Patent Publication Number: US-2023147593-A1

Title: Leg opening angle changing member for stand and stand

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Field 
     The present disclosure relates to a leg opening angle changing member for a stand and to a stand. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     In a live music performance or studio recording, multiple microphone stands may be set around a drum set. In such a case, the microphone stands are set near a drumhead or a cymbal in the limited space around the drum set. Accordingly, a microphone stand is often placed near a drum stand or a cymbal stand, and microphone stands are often placed close to each other. In this case, the stands must be set such that their tripods do not contact each other. 
     In order to set the stands without causing the tripods to contact each other, the stands described below may be used so that the tripods are arranged in a crossing manner. The description of U.S. Pat. No. 5,340,066, the description of U.S. Pat. No. 6,412,737, and the description of U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018/0274716 each disclose a microphone stand that includes a tripod structure with a changeable leg opening angle. These microphone stands each include a pipe to which a microphone is attached, a base to which the lower end of the pipe is fixed, and three legs attached to the base in an openable manner. The base includes leg attaching portions at sections to which the three legs are coupled. The proximal ends of the legs are inserted into and attached to the leg attaching portions. 
     The stand disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,340,066 includes sleeves slidably attached to the legs as means for changing the leg opening angles. The sleeves each include a sleeve main body attached to the outer circumferential surface of the leg and an insertion portion that protrudes toward the base from the sleeve main body. Each sleeve of this stand is slid in the longitudinal direction of the leg to insert the insertion portion into the leg attaching portion, so that the leg opening angle is changed to an opening angle smaller than the opening angle of the leg in a fully opened state. At this time, the leg opening angle is smaller than the opening angle of the leg in a fully opened state by the amount corresponding to the thickness of the insertion portion arranged between the wall surface of the leg attaching portion and the proximal end of the leg. 
     The stand disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,412,737 includes, as means for changing the leg opening angle, a threaded hole formed in the proximal end of each leg and a screw threaded into the threaded hole. The screw is threaded to the threaded hole with its head contacting the inner wall of the leg attaching portion. This stand adjusts the leg opening angle in a continuous manner by changing the threaded amount of the screw into the threaded hole to change the protruding amount of the screw from the threaded hole. 
     The stand disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018/0274716 includes a leg coupling structure that includes a ratchet as means for changing the leg opening angle. The leg coupling structure includes a ratchet attached to a leg attaching portion and a rod that is coupled to the ratchet while being slidably arranged inside the leg. The rod includes rod teeth in a section coupled to the ratchet. The rod teeth are engageable with teeth of ratchet. The ratchet structure of this stand changes the leg opening angle in a stepwise manner. Also, the engagement of the ratchet teeth and the rod teeth maintains the changed opening angle of the leg. 
     When changing the leg opening angle of the stand disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,340,066, it is only necessary to slide the sleeve to a position where the insertion portion is inserted into the leg attaching portion. Therefore, the structure and operation are both simple. However, the force that maintains the changed leg opening angle is limited to the contact frictional force generated between the sleeve and the wall surface of the leg attaching portion or between the sleeve and the surface of the leg. Thus, the force that holds the sleeve at the position where the insertion portion is inserted into the leg attaching portion is insufficient. The insertion portion may come off the leg attaching portion in the axial direction of the leg during the use of the stand. Also, the leg opening angle cannot be maintained at the changed opening angle in some cases. 
     When changing the leg opening angle of the stand disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,412,737, the screw must be manually rotated to adjust the protruding amount of the screw. It is bothersome to manually rotate the screw. Also, since the leg opening angle can be changed only by rotating the screw, it takes a relatively long time to change the leg opening angle. Further, when switching the leg between the fully open state and the closed state, the screw must be attached to or detached from the leg. It is also bothersome to attach or detach the screw. 
     The stand disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018/0274716 can maintain the leg opening angle at the changed opening angle by means of the engagement of the ratchet teeth and the rod teeth. However, the ratchet structure has a high number of components and is complicated. Accordingly, the use of the ratchet structure in the leg coupling structure increases the component costs and the number of manufacturing steps. This increases the manufacturing costs. 
     SUMMARY 
     It is an objective of the present disclosure to provide a leg opening angle changing member for a stand and a stand that are capable of changing a leg opening angle and maintaining the changed opening angle with a simple structure. 
     In one general aspect, a leg opening angle changing member for a stand that changes a leg opening angle of the stand is provided. The stand includes a base to which the leg is openably attached. The base includes a leg attaching portion to which a proximal end of the leg is attached. The leg opening angle changing member includes an insertion portion arranged between the leg attaching portion and the proximal end of the leg, and an attachment portion attached to the leg attaching portion or the proximal end of the leg. The leg opening angle changing member is attached to the leg attaching portion or the proximal end of the leg by means of the attachment portion. The leg opening angle changing member is configured to change the leg opening angle to an opening angle smaller than an opening angle of the leg in a fully opened state by arranging the insertion portion between the leg attaching portion and the proximal end of the leg in a state in which the leg opening angle changing member is attached to the leg attaching portion or the proximal end of the leg. 
