Abstract:
A stringed instrument microphone which is particularly optimized for many players of stringed instruments is disclosed. Uniformity and faithfulness of the electrical output is provided by employing a high-quality microphone mounted by a fraction to the sound box at a fixed position in which it does not interfere with the playing of the instrument. At the same time gone variation of this position is accommodated with a structure which maintains position rigorously. This is important because infinitesimally small variations in position will produce clearly audible distortions. In accordance with the invention it has been discovered that such variations may be caused, among other factors, by vibration of the sound box, a flexible or otherwise displaceable bracket structure and resonance in the bracket. The present invention optimizes the solution by providing a mounting configuration, multiple bracket material selections and arrangements, microphone characteristics and bracket configuration which cooperate to minimize distortions.

Description:
BACKGROUND  
       [0001]     Stringed instruments have been known since ancient times. These included such instruments as the lute, a guitarlike instrument with a sound box and fretboard. A New Kingdom (ancient Egypt, 1380 BC) bronze in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art depicts a dancing Nubian raised on his toes with one knee cocked, left hand high working a fingerboard and right hand plucking the strings in a pose which might be illustrative of a modern rock musician.  
         [0002]     But the lute has a much more ancient history, perhaps originating with West Semitic nomadic people who brought the instrument to Mesopotamia, where the archaeological record includes representations dating back to the Akkadian period (2350 to 2170 B.C.), being introduced to the Egyptians, perhaps at the end of the Middle Kingdom Hyksos dynasties (XV to XVII dynasty, 1730 to 1580 B.C.).  
         [0003]     In more recent times, stringed lute-like musical instruments continue to be among the most popular instruments. Folk artists throughout the United States have used the guitar, sometimes one of the homemade variety, in a wide range of musical genres including blues, bluegrass, and so forth. Not surprisingly, with the advent of the electronic age in the early twentieth century, artists began searching for ways to amplify music produced by standard instruments. Perhaps the first “instrument” to be amplified was the human voice. Not far behind, however, was the guitar, which could be played in close proximity to the microphone, particularly during interludes in the music where the performer was not singing.  
         [0004]     As musicians searched for ways to amplify the output of the stringed musical instrument, a variety of approaches came to be adopted in an attempt to obtain an electrical output from stringed instruments, such as the guitar. These included the use of transducers which may be mounted on a microphone stand or mounted on the sound box. Alternatively, the “microphone” may take the form of a transducer mounted on the body of the instrument, operating using a range of detection techniques, such as electromagnetic, piezoelectric or mechanical detection. Such alternative techniques have generally been the most widely accepted, due to a series of problems with using microphones.  
         [0005]     However, over the years, artists playing acoustic stringed instruments have introduced a wide variety of techniques into the music surrounding these instruments. While, perhaps, the ancients only plucked the strings of the lute to achieve a musical tone which gradually decayed, later artists used the bow to produce notes of relatively constant and somewhat controllable amplitude. Modern artists employ a variety of techniques in their performances. Acoustic blues performers may rap their instruments with fingertips, palms or knuckles. Certain violin compositions, typically played by having a horsehair bundle slide across the strings, also call for the strings to be plucked.  
         [0006]     However, microphone alternatives, despite their popularity, are not well suited for obtaining electrical signals corresponding to such a wide range of acoustic artists&#39; performance techniques. Moreover, the amplified sound produced by such “microphone” alternatives is not comparable to that of an acoustic performance.  
         [0007]     Accordingly, there is a need for a stringed instrument microphone which is easy to use during a performance, consistent, and rigorous in its transduction of an acoustic performance into an electrical signal for amplification. It is believed that the structure disclosed herein is the most effective solution with the style of many acoustic stringed instrument performers.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     In accordance with the invention, a stringed instrument microphone which is particularly optimized for many players of stringed instruments is provided. Uniformity and faithfulness of the electrical output is provided by employing a high-quality microphone mounted by a bracket to the sound box at a fixed position in which it does not interfere with the playing of the instrument. At the same time, variation of this position is accommodated with a structure which, once adjusted, maintains position rigorously. This is important because infinitesimally small variations in position will produce clearly audible distortions, vibrational noise and the like. In accordance with the invention, it has been discovered that such variations may be caused, among other factors, by vibration of the sound box, a flexible or otherwise displaceable bracket structure and resonance in the bracket. The present invention optimizes the solution by providing a mounting configuration, multiple bracket material selections and arrangements, microphone characteristics and bracket configuration which cooperate to minimize distortions.  
