Pencil Dispenser and Counter
By Domeshek, Leahthan; Fong, Kelly; Harrell, Evan; NSF 2005 Engineering Senior Design Projects to Aid Persons With Disabilities, pp. 60-61Publication Date: 2005
Description of a dispensing and counting device to help workers at a vocational rehabilitation center count a specific number of pencils. Developed at the Department of Biomedical Engineering of Duke University’s Pratt School of Engineering, the device features a rotating cylinder, torsion spring, stopper and bottom hopper. The dispenser, which holds at least 150 pencils, is first loaded with pencils and set to a specific goal count. When the user pulls a lever, the cylinder rotates and dispenses one pencil into the bottom hopper. A torsion spring helps return the lever and cylinder to the loading position. The stopper stops the lever to allow another pencil to fall into the slot in the cylinder. The count is actuated using a momentary toggle switch within the cylinder; an audible signal sounds when a goal count is reached. The device is inexpensive (cost of fabrication was $400), portable and suitable for use by individuals lacking fine motor control, and enables significant increase in counting speed.
Published by: Creative Learning Press, Inc. (Website:http://www.creativelearningpress.com)
ISBN: 1-931280-03-7
