Patent ID: 7159329
Filing Date: 2007-01-09
Classification: A47G

Abstract:
1. A tool for use in marking a vertical wall surface for subsequent installation of at least one fastener to hang a picture or other object from the vertical wall surface, said installation tool comprising: a tool housing including a lower base section having a rear face for placement against the vertical wall surface, and a manually graspable upper handle section offset forwardly relative to said lower base section, said tool housing further includes an intermediate neck section extending upwardly and angularly forwardly from said lower base section to said upper handle section; a support element carried by said lower base section for temporary receipt and support of a hanger element mounted on a rear side of the picture or other object; a marking element including a marker tip carried by said lower base section for generally fore-aft displacement between a rearwardly advanced position with said marker tip protruding rearwardly beyond said lower base section rear face to mark a vertical wall surface at a point generally aligned with said support element, and a retracted position with said marker tip retracted at least slightly into said lower base section to avoid marking the vertical wall surface; an actuator mechanism including an elongated actuator rod carried by said tool housing for movement between first and second positions, said actuator rod having an externally exposed upper end for manual depression to shift said actuator rod from said first position to said second position, and an angled cam generally at a lower end of said actuator rod and responsive to actuator rod movement to said second position for engaging and displacing said marking element from said retracted position to said rearwardly advanced position; and spring means for normally biasing said marking element toward said retracted position, and for normally biasing said actuator rod toward said first position.