Easypull
An Auxiliary Handle of an Elderly Cart, 2018.12, Individual Project for a Graduation Piece
Powder-coated Aluminum, Die casting (Frame), Sanded TPU, Insert Moulding with Silicone (Handle), Anodized Aluminium, Metal Injection Moulding (Connecting Joints), Sanded Nylon, Injection Moulding (Ratchet Gear & Twisting Circle)
A single effortless motion
This idea all started when I saw an old lady pushing her cart. It made me wonder how I could help her. So I set up an impromptu interview with the elderly woman. Furthermore, I gathered details in an elderly shelter. I then realized it gets heavier when going up the stairs because it tends to tilt downwards. There was only one thing missing. They only needed an auxiliary handle to solve the issue.
This handle tilts a little more upward, and you can also hold it in the middle, not the edge because elders tend to grab the side of the handle, which makes it wobble more.
It's easy to use. You simply grab the handle and use it like you would with a normal cart. It’s also cost-efficient as they don’t need to buy a whole new cart because it’s compatible with existing carts.
It was influenced by other innovations. For the combining structure, I used ratchet gears which I got the idea from the Boa dial system, which is used for climbing shoes by twisting the circle as it fastens. I made it possible with my working mock-up.
DRAG AND WATCH THE XR ANIMATION BELOW