tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19453614504711092762024-02-20T02:24:36.760-08:00Pedalong progressRollinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12390303252023523973noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1945361450471109276.post-23570083714464102092019-03-18T11:21:00.001-07:002019-03-18T11:21:25.391-07:00CLIMATE CHANGE<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #6f7287; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; letter-spacing: .4pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">SAVING OUR ONLY HOME: A difficult, but possible, plan to combat climate change <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #6f7287; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; letter-spacing: .4pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Rollin Dix, Professor Emeritus, Illinois Institute of Technology – cell (630) 842-0773 <u>It’s time to panic!</u> <u>Climate change is even more serious than World War II.</u><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #6f7287; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; letter-spacing: .4pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Read <i>The Uninhabitable Earth</i> to learn about 2018’s evidence and the immediate threats. Tipping points are near. Ice is melting all over the globe much faster than was believed just a year ago. All countries are failing to meet their 2015 Paris agreements. Worldwide major oil and gas producers are lobbying and lying to maintain production.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="color: #6f7287; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; letter-spacing: .4pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Serious hopes for avoiding catastrophe?<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<span style="color: #6f7287; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; letter-spacing: .4pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Silicon Valley entrepreneur <b>Tony Seba</b> argues that for fundamental economic reasons, inevitably, by 2030 the world’s electric power will be produced 100% by solar+storage. (Seba’s solar growth includes India, China, Australia, South America, Africa, the Middle East and the EU as well as the US). <u>I doubt his timetable but not the idea.</u><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #6f7287; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; letter-spacing: .4pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">China is designing and testing new designs for nuclear reactors that could replace coal-fired electricity generation. Argonne National Labs developed safe and efficient fast breeder technology and has designs for mass producing such reactors for $500 million each. <u>When will the US respond?</u><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #6f7287; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; letter-spacing: .4pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Methods exist for reducing the amount of solar energy that gets through the atmosphere. Solar intervention can cut warming while solar cells, wind turbines and nuclear are installed to reduce carbon-burning’s CO2 production. <u>A worldwide crash program is necessary.<o:p></o:p></u></span></div>
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<u><span style="color: #6f7287; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; letter-spacing: .4pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Here are my ideas on how the US can contribute.<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #6f7287; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; letter-spacing: .4pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Helvetica;">1)<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #6f7287; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; letter-spacing: .4pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">As soon as possible start investing $50 billion per year in blocking sunlight (airplane or tethered balloon delivery of SO2 to the stratosphere) perhaps taking scientists and funds from our wasteful nuclear weapons programs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #6f7287; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; letter-spacing: .4pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Helvetica;">2)<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #6f7287; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; letter-spacing: .4pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Start building advanced nuclear reactors at $50 billion per year also creating jobs for ex-servicemen and women released when military budgets are cut. The waste heat can be used by steel, aluminum, cement and other industries.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #6f7287; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; letter-spacing: .4pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Helvetica;">3)<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #6f7287; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; letter-spacing: .4pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Start installing $50 billion per year in solar and battery for replacement of coal and oil-fired electricity generation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #6f7287; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; letter-spacing: .4pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Helvetica;">4)<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #6f7287; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; letter-spacing: .4pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Pass a carbon tax to reduce coal and oil burning, and auto fuel efficiency rules that force conversion to electric