Handicapped Steering Cycle

Traditional manual wheelchairs require considerable use and control of both arms for operation thus adaptations are required for individuals with asymmetrical use of their arms. Building upon previous projects the goal of this project was to create an accessory to be installed on a standard wheelchair which would allow full control of the wheelchair with only one armhand while addressing areas lacking in commercial products and previous designs such as manufacture ability attendant control user comfort and ergonomics. After preliminary testing and analysis of three one-arm propulsion designs the project team developed a design for a removable lever-operated accessory which could be adapted to fit a range of the most popular standard wheelchair models. The propulsion system connected to the main lever by a coupler link consists of a dual gear-pawl assembly in which the desired direction of motion is chosen by moving a shifter to engage one of the two gears press-fit around clutches each of which allows motion in only one direction either forward or reverse. By including a neutral pawl position in which neither clutch is engaged this design allows an attendant to propel and control the chair.