Patent Publication Number: US-11660496-B2

Title: Exercise bike

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/108,320, filed on Oct. 31, 2020. The entire disclosure of the above application is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to an exercise bike. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Some exercise bikes are operable in a free wheel mode in which a pedal assembly drives a wheel in a first rotational direction and rotates relative to the wheel in a second rotational direction. Other exercise bikes are operable in a fixed wheel mode in which the pedal assembly is rotationally fixed to the wheel to drive the wheel in the first rotational direction and the second rotational direction. However, there remains a need for an exercise bike that is able to switch between a free wheel mode and a fixed wheel mode. The present disclosure provides an exercise bike that includes a clutch mechanism that is operable between an unlocked state in which the pedal assembly drives the wheel in a first rotational direction and rotates relative to the wheel in a second rotational direction, and a locked state in which the pedal assembly is rotationally fixed to the wheel to drive the wheel in the first rotational direction and the second rotational direction. Furthermore, the present disclosure also provides a handlebar assembly that is operable between an unlocked position in which the handlebar is allowed to rotate about an axis and a locked position in which the handlebar is restricted from rotating about the axis. 
     This section provides background information related to the present disclosure and is not necessarily prior art. 
     SUMMARY 
     This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features. 
     In one form, the present disclosure provides an exercise bike that is operable while remaining stationary on a support surface. The bike includes a bicycle frame and a handlebar assembly. The handlebar assembly is coupled to the bicycle frame and includes a handlebar and a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism is moveable between an unlocked position in which the handlebar is allowed to rotate about an axis, and a locked position in which the handlebar is restricted from rotating about the axis. 
     In some configurations of the exercise bike of the above paragraph, a control module is in communication with the locking mechanism and configured to move the locking mechanism between the locked and unlocked positions. 
     In some configurations of the exercise bike of any one or more of the above paragraphs, the locking mechanism includes an actuator in communication with the control module, locking tabs, and a locking plate rotationally fixed to the handlebar. The control module is configured to operate the actuator between a first state in which the locking tabs are engaged with the locking plate to restrict rotation of the handlebar about the axis, and a second state in which the locking tabs are disengaged from the locking plate to allow rotation of the handlebar about the axis. 
     In some configurations of the exercise bike of any one or more of the above paragraphs, the actuator is a solenoid. 
     In some configurations of the exercise bike of any one or more of the above paragraphs, the control module is configured to move the locking mechanism to the locked position in response to a first input signal to operate the exercise bike in a first mode, and is configured to move the locking mechanism to the unlocked position in response to a second input signal to operate the exercise bike in a second mode. 
     In some configurations of the exercise bike of any one or more of the above paragraphs, when the locking mechanism is in the unlocked position, the handlebar is rotatable between a first position in which the handlebar extends perpendicular relative to a length of the bicycle frame and a second position in which the handlebar extends at a non-perpendicular angle relative to the length of the bicycle frame. The locking mechanism includes a spring coupled to the handlebar and biasing the handlebar toward the first position. 
     In some configurations of the exercise bike of any one or more of the above paragraphs, the locking mechanism includes a housing coupled to the bicycle frame and a locking plate partially disposed within the housing and rotationally fixed to the handlebar. The locking plate is configured to contact the housing to limit rotation of the handlebar in first and second rotational directions when the locking mechanism is in the unlocked position. 
     In some configurations of the exercise bike of any one or more of the above paragraphs, the housing includes opposing outer walls each having a slot formed therein. The locking plate is at least partially disposed within the slots and configured to abut against a side surface of each slot to limit rotation of the handlebar in first and second rotational directions when the locking mechanism is in the unlocked position. 
     In some configurations of the exercise bike of any one or more of the above paragraphs, the locking mechanism includes a pair of locking tabs that cooperate with the locking plate to restrict rotation of the handlebar when the locking mechanism is in the locked position. 
     In some configurations of the exercise bike of any one or more of the above paragraphs, the control module includes a processor and a storage medium having computer programmable instructions stored thereon, when executed by the processor, perform to send a signal to an actuator to operate the actuator between a first state in which rotation of the handlebar about the axis is restricted, and a second state in which rotation of the handlebar about the axis is allowed. 
     In some configurations of the exercise bike of any one or more of the above paragraphs, a user interface is in data communication with the control module. The user interface is able to receive an input command and send a signal to the control module to move the locking mechanism between the locked and unlocked positions. 
     In another form, the present disclosures discloses an exercise bike operable while remaining stationary on a support surface. The bike includes a bicycle frame, a wheel, a pedal assembly, a clutch mechanism, and a handlebar assembly. The wheel is rotatably coupled to the bicycle frame. The pedal assembly is coupled to the bicycle frame and configured to rotate the wheel. The clutch mechanism is coupled to the bicycle frame and the pedal assembly, and is movable between an unlocked state in which the pedal assembly drives the wheel in a first rotational direction and rotates relative to the wheel in a second rotational direction, and a locked state in which the pedal assembly is rotationally fixed to the wheel to drive the wheel in the first rotational direction and the second rotational direction. The handlebar assembly is coupled to the bicycle frame and includes a handlebar and a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism is moveable between an unlocked position in which the handlebar is allowed to rotate about an axis, and a locked position in which the handlebar is restricted from rotating about the axis. 
     In some configurations of the exercise bike of the above paragraph, a control module is in communication with the clutch mechanism and is configured to move the clutch mechanism between the locked and unlocked states. 
     In some configurations of the exercise bike of any one or more of the above paragraphs, the control module is in communication with the locking mechanism and is configured to move the locking mechanism between the locked and unlocked positions. 
