U.S. patent application number 11/728611 was filed with the patent office on 2007-09-13 for verticle exercise bicycle conversion kit.
Invention is credited to Christiaan Ditolla.
Application Number | 20070213180 11/728611 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35449716 |
Filed Date | 2007-09-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070213180 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ditolla; Christiaan |
September 13, 2007 |
Verticle exercise bicycle conversion kit
Abstract
A kit for converting a standard vertical exercise apparatus into
a vertical bicycle having overhead and/or waist high support bars
for supporting the user's body weight for use in conditioning upper
body and lower body muscle groups.
Inventors: |
Ditolla; Christiaan;
(Northport, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Law Office of Leo G. Lenna
1 Makamah Beach Road
Northport
NY
11768
US
|
Family ID: |
35449716 |
Appl. No.: |
11/728611 |
Filed: |
March 27, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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10861785 |
Jun 4, 2004 |
|
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11728611 |
Mar 27, 2007 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
482/61 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 22/0012 20130101;
A63B 2022/0647 20130101; A63B 2225/093 20130101; A61H 1/0229
20130101; A63B 22/0605 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
482/061 |
International
Class: |
A63B 69/16 20060101
A63B069/16 |
Claims
1-33. (canceled)
34. An overhead/waist high support bars conversion kit for a
stationary exercise bike comprising: a first frame having a base,
said base in communication with the floor whereby providing support
for said first frame; a second frame having a base, said base in
communication with the floor whereby providing support for said
second frame, said second frame being substantially the mirror
image of said first frame; and a cross bar configured for
connecting said first and second frames together.
35. The overhead/waist high support bars conversion kit according
to claim 34 further comprising at least one attachment means for
attaching said first frame and/or said second frame to said
stationary bike.
36. The overhead/waist high support bars conversion kit according
to claim 34 wherein said first frame comprises an overhead support
bar and a waist high support bar and said second frame comprises an
overhead support bar and a waist high support bar that is
substantially similar to said first frame.
37. The overhead/waist high support bars conversion kit according
to claim 34 further comprising instructions for assembling said
support bars and attaching said first and second frames of said
conversion kit to a stationary bike.
38. The overhead/waist high support bars conversion kit for a
stationary exercise bike according to claim 34 wherein said cross
bar configured so as to be connectable to said first and second
frames further comprises an adjustable collar whereby allowing for
adjustment of the length of said cross bar whereby allowing for
adjusting the distance between said first and second frames.
39. The overhead/waist high support bars conversion kit for a
stationary exercise bike according to claim 34 further comprising
at least one adjustable collar configured to be attachable to said
overhead support bars for adjusting the height of said overhead
support bar from the floor.
40. The overhead/waist high support bars conversion kit for a
stationary exercise bike according to claim 39 further comprising
at least one adjustable collar configured so as to be attachable to
said waist high support bar for adjusting the height of said waist
high, support bar from the floor.
41. The overhead/waist high support bars conversion kit for a
stationary exercise bike according to claim 34 further comprising
at least one adjustment tool for attaching said overhead/waist high
support bars to a stationary exercise bike.
42. A waist high support bar conversion kit for a stationary
exercise bike comprising: a frame having a u-shaped base, said
frame having at least one substantially horizontal support bar,
said unshaped base configured to be in communication with the floor
whereby providing support for said frame; at least one cross bar
for connecting said at least one substantially horizontal support
bar to said u-shaped base frame; and an attachment clamp configured
so as to be attachable to said stationary bike.
43. The waist-high support conversion kit according to claim 40
wherein said at least one substantially horizontal support bar is
attached to said base and is adjustable to heights between 1 and 7
feet from said floor.
44. The waist-high support conversion kit according to claim 43
wherein at least one substantially horizontal support bar is
adjustable to heights between 3 and 4 feet from said floor.
45. The waist-high support conversion kit according to claim 44
wherein said frame is unshaped and is connectable to said unshaped
base.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to the field of exercise
equipment and more specifically to an exercise apparatus that
provides a means for both upper body exercise and lower body
exercise.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] In recent years, bodybuilding has become extremely popular
with the general public interested in a better quality of life. The
benefits of aerobic and strength training exercise have been proven
to provide significant health benefits that greatly improve the
quality of life of those individuals willing and able to engage in
such activities.
