Bicycle trainer

Abstract

A bicycle trainer includes a support for supporting a bicycle having a frame and a rear wheel attached to a rear axle, the support biasing the bicycle into an upright orientation, and a roller for engaging with the rear wheel of the bicycle, wherein, when the bicycle is supported by the support, the roller is adapted to provide resistance against turning the rear wheel and the rear axle of the bicycle is not connected to the support.

Claims

1. A bicycle trainer comprising: a support for supporting a bicycle having a frame and a rear wheel attached to a rear axle, wherein the support is configured to directly receive a portion of the frame between the rear axle and a front axle of the bicycle, the support comprising a member being vertically oriented, pivotable, and coupled in between compressible resilient devices, wherein the member and the compressible resilient devices are configured to underlie the portion of the frame and bias the bicycle into an upright orientation, and a roller for engaging with the rear wheel of the bicycle, wherein, when the bicycle is supported by the support, the roller is configured to provide resistance against turning the rear wheel and the rear axle of the bicycle is not connected to the support.

2. The bicycle trainer according to claim 1, wherein the compressible resilient devices are configured to allow for a tilting movement of the bicycle.

3. The bicycle trainer according to claim 1, wherein the compressible resilient devices are configured to provide a torque biasing the bicycle into the upright orientation of the bicycle beyond a predetermined first critical angle relative to a vertical reference of the upright orientation.

4. The bicycle trainer according to claim 3, wherein the first critical angle is smaller than 1.

5. The bicycle trainer according to claim 3, further comprising a stop configured to avoid a tilting movement of the bicycle beyond a predetermined second critical angle relative to the vertical reference of the upright orientation.

6. The bicycle trainer according to claim 5, wherein the second critical angle lies in a range between 2 and 6.

7. The bicycle trainer according to claim 5, wherein the second critical angle lies in a range between 3 and 5.

8. The bicycle trainer according to claim 3, wherein the first critical angle is smaller than 0.5.

9. The bicycle trainer according to claim 1, wherein the support is configured to be directly connected to a down tube and/or a bottom bracket of the bicycle frame.

10. The bicycle trainer according to claim 1, wherein the compressible resilient devices comprise to independent springs.

11. The bicycle trainer according to claim 10, wherein the springs are configured to provide a torque biasing the bicycle into the upright orientation and wherein the amount of the torque can be adjusted manually and/or by means of a motor.

12. The bicycle trainer according to claim 11, wherein the torque can be adjusted by adjusting a lever arm.

13. The bicycle trainer according to claim 11, wherein the torque can be adjusted in a range between 5 Nm and 200 Nm.

14. The bicycle trainer according to claim 11, wherein the torque can be adjusted in a range between 15 Nm and 150 Nm.

15. The bicycle trainer according to claim 11, wherein the torque can be adjusted in a range between 25 Nm and 100 Nm.

16. The bicycle trainer according to claim 1, wherein, when the bicycle is supported by the support, the rear wheel of the bicycle is free to move in a lateral direction on the roller.

17. The bicycle trainer according to claim 1, wherein the support is also configured to allow for lifting the rear wheel off the roller when the bicycle is supported by the support.

18. The bicycle trainer according to claim 1, further comprising a motor configured to provide and adjust the resistance against turning the rear wheel.

19. The bicycle trainer according to claim 18, wherein the motor is provided within the roller.

20. The bicycle trainer according to claim 18, wherein the motor is configured else to accelerate the rear wheel.

Description

(1) The bicycle trainer of the present invention is superior to known bicycle trainers, because it is adapted to simulate real road conditions exceptionally well. Moreover, the bicycle trainer of the present invention is very versatile in that it can accommodate basically any type and size of bicycle by simply adjusting a few parts of the bicycle trainer. Further advantages of the bicycle trainer of the present invention will be evident from the description of the detailed embodiments with reference to the following Figures, which show:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(2) FIGS. 1 and 2 perspective views of a preferred embodiment of the bicycle trainer according to the present invention;

(3) FIGS. 3 and 4 side views of the preferred embodiment of the bicycle trainer according to the present invention;

(4) FIG. 5 a front view of the preferred embodiment of the bicycle trainer according to the present invention;

(5) FIG. 6 a rear view of the preferred embodiment of the bicycle trainer according to the present invention;

(6) FIG. 7 a top view of the preferred embodiment of the bicycle trainer according to the present invention; and

(7) FIG. 8 a bottom view of the preferred embodiment of the bicycle trainer according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(8) FIGS. 1 to 8 show a preferred embodiment of a bicycle trainer according to the present invention in perspective view (FIGS. 1 and 2), in a side view (FIGS. 3 and 4), in a front view (FIG. 5), in a back view (FIG. 6), in a top view (FIG. 7) and in a bottom view (FIG. 8). The bicycle trainer according to this preferred embodiment comprises a support 1 for supporting a bicycle (not shown) having a frame and a rear wheel attached to a rear axle. The support 1 comprises means 2 for biasing the bicycle into an upright orientation. The bicycle trainer further comprises a roller 3a for engaging with the rear wheel of the bicycle. When the bicycle is supported by the support 1, the roller is adapted to provide resistance against turning the rear wheel. The rear axle of the bicycle is not connected to the support 1.

