Abstract:
A portable microphone stand for a large number of microphones is provided. This microphone stand is especially suitable for large press conferences that need to be set up and taken down quickly. A light weight “U” shaped support member is provided with two rows of openings of various sizes for receiving and holding microphones. The arrangement of the holes may be configured to orient the microphones towards the desired sound source.

Description:
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. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a multiple microphone support made in accordance with the invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a front view of the multiple microphone support shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the multiple microphone support shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 is a top view of the multiple microphone support shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 5 is a back view of the multiple microphone support shown in FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 6 is an end view of the multiple microphone support shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 7A shows an alternative embodiment of a multiple microphone support; 
     FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view along line  7 B— 7 B of the multiple microphone support shown in FIG. 7A; 
     FIG. 8 shows an alternate embodiment for holding a microphone which permits adjustment of the microphone orientation; 
     FIG. 9 shows an alternate embodiment of the multiple microphone support shown in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 10A is a view of the central portion of the microphone support of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 10B is a cross-sectional view along lines  10 B— 10 B of FIG. 10A; 
     FIG. 10C is a cross-sectional view along lines  10 C— 10 C of FIG. 10B; 
     FIG. 11 is a partial view of an alternative embodiment of a microphone support which permits the curvature of the microphone support to be adjusted; 
     FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view along line  12 — 12  of the microphone support shown in FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 13 shows the microphone support of FIG. 1 in a sample use. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS.  1 - 6 , one embodiment of a microphone support is indicated generally by the numeral  10 . In a preferred embodiment, the support device comprises one elongated member  15  having a plurality of openings  20 . As shown in FIGS.  1 - 6  and  10 , the elongated member  15  may advantageously be two pipes joined at the ends with a standard coupler  16 . The pipes may be made of any suitable material including plastic or metal. One suitable material is advantageously plastic PVC pipe. For example, a heavy duty  2  inch diameter PVC pipe such as a pipe made of a gray plastic called “Carlon” (UL listed 656A, CPLG E940J) may advantageously be used. Openings  20  are arranged along the length of joined pipes  15  to accommodate a series of microphones  25 . Each opening includes an upper hole  30  through the upper portion of the pipe  15  and a lower hole  40  through the lower portion of the pipe  15 . The upper and lower holes  30 ,  40  are offset a bit as can be seen in FIGS. 3,  4 , and  12  so that each of the microphones will be tilted towards the expected source of the sound. The degree and orientation of the inclination changes depending on the location of the opening. In one embodiment a slit  23  may be formed on one side of the hole to permit the cord from the microphone to be inserted easily. Alternatively, the microphone wire, if any, can be attached after the microphone is placed in the opening provided for it and thus, no slit would be required. 
     In another preferred embodiment, a second smaller, elongated member  75  is advantageously provided adjacent the first larger elongated member  15 . The second elongated member  75  is preferably made very similar to that of the larger elongated member. Thus, two pipes  75  of a diameter of about 1.5 inches each are joined together using a standard PVC connector  76 . The openings  77  are provided by making holes  78 ,  79  in the upper and lower portions of the elongated member  75 . The connectors  16  and  76  are advantageously joined using two bolts  97 ,  98  on the interior thereof as shown in FIG.  10 C. 
     The microphone support  10  with two parallel pipes  15  and  75  may accommodate a wide range of different types of microphones, such as wireless, those with cords, and those having a variety of shapes. It is expected that the microphone support will be especially useful for radio and television microphones. The microphone support will also accommodate microphones useful for other purposes including public address, weddings and personal use, for example. 
     The elongated member  15  may have a circular, oval, square, or any other shaped cross-section. The elongated member  15  may be one piece inside two pieces connected in the middle and may be solid or hollow. The microphone support  10  may be made of either flexible or rigid materials that are lightweight, durable, and inexpensive. The length of the elongated member  15  is preferably curved such that the ends  50  of the elongated member  15  curve towards the same side. This configuration minimizes the distance between the microphones  25  placed in the support  10  and the person speaking into the microphones, which advantageously permits each of the microphones  25 ,  26  to optimally pick up the sound. However, the elongated member  15  may be formed into any configuration to locate the microphones  25  in a desired direction, such as a V shape or a U shape with a generally straight bottom and between a 90° and 160° turn at each of the ends of the flat bottom. The preferred range of angles for the angle between the flat bottom part of the “U” and the angled portions of the U shape is advantageously between 130° and 150°, and more preferably about 140°. The length of the generally straight bottom “particle” may advantageously be in the range of five (5) to twenty (20) inches and more preferably between about 8 and 15 inches. 
