Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02599244 2014-06-13
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ADJUSTABLE STATIONARY BICYCLE
FIELD OF THE APPLICATION
The present application relates to stationary
bicycles and, more particularly, to an adjustable stationary
bicycle as used for exercise, as a fitting apparatus in
purchasing a bicycle, and/or as an interface in the gaming
industry.
BACKGROUND OF THE ART
In riding a bicycle, the pedaling power of the
user is a primary factor in determining how fast the rider
will get to the destination.
There are other factors
associated with the bicycle and the interaction between the
rider and the bicycle, such as the wind resistance (i.e.,
drag coefficient) and the weight.
In order to optimize the power output of the rider
on the bicycle, it is important that the bicycle be of
appropriate dimensions for the rider. The rider must be in
an aerodynamic riding position as much as possible, but the
position should affect the breathing and the pedaling of the
rider as little as possible. The pedaling power is directly
related to the heart rate of the rider, whereby adequate
breathing is essential to an optimized riding position.
At present, when purchasing a bicycle, a rider
moves onto the bike having its rear wheel supported by a
trainer.
According to the salesman's experience, various
adjustments are made (vertical and horizontal position of
the seat, stem length and handlebar height) until a suitable
riding position is reached, often as visually decided by the
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salesman. The rider must at the very least stop pedaling
and lean forward to make adjustments to the seat. In some
instances, the rider must come off the bicycle for
adjustments to be made.
In the indoor training industry and more
specifically in gyms, stationary bikes are often limited as
to the adjustable parameters that are available for the
user.
Moreover, a user of the stationary bicycle often
lacks the ability or the assistance of a trainer to adjust
the bicycle to a proper fit. Therefore, a rider training on
a stationary bicycle often does not sit in the optimized
riding position, therefore not fully benefiting from the
workout.
SUMMARY OF THE APPLICATION
It is therefore an aim of the present invention to
provide a novel stationary bicycle that addresses issues
associated with the prior art.
Therefore, in accordance with a first embodiment,
there is provided a stationary bicycle comprising: a frame;
a crankset rotatably mounted to the frame to receive a
pedaling actuation from a user of the stationary bicycle; a
seat mounted to the frame to support the user using the
crankset in the pedaling actuation; a handlebar mounted to
the frame to serve as a hand/arm support for the user during
the pedaling actuation; at least one translational joint
between the frame and at least one of the seat and the
handlebar for translational displacement of the seat or
handlebar with respect to the crankset; and a mechanism
connected to the translational joint for locking the
translational joint in a selected position, the mechanism
allowing movement of the translational joint solely by a
selected actuation displacing the translational joint
proportionally in the direction of the translational
displacement.
In accordance with a second embodiment, there is
provided a stationary bicycle control system in combination
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with a stationary bicycle, comprising: a stationary bicycle
comprising a crankset rotatably mounted to a frame to
receive a pedaling actuation from a user of the stationary
bicycle, a seat and a handlebar, at least one 1-DOF seat
joint between the frame and the seat, and at least one 1-DOF
handlebar joint between the frame and the handlebar; a seat
actuator to actuate the 1-DOF seat joint to cause
displacement of the seat; a handlebar actuator to actuate
the 1-DOF handlebar joint to cause displacement of the
handlebar; a bicycle controller system comprising: a user
interface for entering/adjusting positions for the seat and
for the handlebar; a position commander for displacing the
seat and the handlebar through actuation of the seat
actuator and the handlebar actuator; and a position
calculator receiving actuation data from the position
commander and calculating a position of the seat and of the
handlebar so as to guide the position commander in
positioning the seat and the handlebar to selected
positions.
In accordance with a third embodiment, there is
provided a method for adjusting a stationary bicycle for a
user, comprising: providing a stationary bicycle with a seat
and a handlebar related to a crankset by actuators;
obtaining anthropometric data associated with the user;
selecting a seat position and a handlebar position with
respect to the crankset for the stationary bicycle, as a
function of the anthropometric data associated with the
user; and displacing the seat to said selected seat position
and the handlebar to said selected handlebar position
relative to the crankset by actuating said actuators;
whereby the stationary bicycle is adjusted for the user.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a rear perspective view of an adjustable
stationary bicycle in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention;
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Fig. 2 is a front perspective view of the
adjustable stationary bicycle of Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 is a side elevation view of the adjustable
stationary bicycle of Fig. 1;
Fig. 4 is a front perspective view of an
adjustable stationary bicycle in accordance with another
embodiment of the present invention; and
Fig. 5 is a block diagram of a bicycle controller
system used in combination with the adjustable stationary
bicycle of Figs. 1 and 4; and
Fig. 6 is a flow chart illustrating a method for
adjusting a stationary bicycle in accordance with yet
another embodiment of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring now to the drawings and more
particularly to Figs. 1 to 3, an adjustable stationary
bicycle in accordance with a first embodiment is generally
shown at 10.
