The Adapta-Board
By Cole, Adam; Fraenkel, Zachary; Mollendorf, Joseph C.; NSF 2009 Engineering Senior Design Projects to Aid Persons With Disabilities, pages 200-201Publication Date: 2011
Article outlines the development of a snowboard for persons with lower limb disabilities. The Adapta-Board was designed by seniors in engineering at the State University of New York at Buffalo. A prototype was constructed consisting of (1) two support towers, (2) a standard snowboard deck, (3) two control handles, (4) a seat frame made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and (5) two T style bars. The support towers are welded to a plate which, in turn, is bolted to the snowboard deck’s binding holes. Slotted plates are welded at the top of the support towers to secure the seat frame that holds the user. Also attached to the binding plates are handle devices constructed from two walking assist handles. The T bars were manufactured to fit the PVC frame and provide an interface between the frame and seat plates. A PVC pipe is fit into the bar; bolts are run through the bar’s vertical piece and the PVC pipe. The T bars are slotted in such a way that they can be bolted to the upper plates in different positions, allowing users to change both the angle at which they sit and the location of their center of gravity. The design provides a “true” snowboarding experience by seating the user sideways on the board.
Published by: Creative Learning Press, Inc. (Website:http://www.creativelearningpress.com)
Link to text: http://nsf-pad.bme.uconn.edu/2009/CHAPTER%2014%20STATE%20UNIVERSITY%20OF%20NEW%20YORK%20AT%20BUFFALO.pdf
ISBN: 1-931-280-16-9
