Patent Publication Number: US-6702721-B2

Title: Bicycle trainer with movable resistance device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/177,494, filed Jan. 21, 2000, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to exercise equipment, and more particularly, to a bicycle trainer. 
     Bicycle trainers have been used by bicycle enthusiasts to convert their bicycles for stationary riding. A typical user is a bicycle owner who competes in various bicycle races or rides often. When the weather prevents riding outdoors, such as it is raining, too cold or too hot, the cyclist can use the trainer indoors to simulate a ride. In some cases, cyclist may want to use a trainer while also reading or watching television. However, in all cases, the bicycle trainer should be easy to use and simulate bicycle riding. A common bicycle trainer has a frame onto which the user mounts the bicycle. Typically, the rear wheel of the bicycle is in contact with a roller that, in turn, is coupled to a resistance unit. The roller is supported by the frame at a fixed distance from couplers that engage and support the bicycle in an upright position. In this manner, the bicycle trainer is generally designed to work with bicycles of a particular wheel diameter. Some cyclists however may enjoy riding types of bicycles, i.e., bicycles with large diameter wheels as well as bicycles with small diameter wheels. Likewise, a family may desire bicycle trainer that can accommodate bicycles having different wheel diameters. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An exerciser adapted for use with a pedaled device includes a frame having a post support ends for supporting the pedaled device and a frame mounting flange. A resistance device is selectively securable to the frame mounting flange in a first position relative to the opposed support ends. An adapter is selectively securable to the frame mounting flange and has an adapter mounting flange such that when the adapter is secured to the secured mounting flange, the resistance device is securable to the adapter mounting flange. 
     A second aspect of the present invention is an adapter for mounting a resistance device on a frame of an exerciser used to support a pedaled device. A frame includes a frame mounting flange for mounting the resistance device and spaced apart frame portions. The adapter includes a portion adapted for mounting to the frame mounting flange. The portion includes an adapter mounting flange to which the resistance device is mountable. The adapter further includes a support member having ends engagable with the spaced apart frame portions. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exerciser. 
     FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the exerciser without an adapter. 
     FIG. 3 is a view of a resistance device. 
     FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the resistance device with a mounting bracket illustrated in two positions. 
     FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of a portion of a frame of the exerciser with the adapter. 
     FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of a portion of the frame with the adapter and mounting bracket illustrated in two positions. 
     FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of the adapter. 
     FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the adapter. 
     FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the adapter. 
     FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a portion of the frame. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS 
     An exemplary embodiment of an exerciser  10  with a movable resistance device  12  is illustrated in FIG.  1 . As well known to those skilled in the art, the exerciser  10  is a bicycle trainer that is adapted to support a tire and wheel of a bicycle or other pedaled device (hereinafter “bicycle” by way of example, and used as a representation of all types of pedaled devices). The resistance device  12  includes a roller  14  that engages a tire of the bicycle. The resistance device  12  typically includes a rotatable resistance assembly  15  such as an impeller rotatable in a fluid such as oil. However, it should be understood that the present invention can be used with many forms of resistance devices wherein the specific implementation provided herein is not a part of the invention, and thus should not be limiting. 
     The exerciser  10  includes a frame  20  used to support the rotating wheel of the bicycle. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the frame  20  includes opposed support ends  32  that support couplers  25 , for releasably supporting the bicycle above a floor. In this embodiment, the couplers  25  engage opposed portions of an axle of the bicycle. Each of the couplers  25  include rods  23  that threadably mate with threaded apertures in the frame  20 . Handles  26  secured to the rods  23  adjust the couplers  25  axially to engage the bicycle. The manner in which the couplers  25  move relative to the frame  20  is merely exemplary, and other constructions can be used, if desired. 
     In the embodiment illustrated, the frame  20  includes a center portion  30  that is “U” or “V” shaped wherein the support ends  32  are spaced apart. Legs  36  are secured proximate the ends  32  and extend downwardly. In one embodiments the legs  36  are pivotally secured to the center portion  30  so as to allow the frame  20  to assure a compact position for storage. In this embodiment, the frame  20  further includes a horizontal support rod  38  joined to the center portion  30  that provides additional stability. 
     Referring also to FIGS. 2 and 3, the resistance device  12  includes a mounting bracket  44 . The mounting bracket  44  supports a shaft  46  of the resistance device  12  to which the roller  14  is secured. In the embodiment illustrated, the impeller unit  15  is mounted to a first end of the shaft  46 , while a flywheel  47  is provided on an end opposite the impeller unit  15 . Bearings  52  are provided to allow rotation of the shaft  46 , and thereby, the roller  14  relative to the mounting bracket  44 . 
