Patent Description:
Often bicycle trainers will provide varying levels of resistance on the bicycle's pedals during a training session to simulate a cyclist going up or down a hill, to simulate ambient conditions such as headwinds or tailwinds, or to otherwise alter the training difficulty level in response to the cyclist's input or according to a preset training program. However, because in these known trainers the bicycle frame is held generally stationary on the trainer, the cyclist's experience in responding to the varying levels of resistance is much different than would otherwise be experienced on the road. For example, when riding on the road, the bike frame will move, jump, jerk, or tilt in response to the cyclist suddenly applying increased force to the pedals when climbing a hill and thereafter seemingly recoil when the cyclist decreases force on the pedals while coasting. But because the bicycle's frame is fixed in place when using a bicycle trainer, the fixed frame provides an unnatural feel to the user as they increase or decrease their effort on the pedals. Known stationary bicycle training systems are disclosed in <CIT> and <CIT>.

Aspects of the invention relate to a trainer that is configured to generate forward, backward, side-to-side, diagonal, tilting, and other motions based on forces applied to the bicycle's pedals or as the cyclist shifts weight or otherwise interacts with the bicycle frame during a training session. This generates more natural movement for the cyclist while training the cyclist's muscles in a similar manner as if the cyclist were riding outside on the road.

More particularly, some aspects of the invention are directed to a bicycle training system. The bicycle training system includes a movement platform configured to rest on a support surface and support a bicycle in an upright manner with respect to the support surface. The movement platform includes a support frame having a base and at least one upstanding arm configured to supportably engage a portion of a frame of the bicycle, a resistance assembly configured to operatively couple to a portion of a drivetrain of the bicycle and apply varying levels of resistance to the portion of the drivetrain, and a plurality of bushings isolating the base from the support surface. The plurality of bushings are spherical thereby permitting the movement platform to move with respect to the support surface in response to forces applied to the bicycle frame during use of the bicycle training system.

Other aspects of the invention are directed to a method of training using a bicycle training system. The method includes resting a movement platform on a support surface, such as the movement platform described above or similar. The method further includes supporting, with the movement platform, a bicycle in an upright manner with respect to the support surface including engaging a portion of a frame of the bicycle with the at least one upstanding arm, operatively coupling a portion of a drivetrain of the bicycle to the resistance assembly, and applying various levels of resistance to the portion of the drivetrain using the resistance assembly. Finally, the method includes moving the movement platform with respect to the support surface in response to forces applied to the bicycle during use of the bicycle training system.

Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, in which like numerals represent the same components, and wherein:.

Known bicycle training systems hold a bicycle frame and the cyclist generally stationary during a training session while providing resistance to a drivetrain of the bicycle, simulating the resistance applied to the drivetrain during an on-road ride. For example, <FIG> shows a conventional bicycle training system <NUM>. Such training systems <NUM> typically include a conventional bicycle <NUM> coupled to a bicycle trainer <NUM>. As should be appreciated, the conventional bicycle <NUM> generally includes an upstanding frame <NUM> including a front fork <NUM> rotatably supporting a front wheel <NUM> and rear stays <NUM> rotatably supporting a rear wheel <NUM>. The bicycle <NUM> also includes handlebars <NUM> operatively coupled to the front fork <NUM> that are used to steer the bicycle during use. The handlebars <NUM> include various controls such as brake levers and, in some embodiments, gear shift levers which may be integral to the brake levers or else a separate components therefrom. In other embodiments, the gear shift levers may be mounted elsewhere on the frame <NUM> such as a downtube, or else may be omitted altogether for single-speed bicycles. When equipped, the brake levers and gear shift levers are operatively connected to brakes and derailleurs, respectively, of the bicycle <NUM> via a series of cables allowing the user to activate the brakes and shift between gears during a ride.

