Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02510594 2002-11-04
AD3USTABLE STATIONARY EXERCISE BICYCLE
I. TECIitVICAL FIELD
The technical field to which this patent relates involves the manufacture and
use of
exercise equipment. In particular, an exercise bicycle used in fitness
centers, gymnasiums,
health clubs, school and university fitness and training rooms, and other
rooms dedicated to
physical fitness is presented. The adjustable exercise bicycle may be utilized
by persons of all
ages desiring. to increase their physical fitness.
II. BACKGROUND ART
Genezally the use of exercise equipment, including stationary bicycles, has
become more
and more popular in modern society. Due to the presence of many modern
conveniences and
fast food restaurants, physical conditioning has taken on a greater importance
in every day
human life. A number of different types of exercise and weight loss devices
have been
commercialized, including weight training rooms, weight lifting devices,
electronic treadmill
devices and stationary bicycles. The stationary bicycles currently in use
basically utilize the
standard bicycle used on roads and add either platforms or other framework
such that the bicycle
does not move. Various types of these stationary bicycles have been designed,
including
bicycles that entirely eliminate the back wheel. The bicycles usually have a
seat and handlebars
to simulate a regular bicycle but the pedals are connected to a front wheel
that does not touch the
floor.
Since obesity in North America and the world is growing at a tremendous rate,
innovations in the field of exercise equipment, particularly exercise
bicycles, is quite desirable.
With the advent of computers and television, children are becoming. somewhat.
Iazx and
undisciplined. Children, in particular, need specialized equipment in order to
keep up their
exercise program.
Although many stationary exercise bicycles have been designed for adults, none
have, as
yet, been designed especially to be adapted for use by both adults and
children. A child's
physical stature, as well as his somewhat inattentiveness to detail,
necessitates a few important
changes in the basic design of a stationary exercise bicycle. It is an object
of this invention to
provide an exercise bicycle designed to be especially adapted for children or
young adults.
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One of the main advantages of the exercise bicycle disclosed herein is that a
youngster
can ride in the comfort of his home, thus exercising while still being
entertained by his favorite
music or television show. Further, while youth facilities are in high demand
today, these gym
facilities oftentimes only have equipment for adults. By creating an exercise
bicycle adaptable
for children, youngsters can make use of the gym facilities along with their
adult parents or
guardian, providing all participants a quality time together while increasing
the fitness of adult
and child alike. Studies with local universities and youth centers have proven
that by working
out in a group, the youth discipline and attentiveness is inczeased.
One of the problems encountered in many stationary exercise bicycles is that
the smaller
physique of children often prohibits them from using the exercise bicycle. For
example, the
positioning of the seat is very important for the comfort of the user. It is
an object of this
invention to provide a seat which may be specially adjusted so as to position
a child to fit
perfectly onto the stationary bicycle while still keeping in mind his growth
patterns.
In addition to the height adjustment of the seat, it is- also important to be
able to adjust
the height of the handlebars on the stationary bicycles. These adjustments
have previously been
made by the use of pop pins. However, pop pins are often not safe,
particularly when used by
inattentive youngsters. Further, pop pins are not precise with respect to the
spinal and leg
adjustments, since pap pins utilize a series of incremental holes so that the
adjustments must be
made in incremental steps specified by the manufacturer. It is a further
object of this invention
to provide vertical and horizontal adjustments for the seat and height
adjustments for the handle
posts of a stationary bicycle such that they can be set at an infinite number
of positions within
the specified overall range. It is a still further object of this invention to
provide for adjustments
for the seat and handle posts of a stationary bicycle by means of a quickly
releasable handle
rather than a pop pin.
In the manufacture of exercise bicycles, it has been found that the tension
placed on the
exercise wheel could create a slight but irritating squeaking noise. Further,
it is highly desirable
to have the exercise wheel made such that the operator can coast, with the
pedals remaining
stationary even though the wheel is still moving forward. Further, for
children's exercise
bicycles in particular, it is also highly desirable that an emergency brake
system or total release
system be in place. The addition of these features greatly enhances the
performance and safety
of an exercise bicycle. The objects and other enhancements of this invention
will become
apparent upon reading the below-described Specification.
