Abstract:
A spigot handle extender, an apparatus for extending a valve handle, includes a rotatable body and engaging means for engaging a valve handle so as to be rotatable conjointly therewith. The engaging means is positioned within the body and is also rotatable conjointly with the body, so that the engaging means rotates an engaged valve handle in response to the rotation of the body. In a preferred embodiment, the body is formed by identical hermaphroditic body halves. The body includes a pair of attached opposing wings, a plurality of slots, and a central bore. The engaging means is an engager which includes abase with an opening, a plurality of bosses projecting from one side, and a plurality of fingers projecting from the opposite side. The bosses on the base fit engagingly into the slots within the body and the fingers on the base fit engagingly between the spokes of the valve handle when the engager and valve handle are enclosed within the body. The central bore through the body aligns with the opening in the base to allow access to any fastener connecting the valve handle to the valve, allowing removal and replacement of the body and an engaged valve handle as a unit. The body can accommodate interchangeable engagers configured to grip various styles of valve handles, particularly residential spigot handles.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to valve handles and more particularly to a device for extending the handle of a spigot. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Residential water valves, particularly exterior spigots used for hose connections, typically have valves with relatively small diameter valve handles located in close proximity to an exterior wall or other obstruction. The valve handles on these exterior spigots are usually circular with indentations around the outer circumference to accommodate the fingers of the operator&#39;s hand. However, in addition to being small, the valve handles are smooth and slippery when wet. As a result, they are difficult to grip adequately to open or close the valve. Since the valve handles are oftentimes located so very close to an obstruction, slippage can cause abrasion injuries to the operator&#39;s hand. These problems are especially difficult for people with reduced or impaired gripping strength, such as some of the elderly or people afflicted with arthritis or other debilitating conditions. 
     In addition, old valve handles of residential exterior spigots may be difficult to remove after years of exposure to the elements. In addition, the valve handles of some residential exterior spigots, particularly those readily accessible to passersby, must be easily removable to avoid unauthorized use. 
     For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for an ergonomically designed and easily gripped, non-slip valve handle extender especially suitable for ease of installation and removal on residential spigot valves. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An apparatus for extending a valve handle includes a rotatable body and engaging means for engaging a valve handle so as to be rotatable conjointly therewith. The engaging means is enclosed within the body and is also rotatable conjointly with the body, so that the engaging means rotates an engaged valve handle in response to the rotation of the body. In a preferred embodiment, the body is formed by identical hermaphroditic body halves with posts and receivers which engage when the body halves are mated together. The body includes a pair of attached opposing wings, a plurality of slots, and a central bore. The engaging means is an engager which includes a base with an opening, a plurality of bosses projecting from one side, and a plurality of fingers projecting from the opposite side. The bosses on the base fit engagingly into slots within the body and the fingers on the base fit engagingly between the spokes of the valve handle when the engager and valve handle are enclosed within the body. The central bore through the body aligns with an opening in the base to allow access to any fastener connecting the valve handle to the valve, allowing removal and replacement of the body and an engaged valve handle as a unit. The body can accommodate interchangeable engagers configured to grip various styles of valve handles, particularly residential spigot handles. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     For a better understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following detailed description of an exemplary embodiment considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a spigot handle extender constructed in accordance with the present invention and a spigot on which the extender is to be installed; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the spigot handle extender of FIG. 1 installed on the spigot shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of a body half for the spigot handle extender shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 is a rear elevational view of the body half shown in FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the body half shown in FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the body half shown in FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the body half shown in FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 8 is a front elevational view of a body for the spigot handle extender shown in FIG. 1, the rear elevational view being identical thereto; 
     FIG. 9 is a right side elevational view of the body shown in FIG. 8, the left side elevational view being identical thereto; 
     FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the body shown in FIG. 8; 
     FIG. 11 is a bottom plan view of the body shown in FIG. 8; 
