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.

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.