Claims
- 1. An exercise bicycle comprising:
a frame; a means for storing rotational energy supported by the frame; a means for driving the means for storing rotational energy; and a means for releasably coupling the means for driving the means for storing rotational energy to the means for storing rotational energy.
- 2. The exercise bicycle of claim 1 further comprising a means for adjusting a break-free force connected with the means for releasably coupling the means for driving the means for storing rotational energy to the means for storing rotational energy.
- 3. A method of transferring torque from a drive train of an exercise apparatus to a flywheel comprising:
receiving an application of a rearward torque to a drive sprocket connected with a slave sprocket in a direct-drive relationship, the slave sprocket coupled with the flywheel through a clutch defining a break-free force; translating torque from the drive sprocket to the slave sprocket and the flywheel; and decoupling the slave sprocket from the flywheel when the rearward torque exceeds the break-free force.
- 4. The method of claim 3 wherein the decoupling operation allows the flywheel and the slave sprocket to rotate independently of one another.
- 5. The method of claim 3, the clutch defining an adjustable break-free force.
- 6. A method of transferring torque from a drive train of an exercise apparatus to a flywheel comprising:
accepting a forward torque to a drive sprocket connected with a slave sprocket in a direct-drive relationship, the slave sprocket coupled with the flywheel through a one-way bearing; receiving an application of a rearward torque to the drive sprocket connected with the slave sprocket in the direct-drive relationship, the slave sprocket coupled with the flywheel through a clutch defining a break-free force; translating torque from the drive sprocket to the slave sprocket and the flywheel; and decoupling the slave sprocket from the flywheel when the rearward torque exceeds the break-free force.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 10/093,326 entitled “Free Wheel Clutch Mechanism for Bicycle Drive Train,” filed on Mar. 6, 2002, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 09/803,630 entitled “Free Wheel Clutch Mechanism for Bicycle Drive Train,” filed Mar. 9, 2001; which is a continuation-in-part application of application Ser. No. 09/379,560, entitled “Free Wheel Clutch Mechanism for Bicycle Drive Train” filed Aug. 23, 1999; which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/919,695, entitled “Free Wheel Clutch Mechanism for Bicycle Drive Train” filed Aug. 28, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,961,424; which is a non-provisional utility application claiming priority to provisional application Ser. No. 60/038,726 entitled “Free Wheel Clutch Mechanism for Bicycle Drive Train,” filed Feb. 18, 1997, which are each hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
Provisional Applications (1)
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Number |
Date |
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60038726 |
Feb 1997 |
US |
Continuations (2)
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10093326 |
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10461588 |
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Parent |
08919695 |
Aug 1997 |
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Child |
09379560 |
Aug 1999 |
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Continuation in Parts (2)
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09803630 |
Mar 2001 |
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10093326 |
Mar 2002 |
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09379560 |
Aug 1999 |
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09803630 |
Mar 2001 |
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