The bicycle <NUM> further includes a series of chainrings <NUM> operatively coupled to a pedal set <NUM>. A chain <NUM> stretches from one of the chainrings <NUM> to a rear cassette <NUM> coupled to the hub of the rear wheel <NUM>, and more particularly to a sprocket of the cassette <NUM>. In this regard, as a cyclist turns the pedal set <NUM>, the chainrings <NUM> also rotate, which in turns rotates the rear wheel <NUM> via the chain <NUM> transmitting the motion to the rear cassette <NUM>, propelling the bicycle <NUM> forward. The cyclist can shift between chainrings <NUM> and sprockets on the rear cassette <NUM> via a front derailleur and rear derailleur <NUM>, respectively, thereby upshifting and downshifting as desired in response to encountering a hill, headwind or tailwind, or other condition.

The bicycle trainer <NUM> supports the frame <NUM> in the upright and stationary fashion while allowing the user to crank the pedal set <NUM> and thus turn the rear wheel <NUM>. More particularly, the bicycle trainer <NUM> includes a support frame including a base <NUM> and an upstanding frame member <NUM>. The base <NUM> rests on a support surface and the upstanding frame member <NUM> engages a portion of the bicycle frame <NUM> such as the rear stays <NUM> of the bicycle frame <NUM> or a rear axle <NUM> extending through a hub of the rear wheel <NUM> in such a manner that the frame <NUM> is secured in the upright position while the rear wheel <NUM> is elevated from the support surface. The training system may also include a front wheel clamp <NUM> that holds the front wheel <NUM> upright and steady during use of the system.

The bicycle trainer <NUM> may include a roller <NUM> or similar mechanism that engages the rear wheel <NUM> and provides resistance thereto, simulating an on-road riding experience. In some embodiments, the roller <NUM> may be adjustable to provide varying levels of resistance and thus simulate certain ambient conditions during a virtual ride such as hills, headwinds or tailwinds, varying terrain, or other rear-world riding conditions causing a cyclist to downshift or upshift as they would do on the road. Thus, a cyclist using the bicycle training system <NUM> can train on their bike indoors and is provided a somewhat realistic riding experience notwithstanding that the bicycle <NUM> remains stationary during use.

However, because the frame <NUM> and thus the cyclist using the training system <NUM> is held stationary by the trainer <NUM> and/or the front wheel dock <NUM> during use, conventional training systems <NUM> fail to provide the cyclist dynamic feedback or an on-the-road feel as the cyclist shifts gears, increases or decreases force on the pedals, or shifts their weight. Moreover, these conventional training systems <NUM> may fail to train the proper muscle groups, because the static frame does not require the same cyclist movements and adjustments necessary during on-road riding.

In contrast, aspects of the present invention include a dynamic system that moves and reacts to a cyclist's inputs, thus providing a more accurate on-road feel to the cyclist. The movement of the system simulates the natural movement of a bicycle on the road and ensures that the cyclist's correct muscles are trained. More particularly, at a high level aspects of the invention include a movement platform operatively coupled to a bicycle trainer to provide movement in all directions (left, right, front, back, diagonal, up, down, etc.), thereby simulating an on-road experience while training a cyclist's muscles in a similar fashion as outdoor riding.

This will be more readily apparent with reference to <FIG>. First, <FIG> and <FIG> show a first embodiment of an improved bicycle training system <NUM> according to aspects of the invention. At a high level the bicycle training system <NUM> includes a bicycle <NUM> operatively coupled to a movement platform <NUM>, which provides varying levels of resistance to the bicycle <NUM>'s drivetrain during a training session while dynamically responding to the user's inputs, weight shifts, and other motions.

