Schwinn Bicycle Company

Other

Rob Reasons

Bruce Alan Sargeant

Mark J Hoffenberg

Robert A Walpert

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, 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.

Growing community of inventors

Mission Viejo, CA, United States of America

Rob Reasons