Cycling accessory and method of use

Abstract

A bicycle trainer, the bicycle trainer including a biased, pivot mounted belt for contact with the rear wheel of a bicycle, such that the belt moves in response to rotation of the wheel and applies predetermined tension.

Claims

1. A bicycle trainer, the bicycle trainer comprising: a biased, pivot mounted belt for contact with a rear wheel of a bicycle at a contact surface, such that the belt moves in response to a rotation of the rear wheel, the belt corresponding in size to the contact surface of the rear wheel of the bicycle and bearing a load of the wheel; a first roller mounted at one end of a pair of pivot arms, and a second roller mounted at another end of the pair of pivot arms, wherein the pivot arms are supported by a mounting bracket adapted to fit a stand, wherein the pair of pivot arms are configured to pivot about a pinion rotatably attached to an end of the mounting bracket opposite the stand located at a fulcrum on the pivot arms between the first roller and the second roller, and the first roller and second roller being mounted to the pair of pivot arms are and configured to move with the pair of pivot arms, wherein the belt is looped around the first roller and the second roller.

2. The bicycle trainer according to claim 1, wherein the first roller is an eccentric roller that is adjustable to provide a predetermined tension.

3. The bicycle trainer according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined tension is adapted to be changed.

4. The bicycle trainer according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined tension is substantially constant tension.

5. The bicycle trainer according to claim 1, wherein the belt is subjected to a stretching force in response to increasing the pressure exerted by the rear wheel in contact with the belt.

6. The bicycle trainer according to claim 5, wherein changing pressure exerted by the rear wheel causes a shaft to move within in a recess associated with a pivot arm of the pair of pivot arms.

7. A method of assembling a bicycle trainer according to claim 1, the method comprising the steps of: connecting a magneto and the pair of pivot arms, locating the first roller and the second roller at either end of the pair of pivot arm, placing the belt around the rollers, and tensioning the belt to a predetermined tension.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the first roller is an eccentric roller and adjustment of said eccentric roller tensions the belt.

9. The bicycle trainer according to claim 1, wherein a predetermined tension is changed by altering the distance between the first and second rollers.

10. The bicycle trainer according to claim 1, wherein the belt at least partially conforms to the cross-sectional profile of the rear wheel.

11. The bicycle trainer according to claim 1, wherein the belt moves about a pivot mount to automatically adjust to a surface of the wheel.

12. The bicycle trainer according to claim 1, wherein one end of the first roller is associated with a magneto and the other end of the first roller is associated with a flywheel.

13. The bicycle trainer according to claim 1, wherein the pivot is biased by a spring, a weights or combinations thereof.

14. The bicycle trainer according to claim 1 including a resistance device for controlling resistance of the belt to movement of the rear wheel.

15. The bicycle trainer according to claim 1, wherein the pivot mounted belt moves from a first at rest position to a second in use position in response to contact of the bicycle rear wheel on the belt.

16. A method of cyclist training comprising the step of contacting the rear wheel of a bicycle with the belt of a trainer device according to claim 1.

17. A bicycle trainer, the bicycle trainer comprising: a biased, pivot mounted belt for contact with a rear wheel of a bicycle at a contact surface, such that the belt moves in response to a rotation of the rear wheel, the belt corresponding to the cross-sectional profile of the contact surface when in contact with the rear wheel and bearing a load of the rear wheel; a first roller mounted at one end of a pair of pivot arms, and a second roller mounted at another end of the pair of pivot arms, wherein the pivot arms are supported by a mounting bracket adapted to fit a stand, wherein the pair of pivot arms are configured to pivot about a pinion rotatably attached to an end of the mounting bracket opposite the stand located at a fulcrum on the pivot arms between the first roller and the second roller, the first roller and second roller being mounted to the pair of pivot arms and configured to move with the pair of pivot arms, wherein the belt is looped around the first roller and the second roller and at least partially conforms to the cross-sectional profile of the rear wheel and automatically adjusts to rear wheel characteristics.

18. A bicycle trainer according to claim 1 wherein application of the rear wheel to the belt provides tension without the need for a secondary tensioning device.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Further disclosure, objects, advantages and aspects of preferred and other embodiments of the present application may be better understood by those skilled in the relevant art by reference to the following description of embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the disclosure herein, and in which:

(2) FIG. 1 illustrates a bicycle trainer according to one embodiment of the present invention showing the positioning of the pivot mounted belt relative to the rear wheel of a bicycle (with the stand omitted to provide a clearer view of the position of the wheel relative to the belt);

(3) FIG. 2 illustrates the bicycle trainer of FIG. 1 in a first, raised position (FIG. 2a) and a second, lower position (FIG. 2b) to show the pivotal movement of the belt;

(4) FIG. 3_illustrates the bicycle trainer as shown in FIG. 2b with the belt omitted to provide a clearer view of the mechanism.

