Lightweight three-link cycle seat clamp

Abstract

A lightweight, adjustable seat clamping assembly for attaching a seat to a bicycle or like cycle comprised of three links assembled together to create three parallel pivotal axes that form a triangular pattern. One link contains the seat post. Another link contains the seat. The third link provides support between the first two. With respect to the seat post, angular position and horizontal clamping offset are adjusted by altering the positions of the three pivotal axes. Horizontal seat position is adjusted by shifting the seat horizontally within the assembly. The assembly can incorporate a calibration scale that assists the rider in determining and remembering the seat's angular position.

1 . A seat clamping assembly for attaching a seat to a cycle comprising three links, a first of said three links having a portion configured for attachment to the cycle, a second of said three links having a seat clamping structure, each of said three links being attached to each other in a triangular truss-like configuration.  
   
   
       2 . The seat clamping assembly of  claim 1  further comprising angular position adjustment means for adjusting angular position of said seat.  
   
   
       3 . The seat clamping assembly of  claim 1  further comprising horizontal position adjustment means for adjusting horizontal position of said seat.  
   
   
       4 . The seat clamping assembly of  claim 1  further comprising horizontal offset adjustment means for adjusting horizontal offset of said seat clamping assembly.  
   
   
       5 . A seat clamping assembly for attaching a seat to a cycle comprising a quill link for attachment to the cycle, a clamp link for attachment of the seat, and a support link for providing support between said quill link means and said clamp link means, each of the links having means for attachment to each other in a triangular truss-like configuration having three pivot axes.  
   
   
       6 . The seat clamping assembly of  claim 5  further comprising angular position adjustment means for adjusting angular position of said seat.  
   
   
       7 . The seat clamping assembly of  claim 6  wherein said angular position adjustment means alters distance between at least two of said three pivot axes.  
   
   
       8 . The seat clamping assembly of  claim 6  wherein said angular position adjustment means comprises the quill link for changing the angular position of said seat.  
   
   
       9 . The seat clamping assembly of  claim 6  wherein said angular position adjustment means comprises the clamp link for changing the angular position of said seat.  
   
   
       10 . The seat clamping assembly of  claim 6  wherein said angular position adjustment means comprises the support link for changing the angular position of said seat.  
   
   
       11 . The seat clamping assembly of  claim 5  further comprising a horizontal position adjustment means for adjusting horizontal position of said seat.  
   
   
       12 . The seat clamping assembly of  claim 5  further comprising horizontal offset adjustment means for adjusting horizontal offset of said seat clamping assembly.  
   
   
       13 . A method for attaching a seat to a cycle comprising the steps of providing a three-link truss-like support structure having three pivot axes; attaching a first of said three links to said cycle, and attaching a second of said three links to said seat.  
   
   
       14 . The method described in  claim 13  further comprising the step of providing angular position adjustment means for adjusting angular position of said seat.  
   
   
       15 . The method described in  claim 14  wherein the step of providing the angular position adjustment means comprises the step of providing quill link means for providing adjustment of the angular position of said seat.  
   
   
       16 . The method described in  claim 15  further comprising the step of providing pivot adjustment collar means for providing adjustment of the angular position of said seat.  
   
   
       17 . The method described in  claim 14  wherein the step of providing the angular position adjustment means comprises the step of providing clamp link means for providing adjustment of the angular position of said seat.  
   
   
       18 . The method described in  claim 17  wherein the step of providing the clamp link means comprises the step of providing means for providing adjustment of the angular position of said seat by clamping at least one seat rail in different locations.  
   
   
       19 . The method described in  claim 14  wherein the step of providing the angular position adjustment means comprises the step of providing a support link means for providing adjustment of the angular position of said seat.  
   
   
       20 . The method described in  claim 13  further comprising the step of providing for adjustment of a horizontal offset of said support structure.