Supports: racks – Special article
Utility Patent
1999-05-28
2001-01-02
Chin-Shue, Alvin (Department: 3634)
Supports: racks
Special article
Utility Patent
active
06168030
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an apparatus for supporting a plurality of microphones, and more particularly a microphone stand for multiple television and radio microphones.
BACKGROUND
A single newsworthy event, such as a press conference is often covered by a large number of news organizations. Each news organization has at least one of its own microphones. All the news organizations attempt to locate their microphones as close as possible to the sound of interest thereby causing a large number of microphones to be located in a relatively small space. Presently, the microphones are often wrapped together with duct tape, creating a cluster of microphones. However, this is inconvenient and cumbersome because the microphones are not securely fastened to one another or supported. Further, this microphone cluster must be created for each event and it is inconvenient to add a microphone for a late arriving reporter. Consequently, the microphones are more likely to be displaced or fall thereby damaging the microphones as well as preventing the owners of the microphones from picking up the desired sounds. Additionally, no convenient means exists to adjust the height of the cluster of microphones to an appropriate level near the sound source. The insecure support of the cluster of microphones increases the risk that the microphones may fall and not only fail to receive the desired sounds, but also incur damage. Also, after the users wish to separate the microphones by removing the duct tape, the glue from the duct tape leaves a sticky residue on the barrel of the microphones.
U.S. Design Pat. No. 384,077 by Frasse issued on Sep. 23, 1997 shows a microphone holder used to hold multiple microphones. The multiple microphone support of the present invention is a significant improvement over the microphone holder of Frasse.
SUMMARY
In accordance with this invention a lightweight, portable microphone support or stand is advantageously provided which allows a user, or multiple users, to conveniently and securely support a large number of various sized microphones at the desired height. One preferred embodiment of the invention comprises at least one, and preferably two curved hollow elongated members having a plurality of openings grouped in pairs. One opening of a pair is on the top surface of the hollow elongated member while the second opening of the pair is directly under the first opening, on the bottom surface of the hollow elongated member. The barrel of a microphone extends through a pair of openings. The elongated hollow members are curved in order to minimize the distance between the sound source and the microphones.
In another preferred embodiment of the invention, an elongated plate configured in an open “U” shape is provided. The plate may be relatively thin and made of any suitable material such as metal or plastic having sufficient strength to hold a large number of microphones. The plate preferably has a large number of openings therethrough spaced along the length of the plate to hold the microphones. The openings may advantageously be of a variety of sizes to accommodate a variety of microphone sizes. In another preferred embodiment, the plate may advantageously have a layer of foam on each side thereof with the opening through the foam layers oriented to direct the microphone to be held therein in the direction of the expected sound source. In an alternate preferred embodiment the plate may be made entirely of a relatively thick stiff foam material.
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Photograph. Los Angeles Daily Journal newspaper, published on or about Jan. 18, 1999.
Chin-Shue Alvin
Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP
Purol Sarah
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