         [0009]     More particularly, in accordance with the invention, the inventive microphone system utilizes a bracket comprising a base member having first and second ends. An upper mounting member is secured to one end of the base member; a lower mounting member secured to the other end of the base member. A microphone holder is secured to one of the mounting members.  
         [0010]     The upper and lower mounting members may comprise a pair of adjustable jaw members which may be adjusted to engage the obverse and reverse of a stringed instrument. The adjusted jaws may be locked into position using a threaded member with a knurled knob.  
         [0011]     The jaw members may be fitted with shock absorbing protective pads. The shock absorbing protective pads may be made of a material selected from the group consisting of rubber-like materials or felt-like materials.  
         [0012]     It is also contemplated that the base member is of adjustable length. Optionally, the bracket may include shock absorber members which bear against the upper and lower sides of the instrument.  
         [0013]     In accordance with one embodiment, the microphone holder may be supported by a pair of vibration absorbing members. 
     
    
     THE DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]     The construction, objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following discussion taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:  
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view from the front of the inventive bracket;  
         [0016]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view from the top of the inventive bracket illustrated in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0017]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view illustrating the inventive bracket attached to a guitar;  
         [0018]      FIG. 4  is a top plain view of a mechanism for tightening components of the inventive bracket;  
         [0019]      FIG. 5  is a view along lines  5 - 5  of the tightening mechanism of  FIG. 4 ;  
         [0020]      FIG. 6  is a view along lines  6 - 6  of the tightening mechanism of  FIG. 4 ;  
         [0021]      FIG. 7  shows the inventive tightening mechanism and a swiveling configuration to accommodate instrument curves;  
         [0022]      FIGS. 8-11  illustrate a method for securing the inventive bracket on a guitar of a desired size;  
         [0023]      FIG. 12  schematically illustrates an alternative embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0024]      FIG. 13  schematically illustrates yet another embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0025]      FIG. 14  schematically illustrates yet another alternative embodiment of the invention similar to that of  FIG. 13 ;  
         [0026]      FIG. 15  is a detail illustrating a suction cup used in the embodiment, for example, of  FIG. 14 ;  
         [0027]      FIG. 16  illustrates the suction cup of  FIG. 15  after application;  
         [0028]      FIG. 17  illustrates an alternative suction cup useful in the embodiments of  FIGS. 12-14 ; and  
         [0029]      FIG. 18  illustrates the suction cup of  FIG. 17  after the actuation of the engagement mechanism;  
         [0030]      FIG. 19  illustrates yet another alternative suction cup based inventive bracket;  
         [0031]      FIG. 20  is cross-section of a guitar gripping slider position locking mechanism in use in the bracket of  FIG. 19 ;  
         [0032]      FIG. 21  is an exploded perspective of a portion of the microphone position locking mechanism used in the bracket of  FIG. 19 ; and  
         [0033]      FIG. 22  is a partial cross-section of the microphone position locking mechanism in use in the bracket of  FIG. 19 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0034]     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a bracket  10  constructed in accordance with the present invention is illustrated. Bracket  10  comprises an adjustable backer member  12 . Adjustable backer member  12  is formed by a track member  14  which defines a channel within which a rail  16  slides to adjust to the size of a guitar or other stringed instrument, such as a violin, viola or the like. Once adjusted, it may be locked in place by any suitable mechanism. In this specification, reference to a guitar is made by way of illustration and his meant to encompass other acoustical musical instruments.  
