SUPPORT DEVICE FOR THE FRONT WHEEL OF A BICYCLE

Abstract

A support device for a bicycle includes a support structure, a fixing group supported on the support structure and also includes a movable element and a retention element configured to hold the front fork of the bicycle. The support device also includes a lifting/lowering device of the fixing group, in which the retention element is integral in translation with the movable element. The support device further includes connection means configured for slidingly fixing said fixing group to the support structure in such a way as to allow displacements of the fixing group with respect to the support structure along a compensation direction transverse to the vertical direction.

Claims

1. A support device (100) for a bicycle (200) including a front fork (201), said support device (100) comprising a support structure (1) which is configured to be supported on a substantially planar support surface (S), a fixing group (2) which is configured to retain the front fork (201) and which is supported on the support structure (1), a translation device (3) of said fixing group (2) which is configured so as to move said fixing group in a vertical direction (V), and connection means (4) which are configured to slidingly secure said fixing group (2) to said support structure (1) so as to allow movements of said fixing group (2) with respect to said support structure along a compensation direction (C) which is transverse to said vertical direction (V).

2. The support device (100) according to claim 1, wherein said translation device (3) comprises a guide element (30), which extends vertically.

3. The support device (100) according to claim 2, wherein said guide element (30) is in the form of an elongate column.

4. The support device (100) according to claim 3, wherein said translation device (3) comprises a support base (31), said guide element (30) being connected to said support base (31).

5. The support device (100) according to claim 1, wherein said connection means comprise a pair of rails (41) and respective sliders (42) which can slide in said rails (41), and wherein said support structure (1) comprises said rails (41) and said translation device (3) comprises said sliders (42), or said support structure (1) comprises said sliders (42) and said translation device (3) comprises said rails (41).

6. The support device (100) according to claim 5, wherein said sliders (42) comprise rollers (43), said rollers (43) rotatably connected to said support base (31) by means of pins (44).

7. The support device (100) according to claim 1, wherein said translational movement means (3) comprise an actuator (5) of said fixing group (2) which is configured to move said fixing group (2) in translation along said vertical direction (V).

8. The support device (100) according to claim 7, wherein said actuator (5) comprises a screw (51) and an internally threaded bush (52), said fixing group (2) being connected to said internally threaded bush (52).

9. The support device (100) according to claim 1, wherein said fixing group (2) comprises retention means (20) which are configured so as to define a locking axis (B) of the fork (201), which coincides with a front wheel axle (X) of the bicycle (200) when the fork (201) is fixed to said fixing group (2).

10. The support device (100) according to claim 9, wherein the retention means (20) comprise a first and a second locking element (21, 22), each locking element being configured so as to lock a respective arm of the fork (201), said locking elements (21, 22) being aligned along said locking axis (B).

11. The support device (100) according to claim 9, wherein said compensation direction is transverse to said locking axis (B).

12. The support device (100) according to claim 9, wherein said retention means (20) are rotatably supported on said fixing group (2) so as to allow limited rotations of said retention means (20) with respect to a rotation axis (S1) which is preferably parallel to said vertical direction (V), wherein said locking axis (B) preferably defines an angle (a) between 90° and 60° with said compensation direction (C).

13. The support device (100) according to claim 1, wherein said support structure (1) has an elongate form so as to define a longitudinal direction, said compensation direction (C) being substantially parallel to said longitudinal direction.

14. Use of a support device (100) according to claim 1 for cycle training, wherein the fork of the bicycle is fixed to said fixing member (2) in such a manner that the front wheel axle (X) of the bicycle (200) is transverse to said compensation direction (C).

15. A kit for cycle training comprising a support device (100) according to claim 1, and a training device (300) for a bicycle, the training device comprising a support for the rear axle (301) of the bicycle, said support device (100) and training device (300) being configured in such a manner that said compensation direction coincides with a longitudinal extension direction of the bicycle.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] These features and the advantages associated with them will become more apparent from the detailed description of some preferred embodiments of the invention, which will be illustrated, by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0040] FIG. 1 is a side view of a support device according to the present invention during use for cycling training in association with a bicycle roller;

[0041] FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of the support device of the present invention, partially in section;

[0042] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the support device of FIG. 1;

[0043] FIGS. 4, 4A and 4B are a side view from above and respective transverse and longitudinal sections of the support device of FIG. 1;

[0044] FIG. 5 is a top view of the support device of FIG. 1;

[0045] FIG. 6 is a perspective view, in detail and partially in section, of the support device of FIG. 1; and

[0046] FIGS. 7, 7A and 7B are top and side views of an alternate embodiment of the support device of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0047] With initial reference to FIG. 1, a support device for a bicycle front wheel 200 is indicated as a whole with the reference numeral 100.

