Microphone device and microphone stand

There are provided a microphone stand having a connector supporting groove, and a microphone body supported by the microphone stand as a result of insertion of a connector case into the connector supporting groove. A resilient conductive cloth which comes into contact with the connector case is arranged in the connector supporting groove, with the connector case inserted in the connector supporting groove. The conductive cloth is preferably arranged in a ring shape along a lower bottom portion of the annularly formed connector supporting groove. This configuration mitigates rattling generated between the connector supporting groove and the connector case, thereby suppressing generation of a vibration noise due to microphone shaking.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is based on, and claims priority from, Japanese Application No. JP2015-124567 filed Jun. 22, 2015, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a microphone device and a microphone stand.

Description of the Related Art

A gooseneck microphone is provided as microphones for conference use which are set on, for example, a speech platform and a table for a conference participant in a conference hall, respectively.

The gooseneck microphone includes a long neck microphone pole portion having a flexible pipe whose angle and height can be easily adjusted. To a distal end portion of the microphone pole portion, a microphone case accommodating a microphone unit is fixed.

Additionally, a gooseneck microphone includes a circular latch lock connector being provided on a connector case as an outer enclosure which is a base end portion of the microphone pole portion. The circular latch lock connector (hereinafter, referred to also as an output connector) is defined as JEITA [Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association] RC-5236.

Then, the gooseneck microphone on the desk via the microphone stand is set by connecting the output connector to a receptacle of a microphone stand placed, for example, on a desk.

Additionally, as a microphone unit of a gooseneck microphone, a small-sized and light-weight condenser microphone is used. For operating an impedance converter of the condenser microphone, a phantom power feeding system is adopted which is capable of obtaining an external electric power, and the phantom power supply supplies the external electric power to the microphone unit via the receptacle of the microphone stand and the output connector.

In other words, the output connector and the receptacle are used for transmission of an audio signal from the microphone unit and also as a supply path for a phantom power.

FIG. 1shows an external configuration of one example of the above-described gooseneck microphone. This gooseneck microphone (hereinafter, referred to also as a microphone body)1is configured with a microphone case2internally provided with a microphone unit not shown and the like, a first flexible pipe3, a relay pipe4, a joint member5, a second flexible pipe6, and a connector case7which are connected sequentially.

Specifically, the microphone body1is constituted of the microphone case2as an upper end portion, the connector case7as a base end portion, and a microphone pole portion which is formed of an intermediate portion therebetween including a flexible pipe.

Then, for each of the above-described respective members configuring the gooseneck microphone, a metallic conductive material is used and in particular, the inside of the microphone case2housing the microphone unit is configured so as to be electromagnetically shielded using the metallic conductive material.

Additionally, the microphone unit in the above-described microphone case2and the output connector accommodated in the connector case7are connected via a microphone cable (not shown) inserted through the above-described respective members configuring the microphone body1.

FIG. 2shows a state where the microphone body1illustrated inFIG. 1is attached to a microphone stand11. The microphone stand11includes a flat base casing12, a receptacle13including a latch release lever14fixed to an upper surface of the base casing12, a loud speaker15arranged so as to be opposed to the upper surface of the base casing12, and a second receptacle16fixed so as to be opposed to a back of the base casing12.

Connection is made between the receptacle13and the second receptacle16by a lead wire not shown in the base casing12. Additionally, a plug17is inserted into the second receptacle16. Through a microphone cord connected to the plug17, the microphone body1is connected to a microphone amplifier unit such as a mixer including a phantom power supply.

Then, attaching the connector case7on the side of the microphone body1to the receptacle13fixed to the base casing12establishes erection of the microphone body1with the microphone stand11. Simultaneously, each terminal pin of the output connector (not shown) in the connector case7is electrically conducted with each connection terminal to be described later, arranged in the receptacle13.

FIG. 5Ashows a conventional example of a state where the connector case7of the above-described microphone body1is attached to the receptacle13on the side of the microphone stand11. InFIG. 5A, illustration of the output connector in the connector case7is omitted.

Additionally,FIG. 5Bshows a first configuration example of a conventional receptacle13, andFIG. 5Cshows a second configuration example of the same receptacle13.

The receptacle13shown inFIG. 5BandFIG. 5Cincludes a pin receiving portion21on a central area of an upper surface thereof and a circular connector supporting groove22surrounding the pin receiving portion21is formed. On a side surface of the pin receiving portion21in the connector supporting grove22, a latch claw23is arranged to protrude which can be engaged with a latch hole7aformed on the connector case7on the side of the microphone1(seeFIG. 5A). By pressing the above-described latch release lever14, the latch claw23can be pulled back into the pin receiving portion21. This enables the connector case7to be detachable from the receptacle13in an axis direction.

