Writing instrument

A writing instrument comprising:

• a barrel having a channel, an open end, and a side surface;
• an actuator located for on said side surface of said barrel;
• a writing element disposed in said channel and movable along a longitudinal axis between a retracted position and an extended position;
• a first engagement member comprising a pawl and associated with said writing element;
• and
• a second engagement member associated with said channel;
• wherein:
• said writing element is operatively connected to said actuator;
• at least a portion of said writing element is resilient;
• said writing element is deflected in a direction substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis upon being moved into said extended position;
• the resiliency of said writing element biases said writing element to engage said channel and to retain said writing element in said extended position;
• said first engagement member engages said second engagement member;
• and
• said second engagement member is a ledge formed on said channel.

A writing instrument comprising:

• a barrel having an open end, a closed end, and a channel extending between said open end and said closed end;
• a writing element having a writing end, said writing element being disposed in said channel and movable along a longitudinal axis between a retracted position with said writing end within said channel and an extended position with said writing end extending through and outside said open end;
• a release member located on a side surface of said barrel and movable from a rest position to a release position;
• and
• a grip element farmed on said barrel;
• wherein:
• said writing element resiliently engages said channel to retain said writing element in said extended position;
• movement of said writing element in a direction substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis disengages said writing element from said channel to return said writing element to said refracted position;
• said release member comprises a portion of said grip element;
• and
• movement of said release member to said release position disengages said writing element from said channel.

A writing instrument comprising:

• a barrel having a substantially straight longitudinal channel and an open end through which a writing element is extendable along a longitudinal axis;
• and
• an actuator member disposed on a side surface of said barrel and movable between a first position defining a first length between said actuator member and said open end along the longitudinal axis, and a second position defining a second length between said actuator member and said barrel open end along the longitudinal axis, said second length being shorter than said first length;
• wherein said actuator member moves along an arcuate path between said first position and said second position.

A writing instrument comprising:

• a barrel having a substantially straight longitudinal channel and an open end through which a writing element is extendable along a longitudinal axis;
• and
• an actuator member disposed on a side surface of said barrel and movable between a first position defining a first length between said actuator member and said open end along the longitudinal axis, and a second position defining a second length between said actuator member and said barrel open end along the longitudinal axis, said second length being shorter than said first length;
• wherein said actuator member is disposed on a non-planar surface, and slides along said non-planar surface between said first position and said second position.

A writing instrument comprising:

• a barrel having a substantially straight longitudinal channel and an open end through which a writing element is extendable along a longitudinal axis;
• an actuator member disposed on a side surface of said barrel and movable between a first position defining a first length between said actuator member and said open end along the longitudinal axis, and a second position defining a second length between said actuator member and said barrel open end along the longitudinal axis, said second length being shorter than said first length;
• and
• a writing element disposed in said channel and moveable between a retracted position and an extended position
• wherein:
• said actuator member moves along a non-linear path between said first position and said second position;
• said writing element is pivotably coupled to said actuator member;
• said writing element is in said retracted position when said actuator member is in said first position;
• and said writing element is in said extended position when said actuator member is in said second position.