Abstract:
A cheering support device for sound generation in association with sporting events, the cheering support device includes a semi-rigid planar member having a primary length dimension and a primary width dimension defining a body with an outer perimeter, the primary length dimension being longer than the primary width dimension. The planar member includes a base for gripping and agitation thereof by a user; a distal end, disposed oppositely from the base for movement though an arc resulting from agitation of the base; and a sound generation portion audibly responsive to the agitation and a method for using the cheering support device.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates broadly to devices and apparatus used by cheerleaders and spectators to express support for a particular team, athlete or both at sporting events. More particularly, the present invention is related to a sound generating cheering support device for sound generation and display and method therefor.  
         [0002]     Cheerleaders are a common sight at football and basketball games. It is not uncommon for cheerleaders to use pompoms or other devices that when agitated provide visual stimulus to assist the cheerleaders in the sometimes arduous task of instilling enthusiasm in a crowd of spectators and in the participants. Sound is also a part of a cheerleader&#39;s repertoire which may include music and vocal cheers through the use of devices that may provide or enhance sound generation, such as a megaphone.  
         [0003]     In the past, certain devices have been devised that can allow cheerleaders and spectators to generate sound in support of the participants in the sporting events including loud ratcheting devices and the aforesaid megaphones. Horns, such as a marine air horn are popular sound generators but may violate stadium or league restrictions.  
         [0004]     In addition to sound, other visual stimulus may be provided for spectators and cheerleaders including the aforesaid pompoms which may be formed in different colors and other signs depicting team insignia, colors or both.  
         [0005]     There currently exists a need for a device that can present and display team colors and insignia in addition to providing nonobjectionable, controlled sound generation that is easily stored, inexpensive to manufacture and available for use by both cheerleading squads and spectators.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     It is an object of the present invention to provide a cheering support device capable of selective sound generation through manual agitation by a user.  
         [0007]     It is another object of the present invention to provide such a cheering support device that carries indicia, predetermined colors or both for display by a user.  
         [0008]     It is another object of the present invention to provide such a cheering support device that carries indicia composed of commercial advertising.  
         [0009]     It is yet another object of the present invention to provide such a cheering support device that is straightforward and inexpensive to manufacture in bulk, and that provides numerous auxiliary functions.  
         [0010]     To those and other collective ends, the present invention includes a cheering support device for sound generation in association with sporting events. The cheering support device includes a semi-rigid planar member having a primary length dimension and a primary width dimension defining a body with an outer perimeter, the primary length dimension being longer than the primary width dimension. The planar member includes a base for gripping and agitation thereof by a user; a distal end, disposed oppositely from the base for movement though an arc resulting from agitation of the base; and a sound generation portion audibly responsive to the agitation.  
         [0011]     The outer perimeter of the planar member may be formed with an irregular configuration. Further, the planar member may be formed from a semi-rigid sheet material disposed around a flexible member, the flexible member carrying indicia for use in aiding cheering with the cheering support device. In addition, the planar member may be formed from a semi-rigid sheet material disposed around a flexible member, the flexible member carrying indicia composed of commercial advertising. The body may also include two planar sides with each side being formed with a predetermined insignia for use in aiding cheering with the cheering support device.  
         [0012]     The present invention is also directed to a method for utilizing the cheering support device, preferably at organized sporting events. To that end, a method for supporting cheering at sporting events utilizing a cheering support device includes the steps of:  
         [0013]     (a) providing a cheering support device formed as a semi-rigid planar member having a primary length dimension and a primary width dimension defining a body with an outer perimeter, the primary length dimension being longer than the primary width dimension, the planar member including a base for gripping and agitation thereof by a user; a distal end, disposed oppositely from the base for movement though an arc resulting from agitation of the base; and a sound generation portion audibly responsive to the agitation for use as a cheering support device; and  
         [0014]     (b) agitating the cheering support device for sound generation in support of ongoing cheering.  
         [0015]     The method may also be practiced wherein the step of agitating the cheering support device includes agitating the cheering support device responsive to instructions from a cheerleading squad.  
         [0016]     Further, the step of providing a cheering support device may include providing a cheering support device carrying indicia for use in aiding cheering and the method further comprises the step of displaying the cheering support device during agitation thereof.  
         [0017]     In addition, the method of the present invention may include the steps of providing cheering support devices to a cheerleading squad, and directing use of the cheering support devices, the directing being conducted by the cheerleading squad. The method may also be characterized by the step of providing cheering support devices carrying indicia composed of commercial advertising.  
