SUPPORT DEVICE FOR BICYCLE FRONT WHEEL

Abstract

A support device for a bicycle includes a support structure, a fixing group supported on the support structure and a movable element and a retention element configured to retain the front fork of the bicycle. The support device further includes a raising/lowering device of the fixing group, the retention element is translatable jointly with the movable element, and the retention element is rotatably connected to the movable element.

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 support surface (S), a fixing group (2) which is supported on said support structure (1) and which comprises a movable element (21) and a retention element (20) which is configured to retain the front fork (201) so as to define a locking axis (B) for the fork (201), the support device (100) further comprising a raising/lowering device (3) for said fixing group (2) which is configured so as to move said movable element (20) in a vertical direction (V), said retention element (20) being translatable jointly with the movable element (21), said retention element (20) being rotatably connected to said movable element (21).

2. The support device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the locking axis (B) of the fork (201) coincides with a front wheel axle (X) of the bicycle (200) when the fork (201) is fixed to said fixing group (2).

3. The support device (100) according to claim 1, wherein said retention element (20) is rotatable with respect to said movable element (21) with respect to a main axis (51) perpendicular to said locking axis (B), said main axis (51) preferably being substantially vertical.

4. The support device (100) according to claim 3, further comprising angular detection means (23) which are configured to detect an angular position of said retention element about said main axis (51).

5. The support device (100) according to claim 4, wherein said retention element (20) is rotatable with respect to said movable element (21) with respect to a secondary axis (S2) perpendicular to said locking axis (B) and said main axis (S1), said secondary axis (S2) preferably being substantially horizontal.

6. The support device (100) according to claim 5, wherein said fixing group (2) comprises a pin (24) which is connected to said movable element and which extends along said secondary axis (S2) and which supports a cradle (25), to which an additional pin (26) is rotatably connected, which supports a support arm (29) to which said retention element (20) is connected.

7. The support device (100) according to claim 6, wherein the additional pin (26) supports a magnetic element (27) which is configured so as to be detected by said angular detection means (23).

8. The support device (100) according to claim 1, wherein said retention element (20) is translatable along said locking axis (B).

9. The support device (100) according to claim 8, comprising resilient return means (20A) which are configured to return said retention element (20) to a rest position, preferably to a central position with respect to extreme end-of-travel positions of a translation movement along said locking axis (B).

10. The support device (100) according to claim 1, wherein said raising/lowering device (3) comprises a guide element (30) with a vertical development.

11. The support device (100) according to claim 10, wherein the guide element (30) is secured to said support structure (1) so as to be able to oscillate with respect to said support structure (1) about an axis which is substantially parallel to said locking axis (B).

12. The support device (100) according to claim 1, further comprising connection means (4) which are configured to slidably 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 in a compensation direction (C) which is transverse to said vertical direction (V).

13. The support device (100) according to claim 12, wherein said connection means (4) comprise a pair of rails (41) with respective sliders (42) which may slide in said rails (41), and wherein said support structure (1) comprises said sliders (42) and said raising/lowering device (3) comprises said rails (41), or said support structure (1) comprises said rails (41) and said raising/lowering device (3) comprises said sliders (42).

14. The support device (100) according to claim 13, wherein said connection means (4) comprise a return element (43) which is configured so as to urge said raising/lowering device (3) into an intermediate position in said compensation direction (C) between respective limit positions.

15. The support device (100) according to claim 1, wherein said translational movement means (3) comprise actuation means (5) of said fixing group (2) which are configured to move in translation said fixing group (2) in the vertical direction (V), said actuation means (5) comprising a screw (51) and an internally threaded bush (52), said fixing group (2) being connected to said internally threaded bush (52).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0050] These features and the advantages associated therewith will also be more evident 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 wherein:

[0051] FIG. 1 is a side view of a support device according to this invention when used for bicycle training in association with a bicycle roller;

[0052] FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of the support device of this invention, partially in section;

[0053] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the support device in FIG. 1;

[0054] FIGS. 4, 4A and 4B are a side view from above and respective cross sections and longitudinal sections of the support device of FIG. 1;

[0055] FIG. 5 is a top view of the support device in FIG. 1;

[0056] FIG. 6 is a perspective view, in detail and partially in section, of the support device of FIG. 1; and

[0057] FIGS. 7A and 7B are two perspective views, front and rear respectively, of a variant embodiment of the support device of this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0058] Referring initially to FIG. 1, a bicycle front wheel support device 200 is indicated as a whole with the reference number 100.