(5) FIG. 4 illustrates a bicycle trainer according to a further embodiment of the present invention and shows its position relative to the rear wheel of a bicycle when in use.

(6) FIG. 5 illustrates the bicycle trainer of FIG. 4 in the in use position (with the wheel removed to give a clearer view). FIG. 5a shows the in use conformation of the bicycle trainer with the belt pressing against a wheel; FIG. 5b is the same as the view shown in FIG. 5a but with the magneto of the bicycle trainer removed to give a clearer view; FIG. 5c shows the at rest conformation of the bicycle trainer when the belt is no longer in contact with a wheel. FIG. 5d illustrates the bicycle trainer of FIG. 5a as if it were in the in use position, pressing against a wheel, but with the wheel and belt removed to give a clearer view of the relationship of the rollers and pinion.

(7) FIG. 6 illustrates midline cross sections through the bicycle trainer of FIG. 5. FIG. 6a shows the bicycle trainer in the in use position, pressing against a wheel; FIG. 6b shows the bicycle trainer of FIG. 6a pressing more firmly against the wheel such that the belt has become slightly longer and the magneto has rotated around the rear shaft to maintain tension on the belt; FIG. 6c shows the bicycle trainer of FIG. 6a rotated around the pinion to the at rest position.

(8) FIG. 7 illustrates a sectional side view in cross section of one embodiment of a roller and belt assembly of the bicycle trainer of the present invention. FIG. 7a shows the belt fully tensioned and FIG. 7b shows the eccentric roller adjusted to release tension on the belt.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(9) FIG. 1 illustrates a bicycle trainer (1) according to one embodiment of the present invention. In this drawing the rear wheel (3) of a bicycle is shown in the normal in use position with the tyre (5) in contact with the belt (7) of the bicycle trainer (1). Typically the hub (9) of the wheel (3) is supported on a spindle which is attached at either end to a stand. In this view most of the stand has been omitted to provide a clearer view of the wheel (3) and the belt (7).

(10) The bicycle trainer (1) comprises a rubberised belt (7) mounted on upper pivot arms (8a,8b) and lower pivot arms (10a, 10b) which move about pivots (11a,11b) in a mounting bracket (13). The mounting bracket (13) is contoured to fit the base member (15) of a stand. The pivoting movement of the pivot arms (10a, 10b) is subject to the effect of biasing means (17a,17b) in the form of coiled springs. The frictional contact between the wheel (3) and the belt (7) is sufficient to cause the belt (7) to move in response to rotation of the wheel (3). The biasing by the springs (17a,17b) provides a constant belt tension so that the wheel (3) is never overloaded irrespective of variations in pressure and contact between the tyre (5) and belt (7). Furthermore, the movability of the belt (7) about the pivot (11a,11b) allows self adjustment to various wheel shapes and sizes.

(11) FIG. 2 illustrates the bicycle trainer (1) of FIG. 1 with the belt (7) in a first, raised position (FIG. 2a) and a second, lower position (FIG. 2b) as the upper pivot arms (8a,8b) and lower pivot arms (10a, 10b) are moved between the two positions. This movement can occur in response to pressure imparted by the wheel during rotation, changing to a wheel of different size or differing contours or shapes of tyres.

(12) FIG. 3 illustrates the bicycle trainer as shown in FIG. 2b with the belt (7) omitted to provide a clearer view of the supporting mechanism. The belt (7) is a continuous band of rubberised material looped around three rollers (19,21,23) located between the lower pivot arms (10a, 10b), between the upper pivot arms (8a,8b) and as part of the resistance means (25). The resistance means (25) comprises an adjustable drum brake (25a) and flywheel (25b) at either end of the roller (23). The resistance means (25) can be used to pre-set the resistance to rotation of the wheel (3). For example a cable or similar device can be used to set the resistance of the drum brake. In another embodiment a cable could be used to set a magnetic resistance device used as a resistance means.

(13) The rubberised material is sufficiently flexible that it at least partly adapts to the cross-sectional profile of the tyre (5) of the wheel to spread out the force and wear on the tyre (5). The device of the present invention is sufficiently simple that it can be set up square on to the tyre (5), avoiding run-out of the belt (7).

(14) FIG. 4 illustrates a bicycle trainer (101) according to one embodiment of the present invention showing its position relative to the rear wheel of a bicycle when in use. In this drawing the rear wheel (103) of a bicycle is shown in the normal in use position with the tyre (105) in contact with the belt (107) of the bicycle trainer (101). Typically the hub (109) of the wheel (103) is supported on a spindle which is attached at either end to a stand. In this view, most of the stand has been omitted to provide a clearer view of the wheel (103) and the belt (107).

