Variable pitch stationary exercise bicycle

• US 20010031686A1
• Filed: 01/02/2001
• Published: 10/18/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 01/04/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: John Scott Ware
• Original Assignee: John Scott Ware
• Inventors: Ware, John Scott
• Granted Patent: US 6,648,802 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/57
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2022/0641 enabling a lateral movement of the exercising apparatus, e.g. for simulating movement on a bicycle
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/009 the load of the exercise apparatus being controlled in synchronism with visualising systems, e.g. hill slope
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0093 the load of the exercise apparatus being controlled by performance parameters, e.g. distance or speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00058 Mechanical means for varying the resistance A63B21/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00069 Setting or adjusting the resistance level; Compensating for a preload prior to use, e.g. changing length of resistance or adjusting a valve
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/015 including rotating or oscillating elements rubbing against fixed elements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/225 with flywheels
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4049 Rotational movement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0023 the inclination of the main axis of the movement path being adjustable, e.g. the inclination of an endless band
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/02 with movable endless bands , e.g. treadmills other training appliances for running on the spot A63B69/0028
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0605 performing a circular movement, e.g. ergometers
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0087 Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of groups A63B21/00 - A63B23/00, e.g. controlling load

Abstract

A stationary exercise bicycle comprising a frame, a base pivotally connected to said frame and having a front portion, a rear portion, and a side portion connecting said front portion to said rear portion; a pedaling mechanism connected to said frame; a flywheel in an operative relationship with said pedaling mechanism such that a rotation of said pedaling mechanism causes a rotation of said flywheel, and a tensioning member engaged with said flywheel and connected to said frame and said base such that said tensioning member exerts a tension on said pedaling mechanism, wherein said tension is reduced if said frame is tilted toward said front portion of said base and said tension is increased if said frame is tilted toward said rear portion of said base.

Claims

1. A stationary exercise bicycle comprising:

a base having a front portion, a rear portion, and a side portion connecting said front portion to said rear portion;

a frame connected to said base, wherein said frame can pivot relative to said base;

a pedaling mechanism connected to said frame,

a flywheel in an operative relationship with said pedaling mechanism such that a rotation of said pedaling mechanism causes a rotation of said flywheel; and

a tensioning member engaged with said flywheel and connected to said frame and said base such that said tensioning member exerts a tension on said pedaling mechanism, wherein said tension is reduced if said frame is tilted toward said front portion of said base and said tension is increased if said frame is tilted toward said rear portion of said base.

2. The stationary exercise bicycle according to

claim 1

, said flywheel having a circumference and said tensioning member in frictional engagement around approximately 250°

to approximately 350°

of said circumference of said flywheel.

3. The stationary exercise bicycle according to

claim 2

, said frame having a seat support member joined to a handlebar support member such that said seat support member is located at an acute angle relative to said rear portion of said base and said handlebar support member is located at an acute angle relative to said front portion of said base.

4. The stationary exercise bicycle according to

claim 3

, wherein said seat support member comprises a first support tube, a first shaft in engagement with said first support tube, a first horizontal bar in engagement with said first shaft, and a seat mounted on said first horizontal bar.

5. The stationary exercise bicycle according to

claim 4

, wherein said first shaft is V-shaped.

6. The stationary exercise bicycle according to

claim 4

, wherein said first horizontal bar is in sliding engagement with said first shaft.

7. The stationary exercise bicycle according to

claim 4

, wherein said seat support member further comprises a screw fitted handle engaged to said first shaft such that when said screw fitted handle is rotated counterclockwise, said first shaft and said first horizontal bar may be moved relative to each other and relative to said first support tube.

8. The stationary exercise bicycle according to

claim 4

, wherein said handlebar support member comprises a second support tube, a second shaft in engagement with said second support tube, a second horizontal bar in engagement with said second shaft, and a handlebar mounted on said second horizontal bar.

9. The stationary exercise bicycle according to

claim 8

, wherein said second shaft is V-shaped.

10. The stationary exercise bicycle according to

claim 8

, wherein said second horizontal bar is in sliding engagement with said second shaft.

11. The stationary exercise bicycle according to

claim 8

, wherein said handlebar is mounted on said second horizontal bar by a compression bolt such that said handlebar may rotate relative to said second horizontal bar.

12. The stationary exercise bicycle according to

claim 8

, wherein said tensioning member comprises a spring connected to said base, and a strap having a first end and a second end, wherein said first end of said strap is attached to a guide on said frame and said second end of said strap is attached to said spring.

13. The stationary exercise bicycle according to

claim 12

, wherein after said first end of said strap is attached to said guide, said second end of said strap is threaded through said frame, around said circumference of said flywheel, through said frame and attached to said spring.

14. The stationary exercise bicycle according to

claim 3

, further comprising a bifurcated support beam in engagement with said first and second support tubes, wherein said pedaling mechanism is joined to said bifurcated support beam.

15. The stationary exercise bicycle according to

claim 3

, said frame further having an extended support arm connected to said first and second support tubes, wherein said extended support arm is also connected to said flywheel by an axle.

16. The stationary exercise bicycle according to

claim 3

, said side portion of said base comprising a first bolt nearer to said rear portion of said base and a second bolt nearer to said front portion of said base, and said seat support member having a first rubber pad and said handlebar support member having a second rubber pad, said first and second rubber pads and said first and second bolts arranged to prevent said frame from tilting past a predetermined angle.

17. The stationary exercise bicycle according to

claim 3

, said pedaling mechanism having a drive sprocket and said flywheel having a drive sprocket, wherein a chain is in engagement with said drive sprocket of said pedaling mechanism and said drive sprocket of said flywheel.

