# US 9,751,580 B2 · Seat for bicycle saddles and the like, and method for its manufacturing > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,751,580 B2 - Document ID: US9751580B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/898,913 - Filed: 2014-06-17 - Published: 2016-12-22 - Granted: 2017-09-05 - Earliest claimed: 2013-06-17 - Assignees: Brooks England Limited - Applicants: Brooks England Limited - Inventors: Barbara Bigolin - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9751580B2 ## CPC - B62J 1/18: Covers for saddles or other seats; Paddings - B29C 70/68: by incorporating or moulding on preformed parts, e.g. inserts or layers {, e.g. foam blocks (mould constructions therefor B29C33/12; joining preformed parts by moulding B29C65/70)} - B32B 25/10: next to a fibrous or filamentary layer - B62J 1/002: {Saddles having a seating area with a central cavity or depression} - B29K 2667/00: Use of polyesters {or derivatives thereof} for preformed parts, e.g. for inserts - B29K 2705/00: Use of metals, their alloys or their compounds, for preformed parts, e.g. for inserts - B29L 2031/771: {Seats} - B32B 2262/02: Synthetic macromolecular fibres - B32B 2262/0276: Polyester fibres - B32B 2262/062: Cellulose fibres, e.g. cotton - B32B 2262/065: Lignocellulosic fibres, e.g. jute, sisal, hemp, flax, bamboo - B32B 2262/08: Animal fibres, e.g. hair, wool, silk - B32B 2307/554: Wear resistance - B32B 2307/70: Other properties - B32B 2307/73: Hydrophobic - B32B 2605/00: Vehicles - B62J 1/00: Saddles or other seats for cycles; Arrangement thereof; Component parts - B62J: CYCLE SADDLES OR SEATS; AUXILIARY DEVICES OR ACCESSORIES SPECIALLY ADAPTED TO CYCLES AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, e.g. ARTICLE CARRIERS OR CYCLE PROTECTORS - B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00) - B32B: LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM - B29K: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR {MOULDS, } REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS - B29L: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES ## Abstract Seat for bicycle saddles and the like, including a first inner layer made from a rubber-type material, a second layer, made from a material of the natural or synthetic fabric type, placed over said first layer, and a fourth outer layer, made from a material of the natural fabric type. The first layer being cured together with said second layer and fourth layer so as to make a compact composite structure. It is also presented a method for the manufacturing of the seat. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A seat for bicycle saddles comprising: a first inner layer comprising a mixture of at least one of a natural and a synthetic rubber; a second layer, comprising a natural or synthetic fabric having a high tensile strength and low ultimate elongation, placed over said first inner layer; a third layer, made of a mixture of at least one of a natural and a synthetic rubber, placed over said second layer; and a fourth outer layer, made of a natural material comprising cotton, linen or silk placed over said third layer; said first inner layer and third layer being cured together with said second layer and fourth layer so as to make a compact composite structure. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The seat according to claim 1, comprising a fifth layer, made of a material of the natural or synthetic fabric, placed over said first layer, in a position opposite to said second layer. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The seat according to claim 2, wherein said first inner layer and third layer are cured together with said second layer and fourth layer and fifth layer. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The seat according to claim 2, wherein said second layer and said fifth layer is made of at least one of polyester fabric, cotton, hemp, linen or silk that has been suitably treated to allow adhesion to the material of the rubber type or mixtures thereof. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The seat according to claim 1, wherein said natural or synthetic fabric has a thickness comprised between 1 mm and 1.5 mm. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The seat according to claim 1, wherein said fourth layer comprises a treatment making it water-repellent, stain-resistant and abrasion-resistant. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The seat according to claim 1, comprising a reinforcing insert arranged between said second layer and said third layer or between said first inner layer and said second layer at the front portion of the saddle. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The seat according to claim 1, which has at least one of the following properties: specific weight equal to 1.10 Kg/dm3 and water absorption in 24 hours less than 1% of the water supplied and ultimate tensile stress Rm comprised between 100 and 500 daN/cm and percentage elongation equal to 10%±10%. ### Claim 9 A method for manufacturing a seat of a bicycle saddle comprising the steps of: providing a first inner layer comprising a mixture of at least one of a natural and a synthetic rubber; providing a second layer, comprising a natural or synthetic fabric having a high tensile strength and low ultimate elongation; providing a third layer made of a mixture of at least one of a natural and a synthetic rubber, providing a fourth outer layer, made of a natural material comprising cotton, linen or silk; positioning said first, second, third and fourth layers one on top of the other inside a metallic mould having a cavity shaped like the product to be made; and compressing said first, second, third and fourth layers one on top of the other at a predetermined temperature and for a predetermined time, so as to cure said first inner layer and said third layer with said second layer and fourth layer making a compact composite structure. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method according to claim 9, further comprising a step of inserting a reinforcing insert between said second layer and said third layer, or between said first inner layer and said second layer at the front portion of the saddle, carried out before said step of compressing said first, third, second and fourth layers one on top of the other. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method according to claim 10, wherein said step of providing said first inner layer and said third layer made of a mixture of at least one of a natural and a synthetic rubber comprises a step of mixing natural rubber and synthetic rubber in appropriate percentages to ensure the optimal resistance to atmospheric agents and good workability. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The method according to claim 9, comprising a step of providing a fifth layer made of a material of the natural or synthetic fabric, a step of placing said fifth layer over said first layer, in a position opposite to said second layer, compressing said first, second, third, fourth and fifth layers one on top of the other at a predetermined temperature and for a predetermined time, so as to cure said first inner layer and said third layer with said second layer, fourth layer and fifth layer making a compact composite structure. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method according to claim 12, comprising a step of cutting the perimeters of said first, second and fourth layers and said third and fifth layers so as to define the shape and size of the seat, said step being carried out before said step of positioning said first, second and fourth layers and said third and fifth layers one on top of the other inside a metallic mould. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The method according to claim 12, comprising a step of inserting a reinforcing insert between said second layer and said third layer, or between said first inner layer and said second layer at the front portion of the saddle, carried out before said step of compressing said first, second and fourth layers and said third and fifth layers one on top of the other. ### Claim 15 (depends on 9) The method according to claim 9, comprising a step of treating said fourth layer with a water solution suitable for imparting water-repellence, stain-resistance and abrasion resistance. ### Claim 16 (depends on 9) The method according to claim 9, wherein said predetermined temperature is comprised between 100° C. and 200° C., and it is preferably 160° C. ### Claim 17 (depends on 9) The method according to claim 9, wherein said predetermined time is comprised between 10 minutes and 20 minutes, and it is preferably 15 minutes. ### Claim 18 (depends on 9) The method according to claim 9, wherein said step of compressing said layers one on top of the other is carried out through a press with tonnage of 200 t. ### Claim 19 (depends on 9) The method according to claim 9, wherein said step of providing said first inner layer and said third layer made of a mixture of at least one of a natural and a synthetic rubber, comprises a step of laminating the mixture of at least one of the natural and synthetic rubber in thin sheets having constant thickness with homogeneous characteristics. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) A saddle for bicycles and the like, comprising a seat according to claim 1. ### Claim 21 A seat for bicycle saddles comprising: a first inner layer comprising a mixture of at least one of a natural and a synthetic rubber; a second layer, comprising a natural or synthetic fabric having a high tensile strength and low ultimate elongation, placed over said first inner layer; and an outer layer, made of a natural material comprising cotton, linen or silk placed over said first inner layer; having the second layer overlapping a face of the first inner layer, and the outer layer, overlapping the opposite face of the first inner layer, wherein the second layer and the outer layer are visible from the outside, respectively, from an outer portion of the saddle and from an inner portion thereof, whereas the seat is in its use position, said first inner layer being cured together with said second layer and said outer layer so as to make a compact composite structure. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The seat according to claim 21, further comprising a reinforcing insert arranged between said first inner layer and said second layer at the front portion of the saddle.