GB2176413A - Exercise bicycle stand - Google Patents

Abstract

A conversion kit that can be attached to an ordinary bicycle to convert it into a static exercise bike, and can be easily removed to allow the bicycle to be used for normal riding. The kit comprises a tubular stand (1) which is generally U-shaped, the legs of which fit on to a base bar (3) to keep the legs stable. There is also provided a wheel support base (2) with a pair of rollers on which the bicycle rear wheel can rest. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements relating to exercise machines This invention is concerned with a type of exercising machine which is operated by pedalling a form of static bicycle. There are a variety of custom-made machines ofthistype on the market which can be used solelyforthe purpose of exercising in the home ora gymnasium.

It is an object of this invention to provide means whereby a conventional bicycle may also be used as a static exercise machine.

Accordingly this invention provides a kitforconverting a bicycleto an exercising machine comprising a generally U-shaped stand whose two legs terminate in feet and fit onto a base bay which keeps the legs stable, the central portion of the U shape has holes drilled at an angle forthe bracket to fitthrough.

The bracket being attached to the saddle stem of the bicycle, and a wheel-support base in which is mounted a pair of rollers on which the bicycle rear wheel will restwith the rolleraxes Iying paralleltothe rear wheel axis.

By using the kit a conventional bicycle can readily and speedily be converted to a static exercising machine by fixing the stand to part of the rearframework of the bicycle and so that the rear wheel of the bicycle is resting on the rollers. The stand prevents the bicycle from toppling over in use and during pedalling the rear wheel will rotate on the rollers and the bicycle will remain static. Ifthe legs of the stand are so constructed that they are adjustable for length, then the kit may be used with a variety of sizes of bicycle. Adjustability can be achieved by making the legs of telescopic construction and providing screws in the outer portions to bear against the inner portins to secure each leg in a desired relationship.

The base part of the kit will ideally be a shallow tray-like member with the rollers mounted by bearings.

When not in use, the kit may be stored away in a relatively compact condition. If necessarytheframe could be made so that it could be collapsed or broken down to a smaller size enabling the whole kit to be packed away in a storage box.

The invention may be performed in various ways and a preferred embodiment thereof will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure lisa perspective view of a bicycle to which a conversion kit of this invention has been attached; Figure2 is a diagrammatic illustration of a support stand of the kit, and Figure3shows a base partofthe kit.

The conversion kit illustrated in the drawings comprises a stand 1 and a support base 2. The stand 1 is of generally U-shaped form with the free ends fitting onto a base barwhich keep the legs stable 3. The central strut of the U is attached to a part 4 of the rear framework of the bicycle 5 by means of a fixing bracket 6. This bracket may be attached permanently (by bolts orthe like) to the saddle stem 4 of the bicycle.

Half collars 7 are positioned through the stand 1 and then fixed to the bracket 6 by removable bolts orthe like. The legs 8 ofthe stand 1 are telescopic in nature, having lower parts 9 which slidewithin the main portions 8. Fixing screws 10 are tightened to secure the two parts 8 and 9 at a desired position. Thus the stand may be adjusted to suit a bicycle of any particular height. Spring clips 16 are provided to receive the lower parts 9 when removed from the legs 8for storage.

The rear wheel 11 ofthe bicycle will rest upon a pair of rollers 12 mounted rotatably into the side walls of a tray portion 13 of the support base 2. The rollers house bearings at each end for smooth running.

The stand 1 can of course easily be removed from the bicycleS to allow the bicycle to be used for normal riding.

1. A conversion kit that will fit any size bicycle and convert a cycle into a static exercise bike comprising of a stand to stabilise a cycle while exercising made of tubular metal with telescopic legs for adjustment and a base barto keep legs stable.

2. A conversion kit as claimed 1 were a bracket 6 is provided to attach to a cycle saddle stem by means of nuts orthe like and can be a perminentfixture on a cycle if required. The bracket ends 7 fit through the holes ofthe central section of the stand 1 and fix the stand to the cycle with wing nuts.

