Patent ID: 7232270

Claim:
An apparatus for holding writing instruments, comprising: an outer sleeve including an inner lumen; an inner sleeve including a receiver lumen for receiving a writing instrument, wherein said inner sleeve is slidably positioned within said inner lumen; a plurality of fingers extending from a first end of said inner sleeve, wherein a distal portion of said fingers has a thickness greater than an inner portion of said fingers, wherein said fingers contract and grip the writing instrument when in contact with said outer sleeve, and wherein said fingers expand and release the writing instrument when extended outwardly from said outer sleeve; an end cap extending from an end of said outer sleeve forming an expansion cavity for receiving said fingers when extended from said outer sleeve and wherein an end opening extends through said end cap to slidably receive the writing instrument, wherein said end opening is at least approximately 0.30 inches; a button connected to a second end of said inner sleeve; a bias member connected between outer sleeve and said button for applying an outward bias force to said button; a shaft attached between said button and said second end of said inner sleeve; and an inner flange with an inner opening that slidably receives said shaft and wherein said inner flange is positioned between said second end of said inner sleeve and said button.