         [0018]     According to another aspect of the method of the present invention, a method for supporting cheering at sporting events utilizing a cheering support device includes the steps of:  
         [0019]     (a) providing a plurality of semi-rigid planar members, each having a primary length dimension and a primary width dimension defining a body with an outer perimeter, the primary length dimension being longer than the primary width dimension, the planar member including a base for gripping and agitation thereof by a user; a distal end, disposed oppositely from the base for movement though an arc resulting from agitation of the base; and a sound generation portion audibly responsive to the agitation for use as a cheering support device, with each cheering support device carrying predetermined interrelated indicia;  
         [0020]     (b) providing a storage compartment for the plurality of cheering support devices, the compartment characterized by indexing indicia for identifying each cheering support device carried therein;  
         [0021]     (c) removing predetermined cheering support devices from the storage compartment by members of a cheerleading squad;  
         [0022]     (d) arranging the cheering support devices in a predetermined manner; and  
         [0023]     (e) agitating the cheering support devices for sound generation therefrom in support of ongoing cheering.  
         [0024]     The method may also include the steps of providing a plurality of cheering support devices to spectators and directing use of the cheering support devices, the directing being conducted by the cheerleading squad.  
         [0025]     In addition, the method may further characterized wherein the step of agitating the cheering support devices by the spectators includes consecutive agitation of the cheering support devices by adjacent groups of spectators resulting in a traveling wave of agitating cheering support devices and the accompanying sound crescendo.  
         [0026]     Further, the step of providing cheering support devices may include providing cheering support devices having a first color on a first side thereof and a second color on a second side thereof. The method may also include the step of displaying one of the first side and the second side so as to display one of the first color and the second color under guidance by the cheerleading squad.  
         [0027]     According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for supporting cheering at sporting events utilizing a cheering support device includes the steps of:  
         [0028]     (a) providing a first plurality of semi-rigid planar members for use by a cheerleading group, each planar member having a primary length dimension and a primary width dimension defining a structure with an outer perimeter, the primary length dimension being longer than the primary width dimension, the planar member including a base for gripping and agitation thereof by a user; a distal end, disposed oppositely from the base for movement though an arc resulting from agitation of the base; and a sound generation portion audibly responsive to the agitation for use as a cheering support device;  
         [0029]     (b) providing a second plurality of semi-rigid planar members for use by a spectator group, each planar member having a primary length dimension and a primary width dimension defining a structure with an outer perimeter, the primary length dimension being longer than the primary width dimension, the planar member including a base for gripping and agitation thereof by a user; a distal end, disposed oppositely from the base for movement though an arc resulting from agitation of the base; and a sound generation portion audibly responsive to the agitation for use as a cheering support device;  
         [0030]     (c) displaying and agitating predetermined cheering support devices by the cheerleading group for sound generation; and  
         [0031]     (d) displaying and agitating predetermined cheering support devices by the spectator group for sound generation.  
         [0032]     The method may also be characterized wherein the step of displaying and agitating by the cheerleading group includes displaying and agitating predetermined cheering support devices by the cheerleading group for call sound generation and the step of displaying and agitating by the spectator group includes displaying and agitating predetermined cheering support devices by the spectator group for response sound generation.  
         [0033]     The method of the present invention may also further include the step of agitating the cheering support devices by the spectator group includes consecutive agitation of the cheering support devices by adjacent groups of spectators resulting in a traveling wave of agitating cheering support devices and the accompanying sound crescendo.  
         [0034]     In addition, the step of providing cheering support devices includes providing cheering support devices having a first color on a first side thereof and a second color on a second side thereof. The method may also further include the step of displaying one of the first side and the second side so as to display one of the first color and the second color by the spectator group under guidance by the cheerleading group.  
         [0035]     By the above, the present invention provides a semi-rigid, laminated device that is straightforward and inexpensive to manufacture and provides both sound generation and a visual display that can be easily incorporated into cheering routines and other cheering activities. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0036]      FIG. 1  is an elevational view of a cheerleading support device according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0037]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the cheerleading support device illustrated in  FIG. 1  showing the laminated construction thereof;  
         [0038]      FIG. 3  is an elevational view of the cheerleading support device illustrated in  FIG. 1 , illustrating a typical range of motion;  
         [0039]      FIG. 4  is an elevational view of a pair cheering support devices illustrating the various colors and insignia for display thereon;  
         [0040]      FIG. 5  is an elevational view the cheering support devices illustrated in  FIG. 1  in use by a cheerleading squad;  
         [0041]      FIG. 6  is an elevational view of spectators using cheering support devices as illustrated in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0042]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view a predetermined arrangement of cheering support devices prior to spectator arrival. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0043]     Turning now to the drawings and, more particularly to  FIG. 1 , a cheering support device is illustrated generally at  10  and includes a body  12  formed from three layers as seen in  FIG. 2 . An inner layer  22  is formed from a flexible sheet material which is suitable for printing uses. The inner layer carries any sort of indicia including colors and advertising. The inner layer  22  is laminated between two, preferably plastic, semi-rigid outer layers  20 ,  24  to form the structure of the cheering support device  10 . Optionally, the outer layers may be colored, translucent sheets for added color effect.  
