Abstract: An apparatus provides a latch with a rotary dial and a leaf spring with teeth that extend from a frame into an engaging position. Inward axial movement of the dial causes the dial to deform the leaf spring and the teeth to extend into the engaging position. In the engaging position, the dial supports the teeth and resists forces that might otherwise cause the teeth to unlatch. In the engaging position, a catch in a track on the dial engages a pin of the frame to maintain the engaging position. From the engaging position, a rotation of the dial unseats the catch and allows the dial to move axially outward and the teeth to recede into the frame.

Abstract: A ball pin connector includes a sleeve-like housing having a cavity with an elastic ball bearing. The elastic ball bearing is axially moveable between a lifted up position, and a lower locking position. Cooperating surface structures are provided on an inner wall of the housing and on an outer wall of the elastic ball bearing as a plurality of projecting surface structures arranged circumferentially distributed with gaps in between such that in a first rotational state of the elastic ball bearing within the housing the projecting surface structures are aligned to be able to come into engagement such that the elastic ball bearing is held in the lifted up position, and such that in a second rotational state of the elastic ball bearing the projecting surface structures of the elastic ball bearing are aligned with gaps of the projecting surface structures of the housing.

Abstract: A medical device and treatment method for treating veins. The medical device includes: an elongated outer sheath; an inner member extending through inside of the outer sheath, the inner member protruding distally beyond the outer sheath; an expansion portion positioned between a distal portion of the outer sheath and a distal portion of the inner member, the expansion portion having a plurality of linear material portions extending along an axial direction of the inner member, the expansion portion being expandable in a radial direction of the inner member; a biasing member disposed inside the outer sheath biasing the inner member proximally relative to the outer sheath; and a fixing portion configured to fix the relative positions of the inner member and the outer sheath in a state in which the expansion portion has been expanded. The fixing portion is also configured to be released from the fixed state.

Abstract: A stationery tool has a body, a pushbutton, a working element, and a push-proof device. The pushbutton is pushably and rotatably mounted on an end of the body. The working element is mounted in the body and is connected to and driven by the pushbutton. The push-proof device is mounted between the body and the pushbutton and has a blocking protrusion and a blocking segment. The blocking protrusion is disposed on the pushbutton. The blocking segment is disposed on the body, selectively abuts the blocking protrusion and has a passage defined in the blocking segment to allow the blocking protrusion to pass the blocking segment. Accordingly, a push-proof capability is provided to the pushbutton to prevent the working element from extending out of the body unintentionally.

Abstract: A writing instrument including a hollow body extending between a rear end and a front end of the hollow body; a writing member mounted inside the hollow body and provided with a tip at a free end; a protective sleeve movable between a tip protection position and a retracted position for writing; at least one first stop formed on the hollow body; and at least one locking member able to engage said first stop.

Abstract: A pressurizing-type pen has a compression cylinder fitted to a rear portion of a refill holder which holds an ink-containing refill. A return spring holder holding an elastic airtight member is inserted inside the refill holder. When the compression cylinder advances, the refill holder also advances and presses the airtight member to bring the inner face of the airtight member into close contact with the refill to close a vent path. When the compression cylinder further advances, the rear space of the refill is pressurized by a compression chamber provided within the compression cylinder. Then, following the advance movement of the compression cylinder, the airtight member and the return spring holder advance together with the refill holder and the refill, and the refill is thereby maintained at the writing position. The elastic member does not make sliding contact with the refill and therefore is not abraded.

Abstract: A stylus comprises a stylus barrel, a connecting element and a stylus body. The stylus barrel has a receptacle defined therethrough. The connecting element is fixed to one end of the stylus barrel. The stylus body is retractably and slidably coupled to the stylus barrel. The stylus body is configured to be optionally supported by the connecting element in an extended state or locked to the opposite end of the stylus barrel in a retracted state with the stylus body received within the receptacle of the stylus barrel.

Abstract: A stylus includes an expansible structure. A chamber is formed inside the expansible structure. The stylus further includes an inner body installed inside the chamber in a movable manner relative to a first direction for pressing the expansible structure when moving in the first direction so that the expansible structure expands in a second direction.

