Abstract: A multifunction writing instrument comprising a body extending along an axial direction and housing at least two writing elements, each writing element comprising a writing tip, a selector device configured to select one writing element from among the at least two writing elements, a retraction device configured to move a selected writing element between a writing position in which the writing tip of the selected writing element projects from the body and a retracted position in which the writing tip of the selected writing element is retracted, and a return device configured to bring a writing element from the writing position to the retracted position when the selector device is activated while a writing element is in the writing position.

Abstract: A multifunctional writing instrument comprising a body housing at least two writing elements, each writing element comprising a writing tip, a selection device configured to select one writing element from the at least two writing elements and a retraction device configured to move a selected writing element between a writing position in which the writing tip of the selected writing element protrudes from the body and a retracted position in which the writing tip of the selected writing element is retracted.

Abstract: A four color multi-pencil capable of one-handed operation is presented. Each color is contained in a cartridge assembly and each cartridge assembly may be individually selected for use and the material within the cartridge advanced for dispensing by means of a single pressing motion. The multi-pencil is designed to be a “snap together” assembly. No fasteners or adhesives are required. The multi-pencil contains a main body and a barrel. Housed within the barrel are a plurality of cartridge assemblies. Housed within the main body are a plurality of slide members for actuating the cartridges. Each cartridge assembly contains a mechanism for advancing drawing material or material to be dispensed, which is operated by simply depressing a cartridge selector.

Abstract: A thin film dispenser has a body, a moving assembly, a resilient positioning element, a dispensing unit and a push button. The body has an opening, a sliding channel and two sets of positioning recesses. The moving assembly is connected to the dispensing unit. The resilient positioning element is connected to the moving assembly and has a positioning segment selectively engaging one of the two sets of positioning recesses. The dispensing unit has a dispensing head corresponding to the opening of the body. The push button is mounted slidably in the sliding channel of the body, is connected to the moving assembly and selectively pushes against the positioning segment of the resilient positioning element to disengage from a corresponding set of positioning recesses to enable the moving assembly to move relative to the body.

Abstract: A pivotal manipulation type writing instrument includes a pivotable body pivotable relative to a container main body and a writing element ejecting unit configured to actuate and move a slider to urge a writing element to be ejected from the container main body as the pivotable body is pivoted. The pivotable body is pivotable relative to the container main body by 360° in either left or right direction, and the writing element can be returned to a retracted state in which the writing element is retracted into the container main body from an ejected state in which the writing element is ejected from the container main body by moving the pivotable body in either left or right direction.

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: A container with a roto-translatory motion of a stick holder (1) provided with a pair of opposed sticks (3, 3?) in comparison with the support surface plane (4) and upper (5) and lower (5?) pins, that axially slide inside an intermediate body (7), provided with vertical grooves (11, 11?) inside its central wall (10) and slits (8, 8?) and (9, 9?) on its upper (7?) and lower (7?) portions rotating in the inside of a pair of outer bodies (13, 13?). The pins (5, 5?) slide inside annular grooves (14, 14?), helicoidal groove (16, 16?) and (17, 17?) made in the inner wall of these outer bodies (13, 13?), such that the pair of sticks (3, 3?) can be controlled to come out from both ends, upper (7?) and lower (7?) portions of the intermediate body, when the ends are apart from the respective caps/bases (22, 22?) of covering.

Abstract: Various multicolor writing tools and methods for applying multiple volatile marking substances one at a time. The tool includes a case member, a cartridge member, a cap member, and an optional actuator member. The case member forms an interior in which is disposed the cartridge member with multiple cartridges each containing one of the marking substances and a tip through which the marking substance is applied. The cap member changes and restores its configuration, while the actuator member changes, the configuration and exposes one of the tips selected by an user out of the interior when the tool is in use, and then restores the configuration and encloses all of the tips inside the interior when not in use. Thus, the tool opens the cap member in response to input force without requiring the user to engage in a separate maneuver to remove the cap member.

