GB2572593A

GB2572593A - Exercise and gaming apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2572593A
Application number: GB1805566.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Clark Ewan
Original assignee: Revoroute Ltd
Current assignee: Revoroute Ltd
Priority date: 2018-04-04
Filing date: 2018-04-04
Publication date: 2019-10-09
Anticipated expiration: 2038-04-04
Also published as: GB2572593B; GB201805566D0

Abstract

The exercise device has a stand, a handle 16 and a mount 18. The stand has a ground engaging portion and the handle extends from the stand and is rotatably mounted on the mount 18. The mount 18 is resilient and has a torsional resistance. The exercise device may be used by a user in a prone or plank position, e.g. doing press-ups. The torsional resistance may be provided by the twisting of a torsion spring or flat bar when the handle 16 is rotated. The mount 18 may be at an angle from the horizontal which may be adjustable. The stand may have two legs, each having a ground engaging member, e.g. a spar. One of the legs may be connected to a hinge. The device may be used as a computer game controller and may simulate a bicycle’s handlebar, including a brake measuring system. Also disclosed is the device using a hydraulic rotational resistance in place of the torsional resistance, as well as apparatus for bicycle brake simulation.

Description

EXERCISE AND GAMING APPARATUS

Description

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to exercise equipment, especially exercise equipment that may be used to train the upper body.

Background to the Invention

Exercise apparatus and machines are popular aids to achieve or maintain fitness and/or strength in the human body. They may promote different exercises and address different muscle groups .

Exercises involving a person's body in a generally prone position, including press-ups and plank positions, are known to have a beneficial effect on he person's core muscle groups, i.e. those that generally comprise the muscles of the torso .

Exercise apparatus that may enhance such exercises should be beneficial, especially if such apparatus may provide a resistance-based training function.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided exercise apparatus comprising a stand, the stand having a ground engaging portion and a handle portion extending from the stand, the handle portion being rotatably mounted on a resilient mount, the resilient mount having a torsional resistance.

The handle portion is gripped by the user, who will likely be in a plank or press-up position, and may twist the handle about an axis generally perpendicular to the plane of their body, and generally parallel to their arms.

The resilient mount may be a torsion spring.

The resilient mount may be an elongate flat bar member.

The resilient mount may comprise a hydraulic resistance mechanism.

The hydraulic resistance mechanism may comprise a handlebar engaging tang, and a paddle blade mounted within a hydraulic chamber .

The handlebar engaging tang may attach to the paddle blade via a paddle shaft.

The hydraulic chamber including a separating rib.

The separating rib may apportion the hydraulic chamber into two sub-chambers.

The separating rib may abut and/or support the paddle blade.

The resilient mount may be located wholly or partially within a mounting socket.

The resilient mount may extend at an angle to the plane of a substrate upon which the apparatus is to be mounted.

The angle may be adjustable.

The angle may be in the general range of 60° - 90° to the horizontal.

The angle may be approximately 75° to the horizontal.

The stand may comprise a first mounting leg and a second mounting leg, the first mounting leg comprising a first frame member and a first ground engaging member, the second mounting leg comprising a second frame member and a second ground engaging member, the first and second frame members being elongate members attaching to the first and second ground engaging members substantially at a mid-point of the ground engaging members .

The ground engaging members may be elongate cylindrical spars .

One or both of the ground engaging members may be provided with ground engaging feet at either side of its length, being located either side of the attachment point between the frame members and the ground engaging members.

The first and/or second frame member(s) may be connected to one or more hinge mechanisms.

The first and/or second frame member(s) may be connected to at least one connecting plate.

The connecting plate may include a hinge pin and a locking pin, the hinge pin being permanently located through the first or second frame member(s) and allowing the first and/or second frame member(s) to be rotated around the hinge pin.

A vibrational unit may be provided to impart vibration to the apparatus .

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided bicycle brake simulation apparatus comprising one or more brake levers, a brake simulator body, the brake simulator body having one or more chambers therein, with one or more pistons located in each of the one or more chambers, the brake levers actuating the one or more pistons by moving them within the cylinders, the cylinders being pressurised to provide a resistance to the movement of the pistons within them.

The brake levers may actuate the pistons by way of hydraulic pressure .

The brake lever(s) may connect to the brake simulator body through hydraulic brake lines.

The hydraulic brake lines may act on a first end of the piston (s) .

The first end may be narrower than a second end.

The second end(s) of the one or more piston(s) may be acted upon by pneumatic pressure.

The seconds end(s) of the one or more piston(s) may feed into a pneumatic chamber.

The pneumatic chamber may be vented by a valve.

