Monday 13 Oct 2014 @ 12:25
Innovate UK
Innovate UK
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Reinventing the (Loop)wheel
Nottinghamshire-based industrial designer Sam Pearce has spent the last six years literally re-inventing the wheel after a ‘light bulb moment' in Eindhoven airport.
He noticed a child in a buggy being bounced about while negotiating a kerb – despite the buggy's suspension system. It inspired his design of a wheel with integral suspension that cushions users from bumps in the road.
With his wife Gemma, he refocused his product design company Jelly Products to develop the concept, named Loopwheels. It launched its first product in 2013 - a 20-inch wheel suitable for small wheel commuter bikes which has sold well to cycling enthusiasts around the world.
That moment in the airport planted a seed in my mind about creating a wheel that cushioned impacts - Sam Pearce, inventor of Loopwheels
With the basic concept proven, Jelly turned to Innovate UK for help to scale up the design and build a prototype of a larger 26-inch version that could be used across a much wider range of bicycles and for wheelchairs.
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