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CA 02510594 2002-11-04
III. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A stationary exercise bicycle is presented having an adjustable seat and
handlebars attached to a bottom frame. The frame also supports standard pedals
and
stems which are attached to a sprocket and subsequently to the front exercise
wheel. The
vertical height and horizontal position of the seat is infinitely adjustable
within a broad
range by means of a quick release handle. The height of the handlebars may be
similarly
adjusted by means of a quick attach handle. The tension on the front exercise
wheel is
adjustable and squeaking is kept to a minimum by the introduction of
lubricating oil
through a number of specially designed lubricating ports. The tensioning
handle also has
an emergency stop brake as well as a means for momentarily disengaging all
friction on
the wheel to facilitate a dismount. The working exercise wheel also has a
directional
clutch bearing such that the action of a modern bicycle is simulated. When the
child using
the exercise bicycle quits pedaling, the directional clutch allows the working
wheel to
continue in the clockwise direction while providing no direct force to the
pedals, which
may then remain stationary. A special foot pedal bracket also keeps the
child's foot
securely in contact with the pedal as desired.
There is provided, in accordance with the present invention a stationary
exercise
bicycle including a frame rotatably supporting a working wheel operatively
connected to
pedals, said exercise bicycle comprising a braking system operable to apply
rotational
resistance to said working wheel, said braking system including a brake pad
engageable
against said working wheel such that friction therebetween generates said
rotational
resistance, and an adjustment mechanism operable to vary contact pressure of
said brake
pad against said working wheel to control said rotational resistance; and said
adjustment
mechanism having an actuating member disposed within reach of a user riding
said
exercise bicycle and engaged with a force transmitting member at an outer end
thereof,
said force transmitting member extending between said actuating member and
said brake
pad and being displaceable relative to said frame, a biasing member being
elastically
deformable away from a rest position thereof by displacing said force
transmitting
member away from said brake pad against a biasing force of said biasing
member,
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CA 02510594 2002-11-04
thereby temporarily reducing contact pressure between said brake pad and said
working
wheel to provide a decrease in rotational resistance against said working
wheel.
There is provided, in accordance with the present invention a stationary
exercise
bicycle including a frame rotatably supporting a working wheel operatively
connected to
pedals, said exercise bicycle comprising a braking system operable to apply
rotational
resistance to said working wheel, said braking system including a brake pad
engageable
against said working wheel such that friction therebetween generates said
rotational
resistance, and an adjustment mechanism operable to vary contact pressure of
said brake
pad against said working wheel to control said rotational resistance, and said
adjustment
mechanism having an actuating member disposed within reach of a user riding
said
exercise bicycle and fixed to a shaft at an upper end thereof, said shaft
extending between
said actuating member and said brake pad through a passage defined in said
frame, said
shaft being displaceable along a longitudinal axis thereof within said passage
and having
at least a threaded lower portion to which a nut is engaged, a spring being
disposed
between a reaction surface immobile relative to the frame and said nut, said
spring being
elastically deformable away from a rest position thereof by raising said shaft
away from
said brake pad, thereby temporarily reducing contact pressure between said
brake pad and
said working wheel to provide a decrease in rotational resistance against said
working
wheel.
There is provided, in accordance with the present invention a biasing
mechanism
for use with a friction pad and a flywheel of an exercise bicycle, comprising
a force
transmitting member operatively linked to the friction pad and displaceable
for adjusting
contact pressure of the friction pad against the flywheel, and a biasing
member normally
urging the force transmitting member toward the friction pad, the biasing
member being
elastically deformable away from a rest position thereof by displacing the
force
transmitting member away from the flywheel to reduce contact pressure between
the
friction pad and the flywheel.
