NO20170217A1

NO20170217A1 - Arm-handle mechanism for bicycle

Info

Publication number: NO20170217A1
Application number: NO20170217A
Authority: NO
Inventors: Roberto Rosales
Original assignee: Rosales Entpr
Priority date: 2017-02-13
Filing date: 2017-02-13
Publication date: 2018-08-14

Abstract

Retrofit-able arm-motion mechanisms AMM (l, 2) attached to a foldable frame structure (3), to be mounted onto conventional bicycle, and to be used with a commercially available static trainer (6) with purpose of providing upper-body training by use of four-bar linkage mechanisms (9, 10, 11, 15), resulting in alternate rocking (back-and-forth or up-and-down) or floating motion, i.e. simultaneous partial notation and translation of arm handles (8, 18), synchronized with pedal crank rotation frequency, to provide additional arm-power and/or possibility of training the upper body, in addition to leg motion due to regular pedaling. Said AMM can be mounted onto different kinds of bicycles and pedals, can be easily stored and geometrically configured, according to bicycle geometry and user's preferences.Retrofit-able arm-motion mechanisms AMM (l, 2) attached to a foldable frame structure (3), mounted on conventional bicycles, and used with a commercially available static trainer (6) for the purpose of providing upper body training using four-bar linkage mechanisms (9, 10, 11, 15), resulting in alternate rocking (back-and-forth or up-and-down) or floating motion, ie simultaneous partial notation and translation of arm handles (8, 18), synchronized with pedal crank rotation frequency, to provide additional arm power and / or possibility of training the upper body, in addition to leg motion due to regular pedaling. Said AMM can be mounted on different kinds of bicycles and pedals, can be easily stored and geometrically configured according to bicycle geometry and user preferences.

Description

Technical Field and Background of Invention

Bicycle-riding is one of the most popular outdoors activities in the world. In addition to recreational use and transport, bike-riding provides a very effective lower-body and aerobic workout. An alternative for exercising indoors with a bicycle can be achieved by use of so-called static or indoor bicycle trainers. By mounting the bicycle’s back-wheel axis onto a stationary base, the back tire is slightly lifted off the ground allowing it to spin. The rider can thus mount the bicycle and pedal while remaining static. Trainers typically include a roller that presses against the back-tire for resistance. Depending on the type of mechanism, riders can adjust the roller’s resistance according to their workout preferences. Although use of trainers is already quite popular, it is well recognized that upper-body is not effectively engaged with this type equipment. The purpose of the invention here presented is to provide users additional arm motion for upper-body training, including arms and chest, and core-thorax muscles, including lower back and abs, while still having the same lower-body and aerobic benefits of existing bicycle trainers.

Existing Technology

Trainers compatible with regular bicycle configurations are well established products in today’s market, but none of the existing ones include features for training upper-body. Other types of static training machines include arm-training options, such as elliptical machines and a few static bicycles with arm-handles, but these are built-for-purpose equipment, not fit for use with conventional bicycles.

Technical Description

A first aspect of the invention refers to retrofit-able arm motion mechanisms (AMM), one on each side of the bicycle (left - 1, right - 2), attached to a foldable frame structure (3) at one end, and mountable onto bicycle pedals at the other end. Said AMMs rotate over a limited angle range around pivot points (PP) (left PP - 4 and right PP - 5), with rotation axes perpendicular to the bicycle frame, and which are fixed with respect to said frame structure (figure1.) As the AMMs are also connected to each pedal (7), this results in alternate back-and-forth motion of handles (left handle - 8), as the AMM’s main section (9) partially rotates around the PP (4) in a rocking manner synchronized with pedaling frequency, following the full rotation of the pedal cranks (figure 2; only left AMM shown for clarity.)

The AMMs mounted onto the pedals result in two independent four-bar linkage mechanisms (FBL), one on the left and one on the right side the bicycle frame. Each FBL is composed by two rigid links (9, 10), part of the AMM, plus the bicycle’s pedal crank itself (11). These three links are connected by four cylindrical joints. The first one of said joints is the pedals crank axis itself (also known as bottom bracket - 12), the second joint is the rotating foot-pedal (13), the third is the joint between rigid links 9 and 10 (14), while the last joint is the pivot-point (4) fixed to the frame structure. Rotation axes of all joints (12, 13, 14, 4) are perpendicular to the bicycle frame so all links of each FBL move solely in planes parallel to the bicycle frame (figure 3; only axes of left FBL shown for clarity.) Said joints can be hinged articulations or pinjoints.

Regarding FBLs motion, the first link of each mechanism, hereby referred to as input link (11), is the pedal crank arm itself which fully rotates 360º around the pedal-crank axis (12) due to pedaling. The second link referred to as coupler or floating link (10) is a rigid bar that connects at one end to the foot-pedal and to the third or output link (9) at the other end. Said output link is attached at its opposite end to a pivot point (4) fixed to the frame structure (3). The coupler (10) and output links (9) rotate through limited angle ranges, in an oscillatory or rocking manner, as result of the input’s (pedal crank’s - 11) full rotation. The fourth or ground link can be understood as the ‘rigid’ distance (15) between the pedals crank rotation axis (12) and the pivot-point (4). Notice this distance (15) can be adjusted, but once the equipment is finally set up for training use, said ground link remains fixed (figure 4.)