The valve may control the pneumatic pressure, thereby controlling the braking resistance.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a computer game controller including at least one exercise apparatus according to the first aspect.

The computer game controller of the second aspect may additionally include rotation measuring apparatus to measure the rotation of the handle portion.

The computer game controller may additionally include brake measuring apparatus to measure the amount by which brake levers provided on the handle portion have been depressed and to create a brake control signal.

The computer game controller may include a bicycle brake simulation apparatus according to the second aspect.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided gaming apparatus comprising at least one controller according to the third aspect of the present invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is an end elevation of an exercise apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the exercise apparatus of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the exercise apparatus of Fig.

1;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the exercise apparatus of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a part-sectional perspective view of the exercise apparatus of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a part-sectional side elevation of the exercise apparatus of Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 is a part-sectional detail view of part of the exercise apparatus of Fig. 1;

Fig. 8 is a further part-sectional detail view of part of the exercise apparatus of Fig. 1;

Fig. 9 is an side elevation exploded view of the exercise apparatus of Fig. 1;

Fig. 10 is a detail exploded view of the exercise apparatus of Fig. 1;

Fig. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the exercise apparatus of Fig. 1;

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of a second embodiment exercise apparatus according to the present invention;

Fig. 13 is a side elevation

Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 is an end elevation

Fig. 12;

Fig. 15 is a plan view from apparatus of Fig. 12;

of the exercise apparatus of of the exercise apparatus of beneath of the exercise

Fig. 16 is a further perspective view of the second embodiment exercise apparatus of Fig. 12 according to the present invention with the handlebar omitted;

Fig. 17 is an end elevation

Fig. 16;

Fig. 18 is a plan view from apparatus of Fig. 16;

Fig. 19 is a side elevation

Fig. 16;

Fig. 20 is a part-sectional exercise apparatus of Fig.

of the exercise apparatus of below of the exercise of the exercise apparatus of detail view of part of the

12;

Fig. 21 is a further part-sectional detail view of part of the exercise apparatus of Fig. 12;

Fig. 22 is a further part-sectional detail view of part of the exercise apparatus of Fig. 12;

Fig. 23 is a further part-sectional detail view of part of the exercise apparatus of Fig. 12;

Fig. 24 is an exploded view of the brake resistance device of the exercise apparatus of Fig. 12;

Fig. 25 is a perspective exploded view of the brake resistance device of the exercise apparatus of Fig. 12;

Fig. 26 is a part exploded side elevation of the exercise apparatus of Fig. 12;

Fig. 27 is a part exploded end elevation of the exercise apparatus of Fig. 12;

Fig. 28 is a part-sectional side elevation of the brake resistance device of the exercise apparatus of Fig. 12;

Fig. 29 is a section on M-M of the view of Fig. 28;

Fig. 30 is a part-sectional end elevation of the brake resistance device of the exercise apparatus of Fig. 12;

Fig.

section on P-P of the view of Fig.

30;

Fig.

section on R-R of the view of Fig.

30;

Fig.

perspective exploded view of the apparatus of Fig.

with the handlebar omitted for clarity;

Fig. 34 is a perspective view of a third embodiment exercise apparatus according to the present invention;

Fig. 35 is a side elevation

Fig. 34;

Fig. 36 is an end elevation

Fig. 34;

Fig. 37 is a plan view from apparatus of Fig. 34;

Fig. 38 is a perspective view of the exercise apparatus of Fig. 34 with the handlebar omitted for clarity;

Fig.	39	is	a	side	elevation	of the	exercise	apparatus of
Fig.	38;
Fig.	40	is	ar	i end	elevation	of the	exercise	apparatus of
Fig.	38;
Fig.	41	is	a	plan	view from	beneath	of the	exercise
apparatus	of	Fig.	38;
Fig.	42	is	a	part-	sectional	detail	view of	part of the
exercise	apparatus	of Fig.	38;
Fig.	43	is	a	further part-sectional	detail	view of part

of the exercise apparatus of Fig. 38;

Fig. 44 is a side elevation exploded view of the exercise apparatus of Fig. 38;

Fig. 45 is an end elevation exploded view of the exercise apparatus of Fig. 38;

Fig. 46 is a perspective exploded view of the exercise apparatus of Fig. 38;

Fig. 47 is a plan view of an alternative torsional resistance mechanism compatible with any of the above illustrated embodiments;

Fig. 48 is a side elevation of the torsional resistance mechanism of Fig. 47;

Fig. 49 is an end elevation of the torsional resistance mechanism of Fig. 47;

Fig. 50 is a side elevation of the torsional resistance mechanism of Fig. 47;