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There is provided, in accordance with the present invention a method.of
varying
contact pressure between a friction brake and a flywheel of a stationary
exercise bicycle,
the method comprising providing a force transmitting member operatively
engageabIe
with the friction brake and disposed within reach of a user riding the
exercise bicycle, and
applying one of a pushing and pulling action to the force transmitting member
in a
direction substantially aligned with a longitudinal axis thereof, the pushing
action acting
to substantially increase contact pressure of the friction brake against the
flywheel to at
least slow rotation thereof, and the pulling action acting to temporarily
release contact
pressure of the friction brake against the flywheel by elastically deforming a
biasing
member acting on the force transmitting member.
There is provided, in accordance with the present invention a tensioning
mechanism for use with a friction brake and a flywheel of an exercise bicycle
comprising, a rod acting on the friction brake, a member permitting adjustment
of a force
between the flywheel and the friction brake by the positioning of said rod,
and a biasing
member urging the rod towards friction brake, the biasing member being
elastically
deformable away from a rest position thereof to permit the rod to be
temporarily moved
away from the flywheel such that contact pressure between the friction brake
and the
flywheel is at least reduced.
There is provided, in accordance with the present invention an adjustable
exercise
bicycle comprising a frame including a rotatably mounted flywheel, a friction
member
engageable in friction contact with the flywheel, and a tensioning mechanism
acting on
the friction member for applying variable restraining forces to said flywheel,
said
tensioning mechanism including a biasing member positioned to permit the
tensioning
mechanism to be displaced away from the flywheel to release force on said
friction
member.
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CA 02510594 2002-11-04
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided an
adjustable exercise bicycle, comprising: (a) a frame, including a cross-bar,
said frame
supporting and attached to a seat, handlebars and a working wheel, also
comprising
pedals rotatably attached to said frame and operatively connected to said
working wheel;
(b) an adjustable friction piece mechanically in contact with said working
wheel; and (c)
a tensioning and quick brake and disengagement means comprising: a friction
adjusting
cylinder having a longitudinal bore said cylinder comprising a top end
attached to said
frame, a lower portion adapted to receive a tightening nut such that said nut
may slide up
and down in the lower portion of said cylinder but will not rotate, and a
lower end located
near said friction piece, said lower end having an inner flange, a threaded
tightening shaft
located within the longitudinal bore of said adjusting cylinder; having a top
end, threaded
lower portion, and a lower end, said lower end being in contact with said
friction piece;
the tightening nut slidabIy located in the lower portion of said adjusting
cylinder,
threadedly attached to the lower portion of said tightening shaft; and a
tensioning spring,
located around the lower portion of said shaft, under said flange and above
said
tightening nut; wherein said cylinder, shaft, nut and spring cooperate to
adjust the tension
on said friction piece and wherein the top end of said threaded shaft may be
pushed or
pulled, respectively, to quickly brake said wheel or quickly disengage said
friction piece
from said wheel.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is provided
an
adjustable exercise bicycle, comprising: (a) a frame including a front
support, said frame
supporting a scat and slidably adjustable handlebar means, and a working
wheel, also
comprising pedals rotatably attached to said frame and operatively connected
to said
working wheel; and (b) a friction piece mechanically in contact with said
wheel; wherein
said handlebar adjusting means comprises: a handlebar attached to the top of a
handlebar
support, said handlebar support slidably located in said bicycle front
support; a threaded
spacer attached to said bicycle front support at an adjusting hole; a
tightening pill, said
pill comprises an upper head flange and a lower pill shaft, said pill adapted
to be inserted
inside said threaded spacer, wherein said flange prohibits said pill from
going through
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CA 02510594 2002-11-04
said adjusting hole; and a quick release lever having a handle and a threaded
shag,
wherein said threaded shaft is adapted to be threadedly inserted into said
spacer; wherein
said handlebar support may be adjustably secured inside of said bicycle front
support by
said lever and tightening pill.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention there is
provided an
adjustable exercise bicycle, comprising: (a) a frame, a seat, handlebars and a
working
wheel attached to said frame and, also comprising pedals rotatably attached to
said frame
and operatively connected to said working wheel; and (b) a friction piece
comprising a
top, a body and a lower surface, said lower surface being in mechanical
contact with said
working wheel, wherein said top, body and lower surface have a plurality of
lubricating
port holes therethrough, said holes communicating between the top and lower
surface of
said friction piece, wherein lubricating oil may be inserted into said ports
from the top to
lubricate the surfaces between said friction piece and said wheel.
