System, method and apparatus for cycling device having pedals with independently adjustable resistance

Abstract

An apparatus for exercise has a base with first and second ends. A housing is coupled to the base adjacent to the first end. Wheels are coupled to the housing. The wheels are independently rotatable about a first axis. Pedals can be engaged by a user. Each pedal is coupled to and extend from a respective wheel, and facilitate rotation of the wheels. A resistance mechanism can be coupled to the first housing adjacent to the wheels. The resistance mechanism can independently resist rotation of each of the wheels when the pedals are selectively engaged by the user. An actuator can be coupled to the resistance mechanism and can actuate the resistance mechanism. A control system can be coupled to and control the actuator. The control system can independently vary the resistance to each of the wheels, and can independently stop rotation of each of the wheels.

1 . An apparatus for exercise by a user, the apparatus comprising:
 a base having first and second ends;   a housing coupled to the base adjacent to the first end;   wheels coupled to the housing, and the wheels are independently rotatable about a first axis;   pedals configured to be engaged by the user, wherein each pedal is coupled to and extends from a respective wheel, and the pedals facilitate rotation of the respective wheels;   a resistance mechanism coupled to the first housing adjacent to the wheels, and the resistance mechanism is configured to independently resist rotation of each of the wheels when the pedals are selectively engaged by the user;   an actuator coupled to the resistance mechanism and configured to actuate the resistance mechanism; and   a control system coupled to and configured to control the actuator, the control system is configured to independently vary the resistance to each of the wheels, and to independently stop rotation of each of the wheels.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the resistance mechanism comprises a friction brake having a brake pad to frictionally engage a respective wheel to resist rotation thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each of the wheels comprises a ratchet wheel, and lever arms configured to be rotated by the actuator to engage the respective ratchet wheels. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the resistance mechanism is coupled to the wheels to provide an eddy current to a respective wheel when the actuator activates the resistance mechanism. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the control system is activated by a switch or button on the first housing. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the control system is activated by a biometric sensor. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the control system comprises a sensor, and the sensor is configured to detect a rotational velocity of the wheels. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the wheels comprise flywheels. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a seat coupled to the base and spaced from the first housing towards the second end, wherein the seat is configured to support the user on the apparatus. 
     
     
         10 . An apparatus for exercise by a user, the apparatus comprising:
 a base having first and second ends;   a housing coupled to the base adjacent to the first end;   wheels coupled to the housing, and the wheels are independently rotatable about a first axis;   pedals configured to be engaged by the user, wherein each pedal is coupled to and extends from a respective wheel, and the pedals facilitate rotation of the respective wheels;   a resistance mechanism coupled to the first housing adjacent to the wheels, the resistance mechanism is configured to independently resist rotation of each of the wheels when the pedals are selectively engaged by the user, and the resistance mechanism is coupled to the wheels to provide an eddy current to a respective wheel when the actuator activates the resistance mechanism;   an actuator coupled to the resistance mechanism and configured to actuate the resistance mechanism; and   a control system coupled to and configured to control the actuator, the control system is configured to independently vary the resistance to each of the wheels, and to independently stop rotation of each of the wheels.   
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the resistance mechanism comprises a friction brake having a brake pad to frictionally engage a respective wheel to resist rotation thereof. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein each of the wheels comprises a ratchet wheel, and lever arms configured to be rotated by the actuator to engage the respective ratchet wheels. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the control system is activated by a biometric sensor. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the control system comprises a sensor, and the sensor is configured to detect a rotational velocity of the wheels. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the wheels comprise flywheels. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , further comprising a seat coupled to the base and spaced from the first housing towards the second end, wherein the seat is configured to support the user on the apparatus. 
     
     
         17 . An apparatus for exercise or rehabilitation of a user, the apparatus comprising:
 a base having first and second ends;   a first housing coupled to the base adjacent to the first end;   first wheels coupled to the first housing, and the first wheels are independently rotatable about a first axis;   pedals configured to be engaged by the user, wherein each pedal is coupled to and extends from a respective first wheel, and the pedals facilitate rotation of the respective first wheels;   a first resistance mechanism coupled to the first housing adjacent to the first wheels, and the resistance mechanism is configured to independently resist rotation of each of the first wheels when the pedals are selectively engaged by the user;   a first actuator coupled to the first resistance mechanism and configured to actuate the first resistance mechanism;   a first structure coupled to and extending from the first housing, and the first structure has a third end;   a second structure pivotably coupled to the third end of the first structure, and the second structure has a fourth end;   a second housing coupled to the fourth end of the second structure;   second wheels coupled to the second housing, and the second wheels are independently rotatable about a second axis;   hand pedals configured to be engaged by a user, wherein each hand pedal is coupled to and extends from a respective second wheel, and the hand pedals are configured to facilitate rotation thereof;   a second resistance mechanism coupled to the second housing adjacent to the second wheels, and the second resistance mechanism is configured to resist rotation of the second wheels when the hand pedals are selectively engaged by the user;   a second actuator coupled to the second resistance mechanism and configured to actuate the second resistance mechanism; and   a control system coupled to and configured to control the first and second actuators, and the control system is configured to independently vary the resistance to each of the first and second wheels, and to independently stop rotation of each of the first and second wheels.   
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein, when the user applies a force to the pedals and hand pedals, the control system maintains a constant rotational velocity of the first and second wheels. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the first wheels and the second wheels are mechanically interconnected for causing rotation of the first and second wheels.