Programmed exercise bicycle with computer aided guidance

• US 8,021,277 B2
• Filed: 02/02/2005
• Issued: 09/20/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/02/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mad Dogg Athletics Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Mad Dogg Athletics Incorporated
• Inventors: Baudhuin, John
• Primary Examiner(s): RICHMAN, GLENN E
• Application Number:
  US11/050,460
• Publication Number:
  US 20060189439A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,421 Days
• Field of Search: 482 1- 9, 482900-902, 482/51, 482/57, 434/247
• US Class Current: 482/57
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2022/0658 for cycling with a group of people, e.g. spinning classes
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0068 Comparison to target or threshold, previous performance or not real time comparison to other individuals
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0093 the load of the exercise apparatus being controlled by performance parameters, e.g. distance or speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0625 Emitting sound, noise or music
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/015 including rotating or oscillating elements rubbing against fixed elements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/225 with flywheels
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/06 with support elements performing a rotating cycling movement, i.e. a closed path movementsupport stands for bicycles A63B69/16; unicycles B62K1/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0605 performing a circular movement, e.g. ergometers
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/34 Angular speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/52 Weight, e.g. weight distribution
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/09 Adjustable dimensions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/15 with identification means that can be read by electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/20 with means for remote communication, e.g. internet or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/045 used as a control parameter for the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/06 heartbeat rate only
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/75 calorie expenditure
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/00 Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of preceding groups; Controlling or monitoring of exercises, sportive games, training or athletic performances
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0062 Monitoring athletic performances, e.g. for determining the work of a user on an exercise apparatus, the completed jogging or cycling distance
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0075 Means for generating exercise programs or schemes, e.g. computerized virtual trainer, e.g. using expert databases
• 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 71/0622 : Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/30 : relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 482/901 : having computer circuitry

Abstract

The invention pertains to a stationary exercise bike along with a display that provides instruction to lead a rider through an exercise program. The invention allows a rider to obtain benefits of a group, instructor-led class though the rider'"'"'s schedule does not permit the rider to participate in the class. The invention also describes a method of exercising with the foregoing bike and display.

Claims

1. An exercise device, comprising:

a stationary bike having a resistance adjustment mechanism for a rider to adjust the pedaling resistance of the stationary bike;

a computer coupled to the stationary bike, the computer containing instructions for a customized ride created by a rider based on the rider'"'"'s specifications;

a display coupled to the computer, wherein the display conveys instructions to the rider based on the rider'"'"'s specifications, the instructions including varying hand positions on a handlebar;

varying riding positions including alternating sitting and standing positions;

varying cadence ranges that are varied as the riding positions vary; and

varying the resistance adjustment mechanism and/or cadence based on the rider'"'"'s heart rate; and

an input device coupled to the display, wherein the input device enables the rider to input data into the computer to customize the ride per the rider'"'"'s specifications.

2. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the input device further comprising:

a menu button;

a menu screen accessed by the menu button;

a pair of directional arrows to scroll through the data on the menu screen; and

a select button to choose a selection from the menu screen.

3. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the display includes a handlebar icon, the handlebar icon providing instructions to the rider on where to place the hands.

4. The exercise device of claim 3, wherein the handlebar icon includes a first, a second, and a third hand position that lights up to indicate the location of the rider'"'"'s hand position.

5. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the display includes a pair of arrow icons comprising an up arrow icon and a down arrow icon.

6. The exercise device of claim 5, wherein the up arrow icon is illuminated to indicate the rider should stand, the down arrow icon is illuminated to indicate that the rider should sit, and both the up arrow icon and the down arrow icon are illuminated to indicate the rider should get into a jumping motion.

7. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the display includes a target cadence display, the target cadence display revealing the appropriate cadence at which the rider should be pedaling.

8. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the display includes a cadence screen, the cadence screen indicating the rider'"'"'s actual cadence.

9. The exercise device of claim 8, wherein the cadence screen flashes to inform the rider to either pedal faster or slower and stays constant without flashing to indicate the rider should maintain the current cadence.

10. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the computer provides instructions to the rider to adjust the resistance adjustment mechanism to fluctuate levels of resistance to imitate cycling situations encountered on the road.

11. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the display is surrounded by an outer shell composed of a water resistant material.

12. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the display is protected by an opaque hood attached to the display along its outer perimeter.

13. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the computer contains a number of preprogrammed workout routines.

14. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the computer stores additional workout routines designed by the rider.

15. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the computer retains at least one rider'"'"'s workout history by keeping track of the rider'"'"'s workout frequency and intensity level of the rider'"'"'s workout.

16. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the computer receives heart rate signals from a transistor worn by the rider and provides instructions to the rider to vary the resistance adjustment mechanism and/or cadence based on the heart rate signals.

17. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the computer receives heart rate signals from a sensor located on the handlebar and provides instructions to the rider to vary the resistance adjustment mechanism and/or cadence based on the heart rate signals.

18. The exercise device of claim 17, wherein the sensor is coupled with a light that lights up to indicate the appropriate location for the rider'"'"'s hands.

19. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the computer generates a riding program based upon a rider'"'"'s weight, a total workout time, and a desired number of calories the rider wishes to burn during the workout routine.

20. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the computer generates a riding program based upon a rider'"'"'s weight, a difficulty level selected by the rider, and a total workout time.

21. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the display shows the rider'"'"'s speed.

22. The device of claim 1, wherein the display shows the rider'"'"'s heart rate.

23. The device of claim 1, wherein the display shows the number of calories burned by the rider.

24. The device of claim 1, wherein the display shows the time remaining or elapsed time in the workout routine.

25. The device of claim 1, wherein the display shows the resistance level.

26. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the display is configured to receive a multi-media device.

27. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the display includes a separate symbol for each position that the rider may perform, the symbol lighting up to instruct the rider to change into the desired position.

28. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the computer is connected to the internet.

29. An exercise device, comprising:

a stationary bike having a resistance adjustment mechanism for a rider to adjust the pedaling resistance of the stationary bike;

a computer coupled to the stationary bike, the computer containing instructions on how to carry out a customized stationary bike workout routine based on the rider'"'"'s specifications;

a display coupled to the computer, wherein the display conveys instructions for a ride by a rider based on the rider'"'"'s specifications, the instructions being provided through a handlebar icon, a pair of arrow icons, and a cadence screen;

the instructions including varying the resistance adjustment mechanism and/or cadence based on the rider'"'"'s heart rate;

a hood attached to the display along its outer perimeter; and

an input device for the rider to input the rider'"'"'s specifications into the computer, the input device being coupled to the display, wherein the input device includes;

a menu button;

a menu screen accessed by the menu button;

a pair of directional arrows to scroll through the data on the menu screen; and

a select button to choose a selection from the menu screen.

30. An exercise device, comprising:

a stationary bike having a resistance adjustment mechanism for a rider to adjust the pedaling resistance of the stationary bike;

a computer coupled to the stationary bike, the computer containing hand positions, riding positions and cadence instructions for a customized ride created by a rider based on the rider'"'"'s specifications;

a display coupled to the computer, wherein the display includes a handlebar icon, a riding position icon and a cadence display, the handlebar icon providing instructions to the rider on where to place the rider'"'"'s hands, the riding position icon providing instructions to the rider on the riding position to assume, including alternating sitting and standing riding positions, and the cadence display providing instructions to the rider to vary cadence according to the riding position assumed, and wherein the display provides instructions to vary the resistance adjustment mechanism and/or cadence based on the rider'"'"'s heart rate; and

an input device coupled to the display, wherein the input device enables the rider to input the rider'"'"'s specifications into the computer.