CYCLING TRAINING DEVICE WITH INTEGRATED STORAGE

Abstract

A cycling training device includes a support assembly configured to the cycling training device on a surface. The support assembly includes a support hub, a primary support leg coupled to and supported by the support hub, and a drawer translatable between a closed state in which the drawer is contained within the primary support leg and an open state in which the drawer extends at least partially from the primary support leg, thereby permitting access to the drawer.

Claims

1. A cycling training device comprising: a drive assembly, wherein the drive assembly includes a pedal assembly or is configured to be coupled to a bicycle with a rear wheel removed; and a support assembly coupled to the drive assembly and configured to support the drive assembly on a surface, wherein the support assembly includes: a support leg defining an internal volume; and a drawer translatable between a closed state in which the drawer is contained within the internal volume of the support leg and an open state in which the drawer extends at least partially from the internal volume of the support leg, thereby permitting access to the drawer.

2. The cycling training device of claim 1, further comprising a slide within the internal volume and coupled to an internal surface of the support leg, wherein the drawer includes a carriage movable along the slide.

3. The cycling training device of claim 2, wherein the carriage includes at least one compartment shaped to receive a tool or detachable component of the drive assembly.

4. The cycling training device of claim 1, wherein the support leg is operably coupled to a support hub, and the support assembly further comprises at least one additional support leg coupled to and supported by the support hub.

5. The cycling training device of claim 4, wherein the drawer extends through the support hub into the support leg.

6. The cycling training device of claim 5 further comprising a faceplate assembly coupled to the drawer, wherein the faceplate assembly is coupled to the drawer on a first side of the support hub and the support leg extends from a second side of the support hub opposite the first side of the support hub.

7. The cycling training device of claim 6, wherein the faceplate assembly includes a faceplate such that, in the closed state, the faceplate abuts the support hub and the drawer extends through the support hub into the support leg.

8. The cycling training device of claim 6, wherein the faceplate assembly further includes a latch for selectively securing the faceplate assembly to the support hub when the drawer is in the closed state.

9. The cycling training device of claim 8, wherein the latch comprises a first magnet integrated in the faceplate assembly and a second magnet integrated in the support hub.

10. The cycling training device of claim 6, wherein the faceplate assembly further comprises indentation on an outer surface of the faceplate assembly, the indentation comprising a gripping surface for pulling the faceplate assembly away from the support hub.

11. The cycling training device of claim 1, wherein a cross-section of the drawer corresponds to a cross-section of the support leg.

12. A cycling training device comprising: a drive assembly, wherein the drive assembly includes an axle adapted to be connected to a pair of drop-outs of a bicycle with a rear wheel removed from the pair of drop-outs to operably connect the bicycle to the cycling training device; a support assembly coupled to the drive assembly and configured to support the drive assembly on a surface, wherein the support assembly includes: a primary support leg; a first lateral support leg disposed on a first side of the primary support leg; a second lateral support leg disposed on a second side of the primary support leg opposite the first lateral support leg; and a drawer translatable between a closed state in which the drawer is contained within the primary support leg and an open state in which the drawer extends at least partially from the support assembly, thereby permitting access to the drawer.

13. The cycling training device of claim 12, wherein the first lateral support leg and the second lateral support leg extend obliquely relative to the primary support leg.

14. The cycling training device of claim 12, wherein the drawer includes a slide coupled to an internal surface of the primary support leg and a carriage movable along the slide.

15. The cycling training device of claim 14, wherein the carriage includes at least one cavity shaped to receive a tool or a detachable component of the drive assembly.

16. The cycling training device of claim 12, wherein the drawer extends through the support hub into the primary support leg.

17. The cycling training device of claim 16 further comprising a faceplate assembly coupled to the drawer, wherein the faceplate assembly is coupled to the drawer on a first side of the support hub and the primary support leg extends from a second side of the support hub opposite the first side of the support hub.

18. The cycling training device of claim 17, wherein the faceplate assembly includes a faceplate such that, in the closed state, the faceplate abuts the support hub and the drawer extends through the support hub into the primary support leg.

19. The cycling training device of claim 17, further comprising a detent configured to engage the drawer in the closed state and to retain the drawer in the opened state.

