OT: Design challenge

 


I'm interested in learning everything I can from my recent screw-up. I've
discovered a repeating pathology for "large cones".... 32... 36"... like
that. That is, you put a wheel into "the nest" in the base which is the
hole into which the conical section of the cone is sewn and the wheel stays
there. I've found two other cases so far and both other guys broke their
legs at about the same speed.

Cones have to be stackable. You wouldn't believe how many it takes just to
put on even a basic 40 hour EVOC. And therein lies both the challenge and
the opportunity to improve the safety of the cone.

The objective (at least a straw man objective) - how can you modify the
cone to not trap a wheel in the nest?

One idea I had was to deploy circular rubber disks of about the same
thickness as the cone base to set the cone on. It's a separate pile of
parts you have to pick up when you tear down the EVOC and that's a pain but
if it's worth it, at least in the higher speed risks, it might be a good
idea.

On the other side is... what new risks are created, if any, by the new
disks? Can they lodge in the bike and lock up a wheel? Are they a new nav
hazard if you hit them? I think probably.

There are lots of smart people in RMD... what do you guys think?

Mike


--
Mike W.
96 XR400
70 CT70
71 KG 100 (Hodaka-powered)
99 KZ1000P (training)
99 KZ1000P (rider)
00 Beta Rev-3

 



Holographic cones. Patent pending.

Actually, the problem seems to be that the cone slides. It could be
safer if the cone was fastened to the tarmac and you would just
flatten it as you roll over it if your so "desired." How about magnets
in the base of the cone, and thin steel plates epoxied to the pavement?

Naw, don' really like that. It's late, I've gotten nothing done today
that I needed to do today...see ya...

--
Charles
'99 YZ250

 



disposable paper/cardboard cones

-- t

 


sorry to hear of your accident, hope you heal fast and painless. Think
the bright side: it would be much worse if you broke both arms... :-)

-- t

 


1) Allow some "ramp out" in the design of the cone base. Minimize any
square edge on the inside of the "nest".

2)If you can give up ~50% of the conical shape, you could have a semi-
cone rise to total cone height at around r/2. Then have the missing
top part of the cone inverted inside, sort of like a volcano.
If somebody hits a volcano cone, maybe the internal cone would deflect
the cone or tire enough to either get it off center, or add material
to ramp/guide the wheel out of the nest.

3) Use trees.