     In another general aspect, a stand is provided. The stand includes an elongated member to which an item is attached, a base to which a lower end of the elongated member is fixed, legs openably attached to the base, and leg opening angle changing members configured to change opening angles of the respective legs. The base includes leg attaching portions to which proximal ends of the respective legs are attached. Each leg opening angle changing member includes an insertion portion arranged between the leg attaching portion and the proximal end of the leg, and an attachment portion attached to the leg attaching portion or the proximal end of the leg. Each leg opening angle changing member is attached to the leg attaching portion or the proximal end of the leg by means of the attachment portion. Each leg opening angle changing member is configured to change the leg opening angle to an opening angle smaller than an opening angle of the leg in a fully opened state by arranging the insertion portion between the leg attaching portion and the proximal end of the leg in a state in which the leg opening angle changing member is attached to the leg attaching portion or the proximal end of the leg. 
     Other features and aspects will be apparent from the following detailed description, the drawings, and the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of a microphone stand that includes leg opening angle changing members according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  2    is an enlarged partial front view showing a base of the microphone stand shown in  FIG.  1    and a surrounding structure. 
         FIG.  3    is a perspective view of the base shown in  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  4    is a perspective view of a leg opening angle changing member shown in  FIG.  1    as viewed from a front side. 
         FIG.  5    is a perspective view of the leg opening angle changing member shown in  FIG.  1    as viewed from a back side. 
         FIG.  6    is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating an opening state of a leg before the leg opening angle changing member shown in  FIG.  1    is attached. 
         FIG.  7    is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating an opening state of the leg after the leg opening angle changing member shown in  FIG.  1    is attached. 
         FIG.  8    is a perspective view of a microphone stand that includes leg opening angle changing members according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  9    is a partial front view of a structure including the proximal ends of legs to each of which the leg opening angle changing member shown in  FIG.  8    is attached. 
         FIG.  10    is a perspective view of the leg opening angle changing member shown in  FIG.  8   . 
         FIG.  11 A  is a partial perspective view illustrating a state in which the leg opening angle changing member attached to the proximal end of a leg shown in  FIG.  8    has been switched to an OFF position. 
         FIG.  11 B  is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating an opening state of the leg when the leg opening angle changing member shown in  FIG.  8    has been switched to the OFF position. 
         FIG.  12 A  is a partial perspective view illustrating a state in which the leg opening angle changing member attached to the proximal end of the leg shown in  FIG.  8    has been switched to an ON position. 
         FIG.  12 B  is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating an opening state of the leg when the leg opening angle changing member shown in  FIG.  8    has been switched to the ON position. 
     
    
    
     Throughout the drawings and the detailed description, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements. The drawings may not be to scale, and the relative size, proportions, and depiction of elements in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity, illustration, and convenience. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     This description provides a comprehensive understanding of the methods, apparatuses, and/or systems described. Modifications and equivalents of the methods, apparatuses, and/or systems described are apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. Sequences of operations are exemplary, and may be changed as apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, with the exception of operations necessarily occurring in a certain order. Descriptions of functions and constructions that are well known to one of ordinary skill in the art may be omitted. 
     Exemplary embodiments may have different forms, and are not limited to the examples described. However, the examples described are thorough and complete, and convey the full scope of the disclosure to one of ordinary skill in the art. 
     In this specification, “at least one of A and B” should be understood to mean “only A, only B, or both A and B.” 
     First Embodiment 
     A leg opening angle changing member  20  according to a first embodiment will now be described with reference to  FIGS.  1  to  7   . The leg opening angle changing member  20  is used to change an opening angle of a leg  15  of a microphone stand  10 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  1   , the microphone stand  10  includes a pipe  12 , which is an elongated member. A microphone  11 , which is an item, is attached to the pipe  12 . Also, the microphone stand  10  includes a base  13 , to which the lower end of the pipe  12  is fixed, and three legs  15 , which are attached to the base  13  in an openable manner. The leg opening angle changing members  20  is attached to the base  13  at each of three sections to which the proximal ends of the three legs  15  are attached. The leg opening angle changing member  20  is used to change the opening angle of the leg  15 . 
     As shown in  FIGS.  1  and  2   , a rubber cap  16 , which is an antislip member for the microphone stand  10 , is attached to the distal end of each leg  15 . Also, a leg holder  17 , which is a plastic middle member, is attached to the proximal end of each leg  15 . The leg holder  17  allows the leg  15  to open and close smoothly with respect to the base  13 . Each leg holder  17  includes an opening  17   a , into which the proximal end of the leg  15  is fitted, and has the shape of a substantially rectangular tube. The leg holder  17  includes a covering portion  17   b  on a side opposite to the opening  17   a . The covering portion  17   b  covers the proximal end of the leg  15  and has a rounded shape. 
