Abstract:
A novel stationary exercise bicycle and method for exercising on that bicycle is disclosed. The novel bicycle, comprising a frame having front and rear sockets, a seat mounted into the rear socket, and a handlebar mounted in the front socket, can advantageously be adjusted so that a rider can adopt different riding positions to simulate outdoor bicycle riding conditions.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This is a continuation application of application Ser. No. 10/086,662, filed Feb. 28, 2002, which is a continuation application of application Ser. No. 09/672,179, filed Sep. 28, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,468,185 to Johnny Goldberg, which is a continuation of Ser. No. 09/019,352, filed on Feb. 2, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,155,958 to Johnny Goldberg, which is a continuation of Ser. No. 08/736,976, filed on Oct. 25, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,722,916 to Johnny Goldberg, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/391,438, filed on Feb. 21, 1995, now abandoned, which is a continuation of Ser. No. 07/969,765, filed on Oct. 30, 1992, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,423,728 to Johnny Goldberg. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     Having a stationary exercise bicycle capable of simulating mountain bike riding is valuable.  
         [0003]     This invention relates to a stationary exercise bicycle which is sturdy and comfortable for use during extended periods of pedaling while standing or sitting or a combination thereof and thus capable of meeting the needs of the more demanding rider.  
         [0004]     In recent years, the popularity of the stationary exercise bicycle has increased dramatically together with the fitness craze. Stationary exercise bicycles are conventionally made with straight, brazed round tubing. A problem associated with using the round tubing in these bicycles is their propensity for fragility. They easily snap under increased stress, for example, during periods when the rider is pedaling in a standing position or in an alternating standing and sitting pedaling position. Also, the bicycle structure does not provide for the best flexibility according to the preferences of the rider.  
         [0005]     There is a need to provide a stationary exercise bicycle which is more durable and overcomes the problems of the prior art.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0006]     The invented stationary exercise bicycle seeks to avoid the disadvantages associated with conventional stationary exercise bicycles.  
         [0007]     According to the invention, the stationary exercise bicycle comprises a stable frame. Additionally, the frame comprises a front socket and a rear socket, and front and rear ground support elements. Also provided is a pedal mechanism on said frame.  
         [0008]     Also, the bicycle comprises a detachable seat socket. A seat is mounted on a seat socket at a level above the pedal mechanism. The seat is mounted for movement fore and aft relative to the seat socket and upwardly and downwardly relative to the pedal mechanism.  
         [0009]     Additionally, the stationary exercise bicycle comprises a handlebar mounted in the front socket. The handlebar includes at least two different handle means. One handle means includes spaced apart and outwardly directed elements. The second handle means includes an element inwardly located relative to the first handle means. The handlebar is adjustable in the front socket.  
         [0010]     Further, in one preferred form, the frame comprises at least multiple upstanding posts. The posts are inter-engaging to form at least one triangulated or V-shaped structure between the ground support elements and one of the sockets.  
         [0011]     Additionally, at least part of the front socket, rear socket, or seat socket are formed with a hollow member having a cross-section which is non-cylindrical.  
         [0012]     The pedal mechanism may include a cog operative with an endless chain having slots for engagement with the cog. A ring guard is provided and protective of at least the interaction of the teeth of the cog with the endless chain. The ring guard is located internally of the perimeter defined by the endless chain.  
         [0013]     The invented stationary exercise bicycle is strong and comfortable for the rider. The adjustability of the bicycle facilitates comfortable riding of the bicycle in multiple positions, for example, sitting, standing and different gripping positions. Moreover, it is stress-resistant so that it can be used by the rider in a standing position or in an alternating standing and sitting pedaling position for extended periods. Riders of this bicycle can simulate the aerobic effect of mountain bike racing.  
         [0014]     According to another aspect of the invention, a method of exercising on the stationary exercise bicycle comprises adjusting the height and the fore and aft position of the seat and optionally also adjusting the height of the handlebars to facilitate riding the stationary exercise bicycle in multiple positions and then riding the bicycle in multiple positions to simulate different bicycle riding conditions.  
         [0015]     Additionally, the invented stationary exercise bicycle is mobile and the parts, easily replaceable. Unlike conventional stationary exercise bicycles, the present invention utilizes regular bicycle components. The user can replace certain parts from conventional bicycle shops and thus service the present invention with conventional bicycle componentry. Further, unlike prior art stationary exercise bicycles, the present invention has four basic parts which are detachable and can be placed in a portable transport carrier for mobility.  