20. An exercise device comprising: a tubular support member; and a drawer translatable between a closed state in which the drawer is contained within the internal volume of the tubular support member and an open state in which the drawer extends at least partially from the internal volume of the tubular support member to provide access to the drawer, the drawer comprising: a carriage movable along a slide internal to the tubular support member, the carriage comprising a compartment shaped to receive a detachable component or tool of the exercise device; and a faceplate assembly coupled to the carriage, wherein the faceplate assembly includes a faceplate such that, in the closed state, the faceplate abuts a support hub at the end of the tubular support member and the drawer extends through the support hub into the tubular support member.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0008] To easily identify the discussion of any particular element or act, the most significant digit or digits in a reference number refer to the figure number in which that element is first introduced.

[0009] FIG. 1 is an oblique view of a cycling training device according to the present disclosure with a drawer assembly in a closed state.

[0010] FIG. 2 is an alternate oblique view of the cycling training device of FIG. 1 with the drawer assembly in a closed state.

[0011] FIG. 3 is an oblique view of the cycling training device of FIG. 1 with the drawer assembly in an open state.

[0012] FIG. 4 is a detailed view of the drawer assembly of the cycling training device of FIG. 1 in a closed state.

[0013] FIG. 5 is a detailed view of the drawer assembly of the cycling training device of FIG. 1 in an open state.

[0014] FIG. 6 is a top view of the cycling training device of FIG. 1 with select components removed and illustrating the drawer assembly in a closed state.

[0015] FIG. 7 is a similar view to that of FIG. 6 with a primary support leg hidden to illustrate the internal position and configuration of the drawer assembly when in the closed state.

[0016] FIG. 8 is a similar view to that of FIG. 7 with the drawer assembly in the open state.

[0017] FIG. 9 is a section view of the support assembly and the drawer assembly of the cycling training device of FIG. 1 with the drawer assembly in the closed state.

[0018] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view like that of FIG. 9 with a drawer removed to illustrate additional internal components of the support assembly.

[0019] FIG. 11 is an isometric view of the drawer and faceplate assemblies of the cycling training device of FIG. 1 loaded with a selection of adapters.

[0020] FIG. 12 is a detailed view of the drawer and faceplate assemblies of FIG. 11 with the adapters removed to illustrate additional details of a carriage of the drawer.

[0021] FIG. 13 is a detailed view of the fixed slide portion of the drawer assembly. FIG. 14 is a detailed front and rear view of the faceplate of the drawer assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to an integrated storage system for cycling training devices. More specifically, this disclosure describes cycling training devices, such as, but not limited to indoor trainers, that include an integrated drawer that is readily accessible by a user and may be used to store a range of items and accessories. Many other forms of fitness equipment including complete exercise bicycles, treadmills, ellipticals, strength training machines, among others, include tubular frame members, and may be adapted to integrate a tool drawer as described herein. Thus, while the discussion herein focuses on cycling trainers, aspects of the present disclosure may be extended to other forms of exercise equipment.

[0023] The drawer is generally integrated with a support element of the cycling training device. In one implementation, the drawer is configured to transition between a closed state and an open state. In the closed state, a faceplate of the drawer abuts and is optionally retained by a support hub of the cycling training device while a carriage of the drawer extends into a tubular support member of the cycling training device. For example, the cycling training device may include a support leg, sometimes referred to as a primary support leg, that extends along or at least parallel to a longitudinal centerline of the cycling training device. The support leg is tubular such that the primary support leg defines an internal volume within which the carriage of the drawer extends when the drawer is in the closed state. In certain implementations, slides or rails disposed within the internal volume and supported by the internal surface of the primary support leg may provide support and guidance for the drawer.

[0024] In certain implementations, the carriage of the drawer may be molded or otherwise shaped to define cavities to receive and retain one or more accessories or tools for the cycling training device. In other implementations, the carriage may include a more general shape to facilitate storage of a broader range of items (e.g., personal belongings of a user). The shape, size, and integrated features of the carriage may depend on the size and shape of the member in which the drawer is supported.

[0025] While illustrated primarily in the context of a specific indoor (i.e., wheel-off) cycling trainer, this disclosure contemplates that the drawer concept included herein may be readily adapted to other styles of indoor trainers as well as other types of exercise equipment including, but not limited to, exercise bikes. More generally, the drawer concept of this disclosure may be modified to be integrated into any suitable tubular element of a range of exercise devices and equipment.

