Abstract:
The disclosed stationary exercise bicycle apparatus is coupled to drive a substantially free-wheeling endless treadmill. The treadmill is adapted for containing a dog, pet or human such that the bicycle rider can provide exercise for himself and the pet simultaneously.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application claims priority to provisional patent application having serial # 60/453,080, filed Mar. 6, 2003, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF INVENTION  
         [0002]    The invention relates to stationary equipment before obtaining aerobic exercise that may be used by humans or animals.  
           [0003]    Heretofore, bicycle type exercising apparatus have been constructed to operate as stationary bicycles, with either with the wheels off the ground, or in contact with a continuously moving surface such that the bicycle remains stationary. Continuously moving treadmills utilizing motor drives are well known and used for humans and pets alike. Many people obtain exercise by walking, jogging, running or riding bicycle outside with the pet dogs. However, at times of the years inclement weather, lack of sunlight or merely time and space constraints prevent humans from exercising, as well as walking or exercising their pets.  
           [0004]    Accordingly, a first objective of the invention is to provide a means for providing exercise to a pet indoors, or another protected environments.  
           [0005]    You are further objective is to provide a means for the pet so that the simultaneously exercise indoors, particularly in a relatively small space.  
           [0006]    A further objective of the invention is to provide a means for two persons simultaneously exercise device in a relatively small space.  
         SUMMARY OF INVENTION  
         [0007]    The invention relates to a stationary exercising apparatus for dual use by a man and a walking or four legged pet wherein the human&#39;s movement in exercise is transformed into rotary motion that drives a treadmill for supporting the animal, pet or human exercise companion.  
           [0008]    Thus in the present invention a human exercise device, such as the rotary motion produced by conventional bicycle pedal mechanism bike unit is coupled to an exercise treadmill via a transmission such that the rotary motion from the human&#39;s exercise enables the to simultaneously “walk the dog” indoors, and vigorously exercise at the same time.  
           [0009]    As such, the instant invention provides for simultaneously obtaining aerobic exercise (1) to provide a novel and improved indoor apparatus to be used with a bicycle type or other aerobic type of physical device that might be used indoors, and simultaneously provide a safe and effective exercise for a companion pet, simulating outdoor exercise for the pet in a manner that is enjoyable and restful for the mind; (2) to provide an ideal all weather exercising device, as a realistic alternative for pet owners that cannot take an animal outdoors, due to either inclement weather; time constraints or other limitations.  
           [0010]    The inventive devices also permit another person to exercise together that does not enjoy walking, running or jogging.  
           [0011]    The above and other objects, effects, features, and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following description of the embodiments thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       [0012]    [0012]FIG. 1 is an elevation of a first embodiment of the exercise treadmill  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 2 is an elevation of orthogonal section A-A′ of FIG. 1  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 3A is an elevation of another embodiment of the exercise treadmill  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional elevation of orthogonal section B-B′ of FIG. 3A  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 3C is a cross-sectional elevation of orthogonal section C-C′ of FIG. 3A  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 3D is a cross-sectional elevation of orthogonal section D-D′ of FIG. 3A  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 4A is an elevation of a portion of another embodiment of the exercise treadmill showing primarily a conventional bicycle that forms the drive mechanism.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 4B is an elevation of another portion showing the treadmill belt mechanism and coupling to the conventional bicycle portion in FIG. 4A  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 4C is an elevation of the support frame in FIG. 4B  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 4D is a cross-sectional elevation of orthogonal section D-D′ in FIG. 4C  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 5A is an elevation of another embodiment of the exercise treadmill wherein either a motor or a conventional bicycle forms the drive mechanism  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 5B is a plan view showing primary the moving parts in FIG. 5A.