Assistive Cup Holder

Why the Assistive Cup Holder?

On the market, there is a lack of functional cup/ water bottle holders for individuals with disabilities who require assistance on their wheelchairs. To address this issue, I reached out to Trusted Parents, a non-profit organization, to assist a family in creating a customized cup holder for their child.

This documentation will walk you through the how to design and 3D print your own assistive cup holder 

as well as the planning and challenges during this process.

This device was designed on Fusion 360, and the files for the parts are accessible to anyone who is interested in printing them.

I highly recommend checking out Makers Making Change, an organization that may benefit from this project and help people all around the world. Utilizing your digital fabrication skills and printing models like these is an excellent way to assist those in need within your community and beyond.

A successful project, such as this one, would help people with disabilities who utilize a walker, wheelchair, gait trainer, etc to be able to hold their cup of water with them.

Inspiration

This project is inspirational because it addresses a real need in the market by providing a solution for individuals with disabilities who require assistance on their wheelchairs. By reaching out to Trusted Parents and collaborating with them to create a customized cup holder, the project not only improves the quality of life for a specific family but also opens up possibilities for others facing similar challenges. The use of digital fabrication skills and the availability of 3D printing files further inspire others to contribute to the cause and make a positive impact on their communities. 

How Is This Unique

While drawing inspiration from the swivel cup holder design found on Swivel Cup - Makers Making Change, (Figure 2) this project takes a different direction by opting for a strong and durable clamp mechanism instead of relying on Velcro and a swivel arm. The focus is on simplicity and practicality, aiming to provide a secure and functional cup holder without the need for complex components. This unique approach ensures that the cup holder is easy to use, reliable, and able to withstand the demands of everyday wheelchair use. By offering an alternative solution, this project adds diversity to the existing range of assistive cup holders available and caters to the specific needs and preferences of individuals with disabilities. This project also differs as, my client Mia, requested that the cup is transportable from the holder to her body. Therefore, drawing upon my childhood memory, I wanted to recreate the Transportable Ring (Figure 3) which is mostly on children's water bottles to help them balance and hold the water botte on their neck. 

Design Specification Considerations 

1. Durability: Given the nature of the project, it was crucial to prioritize durability in the design. The cup holder needed to withstand regular use, potential impacts, and various environmental conditions. To achieve this, strong and durable materials, such as high-quality plastics were considered for the construction of the cup holder. 

2. Compactness: To ensure convenience and usability, the cup holder needed to be compact in size. It should be designed in a way that it does not obstruct movement or cause any inconvenience for Mia or other wheelchair users. The aim was to create a cup holder that takes up minimal space on the wheelchair while still providing a secure and accessible storage solution. 

3. Attending to Mia's Needs: The cup holder design needed to be specifically tailored to Mia's requirements. This involved considering factors such as Mia's range of motion, arm strength, and wheelchair dimensions. The holder should be positioned within Mia's reach, ensuring that she can easily access her cup without straining or requiring assistance from others. 

4. Customizability: Recognizing that each individual may have unique needs and preferences, the cup holder design should be customizable. This allows for adjustments and modifications to cater to Mia's specific requirements. Customizability ensures that the cup holder can be adapted to different wheelchair models, cup sizes, and positioning preferences.