Programmed exercise bicycle with computer aided guidance

• US 9,694,240 B2
• Filed: 01/07/2015
• Issued: 07/04/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 02/02/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mad Dogg Athletics Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Mad Dogg Athletics Incorporated
• Inventors: Baudhuin, John
• Primary Examiner(s): RICHMAN, GLENN E
• Application Number:
  US14/591,849
• Publication Number:
  US 20150182796A1
• Time in Patent Office: 909 Days
• Field of Search: 482 1- 9, 482900-902, 434247
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2022/0658 for cycling with a group of people, e.g. spinning classes
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0068 Comparison to target or threshold, previous performance or not real time comparison to other individuals
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0093 the load of the exercise apparatus being controlled by performance parameters, e.g. distance or speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0625 Emitting sound, noise or music
• 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 22/06 with support elements performing a rotating cycling movement, i.e. a closed path movementsupport stands for bicycles A63B69/16; unicycles B62K1/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 22/0605 performing a circular movement, e.g. ergometers
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/34 Angular speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/52 Weight, e.g. weight distribution
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/09 Adjustable dimensions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/15 with identification means that can be read by electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/20 with means for remote communication, e.g. internet or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/045 used as a control parameter for the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/06 heartbeat rate only
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/75 calorie expenditure
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/00 Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of preceding groups; Controlling or monitoring of exercises, sportive games, training or athletic performances
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0062 Monitoring athletic performances, e.g. for determining the work of a user on an exercise apparatus, the completed jogging or cycling distance
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 : Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/30 : relating to physical therapies or activities, e.g. physiotherapy, acupressure or exercising
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 482/901 : having computer circuitry

Abstract

The invention pertains to a stationary exercise bike along with a display that provides instruction to lead a rider through an exercise program. The invention allows a rider to obtain benefits of a group, instructor-led class though the rider'"'"'s schedule does not permit the rider to participate in the class. The invention also describes a method of exercising with the foregoing bike and display.

Claims

1. An exercise bike, comprising:

a frame that is configured to allow a rider to ride in sitting and standing positions;

a direct drive mechanism that couples a pedal assembly and a flywheel and that facilitates a smooth transition between sitting and standing positions;

a set of handlebars that is coupled to the frame and that provides the rider with at least one hand position;

a mechanism that provides resistance to the flywheel and that is manually adjustable by the rider to vary the pedaling resistance;

a computer that is coupled to the stationary bike, that is configured to connect with the internet or other computer network to access a collection of exercise routines, wherein the exercise routines include instructions regarding cadence, pedaling resistance, and riding positions including sitting and standing positions, and that stores power exerted by the rider;

a display that is coupled to the computer, that displays an exercise routine from the collection of exercise routines so that the rider is provided with instructions for the rider to manually adjust pedaling resistance, and instructions for the rider to vary cadence and riding positions including sitting and standing positions, thereby simulating an instructor-led exercise class, and that displays power exerted by the rider; and

an input device that is coupled to the computer and that enables the rider to input data into the computer.

2. The exercise bike of claim 1, wherein the input device comprises:

a menu button;

a menu screen that is accessible by the menu button and that includes a selection regarding power exerted;

a pair of directional arrows to scroll through the data on the menu screen; and

a select button to choose a selection from the menu screen.

3. The exercise bike of claim 1, wherein the collection of exercise routines includes pre-programmed exercise routines.

4. The exercise bike device of claim 1, wherein the rider may log in to the computer with an identifier to identify himself or herself.

5. The exercise device of claim 4, wherein the exercise routines previously accessed by the rider are stored so as to be associated with the rider'"'"'s identifier.

6. The exercise bike of claim 1, wherein the collection of exercise routines includes exercise routines saved by the rider.

7. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the display includes a target cadence display, the target cadence display revealing the appropriate cadence at which the rider should be pedaling.

8. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the display indicates the rider'"'"'s actual cadence.

9. The exercise device of claim 1, wherein the exercise bike is configured to receive heart rate information from heart rate sensors incorporated into the exercise bike or from a heart rate monitor worn by the rider and the display provides the rider'"'"'s actual heart rate.

10. The exercise bike of claim 1, wherein the input device allows the rider to input information about himself or herself.

11. The exercise bike of claim 1, wherein the input device enables the rider to input data into the computer, including a desired power level to achieve during the exercise routine.

12. The exercise bike of claim 1, wherein the computer stores power exerted by the rider during prior workouts.

13. The exercise bike of claim 12, wherein the computer provides a history of the rider'"'"'s power exerted during prior workouts.

14. An exercise bike, comprising:

a frame that is configured to allow a rider to ride in sitting and standing positions;

a direct drive mechanism that couples a pedal assembly and a flywheel and that facilitates a smooth transition between sitting and standing positions;

a set of handlebars that is coupled to the frame and that provides the rider with at least one hand position;

a mechanism that provides resistance to the flywheel and that is manually adjustable by the rider to vary the pedaling resistance;

a mechanism that measures the rider'"'"'s cadence;

a computer that is coupled to the stationary bike, that is configured to connect with the internet or other computer network to access a collection of exercise routines, wherein the exercise routines include instructions regarding cadence, pedaling resistance, and riding positions including sitting and standing positions,

wherein the computer is configured to measure the pedaling resistance and the rider'"'"'s cadence and is configured to calculate power exerted by the rider based on the pedaling resistance and the rider'"'"'s cadence; and

a display that is coupled to the computer, that displays an exercise routine selected by the rider from the collection of exercise routines so that the rider is provided with instructions for the rider to manually adjust pedaling resistance and to vary cadence, and that displays power exerted by the rider.

15. The exercise bike of claim 14, wherein the computer is remotely located form the bike.

16. The exercise bike of claim 14, further comprising a heart rate monitor that measures the rider'"'"'s heart rate.

17. The exercise bike of claim 14, wherein the computer is configured to instruct the rider to vary the pedaling resistance and cadence to achieve a desired power exerted level.