Saris Cycling Group, Inc.

Graber Products, Inc.

Other

Saris Cysling Group, Inc.

Clint D Kolda

David M Stravitz

David M Harris

Chang Shin Pin

Jesse E Ambrosina

Harald Quintus-Bosz

Robert Michael Shydo, Jr

Jeffery T Iverson

Peter V Colan

Joshua G Lohr

Mark A Dahl

David L Wendt

Matthew Evans

Edward M Watson

Zhu Zhao Hua

A torque sensing arrangement has a set of strain sensors, such as strain gauges, mounted to an adapter that can be mounted to a chain ring of the crank set of a bicycle wheel. The adapter may have an annular body that can be used to retrofit the original crank set of a bicycle to have torque sensing components without having to replace the chain rings or the crank arm of the crank set. Together with angular velocity measurements, the measurements of the strain sensors may be used to calculate the amount of work or power exerted by the cyclist to propel the bicycle.

Chain ring power sensor for a bicycle

An exercise system includes a user input arrangement; a rotatable member that rotates in response to an input force applied by a user on the user input arrangement; a power sensing arrangement that senses power applied to the rotatable member due to the input force applied by the user; and a variable resistance arrangement interconnected with the power sensing arrangement and with the user input arrangement. The resistance arrangement applies resistance to rotation of the rotatable member, and is variable in response to the power sensing arrangement to vary the resistance applied to the rotatable member. The variable resistance arrangement may be a brake that interacts with the rotatable member to resist rotation of the rotatable member, and to thereby resist the input force applied by the user. The variable resistance arrangement includes a controller for controlling the brake in response to the power sensing arrangement.

Power sensing eddy current resistance unit for an exercise device

A cradle or hold-down for a vehicle-mounted equipment carrier, such as a bicycle carrier, includes a resilient support member interconnected with a rigid shell, in combination with a flexible retainer strap that is secured to a retainer base associated with the rigid shell. The support member defines a passage within which a support arm of the carrier is received, and the shell includes aligned openings through which the support arm extends. The support member includes engagement structure, such as a trough, which is configured to receive and engage the equipment supported by the carrier, e.g. the frame of a bicycle. The retainer base is formed integrally with the shell, and extends laterally from the shell so as to be offset from the engagement area of the support member. The retainer strap is fixed to the retainer base, such as by an interlocking T-slot arrangement interposed between the retainer base and the retainer strap.

Hold-down for a vehicle-mounted equipment carrier

An equipment carrier, such as a bicycle rack, is adapted for removable mounting to a vehicle and includes a first frame and a second frame interconnected by one or more hubs. The first frame is engaged with the hubs so as to be axially movable relative to the lower frame and the hubs. The first frame defines a forward engagement area adapted for engagement with the rear of the vehicle, and the second frame defines an outer engagement area adapted to engage the vehicle at a location vertically spaced from the forward engagement area. The second frame is pivotably mounted to the hubs for movement between an operative extended position and an inoperative collapsed position. A variable position engagement arrangement is interposed between the hubs and the first frame, for selectively fixing the axial position of the first frame relative to the hubs. In one form, the variable position engagement arrangement includes an engagement member associated with the second frame which is movable into engagement with one of a series of axially spaced openings in the first frame when the lower frame is in its operative extended position. Movement of the second frame relative to the hubs away from its operative extended position functions to disengage the engagement member from the first frame openings, to enable the axial position of the first frame to be adjusted. Subsequent return of the second frame to its extended operative position functions to engage the engagement member with a different one of the openings, to fix the first frame in a different axial position relative to the second frame. In this manner, the configuration of the carrier can be adjusted according to the configuration of the vehicle to which the carrier is adapted to be mounted.

Adjustable rack for carrying equipment on a vehicle

A vehicle-mounted equipment carrier includes a base having a support member that is movable between an operative position and an inoperative position. An engagement member maintains the position of the support member, and is movable between an engaged position and a release position. The engagement member is movable between the engaged position and an intermediate position by a threaded connection with the base, is movable between the intermediate position and the release position by a sliding connection with the base. The shaft includes a threaded section that engages a threaded opening in the base, for providing movement of the engagement member between the engaged position and the intermediate position upon rotation of the engagement member, and an unthreaded section that moves the shaft axially within the opening for moving the engagement member between the intermediate position and the release position.

