US Patent 7246446 Adjustable guide rail for hand tools

A method and apparatus are provided for constructing and operating an adjustable guide rail for hand tools, by attaching an elongated blade to a guide with a locking ratcheting apparatus. The locking ratcheting apparatus is thumb-operable. The elongated blade includes a first series of teeth. The guide includes the moveable thumb-operable latch. The latch has a second series of teeth which are selectively moveable into and out of engagement with the first series of teeth on the elongated blade for selectively preventing and allowing sliding movement of the elongated blade with respect to the guide. The teeth allow incremental adjustment of the guide rail apparatus.