Tarrant Cares, Texas

do-it-yourself

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Portable Assistive Door Handle is designed for individuals with limited hand strength due to injury or arthritis and may have difficulty performing routine tasks such as turning a doorknob. Long-term solutions include replacing doorknobs with door levers or purchasing assistive door levers that can be attached to existing doorknobs. However, both options can get expensive if there are many doors that need to be modified.

These options also do not address a temporary situation where a person with limited hand strength is visiting a relative or if someone is hosting a relative with limited hand strength. This concept utilizes 3D printing to create an inexpensive, portable assistive door handle. Print as many as you need or modify the design for a custom fit (or a custom look).

Technical Specifications:

Step 1: Materials and Equipment.

3D printer (alternatively, a version could be made on a CNC or ShopBot)
Pivot Pin (Nut and Bolt, Dowel, etc.)
Elastic Band (Optional)

Step 2: How It Works. The CAD model shows how the lever acts like a cam to squeeze the door knob (similar to how some oil filter wrenches operate). Slide the BLUE Main Body over the doorknob. The elastic band keeps it from rotating and falling off (when not being held). Rotate the WHITE Handle to create friction to turn the doorknob. Since it was designed for this doorknob, I was even able to operate it with just one finger.

Note: The design is symmetric and can be used with the handle facing either right or left.

Step 3: Handle Optimization and 3D Printing. The Handle can be designed and 3D printed as a solid, but in the example shown I printed a version where I added reinforcing ribs. I have attached STL files for both a solid and a ribbed version.

Step 4: Main Body Optimization and 3D Printing. The Main Body was designed to be 3D printed vertically with no support material, but I realized that this would result in a potentially weak cross section (due to the way 3D printing creates layers of material), so I chose to print the part flat. This resulted in support material filling in the slot, but as you can see it was easily pulled out.

Step 5: Future Improvements. This design was optimized for a disc shaped doorknob. While it fits other doorknob shapes (round, tapered), it did not feel as secure.