Abstract: A thermochromic writing instrument contains a thermochromic ink, wherein a writing body 8 is accommodated in a barrel 2 movably in a longitudinal direction, an operation portion 5 is provided on the outer surface of the barrel 2, and a pen tip 81 of the writing body 8 is constituted so as to be projectable/retractable from/into a front-end hole 31 of the barrel 2 by operating the operation portion 5. The thermochromic ink 83 is contained in the inside of the writing body 8, the pen tip 81 capable of ejecting the thermochromic ink 83 is provided at the front end of the writing tool, and a friction portion 4 capable of thermally changing the color of the handwriting of the thermochromic ink 83 by the frictional heat generated when the handwriting is rubbed with the friction portion 4 is provided on the outer surface of the barrel 2.

Abstract: A press-action device includes a holding barrel, a push button, a rotation module, and an auxiliary spring. The holding barrel includes a window, and the rotation module includes at least one rotation barrel on which a plurality of patterns can be attached. When a user pushes the push button, the window will randomly display one of the patterns on the rotation barrel.

Abstract: A writing instrument includes a travel multiplier mechanism that includes a cam member that pivots about a pivot axis in response to motion of a push button member. The cam member engages a sliding piston member in order to provide a travel multiplying effect such that a distance of travel of the sliding piston member exceeds a distance traveled by the push button member.

Abstract: Upon depressing a knock rod in a state of writing of FIG. 8A, a cam protuberance 3b of a rotor turns rightward to assume a position shown in FIG. 8B. Upon removing a finger, the cam protuberance 3b turns sliding on a tilted surface, arrives at a position shown in FIG. 8C through a first vertical motion (distance d) and, further, arrives at a position shown in FIG. 8D through a second vertical motion (distance e). Here, a tilted surface of cam protuberance 3b comes in collision with a tilted surface of an inner cylinder cam 2b twice, and shocks are transmitted to a refill 7. By forming a step between the front half and the rear half of the tilted surface of the inner cylinder cam 2b, however, a distance of vertical motion of the cam protuberance 3b each time is shortened to decrease the shock of collision imparted to the refill each time.

Abstract: A writing instrument includes a travel multiplier mechanism that includes a cam member that pivots about a pivot axis in response to motion of a push button member. The cam member engages a sliding piston member in order to provide a travel multiplying effect such that a distance of travel of the sliding piston member exceeds a distance traveled by the push button member. The cam member may be configured to rotate about an axis that is located in a plane perpendicular to a primary axis of a barrel of the writing instrument.

Abstract: A pen with double pen barrels is revealed. The pen with double pen barrels includes two pen barrels connected in parallel, a pen refill in each pen barrel, and a driving member disposed between the two pen barrels. When one of the pen barrels is pressed and moved downward, a pen refill extends out of a front end of the pen barrel, located to be in writing state. Then by releasing a stopper of the pen barrel, the pen barrel moves upward and the pen refill retracts to be in storage state. Thus the pen barrel and the pen refill extends and contracts synchronously. Moreover, interests in use of the pen are increased.

Abstract: A retractable writing instrument has a push-to-extend, push-to-retract operating mechanism assembled for life as a single module which is removeable from a body of the writing instrument. A prehensile member is connected to the operating mechanism and is moveable axially for displacing the writing tip of the cartridge between its extended and retracted positions. The prehensile member has resilient parts adapted for grasping the end of the cartridge inserted through an aperture in the operating mechanism module and pressed into a cavity in the prehensile member, thereby allowing users to readily replace the cartridge without the risk of releasing small easily-lost components of the operating mechanism.

Abstract: A type of writing apparatus. The writing apparatus is a modified crayon that includes an attached eraser and has an outer plastic sleeve that serves as the gripping mechanism when in use. An individual can rotate the attached eraser and expel the crayon slowly out of the open of the plastic sleeve as the crayon is used up. In addition, the crayon itself has incorporated metallic additives, sparkling additives, and various scents.

Abstract: An improved structure of a pen is disclosed. The casing is provided with a conic casing at the top portion and having two protruded pegs. The cap mounting for capping onto the conic casing is provided with an upper circular groove and a lower circular groove at the inner edge of the cap mounting. A vertical sliding rail is provided at the side of the circular groove. The interior of the casing is mounted with a compression spring and a refill and the upper portion of the conic casing is mounted onto the compression spring and is positioned within the cap mounting. The protruded pegs are in combination with the upper circular groove and the lower circular groove so that the rotating of the casing will retracting or extending out the refill for writing.

