Seat assembly and adjustment assembly for a seat for a bicycle

Abstract

In an aspect, an adjustment assembly for a bicycle saddle is provided and includes a base, a traveler, a locking arm, a front limiter and a rear limiter. The base includes a base rail. The traveler includes first and second side walls shaped to engage first and second sides of the base rail to hold the traveler thereon. The traveler holds the saddle. The locking arm moves between a locking position locking the traveler in position, and a release position permitting travel of the traveler. The front and rear limiters limit forward and rearward movement of the traveler. One of the limiters is a movable limiter movable between a limiting position in which the movable limiter limits movement of the traveler and a retracted position in which the movable limiter permits movement of the traveler past an associated one of the forwardmost and rearwardmost positions.

Description

SEAT ASSEMBLY AND ADJUSTMENT ASSEMBLY FOR A SEAT FOR A BICYCLECROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 63 / 623,987 filed January 23, 2024, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety, where permitted.FIELD

[0002] The following generally relates generally to bicycles and other riding vehicles; and more particularly, to an adjustable saddle for a bicycle or other riding vehicles.BACKGROUND

[0003] It is known to provide a saddle for a bicycle that is removable, typically by employing a quick-release clamp to hold the seat stem in the seat tube of the bicycle. While it a useful feature to permit adjustment of the seat height, and to permit the rider to remove the seat from the bicycle when not riding the bicycle in an effort to inhibit theft, there are inconveniences associated with removing the seat and the seat stem. Furthermore, it is known to provide saddles that are adjustable in position and / or angle. However, there are disadvantages to some of the mechanisms proposed for this purpose. For example, such mechanisms are sometimes difficult to use, requiring tools, which makes it difficult to adjust the position of a saddle while riding, or otherwise when not at home where tools are accessible. Furthermore, while the rails of the saddle themselves provide some capability for adjustment of the saddle, the rails generally have poor dimensional consistency with each other and with the rails of other saddles that a user may want to install on the bicycle. As a result, adjustment of the saddle by means of loosening the rail clamps of a traditional bicycle, moving the saddle and then retightening of the rail clamps tends to be a time consuming and arduous task.

[0004] It would be advantageous to provide a seat assembly that at least partially resolves some of the problems outlined above, and / or other problems associated with currentmechanisms and seats.SUMMARY

[0005] In an aspect, an adjustment assembly for a saddle of a riding vehicle (such as a bicycle) is provided and includes a base, a traveler, a locking arm, a front limiter and a rear limiter. The base is mountable to a seat post of the bicycle. The base includes a base rail. The base rail has a first side and a second side. The traveler includes a first side wall and a second side wall. The first and second side walls are shaped to engage the first and second sides of the base rail to hold the traveler on the base rail. The traveler is configured to hold the saddle. The locking arm is movable between a locking position in which the locking arm locks the traveler in position on the base rail, and a release position in which the locking arm permits travel of the traveler along the base rail. The front limiter is positioned to limit forward movement of the traveler along the base rail past a forwardmost position. The rear limiter is positioned to limit rearward movement of the traveler along the base rail past a rearwardmost position. At least one of the front and rear limiters is a movable limiter that is movable between a limiting position in which the movable limiter limits movement of the traveler and a retracted position in which the movable limiter permits movement of the traveler past an associated one of the forwardmost and rearwardmost positions.

[0006] In another aspect, a seat assembly for a riding vehicle (such as a bicycle) is provided and includes a base, a traveler, a saddle, a locking arm, a front limiter and a rear limiter. The base is mountable to a seat post of the bicycle. The base includes a base rail. The base rail has a first side and a second side. The traveler includes a first side wall and a second side wall. The first and second side walls are shaped to engage the first and second sides of the base rail to hold the traveler on the base rail. The saddle is mounted to the traveler. The locking arm is movable between a locking position in which the locking arm locks the traveler in position on the base rail, and a release position in which the locking arm permits travel of the traveler along the base rail. The front limiter is positioned to limit forward movement of the traveler along the base rail past a forwardmost position. The rear limiter is positioned to limit rearward movement of the traveler along the base rail past a rearwardmost position. At least one of the front and rear limiters is amovable limiter that is movable between a limiting position in which the movable limiter limits movement of the traveler and a retracted position in which the movable limiter permits movement of the traveler past an associated one of the forwardmost and rearwardmost positions.

