Schwinn Bicycle Company

Other

Mark J Hoffenberg

Robert A Walpert

Bruce Alan Sargeant

Rob Reasons

In an exercising apparatus for supporting a bicycle, a pivotally mounted member connects to a rear axle of the bike to constrain movement of the axle about the pivot point of the support member. A support roller, located on the horizontally opposite side of the rear axle as is the pivot point, cooperates with the support member to support the rear wheel. A flywheel and variable load means are conneced to the roller to simulate the inertia and variable load experienced during the riding of a real bicycle. Preferably, a front fork support connects to the front fork of a bicycle and has an adjustable feature which can change the elevation of the bicycle frame. The front fork support is inclined and connected to this rear axle support member so that when a rider of a bicycle connected to the apparatus leans toward or shifts his weight toward the front fork support, the front fork support bends and the rear tire of the bicycle pivots toward the roller to maintain frictional contact between the tire and roller. The frictional losses in the bicycle and exercise apparatus can be determined by determining the deceleration of a bicycle wheel connected to the apparatus, and calculating the losses fromn the equation Torque equals Inertia times angular acceleration. The variable load means can then compensate for the frictional losses. The efficiency of the variable load means is also determined, and compensation is made for the inefficiency. The rider can select a race course and a desired level of competition, with corresponding loads being determined and exerted on the rider. The position of the rider relative to a simulated pack of riders is displayed, and the loads exerted on the rider are varied with this relative position in order to simulate wind load variations. The pack performance is also randomly varied to simulate real race conditions. The heart rate of the rider is monitored, and the load exerted on the rider is controlled to maintain the heart rate within predetermined limits.

Load control for exercise device

In an exercising apparatus for supporting a bicycle, a pivotally mounted member connects to a rear axle of the bike to constrain movement of the axle about the pivot point of the support member. A support roller, horizontally located on the opposite side of the rear axle relative to the pivot point supports and applies a load to the rear wheel. An inclined front wheel support means has a stiffness such that when the operator shifts his weight toward the front wheel support means, a rearward force is exerted on the rear tire.

Bicycle support and load mechanism

In a bicycle-type exercising apparatus, a roller is driven by the rear wheel of the bicycle. The roller is connected to a load device which varies the load resistance experienced by the person exercising on the exercise apparatus. The load device comprises a differential band brake having a pivoted member with the opposite ends connected to opposing ends of a brake band. A spring is inserted between one end of the pivoted member and the corresponding end of the brake band. A self-correcting servomotor is connected to the pivoted member to control the braking force. A computer may be programmed to control the motion of the servomotor, and thus control the forces exerted by the load device.

Load mechanism for exercise devices

In an exercising apparatus for supporting a bicycle, a pivotally mounted member connects to a rear axle of the bike to constrain movement of the axle about the pivot point of the support member. A support roller, located on the horizontally opposite side of the rear axle as is the pivot point, cooperates with the support member to support the rear wheel. A flywheel and variable load means are connected to the roller to simulate the inertia and variable load experienced during the riding of a real bicycle. Preferably, a front fork support connects to the front fork of a bicycle and has an adjustable feature which can change the elevation of the bicycle frame. The front fork support is inclined and connected to this rear axle support member so that when a rider of a bicycle connected to the apparatus leans toward or shifts his weight toward the front fork support, the front fork support bends and the rear tire of the bicycle pivots toward the roller to maintain frictional contact between the tire and roller. The frictional losses in the bicycle and exercise apparatus can be determined by determining the deceleration of a bicycle wheel connected to the apparatus, and calculating the losses from the equation Torque equals Inertia times angular acceleration. The variable load means can then compensate for the frictional losses. The efficiency of the variable load means is also determined, and compensation is made for the inefficiency. The rider can select a race course and a desired level of competition, with corresponding loads being determined and exerted on the rider. The position of the rider relative to a simulated pack of riders is displayed, and the loads exerted on the rider are varied with this relative position in order to simulate wind load variations. The pack performance is also randomly varied to simulate real race conditions. The heart rate of the rider is monitored, and the load exerted on the rider is controlled to maintain the heart rate within predetermined limits.

Bicycle racing training apparatus

In an exercising apparatus for supporting a bicycle, a pivotally mounted member connects to a rear axle of the bike to constrain movement of the axle about the pivot point of the support member. A support roller, located on the horizontally opposite side of the rear axle as is the pivot point, cooperates with the support member to support the rear wheel. A flywheel and variable load means are connected to the roller to simulate the inertia and variable load experienced during the riding of a real bicycle. Preferably, a front fork support connects to the front fork of a bicycle and has an adjustable feature which can change the elevation of the bicycle frame. The front fork support is inclined and connected to the roller and rear axle support member so that when a rider of a bicycle connected to the apparatus leans toward or shifts his weight toward the front fork support, the front fork support bends and the rear tire of the bicycle pivots toward the roller to maintain frictional contact between the tire and roller.

In an excercising apparatus for supporting a bicycle, a pivotally mounted member connects to a rear axle of the bike to constrain movement of the axle about the pivot of the support member. A support roller, horizontally located on the opposite side of the rear axle relative to the pivot point, supports and applies a load to the rear wheel. An inclined front wheel support means has a stiffness such that when the operator shifts has weight toward the front wheel support means, a rearward force is exerted on the rear tire.

Growing community of inventors

Laguna Niguel, CA, United States of America

Mark J Hoffenberg