Origami Walker Cover - Team Rishi

Inspiration

Outdoor walkers should remain safely stored and easily accessible when not in use. However, not all homes have covered outdoor shelters suitable for walker parking, and it is often inconvenient or impossible for persons with limited mobility to fold their own walkers or move them up stairs for storage. We sought a solution to address these issues.

What it does

The Origami Walker Cover is a wall-mounted device which stores flush, but folds outward into a canopy which can encompass an entire walker for protection against the elements.

How we built it

We used 600D nylon fabric stretched over a customized fanning mechanism mounted on a central spindle. Stainless steel hardware was used for longevity.

Challenges we ran into

Working with fabric requires attention to detail during both design planning and execution. After careful geometric analysis, we crafted a paraboloid from a cylindrical fountain cover.

Additionally, the spindle and rib fanning mechanism necessitated a degree of precision during assembly and mounting to ensure smooth, sustainable operation.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

The entire design centered around guaranteeing ergonomics for the end user. The mechanism does not rely on gravity for operation; there is no need to "reset" and store energy for use. The cover can be closed by a combination of rope handle and arm handle operation, providing ease of use throughout the cover's range of motion. Only gross motor skills are required to glide the cover closed, something which can be done single-handedly while the other arm provides bodily support.

What we learned

Seemingly simple designs still require proper attention to detail in order to perform as expected. Success of the project truly required identifying and playing to each of our strengths.

What's next for the Origami Walker Cover - Team Rishi

This is a fully-functional product, and the original team will be able to provide maintenance and support for at least the next few years should repairs be necessary.

Built With

• hardware