Exercise machine with a resistance fan that directs air to cool the user

Abstract

An exercise machine having a support frame; a resistance fan on the support frame, the resistance fan being configured to provide a certain amount of resistance to the user of the exercise machine; a housing surrounding the resistance fan, the housing having a plurality of openings through which air from the resistance fan is directed toward the user of the exercise machine; and a shield on the housing. The shield is movable relative to the plurality of openings, thereby redirecting air from the resistance fan without changing the amount of resistance provided to the user of the exercise machine.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to exercise machines, such as stationary bicycles with a drag fan that directs air for cooling the user. Background Technology

[0002] U.S. Patent No. 4,589,656 discloses a device for aerobic exercise, comprising an elongated frame, a housing surrounding the frame, a stressed pedal-driven fan carried by one end portion of the frame, and a user support and positioning seat carried by the other end portion of the frame opposite the fan. The positioning seat has a seat portion that tilts from front to back at a predetermined acute angle relative to the horizontal, and a backrest portion that tilts at a predetermined acute angle relative to the vertical, wherein at least the backrest portion has ventilation openings therein communicating with the front and rear surfaces of the backrest portion. An air passage communicates with the exhaust side of the fan and also with the ventilation openings in the backrest portion, and is used to guide the air exhausted by the fan through the ventilation openings to the front surface of the backrest portion and outward therefrom, thereby cooling the user and substantially increasing user comfort, especially during prolonged use.

[0003] U.S. Patent No. 4,932,650 discloses an exercise bicycle having a frame, a gear assembly actuated by pedals, and an impeller mechanically associated with the gear assembly. The impeller is housed within a chamber defined by a housing mounted on the frame. The chamber includes an inlet opening for introducing a flow of ambient air into the chamber and an outlet opening for directing a flow of pressurized air generated by the rotation of the impeller through the user's body.

[0004] U.S. Patent No. 5,920,212 discloses an exercise bicycle including a frame with a front wheel assembly and handlebars. The front wheel assembly includes a fan wheel with side plates, one of which has an air intake, and an air intake assembly surrounding the air intake, the air intake assembly having an opening that can be opened and closed. By opening and closing the air intake opening, the wheel's air resistance can be varied without changing the wheel's rotational speed. The handlebars of the exercise bicycle are pivotally connected to the bicycle at their midpoints. The lower end of the handlebars is pivotally connected to a cam arm, which is removably connected to an axle to which the pedals are mounted. By connecting or disconnecting the cam arm to or from the pedal axle, the handlebars can be selectively moved between a stationary mode and a mode in which the handlebars reciprocate between forward and backward positions.

[0005] U.S. Patent No. 6,960,156 discloses a device for directing concentrated airflow to a user in an air-resistance exercise machine. The fairing is constructed of a semi-rigid material or low-porosity fabric and can be removably attached to a cage covering fan-type blades typically associated with such machines. Various means can be used to attach the device to the cage, one of which is the use of rubber bands guided through the edges. In use, the device of this invention directs airflow to the user in the machine. The device is lightweight and portable, and the user can carry the device for use on the machine in various locations. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This summary is provided to introduce options of concept, which are further described herein in the detailed description below. This summary is not intended to identify key or substantial features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid to limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter. In some embodiments disclosed herein: an exercise machine has a support frame; a resistance fan on the support frame, the resistance fan being configured to provide a certain amount of resistance to the user of the exercise machine; a housing surrounding the resistance fan, the housing having a plurality of openings through which air from the resistance fan is directed toward the user of the exercise machine; and a shield on the housing. The shield is movable relative to the plurality of openings to redirect air from the resistance fan without changing the amount of resistance provided to the user of the exercise machine. Attached Figure Description

[0007] Embodiments of the exercise machine are disclosed herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same numerals are consistently used to refer to similar features and components.

[0008] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of an exercise machine according to the present disclosure, which in the illustrated embodiment is a stationary bicycle.

[0009] Figure 2 This is a side view of a stationary bicycle.

[0010] Figure 3 This is an exploded view of the shield, which is designed to guide air from the resistance fan of a stationary bicycle.

[0011] Figure 4 This is a second embodiment of a shroud on the housing of a resistance fan.

[0012] Figure 5 This is a third embodiment of a shroud on the housing of a resistance fan.

[0013] Figure 6 This is the fourth embodiment of a shroud on the housing of a resistance fan. Detailed Implementation

[0014] Through research and development, the inventors of this invention have determined that conventional static exercise machines with resistance fans cannot provide users with the ability to change the flow of air in contact with them during use without altering the level of resistance provided by the resistance fan. Specifically, the inventors realized that the total surface area of ​​the fan housing through which air can flow will affect the resistance encountered by the fan. The prior art mentioned above allows users to change the direction of airflow through the fan housing; however, this only changes the aforementioned cross-sectional area and therefore the arrangement of resistance. This is disadvantageous. Recognizing this, the inventors of this invention have endeavored to provide an exercise machine, specifically a static exercise machine, that overcomes these disadvantages of the prior art. This disclosure is the result of these efforts.

[0015] Figure 1-3 A stationary exercise machine according to this disclosure is depicted, which in the illustrated embodiment is a stationary bicycle 10. The stationary bicycle has a support frame 12 that supports an adjustable seat 14 relative to the ground. The support frame 12 has an axially elongated base member 16 and laterally elongated forward and backward strut members 18, 20. A pedal housing 22 houses a pair of pedal members 24. Each pedal member 24 has a pedal 26 for supporting the user's foot and a crank arm 28 coupled to a laterally extending pedal shaft 30. A seat base 32 extends vertically upward from the pedal housing 22 and supports the seat 14. Alternatively, the position of the seat 14 can be adjusted relative to the seat base 32 to accommodate users of different heights, as is conventional and disclosed, for example, in U.S. Patent No. 8,496,297, which is incorporated herein by reference. A bifurcated, angled support column 34 extends upward from the forward strut member 18 and has a support bracket 38 at its upper end for supporting a display panel, control panel, and / or similar 39 for use by a user seated on the seat 14. A pair of handle members 40 are pivotally coupled to the support column 34, each having a handle 42 that can be manually gripped by a user seated on the seat 14. The handle members 40 are manually pivotally reciprocating relative to each other and relative to the support column 34. The type and configuration of the handles 42 may also vary from those shown. Alternatively, a pair of stationary foot support columns 44 are fixed to the support column 34 and extend laterally from the support column 34, and are used to support the user's feet when the pedal member 24 is not being operated by the user. A pair of wheel brackets 46 extend forward from opposite ends of the forward strut member 18 and have wheels 48 for facilitating transport of the stationary bicycle 10 when not in use. As is customary, the support frame 12 can be pivoted forward about the wheel bracket 46 to thereby lift the rear strut member 20 off the ground and allow the support frame 12 to be rolled along the ground by the wheels 48.

[0016] The drag fan 50 is supported on the support frame 12 and is specifically located within the housing 52, which in the illustrated embodiment has a plurality of openings 54 defined by slots within a wire mesh (in Figure 4-6 The resistance fan 50 has a generally circular outer profile and rotates about a central axis 56. The resistance fan 50 is operatively coupled to the pedal member 24 by means of, for example, gears and / or belts and / or chains and / or similar (not shown), such that operating the pedal member 24 (i.e., pressing the pedal member 24 relative to the pedal shaft 30) causes the resistance fan 50 to rotate about the central axis 56. Alternatively, the resistance fan 50 is also operatively coupled to the handle member 40 by means of, for example, gears and / or belts and / or chains and / or similar (not shown), such that operating the handle 42 (i.e., reciprocatingly pushing and / or pulling the handle 42 relative to the support column 34) causes the resistance fan 50 to rotate about the central axis 56, all as conventional.

