Parametric Plug Puller - Assistive Plug Remover [Work In Progress]

## [WORK-IN-PROGRESS-MODEL]

This is a handheld assistive tool that helps people remove electrical plugs from wall outlets safely by shifting the area being pulled to the plug and not the cord. It's fully parametric, meaning you can input your plug measurements into a customizer and export a tool shaped to your exact plug and your hand. Two types of plug puller designs are housed within one OpenSCAD model file. The first is a single sided, flat puller for typical plugs and the second is a heavy-duty clamshell for large extension-cord sized plugs. Ready-to-print STLs are included for the three most common US plugs in the three most common hand sizes, so you can skip the customizing entirely if those already work for you.

## The Customizer Steps (measure, type, print)

The input is numbered so you just work top to bottom:

- Step 0 - Tool style: recommended to leave on "Auto from plug". Small plugs get the single sided flat tool, large plugs get the heavy-duty clamshell tool automatically.

- Step 1 - Your plug: pick a quick preset (the three US plug families above) OR type in six measurements: plug length, width near the wall, width near the cord, thickness near the wall, thickness near the cord, and cord thickness.

- Step 2 - Size: Small / Medium / Large, or "Measure my hand". Type in your finger width and hand width and the grip is built for them.

- Step 3 - Attachment: zip ties, Velcro strap, both (the default), or none.

- Step 4 - Cord hook: right or left handed (for single sided flat tool only).

Everything below Step 4 is optional for advanced tuning. All measurements are in millimeters. The model prints a red warning tag next to the part if a fix is needed.

## Try Before You Print

Two new ways to check the fit before printing if you don't own a caliper:

- 1:1 paper outline sheets — a printable page for each preset combination which shows the tool's silhouette at true scale with the help of a calibration square. Cut it out, hold it against your plug, try the finger holes.

- 1:1 measuring stencils — a set of thin printable measuring cards that can help take measurements without the need of a caliper. The plug silhouette helps you gauge the three presets. Contents include: an open-slot cord gauge which slides onto a cord for quick sizing, and 18 labeled finger-sizing holes help with making finger hole size adjustments. For anyone planning to print different variations, this is a good option since it's a reusable and handy guide.

## Files

- Ready-to-print plug puller STLs (3 plug sizes x 3 hand sizes)

- Measuring stencil STLs

- OpenSCAD source

- Printable PDFs: Starter Guide (with a 1:1 paper stencil sheet)

## Print Settings

- Orientation: flat face down, plug pocket up

- Walls: 3-4 since the zip-tie holes and Velcro slots cut close to the pocket, so thin walls make those regions fragile.

- Infill: 25-35% cubic or gyroid

- Material: PETG recommended. Avoid flexible filament since the tool must stay rigid for the hook to grip the cord.

- Heavy-duty clamshell: the file is a single plate so you must print it TWICE. To assemble, flip one copy over, and zip-tie the pair face to face around the plug.

- Measuring stencil: 0.2 mm layers, any rigid filament, no supports.

## Safety Note

The tool grips only the plug body's sides and back face. Nothing is inserted between the plug and the outlet.

## This Is an Open Project

- License: PolyForm Noncommercial 1.0.0 — free for personal, educational, and non-commercial use; contact the maintainer for commercial use.

- Full source, guides, and issue tracker: https://github.com/BrennenJohnston/openscad-plug-puller

The whole project is open source and testing are all US (NEMA) plugs. The customization path may well work for other regions' plug standards, but I haven't tested it, and there's lots of room for someone to adapt the geometry to European, UK, or other plug families, or to grip aids for entirely different household objects. A recent use case brought to my attention was for laptop cable. Happy making everyone!

## More Info & Credits

- Hand model featured in photos make by Michael Wycoff: https://www.printables.com/model/677986-poseable-articulated-hand-model

- Device designed by Brennen Johnston.

- Full documentation — starter guide, measuring guide with worksheet, browser customizer walkthrough, fit troubleshooting, and the engineering reference can be found in the source repository: https://github.com/BrennenJohnston/openscad-plug-puller

- Hand sizing grounded in ANSUR II (2012) hand anthropometry.

- Project made possible with the support from the Washington Assistive Technology Act Program (WATAP) - a statewide program that helps Washingtonians of all ages and abilities make informed decisions about, and gain access to, assistive technology. Learn more: https://watap.org/

- Project also made possible with the support from the University of Washington Center for Research and Education on Accessible Technology and Experiences (UW CREATE) - an interdisciplinary research center whose mission is to make technology accessible and to make the world accessible through technology. Learn more: https://create.uw.edu/

Note: If you build one, please post a comment or make. Thank You!