[0059] The support device 100 of this invention may be used advantageously in conjunction with a training device 300, for example a roller or trainer, comprising a support 301 by means of which the bicycle may be supported at its rear wheel axle XP. The training device 300 is configured in such a way as to allow pedaling to be simulated.

[0060] For this object, 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 sprockets on which the chain meshes or by means of a roller driven by friction from the tire of the rear wheel. In other words, the device of this invention may form a training kit together with a device 300 or other similar system.

[0061] As may be seen from the figure, during training, the fork 201 of the bicycle is fixed to the support device 100 in the manner described in more detail below.

[0062] Referring now also to FIG. 2, the support device 100 comprises a support structure 1 intended to be supported against a substantially flat support surface S, for example the floor of a room in which the training is carried out.

[0063] Still in reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the support device 100 further comprises a fixing group 2 configured to retain the front fork 201.

[0064] As illustrated in FIG. 3, in some embodiments the fixing group 2 may comprise a retention element 20 configured to define a locking axis B of the fork 201.

[0065] Preferably, the retention element 20 comprises a first and a second locking element 22A, 22B, visible in FIG. 5, each configured to lock a respective arm of the fork 201.

[0066] The locking elements 22A, 22B may for example be made in the form of pins, or a tube into which a quick-release screw is inserted, in such a way as to define a fixing structure similar to that defined by the ends of a common bicycle wheel hub.

[0067] It will therefore be appreciated that when the fork 201 is attached to the fixing group 2, the locking axis B coincides with the front wheel axle X of the bicycle 200.

[0068] Referring again to FIGS. 2 and 3, the support device 1 comprises a raising/lowering device 3 of the fixing group 2 which includes a guide element 30 preferably in the form of an elongated column.

[0069] In certain embodiments, a movable element 21 of the fixing group 2 may slide on the guide element 30 in such a way as to allow movements in the vertical direction V of the fixing group 2 and, in particular, of the retention element 20.

[0070] 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.

[0071] Referring now to FIG. 2, the movement of the fixing group 2 in the vertical direction takes place via special actuation means 5, shown in greater detail in an illustrative embodiment in FIG. 6.

[0072] Preferably said actuation means 5 comprise a screw 51 and an internally threaded bush 52. The screw is driven in rotation about 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, the latter being shown in FIG. 2.

[0073] As may be seen in FIG. 6, the fixing group 2 is connected to the bush 52 and the rotation of the screw 51 determines the movement of the group 2 along the axis Z of the screw, said group 2 being slidably secured along the guide element 30. In this way, the vertical position of the fixing group 2, and thus of the front end of the bicycle, may be easily controlled via a control system, thus enabling optimal implementation of interactive training solutions.

[0074] In preferred embodiments, the actuation means 5 are housed within the column forming the guide element 30, with the motor 53 and the reducer 54 positioned at the base thereof.

[0075] Preferably, the actuation means 5 comprise an anti-rotation device 55 of the bush 52 with respect to the column guide element 30, so as to achieve the translation of the movable element 21 following the rotation of the screw 51. In some embodiments, the rotation device comprises slidable blocks 56 and corresponding seats 36 formed in the guide element 30.

[0076] With reference to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, the raising/lowering device 3 may comprise a support base 31, which preferably has a substantially rectangular shape.

[0077] The guide element 30 is advantageously connected to this support base 31 and extends vertically therefrom.

[0078] Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 6, according to another aspect of the invention the retention element 20 is rotatably connected to said movable element 21.

[0079] As schematically illustrated in FIG. 5, the connection of the retention element 20 on the fixing group 2 may be configured in such a way that the retention element 20 may rotate in such a way that the locking axis B forms a variable angle α with said compensation direction C. Preferably said angle α may be between 90° and 60°, wherein 90° corresponds to the straight position of the fork 201. In this way, rotations of the handlebars of approximately ±30° from a central position may be permitted.

[0080] As illustrated in the example of FIG. 6, in some embodiments the retention element 20 is rotatable with respect to said movable element 21 with respect to a main axis S1 perpendicular to the locking axis B. Preferably, the main axis S1 is substantially vertical.

