US20050045685A1

Movatterモバイル変換

Info

Publication number: US20050045685A1
Application number: US10/649,114
Authority: US
Inventors: Adrian Sesto
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-08-27
Filing date: 2003-08-27
Publication date: 2005-03-03

Abstract

A retaining clip for holding a personal article such as a condom has a planar central member with a first end and a second end extending transversely. From the first end, a retaining arm extends outward and proximate to the central member for holding a personal article. To attach the clip, an attaching arm extends outward from the second end and is proximate to the central member for affixing the retaining clip to an article of clothing.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to a clip for retaining one or more personal articles. More particularly, the invention relates to a clip for retaining articles such as condoms and concealing the articles beneath clothing.

2. Description of Related Art

With the prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases, people who are sexually active and wish to have the protection that condoms provide are frequently carrying condoms on or near their person. However, it is often inconvenient for a person to have to carry a condom on their person in social situations. One way to carry a condom is to keep a package in one's pocket. This though may lead to damage to the condom and is inconvenient for a person to search through his pocket at a time just prior to engaging in physical contact with another person. Alternatively, a man may wish to carry a condom in his wallet which often leads to damage to the condom. This may result in a person not carrying a condom who then engages in unprotected sexual contact.

To inconspicuously carry a packaged condom, other prior art have use cases designed to appear as jewelry. The disadvantage to this is that at the moment when a person wishes to use the packaged condom, she must remove the condom from the faux jewelry. This can be difficult and may lead to frustration.

Therefore, a condom carrying device is needed that can carry a condom and keep it concealed but yet make the condom readily available for use. Also, the device should be able to be attached to a person's clothing so that the device will not be used.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A retaining clip for holding a personal article in accordance with the present invention comprises a planar central member having a first end and a second end extending transversely. A retaining arm originates from about the first end of the central member for holding a personal article. Also, an attaching arm originating from about the second end of the central member is provided for affixing the retaining clip to an article of clothing.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the attaching arm and retaining arm have ends that are bent upward away from the central member. Thereby, a user of the clip can easily place a package such as a packaged condom between the retaining arm and the central member. Also, a user can attached the clip to an article of clothing by positioning the clothing such that it held between the attaching arm and the central member.

In a further embodiment, the retaining arm is provided with a dimple. The dimple is formed such that it extends outward from a central portion in the retaining arm toward the central member. This allows the clip to retain a package such as a packaged condom.

With the clip made in accordance with the present invention, a person who wishes to carry a packaged condom discreetly can do so. The clip can be retained beneath the person's clothing while retaining the packaged condom. Additionally, the condom is readily accessible to the person when he or she wishes to remove it from the clip.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front side perspective view of a retaining clip in accordance with the present invention shown holding packaged condom;

FIG. 2 is side cross-sectional view of the retaining clip shown inFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a back side perspective view of the retaining clip shown inFIG. 1 without any package being retained;

FIG. 4 is a front side perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention shown with a surface member affixed to a package retaining beam of a retaining clip; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the retaining clip shown inFIG. 1 being utilized by a subject.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A retaining clip in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention discreetly holds a selected article or package while located substantially beneath a person's article of clothing. Thereby, the retaining clip can be secured to the person's article of clothing to ensure the unobtrusive retention of the selected article or package.

FIG. 1 shows aretaining clip10 holding apackage40, which as depicted here contains acondom42. Clipcentral member12 forms a central support ofclip10 from which cantilevered arms depend. Preferably,central member12 is a rectangular strip with a length greater than its width. The thickness ofmember12 is minimal in comparison to its length and width. As to the composition ofclip10, it may be comprised of metal, plastic, other similar material, and combinations thereof.

Depending fromcentral member12, are attachingarm20 and retainingarm30. These arms are cantilevered and are formed transversely at about the longitudinal terminal ends ofcentral member12. Bend14 connects attachingarm20 tocentral member12 whilebend16 connects retaining arm15 tocentral member12. Further,

bends

14 and16 are initially bent in divergent directions relative to each other until

bends

14 and16 pass a mid-point and begin to converge toward a central portion ofcentral member12.

Bends

14 and16 are bent until a portion on each

arm

20 and30 is in proximate contact with a non-terminal portion ofcentral member12. Hence,

arms

20 and30 are formed as opposing elastic and resilient members. Attachingarm30 is primarily provided for affixingclip10 to an article of clothing such as the waistline of a pair of trousers, a belt, an undergarment, and others. Retainingarm20 is primarily provided for retaining packages such aspackage40.

As further shown inFIG. 2,condom42 is retained by retainingarm20 with the aid ofdimple34.Dimple34 is shown formed withinarm30. To form dimple34, stamping could produce an indentation into a planar portion ofclip10. As shown, the position ofdimple34 is strategically located onarm30 so that aplanar center portion44 ofcondom42 is disposed between dimple34 andcentral member12 whenclip10 is being used to retain apackage40. The surface of dimple34 facingcentral member12 is preferably formed to be relatively rounded to form a smooth contact surface that would not substantially degrade the packing material of a retainedpackage40. Additionally, dimple34 will aid in retainingcondom42 toclip10 because rollededge46 forms a ridge relative toplanar center portion44. Thereby, rollededge46 acts as a wedge to aid in preventingpackage40 from being unintentionally separated fromclip10.

At a terminal longitudinal end of attachingarm20,tab22 is slightly angled or bent upward and away fromcentral member12 along transverse edge28 as shown inFIGS. 2 and 3. When no article is between attachingarm20 andcentral member12, edge28 is proximate to or is in contact with a portion of the surface ofcentral member12. Raisedtab22 renders attaching and detachingclip10 from an article of clothing easier to perform because it provides a surface for a user to manipulatearm20. For example, a user who wishes to wearclip10 on the inside seam of his waistline of the trousers would need only to aligntab22 over the outside portion his waistline. Once the opening formed betweencentral member12 andtab22 is positioned over the top of the waistline, the user need only apply a minimal amount of pressure to forceclip10 down to engage the trousers waistline between attachingarm20 andcentral member12.

Retainingarm30 at its terminal end has atab32 that is angled similarly liketab22 along transverse edge38 as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2. Becausearm30 hasdimple34, which is preferably formed along edge38,dimple34 is proximate to or is in contact with a portion of the surface ofcentral member12. Raisedtab32 extends upward fromcentral member12 rendering the insertion and removal ofpackage40 easier.Tab32 performs similarly totab22 when being manipulated to and fromarm20. For example, a user who wishes to affix apackage40 betweendimple34 ofarm30 would apply pressure to forcearm30 up and away fromcentral member12. Oncepackage40 is in the proper position, the user may release the lifting pressure fromarm30.Dimple34 would then engage and retainpackage40 in a secured position betweenarm30 andcentral member12. To removepackage40, a user would apply sufficient pressure totab32 to causearm30 to move outward fromcentral member12.

InFIG. 4, an optionalplanar surface36 is affixed longitudinally to the outer surface ofarm30 along a central portion.Planar surface36 serves to smooth the outer surface ofarm30. This embodiment is useful for aperson wearing clip10 such that the outer surface ofarm30 is directed against a person's skin. Withplanar surface36, a larger amount of surface area onarm30 will contact the person'sskin rendering clip10 more comfortable to wear.

FIG. 5 shows an example of retainingclip10 being worn by a person. Therein, the person has positionedclip10 discreetly such that a majority ofclip10 is disposed beneath the person's clothing.Top edge58 ofclip10 at aboutbend14 is positioned above the top edge oftrousers50 for a secured attachment. Whileclip10 can be easily attached to other areas aroundwaistline52 oftrousers50, a convenient location is to locateclip10 betweenfront pocket51 and backpocket53. As shown,clip10 is positioned ontrousers50 so that a portion ofwaistline52 is between attachingarm20 andcentral member12. A section ofbelt54 extends over the outer portion of attachingarm20 so thatbelt54 substantially covers a significant portion of attachingarm20. Only a small area of the clip should be visible, if at all, at aroundbend14. To assure that none ofclip10 is visible to the public,shirt60 may be allowed to extend down and flow over the top ofbelt52.Package40 is securely maintained in position betweenretention arm30 andcentral member12. Should the person wish to remove package40 a sufficient pull, and optionally lifting raisedtab22, should cause the removal

Clip

10 provides the advantage of being able to securely retain a personal article such ascondom40 while secured to a person's article of clothing. Thereby, a person can discreetly carry a condom while having the condom readily available for use. Thisconvenient clip10 can be worn while substantially hidden beneath a person's clothing. Whileclip10 is shown inFIG. 5 attached to a person's waistline,clip10 can be worn on any article of clothing such as a pair of underwear or a shirt. With the use ofclip10, a person can carry a personal article such as a condom so that the person can avoid embarrassment or any stigma associated with carrying a condom.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A retaining clip for holding a personal article, comprising:

a planar central member having a first end and a second end extending transversely;

a retaining arm originating from about the first end of the central member for holding a personal article; and

an attaching arm originating from about the second end of the central member for affixing the retaining clip to an article of clothing.

2. The retaining clip ofclaim 1 wherein the retaining arm and the attaching arm extend from the first and second ends such that the retaining arm and attaching arm project convergingly on opposite sides of the planar central member.

3. The retaining clip ofclaim 2 wherein each end of the retaining arm and the attaching arm has a tab extending upward and away from the planar central member.

4. The retaining clip ofclaim 1 wherein the retaining arm holds the personal article with spring compression and the attaching arm holds the retaining clip to an article of clothing with spring compression.

5. The retaining clip ofclaim 1 wherein the central planar member, the retaining arm, and the attaching arm comprise a contiguous unit.

6. The retaining clip ofclaim 1 further comprising a dimple formed in the retaining arm with a protrusion of the dimple facing the central planar member.

7. The retaining clip ofclaim 6 wherein the protrusion of the dimple is proximate to a surface of the central planar member and aids in retaining the personal article.

8. The retaining clip ofclaim 1 wherein the personal article is a packaged condom.

9. A retaining clip for holding a condom, comprising:

a retaining arm originating from about the first end of the central member for holding a condom; and

an attaching arm originating from about the second end of the central member for affixing the retaining clip to an article of clothing wherein the central planar member, the retaining arm, and the attaching arm comprise a contiguous unit with the retaining arm and the attaching arm extending from the first and second terminal ends, such that the retaining arm and attaching arm project convergingly on opposite sides of the planar central member.

10. The retaining clip ofclaim 9 wherein each end of the retaining arm and the attaching arm has a tab extending upward and away from the planar central member.

11. The retaining clip ofclaim 9 wherein the retaining arm holds the condom with spring compression and the attaching arm holds the retaining clip to an article of clothing with spring compression.

12. The retaining clip ofclaim 9 further comprising a dimple formed in the retaining arm with a protrusion of the dimple facing the central planar member wherein the protrusion of the dimple is proximate to a surface of the central planar member and aids in retaining the personal article.

13. A method of using a retaining clip for a condom having a planar central member a planar central member having a first end and a second end extending transversely; a retaining arm originating from about the first end of the central member for holding the condom; and an attaching arm originating from about the second end of the central member for affixing the retaining clip to an article of clothing wherein the central planar member, the retaining arm, and the attaching arm comprise a contiguous unit with the retaining arm and the attaching arm extending from the first and second terminal ends, such that the retaining arm and attaching arm project convergingly on opposite sides of the planar central member, wherein the method comprises:

inserting a packaged condom between the retaining arm and the central planar member whereby the packaged condom is then compressively held between the retaining arm and the central planar member; and

affixing the retaining clip to an article of clothing whereby the retaining clip compressively holds a portion of the article of clothing between the attaching arm and the central planar member.

14. The method of using a retaining clip ofclaim 13 wherein the inserting the packaged condom further comprises lifting a tab disposed at an end of the retaining arm upward and away from the planar central member, placing the condom into position for retaining, and releasing the tab.

15. The method of using a retaining clip ofclaim 13 wherein the affixing the retaining clip further comprises lifting a tab disposed at an end of the attaching arm upward and away from the planar central member, positioning the retaining clip into position for the affixing to the article of clothing, and releasing the tab.

16. The method of using a retaining clip ofclaim 14 wherein the retaining arm holds the condom with spring compression.

17. The method of using a retaining clip ofclaim 15 wherein the attaching arm holds the retaining clip to an article of clothing with spring compression.