Illuminated microphone stand

The combination of an illuminated microphone stand with a foot controlled operation board has a capability of adjusting at least one light in the illuminated microphone and facilitating a performance, as well as maintaining the integrity of the lighting system Incorporated with the illuminated microphone stand.

This invention relates to an illuminated microphone stand, more particularly, to an illuminated microphone stand which is controlled by a foot controlled board and offers flexibility in use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the performing arts, there are various levels of musical performers and a variety of acts ranging from novice to touring or recording professionals. These acts often require special well-coordinated lighting effects to enhance their performance.

At the professional level, these segments are usually well rehearsed in advance and often controlled by a lighting technician that works side by side with the sound man in the back of the venue, or even off stage out of sight. These rehearsals are very expensive as the acts are paying their technicians and for rehearsal space. Furthermore, these segments usually address the bigger aspects of the lighting show and these lighting routines do not offer the performers an opportunity to be spontaneous with using the lights as a part of their expression.

Using smaller lighting effects to enhance the larger aspects of the show can be very difficult to coordinate. Therefore, it may be desirable to have the necessary equipment to provide a unique effect to achieve the desired presentation.

To that end, it is useful for the musician or performer (regardless of career level) to have “real time” control and access to a special effect lighting system, which will not interfere with the musical performance but will allow flexibility and security for the act. If that lighting system can additionally illuminate the desired musical score, and add a dynamic visual level while providing a secure, yet flexible stand for the microphone; this will be a great performance tool and provide a clear advantage for the performer.

Positioning of the light or microphone system is also critical. The light system must be conveniently located, yet not obtrusive. The light system may be required to illuminate the desired music, while at the same time being available for decorative entertainment.

Microphone stands are often considered necessary evils on stage as they are not attractive but cumbersome in fitting around music stands, props, drum sets (kits), other instruments and stage devices. Their main function has always been to simple hold the microphones in the desired location for vocal and capture sound coming from non-amplified instruments. To have a device that can achieve the above, yet be visually attractive will be a great advantage to the performer.

Microphone stands must have the ability to be adjusted to accommodate and hold a specific placement location. They also must have the flexibility to be redirected and to permit removal of the microphone itself for each user and or instrument as desired.

In some situations, this may be hard to achieve. Therefore a microphone (boom) arm is generally mounted on top of the main support post. Also, the microphone stand may have to fit under, or in between other types of stands, risers and staging. To accomplish this setup a tripod or round base may be used to support the main post, microphone, and possible a boom arm. Any adjustments made before or during a performance must not interfere with the main lighting system or the use of the microphone itself.

Such a device must support the microphone; the vertical post; possible boom arm, and yet be adjustable when needed. It must be adaptable to the situation and allow the artist the ability to remove the microphone from the stand easily during a performance.

Adding the benefits of a visual effect lighting system on to the microphone stand allows for greater visual, stage expression as part of the entertainment experience and may also serve as a tool for a performer to read music, scripts and the like. It also can be controlled by the performer to provide the desired effect to help create a mood. The light system offers a great number of light variations, and control thereof involving color, duration, sequencing, or other desired functions. Using such effects will be another tool for an entertainment production. However, this combination is difficult to achieve.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Among the many objectives of this invention is the provision of an illuminated microphone stand with a foot controlled board.

A further objective of this invention is the provision of an illuminated microphone stand, which provides adjustability and versatility.

Yet a further objective of this invention is the provision of an illuminated microphone stand, which forms part of a light show.

A still further objective of this invention is the provision of an illuminated microphone stand, which provides different light options for the performance.

Another objective of this invention is the provision of an illuminated microphone stand, which is strong.

Yet another objective of this invention is the provision of an illuminated microphone stand, which is durable.

Still another objective of this invention is the provision of a foot operated control panel which allows the user to control the lights for illuminated microphone stand.

Also, an objective of this invention is the provision of a foot control board to vary the function of the lights for illuminated microphone stand.

