Bicycle training apparatus

Abstract: The invention relates to a fitness machine for cycle training, which includes a structure (1) to support a bicycle (2) and a variable resistance unit (5) designed to modify the resistance of the machine to the pedalling action of the cyclist in accordance with preset values so that the physical effort exerted is substantially the same as that required for a race or training run.

Description: The present invention relates to a fitness machine, in particular, a fitness machine known generally in the trade as a cycle exerciser or trainer that is, a piece of equipment used for physical training to simulate real cycling. Fitness machines of this kind include the so-called exercise cycles, that is, special indoor cycles without wheels, having a pedal unit with a tensioning device to provide resistance to the user's pedalling action. These machines may be quite sophisticated, with elaborate instruments (ergometers, distance recorders, speedometers, timers) which allow physical performance to be monitored, for example through a parameter proportional to the physical effort exerted, expressed in watts. Exercising on this kind of cycle is repetitive and monotonous and even if practised in a gym as a complement to other activities, it is generally considered by cyclists as a surrogate for the real sport, mainly because the exercising machine differs appreciably from the bike normally used. Another type of exerciser is the so-called cycle training roller set. These machines, used in the training programmes of amateur and competition cyclists, consist basically of a set of rollers which rotate about horizontal pins, constituting the axes of the said rollers, and which are designed to interact with the bicycle wheels: in practice, the rotational motion of the back wheel is transmitted to the rollers which the back wheel itself is in contact with. Usually, the disadvantage of a roller machine is that the resistance of the rollers themselves cannot be varied and, for this, reason it is not possible to effectively reproduce the conditions experienced during outdoor cycling, for example changes in track gradient. It is known from document WO 89/01806 a bicycle racing training apparatus wherein a pivotally mounted support member connects the rear axle of the bike to constrain movement of the axle about the pivot point of the support member. A support roller cooperates with the support member to support the rear wheel. A flywheel and variable load means are connected to the roller to simulate the inertia and variable load experienced during the riding of a bicycle. It is also known form document US 4,817,939 a cycle training device having a wheel support which permits side-to-side pivotal motion of the support and the bicycle. A roller engages the rear wheel of the bicycle and is in driving relationship between an AC inductor motor connected to a power indicating device. In any case, the common negative aspect of all the fitness machines mentioned above is that an outdoor cyclist who uses them completely fails to experience the feeling of being "on the road", in the sense that the braked wheel (and hence the entire bicycle) is substantially passive, that is, it cannot recreate the differences in stress and strain due to different road surface conditions and to the different reactions of the wheel-tyre-frame-handlebar assembly to the positions assumed by the cyclist when pedalling (sprinting, swinging motion during uphill cycling, etc). Moreover, the abovementioned cycle exercisers and trainers, because they are generally used indoors, do not allow users to benefit from the body cooling effect created by the air as the bicycle moves forward, a cooling effect which may significantly contribute to improving muscular functioning. The aim of the present invention is to overcome the abovementioned disadvantages by providing a fitness machine which enables a cyclist to use a real bicycle, that is to say, the same vehicle used by the cyclist for racing and training, and which recreates the exact same conditions as those of real cycling. The fitness machine disclosed by the present invention comprises a bicycle supporting structure and a variable resistance unit designed to modify the resistance of the. machine to the pedalling action of the cyclist in accordance with preset values so that the physical effort exerted is substantially the same as that required for a race or training run. The technical characteristics of the invention, aimed at overcoming the abovementioned disadvantages, are laid out in the claims below and the advantages of the disclosure are apparent from the detailed description which follows, with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention by way of example and in which: Fig. 1 is a schematic side view, with some parts enlarged, of an embodiment of the present invention, with a bicycle mounted on it; Fig. 2 is a schematic rear view, with some parts cut away and other parts in cross section, of the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a schematic rear view, with some parts cut away and other parts in cross section, of a resistance unit forming part of an embodiment of the present invention. A fitness machine as disclosed