MARKING APPARATUS AND KIT FOR BLIND MOUNT ALIGNMENT
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.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/797,907 filed Jan. 28, 2019 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/813,649 filed Mar. 4, 2019, the contents of each of which are incorporated by this reference in their entireties for all purposes as if fully set forth herein.
TECHNICAL FIELDThe disclosure herein relates generally to devices and methods for mounting objects onto supporting structures. More particularly, the disclosure relates to devices and methods to facilitate placement of blind hardware-mount components, such as mounting screws and hooks which engage a keyhole, slot or thin edge of an object, cleats, sawtooth hangers, and security slot hardware wall clips, on a supporting wall or other structure in a manner which results in desired alignment of the mounted object.
BACKGROUNDApplicant's previously-filed PCT International Patent Application Nos. PCT/US2016/053208 (published on Mar. 30, 2017 as WO 2017/053636) and PCT/US2018/039374 (published on Jan. 3, 2019 as WO 2019/005707), disclosed certain expedients for a blind slide-mount fastener alignment apparatus, kit and method. The instant disclosure presents further innovations which extend beyond the teachings of Applicant's previously-published work and provide solutions to additional problems in the art.
SUMMARYCertain deficiencies of the prior art are overcome by the provision of embodiments of an apparatus, kit and method in accordance with the present disclosure.
Further advantages of the present invention may become apparent to those skilled in the art with the benefit of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and upon reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Referring now to the drawings, like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding features throughout the several views.
With reference to the several drawings, various embodiments of a marking apparatus for facilitating blind mounting of an object 102 to a mounting surface 108 in a desired alignment using the object as an alignment template are shown generally at 100.
Exemplary embodiments of a marking apparatus 100 may comprise a post element 110, an object retention element 120 and a cover element 132.
Referring to
Referring to
Particular embodiments of the marking apparatus 100 may comprise a tightening element 142 transportable (e.g., threadedly) along the shaft member 116 between a release position (see, for example,
A cover element 132 may be configured to engage the tightening element 142 to restrict relative rotational movement therebetween about the main axis 118 while enabling relative axial movement therebetween along the main axis 118.
Referring the
In particular preferred embodiments of a marking apparatus 100, the shaft member 116 may be comprised of a polymer and may include a metallic (e.g., brass) threaded insert 192 by which the first head adapter 111a is in its threaded engagement with the shaft member 116. Alternatively, the shaft member 16 may be comprise of metal. Moreover, the shaft member, shank portion and head portion may be formed as a unitary component, as illustrated for example in
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
The cover element 132 may include a surface engagement portion 136 and may be movable with respect to the post element 110 along the main axis 118 between an extended position (see, for example,
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Certain embodiment of a marking apparatus 100 may further comprise a cap element 157 with a marking substance pad 159 disposed therein. The cap element 157 may have an outer color which matches the color of the marking substance. The cap element 157 may preferably be configured to receivingly engage a portion of the cover element 132. For example, as shown in the several figures, the cap element may have internal features which are configured to engage complementary features on the outside surface the cover element 132. Accordingly, when the cap 157 is in the receiving engagement with the cover element 132, (i) the cap element 157 and the cover element 132 may be configured to restrict relative rotation therebetween about the main axis 118, and (ii) the marking substance pad 159 is contactable by the marking end 114.
Referring now to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
A tool mouth 320 may be defined between the guide leading edge 316 and the insertion guide lip 298. A tool axis 308 may extend from the base end 294 to the tool mouth 320. A point axis 306 may be defined orthogonally to the tool axis 308. Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
In certain preferred implementations of the slot-securable point marking tool 262, such as the one depicted in
Referring now to
The at least one slot alignment protuberance 310 may extend outward of the base wall 324 in a direction orthogonal and oppositely of the at least one marking point element 302. Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
The apparatuses 100 corresponding to
The apparatuses 100 corresponding to
Preferred embodiments of the apparatuses 100 corresponding to
Referring to
As illustrated for example in
In particular embodiments of apparatuses 100 corresponding to
In certain embodiments of apparatuses 100 corresponding to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
With regard to the development of the channel adapter 344, the offset portions 200 and hardware relief channel 202 of particular embodiments of a marking apparatus 100 allow the apparatus to be used with the most common add-on keyhole hardware element types. There are less common add-on applications, however, where the hardware geometry may benefit from some adaptation of such marking apparatuses in order to mount the apparatus orthogonally to the object surface. One example of the potential need for such occasional adaptation is illustrated in
The following listing correlates certain terminology used within this disclosure with corresponding reference numbers used in certain non-limiting embodiments illustrated in the several figures. To the extent that any description in this specification contradicts items in this listing, the description of the specification will control.