     As shown in  FIG.  3   , the base  13  is a tubular body having a substantially triangular shape when viewed from a side. The base  13  includes a fixing hole  13   a  and a bolt insertion hole  13   b  in an upper part. The lower end of the pipe  12  is fixed to the fixing hole  13   a . A bolt  18  shown in  FIG.  1    is inserted into the bolt insertion hole  13   b . The base  13  includes three leg attaching portions  13   c  in a lower part. The proximal ends of the legs  15   a  are inserted into and attached to the leg attaching portions  13   c . The three leg attaching portions  13   c  are arranged about the axis of the fixing hole  13   a  at constant angular intervals. 
     Each leg attaching portion  13   c  includes an extension wall  13   d , which extends downward from the fixing hole  13   a , and two side walls  13   e , which extend downward from a lower edge  13   g  of the extension wall  13   d . The extension wall  13   d  and the side walls  13   e  each form a part of the leg attaching portion  13   c  to which the proximal end of the corresponding leg  15  is attached. The leg attaching portion  13   c  is open sideward and downward in the base  13 , so as to accommodate the proximal end of the leg  15  in an openable manner with respect to the base  13 . Each side wall  13   e  includes a fit-in portion  13   h  on the outer surface. The fit-in portion  13   h  is a recess that extends upward from the lower edge of the side walls  13   e . Each fit-in portion  13   h  includes a bolt receiving hole  13   f  at the center in the upper part to receive a bolt  19  shown in  FIG.  2   . 
     As shown in  FIGS.  2  and  3   , each leg  15  is inserted into the corresponding leg attaching portion  13   c  with the leg holder  17  attached to the proximal end of the leg  15 . The leg  15  is attached to the lower part of the base  13  by the bolt  19  and a nut  21  with the proximal end of the leg  15  inserted into the leg attaching portion  13   c . The bolt  19  is inserted from the outside of one of the side walls  13   e  and threaded to the nut  21  arranged on the outer side of the other side wall  13   e.    
     As shown in  FIGS.  2 ,  4 , and  5   , each leg opening angle changing member  20  includes two attachment portions  23 , a connecting portion  24 , and an insertion portion  25 . The leg opening angle changing member  20  is made of a plastic and has the shape of a U as a whole. The leg opening angle changing member  20  is configured to be attached to and detached from the leg attaching portion  13   c  of the base  13 . The leg opening angle changing member  20  is configured such that, when attached to the leg attaching portion  13   c , the insertion portion  25  is arranged between the lower edge  13   g  of the extension wall  13   d  and the leg holder  17  attached to the proximal end of the leg  15 . 
     The attachment portions  23  are attached to the side walls  13   e  of the base  13  when the leg opening angle changing member  20  is attached to the leg attaching portion  13   c . The attachment portions  23  each have an attachment hole  23   a , which is a recess. The attachment portions  23  are attached to the side walls  13   e  of the base  13  by fitting a bolt head  19   a  into one of the attachment holes  23   a  and fitting the nut  21  into the other attachment hole  23   a . The leg opening angle changing member  20  is attached to the leg attaching portion  13   c  of the base  13  by attaching the attachment portions  23  to the side walls  13   e . The bolt head  19   a  and the nut  21  are projections provided on the side walls  13   e  of the base  13  and are provided at positions corresponding to the attachment holes  23   a  of the attachment portions  23 . Each attachment portion  23  includes a projecting stopper  23   b  on the inner surface. The stoppers  23   b  are fitted into the fit-in portions  13   h  of the base  13 . 
     The connecting portion  24  connects the front ends of the attachment portions  23  to each other and forms an ornamental surface, which is the front surface of the leg opening angle changing member  20 . The connecting portion  24  has an elongated shape and is curved to protrude forward from the leg opening angle changing member  20 . The connecting portion  24  includes sections of two different widths. That is, the connecting portion  24  includes a first connecting section  24   a , which has a constant width, and second connecting sections  24   b , which respectively connect the opposite ends of the first connecting section  24   a  to the attachment portions  23 . The first connecting section  24   a  is a center section in the longitudinal direction of the connecting portion  24 . The second connecting sections  24   b  are end sections in the longitudinal direction of the connecting portion  24 . 
     As shown in  FIGS.  2 ,  4 ,  5 , and  7   , the insertion portion  25  is arranged between the lower edge  13   g  of the extension wall  13   d  and an upper surface  17   c  of the leg holder  17  when the leg opening angle changing member  20  is attached to the leg attaching portion  13   c . The insertion portion  25  extends rearward from the center of the back surface of the first connecting section  24   a . The width of the insertion portion  25  is equivalent to the width of the lower edge  13   g  of the extension wall  13   d . Also, the insertion portion  25  includes a protrusion  27 , which extends along the rear edge of the insertion portion  25 . Thus, at the center of the back surface of the first connecting section  24   a , a space is defined by the back surface of the first connecting section  24   a , the upper surface of the insertion portion  25 , and the front surface of the protrusion  27 . The space functions as a fitting recess  28 . The fitting recess  28  is engaged with the lower edge  13   g  of the extension wall  13   d , which functions as a fitting projection, when the leg opening angle changing member  20  is attached to the leg attaching portion  13   c.    
