US20050075220A1 - Loadable bearing for bicycle stand driven roller - Google Patents
Loadable bearing for bicycle stand driven roller Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20050075220A1 US20050075220A1 US10/939,166 US93916604A US2005075220A1 US 20050075220 A1 US20050075220 A1 US 20050075220A1 US 93916604 A US93916604 A US 93916604A US 2005075220 A1 US2005075220 A1 US 2005075220A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- bearing
- shaft
- load
- roller
- rotating portion
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B69/00—Training appliances or apparatus for special sports
- A63B69/16—Training appliances or apparatus for special sports for cycling, i.e. arrangements on or for real bicycles
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B21/00—Exercising apparatus for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a counterforce, with or without measuring devices
- A63B21/012—Exercising apparatus for developing or strengthening the muscles or joints of the body by working against a counterforce, with or without measuring devices using frictional force-resisters
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B69/00—Training appliances or apparatus for special sports
- A63B69/16—Training appliances or apparatus for special sports for cycling, i.e. arrangements on or for real bicycles
- A63B2069/164—Training appliances or apparatus for special sports for cycling, i.e. arrangements on or for real bicycles supports for the rear of the bicycle, e.g. for the rear forks
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B69/00—Training appliances or apparatus for special sports
- A63B69/16—Training appliances or apparatus for special sports for cycling, i.e. arrangements on or for real bicycles
- A63B2069/168—Force transfer through the rim of the wheel
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B22/00—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for conditioning the cardio-vascular system, for training agility or co-ordination of movements
- A63B22/06—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for conditioning the cardio-vascular system, for training agility or co-ordination of movements with support elements performing a rotating cycling movement, i.e. a closed path movement
- A63B22/0605—Exercising apparatus specially adapted for conditioning the cardio-vascular system, for training agility or co-ordination of movements with support elements performing a rotating cycling movement, i.e. a closed path movement performing a circular movement, e.g. ergometers
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B24/00—Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of preceding groups; Controlling or monitoring of exercises, sportive games, training or athletic performances
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a driven roller for a bicycle stand used as an exerciser wherein the shaft that mounts the roller includes bearings that are mounted on the shaft and which can be externally loaded for increasing the drag on the bearings and thereby changing the effort required to drive the roller by the person riding the bicycle.
- Bicycle stands are well known and are used for exercisers in many different environments. The way of loading these exercisers at times becomes difficult and the present loading devices take up a substantial amount of room. Various devices that increase friction loading of some type are utilized, including the loading of the driven roller with greater force against the bicycle wheel that is being driven. Additionally, also, electrical generators have been used. Improvements relating to size considerations and ability to easily adjust the load of these devices would be helpful in addressing these problems.
- the present invention relates to a very compact, highly efficient way of loading a driven roller on a bicycle stand that is used as an exerciser.
- the roller is mounted onto a shaft, and the shaft carries bearings on at least at one end that can be loaded relative to a stationary part of the stand so that the drag of the bearing is increased to in turn load the shaft selected at varying amounts.
- the bearing can be loaded by clamping down an outer race of the bearing, or in the case of tapered roller bearings, load can be applied axially to increase the friction or drag between the rollers and the inner and outer races (the cone and cup) of the bearings.
- the bearings in one embodiment are coupled with a heat exchanger comprising a finned housing that dissipates heat.
- a heat exchanger comprising a finned housing that dissipates heat.
- an adjusting mechanism for adjusting the force on the bearings through a spring is formed with fan blades that circulate air through the heat exchanger.
- a center chamber of the heat exchanger is open to the bearings where heat will be generated, and flow out is provided from the chamber through the outer shell and across the fins.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic rear view of a typical bicycle stand with a loading roller made according to the present invention
- FIG. 2 is a schematic fragmentary side view of the stand of FIG. 1 having a roller wheel support showing a first form of the invention
- FIG. 3 is a top view of the roller wheel support of FIG. 2 ;
- FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the center shaft for the roller wheel of a modified form of the loading of the bearings for the roller wheel of FIG. 2 ;
- FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a further modified form of the present invention.
- FIG. 6 is a view taken generally along line 6 - 6 in FIG. 5 , but rotated 180 degrees and with parts removed;
- FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a spring adjusting nut
- FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken as on line 8 - 8 in FIG. 7 showing fan blades formed in the interior of the adjusting nut;
- FIG. 9 is a schematic sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 10 is an elevational view of a loading roller adjustable based on a control signal
- FIG. 11 is sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 10 ;
- FIG. 12 is an elevational view of a worm wheel
- FIG. 13 is a sectional view of the worm wheel taken along lines 13 - 13 in FIG. 12 ;
- FIG. 14 is top plan view of a drive element
- FIG. 15 is a sectional view of the drive element taken along lines 15 - 15 in FIG. 14 ;
- FIG. 16 is top plan view of a carrier ring
- FIG. 17 is a sectional view of the drive element taken along lines 17 - 17 in FIG. 16 .
- FIG. 1 shows a stand 10 , that has upright support members 12 and a base support 14 .
- a bicycle 16 is shown in position being held on supports 18 and 20 , on opposite sides in a conventional manner.
- the mounting of the bicycle can be any desired form.
- a bicycle wheel loading assembly indicated generally at 22 is mounted onto the base 14 in a suitable manner.