- 100 marking apparatus
- 102 object
- 103 fastener head opening/aperture
- 104 slide mount slot, fastener slot (e.g., keyhole or other configuration)
- 105 mounting lip
- 106 fastener/bracket
- 107 fastener head/T-screw
- 108 mounting surface
- 110 post element
- 111a first head adapter
- 111b second head adapter
- 111c third head adapter
- 112a first head portion
- 112b second head portion
- 112c third head portion
- 112d head portion (cleat-engagement-type 1)
- 112e head portion (cleat-engagement-type 2)
- 112f head portion (cleat-engagement-type 3)
- 112g head portion (adjustable type)
- 113 stamp element
- 114 marking end (marking tip)
- 115 retention screw
- 116 shaft member
- 118 main axis
- 120 object retention element
- 122 alignment boss
- 124 finger grip portions
- 126 spring element (e.g., compression spring)
- 128 lip groove, annular slot
- 130a first inner face, inboard surface
- 130b second inner face, inboard surface
- 130c third inner face, inboard surface
- 130d inner face of head portion (cleat-engagement-type 1)
- 130e inner face of head portion (cleat-engagement-type 2)
- 130f inner face of head portion (cleat-engagement-type 3)
- 130g inner face of head portion (adjustable type)
- 132 cover element
- 134 shaft aperture
- 136 surface engagement portion
- 138 tip chamber
- 140 spring shroud
- 142 tightening element
- 144 main bore (e.g., threaded)
- 146 first torque detent
- 148 second torque detent
- 150 cover retention element
- 152a first spring interface washer
- 152b second spring interface washer
- 154 marking patch, deposited mark
- 156 spring groove/recess
- 157 cap element
- 158 marking substance (e.g., ink or viscous marking substance; e.g., various colors)
- 159 marking substance pad
- 160 local planar surface
- 162 recess
- 168 keyhole hardware element
- 169 T-screw security hanger hardware element
- 170 alignment bore
- 172a first shank portion
- 172b second shank portion
- 172c third shank portion
- 174 bore proximal end
- 176 bore distal end
- 177 slot closed end
- 178 axial detent portion
- 180a first outer face
- 180b second outer face
- 180c third outer face
- 182 slot alignment boss
- 184 gap distance
- 186 gripping force
- 190 rotational detent portion
- 192 threaded insert (e.g., metallic/brass)
- 194 object reference plane
- 196 longitudinal axis
- 198 transverse axis
- 200 offset portions
- 202 hardware relief channel
- 204 relief cut
- 206 relief notch
- 208 head distance
- 210 rotational detent face/section
- 212 head adapter fixture
- 213 fixture base portion
- 214 fixture close-out element
- 215 threaded fixture bore
- 216 head length
- 217 cantilever snaps
- 262 slot-securable point marking tool
- 264 cleat hardware element (object side)
- 266 cleat hardware element (wall side)
- 268 sawtooth hanger hardware element
- 270 head mounting pin
- 272 rotation lock fastener
- 274 pin aperture
- 276 pin saddle
- 278 lip alignment detent
- 280 lip relief groove
- 282 cleat relief edge
- 284 head retraction relief
- 286 lip offset relief
- 288 grip angle
- 290 first arm portion
- 292 second arm portion
- 294 base end
- 296 slot-engagement end
- 298 insertion guide lip
- 300 lateral guide portion
- 302 marking point element
- 304 hardware insertion detent
- 306 point axis
- 308 tool axis
- 310 slot alignment protuberance
- 312 point-mounting protuberance
- 314 point element access port
- 316 guide leading edge
- 318 guide lateral edges
- 320 tool mouth
- 322 magnetic slot-securable point marking tool
- 324 base wall
- 326 offset portion
- 328 relief notch
- 330 magnetic element
- 332 transition edge
- 334 tool plane
- 336 relief width
- 338 head width
- 340 nose end
- 342 keyhole hardware element (further type)
- 344 channel adapter
- 346 shank relief aperture
- 348 shank slot
- 350 adaptor friction element (e.g., elastomeric ring)
- 352 adaptor magnet element
- 354 retention magnet element
- 356 friction offset member (e.g., metal washer)
- 358 outboard face
While embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it is not intended that these embodiments illustrate and describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Claims
1. A marking apparatus for facilitating blind mounting of an object to a mounting surface in a desired alignment using the object as an alignment template, the apparatus comprising:
- (a) a post element including a shaft member, a marking end and a first head adapter, the shaft member having a rotational detent portion, the first head adapter having a first head portion and a first shank portion, the first head adapter being configured to be placed in releasable engagement with the shaft member by way of the first shank portion whereby the post element extends from the first head portion to the marking end along a main axis;
- (b) an object retention element having an alignment bore extending along the main axis between a bore proximal end and a bore distal end, the alignment bore being in receipt of the post element and including a rotational detent section, the rotational detent section being configured to engage the rotational detent portion to restrict relative rotation between the shaft member and the object retention element about the main axis, the object retention element being movable with respect to the post element along the main axis between a closed position, an open position, and a gripping position therebetween wherein: (i) movement of the object retention element from the closed position to the open position results in the expansion of a lip groove for receiving a mounting lip of an object, the lip groove being at least partially defined by a gap distance between the first head portion and the bore proximal end, and (ii) movement of the object retention element from the open position to the gripping position reduces the gap distance for imposing onto the mounting lip a gripping force by the first head portion toward the bore proximal end;
- (c) a tightening element threadedly transportable along the shaft member between a release position and a lock position, thereby being configured to: (i) when in the release position, allow movement of the object retention element between the closed position and the open position, (ii) when in the lock position, prevent movement of the object retention element from the gripping position toward the open position, and (iii) enable adjustability of the gripping force; and
- (d) a cover element configured to engage the tightening element to restrict relative rotational movement therebetween about the main axis while enabling relative axial movement therebetween along the main axis.
