US4951937A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Load mechanism for exercise devices
Assignee: Schwinn Cycling and Fitness Inc
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Filing: 1989-03-13
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Granted: 1990-08-28
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Expires: 2009-03-13
Abstract
Abstract In a bicycle-type exercising apparatus, a roller is driven by the rear wheel of the bicycle. The roller is connected to a load device which varies the load resistance experienced by the person exercising on the exercise apparatus. The load device comprises a differential band brake having a pivoted member with the opposite ends connected to opposing ends of a brake band. A spring is inserted between one end of the pivoted member and the corresponding end of the brake band. A self-correcting servomotor is connected to the pivoted member to control the braking force. A computer may be programmed to control the motion of the servomotor, and thus control the forces exerted by the load device.
Inventors
- 👤 Mark J. Hoffenberg
- 👤 Robert A. Walpert
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 12:58
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63B; A63B21/00; A63B21/012; A63B21/015; A63B69/00; A63B69/16; A63B2069/161; A63B2069/163; A63B2069/164; A63B2069/165; A63B21/22; A63B21/225
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
231 words
An apparatus for applying loads to a bicycle exercise device where a resistance load is applied to the pedals of the exercise device to simulate the loads experienced during riding a bicycle, comprising a resistance roller; means for mounting a bicycle to said apparatus so that the pedals of the bicycle resistively communicate with the roller; a differential band brake to exert a resistance force; the differential band brake comprising: a rotatably mounted drum having a friction surface at its outer periphery, the drum being selected to be of sufficient size to simulate the inertial loads of a bicycle and rider; a link pivot member having a first and second end, the link being pivotally mounted intermediate the first and second ends; a spring member connected to one end of the link member; and a brake band adjacent a portion of the friction surface of the drum, the brake band having a first end connected to the first end of the link pivot member, and a second end connected to the spring member; positioning means connected to the link pivot member intermediate the first and second ends of the link pivot member to position the link pivot member so as to cause the brake band to frictionally engage the drum to cause a resistance force to be exerted and means for communicating the resistance force from the brake to the roller.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
231 words
An apparatus for applying loads to a bicycle exercise device where a resistance load is applied to the pedals of the exercise device to simulate the loads experienced during riding a bicycle, comprising a resistance roller; means for mounting a bicycle to said apparatus so that the pedals of the bicycle resistively communicate with the roller; a differential band brake to exert a resistance force; the differential band brake comprising: a rotatably mounted drum having a friction surface at its outer periphery, the drum being selected to be of sufficient size to simulate the inertial loads of a bicycle and rider; a link pivot member having a first and second end, the link being pivotally mounted intermediate the first and second ends; a spring member connected to one end of the link member; and a brake band adjacent a portion of the friction surface of the drum, the brake band having a first end connected to the first end of the link pivot member, and a second end connected to the spring member; positioning means connected to the link pivot member intermediate the first and second ends of the link pivot member to position the link pivot member so as to cause the brake band to frictionally engage the drum to cause a resistance force to be exerted and means for communicating the resistance force from the brake to the roller.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said positioning means comprises a self-correcting servomotor.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
229 words
An apparatus for applying variable loads to a bicycle wherein a resistance load is applied to a roller which resistively communicates with the pedals of the bicycle device, comprising: a differential band brake communicating with the roller to exert a variable resistance load on said roller, the differential band brake further comprising: a rotatably mounted member having a friction braking surface on its periphery, the rotating member connected so as to transmit resistance forces to said roller; a pivotally mounted member having a first and second end, the member being pivotally mounted intermediate the first and second ends; a brake band adjacent at least a portion of said friction braking surface, the brake band having a first end connected to the first end of the pivotally mounted member, and having a second end connected to the second end of the pivotally mounted member; a resilient member forming said connection between one end of said pivotally mounted member and the corresponding end of the brake band; positioning means communicating with the pivotally mounted member intermediate the first and second ends of said member to position said member so as to cause the brake band to frictionally engage the frictional braking surface to cause a predetermined frictional force to be exerted by said rotatably mounted member which force is communicated as a resistance load to said roller on said exercise device.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
229 words
An apparatus for applying variable loads to a bicycle wherein a resistance load is applied to a roller which resistively communicates with the pedals of the bicycle device, comprising: a differential band brake communicating with the roller to exert a variable resistance load on said roller, the differential band brake further comprising: a rotatably mounted member having a friction braking surface on its periphery, the rotating member connected so as to transmit resistance forces to said roller; a pivotally mounted member having a first and second end, the member being pivotally mounted intermediate the first and second ends; a brake band adjacent at least a portion of said friction braking surface, the brake band having a first end connected to the first end of the pivotally mounted member, and having a second end connected to the second end of the pivotally mounted member; a resilient member forming said connection between one end of said pivotally mounted member and the corresponding end of the brake band; positioning means communicating with the pivotally mounted member intermediate the first and second ends of said member to position said member so as to cause the brake band to frictionally engage the frictional braking surface to cause a predetermined frictional force to be exerted by said rotatably mounted member which force is communicated as a resistance load to said roller on said exercise device.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein said positioning means comprises a self-correcting servomotor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein one end of said pivotally mounted member is connected to the corresponding end of said brake band by a spring.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 5, wherein said positioning means comprises a self-correcting servomotor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 3, wherein said positioning means is connected to said pivotally mounted member intermediate said first end of said pivotally mounted member and the pivot point about which said member pivots.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 7, wherein said pivotally mounted member is pivotally mounted off of the center of said pivotally mounted member, toward said first end of said pivotally mounted member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 4, further comprising: a computer programmed to provide a predetermined sequence of signals to said servomotor in order to simulate predetermined load resistances to said exercise device.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 6, further comprising: a computer programmed to provide a predetermined sequence of signals to said servomotor in order to simulate predetermined load resistances to said exercise device.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein said rotatably mounted member is a flywheel.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 10, wherein said rotatably mounted member is a flywheel.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
227 words
An apparatus, comprising: an exercise device having a rotating roller; means for mounting a bicycle frame and pedals to the exercise device so that a resistance force applied to the roller is transmitted to the pedals; a differential band brake communicating with said roller to exert a variable resistance load on said roller, the differential band brake further comprising: a rotatably mounted member having a friction braking surface; a pivotally, mounted member having a first and second end, the member being pivotally mounted intermediate the first and second ends; a brake band adjacent at least a portion of said friction braking surface, the brake band having a first end connected to the first end of the pivotally mounted member, and having a second end connected to the second end of the pivotally mounted member; a resilient member forming said connection between one end of said pivotally mounted member and the corresponding end of the brake band; positioning means communicating with the pivotally mounted member intermediate the first and second ends of said member to position said member so as to cause the brake band to frictionally engage the frictional braking surface to cause a predetermined frictional force to be exerted by said rotatably mounted member which force is communicated as a resistance load to said rollers; and means for communicating the variable resistance load to said roller.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
227 words
An apparatus, comprising: an exercise device having a rotating roller; means for mounting a bicycle frame and pedals to the exercise device so that a resistance force applied to the roller is transmitted to the pedals; a differential band brake communicating with said roller to exert a variable resistance load on said roller, the differential band brake further comprising: a rotatably mounted member having a friction braking surface; a pivotally, mounted member having a first and second end, the member being pivotally mounted intermediate the first and second ends; a brake band adjacent at least a portion of said friction braking surface, the brake band having a first end connected to the first end of the pivotally mounted member, and having a second end connected to the second end of the pivotally mounted member; a resilient member forming said connection between one end of said pivotally mounted member and the corresponding end of the brake band; positioning means communicating with the pivotally mounted member intermediate the first and second ends of said member to position said member so as to cause the brake band to frictionally engage the frictional braking surface to cause a predetermined frictional force to be exerted by said rotatably mounted member which force is communicated as a resistance load to said rollers; and means for communicating the variable resistance load to said roller.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
54 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 13, wherein said said pivotally mounted member is pivotally mounted such that the ratio of the distance from the pivot point to the nearest end of said member, to the distance from the pivot point to the most distant end of said member, is between 1.7 and 3.0.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus as defined in claim 14, further comprising a computer programmed to control the frictional force by controlling the position of said positioning means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-08-27 | 1994-02-26 | 1994-08-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-08-27 | 1998-02-26 | 1998-08-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-08-27 | 2002-02-26 | 2002-08-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |