Valve upper part for sanitary fittings

An upper valve part having a head piece (83) through which a control spindle (81) passes axially, by way of which spindle a valve body arranged in the head piece (83) can be activated, and which spindle is connected to an operating part that comprises a handle (1), wherein the handle (1) can be displaceably fixed in place in at least two axial positions, relative to the head piece, coaxially to the control spindle (81), by way of a locking device that is provided, and wherein the locking device comprises at least one control motion link (52) that has at least two locking positions, into which an engagement part engages, which part is arranged on a control component that is arranged, relative to the control motion link (52), so as to be coaxially displaceable relative to the control spindle (81), and is connected to the handle (1), wherein the engagement part is formed by a ball (38) that is introduced into an elongated hole bore (35) that is arranged in the component, in such a manner that the ball (38) engages into the control cam (52) with a spherical section, wherein a ball cage is provided to surround the elongated hole bore, wherein the ball (38) is guided in the ball cage to move circumferentially and radially.