Bicycle trainer with variable resistance to pedaling

• US 8,162,806 B2
• Filed: 08/03/2010
• Issued: 04/24/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Maniac Holdings, LLC
• Original Assignee: Brian H. Hamilton
• Inventors: Hamilton, Brian H
• Primary Examiner(s): Thanh, Loan
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, TAM M
• Application Number:
  US12/849,204
• Publication Number:
  US 20100298103A1
• Time in Patent Office: 630 Days
• Field of Search: 482/53, 482/58, 482/61, 482/73, 482/111, 482/112, 482/63, 434/247, 434/254, 188/290, 188/313, 188/314, 188/266.3, 188/296
• US Class Current: 482/61
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/009 the load of the exercise apparatus being controlled in synchronism with visualising systems, e.g. hill slope
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2069/163 for the front wheel
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2069/165 rear wheel hub supports
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2069/166 supports for the central frame of the bicycle, e.g. for the crank axle housing, seat tube or horizontal tube
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00069 Setting or adjusting the resistance level; Compensating for a preload prior to use, e.g. changing length of resistance or adjusting a valve
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/008 using hydraulic or pneumatic force-resisters
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/015 including rotating or oscillating elements rubbing against fixed elements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/78 Surface covering conditions, e.g. of a road surface
• 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

The invention is a bicycle trainer to which a standard bicycle temporarily attaches for exercise and simulated rides. A lifting mechanism raises and lowers the front tire, and in preferred embodiments, a frame engages the rear tire to hold the rear tire in an elevated position against a resistance cylinder. The resistance cylinder provides a force against rear tire revolution and varies the resistance to pedaling. The resistance cylinder can vary resistance against back tire revolution by pumping a resistance fluid into and out of the cylinder, by changing the position of the resistance cylinder in relation to the back tire, or by translation of the bicycle back and forth. In other embodiments, the trainer is electronically controlled to simulate real-world geographical courses programmed into a readable format for electronically maneuvering front tire and back tire positions as necessary to provide resistance to pedaling.

Claims

1. A bicycle trainer for providing variable resistance to pedaling, comprising:

a lifting mechanism adapted to engage a front tire of a bicycle, wherein said lifting mechanism comprises a height controller for raising and lowering the front tire;

a frame lifting a rear tire of the bicycle;

a resistance cylinder attached to said frame and configured to directly engage the rear tire of a bicycle, said resistance cylinder being at least partially filled with resistance fluid for providing variable resistance to rotation of the rear tire, wherein said resistance cylinder comprises a

a pump that moves resistance fluid into and out of said resistance cylinder.

2. The bicycle trainer according to claim 1, further comprising a resistance controller for changing a volume of resistance fluid in said resistance cylinder.

3. A bicycle trainer according to claim 1, further comprising a reservoir of resistance fluid that is pumped into and out of said resistance cylinder to thereby change a resistance applied to the rear tire, wherein a resistance controller controls a volume of resistance fluid pumped into and out of said resistance cylinder.

4. A bicycle trainer according to claim 1, further comprising a rear tire support lifting the rear tire and allowing the bicycle to translate forward and backward as the lifting mechanism raises and lowers the front tire.

5. A bicycle trainer according to claim 4, wherein the amount of resistance to pedaling is determined in part by the force of the rear tire against the resistance cylinder, said force changing with the forward and backward translation of the bicycle.

6. A trainer according to claim 1, further comprising a generator for supplying power to said lifting mechanism, said height controller, and said pump.

7. A trainer according to claim 6, wherein said generator creates power with rotation of the rear tire.

8. A bicycle trainer for removably attaching a bicycle and providing variable resistance to pedaling, comprising:

a frame for lifting a rear tire of a bicycle;

a resistance cylinder connected to said frame and at least partially filled with resistance fluid for providing variable resistance to rotation of the rear tire of the bicycle, wherein said resistance cylinder configured to have the resistance fluid moved into and out of said resistance cylinder; and

a pump connected to a resistance controller for pumping resistance fluid into and out of said resistance cylinder.

9. A bicycle trainer according to claim 8 and wherein resistance to rear tire movement adjustable by (i) increasing or decreasing the volume of resistance fluid in said resistance cylinder or (ii) by changing the density of said resistance fluid;

or (iii) a combination of (i) and (ii).

10. A bicycle trainer according to claim 8, further comprising a lifting mechanism engaging a front tire of the bicycle, wherein the lifting mechanism comprises a height controller for raising and lowering the front tire.

11. A bicycle trainer according to claim 8, wherein the volume of resistance fluid pumped into and out of said resistance cylinder is controlled by the resistance controller.

12. A bicycle trainer according to claim 11, further comprising a lifting mechanism adapted to engage a front tire of the bicycle, wherein said lifting mechanism controls a volume of resistance fluid pumped into and out of said resistance cylinder.

13. A bicycle trainer according to claim 8, further comprising at least one reservoir of resistance fluid connected to said resistance cylinder.

14. A bicycle trainer according to claim 8, further comprising a lower reservoir connected to said resistance cylinder and a higher reservoir connected to said resistance cylinder, wherein said higher and lower reservoirs hold resistance fluid of different densities.

15. A bicycle trainer according to claim 14, further comprising a respective pump connected to each of said higher and lower reservoirs.

16. A bicycle trainer according to claim 15, wherein the resistance controls said pumps.

17. A bicycle thereto trainer for removably attaching a bicycle and providing variable resistance to pedaling, comprising:

a lifting mechanism engaging a front tire of a bicycle, wherein the lifting mechanism comprises a height controller for raising and lowering the front tire;

a frame lifting a rear tire of the bicycle to a constant elevated position;

a resistance cylinder at least partially filled with resistance fluid for providing variable resistance to rotation of the rear tire of the bicycle, a pump for moving resistance fluid into and out of said resistance cylinder; and

,

a resistance controller electronically connected to said height controller of said lifting mechanism for controlling a volume of resistance fluid moved into and out of said resistance cylinder.