In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention there is provided
an
adjustable exercise bicycle, comprising: (a) a frame, a seat, handlebars, a
working wheel,
and pedals being rotatably attached to said frame and operatively connected to
said
working wheel; (b) an adjustable friction piece mechanically in contact with
said working
wheel; and (c) a tensioning and quick brake and disengagement means
comprising: a
friction adjusting cylinder attached to said frame and defining a longitudinal
bore
therethrough, the bore being adapted to receive a tightening nut such that
said nut may
slide up and down therein but will not rotate, the adjusting cylinder defining
a lower end
located near said friction piece and having a flange engaged thereto above
said lower end;
a threaded shaft located within the longitudinal bore of said adjusting
cylinder, having a
top end, a threaded portion, and a lower end, said lower end being engaged
with said
friction piece for applying pressure thereto; the tightening nut being
slidably located in
said adjusting cylinder and threadedly attached to the threaded portion of
said shaft; and a
tensioning spring, located around said shaft, under said flange and above said
tightening
nut; wherein said cylinder, shaft, nut and spring cooperate to adjust the
tension on said
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CA 02510594 2002-11-04
friction piece and wherein the top end of said threaded shaft may be pushed or
pulled,
respectively, to quickly brake said wheel or quickly disengage said friction
piece from
said wheel.
In accordance with yet a further aspect of the present invention there
provided is
an adjustable exercise bicycle, comprising: (a) a frame including a front
support, said
frame supporting a seat and slidably adjustable handlebar adjusting means, and
a working
wheel, also comprising pedals rotatably attached to said frame and operatively
connected
to said working wheel; and (b) a friction piece mechanically in contact with
said wheel;
wherein said handlebar adjusting means comprises: a handlebar attached to the
top of a
handlebar support, said handlebar support slidably located in said bicycle
front support; a
threaded spacer attached to said bicycle front support at an adjusting hole; a
tightening
pill adapted to be inserted inside said threaded spacer, a flange member being
engageable
with said tightening pill to prevent said pill from going through said
adjusting hole; and a
quick release lever having a handle and a threaded shaft, wherein said
threaded shaft is
adapted to be threadedly inserted into said spacer; wherein said handlebar
support may be
adjustably secured inside of said bicycle front support by said lever and
tightening pill.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention there is provided an
adjustable exercise bicycle, comprising: (a) a frame including a rear support,
said frame
supporting handlebars and slidably adjustable seat adjusting means, and a
working wheel,
also comprising pedals rotatably attached to said frame and operatively
connected to said
working wheel; and (b) a friction piece mechanically in contact with said
wheel; wherein
said seat adjusting means comprises: a seat attached to the top of a seat
support, said seat
support being slidably located in said bicycle rear support; a threaded spacer
attached to
said bicycle rear support at an adjusting hole; a tightening pill adapted to
be inserted
inside said threaded spacer, a flange member being engageable with said
tightening pill to
prevent said pill from going through said adjusting hole; and a quick release
lever having
a handle and a threaded shaft, wherein said threaded shaft is adapted to be
threadedly
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CA 02510594 2002-11-04
inserted into said spacer; wherein said handlebar support may be adjustably
secured
inside of said bicycle front support by said lever and tightening pill.
IV. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the stationary exercise bicycle.
Figure lA is a side view of the stationary exercise bicycle.
Figure 2 is a partial side exploded view of the bicycle seat and support
mechanism.
