Patent ID: 6557679
Filing Date: 2003-05-06
Classification: A63B,B62M,F16D

Abstract:
A free-wheel clutch mechanism for an exercise bicycle, the bicycle having a frame, and a high-inertia flywheel having a hub at a center of rotation, the flywheel being rotatably supported on the frame at the hub, a drive train supported on the frame and engaged with the flywheel and driveable in a forward and rearward directions to cause the flywheel to rotate, the clutch mechanism comprising:a slave sprocket fixed to the flywheel at the hub, the slave sprocket defining a sprocket collar which defines an engagement collar; a clutch positioned in engagement with the slave sprocket and the hub creating a frictional engagement between the sprocket and the hub, and creating a break-free force; and wherein when said drive train is actuated in the forward direction, the slave sprocket and the hub move together, and when the drive train is actuated in the rearward direction and overcomes the break-free force, the clutch mechanism slips between the slave sprocket and the hub, allowing the slave sprocket and the flywheel to move independently of one another.