AU2021240173B1

AU2021240173B1 - Recumbent exercise bike apparatus

Info

Publication number: AU2021240173B1
Application number: AU2021240173A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Leslie Mosca
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2020-06-16
Filing date: 2021-06-16
Publication date: 2021-11-11
Anticipated expiration: 2041-06-16

Abstract

There is provided herein a recumbent exercise bike apparatus comprising a head restraint mechanism which is specifically adapted for head restraint whilst performing cycling exercise. The apparatus has a seat, pedals in front of the seat and wherein the head restraint mechanism comprises a rearward restraint post extending up at an angle from behind a backrest of a seat of the apparatus. The post defines an anchor point from which a headband is secured by an elastic cord. The elastic cord secures the headband at an offset from the anchor point. The elastic cord provides some movement tolerance but gently urges the head back towards the anchor point, thereby providing not only forward head restraint, but also side-to-side head restraint caused during peddling exertion. 11

Description

Recumbent exercise bike apparatus

Field of the Invention

[0001] This invention relates generally to recumbent exercise bike apparatus, and, more particularly, this invention relates to recumbent exercise bike apparatus having a head restraint mechanism specifically adapted for head restraint whilst peddling.

Background of the Invention

[0002] Various forms of exercise equipment comprising head restraints include US 4921247 A (STERLING) 01 May 1990 [hereinafter referred to as D1] and US 4838547 A (STERLING) 13 June 1989 [hereinafter referred to as D2] disclosing exercise chair apparatus and US 1973945 A (CHAVIN et al.) 18 September 1934 [hereinafter referred to as D3] disclosing a combination exercising chair and rubbing table. Other types of apparatus including disability apparatus include US 5511854 A (CORDIA) 30 April 1996 [hereinafter referred to as D4].

[0003] The present invention seeks to provide head restraint for recumbent exercise bike apparatus specifically adapted for head restraint whilst peddling.

[0004] It is to be understood that, if any prior art information is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the information forms part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

Summary of the Disclosure

[0005] There is provided herein a recumbent exercise bike apparatus comprising a head restraint mechanism which is specifically adapted for head restraint whilst performing cycling exercise.

[0006] The apparatus comprises a seat, pedals in front of the seat and wherein the head restraint mechanism comprises a rearward restraint post extending up at an angle from behind a backrest of a seat of the apparatus.

[0007] The post defines an anchor point from which a headband is secured by an elastic cord. The elastic cord secures the headband at an offset from the anchor point.

[0008] The elastic cord provides some movement tolerance but gently urges the head back towards the anchor point, thereby providing not only forward head restraint, but also side-to-side head restraint caused during peddling exertion. Furthermore, the offset of the elastic band provides unrestrained movement close to the anchor point.

Yet further, the force applied to the head by the elastic cord increases proportionally

with the distance of the head from the anchor point.

[0009] The headband arrangements of prior art exercise apparatus serve different

purposes in that, for example, the pulling of the head strap of D1 outward and slipping

it over the head and resting it firmly against the forehead and then moving the head

forward and bowing slightly pulls a cable against a plate fastened to a fastener

attached to a spring so that forward and backward motions provide exercise for the

neck and upper torso.

[0010] Furthermore, the primary function of the headband strap of D2 is for neck

exercise but can also give gripping support for abdominal leg raises. Yet further, the

elastic band of D3 is removably secured to the headrest in a position over a pad to

hold the head in position against the pad while exercises are completed to hold the

head more or less stationary.

[0011] Furthermore, for disability head restraint apparatus, D4 uses a cord, such as

a length of nonelastic plastic tubing, which is length adjustable using clamps to exert

a minimum upward pressure on the head. Over time, the cord is shortened to

progressively lift the head.

[0012] However, none of these arrangements are specifically suited for the type of

recumbent exercise bike head restraint provided herein wherein the head is

restrained by an elastic cord at an offset from a single anchor point held by a single

post to thereby provide some movement tolerance whilst peddling but which gently

urges the head towards the single anchor point with force that increases

proportionally with the distance of the head from anchor point and which provides

both forward and lateral restraint thereby additionally exercising the neck and torso

muscles and correcting one's position.

[0013] The apparatus may further comprise a height adjustment mechanism for

quickly and easily adjusting the height of the anchor point. Specifically, the height

adjustment mechanism comprises a slidable portion having the anchor point and which is slidable with respect to the post. The slidable portion is secured in place using single hand operative locking mechanism, such as a thumbscrew. As such, the position of the slidable portion with respect to the angled fixed post portion may be quickly and easily adjusted by releasing the thumb screw. This arrangement provides a simpler and more resilient simpler construction as compared to the arch arrangement of D4 of the ratchet plate-type mechanism arrangement of D3, for example.

