Week 9: (In-Lab) Presentation

After multiple attempts of bending the hooks for the brake line system, the team could successfully complete this part of construction of the walker. The remaining tasks include painting the walker and attaching the foam padding to the back and arm rests.

For the remaining portion of the lab, the team worked on brainstorming how the presentation would be completed for the following week. A google powerpoint was created so that each team member could individually work on slides to illustrate the design process of the walker. The team decided which slides would be given to each member while discussing the best way to present our project. The next step would be to create the poster displaying the walker and the sales pitch that our group will be giving to the class.

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. 

Week 8: (In-Lab) Braking System Adjustments

After the team met outside of lab to assess the braking system lines, the proper measurements were made for the wires that would connect to the stopper of the brakes. These ends were clipped and assembled to the modified stopper on the stationary back two wheels. As seen in Figure 1, one teammate makes the final measurements to attach the braking wire to the walker's side frames. 

 Figure 1: This photo displays one teammate measuring the braking line for the brakes. 

First, each measurement was made by moving the cable after the legs were adjusted to the four various heights. Then, this cable will then be attached to a mechanism (hook) that allows the cable to rest in a desired notch. This will keep the braking cable tight and ready to be pulled via the braking handles.  

Figure 2: This photo displays the front view of the walker as one teammate adjusts the back legs. 

As seen in Figure 2, one teammate is adjusting the height of the legs while pushing in the pin to measure and mark the locations of where the hooks will attach to the brake line. The next step of this process will be to attach the hooks and connect the brake lines to them.