[Texaswheelz]

I don't think the person that would be using this chair would need to worry to much about pressure sores, they are going to be moving actively, which will do the job in preventing them. I like the seat design, anything with a solid base. The companies making chairs with a sling bottom and then putting a damn peace of plywood inside your seat cover and charging $70 are just freaking nuts. Then of course you can go spend $300+ on a carbon fiber solid base if you want. I've come up with any idea of my on for a solid base, much cheaper, light and strong.

[asilver]

Luckily this frame design does allow for a solid base plate that would be sturdy using a wide range of different materials throughout the price. Tonight I will upload a work in progress shot that shows how it's set up.

I was wondering where Christiaan has been lately, when I stumbled upon this posting on Aaron Fotheringham's website. Check it here I'm pumped to see him out there on tour doing what he does best and spreading the word about this sport! Maybe everyone knew that already, but I figured I would spread the word and be the first to congratulate him.

Adam

This post has been edited by asilver: 19 May 2009 - 11:25 PM

[Santa Cruz Soul Surfer (LRO)]

asilver, on May 19 2009, 04:24 PM, said:

Luckily this frame design does allow for a solid base plate that would be sturdy using a wide range of different materials throughout the price. Tonight I will upload a work in progress shot that shows how it's set up.

I was wondering where Christiaan has been lately, when I stumbled upon this posting on Aaron Fotheringham's website. Check it here I'm pumped to see him out there on tour doing what he does best and spreading the word about this sport! Maybe everyone knew that already, but I figured I would spread the word and be the first to congratulate him.

Adam

Hey there everyone, sorry I have'nt been on in a little while...As Adam has pointed out, i've been on tour the past few weeks. It looks like you've been making fantastic progress on your design's Adam, both aaron and I are impressed!...How did your final design end up working out?

[asilver]

Christiaan,

It's awesome to hear back from you, it looks like the tour was a pretty big success! I'm glad you like everything so far, and that Aaron got a chance to check it out too. I'm sorry it's been so long since I updated the blog. It got a little chaotic at the end of the quarter while trying to finish everything up. I just updated the blog with the final rendering of the chair all together. There is a lot of details on the chair I haven't gotten to explain yet, so I will be posting a detailed process book in the next day to make everything clear. Though the quarter has ended, this is a project I am hoping to keep working on, if there is enough interest.

As always let me know what you think! Don't be afraid to tell me what you don't like.

And again, thank you all for your help with everything guys!

Check it out here

Adam

[DaveP]

Very impressive looking chair!

Just out of curiosity, but how much do you think it would cost to build your chair? I ask this purely out of curiosity and to see how it compares to the prices some manufacturers are asking.

[edlee]

I can only hope, Adam, that your professors were as impressed as I. Well done.
ed

[Santa Cruz Soul Surfer (LRO)]

You know Adam, i'm a designer and custom fabricator myself and am seldom impressed...But I have to say, you've seriously impressed the shit out of me with this design!!!! You're consummate attention to not just functionality but also style, has literally left me speechless in this instance! Truly one of the most beautiful wheelchair designs i've ever seen, my hat is off to you sir!!!






After spending the better part of a hour looking at these two renderings, I see only three things that need revision...1. the seatback needs to be 2" inches higher at least, to maximize the trunk leverage while maneuvering. 2. A clearing through to the head tube to allow for easy replacement of front caster bearings. And 3, buckle footstraps to keep the persons legs in place while dropping/turning...Aside from those three things, I can't find anything on your design that would need improvement. Damn fine work!!!

[Texaswheelz]

I agree, very impressive work. I think you really do need to consider trying to produce these and not just doing this for a class project.

I do agree with a higher back, I don't know how well those tiny front casters would do on the ramps and skates parks, but not practical for every day use, they'd get caught in even the smallest cracks and it needs a bit more dip. IE, the back of the seat needs to be setting lower then the front then what it is.

If that chair was being produced today and I was shopping for one, i would highly consider this over anything else out there atm.

[CR_L1]

Texaswheelz, on Jun 8 2009, 06:33 PM, said:

If that chair was being produced today and I was shopping for one, i would highly consider this over anything else out there atm.

I second that.
cool chair

[twisted_ophelia]

Welcome back, Christiaan! Awesome photos!

And Adam... WOW. I am so impressed with your design. If that chair was available, I would want one. It honestly looks like pretty much the coolest chair I've ever seen, better than Marvel, Colours, that $10,000 limited Ti Lite one, etc. Agree with Christiaan about the backrest needing to be a bit higher. I'm a T8 and have issues even at my injury level with a back that's just about an inch too low for my trunk function (currently use a Corbac from Ride Designs). A couple inches can really make a difference.

[asilver]

I can't even begin to tell you all how excited I am that you liked the final design.

Everyone here has been such a major part of this project.

Christiaan, I will definitely extend the back and leave an entry to the front caster bearings. It's dificult to see in these renderings but I did include a mounting area for front footstraps as I wasn't sure if everyone would want them.

I just updated the blog with the process book that shows much more detailed renderings of the components. Evet to eryone, if you get the time please check it out and let me know what you think. You can check it out directly here. When you get to scribd chose to download the pdf. as a lot of the images show up messed up when you preview it on the site.

