US3101075A

US3101075A - Clip for writing instruments and the like

Info

Publication number: US3101075A
Application number: US36658A
Authority: US
Inventors: Frank T Johmann
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1960-06-16
Filing date: 1960-06-16
Publication date: 1963-08-20
Anticipated expiration: 1980-08-20

Description

Aug. 20, 1963 F. T. JOHMANN V CLIP FOR WRITING INSTRUMENTS AND THE LIKE Filed June 16, 1960 mal recessed position.

.ment.

United States Patent 3,101,075 CLIP FOR WRITING INSTRUMENTS AND THE LIKE Frank T. Johmann, 49 Hampton Drive, Berkeley Heights, NJ. 'Filed June 16, 196i), Ser. No..36,653 Claims. (Cl. 120-42.tl3)

This invention relates to a clip for writing instruments and similar objects. In its preferred form, the invention relates to a pocket clip carried. by a writing instrument in a recessed or retracted position when not in use and which may be projected into an operative position by means of a pushbutton.

Pocket clips are generally provided on pens, pencils, ballpoint instruments andthe like whereby the instrument,

when not in use, may be clipped to a pocket for carrying purposes. These clips conventionally have one end fixed to the carrying instrument, While the other end is free and spring-like. To fix such a clip to a pocket, it is necessary to force the cloth of the pocket between the free end of the clip and the carrying instrument. This usually requires the use of both hands, one hand to hold the pocket 'in a retracted position within a recess formed in said cap or barrel whereby it can appear as a normal portion of said cap or barrel. A pushbutton, carried by said cap or barrel, is connected so as to move the clip to a projecting In its projecting position, the

position when depressed. main leg of the clip is preferably moved out sufficiently from the. cap or barrel so asto provide a free space along the entire length of said leg. The clip maythen be readily positioned over a shirt or coat pocket and the pushbutton is released. Upon release of thepushbutton, the

clip moves inwardly towards its retracted position under I the influence of a spring: However, it soon comes into contact with the cloth of the pocket and presses the cloth tightly against said barrel orcap to thereby hold the instrument to thepocket. To disengage from the pocket, the

.'pushbutton can again be depressed-to urge the clip to its projecting position, whereupon the instrument is then lifted upwardly and free of the pocket. Alternatively, the instrument is just pulled upwardly out of the pocket. In

either-case, onceclear of the pocket and with pressure released from the pushbutton, the clip returns to its nor- By. the above type of mechanism, I provide a pocket clip which can be easily clipped to a pocket with one hand,

which-minimizes tearing of the pocket and whichdoes not interfere with anorrnal writing hand grasp oi the instru-- Inaddition, by having the clip, when recessed,

preferably appear fiush'with the cap orbarrel, the over all appearance of the instrument is improved... t

3,101,075 Patented Aug. 20, 1963 instruments, the mechanism of the invention can be used with casings of small tools which have clips, e.g., electrical testing instruments.

The invention will be further understood by reference to the following description and accompanying drawings which include a preferred form of my invention.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a longitudinal sectional side view, illustrating a tip-actuated ballpoint pen with its point exposed and the clip in a recessed position in the barrel.

FIGURE 2 is a longitudinal sectional side view of the pen of FIGURE 1, with the point retracted and the clip projected preparatory to clipping the instrument in a pocket.

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary front longitudinal view, partly in section, of the instrument of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the lines 44 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the lines 55 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of a cap for a fountain pen, wherein the cap is provided with a retractable clip.

FIGURE 7 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a cap illustrating another embodiment of my invention.

FIGURE 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along the lines 8--8 of FIGURE 7.

Reference is now made to the drawings in detail, with particular reference to the embodiment of FIGURES l to 5. Here the casing of the writing instrument includes the upper barrel section It and lower barrel section 11, joined by threaded engagement with the tubular plug 12. The tubular section 10* is provided with a longitudinally extending recess 13 terminating at its upper end in a slot 14 which extendstransversely through the barrel. A cap 15, frictionally engages theupper end of the barrel section 10 and is formed in its upper end with a slot or aperture 16. Fixed within the upper portion of the tubular section 10, is a cylindrical guide member 17 formed with a rectangular aperture 18 longitudinally extending through said member.

