EP2143567B1 - Writing implement with multiple writing points - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates, in general, to writing instruments such as pencils and ballpoint pens. More particularly, this invention relates to a multi-point writing instrument, the term "spikes" here referring to either mines, in the case of pencils, or writing balls in the case of ball pens. Even more particularly, the invention is concerned with multi-color pens, including four-color ballpoint pens with retractable tips.

Retractable multi-point writing instruments have been available for many years, such as two-, three- or four-color ballpoint pens, to consider only the most common items.

In the current achievements of these pens, various mechanical principles are used to retract the balls or to remove them from the body of the pen, by selecting a particular color from the available colors.

A very common principle is the system called "fins". Each ink refill, of a given color, is associated with a lateral slider also called fin, which is made accessible from the outside by the fact that it passes through a longitudinal slot of the body of the pen. Each fin is molded in the color of the ink of the refill with which it is connected. The fin being directly attached to the associated refill, it is obtained that when the user presses this fin, the refill of the same color is moved forward and the corresponding tip out of the body of the pen. When another fin corresponding to a different color is actuated by the user, it causes the disengagement of the previously advanced fin, and the retraction of this fin with retraction of the corresponding tip, under the effect of a spring of recall.

Another existing principle is a cam system, which allows the output of the tips via an internal rotary cam. The vane of the previous system is here replaced by a piece mounted on the end of each ink refill, which piece is made longitudinally movable by the action of the cam itself attached to the body of the pen. By a rotational movement, the body of the pen drives the cam, which then acts on the part mounted on the refill. The cam system has the disadvantage of having the selected color visible in a manner intuitive, and even less easily understood by a child of school age.

Beyond their mechanical peculiarities, these writing instruments have the usual common point, the fact that all their tips come out the same end of the body of the instrument. The size of this body must allow the housing and the easy exit of the four points corresponding to the four colors, as well as the housing of the means controlling the selection and the exit of these points; therefore, the diameter of the body is necessarily large, compared with that of an ordinary pen with a single point. In addition to the clutter, this size of the body of the writing instrument may be the cause of a difficulty of grip, especially for a child of school age.

Another disadvantage of this type of writing instrument is that the user can only use one color at a time, and must retract the tip of the previously selected color before being able to select and use another color. color.

As examples of such four-color pens, of conventional design, reference is made to patents FR 1 356 298 (or its equivalent GB 1 020 230 ) and FR 2 107 129 (or its equivalent US 3,705,744 ).

To avoid the last disadvantage reported, another design of writing instrument, in particular ballpoint pen, consists in providing writing tips, for example ball, at two opposite ends of the body of the instrument. These tips can be fixed (see the patents FR 1 228 971 , US 3,025,834 and US 3,801,266 ) or be retractable in the body of the instrument (see the patents FR 1 274 890 , DE 802 229 and US 4,266,881 ). However, the embodiments proposed here comprise a single tip at each end of the writing instrument, so that this instrument is limited to two colors, which does not allow to obtain a true writing instrument spikes multiple.

Ball pens with two fixed points on each end of their bodies have been devised, which makes it possible to create a four-color pen - see the patent US 3,079,895 , or the patent FR 2,236,670 ( figure 6 ) or the Ukrainian patent UA 73,899 ). The use of such instruments, however, requires to hold them in a particular position, especially with a suitable orientation and inclination, to use one or other of the two ends of each end. The handling of these writing instruments are delicate and require great precision in gestures and special learning. In addition, the fixed points are generally not protected, hence the risk of soiling.

Some proposals were also made for pens with multiple points oriented in various directions in the same plane, for example pens in the format of a bank card with a writing tip at each angle - see the patents GB 2,405,834 (or its equivalent WO 2005/025888 ) and FR 2,883,799 . Such instruments are bulky and difficult to grip manually because of their flat and very wide shape.

