US3572162A - Plumbing handle knob combination - Google Patents

Abstract

A VALVE CONTROL KNOB IS PROVIDED WITH AN ADAPTER WHICH HAS AN INNER SLEEVE PORTION THAT MESHES WITH A SPLINED VALVE STEM. THE INNER SLEEVE PORTION HAS AN ENLARGED PERIPHERAL WALL SECTION CONNECTED THERE TO AND SPACED RADIALLY OUTWARD THEREFROM WHICH MATES WITH THE NECK OF THE CONTROL KNOB. A SPRING IS CONNECTED TO AND EXTENDS THROUGH THE PERIPHERAL WALL PORTION TO ENGAGE THE KNOB SLEEVE TO RETAIN SAME ON THE ADAPTER. AN APERTURE IS PROVIDED IN THE KNOB SLEEVE FOR ACCESS TO THE SPRING FOR REMOVAL OF THE KNOB FROM THE ADAPTER.

Description

March 23, 1971 w GRESHAM ETAL 3,572,162

PLUMBING HANDLE KNOB COMBINATION 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 1, 1969 FIG.

INVENTORS WILLIAM E GRESHAM BY GEORGE R. STUCKA SOKOLSK/ 8 WOHLGEMUTH INVENTORS 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 WILLIAM 1-. GRESHAM Y W. F. GRESHAM ETAL PLUMBING HANDLE KNOB COMBINATION FIG. 4

March 23, 1971 Filed April 1, 1969 GEORGE R STUCKA SOKOLSKI 8 WOHLGEMUTH March 23, 1971 w GRESHAM ETAL 3,572,162

PLUMBING HANDLE KNOB COMBINATION Filed April 1, 1969 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORS WILLIAM E GRESHAM GEORGE R. STUCKA SOKOLSKI 8 WOHLGEMU TH March 23,1971 w. F. GRESHAM IEI'AL 3,572,162

' PLUMBING HANDLE KNOB COMBINATION 4 Sheets-Sheet 4.

Filed April 1, 1969 FIG. II

S R 0 T A l m V W. 9 M m m m 11 a AAA/7 n/\\\ RIIW r 11H m w U II L H U 2 9 w w 9 5 9 3 w mm M FIG. IO

SOKOLSKI 8 WOHLGEMUTH United States Patent 3,572,162 lfLUMBING HANDLE KNOB COMBINATION W1lham F. Gresham, San Clemente, and George R. Stucka, Arcadia, Calif., assignors to VSI Corporation Filed Apr. 1, 1969, Ser. No. 812,972

Int. Cl. Gg 1/10 US. Cl. 74-553 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The basic design of knob handles for bathroom fixtures, including sinks, shower stalls and the like, has changed very little over the years. The exposed valve stem portion of the conventional plumbing fixtures are splined. The spacing andsize of the splines however often differ from manufacturer to manufacturer. Within the splined portion there is provided a threaded aperture in most plumbing fixtures. Thus, the knob handles are provided with a corresponding spline portion which mates with the valve stem and slides over it. A screw serves to fasten the knob handle to the valve stem by engaging the threaded aperture within the stem portion. As is well known, the screw passes through the top of the knob handle. With more decorative bathroom fixtures, it has become undesirable to have the head of the screw exposed as has normally been done in the past. Particularly for appearance and ease of cleaning, as well as for decorative purposes attempts have been made to completely disguise the presence of the attachment screw. In one instance this has been accomplished by seating the screw below the surface of the top the knob handle and putting a button or cap over the screw, which must be removed in order to reach the screw to ultimately remove the knob handle.

Other attempts to disguise a screw for attaching the knob handle have involved utilizing set screws which do not pass through the top of the handle in the normal manner but rather engage a portion of the valve stem by passing through the neck of the knob handle. Of course, a set screw is often difficult to remove particularly when it is small and in the neck portion of the knob handle. Thus, to date, there has been an attempt to provide a smooth surface knob handle for plumbing fixtures, yet in all instances a screw of one type or another was required to secure the knob directly to the valve stem. To date there has not been a convenient knob handle for plumbing fixtures which serves decorative purposes and does not require a screw passing through the knob securing it to the valve stem.

