Abstract:
An easy to use and accurate marking device enables the placement of an indicator mark on one side of a sheet of material to mark the periphery of an object. A marking line located within the base transfers a marking substance to the material upon contact. A recess within the base contains a contact pad that is moveable within the recess. The pad is maintained a predetermined distance from the base plate, when not under pressure, by a spring between the contact pad and the recess. At least one retaining member prevents removal of the contact pad from the base plate while permitting contact pad movement within the recess. At least one holding member, such as flanges forming a friction fit, is used to secure the base plate to the stationary object. A portion of the body of the marking device can be notched, giving a thinner cross-sectional thickness and placing at least a portion of the recess into the object. The gasket can also be used to reduce the contact distance between the base plate and the stationary object.

Description:
This application claims benefit of Provisional applications 60/082,834, filed Apr. 23, 1998 and 60/076,349, filed Feb. 27, 1998. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates to marking the back side of sheet material to enable openings to be accurately located and cut into the material. 
     2. Brief Description of the Prior Art 
     Plasterboard, also known as Sheetrock®, wallboard and gypsum board, has been used to replace plaster in construction for several decades. In comparison to plaster, plasterboard installs rapidly and requires substantially less manual labor. Plasterboard, however, still has installation problems which the industry has been attempting to solve. 
     Not the least of these problems is the marking of specific areas to be cut out. Currently these areas, such as for outlet boxes, heating vents, etc., are measured vertically and horizontally, from the adjacent plasterboard and floor or ceiling. The measurements are subsequently transferred to the plasterboard for cutting and installation. This is a time consuming process, even for professional installers. Plasterboard fortunately provides some leeway in that “mistakes” can be compensated through the use of spackle. The installation of wall paneling, however, does not provide any such leeway and a mistake in cutting can be quite costly. 
     The need for a rapid, easy to use marking device has been recognized in the construction field and is reflected in the prior art patents. U.S. Pat. No. 4,953,733 recognizes the need to mark plasterboard on the back side and has disclosed a device for use with electrical outlet boxes. The &#39;733 device is provided with ears at each corner which fit within the outlet box. Arrow shaped marking elements are provided at the corners to engage the plasterboard. A securing screw can be inserted into a receiving hole within the body of the &#39;733 device to secure the device to the outlet plug. Due to the construction of the &#39;733 device, the marking elements are wedged into the plasterboard to mark the location of the plug outlet. Once the plasterboard is pressed onto the &#39;733 device and removed for cutting the marking device is wedged into the plasterboard and must be removed prior to cutting the marked area. To prevent the device from being removed from the outlet with the plasterboard, the device must be secured through use of the securing screw. One of the problems with the &#39;733 device is the necessity of securing the device to the outlet prior to measuring as well as removing the device after measuring, requiring substantial time on the part of the installer. Further, this device cannot be used on hard materials, such as paneling, tile or plywood. If the device is unsecured and retained within the plasterboard upon removal, the plasterboard must be maintained parallel to the wall during removal. Angling the plasterboard during removal could cause the ears of the device to catch on the outlet or even break up plasterboard. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,107,601, issued to Semchuck, uses a template consisting of indicia which define a hole pattern. These indicia are used to assist in drilling holes for mounting objects, such as towel bars. This device, however applies only to front mounted articles and does not provide any assistance with marking cut outs from the back of a rigid panel. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,969,269 discloses a device for punching cutouts through sheets of drywall. The &#39;269 device has a pulley system which is used to cut the drywall in the shape of the outlet. The device is relatively expensive to produce and complicated to use. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,335,511 covers a marking device which marks the center of the outlet through use of a indicator which places an indentation in the wallboard at the center point of the outlet box. The wallboard is then horizontally placed, one half the depth of the wallboard is cut out in the shape of the outlet on the first side, the wallboard is turned over, and the remaining depth of the cutout is made. Cuts are made by striking the device which cuts into the wallboard. An inherent problem is that wallboard can break easily and unevenly when sharply struck, as it is brittle. Additionally, wallboard, is heavy and not easily moved or turned, rendering the &#39;511 device awkward to use. 
     The disclosed invention overcomes the difficulties encountered in the prior art by providing a simple, inexpensive device for marking the reverse side of sheets of all types of material, such as paneling, plasterboard, floorboards, tiles, etc. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An easy to use and accurate marking device is disclosed to enable the placement of an indicator mark on one side of a sheet of material to mark the approximate periphery of a stationary object. The marking device has at least one marking line, each of the marking lines transferring a substance to the sheet of material upon contact. The marking line is placed into a base to maintain the marking line in a predetermined position. 
     In some embodiments the base is a plate with a recess having a periphery less than the base plate outer periphery in one side. A marking line is placed on the surface of the plate and, in most embodiments has a periphery less than the base periphery and greater than the periphery of the recess. A second marking line, or set of lines, can also be provided to provide off set marking on the sheet material. 
     A contact pad is moveable within the recess and is maintained a predetermined distance from the base plate, when not under pressure, by a spring between the contact pad and the recess back plate. One or more contact pad retaining members prevent removal of the contact pad from the base plate while permitting the contact pad to move within the recess. At least one holding member is used to secure the base plate to the stationary object. 
     The contact pad retaining member can be one or more horizontal securing members, such as screws, that extend through the recess back plate and are secured to the contact pad. The recess back plate is drilled to enable the securing member to slide freely within the back plate as pressure is applied to the contact pad. A helical spring can be used with the horizontal securing members, either separately or mounted on the securing member. When used separately, the helical spring is proximate the securing member, and preferably resting in opposing spring receiving areas within the recess and contact pad. In another embodiment, the marking device can have smaller, dual contact pads, each of which are independently affixed to the base. 
     The spring can also be a leaf spring that is either a separate unit or integral with the contact pad and/or the base plate. In one embodiment, a portion of the leaf spring is affixed to the recess back plate and another portion of the spring is affixed to the contact pad. The spring is free to flex within the recess in response to pressure applied to the contact pad while preventing the contact pad from separating from the base plate. If the spring is not affixed to the contact pad and recess back plate, a retaining member maintains the contact pad within the recess. The retaining member can be a notch within the contact pad that interacts with a flange in the recess. This prevents the contact pad from separating from the recess while enabling movement. The spring can also be two partial arcs that are an integral part of the contact pad or base plate. 
     Alternatively, the body of the marking device can be notched from the flanges to the contact pad recess area, thereby having a thinner cross-sectional thickness and placing at least a portion of the recess into the hollow opening of the stationary object. 
     The marking device is maintained on the stationary object using a friction fit through the use of at least one flange placed at a right angle to the base plate. The flange has a periphery less than that of the outer plate and greater than the periphery of the recess. The flange can be a single piece extending around all edges of the plate or can be two or more smaller, individual flanges. At least one pair of opposing smaller flanges are required to secure the marking device. A single stop flange is placed on the base plate to prevent downward movement of the marking device in relation to the stationary object. Extenders can be used to enable the flanges to be extended, thereby increasing the distance between said marking device and said stationary object. 
     In another embodiment the plate can be retained on the stationary object by a receiving sleeve dimensioned to receive a pair of flange plates. Each the flange plates has at one end a flange at right angles to the plate and a slide notch within the plates. The slide notches overlap one another and receive a securing member that also passes through the receiving sleeve and is secured to the base plate. Sliding the flange plates within the receiving sleeve increases or decreases the distance between the flanges. The flanges are maintained at the set distance by the securing member. 
     In embodiments where the flanges are extended to move the marking device further from the stationary object, a gasket can be used to enable the device to be used both when the device requires distancing and when no distancing is required. The gasket is dimensioned to lie adjacent the back of the base plate and is maintained in position by forming a friction fit with the holding member. 
     In another embodiment the marking device base can be an elongated flexible member having a contact side and a marking side that retains the marking line. The flexible member encompasses a moldable member that serves to maintain the base in a user set position. 
     An adjustable marking device is disclosed that has said base plate having L-shaped legs forming a polygon. In a rectangular configuration the first and third legs are hollow and have an interior diameter greater than the outer diameter the second and fourth legs, enabling the second and fourth legs to slide within the first and third legs. Retaining members, such as compressible buttons and receiving holes, are used to secure legs in a user determined position by preventing the legs from sliding. At least two marking lines within the first and third leg transfer a marking substance to the sheet of material. A pair of contact pads are affixed to the first and third legs by a curved spring that maintains the contact pads a predetermined distance from the surface plane of the first and third legs when not under pressure and enabling contact of the marking line by the sheet when pressure is applied. The adjustable marking device is secured to the stationary object by flanges at noted above. 
