The present invention includes a shaft cylinder having an opening at a front end thereof, a tip holder movable in an axial direction of the shaft cylinder, a tip projectable and retractable in conjunction with a movement of the tip holder, an annular member fitted on the tip holder and axially movable, and an elastic member connecting the tip holder and the annular member so that they are movable relatively to each other. A contact surface tapered toward the front end is formed on an outer periphery of the annular member. A cutout reduces an inner diameter of the annular when a load is received by the contact surface. A guide surface is formed on the part of the inside surface of the shaft cylinder. The contact surface receives the load from the guide surface in conjunction with the movement of the tip holder toward the front end side.

The present invention includes a shaft cylinder having an opening at a front end thereof, a tip holder movable in an axial direction of the shaft cylinder, a tip projectable and retractable in conjunction with a movement of the tip holder, an annular member fitted on the tip holder and axially movable, and an elastic member connecting the tip holder and the annular member so that they are movable relatively to each other. A contact surface tapered toward the front end is formed on an outer periphery of the annular member. A cutout reduces an inner diameter of the annular when a load is received by the contact surface. A guide surface is formed on the part of the inside surface of the shaft cylinder. The contact surface receives the load from the guide surface in conjunction with the movement of the tip holder toward the front end side.

A hand-held device, in particular a writing instrument, comprising a body, a single carriage carrying a first head and a second head, or a first carriage and a second carriage carrying respectively the first head and the second head, and a blocking device including a cavity and a ball, the ball) blocking the single carriage or the first carriage when the first end is below the second end, such that the first head is blocked and projecting while the second head is retracted, and the ball blocking the single carriage or the second carriage when the first end is above the second end, such that the second head is blocked and projecting while the second first head is retracted.

A hand-held device, in particular a writing instrument, comprising a body, a single carriage carrying a first head and a second head, or a first carriage and a second carriage carrying respectively the first head and the second head, and a blocking device including a cavity and a ball, the ball) blocking the single carriage or the first carriage when the first end is below the second end, such that the first head is blocked and projecting while the second head is retracted, and the ball blocking the single carriage or the second carriage when the first end is above the second end, such that the second head is blocked and projecting while the second first head is retracted.

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.

A marking instrument having a plurality of removable writing nibs serially aligned so that an operator can remove a spent or fluid-affected writing nib and, thereby, access a fresh writing tip.

A marking instrument having a plurality of removable writing nibs serially aligned so that an operator can remove a spent or fluid-affected writing nib and, thereby, access a fresh writing tip.

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.

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.

A hand held device presenting a first head and a second head that are movable axially between a position for use and a retracted position, and a single side button configured to bring the first head and the second head, independently of each other, from the retracted position to the position for use and vice versa, the side button cooperating with a first ratchet mechanism in order to cause the first head to pass from the retracted position to the position for use and vice versa, and with a second ratchet mechanism in order to cause the second head to pass from the retracted position to the position for use and vice versa.