# US 10,946,237 B2 · Exercise bike > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,946,237 B2 - Document ID: US10946237B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/213,090 - Filed: 2018-12-07 - Published: 2019-10-31 - Granted: 2021-03-16 - Earliest claimed: 2018-04-26 - Assignees: Coulter Ventures, LLC. - Applicants: Coulter Ventures, LLC - Inventors: Dylan Jones; Matt Dubberley; Patrick Burgess - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10946237B2 ## CPC - A63B 22/0605: {performing a circular movement, e.g. ergometers} - A63B 21/0088: {by moving the surrounding air} - A63B 21/154: {using special pulley-assemblies} - A63B 22/001: {by simultaneously exercising arms and legs, e.g. diagonally in anti-phase (A63B22/0076 takes precedence)} - A63B 22/0046: {Details of the support elements or their connection to the exercising apparatus, e.g. adjustment of size or orientation (attachments of resisters or weights to the body of the user A63B21/4001; using rollers, wheels, castors or gliding means to be moved over the floor or guide tracks A63B22/20)} - A63B 71/0622: {Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user} - A63B 2071/009: {Protective housings covering the working parts of the apparatus} - A63B 2208/0228: Sitting on the buttocks - A63B 2209/02: with reinforcing fibres, e.g. carbon, polyamide fibres - A63B 2220/34: Angular speed - A63B 2220/803: Motion sensors - A63B 2220/833: Sensors arranged on the exercise apparatus or sports implement - A63B 2225/01: Special aerodynamic features, e.g. airfoil shapes, wings or air passages - A63B 2225/02: Testing, calibrating or measuring of equipment - A63B 2225/09: Adjustable dimensions - A63B 2225/093: Height - A63B 2225/685: for electronic devices, e.g. phone, PDA, GPS device, notebook - A63B: APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT (apparatus for passive exercising, massage A61H) ## Abstract An exercise bike includes a frame, a rotor assembly and a drive assembly mounted on the frame, where the drive assembly is configured to drive rotation of the rotor assembly, and a cover configured to at least partially cover the rotor assembly. The components of the drive assembly and the rotor assembly include structures that improve the performance of the exercise bike, including but not limited to a strong and rigid construction and improvements in belt tracking, user feel, effort consistency, synchronization, and rotor performance. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An exercise bike comprising: a frame configured to rest on a ground surface and having a seat configured to support a user; a rotor supported by the frame, the rotor comprising a hub supported by the frame for rotation on a first axis, a sprocket operably connected to the hub, and a plurality of blades connected to the hub, and a connection structure connecting the blades to the hub, wherein the hub, the sprocket, and the plurality of blades are configured to rotate together about the first axis, wherein the hub comprises first and second circular plates and a cylindrical center body extending axially between the first and second circular plates, the center body having a smaller diameter than the first and second circular plates, and wherein the plurality of blades includes a first blade having a proximal end connected to the hub and an elongated body extending outward from the hub to a distal end, the elongated body having first and second elongated sides extending between the proximal and distal ends, wherein the first blade is formed as a single integral piece and is engaged by the connection structure to connect the first blade to the first circular plate of the hub at a first connection point proximate the first elongated side and to connect the first blade to the second circular plate of the hub at a second connection point proximate the second elongated side, wherein 70-90% of a weight of the rotor is located within 75% of a maximum diameter of the rotor; and a drive assembly operably connected to the rotor to drive rotation of the rotor, wherein the drive assembly comprises a pulley assembly supported by the frame operably connected to the sprocket of the rotor and a pedal assembly connected to the pulley assembly to drive rotation of the rotor through the pulley assembly. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The exercise bike of claim 1, wherein 50-70% of the weight of the rotor is located within 50% of the maximum diameter of the rotor, and wherein 30-50% of the weight of the rotor is located within 25% of the maximum diameter of the rotor. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The exercise bike of claim 1, wherein the hub and the connection structure connecting the blades to the hub form a sole support structure for the blades. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The exercise bike of claim 1, wherein the first blade has a leading surface comprising all surfaces of the first blade facing into a direction of forward rotation of the rotor, and wherein the leading surface of the first blade has a surface area of 20-40 square inches. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The exercise bike of claim 1, wherein the plurality of blades includes 8-12 blades, and the rotor has a total weight of 9-12 pounds. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The exercise bike of claim 5, wherein each of the blades weighs 0.6-1.0 lb. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The exercise bike of claim 5, wherein each of the blades weighs at least 0.6 lb. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The exercise bike of claim 1, wherein the rotor has a moment of inertia with respect to a rotational axis of the rotor of 450-550 lb*in2. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The exercise bike of claim 1, wherein the rotor has a partial moment of inertia of 38-56% located within 75% of the maximum diameter of the rotor. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The exercise bike of claim 1, wherein the first blade has a cross-sectional area taken perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the first blade that decreases in the longitudinal direction along at least a portion of a length of the first blade between the proximal end and the distal end. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The exercise bike of claim 1, wherein the first blade has an incremental mass that decreases in a longitudinal direction of the first blade along at least a portion of a length of the first blade between the proximal end and the distal end. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The exercise bike of claim 1, wherein the drive assembly further comprises an arm assembly operably connected to the pulley assembly to drive rotation of the rotor through the pulley assembly. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The exercise bike of claim 1, wherein the distal end of the first blade defines a maximum diameter of the rotor. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The exercise bike of claim 1, wherein the first blade has a proximal edge extending between the first and second elongated sides at the proximal end, and wherein the proximal edge is spaced from the center body of the hub between the first and second connection points. ### Claim 15 An exercise bike comprising: a frame configured to rest on a ground surface and having a seat configured to support a user; a rotor supported by the frame, the rotor comprising a hub supported by the frame for rotation on a first axis, a sprocket operably connected to the hub, a plurality of blades connected to the hub, and a connection structure connecting the blades to the hub, wherein the hub, the sprocket, and the plurality of blades are configured to rotate together about the first axis, wherein the hub comprises first and second circular plates and a cylindrical center body extending axially between the first and second circular plates, the center body having a smaller diameter than the first and second circular plates, and wherein the plurality of blades includes a first blade having a proximal end connected to the hub and an elongated body extending outward from the hub to a distal end, the elongated body having first and second elongated sides extending between the proximal and distal ends, wherein the first blade is formed as a single integral piece and is engaged by the connection structure to connect the first blade to the first circular plate of the hub at a first connection point proximate the first elongated side and to connect the first blade to the second circular plate of the hub at a second connection point proximate the second elongated side, and wherein 50-70% of a weight of the rotor is located within 50% of a maximum diameter of the rotor; and a drive assembly operably connected to the rotor to drive rotation of the rotor, wherein the drive assembly comprises a pulley assembly supported by the frame operably connected to the sprocket of the rotor and a pedal assembly connected to the pulley assembly to drive rotation of the rotor through the pulley assembly. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The exercise bike of claim 15, wherein 30-50% of the weight of the rotor is located within 25% of the maximum diameter of the rotor. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The exercise bike of claim 15, wherein the hub and the connection structure connecting the blades to the hub form a sole support structure for the blades. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The exercise bike of claim 15, wherein the first blade has a leading surface comprising all surfaces of the first blade facing into a direction of forward rotation of the rotor, and wherein the leading surface of the first blade has a surface area of 20-40 square inches. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The exercise bike of claim 15, wherein the plurality of blades includes 8-12 blades, and the rotor has a total weight of 9-12 pounds. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The exercise bike of claim 19, wherein each of the blades weighs 0.6-1.0 lb. ### Claim 21 (depends on 19) The exercise bike of claim 19, wherein each of the blades weighs at least 0.6 lb. ### Claim 22 (depends on 15) The exercise bike of claim 15, wherein the rotor has a moment of inertia with respect to a rotational axis of the rotor of 450-550 lb*in2. ### Claim 23 (depends on 15) The exercise bike of claim 15, wherein the rotor has a partial moment of inertia of 13-19% located within 50% of the maximum diameter of the rotor. ### Claim 24 (depends on 15) The exercise bike of claim 15, wherein the first blade has a cross-sectional area taken perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the firt blade that decreases in the longitudinal direction along at least a portion of a length of the first blade between the proximal end and the distal end. ### Claim 25 (depends on 15) The exercise bike of claim 15, wherein the first blade has an incremental mass that decreases in a longitudinal direction of the first blade along at least a portion of a length of the first blade between the proximal end and the distal end. ### Claim 26 (depends on 15) The exercise bike of claim 15, wherein the drive assembly further comprises an arm assembly operably connected to the pulley assembly to drive rotation of the rotor through the pulley assembly. ### Claim 27 (depends on 15) The exercise bike of claim 15, wherein the distal end of the first blade defines a maximum diameter of the rotor. ### Claim 28 (depends on 15) The exercise bike of claim 15, wherein the first blade has a proximal edge extending between the first and second elongated sides at the proximal end, and wherein the proximal edge is spaced from the center body of the hub between the first and second connection points. ### Claim 29 An exercise bike comprising: a frame configured to rest on a ground surface and having a seat