Brake device for an exercise bicycle

Description

1. Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a brake device for an exercise bicycle, especially to a brake device having two resilient elements with different coefficients of elasticity.

2. Description of the Prior Art(s)

[0002] With reference to Fig. 7, an exercise bicycle comprises a frame 81, a wheel 83, a resistance device 82 and a conventional brake device 70. The wheel 83 is mounted rotatably on the frame 81. The resistance device 82 is mounted on the frame 81 and applies resistance to the wheel 83 to control an exercise load of a user when the user is riding the exercise bicycle. The conventional brake device 70 is mounted on the frame 80 and has an outer tube 71, a button 73, a driving shaft 72 and a spring 74. The outer tube 71 is mounted securely on the frame 81. The driving shaft 72 is mounted slidably through the outer tube 71 and has two ends protruding out of the outer tube 71 and connected respectively to the resistance device 82 and the button 73. The spring 74 is mounted in the outer tube 71 and has two ends respectively abutting the outer tube 71 and the driving shaft 72. When the button 73 and the driving shaft 72 are pushed, the spring 74 is pressed and the driving shaft 72 actuates the resistance device 82 to stop the wheel 83. When the button 73 and the driving shaft 72 are released, the spring 74 pulls the driving shaft 72 backwards.

[0003] However, the conventional brake device 70 only have one spring 74 to buffer a pushing force applied by the user and to push the driving shaft 72 back to release the resistance device 82. Considering to a buffering efficiency to the pushing force and a velocity when pushing the driving shaft 72 back, the spring 74 needs to have a moderate coefficient of elasticity. Furthermore, the coefficient of elasticity of the spring 74 is unadjustable to fit the user's need.

[0004] A similar exercise apparatus is described in document US-A-2010/0009815.

[0005] The main objective of the present invention is to provide a brake device for an exercise bicycle. The brake device for an exercise bicycle has a main tube, a resilient assembly and a driving assembly mounted axially in the main tube, a end cap mounted on an open end of the main tube, and a button attached to the driving assembly. The resilient assembly has a first resilient element and a second resilient element having a second coefficient of elasticity less than a first coefficient of elasticity of the first resilient element.

[0006] The driving assembly presses against the first resilient element and is able to obviously and quickly adjust a pressure of the resilient element. The second resilient element quickly pushes the resilient assembly back and a resistance force applied to a wheel of the exercise bicycle is released.

IN THE DRAWINGS

[0007] 

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a brake device for an exercise bicycle in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the brake device in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a side view in partial section of the brake device in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is an operational side view in partial section of the brake device in Fig. 1, shown pressed;

Fig. 5 is a side view in partial section of another embodiment of a brake device for an exercise bicycle in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 6 is an operational side view in partial section of the exercise bicycle with the brake device in Fig. 1, shown connected to a resistance device of the exercise bicycle through transmission rods; and

Fig. 7 is an enlarged side view in partial section of an exercise bicycle with a conventional brake device in accordance with the prior art.

[0008] With reference to Figs. 1 to 3 and 6, a brake device 1 for an exercise bicycle 60 in accordance with the present invention is mounted on a frame 61 of the exercise bicycle 60 and comprises a main tube 10, a resilient assembly 20, an end cap 30, a driving assembly 40 and a button 50.

[0009] The main tube 10 is tubular and has a closed end 11, an open end 12 and a through hole 111. The through hole 111 is formed through the closed end 11 of main tube 10.

[0010] The resilient assembly 20 is mounted axially in the main tube 10 and has a support 21, an extending shaft 22, a first resilient element 23 and a second resilient element 24. The support 21 has a mounting recess 211, a sidewall and at least one guiding slit 212. The mounting recess 211 is formed in an upper end of the support 21. The sidewall is defined around the mounting recess 211. The at least one guiding slit 212 is formed through the sidewall of the support 21 and extends axially. The extending shaft 22 protrudes axially from a lower end of the support 21, is thinner than the support 21 and is mounted slidably through the through hole 111 of the main tube 10. The first resilient element 23 may be a compression spring, is mounted in the mounting recess 211 of the support 21 and has a first coefficient of elasticity. The second resilient element 24 may be a compression spring, is mounted around the extending shaft 22 and has two ends and a second coefficient of elasticity. The ends of the second resilient element 24 respectively abut the lower end of the support 21 and the closed end 11 of the main tube 10. The second coefficient of elasticity of the second resilient element 24 is less than the first coefficient of elasticity of the first resilient element 23.

[0011] The end cap 30 is mounted securely on the open end 12 of the main tube 10.

[0012] The driving assembly 40 is mounted axially through the end cap 30, presses against the first resilient element 23 and has a slider 41, a driving shaft 42 and a stopper 43.