     Operation of the above-described leg opening angle changing member  20  will now be described with reference to  FIGS.  2 ,  6 , and  7   . As shown in  FIGS.  6  and  7   , the microphone stand  10  is placed on a floor surface F such that an axis P of the pipe  12  is perpendicular to the floor surface F. 
       FIG.  6    illustrates the microphone stand  10  in a state in which the leg  15  is opened without attaching the leg opening angle changing member  20  to the leg attaching portion  13   c . In this state, the leg  15  is fully opened by opening the leg  15  until the upper surface  17   c  of the leg holder  17  contacts the lower edge  13   g  of the extension wall  13   d . If the angle formed by the axis P of the pipe  12  and the axis G of the legs  15  is defined as an opening angle of the leg  15 , the opening angle of the leg  15  is A1. 
     A series of steps for attaching the leg opening angle changing member  20  to the leg attaching portion  13   c  will now be described. First, after a leg  15   a  on the right side in  FIG.  2    is closed as shown in  FIG.  2   , the leg opening angle changing member  20  is held to be oriented as shown and then attached to the leg attaching portion  13   c  from the front side of the base  13 . At this time, the lower edge  13   g  of the extension wall  13   d  is first fitted into the fitting recess  28  of the leg opening angle changing member  20 . Then, in a state in which the entire leg opening angle changing member  20  is deformed so as to spread the attachment holes  23   a  outward, the bolt head  19   a  is fitted into one of the attachment holes  23   a , and the nut  21  is fitted into the other attachment hole  23   a . At the same time, the stoppers  23   b  of the attachment portions  23  are fitted into the fit-in portions  13   h  of the base  13 . In this manner, the attachment portions  23  are attached to the side walls  13   e  of the base  13 , so that the leg opening angle changing member  20  is attached to the leg attaching portion  13   c  so as not to come off even if the leg  15   a  is closed. For each of the remaining two legs  15 , the leg opening angle changing member  20  is attached to the leg attaching portion  13   c  through the same steps for the leg  15   a.    
       FIG.  7    illustrates the microphone stand  10  in a state in which the leg  15  is opened after attaching the leg opening angle changing member  20  to the leg attaching portion  13   c . In this state, the leg  15  can be opened until the upper surface  17   c  of the leg holder  17  contacts the insertion portion  25  of the leg opening angle changing member  20 . In this case, an opening angle A2 of the leg  15  is smaller than the opening angle A1 of the leg  15  in the fully open state by the amount corresponding to the thickness of the insertion portion  25  arranged between the lower edge  13   g  of the extension wall  13   d  and the leg holder  17 . 
     In this state, the attachment portions  23  are locked to the side walls  13   e  of the base  13  by fitting the bolt head  19   a  into one of the attachment holes  23   a  and fitting the nut  21  into the other attachment holes  23   a . This allows the insertion portion  25  to remain between the lower edge  13   g  of the extension wall  13   d  and the leg holder  17 , thereby maintaining the changed opening angle of the leg  15 . When removing the leg opening angle changing member  20  from the leg attaching portion  13   c , it only suffices to disengage the bolt head  19   a  and the nut  21  from the attachment holes  23   a  while deforming the entre leg opening angle changing member  20 . 
     The first embodiment thus achieves the following advantages. 
     (1-1) The leg opening angle changing member  20  is attached to the leg attaching portion  13   c  when used. With this configuration, the insertion portion  25  is arranged between the lower edge  13   g  of the extension wall  13   d  and the leg holder  17  in a state in which the leg opening angle changing member  20  is attached to the leg attaching portion  13   c . The opening angle of the leg  15  is changed to an opening angle smaller than the opening angle of the leg  15  in the fully opened state. After the opening angle of the legs  15  is changed, the leg opening angle changing member  20  is attached to the leg attaching portion  13   c  by means of the attachment portions  23 . This allows the insertion portion  25  to remain between the lower edge  13   g  of the extension wall  13   d  and the leg holder  17 , thereby maintaining the changed opening angle of the leg  15 . With this configuration, the opening angle of the legs  15  is changed simply by arranging the insertion portion  25  between the lower edge  13   g  of the extension wall  13   d  and the leg holder  17 . The structure and operation are thus both simple. It is therefore possible to change the opening angle of the leg  15  and maintain the changed opening angle with a simple structure. 
     (1-2) The attachment portions  23  are locked to the side walls  13   e  of the base  13  by fitting the bolt head  19   a  into one of the attachment holes  23   a  and fitting the nut  21  into the other attachment holes  23   a . With this configuration, since the attachment portions  23  are locked to the side walls  13   e  after the opening angle of the leg  15  is changed, the leg opening angle changing member  20  is prevented from coming off the leg attaching portion  13   c . For example, during the use of the microphone stand  10 , the leg opening angle changing member  20  is prevented from being removed from the leg attaching portion  13   c  in the axial direction of the leg  15 . It is thus easy to maintain the changed opening angle of the leg  15 . 
