Arm Exerciser for a Foot Pedal Operated Cycle

Abstract

A bicycle handle with a resistance mechanism is provided such that the combination of the force that the user provides and that the resistance mechanism provides is a zero force directed towards steering the bicycle. The user provides a force on the bicycle handle which in turn overcomes the resistance mechanism to provide linear movement. A repetition of this movement provides a means of strengthening or maintaining the muscle tone of the user's upper body while they are riding the bicycle, thus providing a means of simultaneous exercise for the user's upper and lower body and back.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A device for a foot pedal operated cycle, said cycle having a frame, comprising:
 a base connectable to the cycle frame;   a movable handlebar supported by said base for reciprocal planar movement against a resisting force.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said base and said handlebar are rotatably mounted with respect to the frame.   
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said base further comprises at least one tubular guide that accepts a guide rod for producing said reciprocal planar movement of said handlebar.   
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said base comprises at least one force generation device to resist movement of said handlebar in a first direction from an original position and to return said handlebar to said original position by moving said handlebar in a second direction opposite said first direction.   
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein:
 said force generation device comprises at least one of a spring, a compressible gas and a fluid system with an orifice and a one way valve to bypass said orifice.   
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said base further comprises a travel stop for said handlebar.   
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein:
 said travel stop comprises a rod extending from said handlebar and passing through a bracket opening, said rod further comprises a nut that engages said bracket to define the stop location for said handlebar.   
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein:
 said base comprises at least one force generation device to resist movement of said handlebar in a first direction from an original position and to return said handlebar to said original position by moving said handlebar in a second direction opposite said first direction;   said force generation device is located within said tubular guide.   
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said base comprises at least one spring mounted over a guide rod extending from said handlebar to said base.   
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein:
 said base further comprises a plurality of substantially parallel tubular guides that accept a guide rod respectively for producing said reciprocal planar movement of said handlebar.   
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein:
 said base comprises at least one force generation device to resist movement of said handlebar in a first direction from an original position and to return said handlebar to said original position by moving said handlebar in a second direction opposite said first direction.   
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein:
 said force generation device comprises at least one of a spring, a compressible gas and a fluid system with an orifice and a one way valve to bypass said orifice.   
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein:
 said base further comprises a travel stop for said handlebar.   
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein:
 said travel stop comprises a rod extending from said handlebar and passing through a bracket opening, said rod further comprises a nut that engages said bracket to define the stop location for said handlebar.   
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein:
 said force generation device is located within said tubular guides.   
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said force generation device comprises at least one spring mounted over a guide rod extending from said handlebar to said base.   
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein:
 the force generated by said force generation device can be adjusted.   
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein:
 the force generated by said force generation device is constant or variable.   
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein:
 the force generated by said force generation device can be adjusted.   
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 19 , wherein:
 the force generated by said force generation device is constant or variable.