Patent Publication Number: US-5253072-A

Title: Device for fixing a microphone on a video camera

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an adjustable device to mount a microphone to a video camera. 
     Generally a microphone is attached to a video camera in use to couple a image signal with a sound signal so as to secure a vivid expression of the scene. 
     As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a conventional device for attaching a microphone on a video camera has a microphone holder 21 with an inside groove 25 and an adjustable bolt with a knob 22, which is assembled to a corresponding holder 20 with a corresponding groove 24 and a bolt hole. The microphone holder 21 is turned on a hinge pin 27 after unscrewing the adjusting bolt with a knob 22. The adjustable bolt 22 is used to tighten the microphone holder 21 and the holder 20 together with the microphone. 
     In this conventional adjustable device, the microphone holder 21 is turned on a hinge pin 27 by loosening the threaded bolt with a knob 22. Thereafter, the microphone is inserted into the groove 24 and clamped by turning the microphone holder 21 counterclockwise and screwing the adjusting bolt 22 to the bolt hole. When assembling them, a pair of pad 23 and 26 presses the microphone to prevent it from sliding off and receiving scratches on the surface of the microphone. 
     However, the threaded bolt 22 is apt to be loosen by a series of shocks and vibrations commonly occurred while the video camera is in use; and accordingly the loosen microphone often creates noise to be mixed with a sound signal. Moreover, the conventional fixing device also requires greater amount of time to mount the microphone. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Therefore an object of the invention is to provide a new adjustable device and related parts to mount a microphone on a video camera. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a video camera wherein a microphone is fixed firmly so as not to be shaken and is detached and attached easily and speedily. 
     According to the present invention, a device for attaching a microphone on a video camera has a fixed holder with a groove, attached to the camera, a corresponding stepped microphone holder with a groove connected to the fixed holder so as to turn on a hinge pin. A U-shaped cut is formed on a side of a stepped portion of the microphone holder 4, and locking means for locking the microphone holder, the locking means has a knob, a threaded shaft and a cushion barrel. The threaded shaft is connected to the fixed holder so as to turn on a hinge pin, a spring flat resiliently supports the knob, and a guide spring and a bolt are connected to one end of the spring flat, in an upper portion of the stepped microphone holder. 
    
    
     The present invention will now be described more specifically with reference to the drawings attached only by way of example. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
     For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a plane view of a conventional microphone bracket; 
     FIG. 2 is a side view of a conventional microphone bracket; 
     FIG. 3 is a plane view of a microphone bracket constructed according to the principles of the present invention; and 
     FIG. 4 is a side view of the inventive microphone bracket shown in FIG. 3. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, this inventive microphone fixing bracket has a holder 2 with a groove 3 mounted on a camera and a corresponding stepped microphone holder 4 with a corresponding groove 5 connected to the holder 2 so as to turn on a hinge pin 7. The stepped microphone holder 4 has an U-shaped cut 6 formed on a side of its stepped portion where locking means of a knob 10, a threaded bolt 17 and a cushion barrel 8 are engaged for locking. The stepped microphone holder 4 also has a bolt 16, a guide spring 15 and a spring flat 9 set into its upper portion. The cushion barrel 8 is located under the knob 10 so as to receive the spring flat 9 between the knob 10 and the barrel 8 when locking. A pair of pads 11 and 12 inserted into the respective grooves 3 and 4 are for tightening the microphone within the cushion safely and protecting the surface of the microphone from scratches. 
     As illustrated above, there is provided a minute clearance between the cushion barrel 8 and the knob 10 by turning and loosening the knob slightly. Thereafter the locking means assembly formed by barr 8, 10 knob and bolt 17 slides out from the U-shaped cut 6 of the stepped microphone holder 4 by pushing and rotating the knob 10 counter-clockwise about the hinge pin 14 at 90 degrees. Opening the stepped microphone holder 4 by turning clockwise at 90 degrees, the microphone 13 is placed in the groove 3 with pad 11 and the rear portion of the microphone 13 inserted into a microphone jack. After placement, the microphone holder 4 is returned and the locking assembly 8, 10 and 17 are inserted into the U-shaped cut 6 by pulling and turning the knob 10 and the adjustable bracket becomes locked. Then the microphone 13 is tightened and set firmly by driving the knob downward so as to press the spring flat 9 and let the cushion barrel press the microphone holder 4 with a certain force. At the time, the pair of pads 11 and 12 protect the surface of the microphone from scratches and the spring flat 9 prevents the knob 10 from being apt to be loosening in case of a shock or shaking occurring during use. 
     In conclusion, this invention provides a video camera with a new microphone fixing device to prevent the microphone from being shaken or from trembling while, and to enable attachment and detachment of the microphone to and from a camera speedily. 
     While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that modifications in detail may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.