The present invention is in the field of bicycle trainers that accept a bicycle and wherein a user rides the bicycle on the bicycle trainer and can move the handlebars.
Although to the casual observer it might appear that a person bicycling along a straight road is progressing at an even speed and in a straight line, a closer examination reveals that this is not the case. Rather, there is a subtle side to side movement caused by a shifting of the rider's weight as he peddles. Although he may be unaware of this, the rider must counter this movement by maintaining a good grip on the handle bars, and resisting the tendency of the bicycle to turn, in response to this weight shifting. Also, the speed of the cyclist undergoes a subtle variation over the peddling cycle.
Many exercise devices, such as stationary bikes, that attempt to mimic the feel of riding a bicycle provide an unsatisfactory feel for the rider, particularly if the rider is a frequent bicyclist. Part of the reason for this is the lack of sideways motion permitted by these devices, so that the rider does not move in the same way as he does on an actual bicycle ride.
In a first separate aspect, the present invention may take the form of a bicycle training assembly having a rear and a front and including a bicycle portion, including a bicycle frame including a rear wheel mount, pedals attached to a front sprocket, bicycle chain, seat, handlebar and front bicycle fork. Also, a front support assembly, includes a base; a front bicycle fork support element horizontally rotatably mounted on the base at a hinge point so as to permit horizontal rotation, and that includes a fork mount, supporting the bicycle fork, and which is displaced from the hinge point, so that as the support element rotates the fork mount revolves about the hinge point. Finally, a rear support assembly supports the rear wheel mount, and is engaged to the chain so as to permit and resist chain travel caused by rotation of the front sprocket, and which permits the frame to roll from side to side.
In a second separate aspect, the present invention may take the form of a bicycle trainer having a base and a front bicycle fork support element horizontally rotatably mounted on the base at a hinge point so as to permit horizontal rotation, and that includes a fork mount, adapted to support a front wheel bicycle fork, the fork mount being displaced from the hinge point, so that as the support element rotates the fork mount revolves about the hinge point.
In a third separate aspect, the present invention may take the form of a bicycle rear wheel mount support assembly, having a base, and a housing supported by the base. Also, a sprocket set assembly, has a sprocket support and rotation resistance assembly, housed in the housing, and adapted to rotatably support and provide rotation resistance to a further element and a sprocket set, rotatably supported by the sprocket support and rotation resistance assembly, which permits but resists rotation thereof. Finally, a base support supports the base and permits the base and the sprocket set assembly to roll from side to side, within a limited range.
In a fourth separate aspect, the present invention may take the form of a method of bicycle training includes providing an assembly having a rear and a front and further having a bicycle portion, including a bicycle frame including a rear wheel mount, pedals attached to a front sprocket, bicycle chain, seat, handlebar and front bicycle fork; a front support assembly, including: a base; a front bicycle fork support element horizontally rotatably mounted on the base at a hinge point so as to permit horizontal rotation, and that includes a fork mount, supporting the bicycle fork, and displaced from the hinge point, so that as the support element rotates the fork mount revolves about the hinge point; and a rear support assembly, supporting the rear wheel mount, and engaged to the chain so as to permit and resist chain travel caused by rotation of the front sprocket, and permitting the frame to roll from side to side. The method includes mounting the bicycle portion and peddling, and turning the handle bar, thereby causing the front bicycle fork support assembly to turn, so that the bicycle frame tilts.
For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications in the described embodiments, and any further applications of the principles of the invention as described herein are contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.
Referring to
As fork support 26 and the attached fork rotate off of center, the rotated bicycle fork generates an off-vertical tilt to the bicycle frame. Inversely, pedaling forces create a tilt to the bike frame that will result in a steering action. Thus, the rider is able to modulate tilt by controlling the steering. Additionally, the resistance of rubber bands 30 to the rotation of fork support 26 play a role in stabilizing the bicycle on assembly 10 and preventing excessive tilt, while also, to some degree, mimicking the resistance to steering encountered by friction between the bicycle wheel and the road surface.
This configuration may be originated by retrofitting an existing bicycle rollers assembly, by providing a front bicycle fork supporting assembly 16 that bolts onto the frame 14 at the location of the front roller 13. Stabilizing plates 40, a part of assembly 16, help to stabilize U-frame 18 In one preferred embodiment, frame 14 is an inner frame, which is set into an outer or bottom frame 32 in a manner that permits resisted movement between frame 14 and frame 32, to more effectively mimic the feel of actual bicycling.
Similar to other bicycle rollers assemblies, assembly 10 includes a subassembly 42 to provide resistance to the turning of the front rear roller, to provide a more realistic feel and different exertion levels. Frames 14 and 32 are made of aluminum and separated by wheels or rollers to permit movement of top frame 14. The motion is gently resisted by a bungee or other form of spring (not shown).
Referring to
Assemblies 10 and 110, each has a more realistic feel to the rider, as the natural side-to-side motion of the handlebars, imparted by peddling, is resisted by the rider. Although the rider may be unaware that he is even making this effort as part of the exercise of riding a bicycle, he or she may notice a subtle difference between the bicycle riding experience and the experience of riding a bicycle mounted on a frame. The assembly may be made lighter and narrower, however, greatly facilitating transportability and easy storage. Similar to assembly 10, assembly 110 includes a rear roller resistance mechanism and can be set into an outer frame, so that it can move slightly forward and backward.
Referring now to
Bicycle portion 216 includes a bicycle frame 240, a handlebar 241 connected to the front wheel fork 232. Also, a pair of pedals 242 drive a front sprocket 244, which drives a bicycle chain 246. A rear wheel mount 248 permits the frame 240 to accept a bicycle wheel or to be mounted to a device designed to mimic the feel of cycling.
Supporting bicycle portion 216 at its rear wheel mount 248 is the rear support assembly 214, having a rear wheel mount support assembly 250, which in one embodiment is a Wahoo Kickr®, which may be purchased from Wahoo Fitness LLC, a Georgia LLC, which maintains a website having web address www.wahoofitness.com.
Referring to
The effect is a particularly realistic mimicry of the feel of actual bicycle riding, with the fore and aft movement mimicking the effects of inertia that cyclists feel, and the ability to steer the bicycle portion and to feel this portion lean as the rider turns the handle bar, provides a far more accurate feel of actual bicycle steering, than previously available trainers.
While a number of exemplary aspects and embodiments have been discussed above, those possessed of skill in the art will recognize certain modifications, permutations, additions and sub-combinations thereof. It is therefore intended that the following appended claims and claims hereafter introduced are interpreted to include all such modifications, permutations, additions and sub-combinations as are within their true spirit and scope.
This application is a continuation-in-part of international application PCT/US17/45730, which was filed Aug. 7, 2017, in the US Receiving Office, which claims priority from provisional application 62/371,658, filed Aug. 5, 2016. Both of the aforementioned applications are incorporated by reference is if fully set forth herein.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62371658 | Aug 2016 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | PCT/US17/45730 | Aug 2017 | US |
Child | 16121957 | US |