Proposals, designs, team building

Change 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.

Status and next steps

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.

Pedalong plan – October 5, 2012

1) Finish the prototype, test it, and deliver it to Dr. Dave Brown at UAB in late November. 

2) File the provisional patent by that date. 

3) Complete the NIDRR proposal and submit it on their schedule.  Dr. Brown and Rob Kennedy at Turnkey Design, Inc., are the co-authors of this NIDRR proposal.

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 organized.

5) Further plans will be based on the results of the above steps.

Design all done

Today 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.

Making parts

Ninety 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.

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.

2011 Design completed

In late December the revised Pedalong design was delivered to manufacturers of prototypes in Chicago and Zakopane, Poland. www.rapidmachining.biz is the website for the Chicago manufacturer and www.karpiel.com is the website for the Polish manufacturer.

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.

Poland, Finland and Slovakia

Between 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.

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.

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.

Recent PEDALONG planning and hopes

During 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.

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.