Abstract:
A safety device and method to selectively prevent the operation of a faucet handle by unsophisticated individuals are disclosed. More specifically, a water faucet safety device including a faucet handle cover which expands and contracts to enclose the handle, wherein the handle includes a locking mechanism that selectively fixes the cover to the handle and prevents cover expansion, and a restraining bar that cooperates with the cover to prevent rotation of the faucet handle. The restraining bar may be anchored to the faucet spigot or other nearby fixed structures. The device may be configured for use with a single handle or a dual handle faucet. With respect to the dual handle configuration, the device includes a pair of independently operable faucet handle covers sharing a common restraining bar. Thus, when both covers have been separately fixed to the respective faucet handles using the independent locking mechanisms, operation of both handles is prevented.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This invention relates to the field of safety devices, and more particularly, to safety devices for preventing the operation of water faucet handles by unsophisticated individuals, including young children. 
     BACKGROUND 
     On occasions, unsophisticated children have unsupervised access to water faucets. Too often these children attempt to play with the water faucets and are injured by scalding hot water or from jerking away from cold water. These injuries can be minimized by the use of a faucet safety device that covers the faucet handle and prevents operation of the faucet by those too immature to understand the consequences. At the same time, the device should be easy to install and remove to facilitate and encourage use by supervising adults. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a simple, inexpensive handle cover that prevents operation of the faucet handle when installed. With respect to one aspect of the present invention, the safety device includes a restraining bar removably attachable to a fixed structure and an expandable faucet handle cover, fixed relative to the restraining bar. The cover presents a handle-receiving cavity that varies in size as the cover is expanded and contracted. It also includes a pair of elongated, opposed, separable toothed surfaces that move lengthwise relative to one another as the cover is expanded and contracted, with the teeth of the surfaces being interlockable to prevent expansion of the cover. The cover encloses the faucet handle to restrict operation of the handle independent of the cover, which is fixed by the restraining bar. Thus, an adult can easily install and remove the mechanism, but it prevents an endangered child from operating the faucet handle. The inventive features of the device are useful for both dual handle faucets and single handle faucets. 
     The present invention also concerns a faucet safety device for selectively restricting operation of a pair of faucet handles, where operation of either faucet handle involves movement of the handle relative to the other faucet handle. The device includes a restraining bar and a pair of independently expandable faucet handle covers that are fixed relative to the restraining bar. Each cover also presents a handle-receiving cavity that varies in size as the cover is expanded and contracted. The dual faucet safety device provides an independent locking mechanism for each of the faucet handle covers, with each mechanism being operable to selectively prevent expansion of each of said covers. The independent locking mechanisms facilitate use on various size faucet handles, particularly on handles that are larger than average. The restraining bar between the two covers prevents movement of the covers and therefore operation of either handle. 
     The present invention also concerns a faucet safety device where the faucet handle cover is operable be fixed to the faucet handle and the projecting, rigid restraining bar is dimensioned and configured to extend at least partly around a fixed structure. The cover and the bar thereby cooperate to prevent operational movement of the handle. The device is easily installed in a multitude of environments to prevent movement or rotation of the cover and therefore operation of the handle. 
     The present invention further concerns a simplified method of preventing rotation of the hot water and the cold water handles of a faucet. The first faucet handle cover is fixed to the hot water handle in such a manner that rotation of the hot water handle would require rotation of the first cover. The second faucet handle cover is independently fixed to the cold water handle in such a manner that rotation of the cold water handle would require rotation of the second cover. Wherein the first and second handle covers are fixed relative to one another, neither cover or the associated handle can be rotated and operation of the faucet is prevented. This method allows for improved installation on handles of various sizes. 
     A method particularly adapted to use with the single faucet safety device directs the positioning of an elongated, substantially rigid restraining bar around structure that is fixed relative to the handle during handle operation. Typically this might be the faucet spigot or another handle. The user then fixes the projecting handle cover to the handle in such a maimer that rotation of the handle would require rotation of the cover. The restraining bar prevents rotation of the cover, thus preventing operation of the handle. 
     Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawing figures. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Preferred embodiments of the invention are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a dual faucet safety device incorporating the principles of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a front view illustrating the dual faucet safety device installed on the hot water faucet handle and receiving but not yet fixing the cold water handle; 
     FIG. 3 is a top view of the dual faucet safety device installed on the faucet; 
     FIG. 4 is a side view of the dual faucet safety device installed on the faucet; 
     FIG. 5 a  is a partial cross-sectional front view of a faucet handle cover installed on a large faucet handle; 
     FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional front view of a faucet handle cover installed on a faucet handle; 
     FIG. 6 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional front view of a locking mechanism; 
     FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional side view of faucet handle cover installed on a faucet handle; 
     FIG. 8 is an isometric view of a single faucet safety device incorporating the principles of the present invention; 
     FIG. 9 is a front view of a single faucet safety device installed on a single handle faucet; and 
     FIG. 10 is a side view of a single faucet safety device installed on a single handle faucet. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 1 illustrates a dual faucet safety device  10  in a position for installation on a hot water handle  12  and a cold water handle  14  of a water faucet  16 . Naturally, the size, shape and composition of water faucet  16  may vary, but generally it will include structures positionally fixed in relative location, such as one or two handles  12 ,  14  and a spigot  18 . Water faucets may be found in many areas of the home, typically including the kitchen,the laundry room and the bathroom. In the bathroom tub or shower, a water faucet  16  may include a shower head and a shower selector handle  20 . The water faucet handles  12 ,  14  generally project out from a wall  22 , counter or other flat surface. While the faucet handles  12 ,  14  in this description are depicted as having four radially projecting knobs  24 , it is recognized and within the spirit of this invention that faucet handles have many different shapes, such as squat cylindrical disks, tulip-shaped or knurled knobs. Typically, the user operates the faucet  16  by rotating the handle  12 ,  14  relative to the wall  22 . 
     The faucet safety device  10 , illustrated in FIG. 1, includes a restraining bar  26  and first and second expandable faucet handle covers  28 ,  30 . Since the cover  30  is structurally identical to and a mirror image of the cover  28 , detailed discussion of the cover  30  will be omitted in the sake of brevity. While other shapes are within the spirit and scope of the invention (e.g. spheroid, football-shaped, or rectangular with generally flat sides), the cover  28  is illustrated as cylindrically shaped with an outer cylindrical face  32 . The cover  28  also comprises a first portion  36  and a second portion  40  pivotly connected by a hinge  44  for allowing expansion and contraction of cover  28 . A tab  50  projects from the outer cylindrical face  32 . A pair of elongated, opposed toothed surfaces provide a locking mechanism  54 , with a first toothed surface  58  existing on the outer cylindrical face  32  and the tab  50  presenting an opposed toothed surface  62 . The tab  50  is depicted as projecting from the first portion  36  with the first toothed surface  58  on the second portion  40 , but it should be clear that the tab  50  may originate from a multitude of locations, including locations on the second portion  40 , with a length sufficient to allow the locking mechanism  54  to engage. 
     The cover  28  forms a handle-receiving cavity  66  partially filled by compressible material  70  (preferably extruded closed cell foam rubber). The compressible material  70  grips the handle  12  as depicted in FIG. 5, and is retained in the cover  28 . The material  70  will deform to accommodate various shape and sizes of handles. 
     The hinge  44  is a standard design with hollow tubes in line and a central rod around which the tubes rotate. Other pivoting connections are also included in the spirit of the invention including rotating pins in retaining cavities or rings on a central shaft. 
     The hinged relationship between the first portion  36  and the second portion  40  contributes to the expandibility of the cover  28  to improve the ability of the cavity  66  to accommodate an oversized handle  74  as illustrated in FIG. 5 a.  Additionally, the cover  28  itself may be pliable, allowing substantial expansion of size. In an envisioned embodiment, the cover would be constructed of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) with sufficient malleability to form a cylinder with overlapping cylindrical sides and a cylindrical diameter varying from less than 2 inches to more than 5 inches. In some embodiments, with a highly flexible material, the hinge  44  is not required, and the first portion  36  and the second portion  40  become a unitary construction (not shown). The device  10  could be constructed from a variety of material including PET, molded plastic, brass or stainless steel. 
     The locking mechanism  54  also enhances the expandibility of the cover  28 . The interlockable first toothed surface  58  engages the opposed toothed surface  62  when the user presses the tab  50  onto the outer cylindrical face  32  while contracting the cover  28  about the handle  12 . The locking mechanism  54  thus fixes the cover  28  to the handle  12 . To remove the cover  28 , the user further compresses the cover  28 , or at least the second portion  40 , and lifts the tab  50 , disengaging the locking mechanism  54  (see FIG.  6 ). 