- suitable side supports 24 are coupleable to loading assembly 22 in order to support the loading assembly 22 .
- the side supports 24 can have an overhanging ledge 26 carrying an adjustment screw 28 that is designed to change the angular position of a framework or yoke 30 that is pivotally mounted on a pivot pin 32 to the supports 24 in a suitable manner.
- the screw 28 can mount into a housing 34 , which is shown schematically in FIG. 3 .
- a rider driven bicycle wheel 36 is shown schematically in FIG. 2 , which rides against a roller wheel 38 that is mounted on a shaft 40 .
- the shaft 40 is rotatably mounted in suitable bearings 41 on spaced apart arms 42 of the yoke 30 .
- the shaft 40 extends outwardly along both sides of the yoke 30 .
- a flywheel 44 is mounted on one outwardly extending end of the shaft 40 on the outside of the yoke 30 .
- the outer end of the shaft opposite from the fly wheel has a ball bearing 50 mounted thereon, and the ball bearing 50 has an inner race 52 on the shaft that rotates with the shaft.
- the inner race 52 is supported and positioned axially on the shaft in a desired manner.
- the bearing 50 has an outer race 54 and there are balls 55 between the inner and outer races.
- a bearing compression plate 56 has an opening in the center to receive the outer race and is split with a slit 58 .
- the compression plate 56 extends laterally and the slit 58 is along an arm or lever portion 57 .
- the outer ends of the bearing compression plate have a compression adjustment screw 60 that spans the slit 58 , and when tightened down, the screw 60 will clamp the compression plate onto the outer race of the bearing.
- the arm 57 of the bearing compression plate 56 is supported with a cap screw 61 on a frame block 62 that in turn is fixed back to the yoke 30 in a suitable manner with an arm 64 that can be secured to the yoke 30 .
- preload screws 63 threaded into the bearing compression plate 56 to bear on the outer race 54 and provide a preload to keep the race 54 and plate 56 oriented and also load the bearings if desired.
- the bearing compression plate 56 cannot rotate, and as the shaft 40 is rotated by driving the bicycle wheel 36 , and the roller wheel 38 , the load on the bearing 50 between the inner and outer races can be changed by squeezing down the outer race 54 on the balls relative to the inner race. This also can be done with screws 63 . Since the inner race rotates with the shaft 40 , the shaft 40 is loaded with a friction load from the bearings 50 . This load means that the roller wheel 38 is subject to greater drag resisting rotations, and this drag then loads the bicycle wheel 36 in a desired manner. Suitable blocks 66 are provided for positioning the bearing 50 and compression plate 56 to keep the bearing 50 in its desired location axially along the shaft 40 .
- Separate bearings illustrated only schematically at 41 are used for supporting the shaft 40 on the yoke arms 42 .
- FIG. 4 a modified shaft for use with a roller wheel that replaces roller wheel 38 is shown.
- a roller wheel 70 is shown in cross section. This roller wheel replaces the roller wheel 38 , and the yoke arms 42 are illustrated.
- the roller wheel 70 and supports are illustrated schematically, and in this instance tapered roller bearings 72 are positioned at opposite ends of the roller wheel 70 to support the roller wheel on a center shaft 74 .
- the outer races or cups 75 of the tapered roller bearings are press-fitted into or otherwise axially secured by shoulders 75 A as shown in the interior of the roller wheel 70 .
- the inner races or cones of the tapered roller bearings are mounted on the shaft 74 so that cones 77 and 78 rotate with the shaft 74 .
- the shaft 74 has a head 74 A on one end that bears against the cone 77 on that side of the roller wheel and a nut 76 on the other end that bears on the cone 78 for the bearing on the opposite side of the roller wheel 70 .
- the cones 77 and 78 of the taper roller bearings can be urged together, which loads the rollers against the cups 75 which are held from moving together by the shoulders 75 A in the roller wheel 70 , to load the bearings under compression.
- the drag will cause the rotation of the roller wheel 70 to require more force, which can vary depending on the tightness of the nut 76 .
- the cones 77 and 78 thus are squeezed axially for loading the roller wheel.
- FIGS. 5, 6 , 7 and 8 a modified form of the invention is illustrated.
- the yoke shown at 90 is mounted in the same manner as that previously explained on the stand, and the yoke can be adjusted to change the elevation of the outer end about the axis of pivot pin 32 .
- the yoke has a roller wheel 92 mounted in a recess 94 .
- the roller wheel 92 in this form of the invention has a larger diameter center section against which the driven bicycle wheel will run. This larger diameter roller wheel 92 slows down the speed of rotation of the shaft 96 that mounts the roller wheel, relative to the speed of the bicycle wheel.
- the shaft 96 mounts the roller wheel 92 in a conventional manner on roller bearings 98 , which are mounted on the opposite spaced arms 100 of the yoke 90 .
- a flywheel 102 is mounted on one outer end of the shaft 96 and it can be seen that a nut 104 is threaded on that end of the shaft 96 .
- a spacer 106 rests against the inner race of the roller bearing 98 , to keep the flywheel spaced at a desired location.
- the shaft 96 extends through the roller wheel 92 , and is drivably connected to the roller wheel in a suitable manner.
- the bearing 98 on the opposite end of the yoke 90 from the flywheel 102 is used for supporting the drag creating bearing arrangement indicated generally at 110 .
- the shaft 96 has a spacer 112 on that side of the yoke 90 that engages the inner race of the bearing 98 on that side.