Abstract: A cosmetic applicator for retaining a plurality of cosmetic members for selective extension and retraction with a housing, a revolver chamber rotatably retained within the housing, a plurality of cosmetic members disposed within longitudinal tubes circumferentially spaced relative to the revolver chamber, a slide button retained to slide along a longitudinal channel in the housing, and an end cap for selectively rotating the revolver chamber to induce one of the plurality of cosmetic members to become an active cosmetic member. The end cap can be rotatably retained relative to the housing and drivingly engaged with the revolver chamber with a key and keyhole combination. The housing can have has an eccentric aperture in the distal end thereof and the cosmetic members can be eccentrically disposed relative to the revolver chamber to align selectively with the aperture in the distal end of the housing.

Abstract: An electronic pen includes a first and a second nib structure. A twist mechanism is coupled to the first and second nib structures to selectively extend the first or the second nib structure away from the twist mechanism in response to a rotational force. An inner cylinder is coupled to the twist mechanism, the inner cylinder having a first center axis and configured to rotate around the center axis to transfer the rotational force to the twist mechanism. An outer cylinder surrounds the inner cylinder and is coupled to the inner cylinder to move the inner cylinder in a rotational direction when the outer cylinder is rotated. The outer cylinder has a second center axis that is offset with respect to the first center axis of the inner cylinder.

Abstract: A writing instrument comprising a smooth elongate case has a recessed switch for extending and retracting the tip of an ink cartridge. This allows the tip to be extended and retracted with one hand, while at the same time preventing the switch from being snagged by the contents or threads inside a pocket. A second embodiment provides two cartridges and a three-way switch, allowing one tip to be extended at one end of the instrument while the other end remains within the case. A third embodiment utilizes a single cartridge with two writing tips, one at either end.

Abstract: In a composite writing instrument having mounted therein a plurality of writing devices including at least one ball-point pen refill equipped with a tip of the ball-point pen at a top end and an ink reservoir section at a rear end so that writing tip portions may be alternately allowed to project and retreat from an front body top, a pumping type pressurization mechanism is provided behind the ball-point pen refill, and a rear end of ink is pressurized by way of knock operation in a situation where a tip end portion has projected from a body end, so as to help the ink flow towards the tip side.

Abstract: A composite writing utensil for housing a plurality of writing members, at least one of which is a propelling pencil writing member, comprises a front shaft, a rear shaft which is rotatable relative to the front shaft, and a guide shaft for guiding the writing member in the back-and-forth direction. An annular engaging stepped portion projecting in the direction of inner diameter is formed on an inner peripheral surface of the rear shaft, and a plurality of engaging pieces formed at the rear end portion of the guide shaft to pass through an inner diameter-side hollow portion defined by the annular engaging stepped portion of the rear shaft and to be engaged with the engaging stepped portion of the rear shaft. A lead guiding member rotatable relative to the rear shaft is disposed between the plurality of the engaging pieces.

Abstract: A composite holding tool has a space in a rear barrel to be effectively used in order to expand a range of use of one composite holding tool. The composite holding tool includes a front barrel, a rear barrel rotatably connected to the front barrel, a plurality of holding bodies housed in the front barrel non-rotatably relative to the front barrel and movably in an axial direction, a cam cylinder that rotates integrally with the rear barrel, and can selectively hold any of the plurality of holding bodies, with a tip of the holding body protruding from a tip of the front barrel, by a relative rotation between the front barrel and the rear barrel, and a cartridge connected to the rear barrel or the cam cylinder and placed in the rear barrel.

Abstract: A composite holding device, includes a casing for accommodating a plurality of holders for holding media to serve either different or similar purposes, a supporting section for supporting the holders to be movable in an axial direction in the casing, a feed mechanism, provided in the casing, for selectively advancing one of the plurality of holders, and a manipulating mechanism for operating the feed mechanism, to project the tip of one of the plurality of holders out of a fore end opening at the tip of the casing and make usable the tip of one of the plurality of holders. A supported section of each holder supported by the supporting section is rotatably supported in relation to the supporting section.

