Hello everyone.
My name is Joe and I am a mechanical engineering senior at the Univ. of New Mexico.
We have begun a design of a new off-road wheelchair that is unlike any you have seen out there right now. We know what we want to do, but we want you guys to tell us HOW to do it. Give us ideas on everything from what is absolutely necessary, (i.e. longer batterylife, powered/manual assist, lower cost, safety) to what you would like to see in a recreational wheelchair. (i.e. space for your gear, color, seat type) Any input is welcome.
We can just discuss it on this forum or you can visit our online survey. Its short and sweet. There is a place for comments at the bottom, so please feel free to tell us what you would like to see in an off-road wheel chair. .
http://home.comcast.net/~cjronde/
0
New Off-road Wheelchair
Started by
*UNMengineer*
, Feb 11 2005 11:26 PM
23 replies to this topic
Top#4 *UNMengineer*
*UNMengineer*
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Posted 02 March 2005 - 02:36 AM
Well guys, we are off and running. We have the initial ideas put down for design and we will be fabricating a frame in the next two weeks. Incase anyone is interested, we are looking at an assisted crank off-road excusion vehicle. Unfortunately, we have limited our market a little in that you will need full use of your arms, but, you will have motor assist. Its a lean forward design to make cranking easier too. We are very excited. If anyone has any suggestions, please let me know. Thanks.
Joe
Joe
#6 *UNMengineer*
*UNMengineer*
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Posted 06 March 2005 - 02:23 PM
Sure thing Joed. I will try to post pictures as soon as we start building. I still have to clear it with my professor since my university will try to patent it. But, I'll see what I can do. Also, I would like to ask you guys and gals something. I am getting ready to write the Mid-Term Presentation and report, and I was going to use the word "freedom" in there as a reason for the customer to want a chair like this. I realized that I do not know what "freedom" means to you guys and gals. Does anyone have any input on that? I would greatly appreciate it.
Thanks,
Joe
Thanks,
Joe
#7
Joed
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Posted 06 March 2005 - 10:43 PM
Well, in the given context, freedom to me would have to do with anything that allows me to regain my pre-injury activities, or to pursue and access new interests that have come into play post-injury.
With the chair I now have, I cannot reasonably go out into my yard and 'make the rounds' to check on my flowers, etc. Something I've always loved to do. We live on 5.5 acres, and most of it is uneven terrain. On my crutches, I don't have the endurance required to make it around either.
As an example, my five y/o son played soccer last summer, but I was unable to get to the site where they were to take the team photos. It was located across several soccer fields, and the ground was wet, spongy, and required scaling a sloping hill. Due to the cautions that we all, unfortunately, have to take with our children these days, and since his parent wasn't close by, no one could tuck my son's shirt in for the photo. That's a minor thing, but something that I wish I could've been there for. I don't want my son's childhood memories to be with me yards away, a constant mere observer.
If a chair like you've described for your project were available to me, I'd certainly consider it a new 'freedom'. Not only to reclaim a once-loved activity, but it could open the doors to other outdoors activities as well. When something comes up, it's just nice to be able to contemplate attending or not...just to have that option available.
Being outdoors in nature is healing...to the spirit and mind, if nothing else. We all could use a little of that in our lives....even if it's just to go outside to sit in the sun and feel a breeze on our face.
With the chair I now have, I cannot reasonably go out into my yard and 'make the rounds' to check on my flowers, etc. Something I've always loved to do. We live on 5.5 acres, and most of it is uneven terrain. On my crutches, I don't have the endurance required to make it around either.
As an example, my five y/o son played soccer last summer, but I was unable to get to the site where they were to take the team photos. It was located across several soccer fields, and the ground was wet, spongy, and required scaling a sloping hill. Due to the cautions that we all, unfortunately, have to take with our children these days, and since his parent wasn't close by, no one could tuck my son's shirt in for the photo. That's a minor thing, but something that I wish I could've been there for. I don't want my son's childhood memories to be with me yards away, a constant mere observer.