Fig. 51 is a plan view from below of the torsional resistance mechanism of Fig. 47;

Fig. 52 and 53 are, respectively, isometric views from above and below of the resistance mechanism of Fig. 47;

Fig. 54 is a transparent side elevation of the resistance mechanism of Fig. 47;

Fig. 55 is a part-sectional plan view on the section Ά-Α in Fig. 54;

Fig. 56 is a part-sectional plan view on the section B-B in Fig. 54;

Fig. 57 is a transparent end elevation of the resistance mechanism of Fig. 47;

Fig. 58 is a part-sectional side elevation on the section C-C in Fig. 57;

Fig. 59 is an exploded side elevation view of the resistance mechanism of Fig. 47; and

Fig. 60 is an exploded isometric view of the resistance mechanism of Fig. 47.

Referring to the drawings, and initially to Fig. 1, a first embodiment exercise apparatus, generally referred to as 10 is depicted.

The exercise apparatus 10 generally comprises a stand 12, the stand having a ground engaging portion 14 and a handle portion 16 extending from the stand 12, the handle portion 16 being rotatably mounted on a resilient mount 18, the resilient mount 18 having a torsional resistance.

More specifically, the stand 12 comprises a frame 20, the frame 20 comprising a first frame member 22, a second frame member 24 and a mounting socket member 26.

The first 22 and second frame members 24 are elongate square section metal sections. The first frame member 22 is longer than the second frame member 24, being approximately 180-200% of the second frame member 24.

A first ground engaging member 28 attaches to the first frame member 22 at a first end of the first frame member 22. The first ground engaging member 28 comprises a cylindrical metal member, the first ground engaging member 28 being attached to the first frame member 22 by welding.

A second ground engaging member 30 attaches to the second frame member 24 at a first end of the second frame member 24. The second ground engaging member 30 comprises a cylindrical metal member, the second ground engaging member 30 being attached to the second frame member 24 by welding.

Although welding is the primary attachment method in the presently described embodiment, the skilled addressee will appreciate that other attachment methods are possible, such as bonding or being formed integrally in a casting or similar process .

Rubber support feet 32 are attached at both ends of the first 28 and second ground engaging members 30. The rubber support feet 32 comprise a generally cylindrical cap 34 with a flat projection 36, the flat projection 36 resting upon the ground G upon which the apparatus is placed and thereby supported.

Two connection plates 38 couple the first frame member 22, second frame member 24 and mounting socket member 26 together. The connection plates are generally triangular in shape, with three lobes 39 projecting outwardly from the plate centres, with one lobe per plate 38 corresponding to each of the first frame member 22, second frame member 24 and mounting socket member 26.

The connection plates 38 are located on the outsides of the the first frame member 22 and second frame member 24. Two hinge pins 40 attach through the connection plates 38 at the outermost section of the two lower lobes 39, which correspond with the first frame member 22 and second frame member 24.

The two hinge pins 40 pass separately through hinge pin holes 42 on the lobes 39 and through the first frame member 22 and second frame member 24 respectively. Each hinge pin 40 passes through only one member. Shaped hand knobs bolt heads 44 are located on either end of each of the three hinge pins 40 to trap and retain the individual members and plates.

Pull pins 46 are located outboard of the hinge pins 40 and pass separately through first pull pin holes 48 on the outermost points of the lobes 39 and through the first frame member 22, second frame member 24 and mounting socket member 26, respectively. Each pull pin 46 passes through only one member. The pull pins 46 are selectively removable, and enable the frame members 22,24 to be pivoted about the hinge pins 40 and moved into a folded position, thereby allowing the apparatus to be folded up for more convenient storage.

Two socket member locking pins 54 pass through the upper lobes 39 of the connection plates 38 and through the bottommost portion of the socket member 26, via two socket member locking holes 56.

Socket member 26 comprises a square bar section of metal. A torsion bar 58 is located within a hollow chamber 60 of the socket member 26. The torsion bar 58 is an elongate spring steel bar, and together the socket member 26 and torsion bar 58 comprise the resilient mount 18 of the apparatus 10.

A clamp 62 is located within the hollow chamber 60, adjacent the end of the socket member 26 proximal to the connection plates 38. The clamp 62 comprises a generally cuboidal metal block 64 with a bar receiving slit 66 formed partially through it. Two angled upper surfaces 68,70 flank the entry to the receiving slit 66. Primary clamp bolts 72 attach the clamp 62 to the socket member 26, passing through the outer wall of the socket member 26 and into the lower portion of the clamp 62, below the terminus of the receiving slit 66.

Two smaller stabilising bolts 74 pass through the outer wall of the socket member 26 and into the clamp 62 adjacent the approximate mid-point of the receiving slit 66.