         [0044]     As seen in  FIG. 1 , a gripping area  14  is provided at the base of the cheering support device  10  leaving a distal end  16  for waving movement. A sound generation area  18  is present in the vicinity of the midsection of the cheering support device  10 . Agitation of the cheering support device  10  by, preferably, shaking front to back results in movement of the distal end  16  through various arcs of movement indicated by arrows A and B in  FIG. 3 . The sound generation area  18  is not defined by a bright-line border, but is more of a nebulous region that deforms and rebounds in a manner dependent of the level of agitation.  
         [0045]     Turning now to  FIG. 3 , motion of the device is illustrated by aforesaid arrows A and B. The motion is seen as a backward and forward movement through a predefined arc although the movement may be somewhat random thereby producing somewhat random sounds composed of different tones. Due to the semi-rigid nature of the body  12 , the overall body can “flap” or move through the arcuate region shown in the drawings, but localized areas, especially in the sound generation zone  18  remain relatively stiff and are caused to snap from one orientation to the other with the body  12  movement, thereby causing the sound to be generated and emitted from the device  10 .  
         [0046]     As seen in  FIGS. 1, 2  and  3  the cheering support device  10  can carry indicia  26  which may be university-type lettering as illustrated in the figures or, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, it can carry commercial advertising and other types of indicia as necessary or desired. In addition, and as seen in  FIG. 4 , the cheering support device  10  can be formed in colors  28 ,  30  such as those indicating school colors which normally occur in pairs. Since the semi-rigid material is made with a two-step process, including printing and lamination, the cheering support device can be made economically in low or high quantities with the availability of digital, low run and customizable printing.  
         [0047]     In use, the cheering support device  10  proves versatile.  FIG. 5  illustrates a squad of cheerleaders  32  using the cheering support devices  10  for use as a display of school colors, and insignia as well as for sound generation. The device  10  is held overhead for display and agitated to produce sound. A plurality of cheering support devices  10  having different colors, insignia, sizes or other configurational aspects may be stored in a rack  33  or bin that can be indexed for ease of locating the desired cheering support device by the members of the cheerleading squad  32 . The device  10  may be sized to tuck away under a cheerleader uniform in the back so that during cheering mounts the cheering support device  10  may be withdrawn as necessary or desired for agitation and display, thus enhancing the aural and visual effects of any given cheering mount.  
         [0048]     The cheerleaders  32  can instruct or direct the spectators which are illustrated in  FIG. 6 . One use by spectators is to individually display and agitate the device  10  to produce sound. Another use of the device  10  by spectators is to produce a propagating sound wave similar to the propagating arm waves which are popular at sporting events. As seen in  FIG. 6 , a first spectator  34  agitates a cheering support device  10  and thereafter an adjacent spectator  36  agitates his cheering support device  10 . Then, a third spectator  38  will agitate his own cheering support device  10  a moment or two after the second spectator. The result is a “sound wave” with the sound propagating or sweeping from one area to another and rising in a crescendo to support the cheerleaders and the participants in the ongoing sporting event.  
         [0049]     Turning now to  FIG. 7 , the alternating colors associated with the cheering support devices may be put to use by providing predetermined colors at predetermined seats so that under the direction of a cheerleading squad, spectators in those seats may display the cheering support devices  10  to produce a predetermined pattern in the stadium seats. It should be noted that while certain cheering support devices  10  may be formed in a versatile manner with one color on one side of the device  10  and another color on another side of the device  10 . This can also hold true for insignia whereas a U, for example, may be on one side and a K, for example, may be on the other side. In that manner, the displays of the cheering support devices may be altered in a manner to produce a desirable visual effect in addition to the sound agitation.  
         [0050]     Other features may be realized with the present invention. The device  10  is waterproof and protects from dirt and grit when used as a seat protector by either cheerleaders, spectators or both. It also may be used as a fan to provide heat relief for cheerleaders, spectators or both.  
         [0051]     By the above, the present invention provides a versatile device capable of visual and audio stimulation for use by both cheerleading squads and spectators at sporting events. The device is extremely versatile for carrying advertising, displaying team related insignia and colors as well as providing a waterproof barrier for seating and providing a handheld fan which can provide air movement as necessary. Overall, the present cheering support device provides a low cost device of great utility with respect to cheering at sporting events.  
         [0052]     It will therefore be readily understood by those persons skilled in the art that the present invention is susceptible of a broad utility and application. While the present invention is described in all currently foreseeable embodiments, there may be other, unforeseeable embodiments and adaptations of the present invention, as well as variations, modifications and equivalent arrangements, that do not depart from the substance or scope of the present invention. The foregoing disclosure is not intended or to be construed to limit the present invention or otherwise to exclude such other embodiments, adaptations, variations, modifications and equivalent arrangements, the present invention being limited only by the claims appended hereto and the equivalents thereof.