The bicycle <NUM> generally includes an upright frame <NUM> supporting various components such as a front fork <NUM> rotatably supporting a front wheel <NUM>, rear stays <NUM> rotatably supporting a rear wheel <NUM>, handlebars <NUM> operatively coupled to the front fork <NUM>, a pedal set <NUM> coupled to one or more chainrings <NUM>, and a rear cassette <NUM> driven by the pedal set <NUM> and chainrings <NUM> via a chain <NUM>. The rear cassette <NUM> includes multiple sprockets which selectively receive the chain <NUM> as a user shifts gears causing a rear derailleur <NUM> to shift the chain <NUM> among the sprockets. In this regard, the frame <NUM>, front fork <NUM>, front wheel <NUM>, rear stays <NUM>, rear wheel <NUM>, handlebars <NUM>, pedal set <NUM>, chainrings <NUM>, rear cassette <NUM>, chain <NUM>, and rear derailleur <NUM> of bicycle <NUM> are similar in construction and function to the frame <NUM>, front fork <NUM>, front wheel <NUM>, rear stays <NUM>, rear wheel <NUM>, handlebars <NUM>, pedal set <NUM>, chainrings <NUM>, rear cassette <NUM>, chain <NUM>, and rear derailleur <NUM>, respectively, of bicycle <NUM>, and thus each component will not be discussed again in detail.

The bicycle training system <NUM> includes the movement platform <NUM> operatively coupled to a rear portion of the bicycle frame <NUM> and more particularly to the rear stays <NUM> and/or the rear wheel <NUM> of the bicycle <NUM>. The movement platform <NUM> generally includes a support frame including a base <NUM> and a pair of upstanding arms <NUM>, <NUM> extending upwards from the base <NUM> and flanking the rear wheel <NUM>. More particularly, the first upstanding arm <NUM> is provided on a left side of the rear wheel <NUM> and supports a left side of the frame <NUM>, while the second upstanding arm <NUM> is provided on a right side of the rear wheel <NUM> and supports the right side of the frame <NUM>. Each arm <NUM>, <NUM> is configured to couple to and thus support a rear portion of the bicycle frame <NUM> either directly or via a rear axle <NUM> or similar component.

For example, in the depicted embodiment the arms <NUM>, <NUM> support the frame <NUM> via the rear axle <NUM> extending through a hub of the rear wheel <NUM>. In some embodiments, the rear axle <NUM> may be an integral component of the bicycle <NUM> and may be, for example, a skewer-type axle or the like that holds the rear wheel <NUM> to the frame <NUM>. In other embodiments, the rear axle <NUM> may be an integral component of the movement platform <NUM> itself. In such embodiments, the rear axle used to couple the rear wheel <NUM> to the frame <NUM> may be removed and replaced with the rear axle <NUM> extending through the upright arms <NUM>, <NUM> when the bicycle <NUM> is used as a portion of the bicycle training system <NUM>. In other embodiments, the arms <NUM>, <NUM> may operatively couple near or to the distal ends the skewer-type axle used to hold the rear wheel <NUM> to the bicycle frame <NUM>. In still other embodiments, the arms <NUM>, <NUM> may not couple to the rear axle <NUM> at all but instead may couple to a different portion of the bicycle frame <NUM> such as the rear stays <NUM>, the rear dropouts thereof, or the like.

In any event, the upstanding arms <NUM>, <NUM> support the bicycle frame <NUM> in an upright manner in such a way that that rear wheel <NUM> is permitted to rotate in response to a user's input on the pedal set <NUM>. In that regard, when the frame <NUM> is supported by the movement platform <NUM> (and more particularly the arms <NUM>, <NUM> thereof), the rear wheel <NUM> will be suspended from a support surface on which the movement platform <NUM> rests such that the rear wheel <NUM> can rotate without the bicycle <NUM> moving forward. Instead, the movement platform <NUM> supports the rear wheel <NUM> in such a way that it engages and interacts with a resistance assembly <NUM>. The resistance assembly <NUM> generally includes a resistance mechanism <NUM> operatively coupled to a roller <NUM>. The roller <NUM> engages and interacts with the rear wheel <NUM> (<FIG>) such that when a cyclist pedals the pedal set <NUM> spinning the rear wheel <NUM>, the roller <NUM> engaged therewith spins as well.

