Abstract: A valve stem is provided with a handle assembly having a noncircular axially extending formation and a retaining element fixed to the stem and formed with an array of axially extending and radially deflectable tongues having radially outwardly directed bumps and a screwthread of predetermined axial length axially offset from the stem formation and from the tongues. A handle having a hub formed with a hole fittable axially over the retaining element is formed inside the hole with a screwthread complementary to the retaining-element screwthread, with a handle formation complementary to and fittable axially with the stem formation and offset from the handle screwthread by a distance greater than the retaining-element screwthread axial length, and with a radially inwardly open groove. The handle fits with its hole over the element with the formations interengaged, the screwthreads not engaged, and the bumps in the groove.

Abstract: A hand shower has a handle having an outer part extending along a handle axis and having an outer face and a shower head forming at least one spray opening directed along a spray axis extending nonparallel to the handle axis. A pivot between the handle and shower head allows pivoting of the head on the handle about a pivot axis inclined at 30° to 90° to the handle axis, normally 45°. The pivot axis extends at an angle between 35° and 50° to the spray axis.

Abstract: A touch sensor with a sensor surface insulated with respect to ground potential, the sensor surface being connected via a measuring resistor to an a.c. voltage generator, and the voltage across the measuring resistor being used as a difference measuring signal. At least one touch sensor can advantageously be integrated in a sanitary fitting and used to control solenoid valves on water feeds of the fitting. An operating element of the fitting is used as a sensor surface and is connected via a connecting cable to control electronics of the sensor. A method of detecting a touch on an electrically conductive surface, a capacitive touch sensor being used which detects the complex conductance of a human body. The touch detection is carried out by measuring and evaluating a current flow in the direction from the sensor to the person who touches the sensor surface and/or in the direction from the person into the sensor.

Abstract: A faucet has according to the invention a support body centered on an upright axis and adapted to be fixed to a horizontal support surface. The body is formed with a radially outwardly open outer groove having upper and lower axially spaced and confronting flanks and a radially outwardly directed floor. A sleeve fitted over and surrounding the body has a radially inwardly directed inner surface level with the outer groove and an axially downwardly directed shoulder generally level with the upper flank. A hard split bearing ring set in the outer groove has an outer face bearing on the inner sleeve surface, an upper face on which the shoulder rests, a lower face bearing on the lower flank, and an inner face radially confronting the floor. A biasing element braced radially between the bearing ring and the body presses the outer surface of the bearing ring against the inner surface of the sleeve.

Abstract: A valve stem is provided with a handle assembly having a noncircular axially extending formation and a retaining element fixed to the stem and formed with an array of axially extending and radially deflectable tongues having radially outwardly directed bumps and a screwthread of predetermined axial length axially offset from the stem formation and from the tongues. A handle having a hub formed with a hole fittable axially over the retaining element is formed inside the hole with a screwthread complementary to the retaining-element screwthread, with a handle formation complementary to and fittable axially with the stem formation and offset from the handle screwthread by a distance greater than the retaining-element screwthread axial length, and with a radially inwardly open groove. The handle fits with its hole over the element with the formations interengaged, the screwthreads not engaged, and the bumps in the groove.

Abstract: A shower head has a body having an inlet adapted to be connected to a source of pressurized water and an opposite end face formed with a plurality of arrays of spray openings. Respective sprayers in the body at the spray-opening arrays periodically block and unblock same and thereby cause pulsating streams of the water to issue therefrom.

Abstract: In a shower-head holder having a bracket (1) fixed on a wall or on a wall rod and a holder body (2) pivotal on a pin (10), the holder body (2) having at lest one friction face that bears under an adjustable spring force on at least one surface fixed rotationally on the bracket (1), it is proposed that the pin (10) be angularly fixed to the bracket (1), the holder body (2) engaging around the pin (10) with a sleeve (20) and being connected via a plate-type brake with the bracket.

Abstract: A mixing valve has a housing and a stem axially displaceable to adjust the output temperature of the valve. A tubular core body fixed in the housing an axially displaceable coupling body having an inner end axially engageable with the stem and an outer end formed with a screwthread. Interengaging formations on the coupling body and the core body inhibit rotation of the coupling body in the core body while permitting axial displacement of the coupling body in the core body. A knob rotatable about the axis has a screwthread meshing with the screwthread of the coupling-body outer end. A retainer engaged between the knob and the core body inhibits axial displacement of the knob on the core body and permits rotation of the knob on the core body so that rotation of the knob on the core body axially shifts the coupling body in the core body.