Figure 2A is a side cutaway view of the bicycle seat and support mechanism.
Figure 3 is a perspective exploded view of the quick release system for the
bicycle
handlebars and support.
Figure 3A is a side cutaway view of the quick release system for the
handlebars
and handle bar supports.
Figure 3B is a side cutaway view of the front surface of the handle bar
support
and the bicycle support.
Figure 4 is a detailed view of the lubricating ports and lubricating
mechanism.
Figure 5 is a detailed cutaway view of the exercise wheel tensioning system
and
the brake and quick release mechanism.
Figure 6 is a perspective view of the working exercise wheel.
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Figure 6A is a cutaway view of the working exercise wheel taken along the
diameter of
the exercise wheel shown in Figure 6.
Figure 6B is an exploded view of the working exercise wheel and hub system.
V. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
A stationary exercise bicycle 1 is shown_ in Figures 1 and lA This is the
general
configuration of stationary exercise bicycles now conrrnon throughout North
America and the
world. The basic elements of the stationary exercise bicycle include a seat
(2), handlebars (3),
pedals (4), and a working exercise wheel (5). These elements are all attached
to a lower frame
(6), as shown in Figures 1 and lA. The pedals (4) are attached to a sprocket
and subsequently
also mechanically attached to the working exercise wheel (5) by means of a
chain or belt, which
is enclosed in the drive guard (7).
Turning to Figures 2 and 2A, the seat and seat support mechanism are shown.
The seat
(2) is attached to an oblique seat support (8). This oblique seat support (8)
also has a horizontal
base (9~) attached at its upper end The oblique seat support (8} has a height
gauge (22) inscribed
on the outer surface thereof. The horizontal seat base (9) has a horizontal
groove (10) cut into
the upper portion of the seat base. A seat peg (11) is adapted to attach to
the seat (2). This seat
peg (11) has a vertical shaft, which is attached to the seat by means of the
standard double bolt
mechanism (12).
Once the seat (2) has been firmly attached to the seat peg (11), the lower
head (13) of the
seat peg (11) is inserted into the horizontal seat base groove (10}. Because
the sides of the lower
head (1~) are flat, and because the groove (10) has flat sides, the seat is
prevented from rotating.
The seat {2) is slidably yet firmly attached to the horizontal seat base (9)
by means of the
seat release lever (14). The seat release lever (14) has an upper threaded
shaft (15) which mates
with the female shaft threads located on the inside of the seat peg (11). A
washer (16) is also
utilized to keep the mechanism tig$tened.
The seat may be adpsted either towards the handlebars or away from the
handlebars by
means of the quick release handle (14) across an infinite number of positions
limited only by the
length of groove (10). The groove defines the limits of the broad range of
adjustments. The
vertical height of the seat (2) is similarly infinitely adjustable across the
broad range of
adjustments by use of a seat height lever (39), as shown on Figure lA The seat
lever (39)
functions in the same manner as lever (14).
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CA 02510594 2002-11-04
The vertical height of the handlebars may also be adjusted as illustrated in
Figures 3 and
3A. The handlebars are attached to an oblique handlebar support (17). TMs
handlebar support
has an essentially rectangular cross section. The front surface (I8) of the
handlebar support (17)
has a V-shaped indentation. This V-shaped indentation is best shown in Figure
3B, The
handlebar support slides into the bicycle front support {19). The bicycle
front support (19) also
has an essentially rectangular cross section, and is attached to the lower
frame (6), as shown in
Figure 1. One outer surface (20) of the bicycle front support (19) has a
corresponding
protruding V-shaped surface, as shown in Figure 3B. The protruding V-shaped
surface of the
front support (19) corresponds to the V-shaped indentation of the front
surface of the handlebar
support (17). This V-shaped protrusion and channel keep the handlebars in firm
orientation with
the front support (19) such that the handlebars do not sway back and forth
when the user is
alternating weight between the left and right handlebars.