Finally, the German patent DE 821011 describes and illustrates ( figure 1 ) a writing instrument in four or more colors, in particular a ballpoint pen, with at least two retractable writing tips located towards the first end of the elongated body of the instrument, and with at least two other tips of retractable writings located towards the second end of this elongated body. This instrument is presented as two opposite "half-pens", each equipped with means for the selection and the exit of one of the writing tips located towards its end. It follows from this design that the ink refills associated with each writing tip are of low length, limited to less than half the length of the pen, these ink refills interrupting before the central zone of the body of the pen. As a result, the capacity of the ink refills so the writing length remains limited. A simple increase in the length of the refills is not obvious, because it is advisable to guide these refills and maintain them in position, while associating said refills means provided for the selection and the output of the corresponding writing tips.

The present invention aims to remedy all of the previously mentioned disadvantages, and is therefore intended to provide a writing instrument with multiple tips and colors, four colors, remaining easy to handle and whose body retains a reduced diameter particularly suitable for use by a child, and which allows a use of two colors at a time, while maintaining a simple and economical system for selecting and retracting different writing tips, this instrument can receive refills of ink of important length thus of important capacity.

For this purpose, the subject of the invention is a writing instrument with multiple tips, in particular a four-color ballpoint pen. therefore important large capacity, which comprises an elongated body with a first end provided with an opening and with a second end provided with another opening, at least two retractable writing tips located towards the first end of the body and can be selectively exits through the opening of the first end of the body, and at least two other retractable writing tips, located towards the second end of the body and can be selectively exited through the opening of the second end of the body, means being provided for selecting and outputting one of the writing tips located towards the first end of the body, and other means, independent of the preceding ones, being provided for selecting and outputting one of the tips located near the second end of the body, this instrument being essentially characterized by the fact that the two ends of the at the first end of the body are respectively associated with two ink refills housed longitudinally in the body along a first diametral plane, while the two other writing tips located towards the second end of the body are respectively associated with two other ink refills housed longitudinally in the body along a second diametrical plane, substantially perpendicular to the first diametral plane, the body of the pen comprising a central guide of generally cylindrical shape slidably traversed by the four refills, a first half-body attached to the central guide on one side thereof and forming the first end, to which are associated two writing tips, and a second half-body attached to the central guide on the other side thereof and forming the second end , to which are associated the two other writing tips.

The first half-body may have two diametrically opposite longitudinal slots, traversed respectively by two selection fins respectively associated with the two refills whose tips are located at the second end, therefore the second half-body, while the second half The body also has two diametrically opposite longitudinal slots, traversed respectively by two other selection fins independent of the previous and respectively associated with the two refills whose tips are located at the first end, so the first half-body.

Thus, the invention proposes a writing instrument that has two writing tips at one end, and two other writing tips at its other end. end, with a "head-to-tail" arrangement, all these tips being individually selectable and retractable. In particular, it is feasible according to this principle a four-color ballpoint pen, with a first pair of ball points at one end, and a second pair of ball points at the other end, the selection of a tip of the first pair being independent of the selection of a tip of the second tip. The four ink refills, which correspond to the four colors, are arranged "square" in the body of the pen.

Overall, the instrument of a writing object of the invention has the following advantages:

Firstly, the fact of being able to simultaneously but independently select a writing tip of a color at the first end of the instrument, and a writing tip of another color at the second end of the same instrument , allows the user to have two colors at once, and to use alternately by a simple reversal of the instrument, without the need to retract a tip and select another. For example, the blue tip is at one end of the pen, and the red tip is at the other end of the pen, so the colors "blue" and "red" can be selected simultaneous, the corresponding tips being output respectively to both ends of the pen. Thus, for example in the context of a school work, a schoolboy can write a text with the color "blue" and emphasize the titles in color "red", simply and quickly.

The embodiment according to the invention also makes it possible, for a given number of colors (here: four colors), to have an instrument body of smaller diameter than that of a conventional corresponding instrument, that is to say of which all the writing tips are coming out at the same end. In particular, the diameter of the writing instrument is reduced in its gripping area, which facilitates the use of this instrument by a child. Possibly, this reduction in diameter makes it possible, without any disadvantage as to the size of the instrument, to add to the body of the instrument a "skin" of elastic material which improves the behavior and comfort of the user, in the grip area of the instrument.

By its very principle, the writing instrument object of the invention is generally symmetrical, with respect to a transverse median plane passing through mid-length of the instrument. Thus, the center of gravity of the writing instrument is in this median plane, and this characteristic makes the instrument perfectly balanced, which also facilitates its grip and handling.