[0007] Other aspects of the disclosure that are advantageous are also disclosed and are intended to be protected.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] For a better understanding of the various embodiments described herein and to show more clearly how they may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0009] Figure 1 illustrates a side view of a bicycle with a seat assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0010] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the seat assembly shown in Figure 1 ;

[0011] Figure 3 is a perspective view of seat assembly shown in Figure 2, without a saddle, showing a base rail, a mounting member, and a traveler in a locked position on the base rail;

[0012] Figure 4A is a perspective view of the seat assembly shown in Figure 3, in an unlocked position;

[0013] Figure 4B is a perspective view of the seat assembly shown in Figure 3, with the traveler removed from the base rail;

[0014] Figure 5 is a front elevation view of the seat assembly shown in Figure 2;

[0015] Figure 5A is a side elevation view of a portion of the seat assembly shown inFigure 2 to show operation of front and rear limiters;

[0016] Figure 6 is a perspective view of the base rail and the mounting member;

[0017] Figure 7A is a sectional perspective view of the base rail in a first angular position on the mounting member; and

[0018] Figure 7B is a sectional perspective view of the base rail in a second angularposition on the mounting member.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] For simplicity and clarity of illustration, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the Figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. In addition, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiment or embodiments described herein. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments described herein may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the embodiments described herein. It should be understood at the outset that, although exemplary embodiments are illustrated in the figures and described below, the principles of the present disclosure may be implemented using any number of techniques, whether currently known or not. The present disclosure should in no way be limited to the exemplary implementations and techniques illustrated in the drawings and described below.

[0020] The terms ‘comprising’ and ‘including’ and their various conjugations (e.g. ‘comprises’) will be understood to be inclusive and open-ended, and not exclusive. This means that if an element A includes or comprises an element B, it will be understood that element A could include or comprise other elements in addition to including or comprising element B. The term ‘having’ and its various conjugations are also to be understood as being open-ended in the same way as ‘comprising’ and ‘including’. These terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components.

[0021] As used herein, the terms “about” and “approximately” are meant to cover variations that may exist in the upper and lower limits of the ranges of values, such as variations in properties, parameters, and dimensions.

[0022] For the purposes of the present disclosure, the term “screw” is intended to be interchangeable with the term “bolt”, and is intended to mean any threaded fastener that possesses a head at one end.

[0023] Various terms used throughout the present description may be read andunderstood as follows, unless the context indicates otherwise: "or" as used throughout is inclusive, as though written "and / or"; singular articles and pronouns as used throughout include their plural forms, and vice versa; similarly, gendered pronouns include their counterpart pronouns such that pronouns should not be understood as limiting anything described herein to use, implementation, performance, etc. by a single gender; "exemplary" should be understood as "illustrative" or "exemplifying" and not necessarily as "preferred" over other embodiments. Further definitions for terms may be set out herein; these may apply to prior and subsequent instances of those terms, as will be understood from a reading of the present description. It will also be noted that the use of the term "a" or "an" will be understood to denote "at least one" in all instances unless explicitly stated otherwise or unless it would be understood to be obvious that it must mean "one".

[0024] Modifications, additions, or omissions may be made to the systems, apparatuses, and methods described herein without departing from the scope of the disclosure. For example, the components of the systems and apparatuses may be integrated or separated. Moreover, the operations of the systems and apparatuses disclosed herein may be performed by more, fewer, or other components and the methods described may include more, fewer, or other steps. Additionally, steps may be performed in any suitable order. As used in this document, "each" refers to each member of a set or each member of a subset of a set.

[0025] As used in this document, "attached" in describing the relationship between two connected parts includes the case in which the two connected parts are "directly attached" with the two connected parts being in contact with each other, and the case in which the connected parts are "indirectly attached" and not in contact with each other, but connected by one or more intervening other part(s) between.

