Real-time laser measurement and marking apparatus

A portable marking device comprising:

• a housing including a main housing structure and a spray can cover, the main housing structure comprising a housing groove located at a bottom inner surface of the main housing structure, wherein, the main housing structure comprises a front open end configured to receive a nozzle end of the spray can, a rear end configured to hold a back end of the spray can, a top surface, a bottom surface, and a pair of opposing rounded side walls defining an aperture for placement of the spray can,
• the spray 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 the aperture defined by at least one of the side walls, wherein the spray can cover is configured to cover a portion of the spray can for releasably securing the spray can within the housing;
• a nozzle member positioned at the rear nozzle end of the main housing structure, the nozzle member having a spray aperture and a spray nozzle button configured to dispense a marking material from the spray can through the spray aperture;
• 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;
• a housing guard disposed over the optical measuring apparatus;
• a spray can bracket comprising a bracket top surface, bracket bottom surface, and a bracket side surface;
• and
• a bracket sleeve comprising:
• a curved surface and a front end wherein the curved surface is oriented to couple inside the bracket top surface, and
• a sleeve coupling member located at a front end of the bracket sleeve,
• wherein:
• the optical measuring apparatus comprises a range finder disposed on a surface at the rear nozzle end above the nozzle member;
• and
• the sleeve coupling member is configured to engage the housing groove.

An apparatus comprising:

• a housing including a main housing structure and a spray can cover, the main housing structure comprises a front open end configured to receive a nozzle end of the spray can, a rear end configured to hold a back end of the spray can, a top surface, a bottom surface, and a pair of opposing rounded side walls defining an aperture for placement of the spray can,
• the spray 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 the aperture defined by at least one of the side walls, wherein the spray can cover is configured to cover a portion of the spray can for releasably securing the spray can within the housing;
• a nozzle member positioned at the rear nozzle end of the main housing structure, the nozzle member having a spray aperture and a spray nozzle button configured to dispense a marking material from the spray can through the spray aperture;
• an optical measuring apparatus contained within the main housing structure for real-time measuring of a distance between a point of focus and the apparatus;
• a bracket sleeve having a front portion and a rear portion;
• and
• a mounting bracket coupled to the rear portion of the bracket sleeve,
• wherein:
• the optical measuring apparatus comprises a range finder disposed on a surface at the rear nozzle end above the nozzle member;
• and
• the bracket sleeve is configured to engage the main housing structure.