Precision real-time laser measurement and marking apparatus

A method for using a marking device, wherein said marking device comprising:

• a housing including a main housing structure and a can cover, the main housing structure having a front open end, a rear nozzle end, a top surface, a bottom surface, and a pair of opposing side walls each side wall including a plurality of side venting grips disposed thereon, the can cover having a rear open end, a front closed end, at least one portion of the can cover extending at the rear open end to selectively engage with an aperture of at least one corresponding side venting grip from the plurality of side venting grips to couple the main housing structure and the can cover;
• a nozzle member positioned at the rear nozzle end of the of the main housing structure, the nozzle member having a spray aperture and a spray nozzle button configured to dispense a marking material from within the spray can through the spray opening;
• an optical measuring apparatus contained within the main housing structure for real-time measuring of a distance between a point of focus and the portable marking device;
• and a housing guard disposed over the optical measuring apparatus;
• the spray can containing the marking material therein, the spray can having an upper spray end, an intermediate section and a lower base end, the upper spray end and a first portion of the intermediate section configured to be removably inserted through the front open end of the main housing structure until the upper spray end cooperatively engages the nozzle member;
• and wherein the can cover is configured to cover the lower base end and a second remaining portion of the intermediate section of the spray can for releasably securing the spray can within the housing when the can cover and main housing structure are coupled using the at least one portion of the can cover extending at the rear open end to selectively engage with the aperture of at least one corresponding side venting grip of the plurality of side venting grips;
• said method comprising:
• pressing a distance measurement button while aiming the marking device at a target;
• displaying an exact distance measurement on a display of the marking device wherein the exact distance measurement is a distance between the target and the marking device:
• determining the exact distance measurement matches a desired distance;
• and
• marking a distance boundary using the spray nozzle aperture of the marking device.