SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR A HILL TRAINING APPARATUS FOR A BICYCLE TRAINER

• US 20110039664A1
• Filed: 08/17/2010
• Published: 02/17/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/17/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Pro-Climb, LLC
• Original Assignee: Emily L. Cooper
• Inventors: Cooper, Emily L.
• Granted Patent: US 8,419,597 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 482/61
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2069/162 for front fork or handlebar
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0605 performing a circular movement, e.g. ergometers
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/14 Platforms for reciprocating rotating motion about a vertical axis , e.g. axis through the middle of the platform
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/17 Counting, e.g. counting periodical movements, revolutions or cycles, or including further data processing to determine distances or speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/34 Angular speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/093 Height
• 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

Disclosed herein are systems and methods for a hill training apparatus for a bicycle trainer. The systems and methods disclosed herein enable cyclists to simulate hill resistance, incline, decline, and body positioning while riding on a bicycle trainer for improved training purposes.

Claims

1. An apparatus for a hill training stationary portable bicycle trainer comprising:

a connecting rod; and

a slider, slidably supported by a surface,

wherein the connecting rod links the slider to a front fork and/or front wheel of a bicycle, wherein force applied to the slider causes the slider to slide along the surface altering the angle of the connecting rod and operating to raise or lower the front fork and/or front wheel of the bicycle.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a rear mounting apparatus attached to the rear hub of the bicycle such that substantially no translation of the hub occurs in the vertical or horizontal direction.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the rear mounting apparatus measures the angular velocity of the hub and/or a rear wheel of the bicycle.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the rear mounting apparatus measures a cyclist'"'"'s cadence.

5. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the rear mounting apparatus provides resistance to the hub and/or a rear wheel of the bicycle.

6. An apparatus for a hill training stationary portable bicycle trainer comprising:

a crank;

a coupler; and

a pivot,

wherein the coupler links the crank to a front fork and/or front wheel of a bicycle through the pivot, wherein when torque is applied to the crank it alters the angle of the pivot causing the front fork and/or front wheel of the bicycle to raise or lower.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 further comprising a rear mounting apparatus attached to the rear hub of the bicycle such that substantially no translation of the hub occurs in the vertical or horizontal direction.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the rear mounting apparatus measures the angular velocity of the hub and/or a rear wheel of the bicycle.

9. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the rear mounting apparatus measures a cyclist'"'"'s cadence.

10. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the rear mounting apparatus provides resistance to the hub and/or a rear wheel of the bicycle.

11. An apparatus for a hill training stationary portable bicycle trainer comprising:

a rod;

a slider; and

a pivot;

wherein the slider operatively connects the rod to a front fork and/or front wheel of a bicycle and, wherein the rod is operatively connected to the pivot such that torque applied to the rod causes the rod to rotate about the pivot such that the slider raises or lowers thereby raising or lowering the front fork and/or front wheel of the bicycle.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising a rear mounting apparatus attached to the rear hub of the bicycle such that substantially no translation of the hub occurs in the vertical or horizontal direction.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the rear mounting apparatus measures the angular velocity of the hub and/or a rear wheel of the bicycle.

14. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the rear mounting apparatus measures a cyclist'"'"'s cadence.

15. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the rear mounting apparatus provides resistance to the hub and/or a rear wheel of the bicycle.

16. A method of adjusting the elevation of the front or back end of a bicycle comprising adjusting a rod'"'"'s movement in a plane wherein the rod and the front or back end of the bicycle are linked and wherein movement of the rod is not parallel to the movement of the front or back end of the bicycle.