WO2023017197A1

WO2023017197A1 - Novel training bench for cyclists

Info

Publication number: WO2023017197A1
Application number: PCT/ES2021/070616
Authority: WO
Inventors: Luis Saracho Rotaeche
Original assignee: Luis Saracho Rotaeche
Priority date: 2021-08-13
Filing date: 2021-08-13
Publication date: 2023-02-16

Abstract

The invention describes a novel training bench (1) for cyclists, which comprises a frame (2) and a sliding carriage (3). The frame (2) comprises two longitudinal uprights (21) at the ends of which a front roller (22d) and a rear roller (22t) are arranged in a transverse direction. The sliding carriage (3) is slidably connected to two crossbars (31) connected between rear portions of the longitudinal uprights (21) of the frame (2). The bench (1) further comprises an additional wheel (RA) in contact with the rear roller (22t) and permanently connected to the frame (2) by means of an attachment means having a first end connected to the sliding carriage (3) and a second end connected to an axle (E) of the additional wheel (RA). In addition, the axle (E) protrudes transversely to allow it to be attached to a rear fork (120) of the frame (110) of a bicycle (100).

Description

NEW TRAINING BENCH FOR BICYCLES

DESCRIPTION

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention belongs generally to the field of cycling training.

The object of the present invention is a new training bench that includes a bicycle wheel that is connected to the athlete's bicycle frame.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Cycling training benches used for a cyclist to train indoors, for example during periods of bad weather, are known. These types of training benches are made up of a normally rectangular structure made up of two longitudinal bars and two cross bars that rest on the ground. Between the two longitudinal bars, and near their ends, one or more rolling elements are arranged, for example rollers. The bicycle rests on these rollers and the athlete only has to pedal. The wheels of the bicycle turn the rollers, thus keeping it essentially stationary, thus allowing the cyclist to train without having to hit the road. The training bench also has a fixing element that is fixed to the bicycle, normally to the rear wheel, to prevent it from slipping off the rollers.

Document U1156161, from the same inventor as the present application, describes a training bench that has a fork that fixes the rear part of the base of the bench to the axis of the rear wheel of the bicycle. Specifically, the fixing fork is fixed to the base of the training bench by means of a vertical axis articulation to an elastic piece arranged on a carriage, the carriage being sliding along two auxiliary crossbars of the base of the training bench. At the opposite end, the fixing fork is fixed to the rear axle of the bicycle by means of a swivel joint about a horizontal axis. This configuration allows the bicycle to perform various movements that are naturally carried out during normal use on the road. Document WO2021009388, also from the same inventor as the present application, describes a training bench where the mechanism that allows the rear wheel of the bicycle to be connected is improved in order to obtain a more realistic sensation of pedaling. To do this, said mechanism allows the rear wheel of the bicycle one degree of freedom more than the training bench U1156161.

However, most known training benches are designed to be attached to the rear wheel of the bike. This has the drawback that the connection mechanism can be cumbersome for the athlete. In addition, an improper connection constitutes a risk in case the rear wheel is accidentally disconnected. On the other hand, as a consequence of the displacement on the rollers during training, wear occurs on the rear wheel of the bicycle, which makes it necessary to change the tire more frequently.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention solves the previous problems thanks to a training bench that includes an additional wheel that takes the place of the rear wheel of the athlete's bicycle. That is, to use the training bench of the present invention, the athlete removes the rear wheel of his bicycle and attaches the rear of the bicycle frame to the additional wheel on the training bench. The connection between the additional wheel and the athlete's bicycle is carried out in the conventional way in which the rear wheel is connected on a conventional bicycle.

One advantage of this setup is that it prevents wear on the rear wheel of the bike. In addition, the additional wheel of the training bench can have a particularly abrasion-resistant cover for the purpose of minimizing wear caused by contact with the rollers.

Another advantage of this setup is that it makes it easy to connect the bike to the training bench. Indeed, the sportsman is very used to connecting the rear wheel of his bicycle by inserting the axle of the wheel in the housings at the rear of the frame. By carrying out the connection between the rear part of the user's bicycle frame and the additional wheel of the training bench of the invention in this same way, possible errors in the connection are avoided. The present invention is directed to a new bicycle training bench that fundamentally comprises a frame and a sliding carriage connected to the frame. The frame comprises two longitudinal uprights at the ends of which a front roller and a rear roller are arranged transversely. For its part, the sliding carriage is connected in a sliding manner to transversal bars connected between rear portions of the longitudinal uprights of the frame.

The characteristics described so far, which constitute the preamble of claim 1, are known from the aforementioned document WO2021009388. However, the training bench of the present invention differs in that it also includes an additional wheel in contact with the rear roller and connected to the frame by means of fixing. This fixing means has a first end connected to a sliding carriage and a second end connected to an additional wheel axle. In addition, the axle of the additional wheel is configured to be attached to a rear fork of a bicycle frame, so that the additional wheel takes the place of the rear wheel of the bicycle.

