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Student Designer
University Product Description and Principal Function(s) 'Walking Aids' was an attempt to address the functional and ergonomic shortcomings of current traditional, mass produced, forearm crutch designs.The principle function of elbow crutches is to aid walking by increasing stability, enlarging the support base and reducing the loads on the lower limbs. The project sought to identify the main ergonomic, functional and usability issues with current designs and propose realistic, achievable solutions in-line with today’s technology and mainstream manufacturing processes. My intent was to evolve, rather than re-invent, a walking aid for long-term users whose quality of life and independence depends heavily on their performance. Why does the product represent design excellence and why do you believe it deserves an Australian Design Award? For those who rely on walking aids, the products that provide independence are also a cause of great hindrance and discomfort in their day-to-day lives. Traditional forearm crutches are rigid, unnatural and uncomfortable. Acting as extensions of the body, they are not ideal for long-term users.A need exists for an affordable product that is, at its heart, a direct response to the specific problems as expressed by their users’ in an effort to improve the quality of their lives. The Compact Crutch was conceived to improve comfort and delay the onset and severity of the detrimental health affects associated with long-term use. Caused by repetitive jarring of the body, such problems include soreness and numbing of the hands and wrists, elbow and shoulder joint pain, wrist tendonitis and carpal tunnel syndrome. As crutches strike the ground, harmful shock and vibration is transmitted through the frame and absorbed by the users’ body. This issue has been addressed through the design of a Crutch Tip Compressor. This simple component isolates the frame from the ground, enabling standard rubber crutch tips to absorb the impact. Inspired by prosthetics limbs, they also allow the crutch tips to roll and behave like ankle joints - accommodating for uneven ground and increasing the contact patch. This maximises grip and stability. Unlike sprung designs, the rubber tips silently absorb impact during the entire stance phase without bottoming-out. Large angled handgrips create a more natural wrist angle. Their form promotes a wider grip and distributes the load of the user over a greater area of their palms. Together, this improves blood circulation and reduces pressure on the carpal tunnel. A Technogel over-mould at the point of wrist contact provides added cushioning, protection and even load distribution. The handgrips’ subtly flared ends improve the visual and tactile feeling of security. The forearm cuff has been designed to increase comfort and visual appeal. Deep and tapered, with gently contoured, sweeping surfaces provide a more welcoming opening and less utilitarian aesthetic. To reduce discomfort, the increased depth over traditional designs distributes the load applied by the forearm over a greater area. The Compact Crutch can be more conveniently stored or placed aside when you do not require them. Entering a car, at a restaurant or at the cinema, their ability to collapse into a compact pair makes them more manageable to live with. To collapse, the difficult squeezing of sprung locking pins has been replaced with the simpler and easier rotating of Locking Collars. The collars also allow the user to preset the crutch height - facilitating fast and effortless return to the users’ original configuration. State of mind and physical well-being is a vital part of a patient’s recovery. The Compact Crutch seeks to re-enable the user – to remain social, active and positive. Estimated manufacturing costs of $31 per unit suggest a retail price of $300 per pair. For long-term users looking for a measurable improvement in comfort and lifestyle, I believe the price premium can be easily justified. |
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