- a spacer hub 114 is mounted over the shaft 96 and supports a tapered roller bearing assembly 116 on its outer surface.
- a snap ring 124 is used to locate the hub 114 axially and the nut 104 can be tightened to hold the bearing 98 in place on the yoke arm 100 and shaft 96 .
- the taper rolling bearing assembly 116 is held in a control arm 118 around the cup or outer race 126 of the bearing and this control arm 118 is secured from rotation with a pin 120 that fits into a provided receptacle 122 on the yoke 90 .
- the pin 120 can be threaded in place or otherwise held in place as desired.
- the snap ring 124 extends into a groove in the shaft 96 and holds the hub 114 from axial movement.
- the spacers, bearings, and yoke, are such that the nut 104 can be tightened to tighten the entire assembly of the bearings 98 , spacers, and the tapered roller bearing assembly 116 in place.
- the tapered roller bearing 116 has outer cup 126 held by arm 118 , and a cone or inner race 128 that rotates with shaft 96 , and rollers 130 between the cup and the cone on that bearing.
- a second tapered roller bearing assembly 134 is supported in place surrounding the shaft 96 on a hub 136 that supports the cone or inner race 138 of bearing 134 .
- the cup 140 of the bearing 134 is supported in a housing 142 that acts as a heat exchanger.
- Rollers 144 are positioned between the cone 138 and the cup 140 .
- a ring spacer 152 is positioned between the cup 140 of bearing 134 and cup 126 of bearing 116 .
- the cones of the two bearings 116 and 134 taper in opposite directions from the center place between the bearings.
- the housing 142 has an open center chamber 143 , as can be seen.
- the shaft 96 extends through the chamber 143 and a spring 146 is positioned over the shaft 96 in the chamber.
- the spring 146 bears against a hub 136 that has a flange 136 A that bears against cone 138 .
- Adjustment nut 148 is threaded onto a threaded portion 150 of the shaft 96 .
- Adjustment nut 148 has a center wall portion at one end that bears against the spring 146 and creates an axial force on the hub 136 , and thus on the cone or inner race 138 of the bearing assembly 134 . In turn this increases the load on with the rollers 144 against the cup 140 .
- Spring 146 advantageously provides a constant load to the bearings even when thermal expansion of components occurs due to heating of the components.
- the axial force is transmitted from cup 140 by the washer-like ring spacer 152 , to the cup or outer race 126 of bearing 116 .
- the load from cup 126 is transmitted by roller 130 to create a drag on the cone 128 or inner race of the bearing 116 .
- the cone 128 is rotating with shaft 96 but the cup 126 is held from rotating by arm 118 .
- This load on the bearings 116 and 134 will cause a need for greater force to rotate the roller wheel 94 , which in turn is generated by the person doing the exercise.
- the preloading of bearings on the shaft that carries the roller wheel 92 provides an efficient, easy way of loading the exercise device to a desired level.
- the heat generated by the friction loads of the two bearings 134 and 116 is dissipated by the housing 142 , which has heat-radiating fins 154 thereon.
- the radiating fins are used for carrying heat to the atmosphere. It can be seen that the arm 118 holds the outer race or cup 126 of the bearing assembly 116 , and because of the frictional force carried by the spacer 152 , the outer race or cup 140 does not rotate either, so that the heat exchange housing remains stationary. However, nut 148 , which is hand adjustable, will rotate with the shaft 96 .
- Nut 148 is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 , and it is provided with a number of generally radial fins or blades 156 that act like a centrifugal fan so that as the nut rotates while the shaft 96 is rotating, air will be pumped out from the center of chamber 143 through the space between the blades 156 and out through discharge openings 158 in the housing 142 . Additionally, the nut 148 has openings 160 on the end wall that are used for intake of air for circulation.
- the nut 148 has a knurled outer surface 162 for ease of adjustment.
- the spring 146 ( FIG. 5 ) is selected in size as desired to create the necessary axial force on the two bearings 134 and 116 , to in turn create enough drag on the shaft 96 for adequate exercise and to provide for even pressure on the bearings.
- FIG. 9 is a schematic view of an actuator 200 , a shaft 201 , outer races 202 , 204 , inner races 206 , 208 and bearings 210 , 212 .
- Bearing 210 is provided between outer race 202 and inner race 206 while bearing 212 is provided between outer race 204 and inner race 208 .
- Actuator 200 operates to provide friction force between outer races 202 , 204 and inner races 206 , 208 , respectively.
- Actuator 200 can be any form of actuator including a hydraulic actuator, pneumatic actuator, electro-mechanical actuator (e.g. motor, gears, levers), etc.
- actuator 200 operates to actuate inner races 206 , 208 toward outer races 202 , 204 , respectively.
- actuator 200 can force outer races 202 , 204 toward inner races 206 , 208 respectively.
- an electrical signal can be provided to actuator 80 and the degree of friction force applied between outer races 202 , 204 and inner races 206 , 208 can be proportional to the electrical signal.
- FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate an exemplary embodiment having an actuator 200 comprising a motor 250 receiving an electrical signal that functions as a control signal to adjust the loading of bearings that in turn adjusts the resistance present upon a bicycle wheel.
- an actuator 200 comprising a motor 250 receiving an electrical signal that functions as a control signal to adjust the loading of bearings that in turn adjusts the resistance present upon a bicycle wheel.
