Patent Application
20110300997
The present invention relates to a pedal exercise apparatus.
Conventional exercise machines known in the art include various pedal machines. These machines include stationery bicycles and pedal assemblies, sometimes known as ‘mini-bikes’ comprising a pair of crank arms mounted on a frame or in a housing, which can be rotated by a user's hand or foot.
Such pedal machines often include a mechanism for creating resistance which acts against the rotation of the pedals so as to provide an effective means of aerobic exercise. For example, stationary bicycles are generally comprised of a conventional bicycle crank assembly but the rotation of pedals may be resisted by magnets or by friction.
These mechanisms for creating resistance can be bulky, heavy and/or noisy, and are often difficult to maintain. In addition, they add to the cost of the machine.
According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a pedal exercise apparatus comprising at least one pedal mounted on a crank arm, wherein the pedal is associated with at least one resilient member, the arrangement being such that, in use of the apparatus, the user may displace the pedal from a rest position to a work position and hold the pedal against a restoring force provided by the resilient member and held in the work position while performing a pedalling motion.
The association of a pedal with a resilient member is advantageous as it allows the apparatus to be used for exercising by allowing a user to hold the apparatus in tension while performing a pedalling action. As the resilient member acts to return the pedals to the rest position rather that acting against rotation of the crank arms and/or pedals, it will not generate the noise associated with increased friction. The apparatus is simple and can be lightweight and low cost.
The pedal exercise apparatus may be arranged to be pedalled by a user's hands and/or by a user's feet. The pedal may therefore be a hand pedal or a foot pedal. This allows the apparatus to be used for exercising a specific part of the body, and/or to be versatile.
The resilient member(s) may comprise one or more of: an elastomeric band, a bungee cord, a compression spring, an extension spring, a magnetic means, a pneumatic chamber, a resiliently deformable object; or the like.
In one embodiment, the pedal exercise apparatus comprises a crank assembly, the crank assembly comprising an axle and two crank arms extending in opposite directions and arranged such that, in use, a user performs a pedalling action, causing the crank arms to rotate about the axle, wherein each crank arm has a pedal moveably mounted thereon, and at least one pedal is associated with at least one resilient member, the arrangement being such that, in use of the apparatus, the user may displace the pedal from a rest position to a work position and hold the pedal in the work position against a restoring force provided by the resilient member while performing a pedalling motion.
The pedal exercise apparatus may be arranged such that the at least one pedal is moveably mounted on the crank arm such that it can be displaced along the length of the crank arm. This is a convenient arrangement for providing a moveable pedal.
In one embodiment, the pedal exercise apparatus is arranged to be moveable into a second configuration, in which the crank arms extend in substantially the same direction. This second configuration is advantageous as it allows the user to use the apparatus for arm/leg-press, arm/leg curls or other leg/arm pushing/pulling exercises, in addition to the pedalling exercises which may be carried out when the apparatus is in the first configuration.
The pedal exercise apparatus may comprise at least one attachment device arranged to allow the apparatus to be attached to a user thereof. For example, the attachment device(s) may comprises one or more of the following: belt, belt attachment device, thigh straps, hand/foot straps, shoe cleats, or the like. This may be advantageous as it allows the apparatus to be braced against a user thereof and/or to secure the users hand or feet to the pedals. For example, foot straps may allow the user to secure the feet to the pedals such that, during use, the pedals can be pulled as well as pushed.
Alternatively or additionally, the apparatus may further comprise a support assembly.
The support assembly may comprise bars, which may be telescopic bars, which are arranged to brace the apparatus against parts of a users body, for example the waist, legs, feet, shoulders, etc, or against a surface such as a floor, wall or pillar. Such bars may comprise feet to assist in stabilising the apparatus. The support assembly may alternatively or additionally comprise a housing arranged to support the apparatus on a floor, wall or other surface, wires for suspending the apparatus, or the like.
In particular embodiments, the support assembly may comprise a waist support assembly. In one such embodiment, the waist support assembly comprises a telescopic bar which is secured to the axle assembly on one side and to a belt on the other side. The belt may be an integral part of the waist support assembly. Such a waist support assembly provides support to the back and the stomach against which the weight of the machine and/or the tension applied to the pedals by the user is braced.