by the present invention may be used in particular for cycle training and physical training in general and, in addition, may be advantageously applied to the field of sports medicine and medical physiology to study training methods and to measure physiological parameters (diagnostic tests of various kinds), as well as to create training programmes tailored to suit the physical conditions of users. With reference to the accompanying drawings, the fitness machine envisages a structure 1 to support a bicycle 2; the bicycle 2 may be of any kind, for example, a racing bike as shown in Fig. 1, a mountain bike or other type of bike. The supporting structure 1 is equipped, in its first or front section 12, with means 3 for attaching the front fork arms 20 of the bicycle 2, whilst in its second or rear section, with means 4 to support the back (drive) wheel 21. The rear section is also equipped with an electromagnetic resistance unit 5 which provides a variable resistance in accordance with relative electrical control signals V6; the resistance unit 5 has means to interact with the drive wheel 21 operating on the wheel itself through a rolling friction transmission element 51. The resistance unit 5 is connected to means 6 which, by varying the electrical control signals V6, vary the resistance of the machine to the pedalling action of a cyclist in accordance with user settable values. In Fig. 1, these means are shown as a block not integrated in the machine structure, but in practice the said means may form part of a control console comprising display means described below. In other terms, the resistance offered by the machine can be varied in accordance with programmes to simulate race routes or training sessions, or for sports medicine or physiological tests of different kinds (described in more detail below). In the embodiment illustrated, the supporting means 4 consist of a pair of arms 41 equipped with means 42 for securing the axle 22 of the wheel 21 and elastically linked to the supporting structure 1 so as to form a flexible coupling between the wheel 21 and the drive transmission element 51. In Fig. 2, the securing means 42 consist of two shafts fitted at the upper ends of arms 41 and able to move transversely with respect to the latter; the shafts, whose free ends face inwards, that is, towards the wheel 21, and have seats to receive the wheel axle, are subjected to the force of springs 46 which tend to push them towards the axle 22 of the wheel 21. The flexible coupling between the transmission element 51 and the wheel 21 is very important to guarantee correct drive transmission and normal tyre wear. Indeed, since the drive transmission element may consist of a roller with a relatively small diameter compared to the diameter of the wheel, the tyre would work under critical conditions: in fact, when the tyre is subjected to forces caused by the weight of the cyclist or the intensity of the pedalling action, it would be compressed between two substantially cylindrical surfaces, namely roller and wheel rim, undergoing a simultaneous double change of curvature. Damping the back wheel improves transmission of the abovementioned forces by preventing the tyre from tending to reach the limit position in which it is deformed until it "enwraps" the rear roller moulding itself to the convex cylindrical shape of the roller itself. The arms 41 are supported by a frame 43 connected to the supporting structure 1 through flexible means 44, consisting for example of one or more springs. In the embodiment illustrated by way of example in Fig.2, the said means consist of a central spring and two lateral springs; obviously, the number and the dimensional and elastic characteristics of the springs may vary according to the elastic reaction desired. The spring 44 may be calibrated to provide a preset elastic reaction or there may be a series of springs with different elastic constants so as to give a progressively variable flattening effect. Instead of the conventional helical springs illustrated, an equivalent spring effect may be provided by a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder and plunger assembly governed by an appropriate control unit. To recreate uneven road surface conditions, elements of variable extension 45, such as, for example, pneumatic cylinders, may be envisaged (the broken line in Fig. 2 represents just one such element). These elements may be connected to and controlled by the control means 6 in accordance with a preset program to apply movements of defined duration and intensity to the drive wheel 21. In this way, it would be possible to simulate certain types of roads, for example, cobbled streets. As shown in Fig. 3, the resistance unit consists of a shaft 50 which is kinematically linked to an electrical machine 53 and to which the drive transmission element 51 and a flywheel 52 are keyed. The assembly formed by the flywheel, the roller and the rotating part of the electric machine is dimensioned in such a way as to store the kinetic energy generated by the cyclist, thus making it possible to simulate the effect of, for example, freewheel devices when cycling on the road. The electrical machine 53 may be an alternator, designed to brake shaft 50 with variable