- the same reference numerals have been used as in FIG. 5 to identify similar functioning elements.
- motor 250 is coupled to suitable gears disposed in gearbox 252 so as to obtain a desired rotational speed of output shaft 254 .
- Output shaft 254 is coupled to an elongated worm gear 256 rotatably supported in a suitable housing 258 .
- Worm gear 256 meshes with a worm wheel 260 (see also FIGS. 12 and 13 ) that is disposed for at least partial rotation about shaft 96 .
- drive elements (herein rings) 270 and 272 engage cups 126 and 140 , respectively, to induce loading on the respective bearings.
- rotation of worm wheel 260 causes drive elements 270 and 272 to be selectively displaced toward or away from each other, wherein displacement away from each other causes increased loading upon the bearings.
- stops are provided to limit rotation of worm wheel 260 .
- such stops can be embodied as balls 261 that are disposed in recesses 263 formed in worm wheel 260 .
- the balls 261 contact worm gear 256 to limit rotation of worm wheel 260 .
- many different mechanisms can be used to limit rotation of worm wheel 260 .
- a plurality of balls 274 are disposed between drive elements 270 and 272 in guide grooves 276 and/or 278 formed respectively therein.
- at least one of the grooves, herein groove 276 varies in depth such that at different positions of the ball 274 in the groove 276 the spacing or distance between drive elements 270 and 272 is also varied.
- Carrier ring 280 (see also FIGS. 16 and 17 ) disposed about the shaft 96 has apertures slightly larger than the balls 274 to control the position of each ball in the corresponding groove 276 .
- Carrier ring 280 is coupled to and driven by worm wheel 260 .
- Drive pins 284 couple worm wheel 260 to drive element 272 (e.g.
- pins engage recesses 285 in drive element 272 as illustrated in FIG. 14 ), while an o-ring 286 is friction coupled to carrier ring 280 .
- three balls 274 are disposed around shaft 96 at substantially equal angular intervals, while the change in depth of groove 276 upon which each respective ball travels is 0.060 inches.
- nut 148 as illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10 is also provided with a number of generally radial fins or blades 156 that act like a centrifugal fan so that as the nut rotates while the shaft 96 is rotating, air will be pumped through the housing 142 and preferably out discharge openings 158 in the housing 142 .
- the nut 148 has larger extending radial fans that extend adjacent an opening to the housing 142 and where openings are not needed in nut 148 .
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- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
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- Biophysics (AREA)
- Orthopedic Medicine & Surgery (AREA)
- Rolling Contact Bearings (AREA)
Abstract
A bearing assembly is mounted onto the shaft of a rotating wheel of a bicycle exerciser, wherein the rotating wheel is driven by a person on a bicycle. The bearing assembly is loaded so that the inner and outer portions of the bearing assembly are urged in a manner to create a drag on the bearing assembly that is transmitted to the rolling wheel.
Description
- The present application is based on and claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/501,887, filed Sep. 10, 2003, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
- The present invention relates to a driven roller for a bicycle stand used as an exerciser wherein the shaft that mounts the roller includes bearings that are mounted on the shaft and which can be externally loaded for increasing the drag on the bearings and thereby changing the effort required to drive the roller by the person riding the bicycle.
- Bicycle stands are well known and are used for exercisers in many different environments. The way of loading these exercisers at times becomes difficult and the present loading devices take up a substantial amount of room. Various devices that increase friction loading of some type are utilized, including the loading of the driven roller with greater force against the bicycle wheel that is being driven. Additionally, also, electrical generators have been used. Improvements relating to size considerations and ability to easily adjust the load of these devices would be helpful in addressing these problems.
- The present invention relates to a very compact, highly efficient way of loading a driven roller on a bicycle stand that is used as an exerciser. The roller is mounted onto a shaft, and the shaft carries bearings on at least at one end that can be loaded relative to a stationary part of the stand so that the drag of the bearing is increased to in turn load the shaft selected at varying amounts.
- The bearing can be loaded by clamping down an outer race of the bearing, or in the case of tapered roller bearings, load can be applied axially to increase the friction or drag between the rollers and the inner and outer races (the cone and cup) of the bearings.
- The bearings in one embodiment are coupled with a heat exchanger comprising a finned housing that dissipates heat. In addition, an adjusting mechanism for adjusting the force on the bearings through a spring is formed with fan blades that circulate air through the heat exchanger. A center chamber of the heat exchanger is open to the bearings where heat will be generated, and flow out is provided from the chamber through the outer shell and across the fins.