[0026] As used in this document, terms describing relative positions of elements such as ‘top’, ‘upper’, ‘bottom’, ‘lower’, or other analogous terms will be understood to refer to the placement of the described element during use of the apparatus of which it is a part unless the context would make it clear that it is otherwise. It will be understood that the aforementioned placement of an element, for example, can still be considered its placement even when the object that it is a part of is lying in some position other than the position in which it will be used. As an example, if reference is made to a device havingan upper member, it will be understood that the upper member is being described as having an upper position when the device that it is a part of is in use or is in position for use, unless the context would make it clear that it is otherwise. Further to this example, it will be understood that the aforementioned upper member of the object can still be considered its upper member even when the object is lying on its side, for storage, or for transport, or for some other reason.

[0027] The embodiments of the disclosures described herein are exemplary (e.g., in terms of materials, shapes, dimensions, and constructional details) and do not limit by the claims appended hereto and any amendments made thereto. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that there are yet more alternative implementations and modifications possible, and that the following examples are only illustrations of one or more implementations. The scope of the disclosure, therefore, is only to be limited by the claims appended hereto and any amendments made thereto.

[0028] Referring to Figure 1 , a particular embodiment of a foldable bicycle 10 is provided. The foldable bicycle 10 includes a bicycle frame 12, a handlebar 13, a first wheel 14, a pair of pedals 15, and a second wheel 16. The frame 12, the first wheels 14 and the second wheels 16 define a longitudinal axis 8 for the bicycle, which is along the direction that the bicycle travels in on a leveled ground when the first wheel 14 is held straight using the handlebar 13. The bicycle frame 12 may be any suitable type of bicycle frame; such as a folding bicycle. The bicycle frame 12 includes a rider saddle structure 101. The rider saddle structure 101 includes a seat post 18 to which a bicycle saddle 20 is mounted. The saddle 20 is shown in a simplified form in Figure 1.

[0029] The saddle 20 is connected to the seat post 18 via an adjustment assembly 101 , which is secured on the frame 12 in any suitable way, such as by an adjustable clamp 19. In some cases, the adjustable clamp 19 is held by a screw and can be released using a suitable tool, thereby making the seat post 18 harder to remove and adjust. In other cases, the adjustable clamp 19 can have a manual release mechanism, such as a quickrelease lever or a screw with a butterfly head or any other structure can be loosened and tightened by hand, (i.e. without any tools).

[0030] The saddle 20 and the adjustment structure 101 may together be referred to as a seat assembly 102.

[0031] Advantageously, the saddle 20 is adjustable in position, and is also easily removable from the bicycle frame 12 without necessitating the removal of the seat post 18. This is advantageous for several reasons. One reason is that the seat post 18 can be dirty or greasy in order to facilitate its ability to slide within the seat tube (shown at 22) of the bicycle 10. As a result, the user may inadvertently get grease or dirt on themselves when carrying it. Another reason is that when the user removes the seat post 18 from the bicycle frame 12, the height position of the seat post 18 is lost. Accordingly, the user may have to fidget with the seat post 18 at different positions in order to find his or her preferred riding position. Yet another reason is that carrying the saddle 20 with the seat post 18 thereon can be awkward, as it is relatively large, making it less convenient to store in a backpack or bag. By removing the saddle 20 and leaving the seat post 18 on the bicycle frame 12, the user more conveniently carries a much smaller item.

[0032] While noting the above, it is preferable from a safety perspective for a saddle 20 that is adjustable in position to resist disconnecting completely from the rest of the bicycle 10 in the event that whatever mechanism that locks it in place inadvertently comes loose.

[0033] Reference is made to Figures 2-7B, which show the seat assembly 102 in more detail. The seat assembly 102 provides adjustment of the position of the saddle 20, while facilitating quick removal of the saddle 20 when desired by the user, and while also resisting inadvertent separation of the saddle 20 from the rest of the bicycle 10 in the event that the saddle 20 inadvertently becomes not locked in position, particularly during riding of the bicycle 10.

[0034] Referring to Figure 2, the seat assembly 102 includes a base 104 that is mountable to the seat post 18 of the bicycle 10. The base 104 includes a mounting member 238 shown best in Figures 4B, 7A and 7B. The mounting member 238 may be press-fit into the seat tube 18 so as to become permanently mounted to the seat tube 18. The base 104 further includes a base rail 226, which has a first side 236a and a second side 236b. The mounting member 238 may in some embodiments be referred to as the mounting module.

