Abstract:
A sanitary water faucet handle has multiple levers, or grasping regions. Each lever includes an associated indicator, identifying whether the particular grasping region is intended for use in turning the faucet&#39;s water supply on, or off. The indicator may be in the form of indicia applied to a portion of at least one of the levers, a coloration of at least one of the levers, a variation in the relative length of at least one of the levers, or a variation of the height of at least one of the levers relative to a bottom surface of the handle. The handle is attachable to a conventional water valve, permitting the handle to be retrofitted as a replacement handle in existing faucet systems. A supplemental lever or grasping region may be attachable or releasably attachable to a preexisting lever of a faucet system. A powered faucet lever may be provided that reconfigures itself to automatically present one of two separate sets of grasping regions, depending upon whether the associated faucet is activated or deactivated.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/117,232, filed Nov. 23, 2008, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates, in general, water faucets and, more particularly, to the handles associated with valves coupled to water faucets, for the activation and deactivation of the supply of water thereto. 
         [0004]    2. General Background of the Invention 
         [0005]    Water faucets, such as those typically employed in restrooms and kitchens, include a variety of basic design types, including ball-type faucets, disc-type faucets, cartridge-type faucets, and compression-type faucets. Examples of each of these types of faucets may be found, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,740,836, 3,736,959, 3,943,967, and 4,1344,20, respectively, the entirety of each of which U.S. patents are hereby incorporated by reference. In other faucet designs, manually pressing down upon an actuator commands the faucet to emit water for a predetermined period of time. 
         [0006]    According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and prevention, sanitation and hygiene are critical to health, survival, and development, and a significant amount of disease could be prevented through better access to adequate sanitation facilities and better hygiene practices. For example, throughout the world, infectious diarrhea, which may be caused by viruses, parasites and bacteria, is a leading cause of disease and death. Most recently, the epidemic levels reached by the H1N1 influenza virus has caused considerable concern. 
         [0007]    According to a 2007 study by the Hygiene Council and funded by Reckitt Benckiser, the kitchen faucet handle and the bathroom faucet handle are the sixth and seventh locations in U.S. homes having the highest concentration of bacteria, containing 13,227 and 6,267 bacteria per square inch, respectively. 
         [0008]    People are often trained from a young age to wash their hands when dirty and after using the restroom. Typically, when washing the hands in a sink having a conventional water faucet, the user turns the water on by turning a sink handle, applies soap to the hands and lathers by rubbing the hands together, rinse the soap off of the hands, and the turns the sink handle once again to turn off the water. Upon doing so, the user is touching and grasping the very same handle, in the very same, potentially unsanitary condition, as it was immediately prior to washing the hands. 
         [0009]    In the past, certain approaches have been tried to inhibit the transmission of have bacteria and viruses via unsanitary water faucet handles. For example, proximity sensors have been employed proximate water faucets to turn the water on and off automatically when hands are placed beneath, and subsequently removed from, the faucet. While effective in removing the requirement to touch a faucet handle when washing, such automatic systems are relatively costly expensive to implement initially, or to retrofit existing systems, and require a source of electrical energy to power the sensor and associated valve actuator. Moreover, such automated systems typically do not enable the user to control the temperature of the water or the pressure of the water that is dispensed. 
         [0010]    Another approach that has been employed is the use of a foot-actuated pedal to control the flow of water from a faucet. Such foot-operated systems are again relatively costly to implement (as compared to conventional systems), typically do not permit the user to adjust water temperature and pressure, and are not considered aesthetically pleasing to many. 
