Exercise bicycle virtual reality steering apparatus

• US 6,918,860 B1
• Filed: 06/23/2003
• Issued: 07/19/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/10/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hudson Fitness, LLC
• Original Assignee: Neil H. Nusbaum
• Inventors: Nusbaum, Neil H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Yu, Justine R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, TAM M
• Application Number:
  US10/601,421
• Time in Patent Office: 757 Days
• Field of Search: 482/8, 482/3, 482/900, 482/901, 482 57- 65, 434/61, 273/148.B, 345/156, 463 36- 38, 463/48
• US Class Current: 482/57
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0096 using performance related parameters for controlling electronic or video games or avatars
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0605 performing a circular movement, e.g. ergometers
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0664 performing an elliptic movement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/24 Angular displacement
• 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 71/0622 Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user

Abstract

A steering apparatus for altering steering direction of an exercise bicycle utilizing an interactive computer or television video game simulation which consists of a steering mechanism primary frame (22) that includes a steering tube (24) and a steering plate (26). The steering tube is disposed within an exercise bicycle frame head. A steer frame (58) is rotatably mounted within the primary frame and utilizes a pair of springs (60) that are suspended between the primary frame and the steer frame. Changing steering direction by rotation of the handlebar (70) attached to the steer frame creates progressively linear resistance to the handlebar movement. The steer frame returns to a centered position when unrestrained, duplicating the feel and impression of riding a bicycle. A potentiometer (32) interfaces with the rotating steer frame providing variable electrical resistance relative to the directional movement of the steer frame to the primary frame. An electrical signal is transmitted from an interactive computer or television video game to the potentiometer which interprets the actual steering position of the exercise bicycle.

Claims

1. A steering apparatus for altering steering direction of an exercise bicycle that utilizes an interactive computer or television video game simulation, comprising,

a steering mechanism primary frame, including a steering tube and a steering plate, said steering tube disposed within an exercise bicycle frame head, said steering plate having a potentiometer mounted thereupon,

a steer frame rotatably mounted within the steering mechanism primary frame having at least one spring contiguously suspended between the primary frame and the steer frame such that changing steering direction by manual planar rotation of a handlebar attached to the steer frame creates progressively varying linear resistance, the steer frame returns to a centered position when unrestrained, duplicating the feel and impression of riding a bicycle, and

said potentiometer interfacing with said rotatable steer frame providing variable electrical resistance relative to the directional movement of the steer frame to the primary frame, wherein an electrical signal transmitted from an interactive computer or television video game to the potentiometer interprets actual steering position.

2. The steering apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said steering mechanism primary frame further comprises an L-shaped frame adapter rigidly attached to an exercise bicycle frame head.

3. The steering apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said steer frame further comprises a steer member with a potentiometer lever bracket permanently attached at a right angle thereunto.

4. The steering apparatus as recited in claim 3 further comprising a handlebar stem disposed within the steer member of the steer frame and a handlebar attached to the stem.

5. The steering apparatus as recited in claim 4 further comprising a head set rotatably affixing the steer member within the primary frame steering tube.

6. The steering apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said primary frame steering plate having a radial slot therein and said steer plate potentiometer lever bracket having a guide pin extending therefrom with the guide pin penetrating the slot for limiting rotational travel between the primary frame and the steer frame.

7. The steering apparatus as recited in claim 6 wherein said guide pin further comprises an attached guide pin reinforcing yoke for bracing and strengthening the guide pin.

8. The steering apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said at least one spring contiguously suspended between the primary frame and the steer frame further comprise a pair of opposed extension springs.

9. The steering apparatus as recited in claim 8 further comprising said primary frame having a pair of spring retainers and said steer frame having a pair of spring holders wherein each extension spring fasten between a spring retainer and a spring holder.

10. The steering apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said steer frame potentiometer lever bracket having a potentiometer lever slot therein in alignment with said potentiometer.

11. The steering apparatus as recited in claim 10 further comprising a potentiometer arm bushing slideably disposed within said potentiometer lever slot wherein said potentiometer having an adjusting lever interfacing with the potentiometer linear adjustment lever permitting the potentiometer to be adjusted throughout the axial travel of the potentiometer lever bracket relative to the linear travel of the potentiometer adjusting lever.

12. The steering apparatus as recited in claim 1 further comprising a cover enclosing the steering plate bottom portion including the steer frame and springs.

13. A steering apparatus for altering steering direction of an exercise bicycle that utilizes an interactive computer or television video game simulation, comprising,

means for rigidly mounting a potentiometer to an exercise bicycle frame head,

a steer frame rotatably mounted into said potentiometer mounting means, said steer frame having spring loading changing steering direction by manual planar rotation of a handlebar attached to the steer frame creates progressively varying linear resistance, the steer frame while the steer frame returns to a centered position when unrestrained, duplicating the feel and impression of riding a bicycle, and

means for potentiometer interfacing with said steer frame providing variable electrical resistance relative to the directional movement of the steer frame to the primary frame, wherein an electrical signal transmitted from an interactive computer or television video game to the potentiometer interprets actual steering position.

14. A steering apparatus for altering steering direction of an exercise bicycle that utilizes an interactive computer or television video game simulation comprising,

a steering mechanism primary frame, disposed within an exercise bicycle frame head, said steering mechanism having a potentiometer mounted thereupon,

a steer frame rotatably mounted within the primary frame having spring loading wherein changing steering direction by manual planar rotation of a handlebar attached to the steer frame creates progressively varying linear resistance, the steer frame while the steer frame returns to a centered position when unrestrained, duplicating the feel and impression of riding a bicycle, and

said potentiometer interfacing with said steer frame providing variable electrical resistance relative to the directional movement of the steer frame to the primary frame, wherein an electrical signal transmitted from an interactive computer or television video game to the potentiometer interprets actual steering position.