The structure of the invention remains simple and economical, given its perfect symmetry (allowing to have two identical half-bodies) and the reduced number of its components, in particular if there is provided a system of selection of the type to fins.

Indeed, the writing instrument according to the invention remains compatible with the known system of finned color selection, which also contributes to the simplicity and convenience of use of the instrument. Moreover, applied to the concept of writing instrument proper to the present invention, the fin system is distributed over the two halves of the instrument, on either side of its median plane, which makes it more "Readable", the selection commands of the different colors being more apart from each other than in a conventional four-color pen. The diametrically opposite arrangement of the two selection fins, for each pair of refills, further allows a better operation of the fin system, facilitating the selection and retraction of different writing tips.

Finally, because the four ink refills of various colors all slidably traverse the same central guide of the body of the instrument, these refills are each present over a large part of the total length of the instrument, which guarantee the user a length or length of writing important, contrary to the previous proposal ( DE 821011 - figure 1 ) in which each refill has a length less than half the total length of the writing instrument. In addition, thanks to the central guide, the four refills are perfectly guided and maintained despite their long length, especially in their overlap area, which ensures the smooth operation of the writing instrument. In particular, friction of one refill against another is thus prevented.

• Figure 1 est une vue générale, en perspective, d'un instrument d'écriture selon un premier mode de réalisation de l'invention, à l'état assemblé ;
• Figure 2 est une vue en perspective éclatée de l'instrument d'écriture de la figure 1 ;
• Figure 3 est une vue de face de cet instrument d'écriture ;
• Figure 4 en est une vue en bout ;
• Figure 5 en est une vue en coupe longitudinale, suivant V-V de figure 4 ;
• Figure 6 est une vue en perspective du guide central seul ;
• Figure 7 est une vue en bout du guide central de la figure 6 ;
• Figure 8 est une vue en coupe passant par l'axe de ce guide central, suivant VIII-VIII de figure 7 ;
• Figure 9 est une vue en perspective de l'un des deux demi-corps, représenté seul ;
• Figures 10, 1 1 , 12 et 13 sont des vues partielles en coupe longitudinale de l'instrument, illustrant le fonctionnement de son système de sélection à ailettes ;
• Figure 14 est une vue partielle, en perspective éclatée, d'un second mode de réalisation de l'instrument d'écriture selon l'invention ;
• Figure 15 représente en perspective, de façon isolée, une ailette de l'instrument d'écriture selon la figure 14.

The invention will be better understood, and other characteristics will be highlighted, with the aid of the detailed description which follows, with reference to the appended schematic drawing representing, by way of examples, two embodiments of this instrument. writing with multiple points:

• Figure 1 is a general perspective view of a writing instrument according to a first embodiment of the invention, in the assembled state;
• Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the writing instrument of the figure 1 ;
• Figure 3 is a front view of this writing instrument;
• Figure 4 is an end view;
• Figure 5 is a view in longitudinal section, according to VV of figure 4 ;
• Figure 6 is a perspective view of the central guide alone;
• Figure 7 is an end view of the central guide of the figure 6 ;
• Figure 8 is a sectional view passing through the axis of this central guide, following VIII-VIII of figure 7 ;
• Figure 9 is a perspective view of one of the two half-bodies, represented alone;
• Figures 10 , 1 1 , 12 and 13 are partial views in longitudinal section of the instrument, illustrating the operation of its finned selection system;
• Figure 14 is a partial view, in exploded perspective, of a second embodiment of the writing instrument according to the invention;
• Figure 15 represents in perspective, in isolation, a fin of the writing instrument according to the figure 14 .

The invention is described below, with reference to the drawing, in the context of its non-limiting application to a four-color ballpoint pen. We will refer first to Figures 1 to 13 , relating to a first embodiment.

The ballpoint pen considered comprises an elongated body 1, itself composed of a central guide 2 on either side of which are symmetrically assembled a first half-body 3 and a second half-body 4, which are two identical elongated pieces but mounted in opposite directions.