         [0011]    Yet another approach are systems that include water flow actuators wherein the user presses down on a knob in order to initiate a flow of water for a predetermined period of time. This may be troublesome to many, however, as the time allotted for water flow may be considered too short requiring the user to push the handle down many times during a single hand washing, potentially contaminating the hands with each supplemental press of the actuator. Moreover, such press-type systems may be relatively expensive to retrofit into existing installations. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    The present invention comprises a sanitary water faucet handle having multiple levers, or grasping regions. Each grasping region includes an associated indicator, identifying whether the particular grasping region is intended for use in turning the faucet&#39;s water supply on, or off. The faucet handle employs a standard means of attachment, such as a bore and fixation screw, for securing of the faucet handle to an associated valve. An indicator is associated with at least one lever to identify whether the lever is to be used solely to turn on, or solely to turn off, an associated water valve. In certain embodiments of the present invention, a supplemental lever or grasping region is attachable or releasably attachable to an existing faucet lever. In another embodiment of the present invention, a powered faucet lever reconfigures itself to automatically present one of two separate groups grasping regions, depending upon whether the associated faucet is activated or deactivated. Each embodiment of the present invention encourages the user to grasp one portion of a water faucet handle prior to commencing hand washing, and another portion of the water faucet once the hands have been cleansed. In this manner, the spread of bacteria and viruses from user to user via water faucet handles, including the spread of potentially deadly pathogens such as the H1N1 influenza virus, may be significantly reduced, potentially saving innumerable lives. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]      FIG. 1A  is a simplified side elevational view of a first embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 1B  is a simplified top view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1A ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 1C  is a simplified front elevational view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1A ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a simplified front elevational view of a second embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a simplified front elevational view of a third embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a simplified front elevational view of a fourth embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a simplified front elevational view of a sixth embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a simplified front elevational view of a sixth embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is a simplified front elevational view of a seventh embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  is a simplified front perspective view of a sink and faucet employing two handles of the present invention in conjunction with separately controlled hot and cold water valves; 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  is a simplified front perspective view of a sink and faucet employing a single handle of the present invention in conjunction with commonly controlled hot and cold water valves; 
           [0024]      FIG. 10  is a simplified top plan view of a top plan view of an eight embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 11  is a simplified top plan view of the eighth embodiment of the present invention and showing, in particular, a textured surface thereof; 
           [0026]      FIG. 12  is a simplified top plan view of the eighth embodiment of the present invention and showing, in particular, a colored surface thereof; 
           [0027]      FIG. 13  is a simplified top plan view of the eighth embodiment of the present invention and showing, in particular, indicia associated therewith; 
           [0028]      FIG. 14  is a simplified top plan view of a ninth embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0029]      FIG. 15  is a simplified top plan view of the ninth embodiment of the present invention and showing, in particular, a textured surface thereof; 
           [0030]      FIG. 16  is a simplified top plan view of the ninth embodiment of the present invention and showing, in particular, a colored surface thereof; 
           [0031]      FIG. 17  is a simplified top plan view of the ninth embodiment of the present invention and showing, in particular, indicia associated therewith; 
           [0032]      FIG. 18A  is a simplified top plan view of a tenth embodiment of the present invention and showing, in particular, the handle in a first configuration; 
           [0033]      FIG. 19B  is a simplified top plan view of the tenth embodiment of the present invention and showing, in particular, the handle in transition between the first configuration and a second configuration; 
           [0034]      FIG. 18C  is a simplified top plan view of the tenth embodiment of the present invention and showing, in particular, the handle in a second configuration; 
           [0035]      FIG. 18D  is a simplified top plan view of the tenth embodiment of the present invention and showing, in particular, the handle in transition while returning from the second configuration to the first configuration; and 
           [0036]      FIG. 18E  is a simplified top plan view of the tenth embodiment of the present invention and showing, in particular, the handle fully returned to the first configuration. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0037]    While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail, several specific embodiments, with the understanding that the present disclosure is intended as an exemplification of the principles of the present invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiments illustrated. Within the various illustrated embodiments, common reference numerals have been assigned to similar or analogous elements and components. 
         [0038]    A first embodiment of the present invention, having a substantially V-shaped lever configuration, is shown in  FIGS. 1A through 1C  as comprising handle  10 , having handle body  20 , first lever, or gripping region  30 , and second lever, or gripping region  40 . Handle body  20  includes convention means for attachment of handle  10  to an associated valve mechanism, such as a valve stem assembly thereof, such as via an associated retaining screw or setscrew. 
         [0039]    A second embodiment of the present invention, having a substantially F-shaped lever configuration, is shown in  FIG. 2 . In this embodiment, the differing height of each lever  30 ,  40  vertically above a bottom surface  21  of handle body  20  serves as an indicator that the particular lever is to be used solely to turn on, or activate, the associated water valve (or, alternatively, solely to turn off the valve). 
         [0040]    A third, modified form of the embodiment of  FIG. 2  is shown in  FIG. 3 . In this embodiment, lever  30  is shorter in length than lever  40 . The shorter length of lever  30  (or, alternatively considered, the longer length of lever  40 ) serves, in addition to the increased height of lever  30  (as compared to lever  40 ) as an additional indicator that this lever is to be used solely to turn on, or activate, the associated water valve (or, alternatively, solely to turn off the valve). 
         [0041]    A fourth embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIG. 4 . In this embodiment, lever  30  includes a textured surface  31  (such as, for example, a knurled surface, or a surface having a series of ringed indentations). Textured surface  31  serves as an indicator that lever  30  is to be used solely to activate, or to deactivate, the water valve to which handle  10  is attached via handle body  20 . Although  FIG. 4  shows only one of lever  30  and lever  40  having a textured surface, it is also contemplated that both levers  30  and  40  may be textured. When both levers are textured, each preferably includes a manner of texturing, such as knurling or ringed indentations, that are highly distinguishable from each other, so that it is apparent to the user that one textured lever is solely for turning on an associated valve, and the other is solely for turning off the same valve. 