The torsion bar 58 is seated within the receiving slit 66 of the clamp 62 and retains the lower end of the torsion bar 58.

A handlebar mount 76 connects to the torsion bar 58 at its upper end, the end located distally from the clamp 62.

The handlebar mount 76 comprises a torsion bar-engaging bracket 78 and a handlebar mounting bracket 80.

The torsion bar-engaging bracket 78 comprises a cylindrical lower section 82. A bar receiving slit 84 is provided on a lower boss section 86 of the cylindrical lower section 82. This receives and clasps the upper end of the torsion bar 58. A grub screw 88 passes through the sidewall of the lower boss section 86 and abuts the portion of the torsion bar 58 located within a torsion bar receiving slit 84 thereby mitigating slippage of the torsion bar 58.

A handlebar bracket socket 88 is provided on the upper portion of the torsion bar-engaging bracket 78. The handlebar bracket socket 88 comprises a circular flange 90 with two lugs 92 extending upwardly from either side of the flange 90 and in the opposite direction from the cylindrical lower section 82.

A threaded bore 94 extends through the centre of the cylindrical flange 90 between the two lugs 92 and into the cylindrical lower section 82.

A lug bolt holes 96 are provided on the lugs, one of which is countersunk to enable a bolt 98 and nuts 99 to be fitted (and thereby retain the handlebar mounting bracket 80) whilst remaining flush with the outside of the lug 92.

The handlebar mounting bracket 80 comprises a lower bracket portion 100 and an upper bracket portion 102. The lower bracket portion 100 comprises an attachment boss 104 and a lower circular bracket 106.

A tactile feedback mechanism 107 is provided. The tactile feedback mechanism comprises a coil spring portion 107a connected to a solid bar portion 107b. A mounting bore 109 provided within the torsion bar-engaging bracket 78 to allow the fitting of the tactile feedback mechanism bolt 107. The spring portion 107a is mounted towards the inner edge of the mounting bore 109 with the bar portion 107b being outer (or uppermost form the perspective of the Figs) and sitting proud of the mounting bore 109.

The upper bracket portion 102 is a semi-cylindrical cover with bolt holes 108 at each corner. Corresponding threaded bores 110 are provided on the corners of the lower circular bracket 106 to enable to the two bracket portions 100, 102 to be joined by bolts 112.

A handlebar 114 is held within the handlebar mounting bracket 80, of a type substantially similar to a handlebar that may be found on a bicycle, in this particular embodiment the handlebar 114 is a of a riser type that may be found on a typical mountain bike, but it will be understood by the skilled addressee that other styles/forms of handlebar may be used, or indeed alternatives may be fitted by the user.

The tactile feedback mechanism 107 abuts the centre portion of the handlebar 114 on the lowermost edge, adjacent the centre-point of the handlebar 114. A complementary notch may be provided at a position on the lowermost edge of the handlebar 114 which provides the most deemed the appropriate position and orientation for the handlebar 114 to occupy in its rest state. This may be chosen to minimise discomfort, mitigate injury, promote best posture, etc. As the tactile feedback mechanism 107 is compressed into the mounting bore 109 by contact with the handlebar 114, as the bar portion 107b moves proximal the notch (not shown), the spring portion 107a urges the bar portion 107b into engagement with the notch (not shown), providing tactile and perhaps even aural feedback that the most optimal position has been reached. Bolts 112 may then be fully tightened to enable to the two bracket portions 100, 102 to be tightly joined and the handlebar 114 to be firmly clamped.

The handlebar 114 is positioned generally perpendicular to the socket member 26. This is in the rest position of the handlebar 114, the torsion bar 58 being in its rest state and not being subjected to application of external torque.

Rubber hand grips 116 are provided at either side of the handlebar 114. These comprise the handle portion 16 of the apparatus 10.

An adapter bracket 118 is positioned within the upper open end of the socket member 26. The adapter bracket 118 provides a circular cross section aperture 120 within the otherwise square cross section of the socket member 26.

The adapter bracket 118 comprises a generally cuboidal main body 122 with an upper flange portion 124. The edges 126 of the main body 122 are chamfered. A circular recess 128 is located countersunk within the confines of the upper flange portion 124.

A 45° thrust bearing 130 is provided around the torsion barengaging bracket 78 adjacent the handlebar mounting bracket 80 and is seated within the circular recess 128. This provides a bearing to allow rotation within a fixed locus about a fixed axis.

A cylindrical boss 132 surrounds the cylindrical lower section 82. The cylindrical boss 132 provides additional stability to the uppermost mounting point of the torsion bar

58. This provides a simpler interior bushing to locate the upper, rotating part of the torsion bar 58.

In use, the apparatus 10 is placed on a suitable surface, with the ground engaging portion 14 on the surface and the handle portion 16 being positioned generally upwardly. In the present embodiment with the illustrated configuration, the handle portion 16, being the sub-assembly of the socket member 26, torsion bar 58 and handlebar 114, this is at an angle of approximately 75° to the horizontal.

The user grasps the rubber hand grips 116 and may position themselves in a generally plank position, with their spine and body generally parallel to the second frame member 24, albeit it will be understood that the user modify their body position, such as being in a plank position on their knees for example, in which the angle between the spine/body and the second frame member 24 may be more pronounced.

The user may then rotate or twist the handlebar 114 much as if they were steering a bicycle. This requires the torsion bar 58 to be twisted, thereby creating a resistance torque, benefiting the user by providing resistance training to those muscles involved in the twisting action, such as the deltoid, pectoral and abdominal muscles.

A second embodiment exercise apparatus 1010 is depicted in Figs. 12 to 33. Similarly functioning integers as described in relation to the first embodiment above employ a similar numbering scheme, albeit prefixed with a 10 for double digit integers, or a 1 for triple digit integers, such that, for example, second frame member is defined as 1024 in the second embodiment and the handlebar is defined as 1114 in the second embodiment. Those integers having identical or near identical form and/or function to the first embodiment will not be described in addition to those of the first embodiment, the skilled addressee will understand that identical or near-identical functioning.

The second embodiment differs primarily in the addition of a brake lever resistance mechanism 1200. The brake lever resistance mechanism 1200 comprises a brake lever resistance mechanism body 1202 housing two stepped bores 1204 within it.

The stepped bores 1204 each comprise an upper, wider bore portion 1206 and a central, narrower bore portion 1208, and a lower, narrowest bore portion 1210. An L-shaped valve bore 1212 is positioned between the two stepped bores 1204 and provides a fluid conduit between the upper surface of the brake lever resistance mechanism body 1202 and the front sidewall of the brake lever resistance mechanism body 1202.

The narrowest bore portion 1210 passes through to the exterior of the brake lever resistance mechanism body 1202, on the lower surface thereof.

Two pistons 1214 are located within each of the two stepped bores 1204. The pistons 1214 comprise an upper circular piston head 1216, around which is provided a seal groove 1218 and within which is provided an 0-ring rubber seal 1220. A cylindrical piston stem 1222 projects downwardly from the piston head 1216.

A an 0-ring lug 1224 projects downwardly from the cylindrical piston stem 1222, with a lug flange 1226 at its lowermost edge. A further 0-ring rubber seal 1228 is seated around the 0-ring lug 1224, between the lowermost portion of the cylindrical piston stem 1222 and the lug flange 1226.

Two vent bores 1228 pass through the sidewall of the brake lever resistance mechanism body 1202 and into the two stepped bores 1204, specifically into the lowermost portion of the central, narrower bore portions 1208, adjacent the lower, even narrower bore portions 1210. This area is filled with

Two bleed nipples 1230 are located within the outermost ends of the cable bores 1228.

Two brake levers 1232 are provided on the handlebar 1114 adjacent the rubber hand grips 1116, as would be expected on a normal bicycle. Hydraulic brake lines 1234 attach to the brake levers 1232 and connect to the brake lever resistance mechanism 1200.

Specifically, the hydraulic brake lines 1234 each pass through a respective L-shaped rubber conduits 1236 each having a fluid bore 1238 passing through them. The hydraulic brake lines 1234 may transmit hydraulic pressure/mass through the fluid bores 1238.

An pressurised fluid trader type of valve 1240 attaches to the outer sidewall end of, and caps the L-shaped valve bore 1212 .

A countersunk obround depression 1242 is formed on the upper surface of the brake lever resistance mechanism body 1202, with the upper portions of the stepped bores 1204 and Lshaped valve bore 1212 located within its locus. A rubber seal 1244 surrounds the circumference of the countersunk obround depression 1242.

A brake mechanism cover plate 1244 attaches over the upper surface of the brake lever resistance mechanism body 1202. Six bolts 1246 pass through six apertures 1248 in the brake mechanism cover plate 1245 and into six threaded bores 1248 on the brake lever resistance mechanism body 1202. An obround cover recess 1250 is provided on the lower surface of the brake mechanism cover plate 1245 which locates within the locus of the countersunk obround depression 1242. The obround cover recess 1250 and the countersunk obround depression 1242 allow a fluid channel to be formed between the stepped bores 1204 and L-shaped valve bore 1212. A fluid trader type of valve 1240 caps the L-shaped valve bore 1212 at the outer surface of the brake lever resistance mechanism body 1202.

