AU2005229735A1 - Tap Handle Assembly - Google Patents

Description

c TAP HANDLE ASSEMBLY 0 Field of the Invention z The present invention relates to tap handle assemblies and, in particular, to tap handle assemblies of the type incorporating a screw-in tap button.

Background to the Invention Taps and tap handles are staple items used extensively in buildings of all types including domestic, industrial and commercial buildings. Taps and tap handles are typically located in kitchens, bathrooms, washrooms, laundries and any other location where water from a remote reservoir needs to be discharged.

Taps and tap handles come in a particularly vast variety of shapes and designs.

These shapes and designs are constantly changing in accordance with fashion trends, consumer demands and affordability factors. As a consequence, customers now have an enormous range of taps and tap handles, of numerous shapes and designs, to select from when purchasing such goods.

In-spite of the multitude of different shapes and designs of tap handles, most tap handle assemblies include one of a limited number of basic design features. For instance, the vast majority of tap handle assemblies comprise a tap handle body having a) gripping means (such as at least one rod, knob or other protruding or roughened element) for enabling a user to turn the handle body manually and b) spindle engaging means for enabling the handle assembly to be fixed to an upper end of the spindle of a typical tap head assembly.

Although there is an enormous variety of gripping means for tap handles, the number of variations of the spindle engaging means is relatively limited. For example, most known tap handle bodies have a body cavity extending through the body, for receiving an end of a spindle extending from, and operatively engaged with, a tap head assembly. Typically, this body cavity extends between two openings on opposite sides of the handle body. The body cavity usually has two sections of different dimensions one cavity section for receiving a tap-handle button and the second cavity section forming part of, or housing, the spindle engaging means.

In one particularly common tap handle body, the first cavity section consists of a cylindrical bore of a given diameter (typically about 1cm) extending from the first opening to about midway through the body cavity. Extending from the second opening is a shaped bore having two opposed flat walls (ie 'flats') and two opposed concave walls 2 N extending between the flat walls. This shaped bore extends from the second opening to about midway through the body cavity (where it meets the cylindrical bored cavity). The

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Z shaped bore is shaped so as to neatly receive a correspondingly shaped end of a Sspindle. A portion of the spindle end has an external thread on the concave walls. The

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shaped bore is located about the correspondingly shaped spindle end, so that rotation of the handle body causes rotation of the spindle. The threaded portion of the spindle end extends beyond the shaped bore and into the cylindrical bored cavity. The above tap handle assembly also includes a tap button comprising a cylindrical skirt having an internal thread. This skirt is shaped so as to be received within the cylindrical bored cavity of the handle body. The tap button threadably engages with the threaded portion ri of the spindle end by screwing it onto the threaded portion, thereby securing the tap handle body to the spindle.

Another known tap handle body comprises a body cavity which also extends between a first opening and a second opening of the body. The cavity again comprises two separate cavity sections. A first cavity section comprises a cylindrical threaded bore extending from the first opening in the body to approximately midway through the body cavity. The second cavity section includes a shaped bore typically comprising a plurality of radially spaced channels. This shaped bore is adapted to directly receive a spline (the teeth of which correspond with and fit within the channels) located at the end of the spindle. In order to secure this handle body to the spindle, a circlip and retention nut are required. The circlip is typically located in and about a circumferential channel in the spindle directly beneath the spline. The handle is then connected to the spindle by means of the retaining nut which is located beneath the circlip. The retaining nut comprises an external thread adapted to threadably engage with the internal thread of the cylindrical bore of the first cavity section.

In an alternative variation of the last mentioned known tap handle, the shaped bore of the second cavity has a polygonal shape (eg square, hexagonal, octagonal etc).

A shaped fitting is then inserted into the shaped bore. This fitting has an external wall corresponding with the shape of the shaped bore and an internal wall comprising a number of radially spaced channels adapted to receive a correspondingly shaped spline of a spindle.

Another known tap handle body again has a body cavity extending between a first opening and a second opening of the body. The body cavity also includes a first section and a second section of different shapes. In this prior art example, the first section comprises a cylindrical cavity having an internal thread which receives a tap button O3 having an externally threaded skirt. The second section which extends from the second >opening has a polygonal (eg square, hexagonal, octagonal) shape into which a shaped

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Z fitting is inserted. This shaped fitting is substantially identical to the shaped fitting described above, having an internal wall with radially spaced channels adapted to receive a correspondingly shaped spline of a spindle. In this example, the tap body further includes a grub screw which is adapted to tighten the fitting against the spline.

