Project number
24507
Organization
Rightfooted Foundation, supported by the Craig M Berge Dean's Community Fund
Offering
ENGR498-S2024-F2024
Rightfooted is seeking to design a safe, collapsible, hard-mounted dressing hook for amputees.
Amputees often use a hook to help them put on or take off their pants, dresses, shorts, leggings, underwear, etc., especially when getting ready for bed or using the bathroom. However, with traditional, stationary hooks, two separate hooks are necessary - one facing upwards for getting dressed and another facing downwards for undressing. The proposed design aims to simplify this process by introducing a single, rotating hook that can be used for both purposes.
The proposed design involves reconsidering the profile of a traditional dressing hook. This new profile will be mounted on a slim device that can collapse or rotate the hook out of the way for most of the day. When the hook is needed, it can be electronically moved into position with the desired orientation, either for dressing or undressing. The hook will hold its position for a period of time before collapsing or rotating back into its low-profile standby position. Additionally, when in the extended position, the design can quickly rotate into the opposite desired position when required.
The design of the hook must pose a minimal risk in case of a fall. Moreover, it should not pose any danger to young children in the household as they may accidentally touch it with their hands and fingers. Additionally, the hook must be sturdy enough to withstand strong forces imposed while dressing or undressing tight-fitting clothes, such as bathing suits or leggings.
It must be possible to power this design from a standard 120-volt outlet and mount it in a standard American home on drywall backed by a wooden stud.
The project team will also outline the cost and requirements for manufacturing the finished design.
Amputees often use a hook to help them put on or take off their pants, dresses, shorts, leggings, underwear, etc., especially when getting ready for bed or using the bathroom. However, with traditional, stationary hooks, two separate hooks are necessary - one facing upwards for getting dressed and another facing downwards for undressing. The proposed design aims to simplify this process by introducing a single, rotating hook that can be used for both purposes.
The proposed design involves reconsidering the profile of a traditional dressing hook. This new profile will be mounted on a slim device that can collapse or rotate the hook out of the way for most of the day. When the hook is needed, it can be electronically moved into position with the desired orientation, either for dressing or undressing. The hook will hold its position for a period of time before collapsing or rotating back into its low-profile standby position. Additionally, when in the extended position, the design can quickly rotate into the opposite desired position when required.
The design of the hook must pose a minimal risk in case of a fall. Moreover, it should not pose any danger to young children in the household as they may accidentally touch it with their hands and fingers. Additionally, the hook must be sturdy enough to withstand strong forces imposed while dressing or undressing tight-fitting clothes, such as bathing suits or leggings.
It must be possible to power this design from a standard 120-volt outlet and mount it in a standard American home on drywall backed by a wooden stud.
The project team will also outline the cost and requirements for manufacturing the finished design.