intensity in accordance with the electrical control signals V6 and to convert the kinetic energy transmitted by the shaft 50 into electrical energy dissipated by a resistor (not illustrated in the drawings). When the fitness machine disclosed herein is used, the resistance offered by the machine, particularly as regards friction, may be "calibrated" according to the characteristics of the cyclist. Before training proper actually starts, the machine is prepared so that the resistance it offers is calibrated on the basis of weight, force and mode in which the force itself is applied, as a function of the friction during the transmission of the force, and type of bicycle and tyres used. In practice, the cyclist must pedal until a certain speed is reached and then stop pedalling until a lower speed is reached, repeating this procedure several times: by measuring the dropping off times, that is, the time taken to slow down in each case, and finding the average of these values, it is possible to calculate the contribution of friction and to adjust the machine resistance accordingly. The weight may be added manually by the user or calculated using appropriate weighting means to be placed at the flexible coupling between the supporting structure 1 and the bicycle 2. To maintain the cyclist's body temperature at an ideal value (so that no energy is wasted on temperature control) and to simulate the effect of cycle motion more faithfully, the machine is equipped with an electric fan 7 whose power supply circuit is connected at least to the resistance unit 5, so that the spinning speed of the fan varies in accordance with the effort of the cyclist, that is, it varies with the speed of rotation of the drive transmission element 51, which is directly related to the angular velocity of the wheel 21. The fan may, for example, be conveniently connected in parallel to the resistor through which the alternator 53 dissipates electrical energy. In addition, the speed of the fan 7 may be regulated by the control means 6 to influence the body temperature balance in accordance with specific training or fitness programmes, so as to vary values such as sweating on the basis of preset programmes and measurements taken by appropriate sensors 60 applied to the cyclist (illustrated schematically since they are of known type, but always connected to the block 6 which represents the control means illustrated in Fig. 1). The sensors may be electrical, used to measure heart rate, temperature and related parameters, or electrochemical (such as enzyme plasters) used to measure sweating. The supporting structure 1 may consist of a base 11 to be placed on the floor, on which the front section 12 is pivotally mounted so that the front section 12 itself may be folded in direction R closer to the base 11 so that the fitness machine occupies less space and may be conveniently stored when it is not being used. The base 11 may include a connecting portion 14 designed to connect the front section 12, which is coupled to the base itself by adjustable fixing means 13, in such a way that the distance between the front section 12 and the base 11 can be varied according to the bicycle's wheel base and so that the total length of the machine can be reduced when not in use. The reduced length of the supporting structure 1 and the abovementioned folding feature of the front section 12 make it possible to considerably reduce the total space occupied by the fitness machine so as to facilitate transportation and allow storage in small spaces, even in the home. In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1, the means 3 for attaching the front section 12 to the bicycle front fork arms 20 consist of a first pin 30 connected to the front section 12, with seats 39 and a quick-release lever 31 to allow the fork drop-outs to be securely clamped. In the connection between the first pin 30 and the front section 12 there are envisaged spring damping elements 32 designed to enable the fork 20 to swing slightly so as to recreate the swinging motion characteristic of uphill cycling. Looking in more detail, the attaching means 3 consist of a plate 33 (a pair in Fig. 1) having a section 38 to support the first pin 30, as well as a slot 35 in the shape of a circular arc and at least one hole 34 between the supporting section 38 and the slot 35. The hole 34 and the slot 35 constitute seats for a second pin 36 and a third pin 37, respectively, which can be inserted into corresponding holes in the front section 12 so that, by adjusting the position of the third pin 37 (which may have a knob, as shown in the illustration) in the slot 35, it is possible to rotate plate 33 about the second pin 36 and consequently to adjust the position of the fork arms 20. The second pin 36 may also constitute the axis about which the front section 12 pivots in relation to the remaining section of the supporting structure 1, allowing the abovementioned folding action R. The front section 12 is thus locked to the supporting structure 1 by the pin 37. Where the spring damping elements 32 are located, the means 3 for attaching the fork arms 20 may be equipped with direction sensors consisting of, for example, piezoelectric or capacitive sensors or load cells, represented