[0003] Presently there is a variety of exercise equipment available
on the market today that is designed to provide both aerobic as
well as strength training exercise. Much of this equipment is
expensive and complex to use. Some equipment even requires a
workout regiment longer and more strenuous than the average user is
capable of enduring. Since the majority of users of exercise
equipment today are not professional or even amateur athletes but
are instead busy individuals seeking the physiological benefits
associated with exercise, the more complex types of exercise
equipment causes many problems. Even though exercise has been
proven to be beneficial to ones health, many users have only a
limited amount of time to complete an exercise regiment and desire
exercise that takes as little time as possible with the greatest
amount of physical conditioning.
[0004] To achieve the most physiological benefit in the least
amount of time it is necessary to utilize the most muscle mass for
a given exercise. Many exercise machines concentrate on either
aerobic or strength training exercise but few are capable of
providing both. In general, aerobic forms of exercise train the
lower body muscles. For example, exercises such as running, stair
climbing, elliptical training, and conventional bicycling all
provide aerobic training but train only the lower extremities.
Strength training machines are usually designed to target specific
muscles and provide little if any aerobic benefits.
[0005] One exercise device that can provide low impact,
cardiovascular exercise as well as strength training is the
stationary exercise bike. The stationary exercise bike is easy to
use and enables the user to benefit from both aerobic
cardiovascular exercise as well as strength training. However, as
stated above, the strength training is limited to the legs and
other portions of the lower body. Thus, use of a conventional
exercise bike alone enables the user to get a lower body workout
but fails to provide an overall fitness regimen that provides both
cardiovascular aerobic exercise and anaerobic/strength training for
both the upper and lower body. In other words, the conventional
exercise bike alone does not allow a user to enjoy both upper and
lower body physical benefits, as does the device of the present
invention.
[0006] In view of the foregoing, in order to achieve such a workout
the user must use two and sometimes three machines. This type of
workout is usually inappropriate and/or cumbersome for today's
user. For example, a multiple machine approach to cardiovascular
and strength training requires a large amount of equipment storage
space. Equipment storage space is normally a particularly important
issue for home exercise equipment since the typical home has very
limited space available for an exercise area.
[0007] The multiple device approach also increases exercise time
because it requires the user to shift from one machine to the next
after each workout set. In addition, down time while shifting from
one machine to another negatively impacts the usefulness of the
exercise regimen by allowing a rest period between exercises. The
multiple machine approach to a home gymnasium also increases
equipment cost to the user by requiring the user to purchase
multiple machines. For these reasons and more, the use of multiple
exercise machines to provide a complete workout of both upper and
lower muscle groups is not practical for a large percentage of the
exercising public.
[0008] Thus, for all of these reasons and others, there is a need
for a space saving, cost efficient multiple use exercise bike that
can provide the user with the aerobic/cardiovascular exercise of an
exercise bike as well as strength conditioning of the lower and
upper muscle groups normally associated with the use of multiple
machines.
[0009] The exercise apparatus of the present invention overcomes
the prior art limitations discussed above by providing a single
exercise apparatus that enables the user to achieve cardiovascular
exercise, in the form of an exercise bike, and an upper body
strength training workout through use of the users own body weight.
In addition, the exercise apparatus of the present invention
provides more physical benefits, requires less storage space than
multiple machines, and is less costly than purchasing multiple
machines.
[0010] Simply stated, the exercise apparatus of the present
invention is more efficient than most exercise machines available
today since it enables the user to stimulate many different muscle
groups in both the upper and lower extremities utilizing more
muscle mass. The more muscle mass exercised, the more energy
required to complete the exercise regimen and therefore the more
calories burned per unit time compared to exercise machines unable
to stimulate the same muscle mass. This translates to shorter
workout time with greater aerobic and strength benefits.