     (1-3) The bolt head  19   a  and the nut  21  are projections provided on the side walls  13   e  of the base  13  and are provided at positions corresponding to the attachment holes  23   a  of the attachment portions  23 . The attachment portions  23  are attached to the side walls  13   e  of the base  13  by fitting a bolt head  19   a  into one of the attachment holes  23   a  and fitting the nut  21  into the other attachment hole  23   a . With this configuration, the attachment portions  23  are attached to the side walls  13   e  by engaging the attachment holes  23   a  with the bolt head  19   a  and the nut  21 , so that the leg opening angle changing member  20  is attached to the leg attaching portion  13   c . In this state, the engaging force between the attachment holes  23   a  and each of the bolt head  19   a  and the nut  21  maintains the leg opening angle changing member  20  at a position corresponding to an opening angle that is smaller than the opening angle of the leg  15  in the fully opened state. Thus, after the opening angle of the leg  15  is changed, the changed opening angle of the leg  15  is easily maintained by leg opening angle changing member  20 . 
     (1-4) At the center of the back surface of the first connecting section  24   a , a space is defined by the back surface of the first connecting section  24   a , the upper surface of the insertion portion  25 , and the front surface of the protrusion  27 . The space functions as a fitting recess  28 . The fitting recess  28  is engaged with the lower edge  13   g  of the extension wall  13   d , which functions as a fitting projection, when the leg opening angle changing member  20  is attached to the leg attaching portion  13   c . With this configuration, the leg opening angle changing member  20  is attached to the leg attaching portion  13   c  by locking the attachment portions  23  to the side walls  13   e  of the base  13  and by fitting the lower edge  13   g  of the extension wall  13   d  into the fitting recess  28 . In this state, the leg opening angle changing member  20  is reliably maintained at a position corresponding to an opening angle that is smaller than the opening angle of the leg  15  in the fully opened state by the locking force between the attachment portions  23  and the side walls  13   e  and the fitting force between the lower edge  13   g  of the extension wall  13   d  and the fitting recess  28 . For example, during the use of the microphone stand  10 , the leg opening angle changing member  20  is prevented from being removed from the leg attaching portion  13   c  in the axial direction of the leg  15 . Thus, after the opening angle of the leg  15  is changed, the changed opening angle of the leg  15  is easily maintained by leg opening angle changing member  20 . 
     (1-5) The leg opening angle changing member  20  is configured to be attached to and detached from the leg attaching portion  13   c  of the base  13 . With this configuration, the leg opening angle changing member  20  is attached to the leg attaching portion  13   c , so that the insertion portion  25  is arranged between the lower edge  13   g  of the extension wall  13   d  and the leg holder  17 . The opening angle of the leg  15  is changed to an opening angle smaller than the opening angle of the leg  15  in the fully opened state. The insertion portion  25  is removed from between the lower edge  13   g  of the extension wall  13   d  and the leg holder  17  by removing the leg opening angle changing member  20  from the leg attaching portion  13   c . The opening angle of the leg  15  is returned to the opening angle of the leg  15  in the fully opened state. That is, by simply attaching or detaching the leg opening angle changing member  20  to or from the leg attaching portion  13   c , the opening angle of the leg  15  can be changed to an opening angle smaller than the opening angle of the leg  15  in the fully opened state or can be returned to the opening angle of the leg  15  in the fully opened state. 
     For example, in a case in which multiple microphone stands  10  are set around a drum set, the tripods of the respective microphone stands  10  must not contact each other. In such a case, the leg opening angle changing members  20  are used to change the opening angle of each leg  15  to an opening angle smaller than the opening angle of the leg  15  in the fully opened state. In this manner, the tripod of a microphone stand  10 , of which the opening angles of the legs  15  have been reduced by using the leg opening angle changing members  20 , is set so as not to contact the tripod of another microphone stand  10  of which the legs  15  are fully opened. Since the tripods are prevented from contacting each other, a relatively small storage space is needed when storing the microphone stands  10  collectively in one place. 
     (1-6) The leg opening angle changing member  20  is made of a plastic and has the shape of a U as a whole. This configuration allows the leg opening angle changing member  20 , which has the shape of a U, to be attached to the leg attaching portion  13   c  or to be detached from the leg attaching portion  13   c  by deforming the entire leg opening angle changing member  20 . For example, the leg opening angle changing member  20  can be easily attached to the leg attaching portion  13   c  by deforming the leg opening angle changing member  20 , which has the shape of a U, to spread the sides outward after fitting the lower edge  13   g  of the extension wall  13   d  into the fitting recess  28  of the leg opening angle changing member  20 . Also, the leg opening angle changing member  20  is easily removed from the leg attaching portion  13   c  by performing a reverse procedure to the above-described procedure. This allows the leg opening angle changing member  20  to be easily attached to and detached from the leg attaching portion  13   c.    