-
FIG. 1 is a schematic rear view of a typical bicycle stand with a loading roller made according to the present invention; -
FIG. 2 is a schematic fragmentary side view of the stand ofFIG. 1 having a roller wheel support showing a first form of the invention; -
FIG. 3 is a top view of the roller wheel support ofFIG. 2 ; -
FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the center shaft for the roller wheel of a modified form of the loading of the bearings for the roller wheel ofFIG. 2 ; -
FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a further modified form of the present invention; -
FIG. 6 is a view taken generally along line 6-6 inFIG. 5 , but rotated 180 degrees and with parts removed; -
FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a spring adjusting nut; -
FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken as on line 8-8 inFIG. 7 showing fan blades formed in the interior of the adjusting nut; -
FIG. 9 is a schematic sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 10 is an elevational view of a loading roller adjustable based on a control signal; -
FIG. 11 is sectional view of the embodiment ofFIG. 10 ; -
FIG. 12 is an elevational view of a worm wheel; -
FIG. 13 is a sectional view of the worm wheel taken along lines 13-13 inFIG. 12 ; -
FIG. 14 is top plan view of a drive element; -
FIG. 15 is a sectional view of the drive element taken along lines 15-15 inFIG. 14 ; -
FIG. 16 is top plan view of a carrier ring; and -
FIG. 17 is a sectional view of the drive element taken along lines 17-17 inFIG. 16 . -
FIG. 1 shows astand 10, that has upright supportmembers 12 and abase support 14. Reference is made to U.S. Pat. No. 6,551,220 showing such stand. Abicycle 16 is shown in position being held onsupports base 14 in a suitable manner. - With reference to
FIGS. 2 and 3 ,suitable side supports 24 are coupleable to loadingassembly 22 in order to support theloading assembly 22. Theside supports 24 can have an overhangingledge 26 carrying anadjustment screw 28 that is designed to change the angular position of a framework oryoke 30 that is pivotally mounted on apivot pin 32 to thesupports 24 in a suitable manner. Thescrew 28 can mount into ahousing 34, which is shown schematically inFIG. 3 . - A rider driven
bicycle wheel 36 is shown schematically inFIG. 2 , which rides against aroller wheel 38 that is mounted on ashaft 40. Theshaft 40 is rotatably mounted insuitable bearings 41 on spaced apartarms 42 of theyoke 30. Theshaft 40 extends outwardly along both sides of theyoke 30. Aflywheel 44 is mounted on one outwardly extending end of theshaft 40 on the outside of theyoke 30. - The outer end of the shaft opposite from the fly wheel has a ball bearing 50 mounted thereon, and the ball bearing 50 has an
inner race 52 on the shaft that rotates with the shaft. Theinner race 52 is supported and positioned axially on the shaft in a desired manner. The bearing 50 has anouter race 54 and there areballs 55 between the inner and outer races. - A
bearing compression plate 56 has an opening in the center to receive the outer race and is split with aslit 58. Thecompression plate 56 extends laterally and theslit 58 is along an arm orlever portion 57. The outer ends of the bearing compression plate have acompression adjustment screw 60 that spans theslit 58, and when tightened down, thescrew 60 will clamp the compression plate onto the outer race of the bearing. Thearm 57 of thebearing compression plate 56 is supported with acap screw 61 on aframe block 62 that in turn is fixed back to theyoke 30 in a suitable manner with anarm 64 that can be secured to theyoke 30. - There also are
preload screws 63 threaded into thebearing compression plate 56 to bear on theouter race 54 and provide a preload to keep therace 54 andplate 56 oriented and also load the bearings if desired. Thebearing compression plate 56 cannot rotate, and as theshaft 40 is rotated by driving thebicycle wheel 36, and theroller wheel 38, the load on thebearing 50 between the inner and outer races can be changed by squeezing down theouter race 54 on the balls relative to the inner race. This also can be done withscrews 63. Since the inner race rotates with theshaft 40, theshaft 40 is loaded with a friction load from thebearings 50. This load means that theroller wheel 38 is subject to greater drag resisting rotations, and this drag then loads thebicycle wheel 36 in a desired manner.Suitable blocks 66 are provided for positioning thebearing 50 andcompression plate 56 to keep thebearing 50 in its desired location axially along theshaft 40. Separate bearings illustrated only schematically at 41 are used for supporting theshaft 40 on theyoke arms 42. - In
FIG. 4 , a modified shaft for use with a roller wheel that replacesroller wheel 38 is shown. Aroller wheel 70 is shown in cross section. This roller wheel replaces theroller wheel 38, and theyoke arms 42 are illustrated. Theroller wheel 70 and supports are illustrated schematically, and in this instance taperedroller bearings 72 are positioned at opposite ends of theroller wheel 70 to support the roller wheel on acenter shaft 74. The outer races or cups 75 of the tapered roller bearings are press-fitted into or otherwise axially secured byshoulders 75A as shown in the interior of theroller wheel 70. The inner races or cones of the tapered roller bearings are mounted on theshaft 74 so thatcones shaft 74. - The
shaft 74 has ahead 74A on one end that bears against thecone 77 on that side of the roller wheel and anut 76 on the other end that bears on thecone 78 for the bearing on the opposite side of theroller wheel 70. Thecones cups 75 which are held from moving together by theshoulders 75A in theroller wheel 70, to load the bearings under compression. The drag will cause the rotation of theroller wheel 70 to require more force, which can vary depending on the tightness of thenut 76. Thecones - In
