U.S. patent application number 14/718779 was filed with the patent office on 2015-11-26 for aquatic exercise cycle.
The applicant listed for this patent is Aqua Creek Products LLC. Invention is credited to Evan Francis, James Rigby, Scott Shakespeare, Daniel Sullivan.
Application Number | 20150335936 14/718779 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54555316 |
Filed Date | 2015-11-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150335936 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Shakespeare; Scott ; et
al. |
November 26, 2015 |
Aquatic Exercise Cycle
Abstract
An underwater exercise cycle that improves on existing designs
through the use of a compact flywheel transmission with adjustable
resistance. The invention allows for smooth and continuous pedaling
across a range of distinct levels of resistance, thereby enhancing
comfort, low-impact, and effectiveness of aquatic exercise.
Inventors: |
Shakespeare; Scott;
(Frenchtown, MT) ; Rigby; James; (Missoula,
MT) ; Sullivan; Daniel; (Missoula, MT) ;
Francis; Evan; (Missoula, MT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Aqua Creek Products LLC |
Missoula |
MT |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
54555316 |
Appl. No.: |
14/718779 |
Filed: |
May 21, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62001290 |
May 21, 2014 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
482/58 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2225/09 20130101;
A63B 21/225 20130101; A63B 21/00069 20130101; A63B 21/015 20130101;
A63B 2208/03 20130101; A63B 2210/50 20130101; A63B 22/0664
20130101; A63B 21/15 20130101; A63B 22/0605 20130101; A63B 21/00076
20130101; A63B 22/02 20130101; A63B 2225/60 20130101; A63B 21/0084
20130101 |
International
Class: |
A63B 21/008 20060101
A63B021/008; A63B 22/06 20060101 A63B022/06; A63B 23/04 20060101
A63B023/04; A63B 21/00 20060101 A63B021/00 |
Claims
1. An aquatic exercise cycle comprising: a stationary cycle frame;
an adjustable seat post; a seat; handlebars; pedals mounted to the
frame for rotation of a transmission; a flywheel transmission
coupled to the pedals; and a flywheel tensioning means.
2. The aquatic exercise cycle according to claim 1, wherein the
flywheel tensioning means provides variable pedal resistance;
3. The aquatic exercise cycle according to claim 1, wherein the
flywheel transmission comprises: a drive shaft rigidly connected to
a main gear; a second shaft parallel to the drive shaft; a
secondary gear rigidly connected to the second shaft, comprising of
two integrated gears of different diameters; a flywheel with an
integrated gear that is freely mounted on the drive shaft to allow
rotation independently from the main gear; wherein the smaller gear
of the secondary gear meshes with the main gear on the drive shaft
and the larger gear of the secondary gear meshes with the flywheel
gear.
4. The aquatic exercise cycle according to claim 2 wherein the
tensioning means comprises: a tension belt for placement around the
flywheel; a floating tension pulley positioned between the tension
belt and the flywheel; a tension bar with a first and second end
and placed within a tension adjustment sleeve rigidly fixed to the
cycle frame, said first end connected to the floating tension
pulley; a tension adjustment rod connected to the second end of the
tension bar linking it to tension adjustment knob rigidly mounted
to the cycle frame; whereby the tension adjustment knob is used to
pull or push the floating tension pulley thereby adjusting the
tension of the belt around the flywheel.
5. The aquatic exercise cycle according to claim 4, wherein the
tension adjustment knob utilizes a detent mechanism to allow
multiple preset levels of tension with less than 1/3 of a
revolution of the tension adjustment knob.
6. The aquatic exercise cycle according to claim 4, wherein the
flywheel contains a groove to hold the tensioning belt in
position.
7. The aquatic exercise cycle according to claim 6, further
comprising a fixed tension pulley attached to the frame and placed
between the tension belt and the flywheel, in conjunction with the
floating pulley.
8. The aquatic exercise cycle according to claim 1, wherein the
flywheel tensioning means utilizes one or more fixed tension
pulleys; a tension belt for placement around the fixed tension
pulley(s) and the flywheel, whereby the flywheel transmission
provides fixed pedal resistance.