     In some configurations of the exercise bike of any one or more of the above paragraphs, the clutch mechanism includes an actuator in communication with the control module. The control module is configured to operate the actuator between a first state to move the clutch mechanism to the unlocked state and a second state to move the clutch mechanism to the locked state. 
     In some configurations of the exercise bike of any one or more of the above paragraphs, the actuator is a solenoid. 
     In some configurations of the exercise bike of any one or more of the above paragraphs, the control module includes a processor and a storage medium having computer programmable instructions stored thereon, when executed by the processor, perform to send one or more signals to an actuator to operate the actuator between a first state in which the clutch mechanism is moved to the unlocked state, and a second state in which the clutch mechanism is moved to the locked state. 
     In some configurations of the exercise bike of any one or more of the above paragraphs, a user interface is in data communication with the control module. The user interface is able to receive an input command and send one or more signals to the control module to move the clutch mechanism between the locked and unlocked states. 
     In yet another form, the present disclosure discloses an exercise bike operable while remaining stationary on a support surface. The bike includes a bicycle frame, a wheel, a pedal assembly and a clutch mechanism. The wheel is rotatably coupled to the bicycle frame. The pedal assembly is coupled to the bicycle frame and is configured to rotate the wheel. The clutch mechanism is coupled to the bicycle frame and the pedal assembly, and is movable between an unlocked state in which the pedal assembly drives the wheel in a first rotational direction and rotates relative to the wheel in a second rotational direction, and a locked state in which the pedal assembly is rotationally fixed to the wheel to drive the wheel in the first rotational direction and the second rotational direction. 
     In some configurations of the exercise bike of the above paragraph, a control module is in communication with the clutch mechanism and is configured to move the clutch mechanism between the locked and unlocked states. 
     In some configurations of the exercise bike of any one or more of the above paragraphs, the clutch mechanism includes an actuator in communication with the control module. The control module is configured to operate the actuator between a first state to move the clutch mechanism to the unlocked state and a second state to move the clutch mechanism to the locked state. 
     In some configurations of the exercise bike of any one or more of the above paragraphs, the control module includes a processor and a storage medium having computer programmable instructions stored thereon, when executed by the processor, perform to send one or more signals to an actuator to operate the actuator between a first state in which the clutch mechanism is moved to the unlocked state, and a second state in which the clutch mechanism is moved to the locked state. 
     In some configurations of the exercise bike of any one or more of the above paragraphs, a user interface is in data communication with the control module. The user interface is able to receive an input command and send one or more signals to the control module to move the clutch mechanism between the locked and unlocked states. 
     In yet another form, the present disclosure discloses an exercise bike operable while remaining stationary on a support surface. The bike includes a bicycle frame, a wheel, a pedal assembly, a clutch mechanism, a handlebar assembly and a control module. The wheel is rotatably coupled to the bicycle frame. The pedal assembly is coupled to the bicycle frame and is configured to rotate the wheel. The clutch mechanism is coupled to the bicycle frame and movable between an unlocked state in which the clutch mechanism is disengaged from the wheel to allow the wheel to rotate relative to the pedal assembly, and a locked state in which the clutch mechanism is engaged with the wheel to rotationally fix the wheel to the pedal assembly. The handlebar assembly is coupled to the bicycle frame and includes a handlebar and a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism is moveable between an unlocked position in which the handlebar is allowed to rotate about an axis, and a locked position in which the handlebar is restricted from rotating about the axis. The control module is in communication with the clutch mechanism and the handlebar assembly and is configured to operate the bike in a first mode, a second mode, a third mode and a fourth mode. The control module is configured to move the handlebar assembly to the locked position and move the clutch mechanism to the locked state to operate the bike in the first mode. The control module is configured to move the handlebar assembly to the unlocked position and move the clutch mechanism to the unlocked state to operate the bike in the second mode. The control module is configured to move the handlebar assembly to the locked position and move the clutch mechanism to the unlocked state to operate the bike in the third mode. The control module is configured to move the handlebar assembly to the unlocked position and move the clutch mechanism to the locked state to operate the bike in the fourth mode. 
     In some configurations of the exercise bike of the above paragraph, the clutch mechanism includes a first actuator and the handlebar assembly includes a second actuator. The first and second actuators are in communication with the control module. 
     In some configurations of the exercise bike of any one or more of the above paragraphs, the control module includes a processor and a storage medium having computer programmable instructions stored thereon, when executed by the processor, perform to send one or more signals to at least one of the first and second actuators to operate the at least one of the first and second actuators between an ON state and an OFF state. 
     In some configurations of the exercise bike of any one or more of the above paragraphs, a user interface in data communication with the control module, and wherein the user interface is able to receive an input command and send one or more signals to the control module to operate the bike in one of the first, second, third and fourth modes. 
     Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. 
    
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
       The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  1   a    is a perspective view of an exercise bike according to the principles of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  1   b    is a perspective view of a resistance device of the exercise bike of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  2    is a perspective view of a handlebar assembly of the exercise bike of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  3    is another perspective view of the handlebar assembly; 
         FIG.  4    is an exploded view of the handlebar assembly; 
         FIG.  5    is a perspective view of the handlebar assembly in a locked position with the housing in phantom lines for clarity; 
         FIG.  6    is a perspective view of the handlebar assembly in an unlocked position with the housing in phantom lines for clarity; 
         FIG.  7    is a cross-sectional view of the handlebar assembly in the locked position; 
         FIG.  8    is a cross-sectional view of the handlebar assembly in the unlocked position; 
         FIG.  9    is another cross-sectional view of the handlebar assembly in the locked position; 
         FIG.  10    is a perspective view of a clutch mechanism of the exercise bike of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  11    is an exploded view of the clutch mechanism of  FIG.  10   ; 
         FIG.  12    is another exploded view of the clutch mechanism of  FIG.  10   ; 
         FIG.  13    is a cross-sectional view of the clutch mechanism in a locked state; 
         FIG.  14    is a cross-sectional view of the clutch mechanism in an unlocked state; and 
         FIG.  15    is a block diagram illustrating communication between a display unit of the exercise bike and the clutch mechanism and the handlebar assembly of the exercise bike. 
