Project Brief.
Strains to the ulna collateral ligament, or even fractures of the ulna itself, are a common injury amongst skiers. Current protective aids focus on the quick release of ski pole straps and are only available in racing poles. This leaves a huge proportion of skiers, both those who commonly rent equipment and non-racers, unserved by current options on the market. This project aimed to design a comfortable, wearable, and effective, solution.
Concept development.
Consumer research indicated that the visual aesthetic was a key element in ensuring product appeal within this market and from the outset this element was designed to be integral to the product. Early sketch concepts focused on hard articulated joints as a means of preventing hyper-extension, whilst still retaining a comfortable level of flex in the thumb. However it quickly became apparent that these did not offer sufficient lateral articulation and an innovative materials-based solution was sought. Concepts were visualised and tested through sketching and sketch models.
Development of the thumb guard continued through extensive materials research. As a result d3o, a flexible polymer currently used for impact protection, was selected due to its ability to become instantaneously rigid during a shock impact, whilst remaining flexible at all other times. Utilised in a unique way by building up a three-dimensional set of interlinking segments, the ability for the material to be injection molded allowed for graphic elements to be build directly into the d3o guard.
The glove was designed to utilise the different properties of two insulating fabrics. The first low-stretch fabric (gray) works with the d3o guard by limiting the ability of the guard to pull away from the skin, and so increasing its effectiveness. The second (black) offers high-elasticity for comfort and fit.
Cad modeling and visual prototype.
The graphics that build up the three-dimensional structure of the guard not only visually emphasise the purpose of the guard (providing a rigid 'backbone' support for the thumb), but are designed to fulfill the need for variation in flex over the surface. Smaller segments at the tip of the thumb allow greater flex and larger segments at the base provide support where it is needed. The final design was surface modeled to scale in SolidWorks, 3D printed, filled, cast and stitched to a custom glove to produce the final visual prototype.
The Xo Skiers' thumb guard.
Portfolio (select a thumbnail).