Abstract: A composite writing tool wherein when the rear shaft is rotated relative to a front shaft, a cam sleeve rotates with the rear shaft, and the relative rotation occurring between the cam sleeve and the front shaft and an intermediate shaft causes one of writing shafts guided in the axial direction by the intermediate shaft to be selectively held in a protruding position, and when a knock sleeve is knocked, the cam sleeve is knocked to advance a lead of the writing shaft protruded by the cam sleeve. The rear part of the intermediate shaft is inserted into the cam sleeve, and engaging pieces of the rear part of the intermediate shaft penetrate a through hole formed in a perpendicular engaging wall formed in a tail cap fastened to the rear end of a rear shaft, and are engaged with the through hole. The cam sleeve and the knock sleeve are linked to each other through a recess elsewhere than the through hole in the engaging wall.

Abstract: A composite writing utensil comprising a front barrel and a rear barrel, a cam body provided within the barrel unrotatable with respect to the rear barrel, and a slider unrotatable with respect to the front barrel and coupled to each of a plurality of writing shafts. The cam body includes a V-shaped cam projection projecting forward, a cam surface, and a restraining portion. The slider comprises a V-shaped cam projecting rearward, and a slidably-contacted surface extending along the cam that is urged against the cam surface. A relative rotation between front and rear barrels causes the slidably-contacted surface of the cam to slidably contact the cam surface and one of the cams to be restrained by the restraining portion, thus a point of the writing shaft coupled to the slider provided with the cam selectively projects from the point aperture of the barrel.

Abstract: A composite holding device, includes a casing for accommodating a plurality of holders for holding media to serve either different or similar purposes, a supporting section for supporting the holders to be movable in an axial direction in the casing, a feed mechanism, provided in the casing, for selectively advancing one of the plurality of holders, and a manipulating mechanism for operating the feed mechanism, to project the tip of one of the plurality of holders out of a fore end opening at the tip of the casing and make usable the tip of one of the plurality of holders. A supported section of each holder supported by the supporting section is rotatably supported in relation to the supporting section.

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 writing instrument includes a hollow barrel having a longitudinal slot defined through the barrel. The slot has two sides, and a series of continual indentations are formed in each side. A connecting device is slidably mounted in the barrel. A thrust device is mounted on the periphery of the barrel to drive the connecting device. The connecting device includes two opposite ends with a hollow, cylindrical connector attached to each end to connect to a crayon, a colored pencil or an eraser stick. Consequently, the writing instrument is easy to operate, never dirties the user's hands and can be used as an eraser or a double-color drawing pen.

Abstract: A dual-purpose pen has a barrel, a cap engaged with the barrel, and a ball point that is extendable from the end of the barrel, and a key-pressing point that is extendable from the end of the cap. The pen can be used for writing when the ball point is extended and for pressing keys when the key-pressing point is extended.

Abstract: A dual color lipstick in a single case including an outer tube, wherein the inside of the outer tube has a relatively oblique guide surface and an inner tube seat, wherein both sides of the inner tube seat have moving elements. When the inner tube seat is inserted into the outer tube, the V-shaped protrusion of each of the moving elements can contact intimately with the oblique guide surface. In addition, each of the moving elements is inserted into the casing of a top end of the inner tube seat and is further engaged with a receiving seat that receives the lipsticks at the top ends thereof.

Abstract: The multiplex writing implement includes: a cylindrical portion formed in the rear of the elliptical cylinder portion of the middle barrel; a rotary shaft which is disposed in the bore of the cylindrical portion so as to rotate in a range of about 180.degree.

