Racer-mate, Inc.

Floscan Instrument Company, Inc.

Wilfried Baatz

Norman C Ahlquist

A calibration verification systemcomprises a trainerhaving a load generator, a variable load control system (hidden by the cover of the load generator) connected in electrical communication with the load generator, and an exercise trainer computer systemconnected in communication with the variable load control system. In operation, the exercise trainer computer systemoutputs commands to the variable load control system. These commands can, for example, instruct the variable load control system to energize the load generator at predetermined times and power levels in order to simulate changes in terrain. The calibration verification systemalso allows the user to verify the calibration of the trainerby implementing a user initiated process, which conducts a calibration verification test of the trainer and outputs the test data at the exercise trainer computer system

System and method for verifying the calibration of an exercise apparatus

An apparatus for providing exercise to recreational users and training to professional users comprising a support frame on which a bicycle frame is mounted and a resistance generation unit coupled to the support frame to provide resistance against the pedaling of the user. The resistance unit comprises a magnetic field generation source and a flywheel having an annular ring constructed from a plurality of segments of a non-magnetic, conductive material. The resistance exercise apparatus and trainer utilizes the flywheel to eliminate the need for the conventional rear wheel of a bicycle. The use of the flywheel as part of the resistance generation unit creates a 'single-stage' resistance exercise trainer, because the resistance generated on the flywheel is transmitted to the user through a direct chain drive of a conventional bicycle. According to another aspect of the present invention, the resistance exercise apparatus includes a chain tensioning mechanism. The chain tensioning mechanism provides a method of tightening or loosening the tension of the chain to improve the overall efficiency of the chain drive mechanism and prevent the chain from 'jumping' off the chain ring during operation.

Resistance exercise apparatus and trainer

A crank arm of a bicycle having an effective crank arm length that can be selectively adjusted for increasing the comfort and performance of the rider. The crank arm includes a crank arm member rotatably connected about a crank arm member rotational axis to a base member. The base member includes a spindle bore defining a spindle rotational axis, which is eccentric with respect to the crank arm member rotational axis. The opposite end of the crank arm member includes a pedal bore defining a pedal rotational axis. The crank arm further includes a fastener to selectively couple the base member to the crank arm member for rotation therewith.

Adjustable crank for bicycles

A meter (,) for receiving signals from a device and presenting status information according to received signals. A microprocessor (,) generates a status signal regarding the status of connected equipment according to the received signals and a predefined boundary for the presented status information. A nighttime indicator and a daytime indicator on the meter's pointer present status information to a viewer according to the generated status signal. The nighttime indicator includes one or more LED(s) (,), a translucent pointer (,) and an angled light deflecting surface (,) for deflecting light generated by the LED(s) to the clear pointer. The daytime indicator includes a cap (,) over the light deflecting surface and a hole (,) through the cap for allowing LED generated light that passes through the deflecting surface to illuminate to a viewer.

Meter with microprocessor control of pointer and multi-status indicator

An aerobic wheelchair trainer (10) is provided. The wheelchair trainer includes a ramp (12) having a plurality of level steps (24-28). The steps lead a wheelchair inserted into the wheelchair trainer onto a platform (13). The wheelchair trainer also includes a support mechanism (16) that supports the weight of the wheelchair (22) and wheelchair occupant. A load mechanism (18) including a resistance roller (70) and an eddy current brake (110) is also included. The load mechanism provides a variable resistance to movement of the wheels (20) of the wheelchair. The wheelchair trainer (10) also includes a lift mechanism (14) that lifts the rear end of the wheelchair up and into or out of the support mechanism (16). The load mechanism (18) is connected to a controller (144). The wheelchair trainer (10) may be used either individually or may be connected to another compatible wheelchair trainer (10) over a phone line (152).

Wheelchair aerobic exercise trainer

An eddy current brake for use with exercise training devices, such as bicycle, ski and rowing exercise devices. The eddy current brake includes a nonmagnetic, electrically conductive disk that is rotatably mounted between one or more electromagnets. The electromagnets introduce eddy currents within the rotating disk. The disk is formed of a copper alloy having between approximately 5.0% to 15.0% zinc by weight. In one embodiment of the invention, the disk is formed of copper alloy 220, comprising 90.0% copper and 10.0% zinc.

