Project 4b: Climbing Wall

Abstract

This project involves constructing an indoor climbing wall/structure in order to help a child divert some dangerous sensory seeking behaviors. The climbing wall must be portable, for indoor use, easy to store away, and safe for the child to use.

Problem Statement

To construct a portable, indoor climbing wall that will divert dangerous or destructive sensory seeking activities and behaviors.

Design Specifications

Portable: light weight,
Sensory friendly: To be Decided
Safe: To Be Decided
Indoor use: To Be Decided
Dimensions: To be Decided

Background Research

The preliminary design research consisted of researching indoor portable climbing walls so we could get an idea on how our climbing wall should be structured or designed. We needed the climbing wall to be able to be used indoors, be portable, safe, and sensory friendly. Not many designs that were found online met the design specifications, so we had to come up with a design that did meet each of the specifications.

Sensory seeking is when a individual has purposefully seeks out experiences or things that will fulfill unmet sensory needs. Such examples of sensory seeking may be deep pressure hugs, chewing, rough play, spinning, among many others. Climbing is actually a way individuals may “seek” a sensory experience of vestibular movement. This allows for individuals to move and orient themselves in ways that enables them to both moves their entire body as well as allow ____ to the vestibular system

Concept Design 1

The first concept design involves having a triangular shaped climbing wall with rectangular faces for the child to climb on. The frame would be “hollow” on the inside to allow seamless folding and concealment of the base part of the structure. There would also be a mechanism that would enable wheels to fold out of the bottom whilst the structure is being “folded”, this would allow for easily portability and storage of the whole structure. And when the climbing structure is taken out again from storage, the wheels would fold back into the frame while the base is being locked into place.

Concept Design 2

A portable climbing wall designed at a slight angle.
Climbing holds on both sides of the design.
The climbing wall is held on both sides by two stands. (Maybe two more stands to hold the top of the design)
Mounted wheels on the stands to make it easy for movement from one place to another. (Heavy Duty locking hubs/ caster sets).
Wheels that can lifted up during use of the climbing wall and set back down when moving it around.
Wheels with locking mechanism to avoid movement during use.
Dimensions for the height, width, the angle of inclination and the stands arm length are still to be determined.

Semester

2024 Fall