cars and trucks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #6f7287; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; letter-spacing: .4pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Helvetica;">5)<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><u><span style="color: #6f7287; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; letter-spacing: .4pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Government funding and legislative action are unavailable until 2021 so we must convince wealthy individuals to fund R&D now. Bill Gates has started! <o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #6f7287; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; letter-spacing: .4pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Helvetica;">6)<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><u><span style="color: #6f7287; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; letter-spacing: .4pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We must overcome our status quo and optimism biases, then leaders must take unpopular actions to begin projects like those outlined above. <o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<u><span style="color: #6f7287; font-family: "Helvetica",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt; letter-spacing: .4pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I’d sure like to hear your ideas. Please reply. I’ll send Gates’ story and other details. Thanks.<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
Rollinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12390303252023523973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1945361450471109276.post-30264554414680944962017-10-04T11:46:00.000-07:002017-10-04T11:46:00.773-07:00Demise of Pedalong projectThe Pedalong development program is now ended. A combination of competition from gogygogy.com and/or profhand plus advice that walking therapy is much superior to pedaling convinced me stop investing time and funds even though the last prototype worked very well.Rollinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12390303252023523973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1945361450471109276.post-81514836123765410902017-06-10T10:49:00.003-07:002017-06-10T10:49:34.544-07:00June prototype completion expectedLater than hoped, but much more complete, the 2016 Pedalong prototype should be ready for testing soon. A steering wheel now replaces handle bars. This 18 inch diameter wheel extends toward the wheelchair at user height and swings to the side for user entry. Also a "simpler" connector platform was built to save time. Otherwise, this Pedalong is as described in the 2016 provisional patent filing.<br />
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The list of people for whom this prototype will be demonstrated includes: the patent attorney who filed the provisional, an engineer at RIC, an owner of a physical therapy facility, and a lawyer specializing in startup marketing. The goal continues to be establishing a process for financing development from October 2017 forward.Rollinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12390303252023523973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1945361450471109276.post-43334982166567393152017-01-17T09:42:00.002-08:002017-01-17T09:42:43.570-08:00Starting 2017"Best design yet" is nearing completion of a prototype. The provisional patent filed at the end of 2016 gives protection for the concepts until December 2017. Its title, "Attachment for Pedaling a Wheelchair," tells one use, but an entire exercise machine based on the steering and power system is also described,<div>
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Rollinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12390303252023523973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1945361450471109276.post-62990780313309442532016-11-15T09:05:00.002-08:002016-11-15T09:05:14.740-08:00Pedalong subassembly tests successful<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I now hope
to have a prototype before the end of the year.
Although I’m very optimistic concerning the design, we’re testing
subsystems before building the first complete unit. Also, preparation of a provisional patent is
underway.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This
Pedalong attaches to a wheelchair at the leg rest brackets very quickly forming
a tricycle driven from the front wheel.
The connecting platform adjusts to any leg length. The steering column’s special design allows steering
while the pedals remain directly forward. More details when the provisional patent is approved.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Rollinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12390303252023523973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1945361450471109276.post-3945481084849675012016-06-25T12:48:00.001-07:002016-06-25T12:48:22.314-07:00Summer 2016 Pedalong development<h3>
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">Mechanical design of a test rig for the pedaling apparatus is complete, materials have been purchased and components are being machined. All of my mechanical engineering graduate student assistants have found summer internships, but will return in the fall.</span></span></h3>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">To make Pedalong a better therapeutic device, we are developing instrumentation to measure many parameters of use and software to record and display the results. Two electrical engineering graduate students are using an Arduino microprocessor and associated sensors to measure and wirelessly transmit the data to a laptop computer.</span></span></h3>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">My professional expert witness activity has recently included learning about <i>inter partes</i> review of patent claim invalidity. For more information on my career see rollindix.com.</span></span></div>
Rollinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12390303252023523973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1945361450471109276.post-37902652436593071832016-02-09T14:45:00.003-08:002016-02-09T14:45:51.653-08:00Complex, but workable design?CAD work on the 2016 Pedalong will be completed this spring with help from Carlos Amor Gomez. Carlos will use this project to satisfy a requirement of his MS degree from his university in Madrid, Spain.<br />
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The design departs from earlier versions in driving the wheelchair by a single, steered front wheel which is pedaled by the seated user. The primary design challenge (now overcome) was separating steering from pedaling. Another major benefit of this 2016 design is the ease of coupling it to the front with minimum modification to the wheelchair.<br />
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Also, the Pedalong assembly can be rotated to the side to permit unrestricted access to the wheelchair seat and adjustability for user height will allow multi-user applications.<br />
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Along with its use in rehab centers, this 2016 Pedalong could provide enjoyable exercise during other hospital stays.<br />
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<br />Rollinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12390303252023523973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1945361450471109276.post-34827890009281147342015-03-11T10:43:00.002-07:002015-03-11T10:43:43.113-07:00Spring 2015 - revised planLatest plan is to design and build a Pedalong attachment to fit on the front of existing wheelchairs.<br />
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Design in April followed by summer 2015 construction with testing in the fall.<br />
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Sorry for all the delays, but this has been a very tough design challenge!Rollinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12390303252023523973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1945361450471109276.post-69316244882225437322014-12-19T07:16:00.003-08:002014-12-19T07:16:34.139-08:00Holidays 2014 - plan for spring 2015The 2010 Pedalong is still at David Brown's lab, University of Alabama med school. People like it, but we all know it's not good enough yet.<br />
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I taught CADCAM this fall for the first time in 12 years, and my students' projects on physical therapy equipment were quite interesting. <br />
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Starting mid-February a student team and I will undertake yet another design, possibly using permanent magnet electric motors. Chain drives have proven tricky through about a dozen versions!<br />
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If you can't drive the Communists out of Cuba, try something different, right.<br />
<br />Rollinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12390303252023523973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1945361450471109276.post-5179861615616996392013-10-17T13:41:00.002-07:002013-10-17T13:41:47.803-07:00Demo video link for 2010 PedalongHere's a link to a video demo of the 2010 Pedalong. It's being tested at the University of Alabama's medical school in Birmingham. We're still looking for a partner to help fund development and become a part owner. If you are interested, let me know and I'll send a copy of the recent provisional patent and more.<br />
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https://www.dropbox.com/s/crnfn0t510p067q/may31-withvideo%20300.AVI<br />
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rollin.dix@gmail.com is the best way to contact me. and thanks.<br />
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<br />Rollinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12390303252023523973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1945361450471109276.post-66001707115705143732013-05-30T16:30:00.000-07:002013-05-30T16:30:16.320-07:00Paper describing current and future of Pedalong<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="color: black;">PEDALONG – A
THERAPEUTIC EXERCISER FOR WHEELCHAIR USERS</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Rollin Dix –
June 2013</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Here is the INTRODUCTION to an 11 page paper summarizing plans and progress - please call me at 773-239-3514 if you want a copy.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">This paper
describes the continued design, development and testing of a pedaling
attachment for wheelchairs “Pedalong” by Patpending Marketing,
Inc. The invention is intended to provide therapeutic exercise for
stroke, cerebral palsy, MS and other patients, and for the very
elderly, . Other possible applications are exercise in early
post-operative care and in hospital transport to and from physical
therapy. By providing propulsion for the seated user, the Pedalong
may promote more interesting and therefore more regular and
longer-continued exercise. </span>
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<span style="color: black;">The result of our
eight-year effort, the Pedalong has a crank and pedals extending
forward (and retracting) from beneath the wheelchair on a
chain-carrying mast supported under the wheelchair. These pedals
propel the wheelchair while a steering handle at armrest height
steers it. </span>
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<span style="color: black;">My colleague Dr.
