Need Expert Feedback

[robsinclair]

To whomever may be reading this.

Basically I need some expert opinions on my A-level final product. Now I know it looks like a pile of crap, but it’s what I’m stuck with and the percentage of the mark is not from the finished product, it’s the quality of the written work where the marks are.

What I have designed is effectively a device that you attach your board to and then you can practice your popups and general balancing allowing you to developing your core muscles, as well as improving your surfing techniques. The device is made from 100% reclaimed and recycled materials; All the welding has been done by myself; the whole thing can be taken apart and be stored in a confined space.

So I know this will be ridiculed, but if the troll hunting could be kept to a minimum that would be great. Any feedback would be sick. So if you could please give me some responses good or bad and constructive criticism on how to improve it in any way either aesthetically, functionally, safety wise… just pretty much anything. Slate it as much as you want it’s all good and is vital for good designing and developing.

Cheers

[jaffa1949]

No troll, and it's not survey( well not much).

TBH, I am concerned about the basic stability of your device, the length of the spring looks too long for the arm of the base cross arms. As a heavy weight surfer I would feel insecure over those factor and the weight leverage for any side to side movement. I would also be concerned about the tensile resistance and rebound of the spring, I've seen adults bend spring laden playground equipment with just adult body weight.

Learning moves correctly would be limited IMHO as much of the effective force to move the board would be by leaning,.
It's worth developing, but not something I would consider !
If you do get a great idea,look to learn how to patent it or protect it by copyright ,before you put diagrams on the net. The Chinese factory knock offs of your idea will be hitting the stores next week!

[dtc]

The spec drawing looks much better than the as built ...but I get that the as built is a prototype

I also think it looks unstable. The Spring only needs to be a couple of inches high, there isn't really much forward / backwards rocking when surfing. Also would you damage the board on that hard support - needs a lot more padding. And it doesn't look like it would secure the board that well just using straps, but it might be ok.

But I'm impressed by the thinking, the concept is sound (not that I would use it but more learner typed might); just need to tweak a few things

[waikikikichan]

What I have designed is effectively a device that you attach your board to

Attach my precious 4 oz. fiber glassed PU foam board to a steel ( or wood or whatever hard ) mounting ? It will leave some big dents even if you add padding.

A more simpler and mobile design is to use a inflatable half dome balance ball. You could adjust the amount of movement and deflate it when not in use.

[waikikikichan]

I just noticed that mounting arms extend a lot past the rail of the board in the photo. Can see a major gouged shin or a removed eyeball or jaw if you fall off awkwardly.

[Big H]

Idea already done and done better....take a look-


http://www.citysurffitness.com/#surf-the-city

http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/city-surf-fitness-dallas

Go to 5:23 of the video....they use the same city surf trainer board.

Improvements would be using a dedicated board (old beat up epoxy...doesn't even have to be water tight) rather than your favourite thin glassed board.....make a shorter spring and modify to a two or three spring system with longer floor rails like on the city surf trainer that are as long as the board that will give a base that would be safer and more stable in terms of the whole thing flipping over or not.

[Big H]

Dedicated board permanently fixed to the mounting hardware to avoid the removed eye or jaw scenarios as was earlier described by W-chan.

[robsinclair]

Cheers guys, yeah I know it has a fair few design faults and health and safety issues. Appreciate the feedback really helpful. Thank you so much.