     (1-7) Each leg opening angle changing member  20  includes two attachment portions  23 , a connecting portion  24 , and an insertion portion  25 . The connecting portion  24  has an elongated shape and is curved to protrude forward from the leg opening angle changing member  20 . With this configuration, deforming the connecting portion  24 , which is curved to protrude forward, allows the leg opening angle changing member  20  to be attached to the leg attaching portion  13   c  while deforming substantially the entire leg opening angle changing member  20 . The same applies to a case in which the leg opening angle changing member  20  is detached from the leg attaching portion  13   c . This allows the leg opening angle changing member  20  to be easily attached to and detached from the leg attaching portion  13   c . The connecting portion  24 , which is curved to protrude forward from the leg opening angle changing member  20 , provides the front surface, which is an ornamental surface of the leg opening angle changing member  20 . It is thus possible to make the leg opening angle changing member  20  inconspicuous when attached to the leg attaching portion  13   c . This improves the aesthetic appearance of the base  13  in a region including the leg attaching portion  13   c.    
     (1-8) The insertion portion  25  extends rearward from the center of the back surface of the first connecting section  24   a . Also, the first connecting section  24   a  includes the fitting recess  28  at the center of the back surface. With this configuration, the insertion portion  25  and the fitting recess  28  are provided at the center of the back surface of the connecting portion  24 , that is, at the middle position between the attachment portions  23 . Thus, after the opening angle of the leg  15  is changed, the leg opening angle changing member  20  is attached to the leg attaching portion  13   c  so as to contact the base  13  at the sides and the vicinity of the center. This restricts the leg opening angle changing member  20  from being removed easily from the leg attaching portion  13   c , so that the leg  15  is stably maintained at the changed opening angle. 
     Second Embodiment 
     A leg opening angle changing member  50  according to a second embodiment will now be described with reference to  FIGS.  8  to  12 B . Like or the same reference numerals are given to those components in the second embodiment that are like or the same as the corresponding components of the first embodiment. 
     As shown in  FIGS.  8  and  9   , a microphone stand  60  includes a base  13 , to which the lower end of a pipe  12  is fixed, and three legs  15 , which are attached to the base  13  in an openable manner and each include a leg opening angle changing member  50 . The leg opening angle changing member  50  is attached to the proximal end of each leg  15  in advance. A leg holder  40 , which is a middle member, is attached to the proximal end of each leg  15 . The leg holder  40  is configured such that the leg opening angle changing member  50  is attached to the leg holder  40 . 
     The leg holder  40  includes an opening  40   a , into which the proximal end of the leg  15  is fitted, a covering portion  40   b , which is provided on a side opposite to the opening  40   a , and an attachment portion  40   c , to which the leg opening angle changing member  50  is attached. The attachment portion  40   c  is provided between the center in an upper part of the leg holder  40  and the opening  40   a . The attachment portion  40   c  includes projections  40   d  on its side walls. The leg holder  40  includes a flat first upper surface  40   e  in a section corresponding to the attachment portion  40   c . The leg holder  40  also includes a curved second upper surface  40   f  between the center in the upper part and the covering portion  40   b.    
     As shown in  FIG.  10   , the leg opening angle changing member  50  includes two attachment portions  53  and an insertion portion  55 , which connects the attachment portions  53  to each other. The leg opening angle changing member  50  has the shape of a U as a whole. The leg opening angle changing member  50  is pivotally attached to the proximal end of each leg  15  by means of the leg holder  40 . The leg opening angle changing member  50  is pivotable between an ON position indicated by the solid lines in  FIG.  12 A  and an OFF position shown in  FIG.  11 A . That is, the leg opening angle changing member  50  can be switched between the ON position and the OFF position when attached to the leg holder  40 . The leg opening angle changing member  50  is configured to arrange, when switched to the ON position, the insertion portion  55  between the lower edge  13   g  of the extension wall  13   d  of the base  13  and the leg holder  40 . 
     The attachment portions  53  are attached to the projections  40   d  of the leg holder  40  in a state in which the leg opening angle changing member  50  is attached to the leg holder  40 . The attachment portions  53  each have an attachment hole  53   a , which is a recess. In the attachment portion  40   c  of the leg holder  40 , the projections  40   d  are respectively provided at positions corresponding to the attachment holes  53   a  of the attachment portions  53 . When the projections  40   d  of the leg holder  40  are respectively fitted into the attachment holes  53   a  of the attachment portions  53 , the attachment portions  53  are locked to the leg holder  40  attached to the proximal end of the leg  15 . In this state, the leg opening angle changing member  50  is attached to the proximal end of the leg  15  by means of the leg holder  40  so as not to move in the axial direction of the leg  15 . 
