Adapt
This is Adapt, an accessibility focused trowel designed for those with reduced hand grip mobility.
Originally designed for spinal unit patients to aid rehabilitation the overall design was inspired by the curvature of the spine and various therapy equipment on hand around the Spinal Unit.
A New Take
Adapt was influenced by wrist rehabilitation equipment from a spinal unit. Instead of focusing on grip, the handle was designed to rest the palm on a curved surface and changes the way you would use a traditional trowel.
The user either straps themselves into adapt or gets someone to help. The fingers wrap around the curved plate, with the wrist and forearm resting on the TPE cover.
Then they can moving adapt with their arm, rather than their wrist. This reduces strain on the wrist, making it ideal for those with reduced grip or arthritis.
Behind The Design
Note: This version shows a non-strap mockup, rather than the final dual strap version.
General Shape & TPE Platform
With all its curves inspired by the spine, adapt draws influence on those it was designed for. Made from lightweight steel, its light enough for those with reduced mobility to hold whilst providing better resistance to weight than plastics and carbon fibre.
Two wrist straps were added to secure users wrist in place, whilst including a TPE cover over the wrist area. This is to provide increased comfort when wearing, as well as being inclusive for spinal unit patience that have increased sensitivity with their skin.
The trowel head and handle are joined using two flush rivet, due to ease of manufacturing and overall strength compared with other fixings.
Handle Shape
The handle was designed to be manufactured easily, whilst providing optimal comfort for the user. The curve was designed to reduce pressure on the wrist whilst still being able to dig when using your arms.
This provides a new way of digging, that originally relied on using the muscles in the wrist. An issue many people with arthritis struggle with, as well as patients with reduced grip and hand movements in the spinal unit.
Curved Trowel Head
With its curved design again being inspired by the spine, the trowel was design to hold an optimal volume of spoil. Too much load would become more strenuous on those with reduced mobility, whilst too little would defeat thew point of the trowel being useful.
The rear features curved-off escape for excess soil, so less soil hits the fingers. Made from the same material as the handle, the steel is lightweight enough to have attached to the wrist, but does not flex as much as plastics or carbon fibre.