[0035] The seat assembly 102 further includes a traveler 224 that can travel along the base rail 226. The traveler 224 includes a first side wall 231 and 233, which may beconnected to one another via a top wall 235 (Figure 3). The first and second side walls 231 and 233 are shaped to engage the first and second sides 236a and 236b of the base rail 226 to hold the traveler 224 on the base rail 226. The traveler 224 may in some embodiments be referred to as an engagement mechanism, in the sense that it engages the base rail 226. The base rail 226 may in some embodiments be referred to as the sliding rail, in the sense that the traveler 224 may slide along it during adjustment or removal of the saddle 20.

[0036] The traveler 224 is configured to hold the saddle 20. The saddle 20 may be any suitable saddle. As will be understood by one skilled in the art, the saddle 20 may include a saddle body 220 for supporting a rider, and a pair of saddle rails 222 positioned underneath the saddle body 220. The saddle rails 222 are laterally spaced apart from one another.

[0037] The saddle 200 is mounted on the traveler 224, which can slide longitudinally on the base rail 226. The two saddle rails 222 may be clamped onto two opposite sides of the traveler 224 using a plurality of suitable rail clamps 228 and clamp fasteners 230; such as a plurality of standard bolts fastened in threaded holes, as will be understood by one skilled in the art. In some cases, each rail clamp 228 can include two pieces laterally sandwiched on top of each other on one side of the traveler 224 and on top of each other using the clamp fasteners 230; where one piece of the rail clamp 228 holds one of the saddle rails 222 from underneath and on one side, while the other piece of the rail clamp 228 holds the saddle rail 222 from an opposite side and above the saddle rail 222. Other combinations of holding mechanisms for clamping the saddle rails 222 to the traveler 224 can be used.

[0038] The traveler 224 may be positioned approximately in the middle of the length of the base rail 226. In an example, a pair of the rail clamps 228 are installed on the side of the traveler 224 using the clamp fasteners 230 (i.e. , bolts). The lower edge of the traveler 224 on each side of the mechanism 224 is protruded outwardly to provide clamping support to hold the saddle rails 222 from underneath and provide rigid clamping of the saddle 200 on the traveler 224. It will be noted that, by loosening the clamp fasteners 230, the saddle 20 may be adjusted in position relative to the traveler 224.

[0039] Figure 3 shows the adjustment assembly 101. A traveler locking screw 232 extends from one side of the traveler 224 to the opposite side through two aligned holeson the side walls 231 and 233. The traveler locking screw 232, and the associated holes on the side walls 231 and 233 of the traveler 224, may optionally extend perpendicular to the length of the base rail 226. The inner sides of the side walls 231 and 233 of the traveler 224 include longitudinal slots 234a and 234b. The longitudinal slots 234a and 234b are shaped and aligned to receive the longitudinal sides 236a and 236b of the base rail 226.

[0040] The traveler locking screw 232 may be threadedly engaged with a traveler locking nut 237. Alternatively, the traveler locking screw 232 may be threadedly engaged with whichever one of the side walls 231 or 231 is farthest from the head of the traveler locking screw 232. The traveler locking screw 232 and the traveler locking nut 237 may together be referred to as a bolt and nut pair.

[0041] Rotation of the traveler locking screw 232 in a first rotational direction (i.e. in a tightening direction) brings the first and second side walls 231 and 233 towards each other so as to clamp the first and second sides 236a and 236b of the base rail 226. Rotation of the traveler locking screw 232 in a second rotational direction (i.e. in a loosening direction) brings the first and second side walls 231 and 233 away from each other so as to unclamp the first and second sides 236a and 236b of the base rail 226.

[0042] A locking arm 239 may optionally be provided. The locking arm 239 may be connected to the traveler locking screw 232 (or optionally to the traveler locking nut 237 in embodiments in which the traveler locking nut 237 is provided). The locking arm 239 is movable between a locking position (Figure 3) in which the locking arm 239 locks the traveler 224 in position on the base rail 226, and a release position (Figure 4A) in which the locking arm 239 permits travel of the traveler 224 along the base rail 226.