The central guide 2, represented alone on the Figures 6 to 8 , has a general cylindrical appearance. It is pierced, parallel to its axis A, four passages 5, 6, 7 and 8 arranged at 90 ° relative to each other. As shown in particular figure 8 each passage 5, 6, 7 or 8 is stepped, with a smaller diameter portion extending over half of the length of the central guide 2, and with a larger diameter portion extending over the other half of the length of the central guide 2, these two parts being separated from each other by an annular inner shoulder 9.

Viewed externally, the central guide 2 has a median zone 10 in the form of a ring, on either side of which extend two opposite ends 11 and 12, of outside diameter less than that of the median zone 10. On the periphery the middle zone 10 is formed a protuberance 13, in particular in the form of a spherical cap, which provides an anti-rolling function for the pen. On the two ends 11 and 12 are formed on the one hand longitudinal grooves 14, and on the other hand annular beads 15, which are intended for the positioning and retention of the half-bodies 3 and 4 (as specified below) .

Each half-body 3 or 4, one of which is represented alone on the figure 9 , has a substantially tubular main part, but tapered in an end zone, respectively 16 or 17. The end zone 16 or 17, remote from the central guide 2 when the elements are assembled, comprises a circular terminal opening respectively 18 or 19, centered on the central axis A of the body 1.

Each half-body 3 or 4 is pierced, substantially at mid-length, with two diametrically opposed longitudinal slots 20. Each half-body 3 or 4 also has, internally, longitudinal ribs 21 complementary to the grooves 14 of the central guide 2, as well as annular grooves 22 complementary to the beads 15 of the central guide 2.

• angulairement, par l'engagement de ses nervures 21 dans les rainures 14 correspondantes du guide central 2 ;
• axialement, par l'engagement de ses gorges 22 sur les bourrelets 15 du guide central 2.

For the assembly of the body 1 of the pen, the two half-bodies 3 and 4 are engaged in force respectively on the two ends 11 and 12 of the central guide 2, each half-body 3 or 4 being positioned and retained:

• angularly, by the engagement of its ribs 21 in the corresponding grooves 14 of the central guide 2;
• axially, by the engagement of its grooves 22 on the beads 15 of the central guide 2.

We thus obtain the body 1 assembled, as visible on the figures 1 and 3 . It should be noted that, in this configuration, the two slots 20 of the first half-body 3 are in a certain diametral plane, and that the two similar slots 20 of the second half-body 4 are in another diametral plane, perpendicular to the previous one.

In the illustrated embodiment, each half-body 3 or 4 still receives, especially around its end zone 16 or 17, an element external tubular outer respectively 23 or 24, made of a flexible material of the elastomeric type, which can be retained by snapping or overmoulding, and which forms a "skin" improving pen holding and comfort for the user, in each zone grasping.

• une paire de recharges 25 et 26 a ses pointes respectives 29 et 30 situées du côté du premier demi-corps 3, de sorte que l'une ou l'autre des deux pointes 29 et 30 puisse être sortie sélectivement par l'ouverture terminale 18 de ce premier demi-corps 3.
• une autre paire de recharges 27 et 28 est disposée en sens opposé, c'est-à-dire qu'elle a ses pointes respectives 31 et 32 situées du côté du second demi-corps 4, de sorte que l'une ou l'autre des deux pointes 31 et 32 puisse être sortie sélectivement par l'ouverture terminale 19 de ce second demi-corps 4.

As it is a four-color ballpoint pen, it receives four refills 25, 26, 27 and 28 of tubular shape, filled with inks of the desired colors, each ending with a writing tip respectively 29 , 30, 31 and 32, in this case a ball point. The four ink refills and their tips are divided into two pairs:

• a pair of refills 25 and 26 has its respective tips 29 and 30 located on the side of the first half-body 3, so that one or the other of the two points 29 and 30 can be selectively output by the terminal opening 18 of this first half-body 3.
• another pair of refills 27 and 28 is arranged in the opposite direction, that is to say that it has its respective points 31 and 32 located on the side of the second half-body 4, so that one or the other of the two points 31 and 32 can be selectively output by the end opening 19 of the second half-body 4.