2. A marking apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein
- (a) a head distance is defined between the first head portion and the shaft member,
- (b) the releasable engagement is a threaded engagement enabling the head distance to be adjusted by relative rotation between the shaft member and the first head adapter.
3. A marking apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein the shaft member is comprised of a polymer and includes a metallic threaded insert by which the first head adapter is in said threaded engagement with the shaft member.
4. A marking apparatus as defined in claim 1 further comprising a second head adapter including a second head portion and a second shank portion, the second head adapter being configured to be placed in said releasable engagement with the shaft member in substitution of the first head adapter, whereby the second head portion substitutes for the first head portion and the second shank portion substitutes for the first shank portion.
5. A marking apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein
- (a) the first head portion includes a first inner face and a first outer face, the first inner face being disposed between the first outer face the first shank portion, the first inner face extending radially of the first shank portion in flat-planar fashion, and
- (b) the second head portion includes a second inner face and a second outer face, the second inner face being disposed between the second outer face the second shank portion, the second inner face being conically tapered with respect to the second shank portion.
6. A marking apparatus as defined in claim 5 further comprising a third head adapter including a third head portion and a third shank portion, the third head adapter being configured to be placed in said releasable engagement with the shaft member in substitution of the first head adapter, whereby the third head portion substitutes for the first head portion and the third shank portion substitutes for the first shank portion, wherein
- (a) the third head portion includes a third inner face and a third outer face, the third inner face being disposed between the third outer face the third shank portion, the third inner face being conically tapered with respect to the third shank portion, and
- (b) the third shank portion is longer than the second shank portion.
7. A marking apparatus as defined in claim 4, 5 or 6 wherein the releasable engagement is a threaded engagement.
8. A marking apparatus as defined in claim 4, 5 or 6 wherein
- (a) the releasable engagement is a threaded engagement,
- (b) the object retention element includes finger grip portions extending radially of the main axis, and
- (c) at least one of the finger grip portions includes a head adapter fixture configured to removably retain a respective said head adapter for storage thereof.
9. A marking apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein the removable retention is by way of threaded interface between the head adapter fixture and respective shank portion.
10. A marking apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein
- (a) the head adapter fixture includes a threaded fixture bore for threadably receiving the respective shank portion, and
- (b) the head adapter fixture includes a fixture close-out element attached to a fixture base portion, the threaded fixture bore being formed therebetween.
11. A marking apparatus as defined in claim 10 wherein the attachment of the fixture close-out element to the fixture base portion is by way of one or more cantilever snaps.
12. A marking apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein:
- (a) the cover element includes a surface engagement portion and is movable with respect to the post element along the main axis between an extended position and a marking position, the cover element being elastically biased toward the extended position;
- (b) the surface engagement portion (i) extends axially beyond the marking end when the cover element is in the extended position, and (ii) is axially aligned with or inward of the marking end when the cover element is in the marking position;
- (c) the object retention element is resiliently biased toward the closed position;
- (d) the object retention element includes a spring groove; and
- (e) the resilient bias and elastic bias are provided by way of a spring element at least partially disposed within the spring groove.
13. A marking apparatus as defined in claim 12 further comprising a first spring interface washer and a second spring interface washer, the first spring interface washer being disposed along the main axis between the spring element and the object retention element, the second spring interface washer being disposed along the main axis between the spring element and the cover element.
14. A marking apparatus as defined in claim 12 wherein the cover element includes a spring shroud extending oppositely of the surface engagement portion, the spring shroud being in at least partial receipt of the spring element and configured to be at least partially received by the spring groove throughout the movement of the cover element between extended and marking positions.
15. A marking apparatus as defined in claim 14 wherein the spring groove and spring shroud are configured to cooperate to fully-envelope the spring element about the main axis throughout the movement of the cover element between extended and marking positions.
16. A marking apparatus as defined in claim 12 wherein the post element includes a cover retention element attached to the shaft portion, wherein
- when the cover retention element is attached to the shaft member, the cover retention element is configured to (a) axially retain the cover element on the post element, (b) limit the axial distance between the surface engagement portion and the marking end when the cover element is in the extended position, and (c) prevent the post element from being removed from the object retention element.
17. A marking apparatus as defined in claim 16 wherein the post element includes a stamp member with the marking end protruding therefrom, the stamp member being removably attached to the cover retention element.