     Within the spirit of the invention, the locking mechanism  54  can be embodied in forms other than interlockable toothed surfaces. The mechanism would, for example, include a pin and sockets arrangement, where a plethora of sockets are presented on the outer cylindrical face. A further example of a suitable mechanism is a series of hook and eye latching arrangements. 
     The cover  28  also includes an end wall  76  near the wall  22 . The end wall  76  has an opening  80  which allows passage of a handle stem  84  from the handle  28  to the wall  22 . The end wall  72  further improves the ability of the cover  28  to grip the handle  12  and prevent undesired removal of the cover  28  by an unsophisticated individual. A front wall  88  may be provided on the cover  28  opposite the end wall  76 , with the same or a different sized opening  90 , to improve installation flexibility and fit. 
     In FIG. 1, the restraining bar  26  is shown as a pair of rigid, arcuate strips  96 ,  98  with an open center area therebetween. The arcuate shape avoids the potentially obstructing shower selector handle  20  which may be present. The restraining bar  26  is of sufficient rigidity to prevent substantial rotation of the cover  28  relative to the bar  26 . As should be obvious to those skilled in the art, the restraining bar  26  can present a variety of different shapes within the spirit of this invention (e. g. single or multiple rods in a V-shaped configuration; a solid rigid arm, or an I-beam element). The restraining bar  26  need not be constructed of the same material as the cover. A suitable bar could be formed from a wide variety of material including PET, hard plastic or stainless steel, or a combination of components, where a stiff reenforcing element is encased in a more esthetic soft plastic jacket. Fabrication of the device is also adaptable, and might include one piece injection molding of the cover and the restraining bar. Alternatively, production of individual portions and subsequent assembly might be preferred. 
     In use, the faucet safety device  10  allows for simple, easy operation to promote effective use. With the faucet safety device  10  in an expanded configuration (see FIG.  1 ), the user positions the faucet safety device  10  such that the faucet handle  12  is received in the cavity  66  of the cover  28 , while the faucet handle  14  is similarly received in the cover  30 . The handle stem  84  is located within the semicircular portion of the opening  80  defined in either half of the end wall  76 . The cover  30  is similarly oriented relative to handle  14 . The user then closes the first portion  36  and contracts the cover  28  about the handle  12  to substantially enclose the handle  12  (see FIG.  2 ). Pressing the tab  50  onto the toothed surface  58  of the outer face  32 , the user interlocks the locking mechanism  54  thus fixing the cover  28  to the handle  12 , preventing operation of the handle  12  independent of the cover  28  (see FIG.  4 ). The cover  30  is fixed about the handle  14  in an identical fashion, such that operation of the handle  14  independent of the cover  30  is prevented (see FIG.  3 ). Joined by the restraining bar  26 , neither cover  28 ,  30  can be rotated and operation of either handle  12 ,  14  is thus prevented. The device  10  cannot be inappropriately pulled off the handle  12  by a child or unsophisticated user because the end wall  76  encases the handle  12 , as shown in FIG.  7 . Additionally, the compressible material  70  grips the handle to prevent forcible removal when the cover  28  is clamped in place (see FIG.  5 ). 
     As should be obvious to those with skill in the art, it is not essential that the cover  28 ,  30  be completely closed when fixed to the handle  12 ,  14 . If an oversized handle  74  is encountered, the device  10  can be installed and will function even if the cover  28  presents a gap or open section  100 , as shown in FIG. 5 a.    
     FIG. 8 illustrates a single faucet safety device  200 , which presents many of the same features as the dual faucet safety device  10  described above. Similar to the dual faucet, a single faucet  204  typically projects from a wall  222  and operates by rotation of a single faucet handle  206  relative to the wall  224 . The single faucet handle  206  is used primarily in showers and sinks, but can be found in other applications as well. It should be understood that the single faucet safety device  200  could be used on a dual handle faucet  16  to prevent the operation of a single handle, such as hot water faucet handle  12 . 