Thus, an object of this invention is to provide a knob handle combination that does not require a screw passing through the knob handle in order to fasten or secure it to a valve stem or plumbing fixture.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel knob handle combination which permits a ready disengagement of the knob handle from the valve stem of a plumbing fixture.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a new knob handle combination for plumbing fixtures wherein the same knob handle portion can be used in combination with plumbing valve stems of various manufacturers,

The above and other objects of this invention are ac complished by novel combination of an adapter which is secured to a previously existing valve stem of a plumbing fixture and a knob handle covering and engaged with the adapter. The adapter is provided with an inner sleeve portion that engages with or meshes with the splined valve stem of a conventional plumbing fixture. Thus, rotation of the adapter will effect movement of the valve. Surrounding this inner sleeve portion of the adapter that engages the valve stem is an enlarged peripheral wall portion that serves to mate with and engage the neck of the knob handle of the combination. A spring means is connected to and extends through the peripheral wall portion of the adapter and serves to cooperate with the knob handle to prevent it from being removed from the adapter, Means is provided in the knob handle for access to the spring so that it may be depressed allowing removal of the knob handle from the adapter and eventual access to the valve assembly.

Further, in some embodiments of the invention, the peripheral wall portion of the adapter and the cooperating neck portion of the knob handle may be further provided with means for interlocking the two members. Such means, for example, include corresponding ridges, notches, dimples and the like, which particularly serve to prevent rotational movement of the handle relative to the adapter member. Thus, as can be appreciated, a completely smooth knob handle is provided, not requiring any screw attachment to the valve stem portion of a plumbing fixture. An aperture providing access to the aforementioned spring member can be disposed so as to not be readily apparent to the eye, since it is preferably located on or adjacent to the neck portion of the knob handle. It is believed that the invention will be further understood from the following detailed description and drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a partially sectioned view of a first embodiment of a knob handle combination of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along lines 2--2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a pictorial representation of the adapter shown in the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a partially sectioned view of another embodiment of a knob handle combination of this invention;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along lines 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a partially sectioned view of a further embodiment of a knob handle combination of this invention;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along lines 7-7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a partially sectioned view of still another embodiment of a knob handle combination of this invention;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along lines 9-9 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a partially sectioned view of a final embodiment of a knob handle combination of this invention; and

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along lines 11-11 of FIG. 10.

Turning now to FIGS. 1 through 3, there is seen a first embodiment of the invention. A splined valve stem 11 is shown extending from a valve assembly 13. As previously indicated the splined valve stem 11 will often vary in configuration from manufacturer to manufacturer. Variations include the diameter of the stem, the number of splines on its circumference as well as the size and spacing of such splines. Valve stems may be of any configuration suitable to provide torque to the valve seat. Afiixed to the valve stem is an adapter 15 of this invention. Adapter can be stamped, for example, out of a single piece of metal, which is non-corrodable, such as bronze, stainless steel and the like. The adapter 15 is formed with a portion 17 that engages with and surrounds the valve stem 11. Thus the portion 17 is provided with a plurality of indentations 19 corresponding with the shape or splines of the valve stem. As can be appreciated, the indentations 19 will vary, depending upon the spacing, size and like of the shape or splines formed on the stem 11. As a result, in the combination of this invention the portion 17 engaging the valve stem need only be changed from manufacturer to manufacturer of valve stems, yet the more expensive knob handle, as will be shown, can be utilized with the valve stems of any source providing a substantial advantage to the device disclosed herein.

In a preferred embodiment of this invention, the adapter 15 is provided with an aperture 20 at the center portion thereof, to correspond with a threaded opening in the valve stem 11 not shown, so that a screw 21 can secure the adapter 15 to the valve stem. The screw 21 in most normal installations additionally passes through the knob handle of the plumbing fixture and is normally ex posed at the top of the handle. It can be seen in the herein device the screw 21 serves only to affix the adapter 15 to the valve stem, to prevent it from being lifted ofi.

The adapter 15 is provided with an outer peripheral wall portion 23 which is separated from the valve stem area by an integral downward sloping surface 25. A plurality of ribs 27 are preferably embossed on surface 25 and serve to give structural strength to this area of the adapter, thus helping to maintain axial alignment of portion 17 and 23. The ribs 27 are preferably desirable where a thinner gauge material is used to form the adapter. Further, the walls 23 of the adapter are formed with four equidistantly spaced wide rib 27 which serve to mate the adapter with the knob handle 29. The knob handle 29 likewise is provided with a matching series of ribs 31 which overlap and enclose the ribs 27 provided in the adapter wall.