[0048] The support device 100 of the present invention may be advantageously used in combination with a training device 300, for example a roller or a trainer, which comprises a support 301 through which the bicycle may be supported at its rear wheel axle. The training device 300 is configured in such a way as to allow simulation of pedaling.

[0049] For this purpose, the device 300 is advantageously provided with a brake, such as a magnetic, fan, hydraulic or electromechanical brake, to counteract the user's pedaling, which is transmitted either by one or more toothed pinions on which the chain meshes or by means of a roller driven by friction by the rear wheel tire. In other words, the device of the present invention may form a training kit together with a device 300 or other similar system.

[0050] As may be seen from the figure, during training the fork 201 of the bicycle is fixed to the support device 100, according to methods described in greater detail below.

[0051] With reference now also to FIG. 2, the support device 100 comprises a support structure 1 intended to be placed on a substantially flat support surface S, for example the floor of a room in which training is carried out.

[0052] Still with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the support device 100 further comprises a fixing group 2 configured to retain the front fork 201.

[0053] As illustrated in FIG. 3, in some embodiments the fixing group 2 may comprise retention means 20 configured in such a way as to define a locking axis B of the fork 201.

[0054] Preferably, the retention means 20 comprise a first and a second locking element 21, 22, each configured in such a way as to lock a respective arm of the fork 201.

[0055] The locking elements 21, 22 may for example be made in the form of pins, in such a way as to define a fixing structure similar to that defined by the ends of a common bicycle wheel hub.

[0056] It will therefore be appreciated that when the fork 201 is fixed to the fixing group 2, the locking axis B coincides with the front wheel axis X of the bicycle 200.

[0057] With reference again to FIG. 2, the support device 1 comprises a translation device 3 of the fixing group 2 which includes a guide element 30 preferably in the shape of an elongated column.

[0058] In some embodiments, the fixing group 2 may slide on the guide element 30 in such a way as to allow displacements in the vertical direction V of the fixing group 2 and, in particular, of the retention means.

[0059] In this way, the front end of the bicycle 200 may be raised or lowered, allowing it to be placed during training in a position similar to that which occurs on an uphill or downhill road.

[0060] With reference now also to FIGS. 2 and 6, the movement of the fixing group 2 in the vertical direction takes place by means of suitable actuator 5.

[0061] Preferably, these actuation means 5 comprise a screw 51 and an internally threaded bush 52. The screw is rotated around an axis Z preferably coinciding with the vertical axis V, by means of an electric motor 53 which may be associated with a reducer 54.

[0062] The fixing group 2 is connected to the internally threaded bush 52 and the rotation of the screw 51 determines the displacement of the group 2 along the axis Z of the screw, the group 2 being itself slidingly constrained along the guide element 30.

[0063] In this way, the vertical position of the fixing group 2, and therefore of the front of the bicycle, may be easily controlled by means of a control system, thus allowing the optimal implementation of interactive training solutions.

[0064] In preferred embodiments, the actuation means 5 are housed inside the column which forms the guide element 30, with the motor 53 and the reducer 54 positioned at the base thereof.

[0065] Preferably, the actuation means 5 comprise an anti-rotation device 55 of the bush 52 with respect to the column guide element 30, in such a way as to obtain the translation of the movable element 21 following the rotation of the screw 51. In some embodiments, the rotation device comprises sliding shoes 56 sliding into relative seats 36 formed in the guide element 30.

[0066] With reference again to FIG. 2, the translation device 3 may comprise a support base 31, which preferably has a substantially rectangular shape.

[0067] The guide element 30 is advantageously connected to this support base 31 and extends vertically therefrom.

[0068] According to an aspect of the invention, the support base is connected to the support structure 1 by means of suitable connection means 4 which allow the sliding of the base 31 with respect to the support structure 1 along a compensation direction C perpendicular to the vertical direction V.

