Hand Cycle Prongs

PROCESS BOOK Adaptive Hand-cycling

Matthew Parkin

UNDERSTANDING ADAPTIVE CYCLING Spinal cord injuries have many levels of severity. In general the higher the injury on the spinal chord the higher up on the body the parallelization line is. There can also be participial parallelizations of affected areas.

Cervical

Thoracic

Lumbar Sacral Coccygeal Affected Area

UNDERSTANDING ADAPTIVE CYCLING After a spinal cord injury people seek to find as many ways to still be independent.

Adaptive cycling allows people to feel the freedom of moving around quickly and the Independence associated with that. Adaptive cyclers also enjoy over coming the physical challenge of endurance and increased strength.

MUSCLE USE ANALYSIS When an individual who has full use of their body rides a hand cycle they use their biceps on the upstroke and triceps on their down-stroke. Often with spinal cord injuries when partial arm function is lost an individual will have use of their biceps but loose the use of their triceps.

No Injury Tricep Power

TRICEP POWER

Bicep Power

BICEP POWER

With Injury Gravity

Two Part Circle

Bicep Power

EXISTING SOLUTIONS ANALYSIS The existing solutions do not adapt well to varying levels of injury. They also force a paralyzed hand to function like an nu-injured had rather than building on the remaining controlled movement.

Forced Grip

Peg System

Quad Grip

Forced hand grip

Expensive $295

Expensive $499

Not for independent use

Difficult to detach

Many without grip find it difficult to stay in

Not for independent use

PROBLEM & NEED STATEMENT The current pedal interface systems are not adaptable for a wide range of users and in turn don’t maximize their strengths and help overcome their deficiencies. A new system must be developed that allows for unassisted use, more durability, and simpler attachment and detachment from hand cycle.

Built for independent user use

More durable and more washable

Comfortable and doesn’t cause sores

Simple attachment and detachment

Usable across a wide range of injuries & abilities

Works on a wide range of cycle brands

CROSS PLATFORM INSPIRATION An important part of the design process was the time I spent refrencing other products to gain inspiration. In evaluating these various products it helped spark my mind to possible solutions for the hand cycle.

Wrist Braces

Diapers

Gymnast Brace

Wrist Bandages

Finger Traps

Flip Flops

Mittens

Bike Clips

Watch Bands

Sweatbands

Magsafe Connector

Shoe Horns

Socks

Baby Wraps

PROBLEM & NEED STATEMENT The current pedal interface systems are not adaptable for a wide range of users and in turn don’t maximize their strengths and help overcome their deficiencies. A new system must be developed that allows for unassisted use, more durability, and simpler attachment and detachment from hand cycle.

DIAGRAM Front View

Back View

Segmented View

Inner Magnet Outer Magnet Slot Slot

3D Printed Plastic Magnet

Thumb Hole

Wrist Wrap

Neoprene Fabric

PRODUCT VALUE STATEMENT The wrist prongs and wrist wrap allow for users to be more independent when cycling and to quickly interface and detach on command with the cycle.

Built for independent user use

More durable and more washable

Works on a wide range of cycle brands

Comfortable and doesn’t cause sores

Simple attachment and detachment

Usable across a wide range of injuries & abilities