Cycling Training Device with Integrated Storage

This application is related to and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 (e) from U.S. Patent Application No. 63/645,622 filed May 10, 2024, titled “Cycling Training Device with Integrated Storage,” the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to cycling trainers and, in particular, cycling trainers with integrated storage.

Focused cycling training for an important race, busy schedules, bad weather, health and fitness and other factors inspire bicycle riders and fitness enthusiasts to train indoors. Numerous indoor training options exist including exercise bicycles and trainers (which are collectively referred to herein as “cycling training devices”). An exercise bicycle looks similar to a bicycle but without wheels, and includes a seat, handlebars, pedals, crank arms, a drive sprocket and chain. An indoor trainer, in contrast, is a mechanism that allows the rider to mount an actual bicycle to the trainer, with or without the rear wheel, and then ride the bicycle indoors. The trainer provides resistance and supports the bicycle but is otherwise a simpler mechanism than a complete exercise bicycle. Such trainers allow the user to train using their own bicycle and are typically smaller than full exercise bicycles.

Configuration of cycling training devices often requires the use of specific accessories for the particular cycling training device. For example, indoor trainers may include adapters or similar components to facilitate coupling between the trainer and different styles of axle connections (e.g., quick-release connections, thru-axle connections, etc.), rear cassettes, drop out spacing, and the like. A user may also need to perform occasional maintenance on the cycling training device using a specific set of tools.

Adapters and tools are often small components and can be readily misplaced, leading to time spent locating the accessories and potential costs to replace lost accessories. If a user attempts to substitute a lost accessory with a makeshift solution or an accessory intended for a different purpose, the cycling training device may operate suboptimally or the user may inadvertently damage the cycling training device, the latter of which may lead to repair and replacement costs and potential injury if the cycling training device fails during use.

Considering the foregoing, a need exists for convenient and space-efficient storage of cycling training device accessories, among other things.

In one aspect, a cycling training device includes a drive assembly, where the drive assembly includes a pedal assembly or is configured to be coupled to a bicycle with a rear wheel removed. The cycling training device also includes a support assembly coupled to the drive assembly and configured to support the drive assembly on a surface, where the support assembly includes a support hub, a primary support leg coupled to and supported by the support hub, and a drawer translatable between a closed state in which the drawer is contained within the primary support leg and an open state in which the drawer extends at least partially from the primary support leg, thereby permitting access to the drawer.

Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to an integrated storage system for cycling training devices. More specifically, this disclosure describes cycling training devices, such as, but not limited to indoor trainers, that include an integrated drawer that is readily accessible by a user and may be used to store a range of items and accessories. Many other forms of fitness equipment including complete exercise bicycles, treadmills, ellipticals, strength training machines, among others, include tubular frame members, and may be adapted to integrate a tool drawer as described herein. Thus, while the discussion herein focuses on cycling trainers, aspects of the present disclosure may be extended to other forms of exercise equipment.

The drawer is generally integrated with a support element of the cycling training device. In one implementation, the drawer is configured to transition between a closed state and an open state. In the closed state, a faceplate of the drawer abuts and is optionally retained by a support hub of the cycling training device while a carriage of the drawer extends into a tubular support member of the cycling training device. For example, the cycling training device may include a support leg, sometimes referred to as a primary support leg, that extends along or at least parallel to a longitudinal centerline of the cycling training device. The support leg is tubular such that the primary support leg defines an internal volume within which the carriage of the drawer extends when the drawer is in the closed state. In certain implementations, slides or rails disposed within the internal volume and supported by the internal surface of the primary support leg may provide support and guidance for the drawer.

In certain implementations, the carriage of the drawer may be molded or otherwise shaped to define cavities to receive and retain one or more accessories or tools for the cycling training device. In other implementations, the carriage may include a more general shape to facilitate storage of a broader range of items (e.g., personal belongings of a user). The shape, size, and integrated features of the carriage may depend on the size and shape of the member in which the drawer is supported.

While illustrated primarily in the context of a specific indoor (i.e., wheel-off) cycling trainer, this disclosure contemplates that the drawer concept included herein may be readily adapted to other styles of indoor trainers as well as other types of exercise equipment including, but not limited to, exercise bikes. More generally, the drawer concept of this disclosure may be modified to be integrated into any suitable tubular element of a range of exercise devices and equipment.

