HWI Global Trike Division

His Wheels International (HWI)

Global Hand-Pedaled Trike

A picture sparked HWI’s Global Hand-Pedaled Trike Division. “We need these throughout Africa,” an international leader stated in 2005. Throughout the world many people have been affected by polio, hit by landmines, and have other physical disabilitiesA month after hearing about the need for trikes, Alice met Kevin at a party. Alice showed him a picture of a trike HWI bought in Africa. She said, “I hope to take a welding class to learn how to weld and build trikes” Kevin said, “I’m a mechanical engineer. Can I design, build and pay for the trike prototype?”

The HWI Dual Offsett Tube Trike (DOTT)

Our goal for trike distribution and production is to provide transportation and create dignity for the recipient. It is also a tool for expanding Christ’s Kingdom. Building materials required includes bicycle parts, steel tubing welded together, and a choice of various wheel options. The trike is highly maneuverable, and has a very sharp turning radius. Ergonomically it is adjustable to fit the user. It is designed for inexpensive production. Contact HWI about the different trike options available.

“These trikes take someone from an animal existence and gives them humanity”

Steve Saint, Founder of I-TEC

How Your Organization Can Build The DOTT Hand-Pedaled Three-Wheeler

It is HWI’s goal to facilitate small trike business ventures benefiting the local population. In conjunction with the DOTT trike we can provide assembly fixtures, a complete manufacturing process, drawings, documentation, training, and technical support. Our fixtures hold each part of the frame in perfect alignment during welding. This allows continuous trike production making employment opportunities for the able and disabled possible.

Yellow painted parts are the Complete DOTT assembly fixture set. Silver parts are chassis frame tubes for welding.

Construction

HWI Dual Offset Tube Trike (DOTT) is most easily built from round or square steel tubing, welded together. It uses relatively common, rugged bicycle parts for the drive train; and equally rugged sealed ball bearings and flat-free wheelbarrow wheels to avoid the spoke breakage and flat tire issues common on rough roads and paths. HWI uses plywood for seat surfaces, but thin steel, woven surfaces, or other seat surface options can be employed. This design can be modified to use different types of wheels, and suit local needs.

Ergonomics

The DOTT design has adjustability in the seat back angle, seat depth, leg length, knee angle and ankle position to properly fit the user. Crank arm length and gearing have been selected to help prevent elbow & shoulder joint strain. The offset frame tube design makes transfer from a chair or wheelchair easier.

Performance

The DOTT is highly maneuverable; it can nearly pivot around the rear wheels. The “direct drive” front wheel allows the trike to be pedaled in reverse for added maneuverability in tight situations. No active brake is provided for this reason as the hand pedals are used as the brake. The substitution of a coaster brake equipped front wheel (a 16” rear bike wheel) is recommended for hilly areas to provide better braking on steep terrain.

A parking brake is available to prevent movement of the trike when the transferring from a chair or similar objects.

Cost

Costs will vary depending upon the availability of local parts, logistics and location. HWI estimates that the basic material costs will range from a low of $100 per trike or less; to a high of $270 per trike if most or all parts must be imported from the US, and all options are included. Cost estimates do not include shipping.

The Assembly Fixtures

Along with the development of the DOTT trike, assembly fixtures were also created. HWI has developed and tested a manufacturing process that can make it possible for local organizations to build these trikes.

These four fixtures allow each part of the frame to be held in perfect alignment during the welding process. They simplify the most difficult part - construction, making it possible for some to build such a trike in as little as 10-25 hours.

In the picture above, a complete DOTT assembly fixture set is shown. The round tubing seen on the large fixture is a trike chassis ready to be welded together.

These fixtures, along with a welder, tube bender, notcher, drill and various smaller tools are enough to equip a trike manufacturing shop for production. A reasonably experienced welder is recommended. All other production operations can be learned relatively quickly.

Drawings And Documentation

HWI can make many types of documents and drawings available to support trike production:

· Pictures

· Standard blueprints

· Exploded assembly views

· Individual part drawings

· Bill of material

· Parts sources

· Fitting manual

If desired, a highly detailed 3D AutoCad model of the trike is available.

Production Training

HWI is currently producing a trike assembly video. Future plans include a week long “Trike Building Experience” training course available to those who can come to the Chicago area.