Mounted within the adapter 15 is a C-shaped metal spring 33 having radial protrusions 35 and 37 at each end thereof. Radial protrusion 37, as shown, seats within a corresponding opening 39 provided in the adapter, while the longer protrusion 35 passes through an aperture 41 provided opposite the opening 39.

The aforementioned rib portions 27 on the adapter and corresponding ones 31 of the neck portion 42 of the knob handle serve two functions: The first function is to guide the knob handle onto the adapter and align it properly. The neck portion 42 of the knob handle is provided with an aperture 43 to allow, as seen in FIG. 2, the tab or protrusion 35 to extend therethrough and lock the knob handle in place relative to the adapter. Thus, when the knob handle is placed on the adapter, the aperture 43 must be aligned with the protrusion 35. The ribs obviously serve to help accomplish this. A screwdriver or other implement can be used to depress the protrusion 35 to allow the neck portion of the knob handle to slide thereover.

In depressing the spring it is preferred that means be provided to prevent it from becoming dislodged. As a result, two tabular portions 45 are stamped downwardly from the surface 25 and serve to block the inward radial movement of the spring as seen in FIG. 1. The tab portions 45 allow the protrusion 35 to be fully depressed within aperture 41 without becoming dislodged from the adapter.

As can be seen, when the aperture 43 in the knob handle neck portion corresponds with the protrusion 35 it will allow the spring 33 to force the protrusion therethrough, locking the knob handle in place. Thus, the main function of the spring as seen in this embodiment is to prevent the knob handle from being lifted off of the adapter. To remove it, one merely depresses the protrusion 35 with an implement back through aperture 43 and simultaneously pulls the knob, drawing it past the spring. The rib provided in the knob handle adapter serves to absorb the torque forces involved in turning the knob relative to the adapter. However, it can be readily seen that the protrusion 35, if made of a sufficient thickness of metal and proper width, can effectively absorb such energy and thus the ribs would not be required. Thus, in this instance, the spring not only serves to prevent the knob handle from being easily removed from the adapter, but also serves to lock the two together rotationally so that turning of the knob handle will cause the adapter to move likewise.

Further, as seen in FIG. 1, a slight dimple 46 is provided at the top of the neck portion 42 of the knob handle. Though only one is seen in FIG. 1, preferably at least three are provided. The dimples 46 rest on the surface 23 and serve to prevent the knob handle 29 from being depressed so as to place an undue load on the protrusion 35 of the spring. In other words, once the knob handle 29 is placed over the adapter 15 covering the protrusion 35, there might be a tendency to push down too hard or rapidly in attempting to seat the protrusion. Such could cause the spring to bend and be loosened from its fixed position. The dimples 46 obviously prevent this from occurring, and also prevents the knob handle from being pushed down and past locking spring protrusion which could void means of disassembly.

Turning now to FIGS. 4 and 5 there is seen another embodiment of this invention which closely resembles that shown in FIGS. 1-3. By way of illustration, the valve stem 49 in this embodiment is shown to be more elongated and of lesser diameter than the one used in the previous example. The adapter 51 is provided with a fiat surface 53 normal to and interconnecting both the sleeve portion 55 surrounding the valve stem and the outer peripheral wall 57. No ribs are embossed in this particular embodiment on surface 53, but rather the torque energy is allowed to be absorbed therein. A generally C-shaped retainer spring 59 is utilized. One end of the spring is notched at 61 and seats around a downwardly extending tab 63, which has been formed from surface 53. The other end of the spring element 59 has a protrusion 65 thereon which passes through apertures provided both in the peripheral wall 57 and the neck portion 67 of the knob handle 69 in the same manner as disclosed in the previous embodiment. A second downward extending tab portion 70 serves to prevent the protrusion end of the spring 65 from being pushed too far inwardly during removal or placement of the knob handle.

As seen in this particular embodiment, a plurality of vertical ribs 71 are formed on the outer surface of the wall portion 57 of the adapter. The ribs 71 seat in corresponding indentations 73 provided within the neck portion 67 of the knob handle, and serve to interlock the two elements in the same manner as described in the previous embodiment. Additionally, as seen in FIG. 4, a slight dimple 75 is provided at the top of neck portion 67 to serve the same function as described with regard to the previous embodiment of the invention.

