Assistive Technology Set I for 3D Printing

This is the first, of hopefully a series of 3D printable items to assist people with disabilities in the use of common household items.
All items can be 3D printed on virtually any desktop 3D printer. Minimal assembly and support removal is required. Some of the items require fasteners that will be detailed in a bill of materials so they can be easily purchased.
When assistive technology meets household accessible manufacturing technology like 3D printing, ingenuity and creativity are unleashed to create open hardware assistive technology! That's what the logo on our door lock identifier means!

A 3d printer will be a common household item in the near future, enabling a host of benefits to families and individuals by allowing "at home" manufacturing of items "as needed".

If you don't have a 3d printer yet... DONT PANIC! 3d Hubs is just a few clicks away to give you inexpensive access to this incredible technology.

Autodesk offers 3d design/cad software like 123d design or Fusion 360 that make it a breeze to design your own parts.
If you feel that you don't have the creativity to design the parts and hacks you need, just keep searching right here at instructables! you will find it!

Step 1: The Key Holder / Identifier

This is a set of 2 simple items that combined offer help in different ways to individuals with different handicaps. The set will allow people with trouble handling small items, in this case a door key, to be able to hold the key more comfortably and be able to turn it better to operate the lock. It will also help people with poor vision or mental handicaps to allow for easier identifying of the right key to use on a certain door lock by color coding the items to match a key to a door lock.

Step 2: The Key Holder/Turner

Key turner holder; this item is supposed to aid in the use of a regular door key. It will add surface area for enhanced grip and torque, still allowing the key to be a key! That is: small enough to fit in your pocket and hang from a key ring or keychain.

Step 3: Bill of Materials

2 Pan Head M3x8mm

3D printed parts:
Key Turner top.stl
Key Turner bottom.stl
Keyring Hole Top.stl
Keyring Hole Bottom.stl
Opener.stl

Tools:
Hex key for M3 fasteners

Step 4: Assembly

Assembly of the key Turner is pretty straightforward; There are 2 halves of the body, named TOP and BOTTOM, that slot into each other holding the other 3 printed parts between them. There are 2 key ring hole halves that go one into each part of the body, one fits in the big hole at the end of the TOP body and the other one fits into the big hole of the BOTTOM body. The key opener has a hole that fits snug in the stud closest to the big hole of the BOTTOM body.
The actual key will fit in the other stud.
Once all parts and your key are fitted together, use the 2 M3x6mm fasteners to keep the whole assembly tight and snug.
Mind not to over tighten the fasteners or you will strip the plastic studs!

Step 5: Finished Key Holder

The key holder can be assembled using different color combinations. I chose a neutral color for the central parts and a bright IDENTIFIER color for the main body parts. But it can also be done the opposite way giving a more subtle look. Or all the parts in a solid color for extreme zero doubt color keyed kit.
The key holder has a "opener" part in the center, that when pushed in with your finger, it will itself push the tip of the key out of the body of the holder, just enough that the key can be hooked and turned all the way out with your fingertip or nail.
When using the key you will achieve the most torque by holding the body of the holder at a 90 degree angle, but the easiest and most natural grip position will be achieved by holding the body at roughly 135 degrees.

Step 6: The Door Identifier

Designed to hang on most common door handles to allow easy matching a door lock and a key by color.

Step 7: Bill of Materials

1 Pan Head M3x6mm

3D printed parts:
Body Bottom.stl
Body Top.stl
Locking Ring.stl
Logo Token Bottom.stl
Logo Token.stl

Tools:
Hex key for M3 fastener

Step 8: Assembly

The door lock identifier is made of 2 main body 3D printed parts. It is very important to note that the Top part slides into the bottom body from the lower side, both parts are designed with slanted edges to fit snuggly that way.
Make sure that you also insert the locking ring in the circular channel of the top part before sliding it into the bottom part.
Once both top and bottom are fit together holding the locking ring between them, test the locking ring by sliding it back and forth using a circular motion, it should slide snug but with ease.
The last step is to fit together the logo token top and bottom and fit it in the square hole on the lower half of the device. The M3x6mm fastener will then be screwed in the small whole in the logo token that will keep the assembly together.

Step 9: Finished Door Lock Identifier

The door lock identifier will easily hang and secure with the locking ring onto most common door handles. It will hang visibly to serve its purpose, but it is still not too big or in the way of the lock to make it an eyesore.
It can easily be removed and placed somewhere else if needed.

Step 10: Conclusion

The Key holder has a pleasant feel and size to the hand, it is also visually attractive! (my son uses one for his house key =)). It is recommended to fit on a key ring of at least one inch in diameter, bigger rings will fit more keys.

Final note: Door lock maintenance is just as important as assistive devices. A little bit of spray lubricant can do miracles on a stiff lock!

Thank you and enjoy!