GB2139513A - Static exercise bicycle - Google Patents

Abstract

The bicycle has a frame 1 with pedals 17, a seat support 10 and a handlebar support 9, the latter being mounted for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis and there also being provided a mechanism 18, 19, 22 which is selectively connectible to the support 9 so as to impart a rocking or vibratory motion thereto. Said mechanism includes a polygonal plate 18 which is releasably engageable with a bearing 22 mounted on an extension 19 of the support 9, said polygonal plate 18 being rotatable via the pedals 17. For vibration or rocking to take place, the bearing 22 must contact the periphery of plate 18 but a pin 23 is provided between slots 24 in plates 15 to prevent this. The pin is urged towards the lower ends of the slots by a spring 25 but can be pulled up by means of a cable 27 operated from the handlebar. Instead of direct connection to the pin, the cable may be connected thereto via a lever (Fig. 6). Each foot of the supports 9, 10 may comprise telescopically coupled hollow housings having a compression spring therebetween (Figs. 8, 9). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Static Gymnastic Bicycle This invention refers to a static gymnastic bicycle which is of the type used in gymnasiums and private homes to constitute a static apparatus by means of which various physical exercises can be practiced.

In general terms, it can be stated that the gymnastic bicycle of the invention is so comprised that it presents three main features, one of which refers to the frame which has a special configuration, as will subsequently be seen.

Another main feature of the bicycle consists in means which applies a vibration or rocking motion to the user when he operates such means, and the third main feature of the bicycle consists in a special design of the means for supporting the assembly to the floor.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a static gymnastic bicycle of the kind comprising a frame having pedals which are rotatable by the user, said frame being provided with floor-engaging support legs and being also connected to seat support means and handlebar support means, characterised in that said handlebar support means is mounted for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis relative to the frame and in that there is provided a mechanism which is operable by rotation of said pedals and which can be operatively connected to said handlebar support means when desired to impart a rocking vibratory motion thereto when the pedals are rotated by the user, said mechanism being operatively disconnectible from said handlebar support means when it is desired to rotate the pedals without causing such rocking or vibratory motion of the handlebar support means.

Conveniently, the frame of the bicycle comprises an elongated, arched piece whose cross-section defines a type of ellipsoid. One of the ends of said piece defines a narrowing giving rise to a slight prolongation having an inverted Ushaped cross section, while the opposite end extends to a half-round cross member through which the respective legs are secured to the corresponding support means. Said piece constituting the frame has, close to the mentioned lower half-round cross member, a longitudinal opening, one of the lateral edges whereof is provided with notches for locking a lever for adjusting resistance offered to the pedalling system, in the different positions.

Close to the end defining the narrowing of the mentioned piece, from which the frame is constituted, the ends of tubular elements are collaterally fixed.Such elements, embracing the aforementioned narrower end of said piece, extend in an arched manner until the opposite end thereof finishes off in another half-round transversal piece to which the other legs of the bicycle are fixed.

Other tubular elements emerge from the mentioned frame. The handlebar and the seat will be mounted at the ends of such elements.

This structure of the general frame of the bicycle offers a highly aesthetic appearance and its configuration is also advantageous when compared with the frames used in conventional gymnastic bicycles.

Referring to the means for adjusting a vibration to the user, constituting another main feature of the invention, it should be stated that said means is designed in a simple manner and is based on the existence of the conventional elements of a gymnastic bicycle of this type. Thus, due to the design of said vibration producing means in the present invention, the user can easily place said means in a vibrating position or he can place it in an inoperative position to merely practice a pedalling exercise or even a rowing exercise, which can be carried out by the user from the handlebar without having to alight from the bicycle and interrupting the continuity of his exercises.

Thus vibration of static gymnastic bicycles is achieved when a continuous contact is established between a bearing, incorpporated in the lower part of an extension of the handlebar structure, and a polygonal plate secured to and rotatable with the pedals. Said continuous contact can take place if the assembly of the handlebar is hinged to a structure fixed to the frame of the bicycle and incorporates a spring which maintains said engagement resiliently between the bearing and the polygonal plate, independently bf the fact that said spring also constitutes an opposing spring against which it is possible to practice a rowing exercise when the mentioned bearing and the polygonal plate are not in contact.

