Resistance exercise apparatus and trainer

• US 6,945,917 B1
• Filed: 11/21/2000
• Issued: 09/20/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/21/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Racer Mate Inc.
• Original Assignee: Racer Mate Inc.
• Inventors: Baatz, Wilfried
• Primary Examiner(s): Huson, Gregory L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, TAM M
• Application Number:
  US09/718,885
• Time in Patent Office: 1,764 Days
• Field of Search: 482/51, 482 57- 65
• US Class Current: 482/63
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2069/162 for front fork or handlebar
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2069/165 rear wheel hub supports
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0051 using eddy currents induced in moved elements, e.g. by permanent magnets
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/225 with flywheels
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/16 for cycling , i.e. arrangements on or for real bicycles

Abstract

An apparatus for providing exercise to recreational users and training to professional users comprising a support frame on which a bicycle frame is mounted and a resistance generation unit coupled to the support frame to provide resistance against the pedaling of the user. The resistance unit comprises a magnetic field generation source and a flywheel having an annular ring constructed from a plurality of segments of a non-magnetic, conductive material. The resistance exercise apparatus and trainer utilizes the flywheel to eliminate the need for the conventional rear wheel of a bicycle. The use of the flywheel as part of the resistance generation unit creates a “single-stage” resistance exercise trainer, because the resistance generated on the flywheel is transmitted to the user through a direct chain drive of a conventional bicycle. According to another aspect of the present invention, the resistance exercise apparatus includes a chain tensioning mechanism. The chain tensioning mechanism provides a method of tightening or loosening the tension of the chain to improve the overall efficiency of the chain drive mechanism and prevent the chain from “jumping” off the chain ring during operation.

Claims

1. An exercise apparatus comprising;

a support frame including a rear mounting assembly; and

a resistance unit including a magnetic field generation source and a flywheel, wherein the flywheel comprises;

a circular body including an outer peripheral flange and a hub section, the hub section having a centrally located bore for receiving an axle, the circular body rotatably connected to the rear mounting assembly through the axle;

a plurality of radial segments of a non-magnetic, conductive material are removably coupled to the outer peripheral flange defining gaps therebetween; and

a driven member connected to the hub section, wherein the driven member is adapted to be drivenly connectable to a transmission system for rotating a portion of the radial segments through the magnetic field generation source resulting in a resistance against the rotation of the flywheel.

2. An exercise training apparatus comprising:

a support frame for supporting a portion of a bicycle frame; and

a resistance generation unit coupled to the support fame;

wherein the support frame includes a tensioning device, the tensioning device including, a support member projecting upwardly from the support frame, an elongate deflection member having a first end secured to the support member and a second end securable to a bicycle frame, and a linear actuator mounted on the support member, an end of the linear actuator engageable with the second end of the deflection member.

3. An exercise training apparatus comprising:

a support frame having a bicycle frame mounting structure and a flywheel mounting structure;

a bicycle frame having rear fork members detachably coupled to the bicycle frame mounting structure of the support frame about a common first axis;

a flywheel rotatably coupled about a second axis to the flywheel mounting structure of the support frame in-between the rear fork members of the bicycle frame, wherein the second axis is different from the first axis;

a transmission including a driven member coupled to the flywheel and a user operable drive assembly, the drive assembly coupled to the bicycle frame and operably connected to the driven member through a flexible transmission element; and

a resistance generation unit for creating resistance against flywheel rotation;

wherein the support frame includes a tensioning device for selectively tensioning the flexible drive element by adjusting the distance between the first and second axes.

4. An exercise training apparatus comprising:

a support frame having a rear mounting assembly;

a bicycle frame having rear fork members, the rear fork members being capable of detachably mounting a ground engaging wheel thereon, the rear fork members being detachably coupled to the rear mounting assembly of the support frame about a common first axis;

a flywheel rotatably coupled about a second axis to the rear mounting assembly of the support frame in-between the rear fork members of the bicycle frame, wherein the second axis is different from the first axis;

a transmission system including a driven member coupled to the flywheel and a user operable drive assembly, the drive assembly coupled to the bicycle frame and operably connected to the driven member through a flexible transmission element; and

a magnetic field generation source coupled to the rear mounting assembly of the support frame, a portion of the flywheel passing through the magnetic field generation source.

5. An exercise training apparatus comprising:

a support frame having a rear mounting assembly including a first support member, and a second support member configured for selectively connecting rear fork members of a bicycle frame along a common, first connection axis;

a flywheel rotatably coupled about a second axis to the first support member of the rear mounting assembly in-between the rear fork members of the bicycle frame, wherein the second axis is different from the first connection axis; and

a magnetic field generation source coupled to the rear mounting assembly of the support frame, a portion of the flywheel passing through the magnetic field generation source.