Everyone thank you so much for the kind words, and for all your help this far.

Keep the feedback coming!!!

Thanks,

Adam

[araitn]

Hey Adam,

It's obvious that you have a supreme talent for wheelchair design.

Nothing more to say than...... great job!

Thanks for sharing the project with us and good luck in your future endeavors.

Joe

[qman]

i am very impressed, who and when is one going to be built.

[asilver]

Hey guys,

I figured I would give anybody whos interested a little update what's been going on with this project.

I was fortunate to get a lot of feedback on the design from everyone here as well as Aaron Fotheringham, and a few other wheelchair skating enthusiasts. Though I haven't had as much time as I would have liked this summer, I am in the process of make some revisions, including extending the chairs back support, and giving the chair independent rear axels. As always I will be sharing these revisions with you all as soon as they are finished. Though it's going to be expensive, my hope is to get started on an actual prototype of the design so I can see some actual results.

Hope everyone has been having a great summer, I look forward to working with you all some more.

Take care,

Adam

[DaveP]

asilver, on Aug 6 2009, 05:43 PM, said:

Hey guys,

I figured I would give anybody whos interested a little update what's been going on with this project.

I was fortunate to get a lot of feedback on the design from everyone here as well as Aaron Fotheringham, and a few other wheelchair skating enthusiasts. Though I haven't had as much time as I would have liked this summer, I am in the process of make some revisions, including extending the chairs back support, and giving the chair independent rear axels. As always I will be sharing these revisions with you all as soon as they are finished. Though it's going to be expensive, my hope is to get started on an actual prototype of the design so I can see some actual results.

Hope everyone has been having a great summer, I look forward to working with you all some more.

Take care,

Adam

Would it not be a worth exploring the idea of working with an existing wheelchair manufacturer? You do what you do best (ie designing) and they do what they already know how to do (manufactuer, distribute, advertise and sell).

If you decide to explore this route, then you should get a business advisor on board to help you navigate this path.

Really good to see you're continueing with this project.

A friend of mine in th UK has a wheelchair product he wants to promote in the USA and has been working with a business consultant, and I think agreements are now in place with major wheelchair suppliers in America and Canada. If you want to contact this guy, let me know.

Loads of people come to these forums with the same idea - designing a wheelchair for their school project. I think you're the only one I've seen actually come up with anything realistic... or come up with anything at all!

[qman]

anyone seen these
they look like a good innovation of wheelchair design also
http://www.marvelwheelchairs.com/

[qman]

Please for the sake of all involved DO NOT give this chair to an existing wheel chair manufacturer, the best thing about this design is that it is NOT anything like the chairs that are currently being produced. They will ruin this project and take all the financial reward.

Also business consultants / managers are generally people who have failed in there own ventures and are trying to ride the coat tails of others success and ideas.

distribution is a different matter though.

[asilver]

Hey guys,

One of the biggest hurdles in getting this design into production, is the use of unique manufacturing techniques. They will most likely require expensive tooling since they are not commonly used in the wheelchair industry. I think it may make more sense for me to look into performance bicycle manufacturers who work with uniquely shaped frame extrusions, internal butting, and carbon fiber parts.

The initial prototypes will be created differently then any final production unit would, based off the low quantities and ongoing experimentation with the design.

I still have a lot to learn, and need to speak to a lot more people. Any advice you all have is greatly appreciated.

DaveP I would love to contact your friend and hear a little bit about his experiences so far.

[Jax]

asilver, on Aug 11 2009, 10:03 AM, said:

Hey guys,

One of the biggest hurdles in getting this design into production, is the use of unique manufacturing techniques. They will most likely require expensive tooling since they are not commonly used in the wheelchair industry. I think it may make more sense for me to look into performance bicycle manufacturers who work with uniquely shaped frame extrusions, internal butting, and carbon fiber parts.

The initial prototypes will be created differently then any final production unit would, based off the low quantities and ongoing experimentation with the design.

I still have a lot to learn, and need to speak to a lot more people. Any advice you all have is greatly appreciated.

DaveP I would love to contact your friend and hear a little bit about his experiences so far.

Your design rocks. When you get this thing into production, I'm going to get one. To hell with the Quickie GTi that I have now! Those wheels are wicked man. Keep kickin ass!

PS-If the bicycle manufacturer idea doesn't work, you could always try high-end sports car makers... Maybe Koenigsegg.

[qman]

I agree that some of the bike manufacturers are the way to look at construction.

I have to say i think you are going to struggle a little on weight. I think it will be pretty heavy.

good luck though.

[chickadee]

asilver, on Aug 11 2009, 10:03 AM, said:

One of the biggest hurdles in getting this design into production, is the use of unique manufacturing techniques. They will most likely require expensive tooling since they are not commonly used in the wheelchair industry.

You know, you might just want to scope out a specialty machine tooling shop, period. My mom works for one that does all sorts of things - Medtronic, Navy, CAT, etc - and they might be able to help you out with the production engineering aspect. I know that they do all sorts of specialty projects.