Improved laces for use with footwear, sports equipment and the like

Abstract

Laces for footwear or sporting equipment comprised of yarns made from liquid crystal polymer (LCP) fibers. The laces may comprise 100% liquid crystal polymer, or may comprise between about 30% to 99% liquid crystal polymer fibers and a portion of other fibers. The laces may be solid braid construction.

1 . Laces for footwear, sporting equipment and the like, the laces comprising high modulus fibers selected from the group consisting of liquid crystal polymer (LCP). 
     
     
         2 . The laces as in  claim 1  wherein the laces are comprised of 100% liquid crystal polymer (LCP). 
     
     
         3 . The laces as in  claim 1  wherein the laces are comprised of 100% high-performance multifilament yarn that is melt spun from liquid crystal polymer, such as that sold under the trademark VECTRAN. 
     
     
         4 . The laces as in  claim 2  wherein the laces are solid braid construction. 
     
     
         5 . The laces as in  claim 3  wherein the laces are solid braid construction. 
     
     
         6 . The laces as in  claim 1  wherein the laces comprise partially of liquid crystal polymer (LCP) fibers and partially of other fibers, and wherein the amount of LCP fibers in the laces by percentage of total fibers is between about 30% to 99%. 
     
     
         7 . The laces as in  claim 1  wherein the laces comprise partially of liquid crystal polymer (LCP) fibers and partially of other fibers, and wherein the amount of LCP fibers in the laces by percentage of total fibers is between about 60% to 99%. 
     
     
         8 . The laces as in  claim 1  wherein the laces comprise partially of liquid crystal polymer (LCP) fibers and partially of other fibers, and wherein the amount of LCP fibers in the laces by percentage of total fibers is between about 80% to 99%. 
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . A method of securing an item of footwear or sports equipment having eyelets therein for that purpose, the method comprising providing laces comprised of LCP fiber, and threading said laces through the eyelets in a configuration that enables said item to be secured. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the laces comprise partially of liquid crystal polymer (LCP) fibers and partially of other fibers, and wherein the amount of LCP fibers in the laces by percentage of total fibers is between about 30% to 99%. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the laces comprise partially of liquid crystal polymer (LCP) fibers and partially of other fibers, and wherein the amount of LCP fibers in the laces by percentage of total fibers is between about 60% to 99%. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the laces comprise partially of liquid crystal polymer (LCP) fibers and partially of other fibers, and wherein the amount of LCP fibers in the laces by percentage of total fibers is between about 80% to 99%. 
     
     
         14 . A method of manufacturing laces for footwear, sporting equipment and the like, comprising providing yarns comprised of liquid crystal polymer (LCP) fibers and weaving said yarns into a braid suitable for use in laces. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the laces comprise partially of liquid crystal polymer (LCP) fibers and partially of other fibers, and wherein the amount of LCP fibers in the laces by percentage of total fibers is between about 30% to 99%. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the laces comprise partially of liquid crystal polymer (LCP) fibers and partially of other fibers, and wherein the amount of LCP fibers in the laces by percentage of total fibers is between about 60% to 99%. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the laces comprise partially of liquid crystal polymer (LCP) fibers and partially of other fibers, and wherein the amount of LCP fibers in the laces by percentage of total fibers is between about 80% to 99%.