U.S. patent application number 10/649114 was filed with the patent office on 2005-03-03 for retaining clip for personal articles.
Invention is credited to Sesto, Adrian.
Application Number | 20050045685 10/649114 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34216872 |
Filed Date | 2005-03-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050045685 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sesto, Adrian |
March 3, 2005 |
Retaining clip for personal articles
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.
Inventors: |
Sesto, Adrian; (San
Francisco, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Steven B. Leavitt
9914 Waterview Parkway
Rowlett
TX
75089
US
|
Family ID: |
34216872 |
Appl. No.: |
10/649114 |
Filed: |
August 27, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
224/587 ;
224/269 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45F 5/021 20130101;
A45F 5/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
224/587 ;
224/269 |
International
Class: |
A45F 005/00; A45C
001/04 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
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 of claim 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 of claim 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 of claim 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 of claim 1 wherein the central planar member,
the retaining arm, and the attaching arm comprise a contiguous
unit.
6. The retaining clip of claim 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 of claim 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 of claim 1 wherein the personal article is a
packaged condom.
9. A retaining clip for holding a condom, 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 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 of claim 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 of claim 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 of claim 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 of claim 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 of claim 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 of claim 14 wherein the
retaining arm holds the condom with spring compression.
17. The method of using a retaining clip of claim 15 wherein the
attaching arm holds the retaining clip to an article of clothing
with spring compression.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Technical Field
[0002] 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.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] 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.
[0005] 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.
[0006] 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
[0007] 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.
[0008] 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.
[0009] 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.
[0010] 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
[0011] 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:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a front side perspective view of a retaining clip
in accordance with the present invention shown holding packaged
condom;
[0013] FIG. 2 is side cross-sectional view of the retaining clip
shown in FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a back side perspective view of the retaining clip
shown in FIG. 1 without any package being retained;
[0015] 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
[0016] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the retaining clip shown in
FIG. 1 being utilized by a subject.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] 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.
[0018] FIG. 1 shows a retaining clip 10 holding a package 40, which
as depicted here contains a condom 42. Clip central member 12 forms
a central support of clip 10 from which cantilevered arms depend.
Preferably, central member 12 is a rectangular strip with a length
greater than its width. The thickness of member 12 is minimal in
comparison to its length and width. As to the composition of clip
10, it may be comprised of metal, plastic, other similar material,
and combinations thereof.
[0019] Depending from central member 12, are attaching arm 20 and
retaining arm 30. These arms are cantilevered and are formed
transversely at about the longitudinal terminal ends of central
member 12. Bend 14 connects attaching arm 20 to central member 12
while bend 16 connects retaining arm 15 to central member 12.
Further, bends 14 and 16 are initially bent in divergent directions
relative to each other until bends 14 and 16 pass a mid-point and
begin to converge toward a central portion of central member 12.
Bends 14 and 16 are bent until a portion on each arm 20 and 30 is
in proximate contact with a non-terminal portion of central member
12. Hence, arms 20 and 30 are formed as opposing elastic and
resilient members. Attaching arm 30 is primarily provided for
affixing clip 10 to an article of clothing such as the waistline of
a pair of trousers, a belt, an undergarment, and others. Retaining
arm 20 is primarily provided for retaining packages such as package
40.
[0020] As further shown in FIG. 2, condom 42 is retained by
retaining arm 20 with the aid of dimple 34. Dimple 34 is shown
formed within arm 30. To form dimple 34, stamping could produce an
indentation into a planar portion of clip 10. As shown, the
position of dimple 34 is strategically located on arm 30 so that a
planar center portion 44 of condom 42 is disposed between dimple 34
and central member 12 when clip 10 is being used to retain a
package 40. The surface of dimple 34 facing central member 12 is
preferably formed to be relatively rounded to form a smooth contact
surface that would not substantially degrade the packing material
of a retained package 40. Additionally, dimple 34 will aid in
retaining condom 42 to clip 10 because rolled edge 46 forms a ridge
relative to planar center portion 44. Thereby, rolled edge 46 acts
as a wedge to aid in preventing package 40 from being
unintentionally separated from clip 10.
[0021] At a terminal longitudinal end of attaching arm 20, tab 22
is slightly angled or bent upward and away from central member 12
along transverse edge 28 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. When no article
is between attaching arm 20 and central member 12, edge 28 is
proximate to or is in contact with a portion of the surface of
central member 12. Raised tab 22 renders attaching and detaching
clip 10 from an article of clothing easier to perform because it
provides a surface for a user to manipulate arm 20. For example, a
user who wishes to wear clip 10 on the inside seam of his waistline
of the trousers would need only to align tab 22 over the outside
portion his waistline. Once the opening formed between central
member 12 and tab 22 is positioned over the top of the waistline,
the user need only apply a minimal amount of pressure to force clip
10 down to engage the trousers waistline between attaching arm 20
and central member 12.
[0022] Retaining arm 30 at its terminal end has a tab 32 that is
angled similarly like tab 22 along transverse edge 38 as shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2. Because arm 30 has dimple 34, which is preferably
formed along edge 38, dimple 34 is proximate to or is in contact
with a portion of the surface of central member 12. Raised tab 32
extends upward from central member 12 rendering the insertion and
removal of package 40 easier. Tab 32 performs similarly to tab 22
when being manipulated to and from arm 20. For example, a user who
wishes to affix a package 40 between dimple 34 of arm 30 would
apply pressure to force arm 30 up and away from central member 12.
Once package 40 is in the proper position, the user may release the
lifting pressure from arm 30. Dimple 34 would then engage and
retain package 40 in a secured position between arm 30 and central
member 12. To remove package 40, a user would apply sufficient
pressure to tab 32 to cause arm 30 to move outward from central
member 12.
[0023] In FIG. 4, an optional planar surface 36 is affixed
longitudinally to the outer surface of arm 30 along a central
portion. Planar surface 36 serves to smooth the outer surface of
arm 30. This embodiment is useful for a person wearing clip 10 such
that the outer surface of arm 30 is directed against a person's
skin. With planar surface 36, a larger amount of surface area on
arm 30 will contact the person's skin rendering clip 10 more
comfortable to wear.
[0024] FIG. 5 shows an example of retaining clip 10 being worn by a
person. Therein, the person has positioned clip 10 discreetly such
that a majority of clip 10 is disposed beneath the person's
clothing. Top edge 58 of clip 10 at about bend 14 is positioned
above the top edge of trousers 50 for a secured attachment. While
clip 10 can be easily attached to other areas around waistline 52
of trousers 50, a convenient location is to locate clip 10 between
front pocket 51 and back pocket 53. As shown, clip 10 is positioned
on trousers 50 so that a portion of waistline 52 is between
attaching arm 20 and central member 12. A section of belt 54
extends over the outer portion of attaching arm 20 so that belt 54
substantially covers a significant portion of attaching arm 20.
Only a small area of the clip should be visible, if at all, at
around bend 14. To assure that none of clip 10 is visible to the
public, shirt 60 may be allowed to extend down and flow over the
top of belt 52. Package 40 is securely maintained in position
between retention arm 30 and central member 12. Should the person
wish to remove package 40 a sufficient pull, and optionally lifting
raised tab 22, should cause the removal
[0025] Clip 10 provides the advantage of being able to securely
retain a personal article such as condom 40 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.
This convenient clip 10 can be worn while substantially hidden
beneath a person's clothing. While clip 10 is shown in FIG. 5
attached to a person's waistline, clip 10 can be worn on any
article of clothing such as a pair of underwear or a shirt. With
the use of clip 10, 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.
[0026] 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.
* * * * *