18. A marking apparatus as defined in claim 17 wherein the marking end comprises a cross-shaped protrusion.
19. A marking apparatus as defined in claim 17 wherein the post element includes a threaded fastener configured to extend through the cover retention element and be threadedly received by the shaft member, the threaded fastener thereby attaching the cover retention element to the shaft member.
20. A marking apparatus as defined in claim 16 wherein the post element further includes a friction offset member which is
- (a) disposed between the cover retention element and the tightening element; and
- (b) in engagement with the shaft member in a manner restricting relative rotation between the shaft member and the friction offset member about the main axis.
21. A marking apparatus as defined in claim 1 further comprising a cap element with a marking substance pad disposed therein, wherein
- (a) the cap element is configured to receivingly engage a portion of the cover element, and
- (b) when the cap is in the receiving engagement (i) the cap element and the cover element are configured to restrict relative rotation therebetween about the main axis, and (ii) the marking substance pad is contactable by the marking end.
22. A marking apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the object retention element includes
- (a) an object reference plane defined orthogonally to the main axis and outward of the bore proximal end,
- (b) a first offset portion and a second offset portion, each of which (i) extends to and terminates at the object reference plane, and (ii) is disposed on opposing sides of the main axis thereby defining a hardware relief channel therebetween.
23. A marking apparatus as defined in claim 22 wherein the offset portions are parallel to one another.
24. A marking apparatus as defined in claim 22 wherein the offset portions are part of a single continuous perimeter wall.
25. A marking apparatus as defined in claim 22 wherein the perimeter wall includes a pair of opposingly disposed hardware relief cuts.
26. A marking apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the alignment bore includes an axial detent portion configured to limit axial movement of the shaft member in a retraction direction from the bore proximal end toward the bore distal end.
27. A marking apparatus as defined in claim 26 wherein the limitation of axial movement is by way of engagement between the axial detent portion and the rotational detent member.
28. A marking apparatus for facilitating blind mounting of an object to a mounting surface in a desired alignment using the object as an alignment template, the apparatus comprising:
- (a) a post element including a shaft member, a marking end and a first head portion, the shaft member having a rotational detent portion, the post element extends from the first head portion to the marking end along a main axis;
- (b) an object retention element having an alignment bore extending along the main axis between a bore proximal end and a bore distal end, the alignment bore being in receipt of the post element and including a rotational detent section, the rotational detent section being configured to engage the rotational detent portion to restrict relative rotation between the shaft member and the object retention element about the main axis, the object retention element being movable with respect to the post element along the main axis between a closed position, an open position, and a gripping position therebetween wherein (i) movement of the object retention element from the closed position to the open position results in the expansion of a lip groove for receiving a mounting lip of an object, the lip groove being at least partially defined by a gap distance between the first head portion and the bore proximal end, (ii) movement of the object retention element from the open position to the gripping position reduces the gap distance for imposing onto the mounting lip a gripping force by the first head portion toward the bore proximal end, and (iii) the object retention element is resiliently biased toward the closed position; and
- (c) a cover element including a surface engagement portion and being movable with respect to the post element along the main axis between an extended position and a marking position, the cover element being elastically biased toward the extended position,
- wherein the surface engagement portion (i) extends axially beyond the marking end when the cover element is in the extended position, and (ii) is axially aligned with or inward of the marking end when the cover element is in the marking position; and
- wherein the object retention element includes a longitudinal axis orthogonal to the main axis, a transverse axis orthogonal to the main and longitudinal axes, an object reference plane defined orthogonally to the main axis and outward of the bore proximal end, and a first offset portion and second offset portion each (i) extending to and terminating at the object reference plane, and (ii) being disposed on opposing sides of the main axis thereby defining a hardware relief channel therebetween.
29. A marking apparatus as defined in claim 28 wherein the offset portions are parallel to one another.
30. A marking apparatus as defined in claim 28 wherein the offset portions are part of a single continuous perimeter wall.
31. A marking apparatus as defined in claim 30 wherein the perimeter wall includes a pair of opposingly disposed hardware relief cuts.
32. A marking apparatus as defined in claim 28 wherein the object retention element includes a pair of finger grip portions opposingly extending outwardly of the main axis.
33. A marking apparatus as defined in claim 32 wherein the finger grip portions extend in parallel with the longitudinal axis.
34. A marking apparatus as defined in claim 33 wherein the first head portion is elongated along a head length orthogonally to the main axis and is oriented with the head length parallel with the transverse axis.
35. A marking apparatus as defined in claim 34 wherein the object retention element includes a pair of slot alignment bosses which are
- (a) disposed within the hardware relief channel on opposing sides of the main axis, and
- (b) aligned with one another in parallel with the longitudinal axis.
36. A marking apparatus as defined in claim 35 wherein the slot alignment bosses extend beyond the object reference plane.
37. A marking apparatus as defined in claim 35 wherein the first and second offset portions each include a relief notch therein, the relief notches being aligned with one another in parallel with the transverse axis.
