Patent Grant
7520842
The illustrated embodiments described herein relate generally to bicycle trainers, and more specifically to bicycle trainers that permit a user to ride a bicycle while the bicycle is supported by the bicycle trainer.
Currently available bicycle trainers attempt to simulate riding conditions by providing at least some resistance to a rider's exertions and, thereby, achieve a desired level of exercise. Currently, there are of two general types of trainers. The first general type is known as a roller trainer, and the second general type is commonly referred to as a rear wheel or stand trainer.
In a roller trainer, both wheels of a bicycle engage one or more rollers pinned to a frame. During use, the bicycle wheels rotate on the rollers as a rider pedals. In roller trainers, the frame of the bicycle is neither coupled to nor supported by the roller trainer and the rider is required to maintain the bicycle in an upright position.
The rear wheel or stand trainer includes a bracket for rigidly supporting either the rear or front wheel of a bicycle and, thereby, providing some assistance in maintaining the bicycle in an upright position during use. In such a trainer, only the rear wheel of the bicycle rotates as the rider pedals. Such an arrangement eliminates the need for the rider to balance the bicycle on the trainer.
Although effective, both types of trainers are not without their problems. For example, although rear wheel trainers are easy to use, they do not simulate actual riding conditions because the frame of the bicycle is not permitted to move. Specifically, because the frame is rigidly supported by the trainer itself, movement of the bicycle is unnaturally restrained. Additionally, the rigid coupling of the bicycle in the upright manner results in high stresses upon the bicycle frame during use.
Although roller trainers provide a more realistic simulation of riding a bicycle, most users find them very difficult to ride because the frame is not restrained by the trainer itself. Further, such trainers are not designed for simulating turns.
Thus, there exists a need for a bicycle trainer that is reliable, inexpensive to manufacture, and simulates actual riding conditions of a bicycle.
A bicycle trainer, constructed in accordance with one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, includes a stationary frame and an attachment assembly coupled to the stationary frame. The attachment assembly is adapted to be coupled to a bicycle for selectively pivoting the bicycle through an angular displacement relative to the stationary frame in response to user input.
A bicycle trainer constructed in accordance with a second non-limiting embodiment of the present invention includes a stationary frame adapted to rest upon a support surface and first and second roller assemblies. The first roller assembly is coupled to the stationary frame for rotatingly engaging a first wheel of a bicycle. The second roller assembly is coupled to the stationary frame and is adapted to permit selective pivoting about a first axis while rotatingly engaging a second wheel of the bicycle.
A bicycle trainer constructed in accordance with yet another non-limiting embodiment of the present invention includes a stationary frame and a coupling frame rotatingly coupled to the stationary frame. The coupling frame includes an attachment assembly adapted to couple to a portion of a bicycle for restraining the bicycle to the bicycle trainer and selectively permitting the bicycle to be angularly displaced relative to the stationary frame.
The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will become better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
A bicycle trainer 100 constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention may be best understood by referring to
As may be best seen by referring to
The rotating frame 108 includes a pair of upright stanchions 132. The stanchions 132 are coupled to one another at their ends and are selectively spaced to receive the rear wheel of a bicycle therebetween. The upper ends of the stanchions 132 are supported by a support frame 116. The support frame 116 includes a pair of legs 118 extending downwardly and are attached to the stationary frame 106.
The rotating frame 108 also includes a bicycle coupling assembly 126. The bicycle coupling assembly 126 is suitably formed with the stanchions 132 and is positioned on each stanchion 132 in an opposed manner to receive a rear hub (
The clamp assembly 127 also includes a second receiving member 130 disposed opposite the first receiving member 128, which may also be a cup shaped member, for receiving the other end of the rear axle 206. Preferably, at least the second receiving member 130 is adjustable in position relative to the first receiving member 128 to accommodate bicycles of differing sizes. The adjustable aspect of the second receiving member 130 also permits the application of a clamping force to the rear axle 206 to securely couple the bicycle 200 to the rotating frame 108. In certain embodiments, both the first and second receiving members 128 and 130 are adjustable relative to each other. In still yet other embodiments, only the first receiving member 128 is adjustable relative to the second receiving member 130.
The lower ends of the stanchions 132 are attached to a pivot assembly 134. The pivot assembly 134 couples the rotating frame 108 to the stationary frame 106. The pivot assembly 134 allows the rotating frame 108, and any bicycle attached thereto, to angularly move relative to the stationary frame 106 on bearings (not shown). For instance, the pivot assembly 134 allows the rotating frame 108 to pivot about a rotation axis 136 (
The pivot assembly 134 includes an upper pivot assembly 138 and a lower pivot assembly 140. The upper pivot assembly 138 includes a bracket 124 mounted to the top of the support frame 116. The bracket 124 is a clevis style pivot bracket; however it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that other pivot assemblies are suitable for use with and are within the scope of the present invention. A rotation pin 142, suitably mounted on bearings (not shown), passes through the bracket 124 and the rotating frame 108. The rotation pin 142 permits the upper portion of the rotating frame 108 to selectively rotate about the rotation axis 136.