[0026] Further aspects of the present disclosure will now be discussed with reference to the figures.

[0027] FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are isometric views of an example cycling training device 100 according to the present disclosure. Cycling training device 100 is an example of a smart, direct mount trainer that includes an electromagnetic braking system to provide variable and dynamic resistance, e.g., in response to control signals received from a computing device executing ride simulation or training software. While aspects of this disclosure may be integrated into such smart trainers, this disclosure contemplates that the drawer systems may be integrated into other cycling training devices including, but not limited to, other styles of cycling trainers (e.g., non-smart direct drive trainers, wheel-on trainers, roller-style trainers) and stationary bikes, as well as other non-cycling exercise equipment.

[0028] With the foregoing in mind, cycling training device 100 generally includes a drive assembly 200 coupled to and supported by a support assembly 300. In the specific illustrated implementation, drive assembly 200 includes a flywheel assembly 210 coupled to a drive pulley assembly 204 by a belt 206. During operation, a user couples his or her bicycle to a drive axle 208 of the drive pulley assembly 204 and connects a chain of the bicycle to a flywheel assembly 210 (shown in FIG. 2). Accordingly, as the user pedals the bicycle, the chain engages the sprocket 209, which is coupled to the drive axle 208, which in turn spins a drive pulley 205 of drive pulley assembly 204 to drive flywheel assembly 210 via belt 206. In at least certain implementations, cycling training device 100 may include an electromagnetic braking system or other braking system such as mechanical braking system (not shown) to apply some resistance to the flywheel assembly 210 making it harder (or easier) to pedal.

[0029] Drive assembly 200 is generally coupled to and supported by a support assembly 300. Support assembly 300 includes components to provide structural support to drive assembly 200 and general stability to cycling training device 100 during use. In the specific implementation shown in the figures, support assembly 300 includes a support hub 302 to which each of a drive assembly support member 316, a primary support leg 304, a support leg 308, and a support leg 312 are coupled. Drive assembly support member 316 is generally aligned with a central longitudinal axis of cycling training device 100 and is coupled to and supports drive assembly 200. Each of primary support leg 304, support leg 308, and support leg 312 are configured to extend from support hub 302 to support cycling training device 100 on a surface, e.g., the ground.

[0030] As shown, primary support leg 304 extends along or at least substantially parallel to a central longitudinal axis of cycling training device 100. Each of support leg 308 and support leg 312 extend obliquely relative to primary support leg 304 and provide lateral stability to cycling training device 100. In at least certain implementations, support leg 308 and support leg 312 may be movable, i.e., a user may change the angles between support leg 308 and support leg 312 and primary support leg 304. For example, support leg 308 is rotationally coupled to support hub 302 by a pivot post 311 while support leg 312 is similarly coupled to support hub 302 by a pivot post 315. Among other advantages, having support leg 308 and support leg 312 be movable allows support leg 308 and support leg 312 to be folded inward for storage and for their respective angles relative to primary support leg 304 to be adjusted to modify the stability of cycling training device 100 and to account for different surfaces (e.g., mats or pads) that may be positioned under cycling training device 100.

[0031] Further adjustments to support assembly 300 are enabled by an adjustable foot 310 and an adjustable foot 314 coupled to support leg 308 and support leg 312, respectively. In the implementation shown, adjustable foot 310 and adjustable foot 314 are threadedly coupled to their respective support legs such that their vertical position may be adjusted to account for variations in the surface on which cycling training device 100 is disposed. In other implementations, adjustable foot 310 and adjustable foot 314 may further include or be substituted with pads or similar elements. In certain implementations, pads of adjustable foot 310 and adjustable foot 314 may be relatively stiff to provide increased stability of cycling training device 100; however, in other implementations, the pads may be compliant or be substituted with compliant elements to permit at least some lateral movement of cycling training device 100 when in use. Among other advantages, such compliance may provide shock absorbance and/or may permit lateral movement of cycling training device 100 to provide a user with a more natural feel when cycling training device 100 is in use.

