Stationary exercise apparatus adaptable for use with video games and including springed tilting features

Abstract

A stationary and indoor exercise apparatus that supports a traditional bicycle and is associated with electronic signaling devices providing a means to deliver electronic signals to a controlling device that then forwards the electronic signals on to either an electronic gaming device, a personal computer, or a virtual reality system. In this manner, the operator of the bicycle is able to interact with video game or virtual reality interactive software while in the process of exercising. The invention's front and rear suspension systems support the operator and the bicycle and give a full range of motion simulation experience by allowing the bicycle and operator to experience up and down motion that mimics that ride of the open road along with a forward and back motion that gives the operator the experience of moving forward as the bicycle is pedaled. Additionally, the rear suspension is equipped with a rocker feature that allows the bicycle and operator to experience a biased springed resistance as they tilt and turn the bike during the course of a workout, thereby providing an experience that mimics the turning and tilting forces felt during a bicycle ride outdoors. Additionally, the operator feels an adjustable resistance as the bicycle pedals are operated providing a training experience for the operator.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by United States Letters Patent is:  
     
         1 . A stationary exercise apparatus for simulating actual movement experienced during free bicycle riding on an actual road surface when used together with an exercise bicycle and for connection to an existing video game and related mechanism, the apparatus' including: 
 a support frame, the frame including a plurality of contact points for contacting a firm surface thereby maintaining the bicycle in a relatively stationary position; and    tilting means connected to the frame for allowing the bicycle to tilt about an axis longitudinal to the bicycle responsive to a shift in weight by an operator, the tilting means including 
 at least one-rocker arm, each rocker arm being disposed so as to rock about the axis longitudinal to the bicycle, and  
 at least one spring corresponding to each rocker arm for providing resistance when the weight shift occurs.  
   
     
     
         2 . A stationary exercise apparatus for simulating actual movement according to  claim 1 , wherein the bicycle is a stationary exercise bicycle.  
     
     
         3 . A stationary exercise apparatus for simulating actual movement according to  claim 2 , wherein the stationary exercise bicycle is mounted on a platform, the platform in turn being mounted on the support frame such that the stationary exercise bicycle can tilt using the tilting means about the longitudinal axis.  
     
     
         4 . A stationary exercise apparatus for simulating actual movement according to  claim 1 , wherein the bicycle is free-standing, and includes 
 a chassis including a seat upon which the operator can sit,    a front wheel having steering capabilities and connected to the chassis,    a rear wheel connected to the chassis, and    a handlebar in communication front wheel for grasping by the operator and by which the steering capabilities are effected.    
     
     
         5 . A stationary exercise apparatus for simulating actual movement according to  claim 4 , further comprising a support base, the support base being in contact with a firm surface and including a channel for receiving the front wheel, the support base for aiding in the support of the bicycle.  
     
     
         6 . A stationary exercise apparatus for simulating actual movement according to  claim 5 , wherein the channel for receiving the front wheel of the bicycle tapers from a wider open end to a narrower closed end.  
     
     
         7 . A stationary exercise apparatus for simulating actual movement according to  claim 1 , wherein the tilting means includes a maximum angle from the vertical, past which the exercise bicycle will not go in order to ensure the safety of the operator.  
     
     
         8 . A stationary exercise apparatus for simulating actual movement according to  claim 7 , wherein a resistance against tilt is provided as the operator shifts weight to initiate tilt.  
     
     
         9 . A stationary exercise apparatus for simulating actual movement according to  claim 8 , wherein the resistance against tilt increases as the angle from vertical increases as the operator shifts weight to initiate tilt.  
     
     
         10 . A stationary exercise apparatus for simulating actual movement according to  claim 1 , further comprising driving means for simulating actual movement of the exercise bicycle by requiring some action by the operator.  
     
     
         11 . A stationary exercise apparatus for simulating actual movement according to  claim 10 , wherein the driving means includes axially opposed peals which are rotated by the operator to simulate free bicycle riding.  
     
     
         12 . A stationary exercise apparatus for simulating actual movement according to  claim 11 , wherein the driving means further includes impedance means for providing a resistive force as the operator rotates the axially opposed pedals, thereby providing physical exercise to the operator.  
     
