Abstract: A marking apparatus facilitates blind mounting of an object to a mounting surface in a desired alignment using the object as an alignment template. One end of the apparatus is configured to be affixed to a mounting slot or edge of the object, then the other end used to mark the appropriate supporting fastener location on the mounting surface. The object's mounting slots or edges may be represented by mounting hardware components that are flush with, recessed in, or protruding from the local planar surface of the object. To accommodate a broad variety of mounting conditions and mounting hardware, certain embodiments of the apparatus may include selectively adjustable or interchangeable head adapters, distinct head and retention configurations and/or a hardware relief channel. A channel adapter is disclosed for use with embodiments of the apparatus having a hardware relief channel. Embodiments of a slot-securable point marking tool are also disclosed.

Abstract: An exemplary slot-securable point marking tool comprises a first arm extending longitudinally from a base end to a guide leading edge, and a second arm extending longitudinally from the base end to an insertion guide lip. A tool mouth is defined between the guide leading edge and the insertion guide lip. A tool axis extends from the base end to the tool mouth. A point axis is defined orthogonally to the tool axis. The tool mouth is movable in a direction parallel to the point axis between a securement configuration and an expanded configuration. The tool mouth is resiliently biased toward the securement configuration. The second arm includes at least one slot alignment protuberance extending toward the first arm in a direction parallel to the point axis. The second arm includes a marking point element extending along the point axis oppositely of the at least one slot alignment protuberance.

Abstract: An exemplary slot-securable point marking tool comprises a first arm extending longitudinally from a base end to a guide leading edge, and a second arm extending longitudinally from the base end to an insertion guide lip. A tool mouth is defined between the guide leading edge and the insertion guide lip. A tool axis extends from the base end to the tool mouth. A point axis is defined orthogonally to the tool axis. The tool mouth is movable in a direction parallel to the point axis between a securement configuration and an expanded configuration. The tool mouth is resiliently biased toward the securement configuration. The second arm includes at least one slot alignment protuberance extending toward the first arm in a direction parallel to the point axis. The second arm includes a marking point element extending along the point axis oppositely of the at least one slot alignment protuberance.

Abstract: A marking apparatus facilitates blind mounting of an object to a mounting surface in a desired alignment using the object as an alignment template. One end of the apparatus is configured to be affixed to a mounting slot or edge of the object, then the other end used to mark the appropriate supporting fastener location on the mounting surface. The object's mounting slots or edges may be represented by mounting hardware components that are flush with, recessed in, or protruding from the local planar surface of the object. To accommodate a broad variety of mounting conditions and mounting hardware, certain embodiments of the apparatus may include selectively adjustable or interchangeable head adapters, distinct head and retention configurations and/or a hardware relief channel A channel adapter is disclosed for use with embodiments of the apparatus having a hardware relief channel. Embodiments of a slot-securable point marking tool are also disclosed.

Abstract: A marking apparatus facilitates blind mounting of an object to a mounting surface in a desired alignment using the object as an alignment template. One end of the apparatus is configured to be affixed to a mounting slot or edge of the object, then the other end used to mark the appropriate supporting fastener location on the mounting surface. The object's mounting slots or edges may be represented by mounting hardware components that are flush with, recessed in, or protruding from the local planar surface of the object. To accommodate a broad variety of mounting conditions and mounting hardware, certain embodiments of the apparatus may include selectively adjustable or interchangeable head adapters, distinct head and retention configurations and/or a hardware relief channel A channel adapter is disclosed for use with embodiments of the apparatus having a hardware relief channel. Embodiments of a slot- securable point marking tool are also disclosed.

Abstract: A marking apparatus and its method of use facilitate blind slide-mounting of an object to a mounting surface in a desired alignment using the object as an alignment template. The apparatus includes a post element, a retention element, a tightening element and a cover. The retention element is movable against resilient bias to allow the apparatus to capture a mounting slot in the object. The resilient bias moves the retention element to a gripping position, and the cover can be rotated so as to cause the tightening element to secure the grip of the apparatus to the object. When the object is aligned with and pushed toward the mounting surface, the cover moves against an elastic bias to allow a marking end of the apparatus to contact the mounting surface so as mark the appropriate location for installation of a fastener to supportingly engage the slide-mount slot of the object.

Abstract: A marking apparatus facilitates blind slide-mounting of an object to a mounting surface in a desired alignment using the object as an alignment template. A retention element in receipt of a post is movable against resilient bias to allow the head of the apparatus to capture a mounting slot in the object. The resilient bias moves the retention element to a gripping position, and a cover is rotated to cause a tightening element to secure the grip of the apparatus to the object. A rotational detent element offset from the head prevents the post from rotating with respect to the retention element. When affixed to the object, the apparatus is used to mark the appropriate location for installation of a fastener to supportingly engage the slide-mount slot of the object. The apparatus may include an orthogonality adapter to ensure that it remains orthogonal to the object during certain marking operations.

Abstract: A marking apparatus and its method of use facilitate blind slide-mounting of an object to a mounting surface in a desired alignment using the object as an alignment template. The apparatus includes a post element, a retention element, a tightening element and a cover. The retention element is movable against resilient bias to allow the apparatus to capture a mounting slot in the object. The resilient bias moves the retention element to a gripping position, and the cover can be rotated so as to cause the tightening element to secure the grip of the apparatus to the object. When the object is aligned with and pushed toward the mounting surface, the cover moves against an elastic bias to allow a marking end of the apparatus to contact the mounting surface so as mark the appropriate location for installation of a fastener to supportingly engage the slide-mount slot of the object.

Abstract: A marking apparatus facilitates blind slide-mounting of an object to a mounting surface in a desired alignment using the object as an alignment template. A retention element in receipt of a post is movable against resilient bias to allow the head of the apparatus to capture a mounting slot in the object. The resilient bias moves the retention element to a gripping position, and a cover is rotated to cause a tightening element to secure the grip of the apparatus to the object. A rotational detent element offset from the head prevents the post from rotating with respect to the retention element. When affixed to the object, the apparatus is used to mark the appropriate location for installation of a fastener to supportingly engage the slide-mount slot of the object. The apparatus may include an orthogonality adapter to ensure that it remains orthogonal to the object during certain marking operations.

Abstract: A marking apparatus and its method of use facilitate blind slide-mounting of an object to a mounting surface in a desired alignment using the object as an alignment template. The apparatus includes a post element, a retention element, a tightening element and a cover. The retention element is movable against resilient bias to allow the apparatus to capture a mounting slot in the object. The resilient bias moves the retention element to a gripping position, and the cover can be rotated so as to cause the tightening element to secure the grip of the apparatus to the object. When the object is aligned with and pushed toward the mounting surface, the cover moves against an elastic bias to allow a marking end of the apparatus to contact the mounting surface so as mark the appropriate location for installation of a fastener to supportingly engage the slide-mount slot of the object.

Abstract: A marking apparatus and its method of use facilitate blind slide-mounting of an object to a mounting surface in a desired alignment using the object as an alignment template. The apparatus includes a post element, a retention element, a tightening element and a cover. The retention element is movable against resilient bias to allow the apparatus to capture a mounting slot in the object. The resilient bias moves the retention element to a gripping position, and the cover can be rotated so as to cause the tightening element to secure the grip of the apparatus to the object. When the object is aligned with and pushed toward the mounting surface, the cover moves against an elastic bias to allow a marking end of the apparatus to contact the mounting surface so as mark the appropriate location for installation of a fastener to supportingly engage the slide-mount slot of the object.