[0017] Brief reference Figure 4-6 The drag fan 50 has a profile (e.g., ridge, plate, hole, groove, bend, etc.) such that when rotated, the drag fan 50 encounters resistance from ambient air, which is then applied to the user of the pedal member 24 and / or the handlebar member 40, all as is conventional. Therefore, the drag fan 50 is configured to provide resistance via the pedal member 24 and / or the handlebar member 42 to the user of the stationary bicycle 10, all as is conventional. The air encountered by the drag fan 50 is pushed outward away from the drag fan 50 and toward the opening 54 in the housing 52. The specific profile of the drag fan 50 can vary, embodiments of which are known in the art and disclosed, for example, in the patents cited above. The manner in which the drag fan 50 is operatively coupled to the pedal member 24 can vary, embodiments of which are known in the art and disclosed, for example, in the patents cited above. The manner in which the drag fan 50 is operatively coupled to the handlebar member 40 is conventional and can vary. Embodiments of a conventional stationary bicycle are disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 6,913,560, which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0018] Now for reference Figure 1-3 According to this disclosure, a novel movable shield 58 is located on the housing 52, specifically on the rearward side of the housing 52, between the seat 14 and the handle member 40. Alternatively, a fixed fairing (not shown) may be located on the housing 52, specifically on the portion of the housing 52 in front of the support column 34, thereby preventing airflow through the housing 52 at the location of the fixed fairing. Figure 3In the embodiment shown, the movable shield 58 includes a generally U-shaped sleeve 60 arranged on the rear radial outer perimeter 62 of the housing 52. The sleeve 60 has a body 64 and opposing first arms 66 and second arms 68 that together form a U-shape. The first arms 66 and second arms 68 are connected to axially opposite sides of the housing 52 via an arcuate track 74. The arcuate track 74 is secured to the opposite sides by a back bracket 75 and fasteners 77. The arcuate track 74 has an elongated groove 76 that generally conforms to the contour of the radial outer perimeter 62 of the housing 52. A pair of fasteners 80 extend through the first arms 66 and second arms 68 and are arranged in the arcuate track 74 and configured to slide along the arcuate track 74, thus facilitating sliding movement of the sleeve 60 along the arcuate track 74 and along the rear radial outer perimeter 62 of the housing 52. The engagement between the fastener 80 and the opposite ends 82, 84 of the recess 76 defines the positions of the first and second extremes, into which the shield 58 is slidable relative to the housing 52. The sleeve 60 has a leading edge 86 and an opposite trailing edge 88, and a handle 90 located near the leading edge 86 and facilitating manual gripping and sliding of the sleeve 60 relative to the housing 52 to and between the aforementioned extreme positions.

[0019] The plurality of openings 54 in the wire mesh, not covered by the aforementioned fixed fairing, thus define the total cross-sectional area through which air flows through the housing 52. The plurality of openings 54 are defined at least partially along the radial outer perimeter 62 of the housing 52 between the pedal member 24 and the handle member 40, such that air encountered by the drag fan 50 is radially propelled from the housing 52 and directed toward the user seated on the seat 14. This propells the air toward the user seated on the seat 14 and cools the user seated on the seat 14. Each opening 54 directs air from the drag fan 50 in a slightly different respective radial direction. A portion of the total cross-sectional area through which air flows through the housing 52 is blocked by the shroud 58. The total cross-sectional area of ​​the housing 52 through which air can flow is a factor determining the amount of drag provided by the fan 50. A larger cross-sectional area results in less drag provided by the fan 50, and vice versa. Advantageously, the shield 58 is configured to be movable relative to the plurality of openings 54, thereby redirecting air from the drag fan 50 without altering the amount of resistance supplied to the user of the stationary bicycle 10. Specifically, as the shield 58 moves along the radial outer perimeter 62 of the housing 52, the trailing edge 88 exposes a portion of the total cross-sectional area of ​​the plurality of openings 54, while the leading edge 86 simultaneously covers an equal portion of the total cross-sectional area of ​​the plurality of openings 54. In other words, the shield 58 can move relative to the housing 52 in and between multiple positions; however, in each position, an equal portion of the air from the drag fan 50 is blocked and / or redirected. This keeps the total resistance supplied to the user by the drag fan 50 unchanged during and after movement. As the shield 58 moves to and between extreme positions defined by the engagement between the boss 80 and the ends 82, 84 of the arcuate track 74, the shield 58 continuously covers an equal portion of the cross-sectional area, thus keeping the resistance supplied by the drag fan 50 unchanged. That is, at all locations along the radial outer perimeter 62 of the housing 52, the shield 58 advantageously covers equal portions of the total cross-sectional area, so that the total resistance provided by the drag fan 50 remains unchanged.

