A writing instrument configured to apply a writing material or liquid to a surface, comprising a socket, and a ball arranged in the socket, characterized by at least one first component which is arranged to come into contact with the ball, wherein the at least one first component comprises a first material having surface properties such that the friction coefficient between the ball and the at least one first component decreases when the force acting from the ball on the at least one first component increases at least within a certain range of forces.

A writing instrument configured to apply a writing material or liquid to a surface, comprising a socket, and a ball arranged in the socket, characterized by at least one first component which is arranged to come into contact with the ball, wherein the at least one first component comprises a first material having surface properties such that the friction coefficient between the ball and the at least one first component decreases when the force acting from the ball on the at least one first component increases at least within a certain range of forces.

A pen structure with a glass smasher has the glass smasher mounted at the front end of a pen. When a user holds the pen and presses the front end (i.e., the smashing cone) of the smashing rod of the glass smasher forcibly against a glass obstacle, an impact block will strike the rear section of the smashing rod vigorously such that the smashing cone is instantly driven to smash the glass obstacle. A ballpoint/rollerball refill is detachably provided in the pen and is at least 6 cm long in order to contain enough ink. The overall length of the pen is at least 10 cm so that the pen can be easily held while the user writes or draws with the ballpoint/rollerball tip and while the user applies a force to a glass obstacle through the front end of the smashing rod to smash the glass obstacle.

A pen for writing and/or drawing purposes, and having a shaft and a core which is arranged within the shaft and is axially adjustable in the longitudinal direction of the shaft between an active position and an inoperative position. The core is completely arranged within the shaft in the inoperative position and projects with an overhang from a front end of the shaft in the active position. An actuating element is provided which is movable perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the shaft between an active position and an inoperative position and which is operatively connected to the core via a connecting element in such a way that, during a movement of the actuating element perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the shaft between the inoperative position and the active position, the core is axially adjustable in the longitudinal direction of the shaft.

Articulated pens are provided. A pen includes: a shank; an ink tube comprising a first section, a second section, a third section, and a fourth section; a writing tip connected to the fourth section; a first guide rail connected to the shank and that bends the ink tube at a first angle between the first section and the second section; and a second guide rail pivotally connected to the first guide rail and that bends the ink tube at a second angle between the third section and the fourth section. Pivoting the second guide rail relative to the first guide rail adjusts a third angle between the second section and the third section.

Articulated pens are provided. A pen includes: a shank; an ink tube comprising a first section, a second section, a third section, and a fourth section; a writing tip connected to the fourth section; a first guide rail connected to the shank and that bends the ink tube at a first angle between the first section and the second section; and a second guide rail pivotally connected to the first guide rail and that bends the ink tube at a second angle between the third section and the fourth section. Pivoting the second guide rail relative to the first guide rail adjusts a third angle between the second section and the third section.

A writing instrument assembly has a writing instrument with a body and a working tip extended or extendable from the body. A holder has a landing spot for the writing instrument. The writing instrument is magnetically and detachably retained at the landing spot when attached to the holder. The working tip is sheathed or covered automatically when the writing instrument is attached to the holder and is unsheathed or uncovered when detached from the holder.

A stylus includes a cylindrical shaped housing and a shell. The shell is rotatably connected to the housing. A cross-sectional area of the housing has a first dimension along a first axis and a second dimension along a second axis, the first axis perpendicular to the second axis. The first dimension is smaller than the second dimension. A cross-sectional area including both the shell and the housing has a third dimension along the first axis that is substantially the same as the first dimension while the shell is in a first position and substantially the same as the second dimension while the shell is in a second position.

A mess-free coloring system comprising a coloring medium and optionally one or more coloring utensils is disclosed. The coloring medium can include a substrate with or without decorative effects and one or more coating layers on a surface of the substrate. In various examples, the one or more coating layers include a color-triggering developer, e.g., in the form of a substantially clear resin, and an opaque pigment. Decorative effects integrated with or disposed on the substrate, while initially obscured by the one or more coating layers, can be revealed when the coating layers are mixed with at least one color precursor stored and dispensed from a coloring utensil. The opaque pigment is selected and configured such that, upon receipt of at least one color precursor by the one or more coating layers, a change in the pigment's reflective index occurs as the pigment dissolves into the clear resin developer.

A mess-free coloring system comprising a coloring medium and optionally one or more coloring utensils is disclosed. The coloring medium can include a substrate with or without decorative effects and one or more coating layers on a surface of the substrate. In various examples, the one or more coating layers include a color-triggering developer, e.g., in the form of a substantially clear resin, and an opaque pigment. Decorative effects integrated with or disposed on the substrate, while initially obscured by the one or more coating layers, can be revealed when the coating layers are mixed with at least one color precursor stored and dispensed from a coloring utensil. The opaque pigment is selected and configured such that, upon receipt of at least one color precursor by the one or more coating layers, a change in the pigment's reflective index occurs as the pigment dissolves into the clear resin developer.