Bicycle seat post with adjustable height

{
  "publication_number": "US10513300B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Bicycle seat post with adjustable height",
  "abstract": "A bicycle seat post assembly includes a lower seat support secured to the frame, an upper seat support secured to the seat and movable relative to the lower seat support, and an adjusting mechanism coupling the lower seat support to the upper seat support. The adjusting mechanism includes a powered actuator engageable with both the lower seat support and the upper seat support and configured to move the upper seat support relative to the lower seat support, and a coupling device selectively connecting the powered actuator to one of the lower seat support or the upper seat support. The coupling device has a connected state wherein the powered actuator is operatively connected to the one of the lower seat support or the upper seat support and a disconnected state wherein the powered actuator is operatively disconnected to the one of the lower seat support or the upper seat support.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A bicycle comprising: a front wheel and a rear wheel; a frame supported by the front wheel and the rear wheel; a seat; and a seat post assembly supported by the frame and supporting the seat, the seat post assembly including: a lower seat support secured to the frame; an upper seat support secured to the seat and movable relative to the lower seat support; and an adjusting mechanism coupling the lower seat support to the upper seat support, the adjusting mechanism including: a powered actuator engageable with both the lower seat support and the upper seat support and configured to move the upper seat support relative to the lower seat support; and a coupling device selectively connecting the powered actuator to one of the lower seat support or the upper seat support, the coupling device including a locking member configured to move toward and away from the powered actuator to physically engage and disengage the powered actuator, the coupling device having a connected state wherein the locking member is physically engaged with the powered actuator and the powered actuator is operatively connected to the one of the lower seat support or the upper seat support and a disconnected state wherein the locking member is physically disengaged from the powered actuator and the powered actuator is operatively disconnected from the one of the lower seat support or the upper seat support.",
    "2. A bicycle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the powered actuator comprises a threaded rod and wherein the coupling device comprises a ball lock coupler including: a socket body having a plurality of openings through a sidewall, the plurality of openings being arranged in a substantially helical path; and wherein the locking member is one of a plurality of locking members each positioned in a corresponding opening of the plurality of openings of the socket body and movable relative to the socket body, wherein the plurality of locking members are positioned to engage the threaded rod.",
    "3. A bicycle as claimed in claim 2, wherein the ball lock coupler further comprises a sleeve positioned around the socket body and movable relative to the socket body between a first position forcing the plurality of locking members to engage the threaded rod and a second position allowing the plurality of locking members to disengage the threaded rod.",
    "4. A bicycle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the coupling device comprises a ball lock coupler comprising: a socket body having an opening through a sidewall; and wherein the locking member is positioned in the opening and movable relative to the socket body.",
    "5. A bicycle as claimed in claim 4, wherein the ball lock coupler further comprises a sleeve positioned around the socket body and movable relative to the socket body between a first position forcing the locking member to engage the powered actuator and a second position allowing the locking member to disengage the powered actuator.",
    "6. A bicycle as claimed in claim 5, wherein the upper seat support is movable relative to the lower seat support along an axis, and wherein the first position of the sleeve is axially displaced relative to the second position in a path substantially parallel to the axis.",
    "7. A bicycle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the seat post assembly further comprises a spring biasing the upper seat support toward an extended position relative to the lower seat support.",
    "8. A bicycle as claimed in claim 7, wherein the upper seat support and the lower seat support are in telescoping engagement and define a chamber in between, and wherein the spring comprises air seals sealing the chamber and pressurized air in the chamber.",
