EP1754520A1

EP1754520A1 - Exercise apparatus

Info

Publication number: EP1754520A1
Application number: EP05360029A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Michael Lin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-08-19
Filing date: 2005-08-19
Publication date: 2007-02-21

Abstract

An exercise apparatus is provided. The exercise apparatus includes a base (13), a bicycle frame (10) movably mounted on the base (13) and having a seat (15) for seating thereon a user, and a gyratory wheel (43) as well as a swinging unit (30) mounted on the bicycle frame (10) in front of the seat (15) and rotatably mounted on the bicycle frame (10) for balancing the user on the bicycle frame (10). Through the provided exercise apparatus, the exercise is more interesting, so as to virtually simulate a real bicycle riding.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an exercise apparatus, and more particular to an exercise apparatus that virtually simulates a real bicycle riding.

2. Description of the Prior Arts

The conventional exercise bicycles are generally operated by pedaling a rotatable wheel with a variable and adjustable resistance, so as to cause a corresponding amount of the energy consumption for the exerciser. It is so drab for the exerciser to do the body-building with such an exercise apparatus, and the exerciser may hence lose his interests thereon and give it up. However, conventional exercise bicycles only provide for an indoor exercise. The exerciser just pedals mechanically without feeling any road condition variation and acquiring any experience in handling such road conditions, which may make the exerciser lose his interests. In other words, exercising on a conventional exercise bike decreases the desire of the exerciser, and thus hinders the exerciser from developing his physical strength. In addition, a device for exercising the limbs and torso of the exerciser is disadvantageous in that the rotatable wheel thereof is positioned below the seat, which makes the exerciser fail to keep the balance while exercising.
For overcoming the mentioned disadvantage of the prior art, a novel exercise apparatus is provided in the present invention. The provided exercise apparatus is capable of providing the exerciser with an improved balance while exercising the therewith, so as to simulate a real bicycle riding and make the exerciser more interested in exercising.