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0025]    In accordance with the present invention FIG. 1 illustrates a first embodiment of the exercise device  100  wherein the human user sits on seat  90  and the dog, pet or even another person walks or runs on moving belt surface  10 . Belt surface  10  forms a continuous drive belt secured around front drive cylinder  21  and rear drive cylinder  22 . Chain ring  16  is axial connected to bearing support and coupling  23  via cranks  17  and  17 ′ having associated foot pedals  16  and  16 ′. Belt surface  10  is driven by the human users exercise activity in rotating chain ring  15  via movement of pedals  16  and  16 ′ that rotate chain ring  15  about axis  1  via cranks  17  and  17 ′. Accordingly, rotation of chain ring  15  displaces chain  18  causing rotation of attached sprocket  19  about axis  2 . A person or animal walking or running to oppose the movement of drive belt  10  is preferably supported by a platen  11 , located underneath belt  10 , and having a low coefficient of friction therewith. Such platens typically have an outer surface of fluorinated polymer resin to reduce friction, and are known in the art of treadmills.  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 2 is a cross sectional elevation at A-A′ in FIG. 1 at axis  2  showing the connection of sprocket  19  to axle  21 . Axle  21  is configured in co-axial connection to a front drive cylinder  20  that is supported at opposing ends via bearing supporting couplings  23  and  23 ′ formed at the junction of frame segments  30   a  and  30   a ′. Rear cylinder  25  is similarly supported by a central axle  31  such that it freely rotates within bearing coupling  27  supported by frame segment  30   f  (shown in FIG. 1) and an additional frame segment  30   f ′ (not shown) being substantially the same as frame segment  30   a ′. Various segments of frame  30  connect to footings  41 ,  42 , and  43 . That is, segment  30   f  is supported by connection to footing  43 ,  30   c  and  30   g  to footing  42  and  30   a  to footing  41 . Thus the rotation of sprocket  19  (driven by the human users normal mode of exercise that would drive a bicycle in the direction of arrow A) rotates axle  21  clockwise causing cylinder  20  to rotate clockwise driving the linear movement of continuous belt  10  in the direction of arrow A. Thus a dog, pet or human would obtain exercise by walking, jogging or running in the direction of arrow B, and would thus face the human user sitting on seat  90 , facing the direction of arrow A.  
         [0027]    Bearings couplings, as the term is used in these applications, means any structure or method that permits a circular shaft or axle to freely rotate when inserted therein, thus providing lateral support without substantially impairing the rotation motion of the shaft or axle.  
         [0028]    It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the linear speed of drive belt  10  is readily modified by changing the size and ratio of one or both of chain ring  15  and sprocket  19 , such as in conventional multi-speed bikes wherein chain  18  is displaced to alternative chain rings and/or selecting from a series of varying diameter sprockets (with a differing tooth count) by a conventional bicycle derailleur mechanism, which includes a corresponding pulley belt and tension pulley for taking up the resulting slack in the chain.  
         [0029]    Alternatively, by connecting chain  18  to an intermediate drive sprocket that connects via a gear linkage, belt or other drive or series of rotary connections the human users normal mode of exercise (that would drive a bicycle in the direction of arrow A) can be made to drive the linear movement of continuous belt  10  in the direction of arrow B. Such alternative embodiments permit the dog, pet or human to exercise by walking, jogging or running in the direction of arrow A, and thus would be looking in the same direction as the human user sitting on seat  90 .  
         [0030]    Other alternative embodiments for a transmission of human motion to the linear movement of the treadmill belt will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, and include various forms of gear boxes, or drive train mechanisms that transfer rotary motion from one shaft, axle, cylinder or rod to another; including those that ultimately modify the rate of rotation of drive cylinders that support the treadmill belt so as to vary the linear speed and/or direction thereof, and the like.  
         [0031]    Further, the use of such alternative embodiments, as in combination or alone as variously described in the specification, can be deployed disposing the treadmill belt along side, in front, behind, above or below the human user, and any combination thereof.  
         [0032]    Although the bicycles drive mechanism shown in FIG. 1 is preferred from the standpoint that it can be constructed largely from conventional bicycle components, numerous alternative embodiments are possible. For example as shown in FIG. 3, chain ring  315 , chain  318  and sprocket  319  need not be disposed in substantially the same vertical plane as seat  90 , but may be located under or between the top and bottom surface of belt  10 , thus avoiding the need for gear safety guards. As will be further disclosed this configuration provides the option of tilting the treadmill out of the horizontal plane to vary or increase the effort required by the pet or human running, walking or jogging thereon.  
         [0033]    Thus, FIG. 3A is a the elevation showing that frame  30  comprising seat  90  is substantially independent of the bearing supports  323 ,  327  for front cylinder numeral  21  and rear cylinder  25 . Thus the human users reciprocal motion of the feet to drive pedals  16 ,  16 ′ causes rotation of axle  301  via crankshaft  17 ,  17 ′.  
