The present invention relates to an engineered fiber bundle for reinforcement of composite materials. Specifically, the engineered fiber bundles of the present invention enhance the tensile behavior of the composites reinforced with the fiber bundles. Methods of making the same are further provided.

Disclosed is a method of making a load-bearing traction member. According to the method, a composition including a thermoplastic polyurethane and a compound with a plurality of epoxide groups or a compound with a plurality of groups having the formula

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wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are each groups in a polymer backbone or together form a group having the formula NR.sub.4, wherein R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 each independently represents an organic group, is heated to a fluid state and applied to at least one tension member, and solidified to form a polymer jacket around at least one tension member

A method is disclosed of making a load-bearing traction member. According to the method, a composition including a thermoplastic polyurethane and a blocked isocyanate compound is heated to a fluid state and applied to at least one tension member, and solidified to form a polymer jacket around at least one tension member.

A method of making a splice termination for a synthetic fiber rope, said synthetic fiber rope comprising a fiber core and at least a layer of synthetic fiber strands twisted around said fiber core, said method comprising steps: (a) Providing a synthetic fiber rope having a laid construction and an unrestrainedend, (b) Measuring tails having a length of L1 from the end of the rope, applying cloth or tape on the synthetic fiber rope for a length L2 from the end of tails to form a taped section, (c) Bending the synthetic fiber rope at the point having a length of about L1+L2/2 from the end of the rope to form an eye, (d) Untwisting the core and the strands of the tails, dividing and bundling up the yarns equally amongst the number strands of the outer layer of the synthetic fiber rope so that forming a plurality of bundled tails, (e) Tucking and pulling the plurality of bundled tail(s) respectively through between respective strand(s) of the outer layer of the synthetic fiber rope next to the taped section to form a tucked section, (f) Repeating step of tucking and pulling the plurality of bundled tail(s) respectively through between respective strand(s) of the outer layer of the synthetic fiber rope next to the previously tucked section to form a spliced termination.

A lifting member for an elevator system includes a rope formed from plurality of load carrying fibers extending along a length of the lifting member. The plurality of load carrying fibers including a plurality of aromatic polyester based fibers. A coating layer at least partially encapsulates the rope. An elevator system includes a hoistway, an elevator car disposed in the hoistway and movable therein, and a lifting member operably connected to the elevator car to suspend and/or drive the elevator car along the hoistway. The lifting member includes a rope formed from plurality of load carrying fibers extending along a length of the lifting member. The plurality of load carrying fibers including a plurality of aromatic polyester based fibers. A coating layer at least partially encapsulates the rope.

A belt for suspending and/or driving an elevator car of an elevator system includes a plurality of tension members arranged in a lengthwise direction and a jacket substantially retaining the plurality of tension members. The jacket includes a traction portion, a back portion, and an inner portion between the traction portion and the back portion. The traction portion is formed from a first material and the inner portion is formed from a second material having an increased fire resistance compared to the first material. A method of forming an elevator system belt includes arranging a plurality of tension members in a lengthwise direction and securing the plurality of tension members in a jacket by at least partially enclosing the plurality of tension members in the jacket. The jacket includes a traction portion, a back portion, and an inner portion having a greater fire resistance than the traction portion.

A tie down ratchet and strap includes, a ratchet shaft rotatably mounted in a ratchet body having a slot for receiving a wind-up strap therethough, a pair of ratchet wheels mounted on the ratchet shaft, a ratchet handle with a pawl engaging the ratchet wheels to rotate the ratchet shaft, a locking bar securing the ratchet wheels and ratchet shaft in position when the pawl is disengaged from the ratchet wheels, an anchor strap with a connector for securing the ratchet assembly to a first anchor point, and a wind-up strap including a non-metallic fabric strap with a braided metal outer cover extending continuously over the length of the non-metallic fabric strap.

The present invention provides a lace fabric of a helical structure containing twisted optical fiber threads and a production method therefor. The lace fabric includes light guiding threads, an external sleeve and braided ropes. The light guiding threads and the braided ropes are mutually twisted to form a whole body; the external sleeve is further sleeved outside the light guiding threads and the braided ropes; an LED light source module is arranged at the outer parts of the light guiding threads and the braided ropes; and a light-emitting end of the LED light source module and the light guiding threads are arranged opposite to each other. The present invention is safe, is low in cost, is conveniently applied to and combined into various daily supplies, is used in some spaces with little light, such as outdoors in the night and other places.

A belt for an elevator system includes a plurality of tension members arranged along a belt width and extending longitudinally along a length of the belt, and a jacket at least partially enclosing the plurality of tension members. The jacket defines a traction side of the belt configured to interface with a traction sheave of an elevator system, and is formed from a self-extinguishing fluoroelastomer material. An elevator system includes a hoistway, an elevator car located in the hoistway and movable therein, and a belt operably connected to the elevator car to suspend and/or drive the elevator car along the hoistway. The belt includes a plurality of tension members arranged along a belt width and extending longitudinally along a length of the belt, and a jacket at least partially enclosing the plurality of tension members. The jacket is formed from a self-extinguishing fluoroelastomer material.

An assembly and method for using a flexible tensile member as part of the rigging for a dragline bucket. The tensile member includes a stranded core surrounded by a separate armor layer. The armor layer assumes the form of a hollow cylinder having a substantial wall thickness. A significant gap is provided between the outward-facing surface of the stranded core and the inward-facing surface of the armor layer. This gap minimizes wear between the two elements during the normal bending and flexing of the tensile member. A first anchor is attached to a first end of the stranded core and a second anchor is attached to a second end of the stranded core. These anchors serve to transmit tension carried by the stranded core. A first end of the armor layer is also attached to the first anchor and a second end of the armor layer is attached to the second anchor.