David Brown's primary research interest is post-stroke
rehabilitation. This summer we plan for testing of current prototypes
at his Rehabilitation Science Program at the University of Alabama
and at the Lakeshore Rehabilitation Center, both in Birmingham. </span>
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<span style="color: black;">This paper
contains a review of the need for therapeutic exercise equipment,
details of our plan for the coming year, a history of the project so
far, plans beyond the coming year, a review of the competition, and
references. </span>
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Rollinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12390303252023523973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1945361450471109276.post-62826661632742493022013-04-01T09:23:00.004-07:002013-04-01T09:23:48.331-07:00Plan in AprilDuring the summer Pedalong manufacture and testing should produce ideas for our August NIH proposal. We're using all available resources while preparing Pedalong for "adaptive fitness" as well as clinical testing.Rollinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12390303252023523973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1945361450471109276.post-91676233352672388372013-03-10T12:27:00.000-07:002013-03-10T12:28:44.868-07:00Proposals, designs, team buildingChange of plans - back to the 2008 design because the 2011-12 design seems too tolerance dependent to be practical. However, much was learned! Soon an STTR proposal will be submitted with UnivAlabama, Birmingham, as the lead (Dave Brown has moved there from Northwestern). We delivered a Pedalong unit to him in November, and it got good reviews at his open house last month. Another unit (now here in Chicago) is working OK, but needs some improvements. Preparing the documents and getting the STTR team defined is first priority now.Rollinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12390303252023523973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1945361450471109276.post-7096057128700678352012-10-05T11:26:00.000-07:002012-10-05T11:26:15.956-07:00Status and next steps<br />
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The cross-axle, mast, rails, wheels, sprockets and chains are assembled. Most other parts are machined and ready for final assembly of the completed prototype.</div>
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Pedalong plan – October 5, 2012</div>
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1) Finish the prototype, test it, and deliver it to Dr. Dave Brown at
UAB in late November. </div>
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2) File the provisional patent by that date. </div>
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3) Complete the NIDRR proposal and submit it on their
schedule. Dr. Brown and Rob Kennedy at
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4) Locate a partner to continue developing Pedalong. The partner should bring commitment,
expertise, and some financing so that the second prototype can be completed,
the patent filed, and more units built so extensive test marketing can be
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5) Further plans will be based on the results of the above steps.</div>
Rollinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12390303252023523973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1945361450471109276.post-18660506709163890692012-06-14T17:50:00.000-07:002012-06-14T17:50:14.631-07:00Design all doneToday the design of the last parts was finished. Most of the difficult parts have been machined. Assembly by mid-July and shipment with David's lab to Birmingham should be possible. Blue Cap is considering writing a proposal to get funding for a therapy program with kid subjects. Still looking for a partner to help with marketing and financing.Rollinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12390303252023523973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1945361450471109276.post-18179930140435021832012-05-22T13:11:00.002-07:002012-05-22T13:11:42.391-07:00Making partsNinety percent of the parts are now designed, and many of the cross-axle pieces have been machined. Assembling the cross-axle with its differential will be an exciting step. I took the previous Pedalong out of its wheelchair this morning and will be meeting an attorney about the provisional patent tomorrow afternoon. CAD drawings are being prepared by Rahul.<br />
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An SBIR proposal to NIDRR (National Institute for Disability Research and Rehabilitation) is partly finished, but the submission schedule has not yet been released. Proving the value of Pedalong will be the primary focus of the next stages of its development. Manufacturing efficiency and strength analysis will be elements of the continual design improvement.Rollinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12390303252023523973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1945361450471109276.post-87391279261634579752011-12-29T06:31:00.000-08:002011-12-29T06:54:39.576-08:002011 Design completedIn late December the revised Pedalong design was delivered to manufacturers of prototypes in Chicago and Zakopane, Poland. <a href="http://www.rapidmachining.biz/">www.rapidmachining.biz</a> is the website for the Chicago manufacturer and <a href="http://www.karpiel.com/">www.karpiel.com</a> is the website for the Polish manufacturer.<br />
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</div><div>This design features smooth pedal set extension-retraction and a clutch for disengaging the drive when required. Economics in manufacture has been attempted through use of many off-the-shelf bicycle and industrial parts.<br />