38. A marking apparatus as defined in claim 28 further comprising a tightening element threadedly transportable along the shaft member between a release position and a lock position, thereby being configured to:
- (a) when in the release position, allow movement of the object retention element between the closed position and the open position,
- (b) when in the lock position, prevent movement of the object retention element from the gripping position toward the open position, and
- (c) enable adjustability of the gripping force.
39. A marking apparatus as defined in claim 38 wherein the cover element is configured to engage the tightening element to restrict relative rotational movement therebetween about the main axis while enabling relative axial movement therebetween along the main axis.
40. A marking apparatus as defined in claim 28 wherein:
- (a) the object retention element includes a spring groove; and
- (b) the resilient bias and elastic bias are provided by way of a spring element at least partially disposed within the spring groove.
41. A marking apparatus as defined in claim 40 further comprising a first spring interface washer and a second spring interface washer, the first spring interface washer being disposed along the main axis between the spring element and the object retention element, the second spring interface washer being disposed along the main axis between the spring element and the cover element.
42. A marking apparatus as defined in claim 40 wherein the cover element includes a spring shroud extending oppositely of the surface engagement portion, the spring shroud being in at least partial receipt of the spring element and configured to be at least partially received by the spring groove throughout the movement of the cover element between extended and marking positions.
43. A marking apparatus as defined in claim 42 wherein the spring groove and spring shroud are configured to cooperate to fully-envelope the spring element about the main axis throughout the movement of the cover element between extended and marking positions.
44. A marking apparatus for facilitating blind mounting of an object to a mounting surface in a desired alignment using the object as an alignment template, the apparatus comprising:
- (a) a post element including a shaft member, a marking end and a first head portion, the shaft member having a rotational detent portion, the post element extends from the first head portion to the marking end along a main axis, the head portion being elongated along a head length orthogonal to the main axis;
- (b) an object retention element having an alignment bore extending along the main axis between a bore proximal end and a bore distal end, the alignment bore being in receipt of the post element and including a rotational detent section, the rotational detent section being configured to engage the rotational detent portion to restrict relative rotation between the shaft member and the object retention element about the main axis, the object retention element being movable with respect to the post element along the main axis between a closed position, an open position, and a gripping position therebetween wherein (i) movement of the object retention element from the closed position to the open position results in the expansion of a lip groove for receiving a mounting lip of an object, the lip groove being at least partially defined by a gap distance between the first head portion and the bore proximal end, (ii) movement of the object retention element from the open position to the gripping position reduces the gap distance for imposing onto the mounting lip a gripping force by the first head portion toward the bore proximal end, and (iii) the object retention element is resiliently biased toward the closed position; and
- (c) a cover element including a surface engagement portion and being movable with respect to the post element along the main axis between an extended position and a marking position, the cover element being elastically biased toward the extended position,
- wherein the surface engagement portion (i) extends axially beyond the marking end when the cover element is in the extended position, and (ii) is axially aligned with or inward of the marking end when the cover element is in the marking position; and
45. A marking apparatus as defined in claim 44 wherein the object retention element includes
- (a) a longitudinal axis orthogonal to the main axis, a transverse axis orthogonal to the main and longitudinal axes, an object reference plane defined orthogonally to the main axis and outward of the bore proximal end, and
- (b) a first offset portion and second offset portion each (i) extending to and terminating at the object reference plane, and (ii) being disposed on opposing sides of the main axis thereby defining a hardware relief channel therebetween.
- wherein the first head portion is oriented with the head length being parallel with the transverse axis.
46. A marking apparatus as defined in claim 45 wherein the object retention element includes a pair of slot alignment bosses which are
- (a) disposed within the hardware relief channel on opposing sides of the main axis, and
- (b) aligned with one another in parallel with the longitudinal axis.
47. A marking apparatus as defined in claim 46 wherein the slot alignment bosses extend beyond the object reference plane.
48. A marking apparatus as defined in claim 46 wherein the first and second offset portions each include a relief notch therein, the relief notches being aligned with one another in parallel with the transverse axis.
49. A marking apparatus for facilitating blind mounting of an object to a mounting surface in a desired alignment using the object as an alignment template, the apparatus comprising:
- (a) a post element including a shaft member, a marking end and a first head adapter, the shaft member having a rotational detent portion, the first head adapter having a first head portion and a first shank portion, the first head adapter being configured to be placed in releasable engagement with the shaft member by way of the first shank portion whereby the post element extends from the first head portion to the marking end along a main axis;
- (b) an object retention element having an alignment bore extending along the main axis between a bore proximal end and a bore distal end, the alignment bore being in receipt of the post element and including a rotational detent section, the rotational detent section being configured to engage the rotational detent portion to restrict relative rotation between the shaft member and the object retention element about the main axis, the object retention element being movable with respect to the post element along the main axis between a closed position, an open position, and a gripping position therebetween wherein: (i) movement of the object retention element from the closed position to the open position results in the expansion of a lip groove for receiving a mounting lip of an object, the lip groove being at least partially defined by a gap distance between the first head portion and the bore proximal end, and (ii) movement of the object retention element from the open position to the gripping position reduces the gap distance for imposing onto the mounting lip a gripping force by the first head portion toward the bore proximal end;
- (c) a tightening element transportable along the shaft member between a release position and a lock position, thereby being configured to: (i) when in the release position, allow movement of the object retention element between the closed position and the open position, (ii) when in the lock position, prevent movement of the object retention element from the gripping position toward the open position, and (iii) enable adjustability of the gripping force; and
- (d) a cover element configured to engage the tightening element to enable relative axial movement therebetween along the main axis.
