GB2184916A

GB2184916A - Microphone windshields

Info

Publication number: GB2184916A
Application number: GB08607045A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Arthur John Gozzard
Original assignee: Rycote Microphone Windshields Ltd
Current assignee: Rycote Microphone Windshields Ltd
Priority date: 1985-10-16
Filing date: 1986-03-21
Publication date: 1987-07-01
Also published as: GB8525429D0; GB8607045D0; GB2184916B

Abstract

A microphone windshield is in the form of a furry jacket (3) which can encase a conventional windshield having a cylindrical body (1) with domed ends and a pistol grip handle (2). The fur is formed by artificial fibres on a knitted fabric backing and provides an outer layer (4). There may be an intermediate layer (5) of felted polyester or other very light material, and an inner layer (6) or lining of smooth material such as knitted nylon, brushed. All the layers are acoustically permeable. The jacket has an opening (7) to fit around the handle (2) and which is enlargeable by closable slits (8) to enable fitting over and removal from the cylindrical body (1). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements relating to microphone windshields This invention relates to microphone windshields.

When used outside, unless it is a still, calm day, the action of wind around a microphone introduces undesirable noise. To overcome this, microphones are housed in a windshield, and the common form of this is an elongate cylindrical body with domed ends and a pistol grip handle. The cylindrical body is usually of composite construction, a skeletal protective mesh supporting a fine fabric envelope.

These are effective while the wind is fairly light. However, when the wind freshens, its action on the shield itself generates noise that is picked up by the microphone. There is, therefore, a need for further shielding in such circumstances.

According to the present invention there is provided a microphone windahield comprising a jacket of fur-like fibres on an air permeable lining.

This will normally be fitted over a conventional windshieid of the kind described above.

The fibres will conveniently, and economically, be of plastics material, although it would be possible to use natural fibres, such as horse hair, glass fibres or even fine metallic ones. Non uniformity of fibres is advantageous and they may vary in length, thickness and/or material.

Preferably, the lining is of composite construction. The fibres themselves may be on a knitted fabric backing, while inside this there can be a layer of felted polyester, and then an inner lining of knitted nylon, brushed. This provides a smooth surface easily drawn over a conventional rigid windshield.

The jacket will generally be tailored to fit snugly over such a windshield, that is one with a cylindrical with domed ends, and around a handle projecting from an intermediate position along the body. It will be preferred to make the jacket ends closed, and to have closable slits extending from a permanent opening through which the handle will extend, the slits when opened enabling the jacket to be pulled over the cylindrical body.

The opening will usually be elongated in the longitudinal direction of the jacket and the slits may extend part circumferentially of the jacket and angle away from one end of the opening.

Conveniently the slits are closable by slide fasteners and a flap may be provided to close over the junction of the slits and the opening.

The jacket will be drawn over one end of the windshield body like a sock, and then the other end of the jacket will be pulled over the associated part of the body, and finally the fasteners done up.

For a better understanding of the invention, one embodiment will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which the single figure is an underneath perspective view of a microphone windshield being fitted with a protective jacket, part of this jacket being cut away.

The windshield has a conventional cylindrical body 1 with a pistol grip handle 2. A jacket 3 is made to be a close fit over the body 1. It has three air permeable layers, an outer layer 4 being artificial fur comprising fibres on a knitted fabric backing, an intermediate layer 5 being felted polyester, and the inner layer 6 being a lining of knitted nylon, brushed. The intermediate layer is very light and of the order of 50 gms-2. The artificial fur may be a mixture of nylon and other fibres, and preferably the fibres will be of mixed lengths. Other types of fibre could be used, as mentioned above. It may also be advantageous to have fibres of different thicknesses, and even a mixture of materials.

The jacket is formed with both ends closed and domed like the windshield body 1. Parallel to the axis of the cylindrical portion there is an opening 7 which will fit snugly around the root of the handle 2 and which can be further widened by actuation of slide fasteners 8 that close slits angled away from the ends of the opening 7 and extending symmetrically part circumferentially on opposite sides of the jacket. At the junction of these slits and the opening 7 there is a flap 9 with the gripper material sold under the Registered Trade Mark Velcro to complete the encasement.

When fully opened, the slide fasteners 8 allow the right-hand portion of the jacket as seen in the figure to be worked over the associated end of the body 1.

Tests have shown that this is extremely effective in reducing wind noise, and it does so without materially affecting the sensitivity of the microphone inside the shield.

1. A microphone windshield comprising a jacket of fur-like fibres on an air permeable lining.

2. A microphone windshield as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fibres are of plastics material.

3. A microphone windshield as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the fibres are non-uniform, varying in length, thickness and/or material.