Guide slots were formed in the member 17 on either side of the opening 18, communicating therewith, and extend ing downwardly atan angle to the longitudinal axis of the instrument. The clip includes the main clip or leg portion'ZO, the transverse portion 21 and the upwardly eX- tending pushbutton portion 22f :i'lihc Ipushbutton portion 22 has two guide :PlI lS oi-ears" 23 which transversely extend into and ride within the guide slots .19, while its upper end extends through the rectangular opening 16'. A boss 24- isformed on the underside of the portion .21, said boss positions the upper end of the compression .coil spring 2'5. The lower portion of the barrel section 11, carries the -longitudinally movable hood 26. Theiouter end 27 of the tubularnhood is tapered inwardly so as to appear as a rnereextension of the barrel. The inneriend of said "engageable against the interior annularlip formed The mechanism of my invention is preferably used with In these tip-actuated pens, the ballpoint is retracted or proa ballpoint pen having a tip-actuated retractable point.

in the barrel section 11. The borerextendingithrough the hood 26 isyreduced' in crossisection 'atits lower end to form an annular lip 30. A point and cartridge unit indi ,cated generally at 31, is 'rnounted :for longitudinalmovetm'ent' between a protracted position wherein its point 36 i is extendedthroughthejouter end of said hood 26, and

a retracted position wherein its point 36 is concealed Wi hwhich in turn is iormedwithtan annular 'groove38 which relationship to each other.

I 3 carries the locking ball 39. The top of the cylindrical latch element 37 is reduced in its cross section to define the upwardly projecting boss 49 which retains the lower end of the compression spring 25. An air vent 41, longitudinally extending through the member 37, allows the passage of air to the interior of the reservoir tube 32.

The latch mechanism includes the upper tubular latch member 42 and the lower tubular latch member 43, each of said members being fixed within the barrel in spaced The members may be fixed to the barrel by irictiona-l engagement, gluing, etc. The upper member 42 is formed with thedownwardly extending

teeth

44 and 45, each tooth having a tapered edge and a substantially vertical edge, The lower member 43 is formed with two upwardly extending

teeth

46 and 4 7 which define a deep recess and a shallow recess. Each of said

teeth

46 and 47 also have a tapered edge and a' substantially vertical edge. All of said edges of

teeth

44, 45, 46 and 47 are adapted for engagement with the looking ball 39. I I

FIGURE 1 shows the writing point, 36 protracted and the pocket clip in its recessed position. By pressing the V writing end ofthe instrument against a rigid surface, the

point 36 and hood 26 are forced inwardly relative to the barrel section 11. As the point 36 moves inwardly, the cartridge unit 31 moves the latch member 37 upwardly against the pressure of spring until its locking ball 39 engages the taperedside of the tooth 45. On further upward movement, the ball 39. moves along said tapered side until stopped by the vertical side of the tooth 54. Upon release of the lower end of the instrument from contact with the afo resaidrigid surface, the latch member 37, along with its docking ball'3, moves downwardly "under the influence of the. main spring 25. The ball 39 comes into contact with the tapered side of the lower 7 teeth 46 along which it moves unt-il stopped by the vertical side of the tooth 4-7. The ball 39 is now retained in the shallow recess between

teeth

46 and 47 and is further upward within the barrel than before, thereby effectively shorteningthespring 25.1 .As the spring 25 is held shortened, the weakencompressioncoil.spring, 48, en-' circling the reservoir tube 32 and retained between

flanges

33 and 28,- is'expanded. This results inv maintaining the cartridge unit 31 further upward Within theoasing than -before, while-at the same time urging the hood 26 to its :norrnal projecting position.

:concealed within the hood 26. V I

"With the writing point 36. retracted, the instrument canbesafelyclipp'ed'withdnapocket. 'By depressing the .-pushbutton 22, 'againstthepressure'of thespring 25, the

guide-pins 23 move down the guide slots 1-9. As a result,

:the clip 20 is moved out'to an extended position as shown in FIGURE 2. With the clip extended' as in FIGURE 2, 1 I

it isapparent that it can be easilypassed over a shirt or coat pocket so that when pressure is released "on the pushbutton 22, the pocket will. be firm ly held between the leg 20 of the elipand the main body of the writing instrument, Thus, 1 upon, release of said pu-shbutton 22,

the spring 25 ur'gesthe pushbuttonj22 upwardly. so tl1atv Tit tends tq movealong the'guideslots '19 to itsoriginal positiontdther'eby snugly engage the pocket material;