In a first embodiment of the invention, the output link (9) is extended beyond the pivot point (4.) Said extended section (16) has at its end a propulsion handle PH (8) used for arm-motion. Considering a starting position shown in the figure 5, as the pedal crank or input link (10) rotates, the coupler (11) moves down and forward, tilting the output link (9) and the extended section (16) clockwise (CW) around the pivot point (4), which result in the PH (8) moving towards the rider, i.e. rider pulling on handle (figure 5.) As the pedal crank or input link (10) continues to rotate and the pedal goes over its forward-most position, the coupler (11) is then pulled back and the output link (9) and extended section (16) reverse rotation (CCW) around pivot point (4), resulting in the PH (8) moving away from rider, i.e. rider pushing handle (figure 6.)

In a second embodiment of the arm motion mechanism (AMM), configuration of the four-bar linkages FBLs has the pivot points (left - 4 and right – 5) positioned above the frame and behind the pedal crank axis (12.) The couplers (left –11 and right – 17) are longer and include the propulsion handles PH (left - 8, right - 18.) The coupler (11) is in front of the pivot point (4) and output link (9.) Considering a starting point as shown in figure 8, as the input link (pedal crank - 10) rotates, the coupler (11) and PH (8) move down and slightly rotate CCW (‘floating’ motion), while the output (9) rotates CCW around PP (4) (figure 8). When the pedal or input (10) reaches its lowest position, the ‘floating’ motion of the coupler (11) and rotation of the output (9) links reverse, i.e. coupler (11) moves up and slightly rotates CW (‘floating’ upwards), and output link (9) rotates CW around PP (4) (figure 9.) This resulting alternate motion of the handles is comparable with crosscountry skiing arm swinging.

A second aspect of the invention refers to the connection between the four-bar linkage mechanisms (FBL) and the bicycle pedals. Each FBL connects to its corresponding pedal (19) by an arm-pedal connector (APC) mechanism (20) located at one end of the coupler link (11) and can freely rotate around an axis (21) parallel to the pedal axis (22). Connection of each APC depends on the type of pedals on the bicycle. Different kinds of interface on the APC can be used in order to accommodate most types: flat pedals (flat surfaces without clips or straps), toe-clips (flat pedals with straps or foot-cage around toes) and/or clipless pedals (cleats mounted on shoe sole that clip-in to pedal mechanism.) Attachment to flat pedals and toe-clips can be achieved by strapping the APC onto the pedal or by securing with a gripping mechanism (two plates pressing against each other, gripping the pedal in-between). For clipless pedals, the APC can include cleats on bottom side (to attach onto pedal) and a corresponding clip-in mechanism on top (for shoe cleat to attach on top of APC.) Regardless of the pedal type, the resulting configuration will be shoe (23) on top of APC (20) and APC on top of pedal (19) (figure 11.) Alternatively, a built-for-purpose pedal (24), either flat, toeclip or clipless, depending on user’s preference, can be attached directly onto the coupler link (11) on the one side, and screwed onto the bicycle’s pedal crank (10), the way pedals normally attach onto bicycles, which eliminates the need for an APC mechanism. This configuration requires though replacing the existing bicycle pedals, but with the advantage of having the FBL directly attached onto the pedal crank (10) (figure 12.)

A third aspect of the invention relates to the possibility of integrating the frame structure (3) and bicycle trainer (6) as a single part (25) or being independent from each other. This allows the invention to be delivered independently to users that already have a trainer, or as an integrated all-body-workout piece of equipment (figure 13.)

A forth aspect of the invention is the possibility of easier storage due to foldability of components. The main beams and FBL arms (1; only left FBL shown for clarity) and structure (3) can be retracted to their shortest positions and laid flat (26). Foldability of components include the trainer itself (not shown in figure 14,) regardless if integrated or not as part of the structure frame.

A fifth aspect refers to adjustment capabilities of the frame structure in all 3-space axes, hereto referred to as horizontal (front/back - 27), vertical (up-down - 28) and lateral (left-right - 29) directions (figure 15.) Relative position of the FBL pivot point (4) with respect to the pedal crank axis, i.e. ground link length (12) and orientation (30) can be adjusted by extending or retracting frame structure (3.) Up-down (28) and frontback (27) adjustment of pivot point’s (4) relative position with respect to the pedal crank axis (12) can be achieved by extending or contracting vertical (31) and horizontal (32) segments of structure. Relative distance (15) and angle (30), i.e. configuration of the FBL’s ground link, can be thus adjusted according to bicycle geometry and rider’s preferences, allowing adequate arm handles position and range of motion

Claims

(figure 17.) Similarly, lateral adjustment (29) allows the rider to setup the AMM’s closer (33) or farther apart (34) with respect to each other by retracting or extending lateral segments (35) of the frame structure. Additionally, adjustment of the arm-pedal connectors (APC) with respect of the coupler (17) also in the lateral direction (APC closer to coupler - 36, APC further apart from coupler - 37) is required to account for different Q-factors or stance width, i.e. distance between pedal cranks in lateral direction, as well as how much apart the user wishes to set the FBLs up.