Eddy current trainer for bicycles or other exercise equipment

A modular meter movement having two or more coil assemblies. One embodiment of the meter is modular and includes coil assemblies that are formed as separate parts and configured to be attached to a magnet housing that houses a rotatably mounted permanent magnet. The magnet housing includes a plurality of arms that can accept either two or three coil assemblies depending upon the embodiment. The coil assemblies are placed over the magnet housing such that the coil assemblies at least partially surround the magnet housing. The magnet housing and coil assemblies are placed within a shield pot formed from a magnetically susceptible material. In one embodiment, the shield pot is non-cylindrical and the axis of rotation of the permanent magnet is mounted off the central axis of the shield pot. The shield pot is shaped so that even though it is non-cylindrical, it does not induce a homing position in the resulting meter.

Modular two or three coil movement having a magnet homing free cross

A fuel economy indicator for vehicles having liquid fuel engines. The indicator comprises fuel flow and vehicle speed sensors, and means for using the information provided by such sensors to determine and display a performance ratio, consisting of the ratio of the instantaneous rate of fuel usage to the average rate of fuel usage.

Fuel economy indicator

A training device for a bicycle comprising a frame (22) for supporting the bicycle in an upright position, mounting means (32,34) for securing the frame to the bicycle adjacent the bicycle's rear axle, and wind load simulation means (120). The frame includes a base (24), a pair of spaced-apart side members (26,28) and an upper support (50). The side members extend upwardly from the base on opposite sides of the rear wheel of the bicycle. The upper support is connected to side members, and is adapted to abut the rear brake (14) of the bicycle. The wind load simulation means includes a shaft (126), fan means (122,124) mounted to the shaft, and means (142,140,128) for mounting the shaft such that the shaft is rotatable about a shaft axis parallel to the rear axle. The shaft is movable into a position (172) in which the shaft frictionally engages the rear wheel for rotation therewith. The means for mounting the shaft may comprise spring means (144) for biasing the shaft towards the rear wheel.

Wind load simulator for bicycle

An apparatus and method are disclosed for reducing flow pulsations and measuring fuel flow in a fuel system for a liquid fuel engine. The engine (54) has associated with it a fuel tank (30) and a pump (32) for causing fuel to flow through a fuel flow path from the fuel tank through the pump to the engine. In one embodiment, the invention comprises a flow sensor (50), gas inlet means (62), and a pulsation damper (46) that includes a chamber (70) in communication with the fuel flowing through the pulsation damper. The flow sensor is positioned in the fuel flow path (44, 48, 52) between the pump and the engine, and serves to measure the rate of fuel flowing to the engine. The gas inlet means introduces gas into the fuel flow path, and preferably directly into the chamber. The pulsation damper is located in the fuel flow path (44, 48) between the pump and the flow sensor, and operates to damp flow pulsations in the fuel and separate the gas introduced by the gas inlet means from the fuel such that the gas does not reach the engine.

Apparatus and method for pulsation damping and flow measurement in

A device for bypassing flow rate pulsations resulting in reverse flow and abrupt flow rate surges around a volumetric flow rate transducer includes a housing defining a chamber. One end of the chamber is coupled in fluid communication with the inlet or upstream side of the transducer while the other end of the chamber is coupled in fluid communication with the outlet or downstream side of the transducer. A flexible, fluid impervious diaphragm is mounted in the housing so as to divide the chamber into two compartments. The diaphragm is affixed to the walls of the chamber so as to maintain a fluid seal between the two compartments of the chamber. When a forward flow rate pulsation occurs the resultant rise in the fluid pressure differential between the upstream and downstream compartments of the chamber will shift the diaphragm toward the downstream compartment. As the diaphragm moves, fluid is forced out of the downstream compartment and into the fluid stream on the downstream side of the transducer. After the pulse reaches its maximum and the flow begins to reverse, the reverse flowing fluid will drive the diaphragm back toward the compartment coupled to the upstream side of the transducer. As this occurs, the volume of the fluid that was driven into this chamber during the flow rate increase is exhausted from the upstream side of the chamber and is driven into the fluid stream upstream of the transducer. The net effect of the operation of the pulsation bypass device is to allow flow rate pulsations resulting in reverse flow to pass through the diaphragm, isolating the flow transducer from the pulsations by allowing the diaphragm to flex against the biasing spring and time averaging the flow through the transducer. Thus, the transducer is not exposed to sudden increases or decreases in flow rate.

Growing community of inventors

Seattle, WA, United States of America

Wilfried Baatz