The stationary bicycle 10 has a base 11, a
frame 12, an exercise wheel 13, a crankset 14, a seat 16 and
a handlebar 18.
The base 11 supports a remainder of the bicycle
10. The base 11 is for instance mounted on the floor.
A frame 12 is connected to the base 11. The frame
12 supports the various user interface components of the
bicycle 10, namely the crankset 14, the seat 16 and the
handlebar 18.
The exercise wheel 13 is related to the crankset
14.
The power output of the user of the bicycle 10 is
typically measured using the exercise wheel 13.
The
exercise wheel 13 is also actuated to control the resistance
to pedaling.
The crankset 14 has pedals (not shown) and
receives the pedaling actuation from the user of the
bicycle 10.
The seat 16 supports the user of the bicycle 10 in
a riding position.
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The handlebar 18 is provided as a support for the
arms of the user.
The frame 12 has a support beam 20 by which it is
connected to the base 11.
The support beam 20 has a
chainstay 21 between which the exercise wheel 13 is in a
rotational relation. Although not shown, a chain/chainring
and gears, belt/pulleys or similar transmissions are
provided between the wheel 13 and the crankset 14 for the
transmission of the pedaling power of the user to the
wheel 13.
A rail 22 is supported by the support beam 20.
The rail 22 is generally parallel to the ground. A carriage
23 is slidingly mounted onto the support beam 20, so as to
form a prismatic joint therewith (i.e., translational
one-DOF joint). As it is supported by the carriage 23, the
seat 16 is displaceable in translation along the X-axis.
The pribmatic joint formed by the rail 22 and the carriage
23 is actuated by actuator 24.
A seat tube 25 is connected to the carriage 23 and
is preferably in a perpendicular relation therewith. A seat
post support 26 is telescopically engaged into the seat tube
25, so as to form another prismatic joint. As the seat post
of the seat 16 is locked to the seat post support 26, the
seat 26 is displaceable in translation along the Y-axis.
The prismatic joint formed by the seat tube 25 and the seat
post support 26 is actuated by actuator 27.
The handlebar 18 is also displaceable in
translation along the X-axis and the Y-axis.
More
specifically, a carriage 30 supporting the handlebar 18 is
operatively mounted to a front end of the rail 22, thereby
forming a prismatic joint. The direction of the carriage 30
is along the X-axis.
In the illustrated embodiment, the
displacement of the handlebar 18 along the X-axis is
actuated by actuator 31.
A head tube 32 is mounted to the carriage 30, and
is preferably in a perpendicular relation therewith. A
bracket 33 is telescopically inserted into the head tube 32
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so as to form a prismatic joint displaceable along the
Y-axis direction.
Actuator 34 powers the prismatic joint
along the Y-axis direction.
Although the actuators 24, 27, 31 and 34 are
preferably electrically powered linear actuators, it is
contemplated to use manual actuation as well.
The
translational degrees of freedom of the seat 16 and of the
handlebar 18 are mechanically controlled and self-
supported/self-locked such that actuation is required to
displace the seat 16 and/or handlebar 18. In
the
illustrated embodiments, the seat 16 and handlebar 18 are
therefore fixed into X and Y positions, and can only be
displaced by actuation of the prismatic joints. Therefore,
the seat 16 and the handlebar 18 are displaceable even while
a rider is supported in a riding position.
The bracket 33 is a quick-release mechanism
allowing different handlebars 18 to be mounted rapidly onto
the stationary bicycle 10.
Alternatively, a handlebar
extendable in a Z-axis (perpendicular to both the X- and
Y-axes) is considered.
Although not shown, the crankset 14 is preferably
of the extendable type, in that the cranks can be adjusted
to different lengths. One contemplated crankset system has
the cranks pivotally off-center from the chainring, so as to
be adjustable to different crank lengths.