As the brake levers 1232 are depressed, hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic brake lines 1234 forces into the lower end of the stepped bores 1204. The brake mechanism cover plate 1244 and lower edge of the wider bore portion 1206 provide the two limiting factors for the piston travel within the stepped bores 12 04.

As the pistons 1214 travel up, it decreases the volume of the region of the stepped bores 1204 defined at its lower point as shown in the Figs by the upper circular piston head 1216. Since there is fluid communication with the L-shaped valve bore 1212, air will be forced into the L-shaped valve bore 1212 increasing its pressure and providing a resistance to the action of the fluid braking system as actuated by the brake levers 1232. The pressure of the air within the upper pneumatic portion 1233 of the system may be varied by use of the pressurised fluid trader type of valve 1240 within the brake lever resistance mechanism body 1202 and therefore the resistance to the pulling of the brake lever(s) 1232 may therefore be adjusted.

Brake levers 1232 may be provided with a a reset biasing mechanism, such as spring loading or simply rely on the air pressure within the upper pneumatic portion 1233 of the system to reset the brake levers 1232 to a rest position.

The brake lever resistance mechanism 1200 provides both an additional simulation of bicycle riding, but also resistance training to the muscles of the forearm and hand involved in the action of pulling the brake levers 1234.

A third embodiment exercise apparatus 2010 is depicted in Figs. 34 to 46. Similarly functioning integers as described in relation to the first and second embodiments above employ a similar numbering scheme, albeit prefixed with a 20 for double digit integers, or a 2 for triple digit integers, such that, for example, second frame member is defined as 2024 in the third embodiment and the handlebar is defined as 2114 in the third embodiment. Those integers having identical or near identical form and/or function to the first and/or second embodiments will not be described in addition to those of the first and/or second embodiments, the skilled addressee will understand that identical or near-identical functioning.

The third embodiment exercise apparatus 2010 differs primarily in the addition of a vibration motor 2400. The vibration motor 2400 to be affixed to the mounting socket member 2026. A vibration plate 2402 is affixed to the vibration motor 2400 by way of bolts 2404. Two C-brackets 2406 clamp the vibration plate 2402 to the mounting socket member 2026. Four vibration plate holes 2407 are provided to enable the C-brackets 2406 to mechanically attach to the vibration plate 2402. The two ends of the C-brackets 2406 are threaded, and nuts 2408 and washers 2410 create a firm mechanical fastening.

The vibration motor 2400 is of a known type, and enables different frequencies of vibration to be imparted to the apparatus 2010 as per the user's requirements. A vibration motor controller 2412 is provided on the vibration motor 2400 for that purpose.

To cope with the imparted vibration, some further modifications are made to the apparatus 2010, specifically in the connection between the two connection plates 2039, the first frame member 2022, the second frame member 2024 and the mounting socket member 2026.

Six pins 2040 are provided as with the first and second embodiments, but these pins 2040 are all permanently attached and are not intended to be rotated. Of course, the skilled addressee will appreciate that such a set-up as described in relation to the first embodiment is possible with suitable modifications .

The six pins 2040 are provided on a first end with a head and attached at their second end by a suitable pin rivet 2042.

Twelve rubber bushings 2414 are provided around either end of the six pins 2040, located between the connection plates 2038 and the first frame member 2022, second frame member 2024 and mounting socket member 2026; with four bushings abutting each of the individual members, two per side. These bushings 2414 dampen the vibration imparted through the ground engaging portion 2016 and into the mounting surface.

The primary difference between the fourth embodiment is envisaged wherein the torsion bar 58 is replaced by a hydraulic resistance mechanism 3058 shown in Figs. 47 to 60. The hydraulic resistance mechanism 3058 may replace the torsion bar 58 in either of the three described embodiments to create a fourth, fifth and sixth potential embodiment.

The foregoing description describes the hydraulic resistance mechanism 3058 in conjunction with the first embodiment hereinbefore described.

The hydraulic resistance mechanism 3058 comprises an outer cuboidal body 3160, having a lower cap 3162, a central sidewall portion 3164 and an upper cap 3166. Four bolts 3168 attach the cuboidal body 3160 together, passing through bores 3170 on the upper cap 3166, through sidewall brackets 3172 located on adjacent four chamfered corners 3174 on the sidewall portion 3164, and into tapped bores 3176 of the lower cap 3162. Lower and upper fluid gaskets 3163, 3165 are located between the lower cap 3162 and the sidewall portion 3164, and between the sidewall portion 3164 and the upper cap 3166.

