BACKGROUND OF INVENTION Typical handles such as tap handles are provided with a tap head having a variety of configurations, but generally rotatable about an axis on which the handle is mounted. Tap handles require manipulation of some form, usually with the hand placed over the top of the tap handle and twisting of the wrist of the user to turn the tap head. Although this is suitable in many circumstances, those with a disability or sufferers of arthritis, or similar, have great difficulty in manipulating the head of the tap.

Particularly in examples such as arthritis sufferers, rotation of the wrist and the ability to grip with the fingers of the hand may be greatly impaired.

Although other devices such as wrenches or similar may be used to provide a greater leverage on the tap head, they still have limited application, as they do not suitably fit to a variety of different types of tap handle and often require detailed manipulation themselves to be fitted onto the tap handle.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a handle attachment which will fit a variety of different handles and allow easier manipulation, or to provide a handle attachment which will reduce the abovementioned problems or at least provide the public with a useful alternative.

Other objects of the invention may become apparent from the following description which is given with reference to particular examples.

STATEMENTS OF INVENTION Accordingly, in a first aspect, the invention may broadly be said to consist in a handle attachment adapted to facilitate the operation of a handle or tap, including a head portion, a plurality of substantially parallel elongate members extending from said head portion, each elongate member held by said head portion in a manner allowing movement of the elongate member along its substantially parallel axis into or through the head portion individually of each other elongate member, and a handle portion extending from said head portion.

Preferably, said elongate members may comprise a plurality of substantially inflexible pins.

Preferably each pin may extend from said head portion, at least 20mm.

Preferably, said pins may be held by the head portion through apertures in said head portion and said pins are axially moveable within said apertures.

Preferably, said apertures may have a sufficient depth or thickness to maintain the pins in a substantially parallel configuration.

Preferably, said elongate members may be provided with stop portions defining the limited axial movement of said pins through said apertures, or to at least prevent the complete removal of said pins.

Preferably, said handle portion extends from said head portion substantially transverse to said elongate members.

Preferably, the plurality of pins may define a substantially square configuration.

Preferably, a central part of said square configuration may be absent of pins.

Preferably, said plurality of pins may also define a diamond configuration.

Preferably, the handle portion may extend from the head portion substantially transverse to the elongate members.

Other aspects of the present invention may become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1: shows a plan view of one embodiment of the apparatus; Figure 2: shows a side view of the apparatus of Figure 1 ; Figure 3: shows a plan view from above of a handle attachment of the invention in an alternative embodiment (one pin only in position); Figure 4: shows a plan view from beneath of the device of Figure 3; and Figure 5: shows a longitudinal section through A-A of the device of Figure 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to the drawings, the invention can be seen to reside in a handle attachment 1, having a head portion 2, which carries a plurality of elongate members or 3 pins extending from the head portion 2, and a handle portion 4.

It can be seen that the pins 3 are substantially parallel to one another and are mounted in the head portion 2. Each pin 3 is mounted in the head portion 2 through an aperture 8 within the head portion 2, such that each pin 3 is freely axially moveable, not only with respect to the head portion 2, but also with respect to each other pin. Although there are a variety of ways in which the pins 3 may be engaged with the head portion 2, the particular form of connection should allow free individual movement of the pins 3 relative to surrounding pins. In the preferred examples, the connection means provided by the apertures 8 allows the pins 3 to slide axially with respect to each other whilst remaining in a substantially parallel configuration, i. e. there is sufficient depth in the apertures to limit pivoting of the pins. This may be achieved by the head portion 2 being of a sufficient thickness. In the embodiment of Figures 4 and 5 a central area of the head and handle portions has been removed to lighten the product, with protrusions 9 left to maintain the appropriate thickness and support of the pins. The apertures 8 preferably have a diameter marginally greater than the diameter of the pins 3 so that the pins can freely slide within the holes under a gravitational force.

The pins 3 preferably have enlarged ends 5,6, such that the pin 3 is moveable within a range of movement and the enlargements 5 and 6 prevent further axial movement of the pin 3 within its aperture 8. In addition to limiting the amount of travel of the pins 3, these enlargements 5,6 also prevent the pin 3 detaching entirely from the head 2 of the attachment 1.

In the particular examples shown in the drawings, the enlargements 5,6 are provided at the ends of each pin 3, however, this need not necessarily be the case.

It is preferred that the head portion 2, or at least the area covered by the plurality of pins 3 is greater than the smallest dimension across an average tap head so that at least some of the pins 3 may nest against the side of a tap head. In the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2 there is an array of pins 3 provided about a perimeter of the substantially rectangular head 2.

In the embodiment of figures 3 to 5 the head 2 is substantially circular with the similar square configuration of apertures for pins but with additional apertures 10 forming a diamond configuration, and further supplementary apertures 11. It will be appreciated that, for simplicity, all but one of the pins has been omitted from Figures 3 to 5. In practice all apertures would have a pin engaged.

The handle portion 4 is provided connected to or integral with the head portion 2. This handle portion allows the attachment 1 to be gripped by a user and is preferably provided to extend from the head portion 2 substantially transverse to the direction of the pins 3.

A variety of materials may be utilised in the manufacture of a handle attachment of the invention. In the preferred form, the head portion 2 and handle portion 4 may be integrally formed from a plastics material, however, wood or other materials are also suitable. The handle portion 4 may be provided with rounded edges 7 to atlow for a more comfortable grip by a user.

The pins 3 should be made from a substantially inflexible material so that, in use, they are not bent or twisted out of shape. Preferably they may be made of aluminium or stainless steel, although they could alternatively be made from wood, a hard plastics material or the like.

The attachment 1 may be used on a variety of tap handles or other domestic handles with which those lacking sufficient strength in the wrist or hand to operate the handle require assistance. Not only may the attachment be utilise on tap handles, but also on other handles such as window latches and similar domestic items which can prove troublesome to some users.

In operation, the head 2 of the attachment 1 can be placed over a tap handle so that the pins 3 engage with the tap or other handle. With the pins 3 being axially moveable, those that meet an upper surface of the tap head will be moved axially and withdraw through or into the head portion 2. The remaining pins 3 which will be downwardly depending from the head 2 engage within recesses or around the sides of the tap head. In this manner, a push on the handle portion 4 of the attachment 1 will rotate the head 2 and provided that some pins 3 have gained sufficient purchase on the tap head or similar handle, the handle will be rotated. As such, rather than a user having to twist a tap head, the user can simpty push against the protruding handle portion 4 gaining greater leverage on the tap handle and requiring less manipulation of the fingers and wrist. Instead, the movement is translated into a push directly with the arm onto the handle portion 4.

The placement and spacing of the pins 3 is designed to provide an attachment 1 which will fit a large variety of handles. It is preferred that the pins 3 extend from the head portion 2, at least 20mm, so that they have ample length to extend down the sides of a tap head which may have a slightly dome-shaped upper surface unable to be engaged by the pins.

Furthermore, if the pins 3 are sufficiently closely spaced, it is only necessary that some of the pins 3 extend down the side of the tap head, the distance between any two such pins extending down sides of the tap head on substantially opposed sides of the tap head needs to be at a spacing greater than the smallest diameter of the tap head and less than the greatest diameter of the tap head. Generally, tap heads are provided with a non- circular configuration and it is the angular configuration of the tap head which allows the pins 3 to engage and push against any protrusions on the tap head to rotate the tap head open or closed.

In the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2, the head portion 2 is approximately 50mm wide with the spacing of the pins 3 being such that they are arranged regularly about the perimeter of, for example, a 40-50mm square array and at spacings of 10-1 5mm. Additional pins 3 may be provided within or about this array, if desired, as shown in the alternative embodiment of Figures 3 to 5.

Thus, it can be seen that the invention provides an attachment for tap heads or similar items, including joinery items such as window latches. It allows these items to be manipulated using a much larger leverage action which can be simply pushed against rather than requiring manipulation of the wrist and/or fingers. It is suitable for small children lacking the strength of adults or, in particular, arthritis sufferers or the like.

Where in the foregoing description, reference has been made to specific components or integers of the invention having known equivalents then such equivalents are herein incorporated as if individually set forth.

Although this invention has been described by way of example and with reference to possible embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that modifications or improvements may be made thereto without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention as defined in the following claims.