Training unit for cyclists

Description

Field of invention

[0001] This invention relates to a training unit for cyclists, of the type which has a frame to support a bicycle from which the front wheel has been removed.

Background to the invention

[0002] Known training units for cyclists comprise a frame with a front support to which the front forks of a bicycle are attached, the frame also having a rotatable roller or rollers on which the rear wheel of the bicycle rests. Such known units are bulky and cumbersome and are therefore awkward to transport. They are therefore regarded as training equipment for the home or gymnasium.

[0003] FR-A-2315962 and FR-A-2554357 disclose training units for cyclists, the latter disclosing a unit in which a frame supports the front forks of a bicycle (from which the front wheel has been removed), the rear wheel of the bicycle resting on rotatable rollers carried by the frame.

[0004] The object of the invention is to provide a training unit for cyclists which is repeatedly erectable and collapsible so that it can be easily transported to a race meeting and used by the cyclist for warming up prior to a race, as well as being usable in the home. A further object is to make the unit adjustable to suit bicycles of differing wheelbase, the adjusted size being retained during erection and collapse so that each time the unit is erected it assumes its adjusted position.

Summary of the invention

[0005] According to the invention a collapsible training unit for cyclists comprises a frame repeatedly foldable between an operative erected position and a collapsed position for transport or stowage, in the operative position the frame supporting a bicycle from which the front wheel has been removed, the frame having a support to receive the front forks of the bicycle and rollers on which the rear wheel of the bicycle rests, the frame. being adjustable to vary the distance between the support and the rollers in order to accommodate bicycles of differing wheelbase and the adjustment to the frame being retained during collapse and erection of the frame. Hence, once adjusted to suit a particular bicycle wheelbase the unit can be folded up and reopened for use, with no further adjustment being necessary.

[0006] The frame preferably comprises a plurality of sub-assemblies pivotally connected together, and in a preferred embodiment there are three such sub-assemblies pivotally connected one to the next in series, namely a base sub-assembly carrying the rollers, a front support sub-assembly providing said support for the front forks and an intermediate sub-assembly pivotally connected to the other two sub-assemblies.

[0007] The adjustment for bicycle wheelbase is preferably provided by the provision of a plurality of different pivot points between the intermediate and base sub-assemblies, and in the preferred embodiment fine adjustment is provided by means which allow, in the operative position of the frame, variation of the angle between the intermediate sub-assembly and the front support sub-assembly.

[0008] The front support sub-assembly may have lateral extensions which engage the ground to improve stability and which are detachable from the front support sub-assembly when the unit is collapsed. The extensions may be provided by a single stabiliser bar.

[0009] The rollers on the main sub-assembly preferably support a standard 26 inch or 27 inch size bicycle rear wheel so that the wheel is clear of the floor or ground surface by a small dimension, of the order of 25 millimetres, so that the bicycle on the unit is easy to mount and dismount. This is in contrast to known training units which support the bicycle frame at a far greater distance above the ground, making it difficult to mount or dismount.

[0010] A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:-

Figure 1 shows in perspective the unit opened up and ready for use,

Figure 2 illustrates a removable stabiliser bar,

Figure 3 shows the cycle (in broken lines) mounted on the unit with the latter in a short wheelbase configuration, and also illustrates the additional range of adjustment obtained by the front, swinging, adjustable link,

Figure 4 illustrates the central hinge point for use with medium wheelbase cycles,

Figure 5 illustrates the forward hinge point for use with long wheelbase cycles,

Figure 6 illustrates the swinging adjustable link which provides additional range of adjustment for each of the nominal positions illustrated in Figures 3, 4 and 5,

Figure 7 illustrates the two stage sequence of folding up the unit when set for use with short wheelbase cycles,

Figure 8 illustrates the unit folded up when set for a medium wheelbase cycle,

Figure 9 illustrates the unit folded up when set for a long wheelbase cycle,

Figure 10 illustrates in end view the compactness of the folded up unit for any wheelbase configuration,

Figure 11 illustrates a typical roller assembly, and

Figures 12, 13 and 14 illustrate different cross-sections of roller assembly providing differing resistance to rotation.

Detailed description of the drawings

[0011] Referring to the drawings, the unit comprises three sub-assemblies pivotally connected one to the next, namely a base frame sub-assembly 10 on which two rollers 20 are rotationally mounted, an intermediate sub-assembly 11, and a front support sub-assembly 12, with a stabiliser bar 13 removably attached by hand nuts. An adjustable link assembly 15 (shown in detail in Figure 6) interconnects the sub-assemblies 11 and 12.

[0012] The intermediate sub-assembly 11 is located on the sub-assembly 10 by a removable hinge pin 31 at one of the three hinge points, as required, according to the wheelbase of the cycle to be used, short, medium or long wheelbase.

