Patent Publication Number: US-10779068-B1

Title: Microphone

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/547,224, filed on Aug. 18, 2017, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to microphones, and more particularly to handheld microphones. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     When voice amplification and/or recording is required or desired, many individuals use handheld microphones—either wired or wireless—for this purpose. For instance, many musicians will employ a handheld microphone during performances. A typical handheld microphone employs an elongated handle with a microphone head located at one end thereof. The voice is directed into the head, which often is somewhat bulbous relative to the handle, and features a wire mesh or other porous cover to facilitate the passage of sound through the head to the transducer. The transducer is typically located inside the head, often proximate the junction with the handle. 
     Many performers will, either initially or during the course of a performance, hold the microphone such that one or more fingers are located on the head, versus the handle. While this manner of holding a microphone is preferred for many performers, and has been widely known for decades, microphone interior and exterior configurations still tend to reflect the assumption that the microphone will be held exclusively by the handle. Thus, further improvements are possible. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved microphone. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, a microphone comprises a handle extending along a handle axis between a first handle end and second handle end, and a head connected to the first handle end and extending away therefrom along the handle axis. At least a first finger grip is formed in the head extending at least partially around a circumference thereof. 
     According to an aspect of the invention, the microphone further comprises a transducer having a reception axis and located within the head, the transducer being positioned such that the reception axis is offset from the handle axis. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, a second finger grip is formed in the head, a second arc of the second finger grip lying in a second plane intersecting the handle axis separated by an angle from the first plane, the reception axis lying within the angle between the first and second planes. 
     According to a further aspect, an angle between distally-oriented faces of the first and second planes is less than 180 degrees, and more preferably between approximately 120 and 160 degrees. 
     According to another embodiment of the present invention a microphone comprises a handle extending along a handle axis between a first handle end and second handle end, and a head connected to the first handle end and extending away therefrom along the handle axis. At least one first finger grip is formed in at least one of the handle and head extending at least partially around a circumference thereof. According to an aspect of the invention, the at least one finger grip is formed in the handle. 
     These and other objects, aspects and advantages of the present invention will be better appreciated in view of the drawings and following detailed description of preferred embodiments. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a microphone, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the microphone of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a partially cutaway side view of the microphone of  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIG. 4  is a partially cutaway side view of the microphone of  FIG. 1 , being grasped in the hand of a user. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a microphone  10  includes a handle  12  and a head  14 . A plurality of head finger grips  16 ,  18  are formed on the head  14  to facilitate the gripping thereof. Referring to  FIG. 3 , a transducer  20  located within the head  14  is positioned so as enhance sound reception with the microphone  10  grasped by the head finger grips  16 ,  18 . 
     The handle  12  extends along a handle axis  22  between a first end  24 , to which the head  14  is attached, and a second end  26 . In the depicted embodiment, the handle  12  is generally cylindrical about the handle axis  22 , with a gradual taper from a maximum handle diameter  30  at the first end  24  to a smaller diameter at the second end  26 . Alternately, other handle shapes/profiles could be employed in connection with the present invention. 
     A plurality of handle finger grips  32  are formed in the handle extending at least partially around the handle axis  22 . In the depicted embodiment, three (3) finger grips  32  are formed, each extending circumferentially at least 50% around the handle axis  22 . An arc of each grip  30  lies in a plane  34  approximately perpendicular to the handle axis  22 . 
     A majority of the microphone head  14  is preferably covered in a porous material  36 , such as a wire mesh. The head  14  extends away from the first end  24  of the handle  12  along the handle axis  22 , with a proximal portion  40  closer to the handle  12  and a distal portion  42  more distant from the handle  12 . In the depicted embodiment, there is a visible divider  44  between the proximal and distal portions  40 ,  42 —although no visible divider is required. Also in the depicted embodiment, the head  14  is bulbous relative to the handle  12 , having a maximum diameter  46  greater than a maximum handle diameter. However, it will be understood that other head shapes/profiles could be employed in connection with the present invention. 
     In the depicted embodiment, the plurality of head finger grips  16 ,  18  include a first finger grip  16 , whose arc lies in a plane  48  approximately perpendicular to the handle axis  22  (similarly to the handle finger grips  32 ), and a second finger grip  18 , whose arc lies in a plane  50  intersecting the handle axis  22  at an acute angle. Preferably, an angle  52  between distally-oriented faces of the planes  48 ,  50  is less than 180 degrees, and more preferably between approximately 120 and 160 degrees. 
     Each of the head finger grips  16 ,  18  is preferably on an opposite side of the handle axis  22 , with the circumferential extent of each grip  16 ,  18  preferably extending less than 50% around of the handle axis. The first finger grip  16  is preferably located on the same side of the handle axis  22  as the handle finger grips  32 , with the second finger grip  18  being on the opposite side thereof. Additionally, the first finger grip  16  preferably bridges the proximal and distal portions  40 ,  42 , while second finger grip  18  is located entirely within the distal portion  42 . 
     The transducer  20  is located within the head  14 . While virtually all transducers are at least multi-directional to some degree, the physical configuration of most transducers allows the identification of a reception axis  54 , in the general direction of which the transducer  20  is best suited to receive sound. The transducer  20  is advantageously positioned such that the reception axis is offset from the handle axis  22 . Preferably, the reception axis  54  lies within the angle  52  between the distally-oriented faces of the planes  48 ,  50 , and more preferably approximately bisects the angle  52 . 
     Additionally, rather than being positioned proximate the first end  24  of the handle, the transducer  20  is preferably located between the proximal and distal portions  40 ,  42  of the head  14 . Most preferably, the transducer  20  is located proximate the intersection between the plane  46  and the handle axis  22 . 
     The present invention is not limited to any particular type of microphone transducer. For example, the present invention could be employed in connection with the both dynamic and condenser microphones. Additionally, the present invention could be employed in connection with both wired and wireless microphones, and where employed with wireless microphones, any wireless connection standard could be used (e.g., Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, etc.). 
     In use, a user grasps the microphone  10 , utilizing the head and handle finger grips  16 ,  18 ,  32  in a manner similar to that shown in  FIG. 4 . As will be appreciated, not only is the grip on the microphone  10  enhanced, but the transducer  20  positioning ensures improved sound reception due to the absence of hand/finger interference with the reception axis  54 . 
     In general, the foregoing description is provided for exemplary and illustrative purposes; the present invention is not necessarily limited thereto. Rather, those skilled in the art will appreciate that additional modifications, as well as adaptations for particular circumstances, will fall within the scope of the invention as herein shown and described and of the claims appended hereto.