Exercise bicycle

• US 7,771,325 B2
• Filed: 06/04/2007
• Issued: 08/10/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/19/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: BowFlex, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nautilus, Inc.
• Inventors: Baker, William A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Thanh; Loan H
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, TAM M
• Application Number:
  US11/757,735
• Publication Number:
  US 20070281835A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,163 Days
• Field of Search: 482/57, 482/51, 482/58, 482/59, 482/60, 482/61, 482/62, 482/63, 482/64, 482/65, 248/188.5, 248/407, 248/408, 248/354.1, 292/175, 411/347, 411/552
• US Class Current: 482/57
• 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 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: Y10T 403/32467 Telescoping members
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/598 Transversely sliding pin

Abstract

A unique structure for an indoor exercise bike that provides strength in its design, as well as the flexibility to create an aesthetically appealing frame structure. The monocoque frame design, including two symmetrical halves joined together, forms a very strong, light shell that can take on a variety of shapes and sizes. The seat structure, handlebar structure, drive train and support platforms are all able to be readily attached to the primary frame structure to provide an exercise bicycle that is sturdy, easy to manufacture, and light enough to easily move when necessary.

Claims

1. An exercise bicycle frame comprising:

a tube including a tube cross-section with one end of the tube cross-section including a dimension less than a dimension through a mid-section of the tube cross-section; and

a post including a post cross-section with one post end of the post cross-section including a dimension less than a dimension through a mid-section of the post cross-section;

wherein the post fits within the tube, with the one post end of the post cross-section adjacent the one end of the tube cross-section;

wherein the tube includes a pop pin; and

wherein the pop pin is adapted to apply force to the post to positively engage at least the one post end of the post cross-section with at least the one end of the tube cross-section.

2. The exercise bicycle frame of claim 1, wherein the post defines a plurality of apertures and wherein the pop pin is adapted to engage one of the plurality of apertures in the post.

10. The exercise bicycle frame of claim 1, wherein the post fits within the tube, with the one post end of the post cross-section adjacent the one end of the tube cross-section with a space therebetween, the pop pin adapted to apply force to the post to positively engage the one post end of the post cross-section with the one end of the tube cross-section and reduce the space therebetween.

15. The exercise bicycle frame of claim 1, wherein:

the post cross-section includes at least one curved post wall;

the tube cross-section includes at least one curved tube wall; and

the pop pin is adapted to apply force to the post to positively engage at least a portion of the at least one curved post wall of the post cross-section with at least a portion of the at least one curved tube wall of the tube cross-section.

16. The exercise bicycle frame of claim 1, wherein:

the pop pin includes a threaded portion;

the tube includes a threaded portion; and

the threaded portion of the pop pin is configured to engage the threaded portion of the tube such that rotation of the pop pin in a first direction causes the pop pin to apply force to the post to positively engage at least the one post end of the post cross-section with at least the one end of the tube cross-section.

17. The exercise bicycle frame of claim 16, wherein the pop pin includes a spring that biases the pop pin into a position in which the threaded portion of the pop pin abuts the threaded portion of the tube.

3. An exercise bicycle frame comprising:

a tube including a tube cross-section with one end of the tube cross-section including a dimension less than a dimension through a mid-section of the tube cross-section, the tube cross-section includes a dimension between the mid-section of the tube cross-section and the one end of the tube cross-section that diminishes in a direction toward the one end of the tube cross-section; and

a post including a post cross-section with one post end of the post cross-section including a dimension less than a dimension through a mid-section of the post cross-section, the post cross-section including a dimension between the mid-section of the post cross-section and the one post end of the post cross-section that diminishes in a direction toward the one post end of the post cross-section;

wherein the post fits within the tube, with the one post end of the post cross-section adjacent the one end of the tube cross-section and at least a portion of the diminishing dimension of the post cross-section adjacent at least a portion of the diminishing dimension of the tube cross-section;

wherein the tube includes a pop pin; and

wherein the pop pin is adapted to apply a force to the post to positively engage at least one of;

a part of the diminishing dimension of the post cross-section with a part of the diminishing dimension of the tube cross-section; and

the one post end of the post cross-section with the one end of the tube cross-section.

4. The exercise bicycle frame of claim 3, wherein the post defines a plurality of apertures and wherein the pop pin is adapted to engage one of the plurality of apertures in the post.

