Bicycle Saddle, Saddle Pad, and Method for Producing a Bicycle Saddle or Saddle Pad

Abstract

The invention relates to a bicycle saddle having a saddle shell, on the underside of which a frame is arranged. A saddle pad is arranged on the upper side of the saddle shell. According to the invention, the saddle pad has two padding elements for improved comfort, wherein in a preferred embodiment the inner padding element is made of TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane).

1 . A bicycle saddle comprising a saddle shell,
 a saddle frame connected with a lower side of the saddle shell, and   a saddle pad arranged on an upper side of the saddle shell, the saddle pad comprising at least two pad elements,   wherein   an inner pad element is enclosed at least in part by an outer pad element.   
     
     
         2 . The bicycle saddle of  claim 1 , wherein the inner pad element is arranged on the upper side of the saddle shell. 
     
     
         3 . The bicycle saddle of  claim 1 , wherein a lower side of the inner pad element is in surface contact with the upper side of the saddle shell. 
     
     
         4 . The bicycle saddle of  claim 1 , wherein the inner pad element has protrusions in contact with the upper side of the saddle shell. 
     
     
         5 . The bicycle saddle of  claim 1 , wherein the inner pad element comprises at least one retaining protrusion extending into a recess of the saddle shell. 
     
     
         6 . The bicycle saddle of  claim 5 , wherein the recess is formed as a passage opening in the saddle shell. 
     
     
         7 . The bicycle saddle of  claim 5 , wherein the retaining protrusion extends through the passage opening. 
     
     
         8 . The bicycle saddle of  claim 5 , wherein the retaining protrusion has at least one extension configured for fixing the inner pad element on the saddle shell. 
     
     
         9 . The bicycle saddle of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one extension engages behind the saddle shell. 
     
     
         10 . The bicycle saddle of  claim 1 , wherein the inner pad element is arranged in a seat region of the bicycle saddle. 
     
     
         11 . The bicycle saddle of  claim 1 , wherein the inner pad element is arranged in a center region of the bicycle saddle. 
     
     
         12 . The bicycle saddle of  claim 10 , wherein a common inner pad element is arranged in the seat region and in the center region. 
     
     
         13 . The bicycle saddle of  claim 11 , wherein the inner pad element arranged in the center region is thinner than the inner pad element arranged in the seat region. 
     
     
         14 . The bicycle saddle of  claim 1 , wherein the inner pad element is completely enclosed by the outer pad element and the saddle shell. 
     
     
         15 . The bicycle saddle of  claim 1 , wherein a rear region of the inner pad element is not enclosed by an outer pad element. 
     
     
         16 . The bicycle saddle of  claim 15 , wherein the rear region of the inner pad element is arranged on a rear side of the saddle shell. 
     
     
         17 . A bicycle saddle comprising a saddle shell,
 a saddle frame connected with a lower side of the saddle shell, and   a saddle pad arranged on an upper side of the saddle shell, the saddle pad comprising at least two pad elements,   wherein   a main pad element is connected with the upper side of the saddle shell, and   an auxiliary pad element is arranged in a recess of the main pad element.   
     
     
         18 . The bicycle saddle of  claim 17 , wherein the main pad element has a plurality of recesses in which an auxiliary pad element is arranged, respectively. 
     
     
         19 . The bicycle saddle of  claim 17 , wherein the auxiliary pad element is arranged in at least one of a seat region or a center region of the bicycle saddle. 
     
     
         20 . The bicycle saddle of  claim 19 , wherein the auxiliary pad element arranged in the center region is thinner than the auxiliary pad element arranged in the seat region. 
     
     
         21 . The bicycle saddle of  claim 17 , wherein the auxiliary pad element is spanned with textile material at least on the outside. 
     
     
         22 . The bicycle saddle of  claim 17 , wherein the auxiliary pad element is glued into the recess. 
     
     
         23 . The bicycle saddle of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the inner pad element or the main pad element comprises at least one of TPU, EVA, EPP, TPE, EPE, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         24 . The bicycle saddle of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the outer pad element or the auxiliary pad element comprises PU-foam. 
     
     
         25 . A saddle pad for a bicycle saddle of  claim 1 , wherein the saddle pad comprises at least one pad element made of at least one of TPU, EVA, EPP, TPE, or EPE, and at least one pad element made of a foamable material. 
     
     
         26 . The saddle pad of  claim 24 , wherein an inner pad element comprising at least one of TPU, EVA, EPP, TPE, or EPE is enclosed by an outer pad element which is made of foamed material. 
     
     
         27 . A bicycle saddle comprising a saddle shell,
 a saddle frame connected with a lower side of the saddle shell, and   a saddle pad arranged on an upper side of the saddle shell, the saddle pad comprising at least two pad elements,   wherein   at least one of the pad elements comprises at least one of TPU, EVA, EPP, TPE, or EPE, and at least one of the pad elements comprises a foamable material.   
     
     
         28 . A method for producing a bicycle saddle of  claim 1 , comprising the steps of:
 fastening an inner pad element on an upper side of the saddle shell,   placing the saddle shell into a casting mold, and   introducing material into the casting mold to form an outer pad element.   
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the material for forming the outer pad element is foamed. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the inner pad element is prefabricated. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the inner pad element comprises a retaining protrusion pressed into a recess of the saddle shell to fasten the inner pad element. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the saddle shell is placed into the casting mold with the upper side directed downward. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein prior to placing the saddle shell into the casting mold, a saddle cover is placed into the casting mold and is retained in the casting mold. 
     
     
         34 . A method for producing a saddle pad of  claim 25 , comprising the steps of:
 fastening a first pad element made of at least one of TPU, EVA, EPP, TPE, or EPE in a mold, and   introducing a foamed material into the mold to form a second pad element.   
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the first pad element is clamped in the mold. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the first pad element is prefabricated.