Hence, based on the mentioned vibrating or rocking system, the means for adjusting said vibration in one example of a bicycle constructed in accordance with the present invention presents the characteristic that the fixed structure of the bicycle is provided with a pin placed between a pair of slots between which it can move due to the action of a draw wire or cable connected to one of the drips of the handlebar, wherefore depending on the position of said pin, the bearing incorporated in the lower structure of the handlebar will establish contact or not with the polygonal plate and consequently a rocking or vibratory movement can be produced or not when pedalling.

Movement of the control cable conveniently takes place contrary to the action of a small spring which urges the above-mentioned pin towards the lowest position in said slot when it is free, a position which corresponds to that of vibration taking place and in which said pin is received in a recess of the handlebar bearing structure, consequently permitting the vibration movement.

When, however, upon activating the handlebar grip, the pin is positioned, against its spring, in a raised position corresponding to pedalling without vibration, the lower structure of the handlbar, due to the action of the lower spring, presses against the pin strongly, preventing any displacement thereof. In this position the bearing is separated from the polygonal plate, so that no vibration takes place during pedalling.

When a change towards the vibrating position is desired, it is necessary to firstly make a slight rowing movement with the handlebar to separate the handlebar bearing structure from the pin, thereby permitting the movement of the latter, by the action of the cable controlled from the handlebar.

As can be seen from the aforegoing, the means for adjusting the vibration, constituting one of the objects of the invention, is based on the conventional elements of a static gymnastic bicycle. Therefore, by incorporating a highly reliable, simple mechanism which hardly requires maintenance, the user has the possibility of obtaining a complementary vibratory exercise and of varying the exercise he is practising in a very simple manner, without having to alight from the bicycle and, therefore, without having to interrupt the pace of the gymnastic exercise.

The third main feature of the bicycle of the invention consists of the means for supporting the respective legs of the bicycle on the floor.

Heretofore, the conventional static gymnastic bicycles to which we are referring, to prevent the surface on which they rest from being damaged and, in turn, to achieve a regular support without movements, were provided at their support legs with stoppers made of rubber or other synthetic material which, adapting perfectly to the floor and elastically to the slight exertion of action of these gymnastic apparatus, constituted suitable elements.

However, in gymnastic bicycles today, besides the classic function of pedalling, the aforementioned rocking and vibratory movement which facilitates muscular relaxation apart from other similar beneficial effects, can be obtained and hence the classic supports are ineffective since a too rigid joining between the gymnasic bicycle or apparatus and the support surface is established, a rigidity which presents two main drawbacks: 1. A poor effectiveness of the vibratory movement inasmuch as, since the bicycle constitutes an element practically fixed to the floor, only certain members of the body, such as the arms, vibrate.

2. A transmission of the vibration to the floor producing, in the setting of the floor and the like, a highly disturbing drumming effect, since it transmits noices and vibrations.

Hence, taking these aspects and drawbacks into account, the support means has been modified in the bicycle of the invention. Such means is so designed that the assembly of the bicycle rests in a floating position which acts as a conventional support, in the case of relatively static exercises, but which constitutes ideal support conditions in case of exercises including vibration since, without losing the complete support of the bicycle on the floor, it permits the entire bicycle to vibrate, thereby achieving a higher beneficial action on the user's body, causing his whole body to vibrate and also achieving a complete absorption of disturbing noises.

To this effect, the mentioned support means is comprised, for each support element, of opposed housings which penetrate telescopicaliy into each other and between which a resilient element, such as a helicoidal spring, is disposed, and centered. To prevent this unit from being disassembled, the lower housing has a central stem which, penetrating into a central hole of the other, permits the assembly to be fastened since it is retained during assembly by a pin or the like.

The lower support surface of the lower housing is comprised of a large disk which, besides acting as an abutment in the contact between both housings, defines a surface sufficient for the tension per unit of surface to be minimum on the support floor. An element made of rubber, fiiter, or an energy absorbing material, constituting a complementary dampener and preventing damage to delicate support surfaces, such as floorboards, etc., is provided under said disk.

Therefore, taking the main characteristics of the bicycle of the invention into account, substantial advantages are derived therefrom when compared with apparatus or bicycles of this type, since said bicycle offers a highly static and advantageous frame, besides it incorporates a system or means for vibrating or rocking the user's body which, as mentioned, is highly advantageous with respect to conventional vibrating systems, and it furthermore incorporates the elastic support means which proportions a greater vibration of the entire body of the user.

To complement the description which will subsequently be made and for a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, a set of drawings is accompanied wherein: Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of what can be considered as the frame of the gymnastic bicycle of the invention.

