SlideGuard: Keeping Kids from Cabinets (parametric)

SlideGuard is a simple helper to add an extra layer of protection to your french door cabinet doors (double swing style) from wandering hands. While no device can substitute for careful supervision, SlideGuard offers a simple deterrent to keep curious little ones away from cabinet contents they shouldn’t access.

Design Philosophy: The design is minimalist, ensuring it doesn’t clash with your home’s decor while serving its vital purpose.  The size and length and depth are adjustable in a Fusion360 file to fit the cabinets and gaps in your house.  Customizing is easy by adjusting the measurements here:

Where:

• Depth is the  width between the inside walls of the ‘U’ shape.
• Height is “inside” height from the inside wall of the top to the ends of the guard.
• Wall thickness/top thickness describe the thickness of the walls and top section, which are the same by default, but you can change the top to be thicker if you desire to fit whatever gap you have and strengthen the part.
• Length is simply how long the whole object is in the left/right dimensions.

You can also tweak the slider tab profile in the sketch for this design by adjusting the spline points and/or the guide lines for the profile shown here:

Functionality: The SlideGuard operates on a straightforward principle: it’s easy enough for adults to maneuver yet challenging for small children to reliably operate. By requiring a deliberate sliding action to unlock, it naturally discourages young children, whose fine motor skills are still developing and who may also be unable to reach it at the top.   This is designed to deter casual fiddling by toddlers, not skilled 8 year olds, etc.

Installation: Ease of installation is key. SlideGuard is designed for a hassle-free setup on double door cabinets.  It's not designed for single door cabinets or drawers. No tools or permanent changes are necessary, making it perfect for renters or those who prefer non-permanent safety solutions.

Printing Notes

Prints great in PLA at 0.2 mm layer height  I recommend printing the walls 100% solid (~6 walls) and printing at least 5 top/bottom layers for strength of the top potion.  Print the large flat surface on the plate, and I recommend mouse-ear brims or a regular brim to discourage any warping.

Filament choice:  Most filaments (PLA/PETG/etc) should be fine here with the default 4 mm solid walls.  I would discourage carbon fiber fills because of their roughness and tendency to put scratchy invisible micro-splinters in your fingers.

Provided as 3MF/STEP/Fusion files.