[0081] According to another aspect, the retention element 20 is rotatable with respect to the movable element 21, also with respect to a secondary axis S2 perpendicular to the locking axis B and the main axis S1.

[0082] The secondary axis S2 is preferably substantially horizontal.

[0083] Advantageously, the retention element 20 is also movable along the locking axis B.

[0084] In some embodiments, resilient return means 20A are provided which are configured to return the retention element 20 to a rest position, preferably to a central position with respect to extreme end-of-travel positions.

[0085] Preferably, the rotation of the retention element 20 may be obtained by means of a pin 24 connected to the movable element 21 and extending along the secondary axis S2.

[0086] A cradle 25 may be supported on the pin, on which an additional pin 26 is rotatably connected, which in turn supports a support arm 29 to which the retention element 20 is connected.

[0087] The retention element 29 may then be slidably connected to the support arm 29 in such a way as to allow translations along the locking axis B.

[0088] In some embodiments, the support device comprises angular detection means 23, illustrated schematically in FIG. 2, which are configured to detect an angular position of said retention element about said main axis S1 in such a way that the rotation of the fork, and thus the handlebar, may be detected during training.

[0089] The angular detection means 23 may be fixed on the cradle 25, for example using the seats 25A illustrated in FIG. 6, and may be placed in an overlying position at one end of the additional pin 26.

[0090] In some embodiments, the pin 26 supports a magnetic element 27 configured in such a way as to be detected by the angular detection means 23. The magnetic element 27 may be advantageously located at a longitudinal end of said additional pin 26.

[0091] In order to obtain a compact structure, a through-slot 28 in the pin 25 may be provided through which the additional pin 26 extends.

[0092] According to an aspect of the invention, the support base is connected to the support structure 1 by means of special connection means 4 which allow the base 31 to slide with respect to the support structure 1 along a compensation direction C, which is perpendicular to the vertical direction V.

[0093] 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 4 may also be configured differently, provided that they are suitable to secure the fixing group 2 to the support structure 1 in such a way as to allow movements of the group 2 along the compensation direction C. Said movement may occur either by translation or by rotation, for example by providing a hinge axis Y of the guide element 30 with respect to the support structure 1, in such a way that the guide element may oscillate with respect to the support structure about an axis substantially parallel to the locking axis B, such as for example illustrated in the embodiment of FIGS. 7A and 7B. Other suitable solutions for obtaining the compensation may, for example, be obtained by suitably shaping the support structure 1 so that it rests on the ground on a curved surface which allows the support device 100 to always swing about an axis substantially parallel to the locking axis B.

[0094] As may be seen in FIG. 1, the movements of the fixing group 2 along the compensation direction C allow the locking axis B to be moved closer to or further away from the training device 300. In this way, the correct distance between the training device 300 and the support device 100 may be maintained by following the inclination of the bicycle about its rear axle.

[0095] 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, about the rear axle XP. This prevents scraping between the bicycle 200 and the training device 300 at the locking zone when tilting up or down.

[0096] It will also be appreciated that although in the example embodiment shown in the figure the compensation direction substantially coincides with a horizontal direction parallel to the longitudinal development of the bicycle, embodiments may be envisaged in which the compensation direction C is inclined with respect to these directions, provided that it is not parallel to the vertical axis and the rear axis of the bicycle.

[0097] It is preferable, however, for the compensation direction C to be substantially parallel to the direction of longitudinal development of the support structure 1.

[0098] With reference now also to FIGS. 4A and 4B, a possible implementation of connection means 4 will be described.

[0099] 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.

[0100] In some embodiments, the rails 41 are formed in the support structure 1 while the sliders 42 are supported on the raising/lowering device 3. However, it is evident that the opposite solution may also be envisaged.

[0101] Preferably, the sliders 42 are in the form of slidable rods in said rails 41.

[0102] 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. In addition, a return element 43 may be provided which is configured in such a way as to urge the raising/lowering device 3 to an intermediate position along said compensation direction C between respective limit positions.

[0103] It will therefore be appreciated that a support device made in this way may make it possible to simulate, in a training session, conditions for the front end of the bicycle that are particularly similar to those that occur during actual cycling practice. This may be desirable if, for example, it is necessary to simulate realistically both uphill and downhill travel and to simulate any lateral deviations with respect to a straight travel position.

[0104] At the same time, the bicycle is supported in a stable and secure manner, benefiting the safety and comfort of the user.