Patent attributes
A marking apparatus facilitates blind slide-mounting of an object to a mounting surface in a desired alignment using the object as an alignment template. A retention element in receipt of a post is movable against resilient bias to allow the head of the apparatus to capture a mounting slot in the object. The resilient bias moves the retention element to a gripping position, and a cover is rotated to cause a tightening element to secure the grip of the apparatus to the object. A rotational detent element offset from the head prevents the post from rotating with respect to the retention element. When affixed to the object, the apparatus is used to mark the appropriate location for installation of a fastener to supportingly engage the slide-mount slot of the object. The apparatus may include an orthogonality adapter to ensure that it remains orthogonal to the object during certain marking operations.