Cycle Seat and Clamp Therefor

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates, generally, to a cycle seat and a clamp for securing the seat to a support on a cycle. More specifically, the present invention relates to a clamp for selectively securing a cycle seat to support posts having different sizes, and to cycle seats comprising such clamps.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Diverse means are known in the prior art for securing a cycle seat on a support member. A cycle seat (e.g. bicycle seat) is conventionally comprised of a saddle having a clamp which secures the saddle to a generally upstanding support post. Support posts in this context are typically cyclindrical rods having a standard 5/8" or 7/8" diameter. Consequently, it is necessary to provide a clamp which can adequately accomodate this disparity in standard sizes.

One approach heretofore undertaken in this regard has been the incorporation of a bushing or similar insert within the clamp attached to the saddle member. The inner diameter of the bushing member is 5/8", corresponding with the smaller support post; while the diameter of the clamp, which receives the bushing, is 7/8" in order to accomodate the larger post. Consequently, when it is desired to mount the saddle on the support post, the bushing may be retained in the clamp should the support be a 5/8" post, or may be removed and discarded to expose the larger 7/8" diameter of the clamp in the event it is necessary to mount the seat on the larger diameter post.

Another, and more expensive, approach employed to account for differences in the sizes of support posts has been to supply the saddle to customers with two separate clamps. A clamp of one size (e.g. 5/8") is mounted on the saddle, while the other (i.e. 7/8") is packed loosely therewith. Depending upon the support post employed on the cycle, the appropriate clamp is utilized to secure the saddle thereon and the other clamp is discarded.

Because of the increase in cost by virtue of the foregoing approaches, where parts are discarded, other attempts to design a clamp capable of mounting the seat on different size posts have been proposed. One such proposal is a clamp having a diameter sufficiently large to accomodate the 7/8" variety post, but which can be compressed to a degree which allows the clamp to engage a 5/8" post. Such a design has not been found to be as structurally sound as is desirable.

Accordingly, the need exists to provide a clamp for a vehicle seat which can adequately accommodate differing diameters of support posts without sacrificing structural integrity.

In accordance with the aforementioned deficiencies of prior art clamps for vehicle seats, it is a principal object of the present invention to provide a cycle seat and clamp therefor which can accommodate support posts having differing sizes.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a simplified cycle seat clamp for receiving support posts of differing diameters, which clamp provides positive and reliable engagement between the saddle and support post members.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a cycle seat clamp of the aforementioned character, which can accommodate either a 5/8" or 7/8" diameter support post.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a cycle seat with a clamp for selectively securing the seat to support posts of different sizes.

The foregoing objects may be realized, in accordance with the embodiment of the invention described below, by providing a cycle seat clamp for selectively securing a cycle seat having a saddle and a truss to support posts having differing sizes, which clamp comprises first receptacle means for receiving a support post of one size, second receptacle means connected to the first receptacle means for receiving a support post of a second size, and compressing means for compressing the receptacle means against a received support post to secure the cycle seat thereon. The first and second receptacle means comprise resilient wall members defining first and second apertures configurated for receiving support posts of the first and second sizes, respectively. Preferably, the first and second apertures have central axes which are substantially parallel. Each of the receptacles is preferably comprised of an arcuate end wall while the two receptacles are joined by connecting means having side walls comprising continuous extensions of the arcuate end walls.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the cycle seat truss comprises opposing side plates defining a channel within which the clamp is rotatably secured. To achieve this, it is preferred that the side walls be provided with a first set of serrations on the outer faces thereof for mating with a second set of serrations, preferably formed on a pair of mounting inserts disposed intermediate the side walls and the side plates.

The objects of the invention are further realized by the provision of a cycle seat comprising a clamp of the foregoing type; the seat being mountable on support posts of a plurality of sizes.

Yet other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to the skilled artisan upon examination of the detailed description which follows, taken in conjunction with the figures of drawing, and the appended claims.

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a bicycle seat having a clamp securing the saddle on a support post, according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of the saddle shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of a cycle seat clamp body of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the clamp body of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of a mounting insert incorporated in the clamp shown in FIGS. 1 and 2; and,

FIG. 6 is a detailed, fragmentary, sectional view taken substantially along the line 6--6 of FIG. 2.

The present invention relates to a cycle seat and clamp therefor and, along these lines will be described herein with reference to a bicycle seat as a preferred embodiment. However, the skilled artisan will recognize that the scope of the invention is much broader in its applicability to other similar seats and, accordingly, such a description of preferred embodiments is to be deemed illustrative only, and not limitative.

A bicycle seat assembly, designated generally as 10, is shown to be comprised of a saddle 12 in operative engagement with a generally vertical support post 14 of a bicycle. The saddle 12, itself, is comprised of a seat or cover 16 and a depending truss 18 secured thereto by means of a fastener 20 and a pair of spring members 22. The truss 18 comprises opposing side plates 24 which define a channel 26. A cycle seat clamp assembly, designated generally as 30, is disposed within the channel 26; the assembly 30 being adapted for engagement with upstanding support post 14 in order to positively secure the saddle 12 thereto, as best viewed in FIG. 1.

In the context of conventional American bicycles, the support post 14 will typically be a sheet metal tube having a diameter of either 5/8" or 7/8". The configuration of support post 14 might be other than circular or have a diameter different from either of the aforementioned. As will become apparent from the description of clamp assembly 30 hereinbelow, the clamp of the present invention is broadly adaptable to accommodate these variations.

Clamp assembly 30 includes a clamp body 32, best viewed in FIGS. 3 and 4, which is comprised of a first receptacle means 34 for receiving a support post of one size, and a second receptacle means 36 for receiving a support post of a second size. In the embodiment illustrated, receptacles 34 and 36 are comprised of arcuate end walls 38 and 40, respectively, with side walls 42 and 44 being provided as essentially continuous extensions thereof in order to join the two receptacles together.

Each of the side walls 42 and 44 is formed with upper and lower inwardly turned lips 46 and 48, respectively. The lips 46 and 48 are generally perpendicular with respect to the side walls 42 and 44; and include arcuate end edges 50 and 52. The edges 50 are configured to correspond with arcuate end wall 38, while the end edges 52 are similarly configured to correspond with arcuate end wall 40. Thus, as best viewed in FIG. 3, wherein the receptacles are generally circular in cross section, the radii of curvature of end wall 38 and end edges 50 will be the same, with a similar correspondence between the end wall 40 and end edges 52. Under most circumstances, it is preferred that the receptacles 34 and 26 be in the form of apertures defined by the walls and inturned lips. Since the saddle 12 will only be secured to a single support post at a given time, it is also preferred that the central axes of each of the receptacle apertures be parallel.

To vary the location of the receptacle to be secured on support post 14, relative to the cycle seat, it is desirable to rotatably mount the clamp body 32 within the channel 26 in truss 18. It is also desirable to be able to adjust the tilt or angular relationship between the seat and the post. To achieve these desirable features, the clamp body 32 is provided with aligned mounting apertures 54 in the side walls 42 and 44; while the side plates 24 of the truss have apertures 56 formed therein which are aligned with apertures 54. An axle member 53 passes through these apertures to permit rotation of the clamp. Advantageously, the axle member 58 is comprised of a threaded bolt 60 and cooperating threaded nut 62. In this manner, the axle can also serve as a means for applying compressive force on the clamp in order to secure the same to the support post.

When clamp body 30 is rotatably mounted within the channel 26, it is advantageous for the clamp to be rotatable in a stepwise manner. Accordingly, each of the side walls 42 and 44 is formed with a first set of serrations 64 on the outer faces thereof. A second set of serrations 66 are formed on the clamp assembly 30 and are configured for mating engagement with the first set to provide the stepwise rotatable feature. By providing these two sets of mating serrations, rotation of the clamp body 32 can be achieved only when the bolt and nut 60 and 62 are loosened sufficiently for the serrations 64 and 66 to disengage. Accordingly, any slight loosening of the nut and bolt during use of the bicycle will not result in free rotation of the clamp, thereby minimizing unwanted rocking of the seat saddle.

Because it may be inconvenient to form the second set of serrations 66 on the inner faces of side plates 24, a pair of mounting inserts 68 are disposed intermediate the side walls of clamp body 32 and the side plates 24; the second set of mating serrations being formed on these mounting inserts. As best viewed in FIG. 5, the mounting inserts 68 are comprised of a generally circular member 70 bearing the serrations 66. A mounting aperture 72, designed for registration with apertures 54 and 56, is formed in the center of the member 70. Upper and lower outwardly turned lips 74 and 76, respectively, extend generally perpendicularly from the plane of member 70 for engaging the upper and lower edges of side plates 24, as best viewed in FIG. 6.

The clamp of the present invention may be very easily made from a number of suitable materials. For example, the clamp components might be plastic or metal. Similarly, the method of making the clamp might be by molding or die casting, or the main clamp body could be formed from welded tubing or the like. The selection of suitable materials and appropriate methods of manufacture will be dictated by a given application, and may be chosen accordingly.

Once the component parts are made, a pair of mounting inserts 68 may be placed within channel 26 in truss 18 with the lips 74 and 76 in engagement with the upper and lower edges of side plates 24. The clamp body 32 can then be inserted within the channel 26 between the mounting inserts, with the serrations 64 in mating engagement with serrations 66. Bolt 60 with a washer 61 is then inserted through the registering mounting apertures, and nut 62 along with washer 63 can be tightened thereon in order to complete the assembly structure 30. Depending on the size of support post 14, either of the receptacles 34 or 36 can be positioned thereon and the clamp compressed by tightening nut 62 to secure the cycle seat on support post 14.

While the invention has now been described with reference to certain preferred embodiments, the skilled artisan will appreciate that various substitutions, omissions, changes, and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the scope of the present invention be limited solely by that of the following claims.