[0020] Figure 4 Another embodiment of the shield 58a according to this disclosure is depicted. Similar reference numerals are used in the figures. Figure 1-3Similar components are shown in the embodiments described above. In this embodiment, instead of the arcuate track 74 connected to the housing 52 as described above, the shroud 58a has elongated first arms 66a and second arms 68b, which are pivotally connected to the housing 52 and / or support column 34, and are therefore pivotable about a lateral pivot axis 92. An opening 94 is defined between the first arms 66a and second arms 66b, through which air from the drag fan 50 can pass. At all locations along the radial outer perimeter 62 of the housing 52, the shroud 58a advantageously covers equal portions of the total cross-sectional area, thus keeping the total drag provided by the drag fan 50 unchanged.

[0021] Figure 5 Another embodiment of the shield 58b according to this disclosure is depicted. Similar reference numerals are used in the figures. Figure 1-3 Similar components are shown in the embodiments. The shield 58b is similar to... Figure 1-3 The difference shown is that it has a body 64 arranged within the housing 52. In this embodiment, an elongated track 96 is formed along the radial outer perimeter 62 of the housing 52. The shroud 58b has a handle 90b that extends through the elongated track 96 and facilitates manual sliding of the shroud 58b along the radial outer perimeter 62 of the housing 52 to extreme first and second positions and between the extreme first and second positions, all as described above. In all positions along the radial outer perimeter 62 of the housing 52, the shroud 58b advantageously covers equal portions of the total cross-sectional area, thus ensuring that the total resistance provided by the drag fan 50 remains unchanged.

[0022] Figure 6 Another embodiment of the shield 58a according to this disclosure is depicted. Similar reference numerals are used in the figures. Figure 1-3 Similar components are shown in the embodiments. Similar to those in... Figure 5 In the embodiment shown, the elongated track 96 is formed along the radial outer perimeter 62 of the housing 52. The shield 58c is connected to... Figure 5 The difference shown is because the body 64 is arranged outside the housing 52 and slidably engages with the elongated track 96 (by means, for example, with the track in the housing). Figure 5The engagement between the handles 90b shown extends through the pins or bosses of the elongated track 96 (not shown). The shroud 58c has handles 90c that facilitate manual sliding of the shroud 58c along the radial outer perimeter 62 of the housing 52 to and between extreme first and second positions, all as described above. In all positions along the radial outer perimeter 62 of the housing 52, the shroud 58c advantageously covers equal portions of the total cross-sectional area, thus ensuring that the total resistance provided by the resistance fan 50 remains unchanged.

[0023] In other embodiments, the stationary bicycle 10 may include a user-operable control unit 39, such as that disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 10,071,286, which is incorporated herein by reference. The user-operable control unit may, for example, be mounted on a support bracket 38 and programmed to automatically move the guards 58, 58a-58c via, for example, an electric motor, a hydraulic actuator, or any other similar known actuation device for moving components on an exercise machine. Such a mechanism may be electrically powered, for example as disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 9,943,718, which is incorporated herein by reference. Automatic control of the movement of the guards 58 may be based on user input to the aforementioned user-operable control unit and / or a programmed exercise routine executed by the control unit, and / or on current characteristics of the user sensed by biometric sensors (e.g., the user's heart rate), as is fully known in the art, an example of which is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 8,082,029, which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0024] This disclosure therefore advantageously provides a novel exercise bicycle having a support frame; pedals for performing cycling exercises relative to the support frame; and a resistance fan operatively coupled to the pedals such that the cycling exercise causes the resistance fan to rotate, thereby providing a certain amount of resistance to the cycling exercise via the pedals. A housing surrounds the resistance fan and has multiple openings through which air from the resistance fan is directed toward the user of the exercise bicycle. A shield is located on the housing and is movable relative to the multiple openings, thereby redirecting the air from the resistance fan without changing the amount of resistance provided to the user of the exercise bicycle.