The resistance mechanism <NUM>, in turn, is configured to apply a varying amount of resistance to the roller <NUM> and thus the rear wheel <NUM> and ultimately the pedal set <NUM>. The varying levels of resistance requires varying amounts of effort on behalf of the cyclist thus simulating hills, winds, and other ambient conditions attendant with an on-road experience. In the depicted embodiment, the resistance mechanism <NUM> is an electric rotor and stator assembly. The rotor and stator assembly may include electromagnets or the like that can be used to alter the rotational resistance applied to the roller <NUM> and thus the pedal set <NUM> of the bicycle frame <NUM>. For example, to simulate a hill or to otherwise increase resistance during a training program, the resistance assembly <NUM> may increase the rotational resistance to the rotor (and thus the roller <NUM> and thus the rear wheel <NUM>) by increasing electricity flow to the stator electromagnets.

The resistance supplied by the resistance assembly <NUM> may be controlled via a user control mounted to the handlebars <NUM> or other portion of the bicycle frame <NUM>, or in some embodiments may be controlled automatically by an controller that may be integral to the training system <NUM> or else may be in communication with the training system <NUM> such as by RF, bluetooth, wifi, wired connection, or other communication channel. In such embodiments, the controller may follow a preset training program selected by the cyclist. For example, when using the bicycle training system <NUM> the cyclist may select a certain route, road, path, race, etc. that the cyclist wishes to simulate using the training system <NUM>, and thus the resistance assembly <NUM> in turn may increase or decrease resistance on the rear wheel <NUM> in response to the cyclist encountering hills and similar on the virtual ride.

Although the depicted bicycle training system <NUM> incorporates the roller <NUM> that operatively engages the rear wheel <NUM> of the bicycle <NUM>, in other embodiments the training system could incorporate a direct-drive type bicycle trainer without departing from the scope of the invention. In such embodiments, the user would first remove the rear wheel and associated cassette from the bicycle frame completely, and thereafter connect a portion of the bicycle's drivetrain (such as the chain and associated rear derailleur) to an integral cassette provided on the bicycle trainer. This will become more apparent below in connection with the discussion of <FIG> and <FIG>.

Moreover, although the resistance mechanism <NUM> in <FIG> and <FIG> is shown as an electric rotor and stator assembly, other suitable resistance mechanisms may be implemented without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, a mechanical braking system could be employed such as a disc or drum brake system. Thus, the brake pads or brake shoes will increase or decrease pressure on the rotating disc or drum to increase or decrease, respectively, resistance to the rear wheel <NUM> of the bicycle <NUM>. In other embodiments, other types of resistance mechanisms may be employed such as, for example, a mechanical clutch system or the like without departing from the scope of the invention.

The movement platform <NUM> includes a plurality of bushings <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> isolating the base <NUM> of the movement platform <NUM> from the support surface on which the platform <NUM> rests. Put another way, unlike the prior-art training system <NUM> discussed above in which the base <NUM> rests directly on the support surface thus holding the trainer <NUM> stationary during use, in this embodiment the base <NUM> (including platform <NUM>) is elevated and isolated from the support surface due to the presence of the bushings <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> between the base <NUM> and the support surface. As will be discussed in more detail below, these bushings <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> allow the movement platform <NUM> to shift and pivot during use, providing a user a dynamic and real-world riding experience.

The depicted embodiment includes three bushings <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> located at the vertices of an imaginary isosceles triangle, but in other embodiments there may be more or less bushings spaced and arranged in an alternative configuration without departing from the scope of the invention. Two bushings <NUM>, <NUM> are provided at a front portion of the movement platform <NUM>, generally below the pedal set <NUM> and flanking the rear wheel <NUM>. The first bushing <NUM> is coupled to a wing of the base <NUM> that extends outward from the bicycle <NUM> on the left side of the frame <NUM> while the third bushing <NUM> is coupled to an opposing wing of the base <NUM> that extends outward from the bicycle <NUM> on the right side of the frame <NUM> (<FIG>). The second bushing <NUM> is provided at the rear portion of the base <NUM> generally below the rearmost portion of the rear wheel <NUM> and at a center of the base <NUM> such that the second bushing <NUM> is vertically aligned with the rear wheel <NUM> (<FIG>).

