Abstract:
A boom stand adapted to support an electroacoustic device is constructed from a base, pivotal boom, stand elevating the pivotal boom, and a stacking counterweight. The stacking counterweight includes a terminal weight having a generally cylindrical body longitudinally terminated with a threaded coupler adapted to operatively couple with a threaded coupler on the boom, while aligning the terminal weight longitudinally co-axially with the boom. One or more medial weights having a generally cylindrical body and appropriate threaded couplers can be inserted between the boom and terminal weight. Each of the medial and terminal weights are preferably shaped to be adequately grasped by a person&#39;s palm and finger portion of a hand clasping about the longitudinal axis, and are thereby adapted to operatively permit manual rotation about their longitudinal axes.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/472,964 filed Aug. 29, 2014 and co-pending herewith, which in turn claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/871,388 filed Aug. 29, 2013, both of like title, the contents of each which are incorporated herein by reference in entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention pertains generally to electrical audio signal processing systems and devices, and more particularly to electro-acoustic audio transducers such as housed microphones that are supported upon a boom stand and counterbalanced by stable and acoustically neutral counterweights. In a most preferred manifestation, the present invention relates to acoustically inactive counterweights that are readily manually attached and detached from booms on an electro-acoustic microphone stand. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     In many settings such as but not limited to broadcast or live musical performances, electro-acoustic microphones and other apparatus are often attached to an at least partially horizontally extending arm, referred to as a boom, that is supported by a vertical support or stand. Most commonly, the item to be supported will preferably be easily relocated, as will the stand or at least the boom. This ability to provide a relatively adjustable and easily relocated support is in great demand. Frequently, a plurality of these boom stands will be required, such as, for exemplary purposes but not limited thereto, in the case of a musical or theatrical performance where different performers or different parts of a stage are preferred to be either illuminated or coupled into an audio system. 
     Depending upon the particular item to be supported, the boom stand may have several requirements which must be met to perform satisfactorily. Among these, one common requirement is the ability for a person to readily and rapidly reposition the boom, and then subsequent to the repositioning, anchor the boom into a new fixed position. This ability to readily and rapidly reposition the boom permits the stand to be placed at a convenient location along the ground or floor, without great care in the precise positioning. Once the base is located, then the boom arm may be moved into proper alignment. 
     While the application for the boom stand will to some degree potentially affect the various dimensions and some of the configurations not only of the base, but of the stand as well, including such things as particular lengths or dimensions of the base and the boom, most desirably a boom stand will offer substantial flexibility in both application and physical arrangement and positioning. This flexibility is a desirable part of the benefits of such a stand, which is in part what separates such a stand from a fixture or anchored support. 
     Since the boom may extend some distance from the base, it is generally desirable to incorporate significant mass into the base, to provide some measure of stability during movement or adjustment of the boom and subsequent thereto to best maintain the location of the boom. Unfortunately, in the prior art this often led to the use of a large and very massive base, typically of disc, slightly domed, or similar shape. Such a base is not readily transported, nor can it be used or stored in close arrangement with other bases. Consequently, it is not possible to tightly and compactly arrange, use or store a plurality of similar stands. 
     To provide more compact storage and lighter weights, a number of designers have resorted to tripod stands. By providing a plurality of longer legs, the legs may be manufactured in much lower weight or mass, while still providing good stability against tipping. Unfortunately, these stands also have drawbacks. First and foremost, the tripod legs, to avoid the need for substantial mass, must be relatively long. Long legs in turn form a serious hazard for anyone passing near to the boom stand. In the event a boom stand is accidentally knocked over, the item supported thereon may be destroyed. In the case of the performing arts, the microphones that are supported thereon may cost thousands of dollars to replace. Furthermore, the disruption to a performance when a stand is accidentally toppled is highly undesirable. 
     Consequently, there are trade-offs that have been required with many of the prior art boom stands in either portability or stability that are undesirable. Either the stand is light and unstable, light and in the way and prone to being accidentally toppled, or heavy and difficult to handle, move about, and store. 
     Even where the vertical support is stable enough to support an unbalanced device some horizontal distance from the vertical support, another challenge arises in the coupling between boom and vertical support. In many of the prior art stands the connection between the boom and the vertical support can weaken or slip, causing the boom to lower on the side with the device. This sagging leads to undesirable movement away from the musician or instrument, which can lead to complete loss of adequate signal coming from this microphone or to a loss of selectivity of sound being received by the microphone. 
