US5419612A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Inflatable seat assembly
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1993-09-07
•
Granted: 1995-05-30
•
Expires: 2013-09-07
Abstract
Abstract An inflatable bicycle seat or cover therefor having a plurality of independently inflatable cell assemblies, each of which is made up of one or more inflatable cells. The cell assemblies are connected to a fluid source so that the user can selectively adjust the degree of inflation of each individual cell assembly and, hence, the contour and support of the seat. The cells within each cell assembly are connected by a conduit that restricts fluid flow between cells within the assembly so that the seat will provide firm and stable support even under the forces generated in pedalling. A lightweight fluid source and controller valve are provided to permit selective adjustment of individual cell assemblies so that the contour and support characteristics can be adjusted to suit the individual requirements, from time to time, of the user.
Inventors
- 👤 Andreas Rassekhi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 20:44
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62J; B62J1/00; B62J1/18; B62J1/26; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S297/00; Y10S297/03
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim
156 words
An inflatable seat for a bicycle or the like, comprising: a seat with a broad saddle portion and a narrower pommel portion extending generally forward of and centrally from the saddle portion; a rigid seat base connected to and supporting the seat; and a flexible seat cover overlying the seat, the seat cover having a plurality of independently inflatable cell assemblies formed therein, each of the cell assemblies including one or more inflatable cells and at least one of the cell assemblies including two or more inflatable cells, each of which cells is in fluid communication with at least one other cell in that cell assembly, and a conduit interconnecting the cells in each cell assembly whereby each cell is in fluid communication with at least one other cell wherein the conduit has a cross-sectional area substantially smaller than the cross-sectional area of the cells so as to restrict the communication of fluid between the cells.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
156 words
An inflatable seat for a bicycle or the like, comprising: a seat with a broad saddle portion and a narrower pommel portion extending generally forward of and centrally from the saddle portion; a rigid seat base connected to and supporting the seat; and a flexible seat cover overlying the seat, the seat cover having a plurality of independently inflatable cell assemblies formed therein, each of the cell assemblies including one or more inflatable cells and at least one of the cell assemblies including two or more inflatable cells, each of which cells is in fluid communication with at least one other cell in that cell assembly, and a conduit interconnecting the cells in each cell assembly whereby each cell is in fluid communication with at least one other cell wherein the conduit has a cross-sectional area substantially smaller than the cross-sectional area of the cells so as to restrict the communication of fluid between the cells.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
An inflatable seat as set forth in claim 1, wherein each cell assembly includes two or more inflatable cells.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
An inflatable seat as set forth in claim 1, and further including: means for connecting each cell assembly to a source of fluid pressure.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
An inflatable seat as set forth in claim 1, wherein each cell is generally spaced apart from every other cell in each cell assembly.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
An inflatable seat as set forth in claim 1, wherein the cells are interconnected serially in each cell assembly.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
72 words
An inflatable seat as set forth in claim 1, wherein the seat contains at least two cell assemblies and the cells of one cell assembly are positioned on a first side of the seat and the cells of another cell assembly are positioned on a second side of the seat so as to restrict the communication of fluid from the first side of the seat to the second side of the seat.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
An inflatable seat as set forth in claim 1, wherein the seat cover includes at least three cell assemblies.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
An inflatable seat as set forth in claim 7, wherein each cell assembly includes at least two cells, each cell generally spaced apart from every other cell in the cell assembly.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
81 words
An inflatable seat as set forth in claim 8, wherein the inflatable cells of a first cell assembly are disposed generally equidistant along the perimeter of the saddle portion of the seat, wherein the inflatable cells of a second cell assembly are disposed generally equidistant along a longitudinal line from the front to the rear of the seat, and wherein the cells of a third cell assembly are disposed generally along a lateral line in the saddle portion of the seat.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
An inflatable seat as set forth in claim 9, wherein the cells positioned in proximity to the saddle portion of the seat are larger than the cells positioned in proximity to pommel portion of the seat.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
106 words
An inflatable seat for a bicycle or the like, comprising: a seat with a broad saddle portion and a narrower pommel portion extending generally forward of and centrally from the saddle portion; a rigid seat base connected to and supporting the seat; and a flexible seat cover overlying the seat, the seat cover having at least three independently inflatable cell assemblies formed therein, each of the cell assemblies including one or more inflatable cells and at least one of the cell assemblies including two or more inflatable cells, each of which cells is in fluid communication with at least one other cell in that cell assembly.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
106 words
An inflatable seat for a bicycle or the like, comprising: a seat with a broad saddle portion and a narrower pommel portion extending generally forward of and centrally from the saddle portion; a rigid seat base connected to and supporting the seat; and a flexible seat cover overlying the seat, the seat cover having at least three independently inflatable cell assemblies formed therein, each of the cell assemblies including one or more inflatable cells and at least one of the cell assemblies including two or more inflatable cells, each of which cells is in fluid communication with at least one other cell in that cell assembly.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