Various sensors are provided in order to measure
the performance of the rider on the stationary bicycle 10.
For instance, referring to Fig. 5, a power sensor 40 and a
cadence sensor 41 are respectively provided in association
with the exercise wheel 13 and the crankset 14 to measure
the pedaling power and the cadence. Other configurations
for these sensors, and for other sensors 42, are considered,
such as a heart-rate monitor, pressure sensors for the
pedals, etc.
It is considered to have the stationary bicycle 10
take different configurations to enhance its stiffness.
Referring to Fig. 4, an alternative embodiment of the
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stationary bicycle is also illustrated as 10, but features a
frame 12' that is different than the frame 12 of the
stationary bicycle of Figs. 1 to 3. Many components are
similar between the stationary bicycles 10 of Figs. 1-3 and
of Figs. 4, whereby like parts will bear like reference
numerals.
The frame 12' has a= pair of guideways 22'
supporting the carriage 23', such that the carriage 23' is
displaceable in translation along the X-axis, enabling the
horizontal adjustment of the seat 16. The
carriage 23'
consists of a pair of parallel plates that support the seat
tube 25.
Similarly, the frame 12' has a pair of guideways
22" supporting the carriage 30', such that the carriage 30'
is displaceable in translation along the X-axis, enabling
the horizontal adjustment of the seat 16. The carriage 30'
consists of a pair of parallel plates that support the head
tube 32.
The configuration of the frame 12' (Fig. 4),
although similar in construction to the frame 12 (Figs. 1-
3), provides added structural rigidity to the stationary
bicycle 10. Alternative frame configurations are considered
as well.
Referring to Fig. 5, a stationary bicycle
controller system in accordance with a preferred embodiment
is generally shown at 50. The bicycle controller system 50
is in communication with the actuators 24, 27, 31 and 34, as
well as with the sensors 40, 41 and 42.
The bicycle controller system 50 has a bicycle
controller 51 that is a processing unit (PC, microprocessor,
or the like). The bicycle controller 51 receives data from
the power sensor 40, the cadence sensor 41 and the other
sensors 42.
A position commander 52 is connected to the
bicycle controller 51, and is in association with the
actuators 24, 27, 31 and 34.
More specifically, the
actuation of the actuators 24, 27, 31 and 34 is controlled
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by the commander 52. A position calculator 53 is connected
to the position commander 52 and 'determines the position of
the seat 16 and the handlebar 18 in the X-Y coordinate
system illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3.
As an example, a reference point for the X and Y
coordinates of the seat 16 and the handlebar 18 is a center
of the crankset 14. Considering that the feet of the rider
are locked to the cranks of the crankset 14, the center of
the crankset 14 constitutes a fixed point well suited to be
used as a reference for the position of the seat 16 and the
handlebar 18.
The position calculator 53 may operate in
different ways. For instance, a calibration is preferably
performed every time the stationary bicycle 10 is turned on,
so as to relate the degree of actuation of the actuators 24,
27, 31 and 34 to X and Y positions. In an embodiment, the
actuators 24, 27, 31 and 34 are subjected to a homing
movement (moved to a null extension) to be calibrated.
Alternatively, sensors (not shown) may be provided in the
actuators 24, 27, 31 and 34, or on the various prismatic
joints, so as to detect the position of the seat 16 and the
handlebar 18 with respect to the reference.
The use of
sensors is considered for manually actuated mechanisms of
displacements for the seat 16 and the handlebar 18.
A profile calculator 54 is connected to the
bicycle controller 51. The profile calculator 54 receives
the various data from the sensors 40-42, as well as the X
and Y positions of the seat 16 and the handlebar 18, as a
function of time. Accordingly, the performance of the rider
(pedaling power, cadence, heart rate) is related to the
dimensions of the stationary bicycle 10. All information is
related to rider identification and characteristics (e.g.,
name, anthropometric measurements, weight, age, etc.) in the
form of a rider profile in a rider profile database 55.
Additional information can be recorded under the rider
profile, such as the preferred dimensions of the stationary
bicycle 10.
