Bicycle Trainer with Variable Resistance to Pedaling

• US 20100062908A1
• Filed: 09/08/2008
• Published: 03/11/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Maniac Holdings, LLC
• Original Assignee: Brian H. Hamilton
• Inventors: Hamilton, Brian H.
• Granted Patent: US 7,766,798 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/61
• 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 2069/163 for the front wheel
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2069/165 rear wheel hub supports
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2069/166 supports for the central frame of the bicycle, e.g. for the crank axle housing, seat tube or horizontal tube
• 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 21/008 using hydraulic or pneumatic force-resisters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/015 including rotating or oscillating elements rubbing against fixed elements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/78 Surface covering conditions, e.g. of a road surface
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0087 Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of groups A63B21/00 - A63B23/00, e.g. controlling load
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/16 for cycling , i.e. arrangements on or for real bicycles

Abstract

The invention is a bicycle trainer to which a standard bicycle temporarily attaches for exercise and simulated rides. A lifting mechanism raises and lowers the front tire, and in preferred embodiments, a frame engages the rear tire to hold the rear tire in an elevated position against a resistance cylinder. The resistance cylinder provides a force against rear tire revolution and varies the resistance to pedaling. The resistance cylinder can vary resistance against back tire revolution by pumping a resistance fluid into and out of the cylinder, by changing the position of the resistance cylinder in relation to the back tire, or by translation of the bicycle back and forth. In other embodiments, the trainer is electronically controlled to simulate real-world geographical courses programmed into a readable format for electronically maneuvering front tire and back tire positions as necessary to provide resistance to pedaling.

Claims

1. A bicycle trainer for removably attaching a bicycle and providing variable resistance to pedaling, comprising:

a lifting mechanism engaging the front tire of the bicycle, wherein the lifting mechanism comprises a height controller;

a frame engaging the rear tire of the bicycle, said frame comprising a rear tire support lifting the rear tire and allowing the bicycle to translate forward and backward as the lifting mechanism raises and lowers the front tire;

a resistance cylinder attached to said frame and providing a source of resistance to said rear tire; and

wherein the translation of the bicycle creates the variable resistance as a function of the rear tire pressure against the resistance cylinder as determined by the height of the lifting mechanism.

2. A trainer according to claim 1, wherein said lifting mechanism comprises a front platform for stabilizing the front tire of the bicycle.

3. A trainer according to claim 1, wherein said height controller comprises a computerized module providing automated information regarding changing the height of the lifting mechanism as a function of simulated distance traveled by the back tire.

4. A trainer according to claim 3, wherein said computerized module includes electronic information for simulating a particular riding course.

5. A trainer according to claim 1, wherein:

said rear tire support comprises;

a pair of caps engaging each end of a rear tire axle;

rollers attached to said caps on either side of the axle,

a pair of translation platforms attached to said frame such that the rear tire axle extends between said platforms;

said rollers engaging the translation platforms and allowing the bicycle to translate back and forth as the lifting mechanism moves up and down.

6. A trainer according to claim 5, wherein said rollers are secured to the rear tire axle via a U-shaped bracket removably attached to said frame.

7. A trainer according to claim 6, wherein the U-shaped bracket is attached to said frame by a retraction spring for biasing said rear tire toward said resistance cylinder.

8. A trainer according to claim 1, further comprising a constant pressure spring for biasing said resistance cylinder toward said rear tire.

9. A bicycle trainer for removably attaching a bicycle and providing variable resistance to pedaling, comprising:

a lifting mechanism engaging the front tire of the bicycle, wherein the lifting mechanism comprises a height controller for raising and lowering a front tire on the bicycle;

a frame lifting a rear tire of the bicycle to a constant elevated position;

a resistance cylinder at least partially filled with resistance fluid for providing variable resistance to rear tire movement, wherein the resistance is a function of (i) increased or decreased volume of resistance fluid in said resistance cylinder or (ii) the density of said resistance fluid;

or (iii) a combination of (i) and (ii);

wherein said resistance cylinder is attached to said frame and wherein the resistance cylinder comprises a resistance controller electronically connected to said height controller of said lifting mechanism.

10. A bicycle trainer according to claim 9, further comprising a rear tire support lifting the rear tire and allowing the bicycle to translate forward and backward as the lifting mechanism raises and lowers the front tire.

11. A bicycle trainer according to claim 10, wherein the amount of resistance to pedaling is determined in part by the force of the rear tire against the resistance cylinder, said force changing with the forward and backward translation of the bicycle.

12. A bicycle trainer according to claim 9, wherein said resistance controller is electronically connected to said height controller via a control module having computerized instructions that automatically adjust the resistance of said resistance cylinder in relation to the height of the lifting mechanism.

