Length and angle gauge

Claim 1

A length and angle gauge comprising: first and second longitudinally aligned and slidably engaging ruler sections; at least one of said first and second ruler sections including a hollow tube larger than the other section for slidably receiving the other said section; said hollow tube being generally rectangular and including three sides and at least part of a fourth; and said other section also being generally rectangular; means for releasably securing said sections including a first screw threadably mounted in said hollow tube and having a bearing surface for engaging with the other of said sections and a slot in the other of said sections for accommodating said screw as said sections are slid relative to one another; each section having an inner end and an outer end, one of said sections bearing a length scale starting at the outer end and ascending toward the inner end, the other section bearing a continuation of the length scale beginning with the scale value for the minimum retracted length of the gauge at the outer end and ascending toward the inner end; a rotatable arm located at the outer end of each section and having a slanted surface; means for rotatably mounting said arm to said outer end including a stud on each arm; means for releasably securing said arm to said outer end including a second screw, an elongate hole in said outer end for receiving said second screw, and threads in said stud for engaging said second screw; and retraction means including said second screw for enabling said arm to be longitudinally withdrawn within said outer end.