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A user interface 56 is connected to the bicycle
controller 51. The user interface 56 is typically a monitor
with touch keys or a keyboard, through which the user
interface 56 is commanded and information is entered (e.g.,
rider identification). In an embodiment, the user interface
56 displays actuator controls, for the manual control of the
actuation of the actuators 24, 27, 31 and 34.
It is
considered to provide a touch-screen with icons represent
available directions of displacement for the seat 16 and the
handlebar 18.
The user interface 56 may include other
peripherals, such as a printer, ports for plug-in devices
(e.g., USB port), digital camera, etc. Smart cards and chip
cards can be used to store the rider profile.
Amongst the various applications considered, the
use of the stationary bicycle 10 as a training device in a
public gym setting is contemplated. When a rider wants to
use the bicycle 10, his/her identification is entered into
the bicycle controller system 50, whereby the rider profile
is retrieved from the database 55. The bicycle controller
51 transmits the information to the position commander 52
such that the size of the stationary bicycle 10 is adjusted
as a function of the rider identification.
For a new user of the stationary bicycle 10, a
rider profile is created and saved in the rider profile
database 55. It is considered to provide statistical data
relating anthropometric data of users to desired bicycle
dimensions.
Accordingly, by entering anthropometric data
pertaining to a user, the bicycle controller 51 can select a
suitable bicycle size as a function of the anthropometric
data. As described hereinafter, a frame size calculator 57
is used to select a suitable bicycle size from the
anthropometric data. Alternatively, from statistical data,
formulas can be derived to determine initial bicycle
dimensions as a function of anthropometric data.
Moreover, the rider profile may include the
performance of the rider at different bicycle dimensions.
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Therefore, an optimal bicycle size can be determined from
the review of the information gathered in the database 55
following calculations by the profile calculator 54. This
is particularly useful for elite athletes. Alternatively, a
trainer can assist the rider in trying different bicycle
sizes, to then enter the dimensions, at a position selected
by the trainer or the rider.
As another application, the stationary bicycle 10
is used as a fitting apparatus to determine an optimal
bicycle size. The stationary bicycle 10 is used with the
controller system 50 to gather performance information
associated with bicycle size. The use of actuators 24, 27,
31 and/or 34 enables 'a dynamic fitting. More specifically,
the controller system 50 may direct a plurality of
incremental changes to have the rider try various adjusted
positions while not interrupting his/her pedaling. As an
alternative, the rider profile data from the database 55 may
then interpreted to identify the optimal position. With the
rider profile, the optimal bicycle size (according to the
type of bicycle, such as road bike, mountain bike, cyclo-
cross bike, etc.) for the rider can be determined.
When the stationary bicycle 10 is used as part of
a fitting apparatus, it is considered to provide the
controller system 50 with the frame size calculator 57. The
frame size calculator 57 receives the actual position data
from the bicycle controller 51 (i.e., the adjusted position
following testing by the user), and produces frame size
data.
The frame size calculator 57 is also provided to
identify initial seat and handlebar positions from the
anthropometric data of the user. The frame size calculator
57 typically selects starting seat and handlebar positions
from statistical data relating bicycle size to
anthropometric data.
For this purpose, the bicycle
controller 51 is connected to the internet 58, to access a
remotely-located server comprising the statistical data
tables associating bicycle/frame sizes to anthropometric
data. These statistical data tables are typically updated
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with any new user recording adjusted bicycle dimensions as a
function of anthropometric data.
The frame size data calculated by the frame size
calculator 57 represents enough information for a user
(e.g., salesman) to select a bicycle of correct size. As an
example, the X and Y coordinates of the seat and of the
handlebars are given with respect to the pivot axis of the
crankset. A
tool (e.g., a t-shaped ruler) may then be
provided to measure a bicycle to determine whether it has
the right size. Accordingly, a store salesman can readily
pick bikes from the inventory by having the required
dimensions of the bike, and means to measure the bike.
Alternatively, the user interface 56 may produce
data in the form of savable files. For instance, the frame
size data may be printed out, or saved, to be sent to a
supplier or a manufacturer of bicycles.
Similarly, the
bicycle controller 51 may be connected to the internet 58,
so as to forward bike dimensions to a manufacturer of
bicycles. In the case of custom-made bicycles, the delay
between the fitting of a bicycle is reduced with the use of
the controller system 50.
Additional information can be obtained.