In the receptacle13, connection terminals24to26are arranged to protrude from a lower bottom surface. Each of the terminals are assigned to a first terminal24for grounding, a second terminal25for a signal hot side, and a third terminal26for a signal cold side, respectively. Connector pins, to be described later, which are arranged in the output connector on the base side of the microphone body1, are inserted into and connected to the connection terminals24to26.

Then, in the first mode of the receptacle13illustrated inFIG. 5B, a spring-like contact27which comes into contact conduction with the connector case7is arranged in the connector supporting groove22. In the example shown inFIG. 5B, the spring-like contact27is connected to the first terminal24for grounding.

Specifically, when the connector case7is attached, each member of the microphone body1illustrated inFIG. 1is grounded via the spring-like contact27.

On the other hand, the second mode of the receptacle13illustrated inFIG. 5Cis suitably used for connection of a microphone body1having a configuration in which an LED, for example, is mounted on the microphone body1and the LED turns on when the microphone body1is in an ON state where an audio signal from the microphone body1is ready to be taken.

Therefore, although the receptacle13illustrated inFIG. 5Cuses the similar spring-like contact27as the example illustrated inFIG. 5B, this spring-like contact27is connected to a non-illustrated frame terminal other than the above-described first to third terminals24to26of the connection terminals.

In this case, such means is adopted as uses the first pin of the output connector for on and off control of the LED, and the second and third pins, and the frame terminal for transmission of an audio signal from the microphone unit and feeding of the above-described phantom power supply.

Accordingly, when the above-described connection configuration is adopted, the spring-like contact27of the receptacle13illustrated inFIG. 5Cis a sole connection path of grounding line between the connection microphone body1and a microphone amplifier unit such as a mixer.

In the receptacle13illustrated inFIG. 5BandFIG. 5C, a small gap is formed between an inner circumferential surface of the connector supporting groove22and an inner circumferential surface of the connector case7on the side of the microphone body1for facilitating attachment and detachment of the connector case7. Then, the gooseneck microphone (microphone body)1and the microphone stand11are attached by engaging the latch hole7awith the latch claw23as illustrated inFIG. 5A.

Accordingly, the above-described gap between the connector supporting groove22and the connector case7illustrated inFIG. 5Acauses rattling of the microphone body1on the microphone stand11.

When a desk on which the microphone stand11is placed shakes, this rattling propagates to the microphone case2through the microphone pole portion of the microphone and as a result generates a vibration noise. Additionally, as illustrated inFIG. 2, in a conference system in which a loud speaker15is mounted in the microphone stand11, vibration due to sound waves emitted from the loud speaker15, in particular, low-frequency vibration propagates. This vibration causes the microphone body1to shake involving the rattling, thereby generating a vibration noise.

Further, since a sound collecting axis of the gooseneck microphone1illustrated in theFIG. 2is directed to a speaker, vibration caused by the above-described rattling is large in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the microphone, i.e., the microphone shakes to a large extent as illustrated in a virtual line inFIG. 2.

On the other hand, in addition to the problem of noise generated by vibration of the above-described microphone, rattling of the microphone body1on the microphone stand11affects electrical connection in the receptacle13including the spring-like contact27illustrated inFIG. 5C.

Specifically, when a failure of electrical conduction of the spring-like contact27with the connector case7is caused due to the rattling, a sole grounding line linking the microphone body1and the microphone amplifier unit such as a mixer is disconnected. Accordingly, in a conventional connection means between the connector case and the receptacle, grounding becomes unstable and may cause to invite a problem of a loud noise.

It has been so far proposed to suppress generation of a noise by preventing rattling of a gooseneck microphone on a microphone stand, which is disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent No. 4686410 B1 (hereinafter referred as Patent Document 1).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The microphone connection disclosed in JP 4686410 B1 is realized by screw-fastening a receptacle to a base casing of a microphone stand with a gasket made of a rubber material.

Accordingly, even when the receptacle is screw-fastened using the above-described gasket, as already described with reference toFIG. 5A, rattling of the microphone body1due to the above-described gap generated between the connector supporting groove22and the connector case7is not eliminated.

The present invention is made in view of the technical problems of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a microphone device and a microphone stand enabling to effectively reduce rattling which is caused by the above-described gap formed between a connector supporting groove on the side of a receptacle and a connector case on the side of a microphone, thereby suppressing generation of the above-described noise due to shaking of the microphone.

A microphone device according to this invention made to solve the above-described problem includes a microphone stand which has a connector supporting groove, and a microphone body supported by the microphone stand by inserting a connector case into the connector supporting groove, the microphone device being interposed between the microphone body and the microphone stand, in which the microphone body and the microphone stand are provided with a connection pin and a connection terminal which electrically connect the microphone body and the microphone stand, and a resilient conductive cloth which comes into contact with the connector case is arranged in the connector supporting groove, with the connector case being inserted in the connector supporting groove.

