SkateHitch
The SkateHitch - A Passenger/Companion Platform for power wheelchairs. Ride along on a skateboard that is towed behind the chair!
Features include:
Folding Wheels for a low profile that does not protrude behind the rear wheels
Grip to stow board in the upright position
Easy to deploy by flipping up the red flippers
Custom Multi-Axis Hitch
Trailer style has better lateral stability than other swivel caster designs
Quick release pin
Does not interfere with Tilt or Elevate functions
8 inch wide deck with 3 inch wheels
Design your own graphics and choose the wheel color scheme to customize the look
Weight limit is 200 pounds for mid-wheel-drive and rear-wheel-drive chairs, and 160 pounds for front-wheel-drive chairs.
I designed this SkateHitch to tow a skateboard behind my chair. This design is unique in that the wheels fold inward for a low profile. It has a custom multi-axis hitch that allows the board to turn and also fold to stow the board against the back of the chair. It does not protrude behind the rear wheels when stowed and it does not interfere with the lift or tilt functions of power wheelchairs either. Ground clearance loss from the hitch tube is minimal - only 3/4".
Advanced Manufacturing Techniques
The SkateHitch is fabricated using advanced manufacturing technologies. The skateboard deck is milled with a CNC Router for smooth curves and precise mounting hole locations. And the Multi-axis Hitch is 3d printed with a high strength material to meet the custom design requirements.
Rigorous Testing
The 3d printed Hitch was stress tested and withstood 1700 pounds of force before the steel test jig broke and bent the clevis pin. Thats over 8 times greater than a rider weighing 200 pounds, so a sufficient safety factor is built in.
Improves on a Previous Design
The new design improves on previous skate hitch iterations, so years of development are reflected in the new product. That design was unique in that it had a grip that held the tongue of the board in the stowed position and could be deployed simply by sliding the board up.
