GB2264769A

GB2264769A - A control handle for a tap

Info

Publication number: GB2264769A
Application number: GB9205016A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James Winstanley
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1992-03-07
Filing date: 1992-03-07
Publication date: 1993-09-08
Also published as: GB9205016D0

Abstract

A control handle (10) for a tap (13) comprises a cap (14) received on a body part (11). The body part (11) is connected to the stem (12) of the tap. Co-operating formations (15, 16) are provided on the cap (14) and body part (11). The cooperating formations (15, 16) are biased apart by a spring when the tap (13) is not in use. If the cap (14) is rotated anticlockwise and depressed the formations (15, 16) will engage and subsequent clockwise rotation of the cap (14) will turn on the tap (13). Simple depression of the cap (14) will not allow activation of the tap (13). <IMAGE>

Description

A CONTROL HANDLE FOR A TAP The present invention relates to a control handle for a tap.

For the purposes of the present invention the term "tap" is used to cover taps, valves, cocks and faucets or like devices for controlling the flow of liquids and gases.

Children playing in the bath may inadvertently turn on a "hot" tap resulting in hot water flowing into the bath and possibly directly onto the child.

In either case this may result in the scalding of the child by the hot water. Problems associated with the inadvertent actuation of taps are not confined to hot taps in bath tubs. The present invention seeks to address such problems.

According to the present invention there is provided a control handle for a tap, the control handle comprising a cover received on a body part, the body part comprising means for connecting the body part to a valve activation member of the tap, the cover and body part comprising interengagement means for releasably connecting the cover to the body part, the cover being movable from a first position in which the interengagement means of the body and cover are engaged and movement of the cover will move the body part, to a second position in which the interengagement means are not engaged and movement of the cover will not move the body part, wherein the interengagement means are arranged in the second position when the tap is not in use.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the cover is biased towards the second position by biassing means such as a spring.

The use of the control handles of the present invention on an otherwise conventional tap would prevent that tap from being inadvertently activated.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention the interengagement means comprise a projection releasably engageable with a recess. The projection may be an elongate ridge which is releasably received, preferably with a snug fit, in a groove.

Capture means may be provided to capture the cover on the body part.

In order that the present invention may be more readily understood a specific embodiment thereof will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a part sectional illustration of one control head of the invention mounted on a water tap; Fig. 2 shows diagramatically in plan view the interengagement means of the control head of Fig. 1 in a disengaged state; and Fig. 3 is a side elevation showing the interengagement means of Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 in an engaged state.

Referring to the drawings a control handle 10 comprises a body part 11 operative to be securely fixed to the stem 12 of a tap 13. Rotation of the stem 12 operates the valve (not shown) which in turn controls the flow of water through the tap 13. The control handle 10 further comprises a cap 14 which is slidably received over the top and sides of the body part 11. A groove 15 is provided in the body part 11 towards the base thereof. Projections 16 are located on the inside of the cap 14 and are received in the groove 15 when the cap 14 is in position. The cap 14 is made from plastics material, the sides of the cap 14 being sufficiently flexible to allow the sides to expand as the cap 14 is slidably received over the body part 11 until the projections 16 are captured in the groove.

Once this has occured it is difficult to remove the cap 14 from the body part 11.

An elongate projection 17 is provided on the underside of the top of the cover 14. A recess 18 is provided in the top of the body part. The size of the recess 18 is such that it will slidably receive the projection 17 therein with a snug fit. The cap 14 is biassed apart from the body part 11 by means of a spring 19.

When the tap 13 is turned off the relative orientation of the body part 11 and cover 14 is such that the ridge 17 and recess 18 are not aligned and accidental solely downwards movement of the cap 14 cannot result in operation of the tap valve. In order to move the body part 11 and consequently the stem 12 and associated tap valve, the cover 17 must be rotated anti-clockwise whilst attempting to depress the cap 14 until the projection 17 is received in the recess 18.

Once this has taken place the clockwise movement of the cap 14 and integral projection 17 engaged with the recess 18 will turn the body part clockwise and thus operate the top valve.

Anti clockwise movement of the cap 14 while the projection 17 is engaged in the recess 18 will turn off the tap.

It is to be understood that this embodiment has been described by way of illustration only. Many modifications and variations are possible.

Claims

1. A control handle for a tap, the control handle comprising a cover received on a body part, the body part comprising means for connecting the body part to a valve activation member of the tap, the cover and body part comprising interengagement means for releasably connecting the cover to the body part, the cover being movable from a first position in which the interengagement means of the body and cover are engaged and movement of the cover will move the body part, to a second position in which the interengagement means are not engaged and movement of the cover will not move the body part, wherein the interengagement means are arranged in the second position when the tap is not in use.

2. A control handle for a tap, wherein the cover is biased towards the second position by a spring.

3. A control handle for a tap as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein relative rotation of the body part and cover must take place in order to move the interengagement means from the second to the first position.

4. A control handle for a tap as claimed in claim 3, wherein the valve activation member of the tap must be rotated in order to turn on the tap, and wherein said rotation of the activation member is in the opposite direction to the direction of rotation of the cover which must take place to move the cover from the second position to the first position.

5. A control handle for a tap as claimed in claim 1, claim 2 or claim 3, wherein axial relative movement of the body part and cover part must take place in order to move the interengagement means from the second to the first position.

6. A control handle for a tap as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the interengagement means comprises a projection releasably engageable with a recess.

7. A control handle for a tap as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein capture means is provided in order to capture the cover on the body part.

8. A control handle for a tap substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.