Loadable bearing for bicycle stand driven roller

Abstract

A bearing assembly is mounted onto the shaft of a rotating wheel of a bicycle exerciser, wherein the rotating wheel is driven by a person on a bicycle. The bearing assembly is loaded so that the inner and outer portions of the bearing assembly are urged in a manner to create a drag on the bearing assembly that is transmitted to the rolling wheel.

1 . A friction loading device for a roller against which a bicycle wheel is engaged for exercise, said friction loading device comprising: 
 a shaft mounting said roller wheel;    at least one bearing assembly on the shaft, the bearing having a rotating portion and a stationary portion supported relative to each other; and    a loading member for changing the surface positions of the stationary portion to create a friction load on the rotating portion, said rotating portion being mounted to rotate with the roller wheel.    
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said bearing comprises rolling elements between the stationary portion and the rotating portion, said rotating portion being urged against the rolling elements to create the load on the rotating portion of the bearing.  
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein said bearing is a roller bearing, the rotating portion comprises an inner race and the stationary portion comprises an outer race that is distorted in shape for creating a load on the inner race.  
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein said bearing comprises: 
 a tapered roller bearing, the inner race being a rotating cone, and the outer race being a stationary cup;    a plurality of rollers between the cup and the cone, the loading member providing an axial load on the stationary portion urging the rollers against the cone to create a drag on the cone and the shaft on which the cone is mounted.    
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1  and further comprising a housing surrounding the shaft, the housing including fins to dissipate heat generated from the friction load.  
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the loading member comprises an adjustable nut.  
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6  wherein the nut includes radial fins that are rotatable with the shaft to force air into the housing and across the fins.  
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7  wherein the housing includes openings proximate the fins to allow air flow therethrough.  
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the loading member comprises a bearing compression plate having a slit such that when opposed sides of the slit are forced together, the load is created.  
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said bearing comprises rolling elements between the stationary portion and the rotating portion, said stationary portion being urged against the rolling elements to create the load on the rotating portion of the bearing.  
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the loading member comprises an actuator that is operated to provide the load in proportion to an electrical signal.  
     
     
         12 . An exerciser, comprising: 
 a stand adapted to engage a bicycle;    the device of  claim 1  coupled to the stand and adapted to engage a wheel of the bicycle.