[0011] All in all the exercise machine of the present invention or
the exercise machine created using the conversion kit of the
present invention provides triceps and bicep/lateral workouts where
the conventional seated stationary bike, the stair climber and the
elliptical exercise machine do not workout these muscle groups at
all. Therefore the exercise machine of the present invention is
able overcome to the shortcomings of the prior art exercise
machines described above.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] The present invention is directed to an exercise machine
designed for both anaerobic strength-building workouts as well as
for cardiac conditioning aerobic workouts. The exercise machine of
the present invention is designed so that the user can achieve both
an upper and lower body workout in a single device. The machine is
easy to use, compact and cost affective.
[0013] One embodiment of the exercise machine of the present
invention includes a weight-bearing frame having a base that is
designed for both durability and stability. The weight-bearing
frame is in contact with the floor so as to provide support for the
rest of the device as well as the user when in operation. The frame
may be equipped with stabilization bars that extend perpendicular
to the main axis of the frame so as to provide lateral as well as
front to back stability. The frame may be constructed from steel,
alloy metal, carbon-based composite or any other material that can
provide both strength and stability.
[0014] In one embodiment of the present invention the exercise
machine comprises all of the features described above as well as a
weight-bearing frame with a seat attached. The seat comprising a
resting surface that extends upwards from the frame. The resting
surface of the seat may be made of molded plastic, padded or filled
with contour accepting gel. The seat is designed so as to provide a
resting surface for the user when either performing a lower body
workout or resting after a high intensity exercise set.
[0015] The exercise machine of the present invention may also be
equipped with a set of foot levers having two peddles spaced
furthest from each other on the same plain connected by a rail and
axle system. The axle system is perpendicular to the rail and
parallel to the pedals. In one embodiment of the present invention,
the axle of the foot lever is attached to either a single weighted
wheel or a wheel equipped with a variable tension drag system. In
the embodiment where the foot lever is attached to the weighted
wheel the weight of the wheel itself provides some resistance to
rotation of the foot lever and enhance the users workout.
[0016] In the embodiment of the exercise machine where the foot
lever is attached to a wheel equipped with a drag system, the drag
system can be adjusted so as to increase or decrease the tension on
the foot lever therefore increasing or decreasing the force
required by the user to overcome the tension. By adjusting the
tension the user can obtain a lower body strength-building workout
and by decreasing the drag the user is able to peddle quickly so as
to raise the user's heart rate providing for an aerobic cardiac
workout.
[0017] The exercise machine described above also comprises a first
and second set of support bars that are attached to the base of the
exercise machine. The first set of support bars is positioned above
the second set of support bars. In one embodiment of the invention
the first set of support bars are positioned at about two times the
height of the second set of support bars. In other words, the first
set of weight-bearing support bars are positioned so that the user
can grab on to them when their hands are above their head.
[0018] In the embodiment that includes the seat, the support bars
must be strong enough to support the weight of the user so that the
user is able to pull himself or herself from a sitting position
using a pull-up motion and support his or her own body weight while
continuing to peddle the foot levers. This way the user can work
out his or her's lower body as well as his or hers upper body.
[0019] The second set of support bars are positioned waist high to
the user. When the user stands on the peddles the support bar is
designed to support the weight of the user. These support bars are
used to support the user while peddling in the upright position at
high speeds and provide strength benefits from supporting ones body
weight as well as a strength building exercise. The first and
second set of support bars may be attached to the frame by an
adjustable height bracket so as to accommodate different users.
[0020] In one embodiment of the present invention the exercise
machine is equipped with a programmable unit comprising a memory
card, an alert system, and recording capability. The programmable
unit can be used to design different exercise routines as well as
inputting programs that can be used to calculate calories burned,
miles peddled, speed obtained, heart rate calculations, etc. The
alert system can be used to alert the user once he or she has
completed a certain distance/speed as part of an exercise routine.
The exercise machine may also be equipped with a keyboard for
inputting data/text.
[0021] In still another embodiment of the invention a conventional
exercise bike can be converted to a vertical exercise bike using
the vertical bike conversion kit of the present invention. The kit
comprises a set of weight-bearing frames having a base that when
erected the base of each of the frames is in contact with the floor
and provides support for each of the frames as well as the person
working out on the exercising machine. The kit also includes a
cross bar that can be connected to a portion of the frame so as to
maintain each frame equal-distant from each other. The distance
between the frames can be adjusted by adjusting the size of the
crossbar. This allows the kit to adjust to almost any size
conventional exercise bike. Once the frame with the cross bar is
set in place a first attachment clamp attached to one frame and a
second attachment clamp attached to other frame can be adjusted so
as to attach to a portion of the stationary exercise bike. Once in
place, the stationary exercise bike can be used to workout both the
upper and lower body.