     This sagging arises due to an inadequate coupling between boom and stand. Heretofore in the prior art, one such coupling was a simple connection using a screw or the like to urge two flat surfaces together, or using the screw in a manner similar to a set screw to bite into an opposed surface. Two exemplary patents, the teachings and contents which are incorporated herein by reference, are U.S. Pat. No. 5,154,381 by Malinao, entitled “Microphone boom holder”, which illustrates a prior art weak pivot, with a fixed counterweight; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,739,447 by Hoshino, entitled “Attachment and detachment of a weight to a boom cymbal stand”, which illustrates a thumb screw to prevent rotation of boom, a tripod stand for portability, and a manually attached and detached fixed weight. 
     This type of connection has almost no resistance to pivotal forces at the end of the boom, since the measure of forces upon an arm are calculated by not only the force applied, but also by the distance from the point of rotation. Consequently, when even a small force is applied at a great distance such as at or near the end of a boom arm, the force is magnified by the multiple of relative distance from pivot. Said another way, a first force applied at ten times the distance from a pivot as a second point would require ten times the first force to be applied in an opposite direction at the second point to cancel the first force. In the case of a small flat, knuckle, or set screw located at or adjacent to the pivot, such as found in the Malinao patent, this knuckle may be hundreds or even thousands of times closer to the pivot than the end of the boom, and consequently require hundreds or thousands of times the force to prevent rotation about the pivotal axis. The end result of this inadequate coupling between boom and stand is movement of the boom, which may in turn lead to the device being located in a position not balanced directly over the vertical support, and therefore require all too frequent manual readjustment and alignment. Additionally, this imbalance provides a certain amount of risk of tipping the vertical support, which can lead to destruction of sensitive microphones, as well as harm or damage to surrounding equipment and people. 
     As a result, and as is known in the industry, even minor forces of only a few pounds at the end of the boom overcome the resistance at the knuckle, since these few pounds require thousands of pounds of force at the knuckle to stop such rotation. The few pounds of force cause the boom to realign undesirably. One way to overcome this deficiency of the prior art couplings between boom and stand is to provide a higher-quality coupling, such as illustrated by the present inventor in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,207,532; 7,635,109; and 7,819,367; the contents and teachings of each which are incorporated herein by reference. These patents illustrate a particularly stable stand that can support very large loads from the end of the boom, without any sagging and with an improved massive base that enables relatively larger off-balance loads to be safely supported by the stand. 
     However, there are many stands that have already been produced and placed into service that do not have the features found in the stands designed in accord with the present inventor&#39;s patents. Another way to at least in part overcome the weak holding force found in many of the prior art couplings is to provide a more precise counterweight on an end of the boom arm opposite to the microphone or other device. If the counterweight creates an equal and opposite torque to that created by the microphone, then there is no net rotary force applied to the boom. This means that there is no tendency for the boom to rotate, meaning that more modest prior art couplings can still support a microphone properly. 
     However, with this counterweight comes a new set of challenges. One of these is the way the counterweight is attached to the stand. Most commonly, this is accomplished with a set screw or the like, which permits a fixed weight to be slid along the portion of the boom on the opposite side of the stand connection, distal from the microphone end. The weight can then be moved to compensate for heavier and lighter microphones or other devices. Furthermore, if the boom is adjusted to extend farther from the stand on the microphone side, the weight may also be moved to again zero the rotary forces about the coupling between boom and stand. Since the weight is intended to slide along the boom, and since the boom will generally not be a perfect cylinder, there must also be some space or gap between the inside bore of the weight and the outside diameter of the boom to accommodate these variances. This also means that the weight cannot fit tightly onto the boom, except for by the use of a set screw. Over time, the set screw will damage the boom, and will also tend to loosen, just as the coupling between boom and stand tends to loosen. As a result, this type of weight loses efficacy, and may also damage or destroy the boom. If the set screw loosens, there will be a great propensity for acoustic vibration, which can destroy the function of the microphone and stand. Because of the limited engaging surfaces, which comprise the tip of the set screw and a small line of contact directly opposite of the set screw tip, there may also be a tendency in some stands to develop destructive acoustic vibrations even when the set screw is secured. Furthermore, a wrench is required to tighten or loosen the set screw, which must occur before adjusting the position of the counterweight. As a result, these types of weights are normally affixed once and often never adjusted again. 
     Other artisans have coupled weights using other techniques. In the Hoshino patent incorporated by reference herein above, a static weight is provided that quickly attaches and detaches to provide counterbalance for a cymbal. Undesirably, this weight is relatively complex, thereby requiring greater cost and incorporating a greater chance of failure or undesirable resonances, and still provides only for a boom with or without the single weight. Another exemplary patent, the teachings and contents which are incorporated herein by reference, is U.S. Pat. No. 5,611,508 by Palmero, entitled “Horizontally adjustable microphone support”. This patent describes a threaded-on counterweight that is adjustable by how far onto the threaded rod the weight is rotated. However, there is nothing to load or lock the threads, meaning the device will tend to spin about the threads, and self-adjust. In addition, since there is no solid connection between the weight and the boom, the connection there between will be prone to vibrating undesirably. 
     Beyond the music industry, booms or similar apparatus are known that extend horizontally. However, these booms have very different requirements and objectives than those required for an electroacoustic device. Because of the lack of concern about acoustic energy or acoustic coupling, most of these devices use weights that are free to rattle about. An exemplary patent, the teachings and contents which are incorporated herein by reference, is U.S. Pat. No. 3,028,133 by Craig, entitled “Baby bottle holder”. This patent describes a set of screw-on counterweights. These weights screw over a threaded shaft, but the weights are free to vibrate against each other and the shaft, making this apparatus completely unacceptable for use with an electroacoustic device. 
     Others use cables and other apparatus that can also resonate or vibrate. An exemplary patent, the teachings and contents which are incorporated herein by reference, is U.S. Pat. No. 3,783,262 by Pile, entitled “Portable surgical lamp”. This patent describes a cable-connected counterweight as a part of an undesirably large and exposed apparatus. The cable will create an undesirable resonance at a frequency determined by the cable length and tension, will be awkward to transport, and may be dangerous if accidentally snagged and swung about. 
     Others have structures that are known exactly, such as for lights and the like, and these apparatus also control the movement to keep the counterweight and fixture balanced. An exemplary patent, the teachings and contents which are incorporated herein by reference, is U.S. Pat. No. 3,789,213 by Sonneman, entitled “Counterbalanced lamp”. This patent describes a fixed counterweight, made possible by the known fixed weight of the light fixture and the novel pivoting structure that keeps the weight and light fixture balanced for zero net torque. Other similar exemplary patents, the teachings and contents which are incorporated herein by reference, are U.S. Pat. No. 3,994,464 by Perbal et al, entitled “Internally wired counter-balanced bracket”; U.S. Pat. No. 4,364,535 by Itoh et al, entitled “Counterbalance mechanism for laser knife device”; U.S. Pat. No. 4,782,428 by Lowell et al, entitled “Collapsible fluorescent light for photography”; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,790,773 by Sapper, entitled “Lamp with an articulated support”. 
     Yet others use basic fastener attached counterweights that require a pair of tools to secure, release, or adjust the weights. One exemplary patent, the teachings and contents which are incorporated herein by reference, is U.S. Pat. No. 3,486,514 by Prescott, entitled “Canopy support”. This patent describes an umbrella support using a set of counterweights held onto a shaft by a pair of nuts surrounding the weights. Another exemplary patent, the teachings and contents which are incorporated herein by reference, is U.S. Pat. No. 5,126,928 by Hughes, entitled “Mobile boom-mounted shop light”. This patent describes a counterweight using set-screw attached collars to capture the weights. 
     In addition to the foregoing patents, Webster&#39;s New Universal Unabridged Dictionary, Second Edition copyright 1983, is incorporated herein by reference in entirety for the definitions of words and terms used herein. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In a first manifestation, the invention is, in combination, a boom stand and an electroacoustic device supported therefrom. A boom defines a longitudinal axis and is terminated adjacent a first longitudinal end with an electroacoustic device coupler and at a second end with a first threaded coupler. A stand elevates the boom. A terminal weight has a generally cylindrical body defining a longitudinal axis. The terminal weight generally cylindrical body is shaped to be adequately grasped by a person&#39;s palm and finger portion of a hand clasping about the terminal weight longitudinal axis and thereby adapted to operatively permit manual rotation of the terminal weight generally cylindrical body about the terminal weight longitudinal axis. The terminal weight is longitudinally terminated with a second threaded coupler adapted to operatively couple with the first threaded coupler while aligning the terminal weight longitudinal axis co-axially with the boom longitudinal axis. At least one medial weight has a generally cylindrical body defining a longitudinal axis. The at least one medial weight is shaped to be adequately grasped by a person&#39;s palm and finger portion of a hand clasping about the medial weight longitudinal axis, and is thereby adapted to operatively permit manual rotation of the medial weight generally cylindrical body about the medial weight longitudinal axis. The at least one medial weight is longitudinally terminated with a third threaded coupler adapted to operatively couple with the first coupler while aligning the medial weight longitudinal axis co-axially with the boom longitudinal axis. The at least one medial weight is further longitudinally terminated distally from the third threaded coupler with a fourth threaded coupler adapted to operatively couple with the second threaded coupler while aligning the medial weight longitudinal axis co-axially with the terminal weight longitudinal axis. 
     In a second manifestation, the invention is a boom stand adapted to operatively support an electroacoustic device. A boom defines a longitudinal axis and is terminated adjacent a first longitudinal end with an electroacoustic device coupler and at a second end with a first threaded coupler. A stand elevates the boom. A terminal weight has a generally cylindrical body defining a longitudinal axis. The terminal weight generally cylindrical body is shaped to be adequately grasped by a person&#39;s palm and finger portion of a hand clasping about the terminal weight longitudinal axis and thereby adapted to operatively permit manual rotation of the terminal weight generally cylindrical body about the terminal weight longitudinal axis. The terminal weight is longitudinally terminated with a second threaded coupler adapted to operatively couple with the first threaded coupler while aligning the terminal weight longitudinal axis co-axially with the boom longitudinal axis. At least one medial weight has a generally cylindrical body defining a longitudinal axis. The at least one medial weight is shaped to be adequately grasped by a person&#39;s palm and finger portion of a hand clasping about the medial weight longitudinal axis, and is thereby adapted to operatively permit manual rotation of the medial weight generally cylindrical body about the medial weight longitudinal axis. The at least one medial weight is longitudinally terminated with a third threaded coupler adapted to operatively couple with the first coupler while aligning the medial weight longitudinal axis co-axially with the boom longitudinal axis. The at least one medial weight is further longitudinally terminated distally from the third threaded coupler with a fourth threaded coupler adapted to operatively couple with the second threaded coupler while aligning the medial weight longitudinal axis co-axially with the terminal weight longitudinal axis. 
     OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
     Exemplary embodiments of the present invention solve inadequacies of the prior art by providing a stacking counterweight that can be easily manually attached and detached in stages to provide a variable amount of weight adjacent to a boom end. The individual weights preferably have a large grasping surface area so as to enable nearly all persons to manually grasp and rotate with sufficient force to secure them to the boom and to other weights without the need for tools. 
     The present invention and the preferred and alternative embodiments have been developed with a number of objectives in mind. While not all of these objectives are found in every embodiment, these objectives nevertheless provide a sense of the general intent and the many possible benefits that are available from embodiments of the present invention. 
     It is the principal object of the present invention to stabilize a boom, both to aid in the prevention of tipping a vertical support and to aid in the prevention of the boom sagging if the connection between boom and vertical support weakens or loosens, by providing a counterweight that creates an equal and opposite torque to that created by a microphone or other device supported by the boom. An additional object of the present invention is to provide this stability through a counterweight that is quickly and easily customizable, intuitive, and relatively compact. A further object of the present invention is to provide a variable counterweight that can be easily manually attached and detached in stages to provide a variable amount of weight adjacent to a boom end. Another object of the present invention is to provide a large grasping surface area so as to enable nearly all persons to manually grasp and rotate individual weights with sufficient force to secure them to the boom and to other weights, without tools and still avoiding the risk of extraneous rattle or vibration that might interfere with the operation of an electroacoustic device. Yet another object of the invention is to provide a way to manually stack counterweights together in a manner that is free of acoustic vibration, secure, and which permits manual separation even after exposure to acoustic and other vibrations at any angle of orientation of the boom. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing and other objects, advantages, and novel features of the present invention can be understood and appreciated by reference to the following detailed description of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a preferred embodiment boom stand that is suitable for supporting an electroacoustic device and that is designed in accord with the teachings of the present invention, with the boom in one optional position, from a side plan view. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates the preferred embodiment stacking counterweight of  FIG. 1  having in combination one each of the two preferred embodiment weights affixed to each other and to the boom end from a side perspective view, though it will be understood that the top and bottom plan views may be identical thereto. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates the preferred embodiment stacking counterweight coupled with the boom end as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , from a sectional view taken along a vertical plane illustrated by section line  3 ′ of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a preferred embodiment boom end and threaded terminus of  FIG. 1 , but without the preferred embodiment stacking counterweight, from a side plan view. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a preferred embodiment medial weight of  FIG. 1  from a side plan view. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a preferred embodiment terminal weight of  FIG. 1  from a side plan view. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a first alternative embodiment medial weight similar to the medial weight of  FIG. 5  from a side plan view. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a first alternative embodiment stacking counterweight using the medial weight of  FIG. 7  and coupled with the boom end from a sectional view taken along a vertical plane similar to that illustrated in  FIG. 3 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Manifested in the preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a boom stand  1  which is adapted to support one or more of a variety of known devices thereon, including but not solely limited to an electroacoustic device such as a microphone. More specifically, but not limited thereto, microphones, cameras, lights, medical equipment, and many other devices may be supported therefrom. For reasons to be explained herein below, the support of sensitive electrical or electronic equipment is most preferred, especially pertaining to microphones, but the application of the present invention is not solely limited thereto and is instead contemplated by the present inventor to have other applications as well. 
     Boom stand  1  includes a base  100  which is designed to support boom stand  1  upon a floor or other surface. Most preferably, though not an absolute requisite, the floor or other surface will be relatively planar or flat, at least in the region adjacent to base  100 . This permits base  100  to be formed with points of contact all in a planar relationship, thereby removing any need for special supporting contact points or leveling feet or the like. Arising from base  100  is a stand  200 , which in the preferred embodiment boom stand  1  is an extension stand comprising several telescoping segments such as segment  210  separated and locked into place by locking members  220 . At the top of stand  200  distal to base  100  is a pivoting boom support clamp  300 , carrying thereon a boom  400 . Boom  400 , like stand  200 , may in the preferred embodiment include a plurality of telescoping tubular sections such as section  210  interconnected and held in relative placement by additional locking members  220 . At the end of boom  400  closest to the load to be supported, a separate pivotal joint  420  may be provided with a stub or additional coupler  421 . To this coupler  421  any of a wide variety of already known component supports may be attached, the details which are not critical to the proper operation of the present invention. Distal to coupler  421  is an adjustable counterweight  10  designed in accord with the teachings of the present invention, which is preferred to maintain balance across boom  400 . Additional features and capabilities that may be incorporated within the present preferred embodiment boom stand  1  are illustrated and described in my patents incorporated by reference herein above. 
     In preferred embodiment boom stand  1 , the end  410  of boom  400  distal to coupler  421  is provided with a threaded terminus  411  having male threading such as would be found on a machine bolt or pipe, such as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . This threading begins at the very end of boom  400  and continues up boom  400  for some length. Preferably the threading is relatively fine with many threads per inch, but other threading or other equivalent or suitable couplings are considered to be incorporated herein. 
     A stacking counterweight  10  is attached to threaded terminus  411  of a boom end  410 . Stacking counterweight  10  is preferably provided with two weight geometries, a terminal weight  20  geometry and a medial weight  30  geometry such as illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . 
     Preferred embodiment terminal weight  20  may be provided with a cylindrical body  21  with two ends, as illustrated in  FIG. 6 . Terminus  22 , which will preferably define the most extreme extension of boom  400 , may be generally flat as illustrated, but may be domed, rounded, fileted, or have any other suitable shape. Terminus  22  will be the most likely surface for contact with other objects or persons, and will preferably not have a sharp or abrupt edge such s would be found on a simple cut rod. 
     Coupler  23  of terminal weight  20  is distal to terminus  22 , and is preferably provided with female threading to match male threading that may be provided on a compatible prior art boom stand. Terminal weight  20  may be of any prescribed size, material, or mass that is suitable to provide a counterbalance for a device affixed to coupler  421  on the distal end of boom  400 . Terminal weight  20  may be screwed on to boom  400  directly, or to a medial weight  30  as illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3 . 
     A preferred embodiment medial weight  30  may be provided with a cylindrical body  31  with two ends, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . One end is provided with a coupler  33  having female threading to match the male threading on threaded terminus  411  of a compatible boom stand, and the other end is provided with a male coupler  32  having male threading preferably identical to that of threaded terminus  411  found on boom  400 . 
     By ensuring that male coupler  32  matches threaded terminus  411  on boom  400 , female coupler  33  of medial weight  30  may then be coupled with threaded terminus  411  directly, or, alternatively, coupled to one or more additional medial weights  30  intervening there between. When so provided, any number of medial weights  30  may be affixed in a series, which allows a person to decide at the time of use how much mass is appropriate to counterbalance a coupler  421  and device attached thereto. 
     A medial weight  30  may end the series. However, a terminal weight  20  will preferably be affixed, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3 , to provide a more finished surface and appearance, and to prevent any debris from accumulating on male coupler  32  of the final medial weight  30  during use. Since terminal weight  20  will necessarily extend from the vertical support provided by stand  200 , a finished surface will also help to reduce the likelihood of undesirable snagging of clothes or other objects that may accidentally brush up against the protruding end of male coupler  32 . 
     Facing surface  24  engages with shoulder  35  during rotation of terminal weight  20  about the terminal weight longitudinal axis, thereby operatively tensioning the threads within threaded female coupler  23  and threaded male coupler  32  to ensure snug and vibration-free engagement therebetween. Similarly, the threads within threaded female coupler  33  and about threaded terminus  411  will also preferably be tensioned. In this case, a person may grasp boom end  410  while rotating medial weight  30 , until the threads are tensioned, though without the benefit of a facing surface and shoulder, the torque applied may need to be greater at this coupling. 
     A benefit of boom stand stacking counterweight  10  designed in accord with the teachings of the present invention is that counterweight  10  provides a quick, easy, and customizable boom balance at the point of use. A user can affix a single terminal weight  20 , any number of medial weights  30 , or any combination of medial and terminal weights to reach a desired counterbalance mass, and yet the weights are relatively compact, facilitating both use and transport. The mass of counterweight  10  can provide stability to prevent tipping when a device affixed to boom  400  is far from the vertical support of a stand  200 , and help prevent sagging of boom  400  when the connection between stand  200  and boom  400  is not fully secure. 
     Preferred embodiment terminal weights  20  and medial weights  30  are shown here as cylinders, but the shape of the weights may vary based on the desires of the user. Alternate forms may include spheres, figurines, or other shapes chosen or created in the design process. Furthermore, the outer cylindrical surface can be textured, knurled, or have one or any number of flats formed thereon. For the purposes of the present disclosure, the reference to a generally cylindrical body will be understood to include these variants, provided that the body is still shaped to adequately be grasped by a person&#39;s palm and finger portion of a hand. This is important to the present invention, since this provides a large manual contact surface, allowing the preferred embodiment stacking counterweight  10  to be manually installed by nearly any individual in a very secure manner free from resonance or chatter, and without the need for tools of any sort. 
     Additionally, the preferred embodiment boom stand stacking counterweight diameters are shown here to be equal, but the diameter may vary between weights, so long as the diameter is large enough to accommodate female threading of the appropriate size. The weights  20 ,  30  may be of any prescribed mass, and this mass may vary from weight to weight. The couplers illustrated herein comprise male threading on the boom and female threading for engaging therewith, but it will be understood herein that this arrangement can be reversed to provide the female threading on the boom and male threading on the terminal and medial weights for engagement therewith. 
     In consideration of the foregoing figures and description, several additional features and options are also considered and incorporated herein. Preferred embodiment boom stand stacking counterweights may be manufactured from a variety of materials, including metals, resins and plastics, ceramics or cementitious materials, or even combinations, laminates or composites of the above. The specific material used may vary, though special benefits are attainable if several important factors are taken into consideration. 
     Preferably, all materials are selected to be sufficiently tough and durable to not fracture, even when great forces are applied thereto such as might be applied during the accidental toppling of a boom stand. This can be challenging, since in normal use the counterweights are placed at the end  410  of an extended boom  400 , meaning the counterweights might be required to absorb the entire energy of impact when a boom stand  1  does topple. 
     Furthermore, it is very preferable that the combination of geometry and materials do not lead to very undesirable resonances or echoes within the audible range of frequencies. Consequently, a substantially solid counterweight is generally preferable to a substantially hollow one. 
     The threaded or other equivalent couplings  23 ,  32 ,  33 ,  411  will most preferably be secured well to further prevent or minimize any differential vibration from occurring between two adjacent counterweights or a counterweight and boom  400 . Such differential vibrations may, for exemplary purposes only and not limiting thereto, generate a buzzing sound that can be annoying and yet difficult to locate. The use of relatively high quality threading, such as the relatively fine threading mentioned above, will generally be adequate. Alternatively or additionally, the threads or other suitable coupling may be provided with a thread locking polymer, or with vibration dampening material within the threaded region either as an additional coating, layer or body, or even as the primary material of the stacking counterweight  10  or boom stand  1 . 
     The materials used for preferred embodiment boom stand stacking counterweight  10  are also preferably relatively dense, which allows them to be more compact for a given weight. Many common metals are quite dense, particularly when compared to polymers used in the fabrication of plastic parts, and with or without additional coatings or finishes various metals and metal alloys will have characteristics suited to meet the other objectives. 
     The outer perimeter or external surface of the counterweights may also be provided with a suitable surface finish. In the preferred embodiment illustrated in the Figures, this surface comprises a black color, and may further comprise a surface texture such as a lightly knurled surface, a matte finish, or other finish such as will be desired by a particular designer for a particular application. As noted herein above, where a texture is provided, the preferred embodiment counterweights  20 ,  30  may more readily be manually attached and removed from each other and boom threaded terminus  411 . The particular surface finish, including color and texture, will be chosen in accord with the teachings of the present invention by a designer for a particular look and application. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a first alternative embodiment medial weight  530 , and  FIG. 8  illustrates a first alternative embodiment stacking counterweight  510  using the medial weight  530  of  FIG. 7  and coupled with boom end  410 . This first alternative embodiment stacking counterweight  510  is distinguished from the preferred embodiment stacking counterweight  10  by the hundreds digit, while individual components within each embodiment are designated by the ones and tens digits. Since many of the individual components are alike or similar between the preferred and alternative embodiments, numbering of the ones and tens digits have been maintained wherever possible, such that identical, like or similar functions may more readily be identified between the embodiments. If not otherwise expressed, those skilled in the art will readily recognize the similarities and understand that in many cases like numbered ones and tens digit components may be substituted from one embodiment to another in accord with the present teachings, except where such substitution would otherwise destroy operation of the embodiment. Consequently, those skilled in the art will readily determine the function and operation of many of the components illustrated herein without unnecessary additional description. 
     Terminal weight  520  has a body  521  with two ends. Terminus  522  defines the most extreme extension of boom  400 , and may have geometry similar to terminus  22 . Coupler  523  of terminal weight  520  is distal to terminus  522 , and is preferably provided with female threading to match male threading that may be provided on a compatible prior art boom stand. However, facing surface  524  differs from facing surface  24  due to the provision of an annular depression  527  generally surrounding the opening to threaded female coupler  523 . 
     Medial weight  530  may also have a body  531  with two ends, as illustrated in  FIG. 7 . One end, facing surface  534 , is provided with a coupler  533  having female threading to match the male threading on threaded terminus  411  of a compatible boom stand, as visible in  FIG. 8 . The end distal to facing surface  534  is provided with a male coupler  532  having male threading preferably identical to that of threaded terminus  411  found on boom  400 . However, rather than male coupler  532  coming directly out of body  531 , a slightly narrower neck  536  is provided. Neck  536  provides a location which will preferably be configured to receive and retain an elastomeric washer  540 . In other words, and as visible in  FIG. 8 , if the inside diameter of washer  540  is less than the outside diameter of male coupler  532 , and if washer  540  is sufficiently elastomeric, then in order for washer  540  to be placed around neck  536 , washer  540  must be stretched. This means that once washer  540  is stretched over male coupler  532 , and then slid into abutment with body  531 , the inside perimeter of washer  540  will contract around neck  536  and not be removable from medial weight  530  without again stretching washer  540 . 