In configurations, the bushings <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are spherical and configured to translate via rolling movement such that the movement platform <NUM> moves in response to a user shifting gears, shifting weight, standing up on the pedal set <NUM>, or otherwise applying forces to the bicycle <NUM>. This may be more readily understood with reference to <FIG>, which shows one of the bushings <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> described above. In some configurations, bushing <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are elastically deformable to assist in generation of the rolling movement. Because in this embodiment the bushings <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are generally alike in shape, construction, and function, only one bushing <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> is shown and described in <FIG> for ease of discussion. However, aspects of the invention are not limited to training systems employing identical bushings, and in other embodiments each of the bushings <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> could differ in shape and construction from the other bushings without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, one of the three bushings <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> could have a generally spherical construction as shown in described in <FIG>, while the other two bushings could have a different shape such as the shape of one of the bushings that will be discussed below in connection with <FIG>.

The bushing <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> generally includes a main body <NUM> and a post <NUM> or other attachment portion. The main body <NUM> is configured to support the movement platform <NUM> about a support surface and interact therewith as the movement platform <NUM> rocks and translates. In the depicted embodiment, the main body <NUM> is substantially spherical in shape-that is, the outer surface thereof generally follows the contour of a sphere except for an uppermost portion of the main body <NUM> that couples to the post <NUM>-but in other embodiments the main body <NUM> can take any desired shape without departing from the scope of the invention, which will become more apparent in connection with the discussion of <FIG>.

At a top of the main body <NUM> is the post <NUM>, which in the non-limiting example shown in the figures is generally circular in cross-section and thus is generally cylindrical in shape. Again, however, in other embodiments the post <NUM> can take any number of cross-sections and shapes without departing from the scope of the invention, as will become more apparent below. The post <NUM> is received within a correspondingly shaped and sized seat or the like (not shown) provided on an underneath side of the base <NUM> of the movement platform <NUM> thus securing the bushing <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> to the base <NUM>. The post <NUM> may be secured within the base <NUM> in any known matter including via an interference fit with the corresponding seat, via a fastener such as a bolt or screw extending through the base <NUM> and into the post <NUM>, via a clamp pressing the post <NUM> against the corresponding seat, via adhesive applied to the post <NUM> or the seat, or via any other desired fastening mechanism.

The bushing <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> is configured to translate via rolling movement to permit the movement platform <NUM> to translate horizontally and vertically and to pivot in the left and right direction during use of the bicycle training system <NUM>. That is, bushing <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> roll, shift, rotate, pivot, or otherwise translate to provide rolling movement, which in turn permits movement of the movement platform <NUM>. In some examples, the bushing <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> is constructed of a highly resilient, deformable material such as rubber or another similarly constituted polymer to deform and deflect in order to assist in generation of the rolling movement. Due to its high resiliency-that it, ability to absorb energy when deformed elastically and to release the energy upon being unloaded-the bushing <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> deforms elastically under load (in response to forces applied by the user during a training session), and thereafter returns to its equilibrium position when unloaded. However, in some configurations, bushing <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be comprised of rigid or inelastic materials that enable the movement platform <NUM> to translate only through rolling movement.

For example, <FIG> shows three positions of the bushing <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>: an equilibrium position <NUM>, a first shifted position <NUM> (schematically shown in phantom lines), and a second shifted position <NUM> (also schematically shown in phantom lines). As a user shifts their weight, changes gears, or otherwise interacts with the bicycle training system <NUM>, the bushing <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> elastically deforms and thus translates between the three positions <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> shown. It should be appreciated that the three distinct positions <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are shown for discussion purposes only, and that in use there will be infinite positions in which the bushing <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> translate as it is loaded and unloaded by the user. Moreover, although the bushing <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> is shown translating between three positions <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> in the left-to-right direction as viewed in <FIG>, it should be appreciated that the deformation is not so limited. That, is the bushing <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>-particularly when constructed as having a substantially spherical outer surface as shown in <FIG>-has <NUM> degrees of freedom and thus can translate in an infinite number of directions in the horizontal plane.

