One-Handed Water Dispenser Valve Adapter

The Problem: One must use two hands to dispense water, one to hold the container and one to operate the valve lever. Seems trivial but it is astounding how often I have one hand occupied while trying to dispense water.

One could buy a valve that has this feature to replace the type I've shown, but they aren't cheap and they have a problem. Sometimes you need to set the water jug on a flat surface, but the valve lever hangs below the table top. You could break your water spout or lever.

The Solution: An adapter that simply locks into place and pushes the upper lever for you when you press your container (like a glass) against the dispensing lever. To keep from damaging the valve, the valve lever can be lifted forward out of the way.

This adapter is made for the type of water valve shown below:

You may need to adapt the pivot flange to fit your particular brand of valve. The assembly requires a rivet gun, though you may be able to use a screw with a locking nut.

This mechanism has the following 3D printed parts:

• Valve Pusher
• Lever with Stop
• Pivot Flange
• Knob (with optional cap)

You will need the following extras:

Hardware

• M4 threaded insert
• M4 x 30mm bolt
• 3/16" x 5/8" rivet

Tools

• Heatset press for threaded inserts
• Rivet gun
• Dremel with cut-off disk (or hacksaw or very strong nippers) for rivet
• Epoxy (quick-set)

Assembly Instructions:

• Print the parts in orientation shown in the photo.

• Use a soldering iron or a heatset press to press the M4 threaded insert into the pivot flange as shown in the exploded diagram.
• Apply epoxy to the head of the M4 bolt and pull it into the knob. Put a dab of epoxy on the top of the bolt head and stick on the cap. Make sure the bolt is straight.
• Using a rivet gun and a 3/16" x 5/8" rivet, carefully secure the rivet through the pivot flange, the valve pusher, and the lever. It is best to push the thick end of the rivet into the flange side of the pivot flange so the part that mushrooms is at the lever end of the mechanism.
• I used a Dremel with a cutoff disc to remove the mandrel but a hefty pair of nippers might do the trick. Pretty tough going, though. (A hacksaw is an option, but too easy to cut into the printed plastic.)
• Snap the pivot flange onto the valve stem of your water dispenser as shown in the photo of the valve. It may take a bit of effort. Secure it with the knob, pushing up from the bottom and into the threaded insert. Tighten the knob.
• Enjoy!