     To mark a sheet of material with the outline of a stationary object the base plate is secured to the exposed edge of the stationary object. The sheet of material is then placed against the contact pad and pressure applied to recess the contact pad and bring the material in contact with the marking line. The sheet of material is then removed. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The advantages of the instant disclosure will become more apparent when read with the specification and the drawings, wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a front view of the marking device for use with electrical outlet boxes; 
     FIG. 2 is a side view of the marking device of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a cut away side view demonstrating one example of the interaction between the body of the marking device and the contact pad; 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a piece of plasterboard being placed against a wall; 
     FIG. 5 is a cutaway side view of a marking device, having an alternate spring, with a closure cap in place; 
     FIG. 6 is a fragmentary front view of an alternate embodiment of the marking device; 
     FIG. 7 is a front view of the alternate embodiment of FIG. 6; 
     FIG. 8 is a fragmentary top view of a moldable marking device; 
     FIG. 9 is a cross sectional end view of the marking device of FIG. 8; 
     FIG. 10 is a cross sectional end of an alternate construction of the marking device of FIG. 8; 
     FIG. 11 is a one piece spring, contact pad construction for the marking device of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 12 is a side view of an V-shaped spacer for use with the instant invention; 
     FIG. 13 is a front view of springs for use with the embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 7; 
     FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the spring of FIG. 13; 
     FIG. 15 is a side view of an alternate spacer for use with the instant invention; and 
     FIG. 16 is a side view of an alternate embodiment of the invention using tabs as the method of attachment; 
     FIG. 17 is a perspective rear view of an additional embodiment using vertical flanges as a means of attachment; 
     FIG. 18 is an end view of a flange extension for use with the embodiment of FIG. 17; 
     FIG. 19 is a perspective rear view of the flange extension placed onto one of the vertical flanges of FIG. 17; 
     FIG. 20 is a end view of an alternate design for the vertical flanges for use with the disclosed marking device; 
     FIG. 21 is a back view of a marking device incorporating a horizontal slide bar to adjust the distance between vertical flanges; 
     FIG. 22 is a back view of a further design of a marking device using horizontal flanges; 
     FIG. 23 is a back view of another marking device incorporating a vertical slide bar to adjust the distance between horizontal flanges; 
     FIG. 24 is an alternate embodiment to the plasterboard holder of FIG. 15 wherein the corner of the holder is curved; 
     FIG. 25 is a cutaway side view of an alternate embodiment using screws to hold the springs between the base plate and contact pad; 
     FIG. 26 is a front view of an alternate marking device having dual contact pads and a secondary marking strip; 
     FIG. 27 is a rear view of a base plate containing notches to receive the screw bracket of mounted receptacles and light switches; 
     FIG. 28 is a cutaway side view of an alternate embodiment incorporating screws and separately placed springs set within notches; 
     FIG. 29 is a cutaway side view of another embodiment of the marking device with the contact pad recess extending into the outlet box; and 
     FIG. 30 is a side view of marking sheet material having an adhesive surface. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The disclosed marking device enables a user to rapidly and accurately mark sheets of material with the outline and location of an object positioned behind the material, once mounted. Although cutting plasterboard and paneling at the location of outlet boxes is an obvious use of the marking device, other uses, such as marking air ducts, water pipes, etc. will become evident to those skilled in the art. The marking can, if applicable, be placed on the front of a panel, or other material, to indicate the presence of an underlying object, such as a gas line. The following descriptions relate to the mounting of a rigid material, such as plasterboard or paneling. Other materials, however, can be marked in the same manner as described herein and additional uses for the device will be evident. 
     The standard practice for marking and cutting outlets and other items located within walls or floors was through measuring. For instance, to cut a sheet of plasterboard for an outlet, the user would measure from the floor to the outlet box and then from the nearest wall to the object. These measurements would then be transferred to the piece of plasterboard. In the transfer, the user must also remember to allow for any off sets required between the floor and the plasterboard. The disclosed device enables the user to place the device onto the outlet, press the plasterboard against the sheet and then cut around the outline. Several embodiments are disclosed that automatically accounts for the floor/plasterboard offset. 
     The embodiment of the marking unit, outlet device  10  illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, is configured for use with electrical plug and switch outlet boxes without the electrical components mounted. The mounting of the electrical components changes the dimensions and is addressed in specific embodiments as disclosed hereinafter. The flanges  20  on the back of the base plate  12  of the outlet device  10  are dimensioned to have an inner periphery approximately equal to the outer periphery of an outlet box  22 . The actual marking of the sheet material is accomplished through use of an inking transfer  14  that extends around the center of the base plate  12  and, in this embodiment, forms an internal circuit around the base plate  12 . The positioning of the inking transfer  14  on the base plate  12  is such that the mark left by the transfer is aligned with the periphery of the outlet box. The inking transfer  14  extends beyond the plane of the base plate  12  a distance sufficient to contact the plasterboard without interference. A portion of the inking transfer  14  is preferably recessed into the inking channel  36 , as shown in FIG. 3, to allow the transfer  14  to bold sufficient ink for repeated uses without requiring re-inking. In alternative embodiments, the inking transfer can be broken lines, dots or any other configuration which is applicable to the end use. Although the continuous inking transfer is preferable, when the device has been modified for larger applications, the continuous line is not as critical. 
