Exercise apparatus(es) and method

Abstract

An exercise apparatus, preferably an exercise bike, comprising a user input mechanism, preferably pedals 30L, 30R, for driving an electrical generator 20, and a variable resistance mechanism, wherein

Description

The invention is as set forth in the appended claims. For clarity, a battery powered actuator, which may be used to adjust eddy current braking, may be considered to be a resistive load; and may be powered directly from an-board generator. Additionally, an onboard energy storage system, including but not limited to a battery or capacitor, may store generated power and may be used to control resistance. Also, eddy current braking with magnets moved by actuators may be considered as a form of controlled resistance to pedalling; as can electromagnetic brakes, where the magnets have fixed locations, but are activated by variations in electrical power. Friction braking; or any other variable resistance method including battery or ESS charging by onboard generator; and variable air or other fluid passages in turbines or other brakes may also provide resistance to pedalling. The resistance mechanism may be powered directly from the generator output; through a resistive load; via an onboard energy storage system; or by a combination of these options; thus ensuring flexibility in energy management and control. The same onboard battery that powers the bike’s console screen and / or other electronics may also be used to power resistance mechanisms, such as actuators, electromagnetic braking, or eddy current braking. The onboard battery may simultaneously power the console screen and / or other electronics while also being used for resistance control. Furthermore, resistance may be controlled directly by generator output, or via stored energy from a battery, whether the battery is actively charging or not. The system may apply “inverted resistance”, wherein resistance is adjusted in a way that guides the user into a target cadence or power zone dynamically. Additionally, resistance control, including ERG mode, may be executed by built-in software within the exercise apparatus or via an external application running on a separate computing device, such as a mobile phone, tablet, or cloud-based service. The system may also support third-party application control for external resistance adjustment; however, such control does not bypass or override the fundamental resistance management principles set forth in this invention. Within the scope of this application it is envisaged that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives, and in particular the individual features thereof, set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and / or in the following description and drawings, may be taken independently or in any combination. For example features described in connection with one embodiment are applicable to ail embodiments, unless such features are incompatible. For the avoidance of doubt, it is to be understood that features described with respect to one aspect of the invention may be included within any other aspect of the invention, alone or in appropriate combination with one or more other features. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS One or more embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures in which: Fig. 1 shows a left side elevation of a drive and control apparatus for an exercise apparatus in the form of an exercise bike; Fig. 2 shows a frontal view of the apparatus of Figure 1 along arrow II in Figure 1; and Fig. 3 shows a frontal view of the eddy current brake 55 of Figure 1 along arrow II in Figure 1, with the generator 20 omitted for clarity. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Fig. 1 shows drive and control apparatus 10, comprising generator 20 driven by left and right pedals 30L and 30R. Drive belt 40 drives flywheel 50, which has movable magnets 60 mounted on slides (not shown) to its left and right sides to form an eddy current brake 55. A conductor 70 carries current from generator 20 through variable resistor 80 and / or an energy storage system to battery 90, which is earthed at point 100. Control box 110, which may be powered by the battery, controls variable resistor 80. Further control input may be received from remote controller 115. Both box 110 and remote controller 115 may control one or several exercise apparatus(es). Fig. 2 shows axis C-C, around which internal components of generator 20; and pedals 30L and 30R; rotate. Fig. 3 show axis M-M, which provides a slide axis for magnets 60; and around which flywheel 50 rotates. Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the singular encompasses the plural unless the context otherwise requires. In particular, where the indefinite article is used, the specification is to be understood as contemplating plurality as well as singularity, unless the context requires otherwise. Features, integers, characteristics, or groups described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment or example of the invention are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described herein unless incompatible therewith.

Claims

1. An exercise apparatus comprising a user input mechanism, an electrical generator which is configured to be driven by user effort, and a variable resistance mechanism; wherein the apparatus is self-contained in energy terms, providing its own power without use of mains electricity.

2. An exercise apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a digital electronic control system.

3. An exercise apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the resistance has a fixed value in at least one operating mode.

4. An exercise apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the resistance is controlled remotely by a fitness instructor.

5. An exercise apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the resistance is controlled by a pre-set control plan.

6. An exercise apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the resistance is controlled dynamically, based on user input.

7. An exercise apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the resistance is controlled dynamically, based on Functional Threshold Power zones.

