Abstract: A friction pile has an elongate columnar body which extends at least 1 m. down into the ground and is arranged to carry a structural load at its upper end. A number of rods or other elongate elements, each of smaller cross-sectional area than the body are connected at their upper ends to the pile body and extend in a direction with a downward component into the ground to shed at least a major portion of the structural load into the ground.

Abstract: A friction pile has an elongate columnar body which extends at least 1 m. down into the ground and is arranged to carry a structural load at its upper end. A number of rods or other elongate elements, each of smaller cross-sectional area than said body, are connected at their upper ends to the pile body and extend in a direction with a downward component into the ground to shed at least a major portion of the structural load into the ground. At least some of the elongate elements extend outwards and downwards from the side of the pile body.

Abstract: A life-saving appliance that automatically inflates an inflatable tube after a short period of contact with water comprising a metallic receptacle containing a refrigerant in the liquid stage, a membrane normally sealing the receptacle, a manually-actuated pin for penetrating the membrane, an inflatable tube surrounding the receptacle, a conduit for connecting the interior of the receptacle to the tube, and a water-soluble retaining band for holding the tube, in deflated condition, against the exterior of the receptacle. The appliance is compact in its normal, unactuated condition and can be thrown several feet outwardly over a body of water with significant accuracy; shortly after contact with the water, the retaining strip disintegrates and the refrigerant passes through the membrane, which has already been punctured, to rapidly expand and fill the inflatable tube.