in Fig. 1 as if they were mechanical elements 62 inside the block 61 fitted coaxially to the pin 30 and attached to the latter and to the supporting section 38. The function of the said sensors is to detect movements of the handlebars and to issue corresponding output signals transmitted to processing and storage means 9 which, in the embodiment illustrated, form part of the control means 6. The signals corresponding to the cyclist's actions may be used to programme the machine to allow the cyclist to interact with the machine. The control means may therefore include or be connected to processing and storage means 9 designed to determine the values of the electrical control signals V6 according to programs to recreate training and/or racing conditions. Means (not illustrated) for issuing visual and/or audible signals may also be envisaged to better simulate the abovementioned training and/or racing conditions. The control means 6 and the processing and storage means, being electronic devices, are represented by blocks and, in addition, may be conveniently connected to a personal computer or printer to enable the data to be used to better advantage. Display means 8 (for example a video screen) are envisaged on the front section 12. The said display means are connected to the control means and are designed to provide data relating to the exercise being performed on the fitness machine. For example, the display means might show the position of the cyclist in relation to a group of cyclists or a track, or the gradient of the track, or other data relating to the physiological functions of the cyclist. On the basis of the readings taken by the direction sensors mounted at the fork arm attachment means 3, the program might envisage the "interaction" of the cyclist with the machine so as to simulate changes in direction and similar manoeuvres. Such interaction could be extended to a group of two or more cyclists all training on similar machines connected to each other so as to allow comparisons between the cyclists themselves. The fan 7 and the resistance unit 5 might also be connected to the processing and storage means 9: this would make it possible to obtain variations in the resistance offered to the pedalling action of the cyclist combined with, or independent of, variations in fan speed, in order to recreate the effects of cycling in a group, cycling behind motor vehicles and other specific road conditions. Moreover, there might be envisaged a receiver for a corresponding signal emitter, applied to the cyclist, which transmits data relating to physiological parameters (heart rate, for example) and which is of the type used for telemetry in the field of sports medicine and medical physiology (both devices are not illustrated). The cyclist's physiological parameters might be used to adjust the resistance offered by the machine during training. The storage means 9 may also be used as an interface with a complete control system for gym and/or rehabilitation machines of which the machine disclosed forms part; the storage means would thus be used to save data related to different training sessions in order to program subsequent training sessions on the basis of the user's fitness indicated by the said data. A system of this kind formed the subject-matter of a separate patent application in the name of this Applicant. The invention described can be subject to modifications and variations without thereby departing from the scope of the inventive concept. Moreover, all the details of the invention may be substituted by technically equivalent elements.

Claims: A fitness machine, used in particular for cycle training and similar physical exercising, comprising a structure (1) to support a bicycle (2), the said structure being equipped in its first or front section (12), with means (3) for attaching the front fork arms (20) of the bicycle (2), and in its second or rear section, with means (4) to support the back or drive wheel (21), and with an electromagnetic resistance unit (5) which provides a variable resistance in accordance with relative electrical control signals (V6); the said resistance unit having means to interact with the drive wheel (21) operating on the wheel itself through a rolling friction transmission element (51) and being connected to means (6) which, by varying the electrical control signals (V6), vary the resistance of the machine to the pedalling action of a cyclist in accordance with user settable values, characterised in that said support means (4) consist of a pair of arms (41) supported by a frame (43), said frame (43) being connected to the supporting structure (1) through flexible means (44) so as to form a flexible coupling between the wheel (21) and the drive transmission element (51). The fitness machine according to claim 1 characterized in that the said pair of arms (41) is equipped with means (42) for securing the axle (22) of the wheel (21) and is elastically linked to the supporting structure (1) through flexible means (44). The fitness machine according to claim 1 or 2 characterized in that the said flexible means (44) consist of at least one spring which may be calibrated to provide a preset elastic reaction. The fitness machine according to claim 