Quick Disconnect Interface (Snappy Tools)

grabcad

March 2018: My son's team prototyped a quick disconnect concept for their science fair project (Quick Disconnect Prosthetic). They eliminated the need for custom metal parts and showed how a person with limited CAD skills can download a model from the internet (GrabCAD, Thingiverse, etc.), add a mounting hole, and 3D print a custom attachment. --------------------Many great ideas for attachments and quick disconnect interfaces!There were several comments referring to Texas Assistive Devices, and while I like the idea of interchangeable attachments, buying all of their accessories could get expensive and may not provide enough choices for the patient/consumer.I'm proposing more of a DIY (Do It Yourself) approach using something like a quick disconnect chuck for drills. The hex shape prevents rotation and provides some level of orientation depending on the application.Snappy Tools is one of several US companies that may be interested in working more closely with the VA. There is a version with a 3/8-24 thread that could easily be attached to the prosthesis using a threaded adapter. A custom version could include an attachment point for the cable (RED) which not only makes attaching and removing accessories easier, but can also serve as an emergency release for certain applications.Several attachment methods are shown:1) Drill a hole in the accessory and bond an existing screwdriver bit (BLUE) into it. This could work for a hairbrush, cooking utensils, etc.2) 3D print the accessory with the hex bit (YELLOW). This could work for light duty items such as a comb.3) Manufacturer produces a hex bit with a threaded end (GREEN) that could be screwed into a wooden handle of the accessory. This could be used for paint brushes and gardening tools.4) Manufacturer produces ring clamps in a variety of sizes (GREY). This could be used for cycling, especially with the custom cable attachment for unassisted release.5) Manufacturer produces flat clamps in a variety of sizes (RED). This could be used for eating utensils.