         [0034]    Turning to FIG. 3B, a cross-sectional elevation at reference line B-B′ in FIG. 1A the juxtaposition of a front chain ring  315  disposed in axial alignment with axle  301  is apparent, front chain ring  315  is now displaced between the top and bottom of belt  10 . Chain  318  couples the rotary motion of axle  301  to axle  302  by connection with sprocket  3215  disposed in axial alignment with axle  302 , as shown in FIG. 3C. Further, also disposed in axial alignment with axle  302  is a second chain ring  319  for receiving second chain  3218 . Chain  3218  couples the rotary motion of axle  302  to axle  303  shown in FIG. 3D via its connection with sprocket  3219 , sprocket  3219  being axially aligned and mounted onto axle  302 . It should be noted that rear cylinder  21  is in axial alignment and mounted to surround selected portion of axle  302 , having two sub-portions to provide a space or gap for sprocket  3219  and attached chain  3218 . Thus, as the human user exercises by reciprocally moving their feet to rotate bicycle pedals  16 ,  16 ′, they ultimately cause the rotary motion of drive cylinder  21  causing a linear motion of belt  10 .  
         [0035]    It shall be noted that axle  303  associated with rear drive cylinder is supported at opposing ends by bearing coupling  327 R,  327 R′. The bearing coupling has a stable mechanical connection with the ground as they are formed or attached to brackets  328 R,  328 R. These brackets securely attached to vertically disposed mounting plates  329 R,  329 R′ that have horizontal footings that rest on the ground. The brackets may be attached to the mounting plates and footings with pins, screws, locks or bayonet fittings and the like. Vertically disposed mounting plates  329 R,  329 R′ and  329 F,  329 F′ preferably have a dual wall construction such that the brackets  328  and the corresponding support bearings  327  can be repositioned by sliding motion between the parallel walls.  
         [0036]    As bearing supports are now independent of seat holding frame segment  30  belt drive  10  can be tilted away from the horizontal plan by the coordinated rotation of bearing supports in the direction of arrows C and D and repositioned as shown in FIG. 3E. Accordingly the mounting brackets and vertical mounting plates provided with additional mating features corresponding to multiple positions for attachment along the arc subtenant by the aforementioned rotational motion of the belt mechanism about axle  302 . Thus by tilting the exercise belt upward, the pet or human walking, running or jogging thereon has the opportunity for a varied or more vigorous exercise regime.  
         [0037]    FIGS.  4 A-D illustrates the working principles of yet another embodiment, wherein the exercise device is adopted for receiving a conventional bicycle as the drive mechanism. FIG. 4 a is an elevation showing the connection of a standard bicycle front wheel supported off the ground by front stand  480  that holds front wheel  440  off the ground or otherwise provides lateral support to the now stationary bicycle. Front stand  480  further comprises a recessed u-shaped section  481  for receiving the front wheel support hub  420  of a conventional bicycle.  
         [0038]    Thus, the rear wheel  431  of the bicycle makes frictional contact with a stationary axial drive wheel  440  to eventually drive the moving belt  10 . Axial drive wheel  440  preferably has a concave shape for receiving the context surface of the rear wheel or tire.  
         [0039]    This embodiment also illustrates one of numerous alternative constructions of the supporting structure for bearing couplings associated with front and rear belt drive cylinder. FIG. 4B is an elevation showing the additional components of the exercise device coupling to the conventional icicle via frictional wheel  440  as illustrated FIG. 4 a.    
         [0040]    As an alternative to forming the apparatus from tubular frame shown in preceding figures, support Frame  490  is optionally constructed as shown from sheets or rigid plates, and is thus easily fabricated to include circular portals for receiving and supporting various drive cylinders and axles, and thus serving as a bearing coupling or functional element thereof.  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 4B is an elevation of another portion showing the treadmill belt mechanism  10  and one embodiment of a transmission for coupling the conventional bicycle rear wheel in FIG. 4A  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 4C is an elevation of the support frame in FIG. 4B in which the moving parts have been omitted to emphasize the salient features therein. Support Frame  490  is optionally a plate or a sheet with circular portal in the sides for receiving cylinders  20  and  25  as well as the corresponding bearing supports and optional bearing couplings. Bearing coupling or bearing support surfaces may include part of frame, axles or belt drive cylinders, such as when the circular portals have substantially the same diameter as the corresponding axle or cylinder.  
