of    claim 17   , wherein the base plate has attachment means for attaching the seat to an article.  
     
     
         19 . The support system of    claim 18   , wherein the attachment means comprises a pair of rails.  
     
     
         20 . A support system including: 
 a first portion;    a second portion;    the first and second portions being coupled to one another by spring material so that the first portion can move in response to a user's weight and/or pressure applied by a user when a user is supported by the support system and return as a user moves and reduces pressure and/or weight on that portion of the support system.    
     
     
         21 . The support system of    claim 20   , wherein the first portion of the support system includes two separate sections.  
     
     
         22 . The support system of    claim 20   , wherein the first portion of the support system and the second portion of the support system are formed from spring material and the hinge is an integral part of the support system forming a transition between the first and second portions.  
     
     
         23 . The support system of    claim 20   , wherein the first and second portions are formed from non-spring material and be coupled together by a hinge section formed from spring material.  
     
     
         24 . A support system, including: 
 an abutment portion within the support system;    biasing means for biasing the abutment portion relative to the support system so that the abutment portion can move relative to the support system; and    the biasing means providing a floating support for the abutment portions so that the abutment portion can move relative to the support system against the bias of the biasing means in response to the weight or pressure of a user when supported by the support system.    
     
     
         25 . The support system of    claim 24   , including a single abutment portion which may be in the pubic area.  
     
     
         26 . The support system of    claim 24   , wherein the abutment portions are ramp-shaped so as to form an inclined abutment portion.  
     
     
         27 . A support system, including: 
 at least two separate chambers in the support system; and    a fluid inlet to each of the chambers for allowing fluid to enter each of the chambers.    
     
     
         28 . A support system including: 
 an inflatable abutment portion coupled to the support system;    a fluid inlet to the inflatable abutment portion for coupling with a fluid reservoir for retaining a supply of fluid; and    fluid control means for allowing flow of fluid from the fluid reservoir to the inflatable abutment portion.    
     
     
         29 . The support system of    claim 28   , wherein the fluid reservoir is coupled to the control means.  
     
     
         30 . The support system of    claim 28   , wherein the fluid which is supplied to the housing or which is used to inflate the abutment portion(s) comprises air.  
     
     
         31 . A support system including: 
 a support portion; and    at least one abutment portion in the support portion, the abutment portion being a fluid chamber for containing a fluid.    
     
     
         32 . The support system of    claim 31   , wherein the fluid chamber includes a fluid inlet and the fluid chamber is an inflatable chamber.  
     
     
         33 . A support system including: 
 an abutment portion coupled to the support system;    fluid receiving means for moving the abutment portion relative to the support system; and    fluid control means for controlling the application of fluid to the fluid receiving means to provide a desired amount of movement of the abutment portion and/or lock of the abutment portion in a desired position relative to the support portion.