Marking device with integral self-hinged contact pad

A marking device for placing an indicator mark on one side of a sheet of material to mark the approximate periphery of a stationary object, said marking device being a single piece, molded material having a memory and having:

• a base, said base having a first surface and a second surface;
• at least one inking transfer, each of said at least one inking transfer having a marking surface maintained in and raised above said first surface of said base to transfer a marking substance to said sheet of material upon contact with said sheet of material,
• at least one flexible self-hinge, each of said at least one flexible self-hinge having a width, a thickness, a first end and a second end, said first end extending at an angle from said first surface of said base;
• at least one contact pad, said contact pad being parallel to said base and adjacent to a second end of said self-hinge, and
• affixing members, said affixing members extending from said second surface of said base;
• wherein each of said at least one flexible self-hinge extends from said base a distance sufficient to prevent said sheet material from contacting said at least one inking transfer without the application of pressure to compress each of said at least one flexible self-hinge, said pressure to compress each of said at least one flexible self-hinge being dependent upon said width and said thickness of each of said at least one flexible self-hinge.

The method of marking a sheet of material with an outline of a stationary object's position using a marking device having a base, a marking line to transfer a mark onto said sheet of material, and at least one flexible, integral self-hinge having a contact surface extending from a first surface of said base, comprising the steps of:

• securing said base to an exposed edge of said stationary object,
• placing said sheet of material against said contact surface,
• applying pressure to said material,
• compressing each of said at least one flexible self-hinge;
• causing said marking line to come in contact with said sheet of material;
• removing said sheet of material.