[0043] In the embodiment shown, the locking arm 239 is rotatable from the release position to the locking position to drive rotation of the traveler locking screw 232 so as to bring the first and second side walls 231 and 233 towards each other so as to clamp the first and second sides 236a and 236b of the base rail 226.

[0044] In the embodiment shown, the locking arm 239 is rotatable from the locking position to the release position to drive rotation of the traveler locking screw 232 so as to bring the first and second side walls 231 and 233 away each other so as to unclamp the first and second sides 236a and 236b of the base rail 226.

[0045] When the traveler locking screw 232 is loose, the two longitudinal slots 234a and 234b can receive the longitudinal sides 236a and 236b and permit free longitudinal movement (i.e. travel) of the traveler 224 back and forth along the length of base rail 226; while limiting lateral and vertical movements of the traveler 224 relative to the base rail 226. The gaps between surfaces of the two longitudinal slots 234a and 234b and the longitudinal sides 236a and 236 are sufficient to permit the free movement of the traveler 224 forwardly and rearwardly. In some embodiments, corner edges of the sides 236a and 236b of the base rail 226 may be chamfered to permit smooth sliding of the traveler 224 on the base rail 226, and facilitate removal of the traveler 224 from the base rail 226 and remounting of the traveler 224 on the base rail 226 (as shown in Figure 4B). Thus, by moving the locking arm 239 to the release position (Figure 4A), the traveler 224 (and therefore the saddle 20) may be adjusted in position forwardly or rearwardly relative to the base 104 on the bicycle 10.

[0046] Figure 5 shows a front view of the adjustment assembly 101 . The longitudinal sides 236a and 236b of the base rail 226 are positioned inside the longitudinal slots 234a and 234b of the traveler 224. The base rail 226 is mounted on the mounting member 238 which is attached on top of the seat post 218. In some cases, the middle portion 242 of the traveler locking screw 232 can be adjacent or close to the top surface of the base rail 226 forming a small gap 244 that can, optionally, be used to limit the range of movement of the traveler 224 on the base rail 226; for example, using one or more limiters also illustrated in Figure 6.

[0047] A front limiter 248a is positioned to limit forward movement of the traveler 224 along the base rail 226 past a forwardmost position. A rear limiter 248b is positioned to limit rearward movement of the traveler 224 along the base rail 226 past a rearwardmost position. The front limiter 248a may be provided in a first limiter hole 246a on the base rail 226 and the rear limiter 248b may be provided in a second limiter hole 246b on the base rail 226. The first and second limiter holes 246a and 246b may be threaded and the exteriors of the front and rear limiters 248a and 248b may be threaded accordingly.

[0048] At least one of the front and rear limiters 248a and 248b is a movable limiter that is movable between a limiting position (shown in Figure 5 in solid lines) in which the movable limiter 248a or 248b limits movement of the traveler 224 and a retracted position(shown in Figure 5 in dashed lines) in which the movable limiter 248a or 248b permits movement of the traveler past an associated one of the forwardmost and rearwardmost positions. In the embodiment shown, the movable limiter is the front limiter 248a.

[0049] The traveler 224 includes a limiter driver surface 251 (Figure 5) that is engageable by the movable limiter. The adjustment assembly 101 further includes a biasing member 253 that applies a biasing force on the movable limiter to urge the movable limiter towards the limiting position. The biasing member 253 may also be referred to as a limiter biasing member 253. The biasing member 253 may be any suitable type of biasing member such as, for example, a helical compression spring.

[0050] Whichever of the front and rear limiters 248a and 248b is not a movable limiter, may be a screw that can be screwed into the limiter hole 246a or 246b that is associated with it. As can be seen Figure 5A, the traveler locking screw 232 is shown in cross-section in both a forward position where it engages the front limiter 248a (i.e. the movable limiter), and in a rearward position where it engages the rear limiter 248b. The portion of the surface of the traveler locking screw 232 that engages the movable limiter may be referred to as the limiter driver surface 255. The portion of the movable limiter that is engaged by the limiter driver surface 255 may be referred to as an engagement surface 257.

