Patent ID: 7635233

Claim:
A retractable marking device comprising: a casing comprising: a main body comprising a front side opposite to a back side, a top side opposite to a bottom side, and a distal lateral side opposite to a proximal lateral side, wherein the proximal and distal lateral sides are connected to the front, back, top, and bottom sides to form a hollow interior, and wherein the main body further comprises a first arm extending from a first terminal edge of the front side, a second arm extending from a second terminal edge of the front side, a third arm extending from a first terminal edge of the back side, and a fourth arm extending from a second terminal edge of the back side; and a barrel receiver comprising a plurality of grips fixed to the casing, wherein the plurality of grips comprises a first grip attached to the first and third arms and a second grip attached to the second and fourth arms, and wherein a space is formed between the first and second grips; a fastener attached to at least one of the front and back sides of the main body, wherein the fastener attaches the device to a user; a retractor comprising a housing encasing a reel and a coil wound around the reel, wherein the retractor is disposed within the hollow interior; an engagement element in communication with the coil, wherein the engagement element comprises a bore, and wherein a marking instrument is insertable within the bore; a barrel held to the barrel receiver via the plurality of grips, wherein the barrel comprises a throughbore transverse to an opening, and a first terminal end opposite to a second terminal end, wherein the throughbore extends to the first terminal end, and wherein the first terminal end is held by the first grip, and the second terminal end is held by the second grip; and a sharpener comprising a blade transverse to a hole, wherein the sharpener is disposed within the opening of the barrel such that the hole of the sharpener is aligned with the throughbore of the barrel.