Patent ID: 7287924

Claim:
A writing instrument, including: a housing having an outward appearance of a familiar or proprietary object, wherein the housing further includes a first cover element, and a second cover element located substantially coextensive with the first cover element, wherein the housing includes an opening between the first cover element and the second cover element, and wherein an inner surface of the first cover element includes a raised section defining a cam; a writing element mounted at least substantially within the housing and having a writing tip, said writing element capable of moving between a first or retracted position wherein the writing tip is retracted within the housing, and a second or extended position wherein the writing tip is extended from the housing, wherein the writing element includes a first surface having a cam-following section; and wherein rotation of either cover element with respect to the other cover element causes the cam to engage the cam-following section, and causes translation of the writing element so that the writing tip can be extended from or retracted into the opening in the housing.