Exercise devices – Involving user translation or physical simulation thereof – Bicycling
Reexamination Certificate
2000-11-13
2004-03-02
Lucchesi, Nicholas D. (Department: 3764)
Exercise devices
Involving user translation or physical simulation thereof
Bicycling
C482S051000, C482S057000, C074S594100, C280S210000, C280S236000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06699161
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to pedal mechanisms for powering machinery, and more specifically to an infinitesimally adjustable reciprocating pedal drive mechanism for powering a mobile vehicle or stationary device, such as a bicycle or exercise bicycle. The present mechanism allows the stroke of each pedal to be adjusted, as well as providing for the adjustment of the effective gear ratios of the pedal mechanism as desired. A stand for supporting a bicycle equipped with the present pedal drive mechanism, enabling the bicycle to be used as an exercise bike, is also provided.
2. Description of the Related Art
The so-called “safety bicycle,” incorporating front and rear wheels of generally equal diameters and a pedal mechanism including an increase in the effective drive ratio between pedals and drive wheel, was considered a significant advance in the bicycle industry when it was developed in the late nineteenth century. This mechanism provided the speed desired, without necessitating an extremely large drive wheel with its accompanying direct pedal drive, as in the “ordinary” type of bicycle.
However, it has long been recognized that additional improvements in the pedal and chain sprocket drive mechanism of the conventional bicycle, are desirable. For one thing, the circular motion of the pedals in a conventional bicycle pedal drive mechanism are not optimally efficient for receiving power from the generally reciprocating motion provided by the legs of a rider. Another problem is the provision of finite gear ratios in such bicycles, which cannot provide optimum ratios under every circumstance. Even where those ratios are close to optimum, such geared bicycles cannot provide variable pedal positions to optimize the leg thrust or force of a rider, nor can they vary the pedal stroke in order to optimize the leg force further. This is true for both mobile bicycles and also for stationary exercise bicycles or exercise mechanisms using a pedal-like arrangement.
Accordingly, a need will be seen for an adjustable pedal mechanism for mobile and stationary vehicles, particularly for bicycles and the like. The mechanism must provide a reciprocating action for the pedals, in order to simulate more closely the natural reciprocating action of the legs of an individual while walking or running. Moreover, the mechanism must provide for the adjustment of the pedal stroke as required, as well as for positioning the mechanism at least arcuately as desired to further optimize the energy of the rider. Finally, the mechanism must also provide an infinitesimally adjustable ratio in order to optimize the energy of the rider even further.
A discussion of the related art of which the present inventor is aware, and its differences and distinctions from the present invention, is provided below.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,019,230 issued on Apr. 26, 1977 to Melville R. Pollard, titled “Reciprocating Powered Bicycle,” describes a bicycle having conventional drive and driven sprockets with a continuously rotating chain extending therearound. However, the pedal arms are not affixed to the drive sprocket, but rather are affixed to ratchet mechanisms which in turn drive the drive sprocket in only one direction of rotation. The two pedal arms are linked together by a bellcrank mechanism, so that when one pedal is descending, the other is forced to rise. The ratchet mechanism may be locked to provide for conventional circular pedal operation, if so desired. Pollard has only a conventional Derailleur mechanism having only a finite number of ratios, unlike the infinitesimally adjustable mechanism of the present invention. Also, Pollard does not provide any means of adjusting the position of the pedal swing, due to the fixed length and location of the interconnecting bellcrank. Such pedal swing is incrementally adjustable in the present mechanism. Finally, the Pollard pedal arms pivot about the conventional sprocket hub of the bicycle, while the pivot points for the pedal arms of the present mechanism are located on pivotally adjustable plates for adjusting the pedal arm swing.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,077,648 issued on Mar. 7, 1978 to Man Taik Seul, titled “Bicycle Propulsion And Speed Change Means,” describes a bicycle drive system incorporating opposite reciprocating pedal arms which pivot about a point on the rear frame essentially above the rear wheel hub. Each of the two pedal arms are connected to a drive wheel by two arms, with the length of the arms being remotely and incrementally adjustable to adjust the effective drive ratio by a series of finite increments. The drive wheel turns a sprocket, which is in turn ratcheted to impart driving force to the drive wheel of the bicycle. Seul does not provide any means of adjusting the swing arc of the pedals to a different position, nor any infinitesimally adjustable ratio means, as in the present drivel mechanism. Moreover, the Seul pedal arms pivot about a fixed point on the frame of the bicycle, unlike the adjustably positionable pedal arm pivot points of the present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,564,206 issued on Jan. 14, 1986 to Larry G. Lenhardt, titled “Pedal Drive,” describes a mechanism having a relatively large diameter primary sprocket and a smaller diameter secondary sprocket, both rotating at the same speed. A multiple link arrangement connects the two pedal arms with the two sprockets. The resulting pedal travel path is a relatively narrow and elongate kidney-shaped path, generally resembling a reciprocating arc. However, Lenhardt utilizes a conventional Derailleur mechanism having only a finite number of different ratios, unlike the present invention. Also, Lenhardt does not provide any means for altering the travel path of the pedals, as provided in the present invention. Moreover, while the Lenhardt pedal arms do not pivot about the sprocket hub axis, they are not adjustably positionable, as in the present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,574,649 issued on Mar. 11, 1986 to Man T. Seol, titled “Propulsion And Speed Change Mechanism For Lever Propelled Bicycles,” describes a rocking pedal action in which each pedal arm is connected to a relatively short length of chain which wraps about a respective sprocket disposed to that side of the drive wheel hub. Each hub contains a cam and roller one way drive device therein. The two chain lengths are connected by a cable, so that when one chain is rotating in a driving direction about its respective sprocket, the opposite chain is being pulled in the opposite direction and free wheels due to the release of the cam and roller mechanism on that side. Seol provides only incremental adjustment of the mechanical ratios of his mechanism, unlike the infinitesimal mechanical ratio adjustment of the present invention. Moreover, the arcuate motion of each pedal arm is fixed and cannot be adjusted using the Seol mechanism, whereas the present mechanism provides such adjustment as desired. The pivot axis of the pedal arms is through the original sprocket hub and is not adjustably positionable, while the pedal arm pivots are adjustably positioned away from the conventional sprocket hub in the present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,961,570 issued on Oct. 9, 1990 to Chester Chang, titled “Exercising Mechanism For Simulating Climbing A Ladder,” describes a device in which the two opposite pedal arms are pivotally secured at their distal ends to the frame of the machine. Relatively short cranks connecting the arms to a rotary drive wheel result in a reciprocating action of the pedal arms for rotating the wheel. A series of speed increasing gears results in the relatively high speed rotation of an output wheel, with the is mechanical disadvantage provided by the speed increase resulting in a requirement for a relatively large force at each pedal in order to produce sufficient force for rotating the output wheel. Chang does not disclose any means of adjusting the arcuate pedal movement nor of adjusting the effective gear ratios, as provided by the present invention. The Chang pedal arms pivot ab
Litman Law Offices
Lucchesi Nicholas D.
Nguyen Tam
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