WO2016046333A1

WO2016046333A1 - Handle assembly with liquid dispensing system

Info

Publication number: WO2016046333A1
Application number: PCT/EP2015/072016
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alan SEARSON; Patrick Joseph SPRUHAN; Patricia O'KEEFE; Edward Brennan; Philip DOYLE
Original assignee: Sanigrip Limited
Priority date: 2014-09-24
Filing date: 2015-09-24
Publication date: 2016-03-31
Also published as: GB2530514A; GB201416834D0

Abstract

A handle assembly comprising a handle and a liquid delivery system. The handle comprises a grip component and a core component, the grip component comprising a sleeve-like body in which the core component is located, the body being rotatable with respect to the core component about a common axis. A plurality of ball bearings are arranged in an array and extend through body. The handle is configured so that liquid received from the liquid delivery system is delivered between the core component and the body.

Description

Handle Assembly with Liquid Dispensing System

Field of the Invention The present invention relates to handle assemblies with liquid dispensers. The invention relates particularly but not exclusively to door handle assemblies with a dispenser for liquid sanitiser.

Background to the Invention It is known to incorporate hand sanitsers into door handles to prevent or reduce transmission of pathogens and the like. It would be desirable to provide an improved handle assembly that is suitable for this purpose.

Summary of the Invention

A first aspect of the invention provides a handle assembly comprising a handle and a liquid delivery system for delivering liquid to said handle, the handle comprising a grip component and a core component, the grip component comprising a sleeve-like body in which the core component is located, the body being rotatable with respect to the core component about a common axis, wherein a plurality of bearings extend through said body and are rotatable with respect to said body, and wherein said handle is configured so that liquid received from said liquid delivery system is delivered between said core component and said body.

Said bearings preferably comprise ball bearings. Said bearings and an external surface of said body together preferably provide a gripping surface of said grip component.

In preferred embodiments, said bearings extend across substantially all of an external surface of said body. The bearings may be arranged in an array comprising a plurality of spaced apart rows of bearings.

Typically, a respective through-hole is formed in the body for each bearing, each bearing being rotatably mounted in the respective through hole.

In preferred embodiments, the bearings engage with an outer surface of the core such that they are rotated by relative rotation between the body and the core component.

Said handle may include include a liquid inlet for receiving liquid from said liquid delivery system, said liquid inlet being in liquid communication with an outer surface of said core component to allow liquid received at said liquid inlet to be delivered to between said core component and said body. Said core component may include one or more channels for directing liquid received at said liquid inlet to an outer surface of said core component. The, or each, channel may open onto the outer surface of the core along substantially all of the length of the channel. The length of the open channel may extend along at least half the length of the core. The handle assembly may comprise a plurality of said channels spaced apart around the rotational axis of the body.

Said liquid inlet may be provided in said core component. Said liquid inlet may be provided between said core component and said body.

Said core component may comprise a liquid absorbent outer layer.

Typically, said liquid delivery system includes a pump operable to pump liquid from a liquid source to said handle via one or more conduits. Said pump may be operable by an operating mechanism that is responsive to operation of said handle to activate said pump. Typically, said operating mechanism is coupled to said handle and is responsive to rotation of said body with respect to said core component to active said pump. Said operating mechanism may comprise a gear system configured to transmit rotational movement of said body to a rotatable drive shaft of said pump, said gear system comprising a driving gear coupled to said body, and a driven gear coupled to said drive shaft. Said gear system typically includes a clutch mechanism operable between an engaged state, in which it allows transmission of said rotational movement to said drive shaft, and a disengaged state, in which it does not allow transmission of said rotational movement to said drive shaft. Said clutch mechanism may be operable between said engaged and disengaged states depending on the direction of rotation of said body.

Said liquid delivery system typically includes a connector for connecting to a source of liquid. Said liquid delivery system may include one or more conduits for delivering liquid from said connector to said handle.

The handle assembly may include a compartment for containing a source of liquid or for containing a container for said source of liquid.

Said handle may be a vertical type handle, the rotational axis of said body being substantially vertically disposed in use, or may be a lever type handle, the rotational axis of said body extending substantially perpendicularly from the rotational axis of the handle.

