CaneDock Magnetic Bar

CaneDock Family – Universal Walking Aid & Crutch Holder

I was asked to help design a holder for walking aids for elderly people and people with limited mobility.

During the design process, I developed several different versions. I decided to release them all for free as the CaneDock Family, hoping they will be useful to others and make everyday life a little easier.

Fits cone sizes from ca. 17- 22 mm Diameter.

The CaneDock Family

There are four different base designs to choose from:

1. CaneDock Basic Clip

Fully 3D printable – no adapter or special materials required.

A simple, low-cost solution that works well for everyday use or as a holder for guests who don't have a dedicated adapter.

2. CaneDock Clip Adapter

Requires a printed adapter and an optional TPU bumper.

The adapter makes it possible to use a smaller wall-mounted holder. This version is especially useful if you want a compact installation.

3. CaneDock Magnetic Round

Requires a printed adapter, magnets and an optional TPU bumper.

The magnetic connection helps guide the walking aid into position. It allows for a slim, compact design and can also be used to attach the holder to a suitable magnetic surface.

4. CaneDock Magnetic Bar

Requires a printed adapter, magnets and an optional TPU bumper.

This version uses an elongated magnetic connection. Compared with the round version, the larger target area can make it easier to find the correct position when docking the walking aid.

The Problem

Many elderly people and people with disabilities or limited mobility have difficulty bending down to pick up their walking aids when they fall over.

A suitable holder can help keep a cane or crutch within reach while opening a door, working in the kitchen, or moving around the bathroom.

The goal of this project is to make everyday tasks a little easier and help keep walking aids securely stored when they are not in use.

Design Goals

• Universal fit: Designed to accommodate a wide range of walking aids.

• Durability: A robust design intended for everyday use.

• Tough spring mechanism: Designed to withstand repeated use without easily breaking.

• Rounded edges: Help guide the walking aid into place and reduce sharp edges.

• Easy to print: No special materials or complicated printing setups required.

• Easy installation: Designed for straightforward wall mounting.

• Clean appearance: A simple design that also looks at home in professional environments.

• Accessible design: The Basic Clip works without a dedicated adapter, making it convenient for visitors and shared spaces.

Parts Explanation

Many different Parts? No worries!

I uploaded 2 different "noses". Long and short. - IF you want to be "more far away" from the wall I recommend the long one. Also you could use the distance plates for the wall mount.

Depending on that length you choose the fitting TPU Pusher.

For the Base I uploaded 2 versions. One completely open and one with a bottom. (In case you don't want to walking aid to touch the floor)

Printing Instructions

I tested my prototypes using both PLA and PETG. Both worked well during testing, but I recommend PETG for long-term use because of its toughness and durability.

Main holder

• Material: PETG recommended; PLA may also work depending on the application

• Perimeters: 3–4

• Infill: 25%

TPU Parts: I used 90A TPU 2 Perimeter 15-20% Infill.

Required Hardware

• 1 screw for wall mounting

• Recommended screw diameter: 3.5–4.5 mm

• Strong Neodym Magnets: 20 mm x 10 mm x 4 mm (2x).

You could add a "Thicker" magnet to the Adapter if required. (Simply scale the tpu pusher accordingly or add sth. else so the magnet will stay in place).

Choose screws and wall plugs suitable for your wall material and the expected loads.

Optional Add-on: Distance Plate

Some forearm crutches have large armrests that may interfere with the wall when inserting the crutch into the holder.

For these cases, I designed a simple distance plate that moves the holder farther away from the wall.

You can scale the plate along the Z-axis to adjust its thickness to your needs.

"Work in Progress"

All four core designs have been completed and tested on a few walking aids.

I already have some ideas for further versions and improvements, but for now, I think the CaneDock Family offers a good range of solutions to get the job done! 🙂

Have an idea, need a specific size, or have a suggestion for improvement? Don't hesitate to get in touch! I'm happy to hear your feedback and see how the designs could be improved.

A quick note: While I've tested the designs on a few walking aids, I haven't been able to test them in everyday use myself. Real-world feedback would be greatly appreciated!

If you try one of the designs, I'd love to hear how it works for you.

Other Uses

Of course, you might find other uses for the CaneDock, too — perhaps even as a holder for brims or other suitable items. 🙂

If you remix the design or find an interesting new application, I'd love to hear about it!

I hope the CaneDock Family helps make everyday life a little easier for someone.

Enjoy printing!