Bicycling exercise apparatus with multiple element load dispersion

• US 9,446,277 B2
• Filed: 05/11/2015
• Issued: 09/20/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 08/17/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Real Ryder LLC
• Original Assignee: Real Ryder LLC
• Inventors: Irving, Colin, Harrington, John J.
• Primary Examiner(s): CROW, STEPHEN R
• Application Number:
  US14/709,272
• Publication Number:
  US 20150238797A1
• Time in Patent Office: 498 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 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 22/0046 Details of the support elements or their connection to the exercising apparatus, e.g. adjustment of size or orientation attachments of resisters or weights to the body of the user A63B21/4001; using rollers, wheels, castors or gliding means to be moved over the floor or guide tracks A63B22/20
• 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 23/02 for the abdomen, the spinal column or the torso muscles related to shoulders (e.g. chest muscles)
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 23/0405 involving a bending of the knee and hip joints simultaneously A63B23/0476 takes precedence
• 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 base, a frame comprising a head tube, and a lower front pivoting point connected to the base and an upper rear pivoting axial member positioned a fixed distance above the base. The lower front pivoting point and the upper rear pivoting axial member include a multiple component resistive element arrangement and collectively defining an axis of rotation, the axis of rotation forming a fixed angle relative to the base of 30 to 45 degrees, sloping upward in a rearward direction from the front pivoting point to the upper rear pivoting axial member. The design further includes a stem connected to a handlebar arrangement, the stem passing through the head tube and connected to the base by a connection arrangement comprising an arm.

Claims

1. An apparatus permitting a user to perform a simulated bicycling exercise when positioned in a forward facing orientation, comprising:

a base;

a lower front pivoting point connected to the base and an upper rear pivoting axial member positioned a fixed distance above the base;

the lower front pivoting point and the upper rear pivoting axial member comprising a multiple component resistive element arrangement and collectively defining an axis of rotation, the axis of rotation forming a fixed angle relative to the base of 30 to 45 degrees, sloping upward in a rearward direction from the front pivoting point to the upper rear pivoting axial member;

a set of pedals located above the base; and

a swing arm assembly fixedly attached to the base and comprising articulation hardware including a swing arm configured to attach to a steering tube and rotate the steering tube and a connecting arm rotatably connected to the swing arm;

wherein leaning by the user results in rotation of the steering tube by movement of the swing arm and connecting arm.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a frame attached to seat adjustment hardware configured to adjust a height of a seat.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the multiple component resistive element arrangement comprises a plurality of resistive elements configured to absorb and distribute turning forces about the axis of rotation applied by the user.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a frame configured to maintain the set of pedals.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured to apply forces to bring the user back to a centered position when the user is leaning using a bicycle frame in the one direction.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the set of pedals join a wheel, and the user applying force to the set of pedals causes the wheel to rotate.

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

providing a base having a lower front mounting point and an upper rear pivoting axial member each connected to the base and each positioned a fixed distance above the base and a set of pedals above the base; and

providing a swing arm assembly fixedly attached to the base and comprising articulation hardware including a swing arm configured to attach to a steering tube and rotate the steering tube and a connecting arm rotatably connected to the swing arm, wherein leaning by the user results in rotation of the steering tube by movement of the swing arm and connecting arm;

wherein the lower front pivoting point and the upper rear pivoting axial member comprise a multiple component resistive element arrangement and collectively define an axis of rotation, the axis of rotation forming a fixed angle relative to the base of 30 to 45 degrees, sloping upward in a rearward direction from the lower front mounting point to the upper rear pivoting axial member.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising enabling the user to adjust a height of a seat attached to a frame mounted to the upper rear and lower front mounting points.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the multiple component resistive element arrangement comprises a plurality of resistive elements configured to absorb and distribute turning forces about the axis of rotation applied by the user to a frame mounted to the upper rear and lower front mounting points.

10. The method of claim 7, further comprising providing a frame maintaining the set of pedals.

11. The method of claim 7, further comprising applying forces to a frame, thereby returning the user back to a centered position when the user is leaning in one direction on the frame.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the set of pedals join a wheel, and the user applying force to the set of pedals causes the wheel to rotate.

13. An apparatus for enabling a user to perform a simulated bicycling exercise, comprising:

a base;

a lower front pivoting point connected to and positioned a fixed distance above the base and an upper rear pivoting axial member, the lower front pivoting point and the upper rear pivoting axial member defining an axis of rotation forming a fixed angle relative to the base of 30 to 45 degrees, the angle sloping upward in a rearward direction from the lower front pivoting point to upper rear pivoting axial member;

a multiple element tensioning/return device positioned above the base and proximate the lower front pivoting point; and

a swing arm assembly fixedly attached to the base and comprising articulation hardware including a swing arm configured to attach to a steering tube and rotate the steering tube and a connecting arm rotatably connected to the swing arm, wherein leaning by the user moves the swing arm and connecting arm and rotates the steering tube;

wherein said user is able to engage a set of pedals and 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 comprising the arm.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising a frame and means for adjusting a height of a seat attached to the frame.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising a plurality of resistive elements configured to absorb and distribute turning forces about the axis of rotation applied by the user.

16. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising a frame maintaining the set of pedals.

17. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the multiple element tensioning/return device is configured to apply forces to a frame and bring the user positioned on the frame back to a centered position when the user is leaning in the one direction.

18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the set of pedals join a wheel, and the user applying force to the set of pedals causes the wheel to rotate.