Abstract: A combined writing tool comprises a cylindrical casing; a push button extended from the top end of said cylindrical casing by force of a spring; a plurality of writing cartridges arranged in the casing and adapted to be alternatively extended from the bottom end of the casing through a small aperture formed therein; and a cam arranged in the casing and adapted to cause a tip of either one of the writing cartridges to be alternatively extended from and retracted in the casing through the small aperture in response to the pushing operation of the push button. The combined writing tool makes it possible to extend or retract either one of the writing cartridges from or into the casing through the small aperture only by a pushing operation of the push button. Thus easy operation can be obtained and unwanted extension of the writing cartridge can be prevented.

Abstract: A multiplex writing implement includes a mechanical pencil refill and ball-point pen refill which can be selectively used as desired, and is equipped with a delivering mechanism for delivering a stick-shaped article such as an eraser etc. The multiplex writing implement further includes: a front barrel for accommodating at least tip portions of these refills; a middle barrel for accommodating the remaining parts of these refills; a rear barrel which is able to rotate clockwise or counterclockwise relative to the middle barrel; and a cylindrical cam which moves integrally with the rear barrel and, in accordance with the rotational direction of the rear barrel, allows selective use of one of the refills by projecting any one of the refills from the front end of the front barrel and retracting the other refill. In this configuration, the front and middle barrels are integrally joined in such a state that each barrel is prevented from rotating and falling off relative to the other barrel.

Abstract: A curved ergonomic pen which facilitates writing on vertical surfaces comprises a housing having a barrel portion and a web portion. The barrel has curved inner and outer edges and substantially flat sides. The web is substantially flat and extends along the curved inner edge of the barrel. A curved channel is formed in the barrel in communication with openings in opposite ends of the barrel. A pair of ink cartridges each comprising an ink tube and a tip secured to one end thereof are retractably secured within the channel such that the respective tips generally extend toward opposite ends of the barrel. The pen tips are selectively extendable and retractable through the associated openings in the opposite ends of the barrel. In one embodiment, a note pocket for receiving relatively small sheets of paper is removably securable within a slot extending into an outer edge of the web.

Abstract: A dual writing element retractable pen includes coaxial upper and lower barrel members, an upper cylindrical cam part being integrally formed with the upper barrel member and having a bottom cam surface. A matching lower cylindrical cam part telescopes the upper barrel member and is oriented so that the confronting end faces of the cam parts delineate a cam groove having opposite oppositely inclined sections. A rotatable guide member longitudinally slideably supports pen cartridge coupled chucks having followers engaging respective cam groove sections, the guide member being coaxial with the barrel. In one form, the lower cam member is integrally formed with the lower barrel member and, in another form, the lower cam and barrel members are an integrally molded unit and the guide member terminates in an external finger knob.

Abstract: A writing instrument in the form of a ball pen has two cartridges capable of being alternately moved into the writing position by rotating the barrel. A provision is made for a space in the top part of the barrel for accommodating or receiving various accessory devices such as stamping mechanisms, marker pens or the like. The invention includes a guide tube housed within the barrel and having two longitudinal slots therein. Two slides having small tubes for receiving the writing cartridges, are movable back and forth on offset guide rails on the guide tube. The slides are forced into contact with a curve switching cam surface of a switching casing by springs. By rotating the switching casing, the one or other slide and thus the small tubes with the writing cartridges inserted therein are alternately pushed toward the bottom of the writing instrument and into the writing position.

Abstract: A multi-purpose writing device comprising plural writing elements, at least one of which is an automatic pencil that can be extended, can be extended to and retracted from and between the writing position and the housed position alternately by rotating a cylindrical cam. The cylindrical cam is sectioned diagonally with respect to the axis at its lower end to form a cam surface and is also provided with a translation cam inside thereof to provide a two-stage cam mechanism. Further, a flat portion is made at the top and the bottom of the cam surface provided at the lower end of the cylinder member. A slider which connects with each writing element is stepped to provide slide projections while slide against the cam surfaces. The axial movement of the cylindrical cam is transmitted to the automatic pencil element by the engagement of the translation cam with the slide projections to cause the lead of the pencil to be discharged.