If a chair like you've described for your project were available to me, I'd certainly consider it a new 'freedom'. Not only to reclaim a once-loved activity, but it could open the doors to other outdoors activities as well. When something comes up, it's just nice to be able to contemplate attending or not...just to have that option available.
Being outdoors in nature is healing...to the spirit and mind, if nothing else. We all could use a little of that in our lives....even if it's just to go outside to sit in the sun and feel a breeze on our face.
* * * * * * * * *
Female. Incomplete para following a cord stroke in '03. Spina-bifida, severe scoliosis. 18 surgeries total...five spine-related: Three fusions w/hardware, two tethered cord releases.
Female. Incomplete para following a cord stroke in '03. Spina-bifida, severe scoliosis. 18 surgeries total...five spine-related: Three fusions w/hardware, two tethered cord releases.
#8 *Ralph Andersen*
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Posted 25 August 2005 - 11:15 PM
UNMengineer, on Feb 12 2005, 12:26 AM, said:
Hello everyone.
My name is Joe and I am a mechanical engineering senior at the Univ. of New Mexico.
We have begun a design of a new off-road wheelchair that is unlike any you have seen out there right now. We know what we want to do, but we want you guys to tell us HOW to do it. Give us ideas on everything from what is absolutely necessary, (i.e. longer batterylife, powered/manual assist, lower cost, safety) to what you would like to see in a recreational wheelchair. (i.e. space for your gear, color, seat type) Any input is welcome.
We can just discuss it on this forum or you can visit our online survey. Its short and sweet. There is a place for comments at the bottom, so please feel free to tell us what you would like to see in an off-road wheel chair. .
http://home.comcast.net/~cjronde/
My name is Joe and I am a mechanical engineering senior at the Univ. of New Mexico.
We have begun a design of a new off-road wheelchair that is unlike any you have seen out there right now. We know what we want to do, but we want you guys to tell us HOW to do it. Give us ideas on everything from what is absolutely necessary, (i.e. longer batterylife, powered/manual assist, lower cost, safety) to what you would like to see in a recreational wheelchair. (i.e. space for your gear, color, seat type) Any input is welcome.
We can just discuss it on this forum or you can visit our online survey. Its short and sweet. There is a place for comments at the bottom, so please feel free to tell us what you would like to see in an off-road wheel chair. .
http://home.comcast.net/~cjronde/
I wouls like to see in wheelchair that goes faster then dog speed, 5 mph good grief! ANd I would also like to asee a price of less then a million dolors. thanks for the time to bitch.
#9
wheelie182
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Posted 26 August 2005 - 05:52 PM
Ive got one idea,
maybe you could make the wheels
DOG CRAP PROOF
ps. its only happened to me once, hopefully never again
...no wait, its happened twice
maybe you could make the wheels
DOG CRAP PROOF
ps. its only happened to me once, hopefully never again
...no wait, its happened twice
That's what she said!
#10 *Philip*
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Posted 20 September 2005 - 09:30 PM
Form filled in.
I would love to include an article about your chair on my website - please contact me.
Philip
http://www.disabled-help.org
I would love to include an article about your chair on my website - please contact me.
Philip
http://www.disabled-help.org
#11
Apparelyzed
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Posted 14 October 2005 - 06:17 PM
Now this is an off road wheelchair!
http://www.apparelyz...air-racing.html
The above is a link to a video, so it may take a minute to load, but it's worth it!
Simon.
http://www.apparelyz...air-racing.html
The above is a link to a video, so it may take a minute to load, but it's worth it!
Simon.
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#12
hillarymcarter
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Posted 14 October 2005 - 11:39 PM
Simon, why don't you just rip my heart out and kill me already! 
Bruce will see this link and he will want to do that crap now! I believe he lives to gives me heart attacks!!!
Bruce will see this link and he will want to do that crap now! I believe he lives to gives me heart attacks!!!
