Training apparatus

• US 7,682,286 B2
• Filed: 11/15/2004
• Issued: 03/23/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/17/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: e2v semiconductors SAS, Ziad Badarneh
• Original Assignee: Ziad Badarneh
• Inventors: Mollatt, Torbjorn, Ellis, Campbell, Hansen, Benedict J. M., Badarneh, Ziad
• Primary Examiner(s): Richman; Glenn
• Application Number:
  US10/579,322
• Publication Number:
  US 20070072744A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,954 Days
• Field of Search: 482 1- 9, 482/51, 482/57, 482/61, 482 63- 65, 482900-902, 434/247
• US Class Current: 482/5
• 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 21/0051 using eddy currents induced in moved elements, e.g. by permanent magnets
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/012 using frictional force-resisters electromagnetically-controlled brakes A63B21/0056
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/225 with flywheels
• 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 22/0605 performing a circular movement, e.g. ergometers
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0233 in 90/90 position, like on a chair
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 26/003 for improving balance or equilibrium balance beams A63B4/00; apparatus for rope dancing A63B7/08; balancing drums, balancing boards or the like A63B22/16

Abstract

Training apparatus for physical exercise, preventive exercise and rehabilitation of injuries and increased balance, the apparatus designed as a stationary exercise bicycle, similar to ergometer bikes or spinning bikes. The apparatus consist of a first lower stable frame configured to be supported on a floor and a second upper frame tiltable relative to the lower frame. The upper frame has an adjustable tilt movement relative the lower frame crosswise the flywheel'"'"'s revolving motion. A steering gear is guided through the upper frame where a prolonged part of the steering gear is in contact with the floor, the part having a wheel suspension like design, consisting of barlinks, dampers, springs and wheels. Stabilizing of the upper frame is done by movement of the steering gear.

Claims

1. A training apparatus for physical exercise, preventive exercise and rehabilitation of injuries and increased balance, the apparatus designed as a stationary exercise bicycle, such as ergometer bike or spinning bike, the apparatus comprising:

a first stable frame configured to be supportable by a floor, and

a second frame which is pivotally connected with the first frame in order to allow the second frame to tilt transversely relative to the first frame, and which second frame has a flywheel rotatably attached thereto, means for transmission of motion from a crank device with pedals to the flywheel, and means for rotary resistance on the flywheel and adjustment of the resistance, characterised in;

that the second frame has a rear region and a front region, and has a seat at the rear region, the front region including a steering gear and a suspension unit capable of controlling tilt movement of the second frame relative to the first frame,

that the steering gear and suspension unit comprises a handlebar and a steering rod extending downwards from the handlebar through a front member of the second frame, the steering rod being guided through the front member of the second frame, where a part of the steering rod extends below the front member,

that said part of the steering rod that extends below the front member has a lowest end and an upper region, and a pair of linkage bars are pivotally linked to the lowest end, said linkage bars having outermost opposite ends and their opposite outermost ends being provided with wheels,

that dampers are provided at the front region and have an upper end pivotally attached to the upper region of said part of the steering rod, and have respective lower ends pivotally attached to respective opposite outermost ends of said linkage bars,

that said wheels are configured to be supportable by a floor on which the first frame is supportable,

that the steering gear and suspension unit with its handlebar, its steering rod its linkage bars, its wheels and dampers are turnable relative to the first and second frame, and

that a biasing spring is provided on the steering rod and the steering rod is slideable relative to the front member of the second frame against spring force of the biasing spring.

2. A training apparatus according to claim 1 wherein, the dampers are selected from the group consisting of hydraulic type and gas type.

3. A training apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the dampers are of hydraulic type and are connected to a hydraulic system which includes a hydraulic fluid tank and a pump, hydraulic fluid hoses connecting the pump with the dampers with means for varying pressure in the dampers such that pressure in the dampers is variable in order to adjust the degree of movability of the second and upper frame relative to the first frame.

4. A training apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the pump is powered by an electric motor, wherein the hydraulic system further has an activator connected to the motor, to a return valve and to a central processing unit CPU, wherein the CPU is connected to an interface control console with visual means, the interface control console being located on the handlebar of the steering gear, to permit the adjustment of the training apparatus and the hydraulic system from the interface control console.

5. A training apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the dampers are extendible and contractible and tilting of the upper second frame in a first transverse direction relative to the first frame will shorten one of the dampers to a point where turning of the steering gear in the same direction as the tilt movement gives a resistance within said one damper, thus forcing the second frame in a transverse direction opposite to the first direction towards an upright position.

6. A training apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first frame has front and rear frame pivot points that pivotally support the second frame at the front and rear regions and means for vertically adjusting the front and rear levels of the pivot points independently to provide a variable angle of tilt of the second frame relative to the horizontal, the angle of tilt adjustment being in a vertical plane and parallel to the length of the apparatus, and wherein the means for vertically adjusting the front and rear levels of the pivot points being electable from the group of:

threaded cylinders, motor assisted threaded cylinders, and threaded cylinders of hydraulic type coupled to pumps of manual or motorised type.

7. A training apparatus according to claim 6, including an interface control console within the apparatus to permit adjustment of the training apparatus and the hydraulic system wherein the hydraulic cylinders for adjusting the angle of tilt of the second frame are connected to the said hydraulic system and interface console within the apparatus.

8. A training apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the CPU includes software for enabling user input and control of the apparatus modes of resistance upon drive means, flywheel and pedals, as well as transverse tilt functions of the second frame relative to the first frame ranging from fixed stable position to a full unsupported tilt function.

9. A training apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the CPU includes software for enabling a user of the apparatus to elect among one of:

a plurality of choices regarding incline or decline angle of a tilt axis of the second frame, and an active angle control of the tilt axis of the second frame during usage of the training apparatus for simulating terrain and up-hill or down-hill situations as part of an exercise program.

10. A training apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the dampers are extendible and contractible and tilting of the upper second frame in a first transverse direction relative to the first frame will shorten one of the dampers to a point where turning of the steering gear in the same direction as the tilt movement gives a resistance within said one damper, thus forcing the second frame in a transverse direction opposite to the first direction towards an upright position.

11. A training apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the first frame has front and rear frame pivot points that pivotally support the second frame at the front and rear regions and means for vertically adjusting front and rear levels the pivot points independently to provide a variable angle of a tilt of the second frame relative to the horizontal , the angle of tilt being in a vertical plane and parallel to the length of the apparatus, and that the means for vertically adjusting front and rear levels of the pivot points being electable from the group of:

threaded cylinders, motor assisted threaded cylinders, and threaded cylinders of hydraulic type coupled to pumps of manual or motorised type.