[0032] In the implementation shown in FIG. 1, further support elements are included to provide additional stability for cycling training device 100. More specifically, a support pad 303 is coupled to and disposed under support hub 302. Also shown in FIG. 1 is a support pad 306 disposed under an end cap 305 of primary support leg 304. In other implementations, one or both of support pad 303 and support pad 306 may be substituted or supplemented with one or more adjustable feet, one or more compliant elements, or one or more alternative pads.

[0033] As previously noted, implementations of cycling training devices according to this disclosure may include integrated storage. More specifically, cycling training device 100 includes a drawer assembly 400 configured to selectively move into and extend from support hub 302. FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 illustrate drawer assembly 400 in a closed state while FIG. 3 is an isometric view of cycling training device 100 with drawer assembly 400 in an extended or open state. FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 are detailed views of cycling training device 100 and in particular, detailed views of support hub 302 and drawer assembly 400. Specifically, FIG. 4 illustrates cycling training device 100 with drawer assembly 400 in a closed state while FIG. 5 illustrates cycling training device 100 with drawer assembly 400 in an open state.

[0034] In general, drawer assembly 400 is configured and supported by support assembly 300 such that, when in the closed state, drawer assembly 400 extends into primary support leg 304 of support assembly 300. As will be discussed in further detail, below, a rail, guide or similar structure may also be disposed within primary support leg 304 to support drawer assembly 400 and to guide movement of drawer assembly 400.

[0035] In certain implementations, drawer assembly 400 may include a faceplate assembly 402 coupled to the drawer, wherein faceplate assembly 402 is coupled to drawer 406 on a first side of support hub 302 and primary support leg 304 extends from a second side of support hub 302 opposite the first side of support hub 302. In such implementations, faceplate assembly 402 may include a faceplate 404 such that, when drawer assembly 400 is in the closed state, faceplate 404 abuts support hub 302 and drawer 406 extends through support hub 302 into primary support leg 304. Conversely, when in an open or extended configuration, faceplate assembly 402 may be offset from support hub 302 with drawer 406 extending between faceplate 404 and support hub 302.

[0036] In at least certain implementations, faceplate assembly 402 and support hub 302 may be configured to mate, latch, or otherwise releasably attach such that drawer assembly 400 is positively retained by support hub 302 when in the closed state. As noted herein, the drawer assembly may be secured within the member in other ways, as well. For example, the surface of faceplate 404 that abuts support hub 302 when in the closed state may include one or more magnets positioned to magnetically engage corresponding magnets or pieces of magnetic material of support hub 302. In other implementations, faceplate assembly 402 may include a mechanical latch (e.g., a spring loaded latch mechanism) configured to selectively mate with a corresponding latch feature of support hub 302. Regardless of the specific latch mechanism used, drawer assembly 400 may be configured to allow opening of drawer assembly 400 in various ways including, but not limited to, simply pulling faceplate 404 of faceplate assembly 402 or depressing a button or similar component that mechanically disengages the latch mechanism. To facilitate opening of drawer assembly 400, faceplate 404 may also include indentations, handles, pulls, or similar features to enable a user to securely grip and pull faceplate 404 when opening drawer assembly 400.

[0037] In the illustrated example, the face plate includes grip surfaces 420A, 420B on upper and lower peripheral walls of the faceplate. The grip surfaces may be padded, or may include texturing. In the illustrated example, the surfaces are indented from the periphery and formed on opposing sides of the faceplate.

[0038] Referring now to FIGS. 6-8, various top views of cycling training device 100 are provided with certain elements removed to better illustrate the configuration of support assembly 300 and movement of drawer assembly 400. More specifically, FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 are top views of cycling training device 100 with certain elements removed for clarity and drawer assembly 400 in a closed state. Similarly, FIG. 8 is a top view of cycling training device 100 with elements removed for clarity and drawer assembly 400 in an open or extended state. FIG. 5A is an isometric view of the drawer assembly in an open state.

[0039] Referring first to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, in at least certain implementations, drawer assembly 400 may include is a top view of support assembly 300 with drawer assembly 400 in a retracted or closed state. FIG. 7 similarly illustrates drawer assembly 400 in a retracted/closed state, albeit with primary support leg 304 shown in dashed lines to better illustrate the positioning of drawer assembly 400 relative to support assembly 300 when drawer assembly 400 is in the closed state. As illustrated in both FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, when drawer assembly 400 is in the closed state, drawer assembly 400 may generally extend through support hub 302 and into primary support leg 304. More specifically, when in the closed state, faceplate assembly 402 is positioned on a first side of support hub 302 with drawer 406 extending through support hub 302 and into primary support leg 304.

