Universal screen stand for stationary exercise machines

Abstract

A screen stand to retrofit onto a stationary exercise machine using existing bolts on the stationary exercise machine. The screen stand has a hollow top mast slidably received within a hollow bottom mast. The bottom mast has a first anchor to attach to the pop pin of the stationary bicycle. There is a second anchor that attaches to the front stabilizer bar of the stationary bicycle.

Claims

1. A screen stand configured to secure onto a stationary exercise machine, the screen stand comprising: a mast; a mounting bracket to which a monitor can be attached to, said mounting bracket is disposed near a top end of the mast; a first anchor coupled to the mast, the first anchor has a first attachment point to attach to the stationary exercise machine; a second anchor coupled to the mast at a location below the first anchor, the second anchor has a second attachment point to attach to the stationary exercise machine, and wherein when the second attachment point is attached to the stationary exercise machine, the screen stand does not make physical contact with a ground.

2. The screen stand as recited in claim 1, wherein the mast includes a top mast and a bottom mast, said top mast slidably attaches to the bottom mast thereby allowing the mast to change its length.

3. The screen stand as recited in claim 1, wherein the mounting bracket is attached to the mast via a joint, and the joint provides a pivoting and/or swiveling movement for the mounting bracket relative to the mast.

4. The screen stand as recited in claim 3, wherein the mast has a hollow interior.

5. The screen stand as recited in claim 4 further comprising a cable and/or a power cord pre-assembled within the hollow interior of the mast.

6. The screen stand as recited in claim 5, wherein a top terminal end and a bottom terminal end of the cable and/or power cord are respectively extended through a top opening and a bottom opening of the mast.

7. The screen stand as recited in claim 6 further comprising a connector coupled to the bottom terminal end of the cable and/or power cord, wherein the connector allows electrical extension coupling to another cable and/or another power cord.

8. The screen stand as recited in claim 1, wherein the first attachment point is attached to a pop pin of the stationary exercise machine.

9. The screen stand as recited in claim 1, wherein the second attachment point is attached to a stabilizer bar of the stationary exercise machine.

10. The screen stand as recited in claim 1, wherein the stationary exercise machine is a stationary bike.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) It should be noted that the drawing figures may be in simplified form and might not be to precise scale. In reference to the disclosure herein, for purposes of convenience and clarity only, directional terms such as top, bottom, left, right, up, down, over, above, below, beneath, rear, front, distal, and proximal are used with respect to the accompanying drawings. Such directional terms should not be construed to limit the scope of the embodiment in any manner.

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a contemplated screen stand having an electronic display mounted thereon, according to one aspect of the embodiments.

(3) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a contemplated screen stand having an electronic display mounted thereon, wherein the screen stand is mounted onto a stationary bike, according to one aspect of the embodiments.

(4) FIG. 3 is side view of the embodiment of FIG. 2.

(5) FIG. 4 is bottom view of the embodiment of FIG. 2.

(6) FIG. 5 is simplified cross-sectional illustration of one embodiment of the contemplated screen stand having a hollow mast within which is a bundle of cables hidden from view.

(7) The following call-out list of elements in the drawing can be a useful guide when referencing the elements of the drawing figures:

(8) 100 Screen Stand

(9) 103 Joint

(10) 105 Mounting Bracket

(11) 106 Fastener

(12) 110 Mast

(13) 112 Top Mast

(14) 114 Bottom Mast

(15) 120 First Anchor

(16) 122 First Attachment Point

(17) 130 Second Anchor

(18) 132 Second Attachment Point

(19) 134 Plate

(20) 136 Fastener

(21) 150 Bundle of Cables

(22) 152 Connector

(23) 154 Connector

(24) 200 Stationary Bike

(25) 201 Front Stabilizer Bar

(26) 202 Transport Wheel

(27) 204 Pop Pin

(28) 205 Handle Post

(29) 206 Fly Wheel

(30) 207 Fork

(31) 300 Monitor

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

(32) The different aspects of the various embodiments can now be better understood by turning to the following detailed description of the embodiments, which are presented as illustrated examples of the embodiments as defined in the claims. It is expressly understood that the embodiments as defined by the claims may be broader than the illustrated embodiments described below.

(33) The inventor has discovered a novel method and novel screen stand 100 or monitor mount that can readily turn a typical stationary exercise machine into a media-rich, content-rich, “connected” exercise equipment that can allow the user to see/experience content, metrics, entertainment, social engagement and communication.

(34) The contemplated hardware can be a screen stand 100 with all the electronics and cables 150 preassembled into the screen stand 100. By having all electronics and cables 150 preassembled, a user can now easily connect stationary exercise machine to a network with ease. This can also be an easy solution to upgrade existing stationary exercise equipment to“connected” equipment having an electronic display.

(35) As used herein, the term “electronic display” or “screen” in conjunction with the mounting bracket refers to any known electronic device of various dimensions having a displaying means. For example, it can be a computer monitor, an electronic tablet, an IPAD, a cellular phone, and a television.

(36) Referring now to FIG. 1, the contemplated screen stand 100 can have a mast 110 to hold up a monitor 300. There can be a bracket 105 disposed near or at the top end of the mast 110, and the monitor 300 can be fastened to the bracket 105.