     
    
    
     Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     As shown in  FIGS.  1   a  and  1   b   , an example embodiment of an exercise bike  10  is provided. While an example embodiment of exercise bike  10  is described herein, it is readily understood that the exercise bike  10  can take different forms. A user may operate the exercise bike  10  while the exercise bike  10  remains stationary on a support surface such as a ground surface. The exercise bike  10  may include a support assembly  14 , a bicycle frame  16 , a handlebar assembly  17 , a clutch mechanism  18 , a pedal assembly  19 , a controllable variable resistance device  15  and a display unit  21 . The support assembly  14  may include a first or rear leg  22 , a second or front leg  23 , and an elongated connecting bar  25  that connects the first leg  22  and the second leg  23 . The first leg  22  and the second leg  23  are disposed on the support surface such that the bicycle frame  16  and a wheel  20  are lifted up off the support surface (a gap exists between the frame  16  and the support surface, and a gap exists between the wheel  20  and the support surface). 
     The bicycle frame  16  is connected to the connecting bar  25  of the support assembly  14  and includes a pedal housing  26 , a seat support member  27 , and a handlebar support member  28 . A seat  30  may be connected to an end of the seat support member  27  such that a user may comfortably sit on the seat  30  while operating the exercise bike  10 . The seat support member  27  may support the weight of the user and may be adjustable to facilitate users having different physical characteristics using the exercise bike  10 . The handlebar support member  28  may support the handlebar assembly  17  and the display unit and may be adjustable to facilitate users having different physical characteristics using the exercise bike  10 . 
     With reference to  FIGS.  1 - 10   , the handlebar assembly  17  is provided. While the present disclosure is being described with handlebar assembly  17 , it is within the scope of the present disclosure to utilize different designs for the handlebar assembly without departing from the invention. The handlebar assembly  17  may be rotatably coupled to an end of the handlebar support member  28  and may be in communication with the display unit  21 . The handlebar assembly  17  may include a locking mechanism  32  and a handlebar  33 . The locking mechanism  32  is disposed within a cavity  34  of the handlebar support member  28  (is not viewable while using the exercise bike  10 ) and is moveable between an unlocked position in which the handlebar  33  is allowed to rotate about an axis  35 , and a locked position in which the handlebar  33  is restricted from rotating about the axis  35 . 
     With reference to  FIGS.  2 - 10   , the locking mechanism  32  includes a frame or housing  36 , a mounting plate  37 , a steering tube  38  ( FIGS.  4 - 10   ), a locking plate  40 , a spring  42  ( FIGS.  2  and  4 - 10   ), and an actuating device  46  ( FIGS.  4 - 8   ). The frame  36  extends parallel to a longitudinal direction of the bicycle frame  16  and includes a rear section  48 , a cylindrical-shaped central section  50  and a front section  52 . The central section  50  defines an opening  54  ( FIGS.  4  and  7 - 10   ) that extends therethrough (i.e., the opening  54  extends from an upper end of the central section  50  to a bottom end of the central section  50 ). 
     The mounting plate  37  is disposed between the handlebar  33  and the locking plate  40 , and is rotationally fixed to the handlebar  33  and the locking plate  40 . In this way, rotation of the handlebar  33  causes the mounting plate  37  and the locking plate  40  to rotate. As shown in  FIG.  4   , the mounting plate  37  includes a first aperture  56  located in a center of the plate  37  and second apertures  58  surrounding the first aperture  56 . A fastener (not shown) may extend through the first aperture  56 , the steering tube  38  and may be attached to an attachment plate  60  located at the bottom end of the central section  50  ( FIGS.  7 - 10   ). In this way, rotation of the mounting plate  37  causes the attachment plate  60  to rotate. 
     As shown in  FIGS.  7 - 10   , the steering tube  38  may extend through the opening  54  of the central section  50 . Stated differently, a first or upper end  62   a  of the steering tube  38  may contact the mounting plate  37  and locking plate  40 , and a second or lower end  62   b  may contact and be at least partially supported by the attachment plate  60 . The steering tube  38  defines the axis  35  that the handlebar  33  is allowed to rotate about when the locking mechanism  32  is in the unlocked positon. A first bushing  64  may be positioned within the opening  54  of the central section  50  and may be between the central section  50  and the first end  62   a  of the steering tube  38 . Similarly, a second bushing  66  may be positioned within the opening  54  of the central section  50  and may be between the central section  50  and the second end  62   b  of the steering tube  38 . The first and second bushings  64 ,  66  facilitate stabilization of the steering tube  38  within the central section  50 . A collar spacer  57  is disposed axially between the first bushing  64  and the locking pate  40 , and is supported by the first bushing  64 . 
     The locking plate  40  is positioned between the mounting plate  37  and the frame  36  and includes a middle section  68  and a locking element  70 . As shown in  FIG.  4   , the middle section  68  is generally rectangular-shaped and includes a first central aperture  73  extending therethrough. The first end  62   a  of the steering tube  38  may extend at least partially through the first aperture  73 . 
