Bicycle trainer

Abstract

A bicycle trainer is adapted for use with a bicycle. The trainer includes a base and a frame having spaced apart ends adapted to engage and support the bicycle. A pivoting assembly is joined to the frame at a central portion of the frame and to the base. The pivoting assembly allows movement between the frame and the base and includes a biasing mechanism that resists tilting of the frame relative to the base. The frame is supported only by the pivoting assembly.

1 . A bicycle trainer frame adapted for use with a bicycle, the bicycle trainer frame comprising: 
 a base;    a frame having spaced apart ends adapted to engage and support a bicycle in a generally upright position with a wheel of the bicycle disposed between the ends, the frame being generally a hyperboloid having a central portion located between each of the ends; and    a pivoting assembly joining the frame at the central portion to the base and allowing movement between the frame and the base such that when the bicycle is attached to the frame the bicycle is allowed to tilt from side to side, the pivoting assembly including a biasing mechanism resisting tilting of the frame relative to the base, wherein the frame extends upwardly from the pivoting assembly from one portion of the base and is supported only by the pivoting assembly.    
     
     
         2 . The bicycle trainer frame of  claim 1  and further comprising a resistive unit joined to the frame proximate the central portion and having a roller adapted to engage a tire of the bicycle.  
     
     
         3 . The bicycle trainer frame of  claim 2  wherein a first end of the spaced apart ends is disposed on one side of the pivot axis and a second end of the spaced apart ends is disposed on another side of the pivot axis opposite the first end, and wherein the first mentioned biasing element is disposed on a side of the pivot axis having the first end, and wherein a second biasing element is disposed on a side of the pivot axis having the second end.  
     
     
         4 . The bicycle trainer frame of  claim 2  wherein the first mentioned biasing element is disposed on one side of the pivot axis, and a second biasing element is disposed on a side of the pivot axis opposite the first mentioned biasing element.  
     
     
         5 . The bicycle trainer frame of  claim 4  wherein each of the biasing elements are compressed due to tilting of the frame towards each respective side of the pivot axis, and where each of the biasing elements urge the frame back to an upright position.  
     
     
         6 . The bicycle trainer frame of  claim 3  wherein each of the biasing elements are compressed due to tilting of the frame towards each respective side of the pivot axis, and where each of the biasing elements urge the frame back to the upright position.  
     
     
         7 . The bicycle trainer frame of  claim 6  wherein the biasing elements comprise springs.  
     
     
         8 . The bicycle trainer frame of  claim 1  wherein the frame extends upwardly from the pivoting assembly from one end of the base.  
     
     
         9 . The bicycle trainer frame of  claim 8  wherein the frame extends in a direction toward a second end of the base.  
     
     
         10 . The bicycle trainer frame of  claim 1  wherein the base is generally U-shaped having a central portion equidistant from remote ends, and wherein the pivoting assembly is joined to the central portion of the base.  
     
     
         11 . A bicycle trainer adapted for use with a bicycle, the bicycle trainer comprising: 
 a base;    a frame having spaced apart ends adapted to engage and support a bicycle in a generally upright position with a wheel of the bicycle disposed between the ends, the frame being only one generally hyperboloid support having a central portion located between each of the ends;    a resistive unit joined to the frame proximate the central portion to tilt therewith, the resistive unit having a roller adapted to engage a tire of the bicycle; and    a pivoting assembly joining the frame at the central portion to the base and allowing movement between the frame and the base such that when the bicycle is attached to the frame the bicycle is allowed to tilt from side to side, the pivoting assembly including a biasing element resisting tilting of the frame relative to the base.    
     
     
         12 . The bicycle trainer of  claim 11  wherein the base is generally U-shaped having a central portion equidistant from remote ends, and wherein the pivoting assembly is joined to the central portion of the base.  
     
     
         13 . The bicycle trainer of  claim 12  wherein the remote ends terminate at a position away from the pivoting assembly.  
     
     
         14 . The bicycle trainer of  claim 11  wherein the frame extends upwardly at an inclined angle with respect to the base.  
     
     
         15 . A bicycle trainer adapted for use with a bicycle, the bicycle trainer comprising: 
 a base;    a frame having spaced apart ends adapted to engage and support a bicycle in a generally upright position with a wheel of the bicycle disposed between the ends;    a resistive unit joined to the frame proximate the central portion to tilt therewith, the resistive unit having a roller adapted to engage a tire of the bicycle; and    only one pivoting assembly joining the frame at the central portion to the base and allowing movement between the frame and the base such that when the bicycle is attached to the frame the bicycle will tilt from side to side, the pivoting assembly including a biasing element resisting tilting of the frame relative to the base.    
     
     
         16 . The bicycle trainer of  claim 15  wherein the frame extends upwardly from the pivoting assembly from one end of the base.  
     
     
         17 . The bicycle trainer of  claim 16  wherein the frame extends in a direction toward a second end of the base.  
     
     
         18 . A method for supporting a wheel of a bicycle being used in a bicycle trainer positioned on a surface, comprising: 
 providing a roller of a resistance device to engage the wheel;    joining a frame to the resistance device to support the wheel on a first side and a second side of the wheel; and    supporting the frame with only one pivoting assembly to allow tilting of the frame relative to the surface.    
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  and further comprising: 
 joining a base to the pivoting assembly such that the frame is allowed to tilt relative to the base.    
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18  and further comprising: 
 connecting the wheel of the bicycle with only the roller of the resistance device and the frame during operation of the bicycle.    
     
     
         21 . A bicycle trainer for use with a bicycle, the bicycle trainer comprising: 
 a base;    a frame coupled to the base an having opposed support ends for engaging the bicycle; and    pivoting assembly means for providing only one support for the frame and allowing the frame to tilt with respect to the base.