13. A bicycle trainer according to claim 12, further comprising a reservoir of resistance fluid for pumping into and out of said resistance cylinder to thereby change the resistance applied to the rear tire, wherein said resistance controller controls the volume of resistance fluid pumped into and out of said cylinder.

14. A bicycle trainer according to claim 13, wherein said resistance controller is in electronic communication with said control module for computerized coordination of the height of said lift mechanism, the resistance of said resistance cylinder, and the volume of resistance fluid in said resistance cylinder.

15. A trainer according to claim 9, further comprising a generator for supplying power to said lifting mechanism, said height controller, said resistance controller, and said control module.

16. A trainer according to claim 15, wherein said generator creates power with rotation of the rear tire.

17. A bicycle trainer for removably attaching a bicycle to a platform and providing variable resistance to pedaling, comprising:

a lifting mechanism engaging the front tire of the bicycle, wherein the lifting mechanism comprises a height controller for raising and lowering a front tire on the bicycle;

a frame connector attached to the body of the bicycle and allowing the bicycle to pivot along an arcuate path as the lifting mechanism raises and lowers the front tire;

a resistance cylinder providing resistance to the rear tire of the bicycle;

wherein the pivoting of the bicycle creates variable resistance as a function of the rear tire pressure against the cylinder as determined by the height of the lifting mechanism.

18. A bicycle trainer according to claim 17, wherein said frame connector comprises supports attached to the body of the bicycle.

19. A bicycle trainer according to claim 17, wherein said supports project from a central pivot point on the trainer.

20. A bicycle trainer according to claim 19, wherein the arcuate path allows for limited rocking of the bicycle back and forth.

21. A bicycle trainer for removably attaching a bicycle and providing variable resistance to pedaling, comprising:

a lifting mechanism engaging the front tire of the bicycle, wherein the lifting mechanism comprises a height controller for raising and lowering a front tire on the bicycle;

a frame stabilizing the rear tire of the bicycle;

a resistance cylinder attached to said frame for providing variable resistance to a rear tire of the bicycle;

a cable connecting said resistance cylinder and said lifting mechanism, wherein the tension on said cable is adjustable and determined by the height of the lifting mechanism;

wherein the tension on the cable controls the degree to which the resistance cylinder engages the rear tire, thereby creating the variable resistance as a function of the rear tire pressure against the resistance cylinder.

22. A bicycle trainer according to claim 21, wherein said cable connects said resistance cylinder and said lifting mechanism via a pulley.

23. A bicycle trainer according to claim 21, wherein said lifting mechanism comprises a reel for winding and unwinding the cable.

24. A bicycle trainer according to claim 21, further comprising a trainer bar pivotally connected to the frame for varying the degree to which the resistance cylinder engages the rear tire.

25. A bicycle trainer according to claim 24, further comprising a back stop attached to said frame adjacent said trainer bar for limiting the backward movement of said trainer bar.

26. A bicycle trainer according to claim 24, wherein said cable is bifurcated into at least two extensions with a first extension connected to said trainer bar via a constant pressure spring for pulling said resistance cylinder toward the rear tire of the bicycle.

27. A bicycle trainer according to claim 26, wherein the trainer further comprises a rear tire support lifting the rear tire and allowing the bicycle to translate forward and backward as the lifting mechanism raises and lowers the front tire.

28. A bicycle trainer according to claim 27, wherein a second extension of said bifurcated cable is connected to said rear tire support via a U-Bar connected to the bicycle rear axle.

29. A bicycle trainer for removably attaching a bicycle to a platform and providing variable resistance to pedaling, comprising:

respective lifts attached to the front tire and the rear portion of the bicycle, allowing the bicycle to pivot about an axis perpendicular to the long axis of the bicycle;

a resistance cylinder providing variable resistance to the rear tire of the bicycle;

wherein the pivoting of the bicycle creates variable resistance as a function of the rear tire pressure against the cylinder as determined by the height of the lifts.

30. A bicycle trainer for removably attaching a bicycle and providing variable resistance to pedaling, comprising:

a lifting mechanism engaging the front tire of the bicycle, wherein the lifting mechanism comprises a height controller for raising and lowering a front tire on the bicycle;

a frame stabilizing the rear tire of the bicycle;

a resistance cylinder attached to said frame for providing variable resistance to a rear tire of the bicycle;

a means for controlling a lever attached to said trainer, wherein one end of said lever lifts the resistance cylinder toward the back tire of the bicycle while the opposite end of said lever simultaneously lifts the front tire;

a common energy source for controlling the position of the respective ends of the lever.