         [0016]     The invention is now further described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     DRAWINGS  
       [0017]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a frame for a stationary exercise bicycle;  
         [0018]      FIG. 2  is an isometric view of the pedal mechanism and a flywheel, both shown in phantom, including the ring guard, cog, and endless chain;  
         [0019]      FIG. 3  is a detailed view of the ring guard in relation to the cog and frame;  
         [0020]      FIG. 4  is an isometric view of the front fork triangle and an upstanding post;  
         [0021]      FIG. 5  is an isometric view of the seat socket and the connective member;  
         [0022]      FIGS. 6A, 6B , and  6 C are isometric, front and side views, respectively, of the adjustable and detachable handlebar including the forwardly extending prongs, the lateral bar, and the element inwardly located relative to the forwardly extending prongs;  
         [0023]      FIG. 7  is an isometric view of the triangulated structure portion of the frame; and  
         [0024]      FIG. 8  is an isometric view of an alternative frame. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION  
       [0025]     A stationary exercise bicycle comprises a frame  1  ( FIG. 1 ) or  24  ( FIG. 8 ). The frame has a central ground support element  31 , front  2  and rear  3  ground support elements, a front socket  4  and a rear socket  5  and a pedal mechanism  6 . As discussed below and as shown in  FIG. 1 , pedal mechanism  6  generally includes a crankarm and crankset. The rear socket  5  is capable of receiving a seat socket  12 . Further, a seat  20  may be mounted on the seat socket  12  at a level above the pedal mechanism  6 . The seat  20  is mounted for movement fore and aft relative to the seat socket  12  and upwardly and downwardly relative to the pedal mechanism  6 .  
         [0026]     This stationary exercise bicycle further comprises a handlebar  8  mounted in the front socket  4 . The handlebar  8  includes at least two different handle means  9  and  10 . One handle means includes spaced apart and outwardly directed elements  9 . The second handle means includes an element inwardly located  10  relative to the first handle means.  
         [0027]     The outwardly directed handle means  9  have forwardly extending prongs  9 A and  9 B ( FIG. 6A ) which are directed axially away from the seat socket  12 . The axially directed prongs  9 A and  9 B are connected with a lateral bar  11  of the handlebar  8  at one end and are free at an opposite end.  
         [0028]     The inner handle means  10  is at least part of a closed ring. The ring is located between the outer handle prongs. Further, the ring is connected to a lateral bar  11  of the handlebar  8 .  
         [0029]     The closed ring may be a semi-circle. The axis for the semi-circle is located substantially about midway through the lateral bar  11  of the handlebar  8 .  
         [0030]     The handlebars have been designed with the user&#39;s handlebar position needs in mind. Because of the need for the different hand positions during the ride, the ring allows for different hand positions, movements, quick transition from sitting to standing, and standing back to sitting. It also allows, without the use of an attached arm pad, the ability to lie the forearm on the ring portion of the handlebar and simulate a real training cycling position.  
         [0031]     The handlebar  8  may be connected to the frame  1  by the front socket  4 . A handlebar pop pin  22  permits adjustment of the handlebar  8  according to the requirements of the rider.  FIGS. 6A and 6B  show the holes which permit the connecting member to be arrestable by a pop pin for adjustment.  
         [0032]     Applicant contemplates that alternative handlebars may be connected to the frame  1  or  24  in accordance with the rider&#39;s needs.  
         [0033]     The frame  1  ( FIG. 1 ) or  24  ( FIG. 8 ) further comprises at least multiple upstanding posts  13 . In a preferred form, the posts inter-engage to form at least one triangulated structure  14  between the ground support elements  2  or  3  and one of the sockets.  
         [0034]     The frame  1  includes at least two triangulated structures  7  and  14  between the sockets  4 ,  5 , and  12 . The two triangulated structures  7  and  14  have at least one common upstanding post  13  forming at least one wall of the triangulated structures  7  and  14 . One of the triangulated structures  7  and  14  includes an arm or cross-element  6 A intended to mount the pedal mechanism  6 .  
         [0035]     The upstanding posts  13  form part of the triangulated structure  7  and  14 . Moreover, the upstanding posts  13  are all located at a non-horizontal, non-vertical axis.  
         [0036]     The triangulated structures  7  and  14  include the rear triangle  14 A which includes an inverted V-shaped section and which functions to stabilize the frame  1 ; the bottom bracket triangle  14 B which includes an upstanding V-shaped section and which functions to stabilize the frame  1  so a rider can pedal standing; the front triangle-like structure  7  which functions to permit total range of motion; and a front fork triangle  18 .  
