Starting 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,

Pedalong subassembly tests successful

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.

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.

Summer 2016 Pedalong development

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.

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.

My professional expert witness activity has recently included learning about inter partes review of patent claim invalidity.  For more information on my career see rollindix.com.

Complex, 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.

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.

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.

Along with its use in rehab centers, this 2016 Pedalong could provide enjoyable exercise during other hospital stays.

Spring 2015 - revised plan

Latest plan is to design and build a Pedalong attachment to fit on the front of existing wheelchairs.

Design in April followed by summer 2015 construction with testing in the fall.

Sorry for all the delays, but this has been a very tough design challenge!

Holidays 2014 - plan for spring 2015

The 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.

I taught CADCAM this fall for the first time in 12 years, and my students' projects on physical therapy equipment were quite interesting.

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!

If you can't drive the Communists out of Cuba, try something different, right.

Demo video link for 2010 Pedalong

Here'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.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/crnfn0t510p067q/may31-withvideo%20300.AVI

rollin.dix@gmail.com is the best way to contact me.  and thanks.