The attachment device(s) and the support assembly may independently or in combination assist in bracing and/or balancing the apparatus against a user or a surface. However, as will be appreciated by the skilled person, in some embodiments it may be desirable to limit the support provided for the apparatus. If the user has to support and/or balance the apparatus in use, further muscle groups will be used, for example the core muscles of the torso such as the stomach muscles. In some embodiments, the attachment device(s) and/or the support assembly may be detachable from the apparatus. This allows the user to select whether to utilise the attachment device(s) and/or the support assembly, or support the apparatus his or herself.
In some embodiments, the restoring force provided by the apparatus is variable. It is advantageous to provide a means for regulating the restoring force on the pedal(s) in the machine such that users (for example users of different strength) can adjust the amount of resistance to their exercise requirements
For example, the resistance may be increased by securing a plurality of resilient members to the pedal(s), and/or replacing a resilient member having a first predetermined restoring force with a resilient member having a second predetermined restoring force.
Alternatively or additionally, the apparatus may comprise a resistance control mechanism. In one embodiment, the resistance control mechanism may comprise a pre-tensioning mechanism arranged to tension the resilient member. If the resilient member is a band or cord or the like, an example of a pre-tensioning member is a rotating member, about which the resilient member can be wound. Alternative embodiments may comprise spaced rollers which cause the resilient member to a follow a Z-bend. The distance between the rollers may be varied to vary the tension. Alternative pre-tensioning mechanisms which are appropriate for use with other types of resilient members (such as springs and the like) will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. For example part of a spring could be locked or placed under pre-tension.
According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a pedal exercise apparatus comprising a crank assembly, the crank assembly comprising an axle and two crank arms extending in opposite directions and arranged such that, in use, a user performs a pedalling action, causing the crank arms to rotate about the axle, each crank arm having at least one pedal mounted thereon, wherein the each pedal is associated with a resilient member and is moveable, the arrangement being such that, in use of the apparatus, the pedals may be displaced from a rest position against a restoring force provided by the resilient member, the apparatus being arranged such that it can be placed in a configuration to allow the user to perform the pedalling motion while maintaining the displaced position of the pedals.
The apparatus may be used in a method of exercising using a pedal exercise apparatus comprising displacing at least one pedal from a rest position and holding the pedal under tension in a work position while performing a pedalling action.
The method may comprise performing the pedalling action with at least one hand or at least one foot. The method may further comprise setting and/or varying the tension force.
Any aspect of the invention described above may incorporate features of other aspects of the invention as appropriate and as will be appreciated by the person skilled in the art.
Embodiments of the invention are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying Figures, in which:
Each crank arm 104, 106 bears a pedal 112 which is slidably mounted on the crank arm 104, 106 such that the distance between the pedal 112 and the axle 108 can be varied along the length of the crank arm 104, 106, as will be described in greater detail with reference to
The pedals 112 are joined by a resilient member, which in this example is a first elastomeric band 116, which runs inside the crank arms 104, 106 and through the axle 108. The first elastomeric band 116 is shown as a dotted line in
The user holds the pedals 112 in the work position 121 against a restoring force provided by the resilient band 116. Specifically, in this embodiment, the pedals 112 are mounted on non-rotating runners (not shown) arranged to run on the inside of the crank arm 104, 106. The pedals 112 are connected to the runners by a bearing (not shown) which allows the pedals 112 to rotate about their central axes. The runners comprise a hook 204, which is accessible to the user via a cut-out portion of the crank arm 104,106 and each of the first elastomeric band 116 and the auxiliary bands 117 comprises a ring 206. As shown in
Of course, alternative arrangements for securing the bands 116, 117 in a user accessible position and for attaching the bands 116,117 to the pedals will be readily apparent to the skilled person.
In this embodiment all the bands 116, 117 provide the same restoring force, but in other examples, the bands 116, 117 may provide different restoring forces. Also, while the user may generally want to feel equal force on each pedal 112, the arrangement allows for the restoring force on one pedal 112 to be greater than that on the other pedal 112, which may be desirable for therapeutic or other reasons.
