GB2235607A

GB2235607A - Microphone mounting

Info

Publication number: GB2235607A
Application number: GB9006384A
Authority: GB
Inventors: George John Vincent
Original assignee: Technophone Ltd
Current assignee: Nokia Mobile Phones UK Ltd
Priority date: 1989-08-31
Filing date: 1990-03-21
Publication date: 1991-03-06
Anticipated expiration: 2010-03-21
Also published as: GB2235851A; GB2235851B; GB2235607B; GB8919730D0; GB9006384D0

Abstract

A handsfree microphone mounting for a mobile telephone comprises a generally C-shaped clip (1) having extended limbs (3) which are biased towards each other for slidable attachment to a sun-visor (10) in a vehicle. A microphone holder (6) is fastened to the clip (1) by a boss (17) rotatably mounted within the C-shaped part (2) of the clip (1). This allows the holder (6) and hence the microphone (20) to be moved about the contour of the C-shaped portion (2) of the clip (1). Preferably a click-stop mechanism is provided by a cut-out portion (15) of the clip which is biased towards the boss and engages a complementary detent feature (13) on the boss so that the holder can be moved to one of several pre-set positions. <IMAGE>

Description

MICROPHONE MOUNTING This invention relates to a bracket for removably mounting a microphone on a sun-visor or the like in a vehicle particularly, but not exclusively for use with a mobile radio telephone.

For safety reasons, mobile telephones installed in vehicles are commonly adapted to operate in a so-called 'handsfree' mode whereby the user can make or receive calls without lifting or holding the handset. To this end it is necessary to use a loudspeaker and a microphone in addition to the earphone and microphone in the handset. The loudspeaker may for example be incorporated in a cradle on which the handset normally rests. The microphone, however, needs to be positioned for optimum performance relative to the caller, specifically the driver of the vehicle.

Relatively crude handsfree microphone mountings are available. For example a commonly-used type includes a microphone holder fastened to a crocodile clip, which is intended to be attached to the sun-visor in the vehicle. The user can then alter the position of the microphone simply by moving the sun-visor. However this kind of mounting suffers from the drawback that the freedom of movement of the microphone is quite restricted and, indeed, it is necessary to move the sun-visor to move the microphone. Furthermore the jaws of a crocodile clip tend to cause damage to the upholstery on the sun-visor.

European patent application EP-A-0,236,788 discloses a bracket for removably mounting a microphone on a sun-visor in a vehicle, which has all the features recited in the preamble of claim 1 below.

According to the present invention there is provided a bracket for removably mounting a microphone on a sun-visor or the like in a vehicle, comprising a first member adapted to be slidably attached to the sun-visor, the first member comprising a substantially C-shaped portion (as viewed in side elevation) having extended limbs which are biased toward each other, and a further member comprising a holder for a microphone and means for connecting the holder to the first member, wherein the connecting means and the first member are adapted to cooperate in such manner that the holder is movable about the contour of the C-shaped portion concentrically therewith, wherein detent means being provided whereby the holder is movable to a selected one of a plurality of predetermined positions, characterized in that the connecting means comprises boss means rotatably mounted within the C-shaped portion.

A microphone mounting bracket in accordance with the invention has the advantage that it can be manufactured simply and cheaply, eg. out of a plastics material by injection moulding. It is also relatively robust, but unlikely to cause damage to the upholstery on the sun-visor. Furthermore this microphone mounting enables the user to change the position and orientation of the microphone for optimum performance without the need to move the sun-visor itself. Also, if the sun-visor is in use and has to be moved the position of the microphone can be corrected independently of the sun-visor in any sun-visor position.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a microphone mounting bracket in accordance with the invention, Figure 2 is a cross-section of the mounting bracket in Figure 1, Figure 3 is a cross-section of a further mounting bracket in accordance with the invention, and Figure 4 is a perspective view of the mounting bracket in Figure 3 with the main components separated.

In the various Figures corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals.

The mounting bracket shown in Figures 1 and 2 comprises a spring-like clip 1 having a generally C-shaped portion 2 with extended limbs 3 which are biased towards each other.

The microphone holder 6 is formed integrally with a collar 16 on a boss 17. The collar 16 may be formed integrally with the boss 17 or may be fastened thereto.

The boss is rotatably mounted in close-fitting relation within the C-shaped portion 2.

A knurled knob 18 and integral lever 19 is provided adjacent the collar 16 on the side remote from the boss 17. The position of the microphone holder 6 can thus be altered manually by rotating the knob 18 or applying upward or downward pressure to the lever 19.

The C-shaped portion 2 of the clip comprises a U-shaped slot 14 defining a tongue-like member 15 which is biased against the boss 7 and remains in engagement therewith even when the limbs 8 of the clip 2 are opened relatively widely, as shown most clearly in Figure 2 which is a cross-section of the bracket taken through the tongue member 15 in Figure 1. As shown in Figure 3, the outer surface of the boss 17 may be provided with grooves 13 extending parallel to the axis thereof, and the tongue may be provided with a projection 23 on its inwardly facing free end to co-operate with the grooves and so provide a detent mechanism by which the microphone holder may be moved to one of several pre-set positions. In this case the boss may have a narrower diameter central section 17a in which the grooves 13 are present, see Figure 4.

As shown in Figures 1 and 4 the holder 6 is fixedly connected to the collar 16, but the holder 6 may alternatively be pivotably connected thereto, for example, with a ball and socket arrangement.

In view of the foregoing description it will be evident to a person skilled in the art that various modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A bracket for removably mounting a microphone on a sun-visor or the like in a vehicle, comprising a first member (1) adapted to be slidably attached to the sun-visor, the first member (1) comprising a substantially C-shaped portion (as viewed in side elevation) (2) having extended limbs (3) which are biased toward each other, and a further member (6,16,17) comprising a holder (6) for a microphone and means (16,17) for connecting the holder (6) to the first member (1), wherein the connecting means and the first member are adapted to cooperate in such manner that the holder (6) is movable about the contour of the C-shaped portion (2) concentrically therewith, detent means (15) being provided whereby the holder (6) is movable to a selected one of a plurality of predetermined positions, characterized in that the connecting means comprises boss means (17) rotatably mounted within the C-shaped portion (2).

2. A mounting bracket as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connecting means comprises a collar (16) on said boss means (17).

3. A mounting bracket as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the further member comprises a knob (18) and/or a lever (19) connected to the boss means (17) for manually rotating the holder (6).

4. A mounting bracket as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the detent means is provided by a cut-out portion (15) of the first member, which cut-out portion is biased towards the boss means (17) and engages a complementary detent feature on said boss means.

5. A mounting bracket as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the holder (6) is pivotable relative to the connecting means (16,17).

6. A bracket for removably mounting a microphone on a sun-visor or the like in a vehicle, substantially as herein described with reference to Figures 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings.