Riding Saddle Padding with Ischial Elevations and Coccyx Depression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional riding saddles often lead to discomfort and instability due to uneven load distribution on the buttocks, with excessive pressure on the coccyx and inadequate support for the seat bones, causing long-term discomfort and posture issues.
Innovation Solution
A riding saddle design featuring two padded elevations on the seat padding, separated by a depression, which shifts the load from the coccyx to the ischial tuberosity area, with the depression extending to the base of the saddle, providing increased support for the seat bones and relieving pressure on the coccyx.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the seat shell is pulled up backwards to create a large contact surface for the buttocks, then the contact area is increased, but the load on the coccyx becomes excessive while the load on the seat bones is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The seat padding is segmented into two distinct elevations (first and second elevations) that correspond to the seat bone areas, with a depression between them. This segmentation allows the load to be distributed to specific anatomical structures (seat bones) rather than concentrating it on the coccyx, while still providing adequate contact surface area through the combined area of the two elevations.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the seat padding are given different properties: the first and second elevations are positioned to correspond to the seat bone areas and provide localized support, while the depression between them creates a relief area for the coccyx. This local differentiation ensures that load is applied where needed (seat bones) and relieved where excessive pressure occurs (coccyx).
2Ease of manufacture
If a uniform continuous basic saddle surface is used, then the manufacturing is simple, but the coccyx relief is insufficient and load distribution is uneven
Solution Approach 1:
The otherwise uniform continuous basic saddle surface is segmented by introducing a depression that divides the surface into two elevated regions. This segmentation is achieved through standard manufacturing techniques by positioning mold elements or insert pieces during the foam formation process, maintaining relative manufacturing simplicity while creating the necessary anatomical relief and load distribution for rider comfort.
3Area of stationary object
If the elevations are made large in area to ensure reinforced padding over a wide area, then the seat bone support is improved, but the depression width increases which may affect coccyx positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The depression is positioned and dimensioned specifically to create a narrow central relief area that relieves the coccyx while the first and second elevations extend laterally to provide broad seat bone support. The depression width is controlled (narrower than the elevations) to maintain proper coccyx positioning while the elevations extend sufficiently laterally to provide adequate seat bone padding area.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The present invention relates to a riding saddle with a saddle tree which determines the saddle structure and seat padding provided thereon, wherein the seat padding in the supporting region for a rider's posterior has two padded elevations (5, 6) which project from a basic saddle surface (2) and are separated from each other by a flat depression (7), wherein the dimensioning and arrangement of elevations (5, 6) and depression (7) are configured in such a manner that a rider's buttocks are relieved from load during riding by the rider's ischial protuberances being more greatly padded than the buttocks. The elevations (5, 6) have a surface of a size such that at least the ischial protuberances of riders of different height and with different distance between the ischial protuberances can be padded in different sitting positions, in particular a surface of at least 150 cm2 in each case. Said elevations are rounded in respect of their outer contours (11) and matched to the shape of the saddle (1). The two elevations (5, 6) are preferably formed by two pads which are completely separated from each other and between which the depression (7) is formed as far as the basic saddle surface below the pads. A saddle of this type increases a rider's comfort by better distributing the weight over the posterior surface and saddle, and results in a secure and unstressed seat.