Patent ID: 7594774
Filing Date: 2009-09-29
Classification: B43K

Abstract:
1. A writing instrument comprising: a barrel; a tip section through which a writing substance is applied, the barrel having a shape that is graspable in the hand of a user so as to allow the tip section to be moved against a surface to controllably apply a writing substance thereto, the tip section comprising a tip assembly that one of (a) comprises a nib of a fountain pen and (b) comprises a portion that simulates in appearance a nib of a fountain pen, the tip section having a barrel end and a writing substance applying end; and a writing substance applying assembly, the writing substance applying assembly comprising a surface contacting free end and a supply of a writing substance that is applied to a surface by bearing the surface contacting free end against a surface, the writing substance applying assembly functional to communicate the supply of writing substance along the tip assembly in a direction from the barrel end of the tip section toward the writing substance applying end to the surface contacting free end and to against a surface without requiring that the writing substance directly contact the nib or the portion that simulates in appearance a nib, wherein at least a part of the writing substance applying assembly is replaceable to replenish a supply of writing substance, the at least part of the writing substance applying assembly self-contained and releasably attached to the barrel, wherein the nib or portion that simulates in appearance a nib has a free end with a first width, the writing substance applying assembly has a part that projects to beyond the free end of nib or the portion that simulates in appearance a nib to the surface contacting free end with a second width at the free end of the nib or portion that simulates in appearance a nib that: a) is not greater than the first width of the free end of the nib or portion that simulates in appearance a nib; and b) tapers in width/diameter from the free end of the nib or portion that simulates in appearance a nib to the surface contacting free end, wherein the at least part of the writing substance applying assembly that is releasably attached to the barrel includes the surface contacting free end.