(15) The bicycle trainer (101) comprises a rubberised belt (107) which passes around a front roller and a rear roller (112a, 112bnot shown in this view) mounted at either end of a pair of pivot arms (116a, 116b). A rear shaft (126not shown in this view) is supported on the pivot arms (116a,116b). The upper roller (112a) is attached at one end to a magneto (118) and at the other end to a flywheel (120). The mounting bracket (113) is contoured to fit the base member (115) of a stand. A middle pinion (122) rotatably attached at either end (122a,122b) to the mounting bracket (113) is located at the fulcrum of the pivot arm (116). In the in use position depicted the wheel (103) causes the pivot arm (116) to pivot downwards about the middle pinion (122). When the wheel (103) is removed, the weight of the magneto (118) and flywheel (120) cause the pivot arm (116) to rotate about the fulcrum in the other direction. (Accordingly, in contrast to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 to 7 does not require a biasing means). The frictional contact between the wheel (103) and the belt (107) is sufficient to cause the belt (107) to move in response to rotation of the wheel (103).

(16) FIG. 5 illustrates the bicycle trainer (101) of FIG. 4 (with the wheel (103) removed to give a clearer view). FIG. 5a shows the in use conformation of the bicycle trainer (101), pressed against the wheel (103). FIG. 5b is the same as the view shown in FIG. 5a but with the magneto (118) and flywheel (120) removed to give a clearer view of the magneto mount which carries bearings for the magneto (120) and can rotate around the shaft of the rear roller (112bnot shown). FIG. 5c shows the conformation of the bicycle trainer (101) when not in use, removed from contact with a wheel. When the wheel is removed, the mass of the magneto (118) and flywheel (120) causes the assembly to rotate around the pinion (122) into the rest position as illustrated. FIG. 5d illustrates the bicycle trainer (101) of FIG. 5a as if it were in position, pressing against a wheel, with the wheel and belt removed to give a clearer view of the relative positions of the front roller (112a) and rear roller (112b) and pinion (122).

(17) FIG. 6 illustrates midline cross sections through the bicycle trainer (101) of FIG. 5. In this view it can be seen that the rear shaft (126) can move within a recess (128) in the pivot arm (116a). Specifically, FIG. 6a shows the bicycle trainer (101) in the in use position as if it were pressing against a wheel (not shown). FIG. 6b shows the bicycle trainer (101) of FIG. 6a, but pressing more firmly against the wheel. The pressure has caused the magneto (118) and rear shaft (126) to move in the recess (128) in the pivot arm (116a) causing the belt (107) to become slightly stretched. Thus, a constant belt tension is maintained and the wheel is never overloaded irrespective of variations in pressure and contact between the tyre and belt (107). Furthermore, the movability of the belt (107) about the pinion (122) allows self adjustment to various wheel shapes and sizes. FIG. 6c shows the bicycle trainer (101) of FIG. 6a after the wheel has been removed and the weight of the magneto (118) has caused the pivot arm (116a) to rotate about the pinion to the rest position.

(18) FIG. 7 illustrates a plan view in cross section of one embodiment of the roller and belt assembly of the bicycle trainer of the present invention comprising a front roller (130) and a rear roller (132) encircled by a belt (136), and a pinion (134) between the front roller (130) and rear roller (132). The front roller (130) has an eccentrically located shaft (138). FIG. 7a shows the shaft (138) located such that the separation of the rollers is maximized and the belt (136) is fully tensioned. FIG. 7b shows the eccentric shaft (138) adjusted by turning a fixing screw to slightly reduce the separation of the rollers and release tension on the belt (136). This allows the belt (136) to be loaded or unloaded from the rollers (130, 132).

(19) With reference to FIG. 7 it is also clear that the bicycle trainer can be readily assembled on a bench. Specifically, once the magneto (140) and pivot arm (142) are connected, the front roller (130) and rear roller (132) can be put in the position shown in FIG. 7(b). The belt (136) can then be placed around the de-tensioned rollers (130, 132) before the eccentric shaft (136) is adjusted by turning a fixing screw to increase the separation between the rollers (130,132) to fully tensioned the belt (136) as shown in FIG. 7(a). This assembly can all be carried out with the bicycle trainer on its side as shown in FIG. 7 without the need to access the assembly from the other side, or any another angle.

(20) While this invention has been described in connection with specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood that it is capable of further modification(s). This application is intended to cover any variations uses or adaptations of the invention following in general, the principles of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice within the art to which the invention pertains and as may be applied to the essential features hereinbefore set forth.

(21) As the present invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit of the essential characteristics of the invention, it should be understood that the above described embodiments are not to limit the present invention unless otherwise specified, but rather should be construed broadly within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects as illustrative only and not restrictive.

(22) Various modifications and equivalent arrangements are intended to be included within the spirit and scope of the invention and appended claims. Therefore, the specific embodiments are to be understood to be illustrative of the many ways in which the principles of the present invention may be practiced. In the following claims, means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover structures as performing the defined function and not only structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures.

(23) Comprises/comprising and includes/including when used in this specification is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof. Thus, unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words comprise, comprising, includes, including and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of including, but not limited to.