[0013] The front forks of the cycle 30 with the front wheel removed, are firmly clamped by means of a quick release clamp mechanism 32 at the support provided by the upper end of the sub-assembly 12.

[0014] The clamp nut 17 and adjusting nut 16 are used to increase or shorten the effective length of the link assembly 15 as shown in Figure 6 (to vary the angle α ) so that the rear wheel 35 of the cycle sits evenly between the two rollers 20 as shown in Figure 3.

[0015] The removable stabiliser bar 13 is located in position and clamped by the hand nuts, as indicated in Figure 2.

[0016] To collapse the unit from its erected position, the sub-assembly 12 is rotated (clockwise as viewed in Figures 3 and 7) to lie flat against the sub-assembly 11 and then the sub-assemblies 11 and 12 are rotated together (anticlockwise as viewed in Figure 7) about the hinge pin 31 to lie flat against the underside of the base frame 10, with the adjustable link assembly 15 being received between the two rollers 20, as shown in Figure 7.

[0017] The stabiliser bar 13 is removed and stowed to one side of the rollers 20 and the link assembly 15, as shown in Figure 10. This provides compact stowage of the bar 13.

[0018] To open, ready for use, the reverse sequence of the above is carried out - with no adjustment being necessary to obtain exactly the same wheelbase as previously set.

[0019] When in its operative extended position shown in Figure 1, the unit supports the bicycle 30 with the rear wheel 35 spaced a small distance of about 25mm above the surface on which the unit is placed.

[0020] The rollers 20 have perforations and/or vanes to provide resistance to rotation.

Claims

1. A collapsible training unit for cyclists, comprising a frame (10, 11, 12) repeatedly foldable between an operative erected position and a collapsed position for transport or stowage, in the operative position the frame supporting a bicycle (30) from which the front wheel has been removed, the frame having a support to receive the front forks of the bicycle and rollers (20) on which the rear wheel of the bicycle rests, characterised in that the frame is adjustable to vary the distance between the support and the rollers (20) in order to accommodate bicycles of differing wheelbase and the adjustment to the frame is retained during collapse and erection of the frame.

2. A collapsible training unit according to claim 1, characterised in that the frame comprises a plurality of sub-assemblies (10, 11, 12) pivotally connected together.

3. A collapsible training unit according to claim 2, characterised in that there are three sub-assemblies (10, 11, 12) pivotally connected one to the next in series, namely a base sub-assembly (10) carrying the rollers (20), a front support sub-assembly (12) providing said support for the front forks and an intermediate sub-assembly (11) pivotally connected to the other two sub-assemblies.

4. A collapsible training unit according to claim 3, characterised in that the adjustment for bicycle wheelbase is provided by the provision of a plurality of different pivot points (31) between the intermediate and base sub-assemblies (10, 11).

5. A collapsible training unit according to claim 4, characterised in that fine adjustment for bicycle wheelbase is provided by means (15, 16, 17) which allow, in the operative position of the frame, variation of the angle between the intermediate sub-assembly and the front support sub-assembly.

6. A collapsible training unit according to any of claims 3 to 5, characterised in that the front support sub-assembly (12) has lateral extensions (13) which engage the ground to improve stability and which are detachable from the front support sub-assembly when the unit is collapsed.

7. A collapsible training unit according to any of claims 3 to 6, characterised in that the rollers (20) on the main sub-assembly support a standard 26 inch or 27 inch size bicycle rear wheel so that the wheel is clear of the floor or ground surface by a small dimension, of the order of 25 millimetres, so that the bicycle on the unit is easy to mount and dismount.

Revendications

1. Un ensemble repliable d'entraînement pour cyclistes, comprenant un cadre (10, 11, 12) pliable de façon répétée entre une position érigée de fonctionnement et une position repliée pour le transport ou le stockage, le cadre supportant, dans la position de fonctionnement, une bicyclette (30) dont la roue avant a été enlevée, et comportant un support pour recevoir les fourches avant de la bicyclette et des rouleaux (26) sur lesquels repose la roue arrière de celle-ci, caractérisé en ce que le cadre est réglable pour faire varier la distance entre le support et les rouleaux (20) afin de s'adapter à des bicyclettes dont l'empattement est différent, l'ajustement au cadre étant maintenu pendant le pliage et l'érection du cadre.

2. Un ensemble repliable d'entraînement selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que le cadre comprend plusieurs sous-ensembles (10, 11, 12), reliés à pivotement entre eux.

