Patent attributes
A marking apparatus and its method of use facilitate blind slide-mounting of an object to a mounting surface in a desired alignment using the object as an alignment template. The apparatus includes a post element, a retention element, a tightening element and a cover. The retention element is movable against resilient bias to allow the apparatus to capture a mounting slot in the object. The resilient bias moves the retention element to a gripping position, and the cover can be rotated so as to cause the tightening element to secure the grip of the apparatus to the object. When the object is aligned with and pushed toward the mounting surface, the cover moves against an elastic bias to allow a marking end of the apparatus to contact the mounting surface so as mark the appropriate location for installation of a fastener to supportingly engage the slide-mount slot of the object.