SUMMARY OF THIS INVENTION

The main aspect of the present invention is to provide an exercise apparatus with which the exerciser would keep his balance while being on the bicycle frame thereof.
In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, the exercise apparatus includes a base, a bicycle frame movably mounted on the base and having a seat for seating thereon a user, and a balance controlling device mounted on the bicycle frame in front of the seat and rotatably mounted on the bicycle frame for balancing the user on the bicycle frame.
Preferably, the exercise apparatus includes a rotating unit pivotally mounted on the bicycle frame.
Preferably, the rotating unit includes a driving wheel linked with a driven wheel.
Preferably, the bicycle frame further includes a connecting unit vertically fixing thereon the bicycle frame.
Preferably, the bicycle frame further includes a connecting unit swingably fixing thereon the bicycle frame within a limited range.
Preferably, the balance controlling device is a gyratory wheel.
Preferably, the gyratory wheel is a flywheel.
Preferably, the gyratory wheel is replaceable.
Preferably, the balance controlling device is a swinging unit.
Preferably, the swinging unit operates on a surface, which includes a frame, an adapting device movably connected on the frame, and a control device movably mounted on the frame and operable for adapting the frame on the surface to keep the bicycle frame at a balance.
Preferably, the exercise apparatus includes a retainer retaining the swinging unit to the bicycle frame.
Preferably, the balance controlling device includes a gyratory wheel and a swinging unit.
Preferably, the swinging unit rotates therethrough the gyratory wheel.
In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, an exercise apparatus is provided. The provided exercise apparatus includes a base, a bicycle frame movably mounted on the base, and a diversifying device pivotally mounted on the bicycle frame and controlled by a user to keep the bicycle frame at a balance.
Preferably, the diversifying device is a swinging unit.
Preferably, the swinging unit is kept in front of a gyratory wheel.
In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention, an exercise apparatus is provided. The provided exercise apparatus includes a base, a bicycle frame movably mounted on the base and having a seat for seating thereon a user, and a virtually simulating device mounted on the bicycle frame in front of the seat and movably mounted on the bicycle frame to virtually simulate a real bicycle riding.
Preferably, the virtually simulating device is a gyratory wheel.
Preferably, the virtually simulating device is a swinging unit.
Preferably, the virtually simulating device includes a gyratory wheel and a swinging unit.
Preferably, the swinging unit includes a first portion rotating therethrough and a second portion kept in front of the gyratory wheel.
The above contents and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art after reviewing the following detailed descriptions and accompanying drawings, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an exercise apparatus according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 2 is an exploded view of a connecting unit of the exercise apparatus according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention;
Figs. 3(a) and 3(b) are front views schematically showing the operation of the connecting unit shown in Fig. 2;
Fig. 4 is a front view of a resistance generator arranged on a gyratory wheel of the exercise apparatus according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 5 is an exploded view of an adapting device of a swinging unit of the exercise apparatus according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention;
Figs. 6(a) and 6(b) are cross-sectional views schematically showing the operation of the adapting device shown in Fig. 5;
Fig. 7 is a top view showing the operation of a control device with the adapting device according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 8 is a side view of an exercise apparatus according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention; and
Fig. 9 is a side view of an exercise apparatus according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention will now be described more specifically with reference to the following embodiments. It is to be noted that the following descriptions of preferred embodiments of this invention are presented herein for purpose of illustration and description only; it is not intended to be exhaustive or to be limited to the precise form disclosed.
Please refer to Fig. 1, which shows a perspective view of an exercise apparatus according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. The exercise apparatus includes a bicycle frame 10 whose shape is not limited to the disclosed one. The bicycle frame 10 includes a supporting member 11 mounted on a base 13 that is placed on a base surface G. On the bicycle frame 10, a seat 15 is mounted thereon for seating an exerciser, and a control device 20 is pivotally mounted on a first terminal of the bicycle frame 10, so that the exerciser can balance himself therethrough.
On the control device 20, a swinging unit 30 whose shape is not limited to the disclosed one is connected with a first end thereof. The swinging unit 30 has a cross rod 31 on a second end thereof, which is parallel to the base surface G. Moreover, an adapting device 301 is movably connected to the cross rod 31.
The exercise apparatus further has a rotating unit 40 including a driving wheel 41, a driven wheel 42 and a gyratory wheel 43. The driven wheel 42 and the gyratory wheel 43 are coaxially mounted on the bicycle frame 10, and the driving wheel 41 is linked to the driven wheel 42 by a link 44. A pair of pedals 45 are connected to the axial center of the driving wheel 41. In this embodiment, the driving wheel 41 and the driven wheel 42 would be one of a gear and a pulley. The link 44 would be one of a chain and a belt, depending on the driving wheel 41 and the driven wheel 42.
The weight of the gyratory wheel 43 will results in an inertia when the rotating unit 40 is rotated and the swinging unit 30 is suitably swung, so as to balance the bicycle frame 10 effectively and provide the exerciser with a balance when the exerciser is exercising. Besides, the exercise apparatus may includes more than one gyratory wheels 43 and the respective diameters and weights thereof are different.
A retainer 60 is provided on the supporting member 11 for holding the swinging unit 30, so as to prevent the swinging unit 30 from bouncing up and down while swinging.
The supporting member 11 and the base 13 are connected to each other through a connecting unit 50, which is described in detailed with reference to Fig. 2. Please refer to Fig. 2, which shows an exploded view of a connecting unit 50 of the exercise apparatus according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention. The connecting unit 50 includes a supporting rod 51 and a pair of pivotal seats 52. The supporting rod 51 has a positioning hole 511 therethrough. One end of the supporting rod 51 is connected to the supporting member 11, and the other end thereof is inserted between the pair of pivotal seats 52 fixed on the base 13 and is pivotally fixed therebetween through a pivot S, so that the supporting rod 51 is capable of swinging about the pivot S. Moreover, there are a central hole 521 and plural holes 522 arranged at each side of the central hole 521 on the pair of pivotal seats 52.
