Systems and methods for a hill training apparatus for a bicycle trainer

• US 8,764,616 B2
• Filed: 04/04/2013
• Issued: 07/01/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/17/2009
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Pro-Climb, LLC
• Original Assignee: Pro-Climb, LLC
• Inventors: Cooper, Emily L.
• Primary Examiner(s): RICHMAN, GLENN E
• Application Number:
  US13/857,051
• Publication Number:
  US 20130303339A1
• Time in Patent Office: 453 Days
• Field of Search: 482 1- 9, 482/51, 482/57, 482/61, 601/23, 601/36, 273/442, 434/61, 434/247
• US Class Current: 482/61
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2069/162 for front fork or handlebar
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0605 performing a circular movement, e.g. ergometers
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/14 Platforms for reciprocating rotating motion about a vertical axis , e.g. axis through the middle of the platform
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/17 Counting, e.g. counting periodical movements, revolutions or cycles, or including further data processing to determine distances or speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/34 Angular speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/093 Height
• 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

Described is a bicycle trainer with a hill training apparatus that enables bicyclists to simulate uphill riding (incline), downhill riding (decline), and hill resistance, or lack thereof. The hill training apparatus also provides for correct body positioning while riding uphill or downhill and with or without resistance. Riding on a trainer with correct body positioning provides for improved training.

Claims

1. An apparatus for a hill training stationary portable bicycle trainer comprising:

a connecting rod; and

a slider, slidably supported by a surface,

wherein the connecting rod links the slider to a rear fork and/or rear wheel of a bicycle, wherein force applied to the slider causes the slider to slide along the surface altering an angle of the connecting rod relative to the slider and operating to raise or lower the rear fork and/or rear wheel of the bicycle.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a rear mounting apparatus attached to the rear hub of the bicycle.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the rear mounting apparatus measures the angular velocity of the hub and/or a rear wheel of the bicycle.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the rear mounting apparatus measures a cyclist'"'"'s cadence.

5. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the rear mounting apparatus provides resistance to the hub and/or a rear wheel of the bicycle.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a front mounting apparatus attached to the front hub of the bicycle such that substantially no translation of the front hub occurs in the vertical or horizontal direction.

7. The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising a computer control panel connected to the rear mounting apparatus.

8. An apparatus for a hill training stationary portable bicycle trainer comprising:

a crank;

a coupler; and

a pivot,

wherein the coupler links the crank to a rear fork and/or rear wheel of a bicycle through the pivot, and when torque is applied to the crank it alters an angle of the pivot between the crank and the coupler, thereby causing the rear fork and/or rear wheel of the bicycle to raise or lower.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising a rear mounting apparatus attached to the rear hub of the bicycle.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the rear mounting apparatus measures the angular velocity of the hub and/or a rear wheel of the bicycle.

11. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the rear mounting apparatus measures a cyclist'"'"'s cadence.

12. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the rear mounting apparatus provides resistance to the hub and/or a rear wheel of the bicycle.

13. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising a mounting apparatus attached to the front hub of the bicycle such that substantially no translation of the hub occurs in the vertical or horizontal direction.

14. The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising a computer control panel connected to the mounting apparatus.

15. An apparatus for a hill training stationary portable bicycle trainer comprising:

a rod;

a slider; and

a pivot;

wherein the slider operatively connects the rod to a rear fork and/or rear wheel of a bicycle and the rod is operatively connected to the pivot such that torque applied to the rod causes the rod to rotate about the pivot such that the slider is raised or lowered thereby raising or lowering the rear fork and/or rear wheel of the bicycle.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 further comprising a rear mounting apparatus attached to the rear hub of the bicycle.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the rear mounting apparatus measures the angular velocity of the hub and/or a rear wheel of the bicycle.

18. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the rear mounting apparatus measures a cyclist'"'"'s cadence.

19. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the rear mounting apparatus provides resistance to the hub and/or a rear wheel of the bicycle.

25. The apparatus of claim 15 further comprising a mounting apparatus attached to the front hub of the bicycle such that substantially no translation of the hub occurs in the vertical or horizontal direction.

26. The apparatus of claim 16 further comprising a computer control panel connected to the mounting apparatus.

20. A method of adjusting the elevation of the front or rear end of a bicycle comprising adjusting a rod'"'"'s movement in a plane wherein the rod and the front or rear end of the bicycle are linked;

the angle of the rod'"'"'s movement relative to the front or rear end of the bicycle operates to raise or lower the front or rear end of the bicycle; and

the movement of the rod is not parallel to the movement of the front or rear end of the bicycle.

21. The method of claim 20 further comprising measuring the angular velocity of the hub and/or a front or rear wheel of the bicycle.

22. The method of claim 20 further comprising measuring a cyclist'"'"'s cadence.

23. The method of claim 20 further comprising providing resistance to the hub and/or a front or rear wheel of the bicycle.

24. The method of claim 21 further comprising determining the effective translational velocity of the cyclist.

27. An apparatus for a hill training stationary portable bicycle trainer comprising:

a crank; and

a coupler;

wherein the coupler links the crank to a front fork and/or front wheel of a bicycle, wherein when torque is applied to the crank it alters an angle of the coupler relative to the front fork of the bicycle which alters the orientation of the bicycle frame thereby causing the front fork and/or front wheel of the bicycle to raise or lower;

or wherein the coupler links the crank to a rear fork and/or rear wheel of a bicycle, wherein when torque is applied to the crank it alters an angle of the coupler relative to the rear fork of the bicycle which alters the orientation of the bicycle frame thereby causing the rear fork and/or rear wheel of the bicycle to raise or lower.

28. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein the coupler is linked to:

(a) the front fork and/or front wheel and a mounting apparatus is attached to a rear hub of the bicycle;

or (b) the rear fork and/or rear wheel and a mounting apparatus is attached to a front hub such that substantially no translation of the front hub occurs in the vertical or horizontal direction.

29. The apparatus of claim 28 wherein the mounting apparatus measures the angular velocity of the front or rear hub, and/or the front or rear wheel of the bicycle.

30. The apparatus of claim 28 wherein the mounting apparatus measures a cyclist'"'"'s cadence.

31. The apparatus of claim 28 wherein the mounting apparatus provides resistance to the front hub, rear hub, front wheel, and/or rear wheel of the bicycle.

32. The apparatus of claim 28 further comprising a computer control panel connected to the mounting apparatus.