In this case, the conductive cloth is preferably arranged in a ring shape along a lower bottom portion of the annularly formed connector supporting groove. The microphone device is desirably configured such that an entire upper surface of the conductive cloth arranged in a ring shape comes into contact with an annularly formed opening portion of the connector case.

Additionally, in a preferred mode, in the connector supporting groove, a spring-like contact which comes into contact with a part of the conductive cloth is arranged, so that an electrical conduction path is formed from the connector case via the conductive cloth and the spring-like contact.

In addition, a configuration is adopted in which the connector case is formed with a latch hole engageable with a latch claw provided in the connector supporting groove, and the conductive cloth in the connector supporting groove is arranged further below the latch claw.

According to the present invention, the microphone body further includes a microphone shaft portion which connects a microphone case accommodating a microphone unit with the connector case. Then, a configuration is adopted in which between the microphone body and the microphone stand a microphone connection device is interposed.

Such a configuration is suitably adopted, in particular, for a microphone including a bendable flexible pipe provided in a microphone shaft portion (gooseneck microphone).

In the above-described microphone device and microphone stand according to this invention, inserting a connector case on the side of a microphone body into a connector supporting groove of the microphone stand results in supporting the microphone body so as to be attachable and detachable to/from the microphone stand. In this case, in the connector supporting groove, a resilient conductive cloth contacting the connector case is arranged, so that this conductive cloth comes into contact with the connector case to suppress the above-described rattling, thereby effectively suppressing fluctuation of the microphone body.

Additionally, in the connector supporting grove, arranging a spring-like contact coming into contact with a part of the conductive cloth enables the connector case to electrically conduct with the spring-like contact via the conductive cloth. Accordingly, even when the connector case does not come into direct contact with the spring-like contact, reliable electrical connection can be ensured via the conductive cloth.

This configuration allows to eliminate a loud noise generated due to disconnection of a ground line between the above-described microphone body and a microphone amplifier unit such as a mixer.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

An embodiment of a microphone device and a microphone stand according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1shows one example of a conventional gooseneck microphone, also showing a configuration of a gooseneck microphone (microphone body) that can be used in the present invention. Additionally,FIG. 2similarly shows one example of a conventional microphone stand, also showing a configuration of a microphone stand that can be used in the present invention.

Since the configurations shown inFIG. 1andFIG. 2have been already described, the overlapped description will not be repeated.

FIG. 3AandFIG. 3Bshow a first mode of a microphone device according to the present invention which is interposed between the microphone body1and the microphone stand11illustrated inFIG. 1andFIG. 2.

FIG. 3Ashows a state where the connector case7of the microphone body1is opposed to the receptacle13on the microphone stand11. An output connector31is configured with the connector case7as an outer shell.

The output connector31includes a connector base32formed of an insulating resin and to be fit into the connector case7. To the connector base32, three connector pins33to35are attached in the connector case7along an axis direction of the case7. The three connector pins33to35are assigned to a first pin for grounding, a second pin for a hot side of a signal, and a third pin for a cold side of a signal, respectively.

Additionally, a pin receiving portion21is provided at a central area of an upper surface of the receptacle13attached on an upper surface of the base casing12as illustrated inFIG. 2. Then, a circularly recessed connector supporting groove22is formed around the pin receiving portion21.

On an inner circumferential surface of the pin receiving portion21in the connector supporting groove22, a latch claw23is arranged to protrude which is engageable with a latch hole7aformed on an inner circumferential surface of the connector case7of the microphone body1. This latch claw23is pulled back into the pin receiving portion21as a result of pushing of the latch release lever14that the receptacle13includes.

At a lower bottom portion of the above-described circularly recessed connector supporting groove22, a resilient conductive cloth37is placed in a ring shape manner along the lower bottom portion. The conductive cloth37is arranged such that an upper surface of the conductive cloth37is located far below the latch claw23.

As the resilient conductive cloth37, for example, conductive fine wires made of stainless steel which are woven and formed into a cloth, or strips obtained by cutting nonwoven fabric of stainless steel.

For such conductive cloth37, for example, a conductive cloth “SUI-78-5010T” manufactured by Taiyo Wire Cloth Co., Ltd. can be used.

Then, when arranging the conductive cloth37in the lower bottom portion of the circularly recessed connector supporting groove22, applying an adhesive to the bottom portion of the connector supporting groove22, or to a lower bottom surface of the conductive cloth37to attach the conductive cloth37prevents the conduction cloth from coming off.

