Conventional hot water taps, for example as used for filing teapots or other cooking vessels include an operating handle which may be raised to open the valve to dispense hot water. Conventional catering taps have a hold open function in which the operating handle may be pulled forward to the holding position. This lifts the valve spindle against pressure of a spring raising the sealing member from the valve seat allowing water to pass through the tap. Once past the toggle position the tap is locked open. When the handle is then returned to the original position the spring urges the seal against the valve seat thus stopping the flow of water. This operation allows teapots and large vessels to be filled in a hands free operation. Such taps may include a self closing function which may be used when the operating handle is rotated through 180°. In this position the handle is pulled forward but does not pass the toggle position so that water is allowed to pass through the tap until the handle is released. Upon release of the handle the spring urges the seal into the valve seat closing the tap. This can be used for filling cups or other small vessels. A problem may arise with use of conventional taps because inadvertent contact with the operating handle may open the valve allowing escape of boiling or hot water.

According to the present invention a catering tap comprises: an operating handle; a body containing an inlet, an outlet and a valve; the valve comprising a valve member cooperating with a valve seat, the valve member being moveable between open and close positions by movement of the operating handle; wherein the valve is biased towards the close position; the valve including a valve spindle extending through an aperture in a locking member to engage the operating handle; the valve spindle including one or more radially extending projections ;

the aperture of the locking member including one or more rebates corresponding to the radially extending projections and arranged so that the spindle and radially extending projections may pass through the locking member when the locking member is an unlocked position wherein the rebates and projections are aligned to open the valve; and wherein the handle and spindle can be rotated to a locked position in which the rebates and projections are not aligned thereby preventing opening of the valve.

In a preferred embodiment the locking member may comprise a cap.

The handle may include one or more cam portions adapted to engage the surface of the cap to provide"hold open"and"self closing"functions.

The handle may be twistable between the locked and unlocked positions.

In a preferred embodiment the spindle has two lugs or projections located at 180° on opposite sides of the cylindrical spindle, the cap having two rebates on opposite sides thereof.

In this embodiment rotation through 90° locks the spindle into the cap so that the spindle cannot be withdrawn from the cap by actuation of the operating handle.

The invention is further described by means of example but not in any limitative sense with reference to the accompanying drawings of which: Figure 1 is a cross sectional view of a tap with the handle in the"self closing" position; Figure 2 is a cross section of the tap shown in Figure 1 with the valve opened; Figure 3 is a cross sectional view of the tap in the open position; Figure 4 is a cross sectional view from the front of the tap in the locked position; Figure 5 is a cross sectional view of the front of the tap in the unlocked open position; and Figure 6 is a cross sectional view of the tap in the locked position, and Figures 7-9 illustrate the rotation of the operating handle.

In the following drawings the same reference numerals are used to denote the same components in each figure.

The tap shown in the Figures comprises a body (1) having an inlet (2) connected to a supply of boiling or heated water and a downwardly opening outlet (3). In alternative

embodiments the inlet and outlet have different orientations. A resilient or elastomeric valve seal member (4) engages a valve seat (5) to close the valve. A spring (14) shown in Figures (4) and (5) urges the seal member (4) downwardly into the enclosed position.

A spindle (6) extends upwardly through an aperture (9) in a locking member or cap (8). The cap (8) is received on a threaded portion of the body. The operating handle (10) and spindle may be twisted in use through an angle of 90°, 180° or 270°. An operating handle (10) is engaged to the upper part of the spindle (6) by means of an integrally moulded pin (not shown) received within a socket or aperture or hook (13) in the spindle use through an angle of 90°, 180° or 270°. The base of the operating handle (10) has a rounded cam portion (11) and a flat face (12) on opposite sides thereof. As the handle is pulled forwardly in use as shown in Figure 2, engagement of the rounded surface (11) against the upper body of the cap (8) opens the valve against the restoring force of the spring (14). As further shown in Figure 2 the seal member (4) is raised opening the valve and allowing water or other liquid to be dispensed. When the handle (10) is released the spring (14) causes the valve to close.

The spindle (6) carries (2) radially extending projections or lugs (7) disposed at an axle of 180° on opposite sides of the spindle. The projections (7) are preferably elongated in the axial direction. The aperture (9) in the cap (8) includes two rebates dimensioned to receive the projection (7) as the valve is opened when the cap is rotated to the unlocked position as shown in Figures 1,2 and 3.

In the unlocked position when the operating handle (10) and spindle (6) are rotated so that the rebates in the cap (8) are not aligned with the projections (7) as shown in Figures 4 and 6, the valve may not be opened due to abutment of the upper end (15) of the projections (7) against the underside of the cap (8). In this position the cap is locked so that the handle (10) cannot be accidentally depressed.

As shown in the drawings a pair of opposed lugs may be provided on the spindle.

Alternative configurations or projections of the spindle may be provided with a

correspondingly shaped aperture in the cap to permit the valve to be opened in one or more selected positions.

In use of the tap a user twists the operating handle (10) to an unlocked position in which the aperture (9) and projection (7) are aligned. As shown in Figure 1 the operating handle (10) may be pulled forwardly away from the inlet (2) to dispense a small amount of liquid, the valve automatically closing when the handle (10) is released. Alternatively the handle (10) maybe rotated through 180° as shown in Figure 3 so that the handle passes an over-centre toggle position allowing the valve to remain open when the handle (10) is released. This permits dispensing of a larger volume of liquid. When the dispensing of liquid is completed the handle (10) is returned to the upright position and the cap (8) rotated to lock the tap. Accidental operation of the tap and subsequent scalding is thereby prevented.

Figures 7 to 9 show the tap with the handle in various positions. In Figure 7 the handle is rotated to the"locked position". In Figure 8 the handle is rotatedto the"stay on" poisiton, and in Figure 9 the handle is in the"auto off'position.