Microphone Suspension Assembly

1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to support means and, more particulary, to improved shock-absorbing microphone supports.

2. PRIOR ART

Microphones are usually directly connected to rigid supports such as stands, booms and the like so that when either the microphone or the support is jarred, the microphone suffers noise generation and sound distortion, as well as possible damage. Thus, microphone holders such as those shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,324,254, 1,887,637, 4,040,547, 3,562,446, 2,421,437, 2,235,518, 2,129,898 and 2,122,778 are all subject to the above-described deficiency.

Accordingly, there is a need for an improved microphone suspension assembly which will effectively cushion the microphone against sudden jarring, bumps and knocks that can produce noises, sound distortion and damage to the microphone. Such assembly should preferably be adjustable and easy to install and remove.

The improved microphone suspension assembly of the present invention satisfies all the foregoing needs. The assembly is substantially as set forth in the Abstract. Thus, it comprises a preferably generally flat, horizontal frame formed of spaced parallel longitudinally extending rods interconnected at their ends to transverse elastomeric bands, such as doubled or undoubled rubber bands. One or more rods between the frame sides are releasably connected to a rod connector so that the frame can oscillate therearound. Those rods can have band fittings at their ends. That connector can, in turn, releasably connect the frame to a stand, boom or handle or other rigid microphne support. The frame is also connected at the sides thereof to a bridge which rises above the frame and which bears an open topped preferably generally hemispherical in end view longitudinal slot or other means for releasably connecting the bridge to the barrel of a microphone. The portion of the bridge which grips the microphone barrel can be flexible and elastic or spring biased or the like. The microphone is held up out of the way of the bridge, frame, bottom connector and base support. The position of the microphone on the assembly is readily adjustable for proper balance. Any jars directly to the microphone are cushioned by the frame, as are bumps, jars, etc. traveling from the microphone base support up through the connector to the frame. Accordingly, the microphone is effectively isolated from undesired sound generation and distortion, and also damage, all because of the improved suspension assembly of the present invention.

Further features of the present invention are set forth in thefollowing detailed description and accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic top perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of the frame and bridge of the improved assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic side elevation, partly broken away, of a first preferred embodiment of the improved assembly of the present invention, incorporating the frame of FIG. 1 and showing a microphone in place therein; and,

FIG. 3 is a schematic fragmentary rear end view of a second preferred embodiment of the improved assembly of the present invention.

Now referring more particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, a first preferred embodiment of the improved microphone suspension assembly of the present invention is schematically depicted therein. Thus, suspension assembly 10 is shown which comprises a generally horizontal frame 12 formed of a plurality, in this case 4, parallel longitudinally extending preferably stiff rods 14 of metal, plastic or the like interconnected at their ends by transversely extending flexible resilient bands 16 of elastomeric material, such as rubber or plastic.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, each band 16 is a loop held in slots 18 in the two rods 14 on the side margins of frame 12 and in slots 20 in rectangular fittings 22 secured to the ends of those two rods 14 which are medial of the side margins of frame 12, preferably at about the longitudinal center line thereof.

The strands 17 and 19 of bands 16 lie flat against each other and thus effectively providing a double band 16. The medial rods 14 may be, as shown, slightly below the side margin rods 14.

Frame 12 is preferably rectangular and flat and is preferably held in a horizontal attitude when releasably connected to a base support such as a rigid handle 24 by a rod connector 26, specifically connected to the medial rods 14. In this regard, connector 26 includes a top plate 28, a bottom plate 30, both bearing rod-receiving longitudinal grooves 32, and a knurled knob 34 threadably screwed down through plates 28 and 30 to releasably hold them together.

Plate 30 is T-shaped (in end view) with a bottom leg 36 releasably locked in a groove (not shown), as by screw-bearing knob 39 in the upper end of handle 24. Handle 24 has an upper portion 40 and a lower portion 42 releasably joined together by set knob 44 to control the hand angle of handle 24.

Assembly 10 also includes a bridge 46 which is of a generally inverted V-shape, with a pair of diverging depending legs 48 connected at their lower ends 50 to rods 14 at the side margins of frame 12. Microphone connector means are disposed in the apex or upper end 51 of bridge 48 and comprise a generally hemispherical (in end view) open topped slot 52 extending longitudinally therethrough and adapted to releasably receive the barrel 54 (FIG. 2) of a microphone 56, so that microphone 56 is held up out of direct contact with the remainder of bridge 46 and with frame 12, connector 26 and handle 24. Thus, screening on microphone 56 is not interfered with by assembly 10.

The position of microphone 56 relative to bridge 46 can be adjusted by sliding barrel 54 forward or backward (longitudinally) in slot 52 so as to be able to properly center and balance microphone 56 above assembly 10 for maximum movement. Preferably, the portions 58 of end 51 defining slot 52 snugly but releasably grip barrel 54. In this regard, portions 58 may be of flexible resilient material such as rubber or plastic, so as to flex open enough to receive barrel 54. Other means can be used to enable the gripping action, as hereinafter described in connector with FIG. 3.

Accordingly, an improved shock-absorbing, shock-resistant microphone suspension assembly is thus provided. Because resilient flexible frame 12 is interposed between microphone 56 and handle 28, jars, bumps, etc., emanating at handle 38 or at microphone 56 are softened, dampened and suppressed by frame 12, which absorbs the same and can oscillate in all directors as a result, so that microphone 56 is protected against damage and also against undesired sound generation and sound distortion.

Assembly 10 permits the position of frame 12 relative to connector 26 and handle 24 to be readily adjusted. In addition, if desired, bridge 46 can either be pinned in place on frame 12 or can be allowed to frictionally slide, preferably with some difficulty, thereon. Moreover, barrel 54 can slide longitudinally in slot 52. Accordingly, the relative positions of microphone 56, frame 12, bridge 46 and handle 38 can be easily changed, if and as desired. Handle 38, connector 26, rods 14 and the main portion of bridge 46 can be made of metal, or of plastic, etc., in an economical, simple, durable manner.

A second preferred embodiment of the improved assembly of the present invention is schematically depicted in FIG. 3. Thus, assembly 10a is shown. Components thereof similar to those of assembly 10 bear the same numerals, but are succeeded by the letter "a". Assembly 10a is identical to assembly 10, except as follows:

(a) bridge 46a is identical to bridge 46 except that it is split vertically through slot 52a and end 51a into two identical halves connected by a spring hinge 60 biasing portions 58a toward each other to releasably grip the barrel of a microphone (not shown) when in slot 52a and portions 58a can be spread apart by bearing down on rods 14a at the side margins of frame 12a against such biasing action; and,

(b) bands 16a are undoubled and ends of side margin rods 14a are expanded to accommodate both strands 17a and 19a in separate pairs of slots 18a and 20a in the ends of rods 14a. Frame 12a is otherwise identical to frame 12. Assembly 10a has the other advantages of assembly 10.

Various other modifications, changes, alterations and additions can be made in the improved microphone suspension assembly of the present invention, its components and parameters. All such modifications, changes, alterations and additions as are within the scope of the appended claims form part of the present invention.