[0014] Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015] Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present

invention, preferred embodiments of the disclosure will now be described, by way of

example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0016] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of recumbent exercise bike apparatus in

accordance with an embodiment;

[0017] Figure 2 shows a disassembled view of the operators of Figure 1;

[0018] Figure 3 shows slidable insertion portions of the apparatus in accordance with

an embodiment;

[0019] Figure 4 shows a side perspective view of a carriage-type slidable portion of

the apparatus in accordance with an embodiment; and

[0020] Figure 5 shows a rear perspective view of Figure 4.

Description of Embodiments

[0021] Recumbent exercise bike apparatus 100 comprises a seat 101 and pedals 102

in front of the seat 101. The seat 101 may define a backrest 103 and a base 104. The

backrest 103 may be at an angle with respect to the base 104 as is shown. The pedals

102 may comprise foot straps 111.

[0022] The pedals 102 may turn gearing providing resistance. The gearing may be

concealed within a cowl 105. The cowl 105 may be narrow so as to ergonomically fit

between the feet in use.

[0023] The apparatus 100 may comprise a base frame 106 extending between the

pedals 102 and the seat 101. The base frame 106 may be telescopic wherein a seat

base frame portion 107 is slidably engaged to a pedal base frame portion 108. The

base frame portions 107 and 108 may comprise a plurality of length adjustment

apertures 109 therealong wherein a pin 110 engages one of the apertures 109 to

adjust the distance between the pedals 102 and the seat 101.

[0024] The base frame 106 may be supported by transverse feet 112 having rubber

ends 113.

[0025] Whereas the pedal base frame portion 108 may be substantially straight, the

seat base frame portion 107 may curve upwardly to meet the base 104 of the seat

101.

[0026]The apparatus 100 further comprises a head restraint mechanism 114

comprising a rearward restraint post 115 extending up at an angle from behind the

backrest 103 of the seat.

[0027] The mechanism 114 comprises an anchor point 116 secured by the post 115.

A headband 117 is secured by an elastic cord 118 to the anchor point 116. A

headband 117 is offset from the anchor point 116 by the elastic cord 118.

[0028] The headband 117 may comprise nonelastic material, such as nylon webbing

or the like. The diameter of the headband 117 may be adjustable, such as by using

overlapping hook and loop fastener pad portions.

[0029] As is shown in Figure 2, the anchor point 116 may be defined by and an eye

bolt 119 having a stem 120 which extends through an aperture of the mechanism 114

and which is secured by a hand operable nut 121.

[0030] The elastic cord 118 may form a loop. When untensioned, the elastic band 118

may hold the rear of the headband 117 approximately 10 cm from the anchor point

116.

[0031] The apparatus 100 may further comprise an anchor point height adjustment

mechanism comprising a slidable portion 122 having the anchor point 116 and being

slidably attached along the post 115.

[0032] The slidable portion 122 may be fixed in place with respect to the post 115 by

a single hand operative locking mechanism 123. As such, the height of the anchor

point 116 may be quickly and easily adjusted by releasing the hand operative locking

mechanism 123 with one hand and adjusting the offset of the slidable portion 122

with respect to the post 115 with the other hand.

[0033] The hand operative locking mechanism 123 may comprise a thumbscrew

acting on a pin.

[0034] In use, a user would use the hand operative locking mechanism 123 to properly

position the anchor point 116 to correctly position the height of the headband 117

according to the length of the torso of the user. As can be seen, the angle of the post

115 and the travel of the slidable portion 122 follows the angle of the backrest 103 so

that the anchor point 116 is always located at an appropriate distance behind the

head irrespective of the height of the user.

[0035] Thereafter, the userwould takethe seat 101 and placethe headband 117 over

the head around the forehead and temples. The user may adjust the tightness of the

headband 117 by making adjustments to the hook and loop fastener pads thereof.

Thereafter, the user may engage the pedals 102 with the feet and begin performing

peddling exercises.

[0036] The elastic cord 118 holding the headband 117 at an offset from the anchor

point provides head movement tolerance whilst gently urging the head back towards

the single anchor point 116, thereby providing both rearward head restraint and lateral

head restraint resisting against side-to-side motion during peddling. The tension

applied by the elastic 118 increases proportionally with the distance of the rear of the

headband 117 from the anchor point. Furthermore, the elastic cord 118 may be looped

to double the tension applied thereby. In embodiments, further loops may be made to

quadruple the tension applied by the elastic cord 118.

[0037] In embodiments, the locking mechanism 123 frictionally engages the post so

that the slidable portion 122 can be secured at any position along the post 115. In

this regard, the locking mechanism 123 may bear upon a friction pad which frictionally

presses against the post 115.

[0038] In alternative embodiments shown in Figure 5 the post 115 comprises a

plurality of apertures 124 therealong and wherein the locking mechanism 123 inserts

into one of the apertures 124 along the post 115 so that the slidable portion 122 can

be secured at discrete positions defined by the apertures 124.

