Exercising bicycle

• US 10,004,940 B2
• Filed: 12/02/2013
• Issued: 06/26/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Activetainment AS
• Original Assignee: Activetainment AS
• Inventors: Badarneh, Ziad
• Primary Examiner(s): Ganesan, Sundhara
• Application Number:
  US14/648,771
• Publication Number:
  US 20150290490A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,667 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2022/0028 the movement path being non-parallel to the body-symmetrical-plane, e.g. support elements moving at an angle to the body-symmetrical-plane
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2022/0611 Particular details or arrangement of cranks
• 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 2071/0638 Displaying moving images of recorded environment, e.g. virtual environment
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0647 Visualisation of executed movements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00076 on the fly, i.e. varying the resistance during exercise
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/00192 using resistance provided by magnetic means A63B21/005 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0051 using eddy currents induced in moved elements, e.g. by permanent magnets
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0053 using alternators or dynamos
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 21/0058 using motors
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0015 with an adjustable movement path of the support elements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0017 the adjustment being controlled by movement of the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0023 the inclination of the main axis of the movement path being adjustable, e.g. the inclination of an endless band
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0025 Particular aspects relating to the orientation of movement paths of the limbs relative to the body; Relative relationship between the movements of the limbs
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0605 performing a circular movement, e.g. ergometers
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/00 Measuring of physical parameters relating to sporting activity
• 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 2220/20 Distances or displacements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/80 Special sensors, transducers or devices therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/833 Sensors arranged on the exercise apparatus or sports implement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/09 : Adjustable dimensions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0075 : Means for generating exercise programs or schemes, e.g. computerized virtual trainer, e.g. using expert databases
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0087 : Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of groups A63B21/00 - A63B23/00, e.g. controlling load

Abstract

A training bicycle, including a first frame (1, 36) configured to be supported on a floor, a second frame (2, 37) connected to the first frame, the second frame including an axle (4) allowing the second frame to tilt relative to the first frame along an axis in the longitudinal direction of the training apparatus, a handlebar (12, 35, 77, 90) connected to the upper end of a steering shaft (11, 76), the steering shaft being rotationally connected to the second frame, a crank (26, 110) connected to the second frame, and a first flywheel (22, 41, 56, 167, 193) rotationally connected to the lower end of said steering shaft with means for transferring movement from the crank to the first flywheel.

Claims

1. A training apparatus for physical exercise, the training apparatus having a longitudinal axis, the training apparatus comprising:

a first frame (1, 36) configured to be supported on a floor,

a second frame (2, 37) connected to the first frame, the second frame including an axle (4) allowing the second frame to tilt relative to the first frame along an axis in the longitudinal direction of the training apparatus,

a handlebar (12, 35, 77, 90) connected to the upper end of a steering shaft (11, 76), the steering shaft being rotationally connected to the second frame,

a crank (26, 110) connected to the second frame,

a first flywheel (22, 41, 56, 167, 193) rotationally connected to the lower end of said steering shaft,

transfer means for transferring movement from the crank to the first flywheel, wherein said transfer means includes a belt (23) mechanically transferring rotational movement of the crank to the first flywheel, and

wherein the apparatus has an electronic gearing system controlling resistance in the crank and speed of rotation of the first flywheel.

4. The training apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the resistance in the crank is controlled by a braking device with an electromagnet or a power generator or dynamo with adjustable resistance, which affects the freedom of rotation of the crank or flywheel.

5. The training apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second frame is hinged to the first frame close to the floor level, with first motoring means (30, 32, 46, 55, 156, 185) controlling the incline/decline of the second frame relative to the first frame.

6. The training apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the first motoring means includes an electric motor, an electric motor with gears or a hydraulic pump and cylinder.

7. The training apparatus according to claim 5, further including a leg (3) supporting the second frame, the leg being connected to the first frame in a position close to the centre of mass of the second frame.

8. The training apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second frame includes a spring (162) within a longitudinal part of said second frame.

9. The training apparatus according to claim 5, further including second electronically controlled motoring means (33, 45, 70) in said axle connecting the second frame to the first frame controlling the tilt of the second frame.