This configuration is advantageous in that, since the additional wheel of the training bench takes the place of the rear wheel of the bicycle, the rear wheel of the user's bicycle is not worn. He only has to remove the rear wheel from his bike and then mount the additional wheel in place of the rear wheel. The mounting of the additional wheel on the rear fork of the user's bicycle frame is conventional, for example by means of a knob arranged at the end of the axis of the additional wheel. For this, the axle of the additional wheel can be modified in such a way that its length is greater than that of the axle of a conventional bicycle wheel.

In principle, the connection between the fixing means and the shaft can be of any type, including a rigid connection, a hinged mechanism, or others. However, according to a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the connection between the second end of the fixing means and the axle of the additional wheel comprises a rotary connector configured to allow relative rotation between said second end of the fixing means. and said additional wheel axle.

This configuration is advantageous because it avoids the appearance of tensions in said connection. Indeed, during training, the flexibility of the bicycle tires causes that it experiences a “pitch” movement, that is, a small forward and backward rotation within the vertical plane of the bicycle itself. If the connection between the fixing means and the axle of the additional wheel is rigid, stresses may appear which, in extreme cases, could damage the area of the rear fork where the housing to which the axle is attached is located. The arrangement of a rotary type connector to join the bicycle axle with the fixing means avoids these stresses because it allows relative rotation between the fork, that is, the bicycle as a whole, and the axle of the rear wheel. Although this rotation will have a very small value at all times, for example 5-10 ^e at most, the provision of a rotary connector that allows this rotation is sufficient to avoid the aforementioned stresses, thus extending the life of the bicycle frame. and avoiding unnatural pedaling sensations.

In principle, the rotatable connector can be of any type as long as it allows the described relative rotation. For example, a socket or the like could simply be used. However, according to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the rotary connector comprises at least one bearing. In that case, the outer race of the bearing may be connected to the second end of the fixing means and the inner race of the bearing may be connected to the axle of the additional wheel.

This configuration is particularly advantageous due to the simplicity of mounting and operating a bearing, as well as its durability.

On the other hand, the fixing means connecting the additional wheel and the frame can be of any type. By way of example, any of the different joining mechanisms described in document WO2021009388 could be used as fixing means. However, according to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the fixing means is simply a bar. More preferably, the fixing between the first end ^of the bar and the sliding carriage comprises a 90° profile having one end fixed to the sliding carriage and another end connected to the first end of the bar.

This setup is advantageous because it combines simplicity with a realistic pedaling feel thanks to the aforementioned rotary connector arrangement.

On the other hand, the additional wheel of the training bench of the invention is preferably a conventional bicycle wheel. In this context, it is understood that a conventional bicycle wheel is one that comprises a tire, a rim, a hub, a means of joining between the rim and the hub, a cassette of sprockets and an axle that, as described, is connected to the second end of the bar. The means of joining between the rim and the hub can be of any type, including a set of spokes like classic wheels or a continuous surface like monobloc wheels (for example, disc wheels). The appearance on the market of one-piece or monobloc wheels (without spokes) allows greater freedom when configuring the connection mechanism of the support to the wheel, for example the cassette of the sprockets can be on one side of the bearings internal and the wheel itself to the other, in the style of some current motorcycles.

In short, the additional wheel is a completely normal bicycle wheel with the only relevant difference being that the axle is modified, usually making it somewhat longer to allow coupling with the rotary connector and that there is still a section of the axle that protrudes from it. Rotatable connector to allow its introduction into the housing of the rear fork of a bicycle frame.

This configuration is advantageous because it makes it possible for the user to pedal as realistically as possible, in contrast to other configurations where the rear wheel is a special wheel with very different weight and inertia characteristics from a conventional wheel.

According to a further particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the bench further comprises two pairs of support points located respectively at the front and rear ends of the longitudinal uprights of the frame. Each support point of at least one of said pairs of support points comprises at least one plate contained in a transverse plane. In this way, displacements in the longitudinal direction caused by the movement of the bicycle during its use are absorbed by the bending of said plate. Naturally, the use of a single plate is not essential, and several plates arranged in parallel can be used to improve the flexural behavior depending on the needs of each application.

To absorb the longitudinal displacements of the bench, it is possible to have transversal plates in the four mentioned support points: two front and two rear. However, according to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, only cross plates are provided on one of said pairs of support points, while wheels are provided on the other pair of support points. That is, each support point of a first pair of support points comprises a wheel arranged in the longitudinal direction, while each support point of a second pair of support points comprises at least one plate contained in a transverse plane. The support points provided with plates could be arranged at the front or rear of the training bench, although preferably the first pair of support points is located at the front end of the longitudinal uprights and the second pair of support points is located at the the rear end of the longitudinal pillars.