(37) The mast 110 can come in two pieces, the top mast 112 and the bottom mast 114. The top mast 112 can slidably receive within the bottom mast 114 thereby creating a telescoping mast 110. In this way, the height of the monitor 300 can be adjusted according to the needs of the user.

(38) As will be discussed in more details below, the contemplated screen stand 100 can be easily fastened onto a stationary exercise machine, such as a stationary bicycle 200 shown in the examples of FIGS. 2-4.

(39) The bottom mast 114 can have a first anchor 120 to attach to the stationary bicycle 200. The first anchor 112 can be an arm piece extending from the bottom mast 114. The embodiment shown in FIG. 1 provides a first anchor 120 in the form of a straight rigid arm coupled to the mid-portion of the mast 110, or coupled to the top portion of the bottom mast 114. In some embodiments, the first anchor 120 is a rigid arm that does not have any telescoping functions. In some other embodiments, the first anchor 120 can have a telescoping function.

(40) At the distal end of the first anchor 120 there can be a first attachment point 122. The first attachment point 122 is the contact surface where the anchor 120 makes physical connection with the stationary bicycle 200. In one contemplated embodiment, the first attachment point 122 can be a plate having a through hole as shown in FIG. 1. The plate can be correspondingly angled to match the angle of the handle post 205 (see FIGS. 2, 3) so that the plate can seamlessly assemble onto the handle post 205 of the stationary bicycle 200. As shown in FIGS. 2-4, the pop pin 204 of the stationary bicycle 200 inserts through the through hole of the plate and secures the first attachment point 122 onto the handle post 205.

(41) At or near the bottom end of the bottom mast 114 there can be a second anchor 130. As will be described in more details later, the second anchor 130 can secure onto the front stabilizer bar 201 of the stationary bicycle 200 using existing bolts of the front stabilizer bar 201, thereby making a seamless integration onto the stationary bicycle 200.

(42) Although standalone television stands are known in the art in a conference room or living room setting for people to watch television from a distance, a monitor 300 for a stationary bicycle 200 needs to be positioned close enough to the rider to allow the touch-screen to be accessed without the rider straining to reach the screen 300, a situation that could cause the rider to lose balance. Screens 300 on prior art standalone stands are difficult to position close enough to the rider to allow the rider to access the touch screen. Additionally, screens 300 on prior art standalone stands may tip over causing harm to the rider or bystanders as well as the screen itself. Prior art standalone stands require a large base or a heavy base that is difficult to securely anchor. In addition, prior art standalone screen stand that is placed in front of the stationary bicycle 200 can create undesirable clutter due to the expose power cords, wires and cables. Further, when the user needs to move the stationary bicycle 200 in the prior art, the user must move the stationary bicycle 200 and the standalone screen stand independently. In a commercial or home setting where the stationary bicycle may need to be frequently moved to clean underneath or to adjust to a class size, moving and then rearranging these separate pieces of standalone screen stands and stationary bicycles 200 can be quite labor intensive.

(43) Referring now to FIGS. 2-4, the screen stand 100 is retrofitted onto a stationary bicycle 200 without the need to modify or drill mounting holes in the stationary bicycle. Here, when the screen stand 100 is retrofitted onto the stationary bicycle 200, a user can still move the stationary bicycle 200 easily on the front transport wheels 202 by holding the top mast 112 and tilt the stationary bicycle 200 forward on the front stabilizer bar 201. The screen stand 100 can be safely and securely anchored the stationary bicycle 200. By having the screen stand 100 secured to the stationary bicycle 100, there is provided a desirable reach for the users.

(44) In FIG. 2, a monitor 300 can be fastened onto the mounting bracket 105 using known fasteners 106 such as screws. The mounting bracket 105 can be coupled to the top mast 112 via a joint piece 103 thereby allowing the mounting bracket 105 to pivot relative to the top mast 112. In this way, a user can tilt the angle of the monitor 300 when needed. In other embodiments, the joint piece 103 may also allow a swiveling action thereby allowing user to rotate the monitor 300 from a landscape view to a portrait view when needed.

(45) The contemplated screen stand 100 can utilize any known type of monitor or tablet holder as mounting bracket 105 to accommodate many different sizes of electronic displays 300.

(46) Note that in this particular embodiment, the first anchor 120 of the bottom mast 114 is not anchored to the handlebars of the stationary bicycle 200. This allows the user to freely adjust the height of the handlebar without affecting the position of the monitor 300.

(47) The first attachment point 122 of the first anchor 120 can be designed to attach to a portion of the stationary bicycle 200 at below the handlebar. For example, the first attachment point 122 in FIG. 2 is attached to the handle post 205 and is secured in place by the already existing pop pin 204. Pop-pins generally have the same diameter from manufacturer to manufacturer and there can be provided spacers or inserts to accommodate any variant in pop-pin weldment size.

(48) In some other embodiments, the first anchor 120 can secure onto the stationary bicycle 200 in other ways without using the pop-pin and pop-pin weldment. For example, the first anchor 120 may use other fastening means such as belt clamps or strap clamps to secure onto the frame of stationary bicycle 200.