[0025] In this specification, certain terms have been used for the purposes of brevity, clarity, and understanding. Unnecessary limitations that do not exceed the requirements of the prior art are to be gleaned from their implications, as such terms are used only for descriptive purposes and are intended to be interpreted broadly. The various devices described herein can be used alone or in combination with other devices. Various equivalents, alternatives, and modifications are possible within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An exercise machine comprising: a support frame; a resistance fan on the support frame, the resistance fan configured to provide an amount of resistance to a user of the exercise machine; a housing enclosing the resistance fan, the housing having a plurality of openings that define a total cross-sectional area through which air flows through the housing when the exercise machine is in use, the air from the resistance fan being directed through the plurality of openings toward the user of the exercise machine; and a shroud on the housing, the shroud being on a rearward side of the housing, wherein the rearward side is toward the user of the exercise machine, the shroud being movable into a plurality of positions relative to the housing and the plurality of openings, wherein in each of the plurality of positions, the shroud covers an equal portion of the total cross-sectional area such that an equal portion of the air from the resistance fan is blocked and redirected, thereby blocking and redirecting the air from the resistance fan without changing the amount of resistance provided to the user of the exercise machine.

2. The exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the shroud is movable along the housing from a first extreme position to a second opposite extreme position, and wherein the shroud continuously covers an equal portion of the total cross-sectional area when the shroud is moved into and between the first extreme position and the second opposite extreme position.

3. The exercise machine of claim 1, wherein the resistance fan is circular and has an outer diameter, and wherein the housing includes a radially outer perimeter, and wherein the plurality of openings are disposed along the radially outer perimeter. the air from the resistance fan flows through each of the plurality of openings in different directions, respectively, when the exercise machine is in use.

4. The exercise machine of claim 3, wherein, 5. The exercise machine of claim 3, wherein the shroud includes a sleeve that is slidable along the radially outer perimeter of the housing.

6. The exercise machine of claim 5, wherein the sleeve includes a forward edge and an opposite rearward edge, and wherein when the shroud is moved along the radially outer perimeter of the housing, the rearward edge exposes one portion of the total cross-sectional area of the plurality of openings while the forward edge covers an equal portion of the total cross-sectional area of the plurality of openings.

7. The exercise machine of claim 6, wherein the sleeve is disposed outside the housing.

8. The exercise machine of claim 6, wherein the sleeve is disposed inside the housing.

9. The exercise machine of claim 6, wherein the sleeve includes a first arm and a second arm that collectively form a U-shape.

10. The exercise machine of claim 9, wherein the resistance fan rotates about a central axis, and wherein the housing includes axially opposite sides, and wherein the first arm and the second arm are coupled to the axially opposite sides, respectively. ​ 11. The exercise machine of claim 10, further comprising arcuate tracks on the axially opposite sides, and wherein the first and second arms respectively engage and slide along the arcuate tracks.

12. The exercise machine of any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the housing comprises a wire mesh and wherein the plurality of openings are defined by slits within the wire mesh.

13. An exercise bike comprising: a support frame; a pedal for performing a pedaling exercise motion relative to the support frame; a resistance fan operatively coupled to the pedal such that performance of the pedaling exercise motion causes rotation of the resistance fan, the resistance fan thereby providing an amount of resistance to the pedaling exercise motion through the pedal; a housing enclosing the resistance fan, the housing having a plurality of openings that define a total cross-sectional area through which air flows through the housing when the exercise bike is in use, the air from the resistance fan being directed through the plurality of openings toward a user of the exercise bike; and a shroud on the housing, the shroud being on a rearward side of the housing, wherein the rearward side is toward the user of the exercise bike, the shroud being movable into a plurality of positions relative to the housing and the plurality of openings, wherein in each of the plurality of positions the shroud covers an equal portion of the total cross-sectional area such that an equal portion of the air from the resistance fan is blocked and redirected, thereby blocking and redirecting the air from the resistance fan without changing the amount of resistance provided to the user of the exercise bike.

14. The exercise bike of claim 13, wherein the shroud comprises a leading edge and a trailing edge, and wherein as the shroud is moved along a radial outer circumference of the housing the trailing edge uncovers a portion of the total cross-sectional area of the plurality of openings while the leading edge covers an equal portion of the total cross-sectional area of the plurality of openings.

15. The exercise bike of claim 14, wherein the resistance fan rotates about a central axis, and wherein the housing comprises axially opposite sides, and wherein first and second arms are respectively coupled to the axially opposite sides.

16. The exercise bike of claim 15, further comprising arcuate tracks on the axially opposite sides, and wherein the first and second arms respectively engage and slide along the arcuate tracks.

17. The exercise bike of claim 16, wherein the housing comprises a wire mesh and wherein the plurality of openings are defined by slits within the wire mesh. ​

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