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Improved Beer-Tap Handle Assembly
The abstract and figures below are from U.S. patent #
6,230,769, issued August 7, 2001 and expiring September 29, 2019.
The link takes you to a page at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office's web
site where you can see a text-only version of the patent. A full
version with figures is also available at the USPTO site; once there,
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to text-version of the patent
Here is a shot of an early prototype. 
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AbstractIn a beverage tap of the kind used in
ale houses, pubs and restaurants, a tap-handle-assembly extension is
provided that facilitates the operation of the tap with one hand so that
the server can easily fill two receptacles from two taps simultaneously
without wasting beverage. Disclosed embodiments include an extension that
may be reversibly retrofitted to an existing tap, an extension that is
incorporated into the structure of a tap handle, and an extension that is
connected to and contiguous with an upper retaining nut.
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This
patent represents a long-overdue improvement of the well-loved
beer-tap handle. The improvement is an extension-lever that
permits bar maids and bartenders to draw a beer with one hand.
Or, even better, two beers with two hands. The lever can be
used to open and close the valve by applying pressure with the edge
of the glass or with one's thumb.
This figure is the retro-fit embodiment.
The lever attaches to standard tap-valve assemblies. It is
held in place between the upper-retaining nut and the handle.
Figure 2 from the patent |
In this
embodiment the upper retaining nut of a tap handle assembly has been
adapted to receive the lever after the nut has been screwed onto the
valve post. The handle then screws onto the valve post above
the retaining nut as usual.
Figure 5-A from the patent
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Here the
actual handle itself has been adapted. There is an internally
threaded bushing that screws onto the valve post, and then the
handle slides over the bushing and is held in place by a slot-key.
Figure 4-A from the patent |
Exclusive rights to this patent may
be acquired by qualified parties.
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