Team 1511, Spring 2025: Shock Absorbing Crutch

Team Members and Role:

Luke Witherow: Co-Team Lead

Patrick Spring: Co-Team Lead

Ben Kmito: Design Lead

Eric O’Loughlin: Analysis Lead

Shawn Durkin: Fabrication Lead

Trainor Sherck: Evaluation Lead

Abstract:

Our project sought to create a more comfortable alternative to standard crutches by limiting the shock during walking and in turn reducing the underarm and wrist pain commonly felt crutch users. Though similar crutches have been made, they do not allow for adjustments regarding the shock absorption. Our design adds this feature by making the spring and damper able to be switched out depending on the weight of the user. This is a result of the custom spring-damper system we designed in which the components do not need to be fixed within the assembly (The spring placed in grey slot and damper placed in blue slot). Our final design is capable of being attached to the bottom of any traditional crutch for easy implementation.