Quick conversion connection system for a component of a vehicle-mounted equipment carrier

An automatically adjusting magnetic resistance unit for an exercise device such as a bicycle trainer, in which the degree of resistance is automatically and non-linearly adjusted in relation to the rotational speed of a rotating member caused by the input of a user. The rotating member may be in the form of a flywheel having a number of supports extending between a hub and a rim. The supports define longitudinal grooves which slidably retain magnets that are biased inwardly toward the hub by biasing members. An electrically conductive member is located adjacent the flywheel. As the flywheel rotates in response to rotation of the bicycle wheel, the magnets interact with the conductive member to establish eddy currents that provide resistance to the rotation of the flywheel. The speed of rotation of the flywheel increases as the speed of rotation of the bicycle wheel increases, and centrifugal forces act on the magnets to cause the magnets to slide outwardly along the grooves in opposition to the bias of the biasing members. The outward movement of the magnets causes outward movement of the eddy current forces, to increase the resistance provided to rotation of the flywheel and the bicycle wheel. The variable resistance due to the increased or decreased rotational speed of the flywheel is smooth, based on the constant interaction of the counteracting forces of the biasing members and the centrifugal forces acting on the magnets.

Variable magnetic resistance unit for an exercise device

A system for preventing relative movement between first and second members, in which the first member is received within a passage defined by the second member. The system includes an engagement or locking member, which may in the form of a cam, that is movably mounted within an interior defined by the first member. An actuator arrangement is carried by the first member and is interconnected with the cam, for moving the cam between an operative position and a release position. In one embodiment, the first member may be in the form of a mounting member associated with a device such as a trailer tow bar or the mounting member of an equipment carrier, and the second member may be in the form of a hitch receiver secured to a vehicle. A cross member is located within the interior of the first member, and may be in the form of a hitch pin that extends through aligned openings in the first and second members. The cam bears against the cross member, and is configured such that movement of the cam from the release position to the operative position, in response to operation of the actuator arrangement, causes the cam to move laterally through an opening in the first member into engagement with an internal surface defined by the second member. In this manner, the cam applies a lateral force that urges the first member laterally into engagement with an internal surface defined by the second member. The actuator arrangement may be in the form of a rotatable knob secured to the first member, which is interconnected with an actuator rod that moves axially in response to rotation of the rotatable knob so as to cause pivoting movement of the cam between the operative position and the release position.

Internal tightening system for preventing relative movement between a pair of interconnected members

A resistance unit for an exercise device, such as a bicycle trainer, includes a magnetic member which cooperates with a rotating electrically conductive member to establish eddy current resistance to rotation of a rotatable member forming a part of the resistance unit. The resistance unit includes a body to which the rotatable member is mounted, and an adjustment mechanism is interconnected with the magnetic member and the body for adjusting the position of the magnetic member relative to the electrically conductive member, to adjust the eddy current resistance experienced by the rotatable member. The magnetic member is movably mounted within a passage defined by the body, and the adjustment mechanism includes a manually operable actuator which is accessible from the exterior of the body. The actuator is rotatable relative to the body, and rotation of the actuator functions to move the magnetic member toward and away from the electrically conductive member, to adjust the eddy current resistance. The rotatable member is interconnected with a flywheel, and the electrically conductive member is mounted to and rotatable with the flywheel to apply resistance to rotation of the rotatable member through the flywheel.

Exercise device with an adjustable magnetic resistance arrangement

A roller-type bicycle trainer includes a frame and a series of rollers that are configured to support the wheels of the bicycle. At least one of the rollers is formed of electrically conductive material, e.g. aluminum, and a magnetic resistance arrangement includes one or more magnets that are spaced from the electrically conductive material in order to create an eddy current resistive force that resists rotation of the roller, upon rotation of the roller by operation of the bicycle. The magnetic resistance arrangement includes an adjustment feature for adjusting the position of the one or more magnets relative to the roller, to vary the strength of the eddy current resistive force and thereby the degree of resistance to rotation of the bicycle wheel.

