Method and apparatus for fan expressing participation in sporting events

Abstract

An apparatus for use by spectators to express a response to a referee at an associated sporting event, and methods related thereto are taught. The apparatus may include a flag member, including a fabric membrane adapted to receive a weight and a weight, received therein. The apparatus may also included is a cord, which may be removably attached to the flag member at its first end, for retrieving the flag member after it has been thrown. The flag member may be substantially the same color and shape as a penalty indicator used by a referee of the sporting event. To express a response, the spectator may throw the flag member substantially upward to create a visual display, and retrieve the flag member with the attached cord.

1 . An apparatus comprising: 
 a flag member, wherein the flag member is comprised of a fabric membrane adapted to receive a weight, and a weight received substantially within the fabric membrane; and    a cord member suitable for retrieving the flag member after the flag member has been thrown, the cord member having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the cord member is adapted to be affixed to the flag member.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the fabric membrane is substantially the same color as an associated penalty indicator used by a referee of a sporting event.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the flag member is a standard football referee penalty flag.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least approximately 50% of the fabric membrane is a color selected from the group consisting of yellow and red.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the fabric membrane is a color pattern selected from the group consisting of white and black striped and white and black checked.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the fabric membrane has a quadrilateral shape and wherein the longest of the four sides of the fabric membrane is less than approximately 18 inches and the shortest of the four sides of the fabric membrane is no less than approximately 6 inches.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the cord member has a length of between approximately 18 inches and 72 inches.  
   
   
       8 . A retrievable throwing apparatus, the apparatus comprising: 
 a flag member, the flag member comprised of a fabric membrane; and    a cord member, the cord member having a length of between approximately 18 inches to 72 inches and having first and second ends, wherein a first end of the cord member is communicated to an associated user and a second end of the cord member is adapted to be affixed to the flag member.    
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , further comprising: 
 a tethering band, the tethering band adapted to be attached to a second end of the cord member, the tethering band adapted to tether the second end of the cord member to an associated mass.    
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the tethering band is a Velcro band.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the first end of the cord member is adapted to be removably affixed to the flag member.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the tethering band is adapted to be removably attached to the second end of the cord member.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the color of the fabric membrane is selected from the group consisting of yellow, red, black and white striped and black and white checked.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the flag member further includes a weight, the weight being secured substantially within a pouch formed by the fabric membrane, and wherein the weight is between approximately 0.5 grams and 500 grams.  
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the weight includes a material selected from the group consisting of foam, plastic, textiles, and rubber.  
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the weight is substantially spherical.  
   
   
       17 . A method of responding to a referee's ruling at a sporting event, the method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a flag member, the flag member including a fabric membrane, the fabric membrane having substantially the same color as an associated penalty indicator used by a referee of the sporting event,    throwing the flag member substantially upward following an act by the associated referee to express a response.    
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising the steps of: 
 providing a cord member, the cord member having a length of between approximately 18 inches to 72 inches and having first and second ends, wherein a first end of the cord member is communicated to an associated user and a second end of the cord member is adapted to be affixed to the flag member; and    following the step of throwing the flag member substantially upward in response to an action by the associated referee, retrieving the flag member with the cord member.    
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the response is approval of the act by the associated referee.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the response is disapproval of the act by the associated referee.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the act by the associated referee is a failure to call a penalty.