Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
94 words
A retractable writing instrument, comprising a barrel member, a cap member, an axially extending tubular actuating member carried by said cap member and rotatable relative thereto, and releasably engaging said barrel member, a cartridge carrier coaxial with and axially movable relative to said actuator member, interengaging track and follower means located on said cap member and carrier rotatably coupling said carrier and cap while permitting relative axial movement thereof, an interengaging cam and follower means located on said actuator and carrier for axially moving said carrier upon rotation thereof relative to said actuator member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
94 words
A retractable writing instrument, comprising a barrel member, a cap member, an axially extending tubular actuating member carried by said cap member and rotatable relative thereto, and releasably engaging said barrel member, a cartridge carrier coaxial with and axially movable relative to said actuator member, interengaging track and follower means located on said cap member and carrier rotatably coupling said carrier and cap while permitting relative axial movement thereof, an interengaging cam and follower means located on said actuator and carrier for axially moving said carrier upon rotation thereof relative to said actuator member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The writing instrument according to claim 1, further including means for limiting the rotation of said cap relative to said actuator to a predetermined angle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The writing instrument according to claim 2, wherein said carrier projects into said actuator member and said cam and follower means comprise end-to-end cylindrical cams formed on the confronting faces of said carrier and actuating member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
The writing instrument according to claim 3, wherein said cams have complementing cam surfaces which mate when said carrier is in a retracted position, each of said cams having opposite raised and depressed sections.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
The writing instrument according to claim 2, including a writing cartridge coaxial with said barrel and having an inner end releasably engaged by said carrier, and spring means urging said cartridge and carrier toward a retracted position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
The writing instrument according to claim 1, wherein said track and follower means is defined by at least one longitudinal groove formed in the outer face of said carrier and a finger rotatable with and projecting radially inwardly from said cap into engagement with said longitudinal groove.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
52 words
The writing instrument according to claim 2, wherein said means for limiting the rotation of said cap relative to said actuator comprises a finger projecting longitudinally from said actuator and rotatable therewith along an arcuate path, and a pair of circumferentially spaced stoPs located in said path and affixed to said cap.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
53 words
The writing instrument according to claim 2, wherein said cap rotation limiting means comprises an arcuate flange projecting inwardly from said cap member towards said carrier and extending for less than 360*, and a finger projecting longitudinally from actuator along said carrier and movable into alternative abutment with opposite ends of said flange.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
The writing instrument according to claim 8, wherein said track and follower means comprises a longitudinal groove formed in the outer face of said carrier and a finger projecting radially inwardly from said flange into sliding engagement with said groove.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The writing instrument according to claim 6, wherein said flange and finger are integrally formed with said cap.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The writing instrument according to claim 1, wherein said means for releaseably engaging said barrel and said actuating members is mating screw threads.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
The writing instrument according to claim 2, wherein said actuating member has a portion spaced from said cap, and said carrier is positioned within said space between said cap and said actuating member.