     FIG. 12 is a top plan view of an engager for the spigot handle extender shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 13 is a side elevational view of the engager shown in FIG. 12; 
     FIG. 14 is a bottom plan view of the engager shown in FIG. 12; 
     FIG. 15 is a top perspective view of the engager shown in FIG. 12; 
     FIG. 16 is a bottom perspective view of the engager shown in FIG. 12; 
     FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the engager of FIGS. 12-16 positioned in the body half of FIGS. 3-7; 
     FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the engager of FIGS. 12-16 installed on the spigot handle shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 19 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 17, except that the engager has been installed on the spigot shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 20 is a top plan view of an alternate embodiment of an engager for the spigot handle extender shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 21 is a side elevational view of the engager shown in FIG. 20; 
     FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view, taken along section line  22 — 22  in FIG.  21  and looking in the direction of the arrows, of the engager shown in FIG. 21; 
     FIG. 23 is a bottom plan view of the engager shown in FIG. 21; 
     FIG. 24 is a top perspective view of the engager shown in FIG. 21; 
     FIG. 25 is a bottom perspective view of the engager shown in FIG. 21; 
     FIG. 26 is a perspective view of the engager of FIGS. 20-25 installed on a spigot handle different than the one shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 27 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 19, except that it shows the engager of FIGS. 20-25 and the spigot handle of FIG. 26 applied to the body half of FIGS. 3-7 and the spigot of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 28 is a perspective view of a first alternate embodiment of the body half shown in FIGS. 3-7; 
     FIG. 29 is a perspective view of the body half of FIG. 28 applied to a spigot handle similar to the one shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 30 is a perspective view of a second alternate embodiment of the body half of FIG. 28 applied to a spigot handle similar to the one shown in FIG. 27; and 
     FIG. 31 is a perspective view of the body half of FIG. 30 applied to a spigot handle similar to the one shown in FIGS.  26  and  27 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a spigot handle extender  10  fitted to a spigot  12  with a spigot handle  13 . The spigot handle extender  10  includes a rotatable body  14  with identical body halves  16  and  16 ′, an engager  18  and self-tapping screws  20 ,  20 ′. Before discussing each element in detail, it is noted that the exemplary embodiment of the spigot handle extender  10  is based on a design to fit residential type spigot handles, however, the invention is not limited to this particular type of valve handle. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 3-7, in general, and FIGS. 3 and 4, in particular, each body half  16  includes an exterior surface  22  and an interior surface  24  separated generally by a bevelled edge  26 . The exterior surface  22  has generally rounded contours to avoid sharp edges. Referring particularly to FIG. 3, each body half  16  also includes a hollow semi-dome  28 , a fastener end wing  30 , a receiver end wing  32 , and a semi-tube  34 . The hollow semi-dome  28  includes a top  36 , a bottom  38 , a fastener end  40  and a receiver end  42 . The bottom  38  is angled slightly so that it rises up as it extends away from the bevelled edge  26 . The fastener end wing  30  and the receiver end wing  32  are connected to the fastener end  40  and the receiver end  42 , respectively, of the hollow semi-dome  28 . The fastener end wing  30  includes an indent  44  and a cylindrical recess  46  with a centered aperture  48 . Similarly, the receiver end wing  32  also includes an indent  50  and a receiver hole  52 . Now with particular reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, the semi-tube  34  is connected to the top  36  of the hollow semi-dome  28 , the fastener end wing  30 , and the receiver end wing  32 . Each body half  16  also includes a top semi-circular bore  54 . The bottom  38  also has a bottom semi-circular bore  56  which is aligned with the top semi-circular bore  54 . 
     Referring still to FIGS. 3-7, with particular reference to FIG. 4, the fastener end wing  30  includes a fastener end rib  58  projecting perpendicularly from the interior surface  24 . A portion of the fastener end rib  58  forms a cylindrical screw post receiver  60  concentrically located around the centered aperture  48 . The fastener end wing  30  also includes a tubular base  62  encircling a tubular locator post  64 , both of which project perpendicularly from the interior surface  24 . Similarly, the receiver end wing  32  includes a receiver end rib  66  projecting perpendicularly from the interior surface  24 . A portion of the receiver end rib  66  forms a screw post base  68  concentrically located around a cylindrical screw post  70 . The cylindrical screw post  70  projects perpendicularly from the interior surface  24  around the receiver hole  52 . The receiver end wing  32  also includes a tubular locator post receiver  72  which projects perpendicularly from the interior surface  24 . The hollow semi-dome  28  includes a semi-circular slot  74 , a fastener end arcuate slot  76  and a receiver end arcuate slot  78 , all of which project outwardly from the interior surface  24 . The interior surface  24  of the hollow semi-dome  28  also includes a top semi-circular rim  80 , a middle semi-circular rim  82  and a bottom semi-circular rim  84 . 
