Week 8: (Outside-Lab) Attaching Hooks and Angle Testing

After the necessary measurements were made on each leg, the hooks were attached to the walker. This would aid in holding the brake line at various heights. As seen in Figure 1, the small circular hooks were attached along the inner bar on both side frames. Each hook had to be opened to allow the brake line to comfortably sit while creating tension when the brake handle is manually pulled. Unfortunately this task was quite difficult because the hooks continually broke as one team member attempted to pry the circle open. Needless to say, the team went through plenty of these hooks until the desired number of hooks were achieved. As each height of the leg is adjusted, as seen in Figure 2, the brake line can be moved to the tightest position to allow for accurate braking.

Figure 1: This picture displays the circular hooks that were used for the brake line. 

Figure 2: This picture displays the four hooks that were attached for each adjusted height of the legs. 

Also, the team further tested the proper angle that the back rest would be adjusted to. This would allow for proper posture that the team's original goal was directed towards. To complete this task, as seen in Figure 3, two yard sticks were used to make makeshift metal arms that could bend at the shoulder, simulating an elderly using the walker. 

Figure 3: This picture displays the yardsticks attached to the side frame to determine the angle of the back. 

The bar going across the back of the walker, simulates the shoulders of the individual while the vertical bars attached with a bolt represented the elbows. This allowed the bars to freely move as if the individual were bending the elbows. 

Figure 4: This picture displays a team member accurately measuring the angle of the yard stick. 

After multiple angles were tested, the team determined a 20 degree angle, as seen in Figure 4, would be the most accurate and efficient angle for the walker. Many individuals that suffer from Kyphosis, an angle of 45 degrees, can reduce this effect with the adjusted degree of the back.