[0069] It will be appreciated that the sliding of the base 31 determines a corresponding sliding of the fixing group 2 and, more generally, the connection means may also be configured differently, as long as they are suitable for slidingly constraining the fixing group 2 to the support structure 1 in such a way as to allow displacements of the group 2 along the compensation direction C.

[0070] As may be seen from FIG. 1, the displacements of the fixing group 2 along the compensation direction C allow the locking axis B to be brought closer/further away with respect to the training device 300. In this way, the correct distance between the training device 300 and the support device 100 may therefore be maintained following the inclination of the bicycle around its rear axle XP.

[0071] In some embodiments, the bicycle 200 may be fixed to the training device 300 in such a way that it may rotate, as a whole, around the rear axle XP. This allows for avoiding sliding at the locking zone between the bicycle 200 and the training device 300 during upward or downward inclination.

[0072] It will also be appreciated that although in the embodiment shown in the figure the compensation direction substantially coincides with a horizontal direction parallel to the longitudinal extension of the bicycle, embodiments may be provided in which the compensation direction C is inclined with respect to these directions, provided it is not parallel to the vertical axis and the rear axis of the bicycle.

[0073] However, it is preferable that the compensation direction C is substantially parallel to the longitudinal extension direction of the support structure 1.

[0074] With reference now also to FIGS. 4A and 4B, a possible implementation of the connection means 4 will be described.

[0075] In particular, in preferred embodiments the connection means may comprise a pair of rails 41 and respective sliders 42. Preferably there are two pairs of rails and respective sliders, formed at transversely opposite ends of the device 100.

[0076] In some embodiments, the rails 41 are formed in the support structure 1 while the sliders 42 are supported on the lifting/lowering device 3. However, it is clear that the opposite solution may also be contemplated.

[0077] Preferably, the sliders 42 are in the form of rods sliding in said rails 41.

[0078] In some embodiments, each of the rails 41 may comprise a first and a second portion 41A, 41B arranged at opposite ends of the support structure 1 along the compensation direction C. A return element 43 may also be provided, configured in such a way as to urge the lifting/lowering device 3 in an intermediate position along said compensation direction C between respective limit positions.

[0079] In alternative embodiments, illustrated for example in FIGS. 7, 7A and 7B, the sliders 42 may comprise rollers 43, sliding in said rails 41. Preferably there are two pairs of rails and respective sliders, formed at longitudinally opposite ends of the device 100.

[0080] The rollers 43 may, for example, be rotatably connected to the support base 31 by means of pins 44. In this case, the rails 41 advantageously comprise windows 45 through which the pins 44 pass.

[0081] The rollers 43 may therefore slide inside the rails 41 allowing a sliding connection between the support structure 1 and the base 31 or, more generally, between the support structure 1 and the fixing group 2.

[0082] With reference again to FIG. 3, according to another aspect of the invention, the retention means 20 may be rotatably supported on the fixing group 2 in such a way as to allow limited rotations of the retention means 20 with respect to an axis of rotation S1, preferably parallel to said vertical direction V.

[0083] As illustrated in FIG. 6, according to another aspect the retention element 20 may be rotatable with respect to the movable element 21, also with respect to a secondary axis S2 perpendicular to the locking axis B and to the main axis S1. The secondary axis S2 is preferably substantially horizontal.

[0084] Advantageously, the retention element 20 may also be translatable along the locking axis B.

[0085] As shown schematically in FIG. 5, the connection of the retention means 20 on the fixing group 2 may be configured in such a way that the retention means 20 may rotate so that the locking axis B forms a variable angle α with said compensation direction C. Preferably, such angle α may be comprised between 90° and 60°, where 90° corresponds to the straight position of the fork 201. In this way, handlebar rotations of approximately ±30° with respect to its central position may be allowed.

[0086] It will therefore be appreciated that a support device thus made may allow for simulating, in a training session, conditions for the front of the bicycle particularly similar to those which occur during the actual cycling practice. This may be desirable, for example, in the case in which it is desired to simulate in a realistic manner the upward or downward progress.

[0087] At the same time, the bicycle is supported in a stable and safe manner, for the benefit of the user's safety and comfort.

[0088] In addition, the ability to rotate the handlebar, also in combination with the upward and downward action of the front axle, helps to bring the training experience even closer to the real one.