     
         13 . A stationary exercise apparatus for simulating actual movement according to  claim 12 , wherein the resistive force is selectively variable.  
     
     
         14 . A stationary exercise apparatus for simulating actual movement according to  claim 13 , wherein the resistive force is selectively variable responsive to electronic input.  
     
     
         15 . A stationary exercise apparatus for simulating actual movement according to  claim 14 , wherein the electronic input is provided by a video game.  
     
     
         16 . A stationary exercise apparatus for simulating actual movement according to  claim 14 , wherein the electronic input is provided by a virtual reality headset system.  
     
     
         17 . A stationary exercise apparatus for simulating actual movement according to  claim 14 , wherein the electronic input is provided by a computer game.  
     
     
         18 . A stationary exercise apparatus for simulating actual movement according to  claim 13 , wherein the exercise bicycle further comprises a set of gears and the resistive force is selectively variable responsive to manual changes in engagement and disengagement of the driving means to individual gears in the set of gears.  
     
     
         19 . A stationary exercise apparatus for simulating actual movement according to  claim 4 , further comprising connecting means for temporarily connecting the free-standing bicycle to the support frame such that the bicycle is maintained in relatively upright stationary position.  
     
     
         20 . A stationary exercise apparatus for simulating actual movement according to  claim 17 , wherein the connecting means connects the rear wheel of the free-standing bicycle to the support frame.  
     
     
         21 . A stationary exercise apparatus for simulating actual movement according to  claim 17 , wherein the connecting means is integral to a part of the support frame.  
     
     
         22 . A stationary exercise apparatus for simulating actual movement according to  claim 19 , wherein the connecting means comprises at least one support army having first and second ends, each first end being rigidly attached to the rocker arm near an end thereof and each second end including fastening means for temporarily fastening it's that support arm Into the rear wheel of the exercise bicycle.  
     
     
         23 . A stationary exercise apparatus for simulating actual movement according to  claim 20 , wherein at least two support arm  110 s acting in combination provide support to opposing ends of the rear wheel axle, the fastening means comprising a threaded shaft having means for receiving end of the rear wheel axle, the threaded shaft being advanced to engage and maintain the rear wheel axle in a fixed position and retracted to disengage and release the exercise bicycle from the support frame.  
     
     
         24 . A stationary exercise apparatus for simulating actual movement according to  claim 4 , further comprising impedance means for providing a resistive force as the operator operates the exercise bicycle.  
     
     
         25 . A stationary exercise apparatus for simulating actual movement according to  claim 22 , wherein the impedance means comprises an electromagnetic resistor which controls the rotation of a roller which is in contact with the rear wheel of the exercise bicycle.  
     
     
         26 . A stationary exercise apparatus for simulating actual movement according to  claim 1 , wherein the exercise bicycle is connected to an audiovisual sensory means for providing input to the operator of the exercise bicycle.  
     
     
         27 . A stationary exercise apparatus for simulating actual movement according to  claim 24 , wherein the audiovisual sensory means includes a pre-programmed video game which aids in creating for the operator a sensation that the exercise bicycle is riding freely on an actual road surface.  
     
     
         28 . A stationary exercise apparatus for simulating actual movement according to  claim 24 , wherein the audiovisual sensory means comprises 
 a plurality of movement sensors disposed at strategic position on the exercise bicycle and support frame;    a plurality of control switches disposed on the exercise bicycle within easy reach of the operator;    an interactive electronic processor for receiving input and rendering output information responsive to information received from the sensors and switches; and    an interface controller for making compatible the input information received from the sensors and switches and the output information rendered by the processor.    
     
     
         29 . A stationary exercise apparatus for simulating actual movement according to  claim 26 , further comprising a visual feedback device.  
     
     
         30 . A stationary exercise apparatus for simulating actual movement according to  claim 27 , wherein the visual feedback device is a display monitor.  
     
     
         31 . A stationary exercise apparatus for simulating actual movement according to  claim 27 , wherein the visual feedback device is a virtual reality headset.  
     
     
         32 . A stationary exercise apparatus for simulating actual movement according to  claim 26 , further comprising an audiovisual feedback device.  
     
     
         33 . A stationary exercise apparatus for simulating actual movement according to  claim 26 , wherein at least one movement sensor is disposed on the tilting means to sense tilting action during operation.  
     