         [0043]    A lower portion  495  of the support Frame extends past belt drive cylinders  20  and  25  to support a drive axial  401  that couples to rotary motion of bicycle, or other human powered device, or optionally engineering motor as further described below with reference to FIG. 5.  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 4D is a cross-sectional elevation of orthogonal section D-D′ in FIG. 4C, further illustrating the lower plate frame portion  495  for receiving and supporting one end of axle of  401 , the opposing end of axial of  401  being supported by segment  490   a  of plate frame  490 , as well as by segment  490   d  of plate frame  490 , which also supports front drive cylinder  20  and rear drive cylinder  25  at bearing support protests  491  and  492  respectively as illustrated FIG. 4C. Thus the rotation of axle  401  is coupled to the rotary motion of front drive cylinder  20  via a belt or direct chain drive  418 . However, will be obvious to what ordinary skill of the art that either a gear box or other transmission mechanism may be effectively to plate to transfer rotary motion directly from rear tire  431  of the conventional bicycle, as well as it directly such as the axle  401 .  
         [0045]    Further, optional side railings, or padding  494  and  494 ′ can be mounted to portions of support frame  490   d  and  490   a  so as to confine an animal within the moving belt area. Optional front and rear railings have been omitted from these figures for simplicity and we thus provide a convenient method of confining the pet within the rectangle circumscribed by the upper surface of belt  10 . it will be obvious to one of ordinary skill of the art that such railing strip having maybe substituted by fabric mash, clear plastic sheeting, as well as rigid plastic that is either clear, translucent or opaque.  
         [0046]    [0046]FIGS. 5A and B are elevation and plan views respectively of yet another alternative embodiment. FIG. 5A is an elevation of another embodiment of the exercise treadmill wherein either a motor or a conventional bicycle forms the drive mechanism  
         [0047]    [0047]FIG. 5B is a plan view showing primary the moving parts in FIG. 5A wherein an alternative rotary drive mechanism is connected to transfer at rotary motion to axle  512 , as shown, in order to preserve the ability to tilt the moving belt  10  out of the horizontal plane to vary were increased the difficulty of the exercise retained for the human or animal on the moving belt.  
         [0048]    Thus, in FIG. 5A is a the elevation showing that tubular frame  591  for supporting, among other, axle  511  associated with rotation axis  501 , is substantially independent of the bearing supports, such as  323 ,  327  in FIG. 3A, as well as front cylinder numeral  21  and rear cylinder  25 . Thus the human users bicycle exercise rotary motion of the bicycle rear wheel, not shown, is transmitted via rear wheel drive  540  into rotation of axle  511 , which intern couples its rotary motion into axle  512 . Further, the rotary motion of axle  512  drive axle  514  and connected belt drive cylinder  25 .  
         [0049]    Thus, as in FIG. 3B, the juxtaposition of a front chain ring  515  disposed an axial alignment with axle  511  is now displaced between the top and bottom of belt  10 . Chain  518  couples the rotary motion of axle  511  to axle  512  by connection with sprocket  5215  disposed an axial alignment with axle  502 , as shown in FIG. 5B. Further, also disposed an axial alignment with axle  512  is a second chain ring  519  for receiving second chain  5218 . Chain  5218  couples the rotary motion of axle  512  to axle  513  shown in FIG. 5B via its connection with sprocket  5219  axially aligned with axle  502 . It should be noted that rear cylinder  25  is in axial alignment with axle  512  via two sub-portions (not shown) to provide a space or gap for sprocket  5219  and attached chain  5218 . Thus, as the human user exercises by reciprocal moving of the feet to rotate a bicycle or other wheel, they ultimately cause the rotary motion of drive cylinder  25  causing a linear motion of belt  10 .  