'Theiinstrurnent' can bezreadily disengaged from the pocket material by either againjdepressing the pushbutt-on 22 so as to movelthe clip :back to itsex-tended position thereby f freeing'itherpocketgniaterial; 'or the' instrument ma be simply pulled ofi 'thepockets In 'either case, onceffree ,ofithiefpocket'material the spring 25 returns theqclip'to itsi'originallarecessed position asshown in FIGURE 1.? readyifpr writinglus e again, the point 36 may be; protracted Rbyl pres-sing the 'writin'g', end of. the insthu'ment down agains g rigid surface -.The cartridge 31- ove upvv-ard as re, carrying the latch member zball 391 a oupward." ThQ'lOCL gib all a vertical edgeof the tooth 45. Then upon release of the instrument from contact with said rigid surface, the ball 39 and member 37 will move downward under action of the spring 25. However, the ball 39 will now strike the tapered edge of the tooth 47 and will be thereby engagement with a fountain pen 51. A guide cap 52 is frictionally engaged or otherwise fixedto the upper end of the tubular member iii. The guide cap 52 is formed with a tapered top 53 and a rectangular slot or aperture 54. The clip includes the main clip portion 2th, the transverseportion 21 and thepushbutton portion 22". The pushbutton portion 22; extends upwardly through said aperture 54. A cylindrical plug 55, fixed within the tubular memberltl is formed with a boss 56. A. compression coil spring 57 has one end surrounding said boss 56 and its other end surrounding a boss 24 lOI'lIIiCd on the underside of the clip ,portionZl'. Said spring57 thereby always urges s'aid'pushbutton' 22 upwardly and concurrently urges said clip portion 2% to its seated position within the recess 14. A thumbpiece SS, is fixed to the upper end of the pushbutton 22 and straddles the rectangular slot 54. Preferably the upper edge of the member 58 is corrugated or otherwise roughened to form a better frictional grasp for a thumb or finger. In operation, the thumbpiece 58 is engaged with a thumb and urged downwardly along the slanting sunface 53. This I in turn-urges the clipZil' to an extended position suifi- Thepointiid is nowheld 1 formed with ia recess 6 1jhaving a square cross-section, t 7 said recesscommunicating with a second recess zhav 7 mg a circular cross-section and extending throughitheso! i V turning said apertures. The lower end 65 of the pushbuttonis tapered. l-Exteriding inwardly'from the upper.

cient that it can be passed over a pocket. Once positioned over the pocket material, the member 581s released. Then the upward force of the spring 5.7will urge the clip portion 21f upwardly and inwardly soas to hold the pocket material firmly between the recess 14 and the inner side of the clip 2M. Release of the clip from the shirt material is accomplished eitherby again depressing the piece 58 ormoresimply'by pulling the cap loose from the shirt in a more conventional manner. I

FIGURE 7 represents still anotherembodiment of my invention. ;Here the invention is embodied in *a cap adapted for frictional engagement with a ballpoint pen 59 having a fixed point 60; Here, l prov'ide amain capportion it)" having the recess 14-" for reception of the i I .rnain'leg 20 of a clip.- Aterminal cap 15", frictionally engages'the top end of the main cap portion 10", and is top end of said cap 15". Said recesses 61 and 62 define the shoulders 63 in said cap 15"; The pushbutton, 4 I 64 extends ,throughsaid'

recesses

61 and 62, anditslower portion has a square cross-sectionwhich prevents it'from end ofithe clip leg 26' is the transverse portion 66 having a taperedenddfi'for engagementwith the prior noted surface 65; A small fiat. spring .68 has itsuppercnd f 'forrn'ed into a hook '69 embeddedfor fixedl'within the r jcap;15. The outer or lowerlend of said, spring is bir ifurcated and'p'assesoverthe portion 66 bearingagajnst 7 I the flange 70. formed on .thetransverse i I 'engtige the taperedi edgejof the upper -I g uided alon'g' saidfedge until stopped by 7 5.

invenoperation, depression ofthe pushbutton'intothe cap urges I the clip outward-tea projecting position, against the pressureofttl ei spring 63,1'due to -theWedginghction of the tapere endf65 of thepushbutton against the'tapered end of the clip. The'clip then beposi'tioned over h af pocket. Upon release of the pushbutton, thejclip is urged towards its retracted position within the recess 14" by action of the spring 68. This in eifect will snugly engage the pocket material between the clip leg 20 and the casing. When the clip'is released from engagement With the pocket, the tapered end 67 of the clip, because of the spring -63, will exert a wedging force against the pushbutton to thereby return said pushbutton to its original position as the clip is returned to its recessed or retracted position of FIGURE 7.