[0022] As stated in the Background of the Invention section of the
application at bar, the exercise machine of the present invention
or the exercise machine created using the conversion kit of the
present invention provides triceps and bicep/lateral workouts where
the conventional seated stationary bike, the stair climber and the
elliptical exercise machine do not workout these muscle groups at
all. In addition to providing the aforementioned workout, the
present invention also provides for a speed workout/sprint-cardiac
workout. Although the conventional seated exercise bike provides
this type of workout, the elliptical exercise machine and the stair
climber do not. Still further the present invention also provides a
force greater than body weight, upstroke resistance as well as an
upright posture workout. To the contrary, neither the conventional
seated exercise bike, the elliptical machine nor the stair climber
provides all of these workouts in a single compact exercise
machine.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0023] FIG. 1: [0024] (10) vertical bike apparatus [0025] (20)
overhead support bar [0026] (30) waist high support bar [0027] (40)
first peddle [0028] (45) first peddle strap [0029] (50) second
peddle [0030] (55) second peddle strap [0031] (60) first peddle
riser [0032] (70) second peddle riser [0033] (80) axle [0034] (90)
spokes [0035] (100) adjustable brake pad [0036] (110) adjustable
brake pad cable [0037] (120) adjustment lever for brake pad [0038]
(130) vertical bike stand [0039] (140) wheel
[0040] FIG. 2: [0041] (200) vertical bike apparatus [0042] (210)
first overhead support bar [0043] (220) second overhead support bar
[0044] (230) first waist high support bar [0045] (240) second waist
high support bar [0046] (250) first vertical bike stand [0047]
(260) second vertical bike stand [0048] (270) wheel [0049] (280)
first peddle [0050] (290) second peddle [0051] (300) axle [0052]
(310) first peddle riser [0053] (320) second peddle riser [0054]
(330) wheel stand [0055] (340) cross bar [0056] (350) adjustable
brake pad [0057] (360) first adjustable brake pad cable [0058]
(370) second adjustable brake pad cable
[0059] FIG. 3: [0060] (400) seated vertical bike apparatus [0061]
(410) adjustable overhead support bar [0062] (420) adjustable
overhead support bar collar [0063] (430) quick release adjustment
for overhead support bar [0064] (440) adjustable waist high support
bar collar [0065] (450) quick release adjustment [0066] (460) waist
high adjustable bar [0067] (470) frame [0068] (480) axle [0069]
(490) floor stand of frame [0070] (500) wheel stand [0071] (510)
first peddle [0072] (520) first peddle riser [0073] (530) wheel
[0074] (540) adjustable seat support [0075] (550) quick release for
seat [0076] (560) second peddle riser [0077] (570) second peddle
[0078] (580) adjustable brake pad support [0079] (590) adjustable
brake pad [0080] (600) adjustable brake pad cable [0081] (670)
adjustable brake pad [0082] (680) recordable/programmable computer
processing unit
[0083] FIG. 4: [0084] (700) seated vertical bike apparatus [0085]
(710) first adjustable overhead support bar [0086] (720) second
adjustable overhead support bar [0087] (730) first adjustable
overhead collar [0088] (740) second adjustable overhead collar
[0089] (750) second quick release [0090] (760) first quick release
[0091] (710) cross bar [0092] (780) programmable computer
processing unit [0093] (790) first adjustable waist high support
bar [0094] (800) second adjustable waist high support bar [0095]
(810) first adjustable waist high support collar [0096] (820)
second adjustable waist high support collar [0097] (830) first
quick release for waist high support collar [0098] (840) second
quick release for waist high support collar [0099] (850) first
stand support [0100] (860) second stand support [0101] (870) first
adjustable brake pad cable [0102] (890) adjustment for second
adjustable brake pad cable [0103] (900) second adjustable brake pad
cable [0104] (910) first brake pad connector [0105] (920) second
brake pad connector [0106] (930) adjustable seat [0107] (940)
adjustable seat shaft [0108] (950) quick adjustment for seat height
[0109] (960) wheel [0110] (970) friction brake pad [0111] (980)
first peddle [0112] (990) second peddle [0113] (1000) first peddle
riser [0114] (1010) second peddle riser [0115] (1020) wheel axle
[0116] (1030) first floor stand support [0117] (1040) second floor
