FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the attachment of articles like pictures, shelves and wall cabinets etc. to walls, doors or furniture having one or multiple fixtures. More specifically, it is about the correct marking of anchor points onto the surface.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION / PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED

In order to fix pictures, shelves, wall cabinets or other objects with more than one mounting point to walls, doors, furniture or other surfaces, the position of the mounting points for the objects have to be measured and indicated exactly to provide visibly correct results.

Often, objects to be fixed must be mounted either exactly horizontally levelling or, at appro- priate spatial conditions, an adaptation along to the lines of a ceiling, the floor, or other ob- jects and components.

In environments that are not permanently spatially stable (for example, on water vehicles or tall tower constructions) there may be the additional problem of no permanent horizon to be referred to.

So far, this requires a measurement of the mounting points and an accurate, horizontal or a line projecting dimensions along to the ground. This so far requires at least four operations, with the aid of several tools, such as ruler, angle stop and spirit level.

Since this presupposes several work steps that build on each other, multiple sources of error result from incorrect recording, memorization or reception of verbally transferred dimensions.

In addition, errors are caused by the orientation on floors, ceilings or other objects, on the basis of which is measured; if these might not be straight or perfectly angled or by the defor- mation of folding yardsticks or tape measures.

Such sources of error add up or even multiply, so that quite often visible deviations and incorrect assembly occur. PRIOR ART

Hitherto some suggestions are known to solve this problem :

DE 29601474 U1 proposes a levelling device with movable arms, containing a bubble level. The movable arms are not protected against damage whilst largely exposed, therefore a transport of the tool with set measurements would not be recommended. Moreover, for to record the recorded dimensions a second tool is required.

DE 19501383 C2 describes a scribing and mounting device with bubble level, comprising a pen holder, slidable on a rail. Again, here the marking slides are not secured against an er- roneous shifting, furthermore they are not protected against damage. It is as well not recom- mended to transport the tool with the dimensions set on it, which however woud be preferred for to easily transfer the measurements. Again, for to record the recorded dimensions, an- other tool is required.

In DE 29701688 U1 refers to an adjustable mounting template which is of simple design and therefore not adequately protected against relocation of its indicators. A transport of the tool with set measurements set would not be advisable. In addition, the thumbscrews used there could not provide secure locking in the desired position

A variety of other patents, including US4791732 and US5807036, address the same problem but suffer from the same drawbacks such as instabiiy and lacking hold of gauges when transported and lack of protection for its movable parts.

TASK OF THE INVENTION

Task of theinvention therefore is to simplify marking of the fixing points for objects on their destination and to exclude the abovementioned sources of error, whilst providing secure locking of gauges in a desired position.

This should be achieved with only one tool, wherein the probability of damage is low due to a closed design. In addition, it should be possible to easily read the measurements from a scale.

SOLUTION

The solution as to the invention is a measuring tool comprising a frame-shaped chassis, wherein marking carriages, that can be moved and easily fixed, are first adjusted to the an- chor points at the back of an object to be fixed. With these marker carriages the positions of the mounting points are picked up directly on the object, fixed and transferred to the surface, whereon the devices are to be mounted. Then the tool must therefore be held or provisionally attached to the place to which the object needs to be mounted, whereon the fixing points then can easily and exactly be marked. The marker carriages therefore contain marking bores, by which mounting points can be recorded correctly on vision, and be transferred through these with a markingpin or pen onto the target.

By means of a bubble level the horizontal or vertical accuracy can be determined.

An edge element, which can be moved downwards via telescopic arms, may further be used for reference to floors, ceilings, other objects or structural elements as well as - when folded in - for the protection of the bubble level during the storage of the measuring tool.

On the chassis, a scale is attached, by means of which the determined dimensions can also be read for taking notes.

DESCRIPTION ALONG TO THE DRAWINGS

In an exemplary embodiment, FIG. 1 shows the measuring tool (1 ), consisting of the frame- shaped chassis (2). On its inside (3) four movable marking carriages (4-7) and a bubble level (19) are mounted.

The marking carriages (4-7) run by means of skids (8) on an upper (9) and a lower (10) guide rail on the inside of the chassis’ (2) frame.

The marking carriages, comprising a marking bore (1 1 ), are slidably movable via pins (13) in guide rails (14 and 15), whereon they can be fixed by means of a locking element (12), for example with toothing (16) engaged in an identication (17) in the frame of the chassis. In order to secure locking, the element is held by means of a spring (18).

At the lower end of the chassis (2) there is a bubble level (20) which is protected by down- wardly displaceable telescopic arms (21 , 22) and an edge element (23) during storage.

On the front and back of the measuring tool each a measuring scale (23) is attached with dimensions, which are ascending from left to right on the front, whilst on the back (not shown) ascending from the right to the left.