Exercise apparatus with video effects synchronized to exercise parameters

• US 6,712,737 B1
• Filed: 09/19/2000
• Issued: 03/30/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/06/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Cat Eye Co Limited (Cat Eye)
• Original Assignee: Neil Nusbaum
• Inventors: Nusbaum, Neil
• Primary Examiner(s): Richman, Glenn E.
• Application Number:
  US09/665,539
• Time in Patent Office: 1,288 Days
• Field of Search: 482/1-9, 482/51, 482/57-59, 482/63-65, 482/900-902
• US Class Current: 482/8
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0638 Displaying moving images of recorded environment, e.g. virtual environment
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/34 Angular speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/16 for cycling , i.e. arrangements on or for real bicycles
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 482/90 Ergometer with feedback to load or with feedback comparison

Abstract

An apparatus for synchronizing the movement of a stationary bicycle with video effects produced on a video display of a computer, wherein the bicycle has a rear wheel, handlebars, and a pair of front wheel forks operatively engaged with the handlebars. The apparatus includes a motion sensor configured to produce a rear wheel rotation signal which corresponds to the rotation of the rear wheel. The apparatus also includes a handlebar rotation sensor assembly that is configured to produce a handlebar rotation signal which corresponds to the rotation of the handlebars about an axis. A digital signal processor is configured to receive the rear wheel rotation signal and the handlebar rotation signal and transmit output signals to the computer so that a user of the bicycle may interact with the video effects by rotating the rear wheel and the handlebars.

Claims

1. An apparatus for synchronizing the movement of a stationary bicycle with video effects produced on a video display associated with a computer, wherein said bicycle has a rear wheel, handlebars, and a pair of front wheel forks operatively engaged with said handlebars, said apparatus comprising:

(a) a motion sensor configured to produce a rear wheel rotation signal which corresponds to the rotation of said rear wheel;

(b) a handlebar rotation sensor assembly configured to engage said pair of front wheel forks and to produce a handlebar rotation signal which corresponds to the rotation of said handlebars about an axis, wherein said handlebar rotation sensor assembly comprises;

(1) a plate having a first face, a second face, a first portion, a second portion and an axis;

(2) a base support assembly connected to said plate;

(3) a rotation member having a first end and a second end, wherein said rotation member is positioned adjacent said first face of said plate and configured to rotate about said axis of said plate;

(4) a support assembly attached to said rotation member and configured to support said pair of front wheel forks; and

(5) a rotation-measuring assembly attached to said rotation member and configured to measure the rotation of said rotation member about said axis,

wherein when said pair of front wheel forks is rotated, said rotation-measuring assembly produces a signal representing said rotation; and

(c) a digital signal processor configured to receive said rear wheel rotation signal and said handlebar rotation signal and to transmit output signals to said computer so that a user of said bicycle may interact with said video effects by rotating said rear wheel and said handlebars.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a speed scaling potentiometer configured to permit scaling of the rear wheel rotation signal.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a steering scaling potentiometer configured to permit scaling of the handlebar rotation signal.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said plate further comprises a first arc-shaped cutout positioned at said first portion of said plate and wherein said rotation-measuring assembly comprises:

(a) a suspension pin fixedly attached to said first end of said rotation member and extending through said first arc-shaped cutout of said plate;

(b) a control rod fixedly attached to said suspension pin; and

(c) a potentiometer operatively engaged with said control rod.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said base support assembly comprises a base and a pivot member fixedly attached to said second face of said plate and pivotally engaged with said base so that said plate can pivot about a horizontal axis.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 further comprising a bracing assembly connected at a first end to said base and connected at a second end to said plate to prevent rotation of said plate about said horizontal axis.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said bracing assembly comprises:

(a) a first brace member attached at a first end to said base;

(b) a second brace member pivotally attached at a first end to said second face of said plate and slidably engaged at a second end with a second end of said first brace member; and

(c) a locking device configured to prevent slidable relative movement between said first brace member and said second brace member.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said support assembly comprises:

(a) a bracket having a base and two side members extending from said base, wherein said base is attached to said rotation member;

(b) a hub interposed between said side members of said bracket and having a bore extending along a central longitudinal axis; and

(c) an axle extending through said bore of said hub and configured to support said pair of front wheel forks.

9. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said plate further comprises a second arc-shaped cutout positioned at said second portion of said plate, and wherein said second arc-shaped cutout is smaller than said first arc-shaped cutout and wherein said apparatus further comprises a rotation-limiting pin fixedly attached to said second end of said rotation member and extending through said second arc-shaped cutout of said plate.