[0051] The limiter driver surface 255 and the engagement surface 257 are oriented relative to one another such that movement of the traveler 224 to bring the limiter driver surface 255 into engagement with the movable limiter with at least a selected force drives the movable limiter towards the retracted position against the biasing force. By contrast, movement of the traveler 224 to bring the traveler locking screw 232 into engagement with the rear limiter 248b stops the traveler 224 regardless of the force used, since the rear limiter 248b is a fixed position limiter.

[0052] Making the front limiter 248a be the moving limiter is advantageous over making the rear limiter 248b be the moving limiter. This is because, when a rider rides the bicycle 10, forces exerted by the rider during pedaling the bicycle 10 urge the rider with a rearward force. Accordingly, it is unlikely that the rider will apply a forward force on the saddle 20 that would drive the traveler 224 sufficiently strongly to overcome the biasing member 253. Since the rear limiter 248b is a fixed position limiter there is no risk that the rider could push the traveler 224 rearwardly in such a way as to overcome the rear limiter248b.

[0053] Figure 6 shows a perspective view of the saddle 200 without the seat body 220 and without the traveler 224. The limiter holes 246a and 246b can be seen positioned on the top surface of the base rail 226.

[0054] Figure 6 further shows the mounting member 238 attached on top of the seat post 218. The base rail 226 may include additional support structure 250 underneath the rectangular bar of the base rail 226 to provide structural support for the mechanical rigidity of the base rail 226 and for mounting the base rail 226 on the mounting member 238 or the seat post 218. It will be noted that the base rail 226 and the traveler 224 have shapes that are inherently more dimensionally stable than the saddle rails 222 and the typical bracket to which the saddle rails clamp to in a typical bicycle of the prior art. Accordingly, adjustment of the position of the saddle 20 is generally easier and is generally achieved with less effort than is often required on bicycles of the prior art.

[0055] The base rail 226 is optionally movably mounted to the mounting member 238 as shown in Figure 7A and 7B. In such an embodiment, the base rail 226 may include an arcuate rail surface 270, and the mounting member includes an arcuate mounting member surface 272 that is engaged with the arcuate rail surface 270. The adjustment assembly 101 may further include a first angle adjustment screw 266 and a second angle adjustment screw 268. The first and second angle adjustment screws 266 and 268 each extend through the base rail 226, through the mounting member 238 and into an associated nut 274, which may be referred to as an angle adjustment nut 274. The first and second angle adjustment screws 266 and 268 are positioned such that driving one of the first and second angle adjustment screws 266 and 268 towards an advanced position and driving the other of the first and second angle adjustment screws towards a withdrawn position changes an angle of the base rail 226 relative to the mounting member 238. It will be noted that the angle adjustment nuts 274 and the first and the angle adjustment screws 268 are shown in wireframe only and are transparent so as not obscure the features behind them in the figure.

[0056] In a particular embodiment, the top surface of the base rail 226 can include two spherical recesses 254 and 256 (Figures 7A and 7B) which are formed on the top surface of the base rail 226. The bottoms of the spherical recesses 254 and 256 open intofirst and second angle adjustment apertures 259 in the base rail 226. The first and second angle adjustment apertures 259 are enlarged in a way so as to accommodate the associated angle adjustment screws 266 and 268 over a range of angular positions (e.g. the positions shown in Figures 7A and 7B). First and second pass-through apertures 262 and 264 are provided on the mounting member 238 and are generally aligned with the first and second angle adjustment apertures 259. The spherical form of the spherical recesses 254 and 256, and the shape of the angle adjustment apertures 259 at the bottoms of the spherical recesses 254 and 256, permit the first and second angle adjustment screws 266 and 268 to tilt forward and backward when needed so as to continue to pass-through the corresponding pass-through apertures 262 and 264 on the mounting member 238.