     In this embodiment, the base plate  12  has a U-shaped configuration formed from the base  12  and an aligning flange  20  at a right angle to the base plate  12 . The aligning flange  20  is dimensioned to form a friction fit with the outlet box  22  and can extend around the entire perimeter of the base  12 , or can be tabs, as illustrated hereinafter, which fit on each of the sides of the outlet box  20 . The choice between a continuous flange or tabs is dependent upon material of manufacture, end cost, size and configuration of the marking unit. Whether the flange forms a friction fit with the exterior or interior, or a combination, of the outlet box is dependent upon material, size and location of the flange and will become evident based upon the teachings herein. 
     The contact pad  16  floats within the recess  17  of the base plate  12  with the outer surface of the contact pad  16  extending beyond the front plane of the base plate  12 . The contact pad  16  is, except during the actual marking, maintained in the extended position through use of a spring  18  positioned between the contact pad  16  and the recess back plate  15 . The contact pad  16  prevents the surface of the rigid sheet from coming in contact with the inking transfer  14  during the initial alignment of the sheet to the floor, door frames and already placed sheets. If the inking transfer  14  is not protected by the extended surface of the contact pad  16 , any contact would mark the surface of the plasterboard. Thus, the surface of the plasterboard could be marked one or more times, or the markings smeared, during the alignment process. It is critical that the U-shaped base plate  12  has sufficient depth in its front recess to enable the contact pad  16  to adequately depress, thereby permitting the inking transfer  14  to contact the plasterboard. Although the spring  18  illustrated in FIG. 2 is a modified leaf spring, any type of spring(s) which can withstand the repeated compression can be used. 
     An alternate design for the contact pad  120  is illustrated in FIG. 11 wherein the springs  124  and  126  are molded as an integral part of the contact pad  122 . The springs  124  and  126 , as illustrated, are separated to allow for extrusion or, if molded, easier removal. This is not necessary in some molding applications and a one piece spring can be easily substituted as will become apparent to those skilled in the art. 
     An example of one method of interaction between the recess  17  of the base plate  12  and the contact pad  16  is illustrated in FIG.  3 . In this Figure the guide flange  32  is shown interacting with the pad channel  34 . The guide flange  32  runs within the channel  34  to permit the contact pad  16  to move within the recess  17  without separation from the base plate  12 . This is one example of how the contact pad  16  is maintained in position relative to the base plate  12  and other methods will become apparent to those skilled in the art depending upon material of manufacture and end cost. In some embodiments, disclosed hereinafter, the spring is secured to both the base plate and the contact pad through use of screws, thereby eliminating the need for the guide flange  32 . 
     To use this embodiment of the device for marking a rigid surface, the flange  20  is placed around the outlet box  22 , thereby bringing the base plate  12  in direct contact with the outlet box  22 . Outlet boxes are installed to extend beyond the studs  30  a distance sufficient to place the edge of the outlet box  22  about flush with the surface of the plasterboard. This inherently provides a surface for the flange  20  to be slid over to maintain the marking device  10  in place. Once the marking device  10  is in place, the plasterboard  42 , shown in FIG. 4, is placed into position, abutting the adjacent, installed, plasterboard  44  and approximately one (1) inch away from, and parallel to, the plane of the studs. Once positioned, the plasterboard is pressed at the location of the marking device, compressing the contact pad  16  and bringing the back of the plasterboard  42  in contact with the inking transfer  14 . The plasterboard  42  is then brought to a position to permit the user access to the marked area on the back of the plasterboard. Whether just an end, side, or the entire sheet is moved away from the wall to gain access is user preference and has no effect upon the method of marking. 
     In many applications the plasterboard must be positioned so that the bottom of the plasterboard is spaced from the floor to allow for settling and shifting of the floor, as well as protection from potential flood damage. One method of accounting for this offset is to place the plasterboard on a spacer, such as V-shaped spacer  48  illustrated in FIG. 12, that maintains the sheet a predetermined distance from the wall as well as raising the sheet the desired distance from the floor, generally approximately ½ inch. Other methods of accounting for the need to offset the plasterboard are disclosed hereinafter. The use of a spacer  48  enables the plasterboard to be aligned vertically with the adjacent, installed, plasterboard. The width and length of the legs of the spacer  48  determines the distance from the floor and wall to the plasterboard. The plasterboard, when positioned on the spacer  48  proximate the wall, must be close enough to permit the plasterboard to be easily pressed against the marking device  10 . As the marking device  10  already extends approximately one inch from the wall, due to positioning of the outlet, the spacer  48  should position the plasterboard approximately one inch from the wall, thereby keeping the plasterboard approximately parallel to the plane of the wall. 