This configuration is advantageous in that it allows the forward and backward longitudinal inertia generated by the rider's movements to be controlled in a safe and simple manner at the same time.

In principle, the plate could be arranged to support the weight of the training bench in tension or compression, although a tension configuration is preferably chosen. For this, an upper end of the plate is attached to an upper end of a leg and a lower end of the plate is attached to the end of the longitudinal post of the frame.

This configuration is advantageous due to the greater stability provided by arranging the plate in tension compared to the compression alternative.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of the training bench of the present invention.

Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of the training bench of the invention with a bicycle attached to it.

Fig. 3 shows a detail of the fixing between the rear fork of the bicycle frame and the additional wheel of the training bench of the invention.

Fig. 4 shows a cross section where the connection between the axis of the additional wheel and the bar that constitutes the fixing means can be seen in greater detail.

Fig. 5 shows another perspective view of the training bench where the support points can be seen. Fig. 6 shows a perspective detail view of a support point at the rear end of the training bench.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is described in greater detail below with reference to the attached figures, which show various views of the training bench (1) of the present invention.

In this document, the longitudinal direction (DL) refers to a horizontal direction and contained in the plane of the bicycle (100) when it is in its natural position of use, that is, when it is centered on the training bench (1). and no tilt to the sides. The transverse direction refers to a horizontal direction contained in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (DL).

The training bench (1) of the invention comprises a frame (2) formed by a pair of longitudinal bars (21) between whose ends two rollers or pairs of rollers are arranged perpendicularly, specifically a rear roller (22t) and a front roller. (22d). The distance between these rollers (22t, 22d) is similar to the wheelbase of the bicycle (1), so that the bicycle can be arranged so that its front wheel rests on the front roller (22d) and the rear wheel rests on the front roller (22d). rests on the rear roller (22t). Thus, when the cyclist pedals, the rotation of the rollers prevents the bicycle from moving longitudinally, allowing the cyclist to continue pedaling indefinitely.

A sliding carriage (3) is fixed to the frame (2). In particular, the sliding carriage (3) is slidably connected to a pair of crossbars (31) fixed between the two longitudinal bars (21) of the frame (2), so that it can slide in a transverse direction from one side to the other. another between both longitudinal bars (21) following the natural movements of the cyclist during training. To do this, the sliding carriage (3) has a pair of bearings or wheels located on opposite sides of one of the crossbars (31) and which move along them, and a sliding sleeve along the other rod (31). In the upper part of the sliding trolley (3) there is an elastic platform, for example made of rubber, to which a bar (4) is fixed, which in this example constitutes the fixing means between the frame (2) and the additional wheel. (RA). More specifically, a first end of the bar (4) is connected to the sliding carriage (3), while the second end of the bar (4) is connected to the additional wheel (RA).

The connection between the first end of the bar (4) and the sliding carriage (3) is carried out by means of a profile (41) at 90 ^e which has one end fixed to the elastic platform of the sliding carriage (3) and another end connected to the first end of the bar (4). In this way, when the bicycle (100) is attached to the training bench (1) in the manner described below, the elasticity of the elastic platform will allow the bicycle (100) to lean to the sides, while the capacity The slider of the sliding carriage (3) will allow the bicycle (100) to move transversely to one side or the other, for example during a sprint. Additionally, as described in greater detail below, the rotation capacity provided by the rotary connection between the second end of the bar (4) and the axis (E) of the additional wheel (RA) allows the bicycle (100) perform a slight pitching motion. All of these offsets provide a realistic pedaling feel compared to other known training benches.

As can be seen, the additional wheel (RA) of the training bench (1) of the present invention is essentially a conventional bicycle wheel that includes a tire (N), naturally formed by a cover and a tube, rims (LL) that house the tire (N), some spokes (R) that connect the rim (LL) to the hub (B), a cassette of sprockets (CP) attached to the hub (B), and an axle (E) that passes through the sprocket cassette (CP) and hub (B) for coupling with the rear fork (120) of the frame (110) of the bicycle (100). All these elements are the elements that a conventional bicycle wheel has.

The Figs. 3 and 4, more particularly the section of Fig. 4, show how the additional wheel (RA) is connected to the bar (4) by means of a rotary connector to allow said rotation capacity between both elements. In this particular example, the rotary connector is a bearing (5), for example a ball bearing. Thus, the end portion of the shaft (E) of the additional wheel (RA) is fixed to the inner race of the bearing (5), while the second end of the bar (4) is fixed to the outer race of said bearing. (5). Thus, the axis (E) of the additional wheel (RA) can rotate around the bar (4) to which it is connected. This rotation, which is free when there is no bicycle (100) attached to the training bench (1), is highly restricted when the axis (E) is inserted into the seats of the rear fork (120) of the frame (110) of a bicycle (100) and is fixed to said rear fork (120) by operating a knob (P) located at the end of the shaft (E). Indeed, since the bicycle (100) is supported at all times on the rollers (22t, 22d), the turn is restricted to the small angle of "pitch" of the bicycle (100) that occurs mainly due to the flexibility of the tires (N). However, although small, this ability to twist is important to avoid stress buildup right at that point.