stand support [0118] (1050) seat support
[0119] FIG. 5: [0120] (1100) overhead/waist high support bars
conversion kit [0121] (1110) first adjustable overhead support bar
[0122] (1120) second adjustable overhead support bar [0123] (1130)
first adjustable waist high support bar [0124] (1140) second
adjustable waist high support bar [0125] (1150) second adjustable
overhead collar [0126] (1160) first adjustable overhead collar
[0127] (1170) first quick release [0128] (1180) adjustable cross
bar [0129] (1190) adjustable collar [0130] (1200) quick release
[0131] (1210) second adjustable waist high collar [0132] (1220)
quick release [0133] (1230) first adjustable waist high collar
[0134] (1240) quick release [0135] (1250) first frame support
[0136] (1260) second frame support [0137] (1270) second adjustable
bike attachment [0138] (1280) first adjustable bike attachment
[0139] (1290) first adjustable bike attachment clamp [0140] (1300)
second adjustable bike attachment clamp [0141] (1310) second
adjustable bike attachment clamp collar [0142] (1320) quick release
[0143] (1330) quick release [0144] (1340) first adjustable bike
attachment clamp collar [0145] (1350) first stand balance support
[0146] (1360) second stand balance support. [0147] (1370)
instructions [0148] (1380) assembly tool
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0149] FIG. 1 shows a cross section of the vertical exercise bike
of the present invention. The vertical exercise bike (10) of the
present invention comprises an overhead bar (20) and a waist high
support bar (30) in communication with the bike stand (130). The
peddling bike portion of the vertical exercise bike of the present
invention comprises a wheel (140) having an axle (80) as well as
spokes (90) for support Attached to the axle (80) of the wheel
(140) is a first peddle riser (70) on one side of the wheel (140)
and a second axle riser attached to the opposite side of the axle
(80). The first and second risers are both attached to the axle
(80) at one end and to the peddles at the other.
[0150] The first peddle riser (60) is attached to a first peddle
and the second peddle riser (70) is attached to a second peddle.
The first and second peddles/risers are positioned so that when one
peddle is at its highest point the second peddle is at its lowest.
This allows a person to alternate downward pressure on one peddle
causing the other to rise. Repeating this process allows the wheel
(140) to rotate. This method of peddling without any other movement
limits the user's workout to his or her lower muscle groups. If the
user simply grabs hold onto the waist high support bar (30) the
user would be able to exert additional downward force greater than
the user's own bodyweight onto the peddles thus providing increased
strength training not available with a conventional exercise
bike.
[0151] In one embodiment of the invention, the wheel is a weighted
wheel wherein the weight of the wheel provides rotational. In an
alternate embodiment of the present invention, the wheel is
replaced with a belt means capable of providing various amounts of
tension. Increasing the tension on the belt means makes it harder
to rotate and therefore requires greater muscle mass of the user to
rotate the belt. Whether a wheel or a belt system is used the
concept remains the same, the greater the resistance placed on the
peddles, the greater the muscles mass required to rotate the belt
or wheel during exercising. In additional, the peddles are designed
so that they can be rotated in the forward or backward direction.
Rotating the peddle in the forward direction conditions one group
of muscle while rotating the peddles in the reverse direction
conditions a different group of muscles.
[0152] The overhead bar (20) extends past the axle (80) of the
wheel (140) so that the bar is accessible to a user peddling during
a working out on the vertical bike. The waist high support bar (30)
is also positioned past the axle (80) of the wheel (140) so that a
person peddling during a workout is able to grab hold to the waist
high support bar (30) and support his or her weight while
continuing to peddle. Supporting one's own weight provides for an
upper body workout while at the same time peddling the bike would
provide a lower body workout. In order to adjust to the height of
the user both the overhead support bar (20) and the waist high
support bar (30) can be made to be adjustable (Shown in FIG.