The user can rotate the pedals 112 in a cycling or pedalling motion whilst keeping the pedals 112 in their work position 121. The user provides a pressure against the restoring force of the resilient first elastomeric band 116 which will act to return the pedals 112 to the rest position 120. The user exercises by maintaining this pressure whilst performing a cycling action.
As can be seen in
The apparatus 100 is supported by a supporting leg assembly 126. The supporting leg assembly 126 comprises two telescopic legs 128, 130 (again of adjustable length), each leg 128, 130 having a foot 132, 134.
Each leg 128, 130 is secured to axle support assembly 110 to extend at an angle to the telescopic bar 124. The angle between the legs 128, 130 and the bar 124 in this embodiment is approximately 60°, but in other embodiments may be a different angle or may be variable. The arrangement is such that, when the belt 125 is attached to a user's waist, the legs 128, 130 and the bar 124 may be adjusted such that, when the feet 132, 134 rest against the user's thighs, the pedals 112 are at a convenient height for the user to perform a pedalling action with his or her hands and arms. The user may be sitting or standing. The supporting leg assembly 126 and the waist support assembly 122 therefore act together to provide a support assembly which allows the apparatus 100 to be supported by and braced against a user's body.
A second embodiment of the invention is now described with reference to
In this embodiment, the apparatus 100′ comprises crank arms 402, 404 which may be rotated about the axle 108. In particular, the crank arms 402, 404 mounted on substantially cylindrical collars 406, which are rotatable about the substantially cylindrical axle 108, and which comprise holes cut therethrough. The axle 108 comprises, at each end, two diametrically opposed sprung metal catches 408 which cooperate with the holes in the collars 406. The arrangement is such that a metal catch 408 can be depressed by a user, who can then rotate the collar 406, and attached crank arm 402, 404 about the axle 108 until the other catch 408 engages with the hole. In this way, the crank arms 402, 404 can be adjusted between a position where they both extend away from the axle 108 in opposite directions (i.e. in a standard pedalling orientation, in which case the apparatus can be used as the apparatus shown in
It will be appreciated that only one adjustable crank arm 402, 404 is required to achieve this effect. However, providing two adjustable crank arms 402, 404 in the manner described above allows for more complete user disassembly and assembly of the apparatus 100′, which may have another advantage of minimising storage and transport space.
The embodiment of
In this embodiment, the crank arms 402, 404 are rigid and so do not comprise a hinge.
In this example, the pedals 112 comprise attachment devices in the form of foot straps 512. In use, a user performs the pedalling action with his or her feet, aiming to push the pedal 112 or pull against the foot strap 512 throughout the pedalling cycle in order to keep the pedal in its work position against a restoring force provided by a resilient means.
Although the stationary bicycle 500 and other pedal exercise apparatus shown is relatively simple in design, other embodiments could include any of the features which will be familiar to the skilled person from known stationary bicycles, such as electronic monitoring equipment, variable resistance to the pedalling motion, adjustable height saddles or handle bars, screens, audio equipment, mechanisms for varying the resistance to the motion of the pedals (so as to provide the user with a varied work out), etc.
The apparatus of
Features of one embodiment described above may be incorporated or interchanged with features shown in any other embodiment.
Alternative embodiments which are within the scope of the invention will be apparent to the skilled person.
For example, in the above embodiments, the resilient member was provided by elastomeric bands 116, 117 and by compression springs 410. However, the resilient member in other embodiments may be provided by an extension spring, a rubber material, bungee cords, a pneumatic chamber, magnetic means (which may be an electromagnetic mechanism), or the like. The first elastomeric band 116 described above is stretched to provide a restoring force, but in other examples the resilient member may, for example be compressed or expanded to provide the restoring force.
In some embodiments described above, the restoring force of the resilient member can be adjusted by connecting further resilient member(s) such as elastomeric bands 117. In the above embodiment, these were provided within the apparatus but in other embodiments, these may be added by a user, may be used to replace an existing resilient member, may be external to the apparatus, etc. In some embodiments, the axle may have a non-cylindrical cross section which provides channels through which the resilient members may run. The cross section may for example be in the form of a cross and the resilient member(s) may run in the channels formed between the arms of the cross. Other cross sectional shapes may also provide channels, and may provide the axle with additional strength. Such axles may, in some embodiments, comprise an outer sleeve, which may be cylindrical.