     The single faucet safety device  200  includes a restraining bar  226  and an expandable faucet handle cover  228 , depicted in FIGS. 9 and 10. The cover  228  is cylindrical in shape and consequently presents an outer cylindrical face  232 . The cover  228  presents a first portion  236  and a second portion  240  pivotly connected by a hinge  244  for allowing expansion and contraction of the cover  228 . Projecting from the outer cylindrical face  232  is a tab  250 . 
     A locking mechanism  254  exists, with a first toothed surface  258  on the outer cylindrical face  232  and a opposed toothed surface  262  on the tab  250 . The hinged relationship between the first portion  236  and the second portion  240  contribute to the expandibility of the cover  228 . The cover  228  forms a handle-receiving cavity  266  partially filled with a compressible material  270  (preferably extruded closed cell foam rubber). The material  270  will deform to accommodate various shapes and sizes of handles and to improve the ability of the cavity  266  to accommodate an oversized handle  74 . 
     The locking mechanism  254  also enhances the ability to accommodate oversized handles. The interlockable first toothed surface  258  engages the opposed toothed surface  262  when the user presses the tab  250  onto the outer cylindrical face  232  while contracting the cover  228  about the handle  206 . The locking mechanism  254  thus fixes the cover  228  to the handle  206 . To remove the cover  228 , the user further compresses the cover  228 , or at least the second portion  240 , and lifts the tab  250 , disengaging the locking mechanism  254 . 
     In a preferred embodiment, a rear end wall  276  is provided, with an opening  280  being defined centrally in the end wall  276  to simplify placement around handle stem  284  while improving retention of the handle  206  within the cover  228 . A front wall  288  with an opening  292  may also be present. 
     In the single faucet safety device  200 , the restraining bar  226  forms an open continuous loop  294  that can be easily placed around a nearby fixed structure, such as the faucet spigot  218 , as shown in FIG.  9 . Other fixed structures displaced perpendicular to the wall  222 , such as the shower selector handle  20  illustrated in FIG. 1 could also be used to fix restraining bar  226 . 
     In a preferred embodiment, the restraining bar  226  is generally triangular in shape to facilitate installation while still preventing movement when installed. Other restraining bar configurations within the scope of the invention are possible, including a bar with an adjustable loop strap, for example. The loop  294  is dimensioned to fit standard bath fixtures, and different sized loops might be manufactured for different faucets. The device is preferentially manufactured in a process where a substantial portion of the cover and the restraining bar are formed as an integral unit. The restraining bar projects from a central location on the outer surface of the cover to improve strength and stability. Alternatively, the cover and the restraining bar can be assembled from individually formed components to form a rigid faucet safety device in accordance with the present invention. 
     The use of the single faucet safety device  200  is simple. The loop  294  of the restraining bar  226  is placed over a structure that is positionally fixed relative to the handle  206 , such as the water spigot  218 . The expandable faucet handle cover  228  is then positioned such that the handle  206  is in the handle-receiving cavity  266  and the handle stem  284  rests in the opening  280 . The cover  228  is contracted by pivoting the first portion  236  to enclose the handle  206  and by further compressing the outer cylindrical face  232 . The user then presses the tab  250  onto the toothed surface  258  on the outer cylindrical face  232 , engaging the locking mechanism  254  (see FIG.  10 ). Thus, since rotation of the cover  228  is prohibited by the restraining bar  226 , and movement of the handle  206  independent of the cover  228  is constrained, operation of the handle  206  is prevented. To remove the cover  228 , the second portion  240  is compressed and the locking mechanism  254  is disengaged. The user then expands the cover  228  and removes the handle  206  from the cavity  266 . 
     While it should be obvious that the dual faucet safety device  10  is most conveniently used when both a hot water handle  12  and a cold water handle  14  are present, a single faucet safety device  200  could also be used if the user desired only to prevent the operation the hot water handle. Further, while not optimal, the dual faucet safety device  10  could be used to prevent operation of a single faucet handle  206  by enclosing any positionally fixed structure, such as the water spigot  218 , in the second expandable faucet handle cover  30 . 
     The preferred forms of the invention described above are to be used as illustration only, and should not be utilized in a limiting sense in interpreting the scope of the present invention. Obvious modifications to the exemplary embodiments, as herein above set forth, could be readily made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present invention. 
     The inventor(s) hereby states their intent to rely on the doctrine of equivalents to determine and assess the reasonably fair scope of the present invention as pertains to any apparatus not materially departing from but outside the literal scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims: