Two stage progressive resistance trainer

• US 9,511,271 B2
• Filed: 09/16/2015
• Issued: 12/06/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/18/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sportcrafters, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Sportcrafters, Inc.
• Inventors: Colan, Peter V., Kulwicki, Patrick T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Crow, Stephen
• Application Number:
  US14/855,894
• Publication Number:
  US 20160082310A1
• Time in Patent Office: 447 Days
• Field of Search: 482/63
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2069/165 rear wheel hub supports
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2069/168 Force transfer through the rim of the wheel
• 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 21/0051 using eddy currents induced in moved elements, e.g. by permanent magnets
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/225 with flywheels
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/16 for cycling , i.e. arrangements on or for real bicycles

Abstract

A two-stage resistance trainer is provided having a first magnet that is in proximity to a rotating wheel, and a moveable second magnet that is linked to the first magnet. The first magnet is moved when the rotating wheel rotates and the second magnet is moved closer to the rotating wheel to add a second order effect to the resistance. The trainer is capable of adjusting the first magnet position in relation to the rotating wheel to provide a different relationship of speed to resistance.

Claims

1. A two-stage trainer for use with a driving mechanism having a driving wheel, said driving wheel rotatable with respect to said driving mechanism about a first rotational axis, said trainer comprising:

a frame having a mounting portion adapted to releasably affix said first rotational axis of said driving mechanism with respect to said frame;

a pivot arm being pivotably affixed to said frame about a pivot axis;

a resistance device having a cylinder rotatably affixed about a central axis and resisting rotation with respect to said central axis, said resistance device having an outer wall defining an inner chamber, said resistance device affixed to said pivot arm, said central axis being substantially parallel to said pivot axis;

a first magnet partially located in said inner chamber and rotatable with respect to said central axis, said first magnet movable between a first position corresponding to when said cylinder is at rest and a second position when said cylinder rotates;

a second magnet moveable between a first and second position, said first position defined by said second magnet being located at a relatively far distance from said cylinder and said second position defined by said second magnet being relatively close to said cylinder, said second magnet being linked to said first magnet so that movement of said first magnet from its said first position toward its said second position causes movement of said second magnet from its said first position toward its said second position;

a biased contact point located where said resistance device contacts said driving wheel when said driving mechanism is affixed to said mounting portion of said frame, said resistance device being urged toward said driving wheel by a biasing force; and

said biasing force increasing from a relatively low force when said resistance device has a relatively low resistance to rotation and a relatively high force when said resistance device has a relatively high resistance to rotation.

2. The trainer of claim 1, said first magnet rotatable about an offset axis parallel to said central axis, said first position defined by said first magnet being relatively far from said cylinder, said second position defined by said first magnet being relatively close to said cylinder.

3. The trainer of claim 2, said offset axis being fixably movable with respect to said central axis.

4. The trainer of claim 1, said resistance device being a progressive resistance device.

5. The trainer of claim 1, said resistance device having a driven cylinder connected to said cylinder, so that rotation of said driven cylinder rotates said cylinder.

6. The trainer of claim 1, said first position of said second magnet defined by said second magnet being located at a position with relatively small amount of overlay of said cylinder, said second position of said second magnet defined by said second magnet having a relatively large amount of overlay of said cylinder.

7. A two-stage trainer for use with a driving mechanism having a driving wheel, said wheel rotatable with respect to said driving mechanism about a first rotational axis, said trainer comprising:

a frame having a mounting portion adapted to releasably affix said driving mechanism with respect to said frame;

a resistance device having a cylinder rotatably affixed about a central axis affixed to said frame and resisting rotation with respect to said central axis, said resistance device having an outer wall defining an inner chamber;

a first magnet rotatable with respect to said central axis, said first magnet movable between a first position corresponding to when said cylinder is at rest and a second position when said cylinder rotates; and

a second magnet moveable between a first and second position, said first position defined by said second magnet being located at a relatively far distance from said cylinder and said second position defined by said second magnet being relatively close to said cylinder, said second magnet being linked to said first magnet so that movement of said first magnet from its said first position toward its said second position causes movement of said second magnet from its said first position toward its said second position.

8. The trainer of claim 7, said resistance device being urged toward said driving wheel by a biasing force, said biasing force increasing from a relatively low force when said resistance device has a relatively low resistance to rotation and a relatively high force when said resistance device has a relatively high resistance to rotation.

9. The trainer of claim 8, a biased contact point located where said resistance device contacts said driving wheel when said driving mechanism is affixed to said mounting portion of said frame.

10. The trainer of claim 9, said first magnet rotatable about an offset axis parallel to said central axis, said first position defined by said first magnet being relatively far from said cylinder, said second position defined by said first magnet being relatively close to said cylinder.

11. The trainer of claim 10, said offset axis fixably movable with respect to said central axis to move said first magnet between a first distance and a second distance from said cylinder.

12. The trainer of claim 9, said cylinder having an end with a face, said second magnet overlaying a portion of said face in said second position.

13. The trainer of claim 7, said first position of said second magnet defined by said second magnet being located at a position with relatively small amount of overlay of said cylinder, said second position of said second magnet defined by said second magnet having a relatively large amount of overlay of said cylinder.

14. A two-stage trainer for use with a driving mechanism having a driving wheel, said wheel rotatable with respect to said driving mechanism about a first rotational axis, said trainer comprising:

a frame having a mounting portion adapted to releasably affix said first rotational axis of said driving mechanism with respect to said frame;

a resistance device being a cylinder rotatably affixed about a central axis affixed to said frame and resisting rotation with respect to said central axis, a first magnet rotatable with respect to said central axis, said first magnet movable between a first position corresponding to when said cylinder is at rest and a second position when said cylinder rotates;

a second magnet moveable between a first and second position, said first position defined by said second magnet being located at a relatively far distance from said cylinder and said second position defined by said second magnet being relatively close to said cylinder, said second magnet being linked to said first magnet so that movement of said first magnet from its said first position toward its said second position causes movement of said second magnet from its said first position toward its said second position; and

said first magnet rotatable about an offset axis parallel to said central axis, said first position defined by said magnet being relatively far from said cylinder, said second position defined by said first magnet being relatively close to said cylinder.

15. The trainer of claim 14, said resistance device being urged toward said driving wheel by a biasing force, said biasing force increasing from a relatively low force when said resistance device has a relatively low resistance to rotation and a relatively high force when said resistance device has a relatively high resistance to rotation.

16. The trainer of claim 14, said offset axis fixably movable with respect to said central axis. to move said first magnet between a first distance and a second distance from said cylinder.

17. The trainer of claim 16, said cylinder having an end with a face, said second magnet overlaying a portion of said face in said second position.

18. The trainer of claim 14, said first position of said second magnet defined by said second magnet being located at a position with relatively small amount of overlay of said cylinder, said second position of said second magnet defined by said second magnet having a relatively large amount of overlay of said cylinder.