One embodiment described above includes a resistance control mechanism which allows a user to control the tensioning of the resilient member. Other resistance control mechanisms, which may be selected depending on the type of resilient member used in the apparatus, will be readily apparent to the skilled person. For example, if the resilient member is a spring or band which is extended by a user, the mounting of the end of the spring/band which is not attached to the pedal may be moved such that it is further from the pedal in the rest position (or closer for a compression spring). Alternatively or additionally, some of the coils could be locked. Where an electromagnet is used, the current could be varied to vary the resistance provided. The air pressure inside a pneumatic chamber could be altered to vary the resistance provided, or the like.
In the first embodiment described above, a resilient member is linked to both pedals 112. However, alternatively or additionally, each pedal 112 may be independently associated with one or more resilient member (as in the embodiment shown in
The embodiments described above are adapted for exercising the arms or legs of a user in order to achieve either aerobic or anaerobic exercise through use of the apparatus.
The apparatus 100, 100′, 500, 600 may comprise monitoring equipment, arranged to measure the time spent exercising and/or the rotations of the crank arms. Such equipment may be arranged to convert such measurements to estimate the energy used by a user. The apparatus 100, 100′, 500, 600 may additionally comprise resistance to the pedalling motion (which may be variable), screens, audio equipment, mechanisms for varying the resistance to the motion of the pedals (so as to provide the user with a varied work out), etc, as will be familiar from other pedal exercise equipment.
In the above embodiments, the support arms and legs are telescopic, but in other embodiments, these arms may be of fixed length, may be foldable, or arranged in some other way. Any support mechanism may be detachable, for convenience of storage or transportation. In addition, if no support mechanisms are provided or used, the user will have to support the apparatus him or herself, and this may utilise and strengthen muscles, and this may be desirable in some embodiments.
The above embodiments comprise attachment devices for attaching the user's hands and/or feet to the pedals. It will be readily appreciated that these may not be required in all embodiments as a user could grip the pedals. In embodiments which are arranged to exercise a user's legs, some form of foot attachment device may be desirable in some embodiments. In some embodiments, such attachment devices may comprise straps, pedal clips, cleats which interlock with the user's shoes or the like. In some embodiments, the attachment device(s) may be detachable.
In the above embodiment, the pedals 112 were arranged to slide along tracks 118. However, in other embodiments, other arrangements are possible. For example, a pedal 112 may be rigidly fixed to a portion of a crank arm and the crank arm may be for example telescopic or otherwise compressible or extensible against a restoring force.
In the above examples, the pedals 112 moved along the longitudinal axis of the crank arms. However, in other embodiments, this may not be the case. The rest position of the pedals may for example be lying along the side of a crank arm and the work position may comprise holding the pedals against a restoring force in a position which extends away from the crank arm. In other embodiments, the pedal may be mounted on an extendible axis, which may be held away from, or compressed towards, a crank arm against a restoring force.
The ‘catch-and-hole’ assembly described above in relation to the embodiment of
In this description, the term ‘pedal’ is used. This term encompasses traditional bicycle pedals (i.e. substantially cuboid structures rotatably mounted on bearings) and all other fixtures which could be pressed by a user to rotate the structure, for example a bar, which may be rigidly attached to a crank arm or rotatably mounted thereto. A rigid attachment may be suitable if the user's hand or foot could rotate about the bar, for example if it were a cylindrical bar. The term ‘pedal’ as used herein refers to hand and foot pedals
Equally, the term ‘pedalling’ is used to describe the cyclical motion through which a pedal is moved. Therefore, ‘pedalling’ may be performed with one or both of the user's hands or feet.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0817880.8 | Oct 2008 | GB | national |
| 0905390.1 | Mar 2009 | GB | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/GB2009/051163 | 9/10/2009 | WO | 00 | 6/17/2011 |