57 words
An inflatable seat as set forth in claim 11, wherein each cell assembly includes at least two cells, each cell generally spaced apart from every other cell in the cell assembly, and further including: a conduit for interconnecting the cells in each cell assembly, whereby each cell is in fluid communication with at least one other cell.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
81 words
An inflatable seat as set forth in claim 12, wherein the inflatable cells of a first cell assembly are disposed generally equidistant along the perimeter of the saddle portion of the seat, wherein the inflatable cells of a second cell assembly are disposed generally equidistant along a longitudinal line from the front to the rear of the seat, and wherein the cells of a third cell assembly are disposed generally along a lateral line in the saddle portion of the seat.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
36 words
An inflatable seat as set forth in claim 13, wherein the cells positioned in proximity to the saddle portion of the seat are larger than the cells positioned in proximity to pommel portion of the seat.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
124 words
An inflatable seat for a bicycle or the like, comprising: a seat with a broad saddle portion and a narrower pommel portion extending generally forward of and centrally from the saddle portion; a rigid seat base connected to and supporting the seat; and a flexible seat cover overlying the seat, the seat cover having a plurality of independently inflatable cell assemblies formed therein, wherein each of the cell assemblies including one or more inflatable cells and further wherein at least one of the cell assemblies includes at least two inflatable cells in fluid communication with each other through a passageway having a cross-sectional area substantially smaller than the cross-sectional area of the cells so as to restrict the communication of fluid between the cells.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
124 words
An inflatable seat for a bicycle or the like, comprising: a seat with a broad saddle portion and a narrower pommel portion extending generally forward of and centrally from the saddle portion; a rigid seat base connected to and supporting the seat; and a flexible seat cover overlying the seat, the seat cover having a plurality of independently inflatable cell assemblies formed therein, wherein each of the cell assemblies including one or more inflatable cells and further wherein at least one of the cell assemblies includes at least two inflatable cells in fluid communication with each other through a passageway having a cross-sectional area substantially smaller than the cross-sectional area of the cells so as to restrict the communication of fluid between the cells.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
An inflatable seat as set forth in claim 15, wherein each cell assembly includes two or more inflatable cells.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
24 words
An inflatable seat as set forth in claim 15, and further including: means for connecting each cell assembly to a source of fluid pressure.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
24 words
An inflatable seat as set forth in claim 15, wherein each cell is generally spaced apart from every other cell in each cell assembly.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
34 words
An inflatable seat as set forth in claim 15, and further including: a conduit interconnecting the cells in each cell assembly whereby each cell is in fluid communication with at least one other cell.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
19 words
An inflatable seat as set forth in claim 15, wherein the cells are interconnected serially in each cell assembly.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
19 words
An inflatable seat as set forth in claim 15, wherein the seat cover includes at least three cell assemblies.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
57 words
An inflatable seat as set forth in claim 21, wherein each cell assembly includes at least two cells, each cell generally spaced apart from every other cell in the cell assembly, and further including: a conduit for interconnecting the cells in each cell assembly, whereby each cell is in fluid communication with at least one other cell.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
81 words
An inflatable seat as set forth in claim 22, wherein the inflatable cells of a first cell assembly are disposed generally equidistant along the perimeter of a saddle portion of the seat, wherein the inflatable cells of a second cell assembly are disposed generally equidistant along a longitudinal line from the front to the rear of the seat, and wherein the cells of a third cell assembly are disposed generally along a lateral line in the saddle portion of the seat.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
37 words
An inflatable seat as set forth in claim 23, wherein the cells positioned in proximity to the saddle portion of the seat are larger than the cells positioned in proximity to a pommel portion of the seat.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
72 words
An inflatable seat as set forth in claim 15, wherein the seat contains at least two cell assemblies and the cells of one cell assembly are positioned on a first side of the seat and the cells of another cell assembly are positioned on a second side of the seat so as to restrict the communication of fluid from the first side of the seat to the second side of the seat.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
39 words
An inflatable seat as set forth in claim 15 wherein the passageway is a conduit having a cross-sectional area substantially smaller than the cross-sectional area of the cells so as to restrict the communication of fluid between the cells.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
39 words
An inflatable seat as set forth in claim 15 wherein the passageway is a port having a cross-sectional area substantially smaller than the cross-sectional area of the cells so as to restrict the communication of fluid between the cells.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-05-29 | 1998-11-28 | 1999-05-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-05-29 | 2002-11-28 | 2003-05-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-05-29 | 2006-11-28 | 2007-05-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |