Mounting system to attach a microphone to a wind instrument

Abstract: The invention concerns a construction to attach an acoustical microphone to the bell of a windinstrument. The microphone is suspended with ringshaped elastics (2) in an external ring (3). Springy clamping elements (4) connect the ring to the bell. The elastics are fixed between excisions of the rings (1), that are attached to the microphone, and the hollow cylinders (5) with a slit, that are slipped around cylindrical parts on external ring (3). Due to the elastic attachment of the microphone, mechanical vibration transference from the bell to the microphone is practically ruled out. The elastics are interchangeable without splitting them. This construction prevents damage to windinstruments, because it springs loose when overstrained mechanically and due to soft materials on the parts which are in direct contact with the bell. This construction provides for a stable position of the microphone in relation to the bell, also after repeated mounting and dismounting.

Description: The invention concerns a construction to attach an acoustical microphone to the bell of a wind instrument. Disadvantages of known mounting systems are that because of bumps against the construction while playing, high stress can be exerted on the bell, which can cause damage to the wind instrument Moreover, it requires insight and experience to correctly attach and position these known mounting systems; when faulty positioned, sound reflections and the distance of the microphone to the bell do not show the right values, which negatively influences sound reproduction. Likewise, undesirable vibration transference takes place due to inelastic suspension of the microphone. With regard to the advantages of our invention we refer to the invention of C.Babicky (US-A-3, 482,026). The mounting frame on which the microphone is attached, has following disadvantages: it gives to much tension on the bell so that it influences the sound vibration of the bell itself, in this construction the microphone is positioned to close to the bell, so that sound coming from the left hand keys will be amplified to little and the low notes will be amplified to much and, this construction will give to much vibration transference from the bell to the microphone, so that you will hear the movements of the keys and other mechanical movements very loud. The design of our invention is to provide a mounting system which does not display these disadvantages. This goal is attained : 1. according to the invention, by the features indicated in the appended claim one, the microphone is suspended in such a way that undesired mechanical vibration transference from the bell to the microphone is practically ruled out. This mounting system consists of one or more rings which are attached to the microphone casing, while unending ribbon shaped elastic elements can be attached to the rings by placing these elements in the excisions in the rings and of a single external ring which on its inner side contains two or more attached cylindrical parts around which hollow cylinders are slipped to which the endless ring shaped elastic elements are attached. The rings are attached to the microphone by clamping the rings to the microphone or by clamping the microphone to the rings. 2. according to the invention the mounting system uses a clamp on the bell of the wind instrument which excludes excessive tension on the bell of the wind instrument. This clamp consists of three or more oblong springy elements which at one end are attached to the external ring and at the other end have such a shape that they can easily be placed on the bell of the wind instrument. The springy quality of the elements provides for a stable position. Also the clamping force and shape is such that when the whole mounting system is overstrained mechanically, the springy elements will spring loose in order to practically rule out damage to the wind instrument. The forces of the clamping elements are directed towards the centre of the bell of the wind instrument. The parts of the springy clamping elements which are in direct contact with the bell of the wind instrument are covered with a soft material in order to avoid damage to the wind instrument. 3. by the invention, the mounting system guarantees a stable and unequivocal position of the microphone even after repeated mounting and dismounting: sound reflection, fastening rigidity and microphone distance are stable. The invention will further be illustrated on the basis of the drawings, where a construction example is displayed. Figure 1 and figure 2 show the mounting system in perspective and in dismounted condition. Figure 3 and figure 4 show the front and top view of the mounting system. Drawn in dots are the bell of a wind instrument and a microphone. According to the invention the mounting system consists of one or two rings 1, two or more endless ring shaped elastic elements 2, an external ring 3 to which are attached three or more springy elements 4, and the hollow cylinders 5, corresponding in number to the number of springy elements 4. The rings 1 are-the rings which are attached to the microphone parts. In the drawn design the attachment is made by screwing the cylindrical microphone parts together, which results in the rings being clamped between the microphone parts. The rings are made with excisions in which the endless ring shaped elastic elements 2 are placed. The external ring 3 consists of a cylindrical part on which the springy elements 4 are placed parallel to the rotation axis of the cylinders, in such a way that the hollow cylinders 5 can be shoved over the parts of the springy elements which are attached to the cylindrical part. The hollow cylinders 5 contain a slit parallel to the rotation axis through which the endless ring shaped elastic elements are fixed. These cylinders 5 can be clamped to ring 3 over the attachment of the springy element 4. A springy element 4 consists of a straight part which is attached to the external ring 3, a part of undefined curve and length between the straight part and the free end, and the free end which is shaped in such a way that it fits around the bell of a wind instrument. The free end is covered with a soft material. The springy elements 4 are shaped in such a way that they clamp the bell of the wind instrument when the mounting system is installed. The endless ring shaped elastic elements 2 are of such a length that they have a little pre-tension when put in position.

Claims: Mounting system to attach an acoustic microphone to the bell of a wind instrument, consisting of: a first ring (3) to which at least three oblong springy clamping elements (4) are attached at one end in such a way that on the fastening points hollow cylinders with a slit can be clamped, the oblong springy clamping elements having such a shape at the other end that they can be placed to the bell of the wind instrument. one ore more further rings (1) attachable to a microphone which are provided with two or more attachment points to fix endless ring shaped elastic elements (2). hollow cylinders (5) provided with one slit through which the endless ring shaped elastic elements (2) are fixed and which are clamped on the fastening points of the springy elements (4) on the first ring (3). two or more endless ring shaped elastic elements (2), fixed to the rings attached to the microphone and fixed to the first ring, said endless ring-shaped elastic elements providing the elastic support between the ring or rings (1) attached to the microphone and the first ring (3). Mounting system for a microphone for a wind instrument according to claim 1 with the characteristic that the microphone is attached elastically. Mounting system for a microphone for a wind instrument according to claim 1 with the characteristic that the endless ring shaped elastic elements are interchangeable without splitting the endless ring shaped elastic elements. Mounting system for a microphone for a wind instrument according to claim 1 with the characteristic that the attachment to the bell of the wind instrument is effectuated by clamping the springy elements which have such a clamping force that the mounting system for the microphone can easily be fixed and detached and that it springs loose when overstrained mechanically. Mounting system for a microphone for a wind instrument according to claim 1 with the characteristic that the parts of the springy clamping elements which are in contact with the bell of the wind instrument are shaped in such a way and possess such elasticity at the contacting surface that damage to the bell is ruled out. Mounting system for a microphone for a wind instrument according to claim 1 with the characteristic that the mounting system for the microphone has a stable position in relation to the bell of the wind instrument.

Inventors: SCHRIER S, SCHRIER, S.
Applicants: SCHRIER S, SCHRIER, S.
Application year: 1990
Main classification: G10D9
IPC codes: G10H3, H04R1, G10D9