     In FIGS.  1 - 6 , the U shape of elongated member  15  is formed with a straight portion in the center indicated by the letter A in FIG.  4  and two curved portions, one on each side of the straight portion. The curved portions extend inwardly to form a “U” shape so as to permit the microphones to be proximate to the expected sound source of, for example, an individual speaking at a press conference (see FIG.  13 ). At the opposite end of the elongated member  15 , the microphone support includes straight portions, each of which form an angle with the straight portion of the center of the elongated member of about 136°. The ends of the elongated member  15  extend inwardly from the flat portion by an amount shown as B in FIG.  4 . In one embodiment, the dimension A may be about eight (8) inches and the dimension B may be about four (4) inches. It is contemplated that the dimension A could range from zero to 16 inches or more and that the dimension B may range from about one inch to 20 inches or more. Advantageously, the dimension A will be in the range of from 2 inches to 6 inches and the dimension B will be in the range of from 3 inches to 6 inches. 
     The second elongated member  75  fits just inside elongated member  15 . Elongated member  75  has a flat portion and a curves portion much like that of elongated member  15 , but sized to run inside and parallel to elongated member  15 . The dimension C indicates the amount by which the ends of inside elongated member extend inwardly. In the embodiment where B is about four (4) inches, the dimension C is about two and three-fourths (2¾) inches. It is contemplated that dimension C could range from about one-half (½) inch to twelve (12) inches or more. Advantageously, the dimension C will be in the range from 2 inches to 4 inches. 
     The cross section of the elongated member  15  may be any shape which allows for two coaxial openings. For reference, if the length of the hollow elongated member  15  is oriented parallel to the ground, the opening pairs  30 ,  40  are located such that the first opening  30  of the opening  20  is on the top surface  35  of the hollow elongated member  15  and the corresponding second opening  40  of the opening  20  is under the first opening  30  on the bottom surface of the hollow elongated member  15 . The second opening  40  is placed under the first opening  30  such that a microphone held in the opening is oriented inwardly, towards the speaker. 
     Microphones come in all shapes and sizes. Where it is expected that some or all of the microphones will have tapered barrels such that the bottom of the barrel has a smaller diameter than the top of the barrel, the diameter of each of the first openings  30  will be made smaller than the diameter of the thickest portion of the barrel of the microphone  25  but greater than the diameter of the narrowest portion of the barrel of each of the microphones  25 . The diameter of each of the second openings  40  is greater than the diameter of the narrowest portion of the barrel of each of the microphones  25  and somewhat smaller than the openings  30 . 
     The narrowest portion of the barrel of one of the microphones  25  is first directed through one of the first openings  30  and then through one of the second openings  40  so that the microphone  25  is cooperatively supported by both top  35  and bottom surfaces in a generally upward position, slanted toward the expected sound source. Ideally, the relationship between the sizes of the openings  30 ,  40  correspond to the tapered barrel so that the microphone barrel  25  is snugly supported in two separate locations along the length thereof. This provides support and security for the microphones to remain in the desired position, as compared to a microphone stand which supports the microphone around only one area of the barrel such as that shown in U.S. Design Pat. No. 384,077. The openings  30 ,  40  are arranged in a row along the length of the hollow elongated member  15  with enough space between adjacent openings to ensure structural integrity of the device  10 . 
     Frequently, a cord  65  is present on the bottom of the barrel  25  of each microphone to connect the microphone  25  to an amplifier. To facilitate placement of the barrel  25  in the device  10  without the necessity of disconnecting the cord or threading the entire length of the cord  65  through the pair of openings  30 ,  40 , the opening  20  may have a keyhole shape with a slot  70  on one side thereof. Each slot  70  runs in a direction normal to the opening&#39;s perimeter  30  around the circumference of the hollow elongated member  15  until it connects to the perimeter of the other opening  40 . Consequently, a user first laterally passes the cord  65  through the slot  70  before vertically placing the barrel  25  through the pair of openings  30 ,  40 . 
     As discussed above, the device  10  may further comprise a second cunred elongated member  75 . As shown in FIG. 10, the central connector portion  76  of the second elongated member  75  is preferably connected to the central connector portion  16  of the first elongated member  15  using two sets of nuts and bolts  77 ,  78  where the bolts extend through both the first and second members,  15  and  75  respectively. Glue, nails, welding, cords, rivets, or other fasteners known to those skilled in the art may also be used. The second elongated member  75  may be similar in size or shape to the first elongated member  15  or may have a cross section of a different diameter than the first elongated member  15 , or the openings  78 ,  79  on the top and bottom surfaces of the second elongated member  75  may have a different diameter than the opening pairs  30 ,  40  of the first elongated member  15 . The variation in size of the second elongated member  75  allows the microphone support  10  to accommodate differently sized microphones  25 ,  26 . The microphone support  10  may also have an opening  55  at the center of the bottom thereof which interfaces with the top of an adjustable stand  60  so that the device  10  may be adjusted to an appropriate height to maximally pick up the desired sound. The stand  60  may be made adjustable in any well known manner. For example, the stand may be made of two telescoping poles which are selectively held at the desired height with a twistable clamp. The stand  60  may be a table stand as shown in FIG. 1 or a floor stand  60  as shown in dotted lines in FIG.  13 . 
