UPPER-BODY EXERCISE CYCLE

Abstract

Exercise device using rotating hand pedals against a variable resistance for the purpose of exercising the upper-body on an upper-body spinning cycle and incorporating a seating mechanism providing for placement of the operator's body to permit the conditioning of the upper portions of the operator's body including abdominal muscles, hip flexors, back, arms, wrists and hands by pedaling against a resistance to the accompaniment of music or instruction in a class type setting or at home without instruction. The embodiment of the invention allows for adjustment of the resistance to provide both aerobic and anaerobic exercise providing both muscle development and cardio-vascular conditioning. The embodiment of the invention allows the cranks to be rotated in an opposed or reciprocating position similar to conventional bicycles or the cranks can be rotated instantly and freely to be side by side in tandem or any orientation between opposed or tandem. The embodiment of the invention allows the cranks to be pedaled simultaneously or individually with one crank stationary while the other crank is pedaled. The switching of pedaling from one crank individually to two cranks simultaneously can be performed at the direction of the instructor in a class setting.

Description

Most rotational resistance type exercise equipment is operated by a rider sitting in a position similar to that of riding a bicycle. The operator pedals with his legs against a resistance either fixed or variable and by doing so develops the strength of his legs and at the same time conditions his cardio-vascular system. There are also many types of equipment that attempt to develop and condition the operator's lower and upper body simultaneously. Some of these devices combine rotational resistance for the legs and some means of linear or reciprocating motion for the arms while the operator is either standing or sitting on some type of support or movable platform. There are also stand alone devices for disabled people that enable the operator to exercise their arms, wrists and hands and some even have passive movement of the legs during exercise. There are also many pieces of exercise equipment that make some use of instruction or video presentation while the operator is using the equipment. In the case of spinning classes for the legs an instructor creates a program that may take the rider on an imaginary journey or simply direct the rider in which adjustments to make or how hard to pedal. There are also many types of exercise equipment that use some type of roller clutch to force rotation of a drive shaft in one direction while letting it spin freely in the opposite direction or simply keep on spinning once forced rotation has stopped. Roller clutches can be seen is stair step exercisers where they are used to convert linear motion to the rotation of a drive shaft or they can be seen used on a conventional leg powered bicycle providing the means for the rider to pedal with each leg independently of the other or only one leg at a time.

The invention disclosed herein is specifically directed at the conditioning and development of the operator's upper body and arms, including abdominal muscles, hip-flexors and back through an upper-body spinning cycle to the accompaniment of music or instruction and including independently rotatable cranks that can be pedaled simultaneously, independently, in a reciprocating manner or synchronized in to be pedaled in tandem. The present invention combines cardio-vascular conditioning and strength training by varying the resistance of the flywheel Although using a flywheel for inertia and combining this inertial effect with a caliper brake for resistance is not new for leg driven cycles and is also used by some upper-body ergo meters the combination of flywheel for inertial effect, caliper brake for resistance and seating of the rider in a unit providing seat and leg support is new. Also, the combination of the inertial effect of the flywheel, brake for resistance of the flywheel rotation, and cranks that are pedaled by the operator's hands but are allowed to be rotate independently of each other is new. By making and upper-body ergo meter that has independent crank arms the operator is able to pedal with one arm at a time, both arms in an opposed manner, both arms in a tandem fashion or a few pedal motions with one arm and then the other similar to punching a punching bag. When the use of this invention is put to music with an instructor; upper-body spinning classes are born.

The operator exerts effort against a variable rotational resistance by pedaling with his hands. This is not new and is seen in some exercise machines and also in hand powered bicycles. What is novel about this invention is the operator is able to position his body relative to the pedals and the pedals relative to his body in positions that enable the isolation of different muscle groups. In this invention the rider is also able to pedal the cranks independently of each other, the cranks can be turned one side only, both sides opposed, or both sides in tandem or any orientation that the operator chooses and the orientation can be changed at any time. This invention is intended for the use in spinning classes for the upper-body, similar to the spinning bikes used in classes for the lower-body. The invention includes a platform for the operator to rest upon in a seated position or kneeling position and can access rotational cranks with his hands. The hands pedal cranks which are either in tandem, opposed or pedaled independently are pedaled against a resistance that can be fixed or variable. The device includes a seat or kneeling platform that can be adjusted vertically and horizontally and cranks which can also be adjusted both vertically, horizontally and the cranks themselves can be opposed or in tandem or anywhere in between because they engage the flywheel independently of each other allowing one crank to be stationary while the other crank engages the flywheel causing rotation. The spacing of the pedals can be adjusted to be wider or narrower to allow the rider to exert effort by different muscles. The rider can also assume a kneeling position to exercise the lower back and abdominal muscles. Because the cranks can be wide enough to straddle the operator's legs the cranks can be lowered so the operator is pulling up on the cranks when riding in a seated position with the legs forward exercising the traps and upper lats or the seat can be lowered and the cranks raised so the operator is effecting an effort similar to a an incline bench press. The adjustment of the seat and seat back allows the operator to lock his body into the equipment and deliver tremendous exertion to the cranks. This allows the rotational resistance to be maximized so the operator can achieve maximum muscle development.

