Wheelchair Accessible Tool Box for the Back of a Pickup Truck
Problem statement
Farmers have always been the backbone to a functional civilization. As a whole farmers are responsible for environmental stewardship, maintenance of food supply, economic stability, and the promotion of population growth. The occupations of farming and engineering have always worked hand in hand with one another to improve machinery, productivity, agricultural efficiency, and environmental sustainability. Our team of eager engineers is fortunate enough to be able to continue to contribute to this age old partnership with our creative efforts and tireless problem solving skills. It is our mission to design an interchangeable, weather-proof system which allows a large toolbox to be accessed by a person in a wheel chair, yet lock back in place and travel safely in the back of a pick-up truck. The triangular toolbox has dimensions of 30-3/4″ wide by 15-1/4″ deep by 18-1/4″ high which creates a concern for both truck bed space and reachability. Essentially, in order to best serve our client’s needs, our design must be most mindful of the height constraint. According to the ADA Accessibility Standards the maximum allowed unobstructed high forward reach shall be 48 inches (1220mm) above the ground [1]. Other similar assistive devices on the market today have a limited horizontal plane range of motion from truck bed to tailgate which places the opened top of the toolbox nearly three feet higher than the accepted reach standards. Furthermore, products out there that fit the required size specifications such as the Montezuma Tool Box Swing Out Mount cost upwards of $1500 (including installation) which vastly exceeds this projects budget. Thus, it is our intention to create a toolbox mounting system which reflects the motor function of existing products with an enhanced two-dimensional range of motion; in order to provide our client with full independent use of the toolbox from his wheelchair. We are honored to be able to assist a handicapped small town farmer gain better access to the tools in their truck, so that they can continue in their lifelong passion and support their community. Additionally, we are tasked with creating clear and specific designs which can be easily communicated with the community’s local students who will be bringing our product to life in their high school manufacturing shop. Thus, this design project will not only improve the day to day life of our client, but has the secondary benefits of instilling small town pride as well as inspiring a generation of engineers younger than us to solve the real world problems of their time. [1] Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Standards, n.d.
Team members
Kevin Lemens – leader
Anna Matchey – communicator
Colby Savich – accountant
Paul Schulz – admin
Client
Craig Cegielski
Eleva-Strum High School Cardinal Manufacturing