A method of making a composite pipe has the steps of (a) providing one or more sources of composite tape, the composite tape being formed of reinforcing fibres embedded in a thermoplastic matrix; (b) helically winding the composite tape(s) around a cylinder under the application of heat to form a pipe comprising fused, concentric layers of adjacently positioned, helically-wound composite tape; (c) scanning a region where edges of wound composite tape are expected to be, to generate scanning information; (d) controlling the gap between further adjacent windings by (1) using the scanning information to determine wound composite tape edge position(s), and (2) using the determined wound composite tape edge position(s) to adjust the winding process during winding; (e) repeating steps (c) and (d). The invention also relates to a corresponding apparatus for making a composite pipe.

A sliding golf cart windshield assembly includes a first elongated rail having a top end and a bottom end, and a second elongated rail spaced apart from the first elongated rail and having a top end and a bottom end. An upper windshield pane has a first longitudinal edge and an opposing second longitudinal edge, where the upper windshield pane is positioned between the first and second elongated rails. In addition, the assembly includes a first upper plate secured to the first longitudinal edge of the upper windshield pane and being slidable within the first elongated rail, a first lower hub coupled to the bottom end of the first elongated rail, and a first belt having a first end first end fixed to the top end of the first elongated rail and passes around the first lower hub to the second end that is fixed to the first upper plate.

A window balance assembly may include a carrier, a spring element, and a mounting bracket. The spring element may include first and second portions. The first portion may be coupled to the carrier. The mounting bracket may engage the second portion of the spring element and may selectively engage the carrier.

The present invention is concerned with vertically sliding facade components. In order to improve operability and user comfort for vertically displaceable facade components, a weight compensation device (10) for vertically displaceable facade components comprises a spring element (12) for at least partial compensation of its own weight of a vertically displaceable facade component and a compensator (14). The spring element provides a spring force as a driving force (F.sub.AN) for lifting the vertically displaceable facade component. The spring element is movable between a compressed state (P.sub.K) and an expanded state (P.sub.E). The spring force has a decreasing value when moving from the compressed state to the expanded state. The compensator at least partially compensates for the decrease in the input force and provides an output force (F.sub.AB) that decreases less than the input force.

A latch assembly connected to the drive unit of a bi-fold door for retaining the bi-fold door secure to a building has elongated straps attached to rotatable latch drums mounted on the outer ends of the drive shaft of the drive unit. Lift drums powered by a motor driven gearbox raise and lower the bi-fold door. Latch assemblies having springs attached to the straps maintain tension on the straps during the opening and closing of the bi-fold door.

A furniture drive includes base body to be fixed to a furniture carcass, an actuating arm to be fixed to a movable furniture part, and a locking device for locking the actuating arm to the base body. The locking device includes a locking element movable between a locking position, in which the actuating arm is locked to the base body, and a demounting position, in which the actuating arm can be demounted from the base body. An actuating device can preferably be actuated with a tool, for moving the locking element from the locking position into the demounting position. The furniture drive includes a releasable securing device configured to prevent a movement of the locking element from the locking position into the demounting position upon an actuation of the actuating device.

A sliding golf cart windshield assembly includes a first elongated rail, a second elongated rail spaced apart from the first elongated rail, and an upper windshield pane having a first longitudinal edge and an opposing second longitudinal edge. The upper windshield pane is slidably positioned between the first and second elongated rails. The assembly also includes a lower drive pulley, an upper drive pulley, and a drive belt stretched between the lower drive pulley and the upper drive pulley. In addition, the assembly includes a drive panel slidingly engaged with the second rail and secured to the upper window pane and the drive belt, and a motor coupled to the lower drive pulley and configured to rotate the lower drive pulley to raise and lower the upper windshield pane.

A latch assembly connected to the drive unit of a bi-fold door for retaining the bi-fold door secure to a building has elongated straps attached to rotatable latch drums mounted on the outer ends of the drive shaft of the drive unit. Lift drums powered by a motor driven gearbox raise and lower the bi-fold door. Latch assemblies having springs attached to the straps maintain tension on the straps during the opening and closing of the bi-fold door.

A door tensioning system for an oven or other appliance includes a chain and spring assembled as a pull member attached at one end to a door and at an opposite end to a base member of the appliance in a manner maintaining spring-mediated tension between the door and the base/bulk of the appliance. The pull member is routed around a bracket-assembly-mounted pulley, where the bracket assembly includes at least one movable bracket member that is movable with the pulley in a manner that will increase or decrease tension in the pull member by increasing/decreasing its effective length between its ends.

A latch assembly connected to the drive unit of a bi-fold door for retaining the bi-fold door secure to a building has elongated straps attached to rotatable latch drums mounted on the outer ends of the drive shaft of the drive unit. Lift drums powered by a motor driven gearbox raise and lower the bi-fold door. Latch assemblies having springs attached to the straps maintain tension on the straps during the opening and closing of the bi-fold door.