Abstract

A cover pad, for fitting over a conventional bicycle saddle, is formed of relatively thick, substantially resilient, shock absorbant, closed cell, cellular plastic material, with a water impervious integral skin covering the exposed surfaces of the pad. Normally, the pad provides a comfortable, resilient support surface upon the saddle. The plastic material rapidly compresses under shock forces resulting from road jolts or impacts, and recovers its original shape somewhat more slowly to absorb and reduce the energy of the shock forces and, thereby, reduce shock transmission to the rider. Numerous openings extend through the pad and are internally shaped to form columns of air that are trapped within the openings during compression of the pad when the upper and lower ends of the openings are sealed respectively by tight surface contact with the rider and the adjacent saddle surface. Thus, the compressively collapsed air columns provide a spring-like effect for shock absorbing, with the openings otherwise providing a ventilation system through and around the pad.