U.S. patent application number 11/184009 was filed with the patent office on 2006-01-26 for recumbent strength trainer.
Invention is credited to Gregory Young.
Application Number | 20060019804 11/184009 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35657996 |
Filed Date | 2006-01-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060019804 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Young; Gregory |
January 26, 2006 |
Recumbent strength trainer
Abstract
A strength trainer for use with a recumbent bicycle includes a
support frame and a weight stack positioned on the support frame. A
pulley system is also provided that is in mechanical communication
with the weight stack. In operation, the pulley system functions to
permit a user to lift the weight stack while the user is riding the
recumbent bicycle.
Inventors: |
Young; Gregory; (Northville,
MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Ernest I Gifford;Gifford Krass Groh Sprinkle Anderson & Citkowski
Suite 400
280 N. Old Woodward Avenue
Birmingham
MI
48009-5394
US
|
Family ID: |
35657996 |
Appl. No.: |
11/184009 |
Filed: |
January 2, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/93 ; 482/57;
482/94 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 21/154 20130101;
A63B 21/0628 20151001; A63B 22/0012 20130101; A63B 2022/0041
20130101; A63B 2022/0652 20130101; A63B 22/0605 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/093 ;
482/094; 482/057 |
International
Class: |
A63B 22/06 20060101
A63B022/06; A63B 21/06 20060101 A63B021/06 |
Claims
1. A strength trainer for use with a recumbent bicycle, said
trainer comprising: a support frame; at least one weight stack
disposed on said support frame; and at least one pulley system in
mechanical communication with said at least one weight stack
operative to permit lifting while riding the recumbent bicycle.
2. The trainer of claim 1 wherein said support frame comprises a
vertical portion having upper, middle and lower horizontal
extending limbs wherein said at least one weight stack is disposed
on said vertical portion and said at least one pulley system is
disposed on each of said horizontal extending limbs.
3. The trainer of claim 1 wherein said weight stack is comprised of
a plurality of individual weights that is selectably attached to
the weight stack.
4. The trainer of claim 2 wherein said at least one pulley system
can be operated by a user while riding the recumbent bicycle.
5. The trainer of claim 1 wherein said support frame is in
mechanical communication with the recumbent bicycle.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to strength training devices
and more particularly to a strength training device adapted to be
used with a recumbent exercise bicycle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] It is known in the prior art to combine a bicycle type
apparatus with frictional devices, or other resistance loads, in a
way such that the amount of resistance that a user feels when
operating the bicycle apparatus can be adjusted accordingly to
enhance the exercising experience.
[0003] One example of such a device is shown in U.S. Pat. No.
4,441,705 to Brown in which the rear wheel of the bicycle drives a
flywheel having a variable resistance load. A second type of
exercise bicycle apparatus is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No.
4,815,730 to Hoffenberg et al. wherein a pivotally mounted member
connects to the rear axle of a bicycle to constrain its movement. A
support roller, horizontally located on the opposite side of the
rear axle relative to the pivot point, supports and applies a
frictional load to the rear wheel to enhance resistance during
operation.
[0004] Although each of the above U.S. patents provides bicycling
apparatus whereby a user's simulated bike riding experience may be
enhanced by adding a variable load or resistance to the wheel being
driven by the user's legs, neither of these references disclose an
apparatus that provides the user a means for strength or weight
training the upper body while performing simulated bicycling.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0005] A better understanding of the present invention will be had
upon reference to the following detailed description when read in
conjunction with the accompanying drawing in which like parts are
given like reference numerals and wherein:
[0006] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the strength training
apparatus as according to the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention provides a strength training apparatus
that allows the user to perform upper body weight training
exercises while operating a recumbent bicycle.
[0008] As best illustrated in FIG. 1, the strength training
apparatus 10 includes a support frame 12 upon which training
weights and means for lifting the training weights are disposed
thereon. The support frame 12 is comprised of a vertical portion 14
that includes at least one weight stack 22. Each weight stack 22
may be provided as a plurality of individual weights 24 which may
be selectably joined together to comprise the weight to be lifted
by the user during operation. In this manner, the user is able to
adjust the amount of weight to be lifted from a very small amount
to a larger amount as his or her lifting capability increases.
[0009] Each weight stack 22 is preferably disposed on guide rails
or guide tracks 26 to ensure that the weights progress vertically
in a stable and restricted fashion such that very little lateral
movement occurs during the lifting process.
[0010] The support frame 12 includes upper 16, middle 18 and lower
20 horizontally extending limbs wherein each limb is operative to
support at least one mechanism for allowing the user to perform
lifting of the weight stack 22. Additionally, the lower
horizontally extending limbs 20 preferably provide a base for the
support frame 12 such that the apparatus 10 may be stably supported
on a horizontal support surface. It is appreciated that the upper
16, middle 18 and lower 20 horizontally extending limbs are each
spaced apart a distance D whereby a recumbent bicycle apparatus B
may be positioned there-between. In this manner, the user's ability
to operate the recumbent bicycle B is not impeded by the apparatus
10 and the user is positioned for convenient access to the means
for lifting the weight stacks while seated on the recumbent bicycle
B.
[0011] Preferably, the apparatus 10 includes a means for placing
the support frame 12 in mechanical communication with the recumbent
bicycle B such that the support frame 12 and bicycle B are joined
together in a fixedly stable and secure manner. Alternatively, the
apparatus 10 may be designed such that the recumbent bicycle B is
integrally formed with the support frame 12 such that the apparatus
10 is provided as a pre-manufactured combination strength training
apparatus and recumbent bicycle.
[0012] The apparatus 10 includes at least one lifting mechanism 30
for allowing a user to lift the weight stacks 22 conveniently and
comfortably while riding the recumbent bicycle B. Preferably, the
mechanism for lifting the weight stacks 22 is provided in the form
of a pulley system 30. The pulley system 30 may include a plurality
of pulleys 32 each having a grooved rim within which a cable or
cord travels when the weight stack 22 is being lifted by the
user.
[0013] Each cable 34 is attached to the weight stack 22 at one end
and includes a grasping handle 36 at the other end such that the
user may take hold of the grasping handles 36 at the upper 16,
middle 18 and lower 20 horizontally extending limbs while seated on
the bicycle B. It is appreciated that the pulley systems 30 may be
either rotatably secured to the support frame 22 or attached via
cabling and brackets in a free-floating manner away from the
support frame 12. In either case, each pulley 32 is operative to
rotate freely about its axis without imputing any additional
resistance to the lifting process.
[0014] Additionally, the pulley systems 30 on the support frame 12
may be made to be adjustable to various positions on the support
frame 12 such that the user may adjust his or her lift angles
during strength training to achieve proper form and/or access.
[0015] Preferably, the support frame 12 and pulley systems 30 are
made from high strength and durable materials such that lifting
operations during use do not damage the apparatus or cause injury
to the user due to failure. Most preferably, the apparatus is
formed of high strength metals which illustratively include iron,
steel, brass or the like.
[0016] From the foregoing, a strength training apparatus is
provided for use with a recumbent bike whereby the user may perform
upper body strength training exercises simultaneously with a
cardiovascular workout. It is appreciated that various changes to
the present invention may be resorted to by those skilled in the
art without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope
of the claims as presented.
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