     As shown in  FIGS.  5 - 8   , the locking element  70  extends perpendicularly from a front end of the middle section  68  (the locking element  70  extends parallel to the axis  35 ) and into a cavity  75  of the front section  52  of the frame  36 . The locking element  70  may also be at least partially disposed within opposing grooves  81   a ,  81   b  formed in opposing side walls  83   a ,  83   b , respectively, of the front section  52 . When the locking mechanism  32  is in the unlocked position and the handlebar  33  is allowed to rotate about the axis  35 , the locking element  70  may contact surfaces of the grooves  81   a ,  81   b  to limit rotation of the handlebar  33 . 
     The spring  42  (e.g., a torsional spring) is disposed around the central section  50  of the frame  36  and includes ends  80  that extend through an opening  76  of the locking element  70  (the ends  80  also contact the first locking element  70 ). In this way, the spring  42  biases the handlebar  33  toward the original state (the state where the handlebar  33  extends perpendicular relative to a length of the exercise bike  10 ). Stated differently, when the locking mechanism  32  is in the unlocked position and the handlebar  33  has been rotated about the axis  35  from the original state, the spring  42  may rotational bias the handlebar  33  (via the mounting plate  37  and the locking plate  40 ) back to the original state when the user releases his or her grip of the handlebar  33 . 
     As shown in  FIGS.  5 - 8   , the actuating device  46  may be disposed within the cavity  75  of the front section  52  of the frame  36  and is in communication with the display unit  21 . The actuating device  46  may include a clip  82 , a pair of metallic locking tabs  84 , a pin  86 , a spring  87 , and an actuator  88  (e.g., solenoid). The clip  82  may be moveable between a locked state in which the locking mechanism  32  is in the locked position and an unlocked state in which the locking mechanism  32  is in the unlocked position. The clip  82  may include a first leg  82   a , a second leg  82   b  and an end wall  82   c  that interconnects the first leg  82   a  and the second leg  82   b . Each locking tab  84  may be coupled to a respective end of the first and second legs  82   a ,  82   b . The side wall  83   a  of the front section  52  may include an aperture  90   a  and the side wall  83   b  of the front section  52  may include an aperture  90   b . The apertures  90   a ,  90   b  are aligned with each other and with openings  92   a ,  92   b  of the first and second legs  82   a ,  82   b , respectively. The pin  86  may extend through the apertures  90   a ,  90   b  and the openings  92   a ,  92   b  thereby pivotally connecting the clip  82  to the frame  36 . The spring  87  is disposed around the pin  86  and coupled to the clip  82 . In this way, the spring  87  biases the clip  82  toward the locked state. 
     The actuator  88  may be coupled to the front section  52  of the frame  36  and may be operable between a first state (OFF mode) and a second state (ON mode). When the actuator  88  is in the first state, the spring  87  biases the clip  82  toward the locked state (the locking tabs  84  are positioned between the side walls  83   a ,  83   b  and a tab  91  extending from the locking element  70 ) thereby restricting rotational movement of the handlebar  33 , the mounting plate  37  and the locking plate  40  about the axis  35 . When the actuator  88  is in the second state, the magnetic field generated by the actuator  88  causes the clip  82  to move toward the unlocked state, which causes the locking tabs  84  to move from between the side walls  83   a ,  83   b  and the tab  91 . This, in turn, allows the handlebar  33 , the mounting plate  37  and the locking plate  40  to rotate about the axis  35 . 
     With reference to  FIGS.  10 - 14   , the clutch mechanism  18  is provided. While the present disclosure is being described with clutch mechanism  18 , it is within the scope of the present disclosure to utilize different designs for the clutch assembly  18  without departing from the invention. The clutch mechanism  18  is coupled to the wheel  20  and the bicycle frame  16  and is movable between an unlocked state in which the pedal assembly  19  drives the wheel  20  in a first rotational direction X 1  ( FIG.  1   ) and rotates relative to the wheel  20  in a second rotational direction X 2  ( FIG.  2   ), and a locked state in which the pedal assembly  19  is rotationally fixed to the wheel  20  to drive the wheel  20  in the first rotational direction X 1  and the second rotational direction X 2 . When the clutch mechanism  18  is in the unlocked state, the exercise bike  10  is in a free wheel mode and when the clutch mechanism  18  is in the locked state, the exercise bike  10  is in a fixed wheel mode. 
     The clutch mechanism  18  includes a shaft  94 , a fastener  96 , a clutch basket  97 , a clutch hub  98 , a first locking pate  100 , a clutch plate  102  ( FIGS.  11 - 14   ), a second locking plate  104  ( FIGS.  11 - 14   ), a plurality of spacers  105  ( FIGS.  11 - 14   ), a spring plate  106  ( FIGS.  11 - 14   ), a plurality of springs  108  ( FIGS.  11 - 14   ), a fork bushing  110  ( FIGS.  11 - 14   ), and an actuator device  111 . As shown in  FIGS.  14  and  15   , the shaft  94  may extend through the wheel  20 , the clutch hub  98 , the first locking plate  100 , the clutch plate  102 , the second locking plate  104  and at least partially through the clutch basket  97 . The shaft  94  may include a central cavity  112  extending therethrough. The shaft  94  may also include a belt portion  114 , a bearing portion  116  and an attachment portion  118 . A belt  119  ( FIG.  1   ) of the pedal assembly  19  may be drivingly engaged with teeth  117  on the belt portion  114  of the shaft  94 . A one-way bearing  120  (e.g., a drawn cup needle bearing) may be disposed around and coupled to the bearing portion  116  of the shaft  94 . The bearing  120  may also be disposed within and engage with the clutch hub  98 . The attachment portion  118  is rotationally fixed to the clutch basket  97 . 
