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| | ''We put the '''WHEE!''' in Wheelchair!'' | | ''We put the '''WHEE!''' in Wheelchair!'' |
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| − | =NEWS :-(= | + | =NEW NEWS :-)= |
| − | '''<big>Due to the lack of popular demand, we are tabling the WHIM Chair project for the foreseeable future. Our initial attempts at fundraising met with minimal success (thank you, Mom!), however it wasn't enough. Should we find the financial and technical support in the future, we would love to come back to this endeavor, but for now, we're taking a break. To those who supported us to this point, thank you. We hope that someone can pick up where we left off.</big>'''
| + | After a bit of a break, we're back! |
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| − | We will be leaving the site up for anyone else who wants ideas for custom wheelchair design. If anyone has questions, comments, or support, please contact us at '''WHIM''' at '''WHIMUnlimited''' dot '''com'''
| + | One of our earliest contributors has returned, and is now ''teaching'' engineering at UC Davis. He was kind enough to inform us of an opportunity with their Capstone Design Course; we submitted our proposal, and were approved as "a suitable project for a team of our engineering students to tackle." We'll have a few students working on the WHIM chair, with the goal of a working prototype by the end of the class! |
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| − | Thank you to Dan, Jake, Jason, Robbie, Mark, Matt, Stuart, Rowan and Soko
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| − | Michael and Pamela
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| − | WHIM Unlimited | + | |
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| | =Our Mission= | | =Our Mission= |
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| | ==Why are we doing this?== | | ==Why are we doing this?== |
| − | Wheelchair maintenance is problematic, at best. Parts are available from limited sources, usually medical supply specialists. If you're using insurance to get the chair fixed, then often a prescription is required even for simple fixes. | + | Wheelchair maintenance is problematic, at best. Parts are available from limited sources, usually medical supply specialists. If you're using insurance to get the chair fixed, then often a prescription is required even for simple fixes (including flats!?). |
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| | That means, if something breaks, you need to | | That means, if something breaks, you need to |
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| | **Schedule another appointment with the repair shop and the van once the part comes in (another 1-3 weeks) | | **Schedule another appointment with the repair shop and the van once the part comes in (another 1-3 weeks) |
| | **Wait in the shop again while they fix the problem (several more hours sitting in their waiting room, still without access to a functioning chair) | | **Wait in the shop again while they fix the problem (several more hours sitting in their waiting room, still without access to a functioning chair) |
| − | *And finally head back home with a working chair | + | *And finally head back home with a working chair. Maybe. |
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| − | In our experience, this can take up to 2 months or more, depending on the issue. It can be worse if there are no local wheelchair repair shops. | + | In our [[experience]], this can take up to 2 months or more, depending on the issue. It can be worse if there are no local wheelchair repair shops. |
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| | If you're not using insurance, it might be quicker, however the costs associated can be quite high. US$10,000+ for the initial chair, $200+ for a single battery (you generally need 2), $400 for an seat cushion, and so on. | | If you're not using insurance, it might be quicker, however the costs associated can be quite high. US$10,000+ for the initial chair, $200+ for a single battery (you generally need 2), $400 for an seat cushion, and so on. |
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| | We've broken the chair down to its component pieces, examined how they relate to each other, and what we'd like to be able to do. | | We've broken the chair down to its component pieces, examined how they relate to each other, and what we'd like to be able to do. |
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| − | *[[Wheels]] - More Rolling than Rocking | + | *[[Wheels]] - Rolling Down the Highways |
| | *[[Motors]] - Moving Forward (or Backward) | | *[[Motors]] - Moving Forward (or Backward) |
| | *[[Frame]] - Something to Build on | | *[[Frame]] - Something to Build on |
| | + | *[[Suspension]] - Suspend Your Disbelief |
| | *[[Controllers]] - Keeping Control | | *[[Controllers]] - Keeping Control |
| | *[[Batteries and Chargers]] - Power to the People! | | *[[Batteries and Chargers]] - Power to the People! |