[0040] In contrast to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, FIG. 8 is a top view of support assembly 300 is a top view of cycling training device 100 with certain elements removed for clarity and drawer assembly 400 in an open configuration similarly to as shown in FIG. 5. As illustrated, when drawer assembly 400 is in the open configuration, faceplate assembly 402 is offset from support hub 302 such that drawer 406 extends between faceplate assembly 402 and support hub 302 to permit access to the contents of drawer 406. To facilitate extension of drawer 406, drawer assembly 400 may include a guide element 410, such as a rail assembly, to which drawer 406 is coupled and along which drawer 406 translates when being transitioned between the open and closed states.

[0041] In at least certain implementations, guide element 410 may be in the form of a slide, (e.g., a drawer slide) including a fixed slide portion 412 and a movable slide portion 414. In such implementations, fixed slide portion 412 may be supported within or otherwise coupled to an internal surface of primary support leg 304 while movable slide portion 414 may be coupled to drawer 406 of drawer assembly 400. Accordingly, as drawer assembly 400 transitions between the open and closed states, the fixed slide portion remains static due to it being coupled to the internal surface of primary support leg 304 while the movable slide portion is able to extend relative to support hub 302, facilitating translation of drawer 406 and carriage 408 to permit access to the contents of drawer assembly 400.

[0042] In one specific example and best seen in FIG. 13, the fixed slide portion 412 involves a pair of opposing rails 1302 integrated or coupled with opposing internal side walls of the support leg or defined by the guide element. The drawer defines an outer dimension slightly smaller than the internal dimension of the support leg. In the case of a cylindrical tube, the drawer is also cylindrical and slightly smaller than the internal dimension of the support leg. In the case of rectangular tubing for the support leg, the drawer may also be rectangular. In the illustrated examples, the support leg includes a flat button. The guide element defines an elongate structure extending into the support leg the same or slightly more than the drawer. The guide element 412 defines a generally c shaped cross section with a similar flat section arranged to be supported on the flat inside bottom of the support leg. The opposing sides 1302 of the guide element, along respective upper edges, define guide rails. The rails are the fixed slide portions. The drawer includes opposing movable slide portions, e.g., opposing rails, that slide back and forth on the guide element rails when the drawer is pulled from and returned into the support leg.

[0043] Further details of support assembly 300 and drawer assembly 400 can be seen in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, which are various section views of support assembly 300 and drawer assembly 400. More specifically, FIG. 9 is a section view taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 7 of support assembly 300 and drawer assembly 400 with drawer assembly 400 in a closed state. FIG. 10 is substantially the same view as FIG. 9 with drawer assembly 400 removed to better illustrate guide element 410.

[0044] Referring first to FIG. 9 when in the closed state, drawer 406 of drawer assembly 400 extends through support hub 302 of support assembly 300 and into primary support leg 304. Drawer assembly 400 may be supported by guide element 410, which, in turn, may be disposed within and coupled to an internal surface of primary support leg 304. For example, in the illustrated implementation, fixed slide portion 412 of guide element 410 is secured to primary support leg 304 by a fastener 416. As shown, when drawer assembly 400 is in the closed state, faceplate assembly 402 and, more specifically faceplate 404 of faceplate assembly 402, abuts support hub 302 to provide a stop for drawer 406.

[0045] Referring to FIGS. 9 and 13, guide element 410 may further include a stop (e.g., a tail stop 418) that engages the drawer near its full insertion into the support leg. The tail stop 418 may include a stopping ridge oriented perpendicular to the direction of travel of the drawer 400 during insertion. The tail stop 418 may also include a rectangular flexible/elastic flap 430 with a virtual hinge oriented on the support leg and toward an opening of the drawer 400. As the drawer 400 is inserted into the support leg, the drawer engages the tail stop flap 430 depressing it downward against its normally upward bias. This has the effect of providing a tactile feel of modest resistance as the drawer 400 approaches its full insertion into the support leg, and also provides modest frictional resistance against retraction of the drawer. When retracting, the resistance decreases and then becomes zero when the drawer disengages the flap 430 as the drawer is pulled from the support leg. In some instances, the tail stop may also provide a modest nudge or mild pop at the moment the drawer is about to disengage the stop.