[0013] The slider 41 is mounted slidably in the mounting recess 211 of the support 21, presses against the first resilient element 23 and has a lower end, an upper end and at least one sliding protrusion 411. The lower end of the slider 41 presses against the first resilient element 23. The at least one sliding protrusion 411 is formed on a side surface of the slider 41 and slidably protrudes in the at least one guiding slit 212 of the support 21. Thus, the slider 41 slides axially in the mounting recess 211 of the support 21 and does not rotate relative to the support 21.

[0014] The driving shaft 42 has an inner section 421, an outer section 422, a limit protrusion 423 and an outer thread 424. The inner section 421 of the driving shaft 42 is mounted through the slider 41. The outer section 422 of the driving shaft 42 is mounted through and protrudes out of the end cap 50. The limit protrusion 423 is formed on the driving shaft 42, is disposed between the inner and outer sections 421, 422 and in the main tube 10, and selectively abuts the end cap 30 so the driving shaft 42 does not slip out of the main tube 10 and the end cap 30. The outer thread 424 is formed on and around the inner section 421 of the driving shaft 42.

[0015] The stopper 43 is mounted adjustably on the inner section 421 of the driving shaft 42, abuts the upper end of the slider 41, and may be a screw nut and adjustably and securely engages the outer thread 424 of the driving shaft 42.

[0016] The button 50 is attached to the outer section 422 of the driving shaft 42.

[0017] The brake device for the exercise bicycle as described has the following advantages. Turning the stopper 43 adjusts the positions of the stopper 43 and the slider 41. Consequently, a pressure of the first resilient element 23 is adjusted. Furthermore, since the first coefficient of elasticity of the first resilient element 23 is larger than the second coefficient of elasticity of the second resilient element 24, adjusting the position of the stopper 43 obviously and quickly adjusts the pressure of the first resilient element 23.

[0018] With further reference to Fig. 6, the extending shaft 22 of the resilient assembly 20 is connected to a resistance device 63 of the exercise bicycle 60 through transmission rods 62. The resistance device 63 corresponds to and applies a resistance force to a wheel 64 of the exercise bicycle 60. The resistance force applied to the wheel 64 is adjustable and may slow down rotation of the wheel 64 or stop the wheel 64 from rotating.

[0019] With further reference to Fig. 4, when a user pushes the button 50, the driving shaft 42, the slider 41, the support 21 and the extending shaft 22, the first and second resilient elements 23, 24 are pressed simultaneously.

[0020] Then, the extending shaft 22 actuates the resistance device 63 through the transmission rods 62 to slow down the rotation of the wheel 64 or to stop the wheel 64 from rotating. Furthermore, since the second resilient element 24 is pressed and has less coefficient of elasticity, as the user releases the button 50, the second resilient element 24 quickly pushes the support 21 and the extending shaft 22 back and the resistance force applied to the wheel 64 is released.

[0021] With further reference to Fig. 5, in another embodiment, the resilient assembly 20 further has a pressure sensing patch 26 mounted in the mounting recess 211 of the support 21. The first resilient element 23 is mounted on and presses against the pressure sensing patch 26. Thus, the pressure sensing patch 26 senses the pressure of the first resilient element 23 and then shows the pressure of the first resilient element 23 on an instrument panel to allow the user to pay attention to the pressure of the first resilient element 23 to see if the pressure of the first resilient element 23 needs adjustment.

Claims

1. A brake device (1) for an exercise bicycle comprising a main tube (10) having a closed end (11), an open end (12) and a through hole (111) formed through the closed end (11) of the main tube (10), a resilient assembly (20) mounted axially in the main tube (10), an end cap (30) mounted securely on the open end (12) of the main tube (10), a driving assembly (40) mounted axially through the end cap (30), pressing against the resilient assembly (20) and having a driving shaft (42) having an outer section (422) mounted through and protruding out of the end cap (30), and a button (50) attached to the outer section (422) of the driving shaft (42) of the driving assembly
, wherein
the resilient assembly (20) has
a support (21) having a mounting recess (211) formed in an upper end of the support (21);
an extending shaft (22) protruding axially from a lower end of the support (21), being thinner than the support (21) and mounted slidably through the through hole (111) of the main tube (10);
a first resilient element (23) mounted in the mounting recess (211) of the support (21) and having a first coefficient of elasticity; and
a second resilient element (24) mounted around the extending shaft (22) and having
two ends respectively abutting the lower end of the support (21) and the closed end (11) of the main tube (10); and
a second coefficient of elasticity of the second resilient element (24) being less than the first coefficient of elasticity of the first resilient element (23); and
the driving assembly (40) presses against the first resilient element (23) and has
a slider (41) mounted slidably in the mounting recess (211) of the support (21), pressing against the first resilient element (23) and having
a lower end pressing against the first resilient element (23); and
an upper end;
the driving shaft (42) further having
an inner section (421) mounted through the slider (41); and
a limit protrusion (423) formed on the driving shaft (42), disposed between the inner and outer sections (421, 422) and in the main tube (10), and selectively abutting the end cap (30); and
a stopper (43) mounted adjustably on the inner section (421) of the driving shaft (42) and abutting the upper end of the slider (41).