The oblique handlebar support (I7) slides inside the bicycle front support
(19) such that
the height of the handlebars may be infinitely adjusted across the range of
adjustments defined
by the length of the handlebar support (17). The height of the handlebars may
be set specif rally
by means of the nzler scale (21), as shown on Figure 3. Rather than using a
pop pin mechanism
which allows only for the seat or handlebar adjpstments to be made
incrementally according to
the spacing of the preset holes,. both the seat (2) and handlebars (3) in the
present invention may
be infinitely adjusted over the broad range of height and horizontal
adjustments as determined
by the handlebar ruler scale (21) andthe seat scale (22).
As best shown in Figures 3 and 3A, the adjustment of the handlebars may be
made using
a thread~i quick release lever (14') similar to the quick release lever (14)
used for the seat
adjustment. This quick release lever (14') also has a threaded shaft (15'). A
threaded spacer
(23) is permanently affixed to the front surface (20) of the bicycle support
(19). Inside this
threaded spacer (23) is located a brass pill (24). This brass pill (24) has an
upper head (25) and a
lower shaft (26) as shown on Figure 3 _ The brass pill head (25) creates a
flange, which prohibits
the entire brass pill (24) from going through the adjusting hole (27). As best
shown in Figure
3A, once the oblique handlebar support (I7) has been correctly positioned, the
quick attach lever
(I4') is turned such that the shaft (l5') tightens the brass pill (24) which
in turn secures the
handlebar support (17) in stationary position withrespect to the bicycle front
support (19).
Another improvement over standard exercise bicycles is best shown in Figure 4.
Figure
4 is an expanded view of the tensioning and lubricating mechanism of.this
device. When one
CA 02510594 2002-11-04
sits on the bicycle and moves the pedals (4) in a clockwise direction, the
drive mechanism
located underneath the drive guard (7) between the pedals (4) and the working
exercise wheel
(5) moves the wheel. The clockwise motion of the pedals moves the exercise
wheel (5) in a
clockwise direction. In order to create the desired amount of friction, thus
causing the work to
increase or decrease, a friction piece (28) is pressed against the outer
circumference of the
wheel (5). The more firmly the friction piece (28) is pressed against the
wheel (5), the more
friction is created and the harder it is to turn the pedals (4).
Creating this friction between the friction piece (28) and wheel (5) will
often cause
squeaking. in order to alleviate this squeaking noise, the top and body of the
friction piece
(28) has drilled through it a plurality of friction piece ports (29). These
ports (29)
communicate between the top and the lower surface of the friction piece. A
special TeflonTM
lubricating oil may be inserted into the plurality of the ports (29) to
lubricate the
corresponding surfaces between the friction piece (28) and the working
exercise wheel (5).
The friction between the friction piece (28) and the exercise wheel (5) is
adjusted by
means of a friction adjusting shaft (30). A friction adjusting shaft mechanism
is fairly
common throughout the stationary exercise bicycle industry. Essentially the
shaft (30), is
positioned in a cylinder (31) such that the friction piece (28) may be moved
towards or away
from the working wheel (5) by a screw-type mechanism. The cylinder (31) is
affixed to the
crossbar (33) of the frame.
However, as best shown in Figure 5, a unique spring biassing mechanism found
only
in the instant stationary exercise bicycle allows for a quick release of the
wheel or for an
instant brake of the wheel. A friction-tightening nut (34) is threaded and
adapted to receive
the threaded shaft (30) of the friction adjustment mechanism. The nut (34) may
slide up or
down in the cylinder (31) but does not rotate since it has the same square
shape as the lower
end of the shaft. The lower end of the friction adjustment shaft (30) is also
attached to the
friction piece (28). The threaded shaft is contained within the cylinder (31).
Turning the
threaded friction adjustment shaft (30) either moves the tightening nut (34)
away from or
towards the working exercise wheel (5).