Two tapped attachment bores 3167 are provided on the approximate 1/3 and 2/3 along the height of the central sidewall section 3164, to enable attachment to the apparatus 10, specifically within the mounting socket member 26, 2026, 3026.

The hydraulic resistance mechanism 3058 fits inside member 26 (whole unit size of the present embodiment = 85mm x 34mm x 34mm) .

A central hydraulic fluid chamber 3178 is provided within the central sidewall portion 3164; the central hydraulic fluid chamber 3178 is generally cylindrical, with a mounting rib 3180 projecting from a portion of the interior sidewall 3182 of the fluid chamber 3178. A circular concave fillet 3184 edges the mounting rib 3180. A paddle 3186 abuts the mounting rib 3180 and locates within the central hydraulic fluid chamber 3178. The paddle 3186 comprises a tang 3188 which projects out of the cuboidal body 3160 via a tang aperture 3190 in the upper cap 3166.

A central paddle shaft 3190 extends from the tang 3188, a portion of which abuts the mounting rib 3180 at the circular concave fillet 3184. A paddle blade 3192 extends from the central paddle shaft 3190. The paddle blade 3192 is a generally quarter-circular prism shape which projects from the central paddle shaft 3190 along its length. A circular recess 3193 is provided on the inside surface of the lower cap 3162. The central paddle shaft 3190 locates and rotates within the circular recess 3193.

A grub screw 3194 projects through a grub screw bore 3196 into the upper portion of the mounting rib 3180, adjacent the junction between the tang 3188 and the central paddle shaft 3190. Tightening or loosening the grub screw 3194 controls the resistance of the unit as will subsequently be described.

An O-ring recess 3198 surrounds the tang aperture 3195 within the body of the upper cap 3166. An O-ring seal 3200 is provided around the adjacent the junction between the tang 3188 and the central paddle shaft 3190, but beyond the extent of the paddle blade 3192.

As can be best viewed in Figs. 54 to 56 the mounting rib 3180 does not encompass the entire depth of the fluid chamber 3178. A small fluid port section 3200 is created within the fluid chamber 3178 above the extent of the mounting rib 3180 30 allowing fluid to flow over it and between the two semichambers 3202, 3204 created on either side of the mounting rib 3180, central paddle shaft 3190, and paddle blade 3192.

A suitable hydraulic fluid fills the fluid chamber 3178.

The tang 3188 is seated within the bar receiving slit 84.

Rotating the handlebar 114 causes the central paddle shaft 3190 and paddle blade 3192 to rotate within the chamber 3178. Hydraulic fluid may pass over the small fluid port section 3200 as the sizes of the two semi-chambers 3202, 3204 proportionally increase and decrease. The extent by which the grub screw 3194 projects through the grub screw bore 3196 and into the small fluid port section 3200 controls the size of the small fluid port section 3200 and thereby the relative hydraulic resistance to the rotation of the handlebars 114. The grub screw 3194 may be adjusted to vary this hydraulic resistance by varying the extent to which the grub screw 3196 controls the size of the small fluid port section 3200.

It will be appreciated that such relative terms as upper, lower, inner, outer, downwardly, upwardly, innermost, outermost and so forth used in the foregoing descriptions of the various embodiments of the invention are primarily used in relation to the intended orientation of the apparatus and the depictions provided in the accompanying Figs and to aid in the understanding thereof and should not be read in any way as limiting the scope of the invention. Since gravity has an effect in the operation of the apparatus, especially with respect to the orientation of the user, these are also used as a relative indication of the orientation of the apparatus hereinbefore described.

The apparatus may also form part of a system involving a simulated environment.

The simulated environment may be entirely separate from the apparatus, for example footage may be taken of a bicycle and rider's journey through a certain terrain or environment, and the user of the apparatus may be shown this footage via a television screen, a monitor, a smartphone, a virtual reality headset, a tablet, or similar, and the user of the exercise apparatus may react to the footage as though they were traversing it, albeit with no positive control over the course of the footage.

An alternative system is envisaged whereby the exercise apparatus may be provided with monitoring sensors, especially a sensor which monitors the relative rotation of the handlebars 114, allowing a simulated environment to be created in a computer/software environment, whereby the action of the user of the apparatus creates a control signal which alters the on-screen environment and control of elements within the computer/software environment, such as a computer game element. The exercise apparatus may function as a computer game controller in the envisaged system. Equally, the brake levers and/or brake unit of the second embodiment may be monitored to provide a control signal to simulate braking in the virtual environment, and the vibration unit of the third embodiment may be connected to the computer/software to provide simulated tactile feedback of varying terrain within the computer/software environment.