     In FIG. 15 the spacer clip  150  is in a U-shape which retains the plasterboard  152  within the hollow of the clip  150 . The clip  150  is preferably dimensioned to create a friction fit to enable the clip  150  to be placed on the plasterboard prior to raising the plasterboard to the vertical position. The friction fit should be sufficient to maintain the clip  150  on the plasterboard during the positioning process while enabling easy attachment and removal. As an alternative to the U-shaped spacer of FIG. 15, the curved edge spacer  550  of FIG. 24 has a curved outer edge  552  to enable the plasterboard to be easily rotated backwards toward the installer and thereby placed into a convenient position for cutting. Other methods of installing the plasterboard will become apparent to those stalled in the art. 
     To prevent the inking transfer  14  from drying out, or smearing ink on the user, a cap  50 , as illustrated in FIG. 5, is placed over the base plate  56 . The illustrated embodiment snaps onto the base plate  12 , however other means for maintaining the cap on the base plate  12  can be used. The legs of the cap  50  should have sufficient length to avoid compressing the contact pad  54 , thereby inherently avoiding contact between the surface of the cap  50  and the inking strips. The inking strips can also be friction fitted within channels, thereby enabling the ink strips to be easily removed and replaced. 
     In this embodiment, the contact pad  54 , spring  52  and base plate  56  are affixed together by securing the open ends of the spring  52 , the contact pad  54 , and the back of the spring  52  to the recess back plate  58 . The elements are secured together by means applicable to the materials being used. This method permits the contact pad  54  to move within the recess  57  while preventing the pad  54  from falling out. It should be noted, however, that the spring  52  must be dimensioned to have a sufficient portion of the body in contact with the recess back plate  58  to enable sufficient adhesion, while still enabling flexibility. This criteria is also applicable to joining sections of the contact pad  54  and spring  52  in the event the spring  52  and contact pad  54  are manufactured as separate structures. The portions of the spring  52  which are adhered to the pad  54  and the recess back plate  58  will be dependent on size and materials of manufacture and will be known to those skilled in the art. 
     The foregoing has been directed to outlet boxes, or other fixed size devices. In FIGS. 6 and 7 the marking device is adjustable to permit the perimeter of the device to be adjusted within a range of different sizes. Thus, the adjustable measuring device  60  can be used for measuring openings/cutouts such as is required for air conditioning/heating ducts that vary in size. The device  60  uses telescoping legs to adjust the length and width of the device  60 , with locking buttons  68  to maintain the legs in the desired position. The telescoping technology and buttons  68  in the interior leg fitting into receiving holes  66  placed in the exterior leg, is well known in the prior art and is provided as one method to adjust the length and width of the device and other methods can be used. The adjustable marking device is divided into four V-shaped legs, exterior legs  62  and  72  and interior legs  66  and  76 . Because of the reduced diameter of the interior legs  66  and  76 , only the corner portion of the interior legs  66  and  76  is provided with an inking pad  80 . In the illustrated embodiment the inking pad  80  is raised from the interior legs  66  and  76  a distance sufficient to compensate for the reduced diameter of the interior legs  66  and  76 . To avoid damaging the inking pad  80  during contraction, it is recommended that the legs are provided with stops  86 , or other means, to prevent the exterior legs  62  and  72  from coming in contact with the inking pad  80 . Alternatively, the inking pad  70  can be placed only in the exterior legs  62  and  72 ; in this embodiment only two corners will be marked which could cause problems when exacting cuts are required. 
     In order to provide a raised contact pad, without eliminating the adjustability, triangular dual contact pads  82  and  84  are used rather than the single contact pad disclosed heretofore. The legs of the triangle are approximately equal to the exterior legs  62  and  72  to prevent interference from the opposing pad when the marking device  60  is placed in the fully contracted position. In order to support the contact pads  82  and  84 , spring supports  180  and  182 , illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14, are provided. At one end the spring supports  180  and  182  are either adhered to, or integral with, the exterior legs  62  and  72 , respectively. The other end of the spring supports  180  and  182  are affixed to, or integral with, the respective contact pads  82  and  84 . The spring supports  180  and  182  are used to provide the structural support to the contact pads  82  and  84  and therefore must have sufficient resistance to maintain the contact pads  82  and  84  in the desired position. Further, the spring supports  180  and  182  must have sufficient mass to prevent the pads  82  and  84  from sliding from side to side or breaking. Alternative designs to the triangular contact pads can be used, however whatever the shape, care must be taken to allow for the interior legs  66  and  76  legs to retract to the stops  86  without interference from the contact pads. 