5. The exercise bicycle frame of claim 3, wherein the pop pin is adapted to apply force to the post to positively engage both the one post end of the post cross-section with at least the one end of the tube cross-section, and the part of the diminishing dimension of the post cross-section with the part of the diminishing dimension of the tube cross-section.

6. The exercise bicycle frame of claim 3, wherein the pop pin is adapted to apply force to the post to positively engage the part of the diminishing dimension of the post cross-section with the part of the diminishing dimension of the tube cross-section.

11. The exercise bicycle frame of claim 3, wherein the post fits within the tube, with the one post end of the post cross-section adjacent the one end of the tube cross-section with a space therebetween, the pop pin adapted to apply a force to the post to positively engage the one post end of the post cross-section with the one end of the tube cross-section and reduce the space therebetween.

12. The exercise bicycle frame of claim 3, wherein the post fits within the tube, with at least a portion of the diminishing dimension of the post cross-section adjacent at least a portion of the diminishing dimension of the tube cross-section with a space therebetween, the pop pin adapted to apply a force to the post to positively engage the at least a portion of the diminishing dimension of the post cross-section with the at least a portion of the diminishing dimension of the tube cross-section and reduce the space therebetween.

18. The exercise bicycle frame of claim 3, wherein:

the pop pin includes a threaded portion;

the tube includes a threaded portion; and

the threaded portion of the pop pin is configured to engage the threaded portion of the tube such that rotation of the pop pin in a first direction causes the pop pin to apply the force to the post.

19. The exercise bicycle frame of claim 18, wherein the pop pin includes a spring that biases the pop pin into a position in which the threaded portion of the pop pin abuts the threaded portion of the tube.

7. An exercise bicycle frame comprising:

a tube including a tube cross-section with one end of the tube cross-section including a dimension less than a dimension through a mid-section of the tube cross-section, the tube cross-section includes a dimension between the mid-section of the tube cross-section and the one end of the tube cross-section that diminishes in a direction toward the one end of the tube cross-section; and

a post including a post cross-section and with one post end of the post cross-section including a dimension less than a dimension through a mid-section of the post cross-section, the post cross-section including a dimension between the mid-section and the one post end of the post cross-section that diminishes in a direction toward the one post end of the post cross-section;

wherein a rate of diminishing of the dimension of the tube cross-section is substantially the same as a rate of diminishing of the dimension of the post cross-section;

wherein the post fits within the tube, with the one post end of the post cross-section adjacent the one end of the tube cross-section, and the diminishing dimension of the post cross-section adjacent the diminishing dimension of the tube cross-section;

wherein the tube includes a pop pin, the post defines a plurality of apertures, and the pop pin is adapted to engage one of the plurality of apertures in the post; and

wherein the pop pin is adapted to apply a force to the post to positively engage at least one of;

a part of the diminishing dimension of the post cross-section with a part of the diminishing dimension of the tube cross-section; and

the one post end of the post cross-section with the one end of the tube cross-section.

8. The exercise bicycle frame of claim 7, wherein the pop pin is adapted to apply force to the post to positively engage both the one post end of the post cross-section with the one end of the tube cross-section, and the part of the diminishing dimension of the post cross-section with the part of the diminishing dimension of the tube cross-section.

9. The exercise bicycle frame of claim 7, wherein the pop pin is adapted to apply force to the post to positively engage the part of the diminishing dimension of the post cross-section with the part of the diminishing dimension of the tube cross-section.

13. The exercise bicycle frame of claim 7, wherein the post fits within the tube, with the one post end of the post cross-section adjacent the one end of the tube cross-section with a space therebetween, the pop pin is adapted to apply a force to the post to positively engage the one post end of the post cross-section with the one end of the tube cross-section and reduce the space therebetween.

14. The exercise bicycle frame of claim 7, wherein the post fits within the tube, with the diminishing dimension of the post cross-section adjacent the diminishing dimension of the tube cross-section with a space therebetween, the pop pin adapted to apply a force to the post to positively engage the diminishing dimension of the post cross-section with the diminishing dimension of the tube cross-section and reduce the space therebetween.

20. The exercise bicycle frame of claim 7, wherein:

the pop pin includes a threaded portion;

the tube includes a threaded portion; and

the threaded portion of the pop pin is configured to engage the threaded portion of the tube such that rotation of the pop pin in a first direction causes the pop pin to apply the force to the post.

21. The exercise bicycle frame of claim 20, wherein the pop pin includes a spring that biases the pop pin into a position in which the threaded portion of the pop pin abuts the threaded portion of the tube.