Abstract
The stretcher is a devise used to carry beach grass. It was created for use by the Friends of the Dunes by the Humboldt State University Engineering 215 class. The stretcher will be used by volunteers at the Humboldt Coastal Nature Center.
Background
The goal of the Friends of the Dunes is to conserve the natural diversity of coastal environments. One thing they do to obtain that goal is remove the invasive beach grass from the dunes in Arcata, CA. The Stretcher was designed to transport the beach grass at the Humboldt Coastal Nature Center from the dunes where it is being removed, to awaiting vehicles that will haul the beach grass offsite. The stretcher can be carried by two or more people, or the separate wheel and axel can be attached for use by one person.
Problem Statement and Criteria
Problem Statement The objective of The Stretcher is to supply a means to carry beach grass from the dunes where it is being removed to loading vehicles by the Nature Center’s volunteers. The volunteers need to be able to carry large amounts of grass a short distance either with two people carrying the load, or a single person.
Criteria The criteria were distinguished by our group in coordinance with the client in order to weigh different aspects of our alternative solutions to come up with the best solution possible.
Design Description
The stretcher design consists of a stretcher with long, wooden handles that can be carried by two or four people. These handles can also be attached to a separate axel with two wheels so that it can be used as a wheelbarrow as well for more convenient use by a single person.
Costs
Total Hours
Total Cost
Results
The results of our testing out at the dunes
How to Build
Instructions how to build the design and keys on replicating it.