Exercise device with power input measuring capability and user applied resistance mechanism

Abstract

An exercise device includes a stationary support structure and a power input arrangement supported by the support structure, which are configured such that the user applies input power to the exercise device at the power input arrangement. A rotary member is supported by the support structure, and a power sensing is driven into rotation by input power applied by the user. Input power applied by the user is transferred through the power sensing arrangement to impart rotation to the rotary member. The rotary member is in the form of a rotary resistance-providing member, which is rotatably supported on the support structure by the power sensing arrangement. In one form, the power sensing arrangement is driven into rotation via a chain drive system interposed between the power input arrangement and the rotary power sensing arrangement. The power input arrangement may be in the form of a pedal arrangement, and the rotary resistance-providing member may be in the form of a flywheel rotatably mounted to the stationary support structure via the power sensing arrangement. A user-operated resistance arrangement acts on the flywheel to resist rotation of the flywheel. The user-operated resistance arrangement may be in the form of a caliper arrangement that selectively engages the flywheel in response to user actuation. Representatively, the support structure may be in the form of a stationary bicycle frame that includes a user-supporting seat and a set of handlebars.

1 . An exercise device for use by a user, comprising: 
 a stationary support structure;    a power input arrangement supported by the support structure, wherein the user applies input power to the exercise device at the power input arrangement;    a rotary member supported by the support structure; and    a rotary power sensing arrangement supported by the support structure, wherein the rotary power sensing arrangement is driven into rotation by input power applied by the user, and wherein input power applied by the user is transferred through the rotary power sensing arrangement to impart rotation to the rotary member.    
   
   
       2 . The exercise device of  claim 1 , wherein the rotary member comprises a rotary resistance-providing member.  
   
   
       3 . The exercise device of  claim 2 , wherein the rotary resistance-providing member is rotatably supported on the support structure by the rotary power sensing arrangement.  
   
   
       4 . The exercise device of  claim 3 , wherein the rotary power sensing arrangement is driven into rotation via a chain drive system interposed between the power input arrangement and the rotary power sensing arrangement.  
   
   
       5 . The exercise device of  claim 4 , wherein the power input arrangement comprises a pedal arrangement and wherein the rotary resistance-providing member comprises a flywheel rotatably mounted to the stationary support structure via the power sensing arrangement, wherein the chain drive system imparts rotation to the flywheel in response to input power applied by the user to the pedal arrangement.  
   
   
       6 . The exercise device of  claim 5 , including a user-operated resistance arrangement that acts on the flywheel to resist rotation of the flywheel.  
   
   
       7 . The exercise device of  claim 6 , wherein the user-operated resistance arrangement comprises a friction arrangement that selectively engages the flywheel in response to user actuation.  
   
   
       8 . The exercise device of  claim 6 , wherein the support structure comprises a stationary bicycle frame that includes a user-supporting seat and a set of handlebars.  
   
   
       9 . A method of sensing power in an exercise device, comprising the acts of: 
 providing an exercise device that includes a support structure, a user power input associated with the support structure, and a rotary member rotatably mounted to the support structure;    applying input power to the rotary user power input;    rotating the rotary member in response to the input power applied by the user; and    sensing the input power at the rotary member.    
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the act of providing an exercise device having a rotary member is carried out by providing an exercise device having a frame and a flywheel rotatably mounted to the frame.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , including the act of applying resistance to the flywheel.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the act of applying resistance to the flywheel is carried out manually by the user.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the act of rotating the flywheel is carried out via a hub that is rotatably mounted to the frame, wherein the flywheel is secured to the hub  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the act of sensing the input power is carried out by sensing power applied to the hub.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 10 , including the act of supporting the user on the frame of the exercise device.  
   
   
       16 . An exerciser, comprising: 
 an exerciser frame capable of supporting user;    at least one wheel rotatably mounted to the frame;    a drive arrangement operably attached to the frame for rotating the wheel, wherein the drive arrangement includes a user power input;    a user-operated resistance control mechanism that acts on the wheel or the drive arrangement to selectively adjust the amount of resistance applied to the wheel; and    a power measuring apparatus interposed between the power input and the wheel, wherein the power measuring apparatus is operable to measure input power applied by the user to the user power input to impart rotation to the wheel through the drive arrangement.    
   
   
       17 . The exerciser of  claim 16 , wherein the wheel is rotatably mounted to the exerciser frame by means of a hub, and wherein the power measuring apparatus measures power applied to the hub through the drive arrangement.  
   
   
       18 . The exerciser of  claim 17 , wherein the resistance control mechanism comprises a user-operated braking mechanism that acts on the wheel to resist rotation of the wheel.  
   
   
       19 . The exerciser of  claim 18 , wherein the frame comprises a stationary cycling exerciser frame having a seat for supporting the user and a handlebar arrangement located forwardly of the seat, wherein caliper mechanism includes a user-operated resistance input carried by one of the frame and the handlebar arrangement.  
   
   
       20 . A method of measuring power applied to a drive assembly of an exerciser having a frame, a rotating member rotatably mounted to the frame, and a user power input carried by the frame, wherein the drive assembly is drivingly interconnected with the rotating member, comprising the acts of: 
 applying input power to the user power input of the exerciser, wherein the drive arrangement transfers input power applied by the user to drive the rotating member into rotation; and    measuring the input power applied by the user at the rotating member.    
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20 , the rotating member is rotatably mounted to the frame via a hub, and wherein the act of measuring the input power applied by the user is carried out by measuring the input power at the hub.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the rotating member comprises a flywheel, and further comprising the act of resisting rotation of the flywheel.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the act of resisting rotation of the flywheel is carried out by means of a user-operated resistance control arrangement.  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the act of resisting rotation of the flywheel is carried out by applying a braking force that resists rotation of the flywheel in response to the user-operated resistance control arrangement.