U.S. patent application number 10/900022 was filed with the patent office on 2006-01-26 for removable crank arm for exercise cycle.
Invention is credited to Robert Caird.
Application Number | 20060019802 10/900022 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35657994 |
Filed Date | 2006-01-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060019802 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Caird; Robert |
January 26, 2006 |
Removable crank arm for exercise cycle
Abstract
A pedal for an exercise bicycle which can be located at various
distances from the axis of rotation of a crank arm to which the
pedal is attached. The crank arm is removable and is connected to
the vertical portion of the pedal arm of the exercise bicycle. The
crank arm rotates about the axis of rotation of the pedal arm and a
pedal is mounted to the crank arm at a distance which is adjustable
depending upon the degree of movement of the limb of a user. The
pedal arm need not be removed from the exercise bicycle.
Inventors: |
Caird; Robert; (Vancouver,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
John Russell Uren, P. Eng.
Suite 202
1590 Bellevue Avenue
West Vancouver
BC
V7V 1A7
CA
|
Family ID: |
35657994 |
Appl. No.: |
10/900022 |
Filed: |
July 26, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/57 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2022/0652 20130101;
A63B 22/0605 20130101; A63B 22/0046 20130101; A63B 2022/0623
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/057 |
International
Class: |
A63B 22/06 20060101
A63B022/06; A63B 69/16 20060101 A63B069/16 |
Claims
1. A removable crank arm for an exercise bicycle having a pedal arm
with a pedal arm axis of rotation and having a first generally
horizontal axle section and a second generally vertically extending
pedal arm section, said removable crank arm comprising attachment
means for attachment of said removable crank arm to said second
generally vertically extending pedal arm section of said pedal arm
of said exercise bicycle, said removable crank arm being rotatable
about a crank arm axis and being operably connected to said pedal
arm and being generally rotatable about said axis of rotation of
said pedal arm, said removable crank arm further comprising a pedal
operably mounted to said crank arm at at least one distance from
said crank arm axis, said rotatable pedal rotating about a pedal
axis of rotation relative to said crank arm, said removfable crank
arm being connected to said pedal arm at a location other than said
axis of rotation of said pedal arm.
2. A removable crank arm as in claim 1 and further comprising at
least two attachment points for said pedal of said crank arm, said
at least two attachment points being located a different distances
from said axis of rotation of said crank arm.
3. A removable crank arm as in claim 2 wherein said crank arm is
attached to said second generally vertically extending pedal arm
section with wedge assemblies mounted on said crank arm.
4. A removable crank arm as in claim 2 wherein said crank arm is
attached to said second generally vertically extending pedal arm
section of said pedal arm by use of bolts.
5. A removable crank arm as in claim 4 wherein said crank arm is
provided with a cradle to allow entry of said first generally
horizontal axle section of said pedal arm.
6. A removable crank arm as in claim 1 wherein said pedal is
connected to said crank arm with a threaded bolt.
7. A removable crank arm as in claim 1 and further comprising a
plurality of holes in said crank arm to allow attachment of said
pedal to said crank arm at one of said holes.
8. A method of moving a pedal connected to a crank arm at a
predetermined distance from the axis of rotation of said crank arm
mounted on an exercise bicycle, said method comprising removing a
pedal from a pedal arm which rotates about a pedal arm axis of said
exercise bicycle, said pedal arm having a first generally
horizontal axle section and a second generally vertically extending
pedal arm section, mounting said crank arm on said second generally
vertically extending pedal arm section by connecting said crank arm
to said second generally vertically extending pedal arm section of
said pedal arm such that said crank arm rotates about the axis of
rotation of said pedal arm and mounting a rotatable pedal on said
crank arm which pedal is adapted to be connected at at least two
predetermined distances from the axis of rotation of said crank
arm, said rotatable pedal rotating about a pedal axis of rotation,
said crank arm being mounted to said pedal arm at a location other
than said axis of rotation of said pedal arm.
9. Method as in claim 8 wherein a pedal is removed from said pedal
arm and said crank arm is connected to said second generally
vertically extending pedal arm section of said pedal arm using a
wedge assembly.
10. Method as in claim 8 wherein said pedal is removed from said
pedal arm and said crank arm is connected to said second generally
vertically extending pedal arm section of said pedal arm using
bolts.
Description
[0001] This invention relates to a removable crank arm for an
exercise bicycle and, more particularly, to a removable crank arm
for an exercise bicycle which allows adjustable mounting of a pedal
to the crank arm in order to provide greater or lesser movement of
the limbs of a user.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Exercise bicycles are, of course, well known. They are
provided usually for fitness or training purposes. Because the
pedal on which the user rests his foot moves in a circular path,
impact blows to the user are avoided which is desirable to prevent
aches and sprains to the joints and muscles. Such exercise bicycles
are particularly useful for the elderly or for rehabilitation
purposes.