Figure 2 illustrates an upper plan view of the frame represented in the preceding figure.

Figure 3 illustrates a side elevational view of the general structure of the gymnastic bicycle of the invention, which has not been provided with its corresponding handlebar and seat but which incorporates all the other elements.

Figure 4 represents a partial view of the general structure of the bicycle, illustrating with detail the means constituting the vibratory mechanism. This figure illustrates the mechanism or means in an inoperative position, that is, in a position in which the corresponding pedalling but not the vibration can take place.

Figure 5 illustrates a view similar to the preceding figure in which the means constituting the vibratory mechanism is in an operative position, the bearing contacting the polygonal plate so that vibration takes place during pedailing.

Figure 6 represents a partial side elevational view of the structure of the bicycle illustrating another mode of embodiment of the means constituting the vibratory mechanism.

Figure 7 illustrates a perspective view of the structure fixed to the general frame of the bicycle, on which structure there is disposed the pin with its corresponding spring, which pin, in accordance with the position occupied thereby, will permit the vibration mechanism or means to operate or not.

Figure 8 illustrates a sectional view of one of the support means joined to the corresponding leg, in an inoperative position.

Figure 9 illustrates another view similar to the preceding figure in which the support means is in an operative position, that is supporting the weight of the user when he is seated on the bicycle.

Referring to the mentioned figures and specifically to Figures 1 and 2, there can be seen the general frame of the bicycle which is comprised of an elongated piece 1 having an ellipsoidal cross section which, at one if its ends, is reduced to a neck 2 connected to an inverted U-shaped appendix, while the said piece 1, which has an arched profile, is connected, at its end opposite to that of the neck 2, to a laterally projecting cross member 3 of half-round crosssection to which a corresponding support leg 4 is fixed. The piece 1 is provided, close to said cross member 3, with a longitudinal groove 5 provided in one of its sides with notches 6 in which a corresponding lever 7 (see Figure 3) by means of which the resistance to pedalling can be adjusted, can be positioned and locked.

To the end of piece 1 having the neck 2 is secured a pair of tubular elements 8 and the outer ends of said elements are connected to another half-round transcross piece 3, similar to that previously mentioned, to which another support leg 4 of the bicycle is likewise fixed.

From the neck 2 of the piece 1, a tube 9 protrudes, the upper end of which tube will bear the corresponding handlebar (not shown), while at an approximate mid zone, slightly displaced towards the rearward end of said piece 1, another tube 10 protrudes, the upper end comprises a conical portion 11 connected to a cyclindrical end portion 1 2 provided with recesses 13 for the fixing of the corresponding seat (also not shown).

It should be mentioned that both the handlebar bearing tube 9 and the seat bearing tube 10 will protrude with the desired inclinations to form a perfectly comfortable assembly for the user.

Referring now to Figures 3 to 7 illustrating the mechanism or means for adjusting a vibratory or rocking movement, it can be seen that to the frame there is secured an inner structure 14 which includes a pair of verticai plates 15, as illustrated in Figure 7, which are provided with aligned holes 1 6 for receiving the shaft of pedals 1 7. A polygonal plate 18, which in essence will constitute the vibration producing element, is, in turn, secured to said shaft of the pedals 17.

The handlebar bearing tube 9, in turn, is connected to an elongated extension 1 9 which is hinged at 20 to the structure 14 fixed to the general frame of the bicycle, so that the corresponding handlebar and, therefore, its elongated extension 19, is pivotable with respect to the hinge point 20.

A helical spring 21 which extends horizontally, as illustrated in Figure 3, is disposed between the lower end of the mentioned elongated extension 1 9 and the opposite ends of the plates 1 5. It is possible to adjust the terision of said spring 21 and, consequently, the resistance felt during pedalling, through the lever 7.

Said spring 21 maintains, due to its own stress, the tube 9 of the handlebar in the normal position, as illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, although the resiliency of said spring 21 permits oscillation of said tube 9 which supports the handlebar about its pivot 20, thereby permitting rowing exercises.

That is to say, it is possible, as illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, firstly to effect a normal pedalling and, secondly, it is likewise possible to effect a rowing exercise if oscillation of the tube 9 which supports the handlebar is effected.