     The fastener  96  extends through support members (not shown) of the bicycle frame  16 , the cavity  112  of the shaft  94 , the clutch basket  97 , the spring plate  106 , the fork bushing  110 , and a connecting assembly  122 . The fastener  96  may couple the clutch mechanism  18  to the support members of the bicycle frame  16  such that the support members support the clutch mechanism  18  and the connector assembly  122 . The fastener  96  may include a first section  124 , a second section  126 , and a third section  128  disposed between first and second opposing ends  130   a ,  130   b  of the fastener  96 . A first sleeve  132   a  may be disposed between the first section  124  and the belt portion  114 , a second sleeve  132   b  may be disposed between the second section  126  and the bearing portion  116 , and a third sleeve  132   c  may be disposed between the third section  128  and the spring plate  106  and the fork bushing  110 . A collar  134  may also be disposed on the third section  128 . 
     As shown in  FIGS.  13  and  14   , the first end  130   a  may include a fastener head and the second end  130   b  may have a nut  135  threadably engaged thereto. A first bearing  136   a  may be disposed within the cavity  112  of the shaft  94  and may rotatably support the fastener  96 . The first bearing  136   a  may be positioned between the first sleeve  132   a  and the second sleeve  132   b . Similarly, a second bearing  136   b  may be disposed within the cavity  112  of the shaft  94  and may also rotatably support the fastener  96 . The second bearing  136   b  may be positioned between the second sleeve  132   b  and the third sleeve  132   c . A retaining clip  137  may be positioned within the cavity  112  to assist in retaining the second bearing  136   b  in place. A plug  139  may be inserted into an end of the shaft  94  to restrict lateral movement of the first sleeve  132   a.    
     The clutch basket  97  may include an outer hub  138 , a partition  140 , and an inner hub  141 . Tabs  142  ( FIGS.  10 - 12   ) may extend in an axial direction from an end surface of the outer hub  138 . The tabs  142  may be circumferentially disposed around the end surface of the outer hub  138  and may also be spaced apart from each other. The partition  140  may interconnect the outer hub  138  and the inner hub  141 . That is, the partition  140  may extend from an inner diametrical surface of the outer hub  138  and may extend from an outer diametrical surface of the inner hub  141 . As shown in  FIGS.  13  and  14   , the partition  140  may cooperate with the outer hub  138  and the wheel  20  to define a partially enclosed space  143   a  that the clutch hub  98 , the first locking plate  100 , the clutch plate  102  and the second locking plate  104  are housed. The partition  140  may also cooperate with the outer hub  138  and the spring plate  106  to define a substantially enclosed space  143   b  that the springs  108  are housed. The spacers  105  are partially housed in both the first and second spaces  143   a ,  143   b . As shown in  FIGS.  11  and  12   , the partition  140  may include a plurality of first apertures  144  and a plurality of second apertures  146  that are arranged in an alternating fashion around the partition  140 . The inner hub  141  may include teeth  148  ( FIG.  11   ) on an inner diametrical surface thereof that engaged with teeth  150  on the attachment portion  118  of the shaft  94 . In this way, rotation of the shaft  94  causes corresponding rotation of the clutch basket  97 . A retainer clip  151  may attach the inner hub  141  and the attachment portion  118  to each other to restrict lateral movement of the clutch basket  97 . A protrusion  152  extending radially outwardly from the attachment portion  118  may be received in a groove formed in the inner hub  141  to further restrict lateral movement of the clutch basket  97 . 
     The clutch hub  98  may be coupled to the wheel  20  and the first locking plate  100 , and may include a hub portion  156  and a flange  158 . Rotational movement of the shaft  94  in the first rotational direction X 1  causes the clutch hub  98  to rotate in the first rotational direction X 1 . The one-way bearing  120  prevents the clutch hub  98  from rotating in the second rotational direction X 2  when the shaft  94  rotates in the second rotational direction X 2 . 
     The flange  158  may extend radially outwardly from an end of the hub portion  156  and may be coupled to the wheel  20  ( FIGS.  13  and  14   ). The flange  158  may include a plurality of first apertures  164  extending thererough and a plurality of second apertures  165  extending therethrough. The first and second apertures  164 ,  165  are arranged in an alternating fashion around the flange  158 . Fasteners  166  may extend through apertures  167  of the wheel  20  and the first apertures  164  of the flange  158 , thereby rotationally fixing the clutch hub  98  and the wheel  20  to each other. 
     The first locking plate  100  includes a central opening  168  extending therethrough and a plurality of apertures  170 . The hub portion  156  of the clutch hub  98  may extend through the opening  168 . The apertures  170  may be disposed circumferentially around the first locking plate  100 . Fasteners may extend through the apertures  170  of the first locking plate  100  and the second apertures  165  of the flange  158 , thereby rotationally fixing the first locking plate  100  and the clutch hub  98  to each other. In this way, when the shaft  94  rotates in the first rotational direction X 1  (due to the user pedaling in the first rotational direction X 1 ), rotational power is transmitted to the clutch hub  98  thereby rotating the clutch hub  98 , the first locking plate  100 , and the wheel  20  in the first rotational direction X 1 . When the shaft  94  rotates in the second rotational direction X 2  (due to the user pedaling in the second rotational direction X 2 ), the one-way bearing  120  prevents rotation of the clutch hub  98 , the first locking plate  100  and the wheel  20  in the second rotational direction X 2  (when the clutch mechanism  18  is in the unlocked state). The first locking plate  100  also includes teeth  172  extending from a surface thereof (the teeth  172  may extend in a direction opposite the wheel  20 ). 