8. A plurality of exercise apparatuses according to claim 1, wherein the resistance is controlled remotely and wirelessly.

9. One or more exercise apparatus(es) according to any preceding claim, wherein the or each apparatus feeds power into an Energy Storage System or battery in use.

10. One or more exercise apparatus(es) according to any preceding claim, wherein the or each apparatus takes power from the Energy StorageSystem or battery in use; particularly to vary resistance, using energy originally generated by the user.

11. One or more exercise apparatus(es) according to any preceding claim, wherein the or each apparatus comprises an ergometer operating mode in use.

12. One or more exercise apparatus(es) according to any preceding claim, wherein the variable resistance is gamified, incorporating resistance-based challenges and / or interactive training modes.

13. A plurality of exercise apparatuses according to any one of claims 8 to 12, wherein all users experience identical changes in resistance simultaneously.

14. A plurality of exercise apparatuses according to claim 8, wherein users experience changes in resistance based on Functional Threshold Power operating zones.

15. A plurality of exercise apparatuses according to claim 14, wherein users or software can choose Functional Threshold Power operating zones dynamically and / or in real time.

16. A plurality of exercise apparatuses according to claim 14, wherein users or software can choose Functional Threshold Power operating zones via predetermined settings.

17. A plurality of exercise apparatuses according to claim 8, wherein users experience changes in resistance based on user fitness levels.

18. A plurality of exercise apparatuses according to claim 8, wherein users experience changes in resistance based on instructor input.

19. One or more exercise apparatus(es) according to any preceding claim, wherein resistance can be controlled by built-in software.

20. One or more exercise apparatus(es) according to any preceding claim, wherein resistance can be controlled via an external application.

21. One or more exercise apparatus(es) according to claim 10, or claims 11 to 20 when dependent on claim 10, each apparatus comprising an eddy current brake, wherein adjustment of the brake is powered by the Energy Storage System or battery.

22. One or more exercise apparatus(es) according to claim 21, wherein eddy current braking adjustment is controlled by an actuator powered by a generator, battery, or other energy storage system.

23. One or more exercise apparatus(es) according to claim 21, wherein the eddy current brake comprises a flywheel or disc and magnets which can be moved closer to said disc or away from it.

24. One or more exercise apparatus(es) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein an actuator for eddy current braking adjustment is powered by a generator, without use of an Energy Storage System or battery.

25. A method of operating one or more exercise apparatus(es) using the control mechanisms according to any of the previous claims.IntellectualPropertyOfficeApplication GB2502749.1Search report under Section 17 of the Patents Act 1977Date search completed: 11 August 2025Claims searched: 1-25International classificationSubclass and subgroup Valid from A63B21 / 005 01 / 01 / 2006 A63B21 / 22 01 / 01 / 2006 A63B22 / 06 01 / 01 / 2006 F03G5 / 06 01 / 01 / 2006 H02J7 / 14 01 / 01 / 2006Field of searchWorldwide search of patent documents classified in the following areas of the IPC:A63BDatabases used in the preparation of this search report:INTERNET; SEARCH-PATENTDocuments considered to be relevantPatent literatureCategory Relevant Document of relevanceclaimsX 1-25 WO 2022 / 159784 A1 (CREW INNOVATIONS INC), See figures 2A-3; and paragraphs 0045, 0048, 0053-0057, 0075 &0076 X 1-25 US 2018 / 0036586 A1 (CRISTOFORI et al.), See figures 1 &14; and paragraphs 0054, 0055 &0110-0113 X 1-25 US 2003 / 0166434 A1 (LOPEZ-SANTILLANA et al.), See figures 1-3; and paragraphs 0012, 0013 &0018Non-patent literatureCategor y Releva nt claims Document of relevance X 1-25 Energym, 17 / 01 / 2025, RE:GEN + OHM, Energym, https: / / web.archive.org / web / 20250117082431 / https: / / energym.io / prod ucts / the-regen, See webpage, particularly under "Description" and "Features"Categories Letter or symbol Description X Document indicating lack of novelty or inventive step. Y Document indicating lack of inventive step, if combined with another document of the same category. & Member of the same patent family. A Document indicating technological background. P Document published on or after the priority date but before the fling date of the present application. E Earlier application published on or after the filing date of the present application.

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