50. A marking apparatus as defined in claim 49 wherein:
- (a) the transportability of the tightening element being threaded transportability; and
- (b) the cover element is configured to engage the tightening element to restrict relative rotational movement therebetween about the main axis.
51. A marking apparatus for facilitating blind mounting of an object to a mounting surface in a desired alignment using the object as an alignment template, the apparatus comprising:
- (a) a post element including a shaft member, a marking end and a first head portion, the shaft member having a rotational detent portion, the post element extends from the first head portion to the marking end along a main axis;
- (b) an object retention element having an alignment bore extending along the main axis between a bore proximal end and a bore distal end, the alignment bore being in receipt of the post element and including a rotational detent section, the rotational detent section being configured to engage the rotational detent portion to restrict relative rotation between the shaft member and the object retention element about the main axis, the object retention element being movable with respect to the post element along the main axis between a closed position, an open position, and a gripping position therebetween wherein (i) movement of the object retention element from the closed position to the open position results in the expansion of a lip groove for receiving a mounting lip of an object, the lip groove being at least partially defined by a gap distance between the first head portion and the bore proximal end, (ii) movement of the object retention element from the open position to the gripping position reduces the gap distance for imposing onto the mounting lip a gripping force by the first head portion toward the bore proximal end, and (iii) the object retention element is resiliently biased toward the closed position; and
- (c) a cover element including a surface engagement portion and being movable with respect to the post element along the main axis between an extended position and a marking position, the cover element being elastically biased toward the extended position,
- wherein the surface engagement portion (i) extends axially beyond the marking end when the cover element is in the extended position, and (ii) is axially aligned with or inward of the marking end when the cover element is in the marking position; and
- wherein the object retention element includes a longitudinal axis orthogonal to the main axis, a transverse axis orthogonal to the main and longitudinal axes, an object reference plane defined orthogonally to the main axis and outward of the bore proximal end, the first head portion being elongated along a head length orthogonal to the main axis.
52. A marking apparatus as defined in claim 51 wherein the first head portion is oriented with the head length parallel with the transverse axis.
53. A marking apparatus as defined in claim 51 wherein the object retention element includes at least one slot alignment boss extending outward of the alignment bore in a direction parallel to the main axis, the alignment boss having boss portions on opposing sides of the main axis aligned with one another in parallel with the longitudinal axis.
54. A marking apparatus as defined in claim 53 wherein the at least one slot alignment boss extends beyond the object reference plane.
55. A marking apparatus as defined in claim 53 wherein the at least one slot alignment boss includes a boss termination end and a shoulder portion disposed inward thereof.
56. A marking apparatus as defined in claim 53 wherein the object retention element includes a first offset portion and a second offset portion, the offset portions
- (a) extending to and terminating at the object reference plane, and
- (b) being disposed on opposing sides of the main axis thereby defining a hardware relief channel therebetween.
57. A slot-securable point marking tool comprising:
- a first arm portion extending longitudinally from a base end to a guide leading edge, a second arm portion extending longitudinally from the base end to an insertion guide lip, a tool mouth being defined between the guide leading edge and the insertion guide lip, a tool axis extending from the base end to the tool mouth, a point axis being defined orthogonally to the tool axis, the tool mouth being movable in a direction parallel to the point axis between a securement configuration and an expanded configuration, the tool mouth being resiliently biased toward the securement configuration, the second arm portion including at least one slot alignment protuberance extending toward the first arm portion in a direction parallel to the point axis, the second arm portion including a marking point element extending along the point axis oppositely of the at least one slot alignment protuberance.
58. A slot-securable point marking tool as defined in claim 57, wherein the one or more slot alignment protuberance is collectively centered about the point axis.
59. A slot-securable point marking tool as defined in claim 58, wherein the marking point element is mounted in a point-mounting protuberance disposed
- (a) between two said slot alignment protuberances; and
- (b) oppositely of the slot alignment protuberances in a direction parallel to the point axis.
60. A slot-securable point marking tool as defined in claim 58, wherein the marking point element is threadedly mounted to the point-mounting protuberance.
61. A slot-securable point marking tool as defined in claim 57, wherein the first arm portion includes a hardware insertion detent between the base end and the point axis.
62. A slot-securable point marking tool as defined in claim 57, wherein the first arm portion includes a lateral guide portion extending from the guide leading edge toward the base end, the lateral guide portion including an opposing pair of guide lateral edges, the guide lateral edges being disposed laterally of the tool axis beyond the at least one slot alignment protuberance.
