​​​​Kyle Morrissey​

Myself along with two other mechanical engineers were put to the task of developing a new, challenging obstacle for American Ninja Warrior, which implements mechanical components while emphasizing the safety of those who attempt it. The goal of the project was to a have a fully functioning prototype that we could then place in an american ninja warrior gym! The design we decided to go with, was a hand-bike that rides along an inclined parallel track system. The hand-bike itself is designed with a derailleur, friction-shifter and cassette which allows for the difficulty to be changed based upon the gear ratio. As the cranks are rotated on the bottom shaft, the top shaft rotates the V-grooved wheels which sit on top of the parallel track and propels the system down the track. One of the most important components of the bike is the finger spring, which rides along the bottom of the rail in tension and prevents the mechanism from slipping and falling off the track.