Writing instrument with fastening means

Abstract

A writing instrument, having a mechanism for alternately retracting and protracting its writing point, comprises a shackle alternately closed and opened by that mechanism, for releasably fastening to an associated object.

I claim: 
     
       1. A writing instrument having an outer case which contains an elongated cartridge having an axis, said cartridge bearing a writing point at one end and engaging, at the other end, a mechanism for alternately moving said cartridge axially to position said writing point to alternately a retracted position within said outer case and a protracted position protruding outside said outer case, said writing instrument further comprising: a rigid shackle arm, fixed to said outer case;   a bushing, enveloping said cartridge within said outer case and adapted to be moved axially by said cartridge; and   a pawl, borne by said bushing and movable substantially solely axially thereby, said pawl protruding through a slot in said outer case to define, with said shackle arm, a shackle which is open when said writing point is in a protracted position and which is closed when said writing point is in a retracted position.   
     
     
       2. A writing instrument according to claim 1 in which said bushing is easily rotatable upon said cartridge. 
     
     
       3. A writing instrument according to claim 1 in which said bushing is fixed to said cartridge. 
     
     
       4. A writing instrument according to claim 1 in which said bushing has a section of reduced diameter which engages a section of changing diameter of said cartridge. 
     
     
       5. A writing instrument according to claim 4 in which said section of reduced diameter is urged, to engage said section of changing diameter, by one end of a spring, the other end of which bears upon the inside of said outer case. 
     
     
       6. A writing instrument according to claim 1 in which said cartridge comprises a chamber end opposite said writing point, and said bushing engages said chamber end. 
     
     
       7. A writing instrument according to claim 6 in which said bushing is urged, to engage said chamber end, by one end of a spring, the other end of which bears upon the inside of said outer case. 
     
     
       8. A writing instrument according to claim 1 in which said shackle, when closed, defines an opening sufficiently large to engage a fastening member affixed to an associated object. .Iadd. 
     
     
       9.  A writing instrument having an outer case which contains an elongated cartridge having an axis, said cartridge bearing a writing point at one end and engaging, at the other end, a mechanism for alternately moving said cartridge axially to position said writing point to alternately a retracted position within said outer case and a protracted position protruding outside said outer case, said writing instrument further comprising: a rigid shackle arm, fixed to said outer case;   a bushing, enveloping at least a portion of said cartridge within said outer case and adapted to be moved axially with said cartridge; and   a pawl, borne by said bushing and movable substantially solely axially thereby, said pawl protruding through an opening in said outer case to define, with said shackle arm, a shackle which is open when said writing point is in a protracted position and which is closed when said writing point is in a retracted position. .Iaddend. .Iadd.10. A writing instrument according to claim 9 in which said bushing is easily rotatable upon said cartridge. .Iaddend. .Iadd.11. A writing instrument according to claim 9 in which said bushing is fixed to said cartridge. .Iaddend. .Iadd.12. A writing instrument according to claim 9 in which said bushing has a section of reduced diameter which engages a section of changing diameter   
     
     
        of said cartridge. .Iaddend. .Iadd.13.  A writing instrument according to claim 12 in which said section of reduced diameter is urged, to engage said section of changing diameter, by one end of a spring, the other end of which bears upon the inside of said outer case. .Iaddend. .Iadd.14. A writing instrument according to claim 9 in which said cartridge comprises a chamber end opposite said writing point, and said bushing engages said chamber end. .Iaddend. .Iadd.15. A writing instrument according to claim 14 in which said bushing is urged, to engage said chamber end, by one end of a spring, the other end of which bears upon the inside of said outer case. .Iaddend. .Iadd.16. A writing instrument according to claim 9 in which said shackle, when closed, defines an opening sufficiently large to engage a fastening member affixed to an associated object. .Iaddend. 
     
     
        .Iadd.7.  A writing instrument having an outer case which contains an elongated cartridge having an axis, said cartridge bearing a writing point at one end and engaging, at the other end, a mechanism for alternately moving said cartridge axially to position said writing point to alternately a retracted position within said outer case and a protracted position protruding outside said outer case, said writing instrument further comprising: a rigid shackle arm fixed to said case;   a pawl operatively connected to said cartridge and movable substantially solely axially with said cartridge, said pawl protruding through an opening in said outer case to define, with said shackle arm, a shackle which is open when said writing point is in a protracted position and which is closed when said writing point is in a retracted position. .Iaddend. .Iadd.18. A writing instrument according to claim 17 wherein:   said pawl is operatively connected to said cartridge via bushing means. .Iaddend. .Iadd.19. A writing instrument according to claim 18 wherein:   said bushing means is supported by said cartridge within said outer case and is adapted to be moved axially with said cartridge. .Iaddend. .Iadd.20. A writing instrument according to claim 18 in which said bushing   
     
     
        means is easily rotatable upon said cartridge. .Iaddend. .Iadd.21.  A writing instrument according to claim 18 in which said bushing means is fixed to said cartridge. .Iaddend. .Iadd.22. A writing instrument according to claim 18 in which said bushing means has a section of reduced diameter which engages a section of changing diameter of said cartridge. .Iaddend. .Iadd.23. A writing instrument according to claim 22 in which said section of reduced diameter is urged, to engage said section of changing diameter, by one end of a spring, the other end of which bears upon the inside of said outer case. .Iaddend. .Iadd.24. A writing instrument according to claim 18 in which said cartridge comprises a chamber end opposite said writing point, and said bushing means engages said chamber end. .Iaddend. .Iadd.25. A writing instrument according to claim 24 in which said bushing means is urged, to engage said chamber end, by one end of a spring, the other end of which bears upon the inside of said outer case. .Iaddend. .Iadd.26. A writing instrument according to claim 17 in which said shackle, when closed, defines an opening sufficiently large to engage a fastening member affixed to an associated object. .Iaddend.