Modular bicycle trainer

Abstract

In order to allow for easier design, easier shipping, and simple assembly and upgrade to functional systems, a modular bicycle trainer that separates components into modules corresponding with functional systems is provided. The modular bicycle trainer includes a frame, a drive unit assembly, a handlebar assembly, a seat assembly, and a console.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A drive unit for a bicycle trainer, the drive unit comprising:
 a housing;   a body rotatably attached to the housing;   an axle rotatably attached to the housing, the axle being operatively connected to the body, such that the body is driveable via the axle;   a motion resistor supported by the housing, the motion resistor being configured to apply a resistive force to the body when the body is rotating; and   a first guide within or supported by the housing, the first guide corresponding to a second guide, the second guide being disposed on a frame of the bicycle trainer.   
     
     
         2 . The drive unit of  claim 1 , wherein the first guide includes a plurality of openings through a portion of the frame,
 wherein the second guide includes a plurality of captive fasteners,   wherein the drive unit is positionable on the frame, such that the plurality of captive fasteners extend through the plurality of openings.   
     
     
         3 . The drive unit of  claim 1 , wherein the body is a flywheel. 
     
     
         4 . The drive unit of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 a wheel rotatably attached to the housing, an axis of rotation of the wheel being in line with an axis of rotation of the axle, a diameter of the wheel being larger than a diameter of the flywheel; and   a belt or a chain disposed around the wheel,   wherein the axle is operatively connected to the flywheel via the wheel and the belt or the chain.   
     
     
         5 . The drive unit of  claim 4 , wherein the wheel is a first wheel,
 wherein the drive unit further comprises a second wheel rotatably attached to the housing, an axis of rotation of the second wheel being in line with an axis of rotation of the flywheel, a diameter of the second wheel being smaller than the diameter of the first wheel and the diameter of the flywheel,   wherein the belt or the chain is disposed around the second wheel, and   wherein the axle is operatively connected to the flywheel via the first wheel, the belt or the chain, and the second wheel.   
     
     
         6 . The drive unit of  claim 3 , wherein the motion resistor comprises:
 an electromagnet supported by the housing at a fixed distance relative to the flywheel;   a permanent magnet supported by the housing at a variable distance relative to the flywheel;   a generator; or   a mechanical motion resistor that is movable into contact with the flywheel.   
     
     
         7 . The drive unit of  claim 6 , wherein the motion resistor comprises the mechanical motion resistor, and
 wherein the mechanical motion resistor includes a plunger that is movable into contact with the flywheel.   
     
     
         8 . The drive unit of  claim 4 , wherein the housing has a first portion and a second portion, the second portion of the housing extending away from a side of the first portion of the housing, and
 wherein the first guide is disposed within the second portion of the housing.   
     
     
         9 . The drive unit of  claim 8 , wherein the second portion of the housing weighs at least as much as a remainder of the drive unit. 
     
     
         10 . The drive unit of  claim 8 , wherein the flywheel is attached to the housing at or adjacent to the side of the first portion of the housing, such that the flywheel and the second portion of the housing are disposed on a same side of the first portion of the housing. 
     
     
         11 . The drive unit of  claim 10 , wherein the side of the first portion of the housing is a first side of the first portion of the housing,
 wherein the wheel is attached to the housing at or adjacent to a second side of the first portion of the housing, the second side of the first portion of the housing being opposite the first side of the first portion of the housing.   
     
     
         12 . The drive unit of  claim 9 , wherein the axle extends through at least part of the first portion of the housing and at least part of the second portion of the housing. 
     
     
         13 . A bicycle trainer comprising:
 a drive unit comprising:
 a housing; 
 a drivable flywheel rotatably attached to the housing; 
 a motion resister supported by the housing and configured to apply a force to the drivable flywheel; and 
 a first guide within or supported by the housing; 
   a frame comprising:
 one or more supports; 
 a second guide within or supported by the one or more supports, the second guide corresponding to the first guide, 
   wherein the drive unit is removably attached to the frame via the first guide and the second guide.   
     
     
         14 . The bicycle trainer of  claim 13 , wherein the first guide includes a plurality of holes through a portion of the housing of the drive unit,
 wherein the second guide includes a plurality of captive fasteners extending away from a support of the one or more supports, and   wherein the plurality of captive fasteners extend through the plurality of holes, and the portion of the housing of the drive unit abuts the support of the frame when the drive unit is attached to the frame.   
     
     
         15 . The bicycle trainer of  claim 14 , wherein the support is a first support, and
 wherein the one or more supports further include a second support and a third support forming a v-shape, the first support extending between the second support and the third support, such that a length of the first support defines a position of the first support and the drive unit along the second support and the third support.   
     
     
         16 . The bicycle trainer of  claim 13 , wherein the motion resister comprises:
 an electromagnet supported by the housing at a fixed distance relative to the drivable flywheel;   a permanent magnet supported by the housing at a variable distance relative to the drivable flywheel;   a generator; or   a mechanical motion resistor that is movable into contact with the drivable flywheel.   
     
     
         17 . The bicycle trainer of  claim 13 , wherein the housing has a first portion and a second portion, the second portion of the housing extending away from a side of the first portion of the housing,
 wherein the first guide is disposed within the second portion of the housing, and   wherein the drivable flywheel is attached to the first portion of the housing at or adjacent to the side of the first portion of the housing, such that the drivable flywheel and the second portion of the housing are disposed on a same side of the first portion of the housing.   
     
     
         18 . A frame for a bicycle trainer, the frame comprising:
 two supports;   a mounting plate extending between the two supports; and   one or more captive fasteners extending away from the mounting plate, the one or more captive fasteners corresponding to one or more openings through a housing of a drive unit, respectively, the drive unit including a drivable flywheel rotatably attached to the housing, and a motion resister supported by the housing and configured to apply a force to the flywheel.   
     
     
         19 . The frame of  claim 18 , wherein the one or more captive fasteners include a plurality of captive fasteners extending away from the mounting plate, and
 wherein the one or more openings through the housing of the drive unit include a plurality of openings through the housing of the drive unit, the plurality of openings corresponding to the plurality of captive fasteners, respectively.   
     
     
         20 . The frame of  claim 18 , wherein the two supports form a v-shape, the mounting plate extending between the two supports, such that a length of the mounting plate defines a position of the mounting plate along the two supports.