Please refer to Fig. 3(a) and 3(b), which show front views schematically showing the operation of the connecting unit shown in Fig. 2. As shown in Fig. 3(a), if two stop levers 54 are respectively inserted into the holes 522a which are configured adjacent to the central hole 521, the supporting rod 51 is able to be adjusted to a position vertical to the base surface G and fixed at this position by inserting a positioning member 53 through the positioning hole 511 and the central holes 521.
As shown in Fig. 3(b), while the two stop levers 54 are respectively inserted into the holes 522b on the pivotal seats 52, the swing of the supporting rod 51 is thus limited. In other words, the supporting rod 51 would only swing in the range defined by the two stop levers 54 respectively inserted in the holes 522b. Therefore, the connecting unit 50 functions as a swinging angle controlling element and adjusts the swinging angle of the bicycle frame 10 as desired. It is worthy to note that the number of the connecting unit 50 is variable, which depends on an actual design therefor.
Through the connecting unit 50, it is easy to adjust the bicycle frame 10 to fix at a position which is vertical to the base surface G, and alternatively, to swing within a limited angle. Besides, one should notice that the connecting unit 50 shown in Figs. 2, 3(a) and 3(b), is only illustrated for the preferred embodiments of the present invention. The connecting unit 50 may also include a supporting rod 51 and a pivotal seat 52, wherein the supporting rod 51 is able to be pivoted to the pivotal seat 52 with other components.
Please refer to Fig. 4, which shows a front view of a resistance generator arranged on a gyratory wheel of the exercise apparatus according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention. The resistance generator 80 is arranged on the gyratory wheel 43 so as to supply different resistance for riding. For example, the resistance is generated by the resistance generator 80 which is screwed to prop up a friction member 81. While the resistance generator 80 is screwed toward the friction member 81, the gyratory wheel 43 is pressed thereby, so that the resistance is increased.
Please refer to Fig. 5, which shows an exploded view of an adapting device of a swinging unit of the exercise apparatus according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention. The adapting device 301 has a first big mounting bracket 32 and a pair of opposite elongated holes 33. A second big mounting bracket 34 is inserted into the first big mounting bracket 32 and a supporting element 35 is disposed therein. A positioning member 36 is inserted into the pair of opposite elongated holes 33 of the first big mounting bracket 32, and thus the second big mounting bracket 34 and the supporting element 35 are assembled together. An elastic member 37 is disposed between the first big mounting bracket 32 and the second big mounting bracket 34 so as to absorb the vibration while the exercise apparatus is operated.
In this embodiment, the supporting element 35 is a rotatable member which contacts the base surface G, and the contact point thereof with respect to the base surface G is regarded as a supporting point. In other embodiments, however, the base surface G further includes the ground or other surfaces.
Please refer to Figs. 6(a) and 6(b), which show cross-sectional views schematically showing the operation of the adapting device shown in Fig. 5. If the base surface G is uneven, the elastic member 37 would absorb the vibration resulting from the supporting element 35 which moves up and down in response to the unevenness of the base surface G, so as to provide the swinging unit 30 with a stable condition for swinging as shown in Fig. 6(b).
Please refer to Fig. 7, which shows a top view showing the operation of a control device with the adapting device according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The bicycle frame 10 is to be fixed at a position which is vertical to the base surface G. The exercise apparatus would generate an inertia while the exerciser pedaling the pedals 45. In order to keep the bicycle frame 10 at a balance, the exerciser could holds the control device 20 to make the swinging unit 30 turn left and right, so that the adapting device 301 would correspondly swing on the base surface G.
Please refer to Fig. 8, which shows a side view of an exercise apparatus according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention. The swinging unit 30 includes a straight frame 38 whose first end is connected to the control device 20, and the second end thereof is folded into an arcuate rod 39 which is further connected to one end of the cross rod 31 with a joint 313. The arcuate rod 39 and the cross rod 31 respectively have a locking protrusion 391 and 311, and an elastic member 37A is held therebetween. When the swinging unit 30 is swung, the angle between the arcuate rod 39 and the cross rod 31 is adjusted by the joint 313 in response to the absorbing of the elastic member 37A. The supporting element 35 is pivotally disposed in the first big mounting bracket 32 at the other end of the cross rod 31. It is worthy to note that the positioning member 36 is inserted into the holes 33 on each side of the first big mounting bracket 32. The elastic member 37A is used to make the supporting element 35 flexibly move above the base surface G.
While the bicycle frame 10 swings, the swinging unit 30 would swing left and right and the supporting element 35 contacting the base surface G is moved corresponding, so as to supply a supporting force for the bicycle frame 10. However, the swinging of bicycle frame 10 would be slightly affected by an uneven base surface G or an excessive slant of the bicycle frame 10 which leads to an adverse manner, therefore, one inventive design in this embodiment exists in that the swinging unit 30 is provided with the elastic member 37A. As a result, the swinging unit 30 is capable of providing a supporting effect for balancing and stabilizing the bicycle frame 10 as well as the exerciser.
Please refer to Fig. 9, which shows a side view of an exercise apparatus according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the swinging unit 30 includes a first portion 30a rotating therethrough and a second portion 30b kept in front of said gyratory wheel 43. Combining the absorbing effect of the elastic element 37A and the more firmly swinging unit 30, it should be more easily kept the bicycle frame 10 at a balance on the base surface G by using the control device 20.
As the above-mentioned, the weight of the gyratory wheel would result in an inertia when the rotating unit is rotated and the swinging unit is suitably swung, so as to dynamically balance the bicycle frame and provide the exerciser with a balance when the exerciser is exercising with the exercise apparatus. Furthermore, the provided exercise apparatus also makes the exercise simulation to be more real and interesting. The bicycle frame swing left and right in a predetermined range whose swinging angle is easily adjustable and thus the riding and the quality of riding simulation are well improved. In addition, the connecting unit and the bicycle frame are able to be adjusted to stand vertically or swing laterally, and thus the swinging angle of the bicycle frame is easily controlled by the exerciser as needed.
While the invention has been described in terms of what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention needs not be limited to the disclosed embodiment. On the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims which are to be accorded with the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar structures.

