Design Project - Create a solution for a disability-based problem.

[nukecad]

Hi Charlie, nice to hear from you again.

I haven't looked at your project yet, my laptop is bust and I am struggling on with my phone, LT has given some feedback to be going on with.

Hope to have a new laptop this weekend and will take a proper look an make comments once I get that up and running.

[nukecad]

Quick answer from an engineering designer point of view.

Not a bad concept and a decent looking first prototype to see if the idea works in practice.
I assume that you have tried it on various surfaces to assess and measure the extra level of grip over a normal ferrule? Do you have any tabulated results? ("Unstick" force down shaft of crutch at 80deg to surface, at 60, 45 degs for both normal ferrules and yours).
I haven't checked but there are probably set minimum standards for these.


Are you going to progress this design? Some suggestions-

Loose or tidy up the tubing (trip hazzard, easy to snag and pull out), think about the trigger force needed (not everybody has a good grip, or even all their fingers).

I'm sure others will suggest possible improvements now they can see your concept.

Just out of interest which cad prpgramme are you using?

[CharlieADesignProject]

Thanks for the feedback, comments on the clunky design were to be expected, If I were focusing on just one subject in school I wish I could have made it neater, and I've never looked into electronics too much either, but this will really help for comments on what ought to be changed in a later prototype or if it were brought to mass production

[nukecad]

I haven't found the relevent regulations as yet, but these reports into the testing of loading and slip of crutches may be of interest:

http://www.crutches.co.nz/uploads/EN...G%20REPORT.pdf
http://www.rehab.research.va.gov/jou...2/kennaway.pdf

(This may have posted twice - the forum is playing up in internet explorer again)

[Lighttouch]

I met a disabled woman with the same issues as me regarding crutch slipping - she had a three pronged ferrule!

Interesting solution.

3-prong-ferrule.jpg