Crutches and canes are widely used to provide stability and support while walking. Many users, particularly the elderly, have limited endurance. The goal of this project was to design and build a device that can be used as a forearm crutch or a cane and integrates the ability for the user to rest comfortably and safely in a seated position. A first generation multi-purpose device was successfully designed and manufactured that includes a foldable seat and two folding support legs attached to the main shaft that forms a base of support when deployed. The prototype successfully supported a 205 lb. seated user on carpeted floor. Student testers reported that folding the device into a seat was very intuitive. Future prototypes would increase load limit, especially on low friction surfaces.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Deng, Xinping
• Haley, Daniel Patrick
• Roseen, Taylor Michael

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-043015-091511

Advisor

• Ault, Holly Keyes
• Hoffman, Allen H.

Year

• 2015

Date created

• 2015-04-30

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Mechanical Engineering

Rights statement

• In Copyright