Mac’s petit inventions: Push or Pull
Mac Funamizu
on
July 25th, 2010 
Who has never pulled a push door? Or pushed a door that is supposed to be pulled to open? If it is a basic knob, it’s hard to know which way it opens.So how about changing the shape of a doorknob to add small constraints on the push/pull actions so that a user can easily notice how to open the door? (I said “small constraints” because there are times when you have to pull a push door and push a pull door, such as when the door is stopped with a door-stopper.) This would be my solution:
July 26th, 2010 at 1:14 am
I like it, although I think (I don’t really know) that the “push” device is quite uncomfortable to hold (because of the pointy shape)? It makes me think that it’s going to slide trough my hand. But good concept! I always push when I have to pull :)
July 26th, 2010 at 6:21 am
Pull is good..but affordance of push could be improved.
July 26th, 2010 at 11:26 am
Looks like a good solution to me.
This problem has long plagued stores, ATM centers and what not and caused injuries and other inconveniences.
I think the above solution is an easy way to invite or repel a hand to take action in the way it is required on the respective side of the door as the holding capability/possibility will more or less dictate the action to be taken.
July 26th, 2010 at 12:23 pm
Heheheh creative for push and pull… Cool! :)
July 26th, 2010 at 3:34 pm
Wow, From a engineer’s prospective this is quite revolutionary. Props for the idea :)
July 26th, 2010 at 5:16 pm
Keep posting stuff like this i really like it
July 26th, 2010 at 7:44 pm
why does the push to open handle look like a butt-plug?
July 26th, 2010 at 8:16 pm
that’s all fine and dandy, but perhaps the design should be modified with ADA in mind – such that its a lever with a convex or concave tendency in the handle or around the locking mechanism itself.
July 26th, 2010 at 10:30 pm
This is so simple that it’s obvious. An intuitive doorknob.
July 28th, 2010 at 1:43 pm
I don’t like this. First one doesn’t say “push” to me, while other one is as good for pushing as it is for pulling.
“Pull knob” has been succesfully solved in cars, while “push knob” is best solved by simple block large enough to place a hand.
July 30th, 2010 at 10:09 am
This was a task I was asked to solve in an architecture class at Washington University back in 1973. The best push solution seems to be simple a flat metal plate.
Although your designs are elegant, there is an element of “reinventing the wheel” here. Not a new problem, and not necessarily a better solution.
August 10th, 2010 at 1:39 pm
good.
nice.
applause.
now let’s think in detail…
how about CLOSING the door behind you? a door that you PULLED to open.
you gotta PULL that PUSH handle of yours!