Inventors:
Cory A. Balocca - Burlingame KS, 66413
International Classification:
F16K 3510
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.