[0003] Arthritic users are restricted in movement and the more
prevalent the arthritis in the user, the more restrictive is the
movement. While exercise is known to be beneficial for sufferers of
arthritis, and while the movement of the pedals of an exercise
bicycle is particularly advantageous because of the absence of
shocks and impact to the user, the range of movement of the legs
and knees of a user who is suffering from arthritis may not be
sufficient to completely rotate the pedal arm to which the pedals
are attached. It would be desirable to adjust the motion path of
the pedals in order to increase or decrease the range of motion to
be performed by the user so as to adapt to the movement of the
individual user.
[0004] Various apparatuses have been designed to deal with the
requirement for an adjustable path of the pedals. U.S. Pat. No.
5,316,532 (Butler) discloses an aquatic exercise cycle with a disc
which allows incrementally spaced means to secure the legs of a
user. U.S. Pat. No. 4,509,742 (Cones) teaches a hydraulic exercise
cycle with a flywheel which allows incremental adjustment of the
pedal assembly to the flywheel thereby allowing variable load
resistance. Canadian application 2,235,465 (Saringer et al) teaches
a flywheel to which resistance is adjustable by way of a control
circuit. And Butterworth U.S. Pat. No. 6,589,139 teaches a primary
and a secondary crank which allow or prohibit relative movement
therebetween and which require tht the pedal arm be attached to the
axis of the pedal arm assembly with a removable bolt and an
additional member.
[0005] The prior art, however, does not teach an exercise bicycle
which may be easily adjusted or modified to allow a reduced path of
motion of a pedal for users who may lack the ability to participate
in the full range of motion such as those arthritic users
aforementioned.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided
a removable crank arm for an exercise bicycle having a pedal arm
with a pedal arm axis of rotation and having a first generally
horizontal axle section and a second generally vertically extending
pedal arm section, said removable crank arm comprising attachment
means for attachment of said removable crank arm to said second
generally vertically extending pedal arm section of said pedal arm
of said exercise bicycle, said removable crank arm being rotatable
about a crank arm axis and being operably connected to said pedal
arm and being generally rotatable about said axis of rotation of
said pedal arm, said removable crank arm further comprising a pedal
operably mounted to said crank arm at at least one distance from
said crank arm axis, said rotatable pedal rotating about a pedal
axis of rotation relative to said crank arm, said removfable crank
arm being connected to said pedal arm at a location other than said
axis of rotation of said pedal arm.
[0007] According to a further aspect of the invention, there is
provided a method of moving a pedal connected to a crank arm at a
predetermined distance from the axis of rotation of said crank arm
mounted on an exercise bicycle, said method comprising removing a
pedal from a pedal arm which rotates about a pedal arm axis of said
exercise bicycle, said pedal arm having a first generally
horizontal axle section and a second generally vertically extending
pedal arm section, mounting said crank arm on said second generally
vertically extending pedal arm section by connecting said crank arm
to said second generally vertically extending pedal arm section of
said pedal arm such that said crank arm rotates about the axis of
rotation of said pedal arm and mounting a rotatable pedal on said
crank arm which pedal is adapted to be connected at at least two
predetermined distances from the axis of rotation of said crank
arm, said rotatable pedal rotating about a pedal axis of rotation,
said crank arm being mounted to said pedal arm at a location other
than said axis of rotation of said pedal arm.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described,
by way of example only, with the use of drawings in which:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic isometric view of the exercise
bicycle with the rotating crank arm illustrated in operative
position according to the invention;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the inside of the crank arm
particularly illustrating the installed position of the crank arm
on the pedal arm of the exercise bicycle according to the
invention;
[0011] FIGS. 3A and 3B are diagrammatic side and plan view of wedge
clamps used to secure the crank arm to the pedal arm of the
exercise bicycle according to the invention;
[0012] FIG. 4 is an outside diagrammatic view of the flywheel
illustrating the pedal attachment holes according to the invention
and the pedal arm being shown in broken lines;
[0013] FIG. 5 illustrates the attachment shaft used to connect the
pedal to the crank arm according to the invention;
[0014] FIGS. 6A and 6B are diagrammatic side and inside views of
the crank arm, respectively, illustrating a further embodiment of
the attachment of the crank arm to the pedal assembly; and
[0015] FIG. 7 is an outside view of the crank arm illustrating a
further attachment technique of the crank arm to the pedal arm.
DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENT
[0016] Referring now to the drawings, an exercise bicycle according
to the invention is generally illustrated at 100 in FIG. 1. It is
of the type usually used in recreational and fitness centers and
includes a seat 101 for a user, a read out device 102 and a frame
103 sed to enclose and support the movement of a rotating pedal 104
which is attached to a rotating crank arm 110.
[0017] Rotating crank arm 110 is connected to a pedal arm 111 (FIG.
2) in a manner to be described and rotates about a crank arm axis
112. The pedal arm 111 comprises two well defined portions, namely
a first generally horizontal axle section portion 200 and a second
generally vertically extending pedal arm section 115 (FIG. 6B). The
crank arm 110 includes a plurality of attachment holes 113 which
allow the pedal 104 to be connected to the crank arm 110 at various
distances from the axis 112. The pedal 104 may have a heel cup 114
and a toe strap 120 which will allow the foot or shoe of the user
to be securely held in place when using the pedal 104.