configured to support a user; a rotor supported by the frame, the rotor comprising a hub supported by the frame for rotation on a first axis, a sprocket operably connected to the hub, a plurality of blades connected to the hub, and a connection structure connecting the blades to the hub, wherein the hub, the sprocket, and the plurality of blades are configured to rotate together about the first axis, wherein the hub comprises first and second circular plates and a cylindrical center body extending axially between the first and second circular plates, the center body having a smaller diameter than the first and second circular plates, and wherein the plurality of blades includes a first blade having a proximal end connected to the hub and an elongated body extending outward from the hub to a distal end, the elongated body having first and second elongated sides extending between the proximal and distal ends, wherein the first blade is formed as a single integral piece and is engaged by the connection structure to connect the first blade to the first circular plate of the hub at a first connection point proximate the first elongated side and to connect the first blade to the second circular plate of the hub at a second connection point proximate the second elongated side, and wherein the plurality of blades includes 8-12 blades, and the rotor has a total weight of 9-12 pounds, and wherein each of the blades weighs 0.6-1.0 lb; and a drive assembly operably connected to the rotor to drive rotation of the rotor, wherein the drive assembly comprises a pulley assembly supported by the frame operably connected to the sprocket of the rotor and a pedal assembly connected to the pulley assembly to drive rotation of the rotor through the pulley assembly. ### Claim 30 (depends on 29) The exercise bike of claim 29, wherein the hub and the connection structure connecting the blades to the hub form a sole support structure for the blades. ### Claim 31 (depends on 29) The exercise bike of claim 29, wherein the first blade has a leading surface comprising all surfaces of the first blade facing into a direction of forward rotation of the rotor, and wherein the leading surface of the first blade has a surface area of 20-40 square inches. ### Claim 32 (depends on 29) The exercise bike of claim 29, wherein the first blade has a cross-sectional area taken perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the first blade that decreases in the longitudinal direction along at least a portion of a length of the first blade between the proximal end and the distal end. ### Claim 33 (depends on 29) The exercise bike of claim 29, wherein the first blade has an incremental mass that decreases in a longitudinal direction of the first blade along at least a portion of a length of the first blade between the proximal end and the distal end. ### Claim 34 (depends on 29) The exercise bike of claim 29, wherein the drive assembly further comprises an arm assembly operably connected to the pulley assembly to drive rotation of the rotor through the pulley assembly. ### Claim 35 (depends on 29) The exercise bike of claim 29, wherein the distal end of the first blade defines a maximum diameter of the rotor. ### Claim 36 (depends on 29) The exercise bike of claim 29, wherein the first blade has a proximal edge extending between the first and second elongated sides at the proximal end, and wherein the proximal edge is spaced from the center body of the hub between the first and second connection points. ### Claim 37 An exercise bike comprising: a frame configured to rest on a ground surface and having a seat configured to support a user; a rotor supported by the frame, the rotor comprising a hub supported by the frame for rotation on a first axis, a plurality of blades connected to the hub, and a connection structure connecting the blades to the hub, wherein the hub, the connection structure, and the plurality of blades are configured to rotate together about the first axis, wherein the hub comprises first and second circular plates and a cylindrical center body extending axially between the first and second circular plates, the center body having a smaller diameter than the first and second circular plates, and wherein the plurality of blades includes a first blade having a proximal end connected to the hub and an elongated body extending outward from the hub to a distal end, the elongated body having first and second elongated sides extending between the proximal and distal ends and a proximal edge extending between the first and second elongated sides at the proximal end, and wherein the first blade is engaged by the connection structure to connect the first blade to the first circular plate of the hub at a first connection point proximate the first elongated side and to connect the first blade to the second circular plate of the hub at a second connection point proximate the second elongated side; and a drive assembly operably connected to the rotor to drive rotation of the rotor, wherein the drive assembly comprises a pulley assembly supported by the frame operably connected to the rotor and a pedal assembly connected to the pulley assembly to drive rotation of the rotor through the pulley assembly. ### Claim 38 (depends on 37) The exercise bike of claim 37, wherein the first blade is formed as a single integral piece. ### Claim 39 (depends on 37) The exercise bike of claim 37, wherein the proximal edge is spaced from the center body of the hub between the first and second connection points. ### Claim 40 (depends on 37) The exercise bike of claim 37, wherein the rotor further comprises a sprocket operably connected to the hub, and wherein the pulley assembly is operably connected to the sprocket to drive rotation of the rotor. ### Claim 41 (depends on 37) The exercise bike of claim 37, wherein the first blade has a width defined between the first and second sides, and the width of the first blade is constant from the proximal end to the distal end.