Patent ID: 7191534

Claim:
A handheld layout and marking tool comprising a longitudinal rule-like member with at least one straight measuring edge for measuring distances between selected points and at least one longitudinally directed retaining track, and a sliding handgrip having a longitudinally directed crossbar raised with respect to said rule-like member and shaped and dimensioned so as to be comfortably held in a user's loosely clenched fist for slidingly displacement along said rule-like element to a user desired position, said sliding handgrip further including a braking device integrally formed therewith to render a combined sliding handgrip and braking device including an actuator with a longitudinally directed handle coextensive with and underlying said crossbar such that said crossbar and said handle can be both comfortably held in the user's loosely clenched fist with the front surfaces of his fingers touching said handle's underside for selective upward urging toward said crossbar thereby enabling one hand operation for sliding said combined sliding handarip and braking device to a user desired position along said rule-like member and braking thereat.