9. The aquatic exercise cycle according to claim 8, wherein the
flywheel contains a groove to hold the tensioning belt in
position.
10. The aquatic exercise cycle according to claim 1, wherein the
cycle frame is foldable.
11. The aquatic exercise cycle according to claim 1, wherein side
handlebars and a back rest are rigidly attached to the adjustable
seat post, which allows users to sit upright with their legs out in
front of them.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 62/001,290, filed May 21, 2014, the disclosure of
which is incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to an underwater (aquatic)
exercise cycle with an improved transmission that provides either
fixed or adjustable smooth pedal resistance, that is not dependant
on water resistance like common aquatic exercise cycles.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Underwater cycling is becoming more popular as a tool for
exercise and rehabilitation. The benefits of underwater workouts
are well known and can be less stressful alternatives to
traditional workouts. People may be averse to traditional workout
methods due to age, joint problems, or mobility issues. While
swimming in water is known to be a great low-impact exercise, not
everyone can swim. Therefore, riding an exercise cycle in a pool is
an excellent alternative because one can receive
workout/rehabilitation benefits, but with the lower stress of
moving in water. Health care providers often recommend aquatic
physical therapy because it allows one to move more freely with
decreased pain. Water has a therapeutic effect on muscles allowing
them to relax and increase flexibility. Also warm water increases
blood flow, which enables faster healing.
[0004] Existing underwater exercise cycles use water resistance.
While water resistance may be effective in achieving a desired
workout, variations of resistance is limited.
[0005] Additionally, water resistance can cause less smooth
pedaling due to a lack of a flywheel/inertia, which is undesirable
for the goal of lowering any impact involved in the exercise.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] It is an objective of the present invention to provide an
easy to use underwater exercise cycle that incorporates a flywheel
transmission with either fixed tension, or with manual tensioning
means to provide for improved underwater exercise/rehabilitation
that allows the user to experience smoother and more continuous
rotation with multiple distinct levels of resistance.
[0007] One embodiment of the invention comprises a foldable cycle
frame with a an adjustable seat, handlebars, pedals attached to a
drive gear affixed to a drive shaft, a flywheel having an
integrated gear that rotates independently on the same drive shaft,
a separate secondary gear having two gears of different diameters
attached to a second shaft, which is parallel to the drive shaft,
in which the smaller secondary gear meshes with the drive gear and
the larger secondary gear meshes with the flywheel gear to obtain a
fixed ratio of pedal rotation to flywheel rotation, and further
comprising a flywheel tensioning means that allows the user to
easily and quickly select various levels of pedal effort while in
motion.
[0008] Another embodiment of the invention comprises an underwater
exercise cycle using a compact flywheel transmission with fixed
resistance.
[0009] Yet another embodiment of the invention comprises a
semi-recumbent attachment that provides side handlebars and a
backrest, which allows the user to sit upright with the back
supported.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention showing a
foldable bike frame with a direct gear flywheel transmission with a
tensioning means to adjust frictional forces applied to the
flywheel. FIG. 2 is a close-up perspective view of the flywheel
transmission and tensioning means. FIG. 3 shows a "semi-recumbent"
version of the cycle.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0011] An aquatic exercise cycle, transmission and tensioning means
are shown generally in FIGS. 1 and 2. The aquatic exercise cycle
comprises a stainless steel folding frame 1, 2 including an
adjustable seat 3, a handlebar 4, a crank and gear multiplier 5, 6,
an energy storage device in the form of a flywheel 7, a resistance
system 8 with a resistance adjustment mechanism 9, and with
integrated wheels for transportation 10. Alternatively, the folding
frame 1, 2 could be made from plastic, composite or any other
suitable material for an aquatic environment. Additionally, the
handlebar 4, could be made adjustable. The gear multiplier 6 is
made from multiple plastic and corrosion-resistant metal components
such, which are compatible with the aquatic environment.