     Each body half  16  is generally molded from a polymeric material. An ultraviolet stabilized ABS plastic with a texture finish on the exterior surface  22  to provide for better gripping is preferred. Alternatively, molded or fabricated metals with either smooth or textured finishes may be used. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 2-4 and  8 - 11 , the body  14  includes two releasably attached body halves  16  and  16 ′ fastened together with self-tapping screws  20  and  20 ′. In the preferred embodiment, the body halves  16  and  16 ′ are identical and hermaphroditic such that various projections on the interior surfaces  24  and  24 ′ mate engagingly with complementary receiving structures, as described hereinafter. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, when the body halves  16  and  16 ′ are mated together to form the body  14 , the fastener end wing  30  is aligned with the receiver end wing  32 ′ forming a wing  33  on one end of the body  14  and the receiver end wing  32  is aligned with the fastener end wing  30 ′ forming an identical wing  33 ′ on the opposite end of the body  14 . The two wings  33  and  33 ′ are attached on diametrically opposed sides of the body  14  from each other. A first grip portion on wing  33  is formed by indents  44  and  50 ′ and a second grip portion on wing  33 ′ is formed by indents  44 ′ and  50 . The first and second grip portions are spaced apart such that the distance between them is greater than the diameter of a valve handle engaged by engaging means. 
     Reference to FIG. 4 illustrates the interior surface  24  of body half  16  and the associated structures thereupon. An apostrophe designation (′) is used to indicate identical structures on the mating interior surface  24 ′ of the body half  16 ′ which are described herein but not separately shown. Accordingly, when the body halves  16  and  16 ′ are mated, the tubular locator post  64  on the fastener end wing  30  fits engagingly within the tubular locator post receiver  72 ′ on the receiver end wing  32 ′. Similarly, the cylindrical screw post  70 ′ on the receiver end wing  32 ′ fits engagingly within the cylindrical screw post receiver  60  on the fastener end wing  30 . The screw  20  is positioned in the centered aperture  48  within the cylindrical recess  46  on the fastener end wing  30  and threadedly engages the receiver hole  52 ′ in the cylindrical screw post  70 ′ on the receiver end wing  32 ′. Similarly, the screw  20 ′ is positioned in the centered aperture  48 ′ within the cylindrical recess  46 ′ on the fastener end wing  30 ′ and threadedly engages the receiver hole  52  in the cylindrical screw post  70  on the receiver end wing  32 , thereby fastening the body halves  16  an  16 ′ together to form the body  14 . When the body halves  16  and  16 ′ are fastened together, there is an enclosure in the shape of a hemisphere within the two hollow semi-domes  28  and  28 ′. In addition, the top semi-circular bore  54  is opposite the top semi-circular bore  54 ′ and the bottom semi-circular bore  56  is opposite the bottom semi-circularbore  56 ′ forming a central bore  86  disposed between the wings  33  and  33 ′ and extending through the body  14 . 
     The preferred fastener is a self-tapping screw  20 ,  20 ′ in particular, a number  6  aluminum, Phillips and slot combination, type A tapping screw. However, other types of fasteners including machine screws and other types of screws, pins, or complementary locking tabs may be used. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 12-16, the engager  18  includes a ring base  88  with an opening  90 , a top  92  and a bottom  94 . The ring base  88  is sized and shaped to fit engagingly against the top semi-circular rim  80  on the body half  16 . The engager  18  also includes four tubular bosses  96 , a tubular web  98  and six fingers  100 . The four tubular bosses  96  are circumferentially spaced on the top  92  and project perpendicularly therefrom. The tubular bosses  96  are sized, shaped and arranged to fit engagingly into the slots  74 ,  76 ,  78  on the body half  16 . The tubular web  98  projects perpendicularly from the bottom  94 , aligned around the opening  90 . The tubular web  98  also includes a bevelled outer edge  102 . The six fingers  100  also project perpendicularly from the bottom  94  and are connected to the tubular web  98 . 
     The engager  18  is also generally molded from a polymeric material. An ultraviolet stabilized, low wear, low friction, acetal plastic is preferred. Alternatively, molded or fabricated metals may be used. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 4,  10 ,  13  and  17 , the engager  18  connects within the hollow semi-dome  28  of the body half  16  such that when any one of the tubular bosses  96  is positioned within the semi-circular slot  74 , the adjacent tubular bosses  96  are positioned in the fastener end arcuate slot  76  and the receiver end arcuate slot  78 , and the ring base  88  is positioned against the top semi-circular rim  80 . When two body halves  16  and  16 ′ are mated together to form the body  14 , as shown in FIG.  10  and described above, the engager  18  is fully enclosed within the body  14  with one tubular boss  96  positioned within the semicircular slot  74 , the opposite tubular boss  96  positioned within the semicircular slot  74 ′, and the remaining tubular bosses  96  positioned within slots formed by the juxtaposition of the fastener end arcuate slot  76  to the receiver end arcuate slot  78 ′ and the juxtaposition of the receiver end arcuate slot  78  to the fastener end arcuate slot  76 ′. In addition, the ring base  88  of the engager  18  is positioned between the two top semi-circular rims  80  and  80 ′ within the body  14 . When the engager  18  is positioned within the body  14 , the opening  90  of the engager  18  aligns with the central bore  86  of the body  14 . Although four bosses  96  and four slots are described, a single boss in a single slot could be utilized. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 18, the spigot handle  13  includes a hub  104 , six spokes  106  and an outer rim  108 . The spokes  106  radiate outwardly from the hub  104  to the outer rim  108  and are equidistantly spaced therebetween. When the engager  18  engages the spigot handle  13 , which is depicted as removed from the spigot  12  in FIG. 18, the six fingers  100  of the engager  18  pass through the spaces formed between the six spokes  106  of the spigot handle  13  with the tubular web  98  positioned above the spokes  106 . Although six fingers  100  are described, one finger  100  fitting engagingly between a corresponding pair of spokes  106  could be utilized. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 1,  2 ,  4 ,  7  and  19 , the assembly of the spigot handle extender  10  on the spigot  12  is performed as follows. First, with particular reference to FIG. 19, the engager  18  engages the spigot handle  13 , attached to the spigot  12 , with the fingers  100  inserted between the spokes  106  as described above. Next, one body half  16  is slid on the spigot handle  13  and engager  18  sub-assembly such that, when the spigot handle  13  and the engager  18  are positioned within the hollow semi-dome  28 , one of the tubular bosses  96  is positioned within the semi-circular slot  74  and the hub  104  of the spigot handle  13  is positioned in the bottom semi-circular bore  56  (not shown). Once one of the tubular bosses  96  is positioned within the semi-circular slot  74 , the adjacent tubular bosses  96  are positioned in the fastener end arcuate slot  76  and the receiver end arcuate slot  78 , and the ring base  88  is positioned against the top semi-circular rim  80 . To complete the assembly of the spigot handle extender  10  on the spigot  12 , the second body half  16 ′ is similarly slid on the spigot handle  13  and engager  18  sub-assembly and mated and fastened to the first body half  16  with self-tapping screws  20 ,  20 ′. 
     When the two body halves  16  and  16 ′ are mated together, as previously described, to form the body  14 , the engager  18  and spigot handle  13  are substantially enclosed within the body  14  such that one tubular boss  96  is positioned within the semicircular slot  74 , the opposite tubular boss  96  is positioned within the semicircular slot  74 ′, and the remaining tubular bosses  96  are positioned within slots formed by the juxtaposition of the fastener end arcuate slot  76  to the receiver end arcuate slot  78 ′ and the juxtaposition of the receiver end arcuate slot  78  to the fastener end arcuate slot  76 ′. In addition, the ring base  88  of the engager  18  is positioned between the two top semi-circular rims  80  and  80 ′ within the body  14 . When the engager  18  and spigot handle  13  are positioned within the body  14 , the hub  104  of the spigot handle  13  extends through the bottom of the central bore  86  formed by the bottom semi-circular bores  56  and  56 ′ and the opening  90  of the engager  18  aligns with the top of the central bore  86  of the body  14 , allowing access to any fastener  13   a  located in the center of the spigot handle  13  and attaching the spigot handle  13  to the valve stem of the spigot  12 . The fastener  13 a may be unfastened while the body  14  and the spigot handle  13  are engaged so that the spigot handle  13  can be removed from an associated valve stem without disengaging the body from the spigot handle  13 . The spigot handle  13  and the body  14  are removable and replaceable as a unit. In the preferred embodiment, the spigot handle extender  10  can accommodate a spigot handle  13  with a maximum diameter of 2.3 inches. 
     The engager  18  is removably received within the body such that the engager  18  can be removed and replaced with another engager. Another engager may be identical to the engager  18  or may be different than the engager  18 . 
     In operation, the spigot handle extender  10  enables a user to increase the amount of torque applied to the spigot handle  13  with the same amount of force. This increased leverage is accomplished by using the body  14  to increase the diameter of the moment arm through which the force is applied and by transmitting that increased torque through the body  14  and the engager  18  to the spigot handle  13 . The ergonomic design of the body  14  enables a user to grip the wings  33  and  33 ′ so that the user&#39;s thumb and fingers naturally fall on the first grip portion  44 ,  50 ′ and the second grip portion  44 ′,  50 . The textured exterior surface  22  of the body  14  helps to prevent the user&#39;s grip from slipping, thereby reducing the abrasion risk to the user&#39;s hand. The torque applied through the wings  33  and  33 ′ is transmitted through the slots  74 ,  74 ′,  76  and  78 ′, and  76 ′ and  78  in the body  14  to the engager  18  via the tubular bosses  96 . The torque is then transmitted via the fingers  100  of the engager  18  to the spokes  106  of the spigot handle  13 , causing the spigot handle  13  to turn and thereby either opening or closing the spigot  12 , depending on the direction of the torque applied. 
     It should be noted that the spigot handle extender  10  can be assembled on the handle  13  of a spigot  12  without removing the handle  13  from the spigot  12 , as described above. Alternatively, the spigot handle extender  10  can be assembled on the spigot handle  13  before it is applied to the spigot  12  and, then, the assembly, including the spigot handle  13  and spigot handle extender  10 , can be installed on the spigot  12 . The central bore  86  of the body  14  provides access to the fastener  13   a  in the center of the spigot handle  13  within the spigot handle extender  10 , thereby facilitating installation or removal of the assembled spigot handle  13  and spigot handle extender  10 . 
     Referring now to FIGS. 20-25, an alternate embodiment of the spigot handle extender  10  includes an alternate engager  110  with a ring base  112  and an opening  114 , a top  116  and a bottom  118 . The ring base  112  is also sized and shaped to fit engagingly against the top semi-circular rim  80  on the body half  16 . The alternate engager  110  also includes four tubular bosses  120 , an inner tubular positioner  122  and eight outer fingers  124 . The four tubular bosses  120  are circumferentially spaced on the top  116  and project perpendicularly therefrom. The tubular bosses  120  are sized, shaped and arranged to fit engagingly into the slots  74 ,  76 ,  78  on the body half  16 . The inner tubular positioner  122  projects perpendicularly from the bottom  118  and is aligned around the opening  114 . The eight outer fingers  124  also project perpendicularly from the bottom  118  and are circumferentially spaced around the outside edge of the ring base  112 . 
     Referring now to FIGS. 26 and 27, the alternate engager  110  mates with an alternate spigot handle  126  which includes a hub  128 , three inner spokes  130  and an inner rim  132 . The inner spokes  130  radiate outwardly from the hub  128  to the inner rim  132  and are equidistantly spaced therebetween. The alternate spigot handle  126  also includes eight outer spokes  134  and an outer rim  136 . The outer spokes  134  radiate outwardly between the inner rim  132  and the outer rim  136  and are equidistantly spaced therebetween. When the alternate engager  110  engages the alternate spigot handle  126 , which is depicted as removed from the spigot  12  in FIG. 26, the inner tubular positioner  122  is positioned inside the inner rim  132  and the eight outer fingers  124  of the alternate engager  110  pass through the spaces formed between the eight outer spokes  134 , the inner rim  132  and the outer rim  136  of the alternate spigot handle  126 . With particular reference to FIG. 27, the spigot handle extender  10  is assembled and operated with the alternate engager  110  engaging the alternate spigot handle  126  on the spigot  12  in the same manner as described above for the assembly and operation of the spigot handle extender  10  with the engager  18  engaging the spigot handle  13  on the spigot  12 . 
     The alternate engager  110  is interchangeable with the engager  18  to enable installation of the spigot handle extender  10  on the alternate spigot handle  126 . Many other interchangeable variations of engager  18  may be developed to accommodate variations of spigot handle  13  within the spigot handle extender  10 . 
     Other alternate embodiments of the spigot handle extender  10  include an integrally molded portion of the body  14  to eliminate a separate engager  18 . Referring now to FIGS. 28 and 29, one such alternate embodiment is a spigot handle extender  210  with a body  214  which includes all of the features of the exemplary embodiment of the body  14  with the reference numbers increased by  200 . With particular reference to FIG. 28, each body half  216  includes ribs  215  and  217  with a plate  219  therebetween, forming an indentation in the form of a pocket  221  within the hollow semi-dome  228 . 
     Now with particular reference to FIG. 29, the spigot handle  213  includes alternating protrusions  307  and indentations  309  around the outer rim  308 . The body half  216  fits matingly with the spigot handle  213  so that when one of the protrusions  307  is positioned in the pocket  221 , the ribs  215  and  217  engage the adjacent indentations  309  on the outer rim  308 . Although this arrangement is preferred to accommodate spigot handles with six protrusions, it may accommodate spigot handles with one or more protrusions. 
     When the two body halves  216  and  216 ′ are mated together to form the body  214 , the spigot handle  213  is fully enclosed within the body  214  such that one protrusion  307  is positioned within the pocket  221  with the ribs  215  and  217  engaging adjacent indentations  309  and the opposite protrusion  307  is positioned within the pocket  221 ′ with the ribs  215 ′ and  217 ′ engaging indentations  309 . When the spigot handle  213  is positioned within the body  214 , the hub  304  of the spigot handle  213  extends through the bottom of the central bore  286  and aligns with the top of the central bore  286  of the body  214 , allowing access to any fastener in the center of the spigot handle  213 . When the spigot handle extender  210  is fitted on the spigot  212 , the torque applied through the wings  233  and  233 ′ is transmitted through the ribs  215 ,  217  and  215 ′,  217 ′ in the body  214  to the outer rim  308  of the spigot handle  213 , causing the spigot handle  213  to turn and thereby either opening or closing the spigot  212 , depending on the direction of the torque applied. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 30 and 31, another such alternate embodiment is a spigot handle extender  410  with a body  414  which includes all of the features of the exemplary embodiment of the body  14  with the reference numbers increased by  400 . With particular reference to FIG. 30, each body half  416  includes protrusions in the form of finger tabs  415  and  417  within the hollow semi-dome  428 . 
     Now with particular reference to FIG. 31, the alternate spigot handle  526  includes alternating protrusions  531  and indentations  533  around the inner rim  532  and the outer rim  536 . The body half  416  fits matingly with the alternate spigot handle  526  so that when the finger tabs  415  and  417  are positioned in one of the indentations  533  between two protrusions  531 , the finger tabs  415  and  417  engage the indentation  533  on both the inner rim  532  and the outer rim  536 . Although this arrangement is preferred to accommodate spigot handles with eight protrusions, it may accommodate spigot handles with two or more protrusions. 
     When the two body halves  416  and  416 ′ are mated together to form the body  414 , the spigot handle  526  is fully enclosed within the body  414  such that finger tabs  415  and  417  are positioned in one indentation  533  and finger tabs  415 ′ and  417 ′ are positioned in the opposite indentation  533 . When the spigot handle  526  is positioned within the body  414 , the hub  528  of the alternate spigot handle  526  extends through the bottom of the central bore  486  and aligns with the top of the central bore  486  of the body  414 , allowing access to any fastener in the center of the spigot handle  526 . When the spigot handle extender  410  is fitted on the spigot  412 , the torque applied through the wings  433  and  433 ′ is transmitted through the finger tabs  415 ,  417  and  415 ′,  417 ′ in the body  414  to the adjacent protrusions  531  of the spigot handle  526 , causing the spigot handle  526  to turn and thereby either opening or closing the spigot  412 , depending on the direction of the torque applied. 
     It should be noted that the embodiments described herein are merely exemplary and that a person skilled in the art may make many variations and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, in other alternate embodiments of a spigot handle extender, the interior of the body may be molded to conform to a particular spigot handle (not shown). All such embodiments fall within the scope of the invention.