Moreover, and as schematically shown in <FIG>, the bushing <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> is further configured to compress and decompress as it is loaded and unloaded during use of the bicycle training system <NUM>. More particularly, <FIG> schematically shows, in phantom lines, a compressed position <NUM> of the bushing <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. As the user increases force in the vertical direction on the bushing <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, the bushing <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> can thus elastically deform from the equilibrium position <NUM> to one of an infinite number of compressed positions such as the compressed position <NUM>, shown as one non-limiting example.

The horizontal (<FIG>) and vertical (<FIG>) elastic deformation and movement of the bushings <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> provides a dynamic response to a user of the bicycle training system <NUM> because the movement platform <NUM> moves and reacts to the user's various inputs, weight shifts, and other movements on the bicycle <NUM> during a training session via the deformation of the bushings <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. For example, in response to the increased resistance applied to the rear wheel <NUM> and thus the pedal set <NUM> by the resistance assembly <NUM>, the cyclist may in turn increase the force applied to the pedal set <NUM>, stand up on the pedal set <NUM>, shift their weight, and/or shift the chain <NUM> among the chainrings <NUM> or sprockets on the rear cassette <NUM>. In response, the external and varied forces applied by the cyclist causes one or more of the bushings <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> to elastically deform and/or translate, shifting and/or pivoting the movement platform <NUM>.

For example, if the user exerts a force on the bicycle frame <NUM> in the generally forward direction (to the left as viewed in <FIG>), each bushing <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may generally deform from the equilibrium position <NUM> to the second shifted position <NUM>, in turn causing the movement platform <NUM> to rock or translate forward as schematically depicted by arrow <NUM>. Once the cyclist let up in response to a subsequent decrease in resistance by the resistance assembly <NUM> or other change, the bushings <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may return towards the equilibrium position <NUM>, and thus the movement platform <NUM> will translate rearward (arrow <NUM> in <FIG>). Conversely, if the user exerts a force on the bicycle frame <NUM> in the generally rearward direction (to the right as viewed in <FIG>), each bushing <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may generally deform from the equilibrium position <NUM> to the first shifted position <NUM>, in turn causing the movement platform <NUM> to rock or translate backward as schematically depicted by arrow <NUM>, before returning towards the equilibrium position <NUM> as each bushing <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> is subsequently unloaded.

In a similar manner, if the user exerts forces on the bicycle frame <NUM> in the side-to-side directions (left-to-right as viewed in <FIG>), the bushings <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> elastically deform and permit the movement platform <NUM> to move left and right as schematically depicted by arrows <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively, before ultimately returning the equilibrium position <NUM> as the bushings <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are subsequently unloaded. Or, if a user shifts their weight to the left and right, any bushings to the left and right, respectively, of the bicycle <NUM>'s center line (in the depicted embodiment, first bushing <NUM> and third bushing <NUM>, respectively) may compress from the equilibrium position <NUM> to the compressed position <NUM>, and thereafter decompress from the compressed position <NUM> to the equilibrium position <NUM>. This causes the movement platform <NUM> to pivot about its centerline as schematically depicted by arrow <NUM> in <FIG>. In this regard, the movement of the bicycle frame <NUM> provided by the movement platform <NUM> replicates the feel of outdoor riding while training like muscle groups as would be used during an on-road ride.

In the depicted embodiment of the bicycle training system <NUM>, the front wheel <NUM> rests on the support surface. Thus, during movements of the movement platform <NUM> as described, particularly in the forward and rearward directions as schematically depicted by arrows <NUM> and <NUM>, the front wheel <NUM> freely rolls about the support surface. However, in other embodiments, the front wheel may be clamped or otherwise secured in a translating sled or the like (not shown, but similar to the front wheel clamp <NUM> although with rollers, bushings, or the like isolating the base of the clamp from the support surface) without departing from the scope of the invention.