     The clutch plate  102  includes a central opening  174  extending therethrough, a plurality of first apertures  176  and a plurality of second apertures  178 . The hub portion  156  of the clutch hub  98  may extend through the opening  174 . The first apertures  176  and the second apertures  178  may be arranged in an alternating fashion around the clutch plate  102 . Grooves  179  maybe formed in and spaced apart around a periphery of the clutch plate  102 . Tabs  142  of the clutch basket  97  may be received in respective grooves  179  thereby rotationally fixing the clutch basket  97  and the clutch pate  102  to each other. 
     The second locking plate  104  includes a central opening  180  extending therethrough and a plurality of apertures  182 . The hub portion  156  of the clutch hub  98  may extend through the opening  180 . The apertures  182  may be disposed circumferentially around the second locking plate  104 . Fasteners  184  may extend through the first apertures  176  of the clutch plate  102  and the apertures  182  of the second locking plate  104  ( FIGS.  13  and  14   ), thereby rotationally fixing the second locking plate  104  and the clutch plate  102  to each other. The second locking plate  104  also includes teeth  186  extending from a surface thereof (the teeth  186  may extend in a direction toward the wheel  20 ). The teeth  186  may also selectively engage the teeth  172  of the first locking plate  100 . When the teeth  186  of the second locking plate  104  are engaged with the teeth  172  of the first locking plate  100 , the clutch mechanism  18  is in the locked state. When the teeth  186  of the second locking plate  104  are disengaged with the teeth  172  of the first locking plate  100 , the clutch mechanism  18  is in the unlocked state. 
     As shown in  FIGS.  13  and  14   , each cylindrical spacer  105  extends through a respective first aperture  144  of the partition  140  such that a first axial end  188  abuts against the spring plate  106  and the second axial end  190  abuts against the clutch plate  102 . A fastener  191  may extend through a respective second aperture  178  of the clutch plate  102  and the second axial end  190  of a respective spacer  105  thereby attaching the clutch plate  102  and the spacer  105  to each other. The spring plate  106  may include a central opening  192  and a plurality of apertures  194 . The apertures  194  are circumferentially disposed around the spring plate  106  and are spaced apart from each other. A fastener  195  may extend through a respective aperture  194  of the spring plate  106  and the first axial end  188  of a respective spacer  105  thereby attaching the spring plate  106  and the spacer  105  to each other. In this way, lateral movement of the spring plate  106  causes the clutch plate  102  and the second locking plate  104  to also move laterally, which, in turn, causes the teeth  186  of the second locking plate  104  to selectively engage the teeth  172  of the first locking plate  100 . 
     As shown in  FIGS.  13  and  14   , each spring  108  may be disposed around a portion of a respective spacer  105  and may be positioned between the spring plate  106  and the partition  140  (a first end of the spring  108  contacts the spring plate  106  and a second end of the spring  108  contacts the partition  140 ). In this way, each spring  108  may bias the spring plate  106  toward a first lateral direction Y 1 , which, in turn, causes the teeth  186  of the second locking plate  104  to be disengaged from the teeth  172  of the first locking plate  100  (the clutch mechanism  18  being in the unlocked position). 
     The connector assembly  122  includes a first connecting plate  196   a , a second connecting plate  196   b , and a connector  197 . The first connecting plate  196   a  is fixed to one of the support members. The second connecting plate  196   b  is pivotally coupled to the first connecting plate  196   a  and includes a plurality of horizontally aligned openings  201  therein ( FIG.  10   ). The connecter  197  is attached to the second connecting plate  196   b  ( FIGS.  13  and  14   ) and is generally rectangular-shaped. The connector  197  is positioned between the second connecting plate  196   b  and the fork bushing  110  and also defines an opening  199 . 
     The fork bushing  110  is positioned between the connector  197  and the spring plate  106  and includes a first circular-shaped section  110   a , a second circular-shaped section  110   b  and a third rectangular-shaped section  110   c . The second section  110   b  may extend from a first side of the first section  110   a  and into the opening  192  of the spring plate  106 . The third section  110   c  may extend from a second side of the first section  110   a  that is opposite the first side and may extend into the opening  199  of the connector  197 . A thrust bearing  198  is disposed between the fork bushing  110  and the spring plate  106 . Washers  200   a ,  200   b  are disposed on opposing sides of the bearing  198 . The fastener  96  extends through the fork bushing  110 , the bearing  198 , the washers  200   a ,  200   b , the connector  197 , and the first and second connecting plates  196   a ,  196   b.    
     The actuation device  111  is in communication with the display unit  21  and includes an attachment plate  202  ( FIGS.  11  and  12   ) and an actuator  204  ( FIGS.  11  and  12   ). The attachment plate  202  is L-shaped and is coupled to the first connecting plate  196   a . The attachment plate  202  includes a first member  202   a  and a second member  202   b  extending perpendicularly from the first member  202   a . The first member  202   a  is coupled to the first connecting plate  196   a  and the second connecting plate  196   b  extends through an opening  205  in the second member  202   b.    
     The actuator  204  is coupled to the second member  202   b  and the second connecting plate  196   b  (via one or more pins extending through one of the openings  201  in the second connecting plate  196   b ). The actuator  204  may be operable between a first state (OFF mode) and a second state (ON mode). When the actuator  204  is in the first state, the first and second connecting plates  196   a ,  196   b  are parallel to each other and the springs  108  bias the spring plate  106  toward the first lateral direction Y 1  which, in turn, causes the teeth  186  of the second locking plate  104  to be disengaged from the teeth  172  of the first locking plate  100  (the spring plate  106  moves the clutch plate  102  and the second locking plate  104  in the first lateral direction Y 1  such that the teeth  186  of the second locking plate  104  are disengaged from the teeth  172  of the first locking plate  100 ). 