3).
[0153] The vertical bike of the present invention also allows for
extended high-speed cardiovascular training greater than what can
be achieved by either a stair climber, or elliptical trainer.
Although high speed cardiovascular peddling can be achieved on a
conventional bike, greater muscle mass can be achieved on the
vertical bike of the present invention and additional body muscles
can be worked on while doing a high-speed cardiovascular peddling
session. Also resistance is possible when peddling in the backward
motion emphasizing different muscle groups as in ascending and
climbing up and down an incline.
[0154] To achieve high speed cardiovascular peddling using the
vertical bike of the present invention the user must strap his or
her feet onto the first and second peddles (40,50) using the first
and second peddle straps (45, 55) so as to keep the users feet
attached to the peddles during high speed training. This motion is
not possible when exercising on a stepper or an elliptical machine.
Using the waist high support bars (30) to support most of the users
weight the user can then rotate the peddles (40, 50) at an
accelerated rate of speed. This speed can be maintained for as long
as the user is able to support his or her body weight off of the
peddles providing upper strength workout. Having less weight on the
peddles makes it easier for the wheel (140) to rotate and therefore
allows the user to reach maximum peddle acceleration. As an
alternative method, the user could grab onto the overhead bars
(200) to support his or her weight therefore putting less weight
onto the peddles and allowing the user to obtain high speed
cardiovascular training while at the same time strength training
several muscle groups in the upper portion of the body.
[0155] In stark contrast, the conventional exercise bike that
allows the user to sit on a seat in order to remove weight off of
the peddles during a high speed cardiovascular peddling does not
work out any muscle groups other than those associated with high
speed peddling. In addition, supporting one's own weight using the
support bars also allows the user to burn additional calories as
compared to a seated workout. Therefore the benefits over the
conventional exercise bike are clear. Simply stated peddling
upright provides a greater workout than the conventional seated
exercise bike.
[0156] Increasing tension on the wheel (140) can also provide
additional benefits during a workout. For this reason the present
invention can also be equipped with an adjustable tension brake
attached to the wheel. FIG. 1 shows the wheel (140) equipped with
an adjustable brake pad (100). The adjustable break pad (100) is
shown attached to an adjustment lever (120) located on the waist
high support bar (30) by an adjustable brake pad cable (1.10).
Utilizing lever (120) the user can adjust the tension placed on the
wheel (140) by the brake pad (100), lessening the tension for
high-speed cardiac workouts and increasing the tension for lower
body strength training.
[0157] FIG. 2 shows a posterior view of the vertical exercise bike
of the present invention. The vertical bike apparatus (200) of the
present invention comprises first and second overhead support bars
(210, 220) and first and second waist high support bars (230, 240).
The first overhead support bar (210) and the first waist high
support bar (230) are connected to the first vertical bike stand
(250) and the second overhead support bar (220) and the second
waist high support bar (240) are connected to the second vertical
bike stand (260). Both the first and second bike stands (250, 260)
provide support for the overhead and waist high support bars as
well as the weight that the user places on the support bars during
exercise.
[0158] Basically the vertical exercise bike apparatus (200) is
constructed of two separate sections with the first section
comprising the first overhead support bar (210), the first waist
high support bar (230) and the first vertical bike stand (250) and
second section comprising the second overhead support bar (220),
the second waist high support bar (240), and the second vertical
bike stand (260). The first and second sections are connected to
each other by cross bar (340). The cross bar (340) is adjustable
having several different positions. Extending the cross bar (340)
provides a greater distance between the two sections. Retracting
the cross bar (340) reduces the distance between the two sections.
The wheel (270) is connected to a wheel stand (330) that is also
connected to the first and second vertical bike stands (250,260).
The portion of the wheel stand (330) that connects to the first and
second sections of the vertical bike stands (250,260) can be
adjusted to the distance between the first and second sections of
the vertical exercise bike (300).