In the two previous embodiments of the invention, the spring was stamped from a fiat sheet of spring steel or metal and had a protrusion intricately formed thereon that locked the knob handle to the adapter. In the embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 7, the spring is formed of a wire 76 and is secured to a pin or bar 77 of plastic or other suitable material that serves to interlock the adapter and knob handle as will be further explained. In this particular embodiment, the adapter 79 is provided with a splined mating sleeve 81 in the same manner as described in the previous embodiments. Additionally, the adapter 79 has an outer peripheral wall 83 that mates with the neck portion 85 of a knob handle 87. However, unlike the previous embodiments, the ada ter 79 additionally is formed with a circumferential wall 88 intermediate the splined sleeve 81 and outer peripheral wall 83. Intermediate wall portion 88 is connected at its base to the base of the splined sleeve by a flat surface 89, having a plurality of ribs 91 embossed therein which serve the same purpose as the ribs shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3.

The spring 76 is shown to be circular and encompass about 225. It is provided at one end with a formed protrusion 92 which seats in an aperture 93 provided in intermediate wall portion 88 of the adapter. The opposite end of the spring 76 is formed to pass normally through pin or bar 77. Pin or bar 77 alternatively passes through apertures provided in intermediate wall 88, outer peripheral wall 83 and finally the neck portion 85 of the knob handle. The length of pin or bar 77 is such that when depressed for assembly or disassembly of the knob handle, the sleeve 81 will act as a stop to prevent same from being dislodged from mating aperture in adapter wall 83. To further interlock the knob handle for purpose of torque to the adapter 79 and also prevent the knob handle from being pushed too far down onto the adapter there is provided a series of pierced and formed slots 95 in the outer peripheral wall 83 of the adapter, with four shown by way of example as seen in FIG. 7. The top of the neck portion 85 of the knob handle is provided with shear formed indents 97 which seats in the slot 95.

The embodiment seen in FIGS. 8 and 9, unlike those previously described, does not have the spring protrusion or pin visible on the exterior of the knob handle. In the previous embodiments as can be seen, the spring element protrusion or pin extended through an aperture in the neck portion of the knob handle, thus serving to engage the knob. As was initially explained, if the protrusion or pin was of sufiicient size and strength, it could serve to absorb the torque forces involved in turning the valve stem. In the embodiment, however, of FIGS. 8 and 9, the pin 99 affixed to a spring 101 does not pass through a knob handle 103. As can be readily seen, the spring and pin relationship is quite similar to that shown in the previously described embodiments. However, the spring 101 is formed of a spring steel band passed between the splined sleeve portion 105 of the adapter 107 and an intermediately formed wall portion 109. The pin 99, which is preferably of a non-ferrous material, is gripped by two tabs 111 punched from the spring steel band 101, as particularly seen in FIG. 9.

Around the base of the neck portion 113 of the knob handle there is pierced one or more slots 115 with four shown by way of example. Correspondingly the adapter 107 has provided about the base of its outer peripheral wall 117 corresponding shear formed lugs 119 that extend through the pierced slots 115 when co-aligned. This serves as but another arrangement for further interlocking the adapter to the knob handle to alleviate torque forces as Well as preventing the knob handle from being pushed down too far upon the adapter. The knob handle 103 is designed so as to form a lip or ridge 121 underlying the position of pin 99 as seen in FIG. 8. Access to pin 99 is then gained through an aperture 123 provided in the lip 121. One would thus insert an implement through the aperture 123 depressing pin 99 while simultaneously lifting the knob handle in a manner quite similar to that previously disclosed for removing the knob handles of the other embodiments.

It can be seen that in the particular configuration shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the pin 99 in no way interlocks with the knob handle. In this embodiment the pin serves to prevent the knob handle 103 from being lifted oil of the adapter 107. In the other embodiments previously disclosed, the pins or spring protrusions likewise serve primarily the same function but could additionally serve to lock in rotational position the knob handle to the adapter. Once again, this particular embodiment is provided with embossed ribs 125 to strengthen the adapter in the area between the intermediate wall portion 109 and the splined sleeve 105.

There currently exist knob handle fixtures wherein nonmetallic inserts or bushings made of materials such as nylon contact and surround the valve stem. The main reason for this is to prevent corrosion or electrolysis between the knob handle and the valve stem. Further, the nylon bushing or insert utilized in these instances serves to insulate the knob handle so that it would not become overly hot by conducting heat directly from the valve stem. The embodiment of the herein invention disclosed in FIGS. 10 and 11 incorporates such a non-metallic bushing or insert 127. Additionally this embodiment of the herein invention has a further advantage in that the retaining spring is not exposed on the knob handle, as will be seen. The insert 127 which can be of nylon or the like, is serrated so as to fit over the splined valve stem 129 and secured thereto by screw 131. A plurality of slots 133 are formed about the periphery of the bushing 127, with eight shown by way of example only. Adapter 135 has a neck portion 137 that surrounds the plastic insert 127 tightly gripping it at its terminus points 139. Additionally, the neck portion 137 of the adapter has a series of shear formed indents 141 formed therein. The indents correspond in number to the slots 133 of the plastic insert, and seat therein so as to further secure particularly in a rotational movement the adapter 135 to the insert. Thus, it can be appreciated that the inner diameter of the neck portion 137 of the adapter 135 is initially formed of a slightly smaller diameter than the plastic insert so that it will tightly grip it when the adapter is placed thereover.

An outer peripheral wall portion 143 has a plurality of slots 145 pierced therein. As seen in FIG. 10, three are shown by way of example although one or more are sufficient. In the embodiment shown herein, an additional element is present between knob handle 147 and the adapter 135. The elemet utilized is a sleeve 149 which may be permanently secured within the knob handle. A plurality of shear formed lugs 153 are formed in the sleeve 149. Four are shown by way of example. Three of the four lugs 153 seat within the pierce slots 145 of the adapter as particularly seen in FIG. 11. The remaining lug seats agalnst an indented portion 155 of the adapter. A retaining spring 157 used in the herein embodiment 1s formed of a steel band and seats at one end in a slot 159 formed in the plastic insert 127. A protrusion 161 formed on the spring 157 protrudes through a slot 163 pierced in the adapter above indented portion 155 and engages a corresponding slot area 165 formed in the sleeve 149, thus locking the sleeve to the adapter. An access hole 167 is provided in the knob handle whereby an implement can be inserted to depress the spring 157 so that the knob handle together with its sleeve 149 can be removed from the adapter. It is noted that the topmost end 169 of the indented portion 155 of the adapter extends above and behind the protruding portion 161 of the spring and serves to prevent the spring from being depressed too far inwardly within the adapter so that it could become displaced, in a manner similar to that shown in the other embodiments.

Thus, as can be appreciated, the embodiment of FIGS. 10 and 11 in a manner similar to that shown in the previous embodiment, likewise does not expose the retaining spring 157 to the eye when the knob handle is used. The opening 167 as shown can be located in a position of the knob handle so that it is virtually invisible. In this embodlment as in most of the previous ones, the retaining spring 157 serves a primary function of preventing the knob handle 147 from being lifted off of the valve stem adapter 131 while the rotational or torque forces are absorbed by other means of interlocking the knob handle to the adapter with the particular instance concerning a plurality of indentations.

The aforegoing description concerns but a few possible embodiments of the concept of the herein invention. It should now be apparent that the invention serves to provide a smooth knob handle for plumbing fixtures having merely a small aperture therein so as to engage a retainer. In all the embodiments an adapter member is thus provided between the valve stem and the knob handle. The adapter serves a primary function of supporting the retainer that interlocks the knob handle to the adapter preventing it from being lifted therefrom. In most embodiments, the knob handle is slideably snap-fitted to the adapter by means of slots, indentations, protrusions and the like, correspondingly formed between the adapter and the neck portion of the knob handle. However, it is again to be repeated that the spring can serve to even interlock the knob handle and adapter as to rotational forces if constructed of material of sufficient strength and being of sutficient size to absorb such force. All of the example disclose the adapter being secured to the splined valve stem by means of the conventional screw that normally is available and supplied with the plumbing fixtures. However, it should be readily apparent that other means, if desired, can be utilized to fasten the adapter to the valve stem. Such other means could include pins, set screws and snap rings and the like.

Further, the shape of the neck portion of the knob handle is of no moment as long as it mates with the outer peripheral wall of the adapter. Thus the cross-sectional shape of the neck portion could be square, hexagonal, multi-faceted and the like.

I claim:

1. A knob handle combination for attachment to a valve stem of a plumbing fixture comprising:

a knob handle,

an adapter for disposition within said knob handle, said adapter being provided with a sleeve portion surrounding and engaging said valve stem, said adapter further having an outer peripheral wall portion spatially disposed from and connected to said sleeve portion,

and spring means for securing said knob handle relative to said adapter.

2. The knob handle combination of claim 1 wherein: said knob handle includes a downward extending neck portion, with said outer peripheral wall portion of said adapter in sliding engagement with said neck portion.

3. The knob handle combination of claim 2 wherein: said adapter and said knob are provided with co-alignable apertures.

4. The knob handle combination of claim 3 wherein: a portion of said spring means extends through said apertures when they are co-aligned.

5. The knob handle combination of claim 4 wherein: said spring means comprises a spring mounted within said adapter and a separate protruding member afi lxed to said spring for extending through said apertures.

6. The knob handle combination of claim 4 wherein: said spring means comprises a fiat C-shaped spring having radial protrusions at each end thereof, with one protrusion seated in said peripheral wall of said adapter while the other protrusion extends through said apertures.

7. The knob handle combination of claim 6 further comprising:

at least one vertical elongated rib formed in said outer peripheral wall portion of said adapter,

and corresponding ribs formed in said neck portion of said knob handle engaging those formed in said adapter.

8. The knob handle combination of claim 4 wherein:

said outer peripheral wall portion of said adapter extends downwardly from said sleeve portion thereof and is connected thereto by an integrally formed surface,

at least one downwardly extending tab portion is formed in said surface,

said spring means comprises a generally fiat C-shaped spring having one end in engagement with said tab portion, while the other end has a protrusion formed thereon extending through said aperture in said wall portion.

9. The knob handle combination of claim 2 wherein: said neck portion of said knob handle and said wall portion of said adapter are provided with co-alignable means for rotationally interlocking said knob handle and said adapter.

10. The knob handle combination of claim 1 wherein:

said spring means extends from said adapter over an inner portion of said knob handle when said handle is seated on said knob handle, and

said knob handle is provided with an aperture for access to within said knob handle, whereby said spring means can be depressed to release said knob handle from said adapter.

11. An adapter element suitable for securing a knob handle to a splined valve stem of a plumbing fixture cornprising:

an inner sleeve portion formed to surround and engage said splined valve stem of said plumbing fixture, an outer peripheral wall portion spatially disposed from and connected to said sleeve portion, and

a depressable spring means extending through said outer peripheral wall. 12. The adapter of claim 11 wherein said spring member comprises: a spring mounted in said adapter and a separate protruding member affixed to said spring for extending through said outer peripheral wall portion.

13. The adapter of claim 11 wherein: said sleeve portion for engaging said valve stem includes a separate nonmetallic insert afiixed to said adapter.

14. A knob handle combination for attachment to a valve stem of a plumbing fixture comprising:

a knob handle, an adapter for disposition within said knob handle, said adapter having a separate non-metallic sleeve portion insert fixedly secured thereto, said insert surrounding and engaging the valve stem, said adapter having an outer peripheral wall portion spatially disposed from and connected to said sleeve portion, and

spring means for securing said knob handle relative to said adapter.

15. A knob handle combination for attachment to a valve stem of a plumbing fixture comprising:

a knob handle,

an adapter for disposition within said knob handle,

said adapter being provided with a sleeve portion surrounding and engaging said valve stem, said adapter further having an outer peripheral wall portion spatially disposed from and connected to said sleeve portion,

a spring means for securing said knob handle relative to said adapter,

said knob handle including a downward extending neck portion having an aperture therein, with said outer peripheral wall portion of said adapter in sliding engagement with said neck portion, wherein at least a portion of said spring means is alignable with said aperture.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,000,660 9/1961 Lewis, Jr 292353 3,250,148 5/1966 Soles 74-548 3,337,254 8/1967 Russell et al. 292 352 3,396,604 8/1968 Samuels et al 74548 FRED C. MATIERN, JR., Primary Examiner F. D. SHOEMAKER, Assistant Examiner

Images