Abstract: A writing utensil configurable between retracted and extended configurations is provided. The writing utensil includes a body having an interior volume and an aperture. A reciprocally movable nib assembly is located in the body and includes a nib that, when in the extended configuration, traverses the aperture. To prevent the nib from drying when in the retracted configuration, a sealing element seals the aperture. The sealing element can be a sliding door that is attached to the nib assembly and overlays the aperture. When the nib assembly is moved to the extended configuration, the sliding door slides in a manner that opens the aperture. Additional components such as a seal component, spring, compression ring, a rotational stop, and/or an O-ring may be utilized.

Abstract: A writing utensil configurable between retracted and extended configurations is provided. The writing utensil includes a body having an interior volume and an aperture. A reciprocally movable nib assembly is located in the body and includes a nib that, when in the extended configuration, traverses the aperture. To prevent the nib from drying when in the retracted configuration, a sealing element seals the aperture. In an embodiment, the sealing element is a resilient valve element that can be opened by a sleeve slidably engaging the nib assembly. After the sleeve opens the valve, the sleeve slides with respect to the nib assembly to expose the nib. In another embodiment, the sealing element can be a sliding door that is attached to the nib assembly and overlays the aperture. When the nib assembly is moved to the extended configuration, the sliding door slides in a manner that opens the aperture.

Abstract: A writing utensil configurable between retracted and extended configurations is provided. The writing utensil includes a body having an interior volume and an aperture. A reciprocally movable nib assembly is located in the body and includes a nib that, when in the extended configuration, traverses the aperture. To prevent the nib from drying when in the retracted configuration, a sealing element seals the aperture. In an embodiment, the sealing element is a resilient valve element that can be opened by a sleeve slidably engaging the nib assembly. After the sleeve opens the valve, the sleeve slides with respect to the nib assembly to expose the nib. In another embodiment, the sealing element can be a sliding door that is attached to the nib assembly and overlays the aperture. When the nib assembly is moved to the extended configuration, the sliding door slides in a manner that opens the aperture.

Abstract: A writing utensil configurable between retracted and extended configurations is provided. The writing utensil includes a body having an interior volume and an aperture. A reciprocally movable nib assembly is located in the body and includes a nib that, when in the extended configuration, traverses the aperture. To prevent the nib from drying when in the retracted configuration, a sealing element seals the aperture. In an embodiment, the sealing element is a resilient valve element that can be opened by a sleeve slidably engaging the nib assembly. After the sleeve opens the valve, the sleeve slides with respect to the nib assembly to expose the nib. In another embodiment, the sealing element can be a sliding door that is attached to the nib assembly and overlays the aperture. When the nib assembly is moved to the extended configuration, the sliding door slides in a manner that opens the aperture.

Abstract: The writing instrument includes a cap and a barrel. The cap includes threads which engage the threads on the barrel. In addition, the cap includes protrusions which engage protrusions on the barrel. The threads are designed so that the cap will engage the stop surface in approximately one third of a revolution. When the protrusions move past each other, the user perceives a tactile and/or audible indication. This indication advises the user that the cap has been fully attached to the barrel. In addition, the cap includes ribs on the exterior surface to assist the user in grasping the cap and in rotating the cap.

Abstract: The marker may include a body, a cap, an end plug and an eraser. In one of the embodiments, the eraser is molded onto the end plug. The end plug may include an attachment portion and the eraser may have an attachment portion. The attachment portion on the end plug corresponds to the attachment portion on the eraser. The attachment portions may have different shapes and/or cross sections. In other embodiments the eraser may be attached to the end of the marker, to the barrel, or to the cap.

Abstract: A set of combined construction toy and marker bodies. Each marker (50) includes ball portions (58, 60) and socket portions (62, 64) that receive the ball portions (58, 60). The construction facilitates a pivoting, rotatable interconnection between markers. All of the markers (50) may also consist of an identical shape. Each marker (50) may further include a separable cap (54) that incorporates a ventilated end (132) to allow fluid passage therethrough, so as to provide an air passageway (130) through the cap (54).

Abstract: The crayon assembly includes a crayon and an eraser. The crayon is made of a material which can make a mark on paper and which is capable of being erased from paper. The crayon assembly may also include a label. The crayon may include an attachment portion which may be a pocket. The eraser may include an attachment portion which may be a post. The post corresponds to the pocket. The attachment portions may have different shapes and/or cross sections. The crayon may be connected to the eraser by molding. In other embodiments the eraser may be connected to the crayon by an adhesive, by a ferrule or by other configurations.

Abstract: The crayon assembly includes a crayon and an eraser. The crayon is made of a material which can make a mark on paper and which is capable of being erased from paper. The crayon assembly may also include a label. The crayon may include an attachment portion which may be a pocket. The eraser may include an attachment portion which may be a post. The post corresponds to the pocket. The attachment portions may have different shapes and/or cross sections. The crayon may be connected to the eraser by molding. In other embodiments the eraser may be connected to the crayon by an adhesive, by a ferrule or by other configurations.

Abstract: The marker may include a body, a cap, an end plug and an eraser. In one of the embodiments, the eraser is molded onto the end plug. The end plug may include an attachment portion and the eraser may have an attachment portion. The attachment portion on the end plug corresponds to the attachment portion on the eraser. The attachment portions may have different shapes and/or cross sections. In other embodiments the eraser may be attached to the end of the marker, to the barrel, or to the cap.

Abstract: A set of combined construction toy and marker bodies. Each marker (50) includes ball portions (58, 60) and socket portions (62, 64) that receive the ball portions (58, 60). The construction facilitates a pivoting, rotatable interconnection between markers. All of the markers (50) may also consist of an identical shape. Each marker (50) may further include a separable cap (54) that incorporates a ventilated end (132) to allow fluid passage therethrough, so as to provide an air passageway (130) through the cap (54).

Abstract: A device for parting or cutting a tube by means of an explosive charge, comprising a pack of explosive annular pellets 20 and a fuse assembly. The fuse assembly comprises two mutually equal lengths of detonating fuse 10 and 11 of which one 10 extends axially through the said pack 20 and the other 11 is disposed at one end of the said pack 20. Fuse 10 extends between a first booster 17 adjacent to but not contiguous with said one end of the pack 20 and a second booster 18 at the other end of the pack 20, and fuse 11 extends between said first booster 17 and a third booster 19 at said one end of the pack 20. In this way the pack 20 is sandwiched between said second and third booster and simultaneous detonation of the pack 20 at its opposite ends is achieved, when required in use, by application of a single initiation system to the first booster 17.