         [0035]     Track member  14  supports a pair of hands  18  and  20  which are supported by extensions  22  and  24  which extend from and are integral with track member  14 . In similar fashion, rail  16  includes a pair of extensions  26  and  28 , which support pads  30  and  32 , respectively. Pads  18 ,  20 ,  30  and  32  may be made of rubber, felt or any similar material. The material of which the pads are made is selected for its effectiveness in absorbing vibrations and protecting the surface of the guitar from mechanical damage such as scratching or being impressed with grooves or indentations on account of being engaged by the extensions and pads. These considerations also govern the thickness of the pad material, which must be put under relatively high pressure in order to assure mechanical integrity of the joint provided by the bracket.  
         [0036]     In connection with this last point, it is noted that vibration of the bracket in all respects may desirably be minimized, and this may be achieved by making the bracket of a relatively sound deadening material and relatively high density. By sound deadening material is meant a material which when deformed has a relatively high mass and resistance to being deformed, and thus is not likely to vibrate or resonate. Resonance can be minimized by designing the bracket with a resonant frequency far below the range of frequencies of sounds produced by the particular instrument with which the bracket is used.  
         [0037]     Referring in particular to  FIG. 1 , rail  16  is formed integral with vertical support member  34 . An upper engagement foot  36  defines a channel  38 . Upper engagement foot  36  comprises an L-shaped bracket and supports a pad  40  similar to pads  30  and  32 . Bracket  36  comprises two parts, namely base  42  ( FIG. 3 ) which includes channel  38 , and foot  44 , which supports pad  40 . Foot  44  is hingedly mounted on base  42  on a pin  48 , which passes through vertically extending ears  50  on base  42  and foot  44 . When base  42  is in a desired position with respect to foot  44 , base  42  may be rigidly secured to foot  44  by tightening of a knurled knob  52  which is mounted on pin  48 . Adjustment of foot  44  is accommodated by a lever  56  which is integral with foot  44 .  
         [0038]     A knurled knob  58  which passes through channel  38  is integral with a threaded shaft (not illustrated), which shaft is received in a tapped hole in vertical support member  34 . When bracket  36  has been put in a desired position in which it engages the obverse side of the guitar, for example, it may be secured in position by rotation of knob  58 .  
         [0039]     Referring in particular to  FIG. 2 , the bottom of the guitar is engaged by a lower integral vertical support member  60 , which, together with hingedly mounted engagement foot  62  engages the lower portion of the guitar with structure similar to that of the bracket defined by vertical support member  34  and engagement foot  36 .  
         [0040]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , member  60  and foot  62  thus form a lower bracket which engages the obverse of the instrument by means of a pad  66 . The operation of this lower bracket  68  is similar to the operation of the upper bracket  70  defined by vertical support member  34  and bracket  36 . Engagement of the obverse and reverse of the instrument is done by adjustment of bracket  68  which is locked in position by knurled knob  72  (which corresponds to knurled knob  58 ) and knurled knob  74  (which corresponds to knurled knob  52 ).  
         [0041]     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the track defining metal strip  76  is secured to the top of foot  62 . Strip  76  defines eight tracks  78 , through which the threaded shaft of a knurled knob  80  passes, being disposed in and meeting with one of a number of selectable tapped holes  82 , selected for sound quality, convenience, comfort or the like by the user. Knurled knob  80  adjustably secures a support strip  84  which defines a track  86 , in any of holes  82  and at any angle within a range of rotational movement defined by arrows  88  and  90 .  
         [0042]     Support strip  84  supports a knurled knob  92  which threadedly engages a support base  94 , allowing the support base  94  to be secured at any point within track  86 . The effects of vibration are minimized by a pad  96  interposed between strip  84  and knob  92 , and a second pad  98  interposed between strip  84  and base  94 . Knurled knob  92  screws into and is tightened against base  94 .  
         [0043]     Base  94  is connected by any universal joint member  100  to a clevis  102  which has a pair of clevis arms  104  and  106 , which may be drawn together by a threaded member with a knurled knob  108 . Accordingly, adjustment of knurled knob  108  results in tightening the rubbery plastic strap  110  to securely hold a microphone  112  which is placed within strap  110 .  