63. A slot-securable point marking tool as defined in claim 62, wherein the guide leading edge intersects the guide lateral edges at respectively radiused or chamfered transition edges.
64. A slot-securable point marking tool as defined in claim 57, wherein the insertion guide lip is angularly deflected away from the lateral guide portion.
65. A slot-securable point marking tool as defined in any of claims 57 to 64, wherein the first arm portion and the second arm portion are unitarily formed of a single piece of sheet metal.
66. A magnetic slot-securable point marking tool comprising:
- a base wall defining a tool plane, at least one marking point element extending outward of the base wall in a direction orthogonal to the tool plane, at least one slot alignment protuberance extending outward of the base wall in a direction orthogonal and oppositely of the at least one marking point element; and
- at least one magnetic element;
- wherein the at least one magnetic element is configured to magnetically affix the base wall element with respect to a hanger hardware element having a fastener slot when the at least one slot alignment protuberance is received by the fastener slot.
67. A magnetic slot-securable point marking tool as defined in claim 66, wherein a said magnetic element is disposed between two said slot alignment protuberances.
68. A magnetic slot-securable point marking tool as defined in claim 66, wherein an offset portion extends from the base wall oppositely of the at least one marking point element.
69. A magnetic slot-securable point marking tool as defined in claim 68, wherein a respective said magnetic element is disposed between the offset portion and a said slot alignment protuberance.
70. A magnetic slot-securable point marking tool as defined in claim 68, wherein the offset portion includes at least one relief notch.
71. A magnetic slot-securable point marking tool as defined in claim 66, wherein the base wall is comprised of magnetically-infused polymer, thereby comprising the at least one magnetic element.
72. A magnetic slot-securable point marking tool as defined in claim 66, wherein at least two said marking point elements extend outward of the base wall.
73. A magnetic slot-securable point marking tool as defined in claim 66, wherein the at least one slot alignment protuberance is also the at least one magnetic element.
74. A marking apparatus for facilitating blind mounting of an object to a mounting surface in a desired alignment using the object as an alignment template, the apparatus comprising:
- (a) a post element including a head portion, a marking end and a shaft member extending therebetween along a main axis, a transverse axis being defined orthogonally to the main axis, the head portion having a nose end and extending radially of the main axis to the nose end, the head portion having an inner face, a grip angle being defined between the inner face and the transverse axis;
- (b) an object retention element having an alignment bore extending along the main axis between a bore proximal end and a bore distal end, the alignment bore being in receipt of the post element, relative rotation between the object retention element and the post element about the main axis being restricted, the object retention element being movable with respect to the post element along the main axis between a closed position, an open position, and a gripping position therebetween wherein: (i) movement of the object retention element from the closed position to the open position results in the expansion of a lip groove for receiving a mounting lip of an object, the lip groove being at least partially defined by a gap distance between the head portion and the bore proximal end, and (ii) movement of the object retention element from the open position to the gripping position reduces the gap distance for imposing onto the mounting lip a gripping force by the head portion toward the bore proximal end;
- (c) a tightening element threadedly transportable along the shaft member between a release position and a lock position, thereby being configured to: (i) when in the release position, allow movement of the object retention element between the closed position and the open position, (ii) when in the lock position, prevent movement of the object retention element from the gripping position toward the open position, and (iii) enable adjustability of the gripping force; and
- (d) a cover element configured to engage the tightening element to restrict relative rotational movement therebetween about the main axis while enabling relative axial movement therebetween along the main axis.
75. A marking apparatus as defined in claim 74, wherein the head portion extends asymmetrically outward of the main axis.
76. A marking apparatus as defined in claim 74, wherein the grip angle is from 0 degrees to 30 degrees.
77. A marking apparatus as defined in claim 74, wherein the head portion and the shaft member are cooperatively configured to enable the grip angle to be selectively-adjustable.
78. A marking apparatus as defined in claim 77, wherein the selective-adjustability is in 7.5-degree increments.
79. A marking apparatus as defined in claim 74, wherein
- (a) a longitudinal axis is defined orthogonally to the main axis and the transverse axis; and
- (b) the object retention element includes at least one lip alignment detent extending outward of the bore proximal end and in coplanar alignment with the main axis and longitudinal axis.
80. A marking apparatus as defined in claim 79, wherein the object retention element includes
- (a) two lip alignment detents; and
- (b) an opposing pair of lip relief grooves, each lip relief groove being in adjacent alignment with a respective said lip alignment detent.
81. A marking apparatus as defined in claim 80, wherein each lip relief groove includes a chamfered cleat relief edge.
82. A marking apparatus as defined in claim 79, wherein the object retention element includes
- (a) two lip alignment detents; and
- (b) a relief notch disposed in coplanar alignment with the main axis and the transverse axis.
83. A marking apparatus as defined in claim 79, wherein the object retention element includes
- (a) two lip alignment detents; and
- (b) a head retraction relief disposed in coplanar alignment with the main axis and the transverse axis;
- wherein the head portion has a head width and the head retraction relief has a relief width equal to or greater than the head width.