Other variations can be made of the present invention without departing from its broad scope. While the drawings show the outer surface of the clip flush with the casing when recessed, this is not essential. Thus, the

mechanism does not require a recess at all, it only being essential that the clip be in an engaging position against the side of the casing when in a retracted position. Con versely, if a recess is provided, it is not essential that the clip leg 26 be projected completely out of the recess 13 by the pushbutton as the device is operable if the clip is projected sufiiciently that it can then be engaged with a pocket, although this is less preferred. The invention may also be applied to mechanical pencils or similar objects.

In addition to the above variations, the mechanism of the invention can be actuated in ways other than previously described. For example, with regard to the embodiment of FIGURES 1 to 5, the pushbutton 22 in addition to being longitudinally moved downwardly into the casing, can also be pivoted about its pins 23 to increase the extent of outward movement of the clip leg 20, or if desired the clip may be solely actuated by a pivoting action.

I claim: r

l. A writing instrument having a tip-actuated retractable Writing point and a pushbutton actuated retractable clip comprising in combination, a tubular barrel having and said clip portion being moved to said retracted position by said spring upon the release of said downward the upper end of said casing, said pushbutton portion being upper and lower ends, a longitudinally movable hood projecting through the lower end of said barrelya cartridge unit including a ballpoint, said unit being longitudinally movable within said barrel between a point protracted position wherein said ballpoint extends through said hood and a point retracted position wherein said ballpoint is concealed within said hood, said barrel .proximate said upper end being formed with a longitudinally clip unit, a helical coil compression spring disposed between said clip unit and said cartridge unit, said spring urging said pushbutton portion to an extended position i projecting through said upper end of 's aid barrel while urging said clip port-ion to a retracted positionwherein said clip portion is within said recess whereby said clip portion is substantially flush with said barrel, said spring also urging said cartridge unit towards said point pro tracted position, and a retraction-protraction mechanism operable to obtain said cartridge unit inia point retracted position against the pressure of said spring upon pressing said hood and ballpoint into contact with a rigid surface and then releasing from said contact, said retraction-protraction mechanism being operable to allow said cartridge 7 unit to be urged to its point protracted position by said spring upon a subsequent pressing of saidihood and ballpoint into contact with a rigid surface and then releasing from said contact, said pushbutton'portion being longitudinally movable against the urging of said spring into sliding contact with said guide means upon the applicalongitudinally movable relative to said casing between an extended position and a depressed position; and a coil spring disposed between said cartridge unit and said clip unit whereby: (a) said cartridge unit is urged to a point projecting position, (b) said clip portion is urged to a retracted position within said recess whereby said clip portion is substantially flush with said casing, and (c) said pushbutton portion is urged to said extended position; said pushbutton portion being longitudinally movable against the urging of said spring into sliding contact with said guide means upon the application of downward force to said pushbutton portion whereby said clip portion is urged to a protracted position wherein said clip portion is projected from said recess, said pushbutton portion being moved to said extended position and said clip portion being moved to said retracted position by said spring upon the release of said downward force.

3. A writing instrument having a tip-actuated retractable writing point and a pushbutton actuated retractable clip comprising in combination, a barrel having upper and lower ends, a longitudinally movable hood projecting from the lower end of said barrel, a cartridge unit including a ballpoint, said unit being longitudinally movablewithlin said barrel, said hood and said cartridge unit being shiftable relative one another between a point protracted position wherein said ballpoint extends through saidhood and a point retracted position wherein said ballpoint is concealed within saidhood, a pocket clip unit carried by said barrel including 'a' downwardly extending clip portion having a lower end, a transversely extending intermediate portion integral with said clip portion, and an upwardly extending pushbutton portion integral with said intermediate portion, supporting means carried within said barrel pivotal ly supporting said pocket clip unit, a helical coil compression spring disposed between said clip unit and said cartridgeunit, said spring urging said pushbutton portion :to an extended position projecting upwardlythrough said upper end of said barrel while urging said clip portion to a retracted position wherein said lower end of said downwardly extending'clip portion seats against the sideof said barrel, said spring also urging said cartridge unit towards said point protracted position, and a retrac- "being depressed downwardly against the urging of said i tion of downward force to said pushbutton portionwhere- 1 by said clip portion is urged to a protractedposition where-' in said clip portion is projectedlfrom said recess, said I pushbutton portion being moved to said extended position tion-protraction mechanism operable to obtain said cartridge 'unit in saidpoint retracted position upon pressing said hood and'ballpoint into contact with arigid surface to urge said hood end ballpoint inwardly relative to said barrel against the urging of said spring and then releasing from said contact, said retraction-protraction mechanism being operable to obtainsaid cartridge unit in said point protracted position upon a subsequent pressing of said hood and ballpoint into contact with arigid surface to thereby urge said hood and ballpoint inwardly relative to said barrel and against the urging ofsaid spring and then releasing from said contact, said pushbutton portion spring and pivoting aboutsaidsupporting means upon the application of downward force to said. pushbutton portion wherebysaidlclip portion is urged to a protracted position wherein saidqlower end of said clip portion is heldaway fromcontactwith said side oft-said barreL said pushbutton portion being moved' to said extended position and said clip portion being moved to said retracted position by said spring upon the release of said downward force.

