All work 04 / 12 Thesis / Mobility — 2019

Uphold

A senior-thesis walker whose telescoping front legs let adults 65+ go up and down stairs — built and tested as a working prototype.

Role
Industrial Designer
Timeline
2019
Context
Senior thesis · The Ohio State University
Process
Sketching, mechanism design, working prototype, scale model
Discipline
Health & mobility
Outcome
Working prototype, tested on stairs
Uphold, cover image
01

Overview

Standard walkers work on level floors but fail on stairs. For my senior thesis, I redesigned the walker so adults 65 and older can go up and down stairs safely and comfortably.

Uphold’s front legs telescope from 34 inches up to 48 inches going down, or down to 27 inches going up; a brake lever at each handle releases an internal clamp that locks into height inserts. I built and tested a working prototype on real stairs and presented the project with a scale model and exhibition poster.

Problem
Standard walkers fail on stairs — the user’s legs clash with the frame — and falls are a significant danger as we age.
Process
Research → concept → telescoping front-leg mechanism → working prototype tested on real stairs → scale model and poster.
Outcome
A tested working prototype, presented with a scale model and exhibition poster.
02

Problem and research

Falls are a significant danger as we age. Watching a standard walker on stairs showed the user’s leg and stomach clash with the frame — most walkers don’t work on stairs.

The problem
Fig. 01The problem
Introduction — falls and aging
Fig. 02Introduction — falls and aging
Introduction — cost of care
Fig. 03Introduction — cost of care
What causes falls at home, and their risks
Fig. 04What causes falls at home, and their risks
Identifying the problem — a standard walker on stairs
Fig. 05Identifying the problem — a standard walker on stairs
Market research — walkers and stair aids
Fig. 06Market research — walkers and stair aids
Opportunities for improvement — support, safety, mobility, cost
Fig. 07Opportunities for improvement — support, safety, mobility, cost
03

Opportunity and goals

Redesign the common walker so it helps an older person climb and descend stairs with more ease while still working as a normal walker: safe, efficient, comfortable.

Product opportunity
Fig. 08Product opportunity
Objective and goals — safe, efficient, comfortable
Fig. 09Objective and goals — safe, efficient, comfortable
04

Concept

Front legs lengthen going down and shorten going up, with a brake release and rubber grip pads.

The concept — going down, normal walker, going up
Fig. 10The concept — going down, normal walker, going up
Concept sketch
Fig. 11Concept sketch
05

Mechanism and prototype

A brake rod, compression spring and height inserts set the leg length. I built a working prototype and tested it on real stairs.

Prototype mechanism — closed and opened
Fig. 12Prototype mechanism — closed and opened
Prototype testing — going up, level floor, going down
Fig. 13Prototype testing — going up, level floor, going down
Uphold’s telescopic mechanism — components
Fig. 14Uphold’s telescopic mechanism — components
Adjustable front legs — unlocked and locked
Fig. 15Adjustable front legs — unlocked and locked
06

Final design

Height-adjustable front legs extend from 34 to 48 inches and shorten to 27 inches; a brake lever at each handle releases them.

Uphold — the ideal walking assistant for the elderly
Fig. 16Uphold — the ideal walking assistant for the elderly
Uphold — final render
Fig. 17Uphold — final render
Handles and frame — detail
Fig. 18Handles and frame — detail
Uphold — side view
Fig. 19Uphold — side view
How it works — going up, normal walker, going down
Fig. 20How it works — going up, normal walker, going down
Fig. 21Uphold — project film
07

Scale model and exhibition

Presented with a scale model and an exhibition poster.

Scale model on stairs
Fig. 22Scale model on stairs
Scale model with exhibition poster
Fig. 23Scale model with exhibition poster
Exhibition poster
Fig. 24Exhibition poster
08

Outcome

Senior thesis, carried from research to a tested working prototype.

  1. Working prototype built and tested on real stairs.
  2. Presented with a scale model and exhibition poster.