US20070054782A1

Movatterモバイル変換

Info

Publication number: US20070054782A1
Application number: US11/212,054
Authority: US
Inventors: Michael Lin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-08-24
Filing date: 2005-08-24
Publication date: 2007-03-08

Abstract

An exercise apparatus is provided. The exercise apparatus includes a base, a bicycle frame movably mounted on the base and having a seat for seating thereon a user, and a gyratory wheel as well as a swinging unit mounted on the bicycle frame in front of the seat and rotatably mounted on the bicycle frame for balancing the user on the bicycle frame. Through the provided exercise apparatus, the exercise is more interesting, so as to virtually simulate a real bicycle riding.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an exercise apparatus, and more particular to an exercise apparatus that virtually simulates a real bicycle riding.

2. Description of the Prior Arts

The conventional exercise bicycles are generally operated by pedaling a rotatable wheel with a variable and adjustable resistance, so as to cause a corresponding amount of the energy consumption for the exerciser. It is so drab for the exerciser to do the body-building with such an exercise apparatus, and the exerciser may hence lose his interests thereon and give it up. However, conventional exercise bicycles only provide for an indoor exercise. The exerciser just pedals mechanically without feeling any road condition variation and acquiring any experience in handling such road conditions, which may make the exerciser lose his interests. In other words, exercising on a conventional exercise bike decreases the desire of the exerciser, and thus hinders the exerciser from developing his physical strength. In addition, a device for exercising the limbs and torso of the exerciser is disadvantageous in that the rotatable wheel thereof is positioned below the seat, which makes the exerciser fail to keep the balance while exercising.

For overcoming the mentioned disadvantage of the prior art, a novel exercise apparatus is provided in the present invention. The provided exercise apparatus is capable of providing the exerciser with an improved balance while exercising the therewith, so as to simulate a real bicycle riding and make the exerciser more interested in exercising.

SUMMARY OF THIS INVENTION

The main aspect of the present invention is to provide an exercise apparatus with which the exerciser would keep his balance while being on the bicycle frame thereof.

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, the exercise apparatus includes a base, a bicycle frame movably mounted on the base and having a seat for seating thereon a user, and a balance controlling device mounted on the bicycle frame in front of the seat and rotatably mounted on the bicycle frame for balancing the user on the bicycle frame.

Preferably, the exercise apparatus includes a rotating unit pivotally mounted on the bicycle frame.

Preferably, the rotating unit includes a driving wheel linked with a driven wheel.

Preferably, the bicycle frame further includes a connecting unit vertically fixing thereon the bicycle frame.

Preferably, the bicycle frame further includes a connecting unit swingably fixing thereon the bicycle frame within a limited range.

Preferably, the balance controlling device is a gyratory wheel.

Preferably, the gyratory wheel is a flywheel.

Preferably, the gyratory wheel is replaceable.

Preferably, the balance controlling device is a swinging unit.

Preferably, the swinging unit operates on a surface, which includes a frame, an adapting device movably connected on the frame, and a control device movably mounted on the frame and operable for adapting the frame on the surface to keep the bicycle frame at a balance.

Preferably, the exercise apparatus includes a retainer retaining the swinging unit to the bicycle frame.

Preferably, the balance controlling device includes a gyratory wheel and a swinging unit.

Preferably, the swinging unit rotates therethrough the gyratory wheel.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, an exercise apparatus is provided. The provided exercise apparatus includes a base, a bicycle frame movably mounted on the base, and a diversifying device pivotally mounted on the bicycle frame and controlled by a user to keep the bicycle frame at a balance.

Preferably, the diversifying device is a swinging unit.

Preferably, the swinging unit is kept in front of a gyratory wheel.

In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention, an exercise apparatus is provided. The provided exercise apparatus includes a base, a bicycle frame movably mounted on the base and having a seat for seating thereon a user, and a virtually simulating device mounted on the bicycle frame in front of the seat and movably mounted on the bicycle frame to virtually simulate a real bicycle riding.

Preferably, the virtually simulating device is a gyratory wheel.

Preferably, the virtually simulating device is a swinging unit.

Preferably, the virtually simulating device includes a gyratory wheel and a swinging unit.

Preferably, the swinging unit includes a first portion rotating therethrough and a second portion kept in front of the gyratory wheel.

The above contents and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art after reviewing the following detailed descriptions and accompanying drawings, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exercise apparatus according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a connecting unit of the exercise apparatus according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS.3(a) and3(b) are front views schematically showing the operation of the connecting unit shown inFIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a front view of a resistance generator arranged on a gyratory wheel of the exercise apparatus according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of an adapting device of a swinging unit of the exercise apparatus according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS.6(a) and6(b) are cross-sectional views schematically showing the operation of the adapting device shown inFIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a top view showing the operation of a control device with the adapting device according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a side view of an exercise apparatus according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 9 is a side view of an exercise apparatus according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention will now be described more specifically with reference to the following embodiments. It is to be noted that the following descriptions of preferred embodiments of this invention are presented herein for purpose of illustration and description only; it is not intended to be exhaustive or to be limited to the precise form disclosed.

Please refer toFIG. 1, which shows a perspective view of an exercise apparatus according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. The exercise apparatus includes abicycle frame10 whose shape is not limited to the disclosed one. Thebicycle frame10 includes a supportingmember11 mounted on abase13 that is placed on a base surface G. On thebicycle frame10, aseat15 is mounted thereon for seating an exerciser, and acontrol device20 is pivotally mounted on a first terminal of thebicycle frame10, so that the exerciser can balance himself therethrough.

On thecontrol device20, a swingingunit30 whose shape is not limited to the disclosed one is connected with a first end thereof. The swingingunit30 has across rod31 on a second end thereof, which is parallel to the base surface G. Moreover, anadapting device301 is movably connected to thecross rod31.

The exercise apparatus further has a rotatingunit40 including adriving wheel41, a drivenwheel42 and agyratory wheel43. The drivenwheel42 and thegyratory wheel43 are coaxially mounted on thebicycle frame10, and thedriving wheel41 is linked to the drivenwheel42 by alink44. A pair ofpedals45 are connected to the axial center of thedriving wheel41. In this embodiment, thedriving wheel41 and the drivenwheel42 would be one of a gear and a pulley. Thelink44 would be one of a chain and a belt, depending on thedriving wheel41 and the drivenwheel42.

The weight of thegyratory wheel43 will results in an inertia when the rotatingunit40 is rotated and the swingingunit30 is suitably swung, so as to balance thebicycle frame10 effectively and provide the exerciser with a balance when the exerciser is exercising. Besides, the exercise apparatus may includes more than onegyratory wheels43 and the respective diameters and weights thereof are different.

Aretainer60 is provided on the supportingmember11 for holding the swingingunit30, so as to prevent the swingingunit30 from bouncing up and down while swinging.

The supportingmember11 and the base13 are connected to each other through a connectingunit50, which is described in detailed with reference toFIG. 2. Please refer toFIG. 2, which shows an exploded view of a connectingunit50 of the exercise apparatus according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention. The connectingunit50 includes a supportingrod51 and a pair ofpivotal seats52. The supportingrod51 has apositioning hole511 therethrough. One end of the supportingrod51 is connected to the supportingmember11, and the other end thereof is inserted between the pair ofpivotal seats52 fixed on thebase13 and is pivotally fixed therebetween through a pivot S, so that the supportingrod51 is capable of swinging about the pivot S. Moreover, there are acentral hole521 andplural holes522 arranged at each side of thecentral hole521 on the pair ofpivotal seats52.

Please refer to FIGS.3(a) and3(b), which show front views schematically showing the operation of the connecting unit shown inFIG. 2. As shown inFIG. 3(a), if two stoplevers54 are respectively inserted into theholes522awhich are configured adjacent to thecentral hole521, the supportingrod51 is able to be adjusted to a position vertical to the base surface G and fixed at this position by inserting a positioningmember53 through thepositioning hole511 and thecentral holes521.