3. A conversion kit as claimed 1 or 2 with a plastic tray type base which houses two plastic rollers with metal shafts through each and bearing at each end for smooth running.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (3)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Improvements relating to exercise machines This invention is concerned with a type of exercising machine which is operated by pedalling a form of static bicycle. There are a variety of custom-made machines ofthistype on the market which can be used solelyforthe purpose of exercising in the home ora gymnasium. It is an object of this invention to provide means whereby a conventional bicycle may also be used as a static exercise machine. Accordingly this invention provides a kitforconverting a bicycleto an exercising machine comprising a generally U-shaped stand whose two legs terminate in feet and fit onto a base bay which keeps the legs stable, the central portion of the U shape has holes drilled at an angle forthe bracket to fitthrough. The bracket being attached to the saddle stem of the bicycle, and a wheel-support base in which is mounted a pair of rollers on which the bicycle rear wheel will restwith the rolleraxes Iying paralleltothe rear wheel axis. By using the kit a conventional bicycle can readily and speedily be converted to a static exercising machine by fixing the stand to part of the rearframework of the bicycle and so that the rear wheel of the bicycle is resting on the rollers. The stand prevents the bicycle from toppling over in use and during pedalling the rear wheel will rotate on the rollers and the bicycle will remain static. Ifthe legs of the stand are so constructed that they are adjustable for length, then the kit may be used with a variety of sizes of bicycle. Adjustability can be achieved by making the legs of telescopic construction and providing screws in the outer portions to bear against the inner portins to secure each leg in a desired relationship. The base part of the kit will ideally be a shallow tray-like member with the rollers mounted by bearings. When not in use, the kit may be stored away in a relatively compact condition. If necessarytheframe could be made so that it could be collapsed or broken down to a smaller size enabling the whole kit to be packed away in a storage box. The invention may be performed in various ways and a preferred embodiment thereof will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure lisa perspective view of a bicycle to which a conversion kit of this invention has been attached; Figure2 is a diagrammatic illustration of a support stand of the kit, and Figure3shows a base partofthe kit. The conversion kit illustrated in the drawings comprises a stand 1 and a support base 2. The stand 1 is of generally U-shaped form with the free ends fitting onto a base barwhich keep the legs stable 3. The central strut of the U is attached to a part 4 of the rear framework of the bicycle 5 by means of a fixing bracket 6. This bracket may be attached permanently (by bolts orthe like) to the saddle stem 4 of the bicycle. Half collars 7 are positioned through the stand 1 and then fixed to the bracket 6 by removable bolts orthe like. The legs 8 ofthe stand 1 are telescopic in nature, having lower parts 9 which slidewithin the main portions 8. Fixing screws 10 are tightened to secure the two parts 8 and 9 at a desired position. Thus the stand may be adjusted to suit a bicycle of any particular height. Spring clips 16 are provided to receive the lower parts 9 when removed from the legs 8for storage. The rear wheel 11 ofthe bicycle will rest upon a pair of rollers 12 mounted rotatably into the side walls of a tray portion 13 of the support base 2. The rollers house bearings at each end for smooth running. The stand 1 can of course easily be removed from the bicycleS to allow the bicycle to be used for normal riding. CLAIMS

1. A conversion kit that will fit any size bicycle and convert a cycle into a static exercise bike comprising of a stand to stabilise a cycle while exercising made of tubular metal with telescopic legs for adjustment and a base barto keep legs stable.

2. A conversion kit as claimed 1 were a bracket 6 is provided to attach to a cycle saddle stem by means of nuts orthe like and can be a perminentfixture on a cycle if required. The bracket ends 7 fit through the holes ofthe central section of the stand 1 and fix the stand to the cycle with wing nuts.

3. A conversion kit as claimed 1 or 2 with a plastic tray type base which houses two plastic rollers with metal shafts through each and bearing at each end for smooth running.