Adjustable inclining and declining exercise bicycle

Abstract

An exercise apparatus comprises an exercise cycle having a pedal assembly configured to rotate and at least one flywheel. The pedal assembly is in an operative relationship with the flywheel such that rotating the pedal assembly causes the flywheel to rotate. The exercise cycle comprises a frame connected to the pedal assembly, the frame supporting a seat for a user. The exercise apparatus further comprises a base configured to support the exercise cycle and to dynamically tilt the exercise cycle to simulate cycling on an inclined surface. The base comprises a platform configured to support the frame of the exercise cycle. The base further comprises at least one actuator configured to support at least part of the platform, the at least one actuator connected to the platform and configured to dynamically tilt the platform during operation of the exercise cycle.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An exercise apparatus, comprising:
 an exercise cycle comprising:
 a pedal assembly configured to rotate; 
 at least one flywheel, the pedal assembly in an operative relationship with the flywheel such that rotating the pedal assembly causes the flywheel to rotate about a first axis; and 
 a frame connected to the pedal assembly, the frame supporting a seat for a user; 
   a base configured to support the exercise cycle, the base further configured to dynamically tilt the exercise cycle to simulate cycling on an inclined surface, the base comprising:
 a platform configured to support the frame of the exercise cycle; and 
 at least one actuator configured to support at least part of the platform, the at least one actuator connected to the platform and configured to dynamically tilt the platform during operation of the exercise cycle, the at least one actuator configured to dynamically tilt the platform about a second axis that is parallel to the first axis. 
   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , the base further comprising a horizontal support member configured to rest on a floor, the support member connected to a first end of the at least one actuator, the second end of the at least one actuator pivotally connected to the platform of the base. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , the actuator being positioned between the support member and the platform, the actuator configured to extend during operation of the exercise cycle, the extension of the actuator causing the platform to tilt about the second axis. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , the frame comprising:
 an upper frame configured to support the user, the upper frame comprising a vertical seat tube;   a lower frame configured to support the upper frame, the lower frame connected to the platform; and   at least one flexible connector between the upper frame and the lower frame, the at least one flexible connector configured to allow the upper frame to tilt from side-to-side about a third axis that is perpendicular to the second axis.   
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , the at least one flexible connector comprising a spring with a stiffness sufficient to limit the side-to-side tilting of the upper frame to less than thirty degrees from vertical. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the platform comprises a first end in proximity to the flywheel of the exercise cycle;   the platform comprises a second end opposite the first end;   the base comprises a first actuator positioned in proximity to the first end of the platform; and   the base comprises a second actuator positioned in proximity to the second end of the platform.   
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the first actuator is configured to extend, the extension of the first actuator causing the platform to tilt so as to simulate cycling up an inclined surface. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the second actuator is configured to extend, the extension of the second actuator causing the platform to tilt so as to simulate cycling down an inclined surface. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one actuator comprises at least one of:
 a hydraulic cylinder; and   a worm drive.   
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the frame comprises:
 a standardized seat tube configured to interface with seat posts connected to different types of seats; and   a standardized handlebar interface configured to interface with different types of handlebars.   
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the pedal assembly comprises a pair of pedals, each pedal comprising a first side having a clip interface and a second side having a cage interface. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , the exercise cycle further comprising a tension assembly configured to adjust a resistance to rotation of the flywheel. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , the exercise cycle further comprising an electronic controller configured to control the at least one actuator and the tension assembly, the electronic controller comprising a graphical user interface that allows a user to select an angle of the platform. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein, in response to a change in the angle of the platform, the tension assembly automatically adjusts the resistance to rotation of the flywheel. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , the exercise cycle further comprising:
 at least one gear shifter configured to allow selection of a simulated gear for pedaling the exercise cycle; and   an electronic controller communicatively coupled to the at least one gear shifter, the electronic controller configured to estimate a simulated distance traveled based at least in part on the selected gear.   
     
     
         16 . A method, comprising:
 connecting at least one actuator to a platform, the at least one actuator configured to tilt the platform about a first axis; and   connecting an exercise cycle to the platform, the platform configured to support the exercise cycle, the exercise cycle comprising:
 a pedal assembly configured to rotate; 
 at least one flywheel, the pedal assembly in an operative relationship with the flywheel such that rotating the pedal assembly causes the flywheel to rotate about a second axis, the second axis being parallel to the first axis; and 
 a frame connected to the pedal assembly, the frame supporting a seat for a user. 
   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , the at least one actuator configured to extend during operation of the exercise cycle, the extension of the at least one actuator causing the platform to tilt about the first axis. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , the extension of the at least one actuator causing the platform to tilt so as to simulate cycling up an inclined surface. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , the extension of the at least one actuator causing the platform to tilt so as to simulate cycling down an inclined surface. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the frame comprises:
 an upper frame connected to a handlebar assembly;   a lower frame configured to support the upper frame, the lower frame connected to the platform; and   at least one flexible connector between the upper frame and the lower frame, the at least one flexible connector configured to allow the upper frame to tilt from side-to-side about a third axis that is perpendicular to the first axis.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one actuator comprises at least one of:
 a hydraulic cylinder; and   a worm drive.   
     
     
         22 . An exercise apparatus, comprising:
 an exercise cycle comprising:
 a pedal assembly configured to rotate; 
 at least one flywheel, the pedal assembly in an operative relationship with the flywheel such that rotating the pedal assembly causes the flywheel to rotate; and 
 a frame connected to the pedal assembly, the frame supporting a seat for a user; 
   a base configured to support the exercise cycle, the base further configured to dynamically tilt the exercise cycle to simulate cycling on an inclined surface, the base comprising:
 a platform configured to support the frame of the exercise cycle; and 
 at least one actuator configured to support at least part of the platform, the at least one actuator connected to the platform and configured to dynamically tilt the platform during operation of the exercise cycle.