The abovementioned tap handle assemblies, including the tap handle bodies, have various problems associated with them. For instance, in some cases, after a period of use, the tap button can become loose and even disengage from the tap handle body.

The abovementioned tap handle bodies have body cavities incorporating two different cavity sections having different shapes (eg a circular cross-section and a polygonal cross-section). These different body cavity shapes substantially increase the complexity and cost of manufacture of the handles.

The present invention is directed towards ameliorating the above problems. In particular, the invention is directed to providing a tap handle body and/or a tap handle assembly which is relatively simple to manufacture and relatively easy to install. A preferred form of the invention is directed to providing a tap handle body having a body cavity, extending through the body, of either substantially constant cross-sectional shape (eg circular) or varying circular cross-sectional shapes wherein the circular crosssectional shapes are coaxial.

Summary of the Invention In a first aspect, the present invention provides a tap handle assembly connectable to a tap head assembly, the tap handle assembly comprising: a tap handle body having: a first opening and a second opening, and a body cavity extending between said openings, the body cavity having a first cavity section adjacent the first opening and a second cavity section adjacent the second opening, said second cavity section having a second threaded section; a tap handle button including: a skirt adapted to be securely received within the first cavity section, and a button cavity defined by the skirt, the button cavity adapted to substantially receive a shaped spindle end; a retaining member locatable about a tap spindle, and having a threaded section adapted to threadably engage the second threaded section; and 4 disengagement prevention means adapted to engage the tap spindle and, when the retaining member is located about the tap spindle, to inhibit the retaining member from disengaging from the tap spindle.

The tap handle body of preferred embodiments is connected to or integral with one or more gripping means, preferably located about said body, to enable the user to ri turn the tap on and off. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the body cavity is cylindrical in shape and has a uniform diameter extending from the first opening to the second opening. In alternative embodiments, however, the body cavity need not have a uniform shape along its entire length. Furthermore, provided the body cavity includes a first cavity section and second cavity section, the second cavity section having a second thread section, there is no particular limitation on the shape of the body cavity.

The tap handle body has a first opening and a second opening. The first opening preferably opens from a button surface of the tap handle body, the button surface being adapted to abut a portion of the tap handle button. Similarly, the second opening preferably opens from a lower surface of the tap handle body. The first opening is preferably sized to receive the tap handle button and the and second opening is preferably sized to receive the spindle and other relevant components. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the respective sizes of the first and second openings substantially correspond with the diameter of the body cavity.

In preferred embodiments, the skirt of the tap handle button is adapted to be securely received within the first cavity section of the body cavity. In one embodiment, secure engagement of the skirt within the first cavity section is achieved by the use of an adhesive. In another embodiment, an outer shape of the skirt is adapted to correspond with an inner shape of the first cavity section such that the skirt can be securely engaged within the first cavity section, for instance by press-fit. It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that, provided the first cavity section can securely receive the skirt of the tap handle button, the manner in which the skirt is secured within the first cavity section is not specifically limited.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the first cavity section includes a first threaded section and said skirt includes a threaded section adapted to threadably engage the first threaded section. The first threaded section may extend all the way through to the second threaded section, in which case there will appear to be a continuous thread over the entire inner wall of the body cavity.

The first threaded section of the tap handle body is adapted to threadably engage a threaded section on an outer wall of the skirt of the tap handle button. Similarly, the 0 Z second threaded section of said body is adapted to threadably engage a threaded Ssection of the retaining member. The number of revolutions for each of the first and

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second threaded sections is preferably a minimum of two and a half. This number of revolutions provides a sufficient degree of engagement for the relevant components. In one preferred embodiment, the body cavity is threaded along its entire length from the first opening to the second opening. In further preferred embodiments, the first and (N second threaded sections are located immediately adjacent to their respective openings.

However, in some embodiments, the first and second threaded sections may be located Ni a distance from their respective openings, provided that the distance does not substantially inhibit the threadable engagement of the respective components.

As will be appreciated, although a threaded connection between the tap handle body and the tap handle button is particularly desirable (eg for ease of manufacture and ease of use), other types of connections, such as a bayonet connection or a friction fit, could be used.

The tap handle button includes a skirt. In preferred embodiments, the skirt extends from an underside of an upper portion of the button. An outer wall of the skirt preferably has a threaded section adapted to threadably engage the first threaded section of the tap handle body. In one preferred embodiment, the threaded section extends along the length of the skirt. In some embodiments, the threaded section is adjacent an end of the skirt. Provided that the threaded section enables threaded engagement of the tap handle button to the tap handle body, there is no particular limitation on the position of the threaded section along the length of the skirt.