         [0044]     The instant design is particularly advantageous in so far as a microphone of relatively heavy weight is selected, and that microphone is mounted between a pair of vibration absorbing members  96  and  98 , thus isolating the microphone from vibration of the instrument, as well as cushioning the movement of the microphone when the instrument is moved.  
         [0045]     The inventive bracket  10  mounted on an instrument  114 , in this case a guitar, is illustrated in  FIG. 3 .  
         [0046]     In accordance with the invention, it is contemplated that the upper and lower sides  115  and  117  of the instrument may not be parallel, and the brackets  68  and  70  may conform to the shape of a typical guitar. Alternatively, the supporting member may be mounted on a pin  120  for rotational movement in the direction of arrows  116 , as illustrated in  FIG. 2 .  
         [0047]     In accordance with the invention, it is contemplated that microphone  112  will be aimed to receive sound from the region adjacent the juncture between fretboard  119  and hole  121  in the obverse  123  of the instrument.  
         [0048]     Likewise, in accordance with the present invention, it is contemplated that the knurled knobs illustrated in the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-3  may be replaced by a lever  118  as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . Lever  118  includes a button  120  and is mounted on a pin  122 , as may be seen most clearly in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . Pin  122 , in turn, is supported in a clevis  124 . After adjustment has been made, for example between vertical support member  34  and upper engagement foot  36 , lever  118 , which is in the position illustrated in dashed lines in  FIG. 5 , is advanced to the position shown in solid lines in  FIG. 5  to result in securely maintaining those parts in a fixed relationship with respect to each other.  
         [0049]     Locking is achieved due to the eccentric position of pin  122  which defines a radius  123  of greater magnitude than radius  125 , thus causing lever  118  to rotate what is effectively a cam, tightening the parts against each other in much the same manner as levers of the type which lock wheels on bicycles.  
         [0050]     In connection with this, reference is made to  FIG. 7  where a lever  118 , which is rotatably mounted on a base  12  using a pin  120  may be used to secure the two members in a desired position. Rotation in the directions of arrows  116  allows the bracket to match any desired shape.  
         [0051]     In accordance with the invention, it is desirable that parts not vibrate. Such vibration has a number of undesirable effects. First, it may contribute to the sound of the instrument in an acoustic sense. This undesirable acoustic sound may be amplified, thus compounding the problem. The other possibility is that vibrations might be conducted by the bracket  110  to the microphone  112 . This has the effect of compounding resonance problems and thus increasing noise.  
         [0052]     Still yet another problem involves the sound deadening effect that a bracket has on the sound of the instrument. The combination of the large force needed to support a microphone and a secure anchorage in the body of the instrument combine to attenuate desirable resonance and deteriorate sound quality both acoustically and electrically.  
         [0053]     In order to achieve these objectives, a number of structural features are adopted by the invention.  
         [0054]     The force applied by the microphone bracket is minimized by having a bracket configuration which does not rely on friction to be held securely in place. The placement of the jaws defined between pads  18  and  20 , and pad  66  at the lower end of the instrument, on the one hand and placement of the jaws defined between pads  30  and  32 , and pad  40  at the upper end of the instrument is a balanced self-supporting structure that does not require friction and pressure in order to achieve a secure grip.  
         [0055]     Moreover, the application pressure may be adjusted to act on the very periphery of the obverse and reverse faces of the instrument, thus applying that pressure to sidewalls  115  and  117 . The optional rotational feature for the jaw is defined at the upper and lower sidewalls of the instrument allows optimization of this aspect of the invention.  
         [0056]     The likelihood of vibration is yet further reduced by a pair of pads  150  and  152  which minimize the possibility of vibrations in any adjustable jaw mechanism.  
         [0057]     As noted above, a microphone is selected for its having a relatively high mass. This desirable situation is reinforced by making the supporting structure comprising strap  110 , base  94  and clevis  102  of a relatively rigid material, and minimizing the function of support strip  84  through the use of cooperating pads  96  and  98 , insulating the microphone from vibration, while at the same time insulating the structure from higher speed components of microphone movement and momentum.  
