Bicycling exercise apparatus

• US 9,440,109 B2
• Filed: 11/24/2014
• Issued: 09/13/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 08/17/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Realryder, LLC
• Original Assignee: Realryder, LLC
• Inventors: Irving, Colin, Harrington, John J., Stewart, Brian C., Lofgren, Michael S.
• Primary Examiner(s): CROW, STEPHEN R
• Application Number:
  US14/552,435
• Publication Number:
  US 20150080191A1
• Time in Patent Office: 659 Days
• Field of Search: 482 1-148
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 having a head tube, a first upper rear mounting point and a second lower front mounting point configured to maintain the frame, and a stem connected to a handlebar arrangement, the stem passing through the headset collar and connected to a base by a connection arrangement comprising an arm. The 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, causing rotation of the stem within the head tube by movement of the connection arrangement.

Claims

1. An apparatus permitting a user to perform a simulated bicycling exercise using a set of pedals, the apparatus comprising:

a frame comprising a head tube, wherein the frame maintains the set of pedals;

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; and

a stem connected to a handlebar arrangement, the stem passing through the head tube and connected to a fixed element of a base by a connection arrangement comprising a swing arm affixed to the stem and a connecting arm rotatably connected to the swing arm;

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, causing rotation of the stem within the head tube resulting from movement of the swing arm and connecting arm.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the frame is able to rotate about an 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.

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, wherein the handlebar arrangement comprises a handlebar piece configured to receive turning force from the user and cause said frame to pivot about an axis formed by the first upper rear mounting point and second lower front mounting point.

6. 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 set of pedals.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the base substantially defines 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.

10. A method for enabling a user to perform a simulated bicycling exercise using a set of pedals, the method comprising:

providing two mounting points defining an axis, the two mounting points comprising an upper rear mounting point and a lower front mounting point;

employing a frame with the two mounting points, the frame comprising a head tube having a stem passing therethrough, the stem connected to a handlebar arrangement, wherein the set of pedals are associated with the frame; and

enabling the user, when facing forward, to operate the set of pedals associated with the frame;

wherein the user leaning to one side causes rotation of the stem within the head tube resulting from movement of a connection arrangement connecting the stem to a fixed element of a base, the connection arrangement comprising a swing arm affixed to the stem and a connecting arm rotatably connected to the swing arm.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the frame is configured to pivot about the axis.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the lower front mounting point comprises a resistive element configured to absorb, distribute and dissipate turning forces applied by the user.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the handlebar arrangement comprises a handlebar piece configured to receive turning force from the user and cause said frame to pivot about the axis.

14. The method of claim 10, 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.

15. The method of claim 10, 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.

16. An apparatus for enabling a user to perform a simulated bicycling exercise using a set of pedals, the apparatus comprising:

a frame comprising a head tube, wherein the frame is configured to maintain the set of pedals;

a higher rear mounting point and a lower front mounting point configured to maintain the frame;

a stem connected to a handlebar arrangement, the stem passing through the head tube and connected to a fixed element of a base by a connection arrangement comprising a swing arm affixed to the stem and a connecting arm rotatably connected to the swing arm; and

resistive articulation hardware configured to enable the user leaning in a direction to cause pivoting of said bicycle frame about an axis in the direction of leaning, causing rotation of the stem within the head tube resulting from movement of the swing arm and connecting arm.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the handlebar arrangement is configured to receive forces generated by the user and cause pivoting of said frame.

18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the 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.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, 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.

20. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising a seat configured to allow dynamic positioning of the user'"'"'s body mass about said frame while maintaining balance and spinning the set of pedals.