Claims

1. Retrofit-able arm-motion mechanisms (1, 2) attached to a foldable frame structure (3), to be mounted onto conventional bicycle, and to be used with a commercially available static trainer (6) characterized by: said mechanisms located at each side of bicycle frame result in alternate back-and-forth or up-anddown motion of propulsion handles (8, 18) synchronized with pedal crank rotation frequency, by use of four-bar linkage mechanisms (9, 10, 11, 15) of which the first link (10) is the pedal crank itself which fully rotates 360º around the pedal-crank axis (12) when pedaling, a second link (11) is a rigid bar that connects at one end to the foot-pedal and to a third link (9), which is in turn attached at its opposite end to a pivot point (4, 5) fixed to said frame structure, while a fourth link (15) can be understood as the distance between the pedal-crank rotation axis (12) and the pivot-point (4), with all links connected by cylindrical joints, with all axes (4, 12, 13, 14) perpendicular to the bicycle frame in such a way that each four-bar mechanism moves solely in a plane parallel to the bicycle frame, and where said arm-motion mechanisms include propulsion handles (8, 18.)
2. Arm-motion mechanisms according to claim 1, characterized by: propulsion handles (8, 18) mounted onto sections (16) of third or output link (9) that extend beyond pivot points (4, 5), in front of input (10), output (9) and coupler (11) links, resulting on ‘rocking’ motion of said propulsion handles (8, 18.)
3. Arm-motion mechanisms according to claim 1, characterized by: propulsion handles (8, 18) mounted onto sections of second or coupler links (11, 17) that extend beyond joint between said couplers and third or output links (9), said pivot points (4, 5) are over bicycle frame, approximately above pedal crank axis (12) and ground links (15), said coupler links are in front of pedal crank or input (11) and third or output (9) links, resulting on ‘floating’ motion or simultaneous partial rotation and translation of said propulsion handles (8, 18.)
4. Arm-pedal connector mechanism (20) attached to second or coupler link (11) of four-bar linkage mechanism (9, 10, 11, 15) as described in claims 1, 2 and 3, characterized by: said mechanism (20) can freely rotate around an axis (21) parallel to the pedal axis (22) used for connecting the arm-motion mechanisms onto bicycle pedals, i.e. coupler link onto input or pedal crank, which bottom interface may vary according to type of pedals on bicycle, and which top interface may also vary, according to user’s shoes preferences, resulting in shoe (23) on top of said connector mechanism (20), in turn on top of pedal (19.)
5. Built-for-purpose pedal (24) attached onto second or coupler link (11) of four-bar linkage mechanism (9, 10, 11, 15) as described in claims 1, 2 and 3, characterized by: said pedal can have any desired pedal-shoe interface and can be screwed directly onto the pedal crank (10),
6. Frame structure (3) according to claim 1, characterized by: being integrated with bicycle trainer’s as a single structure (25), or being independent from said trainer’s structure (6.)
7. Frame structure (3) according to claim 1 and 6, and arm-motion mechanisms according to claims 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, characterized by: retract-ability and foldability of main structural components in all 3-space directions (27, 28, 29), in order to be laid flat and as compact as possible (26.)
8. Frame structure (3) according to claim 1, 6 and 7, and arm-motion mechanisms according to claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7, characterized by: adjustment possibilities in horizontal (27), vertical (28) and lateral directions (29) extending or refracting structural components of said frame and arm-motion mechanisms, in order to position pivot points (4, 5) according to bicycle geometry and rider’s preferences, with additional adjustment of the arm-pedal connector mechanism with respect of four-bar linkage’s second or coupler link (17) in the lateral direction (36, 37.)

Summary

Retrofit-able arm-motion mechanisms AMM (1, 2) attached to a foldable frame structure (3), to be mounted onto conventional bicycle, and to be used with a commercially available static trainer (6) with purpose of providing upper-body training by use of four-bar linkage mechanisms (9, 10, 11, 15), resulting in alternate rocking (back-and-forth or up-and-down) or floating motion, i.e. simultaneous partial rotation and translation of arm handles (8, 18), synchronized with pedal crank rotation frequency, to provide additional arm-power and/or possibility of training the upper body, in addition to leg motion due to regular pedaling. Said AMM can be mounted onto different kinds of bicycles and pedals, can be easily stored and geometrically configured, according to bicycle geometry and user’s preferences.