The substantially spherical bushings <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> described above may provide a relatively smooth recoil of the movement platform <NUM> while allowing for movement of the movement platform <NUM> is substantially <NUM> degrees due to the spherical outer surface of the main body <NUM>, which interacts with the support surface when the bushing <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> is loaded and thus elastically deformed. However, in other embodiments the bushings make take alternative shapes and configurations providing for a different load profile and thus recoil.

This may be more readily understood with reference to <FIG>, which show four alternative bushings <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> that may be employed on certain embodiments. More particularly, <FIG> shows a bushing <NUM> having a substantially frustoconical main body <NUM> with a cylindrical post <NUM>. <FIG> shows a bushing <NUM> having a cuboidal main body <NUM> with a cylindrical post <NUM>. <FIG> shows a bushing <NUM> having a donut-shaped main body <NUM> and a cylindrical post <NUM>. And <FIG> shows a bushing <NUM> having an irregularly shaped main body <NUM> and a rectangular prism post <NUM>. Again, the shape of the posts <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> of each bushing <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are shown for illustrative purposes only. Thus, any of bushings <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> could employ a rectangular prism post (such as post <NUM>) or any other suitably shaped post while bushing <NUM> could employ a cylindrical post (such as post <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>) or any other suitably shaped post without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

Each bushing may provide a different load and/or recoil profile and thus a different dynamic experience to a cyclist using a training system such as the bicycle training system <NUM> discussed above. For example, due to its flat side facing the support surface, the frustoconical main body <NUM> may be relatively sturdy, and thus not easily deformed when exposed to small external forces, but due its curved frustoconical outer surface may elastically deform in a like manner as the bushing <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> when exposed to large external forces and thus is rocked off its flat surface. This may provide a user with a relatively stationary platform <NUM> for much of the ride yet permit movement in response to large changes in the user's position or otherwise.

The cuboidal main body <NUM> may similarly exhibit a relatively stationary ride when exposed to relatively minor forces. And when exposed to forces great enough to rock the bushing <NUM> off its downward facing face, the geometry of the cuboidal main body <NUM> may server to restrict horizontal movement of the platform <NUM> in one of four directions corresponding to the four outwardly facing faces of the cube.

The donut-shaped main body <NUM> may conversely exhibit great elastic deformation in response to relatively minor forces, yet very little deformation (and thus movement) beyond the initial loading. And finally, the irregularly shaped main body <NUM>-which is shown as having a stadium shaped cross-section, but which may have any irregular cross-section tailored to a specific application-may be configured to provide different load and deformation profiles in different directions. For example, if a curved surface thereof is aligned in the front-to-back direction but not the right-to-left, the movement platform <NUM> may be more prone to translate in the former than in the latter.

In this regard, differently shaped and configured bushings can be employed to customize the movement and load profiles of the movement platform <NUM> to the user's specific training needs. In some embodiments, the bushings may be interchangeable so that a user can customize their experience but switching out the bushings prior to a training session. Thus, a user that may initially use spherical bushings can thereafter switch one or more bushings with a different shaped bushing to achieve a more customized dynamic response during a training session.

Although the above embodiments were described in connection with a roller-type training system that captures the rear wheel <NUM> of the bicycle <NUM>, the invention is not so limited. For example, aspects of the invention could be employed with a direct-drive type bicycle training system without departing from the scope of the invention. This will be more readily understood with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>.

More particularly, <FIG> and <FIG> show a second embodiment of a bicycle training system <NUM> according to aspects of the invention. In this direct-drive embodiment, the user still uses a conventional bicycle <NUM> coupled to a movement platform <NUM>, but now the user first removes a rear wheel of the bicycle <NUM> prior to use of the system <NUM>. The user will thereafter connect a portion of the bicycle <NUM>'s drivetrain directly to a cassette <NUM> integral to the movement platform <NUM>, after which the user can shift between sprockets on the cassette <NUM> using the rear derailleur <NUM> still attached to the frame <NUM>.