     When the actuator  204  is in the second state, the magnetic field generated by the actuator  204  causes the second connecting plate  196   b  to pivot toward the actuator  204 , which causes the connector  197  to push against the fork bushing  110 . This, in turn, causes the bearing  198  to push against the spring plate  106  which moves the spring plate  106  in the second lateral direction Y 2  (the spring plate  106  overcomes the biasing force of the springs  108 ). Moving the spring plate  106  in the second lateral direction Y 2  also moves the clutch plate  102  and the second locking plate  104  in the second lateral direction Y 2 , thereby causing the teeth  186  of the second locking plate  104  to be engaged with the teeth  172  of the first locking plate  100 . In this way, the pedal assembly  19  is rotationally fixed to the wheel  20  to drive the wheel  20  in the first rotational direction X 1  and the second rotational direction X 2 . 
     The pedal assembly  19  may be disposed at least partially within the pedal housing  26  and may include the drive belt  119 , a ratchet plate (not shown) and first and second pedals. The drive belt  119  may be drivingly engaged with the ratchet plate and the belt portion  114  of the shaft  94 . The pedals may be fixed for rotation with the ratchet plate. When the clutch mechanism  18  is in the unlocked state, rotation of the pedals in the first rotational direction X 1  rotates the belt  119 , the clutch mechanism  18  and the wheel  20  in the first rotational direction X 1 , and rotation of the pedals in the second rotational direction X 2  rotates the belt  119  and various components of the clutch mechanism  18  in the second rotational direction X 2  (the wheel  20 , the first locking plate  100 , and the clutch hub  98  do not rotate in the second rotational direction X 2  due to the one-way bearing  120 ). In this way, the exercise bike  10  is in a free wheel mode and the wheel  20  continues to rotate in the first rotational direction X 1  when the user stops pedaling in the first rotational direction X 1  or pedals in the second rotational direction X 2 . 
     When the clutch mechanism  18  is in the locked state, rotation of the pedals in the first rotational direction X 1  rotates the belt  119 , the clutch mechanism  18  and the wheel  20  in the first rotational direction X 1 , and rotation of the pedals in the second rotational direction X 2  rotates the belt  119 , the clutch mechanism  18 , and the wheel  20  in the second rotational direction X 2 . In this way, the exercise bike  10  is in a fixed wheel mode and the pedals continue rotating along with the wheel  20  in the first rotational direction X 1  when the user stops pedaling (the wheel  20  also rotates in the second rotational direction X 2  when the user pedals in the second rotational direction X 2 ). 
     With reference to  FIGS.  1   a ,  1   b   , and  15 , the resistance device  15  is mounted to the bicycle frame  16  and includes the wheel  20 , a motor  208  (e.g., a servo motor) and a magnet  209 . The motor  208  is in communication with the display unit  21  and is configured to move the magnet  209  relative to a center of the wheel  20  to vary resistance of the wheel  20 . That is, the motor  208  may move the magnet  209  toward the center of the wheel  20  to increase the magnetic field overlap with the wheel  20  thereby increasing resistance of the wheel  20  (requiring a greater amount of force applied to the pedal assembly  19  to rotate the wheel  20 ), and may move the magnet  209  away from the wheel  20  thereby decreasing resistance of the wheel  20  (requiring a lesser amount of force applied to the pedal assembly  19  to rotate the wheel  20 ). 
     With reference to  FIGS.  1   a ,  1   b   , and  15 , the display unit  21  includes a display  210  and a control module  212  ( FIG.  16   ). When the handlebar assembly  17  is in the unlocked position, the degree of rotation of the display  210  may be continuously or intermittingly measured and communicated to the control module  212  to be used to allow the rider to steer the bike  10 . The display  210  (e.g., a capacitive or other touchscreen display) is configured to provide graphical user interface (GUI) elements ( FIG.  15   ) in order to enable a user to, for example, interact with the display unit  21  by touching the display  210 . Additionally or alternatively, the display unit  21  may include a plurality of user interface (UI) elements, such as buttons, a keyboard, etc., that enable the user to interact with the display unit  21 . Using one of the GUI and the UI elements, a user may select an exercise mode. In response to selecting the exercise mode, the control module  212  is configured to communicate with the handlebar assembly  17  and/or the clutch mechanism  18  to operate the handlebar assembly  17  and/or the clutch mechanism  18  in accordance with the selected exercise mode. 
     For example, when the user, using one of the GUI and UI elements, selects to operate the exercise bike  10  in a first mode where the handlebar assembly  17  is in the unlocked position and the clutch mechanism  18  in the locked state, the control module  212  is configured to operate the actuator  88  of the handlebar assembly  17  in the second state (ON mode) and the actuator  204  of the clutch mechanism  18  in the second state (ON mode). When the user, using one of the GUI and UI elements, selects to operate the exercise bike  10  in a second mode where the handlebar assembly  17  is in the unlocked position and the clutch mechanism  18  in the unlocked state, the control module  212  is configured to operate the actuator  88  of the handlebar assembly  17  in the second state (ON mode) and the actuator  204  of the clutch mechanism  18  in the first state (OFF mode). 
     When the user, using one of the GUI and UI elements, selects to operate the exercise bike  10  in a third mode where the handlebar assembly  17  is in the locked position and the clutch mechanism  18  in the unlocked state, the control module  212  is configured to operate the actuator  88  of the handlebar assembly  17  in the first state (OFF mode) and the actuator  204  of the clutch mechanism  18  in the first state (OFF mode). When the user, using one of the GUI and UI elements, selects to operate the exercise bike  10  in a fourth mode where the handlebar assembly  17  is in the locked position and the clutch mechanism  18  in the locked state, the control module  212  is configured to operate the actuator  88  of the handlebar assembly  17  in the first state (OFF mode) and the actuator  204  of the clutch mechanism  18  in the second state (ON mode). 