Claims

An exercise apparatus, comprising:
a base (13);

a bicycle frame (10) movably mounted on said base (13) and having a seat (15) for seating thereon a user; and

a balance controlling device mounted on said bicycle frame (10) in front of said seat (15) and rotatably mounted on said bicycle frame (10) for balancing said user on said bicycle frame (10).
The exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a rotating unit (40) pivotally mounted on said bicycle frame (10).
The exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said bicycle frame (10) further comprises a connecting unit (50) vertically fixing thereon said bicycle frame (10).
The exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said bicycle frame (10) further comprises a connecting unit (50) swingably fixing thereon said bicycle frame (10) within a limited range.
The exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said balance controlling device is a gyratory wheel (43).
The exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said balance controlling device is a swinging unit (30).
The exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein said swinging unit operating on a surface (G), comprising:
a frame (38);

an adapting device (301) movably connected on said frame (38); and

a control device (20) movably mounted on said frame (38) and operable for adapting said frame (38) on said surface (G) to keep said bicycle frame (10) at a balance.
The exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a retainer (60) retaining said swinging unit (30) to said bicycle frame (10).
The exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said balance controlling device comprises a gyratory wheel (43) and a swinging unit (30).
An exercise apparatus, comprising:
a base (13);

a bicycle frame (10) movably mounted on said base (13); and

a diversifying device pivotally mounted on said bicycle frame (10) and controlled by a user to keep said bicycle frame (10) at a balance.
The exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein said diversifying device is a swinging unit (30).
An exercise apparatus, comprising:
a base (13);

a bicycle frame (10) movably mounted on said base (13) and having a seat (15) for seating thereon a user; and

a virtually simulating device mounted on said bicycle frame (10) in front of said seat (15) and movably mounted on said bicycle frame (10) to virtually simulate a real bicycle riding.
The exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein said virtually simulating device is a gyratory wheel (43).
The exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein said virtually simulating device is a swinging unit (30).
The exercise apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein said virtually simulating device comprises a gyratory wheel (43) and a swinging unit (30).