Abstract: A writing implement comprising a housing (2), a writing cartridge (4) arranged in the housing in a movable manner, and a control unit that displaces the writing cartridge between a first position in which the cartridge tip (6) protrudes from the housing for writing, and a second position in which the cartridge is retracted into the housing. In the first position the writing implement has a total length suitable for writing, and in the second position the writing implement is contracted. The writing implement exhibits improved handling without major structural modification, so that the writing implement can be brought into the writing position and also extended in a single hand movement. To achieve this the implement is provided with a depressor (8) which is configured as an extension of the housing and can be actuated to move the writing cartridge between the first and second positions, and which in the first position extends out from the rear end of the housing.

Abstract: A push-button writing implement includes a barrel having at least a transparent or semitransparent part, a refill axially slidably contained in the barrel, and provided with a writing tip, and a refill-operating mechanism including a push button, and a return spring and designed so as to be operated by the push button to project the writing tip of the refill from a tip of the barrel and to retract the same into the barrel. A front stopper ring having the shape of an O ring is put on the refill, a fancy member is axially slidably put on part of the refill extending backward beyond the front stopper ring, and the fancy member is moved up and down along the refill when the refill is moved by resilience of the return spring by operating the refill-operating mechanism.

Abstract: There is suggested a writing instrument having a shaft (9) and a push member (K,L;10) especially formed in one piece, which push member comprises a push portion (L), a body portion (K,50) and a switch rod portion (S) extending from the body portion in the axial direction and comprising a switch tooth (Z) protruding radially therefrom, which switch tooth (Z) is displaced within shaft (9) by at least one small segment (A,B) of shaft (9), being reshaped in the radial direction, upon actuation of the push member (10) in particular in the circumferential, tangential and/or radial directions; or which comprises two axially spaced apart stable positions corresponding to the writing position and the retracted position of the writing instrument, wherein switch tooth (Z), in both positions, assumes the same at least circumferential (tangential) position only axially displaced; or which is arranged on the switch rod portion in such a manner and has such a circumferential (tangential) extension (z6,z2) and shape that a c

Abstract: A push-button writing implement includes a barrel having at least a transparent or semitransparent part, a refill axially slidably contained in the barrel, and provided with a writing tip, and a refill-operating mechanism including a push button, and a return spring and designed so as to be operated by the push button to project the writing tip of the refill from a tip of the barrel and to retract the same into the barrel. A front stopper ring having the shape of an O ring is put on the refill, a fancy member is axially slidably put on part of the refill extending backward beyond the front stopper ring, and the fancy member is moved up and down along the refill when the refill is moved by resilience of the return spring by operating the refill-operating mechanism.

Abstract: A stylized writing instrument shaped like a proprietary or familiar object. Embodiments of the invention include a housing shaped like the proprietary or familiar object, a writing implement, and internal mechanisms provided within the housing for extending the writing implement from, and retracting the writing implement into, the housing. The internal mechanisms may comprise a wide variety of actuation systems for extending and retracting the writing implement, including a cam actuation assembly, an edge slide actuation assembly, a gravity actuation assembly, a pressure actuation assembly and a push button actuation assembly.

Abstract: A writing instrument with a retraction device includes a hollow barrel, a grip attached to a lower end of the hollow barrel, a writing implement mounted in the hollow barrel and the grip, and an elastic member mounted around a lower portion of the writing implement. The grip has a rigid sleeve mounted in a lower end of the grip opposite to the hollow barrel. The writing implement has a writing tip formed on a lower end of the writing implement, which selectively extends through the rigid sleeve in the grip. The elastic member abuts the rigid sleeve and is driven by the rigid sleeve. The user only needs to press the writing tip or the rigid sleeve to retract or extend the writing tip.

Abstract: A combination tool capable of being clipped into a pocket which incorporates an outwardly biased writing implement, e.g., pen, into a tip of a removable Phillips-head screwdriver tip at one end of a hexagonal tube while having a removable second tip, e.g., regular screwdriver tip at an opposed end. The handle, an inwardly biased clip affixed thereto for fastening into a shirt or pant pocket, is used for facilitating rotational movement of the hexagonal tube with screw tips attached, and is insertable over either tip and at least partially onto the hexagonal tube, an interior hole within the handle being dimensioned so as to permit sliding frictional engagement between the handle and the tube. In a preferred embodiment, the pen has a selectively retractable tip, retracting effected by converting inward radial force into compressive longitudinal movement.