The handle may include a base section rotatably coupled to a body section of the assembly, said core component and said grip component extending from said base section. A second aspect of the invention provides a liquid dispensing handle comprising a grip component and a core component, the grip component comprising a sleeve-like body in which the core component is located, the body being rotatable with respect to the core component about a common axis, wherein a plurality of bearings extend through said body and are rotatable with respect to said body, and wherein said handle has a liquid inlet and is configured so that liquid received at said liquid inlet is delivered to between said core component and said body.

Preferred embodiments of the invention provide effective and efficient dispensing of liquid to the external surface of the handle. In the case where the liquid is a sanitiser, preferred embodiments provide improved sanitisation by effectively causing the sanitising liquid to be distributed around the external surface and so improving the application to a user's hand.

Further advantageous aspects of the invention will be apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description of specific embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Embodiments of the invention are now described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like numerals are used to indicate like parts and in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first handle assembly embodying one aspect of the invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the handle assembly of Figure 1 with its cover removed;

Figure 3 is a side sectioned view of the handle assembly of Figure 1 ;

Figure 4A is a plan view of a gear mechanism for use with the handle of Figure 1 , the gear mechanism being shown in a disengaged state;

Figure 4B is a plan view of the gear mechanism of Figure 4A shown in an engaged state; Figure 5 is a perspective view of a grip component of a handle for the assembly of Figure 1 ; Figure 6 is a perspective view of a core component of a handle for the assembly of Figure 1 ; Figure 7 is a side view of the core component of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a second handle assembly embodying one aspect of the invention;

Figure 9 is a side sectioned view of the handle assembly of Figure 8; Figure 10 is an exploded view of the handle assembly of Figure 8;

Figure 1 1 is a perspective view of a core component of a handle for the assembly of Figure 8; and

Figure 12 is a front view of a pump system of the handle assembly of Figure 8.

Detailed Description of the Drawings Referring now in particular to Figures 1 to 3 of the drawings there is shown, generally indicated as 10, a handle assembly embodying a first aspect of the invention. The handle assembly 10 comprises a handle 12 that is part of a system for dispensing liquid through the handle 12. The liquid is typically a sanitising liquid, e.g. a sanitizing gel. In preferred embodiments, the handle assembly 10 includes a body section 1 1 preferably with a removable cover 13 for concealing (when fitted) or allowing access to (when removed) the inside of the body 1 1. The body section 1 1 includes a compartment 14 for receiving a supply of liquid (not shown) to be dispensed and a connector 16 to which the liquid supply is connected during use. Typically, the liquid is contained within a container (not shown), e.g. a bag or bottle, that is installed in the compartment 14. When installed, the liquid container is fitted to the connector 16, which has an outlet 18 though which the contents of the container can be dispensed as is described in more detail below.

In alternative embodiments (not illustrated), the liquid may be stored in the compartment 14 directly, i.e. not inside a container, in which case the liquid may still be dispensed through the connector 16 or other suitable connector. Alternatively still, the connector 16 may be connected to an external liquid source by any convenient conduit, e.g. a hose or pipe, in which case the compartment 14 is not required. In any event, the assembly includes a liquid delivery system for delivering liquid to the handle 12, the handle 12 and the liquid delivery system together forming a liquid dispensing system.

The handle assembly 10 has a liquid delivery system that includes a pump 20 operable to pump liquid from the outlet 18 of the connector 16 to the handle 12. The pump 20 is conveniently located in the body section 1 1 , typically in a second compartment 22. The pump 20 is preferably located in the body 1 1 such that it is below, in use, the connector 16 to allow gravity to assist feeding liquid from the connector 16 to the pump 20. In the illustrated example, therefore, the second compartment 22 is below the first compartment 14. The connector 16 is held in position with respect to the body 1 1 by a support 24, which conveniently takes the form of a plate that divides the body 1 1 into the first and second compartments 14, 22. Alternative support means may be provided in which case the two compartments 14, 22 may not be present. In the illustrated embodiment, the pump 20 is carried by the in-use bottom of the body section 1 1. The pump 20 has an inlet 26 connected to the outlet 18 of the connector 16 by a conduit 28, for example a tube. The pump 20 has an outlet 30 connected to an inlet 32 of the handle 12 by a conduit 34, e.g. a tube. The pump 20 is operable by an operating mechanism 36 to pump liquid from the outlet 18 of the connector 16 into the pump inlet 26 via conduit 28, and out of the pump outlet 30 to the handle inlet 32 via conduit 34. In preferred embodiments, the operating mechanism 36 is coupled to the handle 12 such that, when the handle 12 is being gripped by a user (not shown), the operating mechanism 36 activates the pump 20 to cause a quantity of liquid to be dispensed from the pump outlet 30. The preferred coupling is such that movement of the handle 12 effected by the user's grip causes the operating mechanism 36 to activate the pump 20. In particular, it is preferred that rotation of the handle 12 causes the operating mechanism 36 to activate the pump 20.

In preferred embodiments, the pump 20 is a mechanical pump and is operated mechanically by the operating mechanism 36. To this end, the operating mechanism is mechanically coupled to the handle 12 and to the pump 20 such that movement of the handle is mechanically translated into movement of the operating mechanism 36 which mechanically operates the pump 20. In alternative embodiments (not illustrated), the pump 20 may be electrically activatable (i.e. be an electromechanical pump), in which case the operating mechanism 36 may be electro-mechanical or electrical, generating an electrical pump operating signal to activate the pump 20 in response to detecting movement of the handle 12 or the presence of a user's hand on the handle 12. For example, in an electro-mechanical embodiment, the operating mechanism may be mechanically coupled to the handle 12 and generate the electrical pump operating signal in response to movement of the handle 12. In an electrical embodiment, the operating mechanism may comprise an electrical or electronic sensor (not shown) that is responsive to movement of the handle 12 or the presence of a user's hand on the handle 12 to generate the electrical pump operating signal. The sensor may for example comprise any one or more of the following: an electrical contact that is made/broken by movement of the handle 12; a motion sensor configured to detect movement of the handle 12 or movement generally in the vicinity of the handle (e.g. to detect the handle being gripped); a pressure sensor on the handle 12 to detect gripping. In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3, the handle 12 is elongate with a longitudinal axis that, preferably, is substantially vertical when the assembly 10 is in use. This type of handle may generally be referred to as a vertical handle. Advantageously, the handle 12 is located below (in use) the pump 20, in the present case below the body section 1 1. For example, the assembly 10 may include a base 40 spaced apart from the in-use underside of the body section 1 1 , the handle 12 extending between the base 40 and the underside of the body section 1 1. The base 40 and the body section 1 1 may be interconnected by a back plate 42, or other support, such that there is space around the handle 12 to allow it to be gripped by the user.

Referring now in particular to Figures 5 to 7, the preferred handle 12 is described. The handle 12 comprises a grip component 44 and a core component 48. The grip component 44 comprises a sleeve-like hollow body 46 in which the core component 48 is located (when the handle is assembled) such that the body 46 fits around the core 48 like a sleeve. The hollow body 46 has an external surface 47 for gripping by a user during use. The core component 48 is shaped and dimensioned to substantially match the shape and dimensions of the hollow core of the body 46 such that, when the core component 48 is located inside the body 46, the hollow core is substantially filled by the core component 48. The body 46 and core component 48, when fitted together, have a common longitudinal axis, the body 46 being rotatable with respect to the core component 48 about the common axis. To facilitate this rotation, it is preferred that the internal surface 49 of the hollow body 46 and the outer surface 51 of the core component 48 are substantially circular in transverse cross section. Conveniently, the body 46 and core component 48 are substantially cylindrical in shape, although it will be understood that one or other or both may take alternative shapes. The body 46 may be rotatably mounted on the core 48 in any convenient manner.