4. A microphone windshield as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the fibres are on a knitted fabric backing.

5. A microphone windshield as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the permeable lining includes a layer of felted polyester.

6. A microphone windshield as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the permeable lining has an innermost layer of knitted nylon, brushed.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Improvements relating to microphone windshields This invention relates to microphone windshields. When used outside, unless it is a still, calm day, the action of wind around a microphone introduces undesirable noise. To overcome this, microphones are housed in a windshield, and the common form of this is an elongate cylindrical body with domed ends and a pistol grip handle. The cylindrical body is usually of composite construction, a skeletal protective mesh supporting a fine fabric envelope. These are effective while the wind is fairly light. However, when the wind freshens, its action on the shield itself generates noise that is picked up by the microphone. There is, therefore, a need for further shielding in such circumstances. According to the present invention there is provided a microphone windahield comprising a jacket of fur-like fibres on an air permeable lining. This will normally be fitted over a conventional windshieid of the kind described above. The fibres will conveniently, and economically, be of plastics material, although it would be possible to use natural fibres, such as horse hair, glass fibres or even fine metallic ones. Non uniformity of fibres is advantageous and they may vary in length, thickness and/or material. Preferably, the lining is of composite construction. The fibres themselves may be on a knitted fabric backing, while inside this there can be a layer of felted polyester, and then an inner lining of knitted nylon, brushed. This provides a smooth surface easily drawn over a conventional rigid windshield. The jacket will generally be tailored to fit snugly over such a windshield, that is one with a cylindrical with domed ends, and around a handle projecting from an intermediate position along the body. It will be preferred to make the jacket ends closed, and to have closable slits extending from a permanent opening through which the handle will extend, the slits when opened enabling the jacket to be pulled over the cylindrical body. The opening will usually be elongated in the longitudinal direction of the jacket and the slits may extend part circumferentially of the jacket and angle away from one end of the opening. Conveniently the slits are closable by slide fasteners and a flap may be provided to close over the junction of the slits and the opening. The jacket will be drawn over one end of the windshield body like a sock, and then the other end of the jacket will be pulled over the associated part of the body, and finally the fasteners done up. For a better understanding of the invention, one embodiment will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which the single figure is an underneath perspective view of a microphone windshield being fitted with a protective jacket, part of this jacket being cut away. The windshield has a conventional cylindrical body 1 with a pistol grip handle 2. A jacket 3 is made to be a close fit over the body 1. It has three air permeable layers, an outer layer 4 being artificial fur comprising fibres on a knitted fabric backing, an intermediate layer 5 being felted polyester, and the inner layer 6 being a lining of knitted nylon, brushed. The intermediate layer is very light and of the order of 50 gms-2. The artificial fur may be a mixture of nylon and other fibres, and preferably the fibres will be of mixed lengths. Other types of fibre could be used, as mentioned above. It may also be advantageous to have fibres of different thicknesses, and even a mixture of materials. The jacket is formed with both ends closed and domed like the windshield body 1. Parallel to the axis of the cylindrical portion there is an opening 7 which will fit snugly around the root of the handle 2 and which can be further widened by actuation of slide fasteners 8 that close slits angled away from the ends of the opening 7 and extending symmetrically part circumferentially on opposite sides of the jacket. At the junction of these slits and the opening 7 there is a flap 9 with the gripper material sold under the Registered Trade Mark Velcro to complete the encasement. When fully opened, the slide fasteners 8 allow the right-hand portion of the jacket as seen in the figure to be worked over the associated end of the body 1. Tests have shown that this is extremely effective in reducing wind noise, and it does so without materially affecting the sensitivity of the microphone inside the shield. CLAIMS

7. A microphone windshield as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the jacket is tailored to fit snugly over a cylindrical body with domed ends, and around a handle projecting from an intermediate position along the body.

8. A microphone windshield as claimed in claim 7, wherein the jacket has closed ends and closable slits extending from a permanent opening through which the handle will extend, the slits when opened enabling the jacket to be pulled over said cylindrical body.

9. A microphone windshield as claimed in claim 8, wherein the opening is elongated in the longitudinal direction of the jacket and wherein the slits extend part circumferentially of the jacket and angle symmetrically away from one end of the opening.

10. A microphone windshield as claimed in claim 8 or 9, wherein the slits are closable by slide fasteners.

11. A microphone windshield as claimed in claim 8, 9 or 10, wherein a flap is provided to close over the junction of the slits and said opening.

12. A microphone windshield substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.