2. The brake device (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein
the resilient assembly (20) further has a pressure sensing patch (26) mounted in the mounting recess (211) of the support (21); and
the first resilient element (23) is mounted on and presses against the pressure sensing patch (26).

3. The brake device (1) as claimed in claims 1 or 2, wherein
the driving shaft (42) further has outer thread (424) formed on and around the inner section (421) of the driving shaft (42); and
the stopper (43) is a screw nut and adjustably and securely engages the outer thread (424) of the driving shaft (42).

4. The brake device (1) as claimed in claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein
the support (21) further has
a sidewall defined around the mounting recess (211); and
at least one guiding slit (212) formed through the sidewall of the support (21) and extending axially; and
the slider (41) further has at least one sliding protrusion (411) formed on a side surface of the slider (41) and slidably protruding in the at least one guiding slit (212) of the support (21).

5. The brake device (1) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the first and second resilient elements (23, 24) are compression springs.

Ansprüche

1. Bremsvorrichtung (1) für ein Trainingsrad, das ein Hauptrohr (10) umfasst, das ein geschlossenes Ende (11), ein offenes Ende (12) und ein durch das geschlossene Ende (11) des Hauptrohres (10) ausgebildetes Durchgangsloch (111), einen elastischen Zusammenbau (20), der axial in dem Hauptrohr (10) montiert ist, eine Endkappe (30), die sicher auf das offene Ende (12) des Hauptrohres (10) montiert ist, ein Antriebsaggregat (40), das axial durch die Endkappe (30) montiert ist und gegen den elastischen Zusammenbau (20) drückt, und eine Antriebswelle (42) aufweist, die einen Außenabschnitt (422) aufweist, der durch die Endkappe (30) montiert und aus dieser herausragt, und ein Knopf (50), der an dem Außenabschnitt (422) der Antriebswelle (42) des Antriebsaggregats angebracht ist, wobei
der elastische Zusammenbau (20) eine Stütze (21) mit einer in einem oberen Ende der Stütze (21) ausgebildeten Montage-Ausnehmung (211) aufweist;
eine Verlängerungswelle (22), die axial von einem unteren Ende der Stütze (21) herausragt und dünner als die Stütze (21) ausgebildet ist und verschieblich durch das Durchgangsloch (111) des Hauptrohres (10) montiert ist;
ein erstes elastisches Element (23), das in der Montageausnehmung (211) der Stütze (21) montiert ist und einen ersten Elastizitätskoeffizienten aufweist; und ein zweites elastisches Element (24), das um die Verlängerungswelle (22) montiert ist und das zwei Enden aufweist, die jeweils an das untere Ende der Stütze (21) und des geschlossenen Endes (11) des Hauptrohres (10) angrenzen und das einen zweiten Elastizitätskoeffizienten des zweiten elastischen Elements (24) aufweist, der kleiner ist als der erste Elastizitätskoeffizient des ersten elastischen Körpers (23); und
das Antriebsaggregat (40) gegen das erste elastische Element (23) drückt und einen Schieber (41) aufweist, der verschieblich in der Montage-Ausnehmung (211) der Stütze (21) montiert ist, der gegen das erste elastische Element (23) drückt und ein unteres Ende, das gegen das erste elastische Element (23) drückt und
ein oberes Ende aufweist,
wobei die Antriebswelle (42) weiter einen Innenabschnitt (421), der durch den Schieber (41) montiert ist,
und einen Grenzvorsprung (423) aufweist, der an der Antriebswelle (42) ausgebildet ist, zwischen den Innen- und Außenabschnitten (421, 422) und dem Hauptrohr (10) angeordnet ist und an der Endkappe (30) anliegt; und
einen Stopper (43) aufweist, der justierbar an dem Innenabschnitt (421) der Antriebswelle (42) montiert ist und an dem oberen Ende des Schiebers (41) anliegt.

2. Die Bremsvorrichtung (1) wie beansprucht in Anspruch 1, wobei der elastische Zusammenbau (20) weiter ein Druck-Abtastungspatch (26) aufweist, das in der Montageausnehmung (211) der Stütze (21) montiert ist, und das erste elastische Element (23) auf dem Druck-Abtastungspatch (26) montiert ist und gegen dieses drückt.

3. Die Bremsvorrichtung (1) wie beansprucht in Anspruch 1 oder 2, wobei die Antriebswelle (42) weiter ein Außengewinde (424) aufweist, das auf und um den Innenabschnitt (421) der Antriebswelle (42) herum ausgebildet ist; und der Stopper (43) eine Schraubenmutter ist und justierbar und sicher in das Außengewinde (424) der Antriebswelle (42) eingreift.

