A cord comprises a braided sheath of strands having an outer surface, an inner surface, and a central hollow portion defined by the inner surface and having a volume and a core within the central hollow portion of the tubular braided sheath, such that when the cord is in a relaxed state the tubular braided sheath has a cylindrical shape and a relaxed volume of the central hollow portion wherein the core does not fill the relaxed volume of the central hollow portion of the tubular braided sheath; when the cord is in a longitudinal tensioned state, the tubular braided sheath elongates under the longitudinal tension such that a tensioned volume of at least a part of the central hollow portion of the tubular braided sheath is less than the relaxed volume; and the inner surface of the tubular braided sheath of tensioned volume contacts and cinches a surface of the core.

An illustrative example embodiment of an elevator load bearing member includes a unidirectional weave of a plurality of load bearing fibers including at least a first material and a second material. A melting point of the first material is higher than a melting point of the second material. The plurality of load bearing fibers are bonded together by at least some of the second material that is at least partially melted. A coating covers the plurality of load bearing fibers.

An illustrative example embodiment of an elevator load bearing member includes a unidirectional weave of a plurality of load bearing fibers including at least a first material and a second material. A melting point of the first material is higher than a melting point of the second material. The plurality of load bearing fibers are bonded together by at least some of the second material that is at least partially melted. A coating covers the plurality of load bearing fibers.

A belt for suspending and/or driving an elevator car includes a plurality of tension elements extending longitudinally along a length of the belt, at least one tension element of the plurality of tension elements having one or more tension element coating layers applied thereto. A plurality of fibers are interlaced with the plurality of tension elements forming a composite belt structure. A belt coating at least partially encapsulates the composite belt structure. A method of forming a belt for suspending and/or driving an elevator car includes forming a plurality of tension elements and applying one or more coating layers to at least one tension element of the plurality of tension elements. A plurality of fibers are interlaced with the plurality of tension elements to form a composite belt structure. A belt coating is applied to the composite belt structure to at least partially encapsulate the composite belt structure.

A load bearing member for a lifting and/or hoisting system includes a plurality of tension members arranged along a width of the load bearing member. Each tension member includes a plurality of load carrying fibers arranged to extend in a direction parallel to a length of the load bearing member and a matrix material in which the plurality of load carrying fibers are arranged. The load bearing member further includes a lateral layer and a jacket material at least partially encapsulating the plurality of tension members.

A load bearing member (30) for a lifting and/or hoisting system includes a plurality of tension members (32) arranged along a width of the load bearing member. Each tension member includes a plurality of load carrying fibers (34) arranged to extend in a direction parallel to a length of the load bearing member and a matrix material (36) in which the plurality of load carrying fibers are arranged. The load bearing member further includes a lateral layer (40, 42) and a jacket material (50) at least partially encapsulating the plurality of tension members.

Disclosed is a non-steel strength membered high strength cable easily monitored for heat and elongation comprising a length of a core-cable (10), the length of core-cable (10) including at least two fiber-optic conductors (2) that are: (i) disposed in a helical shape; and (ii) completely encased in a solid, flexible material.
One fiber-optic conductor capable of transmitting at least Raman backscattering and the other fiber-optic conductor capable of transmitting at least Brillouin scattering.

A combination of the cable (10): (i) with an interrogator that can read and interpret Raman backscattering coupled to and communicating with the fiber optic conductor that is capable of transmitting at least Raman backscattering; and (ii) another interrogator that can read and interpret Brillouin scattering coupled to and communicating with the fiber optic conductor that is capable of transmitting at least Brillouin scattering;
permits ascertaining the elongation of the cable, without using loose tube fiber-opticplacement.

Disclosed is a non-steel strength membered high strength cable easily monitored for heat and elongation comprising a length of a core-cable (10), the length of core-cable (10) including at least two fiber-optic conductors (2) that are: (i) disposed in a helical shape; and (ii) completely encased in a solid, flexible material.
One fiber-optic conductor capable of transmitting at least Raman backscattering and the other fiber-optic conductor capable of transmitting at least Brillouin scattering.

A combination of the cable (10): (i) with an interrogator that can read and interpret Raman backscattering coupled to and communicating with the fiber optic conductor that is capable of transmitting at least Raman backscattering; and (ii) another interrogator that can read and interpret Brillouin scattering coupled to and communicating with the fiber optic conductor that is capable of transmitting at least Brillouin scattering;
permits ascertaining the elongation of the cable, without using loose tube fiber-opticplacement.

An exercise rope is disclosed. The exercise rope includes a weighted core. It further includes a first braided layer surrounding the weighted core, the first braided layer having yarns of a first ply. It further includes a second braided layer surrounding the first braided layer, the second braided layer having yarns of a second ply, the second ply being higher than the first ply. It further includes a third braided layer surrounding the second braided layer, the third braided layer having yarns of a third ply, the third ply being higher than the second ply. The second braided layer is coated with an adhesive.

A cable includes an elongated tensile element having a cross section area and including a fibre reinforced polymer composite core having an elastic modulus of at least 70 GPa and a sheath at least partially covering the composite core. The sheath is made of metal and is at least 30% of the cross section area of the tensile element.