Further aspects of the present disclosure will now be discussed with reference to the figures.

andare isometric views of an example cycling training deviceaccording to the present disclosure. Cycling training deviceis an example of a “smart”, direct mount trainer that includes an electromagnetic braking system to provide variable and dynamic resistance, e.g., in response to control signals received from a computing device executing ride simulation or training software. While aspects of this disclosure may be integrated into such smart trainers, this disclosure contemplates that the drawer systems may be integrated into other cycling training devices including, but not limited to, other styles of cycling trainers (e.g., non-smart direct drive trainers, wheel-on trainers, roller-style trainers) and stationary bikes, as well as other non-cycling exercise equipment.

With the foregoing in mind, cycling training devicegenerally includes a drive assemblycoupled to and supported by a support assembly. In the specific illustrated implementation, drive assemblyincludes a flywheel assemblycoupled to a drive pulley assemblyby a belt. During operation, a user couples his or her bicycle to a drive axleof the drive pulley assemblyand connects a chain of the bicycle to a flywheel assembly(shown in). Accordingly, as the user pedals the bicycle, the chain engages the sprocket, which is coupled to the drive axle, which in turn spins a drive pulleyof drive pulley assemblyto drive flywheel assemblyvia belt. In at least certain implementations, cycling training devicemay include an electromagnetic braking system or other braking system such as mechanical braking system (not shown) to apply some resistance to the flywheel assemblymaking it harder (or easier) to pedal.

Drive assemblyis generally coupled to and supported by a support assembly. Support assemblyincludes components to provide structural support to drive assemblyand general stability to cycling training deviceduring use. In the specific implementation shown in the figures, support assemblyincludes a support hubto which each of a drive assembly support member, a primary support leg, a support leg, and a support legare coupled. Drive assembly support memberis generally aligned with a central longitudinal axis of cycling training deviceand is coupled to and supports drive assembly. Each of primary support leg, support leg, and support legare configured to extend from support hubto support cycling training deviceon a surface, e.g., the ground.

As shown, primary support legextends along or at least substantially parallel to a central longitudinal axis of cycling training device. Each of support legand support legextend obliquely relative to primary support legand provide lateral stability to cycling training device. In at least certain implementations, support legand support legmay be movable, i.e., a user may change the angles between support legand support legand primary support leg. For example, support legis rotationally coupled to support hubby a pivot postwhile support legis similarly coupled to support hubby a pivot post. Among other advantages, having support legand support legbe movable allows support legand support legto be folded inward for storage and for their respective angles relative to primary support legto be adjusted to modify the stability of cycling training deviceand to account for different surfaces (e.g., mats or pads) that may be positioned under cycling training device.

Further adjustments to support assemblyare enabled by an adjustable footand an adjustable footcoupled to support legand support leg, respectively. In the implementation shown, adjustable footand adjustable footare threadedly coupled to their respective support legs such that their vertical position may be adjusted to account for variations in the surface on which cycling training deviceis disposed. In other implementations, adjustable footand adjustable footmay further include or be substituted with pads or similar elements. In certain implementations, pads of adjustable footand adjustable footmay be relatively stiff to provide increased stability of cycling training device; however, in other implementations, the pads may be compliant or be substituted with compliant elements to permit at least some lateral movement of cycling training devicewhen in use. Among other advantages, such compliance may provide shock absorbance and/or may permit lateral movement of cycling training deviceto provide a user with a more natural feel when cycling training deviceis in use.

In the implementation shown in, further support elements are included to provide additional stability for cycling training device. More specifically, a support padis coupled to and disposed under support hub. Also shown inis a support paddisposed under an end capof primary support leg. In other implementations, one or both of support padand support padmay be substituted or supplemented with one or more adjustable feet, one or more compliant elements, or one or more alternative pads.

As previously noted, implementations of cycling training devices according to this disclosure may include integrated storage. More specifically, cycling training deviceincludes a drawer assemblyconfigured to selectively move into and extend from support hub.andillustrate drawer assemblyin a closed state whileis an isometric view of cycling training devicewith drawer assemblyin an extended or open state.andare detailed views of cycling training deviceand in particular, detailed views of support huband drawer assembly. Specifically,illustrates cycling training devicewith drawer assemblyin a closed state whileillustrates cycling training devicewith drawer assemblyin an open state.

In general, drawer assemblyis configured and supported by support assemblysuch that, when in the closed state, drawer assemblyextends into primary support legof support assembly. As will be discussed in further detail, below, a rail, guide or similar structure may also be disposed within primary support legto support drawer assemblyand to guide movement of drawer assembly.

In certain implementations, drawer assemblymay include a faceplate assemblycoupled to the drawer, wherein faceplate assemblyis coupled to draweron a first side of support huband primary support legextends from a second side of support hubopposite the first side of support hub. In such implementations, faceplate assemblymay include a faceplatesuch that, when drawer assemblyis in the closed state, faceplateabuts support huband drawerextends through support hubinto primary support leg. Conversely, when in an open or extended configuration, faceplate assemblymay be offset from support hubwith drawerextending between faceplateand support hub.

In at least certain implementations, faceplate assemblyand support hubmay be configured to mate, latch, or otherwise releasably attach such that drawer assemblyis positively retained by support hubwhen in the closed state. As noted herein, the drawer assembly may be secured within the member in other ways, as well. For example, the surface of faceplatethat abuts support hubwhen in the closed state may include one or more magnets positioned to magnetically engage corresponding magnets or pieces of magnetic material of support hub. In other implementations, faceplate assemblymay include a mechanical latch (e.g., a spring loaded latch mechanism) configured to selectively mate with a corresponding latch feature of support hub. Regardless of the specific latch mechanism used, drawer assemblymay be configured to allow opening of drawer assemblyin various ways including, but not limited to, simply pulling faceplateof faceplate assemblyor depressing a button or similar component that mechanically disengages the latch mechanism. To facilitate opening of drawer assembly, faceplatemay also include indentations, handles, pulls, or similar features to enable a user to securely grip and pull faceplatewhen opening drawer assembly.

In the illustrated example, the face plate includes grip surfacesA,B on upper and lower peripheral walls of the faceplate. The grip surfaces may be padded, or may include texturing. In the illustrated example, the surfaces are indented from the periphery and formed on opposing sides of the faceplate.

Referring now to, various top views of cycling training deviceare provided with certain elements removed to better illustrate the configuration of support assemblyand movement of drawer assembly. More specifically,andare top views of cycling training devicewith certain elements removed for clarity and drawer assemblyin a closed state. Similarly,is a top view of cycling training devicewith elements removed for clarity and drawer assemblyin an open or extended state.is an isometric view of the drawer assembly in an open state.

Referring first toand, in at least certain implementations, drawer assemblymay include is a top view of support assemblywith drawer assemblyin a retracted or closed state.similarly illustrates drawer assemblyin a retracted/closed state, albeit with primary support legshown in dashed lines to better illustrate the positioning of drawer assemblyrelative to support assemblywhen drawer assemblyis in the closed state. As illustrated in bothand, when drawer assemblyis in the closed state, drawer assemblymay generally extend through support huband into primary support leg. More specifically, when in the closed state, faceplate assemblyis positioned on a first side of support hubwith drawerextending through support huband into primary support leg.

In contrast toand,is a top view of support assemblyis a top view of cycling training devicewith certain elements removed for clarity and drawer assemblyin an open configuration similarly to as shown in. As illustrated, when drawer assemblyis in the open configuration, faceplate assemblyis offset from support hubsuch that drawerextends between faceplate assemblyand support hubto permit access to the contents of drawer. To facilitate extension of drawer, drawer assemblymay include a guide element, such as a rail assembly, to which draweris coupled and along which drawertranslates when being transitioned between the open and closed states.

In at least certain implementations, guide elementmay be in the form of a slide, (e.g., a drawer slide) including a fixed slide portionand a movable slide portion. In such implementations, fixed slide portionmay be supported within or otherwise coupled to an internal surface of primary support legwhile movable slide portionmay be coupled to drawerof drawer assembly. Accordingly, as drawer assemblytransitions between the open and closed states, the fixed slide portion remains static due to it being coupled to the internal surface of primary support legwhile the movable slide portion is able to extend relative to support hub, facilitating translation of drawerand carriageto permit access to the contents of drawer assembly.

In one specific example and best seen in, the fixed slide portioninvolves a pair of opposing railsintegrated or coupled with opposing internal side walls of the support leg or defined by the guide element. The drawer defines an outer dimension slightly smaller than the internal dimension of the support leg. In the case of a cylindrical tube, the drawer is also cylindrical and slightly smaller than the internal dimension of the support leg. In the case of rectangular tubing for the support leg, the drawer may also be rectangular. In the illustrated examples, the support leg includes a flat button. The guide element defines an elongate structure extending into the support leg the same or slightly more than the drawer. The guide elementdefines a generally c shaped cross section with a similar flat section arranged to be supported on the flat inside bottom of the support leg. The opposing sidesof the guide element, along respective upper edges, define guide rails. The rails are the fixed slide portions. The drawer includes opposing movable slide portions, e.g., opposing rails, that slide back and forth on the guide element rails when the drawer is pulled from and returned into the support leg.