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</div></div></div>Rollinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12390303252023523973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1945361450471109276.post-58092622120718997232011-10-22T14:06:00.000-07:002011-10-22T17:34:30.694-07:00Poland, Finland and SlovakiaBetween October 8 and 18 my friend Jim Bremers and I visited parts of Middle Europe. The primary purpose was talking to Jan Karpiel in Zakopane, Poland, about my latest design for the Pedalong. It features modularity of construction which will simplify development. I've promised to deliver final drawings by year end, but expect much help from him and Rahul in component selection and outsourcing.<br /><br />In Helsinki Jim and I included the Luther cathedral, the port, the Sibelius monument, an art museum, and some good meals in our wanderings. In Warsaw we spent time with Andy and Zanetta Rabczenko (some project possibities there, too). In Krakow, with Janusz Golas, Wawel, musical events, museums and a folk show.<br /><br />Besides climbing in the Tatra Mountains and a day-long bus tour to Slovakia, we spent time with his dad, Stan, his wife, Morgan and their 5-year-old Andrezj.Rollinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12390303252023523973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1945361450471109276.post-45513887824074770622011-09-25T08:22:00.000-07:002011-09-25T08:35:27.939-07:00Recent PEDALONG planning and hopesDuring the summer we have developed a new concept simplifying the design problems. In October I am traveling to Krakow and Warsaw so Jan Karpiel will be getting this information and the Polish manufacturing and testing can begin. Also, construction of test units in Chicago will quickly follow. <div><br /></div><div>Although David Brown is moving from Northwestern to UA Birmingham, he and his cohorts may still cooperate in an SBIR proposal. I continue to be interested in finding a partner in the US to assist with manufacturing, testing, marketing and distribution.</div>Rollinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12390303252023523973noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1945361450471109276.post-29587271848630914372011-03-27T16:28:00.000-07:002011-03-28T03:37:25.372-07:00Plans changeNow we won't be writing an SBIR proposal for Pedalong. Redesign is continuing, plans are to build new units starting in August, and at that time prepare an SBIR proposal.Rollinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12390303252023523973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1945361450471109276.post-66863025973111331572011-03-11T16:12:00.000-08:002011-03-11T16:19:01.729-08:00<p class="MsoNormal">I recently delivered a much-improved version of Pedalong to Northwestern University Professor David Brown.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I along with David, and his company – Kineadesign.com – will shortly be writing an SBIR grant proposal requesting funds for further developing, testing, clinically researching, and ultimate commercialization of Pedalong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>David is a leading stroke rehab researcher and already has several pedaling devices in his lab.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" >Independent of this proposal, we are planning to build two more Pedalongs for testing here in Chicago and I am instructing my colleague in Krakow to proceed with building two there. (I have already paid for that work.) If we design for installation on Whirlwind Wheelchair's RoughRiders, we may have worldwide compatibility. </span></span>Rollinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12390303252023523973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1945361450471109276.post-59510268509754103202010-12-10T13:33:00.000-08:002010-12-10T13:37:57.311-08:00REALLY NEW DESIGNPedalong 5th wheel is now out - the new design featuring adjustability for length, differential for tracking with both rear wheels driven and steering is being built for delivery to Dr. Dave Brown at Northwestern before the end of 2010.<br /><br />A provisional patent has been filed, a proposal to NIH will be completed by March and final design for units to be built in Poland is being finished.Rollinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12390303252023523973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1945361450471109276.post-14755086901184678602009-11-01T12:30:00.000-08:002009-11-01T12:35:36.915-08:00Differential Pedalong designThis summer a fixed length version including a rear axle differential has been constructed. Although several minor fixes are needed this model is superior to the 5th wheel designs and will be tested fairly thoroughly. Easier access to exercise is the primary purpose to which this unit of the Pedalong is dedicated.Rollinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12390303252023523973noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1945361450471109276.post-4012858931003417202009-08-25T11:21:00.000-07:002009-08-25T11:24:04.114-07:00Information about availability of Pedalong was premature indeed. Currently, a new and much better version is being built for testing. This version uses a differential in the drive so that the large rear wheels of a conventional wheelchair can be powered by the pedals. More info later.Rollinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12390303252023523973noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1945361450471109276.post-78859694060870660112008-09-22T13:39:00.000-07:002008-09-22T13:48:33.702-07:00New Model PedalongsA production run of 25 units of the new design has begun. These units have better appearance thru chainguards, better operability thru more convenient handle placements, and greater stiffness. A milling machine and other equiopment have been purchased to permit easier modification for user needs (and faster assembly).<br /><br />Pedalong Company has been approved as the new DBA. Several new contacts for research and funding have been made, several new sales enquires have been received, and the new website <a href="http://www.pedalmobility.com/">www.pedalmobility.com</a> is in place. It shows videos and provides an order form!Rollinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12390303252023523973noreply@blogger.com0