Layout device for wall mounted item

Claim 2

A layout device for marking a measured location for use with a separate extendable measuring tape having a housing, the housing having a first side and a spring clip with a hole formed therein on said first side, said device comprising: a bracket mountable on said housing, said bracket also demountable from said housing to allow independent use of said extendable measuring tape, said bracket having a first leg, said first leg having a detent formed therein said first leg adapted to be engaged by the spring clip and resiliently forced against said housing, said detent for engaging said hole to further secure said bracket to the housing; means carried on said bracket for aligning said extendable measuring tape in a predetermined direction; and means carried on said bracket for marking a measured location.

Claim 3

The device of claim 1 wherein said aligning means comprises a spirit level carried by said bracket.

Claim 4

The device of claim 2 wherein: said extendable measuring tape is extendable along a first longitudinal axis; and said spirit level has a second longitudinal axis, and said spirit level is positioned on said bracket such that said second longitudinal axis is perpendicular to said first longitudinal axis, said level indicating vertical alignment of said extendable measuring tape.

Claim 5

The device of claim 2 wherein: said marking means comprises at least one protrusion extending from said bracket for causing a marking indentation when forced against a surface.

Claim 6

The device of claim 4 wherein said housing has a base, and said mountable bracket has a web adjacent said first leg, said web engaging said housing base.

Claim 7

The device of claim 5 wherein said housing has a second side, and said bracket includes a second leg adjacent said web and spaced from said first leg, said second leg engaging said housing second side.

Claim 8

The device of claim 1 wherein: said marking means comprises at least one protrusion extending from said bracket for causing a marking indentation when forced against a surface.

Claim 9

A layout device for defining a measured location for use with a separate extendable measuring tape having a housing, said housing having a base and first and second sides, said housing carrying a spring clip with a hole formed therein, said device comprising: a bracket mountable on said housing, said bracket having a first leg and a second portion connected to said first leg, said first leg having a detent formed therein for engaging said hole and being engaged by said spring clip and forced against said housing first side to secure said bracket, said second portion having an inside surface abutting said housing base; means carried by said bracket for vertically aligning said extendable measuring tape when performing a vertical measurement from a point of reference; and means carried by said bracket for marking said measured location.

Claim 10

A layout device for defining a measured location for use with a separate extendable measuring tape having a housing, said housing having a base and first and second sides, said housing carrying a spring clip with a hole formed therein, said device comprising: a bracket mountable on said housing, said bracket having a first leg and a second portion connected to said first leg, said first leg having a detent formed therein for engaging said hole and being engaged by said spring clip and forced against said housing first side to secure said bracket, said second portion having an inside surface abutting said housing base; means carried by said bracket for vertically aligning said extendable measuring tape when performing a vertical measurement from a point of reference; and means carried by said bracket for marking said measured location.

Claim 11

The device of claim 8 wherein: said extendable measuring tape is extended along a first longitudinal axis; and said aligning means comprises: a spirit level carried by said bracket, said level having a second longitudinal axis perpendicular to said first longitudinal axis, said level for indicating vertical alignment of said extendable measuring tape.

Claim 12

The device of claim 9 wherein: said marking means comprises at least one protrusion from the bracket for marking a surface when forced against said surface.

Claim 13

A layout device for defining a measured location comprising: an extendable measuring tape having a housing, said housing having a base, a first side, and a second side, said housing carrying a spring clip with a hole formed therein; a bracket mountable on said housing, said bracket having a first leg and a second portion connected to said first leg, said first leg having a detent formed therein for engaging said hole and being engaged by said spring clip and forced against said housing first side to secure said bracket, said second portion having an inside surface abutting said housing base; means carried by said bracket for vertically aligning said extendable measuring tape when performing a vertical measurement from a point of reference; and means carried by said bracket for marking said measured location.

Claim 14

A layout device for defining a measured location comprising: an extendable measuring tape having a housing, said housing having a base, a first side, and a second side, said housing carrying a spring clip with a hole formed therein; a bracket mountable on said housing, said bracket having a first leg and a second portion connected to said first leg, said first leg having a detent formed therein for engaging said hole and being engaged by said spring clip and forced against said housing first side to secure said bracket, said second portion having an inside surface abutting said housing base; means carried by said bracket for vertically aligning said extendable measuring tape when performing a vertical measurement from a point of reference; and means carried by said bracket for marking said measured location.

Claim 15

The device of claim 11 wherein: said extendable measuring tape is extended along a first longitudinal axis; and said aligning means comprises: a spirit level carried by said bracket, said level having a second longitudinal axis perpendicular to said first longitudinal axis, said level for indicating vertical alignment of said extendable measuring tape.

Claim 16

The device of claim 12 wherein: said marking means comprises at least one protrusion from the bracket for marking a surface when forced against said surface.