CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is the National Stage of PCT/DE2018/000170 filed on Jun. 5, 2018, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 of Austrian Application No. A 60121/2017 filed on Nov. 4, 2017, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference. The international application under PCT article 21(2) was not published in English.

The invention relates to a backrest for devices driven by means of pedals comprising a holder for fastening to the device and a contact surface for supporting a person operating the device. The invention also relates to a saddle comprising a backrest and a device, in particular a bicycle, comprising a saddle comprising a backrest of this type.

A locking device for bicycles is known from AT 516985 A2, which has a slightly curved plate comprising a padded contact surface. This contact surface has a curved middle area and, on both sides thereof, edge areas formed more strongly. With a curved contact area, this saddle support is thus adapted to a lumbar area of a bicycle rider, so as to attain a contact, which is as comfortable as possible, on a large surface between the back and the backrest. The pressure applied by the bicycle rider on the backrest can thus be comfortably transferred, without having to expect pressure marks on the back of the bicycle rider.

Based on this prior art, the invention is based on the object of further developing a backrest of this type for the use for devices driven by means of pedals, such as, in particular, bicycles, spinning or indoor bikes or other vehicles driven by means of pedals.

This object is solved by means of a backrest comprising the features of patent claim1.

The invention is based on the knowledge that a force transfer by means of a point or line area or even via a movable contact surface of a contact surface adapted to the surface of the back is to be preferred. The contact via a spherical or roller segment leads to a locally limited contact surface, which provides for a ventilation of the space between the back, the person driving the pedals, and the contact surface, and also has a massage function.

While a contact surface, which clings to the body shape, was proposed in the prior art—as in the case of an armchair—the solution according to the invention leads to a point-wise or linear contact pressure, which leads to a higher surface pressure than in the prior art. Fortunately, it has been found, however, that this surface pressure does not lead to hematomas, but provides for a particularly comfortable force transfer from the operator via the operator's back to the backrest, due to the ventilation and massage function, in particular in the field of sports.

The backrest can have an individual contact surface, which, in particular as movable contact surface, provides for a systematic force transfer. It is advantageous, however, when the backrest has at least two spaced-apart contact surfaces. This makes it possible, for example, to provide one or several contact surfaces each on both sides of the spine of a person operating the device. In particular in the case of roller segment-shaped contact surfaces, the latter can, however, also extend over the middle of the device or of the person operating the device.

The distance of the contact surfaces relative to one another can be fixed by the construction of the backrest. It is advantageous, however, when the distance of the contact surfaces can be set relative to one another and can be fixed in the set position.

Provided that at least two spaced-apart contact surfaces are provided, these contact surfaces can also be arranged on both sides of the holder. A symmetrical arrangement is thereby particularly advantageous for transferring the force via the contact surface to the holder.

The base body can be elastically fastened to the holder. However, an individual adaptation is attained in that the at least one contact surface is mounted elastically relative to the base body.

The at least one contact surface itself can furthermore also be formed to be elastic. This allows for a yielding of the contact surface, depending on stress. In the alternative, the contact surface can also be plastically deformable, so that it is only deformed in response to a change of the contact force.

It is particularly advantageous when, together, several contact surfaces are elastically mounted relative to the base body. This makes it possible to elastically form several contact surfaces with an elastic mounting.

To optimally position and to securely hold the base body in a suitable position relative to the holder, it is proposed that the base body has at least two lever arms, which are connected to one another so as to be capable of being set via a joint.

It is also advantageous when the base body has at least two lever arms and when the length of at least one of the lever arms can be set. The position of the contact surface relative to the holder can thus be set individually.

The base body can be fastened to the saddle post. It is advantageous, however, when, in the alternative or cumulatively thereto, the base body has a saddle fastening means for fastening to a saddle. This makes it possible to fasten the contact surface either to the saddle in a simple manner or preferably to the saddle and the saddle post via a two-point fastening.

The saddle fastening means preferably has a longitudinal extension, which cooperates with the saddle in such a way that it is held parallel to the saddle by means of the saddle. A rotational movement around the axis of a saddle post can be prevented thereby by means of stops of the saddle fastening means on the saddle. A further fastening to the saddle post makes it possible to avoid a rotation of the saddle fastening means around the axis of its longitudinal extension.

It is thus proposed that, as preferred embodiment variation, the base body has a saddle post fastening means for fastening to a saddle post.

A stable and dynamic fastening can be attained in that a connecting rod is connected in an articulated manner to the saddle fastening means and the saddle post fastening means.

When the backrest has several contact surfaces and a holder between these contact surfaces, a bottle, a box, a rack or a similar means can be fastened at a defined location by means of the holder.

A spherical or a roller segment is sufficient as contact surface. It is structurally advantageous, however, when at least one contact surface of the backrest is the surface of a sphere or of a roller.

The sphere or the roller or the contact surface thereof, respectively, can thereby be mounted so as to be movable around at least one axis. A horizontal or a vertical axis is advantageous, whereby different axis alignments may be advantageous, depending on shape and formation of the contact surface.

A movability around different axes is attained in that the contact surface or the body forming the contact surface, respectively, is mounted in a cage.

Further functions and advantageous design variations follow when the backrest has a saddle cover and/or a bicycle lock. The particular formation of the contact surface can thereby not only be formed for abutting against the back of the person operating the pedals, but also for the purpose of covering the top side of the saddle against rain. It is advantageous thereby when base body and contact surfaces cooperate in such a way that they are mounted in such a way that they can be used to cover the top side of a saddle

It is particularly advantageous when the backrest has a bicycle light. This bicycle light can be an actively radiating electric light or a light reflector. The rearward surfaces of the contact surface or the body forming the contact surface, respectively, and the base body can thereby serve to fasten the bicycle light.

A further development provides that the backrest has a sender. This sender can transfer location data of the backrest to a receiver, in order to be able to determine the location of the device or at least of the backrest after a theft. Cumulatively or alternatively, however, data relating to a mechanical deformation or a pressure on the contact surface can also be acquired and sent, in order to be able to analyze the movement of the person operating the pedals.

A further development provides that the backrest has a sensor and a pressure cylinder for changing the position of the contact surface, in order to thus vary the contact pressure of the contact surface on the back of a user. This makes it possible to control or to regulate the contact pressure, in that pressure is exerted on the contact surface via the pressure cylinder, so that the position thereof is changed.

The object on which the invention is based is also solved by means of a saddle comprising a backrest of this type. The backrest can thereby be arranged in an articulated manner to the saddle, preferably so as to lock in place. This provides for an essentially horizontal saddle extension. A person sitting on the saddle can thus slide rearwards onto the saddle extension, in particular when riding up steep hills. However, the saddle extension can also be formed to be so stable that a second person can sit there or that the saddle extension can be used like a rack.

Lastly, the object on which the invention is based is also solved by means of a device, such as in particular a bicycle comprising a saddle and a backrest of this type.