The lower pivot assembly 140 includes a pivot pin 144 passing through a bushing 146 in the stationary frame 106. The pivot pin 144 is concentrically aligned with the rotation axis 136 and permits the lower portion of the rotating frame 108 to rotate about the rotation axis 136.
Still referring to
The frame 160 includes a pair of spaced arms 166, with the distal ends of the arms 166 coupled to the drive roller 154. The other ends of the arms 166 are rotatingly coupled to the rotating frame 108, such that the rear wheel frame 160 is able to rotate about a rotation axis 168.
The adjustment assembly 156 permits the spacing of the drive roller 154 to be selectively adjusted relative to a tire of the bicycle. More specifically, the adjustment assembly 156 permits the position of the drive roller 154 to be adjusted closer or farther from the wheel of the bicycle to accommodate different rim and tire sizes and, if desirable, to vary the contact pressure between the tire and the drive roller 154.
The adjustment assembly 156 includes a turnbuckle 170 that is adjustable in length. A first end of the turnbuckle 170 is coupled to the rotation frame 108 and the other end is coupled to the frame 160. Shortening the length of the turnbuckle 170 draws the drive roller 154 closer to the tire of the bicycle and/or increases the contact pressure between the drive roller 154 and the tire of the bicycle. Extending the length of the turnbuckle 170 moves the drive roller 154 farther from the tire of the bicycle and/or decreases the contact pressure between the drive roller 154 and the tire of the bicycle.
Although a specific adjustment assembly is illustrated and described, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the adjustment assembly may take many other forms. As an example, biasing devices, such as springs and elastic materials, can be used to bias the drive roller 154 toward the rear wheel. As a result, such devices are also within the scope of the present disclosure.
The power transfer assembly 152 includes a power transfer roller 172 rotatingly coupled to the stationary frame 106. As configured, the power transfer roller 172 is able to rotate about a rotation axis that is oriented substantially parallel to the support surface 202 and parallel to the rotation axis 162 of the drive roller 154 when the frame 160 is longitudinally aligned. The power transfer roller 172 is sized and configured to be engaged and rotated by the drive belt 158 such that power transferred from the bicycle to the rear wheel drive roller 154 is subsequently transferred to the power transfer roller 172. In the illustrated embodiment, the drive belt 158 is permitted to move transversely along the length of the power transfer roller 172, such that when the rotating frame 108 is rotated, the position of engagement of the drive belt 158 to the power transfer roller 172 moves accordingly.
As may be best seen by referring to
Returning to
The front wheel roller 178 is contoured to have a non-linear outer surface. Preferably, the front wheel roller 178 is contoured such that the front wheel roller 178 is hourglass in shape, wherein it has a greater diameter at the outer ends of the front wheel roller 178 than at its center. The contoured shape of the front wheel roller 178 aids in keeping the front wheel on the front wheel roller 178 during use. Specifically, the sloped end portions tend to direct the front wheel of the bicycle back toward the center of the front wheel roller 178. Although the front wheel roller 178 is illustrated and described as being contoured, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the front wheel roller 178 may be alternately shaped, such as to have a linear outer surface.
Operation of the bicycle trainer 100 may be best understood by referring to
During use, the bicycle 200 is supported in the upright position by the coupling of the bicycle 200 to the rotating frame 108. The user then pedals the bicycle 200, which causes the rear wheel 210 to spin. The spinning of the rear wheel 210 in turn causes the wheel roller 154 to rotate. Rotation of the wheel roller 154 causes rotation of the power transfer roller 172, as the two are connected by the drive belt 158. Because of the drive belt 176, rotation of the power transfer roller 172 causes rotation of the front roller 178 and also causes rotation of the front wheel 208 of the bicycle 200 supported thereon.
The user may turn the bicycle 200 by rotating a handle bar 212 of the bicycle 200. This causes the rotating frame 108 to rotate and the front wheel 208 of the bicycle 200 to travel along at least a portion of the front wheel roller 178, thereby simulating turning of the bicycle 200. Thus, the illustrated embodiment of the bicycle trainer 100 permits a user to simulate turns of the bicycle 200 on a bicycle trainer while still providing some upright support to the bicycle 200.
As may be best seen by referring to
Although the illustrated and described bicycle trainer is illustrated and described as utilizing a power transfer roller assembly, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the power transfer roller assembly is an optional component, and in alternate embodiments, the front wheel roller is driven by other means, such as directly from the rear wheel drive roller.
Although not illustrated, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the bicycle trainer may include well known resistance devices for providing variable resistance to pedal movement, a few suitable examples being fluid, magnetic, and/or fan resistance devices.
While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be appreciated that various changes can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4026546 | Omori | May 1977 | A |
| 4082265 | Berkes | Apr 1978 | A |
| 4415152 | Smith | Nov 1983 | A |
| 4580983 | Cassini et al. | Apr 1986 | A |
| 4750737 | Smith | Jun 1988 | A |
| 4817939 | Augspurger et al. | Apr 1989 | A |
| 5662559 | Vasquez | Sep 1997 | A |
| 6500098 | Werner | Dec 2002 | B1 |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 657782 | Sep 1986 | CH |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20070099768 A1 | May 2007 | US |