Magnetic resistance system for a roller-type bicycle trainer

A fork mount or clamping assembly for securement to the prongs of a bicycle fork, such as is incorporated into a bicycle carrier. The clamping assembly includes a pair of inner clamping surfaces, and an axial skewer member extends outwardly from the inner clamping surfaces for receiving the fork prongs. A fixed front clamping member is engaged with one end of the skewer and is located outwardly of one of the inner clamping surfaces. A movable second clamping member is located outwardly of the other inner clamping surface. An adjustable position actuator arrangement is engaged with the skewer outwardly of the second outer clamping member, and is operable to selectively move the outer clamping members toward and away from each other. The actuator arrangement includes a threaded sleeve engaged with threads formed at one end of the skewer member, in combination with a pivotable cam-type actuator member which is pivotably mounted to the sleeve. The actuator member defines a cam surface that interacts with the second outer clamping member so as to selectively move the outer clamping members toward and away from each other upon pivoting movement of the actuator member. The threaded connection between the sleeve and the skewer member is located within a recess defined by the second outer clamping member, and the first outer clamping member includes an engagement tab received within a slot in the fork prong so as to prevent rotation of the skewer. In this manner, the actuator arrangement can be rotated relative to the skewer so as to adjust its axial position, to accommodate fork prongs of varying thickness. A spring is located between the sleeve and the outer clamping member, to enable the outer clamping member to act as a cam follower, and the spring functions to urge the outer clamping members away from each other.

Locking fork mount for a bicycle carrier

A cart has a collapsible frame which is foldable into a closed position for forming a narrow lateral profile and unfoldable into an unfolded open position. The frame has two support members. Each support member has a pair of legs extending downwardly from its opposite ends and a side arm extending between two of the legs on each opposite lateral side of the frame for securing the frame in the unfolded open position with the support members spaced apart. The side arms have hinges for folding the arms relative to a support member. A foldable tray interconnects the legs of the frame for forming a platform adjacent the bottom of the cart. Upon folding of the cart, the tray folds and the cart collapses into the closed position with the support members drawn together into close proximity to each other.

Collapsible movable cart

A removable bicycle beam for adapting a bicycle frame for engagement with a vehicle-mounted bicycle rack. The beam includes a pair of securing mechanisms disposed on opposite ends of a central body. Each securing mechanism includes a fixed arm fixedly secured to the central body and a pivoting arm pivotally secured to the central body. Each arm includes a gripping portion extending outwardly from the central body that cooperates with the gripping portion of the other arm to releasably encircle and engage a component of the bicycle, such as the handle bar stem or the seat post. The pivoting arm and fixed arm lie in a substantially horizontal plane when in a closed position, and the pivoting arm is movable in the horizontal plane toward and away from the fixed arm. Each pivoting arm can be locked in a closed, engaged position by one of a pair of releasable latch mechanisms disposed within the central body and engagable with the pivoting arms. The central body is formed of a pair of telescopically mounted tubes that enable the beam to shift the securing mechanisms with respect to one another in order to accommodate bicycles having various lengths between the handle bar stem and the seat post.

Removable bicycle beam

A movable cart having a collapsible frame with the frame being foldable into a collapsed or closed position for forming a narrow lateral profile and into an unfolded open position adapted to support a removable storage container. The frame comprises support members with each support member having a pair of legs extending downwardly from its opposite ends and a side arm extending between two of the legs on each opposite lateral side of the frame for securing the frame in the unfolded open position with the support members physically spaced apart to support the removable storage container. The side arms have hinges for folding the arms about a common plane lying in substantial parallel alignment with each support member. The frame also has a tray interconnecting the legs of the frame for forming a level platform adjacent the bottom end of the cart. The tray is foldable into substantially the same common plane into which the side arms fold so that upon folding the arms and tray, the cart collapses into the closed position with each of the support members drawn together into close proximity relative to one another.

A resistance unit for an exercise device includes a resistance mechanism, such as a fluid-type resistance mechanism, located within a housing. A rotatable shaft is interconnected with an input member. An input roller is engaged with the shaft, and is adapted for rotation in response to a force exerted by a person during exercise, such as rotation of a bicycle wheel. The resistance mechanism imparts resistance through rotation of the shaft, which results in resistance to the external force, such as rotation of the bicycle wheel. A combination fan/flywheel member is mounted to the shaft. The combination fan/flywheel member maintains inertia of the rotating shaft, and includes blade structure which directs air toward the housing of the resistance mechanism upon rotation of the combination fan/flywheel member along with the shaft. The combination fan/flywheel member includes a series of radially spaced blades which extend between and interconnect an inner hub section and an outer ring section defined by the combination fan/flywheel member. The housing of the resistance mechanism is constructed so as to present spaced cooling fins facing the combination fan/flywheel member, to facilitate the dissipation of heat from the housing by movement of air by the combination fan/flywheel member onto the housing during operation. Cooling of the housing prevents adverse effects associated with heat buildup, e.g. a loss of fluid viscosity and shortened seal life in a fluid-type resistance unit.

Growing community of inventors

Cottage Grove, WI, United States of America

Clint D Kolda