(9) The rear wheel of the bicycle rests, during use, on the roller 3a as well as on the second roller 3b. Because the roller 3a is connected to the support, the rear axle of the bicycle is arguably indirectly connected to the support via the rear wheel and the roller 3a. However, the present invention is understood in such a manner that the roller 3a is not part of the support 1 (even though connected thereto) and that the resting of the rear wheel on the roller 3a is not to be understood as a connection between the rear axle and the support. In particular, the rear axle of the bicycle is not mounted to the support in any way.

(10) Rather, the rear wheel rests freely on, and is supported by, the first roller 3a and the second roller 3b. The front wheel of the bicycle rests on, and is supported by, a mounting portion 5 which preferably comprises means 6 for engaging the tire of the front wheel. The width of the slot for receiving the tire of the front wheel of the means 6 is preferably adjustable. Even though not required, the front wheel may in addition be fixed to the mounting portion 5 by means of an additional fixation element such as a rope or a strap. The distance between the mounting portion 5 for the front wheel and the two rollers 3a and 3b is preferably adjustable by the cylinder and piston 8. Thus, the bicycle trainer of the present invention can be adapted to any type and size of bicycle.

(11) The mounting of the bicycle to the support 1 is achieved via the means 2 for biasing the bicycle into an upright orientation. The means 2 comprises a system of posts and rods. Inter alia, the means comprises a cylinder 15 and a piston 16 which can move up and down within the cylinder 15. Preferably, the outer surface of the piston has a grooved or riffled surface which engages with an accordingly grooved or riffled inner surface of the cylinder 15 in order to avoid rotation of the piston 16 within the cylinder 15. A means 17 for receiving and supporting a portion of the frame of the bicycle is preferably provided on top of the piston 16. Preferably, said means 17 is adapted for receiving and supporting the bottom bracket of the bicycle frame. In addition, the system of posts and rods comprises a bar 18 or the like for mounting the down tube of the bicycle to the means for biasing the bicycle into an upright orientation. In the preferred embodiment, the bar 18 comprises two rods and two adapters 19, which can slidably move along these two rods. These adapters 19 are adapted to engage with and to be mounted to the down tube of the bicycle frame. The adapters 19 may comprise any known releasable fastening system. Preferably, the adapters comprise straps for winding around the down tube of the bicycle frame which may then be tightened and fastened. In addition or alternatively, such or other releasable fastening system is provided to fix the bottom bracket of the bicycle frame to the means 17.

(12) The bar 18 is preferably pivotably attached to the piston 16 in order to be adjustable to different orientations of the down tube of the bicycle frame. Once mounted, the bicycle frame, i.e. its bottom bracket, rests on the means 17 and the frame, preferably its down tube, is attached to the two adapters 19. Preferably, the bottom bracket is also attached to the means 17 to further stabilize the bicycle frame. However, the dimensions of the piston 16 and the cylinder 15 are preferably chosen in such a manner that the bicycle, once mounted, rests on the rollers 3a and 3b on the one hand and on the mounting portion 5 for the front wheel on the other hand. Yet, no substantial vertical upright force is transmitted from the means for biasing the bicycle into an upright orientation as long as the bicycle is oriented vertically. Moreover, since the piston 16 may move freely up and down within the cylinder 15, the entire bicycle can, once mounted, be lifted off the support.

(13) The entire means for biasing the bicycle into an upright orientation is adapted to allow for a tilting movement of the bicycle. For this purpose, the cylinder 15 can be rotated or pivoted about a longitudinal axis (parallel to the piston and cylinder 8). However, pivoting the cylinder 15 compresses either of the two springs 11 which are connected via a mounting 12 to the cylinder 15, respectively. Preferably, the springs 11 have play in one direction. Accordingly, pivoting the cylinder 15 compresses one of the two springs 11, whereas the other of the two springs 11 is not expanded by force. The mounting portions 12 can preferably be moved upwards and downwards along the segment of a circle 13. Moving the mounting portions 12 along said circle segment does not change the compression of the springs 11, yet reduces or increases the lever arm acting from the cylinder 15 onto the springs 11. Preferably, the mounting portions 12 can be moved upwards and downwards by means of a motor and a spindle within the cylinder 15.

(14) If a bicycle is mounted to the bicycle trainer and the user on the bicycle leans towards one side, the bicycle together with the cylinder 15 tilts away from the vertical and thereby compresses one of the springs 11. In response, this compressed spring 11 provides a torque biasing the bicycle back into an upright orientation. The amount of said torque can be adjusted by moving the mounting portions 12 upwards and downwards as discussed above. Thus, the user is provided with a certain amount of freedom to move on the bicycle, yet stabilized by the biasing torque. Preferably, a stop is provided which avoids a tilting movement of the cylinder 15 (and the bicycle, accordingly) beyond a predetermined critical angle versus the vertical.

(15) Once mounted, the user may pedal on the bike in order to turn the rear wheel. The roller 3a, which is driven by a motor 4 being provided within the roller 3a actively provides resistance against turning the rear wheel and preferably also actively accelerates the rear wheel if needed. The second roller 3b can preferably freely rotate. The motor 4 within the roller 3a as well as the additional motor for adjusting the torque can be controlled by the controller unit 9. The controller unit or processor 9 can preferably be connected to a display and/or a computer in order to allow for displaying a certain training profile and/or for predefining specific parameters of a specific training unit.

(16) The entire bicycle trainer rests on six foots 7a to 7f which are adjustable in height. Moreover, the bicycle trainer preferably comprises two additional rollers or wheels 10 which may be pivoted out of their resting position as shown in the Figures to allow for an easy movement of the bicycle trainer.