[0046] As noted above, FIG. 10 illustrates support hub 302 and drawer assembly 400 with drawer 406 and faceplate assembly 402 removed to better illustrate coupling of guide element 410 with primary support leg 304. As shown in FIG. 10, in at least certain implementations, the latching of drawer assembly 400 in the closed state may be achieved through a detent 420 integrated into movable slide portion 414. More specifically, the detent may be a flexible resilient material. The drawer assembly includes a sloped protruding member that engages the detent as the drawer is inserted into the support leg. Initially, the sloped portion of the protruding member presses a leading edge of the detent, which presses the detent into a cut out. When the slope passes the leading edge, the matching sloped section of the detent snaps up into the position shown in FIG. 9, and holds the drawer in place. When withdrawing the drawer, a trailing edge of the protruding member, engages the detent to press it down until the protruding trailing edge clears the detent, after which the drawer may be withdrawn from the support leg. A ball detent or other form of latch structure may be similarly used to hold the drawer in position when it is fully inserted.

[0047] FIG. 11 is an isometric view of drawer 406 and faceplate assembly 402. As previously discussed, drawer 406 generally includes a carriage 408, which may retain various components including, but not limited to accessories and/or tools for use with cycling training device 100. In the specific implementation shown in FIG. 11, for example, carriage 408 is formed with various predefined and shaped compartments, and the like. In some arrangements, some of the compartments may be sized and shaped to securely hold a specific component in place. In other examples, the compartments are universally shaped to hold various possible sizes and shaped components. In the example illustrated, the carriage includes some compartments sized and shaped to receive and retain various collars and adapters (such as adapter 422) to facilitate coupling of bicycles having various axle and/or cassette configurations to cycling training device 100.

[0048] FIG. 12 is a detailed view of drawer 406 with the adapters removed to better illustrate carriage 408. In the example shown, carriage 408 includes a series of recesses specifically shaped to receive corresponding accessories. In at least certain implementations, carriage 408 may also include tabs, clips, latches, etc., to positively retain accessories. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, carriage 408 includes a recess 424 shaped to receive adapter 422. Recess 424 further includes a first retention tab 426 and second retention tab 428 disposed on opposite sides of recess 424 to positively retain adapter 422.

[0049] Notably, while drawer 406 is shown in FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 as being configured to receive and retain adapters and similar accessories, implementations of this disclosure are not limited to any specific configurations of drawer 406. For example, in certain implementations, carriage 408 of drawer 406 may include recesses shaped to receive tools or other accessories for maintaining or configuring cycling training device 100. In still other implementations, carriage 408 may be configured to function as a more general drawer and may include larger, more general recesses for retaining a range of non-specific items. For example, drawer 406 may be used to temporarily store personal items (e.g., keys, wallets, personal electronics, etc.). In such implementations, faceplate assembly 402 and support hub 302 may optionally include a lock (e.g., a key-based lock) to secure drawer 406 in the closed state.

[0050] FIG. 14 is a detailed front and rear view of the faceplate 404 of the drawer assembly 400. In this instance, the faceplate 404 may include top and bottom indentions 1202 for gripping of the faceplate 404 such that a user may utilize the faceplate as a handle to withdraw the drawer 406 from the primary support leg 304. In some instances, a rubber or other gripping material may be located within the top and/or bottom indentions 1202 to aid the user in gripping and pulling of the faceplate 404. As described above, the drawer 406 may be coupled to the faceplate 404 such that pulling the faceplate laterally may cause the drawer 406 to extend from the primary support leg 304. An interior surface of the indentions 1202 may include one or more ribs 1204 extending into an interior surface of the faceplate 404 to prevent peeling of the gripping material from the indentations.

[0051] While the primary example illustrated in the figures and discussed in this disclosure focuses on a wheel-off style cycling trainer, this disclosure also contemplates that the storage system disclosed herein may be readily adapted to a wide range of cycling and non-cycling- related fitness equipment. More generally, the storage system disclosed herein may be readily adapted to any fitness equipment having tubular structural elements arranged in a way that permits incorporation of an integral drawer assembly. So, for example, other fitness equipment such as weight racks, rowing machines/ergometers, functional trainers, treadmills (or other cardio machines), resistance training machines, and the like may include tubular elements suitable for incorporating a storage system as described herein.

[0052] This disclosure specifically contemplates incorporation of the described storage systems in various types and configurations of cycling training devices. In general, implementations of this disclosure may include any suitable cycling training device that includes a tubular element, such as primary support leg 304. While the primary example used in this disclosure is a specific wheel-off cycling training device 100, the primary components of the storage system are generally limited to support assembly 300 of cycling training device 100. Accordingly, this disclosure contemplates that support assembly 300 may be repurposed to support a variety of cycling training devices including alternative wheel-off designs, wheel-on trainers, and stationary/spin bikes. So, for example, aspects of support assembly 300 corresponding to the disclosed storage system may be readily repurposed for a spin bike (or other training device with an integrated pedal assembly), e.g., by incorporating the storage system elements into the frame of the spin bike (e.g., as part of a front or rear support of the frame) provided that the frame is formed, at least in part, from tubular elements.

[0053] Although various representative embodiments of this invention have been described above with a certain degree of particularity, those skilled in the art could make numerous alterations to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the inventive subject matter set forth in the specification. All directional references (e.g., upper, lower, upward, downward, left, right, leftward, rightward, top, bottom, above, below, vertical, horizontal, clockwise, and counterclockwise) are only used for identification purposes to aid the reader's understanding of the embodiments of the present invention, and do not create limitations, particularly as to the position, orientation, or use of the invention unless specifically set forth in the claims. Joinder references (e.g., attached, coupled, connected, and the like) are to be construed broadly and may include intermediate members between a connection of elements and relative movement between elements. As such, joinder references do not necessarily infer that two elements are directly connected and in fixed relation to each other.

[0054] In some instances, components are described with reference to ends having a particular characteristic and/or being connected to another part. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that the present invention is not limited to components which terminate immediately beyond their points of connection with other parts. Thus, the term end should be interpreted broadly, in a manner that includes areas adjacent, rearward, forward of, or otherwise near the terminus of a particular element, link, component, member or the like. In methodologies directly or indirectly set forth herein, various steps and operations are described in one possible order of operation, but those skilled in the art will recognize that steps and operations may be rearranged, replaced, or eliminated without necessarily departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. It is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not limiting. Changes in detail or structure may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

[0055] It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the particular example apparatuses, methods, compositions, or materials disclosed herein, but is extended to equivalents thereof as would be recognized by those ordinarily skilled in the relevant arts. It should also be understood that terminology employed herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting.

[0056] Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, while the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations together with all equivalents thereof.

[0057] While specific implementations are discussed, it should be understood that this is done for illustration purposes only. A person skilled in the relevant art will recognize that other components and configurations may be used without parting from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Thus, the description and drawings are illustrative and are not to be construed as limiting. Numerous specific details are described to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosure. However, in certain instances, well-known or conventional details are not described in order to avoid obscuring the description. References to one or an embodiment in the present disclosure can be references to the same embodiment or any embodiment; and such references mean at least one of the embodiments.

[0058] Reference to one embodiment or an embodiment means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the disclosure. The appearances of the phrase in one embodiment, or similarly and synonymously in one example, in one instance, or in one aspect in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of other embodiments. Moreover, various features are described which may be exhibited by some embodiments and not by others.

[0059] The terms used in this specification generally have their ordinary meanings in the art, within the context of the disclosure, and in the specific context where each term is used. Alternative language and synonyms may be used for any one or more of the terms discussed herein, and no special significance should be placed upon whether or not a term is elaborated or discussed herein. In some cases, synonyms for certain terms are provided. A recital of one or more synonyms does not exclude the use of other synonyms. The use of examples anywhere in this specification including examples of any terms discussed herein is illustrative only, and is not intended to further limit the scope and meaning of the disclosure or of any example term. Likewise, the disclosure is not limited to various embodiments given in this specification.

[0060] Additional features and advantages of the disclosure are set forth in the description, and in part will be obvious from the description, or can be learned by practice of the herein disclosed principles. The features and advantages of the disclosure can be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.