     The insertion portion  55  has a substantially rectangular and flat shape. The insertion portion  55  includes two ends  55   a , which are connected to the attachment portions  53 , and two edges  55   b , which extend in the longitudinal direction of the insertion portion  55 . The back surface of the insertion portion  55  is brought into contact with the first upper surface  40   e  of the leg holder  40  when the leg opening angle changing member  50  is switched to the ON position. One of the edges  55   b  includes a contact surface  55   c , which is brought into contact with the second upper surface  40   f  of the leg holder  40  when the leg opening angle changing member  50  is switched to the OFF position. The contact surface  55   c  is curved to have a concave shape in accordance with the second upper surface  40   f.    
     Operation of the above-described leg opening angle changing member  50  will now be described with reference to  FIGS.  11 A to  12 B . 
       FIGS.  11 A and  11 B  respectively show the leg opening angle changing member  50  switched to the OFF position and the microphone stand  60  with the leg  15  opened in a state in which the leg opening angle changing member  50  is switched to the OFF position. In this state, the leg  15  is fully opened by opening the leg  15  until the lower edge  13   g  of the extension wall  13   d  contacts the first upper surface  40   e  of the leg holder  40 . In this case, the opening angle of the leg  15  is B1. When switching the leg opening angle changing member  50  from the OFF position to the ON position, the leg  15  is first closed. Then, the leg opening angle changing member  50  is pivoted about the projections  40   d  of the leg holder  40  until the insertion portion  55  contacts the first upper surface  40   e  of the leg holder  40 . The leg  15  is opened after the leg opening angle changing member  50  is pivoted. 
       FIGS.  12 A and  12 B  respectively show the leg opening angle changing member  50  switched to the ON position and the microphone stand  60  with the leg  15  opened in a state in which the leg opening angle changing member  50  is switched to the ON position. In this state, the leg  15  can be opened until the lower edge  13   g  of the extension wall  13   d  contacts the insertion portion  55  of the leg opening angle changing member  50 . In this case, since the insertion portion  55  is arranged between the lower edge  13   g  of the extension wall  13   d  and the leg holder  40 , an opening angle B2 of the leg  15  is smaller than the opening angle B1 of the leg  15  in the fully opened state by an amount corresponding to the thickness of the insertion portion  55  arranged between the lower edge  13   g  of the extension wall  13   d  and the leg holder  40 . In this state, the leg opening angle changing member  50  is locked to the leg holder  40  by means of the attachment portions  53 . This allows the insertion portion  55  to remain between the lower edge  13   g  of the extension wall  13   d  and the leg holder  40 , thereby maintaining the changed opening angle of the leg  15 . When switching the leg opening angle changing member  50  from the ON position to the OFF position, it suffices to first closing the leg  15  and pivot the leg opening angle changing member  50  about the projections  40   d  of the leg holder  40  until the insertion portion  55  contacts the second upper surface  40   f  of the leg holder  40 . 
     The second embodiment thus achieves the following advantages. 
     (2-1) The leg opening angle changing member  50  is configured to be switched to the ON position or the OFF position when attached to the proximal end of the leg  15 . With this configuration, the position of the leg opening angle changing member  50 , which is attached to the proximal end of the legs  15  in advance, is changeable. This allows the insertion portion  55  to be arranged between the lower edge  13   g  of the extension wall  13   d  and the leg holder  40  and to be removed. That is, changing the position of the leg opening angle changing member  50  allows the opening angle of the leg  15  to be changed to the opening angle B2, which is smaller than the opening angle of the leg  15  in the fully opened state, or to be returned to the opening angle B1 of the leg  15  in the fully opened state. Also, since the leg opening angle changing member  50  is attached to the proximal end of each leg  15  in advance, the leg opening angle changing member  50  is prevented from being lost. 
     (2-2) The leg opening angle changing member  50  has a U-shape as a whole. This configuration allows the leg opening angle changing member  50  to be attached to the proximal end of the leg  15  so as to be pivotal about the sides of the leg opening angle changing member  50 , that is, the attachment portions  53  to which the projections  40   d  of the leg holder  40  are fitted. Also, the leg opening angle changing member  50  includes two attachment portions  53  and an insertion portion  55 , which connects the attachment portions  53  to each other. With this configuration, since the two attachment portions  53  stabilize the attachment of the leg opening angle changing member  50  to the proximal end of the leg  15 , the leg opening angle changing member  50  can be switched to the ON position and the OFF position in a stable manner. 
     (2-3) The leg opening angle changing member  50  is pivotal between the ON position, at which the insertion portion  55  is arranged between the lower edge  13   g  of the extension wall  13   d  and the leg holder  40 , and the OFF position, at which the insertion portion  55  is removed. With this configuration, the leg opening angle changing member  50 , which is attached to the proximal end of the legs  15  in advance, is pivotal. This allows the insertion portion  55  to be arranged between the lower edge  13   g  of the extension wall  13   d  and the leg holder  40  and to be removed. That is, the opening angle of the leg  15  can, through simple operations, be changed to the opening angle B2, which is smaller than the opening angle of the leg  15  in the fully opened state, or be returned to the opening angle B1 of the leg  15  in the fully opened state. The use of the leg opening angle changing member  50  allows the opening angle of the leg  15  to be changed with a single motion. This allows multiple microphone stands  60  to be set in a limited space and to be stored collectively in a small storage space after being used. 