         [0042]    A fifth embodiment of the present invention, having a substantially T-shaped configuration, is shown in  FIG. 5 . In this embodiment, each lever  30 ,  40  includes associated indicia  32 ,  42 , as an indicator as to whether the particular lever is to be grasped and used solely to turn on, or to turn off, an associated valve. Indicia  32  and  42  may be engraved or embossed into the surface of handle  10 , or may comprise raised surfaces attached to or integrally formed with handle  10 . Although, in the example of  FIG. 5 , indicia  32  comprises the word “ON” and indicia  42  comprises the word “OFF”, other indicia, including “0” and “1” (i.e., binary signals”), or universal graphical symbols for on (i.e., a circle) and off (i.e., a vertical line within a circle) as defined in the well known IEC 60417 standard, entitled Graphical Signals For Use On Equipment. Moreover, translations of “on” and “off” in other languages may alternatively be employed for indicial  32  and  42 . 
         [0043]    A sixth embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIG. 6 . In this embodiment, a “staggered-T” shape is employed (as compared to  FIG. 5 ), with opposing levers  30  and  40  being at different heights relative to bottom surface  21  if handle body  20 . As with the embodiment of  FIG. 2 , the differing height of each lever  30 ,  40  vertically above a bottom surface  21  of handle body  20  serves as an indicator that the particular lever is to be used solely to turn on, or activate, the associated water valve (or, alternatively, solely to turn off the valve). Moreover, differently length levers  30  and  40 , as in the embodiment of  FIG. 3 , may additionally be employed in this embodiment as well as further indication of the relative functions of each lever. 
         [0044]    A seventh, substantially cross-shaped embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIG. 6 . In this embodiment, a color variation is employed in association with at least one lever as an indicator of the lever&#39;s function. As shown in  FIG. 30 , at least a portion of handle  30  has a colored region  33 , serving as an indicator that lever  30  is to be used solely to activate, or to deactivate, the water valve to which handle  10  is attached via handle body  20 . Colored region may comprise an integral coloring of a portion of handle  10  at lever  30 , paint or other colored coating applied to the surface of lever  30 , or a colored covering surrounding a portion of lever  30 . Moreover, portions of both lever  30  and  40  may be given different, contrasting or complimentary colors. For example, at least a portion of lever  30  may be colored green, indicating that lever  30  is to be used solely to turn on, or activate, the associated water valve, while at least a portion of lever  40  may be colored red, indicating that lever  40  is to be used solely to turn off, or deactivate, the associated water valve. 
         [0045]    Two handles  10  of the present invention are shown in conjunction with a double-handled faucet system in  FIG. 8 . In such installations, one handle  10  is associated with a hot water valve coupled with faucet  50  (shown disposed above sink or wash basin  60 ), while another handle  20  is associated with a cold water valve, also coupled to faucet  50 . 
         [0046]    A single handle  10  of the present invention is shown in conjunction with a single-handled faucet system in  FIG. 9 . In such installations, a single handle  10  is both pivoted and swiveled and to control both the intensity of water flow and the relative mixing of hot and cold water that is fed to faucet  50 . 
         [0047]    As can be seen, the handles of the present invention can be easily retrofitted into existing single-handled and double-handled faucet systems by replacing the existing handle or handles with those of the present invention. The handles of the present invention can further be included in newly installed systems. In either case, the handles of the present invention are suitable for use in bathrooms and kitchens of the home, as well as in restaurants, hotels, hospitals, schools, and other locations. The cost of adding an additional lever to a sink handle is minimal. The effects of this around the world are infinite. 
         [0048]    Inasmuch as each user of a faucet of the present invention should only touch the lever indicated as being the “off” lever following complete washing of the hands, the risk of spread of bacteria and viruses, and, in turn, disease and infection to others, may be significantly reduced. 
         [0049]    Several variations of an eighth embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 10 through 13  as comprising auxiliary lever or grasping region  70 , and two opposing prongs or clip members  71  at a proximal end of faucet handle  10 . Clip members  71  permit auxiliary lever  70  to be clipped on to a suitable cooperating portion of a handle or handle lever that is already installed as a part of an overall faucet system, by providing a secure yet releasably attachable press-fit, once clipped in place. Moreover, a substantially water insoluble adhesive or epoxy may be employed to enhance and make substantially permanent the securement of handle  10  to an existing faucet handle or lever thereof. Once attached, auxiliary lever  70  may be grasped by a user to either activate or deactivate the handle (and, in turn, the water valve) to which it is attached. 