Further details of support assemblyand drawer assemblycan be seen inand, which are various section views of support assemblyand drawer assembly. More specifically,is a section view taken along line-ofof support assemblyand drawer assemblywith drawer assemblyin a closed state.is substantially the same view aswith drawer assemblyremoved to better illustrate guide element.

Referring first towhen in the closed state, drawerof drawer assemblyextends through support hubof support assemblyand into primary support leg. Drawer assemblymay be supported by guide element, which, in turn, may be disposed within and coupled to an internal surface of primary support leg. For example, in the illustrated implementation, fixed slide portionof guide elementis secured to primary support legby a fastener. As shown, when drawer assemblyis in the closed state, faceplate assemblyand, more specifically faceplateof faceplate assembly, abuts support hubto provide a stop for drawer.

Referring to, guide elementmay further include a stop (e.g., a tail stop) that engages the drawer near its full insertion into the support leg. The tail stopmay include a stopping ridge oriented perpendicular to the direction of travel of the drawerduring insertion. The tail stopmay also include a rectangular flexible/elastic flapwith a virtual hinge oriented on the support leg and toward an opening of the drawer. As the draweris inserted into the support leg, the drawer engages the tail stop flapdepressing it downward against its normally upward bias. This has the effect of providing a tactile feel of modest resistance as the drawerapproaches its full insertion into the support leg, and also provides modest frictional resistance against retraction of the drawer. When retracting, the resistance decreases and then becomes zero when the drawer disengages the flapas the drawer is pulled from the support leg. In some instances, the tail stop may also provide a modest nudge or mild pop at the moment the drawer is about to disengage the stop.

As noted above,illustrates support huband drawer assemblywith drawerand faceplate assemblyremoved to better illustrate coupling of guide elementwith primary support leg. As shown in, in at least certain implementations, the latching of drawer assemblyin the closed state may be achieved through a detentintegrated into movable slide portion. More specifically, the detent may be a flexible resilient material. The drawer assembly includes a sloped protruding member that engages the detent as the drawer is inserted into the support leg. Initially, the sloped portion of the protruding member presses a leading edge of the detent, which presses the detent into a cut out. When the slope passes the leading edge, the matching sloped section of the detent snaps up into the position shown in, and holds the drawer in place. When withdrawing the drawer, a trailing edge of the protruding member, engages the detent to press it down until the protruding trailing edge clears the detent, after which the drawer may be withdrawn from the support leg. A ball detent or other form of latch structure may be similarly used to hold the drawer in position when it is fully inserted.

is an isometric view of drawerand faceplate assembly. As previously discussed, drawergenerally includes a carriage, which may retain various components including, but not limited to accessories and/or tools for use with cycling training device. In the specific implementation shown in, for example, carriageis formed with various predefined and shaped compartments, and the like. In some arrangements, some of the compartments may be sized and shaped to securely hold a specific component in place. In other examples, the compartments are universally shaped to hold various possible sizes and shaped components. In the example illustrated, the carriage includes some compartments sized and shaped to receive and retain various collars and adapters (such as adapter) to facilitate coupling of bicycles having various axle and/or cassette configurations to cycling training device.

is a detailed view of drawerwith the adapters removed to better illustrate carriage. In the example shown, carriageincludes a series of recesses specifically shaped to receive corresponding accessories. In at least certain implementations, carriagemay also include tabs, clips, latches, etc., to positively retain accessories. For example, as shown in, carriageincludes a recessshaped to receive adapter. Recessfurther includes a first retention taband second retention tabdisposed on opposite sides of recessto positively retain adapter.

Notably, while draweris shown inandas being configured to receive and retain adapters and similar accessories, implementations of this disclosure are not limited to any specific configurations of drawer. For example, in certain implementations, carriageof drawermay include recesses shaped to receive tools or other accessories for maintaining or configuring cycling training device. In still other implementations, carriagemay be configured to function as a more general drawer and may include larger, more general recesses for retaining a range of non-specific items. For example, drawermay be used to temporarily store personal items (e.g., keys, wallets, personal electronics, etc.). In such implementations, faceplate assemblyand support hubmay optionally include a lock (e.g., a key-based lock) to secure drawerin the closed state.

is a detailed front and rear view of the faceplateof the drawer assembly. In this instance, the faceplatemay include top and bottom indentionsfor gripping of the faceplatesuch that a user may utilize the faceplate as a handle to withdraw the drawerfrom the primary support leg. In some instances, a rubber or other gripping material may be located within the top and/or bottom indentionsto aid the user in gripping and pulling of the faceplate. As described above, the drawermay be coupled to the faceplatesuch that pulling the faceplate laterally may cause the drawerto extend from the primary support leg. An interior surface of the indentionsmay include one or more ribsextending into an interior surface of the faceplateto prevent peeling of the gripping material from the indentations.

