Design Concept and Rationale
This section will discuss the concepts and rationale behind the designs of the Shirt Horn, which
was constructed to aid in putting on the shirt, and of the undressing device, which was designed
but never constructed.
The Shirt Horn
What is it?
The Shirt Horn is an apparatus designed to assist people with arthrogryposis in getting dressed as
a way to increase independence in these people’s lives (Figure 6). The design includes three
main components: the door assembly, the claws, and the pulleys. There are two claws, a dynamic
claw and a static claw, to hold the shirt open while Elsa puts her arms into the arm holes. The
dynamic claw is attached to a string in a pulley system and when the string is pulled, this claw
rises, releasing the shirt over Elsa’s head and completing the process of getting dressed.
For measurements of the device and its parts see Appendix G: Dimensioned Sketches.
For instructions for constructing this device as well as the materials used (see Appendix I:
Instructions for Construction and Appendix H: Bill of Materials)
Figure 6: Shirt Horn mounted on door
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