As shown inFIG. 3(b), while the twostop levers54 are respectively inserted into theholes522bon thepivotal seats52, the swing of the supportingrod51 is thus limited. In other words, the supportingrod51 would only swing in the range defined by the twostop levers54 respectively inserted in theholes522b. Therefore, the connectingunit50 functions as a swinging angle controlling element and adjusts the swinging angle of thebicycle frame10 as desired. It is worthy to note that the number of the connectingunit50 is variable, which depends on an actual design therefor.

Through the connectingunit50, it is easy to adjust thebicycle frame10 to fix at a position which is vertical to the base surface G, and alternatively, to swing within a limited angle. Besides, one should notice that the connectingunit50 shown in FIGS.2,3(a) and3(b), is only illustrated for the preferred embodiments of the present invention. The connectingunit50 may also include a supportingrod51 and apivotal seat52, wherein the supportingrod51 is able to be pivoted to thepivotal seat52 with other components.

Please refer toFIG. 4, which shows a front view of a resistance generator arranged on a gyratory wheel of the exercise apparatus according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention. Theresistance generator80 is arranged on thegyratory wheel43 so as to supply different resistance for riding. For example, the resistance is generated by theresistance generator80 which is screwed to prop up afriction member81. While theresistance generator80 is screwed toward thefriction member81, thegyratory wheel43 is pressed thereby, so that the resistance is increased.

Please refer toFIG. 5, which shows an exploded view of an adapting device of a swinging unit of the exercise apparatus according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention. The adaptingdevice301 has a first big mountingbracket32 and a pair of opposite elongated holes33. A second big mountingbracket34 is inserted into the first big mountingbracket32 and a supportingelement35 is disposed therein. A positioningmember36 is inserted into the pair of oppositeelongated holes33 of the first big mountingbracket32, and thus the second big mountingbracket34 and the supportingelement35 are assembled together. Anelastic member37 is disposed between the first big mountingbracket32 and the second big mountingbracket34 so as to absorb the vibration while the exercise apparatus is operated.

In this embodiment, the supportingelement35 is a rotatable member which contacts the base surface G, and the contact point thereof with respect to the base surface G is regarded as a supporting point. In other embodiments, however, the base surface G further includes the ground or other surfaces.

Please refer to FIGS.6(a) and6(b), which show cross-sectional views schematically showing the operation of the adapting device shown inFIG. 5. If the base surface G is uneven, theelastic member37 would absorb the vibration resulting from the supportingelement35 which moves up and down in response to the unevenness of the base surface G, so as to provide the swingingunit30 with a stable condition for swinging as shown inFIG. 6(b).

Please refer toFIG. 7, which shows a top view showing the operation of a control device with the adapting device according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Thebicycle frame10 is to be fixed at a position which is vertical to the base surface G. The exercise apparatus would generate an inertia while the exerciser pedaling thepedals45. In order to keep thebicycle frame10 at a balance, the exerciser could holds thecontrol device20 to make the swingingunit30 turn left and right, so that the adaptingdevice301 would correspondly swing on the base surface G.

Please refer toFIG. 8, which shows a side view of an exercise apparatus according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention. The swingingunit30 includes astraight frame38 whose first end is connected to thecontrol device20, and the second end thereof is folded into anarcuate rod39 which is further connected to one end of thecross rod31 with a joint313. Thearcuate rod39 and thecross rod31 respectively have a locking

protrusion

391 and311, and anelastic member37A is held therebetween. When the swingingunit30 is swung, the angle between thearcuate rod39 and thecross rod31 is adjusted by the joint313 in response to the absorbing of theelastic member37A. The supportingelement35 is pivotally disposed in the first big mountingbracket32 at the other end of thecross rod31. It is worthy to note that the positioningmember36 is inserted into theholes33 on each side of the first big mountingbracket32. Theelastic member37A is used to make the supportingelement35 flexibly move above the base surface G.

While thebicycle frame10 swings, the swingingunit30 would swing left and right and the supportingelement35 contacting the base surface G is moved corresponding, so as to supply a supporting force for thebicycle frame10. However, the swinging ofbicycle frame10 would be slightly affected by an uneven base surface G or an excessive slant of thebicycle frame10 which leads to an adverse manner, therefore, one inventive design in this embodiment exists in that the swingingunit30 is provided with theelastic member37A. As a result, the swingingunit30 is capable of providing a supporting effect for balancing and stabilizing thebicycle frame10 as well as the exerciser.