The four refills 25, 26, 27 and 28 slidably cross respectively the four passages 5, 6, 7 and 8 of the central guide 2. Thus, the two refills 25 and 26 of the first pair are in a foreground. diametrical, and the two refills 27 and 28 of the second pair are in another diametral plane, perpendicular to the previous one.

At the rear end (opposite to the tip 29, 30, 31 or 32) of each refill 25, 26, 27 or 28 is mounted a selection fin 33, 34, 35 or 36 respectively, which extends partially radially towards the outside through one of the slots 20 of a half-body 3 or 4. Thus, the two fins 33 and 34 associated with the first pair of refills 25 and 26 are arranged at 90 ° relative to the other two fins 35 and 36, associated with the second pair of refills 27 and 28.

In detail, as shown more particularly by the Figures 10 to 13 each fin 33, 34, 35 or 36 comprises a terminal pin 37 engaged in the rear end of the corresponding refill, an inner ramp 38, an inner stop 39 located behind the ramp 38, and an outer gripping portion 40 , for example of knurled type (with several parallel lamellae). Each fin 33, 34, 35 or 36 is advantageously a molded piece of synthetic material, of a color corresponding to that of the ink of the associated refill 25, 26, 27 or 28, in order to facilitate selection by the user.

It will also be noted that, for the two refills 25 and 26 whose respective tips 29 and 30 are located in the end zone 16 of the first half-body 3, the corresponding selection fins 33 and 34 are at the level of the second half -Body 4. Conversely, for the other two refills 27 and 28, the respective tips 31 and 32 are located in the end zone 17 of the second half-body 4, the corresponding selection fins 35 and 36 are at the level of first half-body 3.

Finally, around each refill 25, 26, 27 and 28 is mounted a helical compression spring, respectively 41, 42, 43 and 44. Each spring is supported, at the rear, against the corresponding fin 33, 34, 35 or 36 and, at the front, against the inner shoulder 9 of the corresponding passage 5, 6, 7
or 8 of the central guide 2. Thus mounted, each spring 41, 42, 43 or 44 acts as a return spring, which is compressed during the descent of the corresponding fin 33, 34, 35 or 36 and which relaxes during the ascent of this same fin.

Overall, we obtain a four-color pen of symmetrical general configuration, and with "head-to-tail" arrangement of its two pairs of refills 25, 26 and 27, 28 and associated selection fins, 33, 34 and 34 respectively. 35, 36.

It follows from the structure described so far that the selection of one
either of the colors, suitable for refills 25 and 26 of the first pair, can be done independently of the selection of one or the other of the other two colors, specific to refills 27 and 28 of the second pair. Two colors can thus be selected simultaneously, in other words the pen can, at a given instant, comprise at one end a tip 29 or 30 output, of chosen color, and at the other end a tip 31 or 32 output, also of color. chosen, while the other tip is retracted each time. It is also possible to have a single tip output on all four points, or all four points retracted when the pen is not used.

The operation of the finned selection system is illustrated, for one of the two pairs of refills 25, 26, by the Figures 10 to 13 .

In the starting position considered here, according to the figure 10 , the refill 25 of a certain color is used, its tip (not visible) being output to the corresponding end of the body 1. The fin 33, associated with the refill 25, is lowered and locked in the lower position by the another fin 34, associated with the refill 26 of the unused color thus remained in the high position. More particularly, the stop 39 of the fin 33 is stopped by the ramp 38 of the fin 34, which performs the locking.

To change the color, that is to say to select the color of the refill 26, the user presses the outer portion 40 of the fin 34, thus causing a beginning of descent of the latter - see figure 11 . The stop 39 of the fin 33 will then "go up" on the ramp 38 of the fin 34, to escape - see figure 12 . The fin 33 is thus released and will be able to go up, under the action of the corresponding spring 41, previously compressed.

If the user continues to lower the fin 34, the stop 39 thereof will finally be held by the ramp 38 of the other fin 33, meanwhile raised to its highest position - see figure 13 . The fin 34 is thus locked in the low position, which corresponds to the use of the color of the refill 26, whose tip (not visible) is then output. The operation is naturally similar for the other pair of refills 27,28.