Abstract: A writing instrument having a casing with an axially-extending bore seating a cantilevered arm of a pocket clip which protrudes through the casing bore when the instrument is in an "off" position. The pocket clip has guide tabs which fit into guide channels in the instrument's casing. The guide channels, with spring fingers which bias the pocket clip in the direction of the bore, are capable of releasably locking the clip in plural positions. In the "off" position the pocket clip arm protrudes through the casing aperture but the writing members housed within the casing are retracted. Moving the pocket clip to a "write" position causes a writing member to project from either the front or back of the housing and the pocket clip arm to be retracted into the casing.

Abstract: A gripping device for gripping an outer peripheral edge of an object to be grasped such as, for example, a semiconductor wafer, with the gripping device including a base, gripping members for gripping the object to be grasped, elastic members disposed between the base and the grip members so as to urge the respective grip members in an opening or closing direction. A driver for the grip members is provided, with the driver being fashioned as a linear or flat shape memory alloy member which is connected across the grip members.

Abstract: A writing instrument having two writing elements is described. A tubular cam is utilized together with cam followers and element holders for each writing element and associated supporting structure to provide an instrument which will position one element in the extended position while positioning the second element in the retracted position without the use of springs, will lock each element in its respective position and which will be simple to assemble and maintain.

Abstract: A composite writing instrument having a lower tubular casing accommodating therewithin two retractable mechanical pencil units spaced by about 180.degree.. An upper tubular casing encloses a cam mechanism for effecting a reciprocal rotational motion through about 180.degree. around the axis of the instrument and engaging both pencil units for alternately shifting them in the axial direction whereby the two pencil units can be alternately advanced to a writing position through an opening at the lower end of the lower tubular casing, or retracted to a retracted position within the lower tubular casing. A feeding operation for advancing the lead of the pencil unit in the writing position is effected by reciprocating of the upper tubular casing in the axial direction.

Abstract: A composite writing instrument composed of two writing units such as two ball point and pen units which has a lower tubular casing accommodating therewithin two writing units and an upper tubular casing accommodating a cam mechanism therewithin which is rotatable about the axis of the casing for advancing the two writing units to a writing position through an opening at the tip of the lower tubular casing or for retracting the units to a holding position within the lower tubular casing. The cam mechanism is rotatable around the axis of the lower tubular casing as well as being engageable with both of the two writing units respectively for shifting the writing units in the axial direction, and the mechanism includes a guide casing having lengthwise grooves thereon and a curved casing accommodating the guide casing therewithin.

Abstract: A dual refill containing variable refill positioning writing instruments utilizing cam followers attached to two refill members and oppositely threaded spiral cam grooves within which said cam followers ride. The writing instrument includes an inner tubular shell having two spiral cam grooves each located substantially about one-half of the circumference of said shell and longitudinally displaced from each other and an outer tubular shell having two spiral cam grooves located around substantially one-half the circumference of the shell and longitudinally spaced from each other with each of the cam grooves corresponding with but oppositely threaded in respect to the inner shell spiral cam grooves. The inner shell nests within and is rotatable with respect to the outer shell.

Abstract: A multi-color mechanical writing instrument which contains ink tubes or reservoirs, a rotary cam having a blocking section, an inner flange or a stopper which enables a writing tip to be pushed out which is positioned underneath a cam body with a push-bar inside a rear casing, and where the inner surface of the rear casing is shaped in the form of cam walls in order to have the rotary cam turn back and forth along the cam walls with the movement of pushing the push-bar to push the tip of an ink tube out or pull it back alternatively.

Abstract: A writing instrument having a plurality of writing medium assemblies which can be separated into a plurality of writing instruments each having at least one writing medium assembly. The writing instrument may include writing medium assemblies which are all retractable, all fixed or both retractable and fixed. Regardless of whether the writing instrument has a single or plurality of retractable writing medium assemblies, only one positioning device is required to position the writing medium assemblies in writing position.