Bicycling exercise apparatus

• US 8,371,992 B2
• Filed: 04/15/2011
• Issued: 02/12/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/17/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Realryder, LLC
• Original Assignee: Realryder, LLC
• Inventors: Irving, Colin, Harrington, John J., Lofgren, Michael S., Stewart, Brian C.
• Primary Examiner(s): CROW, STEPHEN R
• Application Number:
  US13/066,497
• Publication Number:
  US 20110195820A1
• Time in Patent Office: 669 Days
• Field of Search: 482 51- 65
• US Class Current: 482/57
• 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 2022/0658 for cycling with a group of people, e.g. spinning classes
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0063 Shock absorbers
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00076 on the fly, i.e. varying the resistance during exercise
• 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 21/4034 for operation by feet
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/4035 for operation by hand
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0015 with an adjustable movement path of the support elements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0605 performing a circular movement, e.g. ergometers
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/09 Adjustable dimensions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/093 Height
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0476 by rotating cycling movement arrangements on or for real bicycles A63B69/16

Abstract

An apparatus permitting a user to perform a simulated bicycling exercise is provided. The design includes a frame and a first mounting point and a second mounting point configured to maintain the frame. A seat is connected to the frame and configured to support the user. A wheel is positioned in association with said frame and pedals configured to interact with the wheel, and the frame is configured to pivot about the first mounting point and second mounting point in response to leaning by the user. Handlebars may be provided that enable further force application and enhance the leaning or pivoting in the bicycle riding simulation experience.

Claims

1. An apparatus permitting a user to perform a simulated bicycling exercise, the apparatus employing a base substantially defining a base plane when extended and comprising:

a frame;

a first upper rear mounting point and a second lower front mounting point configured to maintain the frame;

a seat connected to said frame and configured to support the user in a forward facing orientation;

a wheel positioned in association with said frame;

a pair of pedals configured to interact with said wheel; and

wherein said frame is configured to pivot about the first upper rear mounting point and second lower front mounting point in response to leaning by the user;

wherein the first upper rear mounting point and second lower front mounting point form a nonadjustable axis angularly displaced from the base plane in a range between approximately 30 to 45 degrees intersecting at a point forward of the pedals.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, the frame is able to rotate about the axis formed by the first upper rear mounting point and the second lower front mounting point.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second lower front mounting point further comprises a resistive element, the resistive element configured to absorb, distribute and dissipate turning forces applied by the user at the seat and pedals.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a resistive element associated with the second lower front mounting point.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a handlebar piece configured to receive turning force from the user and cause said frame to pivot about the axis formed by the first upper rear mounting point and second lower front mounting point in response.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein turning the handlebar piece generates a steering effect while the user applies force to the pedals.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second lower front mounting point comprises a tensioning/return device configured to support the frame and permit the user to lean and tilt the frame while applying force to the pedals.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the tensioning/return device is configured to return the frame to a neutral orientation and deforms to permit movement of the frame.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first mounting point and second mounting point comprises a pivoting device configured to suspend the frame, thus permitting the user to lean.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a lockout mechanism preventing frame pivoting.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the wheel and pedals are fixed in a direct drive manner.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the wheel and pedals are freewheeling thereby enabling reverse pedaling with no resistance applied to the wheel.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the wheel has attached thereto a sprocket configured to enable a direct drive mode and a freewheeling mode.

14. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein an acute angle is formed by the base plane and the axis when extended.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the frame is configured to pivot about the axis.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the lower front mounting point comprises a resistive element configured to absorb, distribute and dissipate turning forces applied by the user at the pedals.

18. The method of claim 14, further comprising enabling the user to employ a handlebar piece configured to receive turning force from the user and cause said frame to pivot about the axis.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein one of the mounting points comprises a tensioning/return device configured to support the frame and permit the user to lean and tilt the frame while applying force to the pedals.

20. The method of claim 14, further enabling the user to prevent frame pivoting using a lockout mechanism.

21. The method of claim 14, wherein the wheel has attached thereto a sprocket configured to enable a direct drive mode and a freewheeling mode.

22. The method of claim 14, wherein the method employs a base substantially defining a base plane when extended, and the axis when extended intersects the base plane at a point forward of the set of pedals, and an acute angle is formed by the base plane and the axis when extended.

24. The apparatus of claim 22, further comprising a handlebar arrangement configured to receive forces generated by the user and cause pivoting of said frame.

25. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the wheel and pedals are fixed in a direct drive manner.

26. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the wheel and pedals are freewheeling thereby enabling reverse pedaling with no resistance applied to the wheel.

27. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the lower resistive articulation hardware comprises a tensioning/return to center arrangement configured to support the frame, provide resistance, and permit the user to lean and tilt the frame while applying force to the pedals.

28. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the tensioning/return to center arrangement comprises an elastomer spring device configured to apply forces to the frame, at a forward location, and deform to permit movement of the frame.

29. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein said seat and pedals are configured to allow dynamic positioning of the user'"'"'s body mass about said frame while maintaining balance and spinning the pedals.

15. A method for enabling a user to perform a simulated bicycling exercise, comprising:

providing two mounting points defining an axis, the two mounting points comprising an upper rear mounting point and a lower front mounting point, each mounting point oriented at predetermined distances above a surface; and

employing a frame with the two mounting points, the frame configured to receive forces from the user and dissipate the forces into frame leaning forces;

enabling the user, when facing forward, to operate pedals associated with the frame, said pedals associated with a wheel;

wherein the user has an ability to cause said frame to pivot about at least one mounting point by leaning to one side;

wherein the axis is nonadjustable and angularly displaced from the surface in a range between approximately 30 to 45 degrees, and wherein the axis when extended and the surface intersect at a point forward of the set of pedals.

23. An apparatus for enabling a user to perform a simulated bicycling exercise, the apparatus employing a base that, when extended, substantially forms a base plane, the apparatus comprising:

a frame;

a higher rear mounting point and a lower front mounting point providing an axis, the higher rear mounting point and lower front mounting point configured to maintain the frame;

a pair of pedals and a wheel, wherein the pedals and wheel are attached to the frame and enable the user to perform a pedaling motion;

a seat for maintaining the user in a forward facing orientation; and

resistive articulation hardware configured to enable the user leaning in a direction to cause pivoting of said bicycle frame about the axis in the direction of leaning;

wherein the axis is nonadjustable and angularly displaced from the base plane in a range between approximately 30 to 45 degrees intersecting at a point forward of the pedals.