The Figures 14 and 15 illustrate a second embodiment, which differs from the previous only by the conformation of the fins, here improved so as to avoid a possible interaction between the fins and the opposite refills.

Indeed, in the previous embodiment, the opposite refill such as the refill 25 or 26 may exert a lateral force on the fin 35 or 36, because of the curvature that can take this refill, curvature which is inscribed in the shape of the body 1 of the pen, this especially in the case where the refill is constituted by a relatively flexible tube. The lateral force thus generated can cause a lateral displacement of one of the fins relative to another, which can cause either undesired unlocking in the lower position of the fin 33 (with reference to the figure 10 ), a mutual blocking of the two wings when they are in relative motion (see figure 12 ) with the consequence of an impossibility to unlock these fins therefore to change color.

The embodiment of the Figures 14 and 15 , detailed below, avoids these risks by ensuring a stability of the fin selection system, regardless of the position: locked, unlocked or in motion.

The fins, such as the fin 34 shown isolated on the figure 15 , here again present an inner abutment 39 located behind an inner ramp 138, and an outer gripping portion 40. The inner abutment 39 retains a generally triangular shape, as in the first embodiment. By against the inner ramp 138 has a concave profile in "V", which is complementary to the triangular shape of the inner abutment 39 of the fin 33 opposite the fin 34 considered here.

• En position verrouillée, plus particulièrement lorsque l'ailette 33 opposée est en position basse (voir figure 14), la butée intérieure 39 de cette ailette 33 s'inscrit dans le profil concave en « V » de la rampe intérieure 138 de l'ailette 34. En conséquence, le jeu latéral de l'ailette 33 opposée est limité par les parois internes de la rampe 138, si bien que cette ailette 33 ne peut être désaxée par rapport à l'autre ailette 34. Tout déverrouillage intempestif est ainsi évité : l'ailette 34 conserve sa position basse verrouillée, et la recharge 25 associée conserve elle aussi sa position basse correspondante.
• De plus, comme le montre également la figure 14, les parois externes des rampes 138 des ailettes 33 et 34 maintiennent latéralement la recharge 28 opposée, empêchant ainsi cette recharge 28 d'exercer une force sur les butées intérieures 39, et évitant donc un désaxage de l'ailette 33 par rapport à l'ailette 34.

This particular conformation of the fins makes it possible to eliminate the causes of dysfunction mentioned above:

• In the locked position, more particularly when the opposite fin 33 is in the down position (see figure 14 ), the inner abutment 39 of this fin 33 is part of the concave "V" profile of the inner ramp 138 of the fin 34. Consequently, the lateral play of the opposite vane 33 is limited by the internal walls. of the ramp 138, so that the fin 33 can not be offset with respect to the other fin 34. Unwanted unlocking is thus avoided: the fin 34 retains its locked down position, and the associated refill 25 also retains its corresponding low position.
• Moreover, as also shows figure 14 , the outer walls of the ramps 138 of the fins 33 and 34 laterally hold the refill 28 opposite, thus preventing this refill 28 to exert a force on the inner stops 39, and thus avoiding misalignment of the fin 33 relative to the fin 34.

Of course, these advantageous results are also obtained for the other two fins 35 and 36.

• en modifiant des détails de forme ou de matière de l'instrument d'écriture;
• en remplaçant le système à ailettes par tous autres moyens de sélection et sortie des pointes d'écriture ;
• en prévoyant tous moyens d'assemblage entre les composants du corps de l'instrument ;
• en réalisant les pointes d'écriture sous toutes formes : pointes à bille, pointes de type « feutre », mines de crayon, etc..

It is not departing from the scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims:

• modifying shape or material details of the writing instrument;
• replacing the finned system by any other means of selecting and outputting the writing tips;
• providing all means of assembly between the components of the body of the instrument;
• realizing writing tips in all forms: ball points, felt tips, pencil leads, etc.