The skirt defines a button cavity which is adapted to substantially receive a shaped spindle end. Accordingly, an internal shape of the button cavity preferably substantially corresponds to at least a portion of the shape of the shaped spindle end.

In a preferred embodiment, receipt of the shaped spindle end into the shaped button cavity facilitates only very little, and preferably no, relative movement between the tap handle body and the spindle. Accordingly, it is preferred that the shaped spindle end is received by way of a snug fit within the shaped button cavity.

The preferable internal shape of the button cavity (and, therefore, the corresponding shape of the shaped spindle end) is not purely cylindrical. In preferred embodiments, the internal shape of the button cavity is part cylindrical with at least one flat portion. In another preferred embodiment, the shaped spindle end is a spline and the

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N internal shape of the button cavity corresponds to at least a proportion of the shape of the spline. Provided that receipt of the shaped spindle end into the shaped button cavity 0 Z enables both the tap and spindle to rotate together, there is no particular limitation on the internal shape of the button cavity (and, therefore, the shape of the spindle end).

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In other preferred embodiments, the tap handle button further comprises a o spindle end receiving insert adapted to be fitted in the button cavity. The insert preferably press-fits into the button cavity, and is inhibited from moving rotationally within the button cavity. In such preferred embodiments, an internal shape of the insert is adapted to substantially receive the shaped spindle end.

The retaining member is locatable about the spindle and includes a threaded section adapted to threadably engage the second threaded section of the tap handle body. In preferred embodiments, the retaining member is substantially cylindrical or ringshaped and is able to slide longitudinally relative to the tap spindle. In this embodiment, the threaded section is located on an outer wall of the retaining member. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the threaded section extends the entire length of the retaining member. However, in alternative embodiments, the threaded section may only extend along a portion of the length of the retaining member. It is particularly preferred that the retaining member, when threadably engaged with the second threaded section of the body cavity, is substantially or completely concealed to the eye by the tap handle body.

In such embodiments, the retaining member further includes at least one cut out or slit (eg in an exposed face of the retaining member) adapted to receive a complementary shaped tool, such as a spanner, for loosening or tightening the threadable engagement of the retaining member with the second threaded section. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the retaining member is a retaining nut. However, any member capable of performing the above described function could be used.

The disengagement prevention means of the above assembly is adapted to engage the tap spindle and, when the retaining member is located about the spindle, to inhibit the retaining member from detaching from the spindle. Accordingly, when the retaining member is attached to the tap handle, as described above, the disengagement prevention means inhibits the tap handle body from disengaging from the spindle. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the disengagement prevention means comprises an open clip located within and adapted to engage a corresponding groove or channel around the circumference of the spindle. The clip is preferably horse-shoe or semicircular shaped. A particularly preferred clip is a circlip. The groove or channel is preferably adjacent the shaped spindle end. Once engaged onto the spindle, the 7 disengagement prevention means provides a physical barrier preventing the retaining member from sliding along the spindle and disengaging from the spindle. Accordingly,

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Z when the retaining means is threadably engaged within the tap handle body as described above, the disengagement prevention means effectively prevents the tap handle body

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from being able to disengage from the spindle.

As indicated above, a particularly preferred form of the disengagement prevention means comprises a circlip locatable within a corresponding groove or channel around the (N circumference of the spindle. However, in alternative embodiments other means capable of performing the same or similar function will be suitable, for example, an adhesive introduced between an inner surface of the retaining member and outer surface of the spindle once the tap handle body has been appropriately located and the retaining member threadably engaged with the second threaded section of the tap handle body.

In another alternative embodiment, the disengagement prevention means could comprise a welding join between the retaining member and the spindle in the appropriate location.

In a second aspect, the present invention provides a tap handle body for use in the tap handle assembly of the first aspect, the tap handle body having: a first opening and a second opening, and a body cavity extending between said openings, the body cavity having a first cavity section adjacent the first opening and a second cavity section adjacent the second opening, said second cavity section having a second threaded section, wherein the first cavity section is adapted to securely receive a skirt on a tap handle button, and the second threaded section is adapted to threadably engage a threaded section on a retaining member.

In a third aspect, the present invention provides a tap handle button for use in the tap handle assembly of the first aspect, the tap handle button including: a skirt adapted to be securely received within a first cavity section of a body cavity in a tap handle body, and a button cavity defined by the skirt, the button cavity adapted to substantially receive a shaped spindle end.