Alternatively the gear multiplier 6 could be made from multiple
ceramic, composite or other components of suitable materials. The
resistance system 8 incorporates a belt and tensioners to
mechanically adjust the level of resistance at the crank. The
resistance is adjustable through multiple discreet settings,
selected with the tension-adjustment knob 11.
[0012] The crank and gear multiplier 5, 6 comprises a stainless
steel drive shaft 12 rigidly connected to the main gear 13, which
drives the secondary gear 14, which rotates on its own secondary
shaft 15. The secondary gear 14 comprises two integrated gears of
different diameters 16, 17; the smaller gear 17 driven by the main
gear 13 turns the larger secondary gear 16. The larger secondary
gear 16 drives a small gear integrated to the flywheel 7, driving
(spinning) the flywheel at a fixed ratio. The flywheel and
integrated gear 7 spin freely on the drive shaft 12.
[0013] The resistance system 8 comprises a tension belt 18, a fixed
tension pulley 19, a floating tension pulley 20, a tension bar 21,
a tension adjustment rod 22 and a tension adjustment sleeve 23. The
tension belt 18 fits in a groove in the flywheel 7 and also over
grooves in the fixed 19 and floating 20 tension pulleys. The
floating tension pulley 20 is connected to the tension bar 21. The
fixed tension pulley 19 rotates on a shaft connected to the main
frame 2. Alternatively, the tension pulleys 19, 20 could be both
fixed or floating. The tension bar 21 slides up-down through the
tension adjustment sleeve 23, which is rigidly attached to the main
frame 2. The tension adjustment rod 22 rigidly connects the tension
bar 21 to the tension adjust knob 11. Alternatively, the tension
adjustment rod 22, could be made from a flexible cable, instead of
a rigid component. Turning the tension adjust knob 11 pulls on the
tension adjust rod 22, which pulls on the tension bar 21, which in
turn pulls the floating tension pulley 20 up and increases the
tension on the tension belt 18. The resistance adjustment mechanism
9 consists of a tension-adjust rod 22, an upper 24 and lower 25
housing, an index-ring 26, an outer 27 and inner 28 hub, two (2)
compression springs 29, two (2) steel balls 30, and a shaft 31. The
tension-adjust rod 22 connects to the tension-adjust inner hub 28.
The inner hub 28 turns with the outer-hub 27. The outer-hub 27 has
a shaft with square-flat sides, which couple to the tension-adjust
knob 11 and the index-ring 26. The upper-housing 24 has two holes
for the tension-adjust springs 29 and the steel balls 30. The
index-ring 26 sits on top of the spring-compressed steel balls 30
and has a series of hole-perforations which the steel balls 30
engage, resulting in discreet tension settings. Alternatively, the
steel balls 30 could be made from plastic, ceramic, or other
suitable material and the number of balls (2) could be less or
more, depending on what is required to sufficiently keep the
tension-adjust knob in its set position. When the tension-adjust
knob 11 is rotated it rotates the index-ring 26, the outer-hub 27
and the inner-hub 28. As the inner-hub rotates it pulls on the
tension-adjust rod 22 increasing tension on the tension-belt 18.
The index-ring 26 rotates until the steel balls 30 fit into the
next hole-perforation, held in place by the force of the
tension-adjust springs 29 for each tension setting. The rotating
parts rotate on the tension-adjust shaft 31. The tension-adjust
shaft 31 has a shaped, splined or tapered end that fits into the
lower tension-adjust housing 25 preventing the shaft from
rotating.
[0014] FIG. 3 shows a "semi-recumbent" version of the aquatic
exercise cycle. This option includes side-side handlebars 32 and a
backrest 33. This optional assembly converts the
conventional-styled aquatic exercise cycle from a conventional to a
semi-recumbent style.
[0015] The present invention has been described with reference to
preferred embodiments, however those skilled in the art may
recognize that changes may be made without deviating from the scope
of the present invention. Further the flywheel transmission and
tensioner may be used by other exercise devices such as treadmills,
elliptical trainers, etc.
* * * * *