#200703 - 10/26/11 04:05 PM
Attachable Hand-Cycle Device
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dloud
Junior Member
Registered: 10/26/11
Posts: 2
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Hello everyone. I am a bioengineering graduate student and I have been designing and developing prototypes of attachable hand-cycle devices for developing countries.
I am now going forward with a new design that can attach to ANY wheelchair without modifications, that I can hopefully start selling in the U.S. in the next couple of years. Before I go any further with the prototype, I need to know the potential use for this device in the U.S. Specifically, I need to know if anyone feels the need to even have a device like this, and what their thoughts are on the device.
If you have the chance, would you be kind enough to take a very short survey (8 questions) for part of my market research.
Here is a link to the survey: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/P7N9537
Thanks!!!!
p.s.- if you have any questions or recommendations about the device, feel free to let me know.
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#200839 - 12/02/11 03:14 PM
Re: Attachable Hand-Cycle Device
[Re: dloud]
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hartleyhill
Junior Member
Registered: 12/02/11
Posts: 1
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I checked out your design on you tube, it looks interesting!
I already own a Dragonfly attachment and enjoy using it. The major complaint I have with it is that the front wheel is so far away that traction is lost going uphill so I have to use it only on fairly flat areas. Flat areas are pretty rare here in the mountains of NC.
The main concerns about your design that I could see is many, if not most, handicapped people need a special cushion and I couldn't tell if your design incorporated a generic cushion or just what. Also, the people demonstrating were able to keep their feet pointed away from the front wheel. That isn't possible a lot of folks plus it looked uncomfortable.
One thing I've considered for my Dragonfly, and you may want to think about, is some way to support the legs straight out beside the handcycle frame;the way traditional handcycles do. This will add a bit of weight to the front tire to help with traction but conversely, since a wheelchair sits higher off of the ground than a handcycle it could make the rider more susceptible to tipping over. Believe me, that's no fun!
Thanks!
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