The footrests are located to enable the rider to position his feet against them to anchor his body for the purpose of maximum pull against the crank arms. The footrests can be adjusted forwardly or rearwardly and also up and down to accommodate riders with different body sizes.

The following illustrations and captions show and describe some of the possible embodiments of the invention. There are many ways to make the invention but essentially the invention is comprised of a crank arm and a flywheel with some means to impart movement to the crank and some means to transfer that movement to the flywheel. The embodiment of the invention shown includes a pair of cranks and a single flywheel but it could be equally effective with only one crank and one flywheel or a pair of flywheels with a crank connected to each flywheel providing for independent use of one or both of the operator's arms. The present invention is shown in two different embodiments:

The invention as shown in illustrations: 5 and 6 with a pair of crank arms fixed in a tandem position with single chainring, chain and freewheel on the right side of the bike as the operator sits on it. In this embodiment of the invention the operator is able to pedal with either one arm or both arms but either way both cranks are connected by a common shaft and are in a fixed orientation to each other and when one crank arm is rotated the other must also rotate. The cranks may be opposed as on a conventional bicycle or in tandem (parallel orientation to each other). The cranks may also be narrow, like conventional cranks as found on a bicycle and as shown in illustrations 5 and 6 they or maybe wide as shown in illustration 7. By varying the width of the cranks and hand-pedals or the orientation of the crank arms, the operator may use and exercise different muscle groups.

The invention as shown in illustrations: 1, 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, and 11 with a right and left side crank arm and drive sprocket each connected to two separate and independent freewheels located on a shaft; the shaft being fixed to the flywheel for the purpose of rotating the flywheel; one freewheel being a left-hand drive and the other freewheel a right hand drive so that rotation of either crank arm imparts a rotation to the flywheel and the other crank arm can remain stationary or be rotated along with the other crank in a reciprocating motion like a bicycle or in tandem with the opposite crank or any position in between, including rotating in the opposite direction of the other crank.

In another embodiment of the invention the crank arms and sprockets may be connected to an intermediate jackshaft located between the crank arms and the flywheel. Each crank arm; left or right is supported by its own bearing assembly and each crank arm is free to rotate independently of the other crank arm. In this embodiment each sprocket on each crank arm is connected by a chain or other means to a roller clutch on the jackshaft assembly as shown in the jackshaft assembly in FIG. 8. In FIG. 8 there are two roller clutches on the jackshaft; one a left hand clutch and the other a right hand clutch. The roller clutches are actually identical combinations of sprocket and roller bearing. The left hand or right hand operation of the clutch is determined by the orientation of the roller bearings with the shaft One orientation of the roller clutch permits free rotation in one direction and locks onto the shaft forcing rotation of the shaft when turned in the opposite direction. Reversed orientation of the roller clutch permits free rotation of the jackshaft in the opposite direction. The jackshaft is mounted by a flange bearing or pillow block bearing to the frame of the exercycle. When either the left or right crank arm is rotated rotation of the jackshaft is initiated. There is a sprocket permanently affixed to the end of the jack shaft such that when the jackshaft rotates this sprocket also rotates. This sprocket on the end of the shaft is connected by chain or other means to a sprocket on the flywheel. Rotation of the jackshaft produces a subsequent rotation of the sprocket on the flywheel. The sprocket on the flywheel can be a freewheel which allows the flywheel to keep on rotating even if the jackshaft is not rotating or can be fixed to the flywheel which rotates the chain, jackshaft and corresponding sprockets but not the crank arms. In this embodiment the selection of sprocket ratios between the teeth on the sprockets on the cranks and the teeth on the sprockets on the roller clutches on the jackshaft as well as the ratio between the jackshaft driven sprocket and the flywheel sprocket or freewheel can be used to regulate the spin-up rpm of the flywheel. The rpm of the flywheel along with the inertia of the flywheel determines the feel of the bike to the rider and allows the rider to experience the same feeling as riding a handcycle on the road.

FIG. 1: Independent crank arms with dual sprockets and chains; the right side crankarm and chain connected to the flywheel with a right hand freewheel clutch and the left side crankarm connected to the flywheel with a left-hand freewheel clutch. Flywheel tension knob is also shown.

FIG. 2: Perspective view of the spinning bike shown with independent crankarms and dual chains connecting each crank arm independently to a freewheel on each side of the flywheel. The left side chain in connected to the flywheel by means of a left hand freewheel and the right side crankarm is connected to the flywheel by means of a right hand freewheel.