[0057] The first and second angle adjustment screws 266 and 268 are fastened to nuts 274 positioned on the bottom of the mounting member 238. The nuts 274 sit inside suitable recessed seatings that prevent the nuts 272 from unthreading from the first and second angle adjustment screws 266 and 268 while permit tilting the first and second angle adjustment screws 266 and 268 back and forth. Furthermore, in all positions, the head of the first and second angle adjustment screws 266 and 268 remain inside the spherical recesses 254 and 256, permitting free movement of the traveler 224 on the base rail 226. The angle adjustment nuts 274 may have a generally spherical shape, so as to facilitate changing orientation when needed, based on the particular orientations of the associated angle adjustment screws 266 and 268.

[0058] The arcuate rail surface 270 may have a centroid axis that is perpendicular to the longitudinal length of the base rail 226. Optionally, the arcuate rail surface 270 is generally part-cylindrical. The mounting member 238 has an arcuate mounting member surface 272 that may be complementary to the arcuate rail surface 270 of the base rail 226. When the base rail 226 is attached to the mounting member 238, the arcuate rail surface 270 is secured inside the arcuate mounting member surface 272, allowing adjustment of the longitudinal angle of the base rail 226 relative to the mounting member 238. By turning the first angle adjustment screw 266 in a tightening direction, and turning the second angle adjustment screw 268 in a loosening direction, the base rail 226 tilts forward. Conversely, by turning the first angle adjustment screw 266 in a loosening direction and turning the second angle adjustment screw 268 in a tightening direction, thebase rail 226 tilts backward. Effectively, with adjustment of the first and second angle adjustment screws 266 and 268, the base rail 226 and the removable saddle 200 can be tilted forwards or backwards. It will further be noted that the angle of the base rail 226 remains fixed even when the saddle 20 and the traveler 224 are removed from the base rail 226, and so the angle adjustment need not be redone when reinstalling the traveler 224 on the base rail 226.

[0059] While the above embodiments of seat assemblies and adjustment assemblies have been described in relation to a bicycle, it will be understood that these embodiments may be used on any suitable riding vehicle, including roadgoing bicycles, mountain bicycles (also called mountain bikes), tricycles, scooters that include a saddle, or any other type of riding vehicle. The aforementioned riding vehicles may be manually powered or may be motorized.

[0060] Furthermore, while the term “saddle” is used, it will be noted that the term is meant to cover a broad range of seating elements for riding vehicles. Some examples include comfort saddles, mountain bicycle saddles, racing saddles, hybrid saddles, women-specific saddles, gel saddles, nose-less saddles, and cutaway saddles.

[0061] Advantageously, the saddle of the present embodiments provides a removable structure that allows for relatively easy and quick detachment and reattachment of the saddle to a bicycle. Having the saddle easily positioned more forwards or completely removable allows a foldable bicycle to be transformed to its most compactible form. The saddle of the present embodiments further permits adjustment of the angle of the saddle.

[0062] Although the invention has been described with reference to certain specific embodiments, various modifications thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as outlined in the claims appended hereto. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that there are yet more alternative implementations and modifications possible, and that the above examples are only illustrations of one or more implementations.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:1 . An adjustment assembly for a saddle of a riding vehicle, comprising: a base that is mountable to a seat post of the bicycle, wherein the base includes a base rail, wherein the base rail has a first side and a second side; a traveler including a first side wall and a second side wall, wherein the first and second side walls are shaped to engage the first and second sides of the base rail to hold the traveler on the base rail, wherein the traveler is configured to hold the saddle; a locking arm that is movable between a locking position in which the locking arm locks the traveler in position on the base rail, and a release position in which the locking arm permits travel of the traveler along the base rail; a front limiter positioned to limit forward movement of the traveler along the base rail past a forwardmost position; and a rear limiter positioned to limit rearward movement of the traveler along the base rail past a rearwardmost position, wherein at least one of the front and rear limiters is a movable limiter that is movable between a limiting position in which the movable limiter limits movement of the traveler and a retracted position in which the movable limiter permits movement of the traveler past an associated one of the forwardmost and rearwardmost positions.