Abstract: A writing implement includes a shaft, a refill having a writing tip and that is displaceable co-axially in the shaft, a resilient restoring member acting between the shaft and the refill, a shifting mechanism and a push member associated with the shifting mechanism. The shifting mechanism is actuable by the push member so the refill and its writing tip can be displaced into a writing position against the action of the restoring member and, with repeated actuation , is returned to a rest position. The push member co-operating with the shifting mechanism is movable axially in a longitudinal direction of the shaft and the refill. An actuating lever projects from the end of the shaft, remote from the writing tip, and pivots with respect to shaft. The actuating lever acts upon a side of the push member remote from the shifting mechanism, converting pivoting movement of the lever into axial movement of the push member.

Abstract: A cosmetic brush assembly includes a first cylindrical member holding bristles, a second cylindrical member, and a protecting cap protecting the bristles. The assembly further includes a brush member, a cylindrical catch member, and a length variable member. The brush member is slidably inserted in the first cylindrical member when it is not used or after use, and can be exposed to the outside of the first cylindrical member by a simple manipulation.

Abstract: A safety knock-type writing utensil capable of maintaining an outer shell in a relatively thin thickness and making a length of a writing lead substantially long by the change of the locking position, thereby allowing a large amount of ink to be stored therein.

Abstract: The subject of the invention is to provide a knock-type writing instrument in which a cloth can be prevented from being stained by the clip releasing mechanism having a compact structure when the writing instrument is stored in a pocket and further the writing extremity end can be prevented from being damaged under the projected state by an unintended use of it.

Abstract: A pressing device for a pen having a spring, a center stick engaging the spring and a nib part. The pressing device comprises a penholder having a guide slot, a movable tube having an outwardly projecting engaging piece that extends through the guide slot, a bounce device, a press or push cap, and a clipping part. The clipping part has a pen clip provided with a clamping piece that engages the engaging piece when the nib part is extended outwardly from the penholder in a writting position. When the pen is being attached to an article such as a pocket, the clamping piece will touch the article such that the pen clip is urged to move outward. As a result, the clamping piece will disengage the engaging piece. The engaging piece will move upward along the guide slot causing the spring to be stretched pressing the center stick upward such that the nib part will be received in the penholder.

Abstract: A rotary locator with differential position in a pen comprises an adapter head, a follower stem, and a cam. The adapter head is fixed at the top of the pen, an upper forked portion with a pivot device at the top thereof to form a groove seat, and a lower portion thereof has a central through hole. The follower stem is disposed in the central through hole and extends inward the pen. The cam is disposed in the groove seat, has two opposite flat planes on the contour thereof, an eccentric device between said two flat planes, and the eccentric device to align with the pivot device so as to rotate in the groove seat eccentrically. While the cam is turned, the follower stem displaces by way of a top thereof keeping contact with the contour of the cam. The follower stem can be located at one of two specific positions respectively because of the pivot device having different distances apart said two opposite flat planes respectively.

Abstract: A tubular cap for the top of a ball point pen, the cap having a long slot with an offset defining a lower long slot and an upper long slot with narrow slots perpendicular to the upper long slot and extending on either side of the long slot, the top of the cap supporting an internal coil spring extending down the cap toward the open end of the long slot, the coil spring engaged with the plunger of the ball point pen short of full extension of the ink cartridge housed therein and providing a smooth touch while writing that can be adjusted for firm, medium and soft touch writing.

Abstract: A pressing device for a pen and the pen further comprises a spring, and a center stick fitting with the spring and having a nib part. The pressing device further comprises a penholder, a movable tube, a bounce device, a press cap, and a clipping part. While the clamping piece on the clipping part touches a clipped article, the pen clip is urged to move outward and the clamping piece disengages with the engaging piece. The engaging piece moves upward along the guide slot because of the stretching of the spring and the pressing of the center stick till the stop ring has pressed against the upper opening. Accordingly, the nib part of the center stick may be received in the penholder automatically.

Abstract: A knocking writing utensil which automatically returns a writing medium to a withdrawn position when a clip is used, includes an engagingly-locking protrusion formed on an engagement body that moves inside an external cylinder together with a refill. An engaging-lock receiving protruding portion including an engaging-lock receiving portion at its front end is formed on the rear surface of a non-proximal end of a clip with its proximal and fixed to the external cylinder. A guide hole is formed in the external cylinder so as to correspond to the engaging-lock receiving protruding portion. A cam portion for abutting on the engagingly-locking protrusion is formed on a knock bar integrated with a known body.