(49) The contemplated second anchor 130 can be secured to the front stabilizer bar 201 of the stationary bicycle 200. As shown in FIG. 4, it can use the two existing bolts 136 at the bottom of the front stabilizer bar 201 for anchoring. The second anchor 130 can have a plate 134 having two corresponding through holes to receive the two existing bolts 136. When dealing with stationary bicycles 200 that may have bolts 136 located at different locations or spaced apart differently, there can be provided adaptors to accommodate this difference and still allow the second anchor 130 to attach to the front stabilizing bar 201 using preexisting bolts 136.

(50) For stationary bicycles 200 that may not have any bolts at the stabilizer bar 201, the contemplated screen stand 100 may have belt or strap clamps (not shown) to anchor itself to the stabilizer bar 201 or to the fork 207 of the stationary bicycle 200.

(51) In some embodiments, the bottom mast 114 can have a length longer than the diameter of the fly wheel 206, but the disclosure is not limited thereto.

(52) In some embodiments, the distance between the first attachment point 122 (see FIG. 5) and the second attachment point 132 (see FIG. 5) is longer than the diameter of the fly wheel 205, but the disclosure is not limited thereto.

(53) In other embodiments, the first attachment point 122 is located above the axle of the fly wheel 206, but the disclosure is not limited thereto.

(54) In other embodiments, the second attachment point 132 is located below the axle of the fly wheel 206, but the disclosure is not limited thereto.

(55) While many of the embodiments discussed above provides a top mast 112 adjustably moveable and slidably received within a bottom mast 114, there is contemplated an embodiment where there is only one single mast 110 that is not length- or height-adjustable. Such would be a simplified version having a single mast 110. Such single mast 110 can have a length of about the height of the stationary bicycle 200. In other embodiments, the single mast 110 can have a length longer than the height of the stationary bicycle 200.

(56) In one embodiment, the screen stand 100 does not touch the ground when fully installed onto the stationary bicycle 200. In some embodiments, the screen stand 100 does not have a large base and creates minimal or no footprint.

(57) The power cord of the monitor 300 or other media cables meant to be attached to the monitor 300 can be routed within the hollow body of the top and bottom mast 112, 124. There can be provided openings at the top and bottom of the mast 110 so a use may pass these cords and cable into and out of the hollow body of the mast 110.

(58) As shown in FIG. 5 is another embodiment where the power cords and cables 150 can be preassembled into the mast 110 to save the trouble of having to route cords and cables. In this way, a user may simply install the monitor 300 onto the mounting bracket 105 and plug in the connectors 152 of the reassembled cords and cable to the back of the monitor 300. The bottom end of the cords and cables can extend through the bottom end of the mast 120 and can have another connector 154. The user can then attach this connector 154 to the power source and media source using known extension cords/cables. In some models of stationary exercise machines, the user can plug the connector 154 into corresponding receiving plugs on the stationary exercise machines to allow data transmission. A user can freely wheel away the stationary bicycle 200 and screen stand 100 combination when the connector 154 is disconnected from any power or media extension cords/cables.

(59) In some embodiments, the monitor 300 can wirelessly receive data (e.g., power and cadence, heart rate, integrated metrics) from the stationary bicycle 200 via ANT+ signals or other wireless communication protocols.

(60) In addition, there can be multiple power outlets (not shown) provided on the mast 110 of the screen stand 100 so that it can accommodate many devices that require power.

(61) Further contemplated is a self-contained modular rechargeable battery pack (not shown) to fit inside or on the mast 110 for a completely mobile power solution.

(62) Optionally, the screen mount can have built-in or modular items attached to it such as a fan, device charging ports, storage shelves, hooks, breathing protection, bio-neutralizers and other sensors. Breathing protection can be done by having a plastic or inflatable “breathing cocoon” (not shown) attached to the screen stand 100 that can keep the rider's breath contained within the limits of the plastic shield.

(63) Many alterations and modifications may be made by those having ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosed embodiments. Therefore, it must be understood that the illustrated embodiments have been set forth only for the purposes of example and that it should not be taken as limiting the embodiments as defined by the following claims. For example, notwithstanding the fact that the elements of a claim are set forth below in a certain combination, it must be expressly understood that the embodiment includes other combinations of fewer, more or different elements, which are disclosed herein even when not initially claimed in such combinations.

(64) Thus, specific embodiments and applications of a screen stand have been disclosed. It should be apparent, however, to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the disclosed concepts herein. The disclosed embodiments, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification and the claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. Insubstantial changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by a person with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised, are expressly contemplated as being equivalent within the scope of the claims. Therefore, obvious substitutions now or later known to one with ordinary skill in the art are defined to be within the scope of the defined elements. The claims are thus to be understood to include what is specifically illustrated and described above, what is conceptually equivalent, what can be obviously substituted and also what essentially incorporates the essential idea of the embodiments. In addition, where the specification and claims refer to at least one of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C . . . and N, the text should be interpreted as requiring at least one element from the group which includes N, not A plus N, or B plus N, etc.