Abstract: A multi-function writing instrument includes a front section having a writing point opening and a rear section having an eraser opening. The rear section and the front section are rotatably connected to each other. A plurality of marking tips are disposed in the front section. One of the marking tips is a pencil lead marking tip. The marking tips are alternately selectable for extension through the writing point opening. An eraser holder is movably disposed in the rear section. An eraser is mounted in the eraser holder. The eraser holder is selectable for extension through the eraser opening. A means for simultaneously propelling the pencil lead marking tip through the writing point opening and the eraser through the eraser opening upon rotation of the front section relative to the rear section is housed in the multi-function writing instrument.

Abstract: An expandable writing instrument has a writing end body section and a rear body section mounted to the writing end body section for relative axial and non-rotational movement between an extended position with the rear body section spaced away from the writing end body section, and a retracted position with the rear body section closer to the writing end body section. A spring in the writing end body section biases the cartridge upwardly. A helix cylinder is mounted for rotation and axial movement in the rear body section with a peg of the rear body section sliding in a track of the helix cylinder. The track is a closed loop with left and right hand helixes so that axial movement of the rear body section causes rotation of the helix cylinder continuously in one rotational direction. A shuttle receives a cartridge body and is mounted for axial movement in the helix cylinder. A shuttle cam on the shuttle is mounted for axial non-rotational movement to the writing end body section.

Abstract: A shopping system for scanning codes related to products, such as consumer goods and services, and for retrieving data associated with the codes includes a portable, hand-held and battery-operated optical code scanner for scanning, capturing, storing and decoding information related to scanned codes, at least a first shopping kiosk having a processor, and at least a first host computer operatively coupled to the first shopping kiosk. The scanner and the first shopping kiosk are configured such that the scanner transfers decoded data to the kiosk, and the kiosk provides the transferred decoded data in a useable format by means of a display monitor and/or a printer. A communications data link between the scanner and the first shopping kiosk is established for transfer of decoded data by a transfer, and recognition by the first shopping kiosk and/or the first host computer, of an identification code stored in memory of the scanner that is associated with a user of the scanner and/or the scanner.

Abstract: A palm pad system including an electronic notepad coupled to a conventional personal digital device (“PDD”) via a data bus is set forth that enables a user to transpose handwritten data into electronic files or pages. The notepad and PDD are mounted onto a common base. The base includes a retaining structure for retaining the notepad on the base and another retaining structure for retaining the PDD on the base. The base further includes a flexible portion that permits the base to be folded into a compact form for protecting the notepad and PDD during transport. A pen containing a transmitter is employed by the palm pad system to transmit a signal to receptive electronics while a user writes data on the notepad with a writing tip contained in the pen. The signal received by the electronics is processed to generate an electronic file representative of the user's handwritten data. The electronic file can be electronically stored and retrieved.

Abstract: A stylus for a handheld computing device has a clip with detents and spaced apart ribs for securing the stylus in a stylus slot of the handheld device. The clip has grooves on the outward-facing surface, making the clip easier to grasp in order to remove the stylus from the stylus port. The stylus can include a replaceable, retractable ball point pen tip extending from the end of the stylus opposite the stylus tip.

Abstract: A single writing instrument has multiple marking tips combined with a non-marking stylus tip. The single writing instrument is formed by two complimentary bodies which are joined together. The complimentary bodies are a front section and a rear section. The front section defines a chamber for holding ball point pen cartridges which are extendable one at a time through an opening in the front section writing tip disposed at one end of the front section. The opposite end or back of the front section is open and forms a sleeve for receiving the rear section. The rear section is bilaterally symmetric with a non-marking stylus at one end and one of a fountain pen tip, a rolling ball tip, a felt-tip marker tip, or a gel ink tip extending through a writing tip at the opposite end of the rear section. The rear section is adapted to fit into the open sleeve of the front section and be held by a frictional fit.

Abstract: A locking apparatus attaches a key to a writing instrument. The locking apparatus comprises a barrel having a top end and a bottom end. The top end has a top opening with a first diameter. The second end is attached to the writing instrument. A bore extends inwardly from the top opening. The bore has a second diameter which is larger than the first diameter. A step is formed in the barrel at top of the bore. A post has an upper section and a lower section. The lower section is slidably engaged in the bore. A plurality of tabs is pivotally connected to the lower section of the post. The tabs extend outwardly from the post so that tabs impinge the step. A ring is slidably supported in the bore. The ring has a center hole adapted to frictionally engage the tabs for removing the post from the barrel. A key is connected to the upper section of the post.

Abstract: An expandable pen has a pen barrel with an expanding middle section. The pen barrel holds a retractable ball point pen refill cartridge When the pen is expanded, the writing tip of the refill is extended from a retracted position inside the pen barrel to a writing position, while the barrel becomes full length for comfort when writing. The pen may be collapsed for storage, which simultaneously retracts the writing tip inside the pen barrel.

Abstract: A hand instrument with variable grip arrangement has an instrument body of the type to be held between the fingers of the hand for use, the body having an active end and an opposite end. A resilient material forms a grip around the body near the active end. Radial expansion beams are under the grip for bending radially outwardly for expanding the grip into an expanded ergonomic position and for resiliently returning to a straightened condition for contracting the grip into a contracted storage position. Cams or threads or other mechanisms engage the beams for moving them between the expanded and the contracted positions with rotation of a part of the instrument body.