    "9. A bicycle seat post assembly comprising: a lower seat support adapted to be secured to a bicycle frame; an upper seat support adapted to be secured to a bicycle seat and movable relative to the lower seat support; and an adjusting mechanism coupling the lower seat support to the upper seat support, the adjusting mechanism including: a powered actuator engageable with both the lower seat support and the upper seat support and configured to move the upper seat support relative to the lower seat support; and a coupling device selectively connecting the powered actuator to one of the lower seat support or the upper seat support, the coupling device including a locking member configured to move toward and away from the powered actuator to physically engage and disengage the powered actuator, the coupling device having a connected state wherein the locking member is physically engaged with the powered actuator and the powered actuator is operatively connected to the one of the lower seat support or the upper seat support and a disconnected state wherein the locking member is physically disengaged from the powered actuator and the powered actuator is operatively disconnected from the one of the lower seat support or the upper seat support.",
    "10. A bicycle seat post assembly as claimed in claim 9, wherein the powered actuator comprises a threaded rod and wherein the coupling device comprises a ball lock coupler including: a socket body having a plurality of openings through a sidewall, the plurality of openings being arranged in a substantially helical path; and wherein the locking member is one of a plurality of locking members each positioned in a corresponding opening of the plurality of openings of the socket body and movable relative to the socket body, wherein the plurality of locking members are positioned to engage the threaded rod.",
    "11. A bicycle seat post assembly as claimed in claim 10, wherein the ball lock coupler further comprises a sleeve positioned around the socket body and movable relative to the socket body between a first position forcing the plurality of locking members to engage the threaded rod and a second position allowing the plurality of locking members to disengage the threaded rod.",
    "12. A bicycle seat post assembly as claimed in claim 9, wherein the coupling device comprises a ball lock coupler comprising: a socket body having an opening through a sidewall; wherein the locking member is positioned in the opening and movable relative to the socket body; and a sleeve positioned around the socket body and movable relative to the socket body between a first position forcing the locking member to engage the powered actuator and a second position allowing the locking member to disengage the powered actuator.",
    "13. A bicycle seat post assembly as claimed in claim 12, wherein the upper seat support is movable relative to the lower seat support along an axis, and wherein the first position of the sleeve is axially displaced relative to the second position in a path substantially parallel to the axis.",
    "14. A bicycle seat post assembly as claimed in claim 9, further comprising a spring biasing the upper seat support toward an extended position relative to the lower seat support.",
    "15. A bicycle seat post assembly as claimed in claim 14, wherein the upper seat support and the lower seat support are in telescoping engagement and define a chamber in between, and wherein the spring comprises air seals sealing the chamber and pressurized air in the chamber."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The present invention relates to bicycle seat posts having adjustable heights.\n\nMost bicycles include a seat post for supporting the seat above the frame. Seat posts are commonly inserted into the seat tube of the bicycle frame and secured in place by a binder bolt. The height of the seat can be adjusted to accommodate riders of various sizes by loosening the binder bolt, sliding the seat post relative to the seat tube, and re-tightening the binder bolt. It can be appreciated that this adjustment to the seat height must be done with the bicycle in a stationary position, with the rider off the bicycle.\n\nIn certain situations, it is desirable to adjust the height of a seat while the bicycle is being ridden. For example, in certain off-road riding situations, it is beneficial to lower the seat in order to lower the center of gravity of the rider. This is often advantageous when riding the bicycle at high speeds (e.g., downhill) over bumpy terrain. After the downhill bumpy terrain, it is often desirable to raise the seat back to its original position so that the rider can comfortably sit on the seat and efficiently pedal the bicycle.\n\nIn order to satisfy the need for adjusting the seat height while riding, it is known to provide seats that can be adjusted on the fly. For example, it is known to make the seat post from two telescoping members that are coupled by a threaded rod driven by an electric motor. The position of the seat can be adjusted by actuating the motor and turning the threaded rod. Such a system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,050,585.",
  "cpc": [
    "B62J 1/08",
    "B62J 2001/085",
    "B62K 19/36",
    "B62K 3/02",
    "F16B 7/1409"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "B62J 1/08",
    "B62K 19/36",
    "B62K 3/02",
    "F16B 7/14"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Specialized Bicycle Components Inc"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Jeffrey K Bowers"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2017-01-11",
  "publication_date": "2019-12-24",
  "grant_date": "2019-12-24",
  "priority_date": "2017-01-11",
  "application_number": "US-201715403920-A",
  "family_id": "60781699",
  "cited_by_count": 19,
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}