     In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, the marking device  100  is a flexible member incorporating a lead or other bendable rod  106  within a soft, flexible member  102 . A centered channnel within the surface of the flexible member  102  contains a flexible inking member  104  which extends along the length of the device  100 . The soft flexible member  102  is a rubber or other soft, durable material which can be easily molded around the rod  106  and retain the inking member  104 . The inking member  104  in this embodiment is dimensioned to extend beyond the plane of the flexible member  102 . 
     A cross section of an alternate embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 10, also using a memory member  110  to encase the bendable rod  114 , wherein the inking member  112  is recessed within the memory member  110 . During use the rigid panel is pressed down on the memory member  110 , compressing the memory member  100  to permit contact with the inking member  112 . Once released, the memory member  110  returns to its original position above the inking member  112 . This embodiment enables the rigid member to avoid contact with the inking member  112  until pressure is applied. 
     The embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 8-10 are useful for marking non-rectangular configurations, such as drain and water pipes. For example, the flexible marking device  111  can be placed around the end of a pipe and the sheet material, such as tile, flooring, plasterboard or paneling placed in position over the device  111 . The sheet material is then pressed onto the memory member  110  to contact the inking member  112 , marking the reverse of the sheet with the outline of the pipe. 
     FIG. 16 illustrates an alternate means of attachment to the outlet box  22 , wherein the marking device  210  is provided with opposing clips  212  and  214  (not shown) positioned along the vertical side of the base  216 . The clips  212  and  214  can be either integral to the base  216  or affixed after molding by known means applicable to the material of manufacture. The clips  212  and  214  must be positioned on the base  216  a sufficient distance apart to provide a friction fit when placed within the interior of the outlet box. The friction fit must not, however, be so strong as to cause damage to the marking device  210  and enable the marking device  210  to be moved vertically within the outlet box. One or more small stops, or protrusions,  218  positioned on the base plate  216  prevent shifting, or slipping, of the marking device  210 . The stops  218  are placed at a predetermined location on the base plate  216  and serve to account for the distance the plasterboard is to be mounted off the floor. To mark the plasterboard, the marking device  210  is placed onto the outlet box  22  with the stop  218  at the base of the outlet, positioning the marking pad  220  the predetermined distance closer to the floor. Thus, when the plasterboard is placed against the wall, the marking pad  220  defines the outline of the outlet box in a position lower than that of the actual outlet box. This eliminates the need to lift the entire sheet of plasterboard off the floor in the marking process. 
     The marking unit  270  illustrated in FIG. 17 uses a pair of flanges  276  to hold the base plate  272  within the outlet. The flanges  276  are dimensioned fit within the outlet box in a friction fit with the flange bottom edges  274  preventing the marking unit  270  from sliding downward. Although there is no critical width “W” dimensioning to the flanges  276  there is no reason to have a greater width “W” than necessary to maintain the marking unit  270  in position on the outlet. The length of the flanges  276  must be less than the height of the outlet box to enable the flanges  276  to fit within the box. Since the bottom edge  274  is used to prevent the box from slipping downward, the bottom edge  274  must be located on the base plate  272  in a position to compensate for the floor to plasterboard spacing. Although the flanges  276  do not need to extend to the top of the outlet, too short a flange  276  can permit the marking unit  270  to tilt within the outlet box. This embodiment would be used in conjunction with outlet boxes without a receptacle or light switch installed. The contact plate and inking member, not illustrated in this figure, function as described heretofore. 
     When remodeling, the receptacles or light switches are often already installed when the plasterboard is mounted. The foregoing marking units are applicable to outlets without mounted receptacles, or light switches, however once these are mounted the spacing requirements change to allow for the protrusion of the receptacle or light switch from the plane of the wall. For example, the flanges  276  of FIG. 17 can have a width “W” about ⅜ inch when used without a mounted receptacle. Once the receptacle is mounted, however, the flange  276  width “W” needs to be increased. An inexpensive, versatile way to accomplish this is through a receptacle extension  300  as illustrated in FIG.  18 . The extension  300  is a modified H shaped with a flange channel  302  running along the length and dimensioned to fit over, or slide onto, the flange  276 . The opposite side of the extension  300  is an outlet channel  304  that is dimensioned to fit over the edges of an outlet box. The extension  300  illustrates the flange channel  302  centered and the outlet channel  304  offset. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 17, the flanges  276  fit within the outlet box, and therefore, for the outlet channel to fit over the edges of the outlet it must be offset in relation to the flange channel  302 . The need to offset will vary depending upon the construction of the flanges. The dimensions of the extension  300  can vary depending upon the end use, i.e. a light switch requires a greater extension distance than an electric receptacle. In FIG. 19 the extension  300  has been placed on one of the flanges  276 , extending the distance between the marking unit  270  and the outlet box. This extension is required to enable the marking device to be securely mounted to the outlet box with the receptacle or light switch in place. Without the extension, the marking device cannot be securely attached to the outlet box as the receptacle or light switch protrudes a sufficient distance to prevent the flanges  276  from properly gripping the outlet box. 