The receptacle13has connection terminals24to26arranged to protrude from its lower bottom surface. As illustrated inFIG. 3B, connector pins33to35are inserted into and connected to these connection terminals24to26from above the output connector31placed on the connector case7.

Accordingly, in this embodiment, the respective connection terminals24to26serve as a first terminal for grounding, a second terminal for a hot of a signal and a third terminal for cold of a signal, respectively.

Additionally, in the connector supporting groove22, a spring-like contact27having a tip end portion which comes into contact with a part of the conductive cloth37is provided and is connected to the first terminal24for grounding.

In the configuration illustrated inFIG. 3A, when the connector case7of the microphone1is inserted into the connector supporting groove22of the receptacle13, a circularly formed opening portion at a tip of the connector case7comes into contact first with the entire upper surface of the conductive cloth37placed in a ring shape manner in the connector supporting groove22. When the connector case7is further pushed in this state, the conductive cloth37is compressed by the opening portion of the connector case7. The latch claw23fits in the latch hole7aformed in the connector case7.

As illustrated inFIG. 3B, this brings the connector case7to be retained and locked in the receptacle13, so that the microphone body1is attached to the microphone stand11.

On this occasion, the above-described spring-like contact27comes into contact with an inner circumferential surface of the connector case7, while an electrical conduction path is formed from the connector case7to the first terminal24for grounding via the conductive cloth37and the spring-like contact27. Accordingly, each member on the microphone body1illustrated inFIG. 1is connected to ground.

In the state as illustrated inFIG. 3B, the latch claw23is pulled back into the pin receiving portion21as a result of pushing of the latch release lever14. As illustrated inFIG. 3A, this brings the connector case7to be detachable from the receptacle13in the axis direction.

According to the first mode of the microphone device illustrated inFIG. 3AandFIG. 3B, in the connector supporting groove22formed in the receptacle13, the resilient conductive cloth37which comes into contact with the connector case7is arranged. Accordingly, this conductive cloth37effectively suppresses rattling caused by a gap between the connector supporting groove22and the connector case7.

Accordingly, shaking of the microphone body1attached to the microphone stand11can be suppressed and generation of a vibration noise can be also suppressed. Additionally, the above-described electrical conduction path is also formed from the connector case7to the first terminal24for grounding via the conductive cloth37and the spring-like contact27, which ensures reliable ground connection of the microphone body1.

Next,FIG. 4AandFIG. 4Billustrate a second mode of the microphone connection device according to the present invention interposed between the microphone body1and the microphone stand11illustrated inFIG. 1andFIG. 2. Since main parts of the second mode are the same as those of the first mode illustrated inFIG. 4AandFIG. 4B, the previously described components are identified by the same reference numerals and the detailed description of the components are omitted.

In the second mode, one end portion of a spring-like contact27arranged in a connector supporting groove22comes in contact with a part of a conductive cloth37in an internal bottom portion of the connector supporting groove22, and the other end portion of the spring-like contact27is connected to a frame terminal (not shown), similarly in the case of the example illustrated inFIG. 5C.

Specifically, the second mode is used for connection of the microphone body1having an LED, for example, as has been already described with reference toFIG. 5C. In such a configuration, for example, turning on the LED notifies that the microphone becomes in an on-state where an audio signal from the microphone body can be captured.

In this configuration, a first pin33of an output connector is used for on and off control of the LED, and a second pin34, a third pin35, and the frame terminal of the output connector are used for transmission of an audio signal from the microphone unit and supply of the above-described phantom power.

The remaining configuration of the second mode illustrated inFIG. 4AandFIG. 4Bis the same as that of the first mode illustrated inFIG. 3AandFIG. 3Band accordingly, its function and effect are similar to those of the above-described first mode. In addition, according to the second mode, in the state illustrated inFIG. 4Bwhere the connector case7is attached to the receptacle13, a conduction path is formed from the connector case7to a frame terminal (not shown) via the conductive cloth37and the spring-like contact27.

Accordingly, even when contact between the connector case7and the spring-like contact27fails, reliable electrical connection can be ensured via the conductive cloth37.

This solves a problem of a loud noise generated due to disconnection of a ground line between the side of the above-described microphone body1and a microphone amplifier unit such as a mixer.

The foregoing described embodiments are examples in which a gooseneck microphone is attached to a microphone stand so as to be attachable or detachable thereto/therefrom. The microphone device according to the present invention is applicable not only to a gooseneck microphone but also to other type of microphone body.

Additionally, with respect to the example shown inFIG. 4AandFIG. 4B, the description has been made of the function obtained by using the conductive cloth in the connection device for the microphone body having an LED. The present invention, however, is not limited to connection of a microphone body having an LED, but can be certainly used for a microphone device of another mode.