Exercise devices – Involving user translation or physical simulation thereof – Bicycling
Reexamination Certificate
1997-07-09
2001-03-20
Yu, Mickey (Department: 3764)
Exercise devices
Involving user translation or physical simulation thereof
Bicycling
C482S057000, C482S063000, C434S061000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06203472
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
The present invention relates generally to a wheel attachment, and more particularly to attaching a wheel of a bicycle to a stationary trainer.
For many years, bicycle enthusiasts have used bicycle trainers to convert their bicycles for stationary (often indoors) riding. Rather than ride through inclement weather, the cyclist can use the trainer to ride indoors and obtain an aerobic, cardiovascular workout. Bicycle trainers also obviate the need for purchasing a separate stationary bicycle for those persons who want to occasionally workout while, for example, reading or watching television. A bicycle trainer should be easy to use and, to the extent possible, simulate bicycle riding on the open road.
Typical bicycle trainers attach a rear wheel of a bicycle to a resistance unit mounted in a frame. The resistance unit couples to the bicycle's rear tire, to provide a resistance force. The rear wheel is typically attached to the frame by fitting the ends of its axles (or its “skewers”) into two opposing members (which are attached to two upward-extending frame arms and which can be shaped as open cylinders or cones). Typically, one member is relatively fixed while the other member is mounted on a shaft that can be adjusted inward.
To mount the bicycle in the trainer, the cyclist holds one skewer of the rear wheel in the relatively fixed member, while continuously rotating by screwing (or otherwise continuously translating, e.g., by a cam and follower) the adjustable shaft inward, until snug. The widths of various bicycle tire axles typically differ over a range of about 2 inches. Since one end of the bicycle wheel axle remains relatively fixed, a trainer of this type hence varies where the center of the bicycle tire lies with respect to the center of the frame members, when the other axle is secured in place.
SUMMARY
In general, in one aspect, the invention features an apparatus having: an axle attachment for removably holding an axle wherein the axle attachment is removably engageable with the end of the axle; a threaded shaft coupled to the axle attachment; and a latch that selectively engages the threads of the shaft.
Embodiments of the inventions may include the following features. The axle can be of a bicycle wheel. The latch can further include a nut portion, the nut portion selectably engages the threads of the shaft. The nut portion can include female threads which selectably engage the threads of the shaft. A housing can be placed around the shaft, coupled to the latch, and a portion of the latch can be moved towards and away from the housing. The axle attachment and shaft can be urged towards the axle, when the latch is disengaged from the shaft. A crank can be attached to the shaft to rotate the shaft around an axis of the shaft. The latch can further include a nut portion, the nut portion selectably engages the threads of the shaft such that the shaft moves relative to the latch along its axis when the crank is turned.
In general, in another aspect, the invention features an apparatus for removably holding an axle including an axle attachment, the axle attachment removably attachable to an end of the axle, a shaft coupled to the axle attachment, the shaft having at least one first position holder, and a housing around the shaft, the housing having at least one second position holder, the second position holder selectably mating with the first position holder.
Embodiments of the invention may include the following features. The axle can be of a bicycle wheel. The first position holder can be a pin, and the second position holder can be a ledge along an inside surface of the housing. Or, the first position holder can be a ledge along the outer surface of the shaft, and the second position holder can be a pin along an inside surface of the housing. A spring can couple the shaft and the housing, and the spring can releasably hold the first position holder against the second position holder. The shaft can have one first position holder and the housing can have at least two second position holders, or the shaft can have at least two first position holders and the housing can have one second position holder. The shaft can be moved relative to the housing such that the first position holder ceases mating with one of the second position holders in exchange for mating with another of the second position holders. The shaft can be moved relative to the housing such that the second position holder ceases mating with one of the first position holders in exchange for mating with another of the first position holders.
Advantages of the invention include the following. A cyclist can quickly and easily center a bicycle wheel within the frame of a bicycle trainer, and then quickly and easily tighten the bicycle axle within the trainer frame. The bicycle wheel can be relatively accurately centered within the frame to a selected degree of precision, by easily adjusting a shaft within a centering mechanism against a number of spaced position holders. The bicycle wheel can be grossly and then finely adjusted into a firm attachment. First, a shaft can be pushed within a rapid attach/release mechanism such that a releasable latch releases the shaft, pushing the shaft's end towards the wheel. A hand or even a leg can be used to push the shaft in this manner. Once the shaft is roughly in place, the latch can couple to threads on the shaft, allowing for fine adjustment and tightening by turning the shaft against the latch. The bicycle wheel is easily released by pulling the latch away from the shaft (after possibly loosening the shaft one or more turns). The invention allows a cyclist to train on a bicycle that is well-centered upon a stationary trainer, and allows the cyclist to easily attach and then release the bicycle wheel from the trainer. Centering of the bicycle within a trainer can be important for user balance and comfort, as well as for designing compact and sturdy resistance units that can function with many types of bicycles.
These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description, drawings, and claims.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4817939 (1989-04-01), Augspurger et al.
patent: 4976424 (1990-12-01), Sargeant et al.
McCaffrey Robert J.
Quintus-Bosz Harald
Andrus Sceales Starke & Sawall LLP
Graber Products, Inc.
Nguyen Tam
Yu Mickey
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