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: 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 device (10) having a cylinder housing (12) with a bore (12a) receives a piston sleeve (14) in which a tapered bore is formed in radially movable sections extending from the piston head. A rope gripping split sleeve (16) having a tapered outer circumference and formed of separable sections which are radially movable but maintained in axial alignment is received in the tapered bore of the piston sleeve. A rope is placed in the split sleeve which is inserted in the piston sleeve and in turn in the housing bore. A valve (18) disposed in the head (14a) of the piston sleeve allows piston movement inwardly but resists outward movement of the piston, allowing a metering fluid flow providing a timed release of the rope dependent on the force level applied. In a second embodiment device (100) includes a piston rod (122) attached to the piston sleeve which extends through a guide plug (116) into a compression chamber.