These and other objectives of the invention (which other objectives become clear by consideration of the specification, claims and drawings as a whole) are met by providing an illuminated microphone stand with a foot board control mechanism or foot controlled board, which has the capability of adjusting at least one light in the illuminated microphone stand during performances, as well as maintaining the integrity of the lighting system Incorporated with the illuminated microphone stand.

Throughout the figures of the drawings, where the same part appears in more than one figure of the drawings, the same number is applied thereto.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to several embodiments of the invention that are illustrated in accompanying drawings. Whenever possible, the same or similar reference numerals are used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts or steps. The drawings are in simplified form and are not to precise scale. For purposes of convenience and clarity only, directional terms such as top, bottom, left, right, up, over, above, below, beneath, rear, and front, may be used with respect to the drawings. These and similar to directional terms are not to be construed to limit the scope of the invention in any manner. The words attach, connect, couple, and similar terms with their inflectional morphemes do not necessarily denote direct or intermediate connections, but may also include connections through mediate elements or devices.

In accordance with the present invention, a microphone stand is designed to be fully functional, allowing the user to adjust the stand to a desired position, just as with any conventional microphone stand. Preferably, it has a height adjustment from about 0.9 meter (about 36 inches) to about two meters (about 80 inches) and points there between. This microphone stand can be illuminated for either one of decoration, functionality or entertainment, as well as other uses. Typical lights are light emitting diodes (LED).

The key to the incorporation of LED technology and the practicality of a conventional fully operational microphone stand is in the design supporting the lighting system. Key components such as the support base with the upper shaft and the guide pin allow the stand height to be adjusted while at the same time protecting the delicate LED components and the wiring from twisting, binding, and tearing.

The coiled wire used in the upper shaft and the boom arm is also critical to the success in this design. It allows the wires to supply the upper components by acting like an extension spring. As the upper shaft is raised, the coiled wire extends. As the upper shaft is lowered, the coiled wire contracts or relaxes into its normal position, similar to a phone cord.

The upper shaft is held into its adjusted or desired place by the use of a rubber compression seal. As the adjuster is loosened, less compression is placed on the seal allowing the upper shaft to move freely. When tightened, the compression seal is compressed, maintaining the users adjustment. The rubber seal is important because it allows for the compression to be transferred to the upper shaft and hold the same in a desired position without defacing or distorting the shaft.

The boom arm can be adjusted 180 degrees vertically, and 90 degrees horizontally along with other points therebetween, without stressing the wiring to the boom arm. The boom arm can be extended on the user side, up to 25 centimeters (up to about 9 inches) to accommodate the depth from the stand for the user of the microphone stand.

WithFIG. 1, microphone stand170has a weighted base140which replaces the tripod102ofFIG. 2. A locking coupler121is positioned on support base120oppositely disposed from tripod base102and adjacent to upper shaft assembly116.

Adding now toFIG. 2to the consideration, microphone stand170has a tripod base102. The support base118is secured to the tripod base102. The upper shaft assembly116is in a male to female relationship with the support base118. Around support base118is a flexible lighting strip107. The flexible lighting strip107can be any suitable strip, but preferred is a red and green and blue light emitting diodes (RGB LED) strips. The upper shaft assembly116has a locking coupler121which positions the upper shaft assembly116relative to support base120. The locking coupler121is used to loosen and tighten the upper shaft assembly116to the support base120, so that height adjustment can be maintained.

FIG. 2also utilizes a microphone clip101, oppositely disposed from the support base100. Microphone clip101can receive a suitable microphone112(FIG. 10) as desired.

As shown inFIG. 2, boom arm assembly150can be inserted between support base100and the microphone clip101, in order to allow for further adjustments by the user. The microphone clip101is then attached to boom arm assembly150. Thus, the microphone stand170can have more flexibility with the boom arm assembly150.

Turning now toFIG. 3, the structure of the microphone stand170becomes clear. The upper shaft assembly116is positioned relative to the support base120for the upper shaft assembly116. Next to the microphone clip101is a locking device102on a spring pin103to cooperate with threaded member105on tubing106. Inside tubing106is wrapped with flexible lighting strips107and covered with clear tubing104for protection of the lighting strips107. Bushing108, on tubing106and oppositely disposed from microphone clip101, secures lighting strips107to coil109, to facilitate use of lighting strips on upper shaft assembly116.