     The mounting bracket  44  can be secured to the frame  20  on an end  53  opposite the roller  14 . Specifically, the mounting bracket  44  can be mounted to a frame mounting flange  54  (FIG. 10) that is secured to the center portion  30 . In the embodiment illustrated, the frame mounting flange  54  comprises a pair of opposed ears  54 A and  54 B. A fastener  55 , such as a threaded bolt herein illustrated in FIG. 3, can secure the mounting bracket  44  to the frame mounting flange  54 . The fastener  55  extends through suitable apertures provided in the frame mounting flange  54  and the mounting bracket  44 . 
     In order to provide some accommodation for wheels of different diameters, the mounting bracket  44  pivots relative to the frame  20 . To adjust the position of the mounting bracket  44  and, thus, the resistance device  12 , a threaded fastener  57  extends through an aperture  60  in the mounting bracket  44 . In the embodiment illustrated, the fastener  57  comprises a “L”-shaped hook having a first portion  57 A received in an aperture  59  provided on the frame  20 . The portion  57 A can pivot relative to the aperture  59 . A second portion  57 B of the fastener  57  is threaded and extends through the aperture  60  provided in the mounting bracket  44 . A handle  62  threadably mates with the fastener  57  to hold the mounting bracket  44  in position wherein the resistance device  12  (i.e., the roller  14 ) engages the tire of the bicycle. 
     Although pivotal motion of the mounting bracket  44  relative to the frame mounting flange  54  allows wheels of different size to be used in the exerciser  10 , the range of diameters is limited. Referring to FIGS. 3,  4  and  6 - 10 , an adapter  70  selectively securable to the frame mounting flange  54  allows the resistance device  12  to be moved upwardly or closer to the support ends  32  in order that the exerciser  10  can be used with yet smaller wheels. In the embodiment illustrated, the adapter  70  includes a first end  72  having a width substantially similar to the end  53  of the mounting bracket  44  so as to be easily secured to the frame mounting flange  54 . In this embodiment, the end  72  includes opposed ears having apertures to correspond with apertures provided in the ears  54 A and  54 B. A fastener  74 , such as a threaded bolt and nut, secures the end  72  to the frame mounting flange  54 . A second end  76  of the adapter  70  includes an adapter mounting flange  78  that is substantially similar to the frame mounting flange  54  so that the end  53  of the mounting bracket  44  can be easily mounted thereto when the adapter  70  is secured to the frame mounting flange  54 . The fastener  55  secures the mounting bracket  44  to the adapter mounting flange  78 . The adapter  70  includes an aperture  79  similar to the aperture  59  provided on the frame  20  to receive the first portion  57 A of the fastener  57 . 
     In the embodiment illustrated, the adapter  70  further includes a support  80  that releasably engages spaced apart portions of the frame  20  and, in particular, the center portion  30 . As appreciated by those skilled in the art, the support  80  can take many forms. In the embodiment illustrated, each end  81  of the support  80  includes a recess  83  that receives the respective portion of the frame  20 . The support  80  stabilizes the adapter  70  relative to the frame  20  and helps hold the adapter  70  in a fixed position. 
     As described above, the adapter  70  allows the exerciser  10  to accommodate bicycles or other pedaled devices having smaller wheels. In effect, the adapter  70  allows the resistance device  12  to be positioned closer to the support ends  32 . In a further embodiment, it may be desirable that the support ends  32  be lowerable in the second position of the resistance device  12  using the adapter  70  in order that the bicycle or other pedaled device is substantially level and it center of gravity is as close to the floor as possible to avoid a tipping action, when operated. In order to adjust the height of the support ends relative to the floor, each of the legs  36  (FIGS. 1 and 10) are selectively fastened to the center portion  30  using one of a plurality of apertures  90  provided for each leg  36 . In the embodiment illustrated, fastening of the leg  36  in each of the apertures  90  changes the angular position of the leg relative to the center portion  30  wherein larger angles effectively lower the height of the support ends  32  above the floor. Mounting flanges  92  on the center portion  30  include the plurality of apertures  90 . However, those skilled in the art can appreciate that a similar flange can be secured to each of the legs  36 , wherein the flanges on the legs  36  would include the plurality of apertures  90  in order to provide the necessary adjustment. 
     Likewise, other techniques for selectively lowering the ends  32  can be used and are considered other aspects of the present invention. For instance, each of the legs can be made selectively adjustable. Each leg can include portions that are connectable to form a desired length. For example, telescoping legs with a suitable fastener to selectively connect the leg portions to form a desired length can be used. 
     In summary, the adapter  70  allows the resistance device  12  to be easily positioned in one of two different positions on the exerciser  10  in order to accommodate varying wheel diameters. The adapter  70  is easy to manufacture and does not require alteration of the frame  20  from the existing design. Furthermore, the adapter  70  can be easily installed and removed, as desired. 
     Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.