         [0037]     The rear triangle  14 A is important as a stabilizing block. Unlike conventional stationary exercise bicycles, the small base of this triangle gives the bike its total rigidity in the rear.  
         [0038]     The bottom bracket triangle  14 B gives the central part of the stationary exercise bicycle its rigidity and form for standing. Further, arm or cross-element  6 A allows for conventional pedal mechanisms (i.e., crankarm and crankset) be used with a conventional clipless pedal or a regular bicycle pedal and toe clip.  
         [0039]     The front triangle-like structure  7  is wide enough to house a flywheel ( FIG. 2 ). The front triangle-like structure  7  gives the stationary exercise bicycle its total range of motion moving the flywheel in and out and giving the stationary exercise bicycle its base length or reel length from foot position to foot position.  
         [0040]     The flywheel is connected to the frame  1  or  24  by the front fork triangle  18 .  
         [0041]     Further, at least part of the front socket  4 , rear socket  5 , or seat socket  12  are formed with a hollow member having a cross section being non-cylindrical. The sockets described herein permit a matingly shaped connecting member (such as the handlebar  8 , the adjustable and detachable seat  20 ) the connecting member being arrestable by a pop pin  19 ,  21 ,  22 .  
         [0042]     The hollow member may have a polygonal cross section (preferably quadratic). For example, in the illustrated example, the polygonal cross section is substantially square.  
         [0043]     The seat is adjustable for height and connected to the seat socket  12 . The seat post pop pin  19  permits height adjustment of the seat. The fore and aft saddle pop pin  21  permits adjustment of the seat  20  by sliding fore and aft in the seat socket  12 .  
         [0044]     Because of the adjustability of the seat and the handlebar, a rider theoretically may be as tall as 15 feet and weigh up to 900 pounds. The handlebar and seat adjustability provides for a versatile bicycle which can be used by persons of many different physiques, from small, light and short to large, tall and heavy.  
         [0045]     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , the pedal mechanism  6  includes a cog  15  operative with an endless chain  16  having slots for engagement with the cog  15 . Additionally, the pedal mechanism  6  includes a ring guard  17  protective of at least the interaction of the teeth of the cog  15  with the endless chain  16 . The ring guard  17  is located internally of the perimeter defined by the endless chain  16 .  
         [0046]     It would be desirable to provide attachments to the present invention. For example, a water bottle may be attached directly to the present invention or indirectly by means of a velcro device or any carrier means for attaching the water bottle to the stationary exercise bicycle.  
         [0047]     Additionally, an ergometer may be attached to the present invention. Also, a computer controlled energy measuring and indicating device may be attached to the present invention.  
         [0048]     The stationary exercise bicycle may comprise a dual chain tension device which is adjustable while the rider is in motion. Moreover, the stationary exercise bicycle may comprise a cable resistance braking system which permits the rider to adjust the resistance of the flywheel. A resistance plate  23  may support a cable to the flywheel.  
         [0049]     The length and width of the stationary exercise bicycle is appropriate for standing and sitting while pedaling. Additionally, the width is appropriate for pedaling while sitting and for stabilization when the rider pedals while standing and rocking the body from side to side.  
         [0050]     In a preferred form, the triangulated structures  14 A,  14 B,  7  stabilize the stationary exercise bicycle. These triangulated structures form the “integrity” structure of the stationary exercise bicycle.  
         [0051]     The symmetry of this machine is very basic. The genius in the present invention is in its simplicity. The present invention simulates road conditions exactly as if the rider is pedaling a conventional, non-stationary bicycle.  
         [0052]     Applicant contemplates many other examples of the present invention each differing by detail only. For example, there are many variations of the sockets described herein. The sockets described herein may not only permit a matingly shaped connecting member to fit inside (such as the handlebar  8 , the adjustable and detachable seat  20 ), the connecting member being arrestable by a pop pin  19 ,  21 , or  22 . In fact, the matingly shaped connecting member may be a hollow into which the socket fits, e.g., the rear, front, or seat socket.  
         [0053]     Additionally, the handlebar  8  may include at least two different handle means. One handle means includes spaced apart and outwardly directed elements  9 . The second handle means may include an element (e.g., a closed ring) outwardly located relative to the first handle means.  
         [0054]     Further, in one form, the frame may have a plurality of segments. Instead of a single unit, the frame may collapse into several units which permits even greater mobility of the stationary exercise bicycle for transport. Each unit of the frame may be re-assembled using bolts or any other type of well known connecting means.  
         [0055]     The above description and drawings are only illustrative. They are not intended to limit in any way the invention as set out in the claims which follow.