[0018] Referring now to FIG. 2, the inside surface of the crank arm
110 is illustrated as being mounted on the generally vertically
extending pedal arm portion 115 of the pedal arm 111 of the
exercise bicycle 100. The pedal of the pedal arm 111 is removed and
the crank arm 110 is then mounted onto the pedal arm 111 by way of
a groove 121 (also shown in FIG. 3A) which is machined in the crank
arm 110. Wedge assemblies 122 (FIGS. 3A and 3B) are provided to
clamp the crank arm 110 onto the pedal arm 111 such that the axis
112 of the crank arm 110 is generally coincident with the axis of
the pedal arm 111. Set screws 123, 124 may be used to attach the
wedge clamp assemblies 122 to the crank arm 110 and also to allow
adjustable movement of the wedge clamp assemblies 122 when the
crank arm 110 has reached its proper position on the pedal arm 111
so that the crank arm 110 is securely held on the pedal arm
111.
OPERATION
[0019] In operation, the pedal (not illustrated) of the original
pedal arm 111 of the exercise bicycle 100 will be removed and the
wedge claim assemblies 122 will be opened to allow entry of the
pedal arm 111 of the exercise bicycle into the grove 121 of the
crank arm 110 which crank arm 110 is manipulated into position on
the pedal arm 111.
[0020] The crank arm 110 will be positioned on the pedal arm 111 so
that the axis of rotation 112 of the crank arm 110 is coincident
with the axis of rotation of the pedal arm 111 when under normal
operation with the exercise bicycle 100. When that position is
reached, the set screws 123 will be rotated by, for example, a hex
key (not illustrated) until the crank arm 100 is securely attached
to the pedal arm 111. Of course, while the attachment of only one
crank arm 110 has been described, it will be appreciated that the
same operation will occur on the side of the exercise bicycle 100
which is opposed.
[0021] Following the attachment of the crank arm 110 to the pedal
arm 111 of the exercise bicycle 100 on both sides, the pedal 104
will be attached. Pedal 104 itself rotates about a pin 130 (FIG. 5)
which has a threaded end 131 and a head 132 which maintains the
pedal 104 on the pin 130. The holes 113 are threaded and
complementary to the threads on pin 130 so that the pin 130 and
attached pedal 104 can be attached to whatever hole 133 is deemed
appropriate for the user. For example, if the degree of arthritis
suffered by he user is high or if injury rehabilitation dictates an
initial and very small movement of the limb of the user, the holes
113 closest to the axis of rotation 112 of the crank arm 110 may be
dictated for pedal and pin attachment. Conversely, as the degree of
flexibility and limb movement of the user increases, the pin 130
and attached pedal 104 can be threadedly attached to a hole 113
further removed from the axis of rotation 112 of the crank arm
112.
[0022] The user will then assume the usual position on the exercise
bicycle 100 and with his feet in the pedal 104, he will rotate the
crank arm 110 thereby obtaining exercise and proper movement of the
intended limb.
[0023] The crank arm 110 may be attached to the pedal arm 111 is a
variety of different ways and a further method of attachment is
illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B. In this attachment technique, the
horizontal arm 200 of the pedal arm 111 is positioned in a cradle
201 which is mounted to the crank arm 110. This cradle 201 may be
movable between attachment holes or by way of a sliding movement in
an oblong hole such as that hole 202 such that the crank arm 110
rotates about the axis of rotation of the pedal arm 111. Following
the proper positioning of the pedal arm 111 and pedal arm cradle
201, the hole 203 of the pedal arm 111 to which the pedal is
originally attached is aligned with a hole 202 in the crank arm 110
and a bolt or pin 204 secures the pedal arm 111 to the crank arm
110. Thereafter, the pedal 104 is connected on one of the series of
holes 113 which are machined into the outside surface of the crank
arm 110.
[0024] Yet a further attachment technique illustrated in FIG. 7. In
that embodiment, the pedal arm 111 is connected to the wedge clamps
122 as already described in association with the embodiment of
FIGS. 2 and 3. However, the crank arm 110 has a countersunk hole
300 drilled through its thickness and a complementary flat head
bolt 301 in positioned in the hole 300 and extends through the join
the pedal arm 111 at the hole in the pedal arm 111 previously
occupied by the pedal 104. Thus, the crank arm 110 will rotate with
the pedal arm 111 in precisely the same manner as previously
described with the pedal 104 being connected to any one of the
machined holes 302 depending on the extent of movement ability
possessed or desired by the user.
[0025] Many further embodiments will readily occur to those skilled
in the art to which the invention relates and the particular
embodiments described are given by way of example only and are not
intended as limiting the scope of the invention as defined in
accordance with the accompanying claims.
* * * * *