Patent ID: 7316516
Filing Date: 2008-01-08
Classification: A45C,B43K

Abstract:
1. A writing instrument, comprising: a main shaft having a first axial end with an orifice and a second axial end opposite said first axial end, and a length between said first and second axial ends; a writing tip extending outwardly and axially from said orifice of said first axial end of said main shaft; a chamber within said main shaft to supply writing material to said writing tip; and first and second tabs each protruding radially from a location along said main shaft between said first and second axial ends such that said first tab is graspable between a thumb and index finger of a user, while said second tab is graspable between the thumb and middle finger of the user or between the middle finger and index finger of the user; wherein a diameter of said main shaft is not greater than 0.125 inches, and said length of said main shaft does not exceed a length of a standard credit card, thereby enabling the writing instrument to fit into a credit card slot of a wallet; wherein each said tab includes two surfaces with a thickness therebetween; wherein said thickness of each said tab is less than a diameter of said main shaft; wherein said first and second tabs are foldable toward one another such that a said surface of said first tab and a said surface of said second tab face one another, and such that a collective thickness of said first and second tabs when folded toward one another is less than said diameter of said main shaft; wherein said location along said main shaft, from which said first and second tabs protrude, is closer to said writing tip than to said second axial end; and wherein a distance from said location along said main shaft, from which said first and second tabs protrude, to said second axial end of said main shaft is such that said second axial end of said main shaft is restable against an inside of the user's hand while the user grasps said first and second tabs, thereby enabling the user to stabilize and provide axial pressure to said main shaft using the inside of their hand while writing.