US3007014A

US3007014A - Microphone stand

Info

Publication number: US3007014A
Application number: US813448A
Authority: US
Inventors: Bentman Henry
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1959-05-15
Filing date: 1959-05-15
Publication date: 1961-10-31
Anticipated expiration: 1978-10-31

Description

Oct. 31, 1961 H. BENTMAN MICROPHONE STAND Filed May 15, 1959 wiiiiiiiihi! INVENTOR fi elzly fieiztm an BY W- AGENT States Unite atent 3,007,014 MICROPHONE STAND Henry Bentman, 47-04 188th St., Flushing, NY. Filed May 15, 1959, Ser. No. 813,448 4 Claims. (Cl. 179-148) This invention relates to an improved microphone upright or support. More particularly the invention relates to a portable microphone support including means for controlling the position of the microphone with respect to the floor.

In the use of microphones with an upright or support capable of adjustment in level or height, it often occurs that an entertainer or broadcaster is required, just prior to speaking or while speaking into the microphone, to adjust the vertical position of the microphone. Such adjustment usually results in delay of the performance and the introduction of audible sound into the amplification or broadcast system.

It is an object of my invention to control from a remote point the elevation of one or more microphones with respect to the floor.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a portable microphone support which accommodates the microphone leads during vertical adjustment by remote control.

Further objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent from the following description thereof taken in conjunction with the attached drawing.

According to my invention the above objects are accomplished by the provision, in extensible types of supports for condenser or electrostatic microphones, of motor driven elevating apparatus within and mechanically associated with telescoping tubes comprising the support.

For a more complete understanding of the nature and scope of my invention reference is made to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing which illustrates a preferred embodiment of my invention and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a vertical section view of a microphone arranged to be moved upwardly together with a portion of the elevating apparatus;

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view taken along line 22 of FIGURE 1, the scale being doubled to more clearly illustrate the details of construction; and

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIGURE 1, the scale corresponding to the scale of FIGURE 2.

Referring now particularly to FIGURE 1 of the drawing there is provided a portable microphone support comprising base 1 upon which is mounted a tubular upright 2. Telescoped within and spaced from tube 2 is a tube 3 which may be vertically positioned within tube 2 as described hereinafter. Affixed to the lower end of tube 3 is a tube plug 4 having an annular guide flange 4a which maintains lower co-axial alignment of tubes 2 and 3. Along the upper portion of tube 3 there is provided one or more guide slots 6', the walls of which fit closely around and in sliding relationship with one or more keys 7 of ring 5, so as to prevent rotation of tube 3 within tube 2.

On top of tube 3 there is provided a microphone mount 8 and microphone M which may be provided with a ball and socket joint (not shown) or the like so as to be capable of being easily turned in all directions.

Within base 1 there is mounted a reversible, variable speed, electric motor 9 having its rotor 10 positioned vertically and extending upwardly through motor support 11. Within tube 3 there is positioned a threaded drive 12 which is mechanically coupled at its lower end to rotor 10 by coupling 13 and which threads through tube plug 4 for co-axial alignment with tube 3. Tube plug 4 is mechanically afi'ixed to tube 3 whereby during energization of motor 9 and rotation of drive 12, plug 4 is threaded along drive 12 thereby moving tube 3 within tube 2 in predetermined direction and at a predetermined speed. Snap ring 14, surrounding inner tube 3 in annular slot 3a intermediate the top and bottom of such tube, acts as guide to maintain co-axial alignment of the tubes 2 and 3 and also acts as a stop whereby the inner tube 3 is prevented from ascending to a point where the microphone is unstable or where the tube 3 is forced entirely out of tube 2. 7

While the electrical leads for the microphone can extend in exposed fashion directly from the microphone to related amplifying equipment (particularly where the microphone is readily removable from the stand), it is preferable that they be accommodated within the telescoping tubes constituting the microphone support and thereafter pass out of the base of the support. of the microphone electrical leads can consist of the telescoping tubes themselves with the other lead accommodated inside, but insulated from such tubes. In any event according to my invention the microphone lead or leads 15, as illustrated, extend downwardly within tube 3 through plug 4 and into base 1 wherein they are wound upon a pulley or spool 16. During adjustment of the microphone height, as by raising or lowering tube 3, the spool 16 unwinds or winds, respectively, the microphone leads 15 so that there is no improper coiling or kinking of such leads. The spool 16 may be rotatably mounted between the top of base 1 and motor support 11 and as shown is provided with gear means' 17 which is mechanically driven by gear 18 affixed to coupling 13. An appropriate rotatable lead connector (not shown) is provided at the lower end of spool 16 to assure good electrical connection with cable 19 which, with motor cable 20, leave the base 1 through appropriate openings.

In operation, the adjustment of microphone height is accomplished according to my invention by mere remote energization of the motor circuit which may include both a motor reversing switch and motor speed controller. It may also be desirable to automatically deenergize the microphone circuit during microphone height adjustment. Further, appropriate limit switches may be incorporated into the motor circuit to safeguard against motor stalls when support tube 3 reaches its upper or lower limit of travel.

While I have shown and described a preferred form of my invention, I am aware that variations may be made thereto and I, therefore, desire a broad interpretation of my invention within the scope of the disclosure herein and the following claims.

I claim:

1. A portable microphone stand comprising: a hollow base; an upright tubular member supported by said base; a tubular microphone support arranged in telescoping relation within said upright member; a reversible electric drive motor in said base and having its rotor in co-axial alignment with said upright member; and a threaded drive shaft extending longitudinally into the interior of said microphone support, said shaft being mechanically coupled at its lower end to said rotor for rotation therewith and being in threaded drive relationship with said microphone support for raising or lowering said microphone support incident to energization of said motor.

2. A portable microphone stand comprising: a hollow base; an upright tubular member supported by said base; a tubular microphone support arranged in telescoping relation within said upright member; said microphone support having an internal threaded portion adjacent its One lower end; a reversible electric drive motor in said base and having its rotor in co-axial alignment with said upright member; a threadedfftlrive shaft extending longitudinally into the interior of said microphone support, said shaft being mechanically coupled at its lower 'end to said rotor for rotation therewith; ,and means associated with said tubular member and said microphone support to prevent rotation of said microphone support within said tubular member, said drive shaft 'being in threaded drive relationship with the threaded portion of said microphone support for raising or lowering said microphone support incident to energization of said motor.

3. A portable microphone stand comprising: a hollow base; an upright tubular member supported by said base; a tubular microphone support arranged in telescoping relation within said upright member; said microphone support having an internal threaded portion adjacent its lower end; a reversible electric drive motor in said base and having its rotor in co-axial alignment with said upright member; a threaded drive shaft extending longitudinally into the interior of said microphone support, said shaft being mechanically coupled at its lower end to said rotor for rotation therewith; and at least one inwardly extending key means associated with said upright tubular member, said tubular microphone support being provided with at least one extended slot for cooperation with said key means to prevent rotation of said microphone support within said tubular member, said drive shaft being in threaded drive relationship with the threaded portion of said microphone support for raising or lowering said microphone support incident to energization of said motor.

4. A portable microphone stand as claimed in claim 3 wherein there is provided means within said base for winding or unwinding microphone cable, said means being driven by said motor during the raising or lowering of said microphone support.

"References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,110,763 Gerlach Mar. 8, 1938 2,288,822 McCarron July 7., 1942 2,299,785 Barrett Oct. 27, 1942 2,662,303 Myers Dec. 15, 1953 2,969,436 Kilyk Jan. 24, 1961