     In the embodiment of FIG. 20 the flanges  354  are provided with outlet channels  352  that snap onto the sides of the outlet box rather than sit inside the box. If the flanges  354  are to also serve to prevent slippage of the device or provide the offset, the dimensioning must be as noted in conjunction with other embodiments. In the embodiment of FIG. 21 the base plate  402  is manufactured with a back sleeve  412  dimensioned to receive an under flange plate  416  and a top flange plate  406 . Channel  408  and  414 , respectively, are placed within each of the flange plates  406  and  416  and are dimensioned to overlap one another. The under flange plate  416  and the top flange plate  406  are moveable within the back sleeve  412  in order to enable the flanges  418  and  404  to move with respect to one another as well as to the base plate  402 . A fastener receiving hole  410  is placed within the sleeve  412  to enable access to the channels  408  and  414 . The fastener member can be a bolt or other device that will prevent the flange plates  406  and  416  from movement relative to one another. By preventing the movement between the under flange plate  416  and the top flange plate  406 , the flanges  404  and  418  can be positioned to provide a friction fit within multiple sized outlets. This enables the marking unit  400  to be used for double outlets, or to mark other wider devices, as well as the standard single outlet. 
     In FIG. 22 the flanges  452  and  454  are placed at the top and bottom of the base plate  456 . The flanges  452  and  454  are positioned to form a friction fit with the top and bottom of the outlet box, thus enabling the marking unit  450  to be used with double receptacle boxes. If dimensioned to fit within the outlet box, the bottom flange  454  serves to prevent the base plate  456  from sliding downward and, as noted heretofore, can be offset in relation to the outlet box in order to provide the plasterboard/floor clearance. If the flanges  452  and  454  are dimensioned to be placed on the exterior of the box, the top flange  452  prevents the device from sliding. Alternatively, flange receiving notches can be positioned at the desired locations within the base plate and separate flanges snapped in at the desired location. 
     In FIG. 23 the moveable flange plates of FIG. 21 are rotated and placed to be in contact with the top and bottom of the outlet box. In this embodiment the upper flange plate  510  and lower flange plate  506  are extended until the flanges  512  and  508  will, when mounted, form a friction fit with the outlet box. The flanges  512  and  508  are then secured in that position through use of the locking device  504 . This embodiment enables the plasterboard/floor clearance to be varied by changing the distance between the bottom of the base plate  502  and the bottom of the outlet box. 
     In FIG. 25 the outlet marker  650  has the contact pad  654  maintained in position within the recess  662  of the base plate  664  through the use of screws  658 . In a full contact pad, as illustrated in FIG. 25, there would generally be four (4) springs  660  held in place by the screws  658 . The screws  658  must be dimensioned to prevent their protruding through the contact pad  654  in order to prevent damage to the sheet material. The recess back plate  656  is drilled out to receive the screws  658  and enable the screws  658  to slide, without excessive vertical movement, within the back plate  656 . Thus, when pressure is applied to the contact pad  654 , the screws  658  move horizontally, extending toward or into the outlet box. The springs  660  must have sufficient resistance to maintain the contact pad  654  in the extended position during non-use. The screws can also be replaced with plastic pins that are glued into the contact pad and float freely within the base plate. 
     In FIG. 26, the dual contact pads  702  of the marking device  700  extend over only the top and bottom portion of the device  700 . The base plate  704  is recessed, as described heretofore, however in this embodiment the recessed back  706  covers only a portion of the base plate  704 , thereby leaving open area  716 . The contact pads  702  are affixed to the recessed back  706  through use of springs and screws  710  as described in FIG.  25 . The dual contact pads  702  provide sufficient resistance for the plasterboard while cutting the cost of manufacture. Additionally, if the open area  716  is sized appropriately the marker  700  can be used to mark plasterboard on outlet boxes containing receptacles or light switches. Alternatively, the dual contact pads  702  can be used with a recess area that extends the full length of the device as described heretofore. Illustrated in this Figure are the dual inking markers  708  and  714 . The fill inking marker  708  extends around the periphery of the base plate  704  as noted in the prior embodiments. A pair of horizontal secondary markers  714  are provided to enable the marker  700  to also mark the plasterboard with the offset marking as noted heretofore. Preferably the full inking marker  708  and secondary markers  714  are separate colors to easily define which of the marks is offset and which is the true location of the outlet box, although other differentiation markers can be used. Both the dual contact pads and the secondary markers can be incorporated with any of the forgoing embodiments and modifications will be evident to those skilled in the art. 