84. A marking apparatus as defined in claim 79, wherein
- (a) the object retention element includes two lip alignment detents; and
- (b) a lip offset relief is defined at the interface of the shaft member and the head portion, the lip offset relief being in coplanar alignment with the main axis and longitudinal axis.
85. A marking apparatus as defined in claim 74, wherein
- (a) the shaft member includes a rotational detent portion;
- (b) the object retention element includes a rotational detent section being configured to engage the rotational detent portion to cause the restriction of relative rotation between the object retention element and the post element about the main axis.
86. A marking apparatus as defined in claim 85, wherein the rotational detent section is within the alignment bore.
87. A marking apparatus as defined in claim 74 wherein:
- (a) the cover element includes a surface engagement portion and is movable with respect to the post element along the main axis between an extended position and a marking position, the cover element being elastically biased toward the extended position;
- (b) the surface engagement portion (i) extends axially beyond the marking end when the cover element is in the extended position, and (ii) is axially aligned with or inward of the marking end when the cover element is in the marking position;
- (c) the object retention element is resiliently biased toward the closed position;
- (d) the object retention element includes a spring groove; and
- (e) the resilient bias and elastic bias are provided by way of a spring element at least partially disposed within the spring groove.
88. A marking apparatus as defined in claim 87 further comprising a first spring interface washer and a second spring interface washer, the first spring interface washer being disposed along the main axis between the spring element and the object retention element, the second spring interface washer being disposed along the main axis between the spring element and the cover element.
89. A marking apparatus as defined in claim 87 wherein the cover element includes a spring shroud extending oppositely of the surface engagement portion, the spring shroud being in at least partial receipt of the spring element and configured to be at least partially received by the spring groove throughout the movement of the cover element between extended and marking positions.
90. A marking apparatus as defined in claim 89 wherein the spring groove and spring shroud are configured to cooperate to fully-envelope the spring element about the main axis throughout the movement of the cover element between extended and marking positions.
91. A marking apparatus as defined in claim 87 wherein the post element includes a cover retention element attached to the shaft portion, wherein
- when the cover retention element is attached to the shaft member, the cover retention element is configured to (a) axially retain the cover element on the post element, (b) limit the axial distance between the surface engagement portion and the marking end when the cover element is in the extended position, and (c) prevent the post element from being removed from the object retention element.
92. A marking apparatus as defined in claim 91 wherein the post element includes a stamp member with the marking end protruding therefrom, the stamp member being removably attached to the cover retention element.
93. A marking apparatus as defined in claim 92 wherein the marking end comprises a cross-shaped protrusion.
94. A marking apparatus as defined in claim 92 wherein the post element includes a threaded fastener configured to extend through the cover retention element and be threadedly received by the shaft member, the threaded fastener thereby attaching the cover retention element to the shaft member.
95. A marking apparatus as defined in claim 74 wherein the adjustability of the gripping force enables the gripping force to be increased sufficiently so as to rigidly affix the marking apparatus to the object.
96. A marking apparatus as defined in claim 74 further comprising a cap element with a marking substance pad disposed therein, wherein
- (a) the cap element is configured to receivingly engage a portion of the cover element, and
- (b) when the cap is in the receiving engagement (i) the cap element and the cover element are configured to restrict relative rotation therebetween about the main axis, and (ii) the marking substance pad is contactable by the marking end.
97. A marking apparatus as defined in claim 94 wherein the post element further includes a friction offset member which is
- (a) disposed between the cover retention element and the tightening element; and
- (b) in engagement with the shaft member in a manner restricting relative rotation between the shaft member and the friction offset member about the main axis.
98. A marking apparatus as defined in any of claim 22, 28, 45 or 56, further comprising a channel adapter having an outboard surface and a shank relief aperture, the channel adapter being configured to be releasably secured to the object retention element such that
- (a) the channel adapter extends across the hardware relief channel with the outboard surface being (i) parallel to the object reference plane; and (ii) flush with or extending outward of the object reference plane; and
- (b) the post element is partially extendable through the shank relief aperture.
99. A marking apparatus as defined in claim 98 wherein the releasable securement is by way of frictional engagement between the channel adapter and the hardware relief channel.
100. A marking apparatus as defined in claim 99 wherein the channel adapter includes an elastomeric adaptor friction element for facilitating the frictional engagement.
101. A marking apparatus as defined in claim 98 wherein the releasable securement is by way of magnetic engagement between the channel adapter and the object retention element.
102. A marking apparatus as defined in claim 98 wherein the releasable securement is by way of clamping of the channel adapter between the object retention element and the head portion on the shaft member.
103. A marking apparatus as defined in claim 102 wherein the channel adapter includes a shank slot extending from a lateral edge to the shank relief aperture.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 14, 2022
Publication Date: Sep 29, 2022
Inventors: Kevin L. Weitsman (Saratoga, CA), Ronald L. Johnson (San Jose, CA), Yugen Patrick Lockhart (Palo Alto, CA)
Application Number: 17/840,576