Multifunction writing instrument comprising a body extending in an axial direction and housing at least two retractable writing elements and a ring portion movable in rotation. The ring portion having at least as many pairs of guide surfaces as retractable writing elements. The writing elements include buttons. Each button is configured to cooperate with a respective one of the pair of guide surfaces of the ring portion. Actuation of the button of a writing element facilitates movement of the writing element from the retracted position to the writing position and returns any of the other writing elements in the writing position to the retracted position, whereby at most, one writing element is in the writing position.

Multifunction writing instrument comprising a body extending in an axial direction and housing at least two retractable writing elements and a ring portion movable in rotation. The ring portion having at least as many pairs of guide surfaces as retractable writing elements. The writing elements include buttons. Each button is configured to cooperate with a respective one of the pair of guide surfaces of the ring portion. Actuation of the button of a writing element facilitates movement of the writing element from the retracted position to the writing position and returns any of the other writing elements in the writing position to the retracted position, whereby at most, one writing element is in the writing position.

Multifunction writing instrument comprising a body extending in an axial direction and housing at least two retractable writing elements and a ring portion movable in rotation. The ring portion having at least as many pairs of guide surfaces as retractable writing elements. The writing elements include buttons. Each button is configured to cooperate with a respective one of the pair of guide surfaces of the ring portion. Actuation of the button of a writing element facilitates movement of the writing element from the retracted position to the writing position and returns any of the other writing elements in the writing position to the retracted position, whereby at most, one writing element is in the writing position.

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 composite writing implement according to an embodiment includes a barrel, writing shafts housed in the barrel, a cam main body including a cam projection, an end surface extending along the cam projection, and a latch recess provided in the cam projection, and sliders configured to be connected to respective rear ends of the writing shafts, and include a cam configured to be latchable to the latch recess, and have a sliding contact surface to be pressed against the end surface, wherein the end surface includes a first inclined portion that is positioned on the front end side of the cam projection and is inclined by a first incline angle, and a second inclined portion that is positioned further toward the rear end side of the cam projection than the first inclined portion, and is inclined by a second incline angle that is larger than the first incline angle.

Multifunction writing instrument comprising a body extending in an axial direction and housing at least two retractable writing elements and a ring portion movable in rotation. The ring portion having at least as many pairs of guide surfaces as retractable writing elements. The writing elements include buttons. Each button is configured to cooperate with a respective one of the pair of guide surfaces of the ring portion. Actuation of the button of a writing element facilitates movement of the writing element from the retracted position to the writing position and returns any of the other writing elements in the writing position to the retracted position, whereby at most, one writing element is in the writing position.

A composite writing implement according to an embodiment includes a barrel, writing shafts housed in the barrel, a cam main body including a cam projection, an end surface extending along the cam projection, and a latch recess provided in the cam projection, and sliders configured to be connected to respective rear ends of the writing shafts, and include a cam configured to be latchable to the latch recess, and have a sliding contact surface to be pressed against the end surface, wherein the end surface includes a first inclined portion that is positioned on the front end side of the cam projection and is inclined by a first incline angle, and a second inclined portion that is positioned further toward the rear end side of the cam projection than the first inclined portion, and is inclined by a second incline angle that is larger than the first incline angle.