         [0058]     This last desirable aspect of the bracket may be improved by increasing the weight of base  94 , clevis  102  and support strip. One option is to make one or more of these components of plastic which incorporates a heavyweight material, such as iron sand, as is used, for example, in exercising equipment. In accordance with this aspect of the invention, iron particles are incorporated with monomers in a mix which is polymerized as is appropriate for the particular monomer involved. The same may then be injection molded and formed into the desired shape.  
         [0059]     One suitable mechanism for locking bracket  10  is illustrated in  FIGS. 8-11 . Track member  14  supports sliding rail  16 . A leaf spring  160  maintains a pin  162  in position maintaining registration between a hole  164  in rail  16  and hole  166  in track member  14 . When it is desired to move rail  16  in the direction of arrows  168 , spring  160  is deflected to the position illustrated in  FIGS. 10 and 11 . This causes pin  162  to release rail  16 , and allows rail  16  to move in the directions indicated by arrows  168 . In accordance with the invention, it is contemplated that several different sized brackets will be provided for various ranges of instrument size.  
         [0060]     Bracket  10  comprises an adjustable backer member  12 . Adjustable backer  12  is formed by a track member  14  which defines a channel within which a rail  16  slides to adjust to the size of a guitar or other stringed instrument, such as a violin, viola or the like. Once adjusted, it may be locked in place by any suitable mechanism.  
         [0061]      FIG. 12  illustrates an alternative embodiment of a bracket  210  constructed in accordance with the present invention. A plurality of suction cups  220  are secured to a base  224 . Suction cups  220  engage a guitar  244  on the side wall of the guitar, which is typically near the bottom of the guitar when it is being played. Base  224 , in turn, supports a microphone boom  294 . Boom  294  may be made of any desired shape that allows placement of the microphone as desired. For example, it may take the form of the letter U. Boom  294  terminates in a clamp  310 . Clamp  310  engages a microphone  312 , whose position may be adjusted. The structure of boom  294  may take a number of forms which may allow, for example, pivotal movement at the juncture between base  224  and boom  294 . Likewise, pivotal movement of microphone  312  may be provided adjacent clamp  310 .  
         [0062]     In use, bracket  210  is engaged on a guitar  244  by pressing suction cups  220  against the guitar body, as illustrated. The position of the microphone  312  may then be adjusted at a desired position.  
         [0063]     Still yet another alternative of the inventive bracket  510  is illustrated in  FIG. 13 . This embodiment is similar to the embodiment of  FIG. 12 , except that a single suction cup  520  is employed.  
         [0064]      FIG. 14  illustrates yet another alternative embodiment of a bracket  720  constructed in accordance with the present invention. In this case, bracket  720  is adhered to the large planar surface of the guitar  844  adjacent the strings.  
         [0065]      FIG. 15  is a detail illustrating a suction cup  410  used in the embodiment, for example, of  FIG. 14 . Suction cup  410  includes a nib  411  which may be moved in the direction  413  illustrated in  FIG. 16  to disengage the suction cup from the surface of a guitar  644 . In use, suction cup  410  is pressed against the surface of the guitar, resulting in flattening of suction cup  410  and in engaging of the guitar, as illustrated in  FIG. 16 . It may then be disengaged by flexure of nib  411 .  
         [0066]     If desired, a lever  415  may be employed in the suction cup to provide for easier engagement and disengagement of suction cup  410 , as is illustrated in dashed lines in  FIG. 15 . Similar suction cup mounting structures, which may also be used in accordance with the present invention, are used to mount pencil sharpeners to a flat surface. After being pressed into engagement with the surface of a guitar  644 , as illustrated in  FIG. 17 , lever  415  may be urged in the direction of arrow  417  to place the device into the configuration illustrated in  FIG. 18 . When it is desired to disengage the suction cup, lever  415  may be moved to the position shown in dashed lines in  FIG. 18 , allowing for easy removal of the inventive bracket.  
         [0067]     Referring to  FIG. 19 , a particularly advantageous version of the inventive microphone bracket  500  is illustrated. Bracket  500  comprises an adjustable backer member  512 . Backer member  512  comprises a rail  514  to which a lever incorporating bolt  516  is secured ( FIG. 20 ). In accordance with the preferred embodiment, bolt  516  is welded perpendicular to the hidden side of backer member  512  in  FIG. 19  and supports a wingnut, a threaded lever  518  or other alternative tightening member.  