In a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a method for connecting the tap handle assembly of the first aspect to a tap head assembly, the method comprising: providing the tap handle assembly; Sproviding the tap head assembly including a spindle with a shaped spindle end; o locating the retaining member about the spindle; engaging the disengagement prevention means with the spindle so as to inhibit disengagement of the retaining member from the spindle; securely engaging the skirt of the tap handle button within the first cavity section t' of the tap handle body; inserting the shaped spindle end through the body cavity so that the shaped Sspindle end is received within the button cavity defined by the skirt; and threadably engaging the retaining member with the second threaded section of the body cavity, thereby connecting the tap handle body to the tap head assembly.

Preferably, the method also includes the step of threadably engaging a threaded section of the skirt of the tap handle button with a first threaded section of the first cavity section in the tap handle body cavity.

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the following drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is an exploded view of a tap handle assembly (in cross-section) and a tap head assembly, the tap handle assembly being in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the first aspect of this invention.

Figure 2a is a plan view of a tap handle body of the assembly shown in Figure 1.

Figure 2b is a side cross-sectional view of the tap handle body shown in Figure 2a.

Figure 3a is a plan view of a tap handle button of the assembly shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3b is a side view (in partial cross-section) of the tap handle button of Figure 3a.

Figure 3c is a bottom view of the tap handle button of Figure 3a.

Figure 3d is a side cross-sectional view of a portion of the tap handle button shown in Figure 3b.

Figure 3e is a top view of a decal for an attachment to the tap handle button of Figure 3a.

Figure 3f is a side view of the decal shown in Figure 3e.

S9 SFigure 4a is a plan view of the tap handle assembly shown in Figure 1.

Figure 4b is a side cross-sectional view of the tap handle assembly shown in Z Figure 4a.

Figure 5a is a bottom view of a retaining nut of the assembly shown in Figure 1.

Figure 5b is a side view (in partial cross-section) of the retaining nut shown in Cc Figure Figure 6 is a plan view of a retaining clip for use in the tap handle assembly of Figure 1.

Figure 7 is a side view (in partial cross section) of the tap head assembly shown in Figure 1.

Description of Preferred Embodiments As shown in Figure.1, a preferred embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention comprises a tap handle assembly 1 incorporating a tap handle body 2, a tap handle button 3 which, in use, is situated within a body cavity 25, of the tap handle body 2. The tap handle assembly 1 further includes a retaining nut 5 and a retaining clip 4.

The retaining nut S5and the retaining clip 4 cooperate with the tap handle body 2 and a tap head assembly 100 enabling the tap handle 2 to be connected, typically by way of a threaded connection, to the tap head assembly 100.

As more clearly shown in figures 2a and 2b, a preferred embodiment of a second aspect of this the invention comprises a tap handle body 2 (which forms part of the assembly This tap handle body has a cylindrical bore 25 formed through the body 2.

The cylindrical bore 25 extends between an upper opening 26 and a lower opening 27 and forms a cylindrical side wall 24. Located about the upper opening 26 is a substantially flat annular top surface 28.

Although not clearly shown in the drawings, the internal cylindrical wall 24 of the body 2 includes at least one threaded section. This threaded section may extend the entire length of the wall 24. Alternatively, the threaded section may comprise two threaded portions, one located adjacent the upper opening 26 and the other located adjacent the lower opening 27. As described later, the threaded section or threaded sections is/are adapted to receive corresponding threaded portions on the tap handle button 3 and the retaining nut As more clearly shown in figures 3a to 3c, a preferred embodiment of a third aspect of this the invention comprises a tap handle button 3 (which forms part of the tap c(N handle assembly This button 3 includes a head section 30 and a cylindrical skirt 31 extending from an underside of the head section Z Although not clearly shown in the drawings, the cylindrical skirt 31 of the button 3 includes a threaded outer wall which corresponds with the threaded inner wall 24 of the tap handle body 2.

The tap handle button 3 includes a spline receiving cavity 33. This cavity 33 is t' substantially cylindrical but having a ribbed side wall 34. The ribs of this ribbed sidewall S34 are adapted to engage with corresponding ribs of a spline 130 of a tap head assembly I 100.

When located in the tap handle body 2, the tap head button 3 is adapted so that a lower face 38 of the head section 30 abuts the surface 28 of the tap handle.body 2.

In order to facilitate screw-on (and screw-off) of the tap handle button 3, the head section 30 generally has a polygonal circumference. In the preferred embodiment shown, the polygonal circumference is octagonal so that the head section 30 has eight side sections 36 which can be gripped by a person's fingers (or by a spanner) to install the button 3 (or remove it) as desired. As the tap handle body is connected to the spindle by means of the retaining member (ie retaining nut), there is unlikely to be any need to remove the tap button once installed. Accordingly, during installation of the tap button, an adhesive substance (eg a glue) can be used to fixedly adhere the tap button to the tap handle body.

Figures 3e and 3f show a decal 39 which is typically adhered to a top surface 37 of the tap handle button 3. The decal 39 typically contains a "hot" indicator or a "cold" indicator. The decal may include other material as well (eg a trade mark).

As shown in Figures 4a and 4b, the tap handle button 3 is connected to the tap handle body 2 by locating the cylindrical skirt 31 into the body cavity 25. As previously explained, the outer wall of the skirt 31 contains a threaded section. The inner cylindrical wall 24 of the body cavity 25 contains a thread which corresponds with the thread of the button 3 to facilitate this installation. As shown in Figure 4b, the lower surface 38 of the head section 30 abuts the top surface 28 of the tap handle body 2 so that the head section 30 sits just above the tap handle body 2. In this way, the side wall sections 36 are exposed to enable them to be gripped when the button 3 needs to be removed.

As also shown in Figure 4b, the cylindrical skirt 31 of the button 3 does not extend fully down into the body cavity 25 of the tap handle body 2. Preferably, this skirt 31 extends about half way (or less) down the body cavity As shown in Figures 5a and 5b, the tap handle assembly of the preferred embodiment also includes a substantially annular retaining nut 5. This retaining nut defines a substantially cylindrical bore. The outer side wall 52 of the nut 5 is threaded.

This thread is adapted to correspond with the thread of the internal cylindrical wall 24 of the tap handle body 2. This retaining nut 5 also includes two diametrically aligned slits 53. These slits 53 are adapted to receive end portions of an anti-vandal spanner.

Accordingly, these slits should be located on an exposed face of the nut 5. The retaining nut 5 is adapted to screw into and therefore to be located within a lower portion of the body cavity 25 of the tap handle body 2. The dimensions of the cylindrical bore 51 are adapted so that the retaining nut 5 may be located about, and slidable along, a spindle 110 of the tap head assembly 100.

In the above embodiment, the tap handle assembly 1 further includes a retaining clip 4 in order to maintain the desired connection between the tap handle body 2 and the tap head assembly 100. This retaining clip 4 comprises a curved inner edge 42 located substantially between two parallel arms 43. The retaining clip 4 is dimensioned so that the parallel arms 43 are positionable within the circular channel 120 on the spindle 110.

When in position, the curved inner edge 42 of the retaining clip abuts a floor of the channel 120.

As can more clearly be seen by Figure 1, the tap handle body 2 is able to connect to the spindle 110 in the following way. The tap handle button 3 is inserted through the upper opening 26 of the tap handle body 2 and screwed into position by the external thread on the cylindrical skirt 31 engaging with the cylindrical thread on the internal wall 24 of the body 2. Located within the cylindrical skirt 31 is a substantially cylindrical ribbed inner wall 34. This ribbed inner wall 34 defines a spline receiving cavity 33 into which the spline 130 may be received. Therefore, the tap handle body (with button) may be inserted on to the spindle 110 so that the spline 130 enters into the body cavity through opening 27 and the spline 130 is received within the spline receiving cavity 33 in a snug fit. In this position, the tap handle body 2 can be used to turn the spindle 110.

In order to securely connect the tap handle body 2 to the spindle 110, the retaining clip 4 and the retaining nut 5 need to be connected. In order to do this, the retaining clip 4 is located in and about the circular channel 120. When so positioned, the tap handle body 2 is placed down onto the spindle 110 until the spline 130 is positioned within the spline receiving cavity 33. The retaining nut 5, which has previously been positioned on the spindle, between the circular channel 120 and the body of the tap head assembly, is then screwed into a lower section of the body cavity 25 through the lower 12

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(Ni opening 27. An anti-vandal spanner may be used to assist with screwing the retaining nut 5 into position.

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Z As can be appreciated, when the above tap handle assembly 1 is fitted in this manner to the tap head assembly 100, the tap handle assembly 1 is firmly affixed. When the retaining nut 5 is engaged within the tap handle body 2 as described above, the retaining clip 4 is effectively sandwiched between the retaining nut 5 and the spline 130.

