US20170014671A1

US20170014671A1 - Front Elevated Stationary Bicycle

Info

Publication number: US20170014671A1
Application number: US15/212,937
Authority: US
Inventors: Thomas J. Burns, SR.
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-07-17
Filing date: 2016-07-18
Publication date: 2017-01-19

Abstract

A front elevated stationary bicycle. The present system includes a front support member, a rear support member, a central member extending therebetween. A seat is secured on the central member facing the front support member. A pedaling mechanism having a flywheel and a pair of pedals rotatably attached thereto is secured to the central member between the seat and the front end of the central member. The front end of the central member is configured so that it can be vertically adjusted relative to the front support member, such that the pedals can be positioned above the seat.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/193,769 filed on Jul. 17, 2015. The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to exercise equipment. More specifically, the present invention relates to stationary bicycles that are vertically adjustable such that the front end of the stationary bicycle can be raised above the height of the rear end, enabling a user to lean backward and exercise with their legs in an elevated position.
Cycling is a popular sport that is used for enjoyment and exercise. There are many situations which prohibit a person from riding a bicycle outdoors, and many turn to exercise equipment such as stationary bicycles to offer a similar experience in an indoor setting. While cycling offers many health benefits, there are many who find the crouched over position of a standard bicycle to be uncomfortable. Stationary bicycles offer more comfortable seating alternatives, such as wider seat with back support. However, some individuals require an additional feature—the ability to exercise while having their legs in an elevated position. For example, those who suffer from various vascular diseases are often required to keep the position of their legs higher than their heart while they exercise. A stationary bicycle that can be adjusted to raise the front end of the machine to accomplish this offers a valuable piece of exercise equipment to this population.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of stationary bicycles now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a stationary bicycle wherein the same can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when desiring to adjust the vertical height of the stationary bicycle. The present system comprises a front support member, a rear support member and a central member having a front end and a rear end extending therebetween. A seat is disposed on the central member facing the front support member. A pedaling mechanism comprising a flywheel and a pair of pedals rotatably attached thereto is secured to the central member between the seat and the front end of the central member. In some embodiments of the invention, the level of resistance of the flywheel is adjustable. The front end of the central member is configured to be vertically adjusted relative to the front support member, such that the pedals can be positioned above the seat.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the adjustable front elevated stationary bicycle.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view the front end of the central member secured to the front support member of the adjustable front elevated stationary bicycle.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the adjustable front elevated stationary bicycle in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the adjustable front elevated stationary bicycle. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.
Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, there are shown perspective views of the adjustable front elevated stationary bicycle and the front end of the front elevated stationary bicycle, respectively. The adjustable front elevated stationary bicycle 10 comprises a front support member 19, a rear support member 15, and a central member 30 having a front end and a rear end extending therebetween. A seat 40 is disposed on the central member 30 facing the front support member 19. A pedaling mechanism 50 comprising a flywheel and a pair of pedals 52 rotatably attached thereto is secured to the central member 30 between the seat 40 and the front end of the central member 30.
The central member 30 is attached to the front support member 19 such that the front end of the central member 30 can be raised or lowered along a vertical length of the front support member 19 and secured in position with a fastener. In some embodiments of the front elevated stationary bicycle 10, the front support member 19 comprises a base foot 12 and a vertical element 18 attached perpendicularly thereto, forming a T-shape. The front end of the central element 30 further comprises a hollow area adapted to fit around the outer perimeter of the vertical element 18 of the front support member 19. Some embodiments of the front elevated stationary bicycle further include a handle 26 extending from the front end of the central element 30 to facilitate adjustment of the height of the central element 30 relative to the vertical element 18.
The vertical element 18 includes holes 20 disposed along its length that are configured to accept a security pin 32 therethrough. There are two additional holes 34 disposed at the end of the central element 30 adjacent to the hollow area that are substantially the same size as the holes 20 on the vertical element 18. A user can adjust the height of the front end of the central element 30 by removing the security pin 32, lifting the central element 30 to the desired position, and reinserting the security pin 32 through the holes 34 of the central element 30 and through the holes 20 of the vertical element 18, thus locking the central element 30 to the front support member 19 at the desired height.
In further embodiments of the front elevated stationary bicycle, the rear support member 15 is configured similarly to the front support member 19 in that it is configured in a T-shape having a rear base foot 14 and a rear vertical element 16. The rear vertical element 16 further comprises holes 20 disposed along the length thereof, configured to accept a security pin 32 therethrough. The rear end of the central element 30 further comprises a hollow area adapted to fit around the outer perimeter of the rear vertical element 16 of the rear support member 15. In some embodiments of the front elevated stationary bicycle, there is a handle 26 extending from the rear end of the central element 30 to facilitate adjustment of the height of the central element 30 relative to the rear vertical element 16. A user can adjust the height of the rear end of the central element 30 in the method described above regarding the front end of the central element 30.
The seat 40 comprises a base 42 secured to the central element 30. There is a back panel 44 attached thereto to provide support for a user, specifically when the front end of the front elevated stationary bicycle is in a raised position. In some embodiments of the front elevated stationary bicycle, the seat 40 position can be adjusted along the central element 30 to accommodate users of various sizes and enable them to comfortably reach the pedals 52. Some seats 40 further comprise handles to allow a user to steady themselves while exercising.
Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a perspective view of the adjustable front elevated stationary bicycle in use. In some embodiments of the invention, the level of resistance of the flywheel is adjustable. Some embodiments of the front elevated stationary bicycle further comprise a mechanical knob to adjust the resistance. Other embodiments comprise a digital controller 54 than can adjust the resistance of the flywheel electronically.
The front end of the central member can be raised to a position such that the pedals 52 of the pedaling mechanism 50 can be positioned above the seat 40. For example, the pedals 52 can be positioned farther away from the ground than the torso of a user would be while sitting on the seat 40. This allows the front elevated stationary bicycle to be used by individuals who require that their legs be located above their heart when exercising.
It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in various embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

