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Performance monitoring & display system for exercise bikePerformance monitoring & display system for exercise bike description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20080096725, Performance monitoring & display system for exercise bike. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001]1. Field of the Invention [0002]The present invention relates generally to an exercise bike, and is applicable to the fields of fitness, exercise, physical rehabilitation, and sports medicine and is directed to methods and apparatuses useable in such fields. [0003]2. Description of the Related Art [0004]There are numerous kinds of exercise bikes available in the marketplace. The main structure of these conventional exercise bikes includes a frame,.a handlebar mounted at a front end of the frame, a display, a seat mounted at a rear end of the frame, and a pair of pedals. The benefits of regular aerobic exercise have been well established and accepted. Exercise bikes provide a convenient means of exercising to those who are too busy to find time to ride a bicycle. [0005]In addition to enhancing the performance of athletes, such devices are used to improve or maintain the fitness and health of non-athletes, both to enhance the lifestyles of non-athletes and to potentially increase their respective life spans. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0006]The systems and methods of the present invention have several features, no single one of which is solely responsible for its desirable attributes. Without limiting the scope of this invention as expressed by the claims which follow, its more prominent features will now be discussed briefly. After considering this discussion, and particularly after reading the section entitled "Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments," one will understand how the features of this invention provide several advantages over traditional exercise apparatus. [0007]One aspect in accordance with embodiments of the present invention is a method for determining a power level for an exercise cycle having a flywheel rotating against a variable resistance braking system by a user and having a monitoring system that measures an RPM of the flywheel and a resistance level of the braking system. The method comprises adjusting the variable resistance braking system to the resistance level and monitoring the rotation of the flywheel against the resistance level. The method further comprises providing a pre-determined relationship between the rotation, torque and power for the exercise cycle and using the resistance level, the rotation of the flywheel, and the pre-determined relationship to determine a power level of the user. [0008]Another aspect in accordance with embodiments of the present invention is an apparatus for determining a power level of a user. The apparatus comprises a controllable resistance and a flywheel rotatable relative to the controllable resistance by a user and a monitoring system that measures a speed of movement of the flywheel when the controllable resistance is set to a resistance level. The apparatus further comprises a display device that determines a power based on the controllable resistance, the speed of movement of the flywheel, and a predetermined relationship. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0009]These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will now be described in connection with preferred embodiments of the invention, in reference to the accompanying drawings. The illustrated embodiments, however, are merely examples and are not intended to limit the invention. [0010]FIG. 1 is a perspective rear view of an exercise apparatus in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; [0011]FIG. 2 is a side view of the exercise apparatus of FIG. 1; [0012]FIG. 3 is an opposite side view of the exercise apparatus of FIG. 1; [0013]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the exercise apparatus from FIG. 1 with a frame housing removed to show the path for a belt that links a driving wheel to a flywheel; [0014]FIG. 5A is a perspective view of an upper portion of the exercise bike from FIG. 1 showing a gear shift for controlling the eddy current braking system in a low gear position; [0015]FIG. 5B is a perspective view of the upper portion of the exercise apparatus from FIG. 5A showing the gear shift in a high gear position; [0016]FIG. 6A is a side view illustrating a rear portion of the exercise apparatus from FIG. 1 with a gear cover removed to show an eddy current braking system in a low resistance position; [0017]FIG. 6B illustrates the eddy current braking system from FIG. 6A in a higher resistance position; [0018]FIG. 6C is a right side perspective view showing the teeth of a potentiometer and of a gear cover engaged with one another to allow the potentiometer to sense the position of the eddy current braking system relative to the flywheel; [0019]FIG. 7 is a front perspective view illustrating a speed system that includes a pick-up on a rib of the driving wheel and a magnetic switch for sensing when the pick-up passes by the magnetic switch during revolutions of the driving wheel so as to monitor the speed of the driving wheel; [0020]FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of the rib of the driving wheel that includes the pick-up of the speed system illustrated in FIG. 7. [0021]FIG. 9A illustrates a display device in a normal mode showing, for example, at least a power output in watts of a user of the exercise apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1; Continue reading about Performance monitoring & display system for exercise bike... Full patent description for Performance monitoring & display system for exercise bike Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Performance monitoring & display system for exercise bike patent application. Patent Applications in related categories: 20090291804 - Total body exercise methods and apparatus - An exercise apparatus includes a frame, an arm supporting member, and a leg supporting member. A sensor is connected to at least one of the arm supporting member and the leg supporting member, and/or a resilient member is interconnected between the arm supporting member and either the leg supporting member ... ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Performance monitoring & display system for exercise bike or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Ankle rehabilitation apparatus Next Patent Application: Exercise apparatus Industry Class: Exercise devices ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Performance monitoring & display system for exercise bike patent info. 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