The elongated extension 19 9 of the tube 9 is provided, in the same plane as a polygonal plate 18, with a bearing 22 capable of contacting the periphery of said polygonal plate 18, so that when such contact takes place subsequent pedalling will produce vibration or rocking of the structure or support tube 9 of the handlebar and with said vibration or rocking that of the user himself. For this vibrating movement to take place, it is necessary, as mentioned, for the bearing 22 to contact the periphery of the polygonal plate 1 8, as illustrated in Figure 5.Said contact does not however take place in the position shown in Figures 3 and 4 since a pin 23 prevents it, said pin being disposed transversally between slots 24 provided for such purpose in the plates 15, as can be seen in Figure 7, so that any movement of said pin 23 towards the handlebar will be against a spring 25 disposed between the pin and a cross member 26 which thus tends to urge the pin 23 towards the lower ends of said slots 24 if in fact the pin is free to move downwardly. The pin 23 can be pulled up from its lower position by means of a cable 27 operated from the handlebar.

Instead of a direct fastening of the cable 27 to the pin 23, Figure 6 illustrates an alternate solution having a higher degree of accuracy to adjustment. In this solution the end of the cable 27 is fixed to one end of a lever 28 which is of bent profile and which is hinged centrally at point 29 to the structure 14, while the other end of the mentioned lever 28 defines a fork 30 which loosely embraces the pin 23 for movement of same in the slots 24, against a face exerted by a spring 31 fixed between the lever 28 and the structure 14 fixed to the general frame. This solution permits a simpler tightening of the cable 27 when the bicycle in use so requires.

In any case, that is whether the cable 27 is joined to the lever 28 or whether it is directly joined to the pin 23, said pin 23, in the nonvibration position, is locked without possibility of any movement because of the pressure exerted -on the elongated extension 19 which is loaded by the spring 21, said pin 23 being imprisoned between the edge of the extension 19 and the respective edges of the slots 24 for housing and guiding the pin 23, as illustrated in Figures 3 and 4. In this way the pin 23 constitutes a stop which prevents contact between the bearing 22 and the polygonal plate 18, so that when the user turns the pedals 17 a normal pedalling exercise will be established.

When the bicycle is disposed in the normal pedalling position, corresponding to Figures 3, 4 and 6, if the vibrating position is required, it is firstly necessary to pull the handlebar in the direction indicated by the arrow 31 of Figure 4, moving it to the position illustrated in dotted lines in said Figure 4, to leave the pin 23 free to be moved.

Once the pin 23 is free from the pressure exerted thereon by the elongated extension 19, said pin 23, due to the action of the spring 25, will descend to the lower position within the slots 24. At this moment, if the handlebar is no longer pulled in the direction of arrow 31 so that it may move towards its normal position, due to the action of the spring 21 the bearing 22 will contact the polygonal plate 18, so that when the pedals are now turned vibration of the asembly is produced.

Figure 5 represents the just mentioned position, showing that the elongated extension 1 9 from which the tube 9 of the handlebar prolongs, is provided with a wide recess 32 through which the pin 23 will extend, thereby permitting direct contact between the bearing 22 and the polygonal plate 1 8 to be established, which contact will be maintained by the action of the spring 21 which will pull the lower part of the extension 1 9 so that, the aforesaid location of the pin 23 in the recess 32 is maintained.

To recover the normal position, it will be sufficient to act on the cable 27 again, before oscillation of the tube of the handlebar, to cause the pin 23 to occupy the position illustrated in Figures 3, 4 and 6 where the polygonal plate 18 is no longer in contact with the bearing 22.

Finally, the means supporting the bicycle on the floor will now be described. Said means comprises a pair of housings 33 and 34, one coupled inside the other telescopically. The housing 33 is inverted and fixed at its base to the corresponding end of a leg 4, while the housing 34 is the lower one and is that which is housed in the housing 33. An inner spring 35 determining an energy absorbing elastic element is placed between both housings.

The base of the lower housing 34 defines a disk 36 to which a stopper 37 of rubber or the like adheres, which stopper will constitute an antiskid and dampening means engaging the floor.

A stem 38 which passes centrally through the upper base of the housing 33 protrudes upwards from the centre of the disk 36 constituting the base of the housing 34. Said stem 38, close to the free end thereof, has a hole 39 having a small diameter, in which a pin or the like which will constitute the limiting means of the stroke of the spring 35 will be housed, thereby acting as a retainer of the complete assembly in its inoperative position, since the corresponding leg 4 has an opening 40 to permit the raising and lowering of the housing 33.