FIG. 3: Dual drive mechanism showing cantilevered, independently rotatable drive sprockets and crank arms connected by dual chains to a left-hand freewheel and a right hand freewheel imparting rotation to the flywheel. Also shown are the footrests and adjustable resistance friction pads.

FIG. 4: Side view of spinning bike with single chain drive on right-side of bike and one piece crank with both cranks in tandem position. Sliding adjustment of seat is visible and telescoping of seat is visible with locking pin.

FIG. 5: Side view of Upper-body spinning bike with cranks shown in 270 degree orientation and showing seat adjust ability and foot rests

FIG. 6: Rider shown on upper-body spinning bike with seat adjusted low and rearward and with feet on footrests, cranks in the tandem position and not able to rotate independently of each other.

FIG. 7: Wide cranks shown with drive sprocket assembly, hand pedals and bearing area on shaft.

FIG. 8: Jackshaft for means to allow independent rotation of each side crank arm showing sprockets with integral roller clutches, driven shaft and final drive gear for transferring rotation to the flywheel. Roller clutches shown with reversed orientation providing both left and right hand drive to the drive shaft. This allows one clutch to remain stationary and still allow the drive shaft to rotate while the other clutch drives the drive shaft and vice-versa.

FIG. 9: View showing vertical seat adjustment and locking pin as well as horizontal sliding mechanism for adjusting seat and locking in seat in place horizontally.

FIG. 10: Sideview with rider on upper-body exercise cycle showing seat adjusted and feet on footrests and crank arms in a 90° orientation to each other.

FIG. 11: Front view of rider on upper-body exercise cycle with crank arms in 180° opposed position.

Claims

1. A frame structured to include a flywheel, a platform for the seating of a rider, a platform for the rider's feet, a crank mechanism connected to the flywheel such that rotation of the crank imparts a rotation to the fly wheel, a pedal mechanism connected to the cranks such that the rider can grasp the pedals with his hands to impart rotation to the cranks; said seat platform to be rearward of the axis of the hand cranks.

2. A frame structured to include a flywheel, a seat for the rider, a pair of crank arms connected by such means to the flywheel that rotation of the crank arms collectively or independently imparts rotation to the flywheel; said crank arms structured to move independently of each other, and a pedal device attached to each crank arm such that the pedal device can be grasped by the operator's hands and movement of the pedal device causes movement of the crankarms.

3. A frame structured to include a flywheel and a cranking mechanism; said cranking mechanism consisting of at least one crank; said crank connected to the flywheel such that rotation of the crank imparts a rotation to the flywheel and an instructor or means of instructing the operator while the operator is engaged in an upper-body spinning class.

4. A device as in claim 1 with a frame structured to support a rotational flywheel; said frame structured to include a hand crank and said hand crank connected to the flywheel so that rotation of the hand cranks imparts rotation to the flywheel. A means attached to the hand cranks so that a person can grab said means with his hands and impart a force to the crank arms resulting in rotation of the hand cranks; and a platform releasably connected to said frame rearward of the axis of the hand cranks to support the rider; and such platform and said connection structured so the platform can be moved through a range of motion vertically or horizontally; and a platform releasably connected to said frame on each side of the flywheel forward of the axis of the hand crank to support the rider's foot; such that said platform and connection can be moved through a range of motion vertically and horizontally; and said connection of seat platform and said connection of foot platform such that a locking means provides a means to secure said seat platform and said foot platform in a desired vertical or horizontal position.

5. A device as in claim 2 with a frame structured to include a flywheel; said frame structured to support a cranking mechanism such that rotation of the cranking mechanism imparts a rotation to the flywheel, said cranking mechanism including of a pair of crank arms structured such that each crank arm can rotate freely of the other crank, each of said cranks connected by such means to the flywheel that rotation of either crank imparts a rotation to the flywheel.

6. Exercise device using rotating hand pedals against a variable resistance for the purpose of exercising the upper-body on an upper-body spinning cycle and incorporating a seating mechanism providing for placement of the operator's body to permit the conditioning of the upper portions of the operator's body including abdominal muscles, hip flexors, back, arms, wrists and hands by pealing against a resistance to the accompaniment of music or instruction in a class type setting or at home without instruction. The embodiment of the invention allows for adjustment of the resistance to provide both aerobic and anaerobic exercise providing both muscle development and cardio-vascular conditioning. The embodiment of the invention allows the cranks to be rotated in an opposed or reciprocating position similar to conventional bicycles or the cranks can be rotated instantly and freely to be side by side in tandem or any orientation between opposed or tandem. The embodiment of the invention allows the cranks to be pedaled simultaneously or individually with one crank stationary while the other crank is pedaled. The switching of pedaling from one crank individually to two cranks simultaneously can be performed at the direction of the instructor in a class setting.