#16
russ1
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Posted 11 November 2005 - 11:26 AM
The tankchair certainly does rock but something like this is probably going to be more practical.
a few more details here
Personally you wouldn't get me into any chair I couldn't push(or drive), talk about taking away your independence - I'd much rather fit some wheels like this to a standard chair than use that other beach chair further up the page.
a few more details here
Personally you wouldn't get me into any chair I couldn't push(or drive), talk about taking away your independence - I'd much rather fit some wheels like this to a standard chair than use that other beach chair further up the page.
Attached Thumbnails
Russ - T2complete
#18
Apparelyzed
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Posted 11 November 2005 - 05:20 PM
On the Beach Chair, is that a sand shovel on the front?
The footplate needs raising, otherwise you're just going to scoop a load of sand in front of you. Mind you, the sand would be pretty flat behind you.
Simon.
The footplate needs raising, otherwise you're just going to scoop a load of sand in front of you. Mind you, the sand would be pretty flat behind you.
Simon.
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#20
hillarymcarter
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Posted 11 November 2005 - 11:55 PM
Wow, I'm going to have to look into those for Bruce's outdoor chair.
Does anybody have any recommendations for tires that are good for outdoor use (think woods, mud...)
Does anybody have any recommendations for tires that are good for outdoor use (think woods, mud...)
#21 *ICS*
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Posted 12 November 2005 - 02:06 AM
hillarymcarter, on Nov 11 2005, 05:12 PM, said:
Is that tire for real??
What's up with the beach chair? There is no way to push it yourself? That would make me feel stranded.
What's up with the beach chair? There is no way to push it yourself? That would make me feel stranded.
#22
russ1
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Posted 12 November 2005 - 09:43 PM
Quote
Does anybody have any recommendations for tires that are good for outdoor use (think woods, mud...)
Mud's just ****** unpleasant though, very hard work and very messy if you're pushing yourself. I avoid it wherever possible. Going to see my lad playing soccer when it get's really boggy I usually swallow my pride, fit the push handles and let someone tip me back with castors in the air and push me across the field.
Russ - T2complete
#23 *George Neilson gunsonwheels@yah*
*George Neilson gunsonwheels@yah*
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Posted 10 January 2006 - 04:02 AM
I currently "wheelchair" my wife who has Huntington's Disease around Wyoming with a Bombardier Outlander Max ATV (off road four wheel drive vehicle designed for a passenger) ... problem is there are all kinds of trail exclusions so she isn't allowed to see the best sights of the Rocky Mountain west. We tried to get her to see a waterfall the other day... always seems the last 1/4 to one mile exclude anything motorized... with her back there it seems very discriminatory to me...
Looking at the four wheelers for the grandkids... tires seem ideal for an off-road chair... as a retired engineer, I'd like to see or maybe build something based on current automotive hybrid technology but on a smaller scale... DC drive motors, constant RPM (or inverter based variable) generator working with a battery... all being orchestrated by an electronic contoller. Propane fueled would be most ideal to get the emissions to where they belong. Anything out there????????
Looking at the four wheelers for the grandkids... tires seem ideal for an off-road chair... as a retired engineer, I'd like to see or maybe build something based on current automotive hybrid technology but on a smaller scale... DC drive motors, constant RPM (or inverter based variable) generator working with a battery... all being orchestrated by an electronic contoller. Propane fueled would be most ideal to get the emissions to where they belong. Anything out there????????
#24
Dakota
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Posted 26 April 2006 - 05:55 AM
Hi,
Going back to the topic of the retail off-road wheelchair.. you see a lot of pics of the commercial 4-wheel "mountain-bike" manual variety on the web, but I'm really struggling to find the site for anybody who actually sells them. Does anybody know of a good site to look at purchasing one. Also, I read an online New Mobility article that suggested these chairs cost over $5000. Is that realistic, or are there ways to get a bargain?
Regards,
Dakota.
Going back to the topic of the retail off-road wheelchair.. you see a lot of pics of the commercial 4-wheel "mountain-bike" manual variety on the web, but I'm really struggling to find the site for anybody who actually sells them. Does anybody know of a good site to look at purchasing one. Also, I read an online New Mobility article that suggested these chairs cost over $5000. Is that realistic, or are there ways to get a bargain?
Regards,
Dakota.
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