Wounded Wheels “Restoring Heroes and Hot Rods”
Wounded Wheels Restoring Heroes and Hotrods Th The e big Th Three ee • Engineering and design concepts applied to commonly available resources that provide accessibility in new ways • The manifestation of some of these concepts are demonstrated in a 1970 Chevelle SS • A forum for bringing together people, concepts, innovators, needs and solutions to pave a way into the future for creating things that have never been created • Living quarters • Vehicles • Quality of life environments
Wounded Wheels Restoring Heroes and Hotrods WHO WHO A AND ND WHA WHAT T WE WE ARE • A federally recognized 501(c)(3) organization • Modifying iconic American muscle cars • Intended recipients are paralyzed and multiple major amputee combat vets • Targeting warriors from the Vietnam War through the present-day Southwest Asia operations in Iraq and Afghanistan • The program is open to all who qualify
Wounded Wheels Restoring Heroes and Hotrods mission ssion To build disabled heroes an unforgettable muscle car that is: • Wheelchair accessible and operational • Outfitted with a modified powered wheelchair • Tailored to the vet’s specific needs • Provides swift vehicle entry and exit without assistance • Operated by user friendly controls Our wish is to provide a vehicular mobility degree-of-freedom similar to individuals without disabilities and profoundly change the lives of these selfless heroes by returning to them the ability to drive the car of their dreams. At Wounded Wheels our motto is “Restoring Heroes and Hot Rods” one car, one hero, one dream at a time.
Wounded Wheels Restoring Heroes and Hotrods Co Conc ncept ept ov over erview view • Enemy use of IEDs results in increased numbers of lower-limb amputations • The effect of these injuries is far-reaching and long-lasting • Military amputee care focuses on short-term and intermediate care • Current options for transport sacrifice the “ WOW ” factor for functionality • Wounded Wheels aims to return a level of confidence and independence to wheelchair bound vets by restoring access to desirable vehicles
Wounded Wheels Restoring Heroes and Hotrods Presen esent t day y mod odified fied ve vehi hicl cles es • Typically a stock van modified to accommodate a wheelchair • Two configurations o Config 1. Occupant drives in through the rear hatch via ramp or lift • Wheel chair acts as passenger seat o Config 2. Wheel chair occupant transfers into vehicle seat • Wheel chair loads separately • Ingress / egress is time consuming and strenuous • Not a preferred vehicle for styling / appearance
Wounded Wheels Restoring Heroes and Hotrods Sta tand ndard ard Build ld Ti Timelin eline* e* • Recipient selection 2 weeks • Vehicle acquisition 5 weeks • Parts acquisition and vehicle rehabilitation 10 weeks • Suspension & drive train modification 10 weeks • Chassis modification 8 weeks • Conversion system Installation 5 weeks • Body work, paint, interior 5 weeks • Vehicle assembly 5 weeks • Platform testing & evaluation 2 weeks • Estimated time for full conversion 1 year * Build timeline determined for a conversion vehicle that starts in no less than level 2 (Show) quality
Wounded Wheels Restoring Heroes and Hotrods rec ecipien ipients ts • Must have complete loss of the use of both legs as applicable to driving a normal four wheel vehicle • A general medical classification of eligible applicants is as follows: • Tetraplegics who have the loss of the use of both legs • Bilateral above-the-knee amputees, other major limb amputations • Must have been an active duty US military veteran serving in a combat zone at the time of the mishap • If discharged, must have been discharged honorably • Must meet general moral and ethical standards • All applicants to be reviewed by a panel of military and Wounded Wheels staff • A DoD flag officer or SES equivalent will select awardees
Wounded Wheels Restoring Heroes and Hotrods Cu Current ent build ld Features Repairs/upgrades • 1970 Chevelle SS • Power steering system leaks sealed • Recently restored • Brakes from front drum to disc • 350 Small block • Automatic on the column • A/C
In the beginning there was a Chevelle, and it was good Join us on a journey of turning a muscle car into a fully automated handicap drivable muscle car. Feb ‘12 we purchased a 1970 Chevy Chevelle SS for the prototype design integration for the Wounded Wheels program.
Creation of a Third Door Our first problem: There was not enough room to get a wheelchair into the Chevelle with the current door configuration. Solution: We cut into the driver’s side rear quarter in front of the wheel well to create a third door.
In the drIver’s seat Solution: Our Second Problem: We cut into the floor and created a modified There was not enough floor section and platform to lower the height in the Chevelle for wheelchair into the driver’s spot. our chair to fit in the driver’s spot.
Ramping It up Our Third Problem: How does the wheelchair get into and out of the Chevelle? Solution: We added a servo-actuated ramp and it took a several attempts. Trial ramp #4 is seen above and trial ramp #6 is to the right. Trial ramp #8 is currently on the car and trial ramp #9 is in the works.
System Integration Several other modifications were made to the Chevelle to make it complete. They include a new door latch for the third door as well as the driver door and interior controls for the third door and the ramp. We’ve had many challenges in creating this amazing vehicle, but if it were an easy thing to do, someone would have already done it.
The Pros and the Cons Cons ns of the e Muscle cle Pros of the Muscle Car… Car… • Not everyone wants one For The Individual • It’s not as convenient as a mini-van • It provides a sense of what was • Headroom during ingress and • It returns them to a better time • It creates some normalcy in their life in egress and degree of difficulty are suboptimal ways unavailable to them before now • No airbags For The Car • It has poor gas mileage • It’s powerful and sexy • It’s not a family car • It’s fun in ways that a minivan can’t touch • It isn’t as comfortable as other cars • It’s an iconic American muscle car • It may not be great in bad weather • It’s heavy For The Future • It’s blazing the trail for new ideas • It’s the first in a future of product developments that pushes the envelope • It’s creating new avenues for better ways of life
Prototype and Production This is a first generation prototype. Below are lists for what we have completed and put into production. Prototype Production • Automated ramp • Base Chevelle • Automated table • Base powered chair • Track guide system • Driver hand controls • Floor drop system • Basic internal hand control system for automation • Basic external hand control System for automation • Third door latching system
Future Components Below are lists for what we will complete in future generations of this process. Wound unded ed Wheels eels Mods ds Car Modif dific ication ations • Wireless RC for ramp/door(s)/table • Remote control mirrors • Resized ramp: modify to fit below the • Power windows • Tilt column drivers head when folded into the car • Driver and chair restraints • Airbag vehicle drop system • Powered chair that raises, lowers, and tilts • Courtesy light system • Powered chair that charges off of the car • Backup cameras • Better back seat configuration • Head restraints • And many things we haven’t thought of
Wounded Wheels Restoring Heroes and Hotrods Fund raising efforts
Wounded Wheels Restoring Heroes and Hotrods Ways to Find out More Website: www.woundedwheels.org Facebook: www.facebook.com/woundedwheels Twitter: www.twitter.com/woundedwheels YouTube: www.youtube.com/woundedwheels
Wounded Wheels Restoring Heroes and Hotrods Thank you!
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