Abstract: A side knock-type ball point pen includes a barrel having a front end portion and a rear end portion, a refill-receiver member axially movably incorporated within the barrel, a refill removably received in the refill-receiver member, the refill including an ink container-tube, a writing tip attached to a front end of the ink container-tube, and ink contained in the ink container-tube, a first cooperating mechanism provided in an interior of the rear end portion of the barrel for preventing the refill-receiver member from rotating relative to the barrel, a second cooperating mechanism provided in an interior of the rear end portion of the barrel for keeping the writing tip of the refill projected out of the barrel in use of the ball point pen, the refill-receiver member coupled to the second cooperating mechanism, and an actuator member provided at a portion of a peripheral wall of the barrel for causing the refill-receiver member to be advanced.

Abstract: A writing instrument operated by a finger at a holding position comprising a hollow body for containing at least one refill, in which each refill is always forced toward a retracted position in the hollow body, and is moved between the writing position and a resting position by means of a cam mechanism which is operated by an actuating knob provided at a position near the portion of the hollow body to be grasped by a user's finger-tips.

Abstract: A push-button writing instrument has a refill (5) slidably inserted in a barrel (2) and is biased toward the back end of the barrel by a spring (6). The writing instrument is provided with a refill operating mechanism (10) capable of projecting a writing tip part (4) of the refill (5) from the open front end (2a) of the barrel (2) and retracting the same into the barrel (2) when operated by exerting a pressure in the range of 500 to 800 grams to a push-button (7). The writing tip part (4) is retracted into the barrel by a distance of about 3 mm from the open front end (2a). The push-button writing instrument is able to employ a conventional refill operating mechanism. The writing tip part (4) of the writing instrument does not project from the open front end (2a) of the barrel (2) when a force on a touching level is applied to the push-button while the writing instrument is kept in a pocket or the like.

Abstract: A refill unit (1) for a writing instrument has a writing tip (5) at one end and a ratchet mechanism (7) at the other end through the use of which the unit (1) can be turned and selectively extended from and retracted into the writing instrument. The ratchet mechanism (7) is rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the unit with respect to the writing tip (5). Each time the refill unit (1) is extended from or retracted into the writing instrument, the tip (5) rotates by a substantially random amount which ensures a more even distribution of wear on the writing tip (5).

Abstract: A writing instrument including; a front casing having a throughhole extending longitudinally therethrough; a refill extending in the throughhole; and a cam body located in the throughhole. The cam body has at least one cam groove formed on the inner periphery thereof, at least one cam surface provided at the end thereof, and a shoulder portion connecting the cam grooves. A rotating cam engages the edge of the cam grooves and receives an end of the refill. A cam bar having at least one projection is adapted to be inserted in the cam grooves so as to slide along the cam grooves to a shoulder portion. The cam bar is able to push the rotating cam forwardly to cause the rotating cam to rotate. An elastic body pushes the refill toward the rotating cam. rear casing is aligned with the front casing and is fixed at the cam bar.

Abstract: A rotary-cam ball-point pen having an outer sleeve, a rotary-cam mechanism comprised of a cam body provided on the inside of the outer sleeve, a rotary-cam engaging the cam body, and a cam bar engaging the rotary-cam, and a refill. The rear portion of the refill is loaded backward by an elastic body inserted into the rotary-cam. The cam bar has a structure with flexibility in which the cam bar can be distorted inward by applying a radial force. Since the cam bar is inserted into the outer sleeve from the rear side of the outer sleeve, it is possible to form a clip of an integral part of the cam bar, or a decoration having dimensions larger than the outside diameter, or a knocking cap.

Abstract: A writing tool comprised of a head member, a refill, a return spring, and a cam mechanism for projecting the top of the refill out of or retracting it into the head member comprised of cam body, a rotation cam, and cam bar. The cam body is attached to the head member, and the rotation cam is located near the head member. Since the cam mechanism is located near the head member, the length of the writing tools may be short, therefore compact small writing tools can be formed.

