Faucet assembly

Abstract

A handle assembly for a faucet that includes a silicone member configured to slide over and be removable coupled to a faucet handle, wherein the silicone member comprises an opening in which the faucet handle may be received and an external surface that may be gripped by a user. A faucet handle may include a longitudinal groove used to allow air to escape from the opening of the silicone member. The handle assembly does not require additional elements to couple the silicone member to the faucet handle.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A handle assembly for a faucet, the handle assembly comprising:
 a faucet handle defining a cylindrical portion extending from an end to a flange portion and having a constant outer diameter between the end and the flange portion; and   a cover configured to slide over and be removably coupled to the faucet handle, wherein the cover comprises an opening configured to receive the faucet handle and an external surface configured to be gripped by a user;   wherein the cover comprises an internal bore extending from the opening to a closed end, the internal bore having a constant diameter along a substantial length of the cover;   wherein the faucet handle includes an annular groove and the cover member includes an annular protrusion, wherein the annular protrusion is configured to couple to the annular groove when the cover is assembled onto the faucet handle.   
     
     
         22 . The assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the constant diameter of the internal bore is less than the constant outer diameter of the faucet handle such that at least a portion of the cover is forced into the annular groove when the cover is slid over the faucet handle due at least to the size differential between the internal bore and the faucet handle. 
     
     
         23 . The assembly of  claim 21 , wherein at least one of the annular groove and the annular protrusion extends 360 degrees about each other. 
     
     
         24 . The assembly of  claim 21 , wherein at least one of the annular groove and the annular protrusion extends less than 360 degrees. 
     
     
         25 . The assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the cover is made of silicone rubber. 
     
     
         26 . The assembly of  claim 21 , wherein surface tensions of the bore and the faucet handle are configured to operably retain the cover to the faucet handle. 
     
     
         27 . The assembly of  claim 26 , wherein the diameter of the opening of the cover is smaller than the diameter of the faucet handle. 
     
     
         28 . The assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the opening of the cover is curved outward toward the external surface. 
     
     
         29 . The assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the faucet handle is die cast from a zinc alloy. 
     
     
         30 . A faucet assembly comprising:
 a spout;   a handle assembly configured to control the flow of water from the spout, the handle assembly comprising:
 a handle defining a cylindrical portion extending from a first end to a flange portion and having a constant outer diameter between the end and the flange portion; and 
 a member configured to be removably coupled to the handle, wherein the member comprises an opening configured to receive the handle and an external surface configured to be gripped by a user; 
   wherein the member comprises an internal bore extending from the opening to a closed end, the internal bore having a constant diameter along a substantial length of the cover; and   wherein the handle includes an annular groove and the member includes an annular protrusion, wherein the annular protrusion is configured to couple to and be received within the annular groove when the cover is assembled onto the handle.   
     
     
         31 . The faucet assembly of  claim 30 , wherein the constant diameter of the internal bore is less than the constant outer diameter of the handle such that at least a portion of the cover is forced into the annular groove when the member is slid over the handle due at least to the size differential between the internal bore and the handle. 
     
     
         32 . The faucet assembly of  claim 30 , wherein an element separate from the member and the handle is not used to couple the member to the handle. 
     
     
         33 . The faucet assembly of  claim 30 , wherein at least one of the annular groove and the annular protrusion extends 360 degrees about each other. 
     
     
         34 . The faucet assembly of  claim 30 , wherein at least one of the annular groove and the annular protrusion extends less than 360 degrees. 
     
     
         35 . The faucet assembly of  claim 30 , wherein the perimeter of the opening of the member is smaller than the perimeter of the handle. 
     
     
         36 . The faucet assembly of  claim 30 , wherein the opening of the member is curved outward toward the external surface. 
     
     
         37 . A handle assembly for a faucet, the handle assembly comprising:
 a faucet handle comprising a rod, the rod having constant cross-section extending from an end to a flange portion;   a cover configured to be removably coupled to the rod, wherein the cover comprises a generally smooth inner surface defining an opening configured to receive the rod and an external surface configured to be gripped by a user;   wherein a perimeter of the opening of the cover is smaller than an outer perimeter of a portion of the rod which is received within the opening;   wherein the cover comprises an internal bore extending from the opening to a closed end, the internal bore having a constant diameter along a substantial length of the cover;   wherein the rod includes an annular groove and the member includes an annular protrusion, wherein the annular protrusion is configured to couple to and be received within the annular groove when the cover is assembled onto the rod.   
     
     
         38 . The handle assembly of  claim 37 , wherein the constant diameter of the internal bore is less than the constant cross-section of the rod such that a portion of the cover is forced into the annular groove when the rod is received by the cover due at least to the size differential between the internal bore and the rod. 
     
     
         39 . The handle assembly of  claim 37 , wherein at least one of the annular groove and the annular protrusion extends 360 degrees about each other. 
     
     
         40 . The handle assembly of  claim 37 , wherein at least one of the annular groove and the annular protrusion extends less than 360 degrees.