While the primary example illustrated in the figures and discussed in this disclosure focuses on a wheel-off style cycling trainer, this disclosure also contemplates that the storage system disclosed herein may be readily adapted to a wide range of cycling and non-cycling- related fitness equipment. More generally, the storage system disclosed herein may be readily adapted to any fitness equipment having tubular structural elements arranged in a way that permits incorporation of an integral drawer assembly. So, for example, other fitness equipment such as weight racks, rowing machines/ergometers, functional trainers, treadmills (or other cardio machines), resistance training machines, and the like may include tubular elements suitable for incorporating a storage system as described herein.

This disclosure specifically contemplates incorporation of the described storage systems in various types and configurations of cycling training devices. In general, implementations of this disclosure may include any suitable cycling training device that includes a tubular element, such as primary support leg. While the primary example used in this disclosure is a specific wheel-off cycling training device, the primary components of the storage system are generally limited to support assemblyof cycling training device. Accordingly, this disclosure contemplates that support assemblymay be repurposed to support a variety of cycling training devices including alternative wheel-off designs, wheel-on trainers, and stationary/spin bikes. So, for example, aspects of support assemblycorresponding to the disclosed storage system may be readily repurposed for a spin bike (or other training device with an integrated pedal assembly), e.g., by incorporating the storage system elements into the frame of the spin bike (e.g., as part of a front or rear support of the frame) provided that the frame is formed, at least in part, from tubular elements.

Although various representative embodiments of this invention have been described above with a certain degree of particularity, those skilled in the art could make numerous alterations to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the inventive subject matter set forth in the specification. All directional references (e.g., upper, lower, upward, downward, left, right, leftward, rightward, top, bottom, above, below, vertical, horizontal, clockwise, and counterclockwise) are only used for identification purposes to aid the reader's understanding of the embodiments of the present invention, and do not create limitations, particularly as to the position, orientation, or use of the invention unless specifically set forth in the claims. Joinder references (e.g., attached, coupled, connected, and the like) are to be construed broadly and may include intermediate members between a connection of elements and relative movement between elements. As such, joinder references do not necessarily infer that two elements are directly connected and in fixed relation to each other.

In some instances, components are described with reference to “ends” having a particular characteristic and/or being connected to another part. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that the present invention is not limited to components which terminate immediately beyond their points of connection with other parts. Thus, the term “end” should be interpreted broadly, in a manner that includes areas adjacent, rearward, forward of, or otherwise near the terminus of a particular element, link, component, member or the like. In methodologies directly or indirectly set forth herein, various steps and operations are described in one possible order of operation, but those skilled in the art will recognize that steps and operations may be rearranged, replaced, or eliminated without necessarily departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. It is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not limiting. Changes in detail or structure may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the particular example apparatuses, methods, compositions, or materials disclosed herein, but is extended to equivalents thereof as would be recognized by those ordinarily skilled in the relevant arts. It should also be understood that terminology employed herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting.

Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, while the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations together with all equivalents thereof.

While specific implementations are discussed, it should be understood that this is done for illustration purposes only. A person skilled in the relevant art will recognize that other components and configurations may be used without parting from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Thus, the description and drawings are illustrative and are not to be construed as limiting. Numerous specific details are described to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosure. However, in certain instances, well-known or conventional details are not described in order to avoid obscuring the description. References to one or an embodiment in the present disclosure can be references to the same embodiment or any embodiment; and such references mean at least one of the embodiments.

Reference to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the disclosure. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment”, or similarly and synonymously “in one example”, “in one instance”, or “in one aspect” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of other embodiments. Moreover, various features are described which may be exhibited by some embodiments and not by others.

The terms used in this specification generally have their ordinary meanings in the art, within the context of the disclosure, and in the specific context where each term is used. Alternative language and synonyms may be used for any one or more of the terms discussed herein, and no special significance should be placed upon whether or not a term is elaborated or discussed herein. In some cases, synonyms for certain terms are provided. A recital of one or more synonyms does not exclude the use of other synonyms. The use of examples anywhere in this specification including examples of any terms discussed herein is illustrative only, and is not intended to further limit the scope and meaning of the disclosure or of any example term. Likewise, the disclosure is not limited to various embodiments given in this specification.

Additional features and advantages of the disclosure are set forth in the description, and in part will be obvious from the description, or can be learned by practice of the herein disclosed principles. The features and advantages of the disclosure can be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.