Abstract: A telescopic pole system for supporting a bird feeder, light system or the like comprises an elongated lower tubular pole component of circular cross-section, a ground sleeve for supporting the lower pole component, an upper tubular pole component of circular cross-section having an inner diameter greater than the outer diameter of the lower pole component, the lower pole component having an upper end of expanded cross-section for a snug, sliding fit within the upper pole component, and a collar secured to the lower end of the upper pole component having centering members for providing a snug, sliding fit over the lower pole component as the upper component is axially extended and retracted relative to the lower component, the collar having a pivotally-mounted retainer for locking the upper component on the lower component.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are disclosed for forming expanded mesh sheet from deformable strip by the steps of concurrently slitting and preforming the strip to provide transverse bands of slit and elongated wire segments projecting alternately from opposite sides of the plane of the strip separated by transverse bands of unslit strip, slitting the strip at alternate bands to extend slit segments in a staggered relation and laterally expanding the slit and preformed strip. Concurrent slitting and preforming and subsequent slitting can be effected by a cluster of three rolls or by a linear arrangement of pairs of opposed rolls.The invention has particular utility in forming expanded mesh sheet of exact final dimensions for use as battery grids from lead or lead alloy strip.

Abstract: A method of forming elongated slit segments in deformable strip includes concurrently slitting and preforming the strip by intermeshing substantially convexly shaped tool surfaces each having a linear leading portion and a linear trailing portion joined by a rounded apex portion. The linear leading and trailing portions are collinear with and generally define portions of the sides of a triangle which has a base with a length equal to the length of the strip being slit. The length of the side of the triangle corresponding to and collinear with the leading portion is less than the length of the side of the triangle corresponding to and collinear with the trailing portion, and the angle formed between the side of the triangle corresponding to the leading portion and the base is not greater than 90.degree..

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are disclosed for forming expanded mesh sheet from deformable strip by the steps of concurrently slitting and preforming the strip to provide transverse bands of slit and elongated wire segments projecting alternately from opposite sides of the plane of the strip separated by transverse bands of unslit strip, slitting the strip at alternate bands to extend slit segments in a staggered relation and laterally expanding the slit and preformed strip. Concurrent slitting and preforming and subsequent slitting can be effected by a cluster of three rolls or by a linear arrangement of pairs of opposed rolls.The invention has particular utility in forming expanded mesh sheet of exact final dimensions for use as battery grids from lead or lead alloy strip.