18. The stationary exercise bicycle according to

claim 17

, said pedaling mechanism further comprising a first pedal and a second pedal disposed on opposite sides of said pedaling mechanism, said first pedal and said second pedal in a diametrically opposed relationship, such that when said first pedal rotates downward, said second pedal rotates upward.

19. The stationary exercise bicycle according to

claim 1

, further comprising:

a positioning device in an operative relationship with said frame for adjusting and stabilizing the position of said frame with respect to pivotal movement.

20. The stationary exercise bicycle according to

claim 19

, wherein said device is a pneumatically-controlled positioning device.

21. The stationary exercise bicycle according to

claim 20

, wherein said pneumatically-controlled positioning device comprises an oil-filled cylinder, a piston rod connected to said oil-filled cylinder, and a control cable having a tension and a first end and a second end, said first end joined to said piston rod, a locking member joined to said second end of said control cable, such that an activation of said locking member allows said frame to pivot in relation to said base.

22. The stationary exercise bicycle according to

claim 19

, wherein said positioning device is a screw-drive device.

23. The stationary exercise bicycle according to

claim 1

, further comprising at least one wheel attached to one of said front portion and said rear portion of said base.

24. The stationary exercise bicycle according to

claim 1

, further comprising a spooling mechanism attached to said tensioning member wherein said tensioning member is wrapped around said spooling mechanism for changing said tension.

27. The stationary bicycle according to

claim 24

, said frame further comprising:

a first support tube;

a first V-shaped sliding shaft in sliding engagement with said first support tube;

a first horizontal bar in sliding engagement with said first V-shaped shaft;

a seat mounted on said first horizontal bar;

a second support tube connected to said first support tube;

a second V-shaped sliding shaft in sliding engagement with said second support tube;

a second horizontal bar in sliding engagement with said second V-shaped shaft;

a handlebar mounted on said second horizontal bar; and

a bifurcated support member connecting said first support tube, said second support tube, and said pedaling mechanism.

28. The stationary exercise bicycle according to

claim 24

, wherein said tensioning belt comprises a first end and a second end, wherein said first end of said tensioning belt is attached to a metal guide on said frame and said second end is threaded through said frame, around approximately 300°

of said circumference of said flywheel, through said frame and attached to a spring which is attached to said base.

29. The stationary exercise bicycle according to

claim 24

, wherein said gas spring device comprises an oil-filled cylinder, a piston rod connected at one end to said oil-filled cylinder, and a control cable having a tension and a first end and a second end, said first end joined to said piston rod, and said second end joined to said lever, such that an activation of said lever allows said frame to pivot in relation to said base.

25. A stationary exercise bicycle comprising:

a base having a front portion, a rear portion, and a side portion connecting said front portion to said rear portion;

a frame having a seat support member having a first support tube, a first V-shaped sliding shaft in sliding engagement with said first support tube, a first horizontal bar in sliding engagement with said first V-shaped shaft, a seat mounted on said first horizontal bar, said frame further having a handlebar support member having a second support tube, a second V-shaped sliding shaft in sliding engagement with said second support tube, a second horizontal bar in sliding engagement with said second V-shaped shaft, and a handlebar mounted on said second horizontal bar, wherein said seat support member and said handlebar member are connected by a horizontal bar member;

a pivot bolt, connecting said frame to said base and allowing said frame to pivot relative to said base,

a pedaling mechanism having two diametrically opposed pedals such that when one of said two pedals rotates downward, the other of said two pedals rotates upward;

a flywheel having a drive sprocket, wherein said flywheel is connected to said frame by an extending support bar,

a chain in an operative relationship with said pedaling mechanism and said drive sprocket of said flywheel, such that a rotation of said pedaling mechanism causes a rotation of said drive sprocket of said flywheel;

a tensioning member attached to said handlebar member and in a frictional relationship with said flywheel, and having a tension when said frame is in a horizontal position, wherein said tension is increased when said frame is tilted relative to said base toward said rear portion of said base and said tension is decreased when said frame is tilted relative to said base toward said front portion of said base; and

a gas spring device in an operative relationship with said handlebar support member and having a locking member for locking said frame in a position relative to said base.

26. A stationary bicycle comprising:

a base having a front bar, a rear bar, and at least one side bar connecting said front bar to said rear bar,

a frame in pivotal relationship with said base;

a pedaling mechanism connected to said frame;

a flywheel having a circumference and in an operative relationship with said pedaling mechanism such that a rotation of said pedaling mechanism causes a rotation of said flywheel, said flywheel connected to said frame by an extending support bar;

a tensioning belt in frictional engagement with said flywheel and connected to said frame and said base such that said tensioning member exerts a tension on said pedaling mechanism, wherein said tension is reduced if said frame is tilted toward said front portion of said base and said tension is increased if said frame is tilted toward said rear portion of said base; and

a gas spring device in operative relationship with said frame and having a lever for locking said frame in a position relative to said base.

30. A method for making a stationary exercise bicycle comprising the steps of:

providing a frame;

providing a base pivotally connected to said frame and having a front portion, a rear portion, and a side portion connecting said front portion to said rear portion;

providing a pedaling mechanism connected to said frame,

providing a flywheel in an operative relationship with said pedaling mechanism such that a rotation of said pedaling mechanism causes a rotation of said flywheel; and

exerting a tension on said pedaling mechanism, wherein said tension is reduced if said frame is tilted toward said front portion of said base and said tension is increased if said frame is tilted toward said rear portion of said base.