     In addition, shoulder  535  is also provided with an annular depression  537  adjacent to neck  536 . As may be apparent from  FIG. 8 , most preferably under appropriate force for manual tightening, shoulder  535  will not come into contact with facing surface  524 . Instead, the thickness of washer  540  will prevent such contact. In addition, washer  540  will ensure snug and vibration-free engagement there between. In the event a person excessively tightens terminal weight  520  onto medial weight  530 , then washer  540  will be excessively compressed. Without the annular depressions  527 ,  537 , excessive tightening may cause washer  540  to be crushed and literally extruded or driven out of the space between facing surface  524  and shoulder  535 . However, in stacking counterweight  510 , these annular depressions  527 ,  537  provide sufficient space for washer  540  to exist in compressed state, even if a person excessively tightens terminal weight  520  onto medial weight  530 . In such a case, facing surface  524  will engage with shoulder  535 , preventing any further tightening and also preventing damage to or destruction of washer  540 . 
     This means that as soon as washer  540  is even slightly compressed between annular depressions  527 ,  537 , washer  540  will help greatly to secure terminal weight  520  to terminal weight  530  by creating tension within the threaded couplings and also by the additional friction introduced. In addition, washer  540  may also help to reduce any differential vibration from occurring between two adjacent counterweights. One of the challenges with a threaded coupling is the uncertainty of the orientation of the boom stand, the uncertainty of the force applied to tighten the connection, and the acoustic and other vibratory energy that the stand may be exposed to. Each of these can lead to the threads undesirably locking together with force that is greater than can be manually overcome. By providing washer  540  intermediate to the adjacent counterweights, this undesirable locking can be eliminated. 
     While annular depressions  527 ,  537  are illustrated as having smooth surfaces, which will reduce wear over time when used with common elastomeric materials such as natural or synthetic rubber, there is no requirement that this be so. Similarly, while washer  540  is illustrated as having a geometry resembling that of an annular body or flat perforated disk, in alternative embodiments washer  540  may take any suitable shape, or may be comprised by a plurality of discrete elastomeric bodies. 
     Further, the outer diameter of annular depressions  527 ,  537  are illustrated in  FIG. 8  as matching the outer diameter of washer  540 . In some alternative embodiments contemplated herein, it may also be desirable to vary the outer diameter of annular depressions  527 ,  537  relative to the outer diameter of washer  540 , such as by making the outer diameter of annular depressions  527 ,  537  slightly larger than the outer diameter of washer  540 . In such case, when washer  540  is compressed, it may stretch slightly to fill the extra space created by the greater outer diameter of the annular depressions before engaging with the outer diameter of annular depressions  527 ,  537 . Noteworthy here is that, once washer  540  engages with the outer diameter of annular depressions  527 ,  537 , there will be more surface area in contact, and the rotary force required for further rotation will significantly increase. Consequently, this may be useful to provide tactile feedback to a person and thereby assist with proper tightening. 
     The outer diameter of annular depressions  527 ,  537  does not, in fact, have to be cylindrical, and may instead in an alternative embodiment have one or a plurality of flat surfaces formed therein, to instead resemble the counter-relief surface of a hex-sided nut, for exemplary and non-limiting purpose. In even further alternative embodiments contemplated herein, the outer diameter of annular depressions  527 ,  537  may be textured, or have ribs or other surface features. In these alternative embodiments having non-cylindrical outer peripheries, and in the event of tightening sufficient to significantly compress washer  540 , then the outer diameter of washer  540  will interact with these surface features and thereby significantly increase the friction there between, consequently also significantly increasing the rotary force required for further tightening and again providing tactile feedback. 
     While throughout the foregoing description of first alternative embodiment stacking counterweight  510 , two annular depressions  527 ,  537  are described, it will further be understood herein that a single annular depression may be formed in either facing surface  524  or shoulder  535  of depth equivalent or effective to operate similar to the combined depth of the two annular depressions  527 ,  537  as illustrated. Nevertheless, the use of two annular depressions  527 ,  537  as illustrated is preferred, since there is less chance of washer  540  being permanently damaged or deformed. 
     While the foregoing details what is felt to be the preferred and alternative embodiments of the invention, no material limitations to the scope of the claimed invention are intended. Further, features and design alternatives that would be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art are considered to be incorporated herein. The scope of the invention is set forth and particularly described in the claims herein below.