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Eva
Mask Project
Prompt: Create a fictional avatar from a classmate’s object archive and a mask for that character.
Tools for Wellbeing:
Clip Rope
November 8' 2021
The Assignment
In groups, design a handheld tool that supports healthy habits to attain better physical and mental outcomes.
Select an area of focus and design with innovation in mind: you may update an existing tool to design an entirely new one in response to the concept of well-being in our contemporary.
Project Statement
Clip Rope is specifically designed for athletes that persons with disabilities may also use. Generic jump ropes lack grip, durability, replaceability, and accessibility for persons with disabilities. In response to that issue, we designed a modular jump rope with handles that can attach to become a stick rope (jump rope catered to persons with one arm), and the option for the rope to detach when in need of a replacement or adjustment in length. Our objective is to design a jump rope that provides an ergonomic experience for all users to augment their well-being.
User Group + Jump Rope Variations
Normal
Speed
Professional (workout)
Beginner (workout)
Weighted
Stick Rope (for individuals with one arm)
Split Rope (for individuals in wheelchairs)
Ergonomic & Anatomical Assessment
The team spent 10-20 minutes a day for a week jump roping to see where we felt the most strain beyond just the soreness of our calves.
Jump ropes were also handed to our fellow classmates to get their feedback on major stress points around the grip
Source: Source: https://darkironfitness.com/can-you-work-forearms-every-day/forearm-muscles-anatomy/
Most strain on body after prolonged use other than the obvious larger muscle groups
Wrist fatigue is also affected by the handle’s grip and rope length
Most critical body part that operates the rotating of the rope
Uncomfortable grip & wrong rope length in relation to height
Design Opportunities
Army Rubber Grip
Days spent in the field with rubber grip
3-4 Days = 72-96 hours of use
4-5 Days = 96-120 hours of use
Adults should complete at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity cardio per week, or about 15-30 minutes per day.
-US Department of Health and Human Services
Source: https://www.elevaterope.com/how-long-should-jump-rope-session-be/
Inspiration derived from a DIY rubber grip I used in the army to ensure that my hand doesn't slip from the trigger handle when it gets wet, greasy, muddy, or bloody.
The time spent using the rubber grip in rough conditions compared to the recommended amount of time spent exercising indicates that the rubber grip should be more than adequate for athletic or casual use.
Ideation & Development
Our sketches focuesd on grip, accessibility, and connectivity. Also, ensuring that we drew out designs that could work both as a jump rope and stick rope.
We explored textures, finger indentations, rope connection mechanisms, lengths, widths, thickness, and the ability to take individual parts off the jump rope to allow easy and quick replaceability.
The sketch models came out of our initial sketches focusing on grip, form, and size. Based on classroom feedback, the rubber band grip was extremely comfortable and slip-free, and the girth of the pentagonal shape added to its comfort.
Based on the feedback on the size, texture, and grip-ability of the sketch models we created two buck models that would be used for expert and non-expert testing.
Our user testing will put the sketch models and buck models through various conditions. Focusing on stress points, using dominant and non-dominant hands, wet and greasy hands, and user fatigue.
The final model incorporated the rubber band grip as its primary textured surface.
Beneath the rubber bands is a redesigned wooden handle with a decreased distance between the ridges and a shorter handle.
A pressure washer adapter is used for the clipping mechanism of the jump rope for its stick rope feature.
Potential Material Use
We took material references from the Healthy Materials Lab at Parsons. We decided to use corrugated aluminum for the handle with a rubber surface with a finishing that closely mimics the rubber band texture.
The other pictured swatches were used as potential material references we could use for our jump rope. The wood swatches, for example, could be used to replace the aluminum handle so that it can age as its being used more.
Final Model
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