Patent ID: 8171713

Claim:
A blended yarn for forming a rope adapted to engage a structural member, the blended yarn comprising: a plurality of first fibers; and a plurality of second fibers, where a coefficient of friction of the second fibers is greater than a coefficient of friction of the first fibers; wherein the plurality of second fibers are combined with the plurality of first fibers such that the first fibers extend along the length of the blended yarn and the second fibers do not extend along the length of the blended yarn such that the first fibers primarily determine load bearing properties of the blended yarn, the second fibers define a substantial portion of a surface of the blended yarn such that the second fibers substantially determine abrasion resistance properties and a coefficient of friction of the blended yarn, and the abrasion resistance characteristics and gripping ability of the blended yarn are greater than abrasion resistance properties and gripping ability of the first fibers.