     (2-4) The leg opening angle changing member  50  is pivotally attached to the proximal end of each leg  15  by means of the leg holder  40 . With this configuration, since the leg opening angle changing member  50  is indirectly attached to the proximal end of the leg  15  by means of the leg holder  40 , the shape of the leg opening angle changing member  50  is not limited by the shape of the proximal end of the leg  15 . This adds to the flexibility in the shape of the leg opening angle changing member  50 . 
     The above-described embodiments may be modified as follows. 
     In the first embodiment, the leg attaching portion  13   c , to which the leg opening angle changing member  20  is attached, is an opening to which the proximal end of the leg  15  is inserted and fixed. However, the leg attaching portion  13   c  may be a protrusion on the outer surface of the base  13 . In this case, it suffices to attach, by means of the attachment portions  23 , the leg opening angle changing member  20  to any of the extension wall  13   d  of the base  13 , the side walls  13   e , and a portion that projects from the outer surface of the base  13 . The leg opening angle changing member  20  may be attached to the proximal end of the leg  15  or the leg holder  17 , which is attached to the proximal end of the leg  15 , instead of the base  13 . 
     In the first embodiment, the bolt head  19   a  and the nut  21  are fitted into the attachment holes  23   a  so as to lock the attachment portions  23  to the side walls  13   e  of the base  13 . Instead, the attachment portions  23  may each include a projection, and the base  13  may have recesses, such as holes, to which the projections of the attachment portions  23  are locked. 
     In the first embodiment, the attachment portions  23  of the leg opening angle changing member  20  are configured such that the bolt head  19   a  and the nut  21  are fitted into the attachment holes  23   a . However, the attachment portions  23  may be configured to be locked to parts of the open end of the leg attaching portion  13   c . For example, the attachment portions  23  or the insertion portion  25  may be provided with a projection that can be locked to the open end of the leg attaching portion  13   c , so as to prevent the leg opening angle changing member  20  from being removed from the leg attaching portion  13   c  in the axial direction of the leg  15 . 
     In the first embodiment, the leg opening angle changing member  20  includes the two attachment portions  23  so as to have the shape of a U as a whole. One or both of the attachment portions  23  may be omitted so that the leg opening angle changing member  20  may have the shape of an L or an I as a whole. In this case, in place of the attachment portions  23  shown in  FIGS.  4  and  5   , fasteners such as screws and bolts, an adhesive member such as adhesion tape, or magnet sheets may be used to attach the leg opening angle changing member  20  to a section including the leg attaching portion  13   c  of the base  13 . 
     In the first embodiment, the insertion portion  25  does not necessarily need to be provided with the protrusion  27 , and the fitting recess  28  may be omitted from the leg opening angle changing member  20 . 
     In the second embodiment, the leg attaching portion to which the leg opening angle changing member  50  is attached is the leg holder  40 , which is attached to the proximal end of the leg  15 . However, the leg opening angle changing member  50  may be directly attached to the proximal end of the leg  15 . Also, in place of the proximal end of the leg  15 , the leg opening angle changing member  50  may be attached to the leg attaching portion of the base  13 . 
     In the second embodiment, the projections  40   d  are fitted into the attachment holes  53   a , so that the attachment portions  53  are locked to the attachment portion  40   c  of the leg holder  40 . Instead, the attachment portions  53  may each be provided with a projection and the leg holder  40  may have recesses, such as holes, to which the projections of the attachment portions  53  are locked. 
     In the second embodiment, the leg opening angle changing member  50  is pivotal with respect to the proximal end of the leg  15 . However, the leg opening angle changing member  50  may be slidable between the ON position and the OFF position on the proximal end of the leg  15 . 
     In the second embodiment, the leg opening angle changing member  50  is configured to be switched to two positions, which are the ON position and the OFF position, when attached to the proximal end of the leg  15 . However, the leg opening angle changing member  50  may be switched to three or more positions. 
     In the above-illustrated embodiments, the present disclosure is employed in microphone stands. However, the present disclosure may be employed in any type of stand that includes a tripod, such as a cymbal stand or a music stand. 
     Various changes in form and details may be made to the examples above without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims and their equivalents. The examples are for the sake of description only, and not for purposes of limitation. Descriptions of features in each example are to be considered as being applicable to similar features or aspects in other examples. Suitable results may be achieved if sequences are performed in a different order, and/or if components in a described system, architecture, device, or circuit are combined differently, and/or replaced or supplemented by other components or their equivalents. The scope of the disclosure is not defined by the detailed description, but by the claims and their equivalents. All variations within the scope of the claims and their equivalents are included in the disclosure.