Please refer toFIG. 9, which shows a side view of an exercise apparatus according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the swingingunit30 includes a first portion30arotating therethrough and asecond portion30bkept in front of saidgyratory wheel43. Combining the absorbing effect of theelastic element37A and the more firmly swingingunit30, it should be more easily kept thebicycle frame10 at a balance on the base surface G by using thecontrol device20.

As the above-mentioned, the weight of the gyratory wheel would result in an inertia when the rotating unit is rotated and the swinging unit is suitably swung, so as to dynamically balance the bicycle frame and provide the exerciser with a balance when the exerciser is exercising with the exercise apparatus. Furthermore, the provided exercise apparatus also makes the exercise simulation to be more real and interesting. The bicycle frame swing left and right in a predetermined range whose swinging angle is easily adjustable and thus the riding and the quality of riding simulation are well improved. In addition, the connecting unit and the bicycle frame are able to be adjusted to stand vertically or swing laterally, and thus the swinging angle of the bicycle frame is easily controlled by the exerciser as needed.

While the invention has been described in terms of what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention needs not be limited to the disclosed embodiment. On the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims which are to be accorded with the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar structures.

Claims

1. An exercise apparatus, comprising:

a base;

a bicycle frame movably mounted on said base and having a seat for seating thereon a user; and

a balance controlling device mounted on said bicycle frame in front of said seat and rotatably mounted on said bicycle frame for balancing said user on said bicycle frame.

2. The exercise apparatus as claimed inclaim 1, further comprising a rotating unit pivotally mounted on said bicycle frame.

3. The exercise apparatus as claimed inclaim 2, wherein said rotating unit comprises a driving wheel linked with a driven wheel.

4. The exercise apparatus as claimed inclaim 1, wherein said bicycle frame further comprises a connecting unit vertically fixing thereon said bicycle frame.

5. The exercise apparatus as claimed inclaim 1, wherein said bicycle frame further comprises a connecting unit swingably fixing thereon said bicycle frame within a limited range.

6. The exercise apparatus as claimed inclaim 1, wherein said balance controlling device is a gyratory wheel.

7. The exercise apparatus as claimed inclaim 6, wherein said gyratory wheel is a flywheel.

8. The exercise apparatus as claimed inclaim 6, wherein said gyratory wheel is replaceable.

9. The exercise apparatus as claimed inclaim 1, wherein said balance controlling device is a swinging unit.

10. The exercise apparatus as claimed inclaim 9, wherein said swinging unit operating on a surface, comprising:

a frame;

an adapting device movably connected on said frame; and

a control device movably mounted on said frame and operable for adapting said frame on said surface to keep said bicycle frame at a balance.

11. The exercise apparatus as claimed inclaim 1, further comprising a retainer retaining said swinging unit to said bicycle frame.

12. The exercise apparatus as claimed inclaim 1, wherein said balance controlling device comprises a gyratory wheel and a swinging unit.

13. The exercise apparatus as claimed inclaim 12, wherein said swinging unit rotates therethrough said gyratory wheel.

14. An exercise apparatus, comprising:

a base;

a bicycle frame movably mounted on said base; and

a diversifying device pivotally mounted on said bicycle frame and controlled by a user to keep said bicycle frame at a balance.

15. The exercise apparatus as claimed inclaim 14, wherein said diversifying device is a swinging unit.

16. The exercise apparatus as claimed inclaim 15, wherein said swinging unit is kept in front of a gyratory wheel.

17. An exercise apparatus, comprising:

a base;

a virtually simulating device mounted on said bicycle frame in front of said seat and movably mounted on said bicycle frame to virtually simulate a real bicycle riding.

18. The exercise apparatus as claimed inclaim 17, wherein said virtually simulating device is a gyratory wheel.

19. The exercise apparatus as claimed inclaim 17, wherein said virtually simulating device is a swinging unit.

20. The exercise apparatus as claimed inclaim 17, wherein said virtually simulating device comprises a gyratory wheel and a swinging unit.