Cycle exerciser

#This invention relates to cycle exercisers and is particularly applicable to such exercisers that either alternatively or simultaneously exercise the muscles of the legs and lower torso and muscles of the arms and upper torso.

#Normal cycle exercisers suffer a disadvantage in that they only make use of the muscles of the legs and lower torso of the user. They do, of course, impose a modest desirable added burden on the circulatory system and the oxygen transport system of the body. Present emphasis on exercises of a more active nature such as jogging or aerobic exercises are intended to increase the burden on those body systems while exercising a greater variety of muscle groups.

#Cycle exercisers have been developed that offer the user exercise of the upper torso in a rowing motion and even a motion that combines rowing with a twisting of the torso by requiring one's arms to reach to different distances; the basic motion of these exercisers is that of rowing and most of them require no significant effort by the upper muscles, the motion of these upper muscles being driven by the action of the leg muscles through the exercise equipment.

#FIG. 1 is a right-side elevational view of a front-wheel cycle exerciser modified to include the present invention.

#FIG. 2 is a right-side elevational view of a front-wheel cycle exerciser built to include the present invention in its preferred mode.

#FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the two drive shafts of the present invention and their associated drive means in the preferred mode.

#The reciprocating arm levers and second drive shaft construction of this invention can be attached to any conventional cycle exerciser. Even modified cycle exercisers, wherein the flywheel is mounted other than in front of the user could be adapted to include the reciprocating arm levers construction of this invention. For purposes of simplicity, the instant invention will be described in conjunction with the features of a typical front-wheeled cycle exerciser.

#A typical cycle exerciser, as is shown in FIG. 1, wherein such an exerciser has been modified to include the present invention, includes a frame 12, comprising a base 14, a front support 16, a rear support 18, a seat support 20, and the seat 22. The frame 12 may be made of tubes, as shown in FIG. 1, or it may be made of plates or other structures that will provide a solid support for the cycle exerciser. The frame 12 is preferably made of metal, but other materials may also be suitable. Any conventional bicycle seat may be used on a cycle exerciser.

#The typical cycle exerciser also includes right and left foot pedals 24, each mounted on a crank arm 26 attached to a main drive shaft 28 upon which is mounted a primary sprocket 30. Alternating force by the user of the cycle exerciser on the right and then the left foot pedals causes rotation of the main drive shaft 28 and the primary sprocket 30. A continuous chain loop 32 is passed over the primary sprocket 30 at one end and a secondary sprocket 34 at the other end, which secondary sprocket is usually directly attached to an energy absorbing flywheel 36. Thus, in the typical cycle exerciser, the effort expended upon cranking the pedals 24 is transmitted by the primary sprocket 30 to the drive chain 32 and thence to the secondary sprocket 34 and the flywheel 36 where it is dissipated in some controlled fashion. I refer to this chain drive train as the principal chain drive system. Any of the conventional other systems that are currently in use for cycle exercisers may also be used to link the pedals 24 to the flywheel 36. In most instances it is desirable to place chainguards (not shown) over the drive chains to prevent contact of the sprockets or chain with the body or the clothing, thereby to keep the body and the clothing from becoming soiled or injured as a result of such contact.