In preferred embodiments, the body 46 of the grip component 44 carries a plurality of rotatable bearings 50. The bearings 50 are preferably ball bearings, i.e. substantially spherical in shape, but may alternatively take other forms, e.g. roller bearings, which may for example be substantially cylindrical in shape. The bearings 50 are conveniently arranged in an array which, for example, may comprise a plurality of rows of bearings 50, each row extending circumferentially around the body 46. The rows may be spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction and may extend around the body 46 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The bearings 50 collectively extend across at least part of, and preferably substantially all of, the external surface 47 of the body 46. The bearings 50 are mounted on the body 46 such that they project from the external surface 47 and from the internal surface 49, i.e. the bearings extend through the body 46 and form part of its gripping surface (together with the external surface 47). Typically, a respective through- hole is formed through the body 46 for each bearing 50, each bearing being rotatably mounted in the respective through hole. The hollow body 46 with bearings 50 may be referred to as a ball cage. The body 46 and bearings 50 are typically metallic, but may alternatively be formed from any other suitable material. In preferred embodiments, when the core component 48 is inside the hollow body 46, the bearings engage with the outer surface 51 of the core 48 such that they are rotated by relative rotation between the body 46 and the core 48. Hence, the bearings 50 facilitate relative rotation between the body 46 and the core 48 about the common longitudinal axis. In addition, the bearings 50 themselves are rotated with respect to the body 46 by the relative rotation between the body 46 and the core 48 and/or by engagement with a user's hand when gripping the handle 12. The core 48 is typically formed form a substantially rigid material, e.g. metal or plastics, such that its outer surface 51 is substantially rigid. Optionally the core 48 may include an outer layer of liquid absorbent material, for example sponge, foam or other deformable material, around it. Alternatively, the core 48 may be formed from a liquid absorbent material, for example sponge, foam or other deformable material.

In preferred embodiments, the handle inlet 32 is provided in the core component 48 and is in liquid communication with one or more channels 52 formed in the core 48. The, or each, channel 52 opens onto the outer surface 51 of the core 48, preferably along at least part of its length. It is preferred that at least part (in particular the open part) of the, or each, channel 52 extends longitudinally of the core 48, preferably extending along at least half the length of the core 48. In the embodiment of Figures 6 and 7, the core component 48 has a single channel 52 connected to the inlet 32, although more than one may alternatively be provided, in which case they are preferably radially spaced apart around the core 48. Preferred channels 52 are substantially linear, extending longitudinally of the core 48 and being open to the outer surface 51 along substantially all of the channel length. In embodiments where the core 48 has a layer of absorbent material around it, or is formed from absorbent material, the channels 52 may be omitted since the liquid is able to seep through the absorbent material to the outer surface of the core.

The core component 48 typically also includes mounting means for mounting the core 48, the therefore the handle 12, on the assembly 10. In the embodiment of Figures 6 and 7, the mounting means comprises a respective socket 54 at each end of the core 48 for receiving a respective fixing 56. The fixings 56, e.g. a pin or screw, can be seen in Figure 3, a respective one being provided on the base 40 and the underside of the body 1 1.

When the handle 12 is mounted on the assembly 10, the core component 48 is fixed, e.g. does not rotate about its longitudinal axis, while the grip component 44, and in particular the body 46, is rotatable about its longitudinal axis.

Preferably, a drip tray 58 is provided below (in use) the handle 12, conveniently within the base 40. To this end, the in use upper surface of the base 40 may be provided with one or more apertures (not shown) to allow liquid to drain into the drip tray 58. Referring now in particular to Figures 4A and 4B, a preferred embodiment of the operating mechanism 56 is described. The operating mechanism 56 comprises a gear system mechanically coupling the handle 12, and in particular the grip component 44, to the pump 20 such that rotational movement of the grip component 44 about its longitudinal axis drives the pump 20 mechanically. The gear system comprises a driving gear 60 connected to the grip component 44 and which rotates with the grip component 44 about the common longitudinal axis. The first gear 60, which is typically a ring gear, may be fitted to the body 46, conveniently at the in-use upper end of the body 46. The gear system also includes a driven gear 62 that is driven (indirectly in preferred embodiments but alternatively directly) by the driving gear 60, and which is connected to the pump 20, for example to a drive shaft (not shown) of the pump 20. In preferred embodiments, the driving gear 60 and the driven gear 62 are selectively coupled to one another by a clutch, preferably a clutch gear 64. The clutch gear 64 is driven by the driving gear 60 and is movable between an engaged state (Figure 4B), in which it also engages with (or otherwise drives) the driven gear 62, and a disengaged state (Figure 4A), in which it is disengaged from the driven gear 62. Movement of the clutch gear 64 between the engaged and disengaged states is effected by rotation of the driving gear 60 in opposite senses. For example, as viewed in Figures 4A and 4B, rotation of the driving gear 60 clockwise causes the clutch gear 64 to adopt the engaged state, while rotation of the driving gear 60 anti- clockwise causes the clutch gear 64 to adopt the dis-engaged state. To this end, the clutch gear 64 may be movable within a slot (not visible in Figures 4A and 4B but a corresponding slot 165 is shown in Figure 12) formed in a gear support 66. The gear support 66 may comprise a plate, located for example adjacent the underside of the body section 1 1 to locate the operating mechanism 36, in use, below the pump 20. In any event, the operating mechanism 36 is conveniently located between the handle 12 and the pump 20.