4'. A writing instrument having a tip-actuated retractable writing point and a pushbutton actuated retractable clip comprising in combination, a tubular barrel having upper lower ends, a longitudinally movable hood projecting from the lower end of said barrel, a cartridge unit including a ballpoint, said unit being longitudinally movable within said barrel, said hood and said cartridge unit being shiftable relative one another between a point protracted position wherein said ballpoint extends through said hood and a point retracted position wherein said ballpoint is concealed within said hood, a pocket clip unit carriedby said barrel including a downwardly extending clip portion having a lower end, a transversely extending intermediate portion connected with said clip portion, and an upwardly extending push-button portion connected with saidintermediate portion, beveledmeans carried within said barrel and engageable with saidpushbutton portion whereby longitudinal movement of said pushbutton portion is translated into a transverse move- 7 merit of said clip portion, a helical coil compression,

spring disposed between saidclip unit and said cartridge unit, said spring urging said push-button portion to; an

extended position projecting upwardly through said upper end or said barrel while urging said clipportion to a retracted position wherein said lower end of said downwardly extending clip portion seats against the side of said barrel, saidspring also urging said cartridge unit ,7 towards said point protracted position, and a retractionleasing: drornsaid contact, said retraction-protraction a mechanism being operable to obtain said cartridge unit in said point protracted position upon a subsequent pressing of said hood and ballpoint into contact with a .lbarrelagainst the urging of said spring and then rerigid surface tothereby urge said hood and ballpoint inv l '7 i wardlytrelative to said barrel against the urging of said spring and thenreleasing firom said contact, saidpush- 1 button portion being longitudinally movable downwardly against the'urging or" saidspring upon the application or downward force to said pushbutton portion whereby said i beveled 'means moves said clip portion transversely to 'a protracted position wherein saidlower end of said clip barrel; said 'p ushbutton portion being moved to'saidextendedpositionand said clip portion-being moved to said retractedposition by said spring upon therelease'ol? said downward force. 1

5. A writing instrument havinga tip-actuated retract- {able writing point anda pushbutton actuated retractable clip, comprising in combination, a tubular barrel having Fportion'is held away from contact with; said side of said upper and lower ends, a longitudinally movable hood projecting from the lower end or said barrel, a cartridge unit including a ballpoint, said unit being longitudinally movable within said bar-rel, said hood and said cartridge unit being shiftable relative one another betweena point pro-f tracted position wherein said ballpoint extendsthrough said hood and a point retracted position wherein said ballpoint is concealed within said hood, a pocket clip unit carried by said barrel including a downwardly extending-clip portion having a lower end, a transversely extending intermediate portion integral with said clip portion, and an upwardly extending pushbutton portion integral with said intermediate portion, beveled guide means carriedby said barrel, said pushbutton portion being slidingly engageable with said beveled guide means, a helical coil compression spring disposed between said clip unit and said cartridge unit, said spring urging said pushbutto-n portion to an extended position projecting through said upper end or" said barrel while urging said clip portion to a retracted position wherein said lower end of said clip portion seats against the side of saidb-arrel, said spring also urging said cartridge unit towards said point protracted position, and a retraction-protraction mechanism operable to obtain said cartridge unit in said point retracted position upon pressing said hood and ballpoint into contact with a rigid surface to urge said hood and said ballpoint inwardly relative to said barrel against the urging of said spring and then releasing from said contact, said retraction-protraction mechanism being operable to obtain said cartridge unit in said point protracted position upon a subsequent pressing of said'h ood and ballpoint into contact with a rigid surface to thereby urge said hood and ballpoint inwardly relative to said; barrel against the ur ing of said spring 'and'then releasing lrorn said contact, said pushbutton portion being movable downwardly against the urging of said spring in sliding engagement with said beveled guide means upon the application of downwardly directed force: to