[0159] The wheel (270) has an axle (300) that is in physical
communication with the first peddle riser (310) on one side of the
axle (300) and the second peddle riser (320) on the other. The
first and second peddle risers are connected to first and second
peddles (280,290) respectfully and are positioned approximately 180
degrees away from each other. In other words, when one peddle is at
its highest point in its rotation the other peddle is at its lowest
point of its rotation. The peddles of the present invention are
designed to have an increased surface area making them better
suited for weight bearing exercise. For example, the peddles of the
present invention may be designed so that the length of the pair of
peddles attached to the top and bottom portions of the foot lever
is at least 5 inches and the width of the pair of peddles attached
to the top and bottom portions of the foot lever is at least 3
inches.
[0160] Alternating the peddles from high to low positions results
in rotation of the wheel as described in FIG. 1. The wheel (270) is
connected to an adjustable brake pad designed to adjust tension on
the wheel. The adjustable break pad (350) is attached to first and
second adjustment brake pad cables lever (360,370) located on waist
high support bars (230,240). The cables can be attached to a lever
for manual adjustment or a solenoid type device (not shown) that
can be programmed to alternate tension on the cables which in turn
alternate tension on the adjustable brake pads. Alternating tension
on the wheel via the adjustable brake pad can allow a user to
alternate between a cardiac workout and a strength endurance
workout.
[0161] FIG. 3 shows a side view of the seated vertical exercise
bike of the present invention. The seated exercise vertical bike
(400) like FIGS. 1 and 2 described above comprises an overhead bar
(410) and a waist high support bar (460) in communication with the
frame (470). The frame (470) continues and connects to the floor
stand for the frame (490). Unlike FIGS. 1 and 2 the overhead bar
(400) further comprises an adjustable overhead bar collar (420)
having a quick adjustment release lever (430). The quick adjustment
release lever (430) is used to adjust the length and height of the
overhead support bar according to the users needs. In addition,
FIG. 3 also shows an adjustable waist high bar collar (440) having
a quick adjustment release lever (450). The quick adjustment
release lever (450) is used to adjust the length and height of the
waist high support bar according to the users needs.
[0162] The peddling portion of the seated vertical exercise bike of
the present invention comprises a wheel (530) having an axle (480)
as well as spokes for support. Attached to the axle (480) of wheel
(530) is a first peddle riser (510) on one side of the wheel (530)
and a second peddle riser (560) attached to the opposite side of
the axle (480). The first and second risers are both attached to
the axle (480) at one end and to the peddles at the other. The
first peddle riser (520) is attached to a first peddle (510) and
the second peddle riser (560) is attached to a second peddle (570).
The first and second peddles/risers are positioned so that when one
peddle is at its highest point the second peddle is at its lowest.
This allows a person to alternate downward pressure on one peddle
causing the other peddle to rise. Repeating this process allows the
wheel (530) to rotate.
[0163] Also attached to the wheel (530) and/or axle (480) is a seat
(550) that is further attached to an adjustable seat support (540).
The adjustable seat support (540) comprises a quick release for the
seat (550) that can be used to adjust the height of the seat
according to the user.
[0164] FIG. 3 also shows an exercise bike that comprises a
recordable/programmable computer-processing unit (CPU) (620). The
recordable/programmable CPU can be used to record heart rates,
exercise routines, calories burned, or any other data the user may
require during his or hers workout. The CPU can also be attached to
the adjustable brake pad and can either increase or decrease
tension on the wheel (530) either making it harder or easier for
the user to peddle the wheel. Different exercise programs can be
selected by the user so as to provide different types of workouts.
The CPU can also be used to calculate body fat, muscle density and
the like.
[0165] FIG. 4 shows a posterior view of the seated vertical bike of
the invention (700). The seated vertical bike of the invention
(700) shows all of the components in FIG. 3 in a left and right
orientation.
[0166] FIG. 5 shows a posterior view of an overhead/waist high
support bar conversion kit of the present invention (1100). The
conversion kit of the present invention is designed to transform a
standard/conventional exercise bike into a vertical exercise bike
of the present invention. Exercise bikes can be expensive and the
user can become accustomed to using a specific machine. In these
cases the conversion kit can be used to transform a standard
exercise bike into a vertical bike of the present invention for
less than what it would cost to purchase a complete vertical
exercise bike. In addition, a user can not only save money using
the kit of the present invention but can also continue to use his
or her favorite standard exercise bike with the additional benefits
of the vertical bike of the present invention.