3. Un ensemble repliable d'entraînement selon la revendication 2, caractérisé en ce qu'il existe trois sous-ensembles (10, 11, 12), reliés à pivotement l'un à l'autre en série, à savoir un sous-ensemble de base (10) qui porte les rouleaux (20), un sous-ensemble avant de support (12) qui constitue ledit support des fourches avant et un sous-ensemble intermédiaire (11) relié à pivotement aux deux autres sous-ensembles.

4. Un ensemble repliable d'entraînement selon la revendication 3, caractérisé en ce que l'ajustement à l'empattement de la bicyclette est réalisé en prévoyant plusieurs points de pivot différents (31) entre les sous-ensembles intermédiaires et de base (10, 11).

5. Un ensemble repliable d'entraînement selon la revendication 4, caractérisé en ce qu'un ajustement fin à l'empattement de la bicyclette est réalisé par des moyens (15, 16, 17) qui permettent, dans la position de fonctionnement du cadre, une variation de l'angle entre le sous-ensemble intermédiaire et le sous-ensemble avant de support.

6. Un ensemble repliable d'entraînement selon l'une quelconque des revendications 3 à 5, caractérisé en ce que le sous-ensemble avant de support (12) comporte des extensions latérales (13) qui viennent en contact avec le sol pour améliorer la stabilité et qui sont détachables du sous-ensemble avant de support lorsque l'ensemble est replié.

7. Un ensemble repliable d'entraînement selon l'une quelconque des revendications 3 à 6, caractérisé en ce que les rouleaux (20) portés par le sous-ensemble principal supportent une roue arrière standard de bicyclette, d'une dimension de 660,4 ou 685,8 millimètres (26 pouces ou 27 pouces), de façon que la roue soit a une légère distance de la surface du plancher ou du sol, de l'ordre de 25 millimètres, afin que la bicyclette portée par l'ensemble soit facile à monter et démonter.

Ansprüche

1. Eine zusammenklappbare Trainingseinrichtung für Radfahrer aus einem zwischen einer aufgerichteten Betriebsstellung und einer für Transport oder Lagerung zusammengeklappten Stellung wiederholt faltbaren Rahmen (10, 11, 12), der in der Betriebsstellung ein Fahrrad (30), von dem das Vorderrad abgenommen wurde, trägt und eine Stütze zur Aufnahme der Vorderradgabel des Fahrrades und Walzen (20), auf denen das Hinterrad des Fahrrades aufsteht, aufweist, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Rahmen zum Verändern des Abstandes zwischen der Stütze und den Walzen (20) zur Aufnahme von Fahrrädern mit unterschiedlichem Radstand einstellbar ist und die Einstellung des Rahmens während dessen Zusammenklappens und Aufrichtens beibehalten wird.

2. Eine zusammenklappbare Trainingseinrichtung nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß der Rahmen mehrere schwenkbar miteinander verbundene Unteranordnungen (10, 11, 12) aufweist.

3. Eine zusammenklappbare Trainingseinrichtung nach Anspruch 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß drei schwenkbar in Reihe miteinander verbundene Unteranordnungen (10, 11, 12) vorgesehen sind, nämlich eine die Walzen (20) tragende Basisunteranordnung (10), eine eine Stütze für die Vorderradgabel bildende vordere Stützunteranordnung (12) und eine schwenkbar zwischen den beiden anderen Unteranordnungen verbundene Zwischenunteranordnung (11).

4. Eine zusammenklappbare Trainingseinrichtung nach Anspruch 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Einstellung für den Radstand des Fahrrades durch die Ausbildung von mehreren verschiedenen Gelenkpunkten (31) zwischen der Zwischen-  und der Basisunteranordnung (10, 11) erfolgt.

5. Eine zusammenklappbare Trainingseinrichtung nach Anspruch 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Feineinstellung für den Radstand des Fahrrads mit Mitteln (15, 16, 17) erfolgt, die in der Betriebsstellung des Rahmens eine Veränderung des Winkels zwischen der Zwischenunteranordnung und der vorderen Stützunteranordnung zulassen.

6. Eine zusammenklappbare Trainingseinrichtung nach irgendeinem der Ansprüche 3 bis 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die vordere Stützunteranordnung (12) seitliche Ansätze (13) aufweist, die zum Verbessern der Stabilität am Boden anliegen und die beim Zusammenklappen der Einrichtung von der vorderen Stützunteranordnung abnehmbar sind.

7. Eine zusammenklappbare Trainingseinrichtung nach irgendeinem der Ansprüche 3 bis 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Walzen (20) auf der Hauptunteranordnung ein Fahrradhinterrad mit einer 26- oder 27-Zoll-Standardgröße abstützen, so daß das Rad in einem geringen Abstand in der Größenordnung von 25 mm frei über dem Boden oder der Grundfläche steht, so daß das Fahrrad auf der Einrichtung einfach montiert und demontiert werden kann.

Drawing