10. The apparatus of claim 5 further comprising a rear wheel support assembly removably connected to said stationary bicycle and configured to permit rotation of said rear wheel of said stationary bicycle.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said apparatus further comprises a stabilizing member attached at a first end to said rear wheel support assembly and attached at a second end to said base.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said stabilizing member comprises:

(a) a first telescoping member attached at a first end to said rear wheel support assembly;

(b) a second telescoping member connected to said base and configured to slidably receive a second end of said first telescoping member; and

(c) an anchoring device configured to prevent relative movement between said first telescoping member and said second telescoping member.

13. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said stabilizing member comprises:

(a) a first member having a series of helical threads on an outside diameter surface of a first end, wherein said first member is attached at a second end to said rear wheel support assembly; and

(b) a second member having a series of helical threads on an inside diameter surface, wherein said second member is connected to said base and configured to receive said first end of said first member;

wherein said first end of said first member may be threaded into said second member a desired distance.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a rear wheel support assembly removably connected to said stationary bicycle and configured to permit rotation of said rear wheel of said stationary bicycle.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said apparatus further comprises a stabilizing member attached at a first end to said rear wheel support assembly and attached at a second end to said handlebar rotation sensor assembly.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 where said stabilizing member comprises:

(a) a first telescoping member attached at a first end to said rear wheel support assembly;

(b) a second telescoping member connected to said handlebar rotation sensor assembly and configured to slidably receive a second end of said first telescoping member; and

(c) an anchoring device configured to prevent relative movement between said first telescoping member and said second telepscoping member.

17. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said stabilizing member comprises:

(a) a first member having a series of helical threads on an outside diameter surface of a first end, wherein said first member is attached at a second end to said rear wheel support assembly; and

(b) a second member having a series of helical threads on an inside diameter surface, wherein said second member is connected to said handlebar rotation sensor assembly and configured to receive said first end of said first member;

wherein said first end of said first member may be threaded into said second member a desired distance.

18. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said apparatus further comprises at least one user-controlled actuator in electrical communication with said digital signal processor for causing user commands to be transmitted to said computer by said digital signal processor.

19. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said base support assembly is height-adjustable.

20. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said support assembly is adjustably attached to said rotation member.

21. An apparatus for synchronizing the movement of a stationary bicycle with video effects produced on a video display associated with a computer, wherein said bicycle has a rear wheel, handlebars and a front wheel, said apparatus comprising:

(a) a motion sensor configured to produce a rear wheel rotation signal which corresponds to the rotation of said rear wheel;

(b) a handlebar rotation sensor assembly configured to support said front wheel and to produce a handlebar rotation signal which corresponds to the rotation of said handlebar about an axis;

(c) a digital signal processor configured to receive said rear wheel rotation signal and said handlebar rotation signal and to transmit output signals to said computer so that a user of said bicycle may interact with said video effects by rotating said rear wheel and said handlebars;

(d) a rear wheel support assembly removably connected to said stationary bicycle and configured to permit rotation of said rear wheel of said stationary bicycle; and

(e) a stabilizing member attached at a first end to said rear wheel support assembly and attached at a second end to said handlebar rotation sensor assembly, wherein said stabilizing member comprises;

(1) a first telescoping member attached at a first end to said rear wheel support assembly;

(2) a second telescoping member connected to said handlebar rotation sensor assembly and configured to slidably receive a second end of said first telescoping member; and

(3) an anchoring device configured to prevent relative movement between said first telescoping member and said second telescoping member.

22. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein said stabilizing member comprises:

(a) a first member having a series of helical threads on an outside diameter surface of a first end, wherein said first member is attached at a second end to said rear wheel support assembly; and

(b) a second member having a series of helical threads on an inside diameter surface, wherein said second member is connected to said handlebar rotation sensor assembly and configured to receive said first end of said first member;

wherein said first end of said first member may be threaded into said second member a desired distance.

23. The apparatus of claim 21 further comprising a speed scaling potentiometer configured to permit scaling of the rear wheel rotation signal.

24. The apparatus of claim 21 further comprising a steering scaling potentiometer configured to permit scaling of the handlebar rotation signal.

25. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein said apparatus further comprises at least one user-controlled actuator in electrical communication with said digital signal processor for causing user commands to be transmitted to said computer by said digital signal processor.

26. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein said handlebar rotation sensor is height-adjustable.