As a team, we were tasked with solving a problem for our client, Tiffany. As a result of being born with spina bifida, Tiffany is paralyzed from the waist below and has limited movement in one hand. Tiffany expressed that she has a problem at times reaching her bags hanging behind her wheelchair, but more importantly, that she has no way of stopping any opportunistic theft of her bags. We created a device that solves both of these problems, but is also easy to use with one hand.

Final prototype

Overview

The Problem

Design a device that can secure our client's bags to her wheelchair while also preventing the items inside and the bag itself from being stolen as our client cannot do that herself. The device must be easy to use with 1 hand such that our client can utilize the design independently.

The Solution

Our final prototype is a device featuring a dual cuff system that both, secures Tiffany’s bags to the back of her chair, but also secures the contents of the bag. Thus preventing the contents of the bag from being easily accessible to outsiders. The device is operated using two latches, one to control the vertical cuff for securing the bag to the chair, and another to open and close the horizontal cuff such that a bag can be placed or removed.

Benefits

• Stops passers-by from reaching into the bag
• Prevents items from falling out of the bag
• Reduces difficulty in grabbing the bag

Overall Objectives

• Minimize cost
• Minimize volume
• Maximize bag security
• Maximize comfort
• Maximize durability

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Tasks - Virtual Environment

• Create preliminary sketches of a prototype
• Model parts (CAD)
• Create assembly (CAD)
• Fabricate (3D print)
• Test prototypes
• Pitch design (presentation)