FIGS. 5, 6 , 7 and 8, a modified form of the invention is illustrated. The yoke shown at 90 is mounted in the same manner as that previously explained on the stand, and the yoke can be adjusted to change the elevation of the outer end about the axis ofpivot pin 32. - In this form of the invention, the yoke has a
roller wheel 92 mounted in arecess 94. Theroller wheel 92 in this form of the invention has a larger diameter center section against which the driven bicycle wheel will run. This largerdiameter roller wheel 92 slows down the speed of rotation of theshaft 96 that mounts the roller wheel, relative to the speed of the bicycle wheel. Theshaft 96 mounts theroller wheel 92 in a conventional manner onroller bearings 98, which are mounted on the opposite spacedarms 100 of theyoke 90. - A
flywheel 102 is mounted on one outer end of theshaft 96 and it can be seen that anut 104 is threaded on that end of theshaft 96. Aspacer 106 rests against the inner race of theroller bearing 98, to keep the flywheel spaced at a desired location. Theshaft 96 extends through theroller wheel 92, and is drivably connected to the roller wheel in a suitable manner. The bearing 98 on the opposite end of theyoke 90 from theflywheel 102 is used for supporting the drag creating bearing arrangement indicated generally at 110. - The
shaft 96 has aspacer 112 on that side of theyoke 90 that engages the inner race of the bearing 98 on that side. Aspacer hub 114 is mounted over theshaft 96 and supports a taperedroller bearing assembly 116 on its outer surface. Asnap ring 124 is used to locate thehub 114 axially and thenut 104 can be tightened to hold thebearing 98 in place on theyoke arm 100 andshaft 96. The taper rollingbearing assembly 116 is held in acontrol arm 118 around the cup orouter race 126 of the bearing and thiscontrol arm 118 is secured from rotation with apin 120 that fits into a providedreceptacle 122 on theyoke 90. Thepin 120 can be threaded in place or otherwise held in place as desired. - The
snap ring 124 extends into a groove in theshaft 96 and holds thehub 114 from axial movement. The spacers, bearings, and yoke, are such that thenut 104 can be tightened to tighten the entire assembly of thebearings 98, spacers, and the taperedroller bearing assembly 116 in place. - Again, the tapered
roller bearing 116 hasouter cup 126 held byarm 118, and a cone orinner race 128 that rotates withshaft 96, androllers 130 between the cup and the cone on that bearing. - In order to provide a drag on the
shaft 96, a second taperedroller bearing assembly 134 is supported in place surrounding theshaft 96 on ahub 136 that supports the cone orinner race 138 ofbearing 134. Thecup 140 of thebearing 134 is supported in ahousing 142 that acts as a heat exchanger.Rollers 144 are positioned between thecone 138 and thecup 140. Aring spacer 152 is positioned between thecup 140 of bearing 134 andcup 126 ofbearing 116. The cones of the twobearings - The
housing 142 has anopen center chamber 143, as can be seen. Theshaft 96 extends through thechamber 143 and aspring 146 is positioned over theshaft 96 in the chamber. Thespring 146 bears against ahub 136 that has aflange 136A that bears againstcone 138. - An
adjustment nut 148 is threaded onto a threadedportion 150 of theshaft 96.Adjustment nut 148 has a center wall portion at one end that bears against thespring 146 and creates an axial force on thehub 136, and thus on the cone orinner race 138 of the bearingassembly 134. In turn this increases the load on with therollers 144 against thecup 140.Spring 146 advantageously provides a constant load to the bearings even when thermal expansion of components occurs due to heating of the components. - The axial force is transmitted from
cup 140 by the washer-like ring spacer 152, to the cup orouter race 126 ofbearing 116. The load fromcup 126 is transmitted byroller 130 to create a drag on thecone 128 or inner race of thebearing 116. Thecone 128 is rotating withshaft 96 but thecup 126 is held from rotating byarm 118. This load on thebearings roller wheel 94, which in turn is generated by the person doing the exercise. - The preloading of bearings on the shaft that carries the
roller wheel 92 provides an efficient, easy way of loading the exercise device to a desired level. - The heat generated by the friction loads of the two
bearings housing 142, which has heat-radiatingfins 154 thereon. The radiating fins are used for carrying heat to the atmosphere. It can be seen that thearm 118 holds the outer race orcup 126 of the bearingassembly 116, and because of the frictional force carried by thespacer 152, the outer race orcup 140 does not rotate either, so that the heat exchange housing remains stationary. However,nut 148, which is hand adjustable, will rotate with theshaft 96. -
Nut 148 is shown inFIGS. 7 and 8 , and it is provided with a number of generally radial fins orblades 156 that act like a centrifugal fan so that as the nut rotates while theshaft 96 is rotating, air will be pumped out from the center ofchamber 143 through the space between theblades 156 and out throughdischarge openings 158 in thehousing 142. Additionally, thenut 148 hasopenings 160 on the end wall that are used for intake of air for circulation. - In