1 or 2 characterized in that the said flexible means (44) consist of a series of springs with different elastic constants so as to give a progressively variable flattening effect. The fitness machine according to claim 1 characterized in that the said support means (4) comprise at least one element of variable extension (45) connected to and controlled by the control means (6) in accordance with a preset program to apply movements of defined duration and intensity to the said drive wheel (21). The fitness machine according to claim 1 characterized in that the said resistance unit (5) consists of a shaft (50) which is kinematically linked to an electrical machine (53) and to which the drive transmission element (51) and a flywheel (52) are keyed, forming an assembly designed to store the kinetic energy generated by the cyclist. The fitness machine according to claim 6 characterized in that the said electrical machine (53) is an alternator designed to brake shaft (50) with variable intensity in accordance with the electrical control signals (V6) and to convert the kinetic energy transmitted by the shaft (50) into electrical energy dissipated by a resistor. The fitness machine according to claim 1 characterized in that it is equipped with an electrical fan (7) whose power supply circuit is connected at least to the resistance unit (5), so that the spinning speed of the fan itself varies in accordance with the speed of rotation of the drive transmission element (51), that is, with the angular velocity of the wheel (21). The fitness machine according to claim 1 characterized in that the said supporting structure (1) consists of a base (11) to be placed on the floor, on which the front section (12) is pivotally mounted so that the front section (12) itself may be folded closer to the base (11) so that the fitness machine occupies less space when the support structure (1) is detached from the bicycle (2). The fitness machine according to claim 9 characterized in that the said base (11) includes a connecting portion (14) designed to connect the front section (12), which is coupled to the said base (11) by adjustable fixing means (13), in such a way that the distance between the front section (12) and the base (11) can be varied. The fitness machine according to claim 1 characterized in that the said means (3) for attaching the front fork arms (20) consist of a first pin (30) connected to the front section (12), equipped with seats (39) and means (31) for securely clamping the fork drop-outs, there being envisaged in the connection between the first pin (30) and the front section (12) spring damping elements (32) designed to enable the fork (20) to swing slightly. The fitness machine according to claim 1 characterized in that the said attaching means (3) consist of a plate (33) having a section (38) to support the first pin (30), with seats (39) and means (31) for clamping the drop-outs of the fork arms (20), the plate (33) also having a slot (35) in the shape of a circular arc and at least one hole (34) between the supporting section (38) and the slot (35), the said hole (34) and the slot (35) constituting seats for a second pin (36) and a third pin (37), respectively, which can be inserted into corresponding holes in the said front section so that, by adjusting the position of the third pin (37) in the slot (35), it is possible to rotate plate (33) about the second pin (36) and consequently to adjust the position of the fork arms (20). The fitness machine according to claim 1 characterized in that the said control means (6) form part of, or are connected to, processing and storage means (9) designed to determine the values of the electrical control signals (V6) according to programs to recreate training and/or racing conditions. The fitness machine according to claim 11, equipped with processing and storage means (9) designed to determine the values of the electrical control signals (V6) according to programs to recreate training and/or racing conditions, characterized in that the means (3) for attaching the fork arms (20) are equipped with direction sensors (61, 62) operating on the said first pin (30) and designed to detect the cyclist's movements of the handlebars of the bicycle (2), there being envisaged means for issuing visual and/or audible signals so as to better simulate the abovementioned training and/or racing conditions and connected to the said control means to allow an interaction between the cyclist and the aid programs which simulate racing and/or training conditions. The fitness machine according to claim 14 characterized in that it is equipped with sensors (60) to measure physiological parameters of the cyclist, and also with an electric fan (7) connected to the said control means (6), to the said processing and storage means (9) and to the said resistance unit (5), so that the speed of the fan itself can be varied in accordance with the speed of the drive transmission element (51), that is, with the angular velocity of the wheel (21), and in accordance also with the physiological parameters measured.

Inventors: ALESSANDRI NERIO, ALESSANDRI, NERIO
Applicants: TECHNOGYM SRL, TECHNOGYM S.R.L.
Application year: 1995
Main classification: A63B69
IPC codes: A63B69, A63B21