         [0068]     A pad  521  ( FIG. 19 ), made of a resilient rubber material, felt or the like prevents vibrational sound from being introduced into the microphone, and also protects the side of the guitar or other stringed instrument to which the bracket is secured. A flexible plastic suction cup  522  is secured in an appropriate hole or slot  524  in backer member  512 .  
         [0069]     Rail  514  includes a pair of side flanges  526 , which serve to guide and retain a slider  528  for movement on rail  514  in the directions indicated by arrow  530 . Backer member  512  defines a jaw supporting suction cup  522 . An opposing jaw is formed by plate  532  acting together with suction cups  534  and  536  which are mounted in slots  538  and  540  defined in plate  532 . In accordance with the preferred embodiment, plate  532  is integrally formed with slider  528 , by stamping a single piece of metal and bending it to form plate  532  and slider  528 .  
         [0070]     Bolt  516  extends through a slot  542  in slider  528 . In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention, the space between the suction cup  522  on one side, and suction cups  534  and  536  on the other side forms a jaw with an opening for gripping a guitar  544  or other musical instrument. The magnitude of the opening may be varied by sliding slider  528  to a desired position along rail  514 . The magnitude of the opening may be fixed, after adjustment, by locking slider  528  in position by rotating nut  518  to tighten and secure rail  514  to slider  528 .  
         [0071]     A microphone support rod  546  is secured by a support sleeve  548  and welding, or a bolt or similar artifice to plate  532 . Microphone support rod  546 , in turn, is held in a U-shaped clamp  550 , as can be seen most easily with reference to  FIGS. 21 and 22 . Clamp  550  is provided with a rod engaging internal race  552 . Clamp  550  is tightened and secured in place by rotation of a knob  554  which is threadedly mounted on a bolt  556 . Bolt  556  is secured to a specialized head  558  which is a solid member and which defines a hole  560 .  
         [0072]     Bolt  556  sits in a cup  562 . Cup  562  defines a radial hole  564  and an axial hole  566 . Bolt  556  passes through axial hole  566  and through a spring  568 . Bolt  556  is positioned with hole  560  in its head  558  aligned with the hole  564  in cup  562 . A rod  570  passes through holes  560  and  564 .  
         [0073]     Tensioned by spring  568 , rotation of knob  564  results in pulling head  558  and rod  570  in the direction indicated by arrow  572  and at the same time, urging cup  562  in the direction indicated by arrow  574 , while at the same time tightening clamp  550  around rod  546 .  
         [0074]     A microphone  576  is held in place by a frictional clamp  578 , which frictionally engages microphone  576 . Clamp  578  may be made of metal, plastic or any suitable material, and is secured to rod  570 . Thus, one may secure microphone  576  in any one of numerous positions. This is done by first adjusting slider  528  relative to rail  514 , in order to get a tight grip on guitar  544 , and then tightening threaded lever  518 . Once the inventive microphone mount  500  has thus been secured in position, microphone  576  may be moved closer or further from guitar  544  in the directions indicated by arrows  580 , axially with respect to rod  546  in the directions indicated by arrows  582  by rotation on clamp  550 , and angularly in the directions indicated by arrows  582  by rotation of rod  570  in cup  562 . Tightening of knob  554  then secures the microphone in the desired position.  
         [0075]     When it is desired to relocate microphone support  500 , or remove it from guitar  544  entirely, threaded lever  518  is loosened, and suction cups  522 ,  534  and  536  released by outward flexure of suction cup nibs  584 . Finally, while a wireless microphone may be used, it is also possible to use a microphone with a microphone cable. This cable may be clipped by alligator clamp  586  which is rotatably secured to plate  532 .  
         [0076]     While illustrative embodiments of the invention have been described, it is, of course, understood that various modifications will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art. Such modifications are within the spirit and scope of the invention which is limited and defined only by the appended claims.