Claims (9)

1. A writing implement with multiple writing points, in particular a ball-point pen with four colors, comprising an elongate body (1) with a first end (16) provided with an opening (18) and a second end (17) provided with another opening (19), two retractable writing points (29, 30) situated toward the first end (16) of the body (1) and which can be selectively taken out through the opening (18) of said first end (16) of the body (1), and two other retractable writing points (31, 32), situated toward the second end (17) of the body (1) and which can be selectively taken out through the opening (19) of said second end (17) of the body (1), means (33, 34, 41, 42) being provided to select and take out one of the writing points (31, 32) situated toward the first end of the body (1), and other means (35, 36, 43, 44), independent of the preceding ones, being provided to select and take out one of the writing points (31, 32) situated toward the second end (17) of the body (1), characterized in that the two writing points (29, 30) situated toward the first end (16) of the body (1) are respectively associated with two ink refills (25, 26) longitudinally housed in the body (1) along a first diametric plane, whereas the other two writing points (31, 32) situated toward the second end (17) of the body (1) are respectively associated with two other ink refills (27, 28) longitudinally housed in the body (1) along a diametric plane, substantially perpendicular to the first diametric plane, and in that the body (1) includes a generally cylindrical central guide (2) slidingly passed through by the four refills (25, 26, 27, 28), a first half-body (3) attached to the central guide (2) on one side thereof and forming the first end (16), with which two writing points (29, 30) are attached, and a second half-body (4) attached to the central guide (2) on the other side thereof and forming the second end (17), with which the other two writing points (31, 32) are associated.
2. The writing implement with multiple writing points according to claim 1, characterized in that the first half-body (3) has two diametrically opposite longitudinal slits (20), respectively passed through by two selecting fins (35, 36) respectively associated with the two refills (27, 28) whereof the tips (31, 32) are situated at the second end (17), therefore at the second half-body (4), while the second half-body (4) also has two diametrically opposite longitudinal slits (20), respectively passed through by two other selecting fins (33, 34) independent of the preceding ones and respectively associated with the two refills (25, 26) whereof the tips (29, 30) are situated at the first end (16), therefore at the first half-body (3).
3. The writing implement with multiple writing points according to claim 2, characterized in that each selecting fin (33, 34, 35, 36) includes an end post (37) engaged in the rear end of the corresponding refill (25, 26, 27, 28), an inner ramp (38; 138), an inner stop (39) situated at the rear of the ramp (38; 138), and an outer gripping portion (40).
4. The writing implement with multiple writing points according to claim 3, characterized in that the inner ramp (138) of each fin (33, 34, 35, 36) has a profile in the shape of a concave "V," complementary to the triangular shape of the inner stop (39) of the fin opposite the fin in question.
5. The writing implement with multiple writing points according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the central guide (2) is pierced with four passages (5, 6, 7, 8) parallel to its axis (A), respectively slidingly passed through by the four refills (25, 26, 27, 28), said central guide (2) outwardly having a ring-shaped middle zone (10), on either side of which two opposite nozzles (11 and 12) extend, on which the two half-bodies (3, 4) are respectively engaged.
6. The writing implement with multiple writing points according to claim 5, characterized in that, on the periphery of the middle zone (10) of the central guide (2), a protuberance (13) is formed, in particular in the form of a spherical cap, performing an anti-rolling function.
7. The writing implement with multiple writing points according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that, formed on the two tips (11, 12) of the central guide (2) are, on the one hand longitudinal slots (14), and on the other hand annular beads (15), designed for positioning and retention of the two half-bodies (3, 4), each half-body (3, 4) inwardly comprising longitudinal ribs (21) complementary to the slots (14), as well as annular grooves (22) complementary to the beads (15) of the central guide (2).
8. The writing implement with multiple writing points according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that each passage (5, 6, 7, 8) of the central guide (2) is stepped, with a portion having a smaller diameter and a portion having a larger diameter separated from one another by an annular inner shoulder (9), and in that mounted, around each refill (25, 26, 27, 28), is a helical compression spring (41, 42, 43, 44) that bears, at the rear, against the corresponding fin (33, 34, 35, 36) and, at the front, against the inner shoulder (9) of the corresponding passage (5, 6, 7, 8).
9. The writing implement with multiple writing points according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that each half-body (3, 4) receives, in particular around its end zone (16, 17), an attached tubular outer element (23, 24), made from a flexible material of the elastomer type.

Images