IGS springs into action for marathon challenge
An
Industrial Gas Springs product story
Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team
Jul 27, 2006
Range of gas spring variants stocked by Industrial Gas Springs enabled the company to fulfil an injured athlete's urgent requirement to supply parts for a pair of customised racing crutches
The extensive range of gas spring variants stocked by Industrial Gas Springs (IGS) enabled the company to fulfil an injured athlete's urgent requirement to supply parts for a pair of customised racing crutches in time for this year's London Marathon.
The type 6/15-100-264 IGS gas springs, which were delivered just days before the event in April, helped engineering student Peter Snell to complete the gruelling 26.2 mile course and raise more than £4500 in sponsorship money for CRY (Cardiac Risk in the Young), an organisation dedicated to raising awareness of Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS).
Peter's need for special purpose racing crutches arose after he broke his ankle in a warm up race in February, just two months ahead of the London event.
Despite this setback, he was still determined to compete.
However, with no equivalent to a racing wheelchair to be found anywhere in the UK, his situation looked bleak - until he was put in touch with engineers at REMAP, a national charity that designs and constructs aids to meet the individual needs of handicapped people, where they cannot be sourced by any other means.
Within days, one of REMAP's volunteer engineers, Harry Thomson had devised a ground-breaking crutch design incorporating gas springs from Industrial Gas Springs (IGS) to overcome the severe shock loads that would be experienced by anyone trying to race using standard NHS crutches.
Following the production and testing of prototype units, it was apparent that optimum performance would only be achieved if the crutches' gas springs were matched closely to the athlete's weight.
With days to go before the London marathon, Harry's updated requirements were received by IGS, who responded immediately with units from its ex-stock Customline range - allowing the modified crutches to be completed less than 48 hours prior to the start.
According to Peter Snell, "The results were amazing".
"I no longer had to fight against the springs on the compression stroke and, with the introduction of some other new design features, the updated crutches were simply brilliant".
"On the day, the gas springs performed exceptionally well, easily withstanding an estimated 30,000 compression and extension cycles during the course of the event - and helping me to achieve my goal".
"While he may not be able to match the speed of his namesake, the New Zealand world record holder and Olympic middle distance champion of the 1960s, Britain's Peter Snell is no less of an achiever in his chosen sport," says IGS field sales manager, James Godbold.
"We are delighted to have been able to support him in his endeavours and that our products have played a part in his remarkable success".
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