     The opening  55  in the bottom of connector  16  may be simply sized to fit on top of most existing table or floor stands. The top of the pole of the stand, when in contact with the inside top of the connector  16  and the sides of opening  55 , provides stability for the microphone support. This stability may advantageously be enhanced by providing a mating pin or sleeve (not shown) in the inside top of the connector  16  matable with the pole of the stand to hold the top of the pole in position. 
     Alternatively, a sleeve  80  may advantageously be provided extending into opening  55  and secured thereto in any well known manner such as welding or gluing as shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B. Additionally, a screw clamp  81  may advantageously be provided to hold the microphone support in place. Where the stand is not itself adjustable, an opening (not shown) may be formed in the top of the connector  16  to permit the height of the support  10  to be adjusted up and down by allowing the pole of the stand to extend through elongated member  15 . 
     A screw  82  may be placed in the top of connector  76  (the middle of the second elongated member  75 ) to hold a clipboard for speaker notes or to mount another type of microphone. In another preferred embodiment soft foam  90  of the type used for camera cases may advantageously be provided inside the elongated members  15 ,  75  to help hold the microphones in place as is shown in FIG.  9 . This is particularly helpful where the barrels of the microphones are not tapered. The foam, in its uncompressed condition would extend slightly into the openings  20  so that when the microphone  25  is placed in one of the openings, the foam is compressed about the surface of the microphone, thus helping to hold it in place. 
     The diameter of the openings  20 , may also vary within a single hollow elongated member. The shape of the openings  20  may be circular, square, triangular, or any other suitable shape to accommodate the barrel  25  of each of the microphone. Furthermore, the inner edges of the openings  30 ,  40  may advantageously be lined with a soft compressible material, such as sponge or foam (not shown), to cushion the barrel  25  and to provide additional support to hold the microphone in place. 
     In order to provide more flexibility in positioning the microphones, the elongated member or tube  15  may in an alternate embodiment advantageously be made in sections which pivot with respect to one another. Three pivotable sections  91 ,  92 ,  93  are shown in FIG.  11 . The pivot pins  94  and  96  may be friction fitted so that when the sections  91 ,  92 ,  93  are positioned in a desired orientation, they stay in place. Alternatively, individual screw clamps or clips may advantageously be used for releasing and holding the sections in place. 
     Turning now to FIGS. 7 and 8, another preferred embodiment will be disclosed. Instead of using PVC pipes, it&#39;s contemplated that advantages of the invention may be achieved using a variety of materials and structures. Thus, in FIG. 7A, a “U” shaped microphone support  700  is provided which accommodates a large number of microphones of varying sizes. The support is advantageously made in a sandwich form with a stiff, flat center spine  702  surrounded by foam plastic layers  704  and  706 . The center spine advantageously extends substantially throughout the extent of the support and is provided with holes  708 ,  710  for microphones. The foam layers  704 ,  706  may advantageously be of a soft foam of the type found in equipment cases (such as camera cases) or of a stiffer variety of foam of the type found useful for packing stereo equipment and the like. The general shape of the plate  700  and the orientation of the openings  708 ,  710  follows that described for the microphone support shown in FIGS.  1 - 6 . 
     FIG. 8 shows an alternative embodiment permitting adjustment of the orientation of the microphone. Some or all of the openings  708  and  710  may include a ball  800  and a bearing sleeve  802  to permit joy-stick type movement of a microphone inserted in an opening  804  which extends through the ball. The same pivotable microphone support shown in FIG. 8 could also be used in the openings of the microphone support  10  of FIGS.  1 - 6 . 
     In one preferred embodiment (not shown), the microphone support is made of a flexible material, such as a dense foam or a material of similar flexibility known to those of ordinary skill in the art. The flexible support may include a heavy bendable wire (not shown) internally located along the length of an elongated solid piece of foam. The wire permits the flexible microphone support to be bent into any desired configuration to immediately accommodate a variety of environments for sound pickup. The openings in the flexible device are advantageously smaller than the diameter of the barrel of the microphone, but can stretch to accommodate and help hold the barrel of the microphone upon insertion. 
     In yet another preferred embodiment, the multiple microphone support device  10  advantageously comprises at least two surfaces (not shown). The surfaces are preferably formed by two flat plates oriented parallel to one another and spaced from one another. A distance less than the length of the barrel of the expected microphones  25  separates the two surfaces. The top surface has a plurality of first openings, and the bottom surface has a plurality of second openings such that each of the second openings is located under one of the first openings. The barrel of a microphone is placed through one of the first openings and then through the corresponding second opening so that the barrel is held in position by the edges of the two openings. 
     The two surfaces may be connected by a plurality of spacers located between the two surfaces, a third surface perpendicular to the two surfaces, wherein one edge of the third surface is aligned with an edge of the first surface and another edge of the third surface is aligned with an edge of the second surface, or any number of surfaces joining the top and bottom surfaces. 
     While the invention has been disclosed in the context of several preferred embodiments, it is contemplated that the invention includes other embodiments that utilize the inventive concepts disclosed herein.