Device for locating attachment points

A locating device comprising:

• an elongated body having a front side that includes first and second sets of graduated markings and a rear side, said first set of graduated markings corresponding to distances from a first point of reference, said second set of graduated markings corresponding to distances from a second point of reference, and said elongated body defining a longitudinal axis;
• a first trammel mounted on the elongated body for movement along the longitudinal axis, said first trammel including a first pair of indicator windows permitting viewing of said first and second sets of graduated markings;
• a first marker extending from the first trammel adjacent the rear side of the elongated body at an angle approximately perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, said first marker being aligned with said first pair of indicator windows;
• a second trammel mounted on the elongated body for movement along the longitudinal axis, said second trammel including a second pair of indicator windows permitting viewing of said first and second sets of graduated markings;
• a second marker extending from the second trammel adjacent the rear side of the elongated body at an angle approximately perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, said second marker being aligned with said second pair of indicator windows;
• and
• a level supported by the elongated body and having a predetermined orintation relative to a line connecting the first marker and the second marker.

A method for locating a fixture having attachment point onto a wall comprising:

• providing a locating device including an elongated body having a front side that includes first and second sets of graduated markings, a rear side, a first trammel engaged with the elongated body and having a first marker extending from the trammel away from the rear side and a first pair of indicator windows aligned with said first marker, said first set of graduated markings corresponding to distances from a first point of reference, said second set of graduated markings corresponding to distances from a second point of reference, and said first pair of indicator windows permitting viewing of said first and second set of graduated markings, a second trammel engaged with the elongated body and having a second marker extending from the trammel away from the rear side and a second pair of indicator windows aligned with said second marker, said second pair of indicator windows permitting viewing of said first and second set of graduated markings, and a level supported by the elongated body and having a predetermined orientation relative to a line connecting the first marker and the second marker;
• adjusting the first trammel and the second trammel into alignment with the attachment points;
• viewing at least one of said first and second set of graduated markings through said first and second pairs of indicator windows;
• determining an attachment position on a wall where the fixture is to be located;
• positioning the locating device in the attachment position;
• leveling the locating device using the level;
• and
• marking the wall with the first and second markers.

In a locating device that includes an elongated body defining a first axis and having a first set of graduated markings corresponding to distances from a first point of reference on at least one side thereof, and first and second trammels movably mounted on said elongated body, the improvement comprising:

• a) a marker extending from each of said first and second trammels, each marker extending along a second axis substantially perpendicular to said first axis;
• b) a second set of graduated markings carresponding to distances from a second point of reference on said at least one side of said elongated body;
• and
• c) a pair of indicator windows formed in each of said first and second trammels, each of said pair of indicator windows being aligned with the marker extending from the trammel, said pairs of indicator windows permitting viewing of said first and second sets of graduated markings on said elongated body.