Lastly, Figs. 5 and 6 show the support points (6d, 6t) of the training bench (1) of the invention. These are a pair of front fulcrums (6d) and a pair of rear fulcrums (6t). The front support points (6d) are formed by respective wheels (R) arranged in the longitudinal direction. The rear support points (6t) comprise respective plates (61) arranged in such a way that they absorb longitudinal displacements of the bench (1) that occur during use. For this, each rear support point (6t) comprises a plate (61) arranged in a transverse plane. An upper end of the plate (61) is fixed to an upper end of a leg (61), while a lower end of the plate (61) is fixed to the corresponding end of the longitudinal post (21) of the frame (2). In other words, the weight of the training bench (1) is "hanging" from the plate (61), thus ensuring that it works under traction at all times. When the cyclist pedals hard and inertia forces are produced in the longitudinal direction, the legs (62) remain static but the displacement is absorbed thanks to the bending of the plate (61) bent. Naturally, the front end of the bench (1) moves longitudinally supported on the wheels (R). This simple configuration makes it possible to keep controlled the longitudinal displacements of the bench (1) that occur when the cyclist changes position on the bicycle by leaning forwards or backwards while pedaling.

Claims

1. New bicycle training bench (1) comprising a frame (2) and a sliding carriage (3) connected to the frame (2), where the frame (2) comprises two longitudinal uprights (21) at whose ends are arranged transversely a front roller (22d) and a rear roller (22t), and where the sliding carriage (3) is slidingly connected to cross bars (31) connected between rear portions of the longitudinal uprights (21) of the frame (2), characterized in that it also comprises an additional wheel (RA) in contact with the rear roller (22t) and connected to the frame (2) by means of fixing, where the fixing means has a first end connected to the carriage sliding (3) and a second end connected to an axis (E) of the additional wheel (RA), and where the axis (E) of the additional wheel (RA) is configured for coupling to a rear fork (120) of the frame (110) of a bicycle (100), so that the additional wheel (RA) takes the place of the rear wheel of the bicycle (100).

2. New bicycle training bench (1) according to claim 1, wherein the connection between the second end of the fixation means and the axis (E) of the additional wheel (RA) comprises a rotary connector configured to allow a relative rotation between said second end of the fixing means and said axis (E) of the additional wheel (RA).

3. New bicycle training bench (1) according to claim 2, wherein the rotary connector comprises at least one bearing (5), an outer race of the bearing (5) being connected to the second end of the fixing means and a inner race of the bearing (5) connected to the axis (E) of the additional wheel (RA).

4. New bicycle training bench (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein one end of the axle (E) of the additional wheel (RA) comprises a knob (P) for fixing to the rear fork (120 ) of the frame (110) of the bicycle (100).

5. New bicycle training bench (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the fixing means is a rigid bar (4).

6. New bicycle training bench (1) according to claim 5, wherein the fixing between the first end of the bar (4) and the sliding carriage (3) comprises a 90 ^e profile that has one end fixed to the sliding carriage (3) and another end connected to the first end of the bar (4).

7. New bicycle training bench (1) according to any of the previous claims, wherein the additional wheel (RA) comprises a tire (N), a rim (LL), a hub (B), a means of union between the rim (LL) and the hub (B), a sprocket cassette (CP) and the axle (E) connected to the second end of the bar (4).

8. New bicycle training bench (1) according to any of the preceding claims, comprising two pairs of support points (6d, 6t) located respectively at the front and rear ends of the longitudinal uprights (21) of the frame. (2), where each support point of at least one of the pairs of support points (6d, 6t) comprises at least one plate (61) contained in a transverse plane, so that displacements in the longitudinal direction caused by the movement of the bicycle (100) during use are absorbed by the bending of said plate (61).

New bicycle training bench (1) according to claim 8, wherein each support point of a first pair of support points (6d) comprises a wheel (R) arranged in the longitudinal direction (DL), and where each support point of a second pair of support points (6t) comprises at least one plate (61) contained in a transverse plane.

10. New bicycle training bench (1) according to any of claims 8-9, wherein the first pair of support points (6d) is located at the front end of the longitudinal uprights (21) and the second pair of support points (6t) is located at the rear end of the longitudinal uprights (21).

11. New bicycle training bench (1) according to any of claims 8-10, wherein an upper end of the plate (61) is fixed to an upper end of a leg (62) and a lower end of the plate (61) is fixed to the end of the longitudinal upright (21) of the frame (2), thus the plate (61) being subjected to traction.