| 主权项 |
1. A faucet shaft and handle system (10) for removably coupling a handle (14) to a faucet shaft (18), the faucet shaft being in any of a plurality of sizes and cross sectional configurations, the handle adapted to be coupled with respect to the faucet shaft as well as uncoupled without tools, the system comprising, in combination:
a faucet (12) having a main body portion (20) adapted to be attached to a recipient surface, the main body portion operatively coupled to a source of supply water, the faucet having a threaded outlet (22) for the dispensing of water from the source of supply water, the faucet having a valve interiorly of the main body portion and rotatable between an open orientation and a closed orientation, the faucet shaft (18) extending generally vertically upwardly from the main body portion, the faucet shaft having a lower interior end attached to the valve, the faucet shaft having an upper end above the main body portion; the handle (14) operatively coupled to the faucet shaft, the handle having laterally extending arcuate sides (16) adapted to be grasped by a user and twisted in a first rotational direction to turn the valve to a closed orientation for terminating the flow of supply water through the threaded outlet, the laterally extending sides adapted to be grasped by a user and twisted in a reverse rotational direction to turn the valve to an open orientation for causing the flow of supply water through the threaded outlet; and an assembly (30) between the faucet shaft and the handle, the assembly having a maximum diameter less than a maximum diameter of the handle, the assembly having a lower end (32) formed of a plurality of jaws (34), the jaws having threaded exterior surfaces, the jaws having unthreaded interior surfaces with an opening between the jaws for coupling to the faucet shaft, the jaws being elevationally slidable against the handle, the jaws being axially movable to a constricted orientation for grasping the faucet shaft regardless of the size and shape of the faucet shaft, the jaws being axially movable to an extended orientation for releasing the faucet shaft, the assembly having an upper end (36) attached to the handle for rotation therewith, the assembly having a nut (38), the nut having a threaded interior surface, the nut having a ribbed exterior surface rotatable with respect to the upper end and the handle, a threaded interface (40) between the nut and the jaws whereby rotation of the nut with respect to the upper end and the handle will radially constrict and extend the jaws for coupling and uncoupling with the faucet shaft, the upper end adapted to be separated from the nut and the jaws through reverse rotation to facilitate changing the upper end. |