         [0050]    In  FIG. 10 , the presence of attached auxiliary lever  70 , and the differences in appearance between auxiliary lever and the preexisting lever that it is attached to, serves as an indicator that auxiliary lever  70  is to be used solely to turn on, or activate, the associated water valve (or, alternatively, solely to turn off the valve). 
         [0051]    In  FIG. 11 , auxiliary lever  70  includes a textured surface region  72  (such as, for example, a knurled surface, or a surface having a series of ringed indentations). Textured surface region  72  serves as an indicator that auxiliary lever  70  is to be used solely to activate, or to deactivate, the associated water valve (or, alternatively, solely to turn off the valve). 
         [0052]    In  FIG. 12 , auxiliary lever  70  includes a colored surface region  73 , serving as an indicator that auxiliary lever  70  is to be used solely to activate, or to deactivate, an associated water valve. Colored surface region  73  may comprise an integral coloring of a portion of auxiliary lever  70 , paint or other colored coating applied to the surface of auxiliary lever  70 , or a colored covering surrounding a portion of auxiliary lever  70 . 
         [0053]    In  FIG. 13 , auxiliary lever  70  includes indicial  74  applied to at least a portion of the auxiliary lever, as an indicator as to whether the particular lever is to be grasped and used solely to turn on, or to turn off, an associated valve. Indicia  74  may be engraved or embossed into the surface of handle  10 , or may comprise raised surfaces attached to or integrally formed with handle  10 . Although, in the example of  FIG. 13 , indicia  74  comprises the word “ON” other indicia, including the word “OFF”, “0” and “1” (i.e., binary signals”), or universal graphical symbols for on (i.e., a circle) and off (i.e., a vertical line within a circle) as defined in the well known IEC 60417 standard, entitled Graphical Signals For Use On Equipment. Moreover, translations of “on” and “off” in other languages may alternatively be employed for indicial  74 . 
         [0054]    Several variations of an ninth embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 14 through 17  as comprising auxiliary lever or grasping region  70 , and two opposing strap ends  75  and  76 , each extending from at a proximal end of faucet handle  10 . Each opposing strap end  75 ,  76  includes a portion of a cooperating fastener, such as, for example, a hook-and-loop type fastener, such as the type sold under the VELCRO trademark. Strap ends  75  and  76 , and their associated cooperating fastener, permit auxiliary lever  70  to be releasably attached on to a suitable cooperating portion of a handle or handle lever that is already installed as a part of an overall faucet system, by providing a secure yet releasably attachable fixation, once strap ends  75  and  76  are placed in an overlapping configuration, permitting their associated fastener portions to adhere together at overlapping region  77 . Once so attached, auxiliary lever  70  may be grasped by a user to either activate or deactivate the handle (and, in turn, the water valve) to which it is attached. 
         [0055]    In  FIG. 14 , the presence of attached auxiliary lever  70 , and the differences in appearance between auxiliary lever and the preexisting lever that it is attached to, serves as an indicator that auxiliary lever  70  is to be used solely to turn on, or activate, the associated water valve (or, alternatively, solely to turn off the valve). 
         [0056]    In  FIG. 15 , auxiliary lever  70  includes a textured surface region  72  (such as, for example, a knurled surface, or a surface having a series of ringed indentations). Textured surface region  72  serves as an indicator that auxiliary lever  70  is to be used solely to activate, or to deactivate, the associated water valve (or, alternatively, solely to turn off the valve). 
         [0057]    In  FIG. 16 , auxiliary lever  70  includes a colored surface region  73 , serving as an indicator that auxiliary lever  70  is to be used solely to activate, or to deactivate, an associated water valve. Colored surface region  73  may comprise an integral coloring of a portion of auxiliary lever  70 , paint or other colored coating applied to the surface of auxiliary lever  70 , or a colored covering surrounding a portion of auxiliary lever  70 . 
         [0058]    In  FIG. 17 , auxiliary lever  70  includes indicial  74  applied to at least a portion of the auxiliary lever, as an indicator as to whether the particular lever is to be grasped and used solely to turn on, or to turn off, an associated valve. Indicia  74  may be engraved or embossed into the surface of handle  10 , or may comprise raised surfaces attached to or integrally formed with handle  10 . Although, in the example of  FIG. 17 , indicia  74  comprises the word “ON” other indicia, including the word “OFF”, “0” and “1” (i.e., binary signals”), or universal graphical symbols for on (i.e., a circle) and off (i.e., a vertical line within a circle) as defined in the well known IEC 60417 standard, entitled Graphical Signals For Use On Equipment. Moreover, translations of “on” and “off” in other languages may alternatively be employed for indicial  74 . 
