Abstract:
An exercise machine has a number of features relating to ease of use. The machine has a widened step through design, improved foot straps, an adjustable reading display or a pivotal arm rest.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application claims the priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/441,330, filed on Jan. 17, 2003, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    The present invention generally relates to exercise bicycles. More specifically, the present invention relates to exercise bicycles having improved step through regions and/or moveable reading supports.  
           [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art  
           [0005]    The exercise industry manufactures a variety of machines that provide users with cardiovascular exercise. These machines include stepper machines, elliptical machines, spinner bicycles and recumbent bicycles. The design of each of these types of machines results in certain advantages and disadvantages.  
           [0006]    Users weigh many factors in determining which exercise equipment to use during time spent in a gym or when exercising at home. Among the factors weighed is ease of use. Accordingly, exercise equipment designers have continually sought to improve the ease of use of the various machines.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0007]    One area in which current exercise bicycle designs need improvement is entry and exit access. Current bicycle designs generally feature an enclosed elevated region between the seat and the handlebars. This enclosed region generally houses drive train components that are used to adjust the level of pedaling difficulty. This enclosed region, however, requires a user to raise a leg over the enclosed region when mounting and dismounting the bicycle. Some designs have provided a slight separation between the handlebars and the seat, which separation provides some degree of clearance. These designs, however, generally taper in a downward direction such that the narrowest region is at the bottom. This is disadvantageous in that users may not be able to easily mount and dismount the equipment. For instance, because people have different foot sizes, some people will have to lift their foot higher than others in order to mount or dismount the bicycle.  
           [0008]    Current designs also are fairly heavy and difficult to move. In some gyms, users like to talk while exercising. In such instances, the equipment may not be positioned relative to other equipment in a manner that allows easy conversation. Thus, equipment that is made for easier movement during relocation while still maintaining an adequately fixed positioned during exercise is desired. Such equipment also can facilitate cleaning the floor around the equipment.  
           [0009]    Often, people using exercise machines also read while exercising. Reading on some equipment, however, is fairly difficult. For instance, the reading material must be held during the exercise, which can be fairly difficult for extended periods of time. In addition, if a reading support is provided, the support may not be properly positioned for each user. Accordingly, an adjustable reading support is desired.  
           [0010]    In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, an exercise machine comprises a frame. The frame comprises a base. A seat is mounted to a rear portion of the frame and a display is mounted to a forward portion of the frame. A resistance force generating assembly is disposed generally below a portion of the display. The assembly is disposed within a first housing. A second housing is formed separate of the first housing and is disposed generally rearward of the first housing. An opening being defined between the first and the second housings and the opening being wider at a location proximate the base than at an elevation higher than the location.  
           [0011]    In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, an exercise machine comprises a frame with a seat supported by a rear portion of the frame. A forward portion of the frame supports a hand grip and the forward portion of the frame movably supports a reading support. The reading support is disposed forward of the seat and is adjustable relative to the seat. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]    These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings of a preferred embodiment, which embodiment is intended to illustrate and not to limit the invention. The figures comprise 13 drawings.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bicycle arranged and configured in accordance with certain features, aspects and advantages of the present invention.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the bicycle of FIG. 1.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 3 is rear elevation view of the bicycle of FIG. 1.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the bicycle of FIG. 1.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the bicycle of FIG. 1.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the bicycle of FIG. 1.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of another bicycle arranged and configured in accordance with certain features, aspects and advantages of the present invention.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 8 is perspective view of the bicycle of FIG. 7.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a reading support of the bicycle of FIG. 7 with a portion of the standard shown in broken section.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the reading support and display assemblies of the bicycle of FIG. 7.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIGS. 11 and 12 are perspective views of the reading support and display assemblies of the bicycle of FIG. 7.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of a pedal and foot strap assembly that is arranged and configured in accordance with certain features, aspects and advantages of the present invention.  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 14 is a simplified isometric view of a rear portion of a bicycle with a selectively deployable caster assembly.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 15 is a simplified side elevation view of a portion of another bicycle with a selectively deployable caster assembly. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0027]    With reference now to FIGS. 1-6, a recumbent bicycle  10  is illustrated therein. While various features, aspects and advantages of embodiments of the present invention will be described in the context of the illustrated bicycle, certain features, aspects and advantages can be used with other types of exercise equipment. Accordingly, while illustrating the below-described features, aspects and advantages in the context of a bicycle-type of exercise apparatus, it is not intended that the scope of the present invention necessarily be limited to such exercise apparatuses unless expressly recited by the claims.  
         [0028]    With reference now to FIGS. 1, 7 and  8 , the illustrated bicycle  10  advantageously comprises a simplified frame assembly  12 . The illustrated frame assembly  12  comprises a base  14  that curves upward at a forward end of the frame assembly  12  such that it forms a standard  16 . The base  14  in the illustrated arrangement is formed of a rectangular aluminum tube. Other shapes and materials also can be used, as desired. A pair of legs  15  extends laterally outward at both a forward end and a rearward end of the base  14 . Advantageously, a leveling foot  17  can be disposed along a bottom portion of each leg  15 . The leveling foot  17  can be raised or lowered by rotation such that the frame assembly  12  can be mounted in a level orientation irrespective of the levelness of the floor.  
         [0029]    In the illustrated arrangement, the base  14  and the standard  16  are separately formed and secured together in a suitable manner, including but not limited to, welding, physical interlocking connections, mechanical fasteners and the like. In some embodiments, the base  14  and the standard  16  can be integrally formed. While the illustrated arrangement may reduce tooling costs, the integrated arrangement could reduce overall manufacturing costs during mass production.  
         [0030]    A pair of longitudinally spaced seat standards  20  extend upward from a rear portion of the base  14 . As used herein, the longitudinal direction is the direction in which a user faces during operation of the bicycle  10  (e.g., front to rear). In the illustrated arrangement, a pair of stays  22  extends longitudinally between the two seat standards  20  to reinforce the seat standards  20 . Specifically, in the illustrated arrangement, the stays  22  slope upward from the rearward standard  20  to the forward standard  20 . Other seat supporting and elevating constructions can be used if desired.  
         [0031]    A seat  24  is positioned above and supported by the seat standards  20  in the illustrated arrangement. The seat  24  preferably is positioned over a slide plate  26  that is mounted to the seat standards  20 . The slide plate  26  can be mounted at an angle a to horizontal H (see FIGS. 4 and 7). By mounting the slide plate  26  at an angle, the seat can be adjusted both toward the pedals and up and down in a manner that allows proper ergonomics to be achieved.  
         [0032]    The seat  24  preferably engages the slide plate  26  in a manner that secures the seat from being lifted from the slide plate  26 . In one embodiment, the seat  24  can be mounted on rollers  27  that roll within a channel formed in the slide plate  26  or the slide plate can contain rollers over which a rail connected to a portion of the seat  24  rolls. Other manners of allowing the seat to translate also can be used.  
         [0033]    The slide plate  26  comprises inwardly extending channels that are positioned on the lateral sides of the plate  26 . A framework  28  is supported by rollers  27  that are positioned within the channels such that the framework  28  can be formed fore and aft along the slide plate  26 . This arrangement allows the slide to be adjusted forward and rearward in any suitable manner.  
         [0034]    In one arrangement, a seat lock  29  has a handle  31  that is positioned proximate a forward portion of the seat  24 , which handle  31  unlocks the seat  24  for movement when the handle  31  is manipulated and locks the seat  24  against movement when the handle  31  is released. In some embodiments, the seat locking arrangement is similar to those used in the automotive industry for adjustably fixing the location of manually adjustable seats. For instance, as illustrated, a wrap-around handle can be used which allows adjustment of the seat by lifting the handle from two or more one contiguous sides.  
         [0035]    The seat  24  in the illustrated arrangement comprises a pair of cushions that are connected to the framework  28 : a bottom cushion  30  and a back cushion  32 . In some arrangements, a single cushion can be used to provide both vertical and longitudinal support.  
         [0036]    Two arm rests  34  (see FIG. 2) also are connected to the framework  28 . The arm rests  34  allow a user to better hold a magazine, book, newspaper or the like while riding the bicycle. In one arrangement, the arm rests  34  are connected to a single arm rest support  36 , which is generally U-shaped. The support  36  extends to both lateral sides of the bottom cushion  30 . In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the support  36  extends laterally and generally longitudinally and, in the embodiment of FIG. 7, the support  36  extends laterally and generally vertically. In other arrangements, the arm rests  34  can be pivotally connected to the framework  28  or other portion of the seat  34  or bicycle  10  such that the arm rests  34  can be pivoted upward and rearward or outward and rearward relative to the seat  24  to facilitate entry to and exit from the seat  24 .  
         [0037]    An upper portion of the standard  16  supports a display  40 . The display can have any suitable construction. Preferably, the display  40  comprises an electronic readout or other suitable configuration to allow the user to receive information regarding the rate of speed, calories burned and the like. In addition, the display preferably allows the input of information by the user. Heart rate sensors  41  and the like also can be mounted proximate the display  40 . The electronics relating to the display  40  and the sensors  41  can be connected to a power source with cables that extend through the standard  16 . Such displays are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art.  
         [0038]    Proximate the display  40 , the bicycle  10  also can feature a reading support  42 , which is either integrated or separately formed relative to the display  40 . In the arrangements illustrated in FIG. 4 and FIG. 8, the reading supports  42  are formed separate of the display  40 . Advantageously, the reading support  42  can be designed for articulation relative to the frame assembly  12 . In some arrangements, the reading support  42  is designed to move toward or away from the display  40 . In other arrangements, the reading support  42  is designed to move with the display  40  relative to the frame assembly  12  and the user. In one arrangement, a four bar linkage is used to allow the reading support  42  to be positioned as desired by the user (e.g., change the height, angle and/or distance to the user).  
         [0039]    With reference to FIGS. 8-10, in one arrangement, the bicycle  10  comprises a strut  50  that is suitably supported by the frame assembly. The illustrated strut  50  is secured with fasteners to the standard  14 . Other mounting techniques also can be used (e.g., welding, mechanically interlocking constructions, etc.). In the illustrated embodiment, the strut  50  is a sleeve. The illustrated strut  50  comprises a number of holes  52 . The reading support  42  also comprises an elongated support member  54 . The support member  54  of the reading support  42  is designed to slide within the strut  50  of the frame assembly  12  in a telescoping manner. In some arrangements, the strut  50  may be designed slide within the support member  54  rather than the support member  54  being designed to slide with the strut  50 . Other functional relationships that allow the reading support  42  to be carried by the frame assembly  12  in a suitably adjustable manner also can be used.  
         [0040]    The reading support  42  of the arrangement illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 comprises a channel  60  and a handgrip assembly  62 . The channel  60  advantageously has been designed to accommodate various reading media. While the illustrated channel is fairly short in height, it should be appreciated that an extension member could extend upward to provide added support for reading media. In one arrangement, such an extension member can be manufactured of a clear lexan or Plexiglas material in order to allow a user to see the display  40  through the extension member.  
         [0041]    The handgrip assembly  62  advantageously comprises heart rate sensors. While the handgrip assembly  62  moves with the channel  60  in the illustrated arrangement, the channel  60  may be designed to move separate of the handgrip assembly  62  if desired.  
         [0042]    With reference initially to FIG. 9, a plunger assembly  64  is provided to adjust the relative positions of the support members  50 ,  54 . As shown, a plunger knob  66  (FIG. 1) or button  67  (FIG. 9) is connected by a rod  68  to a rocker arm  70  that is disposed at the end opposite of the support member  54  relative to the plunger knob  66  or button  67 . The rod  68  can be connected to the plunger knob  66  or button  67  in any suitable manner (e.g., threaded connection, mechanically interlocking connection, etc.). The rocker arm  70  pivots when the plunger knob  66  or button  67  is moved in an axial direction. The pivoting of the rocker arm  70  allows a locking finger  72  to retract and extend, depending upon the rotational orientation of the rocker arm about an axis defined by a pin  73 .  
         [0043]    In the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 9, the plunger assembly is spring biased such that the locking pin  72  is extended when the plunger knob  66  is not being manipulated. To facilitate movement, the plunger knob  66  can be depressed to move the reading support  42  toward the display  40  and the plunger knob  66  can be pulled to move the reading support  42  away from the display  40 . In the embodiment of FIG. 9, the button  67  is adapted to be pressed for movement and preferably is not designed for pulling movement as compared to the knob  66  of FIG. 1. Nevertheless, movement of the plunger knob  66  or the button  67  can be used to enable movement of the reading support  42  in either direction relative to the display  40  when such movement of the support  42  is desired.  
         [0044]    With reference still to FIGS. 9-11, a second embodiment of the reading support  42  comprises a gripping structure  74 . The gripping structure  74  enables the reading support  42  to physically secure reading media in position rather than simply supporting the reading media. In the illustrated arrangement, a front arm  76  and a rear arm  78  are biased with a biasing member  79  (e.g., a spring, etc.) to a closed position. In other arrangements, the front arm and/or the rear arm  78  can be made of a suitable material to allow sufficient deformation without yielding to allow the two members to simply secure the reading media between the two arms  76 ,  78 . Using an arrangement such as that illustrated, which features the biasing member, however, facilitates the support and securement of a wider range of reading media sizes and shapes.  
         [0045]    With reference again to FIG. 1, the illustrated bicycle  10  advantageously comprises a resistance region  80  that is separated from the seat  24 . A resistance force generating assembly  82  (see FIG. 7) is contained within the resistance region  80 . Any suitable resistance force generating assembly  82  can be used. For instance, belts, friction brakes and the like can be used. Preferably, however, a flywheel and generator combination  84  is used. As illustrated, two pedals  86  are connected via crank arms  88  to a circular crank  90 . The crank  90  is connected with a tensioned belt drive  92  to the flywheel and generator combination  84 . Advantageously, the combination  84  is mounted within a corner defined by the standard  16  and the base  14 . Additionally, a bracing member  94  extends between the base  14  and the standard  16 . The bracing member  94  defines a mounting location for the crank  90  and a circuit board  91 .  
         [0046]    With reference again to FIG. 1, the resistance region  80  preferably is housed within a resistance housing  100 . Because of the compact arrangement of the resistance force generating assembly  82 , the resistance housing  100  can for formed as a separate component from the other housings used on the bicycle. For instance, the resistance housing  100  can be formed separate of a seat housing  102  that is used to shroud the structure supporting the seat  24 . Thus, as shown in FIG. 1, a valley  104  is defined between the resistance housing  100  and the seat housing  102 . The valley  104  provides a step through design for the bicycle  10 . The valley can have any suitable configuration. Advantageously, the illustrated valley  104  comprises a wider opening proximate the base than the width of the valley  104  at a vertically higher location. The wider opening proximate the base provides enhanced clearance at a level through which a user&#39;s foot will pass while mounting and dismounting the bicycle  10 . While the illustrated valley  104  provides the advantage of growing wider as it goes downward, other configurations also can grow wider while descending and, as such, the illustrated design provides an aesthetically unique and pleasing appearance.  
         [0047]    The pedals  86  each preferably comprises a foot strap arrangement  110 . Any suitable foot strap arrangement can be used (e.g., hook and loop style such as Velcro, buckles, clips, etc.). With reference to FIG. 13, the foot strap arrangement  110  comprises a flexible strap  112 . The illustrated strap  112  comprises a ribbed portion  114  at one end and an aperture  116  at the other end. A wider portion  118  is interposed between the aperture  116  and the ribbed portion  114 .  
         [0048]    The ribbed portion  114  is sized and configured to pass through a gripping member  120 . The gripping member  120  comprises a mounting member  122  and a clasp  124 . The clasp  124  can be secured to the mounting member  122  in any suitable manner (e.g., mechanically interlocking constructions, threaded fasteners, etc.) and, in the illustrated arrangement, the clasp  124  is secured to the mounting member  122  with a rivet  126 . In some embodiments, the clasp  124  can be formed integrally with the mounting member  122 .  
         [0049]    The clasp  124  has a construction that allows the ribbed portion  114  to be inserted into the clasp  124 . The clasp  124  then can be manipulated to allow selective movement of the ribbed portion  114  within the clasp  124 . The selective movement allows the length of the strap to be adjusted such that users having various feet sizes can be accommodated. In the illustrated arrangement, a physical stop is incorporated into the strap  112  to reduce the likelihood that the strap  112  will be completely removed from the clasp. In the illustrated arrangement, the stop comprises a rivet  128 . Other suitable stop configurations can be used if desired; however, the rivet  128  provides a simple and effective manner of creating a physical stop.  
         [0050]    The illustrated pedal  86  comprises a pair of ears  130 . The ears  130  allow the strap  112  to be releasably connected to the pedal  86 . One ear is sized and configured to extend through an aperture formed in the mounting member  122  and the other ear is size and configured to extend through the aperture  116  in the strap  112 . In other embodiments, either the mounting member  122  or the other end of the strap  112  can be permanently or semi-permanently attached to the pedal  86 . The illustrated arrangement, however, advantageously allows for easy removal and replacement of the strap if needed or desired. In addition, the arrangement allows removal of the strap  112  for length adjustments if desired.  
         [0051]    The feet  17  preferably support the illustrated frame assembly  12 . The feet  17  allow the frame assembly  12  to be leveled and to sit slightly above the floor surface on which the frame assembly  12  is supported. In one arrangement, fixed wheels  132  can be provided at one end, preferably the front. Accordingly, the rear of the bicycle  10  can be raised upward which places the wheels  132  in engagement with the ground such that the bicycle  10  can be easily relocated.  
         [0052]    With reference to FIGS. 14 and 15, a selectively deployable roller or retractable caster assembly  140  can be attached to the exercise device  10 ′,  10 ″ (like components between an earlier embodiment and the embodiments of FIGS. 14 and 15 have been given like reference numerals with the addition of a single prime ′ in the embodiment of FIG. 14 and a double prime ″ in the embodiment of FIG. 15). The selectively deployable caster assembly  140  can be connected to a rear portion of the exercise device  10 ′,  10 ″ in any suitable manner. Advantageously, the assembly  140  comprises a member that can be lowered into a position that raises the rear of the exercise device  10 ′,  10 ″. With the member of the assembly  140  lowered, the wheels  132 ″ at the other end of the bicycle preferably are brought into contact with the ground due to the angle of inclination and the location of the wheels  132 ″ forward of the front end of the frame assembly  12 ″. Thus, by lowering the member of the assembly  140 , the bicycle can be supported on rollers to further ease movement of the bicycle, when desired.  
         [0053]    In the illustrated arrangement, the retractable caster assembly  140  preferably comprises a step pad  142  that is mounted on a lever  144 . The lever  144  can be connected to a post  146  that can be connected to the wheel  148 . As the lever  144  is pivoted downward, the post  146  is moved downward within an outer sleeve  150  such that the wheel  148  is driven into the ground or other supporting surface. As the wheel  148  is driven downward, the rear portion of the exercise device is lifted upward. The exercise device then is able to be easily moved about the facility. Any other suitable selectively deployable caster assembly also can be used. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,249,282, which is incorporated herein in its entirety. In one arrangement, the retractable caster can be locked from movement such that a key or other access-limiting device is required for operation of the caster.  
         [0054]    The retractable caster assembly  140  can be mounted either to a portion of the frame assembly  12  or to a portion of the housing such as the seat housing  102 . In one preferred arrangement, the assembly  140  is substantially contained within enclosure such that the assembly  140  generally does not adversely affect the pleasing aesthetic appearance of the exercise equipment.  
         [0055]    Although the present invention has been described in terms of a certain preferred embodiments, other embodiments apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art also are within the scope of this invention. Thus, various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For instance, various components may be repositioned as desired. Moreover, not all of the features, aspects and advantages are necessarily required to practice the present invention. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to be defined only by the claims that follow.