Week 6: (In-Lab) Further Construction and Planning

This week, our team took the constructed frame to the Drexel Machine Shop to address the issue of adjustable height on each of the legs. Initially when the wheels were fitted to each leg, there was only one hole to adjust the height of the walker. With careful measurement, the team decided it would be best if 4" of the legs were cut off, allowing there to be more options of height.

Figure 1: This figure displays one of our teammates cutting the excess piping on the front and back side legs. 

As seen in Figure 1, one of our teammates created a rivet in each leg to aid the movement of the handsaw as each leg was shortened. This would allow the decision of space between each hole to be made, prior to constructing in the Machine Shop.

After precise measurements, each hole was drilled 1" apart, allowing there to be four options of height for the proper use of the walker. The wheels that were previously disassembled from one of the out of lab activities were tested to make sure the pin could be easily adjusted between holes. In Figure 2, one teammate was marking out where the holes would be with a measuring tape, prior to drilling them.

Figure 2: One teammate marking holes for the pin of the wheels.

After each of the four holes were carefully drilled into the bottom of the legs, the two sets of wheels were fitted to see if the holes were big enough to hold the adjustable pin. As seen in Figure 3, the wheel pin is set to the tallest height option of the walker. The holes were drilled at a downward angle, allowing the pin to remain in place after being set to the proper height. 

Figure 3: This picture displays the four rivets that were made for the adjustable pin. 

Next, the set of wheels were modified using Gorilla Tape, around the piping of the wheel to prevent wobbling or slipping out of place. As shown in Figure 3, the wheel displayed is one of the back right wheels with the beginning stages of the attached braking system. This modification of using the black Gorilla Tape helped to thicken the thinner rod that slides into place of the legs. The stopper located on top of the wheel will be configured so that a braking line runs from the wheel to the brakes that will be attached to each arm rest. This stopper is attached to a spring that when pressed, drops the metal stopper onto the rubber coating of the wheel, allowing the walker to stop in motion. This system is the next step in the construction of the walker. 

As seen in Figure 4 below, this is the initial structure of the walker that was completed with the help of the Machine Shop workspace. The multi direction wheels have been attached, allowing the front wheels to freely move in place. The back wheels, however, will be able to move as soon as the braking system is attached to the springs of the stopper. 

Figure 4: This picture displays the beginning stages of construction of the walker. 

The next plan for this design includes the finer details that will allow the walker to remain sturdy and withstand the designated tests to ensure results of proper posture. These tests, among others, will include the coefficient of friction and the range of movement the individual has when using the walker. The black back rest hanging freely on the back of the walker will be moved to a position that would be comfortable and supportive for any user. The other pieces of padding will also be added as soon as the walker withstands the team's expectations of providing proper posture and movement to an elderly individual.