         [0059]    A tenth embodiment of the present invention, comprising an electrically powered, automatically reconfiguring lever is shown in  FIGS. 18A through 18E  as comprising two rotating members  90  and  100 . Rotating member  90  includes first grasping region  80  having an associated indicator, such as indicia  81 , and third grasping region  84  having an associated indicator, such as indicia  85 . Rotating member  100  includes second grasping region  82  having an associated indicator, such as indicia  83 , and fourth grasping region  86  having an associated indicator, such as indicia  87 . A concealed battery and miniature motor or motors within handle  10  cooperate with sensors to reconfigure rotating members  90  and  100  at appropriate times, so that certain surfaces of handle  10  are initially presented to the user prior to commencing hand washing, and different surfaces of handle  10  are subsequently presented to the user for turning off the water supply once the hands have been cleansed. 
         [0060]    Referring to the initial configuration of  FIG. 18A , rotating members  90  and  100  are positioned such that grasping regions  84  and  86  are facing towards each other, and thus hidden, while grasping regions  80  and  82  are facing away from each other, and are thus exposed to the user, together with their associated indicators  81  and  83 . The exposure of indicators  81  and  83  indicate to the user that handle  10  is to be grasped and rotated or moved in order to turn on, or activate, an associated water valve. 
         [0061]    A pressure transducer, capacitive touch sensor, optical sensor, or other suitable sensor is associated with each of rotating members  90  and  100 , and detects when a user has grasped handle  10  in order to activate the water supply. Alternatively, an optical, mechanical, or electromechanical switch or position encoder may be employed to detect when handle  10  has been moved from an inactive to an active orientation. 
         [0062]    Upon detection by any of the above-described means that the user has recently grasped handle  10  to turn on the water supply, the motor or motors concealed within handle  10  are activated, initiating, through a direct drive arrangement or suitable gearing mechanisms, the rotation of rotating members  90  and  100 , as shown in  FIG. 18B . In particular, grasping regions  80  and  82  are rotated towards each other, until the configuration of  FIG. 18C  is reached, at which time the concealed motor or motors are deactivated. In this configuration, rotating members  90  and  100  are positioned such that grasping regions  80  and  82  are facing towards each other, and thus hidden, while grasping regions  84  and  86  are facing away from each other, and are thus exposed to the user, together with their associated indicators  85  and  87 . The exposure of indicators  85  and  87  indicate to the user that handle  10  is next to be grasped and rotated or moved solely upon the completion of hand cleansing, in order to turn off, or deactivate, an associated water valve. 
         [0063]    In one embodiment of the invention, handle  10  further includes a time delay circuit concealed therein and operably associated with the motors coupled to rotating members  90  and  100 . Inasmuch as a user may initially readjust the position of handle  10  shortly after initial activation in order to modify the temperature and/or pressure of the water emitted from an associated faucet, this time delay circuitry serves to delay the reconfiguration of handle  10  from presenting its “on” grasping regions to presenting its “off” grasping regions for a predetermined amount of time, such as three to four seconds, such that the “on” grasping regions remain accessible during this initial period of potential readjustment of handle  10 . 
         [0064]    Upon detection by any of the above-described means that the user has recently grasped handle  10  to turn off the water supply, the motor or motors concealed within handle  10  are again activated, initiating, through a direct drive arrangement or suitable gearing mechanisms, the rotation of rotating members  90  and  100 , as shown in  FIG. 18D . In particular, grasping regions  84  and  86  are rotated towards each other, until the configuration of  FIG. 18E  is reached (i.e., a configuration identical to the configuration of  18 A), at which time the concealed motor or motors are deactivated. In this configuration, rotating members  90  and  100  are positioned such that grasping regions  84  and  86  are facing towards each other, and thus hidden, while grasping regions  80  and  92  are facing away from each other, and are thus exposed to the user, together with their associated indicators  81  and  83 . The re-exposure of indicators  81  and  83  again indicate to the next user that handle  10  is to be grasped and rotated or moved in order to turn on the water supply to commence the next hand washing. 
         [0065]    Although, indicia is employed as an indicator in the embodiment of  FIGS. 18A through 18E , as in the prior embodiments, other indicators, such as differing textured surfaces, or differing colored surfaces, may alternatively be employed. 
         [0066]    Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described. Various modifications, changes and variations may be made in the arrangement, operation and details of construction of the invention disclosed herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The present disclosure is intended to exemplify and not limit the invention.