Writing instrument having a protective element for the retractable tip

A writing instrument comprising:

• a body extending between a rear end and a front end of the body which has an opening, the body defining an inner volume;
• a writing member mounted inside the body and comprising a tip which protrudes from the front end of the body;
• a protective element comprising a guide portion sliding along the body and a protective end which extends the guide portion and has an opening to allow the tip to pass through, the protective element being movable between a tip protection position and a retracted position for writing;
• an elastic return element coupled with the guide portion in order to bias the protective element towards the protection position;
• and
• a system for locking the retracted position, which comprises:
• a stop formed on the body;
• a locking member which engages with the stop to maintain the retracted position;
• and
• an unlocking portion which releases the locking member from the stop, the protective element comprising the locking member,
• wherein the protective element is mounted in the body through the opening, the guide portion of the protective element being inserted within the inner volume of the body and extending longitudinally along a longitudinal axis,
• characterized in that, in order to unlock the retracted position, the locking member disengages from the stop by a radial inward movement, the locking member being connected to a radially flexible elastic tab which can be pressed radially inwards in response to an action applied to the unlocking portion.