Bicycle trainer

Abstract

The present invention is a bicycle trainer that allows a person to utilize their own bicycle and simulates real and varied road conditions. The device includes the front forks of a bicycle mounted to a stand; the stand including a flexible support arm allowing the bicycle to rock back and forth along a rocking arc; and the rear tire of the bicycle making contact with a roller face of a roller such that the roller is free to rotate in proportion to the rotation of the rear tire. Further, the roller is rotationally connected to a motor for selectively applying resistance and assistance to the rear tire rotation, for simulating real course conditions. Preferably it further includes a motor assembly which includes a frame for housing the roller and motor and rigidly connecting the motor assembly to the stand, the motor is pivotally mounted to the frame about its shaft, such that the motor and roller rotate in proportional unison with each other.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A bicycle trainer for use with a bicycle with its front tire removed from the fork dropout, the bicycle trainer comprises:
 e) a stand which includes a flexible connecting arm connected to a motor assembly at a tire end of the flexible connecting arm;   f) a fork end of the flexible connecting arm dimensioned to attach to the front fork dropout of a bicycle;   g) the motor assembly includes a roller with a roller face, wherein the rear tire of the bicycle making contact with a roller face of the roller such that the roller is free to rotate in proportion to the rotation of rear tire and further the tire is free to move in a lateral direction across a portion of the face of the roller;   h) a motor is rotationally connected to the roller for selectively applying resistance and assistance to the rear tire rotation, for simulating real course conditions.   
     
     
         2 . The bicycle trainer claimed in  claim 1  further wherein the flexible connecting arm is dimensioned and selected to allow torsional flex of the flexible connecting arm such that the bicycle will rock back and forth along a rocking arc when the rider imparts torsional forces onto the stand. 
     
     
         3 . The bicycle trainer claimed in  claim 1  wherein the motor assembly which includes a frame for housing the roller and motor and also for rigidly connecting the motor assembly to the flexible connecting arm, the motor is rotationally mounted about its shaft with limited pivotal movement to the frame, such that the motor and roller rotate in proportional unison with each other. 
     
     
         4 . The bicycle trainer claimed in  claim 3  wherein the motor assembly further includes a means for measuring force. 
     
     
         5 . The bicycle trainer claimed in  claim 4  wherein the measuring means includes a force sensor for measuring the tangential force between the roller and the rear tire. 
     
     
         6 . The bicycle trailer claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the motor assembly further includes a base plate to which the motor is rigidly mounted, the base plate is free to pivot with the motor and includes a top side and bottom side. 
     
     
         7 . The bicycle trainer claimed in  claim 6  wherein the motor assembly includes a force sensor and spring, the force sensor in contact with one side of the base plate, and the spring contacting the other side of the plate such that the force sensor and spring restrict the pivoting deflection of the base plate and thereby measure the tangential force between the roller and rear tire. 
     
     
         8 . The bicycle trainer claimed in  claim 7  where the force sensor and spring are opposing each other mounted on opposite sides of the base plate, in order to maintain positive bias of force on the force sensor. 
     
     
         9 . The bicycle trainer claimed in  claim 7  wherein the force sensor is chosen from the group comprising piezo electric, and strain gauge and load cell and magneto elastic transducers. 
     
     
         10 . The bicycle trainer claimed in  claim 7  further including a controller which includes data sets for simulating real and imaginary road conditions. 
     
     
         11 . The bicycle trainer claimed in  claim 10  wherein the motor assembly in response to the controllers input imparts resistance and assistance to tire rotation and adjusts the assistance and resistance forces imparted at least 100 times per second. 
     
     
         12 . The bicycle trainer claimed in  claim 1  wherein the flexible connecting arm includes a longitudinal portion, a support arm and a fork support, wherein the longitudinal portion connected to the motor assembly at a tire end, and connected to the support arm at the other end, and the support arm also connected to a fork support. 
     
     
         13 . The bicycle trainer claimed in  claim 12  wherein the horizontal portion adapted to flex torsionally in response to torsional force imparted onto the stand. 
     
     
         14 . The bicycle trainer claimed in  claim 1  wherein the flexible connecting arm selected to allow a rocking arc of 10° each side of centre for a total arc of 20°. 
     
     
         15 . The bicycle trainer claimed in  claim 1  wherein the flexible connecting arm selected to allow a rocking arc of 5° each side of centre for a total arc of 10°. 
     
     
         16 . The bicycle trainer claimed in  claim 1  wherein the flexible connecting arm made of an aluminium alloy 6061 having a wall thickness of 10 mm.