A special friction adjusting shaft spring (32) is located in the lower part of
the friction
adjusting shaft cylinder (31). A flange (40) holds the spring (32) in the
lower portion of
cylinder (31) as shown on Figure 5. Tightening nut (34) compresses spring (32)
and increases
the friction between piece (28) and wheel (S). Loosening nut (34) decreases
the friction.
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When it is necessary to stop the movement of the wheel (5) immediately, the
handle
(35) of the mechanism is simply pushed down. This pushes the friction piece
(28) tightly
against the wheel (S) and stops rotation of the wheel. It has been found that
this type of
emergency quick stop mechanism is necessary for applications involving
children. Adult
riders and children are sometimes careless or inattentive to the motion of the
exercise bicycle
and a quick stop emergency mechanism such as the one described is deemed
highly advisable.
Alternatively, if the friction adjusting shaft handle (35) is raised,
compressing the shaft spring
(32), the wheel may then be disengaged from the friction piece and spin
freely. Moving the
handle (35) upwards disengages the friction piece (28) from the moving wheel
(5) and enables
a person, particularly a child or adolescent, to easily and safely alight from
the exercise
bicycle.
Many bicycles actually used on the road are positively attached between the
pedals
and the wheels by a chain. Because of this positive attachment, the pedals
continue to move as
long as the wheel moves. On some newer bicycles, a directional clutch system
is used such
that the wheels can continue to turn while the pedals are disengaged due to a
directional
clutch system. Such a system has been specifically adapted herein in order to
allow the pedals
to remain stationary while the working exercise wheel continues to rotate in
the clockwise
direction. This system is shown particularly in Figures 6, 6A and 6B.
Figure 6 is a perspective view of the working exercise wheel (5). The working
exercise wheel is composed of a hub (36) and a clockwise directional clutch
bearing (37). The
hub, wheel, and bearing are affixed to the lower frame (6) as best shown in
Figures 1 and IA.
It has been found that, particularly for child or adolescent applications, the
directional
clutch bearing mechanism shown in Figures 6, 6A and 6B enhances the comfort,
safety, and
overall utility of the device. The brake/disengagement means described herein
are special
improvements over the prior art.
A final improvement in this exercise bicycle is shown in Figure 1. This
improvement
comprises a suitable cage placed around each pedal. This cage (38) keeps the
user's foot
snugly secured to the pedal (4). This pedal cage (38) allows the foot to
remain in contact with
the pedal even when the foot and pedals are rapidly rotating. It has been
found that a safety
feature such as the pedal cage (38) greatly enhances the safety and overall
utility of the
stationary exercise bicycle.
While many of the aforementioned elements of the stationary exercise bicycle
are
common throughout the industry, the specific incorporation of the infinitely
adjustable seat
and
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handlebars, the quick release mechanisms for the adjustment of the seat and
handlebars, the
special lubricating elements of the device, the emergency stop and emergency
release of the
working wheel, as well as the clutch mechanism of the wheel and the pedal cage
are all
improvements over the prior art. While some of these elements have been
incorporated irxto
regular road use bicycles, incorporating these features into a stationary
exercise bicycle is new
and novel in the art.
VI. INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
This invention is most commonly used at exercise clubs, fitness centers,
gymnasiums,
school and university health rooms, and in work out rooms located in
individual homes or
apartments. It is anticipated that a large number of these stationary exercise
bicycles will be
located in group settings and that the industrial applicability would pertain
to the use of a
number of these devices in health and fitness centers. However, these devices
may also be used
in individual residences or homes, particularly in those locations where a
dedicated health room
or fitness area has been set aside. The important advantages of the stationary
exercise bicycle
include the adjustable seat and handlebars, the clutch mechanism and the
lubricated tensioning
system. This device pertains particularly to the industry of health and
fitness centers, but is also
applicable to individual health and fitness areas located in residential
dwelling places.
The invention is capable of exploitation in the health and fitness center in
particular, but
may also be used for the professional or semi-professional athletic industry
or in the high school
or college athletic exercise equipment industry.
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