     The control module  212  is also configured to communicate with the motor  208  of the resistance device  15  to control resistance of the wheel  20  in accordance with the selected or desired resistance. 
     One of the benefits of the exercise bike  10  of the present disclosure is that the clutch mechanism  18  is allowed to move between the locked state in which the exercise bike  10  is in the fixed wheel mode and the unlocked state in which the exercise bike  10  is in the free wheel mode. The exercise bike  10  is allowed to move between the free wheel mode and the fixed wheel mode via the control module  212  of the display unit  21 . The control module  212  can also continuously or intermittingly vary the resistance provided by a resistance module to match selected resistance to the experience being provided to the user/rider. Another benefit of the exercise bike  10  of the present disclosure is that the handlebar assembly  17  is allowed to move between the locked position in which the exercise bike  10  is in a non-gaming or terrain riding mode and the unlocked position in which the exercise bike  10  is in a gaming or terrain riding mode (the gaming mode allows the user to rotate the handlebar  33  to follow a path displayed on the display  210  or navigate as the rider desires). The exercise bike  10  is allowed to move between the non-gaming mode and the gaming mode via the control module  212  of the display unit  21 . 
     Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many different forms and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail. 
     The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and “having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed. 
     When an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “engaged to,” “connected to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engaged to,” “directly connected to,” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. 
     Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments. 
     Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature&#39;s relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly. 
     In this application, including the definitions below, the term ‘module’ may be replaced with the term ‘circuit.’ The term ‘module’ may refer to, be part of, or include: an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC); a digital, analog, or mixed analog/digital discrete circuit; a digital, analog, or mixed analog/digital integrated circuit; a combinational logic circuit; a field programmable gate array (FPGA); a processor circuit (shared, dedicated, or group) that executes code; a memory circuit (shared, dedicated, or group) that stores code executed by the processor circuit; other suitable hardware components that provide the described functionality; or a combination of some or all of the above, such as in a system-on-chip. 
     The module may include one or more interface circuits. In some examples, the interface circuits may include wired or wireless interfaces that are connected to a local area network (LAN), the Internet, a wide area network (WAN), or combinations thereof. The functionality of any given module of the present disclosure may be distributed among multiple modules that are connected via interface circuits. For example, multiple modules may allow load balancing. In a further example, a server (also known as remote, or cloud) module may accomplish some functionality on behalf of a client module. 
     The term code, as used above, may include software, firmware, and/or microcode, and may refer to programs, routines, functions, classes, data structures, and/or objects. The term shared processor circuit encompasses a single processor circuit that executes some or all code from multiple modules. The term group processor circuit encompasses a processor circuit that, in combination with additional processor circuits, executes some or all code from one or more modules. References to multiple processor circuits encompass multiple processor circuits on discrete dies, multiple processor circuits on a single die, multiple cores of a single processor circuit, multiple threads of a single processor circuit, or a combination of the above. The term shared memory circuit encompasses a single memory circuit that stores some or all code from multiple modules. The term group memory circuit encompasses a memory circuit that, in combination with additional memories, stores some or all code from one or more modules. 
     The term memory circuit is a subset of the term computer-readable medium. The term computer-readable medium, as used herein, does not encompass transitory electrical or electromagnetic signals propagating through a medium (such as on a carrier wave); the term computer-readable medium may therefore be considered tangible and non-transitory. Non-limiting examples of a non-transitory, tangible computer-readable medium are nonvolatile memory circuits (such as a flash memory circuit, an erasable programmable read-only memory circuit, or a mask read-only memory circuit), volatile memory circuits (such as a static random access memory circuit or a dynamic random access memory circuit), magnetic storage media (such as an analog or digital magnetic tape or a hard disk drive), and optical storage media (such as a CD, a DVD, or a Blu-ray Disc). 
     The apparatuses and methods described in this application may be partially or fully implemented by a special purpose computer created by configuring a general purpose computer to execute one or more particular functions embodied in computer programs. The functional blocks and flowchart elements described above serve as software specifications, which can be translated into the computer programs by the routine work of a skilled technician or programmer. 
     The computer programs include processor-executable instructions that are stored on at least one non-transitory, tangible computer-readable medium. The computer programs may also include or rely on stored data. The computer programs may encompass a basic input/output system (BIOS) that interacts with hardware of the special purpose computer, device drivers that interact with particular devices of the special purpose computer, one or more operating systems, user applications, background services, background applications, etc. 
     The computer programs may include: (i) descriptive text to be parsed, such as HTML (hypertext markup language) or XML (extensible markup language), (ii) assembly code, (iii) object code generated from source code by a compiler, (iv) source code for execution by an interpreter, (v) source code for compilation and execution by a just-in-time compiler, etc. As examples only, source code may be written using syntax from languages including C, C++, C#, Objective C, Haskell, Go, SQL, R, Lisp, Java®, Fortran, Perl, Pascal, Curl, OCaml, Javascript®, HTML5, Ada, ASP (active server pages), PHP, Scala, Eiffel, Smalltalk, Erlang, Ruby, Flash®, Visual Basic®, Lua, and Python®. 
     None of the elements recited in the claims are intended to be a means-plus-function element within the meaning of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) unless an element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for,” or in the case of a method claim using the phrases “operation for” or “for.” 
     The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.