The locking device102may be a suitably sized locking nut to adjust the position of the upper shaft assembly116. The spring pin103assists with the upper shaft assembly116. Upper clear tubing104is preferably a polycarbonate tube to protect lighting strips107on inside tubing106. Inside tubing106is preferable a black steel tubing, around which lighting strips107are wrapped. Coil109is preferably a spring style cable or large gauge wiring to facilitate use of the lighting strip107.

Within inside tubing106is inserted a support tube110. Support tube110has a stop bushing111at the base thereof to assist with the positioning of the upper shaft assembly116. A roll pin113is at the other end of support tube110, oppositely disposed from the stop bushing111. The roll pin113is preferably a spring style roll pin113to prevent movement of the upper shaft assembly116once installed. Thus, the purpose of this component is to prevent the upper shaft assembly116from turning independently from the support base120, thereby protecting the internal wiring of lighting strips108. Guide pin126slides vertically in this channel or key way114so that the microphone stand170can be adjusted for height.

Between the support base120and the upper shaft assembly116is a locking coupler121. Locking coupler121loosens and tightens the support base120to the upper shaft assembly116, so that height adjustment can be maintained. Locking coupler121cooperates with compression seal122, so that as locking coupler121is loosened, less pressure is applied to this compression seal122, so that the height of stand170can be adjusted or maintained.

Support base120includes lower stand body123to house the internal components of the microphone stand170. Support base120is wrapped in lighting strips108. Lower stand body123has lighting strips107wrapped therearound with outer wiring harness124. Outer wiring harness124connects to lighting strip107at coil109, and then ultimately combines with four pin connector134at the base of the support base120.

Lower clear tubing125fits over lower stand body123. Preferably, lower clear tubing125is made of polycarbonate and protects the LED components in lighting strip107. Guide pin126is used to guide the upper portion of the microphone112along a keyway114in the support tube110to prevent wiring failures, especially with regard to any uncontrolled movement between the upper shaft assembly116and the support base120.

Support base120includes an upper shaft guide127. Preferably upper shaft guide127is a solid galvanized rod. Upper shaft threading128is at the base of upper shaft guide127, and permits attachment thereof to tripod base102or weighted base140with the use of adapter129, to assemble the lower stand body123to the upper shaft guide127. The upper shaft guide127passes in threaded relation through this adapter128and terminates at the tripod base102or weighted base140as desired.

Tripod base102may be fixed, or may include pivoting tripod legs131that pivot to fold for storage. For aesthetics or surface protection, each tripod leg131may have a protective foot132on the end thereof. Protective foot132may be rubber, plastic or other appropriate material.

With tripod base102, mounting foot135participates in joining the same support base120. Mounting foot135supports fastener133in four pin connector134. The four pin connector134includes a four pin XLR female connector and wire harness, terminates at a DIN style four pin connector136to attach to like a connector coming from upper shaft assembly116and support base120.

With weighted base140, mounting foot135participates in the same fashion as tripod base102. Weighted base140includes an access aperture141for wiring harness from support base120to enter weighted base140.

AddingFIG. 4to the consideration, microphone clip101may be secured to boom arm assembly150to allow for further adjustments by the user. At one end of the boom arm assembly150is extension tube151to receive microphone clip101in threaded relation therewith. A collar152fits on extension tube151to join the same to the boom arm assembly150. Thumbscrew153is in threaded relation with collar152to tighten or position the same on the extension tub151.

Boom arm clear tube154fits over lighting strip107, which is wrapped around boom arm base tube156. Boom arm threads155on the end of boom arm base tube156receive collar152in a male to female relationship. A boom arm adapter158cooperates with carriage bolt157and washer159to attach boom arm assembly150to microphone stand100. Carriage bolt157permits either a fastening or an adjusting of the angle of the boom arm assembly150. Washer159can be rubber or any other suitable material, which can prevent slippage of boom arm assembly150.