When the clutch gear 64 is engaged, rotation of the driving gear 60 is transmitted to the driven gear 62 to drive the pump 20. When the clutch gear 64 is disengaged, rotation of the driving gear 60 is not transmitted to the driven gear 62. This arrangement is particularly suited to embodiments in which the drive shaft of the pump 20 operates uni-directionally. It will be apparent that the gear system may take alternative configurations while achieving the same or similar functionality, and may comprise more or fewer gears and/or an alternative clutch mechanism. In use, the assembly 10 is mounted on a door (not shown). When a user grips the handle 12 and pulls or pushes to open or close the door, the gripping action and/or pushing/pulling action of the user causes the grip component 44 to rotate about its longitudinal axis. In preferred embodiments, this operates the pump 20 via the operating mechanism 36, although in alternative embodiments (e.g. where the operating mechanism is electro-mechanical or electrical) the operating mechanism may be alternatively operated. Operation of the pump 20 causes liquid to be pumped from the connector 16 to the handle 12 via the pump 20. Liquid entering the handle inlet 32 feeds into the channel 52 which directs the liquid to the outer surface 51 of the core 48. The relative movement between the core 48 and the body 46 spreads the liquid around the outer surface 51 of the core 48 and the inner surface 49 of the body 46. The liquid is picked up by the bearings 50 which, as they rotate, carry the liquid to the external surface 47 of the handle 12. As a result, the liquid is dispensed to the gripping surface of the handle 12 (which is comprised of the external surface 47 and the bearings 50), and subsequently applied to the user's hand.

Referring now to Figures 8 to 12, an alternative handle assembly embodying one aspect of the invention is described, like numerals being used to denote like parts and, unless otherwise indicated, the same or similar description applying as for the handle assembly 10, as would be apparent to a skilled person. The alternative handle assembly is indicated generally as 1 10 and differs primarily from the handle assembly 10 in that the handle 1 12 is a lever type handle. The handle assembly

1 10 includes a body section 1 1 1 with connector 1 16, and a pump 120. In this embodiment, the connector 1 16 and the pump 120 are located in a common compartment of the body section 1 1 1 , the connector being supported by support 124, and the pump 120 being carried by back plate 1 15 provided in the body section 1 1 1. The connector 1 16 and connector support 124 may also be carried by the back plate 1 15. The connector 1 16 may be held by one or more retaining pins 1 17. The handle 1 12 includes a base section 168 by which the handle 1 12 is coupled to the body section

1 1 1 for rotation about an axis that extends substantially perpendicularly from the body section 1 1 1. The assembly of the core component 148 and the grip component 144 projects from the base section 168, typically substantially perpendicularly. The base section 168 includes at least one channel 170, typically formed internally of the base section 168, that connects the liquid inlet 132 of the handle 1 12 with the, or each, dispensing channel 152 provided in the core 148. The channel 170 has an inlet (which serves in this example as inlet 132) connected to the pump outlet 130 by any convenient conduit (not shown) to allow liquid to be pumped from the connector 1 16 to the handle 1 12 via the pump 120. In this example, the core component 148 includes a plurality of dispensing channels 152, spaced apart around the outer surface 151 and being interconnected to allow liquid to be dispensed to the surface 151 at multiple locations.

A retainer 172 is typically provided distal the base section 168 to hold the core component 148 and the grip component 144 together. To this end, the core 148 may include a socket 154 at its free end for receiving the retainer 172. By way of example, the socket 154 and corresponding plug portion 174 of the retainer 172 may be screw-threaded. Typically, the base section 168 includes a spindle 176, being a conventional part of a lever type door handle.

The driving gear 160 of the operating mechanism 136 is coupled to the base section 168 of the handle 1 12 for rotation therewith. In this example the operating mechanism 136 includes an intermediate gear 167 between the clutch gear 164 and the driven gear 162. The arrangement is such that, when the handle 1 12 is rotated in one direction (clockwise as view in Figure 8), the clutch gear 162 engages with the intermediate gear 167 causing the driven gear 162 to be rotated by the rotation of the driving gear 160. When the handle 1 12 is rotated in the other direction, the clutch gear 164 disengages from the intermediate gear 167 and the rotation of the driving gear 160 is not transmitted to the driven gear 162. Hence, in this embodiment, it is the rotation of the base section 168 that operates the pump 120 and not relative rotation between the grip 144 and the core 148.

In use, the assembly 1 10 is mounted on a door (not shown). When a user grips and operates the handle 1 12 and pulls or pushes to open or close the door, the gripping action, handle pivoting and/or pushing/pulling action of the user causes the grip component 144 to rotate about its longitudinal axis with respect to the core 148. During this operation, rotation of the base section 168 of the handle 1 12 operates the pump 120 via the operating mechanism 136, although in alternative embodiments (e.g. where the operating mechanism is electro-mechanical or electrical) the operating mechanism may be alternatively operated. Operation of the pump 120 causes liquid to be pumped from the connector 1 16 to the handle 1 12 via the pump 120 (as illustrated by the arrows in Figure 12). Liquid entering the handle inlet 132 feeds into the channels 152 via the channel 170, which directs the liquid to the outer surface 151 of the core 148. The relative movement between the core 148 and the body 146 spreads the liquid around the outer surface 151 of the core 148 and the inner surface 149 of the body 146. The liquid is picked up by the bearings 150 which, as they rotate, carry the liquid to the external surface 147 of the handle 1 12. As a result, the liquid is dispensed to the gripping surface of the handle 1 12 (which is comprised of the external surface 147 and the bearings 150), and subsequently applied to the user's hand. It will be seen from the foregoing that the handle 12, 1 12 forms part of a liquid dispensing system by which liquid, advantageously sanitising liquid, may be dispensing onto a user's hand. Preferred embodiments provide effective and efficient dispensing of liquid to the external surface 47, 147 of the handle 12, 1 12, especially by means of the preferred "ball cage" grip. The liquid dispensing system includes a liquid delivery system for delivering liquid to the handle 12, 1 12, preferably including the pump 20, 120, which is advantageously coupled to the handle 12, 1 12 by the operating mechanism 36, 136 so that operation of the handle by a user activates the pump. The illustrated liquid delivery systems also include the connector 16, 1 16 and conduits 28, 128, 34, and delivers liquid to the handle inlet 32, 132. It will be apparent that the liquid delivery system may take other configurations than those illustrated herein. The handle inlet need not necessarily be in the core 48, 148. For example it may instead be provided as a gap between the core 48, 148 and the body 46, 146. In cases where the core 48, 148 comprises absorbent material, the handle inlet may be provided by an exposed surface of the absorbent material. One or more grooves may be provided in the outer surface of the core 48, 148 to facilitate distribution of the liquid to the surface 151 , particularly in cases where the liquid is delivered to a gap between the body and the core. In any event, the liquid delivery system delivers liquid to the handle 12, 1 12, the handle being configured to allow the liquid to reach the external surface of the core, from which it can be picked up by the bearings and dispensed to the gripping surface of the handle. In the case where the liquid is a sanitiser, preferred embodiments provide improved sanitisation by effectively causing the sanitising liquid to be distributed around the external surface and so improving the application to a user's hand.

In an alternative embodiment (not illustrated), the rotatable bearings 50 may be elongate roller bearings instead of ball bearings. For example, a plurality of spaced apart elongate roller bearings may be provided around the handle with their respective longitudinal axis being substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the handle itself. The elongate bearings may be mounted in the body 46 in the same or similar way to that described for the ball bearings and may interact with the core 48 in the same or similar way. It will be understood that handle assemblies embodying the invention need not necessarily be mounted to a door or other object to be opened or manipulated. For example, the handle assembly may be mounted on a wall. As such, handle assemblies embodying the invention may be regarded as liquid dispensers that are used by gripping a hand grip. The invention is not limited to the embodiment(s) described herein but can be amended or modified without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A handle assembly comprising a handle and a liquid delivery system for delivering liquid to said handle, the handle comprising a grip component and a core component, the grip component comprising a sleeve-like body in which the core component is located, the body being rotatable with respect to the core component about a common axis, wherein a plurality of bearings extend through said body and are rotatable with respect to said body, and wherein said handle is configured so that liquid received from said liquid delivery system is delivered between said core component and said body.