2. An adjustment assembly as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the base includes a mounting member that is mountable to a seat stem of the bicycle, wherein the base rail includes an arcuate rail surface, and the mounting member includes an arcuate mounting member surface that is engaged with the arcuate rail surface, wherein the adjustment assembly further includes a first angle adjustment screw and a second angle adjustment screw, wherein the first and second angle adjustment screws extend through the base rail, through the mounting member and into a nut, wherein the first and second angle adjustment screws are positioned such that driving one of the first and second angle adjustment screws towards an advanced position and driving the other of the first and second angle adjustment screws towards a withdrawn position changes an angle of the base rail relative to the mounting member.

3. An adjustment assembly as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the locking arm is connected to a traveler locking screw that extends through the first and second side walls of the traveler, wherein the locking arm is rotatable from the release position to the locking position to drive rotation of the traveler locking screw so as to bring the first and second side walls towards each other so as to clamp the first and second sides of the base rail, and wherein the locking arm is rotatable from the locking position to the release position to drive rotation of the traveler locking screw so as to bring the first and second side walls away each other so as to unclamp the first and second sides of the base rail.

4. An adjustment assembly as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the movable limiter is the front limiter.

5. An adjustment assembly as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the traveler has a limiter driver surface that is engageable by an engagement surface of the movable limiter, wherein the adjustment assembly further includes a biasing member that applies a biasing force on the movable limiter to urge the movable limiter towards the limiting position, wherein the limiter driver surface and the engagement surface are oriented relative to one another such that movement of the traveler to bring the limiter driver surface into engagement with the movable limiter with at least a selected force drives the movable limiter towards the retracted position against the biasing force.

6. An adjustment assembly as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the riding vehicle is a bicycle.

7. A seat assembly for a bicycle for a bicycle, comprising: a base that is mountable to a seat post of the bicycle, wherein the base includes a base rail, wherein the base rail has a first side and a second side; a traveler including a first side wall and a second side wall, wherein the first and second side walls are shaped to engage the first and second sides of the base rail to hold the traveler on the base rail;a saddle mounted to the traveler; a locking arm that is movable between a locking position in which the locking arm locks the traveler in position on the base rail, and a release position in which the locking arm permits travel of the traveler along the base rail; a front limiter positioned to limit forward movement of the traveler along the base rail past a forwardmost position; and a rear limiter positioned to limit rearward movement of the traveler along the base rail past a rearwardmost position, wherein at least one of the front and rear limiters is a movable limiter that is movable between a limiting position in which the movable limiter limits movement of the traveler and a retracted position in which the movable limiter permits movement of the traveler past an associated one of the forwardmost and rearwardmost positions.

8. A seat assembly as claimed in claim 7, wherein the base includes a mounting member that is mountable to a seat stem of the bicycle, wherein the base rail includes an arcuate rail surface, and the mounting member includes an arcuate mounting member surface that is engaged with the arcuate rail surface, wherein the adjustment assembly further includes a first angle adjustment screw and a second angle adjustment screw, wherein the first and second angle adjustment screws extend through the base rail, through the mounting member and into a nut, wherein the first and second angle adjustment screws are positioned such that driving one of the first and second angle adjustment screws towards an advanced position and driving the other of the first and second angle adjustment screws towards a withdrawn position changes an angle of the base rail relative to the mounting member.

9. A seat assembly as claimed in claim 7, wherein the locking arm is connected to a traveler locking screw that extends through the first and second side walls of the traveler, wherein the locking arm is rotatable from the release position to the locking position to bring the first and second side walls towards each other so as to clamp the first and second sides of the base rail, and wherein the locking arm is rotatable from the locking position to the release position to bring the first and second side walls away each other so as to unclamp the firstand second sides of the base rail.

10. A seat assembly as claimed in claim 7, wherein the movable limiter is the front limiter.

11. A seat assembly as claimed in claim 7, wherein the traveler has a limiter driver surface that is engageable by an engagement surface of the movable limiter, wherein the adjustment assembly further includes a biasing member that applies a biasing force on the movable limiter to urge the movable limiter towards the limiting position, wherein the limiter driver surface and the engagement surface are oriented relative to one another such that movement of the traveler to bring the limiter driver surface into engagement with the movable limiter with at least a selected force drives the movable limiter towards the retracted position against the biasing force.

12. A seat assembly as claimed in claim 7, wherein the riding vehicle is a bicycle.

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