FIG. 7 , thenut 148 has a knurledouter surface 162 for ease of adjustment. The spring 146 (FIG. 5 ) is selected in size as desired to create the necessary axial force on the twobearings shaft 96 for adequate exercise and to provide for even pressure on the bearings. - It will further be appreciated that different arrangements for loading one or more bearing assemblies can be provided in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a schematic view of anactuator 200, ashaft 201,outer races inner races bearings outer race 202 andinner race 206 while bearing 212 is provided betweenouter race 204 andinner race 208.Actuator 200 operates to provide friction force betweenouter races inner races Actuator 200 can be any form of actuator including a hydraulic actuator, pneumatic actuator, electro-mechanical actuator (e.g. motor, gears, levers), etc. In one embodiment,actuator 200 operates to actuateinner races outer races actuator 200 can forceouter races inner races outer races inner races - By way of example and not limitation,
FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate an exemplary embodiment having anactuator 200 comprising amotor 250 receiving an electrical signal that functions as a control signal to adjust the loading of bearings that in turn adjusts the resistance present upon a bicycle wheel. InFIGS. 9 and 10 the same reference numerals have been used as inFIG. 5 to identify similar functioning elements. - As illustrated,
motor 250 is coupled to suitable gears disposed ingearbox 252 so as to obtain a desired rotational speed ofoutput shaft 254.Output shaft 254 is coupled to anelongated worm gear 256 rotatably supported in asuitable housing 258.Worm gear 256 meshes with a worm wheel 260 (see alsoFIGS. 12 and 13 ) that is disposed for at least partial rotation aboutshaft 96. - In this embodiment, drive elements (herein rings) 270 and 272 engage
cups worm wheel 260 causes driveelements - In one embodiment, stops are provided to limit rotation of
worm wheel 260. Referring toFIG. 12 , such stops can be embodied asballs 261 that are disposed in recesses 263 formed inworm wheel 260. Theballs 261contact worm gear 256 to limit rotation ofworm wheel 260. As appreciated by those skilled in the art, many different mechanisms can be used to limit rotation ofworm wheel 260. - In the embodiment illustrated, a plurality of
balls 274 are disposed betweendrive elements guide grooves 276 and/or 278 formed respectively therein. With reference also toFIGS. 14 and 15 , at least one of the grooves, herein groove 276, varies in depth such that at different positions of theball 274 in thegroove 276 the spacing or distance betweendrive elements FIGS. 16 and 17 ) disposed about theshaft 96 has apertures slightly larger than theballs 274 to control the position of each ball in thecorresponding groove 276.Carrier ring 280 is coupled to and driven byworm wheel 260. Drive pins 284couple worm wheel 260 to drive element 272 (e.g. pins engagerecesses 285 indrive element 272 as illustrated inFIG. 14 ), while an o-ring 286 is friction coupled tocarrier ring 280. In one illustrative embodiment, threeballs 274 are disposed aroundshaft 96 at substantially equal angular intervals, while the change in depth ofgroove 276 upon which each respective ball travels is 0.060 inches. - It should be noted
nut 148 as illustrated inFIGS. 9 and 10 is also provided with a number of generally radial fins orblades 156 that act like a centrifugal fan so that as the nut rotates while theshaft 96 is rotating, air will be pumped through thehousing 142 and preferably outdischarge openings 158 in thehousing 142. However, in this embodiment thenut 148 has larger extending radial fans that extend adjacent an opening to thehousing 142 and where openings are not needed innut 148. - Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Claims (12)
1. A friction loading device for a roller against which a bicycle wheel is engaged for exercise, said friction loading device comprising:
a shaft mounting said roller wheel;
at least one bearing assembly on the shaft, the bearing having a rotating portion and a stationary portion supported relative to each other; and
a loading member for changing the surface positions of the stationary portion to create a friction load on the rotating portion, said rotating portion being mounted to rotate with the roller wheel.
2. The device of claim 1 , wherein said bearing comprises rolling elements between the stationary portion and the rotating portion, said rotating portion being urged against the rolling elements to create the load on the rotating portion of the bearing.
3. The device of claim 2 , wherein said bearing is a roller bearing, the rotating portion comprises an inner race and the stationary portion comprises an outer race that is distorted in shape for creating a load on the inner race.
4. The device of claim 3 , wherein said bearing comprises:
a tapered roller bearing, the inner race being a rotating cone, and the outer race being a stationary cup;
a plurality of rollers between the cup and the cone, the loading member providing an axial load on the stationary portion urging the rollers against the cone to create a drag on the cone and the shaft on which the cone is mounted.
5. The device of claim 1 and further comprising a housing surrounding the shaft, the housing including fins to dissipate heat generated from the friction load.
6. The device of claim 1 wherein the loading member comprises an adjustable nut.
7. The device of claim 6 wherein the nut includes radial fins that are rotatable with the shaft to force air into the housing and across the fins.
8. The device of claim 7 wherein the housing includes openings proximate the fins to allow air flow therethrough.
9. The device of claim 1 wherein the loading member comprises a bearing compression plate having a slit such that when opposed sides of the slit are forced together, the load is created.
10. The device of claim 1 , wherein said bearing comprises rolling elements between the stationary portion and the rotating portion, said stationary portion being urged against the rolling elements to create the load on the rotating portion of the bearing.
11. The device of claim 1 wherein the loading member comprises an actuator that is operated to provide the load in proportion to an electrical signal.
