Multi-position exercise bicycle

Abstract

An exercise bicycle has a frame with longitudinal, lateral, and transverse directions substantially orthogonal to one another. A crank, characterized by a crank axis and corresponding axial and radial directions, connects to a rotational resistance mechanism. The frame is configured to selectively support a user in either a first, classical, position and a second, semi-recumbent, position.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by United States Letters Patent is:  
     
         1 . An apparatus, the apparatus comprising: 
 a frame having longitudinal, lateral, and transverse directions substantially orthogonal to one another;    a crank, characterized by a crank axis and corresponding axial and radial directions, the crank being connected to the frame to rotate about the crank axis; and    the frame further configured to selectively support a user in a first, classical, riding position and a second, semi-recumbent, riding position.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the frame is further characterized by a first seating location corresponding to the first riding position and a second seating location corresponding to the second riding position, the frame being configured to position a hip joint of a user substantially the same radial distance from the crank axis when a user is in the first seating location and in the second seating location.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the second seating location is spaced radially and substantially longitudinally behind the crank axis.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the first seating location is spaced radially and substantially transversely above the crank axis.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the second seating location is spaced radially and substantially longitudinally behind the crank axis.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , further comprising: 
 a handlebar; and    the frame, further comprising a first post having a proximal end secured to extend away therefrom and a distal end configured to secure the handlebar.    
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the first post is pivotably secured to support the handlebar in a first handlebar position, corresponding to the first riding position, and a second handlebar position, corresponding to the second riding position.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , the apparatus further comprising: 
 at least one seat; and    the frame further comprising a second post having a proximal end secured to extend away therefrom and a distal end configured to support the at least one seat.    
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the second post is pivotably secured to support the at least one seat in a first seat position, corresponding to the first riding position, and a second seat position, corresponding to the second riding position.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the crank is connected to drive a resistance mechanism.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the resistance mechanism is a rotational resistance mechanism selected from the group consisting of a friction belt, an electromagnetic wheel, a disk brake, a drum brake, a fluid damper, and an air fan.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , further comprising a console having a control module configured to control resistance of the resistance mechanism.  
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1  comprising: 
 a handlebar; and  
 the frame, further comprising a first post having a proximal end secured to extend away therefrom and a distal end configured to secure the handlebar.  
 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a first post and a handlebar, the first post pivotably secured to support the handlebar in a first handlebar position, corresponding to the first riding position, and a second handlebar position, corresponding to the second riding position.  
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 at least one seat; and    the frame further comprising a second post having a proximal end secured to extend away therefrom and a distal end configured to support the at least one seat.    
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a second post and at least one seat, wherein the second post is pivotably secured to support the at least one seat in a first seat position, corresponding to the first riding position, and a second seat position, corresponding to the second riding position.  
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the crank is connected to drive a resistance mechanism.  
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the crank is operably connected to a resistance mechanism selected from the group consisting of a friction belt, an electromagnetic wheel, a disk brake, a drum brake, a fluid damper, and an air fan.  
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a console connected to the frame and including a control module configured to control resistance of the resistance mechanism.  
     
     
         20 . A method comprising: 
 providing a frame having longitudinal, lateral, and transverse directions substantially orthogonal to one another;    providing a crank, characterized by a crank axis and corresponding axial and radial directions, the crank being connected to the frame to rotate about the crank axis; and    configuring the frame to support a user of arbitrary stature selectively in a first, classical, position and a second, semi-recumbent, position, positioning a hip joint of a user at substantially the same radial distance from the crank axis when a user is in the first position and in the second position.