Patent Publication Number: US-2020280780-A1

Title: Microphone mounting system for digital devices and method of use

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/812,481 Filed Mar. 1, 2019, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to a mounting system and method for use thereof, and more specifically to a mounting system including a pocket for a digital recorder and for mounting the recorder to a microphone. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Public speaking events, such as seminars, wedding receptions, talent shows, political debates, and bar mitzvahs, occur every day. These all tend to use an audio enhancement system including a microphone to allow the speaker to be clearly heard by all attendees. 
     Today, sound amplification at a live event is a given. So much so, that many of these meeting spaces are equipped with a built-in, turn-key audio system. No knowledge of audio equipment or techniques is required to operate these systems. As long as the power button is turned on, and there are fresh batteries in the handheld microphone, the presenter needs only to talk into the microphone, and the audio speakers (often located in the ceiling or walls) faithfully reproduce what is said with enough volume for all to hear. If the venue is not already equipped with such a system, a DJ service is often hired to bring in and setup the necessary audio equipment. 
     However, many such occasions need to be captured on video as well, for a whole host of reasons. Video production companies are often hired to film, edit and output recordings of these events, for release on Blu-ray disc, or as online content, etc. Getting clean and reliable audio from the event is crucial to producing a good product. And as every video producer knows, “tapping into the soundboard” at one of these live events can be problematic. A myriad of potential problems may be encountered. For instance, if it is a closed turn-key type of system, there may be no jacks available to plug into the equipment. Or, if jacks are available, there may be EQ issues or noise gates applied to the signal that will affect the quality of the recording. 
     Maybe the microphone that the Best Man speaks into isn&#39;t included in the feed. Or there is a slight ringing of feedback, or sibilance throughout. RF interference often appears at the most inopportune time, and the best soundbite of the whole speech can be ruined when that all too familiar “pfffftttt” sound shows up. 
     What is needed is a discreet way to piggyback a small, professional, and reliable recording device to the microphone that the speaker is using to record high quality, unprocessed audio captured from the same place where the audio is being generated from and picked up by the microphone. 
     Heretofore there has not been available a system or method for a microphone mounting system for a digital recorder with the advantages and features of the present invention. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally provides a mounting system which includes a pocket for receiving a digital recorder or a wireless transmitter and a connector for connecting to the body of a microphone. The pocket is shaped to fit a typical digital recorder, such as the Sony UX560 digital voice recorder manufactured by the Sony Corporation of Tokyo, Japan, however it could be designed to fit recorders of many sizes and shapes. The pocket is also shaped to fit a wireless transmitter, such as the RODE wireless GO transmitter manufactured by RODE Microphones, LLC of Sydney, Australia. 
     The pocket provides near-full containment of the digital recorder or wireless transmitter while allowing for unobstructed access to the microphone portion located on the top face of the digital recorder. Both the sleeve and the connector are made of a polyurethane foam, such as a foam known as HyPUR-Cel® manufactured by Rubberlite Inc. of Huntington, W. Va., laminated with a four-way stretch nylon fabric which acts to grip the digital recorder or wireless transmitter to prevent it from sliding out of the pocket when handling the microphone. This pocket also covers the logo of the recorder or transmitter and any indicator lights or other indicators on the recorder or transmitter to make the digital recorder or wireless transmitter as visually low profile as possible. 
     The flexible laminated foam from which the pocket and the connector are manufactured from allows the device to fit most handheld microphones. The mounting system provides unobstructed access to the microphone&#39;s on/off switch and indicator light. The four-way stretch nylon fabric laminating the device ensures that once it is placed in contact with the handle of the microphone it will prevent slippage during use of the microphone and will help retain the digital recorder or wireless transmitter near the top of the microphone. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention illustrating various objects and features thereof. 
         FIG. 1  is a three-dimensional isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention in a typical environment installed on a microphone. 
         FIG. 2  is a top-down three-dimensional view thereof. 
         FIG. 3  is a bottom-up three-dimensional view thereof. 
         FIG. 4  is a rear three-dimensional view thereof. 
         FIG. 5  is a side elevational view thereof. 
         FIG. 6  is a partially-exploded three-dimensional isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a three-dimensional isometric view thereof shown assembled. 
         FIG. 8  is a partially exploded three-dimensional view thereof shown in conjunction with a typical environment of a microphone. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     I. Introduction and Environment 
     As required, detailed aspects of the present invention are disclosed herein, however, it is to be understood that the disclosed aspects are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art how to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. 
     Certain terminology will be used in the following description for convenience in reference only and will not be limiting. For example, up, down, front, back, right and left refer to the invention as orientated in the view being referred to. The words, “inwardly” and “outwardly” refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the aspect being described and designated parts thereof. Forwardly and rearwardly are generally in reference to the direction of travel, if appropriate. Said terminology will include the words specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof and words of similar meaning. 
     II. Preferred Embodiment Microphone Mounting System for Digital Device  2   
     As shown in  FIGS. 1-8 , the present invention is a mounting system  2  for mounting a digital device  18  to a microphone  4  using a mounting device  6 . The mounting device  6  includes a pocket  14  for receiving the digital device  18 . The pocket  14  and connector  12 , are ideally manufactured from polyurethane foam, such as a foam known as HyPUR-cel® manufactured by Rubberlite Inc. of Huntington, W. Va., laminated with a four-way stretch nylon fabric such that the pocket grips the digital device  18  to prevent the device from slipping out of the pocket  14 . The connector  12  is shown as a sleeve in the preferred embodiment, but may be any suitable connector to secure the mounting device  6  to the microphone  4 . The pocket  14  ensures that the digital device  18  is in proximity to the head  8  of the microphone  4 , which is where sound is directed. In a situation where the digital device  18  is a digital recorder, this provides uninterrupted access to the microphone portion  32  of the recorder via the opening  10  of the pocket  14 . This also prevents the device  18  from slipping out of the pocket  14  when the microphone  4  is inverted, and it covers the logo of the device and any indicator lights  30  or displays  28  to make the digital device  18  as visually low profile as possible. 
     The mounting system includes a connector  12  with an opening  22  for wrapping about the handle  16  of the microphone  4 . A wall  24  separates the opening  22  of the connector  12  from the opening  10  of the pocket  14  This connector  12  also allows access to the power switch  20  of the microphone  4 , as well as an indicator light  26  showing that the microphone  4  is active (if it exists), while securing the digital device  18  in place. If the digital device  18  is a digital recorder, this ensures that the microphone of the digital recorder is in proximity with the head  8  of the microphone  4 . This ensures that whatever is said into the microphone itself will be picked up by the digital recorder microphone  32  as well. If the digital device  20  is a digital transmitter, this ensures that the transmitter has good clearance to transmit audio data to a remote receiver device  34 , which in turn can be connected to a recording or amplifying device, such as a DSLR camera or an audio soundboard. The present invention ensures clear audio transfer to the remote receiver device  34  by ensuring that the microphone  32  of the digital device  18  is in proximity to the head  8  of the microphone  4 . 
     The connector  12  leaves enough room on the handle  16  of the microphone  4  for the microphone to be mounted within a standard microphone stand. This would allow the mounting system  2  to be used during political speeches, during orchestra performances, or any other situation where a microphone stand is used. 
     It is to be understood that while certain embodiments and/or aspects of the invention have been shown and described, the invention is not limited thereto and encompasses various other embodiments and aspects.