10. The training apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the steering shaft is connected with means for control of the second frame'"'"'s tilt action.

11. The training apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the steering shaft is connected with third electronically controlled motoring means (47, 72) for controlling the turning of the steering shaft.

12. The training apparatus according to claim 1, further including means (162, 250) for centring said steering shaft around a middle position.

13. The training apparatus according to claim 1, further including sensors measuring the revolutions of the flywheels and crank for calculating the revolutions as a simulation of distance within a time unit.

14. The training apparatus according to claim 1, further including a CPU (51, 102, 181), display means (52, 100, 182) and sensors monitoring the position of the second frame relative to the first frame and the motions of the steering shaft and the crank and flywheel.

15. The training apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the CPU is adapted to display a path in a terrain to be followed by the training apparatus on said display means, control motion of the first and second frame, braking of the crank and speed of the flywheel, the controller working interactively with a computer program.

16. The training apparatus according to claim 15, wherein the CPU is adapted to detect motions of the second frame induced by a user and adjust displayed images accordingly.

17. The training apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the CPU is set up for reading and adjusting the tilt and incline/decline of the second frame and the rotational motion of the handlebar.

18. The training apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the exercise apparatus includes a power generator for creating resistance, the power generated through pedalling being supplied for charging any batteries supplied with the apparatus or with an external apparatus.

19. The training apparatus according to claim 1, further including a vertical arm (14) and ball joint-driveshaft (18) connecting the first flywheel to the steering shaft, the ball joint-driveshaft (18) being connected to a cog wheel driving said belt.

20. The training apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the ball joint-driveshaft is connected to a motor, dynamo or eddy-current braking device (24).

21. The training apparatus according to claim 1, further including gearshift levers (93, 94, 172, 172) located on handlebar, the gearing action being shown on a display or screen.

22. The training apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an interface console with the display means is supported by a bracket fixed onto the handlebar steering shaft or onto the upper frame.

23. The training apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the interface console of the apparatus is a general purpose computer or laptop, and wherein it can be removed from the apparatus and used for other purposes than when used with the apparatus.

24. The training apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus has fans (169) for generating an illusion of wind or for pure cooling.

2. A training apparatus for physical exercise, the training apparatus having a longitudinal axis, the training apparatus comprising:

a first frame (1, 36) configured to be supported on a floor,

a second frame (2, 37) connected to the first frame, the second frame including an axle (4) allowing the second frame to tilt relative to the first frame along an axis in the longitudinal direction of the training apparatus,

a handlebar (12, 35, 77, 90) connected to the upper end of a steering shaft (11, 76), the steering shaft being rotationally connected to the second frame,

a crank (26, 110) connected to the second frame,

a first flywheel (22, 41, 56, 167, 193) rotationally connected to the lower end of said steering shaft,

transfer means for transferring movement from the crank to the first flywheel, wherein said transfer means includes a sensor reading the motion of the crank, an electrical motor connected to the first flywheel and means for controlling the speed of the first flywheel according to the speed of the crank, and

wherein the apparatus has an electronic gearing system controlling resistance in the crank and speed of rotation of the first flywheel.

3. A training apparatus for physical exercise, including a first frame (1, 36) configured to be supported on a floor,

a second frame (2, 37) connected to the first frame, the second frame including an axle (4) allowing the second frame to tilt relative to the first frame along an axis in the longitudinal direction of the training apparatus,

a handlebar (12, 35, 77, 90) connected to the upper end of a steering shaft (11, 76), the steering shaft being rotationally connected to the second frame,

a crank (26, 110) connected to the second frame,

a first flywheel (22, 41, 56, 167, 193) rotationally connected to the lower end of said steering shaft, and

transfer means for transferring movement from the crank to the first flywheel, wherein said transfer means includes a second flywheel (112, 170), a belt (126) transferring rotational movement from the crank to the second flywheel, an electrical generator connected to the crank or the second flywheel, and an electrical motor connected to the first flywheel.