4. Die Bremsvorrichtung (1) wie beansprucht in Anspruch 1, 2 oder 3, wobei die Stütze (21) weiter ein Seitenwand, die um die Montageausnehmung (211) definiert ist, und mindestens einen Führungsschlitz (212) aufweist, der durch die Seitenwand der Stütze (21) gebildet ist und sich axial erstreckt; und der Schieber (41) weiter mindestens einen Schiebevorsprung (411) aufweist, der an einer Seitenoberfläche des Schiebers (41) ausgebildet ist und verschieblich in den mindestens einen Führungsschlitz (212) der Stütze (21) herausragt.

5. Die Bremsvorrichtung (1) wie beansprucht in Anspruch 4, wobei das erste und zweite elastische Element (23, 24) Druckfedern sind.

Revendications

1. Dispositif de freinage (1) pour vélo d'exercice comprenant un tube principal (10) ayant une extrémité fermée (11), une extrémité ouverte (12) et un trou traversant (111) formé à travers l'extrémité fermée (11) du tube principal (10), un assemblage flexible (20) monté axialement dans le tube principal (10), un capuchon d'extrémité (30) monté de manière sûre sur l'extrémité ouverte (12) du tube principal (10), un assemblage d'entraînement (40) monté axialement à travers le capuchon d'extrémité (30), poussant contre l'assemblage flexible (20) et comportant un axe d'entraînement (42) avec une section externe (422) montée à travers le capuchon d'extrémité (30) et faisant saillie hors de celui-ci, et un bouton (50) fixé à la section externe (422) de l'axe d'entraînement (42) de l'assemblage d'entraînement, dans lequel
l'assemblage flexible (20) comprend
un support (21) ayant un logement de montage (211) formé dans une extrémité supérieure du support (21) ;
un axe étendu (22) faisant axialement saillie d'une extrémité inférieure du support (21), étant plus fin que le support (21) et monté de manière coulissante à travers le trou traversant (111) du tube principal (10) ;
un premier élément flexible (23) monté dans le logement de montage (211) du support (21) et ayant un premier coefficient d'élasticité ; et
un deuxième élément flexible (24) monté autour de l'axe étendu (22) et ayant
deux extrémités venant respectivement à butée contre l'extrémité inférieure du support (21) et l'extrémité fermée (11) du tube principal (10) ; et
un deuxième coefficient d'élasticité du deuxième élément flexible (24), étant inférieur au premier coefficient d'élasticité du premier élément flexible (23) ; et
l'assemblage d'entraînement (40) pousse contre le premier élément flexible (23) et comporte
un coulisseau (41) monté de manière coulissante dans le logement de montage (211) du support (21), poussant contre le premier élément flexible (23) et ayant
une extrémité inférieure qui pousse contre le premier élément flexible (23) ; et
une extrémité supérieure ;
l'axe d'entraînement (42) ayant en outre
une section interne (421) montée à travers le coulisseau (41) ; et une protubérance de limite (423) formée sur l'axe d'entraînement (42), agencée entre les sections interne et externe (421, 422) et dans le tube principal (10), et venant sélectivement à butée contre le capuchon d'extrémité (30) ; et
un arrêtoir (43) monté de manière ajustable sur la section interne (421) de l'axe d'entraînement (42) et venant à butée contre l'extrémité supérieure du coulisseau (41).

2. Dispositif de freinage (1) selon la revendication 1, dans lequel
l'assemblage flexible (20) comporte en outre une pastille de détection de pression (26) montée dans le logement de montage (211) du support (21) ; et
le premier élément flexible (23) est monté sur la pastille de détection de pression (26) et pousse sur celle-ci.

3. Dispositif de freinage (1) selon la revendication 1 ou 2, dans lequel
l'axe d'entraînement (42) comporte en outre un filetage externe (424) formé sur la section interne (421) de l'axe d'entraînement (42) et autour de celle-ci ; et
l'arrêtoir (43) est un écrou fileté, engagé de manière ajustable et sûre sur le filetage externe (424) de l'axe d'entraînement (42).

4. Dispositif de freinage (1) selon les revendications 1, 2 ou 3, dans lequel le support (21) comporte en outre
une paroi latérale définie autour du logement de montage (211) ; et
au moins une rainure de guidage (212) formée à travers la paroi
latérale du support (21) et s'étendant axialement ; et
le coulisseau (41) comporte en outre au moins une protubérance coulissante (411) formée sur une surface latérale du coulisseau (41) et faisant saillie de manière coulissante dans ladite au moins une rainure de guidage (212) du support (21).

5. Dispositif de freinage (1) selon la revendication 4, dans lequel les premier et deuxième éléments flexibles (23, 24) sont des ressorts de compression.

Drawing