12. An exerciser, comprising:
a stand adapted to engage a bicycle;
the device of claim 1 coupled to the stand and adapted to engage a wheel of the bicycle.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US10/939,166 US20050075220A1 (en) | 2003-09-10 | 2004-09-10 | Loadable bearing for bicycle stand driven roller |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US50188703P | 2003-09-10 | 2003-09-10 | |
US10/939,166 US20050075220A1 (en) | 2003-09-10 | 2004-09-10 | Loadable bearing for bicycle stand driven roller |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20050075220A1 true US20050075220A1 (en) | 2005-04-07 |
Family
ID=34312316
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10/939,166 Abandoned US20050075220A1 (en) | 2003-09-10 | 2004-09-10 | Loadable bearing for bicycle stand driven roller |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20050075220A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2005025686A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP2712658A1 (en) * | 2012-10-01 | 2014-04-02 | Saris Cycling Group, Inc. | Reverse resistance unit mount for a bicycle trainer |
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---|---|---|---|---|
US3201121A (en) * | 1963-05-17 | 1965-08-17 | Locke Norbert | Bicycle exerciser accessory |
US3890854A (en) * | 1972-06-26 | 1975-06-24 | Nadella | Rolling bearing assembly, in particular for a steering shaft of an automobile vehicle |
US3921932A (en) * | 1974-08-26 | 1975-11-25 | Sr Richard K Whitehead | Bobbin holder with internal brake |
US4548406A (en) * | 1982-08-06 | 1985-10-22 | B.H. S.A. | Gymnastic bicycle |
US4909641A (en) * | 1988-08-25 | 1990-03-20 | The Torrington Company | Bearing with expanded load zone |
US5286117A (en) * | 1992-08-17 | 1994-02-15 | Ntn Corporation | Bearing with asymmetrical flexible section |
US5411218A (en) * | 1992-07-02 | 1995-05-02 | Daiwa Seiko, Inc. | Bearing type drag mechanism for fishing reel |
US5472392A (en) * | 1993-09-08 | 1995-12-05 | Haan; Kenneth | Centrifugal resistance device for stationary bicycle trainer |
US5800316A (en) * | 1997-05-16 | 1998-09-01 | Huang; Kung-Da | Resistance device for an exerciser |
US6139476A (en) * | 1998-05-05 | 2000-10-31 | Gallant; Raymond J. | Dynamic tensioner for physiological sculpting |
US6361477B1 (en) * | 2000-06-05 | 2002-03-26 | Graber Products, Inc. | Heat dissipating arrangement for a resistance unit in an exercise device |
US6484858B1 (en) * | 1999-06-25 | 2002-11-26 | Kenji Mimura | Friction clutch and automatic transmission of automobile using the same and non-stage transmission of automobile and power distribution device of automobile and power transmission device of motorcycle |
US20030027692A1 (en) * | 2001-07-20 | 2003-02-06 | Phillips Cal M. | Exercise stand and centrifugal resistance unit for a bicycle |
US6527681B2 (en) * | 2000-03-10 | 2003-03-04 | Technische Industrie Tacx B.V. | Home trainer |
US20030092536A1 (en) * | 2001-11-14 | 2003-05-15 | Romanelli Daniel A. | Compact crank therapeutic exerciser for the extremities |
-
2004
- 2004-09-10 US US10/939,166 patent/US20050075220A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2004-09-10 WO PCT/US2004/029408 patent/WO2005025686A1/en active Application Filing
Patent Citations (15)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3201121A (en) * | 1963-05-17 | 1965-08-17 | Locke Norbert | Bicycle exerciser accessory |
US3890854A (en) * | 1972-06-26 | 1975-06-24 | Nadella | Rolling bearing assembly, in particular for a steering shaft of an automobile vehicle |
US3921932A (en) * | 1974-08-26 | 1975-11-25 | Sr Richard K Whitehead | Bobbin holder with internal brake |
US4548406A (en) * | 1982-08-06 | 1985-10-22 | B.H. S.A. | Gymnastic bicycle |
US4909641A (en) * | 1988-08-25 | 1990-03-20 | The Torrington Company | Bearing with expanded load zone |
US5411218A (en) * | 1992-07-02 | 1995-05-02 | Daiwa Seiko, Inc. | Bearing type drag mechanism for fishing reel |
US5286117A (en) * | 1992-08-17 | 1994-02-15 | Ntn Corporation | Bearing with asymmetrical flexible section |
US5472392A (en) * | 1993-09-08 | 1995-12-05 | Haan; Kenneth | Centrifugal resistance device for stationary bicycle trainer |
US5800316A (en) * | 1997-05-16 | 1998-09-01 | Huang; Kung-Da | Resistance device for an exerciser |
US6139476A (en) * | 1998-05-05 | 2000-10-31 | Gallant; Raymond J. | Dynamic tensioner for physiological sculpting |
US6484858B1 (en) * | 1999-06-25 | 2002-11-26 | Kenji Mimura | Friction clutch and automatic transmission of automobile using the same and non-stage transmission of automobile and power distribution device of automobile and power transmission device of motorcycle |
US6527681B2 (en) * | 2000-03-10 | 2003-03-04 | Technische Industrie Tacx B.V. | Home trainer |
US6361477B1 (en) * | 2000-06-05 | 2002-03-26 | Graber Products, Inc. | Heat dissipating arrangement for a resistance unit in an exercise device |
US20030027692A1 (en) * | 2001-07-20 | 2003-02-06 | Phillips Cal M. | Exercise stand and centrifugal resistance unit for a bicycle |
US20030092536A1 (en) * | 2001-11-14 | 2003-05-15 | Romanelli Daniel A. | Compact crank therapeutic exerciser for the extremities |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP2712658A1 (en) * | 2012-10-01 | 2014-04-02 | Saris Cycling Group, Inc. | Reverse resistance unit mount for a bicycle trainer |
US9108077B2 (en) | 2012-10-01 | 2015-08-18 | Saris Cycling Group, Inc. | Reverse resistance unit mount for a bicycle trainer |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
WO2005025686A1 (en) | 2005-03-24 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: KURT MANUFACTURING COMPANY, INC., MINNESOTA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:SCHROEDER, DUANE G.;REEL/FRAME:016066/0802 Effective date: 20041201 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |