Abstract: A marking instrument includes a body formed with a first end and a second end and sealed at the second end to define a fluid reservoir. The marking instrument includes a tip assembly positioned at the first end having a rigid nib with a fluid path formed longitudinally therethrough. The rigid nib has a first end forming a first spreader surface and a second end adjacent to the fluid reservoir and cooperates with a shiftable valve positioned within the fluid path. The shiftable valve includes a valve actuator having a contact surface position substantially adjacent to the first spreader surface. The tip assembly may further include an adjustable nib having a second spreader surface adapted to be positioned adjacent the first spreader surface to form a composite spreader surface.

Abstract: A deformable grip for a writing implement having a rigid barrel includes a grip layer connected to the rigid barrel. The grip layer is formed of a solid viscoelastic grip material having a hardness of approximately 1 to 80 Shore OO durometer allowing the grip layer to achieve a deformed shape under manual pressure. The grip material further has a shape retention adapted to retain the deformed shape for at least 1 second. A coating is disposed over the grip layer and is formed of a coating material having a tensile strength of at least approximately 50 to 1000 psi and an elongation ratio of at least approximately 50 to 2000 percent. The grip may be formed over a majority of the barrel length to accommodate a variety of grip points and to improve comfort to a user.

Abstract: A marking instrument includes a body formed with a first end and a second end and sealed at the second end to define a fluid reservoir. The marking instrument includes a tip assembly positioned at the first end having a rigid nib with a fluid path formed longitudinally therethrough. The rigid nib has a first end forming a first spreader surface and a second end adjacent to the fluid reservoir and cooperates with a shiftable valve positioned within the fluid path. The shiftable valve includes a valve actuator having a contact surface position substantially adjacent to the first spreader surface. The tip assembly may further include an adjustable nib having a second spreader surface adapted to be positioned adjacent the first spreader surface to form a composite spreader surface.