Also in the boom arm assembly150is a wire harness160. Wire harness160lead from the boom arm assembly150and connect with the microphone stand100. A washer161cooperates with adjustment lever162to fasten or adjust the position of boom arm assembly150. Adjustment lever162can also incorporate at least one locking nut to fasten to the carriage bolt157. Lower boom clear tube163covers lighting strip107. Lower boom clear tube163is preferably polycarbonate. A weighted sleeve164inserted in lower boom clear tube163can balance the boom stand assembly150when a microphone112is placed on the microphone clip101on the microphone stand170. Mounting sleeve165allows the boom arm assembly150to be attached microphone stand170.

Now addingFIG. 5,FIG. 6,FIG. 7,FIG. 8, andFIG. 9to the consideration, the function of foot controlled board200is clarified. An access aperture201permits sensitivity adjustment due to a potentiometer227. An audio triggered input is activated to adjust the sensitivity. The potentiometer227is located on the circuit panel circuit panel228used to control adjustment.

A mode switch202switches the foot controlled board200between two forms of operation. One form allows the user to use the foot control board to operate the functions of the lights, while the other mode allows for an audio trigger input as well as remote control functions. Speed control switches203allow for the speed in certain lighting scenes to change. Module one indicator204permits the user to see in what mode the scene is transitioning. Color module205allows for the lights to flash in various sequences of color, speed and intensity, which can be controlled. A standard power switch206turns the foot controlled board200on or off as desired.

Module two indicator207permits the user to see what scene is transitioning in that mode. Intensity adjustment208permits brightness to be adjusted by module one indicator204and module two indicator207208. Intensity or brightness can be adjusted with these two switches. Blackout function209allows for the foot controlled board200and its functions to stay on, while the lighting for the microphone stand170is temporarily shut off.

Accessories210can also be controlled from the foot controlled board200. Such accessories210include fog machines, lights flashing machines or other accessories of a similar nature to be controlled by the user. Switch controls211permit pre-programmed functions such as various color changes without transitions. For example, the colors jump from one to the next.

A fog enabler212allows the user to preset the control of any accessory210as a fog machine to be used simultaneously with the lighting show. Once the fog enabler212is activated, the user can press any of the scene change switches, and the fog machine is activated as well at the same time. Each color preferably has its own switch. Typically, white lighting switch213, purple lighting switch214, blue—green lighting switch215, blue lighting switch216, pre-programmed switch controls217(which functions with as automatic color changes with various transitions), green lighting switch218, yellow lighting switch219, orange lighting switch220and red lighting switch221. Preprogrammed switch control222provide such functions as desired. For example, fading color changes, where the colors fade from one color to the next color can be accomplished with preprogram switch control222.

A four pin output jack223can permit the foot controlled board200to be attached to the lighted microphone stand170. Preferably, output jack223is a four pin XLR output jack which receives an 84 pin XLR cable to attach to the lighted microphone stand170.

Also, an input jack224can allow any audio device to trigger audio input control of the foot controlled board200. Accessory output225permits the foot controlled board200to operate accessories210such as fog machines, to enhance the lighting effect. Optionally, a standard electrical cord226may be used to provide power the foot controlled board200. The cord226may be a standard three terminal input for 120 volt alternating current electric cord. Cord226can removable for ease of storage.

Turning now toFIG. 10, microphone stand170includes lighting strips107mounted thereon. Foot controlled board200operates the microphone stand170and specifically the lighting strips107as desired, by a connection through either tripod base102or weighted base140. Microphone112may be attached directly to microphone stand170to boom arm assembly150. Boom arm assembly150can be positioned between microphone stand base170and microphone112.

This application—taken as a whole with the abstract, specification, claims, and drawings being combined—provides sufficient information for a person having ordinary skill in the art to practice the invention as disclosed and claimed herein. Any measures necessary to practice this invention are well within the skill of a person having ordinary skill in this art after that person has made a careful study of this disclosure.

Because of this disclosure and solely because of this disclosure, modification of this method and device can become clear to a person having ordinary skill in this particular art. Such modifications are clearly covered by this disclosure.