Abstract: A writing instrument such as a pen having an elongated housing of an extruded plastic tube, a molded tip member which is press fit into one end of the housing, a cartridge containing a writing medium therein such as ink therein, and including a writing tip for contacting a substrate such as paper, a molded combined clip/cam member press fit into the opposite end of the housing for retaining the cartridge therein, and an extension and retraction system for positioning the cartridge in either a first position where the tip extends beyond the forward end of the tip member or in a second position where the cartridge and tip are retained within the tip member and housing. The clip/cam member preferably includes a clip for attachment to clothing or the like while the housing preferably includes a matte finish thereon. This soft finish may be achieved by sand blasting the housing or by including an outer covering of a soft feel material such as a soft plastic or elastomer.

Abstract: A feed mechanism for a writing device comprising a writing medium carrier which is displaceable in a housing in a front and rear position by means of a press button. Connected with the press button is a rotatable switching element which comprises a circulating switching cam in which a carrier element engages. A spring is arranged between the carrier element and a locking element, and the locking element comprises a spring arm with a supporting surface which engages in an opposed surface at the housing.

Abstract: A writing implement including a sleeve-shaped housing and an automatic closure mechanism for the nib. The actuating element has a shift mechanism 3', the spring 10 biasing the writing element 2 against the housing bears on the inner sleeve 104, that the shift mechanism 3' engages the outer sleeve assembly 41, that the return force of the spring 10 biasing the writing element 2 against the inner sleeve 104 is smaller than that of a spring 9 which biases the inner sleeve 104 against the outer sleeve assembly 41. Additionally the actuating element consists of two actuating members displaceable axially with respect to each other, of which the first actuating member 120 acts on the intermediate sleeve 104 and the second actuating member 108 acts on the writing element 2, carries the shift mechanism 3' and is actuated by the first actuating member 120.

Abstract: A device for dispensing flowable substances which includes an elongated housing having a chamber between a front discharge opening and a rear end opening, a piston rod axially longitudinally displaceable in the housing, an applicator at a forward end of the piston rod so as to be projectable out of the housing through the front end and retractable into the chamber with forward and rearward displacement of the piston rod, a dosaging piston disposed in the chamber and opening and closing the front discharge opening with rearward and forward displacement of the piston rod, a sealing face on the piston rod displaceable into sealing engagement with the rear opening when the piston rod is displaced rearwardly, a coupling element supported on a rearward end of the piston rod, and a closing cap removably disposed on the front end of the housing so as to close the chamber, and being disposable on the coupling element.

Abstract: A fluid dispenser according to the present invention has a tubular body having therein a fluid chamber, a pusher for pushing the fluid, and a feed mechanism for progressively advancing the pusher. The feed mechanism has a slider and an actuator for advancing the pusher so that a suitable amount of the fluid in the fluid chamber of the tubular body is fed to an outlet of the dispenser. The outlet may be in the form of a nib when the dispenser is in the form of a writing pen.In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the feed mechanism has a nut fixed within the tubular body, a threaded rod threadedly engaged with the nut, a rotary member slidably mounted on the threaded rod and spring biased rearwardly towards the actuator, a slider for rotating the rotary member, and a guide device for guiding the rotary member and the slider. The guide device has grooves on the inner surface of the tubular body.

Abstract: A disposable lead pencil, eraser and sharpener combination in which there is an eraser mounted upon one end of the housing and an abrasive sharpener structure contained within an enclosed and sealed chamber at the opposite end of the pencil housing. Sharpening of the lead is effected by reciprocating a pusher plate mounted upon the side of the housing back and forth to move the lead back and forth relative to the abrasive sharpener. At the end of each reciprocal stroke of the lead, an indexing mechanism automatically rotates the lead relative to the abrasive element so that a different section of lead is presented to the sharpener during each stroke. The sharpener containing chamber of the pencil housing is sealed so that all lead filings are retained within the pencil's housing.

Abstract: A writing instrument is disclosed that includes an operating mechanism for propelling and retracting the writing point of the instrument through the use of depressible pads that are located in the barrel of the instrument adjacent to the lower end thereof for convenient access to the forefinger and thumb of the user of the instrument.

Abstract: An exterior actuator structure for the cartridge retracting mechanism of ball-point pens and other writing instruments which use either an axially movable actuator button or a longer actuator cap, the exterior actuator structure having cooperating guide portions on the shell and on the actuator member defining axially extending guide teeth and cooperating guide slots or guide grooves, for a continuous shoulder-free exterior outline of the writing instrument. Extended guide grooves accommodate a clip.