KITCHEN CART
 Poster |  Preliminary Sketches |
|---|---|
 Finalized Design Drawing |  Final Design Details |
 Prototype |  Prototype Aerial |
Kitchen Cart
Client: Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago - Lori Bravi
Location: Evanston, IL
Fall 2011
Skills: User Interaction, Product Development, Prototyping, Vacuum Forming, Design Sketching
People with hemiplegia, or weakness on one side of the body, have trouble transporting items around the kitchen because they use their stronger hand to hold their cane. With the help of our client, Lori Bravi, an occupational therapist at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC) and a grant from RIC, we designed a cart that will allow people with hemiplegia to easily and safely transport common kitchen items, including hot items and liquids, around the kitchen and dining room.
The Kitchen Cart can safely carry a variety of kitchen items and can be pushed and turned with the user’s weaker hand while the cane is used with the stronger hand. A comfortable and easy-to-grip handle extends all around the edges of the top of the cart for easy maneuvering.The design also features a removable tray that is heat-resistant and has high friction so that it can be safely used for holding plates, pans, and pots of food. The tray can be stored on a lower shelf when not in use. Underneath the tray is a crate with dividers for securing drinks and a larger compartment for holding closed containers.