I claim:

1) An adjustable front elevated stationary bicycle, comprising:

a front support member;

a rear support member;

a central member having a front end and a rear end extending therebetween, wherein the front end can be vertically adjusted along the front support member and secured thereto with a fastener;

a seat disposed on central member;

a pedaling mechanism comprising a flywheel and a pair of pedals rotatably attached thereto, wherein the flywheel is configured to offer rotational resistance to the pedals, wherein the pedaling mechanism is positioned between the seat and the front support member.

2) The adjustable front elevated stationary bicycle of claim 1, wherein front member further comprises a base foot and a vertical element attached perpendicularly thereto.

3) The adjustable front elevated stationary bicycle of claim 2, further comprising holes disposed along the vertical element.

4) The adjustable front elevated stationary bicycle of claim 3, wherein the central element further comprises a hollow area adapted to fit around the outer perimeter of the vertical element and a hole disposed on the central element adjacent to the hollow area, wherein a security pin can be placed through the hole of the central element and a hole of the vertical element to secure the central element to the vertical element.

5) The adjustable front elevated stationary bicycle of claim 4, wherein the central member can be adjusted relative to the front support member such that the pedals are raised higher than the seat.

6) The adjustable front elevated stationary bicycle of claim 5, wherein the central element further comprises a rear hollow area adapted to fit around the outer perimeter of the rear vertical element and a hole disposed on the central element adjacent to the hollow area, wherein a security pin can be placed through the hole of the central element and a hole of the rear vertical element to secure the central element to the rear vertical element.

7) The adjustable front elevated stationary bicycle of claim 1, wherein rear member further comprises a rear base foot and a rear vertical element attached perpendicularly thereto.

8) The adjustable front elevated stationary bicycle of claim 1, further comprising a resistance control mechanism configured to adjust the rotational resistance of the flywheel.

9) The adjustable front elevated stationary bicycle of claim 1, wherein the seat comprises a base and a back panel.

10) The adjustable front elevated stationary bicycle of claim 9, wherein the seat is adjustable along the central element.