2. The handle assembly of claim 1 , wherein said bearings comprise ball bearings.

3. The handle assembly of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said bearings and an external surface of said body together provide a gripping surface of said grip component.

4. The handle assembly of any preceding claim, wherein said bearings extend across substantially all of an external surface of said body.

5. The handle assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the bearings are arranged in an array comprising a plurality of spaced apart rows of bearings.

6. The handle assembly of any preceding claim, wherein a respective through-hole is formed in the body for each bearing, each bearing being rotatably mounted in the respective through hole.

7. The handle assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the bearings engage with an outer surface of the core such that they are rotated by relative rotation between the body and the core component.

8. The handle assembly of any preceding claim, wherein said handle includes a liquid inlet for receiving liquid from said liquid delivery system, said liquid inlet being in liquid communication with an outer surface of said core component to allow liquid received at said liquid inlet to be delivered to between said core component and said body.

9. The handle assembly of claim 8, wherein said core component includes one or more channels for directing liquid received at said liquid inlet to an outer surface of said core component.

10. The handle assembly of claim 9, wherein the, or each, channel opens onto the outer surface of the core along substantially all of the length of the channel.

1 1. The handle assembly as claimed in claim 9, wherein the length of the open channel extends along at least half the length of the core.

12. The handle assembly of any one of claims 9 to 1 1 , comprising a plurality of said channels spaced apart around the rotational axis of the body.

13. The handle assembly of any one of claims 8 to 12, wherein said liquid inlet is provided in said core component.

14. The handle assembly of any one of claims 8 to 12, wherein said liquid inlet is provided between said core component and said body.

15. The handle assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said core component comprises a liquid absorbent outer layer.

16. The handle assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said liquid delivery system includes a pump operable to pump liquid from a liquid source to said handle via one or more conduits.

17. The handle assembly as claimed in claim 16, wherein said pump is operable by an operating mechanism that is responsive to operation of said handle to activate said pump.

18. The handle assembly of claim 17, wherein said operating mechanism is coupled to said handle and is responsive to rotation of said body with respect to said core component to active said pump.

19. The handle assembly of claim 18, wherein said operating mechanism comprises a gear system configured to transmit rotational movement of said body to a rotatable drive shaft of said pump, said gear system comprising a driving gear coupled to said body, and a driven gear coupled to said drive shaft.

20. The handle assembly of claim 19, wherein said gear system includes a clutch mechanism operable between an engaged state, in which it allows transmission of said rotational movement to said drive shaft, and a disengaged state, in which it does not allow transmission of said rotational movement to said drive shaft.

21. The handle assembly of claim 20, wherein said clutch mechanism is operable between said engaged and disengaged states depending on the direction of rotation of said body.

22. The handle assembly of any preceding claim wherein said liquid delivery system includes a connector for connecting to a source of liquid.

23. The handle assembly of claim 22 wherein said liquid delivery system includes one or more conduits for delivering liquid from said connector to said handle.

24. The handle assembly of any preceding claim, further including a compartment for containing a source of liquid or for containing a container for said source of liquid.

25. The handle assembly of any preceding claim, wherein said handle is a vertical type handle, the rotational axis of said body being substantially vertically disposed in use.

26. The handle assembly of any one of claims 1 to 24, wherein said handle is a lever type handle, the rotational axis of said body extending substantially perpendicularly from the rotational axis of the handle.

27. The handle assembly of claim 26, wherein said handle includes a base section rotatably coupled to a body section of the assembly, said core component and said grip component extending from said base section.

28. The handle assembly of any one of claims 1 or 3 to 27, wherein said bearings comprise elongate roller bearings having a rotational axis substantially parallel with said common axis.

29. A liquid dispensing handle comprising a grip component and a core component, the grip component comprising a sleeve-like body in which the core component is located, the body being rotatable with respect to the core component about a common axis, wherein a plurality of bearings extend through said body and are rotatable with respect to said body, and wherein said handle has a liquid inlet and is configured so that liquid received at said liquid inlet is delivered to between said core component and said body.