This arrangement prevents the tap handle assembly 1 from becoming detached from the tap head assembly 100.

As is apparent, the tap handle assembly 1 can be disengaged from the tap head assembly 100 by unscrewing the retaining nut 5 from within the tap handle body 1.

The arrangement described above has numerous benefits including ease and economy of manufacture and ease and speed of installation. As will be appreciated, the body cavity 25 in the tap handle body 2 can be formed simply by creating a uniform cylindrical bore through the body 2 and by forwarding a continuous thread (or a number of threaded portions) on the internal cylindrical wall 24 of the body 2.

By forming the button 3 with.an external thread which is adapted to engage the internal thread on the cylindrical wall of the body cavity 25, this makes installation of the button within the body cavity very simple and easy. Further, by forming the spline receiving cavity 33 within the tap handle button 3, the button (and thereby the tap handle body 2) can be easily connected to the spindle 110. The retaining clip 4 and the retaining nut 5 can then be used in a simple and quick manner to affix the handle body 2 to the spindle 110.

It should be appreciated that the above description is by way of example only and any modifications or improvements that would be obvious to those skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims (16)

1. 2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the first cavity section includes a first threaded section and said skirt includes a threaded section adapted to threadably engage the first threaded section.
2. 3. The assembly of claim 1 or 2, wherein the body cavity is cylindrical having a uniform diameter.
3. 4. The assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the body cavity is .threaded from the first opening to the second opening.
4. 5. The assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the skirt extends from an underside of a tap button portion.
5. 6. The assembly of any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the skirt is threaded externally.
6. 7. The assembly of any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the threaded section of the skirt extends along the length of the skirt. 14 O O
7. 8. The assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein an internal shape of the button cavity is integrally formed so as to correspond with at least a portion of the shaped O Z spindle end.
8. 9. The assembly of any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a spindle end receiving insert adapted to be fitted within the button cavity. The assembly of claim 9, wherein the spindle end receiving insert has an internal shape adapted to substantially receive the shaped spindle end. N 11. The assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the retaining member is substantially cylindrical and slidingly engages the spindle. N 10 12. The assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the retaining member is threaded externally.
9. 13. The assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein when the retaining member is threadably engaged with the second threaded section of the body cavity, the retaining member is substantially concealed to an eye of a user of the tap handle assembly.
10. 14. The assembly of any one'of the preceding claims, wherein the retaining member includes at least one cut out adapted to receive a complimentary shaped tool. The assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the retaining member is a retaining nut.
11. 16. The assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the disengagement prevention means comprises a substantially open circular clip adapted to engage a corresponding groove or channel around the circumference of the spindle.
12. 17. The assembly of claim 16, wherein the clip is substantially semi-circular shaped.
13. 18. The assembly of claim 16 or 17, wherein the groove or channel is formed adjacent the shaped spindle end.
14. 19. The assembly of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the disengagement prevention means comprises a circlip with a corresponding groove or channel around the circumference of the spindle. A tap handle body for use in the tap handle assembly of any one of claims 1 to 19, the tap handle body having: a first opening and a second opening, and O O a body cavity extending between said openings, the body cavity having a first cavity section adjacent the first opening and a second cavity section adjacent the second Z opening, said second cavity section having a second threaded section, wherein the first cavity section is adapted to securely receive a skirt on a tap handle button, and the second threaded section is adapted to threadably engage a r threaded section on a retaining member.
15. 21. A tap handle button for use in the tap handle assembly of any one of claims 1 to N19, the tap handle button including: a skirt adapted to be securely received within a first cavity section of a body cavity in a tap handle body, and a button cavity defined by the skirt, the button cavity adapted to substantially receive a shaped spindle end.
16. 22. A method for connecting the tap handle assembly of any one of claims 1 to 19 to a tap head assembly, the method comprising: providing the tap handle assembly; providing the tap head assembly including a spindle with a shaped spindle end; locating the retaining member about the spindle; engaging the disengagement prevention means with the spindle so as to inhibit disengagement of the retaining member from the spindle; securely engaging the skirt of the tap handle button within the first cavity section of the tap handle body; inserting the shaped spindle end through the body cavity so that the shaped spindle end is received within the button cavity defined by the skirt; and threadably engaging the retaining member with the second threaded section of the body cavity, thereby connecting the tap handle body to the tap head assembly.