         [0050]    It shall be noted that axle  503  associated with rear drive cylinder is supported at opposing ends by bearing couplings in a stable mechanical connection with the ground as they are formed or attached to brackets securely attached to vertically disposed mounting plates  329 R,  329 R′ that have horizontal footings that rest on the ground. The brackets may be attached to the mounting plates and footings with pins, screws, locks or bayonet fittings and the like. Vertically disposed mounting plates  329 R,  329 R and  329 F,  329 F′ preferably have a dual wall construction such that the brackets and corresponding support bearings can be repositioned by sliding motion between the parallel walls.  
         [0051]    As bearing supports are now independent of the bicycle or auxiliary drive the belt drive  10  can be tilted away from the horizontal plane as described with reference to FIG. 3A. Accordingly the mounting brackets and vertical mounting plates can be provided with additional mating features corresponding to multiple positions for attachment along the arc subtended by the aforementioned rotational motion of the belt mechanism about axle  512 .  
         [0052]    The auxiliary rotary drive mechanism  570  may include for example a motor drive, another standard bicycle, or indeed any other exercise mechanism capable of producing rotary motion either directly or indirectly. Other exercise devices or mechanism include rowing machines, stair steppers and the like. By connecting the alternative or auxiliary rotary drive to axle the tilting feature is preserved.  
         [0053]    Alternatively, the secondary or alternative rotary drive mechanism can also coupled to any of the axles or cylinders that rotate about reference axes  501 ,  502 ,  503  and  504 .  
         [0054]    [0054]FIG. 6 illustrates a further embodiment of the invention in which exercise apparatus  600  includes treadmill type exercise station having a moving belt  610 , which is driven by a human seated on seat  690  using a bicycle type exercise station. The human seated at  690  has the option of using their feet to crank pedals  616  and/or moving their arms back and forth to drive a pair of arm cranks  635 , both of which couple their linear or rotary motion to rotate flywheel  650 . Flywheel  650  is coupled to drive the rotation of the front drive cylinder contained within treadmill type exercise station housing  605 , preferably by an intervening transmission  617 . As the front and rear drive cylinders are obscured by belt  610  and housing  605 , they are designated by a dashed line co-extensive with the axis of rotation  621 , for the front cylinder and  622 , for the rear cylinder. In the preferred embodiments, housing  605  also includes a support platen under belt  610 , which has a low coefficient of friction surface.  
         [0055]    A pet exercising on moving belt  610  is surrounded by a protective frame  606  with cross bar  604  disposed toward the rear of the moving belt. The cross bar stabilizes the other portions of the frame, but prevent the animal from being driven rearward by the belt, if the stop moving or move to slowly.  
         [0056]    The flywheel  650  stores energy generated by the human in the bicycle exercise station, providing, a smoother more consistent belt speed on the treadmill section. Flywheel  650  can be disengaged by movement of lever arm  660  on arm  635 , which connects with transmission  617  via control cable  661 .  
         [0057]    The Treadmill in housing  605  can be tilted to increase the difficulty of the animal or pet keeping up with the speed of moving belt  605  by lowering the rear drive cylinder height by releasing lever  602  on stand  608 , causing the overlapping of telescoping extension rods located in support stand  608 , which continue into frame  606 . The front axle region of the treadmill portion of the apparatus is supported by stand  607 .  
         [0058]    The Bicycle exercise section has support stand  675  in contact the ground or floor, and includes a safety housing  651  protecting the user from contacting the transmission  617 , cable  661 , gears and/or other mechanism as well as portions of flywheel  650 .  
         [0059]    A control panel  630  is included in a preferred embodiment to display the “speed” of bicycle movement as well as linear speed of belt  610 . The control panel also optionally includes data loggers to calculate the user&#39;s energy output, such as by accumulate mileage or like parameters, talking into account time, speed and selected level of resistance to pedaling.  
         [0060]    Another feature in a more preferred embodiment of the device of FIG. 6 is safety sensors  640 , which are attached to frame  606  below cross bar  604 . The safety sensors can be a safety cord that extends in front of cross bar  604 , which when contacted by the pet or animal pulls and disengages cable  661 , or a similar release cable. However, the safety sensors are preferably an optical transmitter and receiver that detect the animal approaching cross bar  604 , and hence provide an optical stimulus to activate the mechanical disconnection of flywheel  650  via the transmission so that the belt  610  is stopped by inherent friction, or an optional break.  
         [0061]    While the invention has been described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.