Abstract: An anchoring device includes a cam rod having a pair of dual-spiral grooves thereon which are orthogonal to each other. The cam rod is provided with a pedal. A direction-switching device is enveloped onto the cam rod. An anchoring root is releasably engaged to the lower portion of the direction-switching device. The direction-switching device includes a driving wedge which is engaged with a socket of the anchoring root. The anchoring root can be engaged or disengaged with the direction-switching device. When the pedal is depressed, the direction-switching device can be driven by the spiral grooves of the cam rod. The anchoring root that is attached to the bottom of the direction-switching device is also rotated. The anchoring root is then screwed into the ground. After the anchoring root is positioned, the cam rod and the direction-switching device can be removed therefrom and a pole can be inserted into a pilot hole within the anchoring root.

Abstract: Interlocking blocks for the stabilization of stream and river banks and ct lines, road bed embankments, and boat ramps, are made of concrete, and have a high proportion of open area. Interlocking connections between adjacent blocks are made by radial projecting members and recesses on the periphery of each block, the projecting members of one block fitting into the recesses on adjacent blocks. Projections and recesses are alternately provided at regular angular intervals such that blocks can be assembled in either square or an equilateral triangular patterns. A layer of filter cloth material is laid on the sloping surface and upon which the blocks are then placed; this filter cloth slows down the leaching of water through the open areas between the interlocking blocks and prevents the washing away of sand and silt by stream or river water or rainwater runoff.

Abstract: A trench liner system used for forming a single or a dual containment trench where expansion and contraction of the liner is controlled. For single containment, the trench system has a primary liner or a primary liner and a separator. For dual containment, the trench system has a primary liner and a secondary liner, or a primary liner, a separator and a secondary liner. Each system also includes anchors spaced along the length of the liner so as to partition the liner into juxtaposed vertical segments. The anchors allow unimpeded contraction and expansion of the liner between anchors within a segment. These embodiments may include a holding element for holding the liners against the trench walls so as to allow each segment to expand and contract along its respective length. Another embodiment of this invention provides laterally extending cavities spaced along the length of the trench.

Abstract: A side locking system is rotatable in all directions for use in a spinal surgery. Such a system comprises a side locking member, a spherical liner, and a fastening element. The side locking member is composed of a side locking block and a rotatable locking block. The side locking block has a through hole for receiving and holding a spinal locking rod and has a fastening slit substantially perpendicular to the axis of the through hole. The rotatable locking block has a rotatable receiving mount of spherical construction. The spherical liner is mounted in the rotatable locking block and provided with a hollow portion so dimensioned as to receive and hold a spinal pin. The fastening element is capable of tightening the fastening slit of the side locking block so as to bring about a compression of the spherical liner, which in turn causes the through hole of the side locking block to clamp the spinal locking rod.

Abstract: A safety system for protecting a driver of a vehicle has a single continuous safety cable designed to retract a steering column and at the same time pull a driver's seat belt when an engine is shoved rearward in a head-on collision of the vehicle. A cable portion for pulling the steering column is connected in series with a cable portion for pulling the seat belt so that the steering column is retracted only when the driver's seat belt is fastened. When the driver's seat belt is fastened, the safety cable system protects the driver by increasing the seat belt tension and retracting the steering column. When the driver's seat belt is not fastened, the safety cable system leaves the steering column at its normal position to absorb impact energy of a secondary collision of the driver against the steering wheel.