Abstract: In some embodiments, the present invention includes ribbed woven materials, methods for increasing the abrasion resistance of a material, methods for providing an indication of wear, ropes configured to provide one or more alerts as a total breaking weight of a rope is approached, woven rope cover systems for rope-like materials, woven rope structures having ribs, and nonwoven ropes comprising strands including nonwoven strands of material that are configured in a rope construction and further comprising one or more woven rope cords displaced within the nonwoven rope construction.

Abstract: A semi-flexible back support belt with selective rigidity control. The belt is formed primarily of a multiple-ply webbing of woven polymeric material. The plies in this webbing are joined together by longitudinally extending binder yarns in a weave pattern which ties together the plies of the webbing in such a manner as to provide a hinging action within the webbing during the application of a longitudinally applied tensile loading on the webbing as provided by the tightening of the belt about the waist of the user which effectively increases the rigidity of the belt. The loosening of a previously tightened belt will decrease the rigidity of the belt. By selectively varying the user applied tensile loading on the webbing, the belt is provided with a wide range of rigidity levels.