GB2435862A

GB2435862A - Adjustable exercise cycle

Info

Publication number: GB2435862A
Application number: GB0604587A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Antony Gerred; Paul Buckle
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-03-08
Filing date: 2006-03-08
Publication date: 2007-09-12
Also published as: GB0604587D0

Abstract

The cycle includes an adjustable rear leg, an adjustable seat and an adjustable pedal crank assembly 14-16 to enable the user to cycle in a conventional cycling manner or with the pedals set in phase so that their action is synchronised. The synchronised action will work the muscles of the legs at double the rate they would ordinarily be worked at for a conventional cycling action for the same given duration and therefore also increasing energy expenditure.

Description

1 2435862 Patent Apphcation Adjustable Synchronised Cycle This

invention enables the user to cycle, in a recumbent position, with the pedals set in either the conventional cycling position or with the pedals set in the same position either side of the pedal crank.

For a conventional cycle, whether it be in an upright or a recumbent position, the operating action requires for one complete revolution, the legs working alternately with one moving away from the body as the other is raised. In all cases one leg will push and the other, depending on whether a toe-strap is fitted will either pull or passively return to the starting push position. The cardiovascular system will be primarily exercised, as would the muscular endurance of the front of the thighs and the muscles of the buttocks.

By fixing the pedals in the same position either side of the central pedal axis and by being able to adjust the seat position toward or away from the pedals, will result in greater aerobic and muscular endurance fitness gains to the user.

Energy expenditure will be greater than that that would be achieved by a conventional cycling action set at the same resistance by the action of both legs pushing and pulling for each pedal revolution.

ALL muscles of both legs will be worked for each complete turn of the pedals. The front of the legs (Quadriceps) and the buttock muscles (Gluteals) are predominantly worked with conventional cycling, with only one leg being active for each half revolution of the pedal axis. Whereas with the syncronised cycle action the back of the thigh (Hamstrings) and the fiexors of the hip (Iliopsoas) are worked equally as hard as the thigh and buttock muscles on both legs at all times. Therefore the leg muscles are worked TWICE the rate they would ordinarily be for conventional cycling for a given duration.

The invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows the Adjustable Synchronised Cycle set with the seat in a horizontal position and pedals set in the same position either side of the pedal axis. The dotted peddle is the setting for a conventional cycling position.

Fig 2 shows the Adjustable Synchronised Cycle's central support in various angled positions relative to the pedals, brought about by the adjustment mechanism on the rear leg.

Fig 3 shows the seat of the Adjustable Synchronised Cycle in various positions brought about by the seat adjustment mechanism.

Fig 4 shows the pedals adjusted to be in the same position (line solid) or in the conventional cycling position (line dotted).

In figure 1, the cycle is set in the recumbent position with the seat 1, along with the arm rest 2 fixed. The rear adjustable leg 3 is fixed to maintain a horizontal position for the central support bar 6. The non-adjustable leg 4 is firmly in contact with the ground. The pedals 7 have been adjusted to be in the same position either side of the pedal housing 5. One dotted pedal 8 is shown adjusted to be in the conventional cycling position. As with a normal exercising cycle the pedal resistance can be either increased or decreased by turning the adjustable resistance turning screw 9.

In figure 2 the seat 1 and armrest 2 and the central support bar 6 are shown dotted as they are in various positions of adjustment. The angle is fully adjustable by extracting a pin from the rear adjustable leg 3, sliding the inner leg 10 within the outer portion 11 and relocating the pin in a chosen hole 12 of a series.

In figure 3 the seat 1 and armrest 2 is shown dotted to illustrate various positions of adjustment relative to the pedals. A screw device 13 enables the seat to be moved backwards and forwards along the central support bar 6. The seat is adjusted by loosening the screw and when in the desired position the screw is fully tightened and the seat fixed.

In figure 4 the solidly drawn pedals have been adjusted and set so that they are in the same position either side of the pedal housing 5. An adjustable locating pin 14 is extracted and relocated into the pedal housing to secure the desired position. The dotted pedal 15 has been adjusted and set, again by extraction and relocation of the locating pin, in the conventional cycling position. Only one pedal 15 is adjustable.

On each pedal there is a full foot strap 16, which secures the foot to enable an effective push and pull action on the pedals. ( 3

Claims

Claims 1. An adjustable pedal mechanism according to claim 1, which

fixes the pedals in the same position either side of the central pedal spindle, such that the push and pull action will be synchroniseci, will increase expenditure of the person cycling. This is due to the fact that both legs will be pushing together on the pedals for half a revolution and then both pulling to return the pedals to the start of the push position.

2. An adjustable pedal mechanism according to claim 1 will enable the user to use the synchronised duel cycle in a conventional recumbent cycling position.

3. To enable a safe and effective body position and to either increase or decrease resistance when pedalling, the central support axis can be adjusted and ergonomically set, according to claim 1, by the removal and repositioning of a locator pin on the rear

adjustable leg.

4. To accommodate persons of differing heights the seat can also be fully adjustable in relation to the pedals, which will also enable the user to maximise the working capacity of the legs, according to claim 1.