Patent ID: 8100598

Claim:
A magnetically actuated writing instrument comprising a holder portion including a first magnetically attractive member, and a writing instrument portion having an interior and a second magnetically attractive member, the writing instrument portion including a barrel having a distal end portion, the barrel being movable between a retracted position wherein the distal end portion is disposed within the interior of the writing instrument portion, and an extended position wherein the distal end portion is disposed exteriorly of the writing instrument portion, and a retractor for moving the barrel between the retracted and extended positions, the retractor including the first and second magnetically attractive members, and a locking latch member for locking the barrel in an extended position wherein the barrel is prevented from moving to the retracted position, wherein the presence of magnetic attraction between the first magnetically attractive member and the second magnetically attractive member causes the barrel to move toward the retracted position, and the absence of magnetic attraction between the first and second magnetically attractive members causes the barrel to move toward the extended position.