[0039] In embodiment shown in Figure 1, the slidable portion 122 is an elongate

member having the anchor point 116 at an upper end thereof and a lower point which

inserts within or around an upper end of the post 116. The upper end of the elongate

member extends above the upper edge of the backrest 103 whereas the upper end

of the post 115 may not extend above the upper edge of the backrest 103.

[0040] In the embodiment shown in figures 2 and 3, an insertion piece 125 may insert

between the slidable portion 22 and the post 115.

[0041] The insertion piece 125 may have a smaller cross section so as to insert within

respective ends of the slidable portion 122 and the post 115.

[0042] The post 115 may comprise fixation apertures 126 through which fasteners 27

engage fixation apertures 128 at a lower end of the insertion piece 125. In accordance

with this embodiment, the locking mechanism 123 mechanically engages the insertion

piece 125.

[0043] The embodiments shown in Figures 4 and 5 shows wherein the post 115 orthe

insertion piece 125 extends up beyond an upper edge of the backrest 103 and wherein

the slidable portion 122 takes the form of a carriage 122 which slides along the post

115.

[0044] Whereas the post 115 may extend up beyond a rear edge of the backrest 103,

as is shown in Figure 4, the insertion piece 125 may insert within the post 115 and

the carriage 122 may travel along the insertion piece 125.

[0045]As is further shown in Figure 4, the carriage 122 may press against the

insertion piece 125 or the post 115 to frictionally entrap distal ends 127 of the elastic

cord 118. As such, the operative length of the elastic cord 118 can be adjusted by

releasing the carriage 122 and adjusting the length of the spool ends protruding

therethrough. The carriage 122 may press against the insertion piece 125 of the post

115 under action of the locking mechanism 123.

[0046]The slidable portion 122 and the post 115 (or the insertion piece 125 in

embodiments) may comprise a noncircular cross-section, such as a substantially

square cross-section so as to prevent rotation of the anchor point 116 with respect to

the post 115.

[0047]The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specific

nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will

be apparent to one skilled in the art that specific details are not required in order to

practise the invention. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of

the invention are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not

intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed as

obviously many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above

teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the

principles of the invention and its practical applications, thereby enabling others

skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various

modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the

following claims and their equivalents define the scope of the invention.

[0048] The term "approximately" or similar as used herein should be construed as

being within 10% of the value stated unless otherwise indicated.

Claims

Claims 1. Recumbent exercise bike apparatus comprising:

a seat;

pedals in front of the seat;

a head restraint mechanism comprising:

a rearward restraint post extending up an angle from behind a backrest

of the seat;

an anchor point secured by the post;

a headband;

an elastic cord securing the headband at an offset from the anchor

point.
2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an anchor point height

adjustment mechanism comprising a slidable portion having the anchor point and

being slidably with respect to the post.
3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the slidable portion is fixed in

place with respect to the post by a single hand operative locking mechanism.
4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the locking mechanism

frictionally engages the post so that the slidable portion can be secured at any

position along the post.
5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the locking mechanism inserts

into apertures along the post so that the slidable portion can be secured at discrete

positions defined by the apertures.
6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the slidable portion is an

elongate member having the anchor point at an upper end thereof and wherein an

upper end of the elongate member extends above an upper edge of the backrest.
7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the post does not extend up

beyond an upper edge of the backrest.
8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the slidable portion is a carriage

which slides with respect to the post.
9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the carriage frictionally entraps

distal ends of the elastic cord so that the length of the elastic cord can be adjusted by

releasing the carriage and adjusting the length of the distal ends therethrough.
10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the headband comprises

nonelastic material.
11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the headband is a closed loop.
12. The apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein a diameter of the headband is

adjustable.
13. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the angle of the post and travel

of the slidable portion follows the angle of the backrest.
14. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the elastic cord is looped.
15. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pedals turn gearing

concealed within a cowl and wherein the cowl is narrow to ergonomically fit between

the feet in use.
16. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the apparatus comprises a base

frame extending between the pedals and the seat, the base frame being telescopic

wherein a seat base frame portion thereof is slidably attached to a pedal base frame

portion thereof.
17. The apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein the base frame portions

comprise a plurality of length adjustment apertures therealong engaged by a pin to

adjust the distance between the pedals and the seat.
18. The apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein the pedal base frame portion is

substantially straight and the seat base frame portion curves upwardly to meet a base

of the seat.
19. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the anchor point is defined by

and an eye bolt having a stem which extends through an aperture of the mechanism

and which is secured by a hand operable nut.
20. The apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein an insertion piece inserts

between the slidable portion and the post.
21. The apparatus as claimed in claim 20, wherein the insertion piece has a

smaller cross section so as to insert within respective ends of the slidable portion and

the post.
22. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the slidable portion comprises a

noncircular cross-section.