     In FIG. 27, the back of the base plate  754  has been notched to provide recessed space for the screw bracket of the receptacles and light switches. The notches  752  provide the space required to enable the base plate  754  to sit in full contact with the outlet box. The notched base plate  754  can be incorporated with any of the foregoing embodiments. 
     In the marking device  800  of FIG. 28, the contact pad  806  is maintained in position through the use of screws  804 , as noted heretofore with reference to FIG.  25 . The springs  802  in this embodiment are, however, separate from the screws  804 . In this embodiment the springs  802  have been placed in recesses  810  that are formed in the material of manufacture in a manner that is appropriate the specific material, i.e. molded, drilled, etc. The recesses  810  have sufficient depth to prevent the springs  802  from shifting along the surface of either the contact pad  806  or the recess back plate  812  during use and storage. The springs  802  also have sufficient length to maintain tension between the contact pad  806  and the recess back plate  812 , further preventing any shifting. The screws  804  float within the recess back plate  812  while being securely affixed to the contact pad  806 , thereby enabling the contact pad  806  to move within the recess  816 . 
     In this embodiment a gasket  808  is placed between the flanges  814  to move the contact point between the marking device  800  and the outlet box. The flanges  814  in this embodiment have been lengthened to accommodate for the addition of a receptacle. Since, in all embodiments, the outlet boxes and the base plates should be in contact to prevent the marking devices from tilting, the gasket  808  is added to compensate for the space otherwise occupied by the receptacle. The gasket  808  enables the marking device  800  to be used with a mounted receptacle by removal of the gasket  808  or without a receptacle by inclusion of the gasket  808 . The gasket  808  should have a thickness proportional to the lengthening of the flanges  814 . For flanges that have been lengthened from about ⅜ inch to about ⅝ inch, the gasket is preferably about ¼ inch thick. The gasket should have a sufficient rigidity to enable a fiction fit within the base plate to maintain the gasket in place. Too thin or flexible a material will tend to slip within the base plate. The gasket should also be cut to correspond to the configuration of the back of the base plate used. 
     The marking device  1000  of FIG. 29 provides a thinner front plate  1004  than disclosed in other embodiments. This reduction is enabled by placing notches  1002  into the body  1006 . The notches  1002  reduce the thickness of the front plate  1004  from the flanges  1014  to the recess body  1006  thereby reducing the amount of material required for manufacture. The body  1006  contains the compression area  1016  for the contact pad  1012  and, when the device  1000  is mounted, extends into the outlet box  1008 . The front plate  1004  must have a thickness sufficient to receive the marking strips  1010  and provide sufficient rigidity and strength to prevent breakage. The marking device illustrated in this embodiment has a upper notch  1002  that extends from the flange  1014  to the body  1006 . This can be reduced to a notch having sufficient dimensioning to enable the marking device to receive the outlet box, similar to the lower notch on the marking device  1000 . 
     The inking marker  850  of FIG. 30 can also be provided in sheets or strips for use in replacing the existing inking markers in any of the foregoing embodiments or for marking other items. The marking material  856  is provided with an adhesive backing  854  and a protective covering  852 . The marking sheet  856  can be cut to the desired size, the protective covering  852  removed and the cut portion of the marking sheet  856  applied to the object. This can be useful to locate where fasteners are to be installed in walls when hanging objects that conceal the desired location, i.e. pictures, mirrors, plaques, etc. 
     Although the preferred method of marking is through the use of ink, other materials that will leave a mark can be used, such as chalk or lead. The powdered materials would be retained in a flexible holder with holes sufficient to permit the powder to exit the holder when the plasterboard was pressed against the device. 
     It should be obvious to anyone skilled in the art that the dimension of any of the foregoing; embodiments can be altered for use with other specific sized outlets, such as double receptacle outlets, car stereo cutouts, A/C inlet/outlets, etc. Additionally, any of the foregoing can be offset to compensate for the plasterboard/floor clearance. It will also be evident that the size of the flanges can vary and that the channel attachment can replace the friction fit of the flanges in any of the embodiments. 
     Since other modifications and changes varied to fit particular operating requirements and environments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention is not considered limited to the example chosen for the purposes of disclosure, and covers all changes and modifications which do not constitute departures from the true spirit and scope of this invention.