[0167] The conversion kit comprises a first adjustable overhead
support bar (1110), a second adjustable overhead support bar
(1120), a first adjustable waist high support bar (1130) and a
second adjustable waist high support bar (1140). The first
adjustable overhead support bar (1110) comprises a first adjustable
overhead collar (1160) and the second adjustable waist high support
bar (1140) comprises a second adjustable waist high collar (1150).
The first and second adjustable overhead collars (1150, 1160)
comprises a first and second quick release (1170, 1180)
respectively that can be used to adjust the height of the overhead
support bars and the waist high support bars according to the user
height.
[0168] Different conventional exercise bikes can have different
widths. In order for the conversion kit of the present invention to
accommodate as many different models of conventional exercise bikes
as possible the kit comprises an adjustable cross bar (1180) having
an adjustable collar (1190). The adjustable cross bar (1180) can be
adjusted by using a quick release (1200) located on the adjustable
collar (1190). By extending and retracting the cross bar (1180) the
distance between the first and second frames (1240, 1260) can be
adjusted to fit almost any size conventional exercise bike.
[0169] The conversion kit also comprises a first adjustable bike
attachment (1270) and a second adjustable bike attachment (1280).
The first adjustable bike attachment (1270) comprises a first
adjustable bike attachment clamp (1290) and a first adjustable bike
attachment clamp collar (1340). The second adjustable bike
attachment (1280) comprises a second adjustable bike attachment
clamp (1310) and a second adjustable bike attachment clamp collar.
Both the first and second adjustable bike attachments are equipped
with quick releases (1320, 1330). The quick releases can be used to
increase or decrease the distance between the first and second
frame sections. Once adjusted to the desired distance between the
first and second frames the first and second adjustable bike
attachment clamps can be attached to some portion of the
conventional exercise bike so as to anchor the bike in place. One
portion of the conventional bike that can be used to for attachment
on the conventional bike is each end of the axle.
[0170] Once the adjustable bike attachment clamps and the cross bar
is adjusted to the necessary width and the conventional bike is
anchored in place the user can enjoy all of the benefits of a
vertical exercise bike of the present invention. In other words,
with the first stand balance support (1350) and the second stand
balance support (1360) providing support for the weight of the
user, the user can use his or her own body weight for
endurance/strength training. In addition the user can use the
weight-bearing waist high support bars to lift the user's weight
off of the peddles so as to allow for enhanced speed cycling. This
type of speed cycling provides for an enhanced cardiac workout. The
kit may also include instructions (1370) and assembly tools
(1380).
[0171] In another embodiment of the conversion kit for a stationary
exercise bike of the present invention, the kit comprises a single
frame with a set distance between both support bars wherein the
frame has a unshaped base. The u-shaped base provides support for
the frame as it comes in communication with the floor. A
nonadjustable cross bar is attached to the frame that provides
additional support to the device. The frame also contains at least
one attachment clamp that is designed to attach to the conventional
stationary bike so as to transform it into the vertical exercise
bike of the present invention. The attachment clamp is secured to
the frame by an adjustable attachment that can be adjusted to
attach to the stationary bike.
[0172] The embodiments described above can be constructed of
extruded steel, metal alloy, synthetic plastics, molded
poly-plastics, and the like according to standard manufacturing
procedures used to produce weight bearing products. The device of
the present invention can be produced as several components that
need to assemble or can be produced as a single unit. Shipping
requirements as well cost considerations are two key factors that
are used to determine how the device of the present invention is
manufactured. In other words, a person skilled in the art of
manufacturing armed with the present disclosure would be able to
manufacture the device as a single unit or as components that need
to be assembled before use.
[0173] While the invention has been illustrated and described with
respect to specific illustrative embodiments and modes of practice,
it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various
modifications and improvements may be made without departing from
the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the invention
is not to be limited by the illustrative embodiment and modes of
practice.
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