For
instance, it is considered to place the stationary bicycle
10 in a wind tunnel in order to obtain the rider's drag
coefficient as a function of the effect of the size of the
bicycle on the riding position. This information is then
related to the performance of the rider to determine the
optimal size of the bicycle for the rider.
It is also considered to use the stationary
bicycle 10 as a motion simulator for video games. The
stationary bicycle 10 can provide force feedback in the form
of resistance in the exercise wheel 13, as well as through
actuation of the actuators 24, 27, 31 and/or 34 to simulate
the vibrations of a bicycle.
In Fig. 6, a method for adjusting a stationary
bicycle, such as the stationary bicycle 10 of Figs. 1 to 4,
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for instance used in combination with the stationary bicycle
control system as described in Figs. 1 to 5, is explained.
In step 102, data associated with the user of the
stationary bicycle is obtained.
In one embodiment, if it is the first time the
user tries the stationary bicycle, the data is typically
anthropometric data pertaining to the limb length (e.g.,
measured at the crotch), the torso dimensions, the arm
length of the user, the shoulder width.
Additional
information such as user restrictions (e.g., back pain, knee
problems, or the like) may also be recorded.
In another embodiment, in which the stationary
bicycle is used in a training environment and the user
already has a profile recorded in the stationary bicycle
control system 50 (Fig. 5), the data obtained in step 102 is
an identification of the user.
By obtaining the
identification of the user in step 102, the stationary
bicycle control system 50 can load stationary bicycle
dimensions as prerecorded in a user profile following a
previous adjustment session.
In step 104, the dimensions of the stationary
bicycle are selected as a function of the user data obtained
in step 102.
More specifically, if the data is anthro-
pometric in nature, the stationary bicycle control system
obtains typical dimensions from statistical data tables
relating anthropometric data of numerous users to average
dimensions associated with such data.
In another
embodiment, the selected dimensions of the stationary
bicycle are provided with a user profile.
In step 106, the stationary bicycle is actuated to
the selected dimensions using the various actuators
described in Figs. 1 to 5.
In step 107, particularly useful when the
stationary bicycle is used in a training environment, the
stationary bicycle is ready for use. Step 107 is typically
achieved if an adjustment fitting of the stationary bicycle
was performed in a previous session.
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In step 108, a testing period is provided for the
stationary bicycle. More specifically, the user spins with
the stationary bicycle in order to provide a personal
appreciation of the specific selected dimensions. In step
108, the user or an operator (e.g., a trainer) use the
interface of the stationary bicycle control system 50 in
order to adjust the seat and handlebar position, to reach
adjusted positions that are preferred by the user. It is
also pointed out that an observer, such as a bike-shop
specialist, can stand next to the user to provide comments
on the stance and the pedaling style.
In one testing configuration, the adjusted
positions are reached after several positions are tested.
It is suggested to provide incremental variations of the
bicycle dimension, and require that the user spins at a
constant power. The comments of the user are gathered at
each variation of position, to facilitate the selection of a
bicycle size. It is also considered to film the user while
pedaling to provide footage of pedaling actuation for
different frame dimensions.
In another testing configuration, the adjusted
positions are used after gathering parameters related to the
performance of the user.
More specifically, in optional
step 109, measurements are made on parameters related to the
performance of the user of the stationary bicycle. For
instance, the pedaling power, the pedaling cadence, and the
heart rate of the user are measured as a function of the
stationary-bicycle dimensions.
This step is typically
performed for high-level athletes.
In step 110, once testing is completed and the
user has elected final dimensions for the stationary
bicycle, the adjusted dimensions are recorded for the user.
Accordingly, if the stationary bicycle is used in a training
environment, a profile specific to the user are recorded, so
as to skip testing steps 108 and 109 at the next use.
In optional step 111, statistical data is recorded
as a function of the anthropometric data so as to accumulate
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general data associating bicycle dimensions with anthro-
pometric data.
In step 112, particularly useful for bike-shop
use, bicycle-frame dimensions are suggested in accordance
with the adjusted positions recorded in step 110.
In one embodiment, the bicycle-frame dimensions
may be compared with inventory of a shop so as to determine
what bicycles in the shop are suited for the user as
a function of the adjusted positions resulting from
method 100.
As an alternative embodiment, the bicycle- frame
dimensions obtained in step 112 are forwarded to a bicycle
manufacturer for the manufacture of a bicycle with such
dimensions.
