arthritis door knob

Overview

The arthritis door knob makes door knobs easier to open for thouse who have dificulty grasping. It attaches to an existing round door knob.

The device is comprised of off-the-shelf adhesive strips and 3D printed parts.

The arthritis door knob is open assistive technology (OpenAT). Under the terms of the open source licenses, the device may be built, used, and improved upon by anyone.

The overall cost of materials is about $20 (plus $10 for component shipping).

The cost comes from buying the double sided adhesive.

Makers Making Change Assistive Device Library

How to Obtain the Device

1. Do-it-Yourself (DIY) or Do-it-Together (DIT)

This is an open-source assistive technology, so anyone is free to build it. All of the files and instructions required to build the device are contained within this repository. Refer to the Maker Guide below.

2. Request a build of this device

You may also submit a build request through the Makers Making Change Assistive Device Library Listing to have a volunteer maker build the device. As the requestor, you are responsible for reimbursing the maker for the cost of materials and any shipping.

3. Build this device for someone else

If you have the skills and equipment to build this device, and would like to donate your time to create the device for someone who needs it, visit the MMC Maker Wanted section.

Build Instructions

The device itself is just a PLA print. Print the outer door knob extension. Then attach the device to your doorknob. Alien tape works well: Alien Tape

1. Read through the Maker Guide

The Maker Guide contains all the necessary information to build this device, including tool lists, assembly instructions, programming instructions (if applicable) and testing.

2. Order the Off-The-Shelf Components

The Bill of Materials lists all of the parts and components required to build the device.

3. Print the 3D Printable components

All of the files and individual print files can be found in the /Build_Files/3D_Printing_Files folder.

4. Assemble the arthritis door knob

NA: the device does not merit them

How to improve this Device

As open source assistive technology, you are welcomed and encouraged to improve upon the design.

Files

Documentation

Document	Version	Link
Design Rationale	1.0	arthritis_door_knob_Design_Rationale
Maker Guide	1.0	arthritis_door_knob_Maker_Guide
Bill of Materials	1.0	arthritis_door_knob_Bill_of_Materials
Changelog	1.0	Changelog

Design Files

• CAD Files
• SCAD Files

Build Files

• 3D Printing Files

License

Copyright (c) 2025 Nicolas Vaagen.

This repository describes Open Hardware:

• Everything needed or used to design, make, test, or prepare the arthritis door knob is licensed under the CERN 2.0 Weakly Reciprocal license (CERN-OHL-W v2) or later .
• All software is under the GNU General Public License v3.0 (GPL-3.0).
• Accompanying material such as instruction manuals, videos, and other copyrightable works that are useful but not necessary to design, make, test, or prepare the are published under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 license (CC BY-SA 4.0) .

You may redistribute and modify this documentation and make products using it under the terms of the CERN-OHL-W v2. This documentation is distributed WITHOUT ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTY, INCLUDING OF MERCHANTABILITY, SATISFACTORY QUALITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. Please see the CERN-OHL-W v2 for applicable conditions.

Source Location: https://github.com/nicvagn/arthritis-door-knob

Attribution

The device was designed by Nicolas Vaagen.

The documentation template was created by Makers Making Change / Neil Squire Society and is used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license. It is available at the following link: https://github.com/makersmakingchange/OpenAT-Template

Contributors

Designers: NA Testers: Mavis Werschner

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About Makers Making Change

Makers Making Change is a program of Neil Squire, a Canadian non-profit that uses technology, knowledge, and passion to empower people with disabilities.

Makers Making Change leverages the capacity of community based Makers, Disability Professionals and Volunteers to develop and deliver affordable Open Source Assistive Technologies.

• Website: www.MakersMakingChange.com
• GitHub: makersmakingchange
• Bluesky: @makersmakingchange.bsky.social
• Instagram: @makersmakingchange
• Facebook: makersmakechange
• LinkedIn: Neil Squire Society
• Thingiverse: makersmakingchange
• Printables: MakersMakingChange

Contact Us

For technical questions, to get involved, or to share your experience we encourage you to visit our website or contact us.