Transcript Universal Play Frame (UPF) - California Polytechnic State

Universal Play Frame
(UPF)
An Adapted Sport Mechanism for Athletes
in Wheelchairs
What is the UPF?
 Redesigned and constructed by former ME
428 students
 Enables athletes with a limited range of
motion to play several sports that would
otherwise be impossible for them to
participate in

Hockey, basketball, golf, and soccer
attachments
The Equalizer (manufactured by
Sportime International)
 While the UPF was intended to be an improvement
on the Equalizer, there are still many design flaws to
be evaluated and reconsidered.
 The design flaws we in Kinesiology have identified
are completely based on use with actual athletes in
wheelchairs.
 But, we need your mechanical engineering expertise
for these athletes to fully enjoy this sporting
experience.
What are the actual design flaws of the
UPF Frame?
 Lack of frame adjustability
Cannot adjust distance or
angle of frame from
wheelchair to athlete
 Attachment to chair is timeconsuming, awkward,
inflexible and unreliable
 Weight concerns have been
addressed.
 In redesign, weight
should not be
compromised for frame
stability, rigidity, and
stiffness

Basketball Attachment
 UPF frame pulls off
ground when athlete
pulls on basketball
bungee

Lift prevents adequate
tension/force
production
 Putter attachment rod is
in the way of the
basketball travel path

Rod is not easily
removable (requires
tools)
Golf Attachment
 Putter needs to be
adjustable in height
because wheelchair
may require the UPF to
be adjusted at different
angles.
 Too much force is
required on athlete’s
behalf to pull putter

Harder for athlete to
put ball as far as
compared to the
Equalizer
Hockey Attachment
 Thin rectangular handle is
difficult for most athletes to
grasp
 Handle is not adjustable
 Too far away from athlete
 On right side only

Not usable for lefthanded athletes
 Hockey blades run into
frame
 Disables full range of
motion of hockey blade
Soccer Attachment
 Shining Star of the Equalizer
 Athletes thoroughly enjoy
this attachment
 Main problems surround
reaching the scoop, but an
adjustment mechanism was
made
 This problem can also be
alleviated through having
frame attachment to
wheelchair be adjustable
The bottom line…
 Enjoyment derived from the
athletes and those who
participate with them
 Play is cathartic
 Opportunities for play
gives them feelings of
empowerment in a world
that caters to the able
bodied.
 Their time spent with these
structures is invaluable
 However, it cannot be done
without engineering marvels
like you.