A writing implement includes: a barrel; a writing body supported by the barrel so as to be relatively movable with respect to the barrel in an axial direction thereof, whereby the writing body is projected from and retracted into a front end of the barrel; a rotation member disposed in the barrel so as to be relatively rotatable with respect to the barrel about an axis thereof, the rotation member being provided with a groove or a slit that helically extends about the axis; and a pressing unit having a moving unit that moves in the groove or the slit, the pressing unit being relatively movable with respect to the barrel in the axial direction, while its relative rotation about the axis being restricted; wherein the pressing unit can be pressed forward with respect to the barrel.

A knock type writing tool is provided, in which an appropriate amount of air can be taken in depending on an amount of a thermochromic ink discharged from a pen tip, so that the thermochromic ink can be smoothly discharged from the pen tip, and in which a writing body can rotate surely in conjunction with a rotation of a rotating member. An air hole 63a and a plurality of projection pieces 63b are provided at a rear end portion of a writing body 6. A front surface of a projection and retraction rotating member 7 is provided with a plurality of abutment parts 73, on which respective rear ends of the plurality of projection pieces 63b are to abut, and with a plurality of protrusion parts 72, each of which is formed between the plurality of abutment parts 73 and protruded more forward than the plurality of abutment parts 73. The protrusion parts 72 are respectively inserted in gaps 63c between the projection pieces 63b. An axial length of each projection piece 63b is longer than an axial length of each protrusion part 72, so that a portion of the gap 63c is left more forward than a front end of each protrusion part 72.

A slide-type writing instrument having a drying-prevention device includes: a pen housing (10); an ink holder (30) disposed in the pen housing (10); a sealing member (40) configured to prevent a drying phenomenon of ink on a pen tip (31); a spring (50) configured to effect elastic support between the sealing member (40) and the ink holder (30); a guide member (60) configured to guide the sealing member (40) when the ink holder (30) is advanced or retreated; and a cam protrusion (70) configured to be responsible for a guiding function of moving the guide member (60). The sealing member includes a soft tube formed of a soft material and a hard tube formed of a hard material and in the shape of a hollow tube to externally surround the soft tube, and the soft tube and the hard tube form a dual cross-section structure.

An improved double-locking clicker mechanism is generally disclosed. The clicker mechanism includes a housing, plunger, and lock button. The lock button interacts with the housing such that it is capable of locking the plunger in two positions: a retracted mode and an extended mode. The clicker mechanism can couple with other elements to form a functional structure, such as forming part of a writing tool. With such a structure, the writing tool can be locked in writing and non-writing modes, providing improved safety for users thereof.

A writing instrument, in particular a pen, comprises a housing comprising a front barrel and a rear barrel, the front barrel having a front opening, two or more cartridges for storing colorants or inks, each cartridge having a writing tip, at least one actuator for selectively moving one of the cartridges within the housing so that the writing tip of a selected cartridge extends through the front opening of the front barrel, and a cartridge guide member which is designed to guide the movement of the cartridges within the housing. The front barrel and the cartridge guide member are designed to be removed from the rear barrel for replacing one or more of the cartridges. In particular, the front barrel and the cartridge guide member may be removed from the rear barrel while the cartridge guide member may remain mounted to the front member at the same time.

A slide-type writing instrument having a drying-prevention device includes: a pen housing (10); an ink holder (30) disposed in the pen housing (10); a sealing member (40) configured to prevent a drying phenomenon of ink on a pen tip (31); a spring (50) configured to effect elastic support between the sealing member (40) and the ink holder (30); a guide member (60) configured to guide the sealing member (40) when the ink holder (30) is advanced or retreated; and a cam protrusion (70) configured to be responsible for a guiding function of moving the guide member (60). The sealing member includes a soft tube formed of a soft material and a hard tube formed of a hard material and in the shape of a hollow tube to externally surround the soft tube, and the soft tube and the hard tube form a dual cross-section structure.

A slide-type writing instrument having a drying-prevention device includes: a pen housing (10); an ink holder (30) disposed in the pen housing (10); a sealing member (40) configured to prevent a drying phenomenon of ink on a pen tip (31); a spring (50) configured to effect elastic support between the sealing member (40) and the ink holder (30); a guide member (60) configured to guide the sealing member (40) when the ink holder (30) is advanced or retreated; and a cam protrusion (70) configured to be responsible for a guiding function of moving the guide member (60). The sealing member includes a soft tube formed of a soft material and a hard tube formed of a hard material and in the shape of a hollow tube to externally surround the soft tube, and the soft tube and the hard tube form a dual cross-section structure.

To provide a clicking type writing instrument capable of reliably suppressing volatilization of ink from the pen tip at least before the start of use. The clicking type writing instrument A has a refill 20 provided in a barrel cylinder 10; a pen tip 30 configured to discharge ink from an ink storage member 18 accommodated in the refill 20 by capillary action and to be allowed to be projected from and retracted into a front end of the barrel cylinder 10 by means of a clicking mechanism 70 provided in the barrel cylinder 10; and at least a seal member 40, arranged around an outer periphery of the pen tip 30 near a front end side of the pen tip, and formed with a through-hole 42 in a center of the seal member, through which the pen tip 30 can slidably move back and forth when the pen tip 30 is housed inside the barrel cylinder 10.

An apparatus and method for operating a writing implement and an operating mechanism for the same. The writing implement has an extensible and retractable writing cartridge carried within a body of the writing implement. The operating mechanism includes an carrier for selectively extending a tip of the writing cartridge from the body. A release button is operable from each side of the body for releasing the carrier from a locked condition in which the writing cartridge is retained in the extended position and a release condition permitting retraction of the writing cartridge into the body. The operating mechanism includes a carrier with a recess to slidably receive the release button and a yoke spring to urge the release button to a centered position. In the locked position, a base of a first tab on the carrier is urged in subjacent abutment with a second tab on the release button.

An apparatus and method for operating a writing implement and an operating mechanism for the same. The writing implement has an extensible and retractable writing cartridge carried within a body of the writing implement. The operating mechanism includes an carrier for selectively extending a tip of the writing cartridge from the body. A release button is operable from each side of the body for releasing the carrier from a locked condition in which the writing cartridge is retained in the extended position and a release condition permitting retraction of the writing cartridge into the body. The operating mechanism includes a carrier with a recess to slidably receive the release button and a yoke spring to urge the release button to a centered position. In the locked position, a base of a first tab on the carrier is urged in subjacent abutment with a second tab on the release button.