The gaming controller described above may form part of a gaming apparatus, such as a combination of computer/tablet/games console/arcade game and at least one of the exercise apparatus and/or game controllers previously described.

It will be additionally understood that the brake lever resistance mechanism of the second embodiment and the vibration mechanism of he third embodiment are not mutually exclusive and may appear together on a further embodiment of the invention.

It will be appreciated by the skilled addressee that the invention is not limited to the embodiments hereinbefore described, but may be modified in construction or detail.

Claims

1. Exercise apparatus comprising a stand, the stand having a ground engaging portion and a handle portion extending from the stand, the handle portion being rotatably mounted on a resilient mount, the resilient mount having a torsional resistance .

2. Exercise apparatus of claim 1 wherein the resilient mount is a torsion spring.

3. Exercise apparatus of claim 1 or 2 wherein the resilient mount is a an elongate flat bar member.

4. Exercise apparatus of claim 1 wherein the resilient mount is a hydraulic resistance mechanism.

5. Exercise apparatus of claim 4 wherein the hydraulic resistance mechanism comprises a handlebar engaging tang, and a paddle blade mounted within a hydraulic chamber.

6. Exercise apparatus of claim 5 wherein the handlebar engaging tang attaches to the paddle blade via a paddle shaft.

7. Exercise apparatus of any of claims 4 to 6 wherein The hydraulic chamber includes a separating rib.

8. Exercise apparatus of any preceding claim wherein the resilient mount is located wholly or partially within a mounting socket.

9.

Exercise apparatus of any preceding claim wherein the resilient mount extends at an angle to the plane of a substrate upon which the apparatus is to be mounted.

10. Exercise apparatus of claim 9 wherein the angle is adj ustable.

11. Exercise apparatus of claims 9 or 10 wherein the angle is in the general range of 60° - 90° to the horizontal.

12. Exercise apparatus of claims 9 to 11 wherein the angle is approximately 75° to the horizontal.

13. Exercise apparatus of any preceding claim wherein the stand comprises a first mounting leg and a second mounting leg, the first mounting leg comprising a first frame member and a first ground engaging member, the second mounting leg comprising a second frame member and a second ground engaging member, the first and second frame members being elongate members attaching to the first and second ground engaging members substantially at a mid-point of the ground engaging members .

14. Exercise apparatus of claim 13 wherein the ground engaging members may be elongate cylindrical spars.

15. Exercise apparatus of claim 13 or 14 wherein one or both of the ground engaging members is provided with ground engaging feet at either side of its length, being located either side of the attachment point between the frame members and the ground engaging members.

16. Exercise apparatus of any of claims 13 to 15 wherein the first and/or second frame member(s) are connected to one or more hinge mechanisms.

17. Exercise apparatus of any of claims 13 to 16 wherein first and/or second frame member(s) are connected to at least one connecting plate.

18. Exercise apparatus according to any preceding claim further including a vibrational unit to impart vibration to the apparatus .

19. A computer game controller including at least one exercise apparatus according to any preceding claim.

20. The computer game controller of claim 19 wherein it further includes rotation measuring apparatus to measure the rotation of the handle portion.

21. The computer game controller of claim 19 or 20 further including brake measuring apparatus to measure the amount by which brake levers provided on the handle portion have been depressed and to create a brake control signal.

22. Gaming apparatus comprising at least one controller according to the any of claims 19 to 21.

23. A bicycle brake simulation apparatus comprising one or more brake levers, a brake simulator body, the brake simulator body having one or more chambers therein, with one or more pistons located in each of the one or more chambers, the brake levers actuating the one or more pistons by moving them within the cylinders, the cylinders being pressurised to provide a resistance to the movement of the pistons within them.

24. The bicycle brake simulation apparatus of claim 23 wherein the brake levers actuate the pistons by way of hydraulic pressure.

25. The bicycle brake simulation apparatus of claims 23 or 24 wherein the brake lever(s) connect to the brake simulator body through hydraulic brake lines.

26. The bicycle brake simulation apparatus of claim 25 wherein the hydraulic brake lines act on a first end of the piston (s ) .

27 . The bicycle brake simulation apparatus of claim 26 wherein the first end is narrower than a second end.

28 . The bicycle brake simulation apparatus of claim 27

wherein the second end(s) of the one or more piston(s) may be acted upon by pneumatic pressure.

29. The bicycle brake simulation apparatus of claim 27 or 28 wherein the seconds end(s) of the one or more piston(s) feed into a pneumatic chamber.

30. The bicycle brake simulation apparatus of claim 29 wherein the pneumatic chamber is vented by a valve.