Thus, in this embodiment the bicycle training system <NUM> only includes a subset of the bicycle <NUM> components discussed above, including the frame <NUM>, front fork <NUM>, front wheel <NUM>, rear stays <NUM>, handlebars <NUM>, pedal set <NUM>, chainrings <NUM>, chain <NUM>, and rear derailleur <NUM>, which are similar in construction and function to the frame <NUM>, front fork <NUM>, front wheel <NUM>, rear stays <NUM>, handlebars <NUM>, pedal set <NUM>, chainrings <NUM>, chain <NUM>, and rear derailleur <NUM>, respectively, of bicycle <NUM>, and thus will not be discussed again in detail. Notably absent are the rear wheel and associated rear cassette of the bicycle <NUM>, which are removed by the user prior to use of the trainer. Instead, the user supports the frame <NUM> via a rear axle <NUM> or other component provided on the movement platform <NUM> and connects the chain <NUM> to a cassette <NUM> integral to the movement platform <NUM>.

The movement platform <NUM> generally includes a support frame including a base <NUM> and a pair of upstanding arms <NUM>, <NUM> supporting a resistance assembly <NUM>. Similar to the resistance assembly <NUM> discussed above, the resistance assembly <NUM> may include an integral electric rotor and stator assembly, mechanical brake, clutch, or other resistance mechanism configured to apply a varying amount of resistance to the cassette <NUM> and thus the pedal set <NUM> operatively connected to the cassette <NUM> via the chain <NUM> and chainrings <NUM>. Moreover, the base includes a plurality of bushings-in this embodiment, four bushings <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>-isolating the movement platform <NUM> from the support surface on which the movement platform <NUM> rests. As should be appreciated, the bushings <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> can take any of the forms described above, or any other suitable shape for that matter, without departing from the scope of the invention.

In a like fashion as discussed above, the bushings <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> permit movement of the movement platform <NUM> during a training session, providing a dynamic, on-road feel. More particularly, the bushings <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may permit the movement platform to horizontally translate back and forth (arrows <NUM> and <NUM> in <FIG>) and side to side (arrows <NUM> and <NUM> in <FIG>), as well as pivot from side to side (arrow <NUM> in <FIG>).

Finally, <FIG> and <FIG> show a third embodiment of a bicycle training system <NUM> according to aspects of the invention. The training system <NUM> shown in <FIG> and <FIG> is a captured rear wheel, roller-type training system similar to the system <NUM> shown and described in connection with <FIG> and <FIG>, but again the aspects described herein could be employed in a direct-drive type system similar to the system <NUM> shown and described in connection with <FIG> and <FIG> without departing from the scope of the invention. Moreover, the system <NUM> includes many components that are like in configuration and function to the similarly named and numbered components of the training system <NUM>-including a bicycle <NUM>, the frame <NUM>, front fork <NUM>, front wheel <NUM>, rear stays <NUM>, rear wheel <NUM>, handlebars <NUM>, pedal set <NUM>, chainrings <NUM>, rear cassette <NUM>, chain <NUM>, rear derailleur <NUM>, upstanding arms <NUM>, <NUM>, rear axle <NUM>, bushings <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, resistance assembly <NUM>, resistance mechanism <NUM>, and roller <NUM>-which thus will not be discussed again in detail.

Claim 1:
A bicycle training system (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) comprising:
a movement platform (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) configured to rest on a support surface and support a bicycle (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) in an upright manner with respect to the support surface, the movement platform (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) comprising:
a support frame and including a base (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) and at least one upstanding arm (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) configured to supportably engage a portion of a frame (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) of the bicycle (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>);
a resistance assembly (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) configured to operatively couple to a portion of a drivetrain of the bicycle (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) and apply varying levels of resistance to the portion of the drivetrain; characterized in that
a plurality of bushings (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) isolating the base (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) from the support surface, wherein the plurality of bushings (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) are spherical thereby permitting the movement platform (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) to move with respect to the support surface in response to forces applied to the bicycle frame (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) during use of the bicycle training system (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>).