1 said pushbutton portion whereby said clip unit-is tranr versely shifted and said lower end ofisaid clip portion is moved away from contact with said side of said barrel, said pushbutton portion being moved to said extended position and said clip portion being moved to said retracted position by, said spring upon: the. release of said downwardly directedforce. Y

References Qited in thefile of this patent f 1 V UNITED STATES PATENTS

Claims

1. A WRITING INSTRUMENT HAVING A TIP-ACTUATED RETRACTABLE WRITING POINT AND A PUSHBUTTON ACTUATED RETRACTABLE CLIP COMPRISING IN COMBINATION, A TUBULAR BARREL HAVING UPPER AND LOWER ENDS, A LONGITUDINALLY MOVABLE HOOD PROJECTING THROUGH THE LOWER END OF SAID BARREL, A CARTRIDGE UNIT INCLUDING A BALLPOINT, SAID UNIT BEING LONGITUDINALLY MOVABLE WITHIN SAID BARREL BETWEEN A POINT PROTRACTED POSITION WHEREIN SAID BALLPOINT EXTENDS THROUGH SAID HOOD AND A POINT RETRACTED POSITION WHEREIN SAID BALLPOINT IS CONCEALED WITHIN SAID HOOD, SAID BARREL PROXIMATE SAID UPPER END BEING FORMED WITH A LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING RECESS, A POCKET CLIP UNIT CARRIED BY SAID BARREL INCLUDING A DOWNWARDLY EXTENDING CLIP PORTION, A TRANSVERSELY EXTENDING INTERMEDIATE PORTION INTEGRAL WITH SAID CLIP PORTION, AND AN UPWARDLY EXTENDING PUSHBUTTON PORTION INTEGRAL WITH SAID INTERMEDIATE PORTION, GUIDE MEANS CARRIED WITHIN SAID BARREL ENGAGEABLE WITH SAID POCKET CLIP UNIT, A HELICAL COIL COMPRESSION SPRING DISPOSED BETWEEN SAID CLIP UNIT AND SAID CARTRIDGE UNIT, SAID SPRING URGING SAID PUSHBUTTON PORTION TO AN EXTENDED POSITION PROJECTING THROUGH SAID UPPER END OF SAID BARREL WHILE URGING SAID CLIP PORTION TO A RETRACTED POSITION WHEREIN SAID CLIP PORTION IS WITHIN SAID RECESS WHEREBY SAID CLIP PORTION IS SUBSTANTIALLY FLUSH WITH SAID BARREL, SAID SPRING ALSO URGING SAID CARTRIDGE UNIT TOWARDS SAID POINT PROTRACTED POSITION, AND A RETRACTION-PROTRACTION MECHANISM OPERABLE TO OBTAIN SAID CARTRIDGE UNIT IN A POINT RETRACTED POSITION AGAINST THE PRESSURE OF SAID SPRING UPON PRESSING SAID HOOD AND BALLPOINT INTO CANTACT WITH A RIGID SURFACE AND THEN RELEASING FROM SAID CONTACT, SAID RETRACTION-PROTRACTION MECHANISM BEING OPERABLE TO ALLOW SAID CARTRIDGE UNIT TO BE URGED TO ITS POINT PROTRACTED POSITION BY SAID SPRING UPON A SUBSEQUENT PRESSING OF SAID HOOD AND BALLPOINT INTO CONTACT WITH A RIGID SURFACE AND THEN RELEASING FROM SAID CONTACT, SAID PUSHBUTTON PORTION BEING LONGITUDINALLY MOVABLE AGAINST THE URGING OF SAID SPRING INTO SLIDING CONTACT WITH SAID GUIDE MEANS UPON THE APPLICATION OF DOWNWARD FORCE TO SAID PUSHBUTTON PORTION WHEREBY SAID CLIP PORTION IS URGED TO A PROTRACTED POSITION WHEREIN SAID CLIP PORTION IS PROJECTED FROM SAID RECESS, SAID PUSHBUTTON PORTION BEING MOVED TO SAID EXTENDED POSITION AND SAID CLIP PORTION BEING MOVED TO SAID RETRACTED POSITION BY SAID SPRING UPON THE RELEASE OF SAID DOWNWARD FORCE.