In this way, when the legs 4 are subject to loads, because the user is seated on the bicycle, the compression of the spring 35 takes place, the bicycle then being in an intermediate, elasticaily floating position, the support not transmitting vibrations to the floor, but permitting the entire bicycle and consequently the entire body of the user to vibrate, thereby achieving a beneficial effect on the complete body of the user.

it should be stated that the bottom of the lower housing 34 can incorporate a small arc or ring 41 for the centering of the spring 35, while the disk 36, constituting the bottom, projects from the perimeter of the housing 34 to thereby constitute a lower stop to descent of the upper housing 33.

Finally, it should be stated that the front part of the described chassis defines a sufficient space for an inertia wheel 42 for the pedalling exercise, so that due to the special shape of the frame, the inertia wheel 42 protrudes therefrom and is placed in front of the general structure of the bicycle, thereby achieving that the weight of the said wheel 42 acts as a counterweight in the rowing exercise which can be carried out as previously mentioned.

Claims (10)

1. A static gymnastic bicycle of the kind comprising a frame having pedals which are rotatable by the user, said frame being provided with floor-engaging support legs and being also connected to seat support means and handlebar support means, characterised in that said handlebar support means is mounted for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis relative to the frame and in that there is provided a mechanism which is operable by rotation of said pedals and which can be operatively connected to said handlebar support means when desired to impart a rocking or vibratory motion thereto when the pedals are rotated by the user, said mechanism being operatively disconnectible from said handlebar support means when it is desired to rotate the pedals without causing such rocking or vibratory motion of the handlebar support means.

2. A static gymnastic bicycle as claimed in claim 1 characterised in that said mechanism for imparting a rocking motion to said handlebar support means includes a plate of polygonal form which is rotatable with said pedals and which is adapted, when required, to engage the handlebar support means at a position remote from its pivotal axis.

3. A static gymnastic bicycle as claimed in claim 2 characterised in that a movable abutment is provided with is movable between an operative position in which it engages said handlebar support means to prevent interengagement between the polygonal plate and the handlebar support means and an inoperative position in which such interengagement between the polygonal plate and the handlebar support means is permitted.

4. A static gymnastic bicycle as claimed in claim 3 characterised in that said movable abutment comprises a pin and in that said inoperative position of the pin is established when it is located in a recess formed in the handlebar support means, so that due to the position of said pin in said recess, a bearing mounted on said handlebar support means can contact the polygonal plate, a spring being provided to hold said bearing in contact with said polygonal plate.

5. A static gymnastic bicycle as claimed in claim 3 or claim 4 characterised in that in the operative position of said abutment in which a rocking movement of the handlebar support means is not permitted, said abutment is retained without possibility of movement as a resuit of pressure exerted on it by the handlebar support means, an operating flexible cable being provided for moving said abutment from said inoperative position to its operative position.

6. A static gymnasic bicycle as claimed in claim 5 characterised in that there is provided an abutment spring which urges said abutment from its operative position to its inoperative position.

7. A static gymnastic bicycle as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that each of said floor-engaging support legs comprises a pair of telescopically related hollow housings, the upper housing being in an inverted fixed position at the end of the corresponding leg, while the lower housing is disposed so that its base is lowermost, said base comprising a disk which projects laterally from the wall of said housing, said projections portion of the base defining an abutment for the lower edge of the upper housing when the bicycle is subject to the weight of the user, there being also provided a stem which extends centrally through the bottom of the upper housing from the disk constituting the bottom of the lower housing, said stem having, close to its upper free end, a transverse hole through which a pin projects, said pin forming an abutment to limit relative movement of said housings in a direction away from each other, a compression spring being mounted between the housings and acting to urge them in said direction away from each other.

8. A static gymnastic bicycle as claimed in claim 7, characterised in that the lower housing incorporates internally and at its bottom a ring for locating the bottom of the spring, while externaliy on the disk constituting the base of said lower housing, a facing made of rubber or the like, constituting the floor-engaging surface of the leg is fixed.

9. A static gymnastic bicycle as claimed in any one of claims 4-6 wherein there is provided a pair of plates which extend in a pair of spaced vertical planes and which contain a pair of aligned apertures in supporting a shaft on which are mounted said pedals, the plates also being formed with a pair of aligned elongated slots which serve respectively to receive the ends of said movable pin, one pair of ends of said slots serving to locate the pin when it is in its operative position.

10. A static gymnastic bicycle substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.