Collapsible Underarm Crutch

Sponsor: Danny Freund

Faculty Advisor: Dr. Mary Frecker

Team Members: Lisa Wegman, Adam O’Leary, David Nill, Michael Ferko, Jaclyn Adamonis

Problem Statement

Traveling with typical underarm adjustable crutches is difficult because most crutches do not fit conveniently into common storage facilities. Their size makes traveling difficult in situations where space may be limited. Furthermore, the existing collapsible underarm crutches on the market are expensive, uncomfortable, and loud.

Objectives

The Lean On Me team was asked to develop an underarm crutch that can easily be placed into an average sized briefcase (14” x 19” or 10” x 16”). The design must also be ergonomically sound and produce no perceivable sound during crutch gait.

Proposed Solution

The final design is a collapsing crutch which makes storage and travel less burdensome for underarm crutch users. Padding was placed on the underarm support for added comfort. The ergonomics provide significant improvement over existing crutches. Noise has been reduced by adding rubber coating to the pins. Overall the simple construction of the prototype meets all the requirements of the sponsor.