US 11,925,835 B2
Bicycle training system with improved motion
Martin Smits, Oegstgeest (NL)
Assigned to Tacx B.V., Oegstgeest (NL)
Filed by Tacx B.V., Oegstgeest (NL)
Filed on Nov. 29, 2022, as Appl. No. 18/059,634.
Application 18/059,634 is a continuation of application No. 16/892,847, filed on Jun. 4, 2020, granted, now 11,534,656.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/937,972, filed on Nov. 20, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2023/0099508 A1, Mar. 30, 2023
Int. Cl. A63B 22/06 (2006.01); A63B 21/005 (2006.01)
CPC A63B 22/0605 (2013.01) [A63B 21/0058 (2013.01); A63B 2022/0641 (2013.01)] 4 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A direct-drive bicycle training system comprising:
a bicycle trainer configured to rest on a support surface and support a bicycle frame in an upright manner with respect to the support surface, the bicycle trainer comprising:
a stator;
a rotor configured to rotate with respect to the stator;
a cassette affixed to the rotor and configured to rotate with the rotor;
a support frame supporting the stator, rotor, and cassette;
a spring and damper attached to the support frame and connected to a rear axle of the bicycle frame through a pushing rod; and
a resistance applying mechanism configured to operatively couple to a portion of a drivetrain of the bicycle frame and apply varying levels of resistance to the portion of the drivetrain;
wherein the support frame is configured to pivot with respect to the support surface in response to a force applied to the drivetrain of the bicycle frame during use of the bicycle training system,
wherein the force applied to the drivetrain of the bicycle frame is imparted to the spring and damper through the pushing rod, causing pivoting of the support frame in a forward and backward direction through elongation and compression of the spring,
wherein the damper is configured to damp oscillations caused by expansion and contraction of the spring and the spring is configured to impart a force on the support frame and return the support frame to an equilibrium position following the compression or elongation.