Patent Application 5/2021: 17/200,324
Concept: Dr. Rory Cooper, Director, Human Engineering Research Laboratories (HERL), Dr. Johnathan Duval, Aaron Anderson, Siew Seang Ong, Jeffrey Ruffing, Robert McDonough
Design: Aaron Anderson, Siew Seang Ong, Jeffrey Ruffing, Robert McDonough, Dr. Johnathan Duval
Prototype produced: Aaron Anderson, Siew Seang Ong, Jeffrey Ruffing, Robert McDonough, Benjamin Gebrosky (VA)
User testing: Aaron Anderson, Siew Seang Ong, Dr. Rory Cooper
Invention Disclosure Filed 2019 – Dr. Rory Cooper, Dr. Johnathan Duval, Aaron Anderson, Siew Seang Ong, Jeffrey Ruffing, Robert McDonogh
Table tennis requires the player to be agile and able to move in a range within a small space at either end of the playing surface. Doing this in a wheelchair is problematic because if you’re holding the paddle in one hand you can’t use both hands on your wheels to maneuver.
Our team created and built a prototype caster that locks into one axis when desirable and can then be returned to 360 degree rotation when playing is complete. This prototype was created using an SLS build caster housing that limits motion when engaged, and uses magnets to hold the rotational lock out of the way when not in use.
The prototype also includes adjustable height and anterior/posterior tilt modifications that can be made quickly and with common tools.
User testing of this prototype is still ongoing, but initial feedback has been good when it was used at the Paralysed Veterans Games in 2019
