Abstract: A tap handle contains an attachment assembly to adjustably attach the handle to a tap spindle over a range of different axial positions relative to a closure member sealing an opening in a wall. The attachment assembly includes a locating member axially slidable within a bore of the handle to rotatably engage the spindle and a locking member which cooperates with the locating member to lock the locating member at a preselected axial position.

Abstract: A single handle mixing tap includes a tap body within which is a valve mechanism comprising a pair of discs, one of which is rotatable against the other and also movable transversely across the other, whereby fluids to be mixed together from two separate inlets communicating with aligned apertures through the discs can have the ratio of their volumes, as well as their combined volume, varied. The movable disc is coupled by a ball joint arrangement to a rotatable and tiltable handle, whereby the axis of rotation of the disc and the handle through the ball joint during rotation of the disc, and the axis of tilting of the handle relative to the disc at the ball joint during transverse movement of the disc, is such that substantially all forces applied by the handle to the ball joint are radially of said joint rather than along the longitudinal axis of the tap thus relieving friction between the faces of the discs and lowering the operating forces to thereby reduce possible damage to the discs.

Abstract: A sealing washer for a tap top assembly of the type including an end housing containing a ceramic disc assembly, and for engagement with a valve seat within a tap body with the sealing washer normally engaging said ceramic disc assembly. The sealing washer is comprised of a ring of resilient compressible material surrounded by a sleeve of rigid material positioned whereby, in use, upon excessive compression of said resiliently compressible material a circumferentially extending flange on the sleeve will engage the end of the housing containing the ceramic disc assembly to retransmit the excessive compressive forces to the housing rather than the ceramic disc assembly.

Abstract: A tap incorporating a tap body and a tap top assembly having an inner end in sealing engagement with the valve seat within the tap body and having a pair of ceramic discs in a housing within the tap top assembly for controlling fluid flow, and operable by a spindle. The control valve is received within a closure member, one end of which is externally threaded at so as to be screwed within an access opening to the tap body with the other end being internally threaded at to receive an externally threaded adjustment nut surrounding the spindle and cooperating with the control valve, whereby, when the tap top assembly is screwed into the tap body, the adjustment nut is operable to move said control means axially into tight engagement with the valve seat. The externally threaded adjustment nut carries a lock nut adapted to engage the closure member and lock the adjustment nut relative thereto.