     
         34 . A stationary exercise apparatus for simulating actual movement according to  claim 26 , wherein at least one movement sensor is disposed so as to sense steering changes made to the exercise bicycle by the operator during operation.  
     
     
         35 . A stationary exercise apparatus for simulating actual movement according to  claim 26 , wherein at least one movement sensor is disposed so as to sense rolling changes made to the rear wheel of the bicycle by the operator during operation.  
     
     
         36 . A stationary exercise apparatus for simulating actual movement according to  claim 26 , wherein the operator uses the control switches to control the interactive electronic processor.  
     
     
         37 . A stationary exercise systems for simulating actual movement experienced during free bicycle riding on an actual road surface, the system including: 
 an exercise bicycled on a support frame, the bicycle having a seat upon which an operator can sit and handlebar, the support frame including tilting means for allowing the bicycle to tilt about an axis longitudinal to the bicycle responsive to a shift in weight by the operator, the tilting means including    at least one rocker arm, each rocker arm being disposed so as to rock about the axis longitudinal to the bicycle,    at least one spring corresponding to each rocker arm for providing resistance when the weight shift occurs; and    audiovisual sensory means for providing input to the operator of the exercise bicycle.    
     
     
         38 . A stationary exercise system for simulating actual movement according to  claim 34 , further including impedance means for providing a resistive force as the operator operates Me exercise bicycle.  
     
     
         39 . A stationary exercise system for simulating actual movement according to  claim 35 , wherein the impedance means comprises an electromagnetic resistor which responds to pedaling action by the operator.  
     
     
         40 . A stationary exercise system for simulating actual movement according to  claim 36 , wherein the electromagnetic resistor is selectively variable.  
     
     
         41 . A stationary exercise system for simulating actual movement according to  claim 37 , wherein the electromagnetic resistor is selectively responsive to electronic input provided by the audiovisual sensor means.  
     
     
         42 . A stationary exercise system for simulating actual movement according to  claim 34 , Wherein the audiovisual sensory means comprises 
 a plurality of movements sensors disposed at strategic position on the exercise bicycled support frame;    a plurality of control switches disposed on the exercise bicycle within easy reach of the operator;    an interactive electronic processor for receiving input and rendering output information responsive to information received from the sensors and switches; and    an interface controller for making compatible the input information received from the sensors and switches and the output information rendered by the processor.    
     
     
         43 . A method of using a stationary exercise system for simulating actual movement experienced during free bicycle riding on an actual road surface, the method comprising the steps of: 
 a) connecting an exercise bicycle to a support frame, the support frame maintaining the bicycle in a relatively stationary position and including tilting means for allowing the bicycle to tilt about an axis longitudinal to the bicycle responsive to a shift in weight by the operator, the tilting means including at least one rocker arm and at least one spring corresponding to each rocker arm; and    b) connecting the exercise bicycle to audiovisual sensory means for providing input to the operator of the exercise bicycle.    
     
     
         44 . A method of using a stationary exercise system for simulating actual  claim 40 , further comprising the step of operating the stationary exercise system by providing control switches to the operator whereby an interactive electronic processor is controlled.  
     
     
         45 . A method of using a stationary exercise system for simulating actual movement experienced during free bicycle riding on an actual road surface according to  claim 41 , wherein movement of the exercise bicycle, including tilting movement, is sensed by movement sensors disposed at strategic positions on the exercise bicycle and support frame.  
     
     
         46 . A method of using a stationary exercise system for simulating actual movement experienced during free bicycle riding on an actual road surface according to  claim 42 , wherein an interface controller makes compatible input information received from the sensors and switches and output information rendered by the interactive electronic processor.  
     
     
         47 . A method of using 'a stationary exercise system for simulating actual movement experienced during free bicycle riding on an actual road surface according to  claim 40 , further comprising the step of operating the stationary exercise system by operating the exercise bicycle by rotating axially opposed pedals, thereby providing exercise to the operator.  
     
     
         48 . A method of using a stationary exercise system for simulating actual movement experienced during free bicycle riding on an actual ad surface according to  claim 44 , wherein impedance means provides a resistive force as the operator rotates the axially opposed pedals.