FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention is directed towards a boom stand and more particularly a boom stand for use with heavy equipment including microphones and lighting. The invention provides for a large boom stand and a process of using the boom stand where the stand has a base with adjustable wheels that can vary the foot print size of the boom stand. Further, the boom stand allows for height changes using pneumatically assisted lifting mechanisms that facilitate the raising and lowering of the boom arm when carrying a heavy load. Additionally, the boom stand provides for a safety lock mechanism that allows the boom arm to be positioned at various angles relative to a vertical upright. Additionally, the boom stand provides for an adjustable counterweight on the boom arm, the counterweight being slidable along the distance of the boom arm to allow for proper balancing of equipment supported along a free end of the boom arm

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to boom stand that are used for positioning of microphones and similar equipment. In order to safely balance and position equipment on the end of a boom arm, many boom stands have been provided which utilize a heavy base having a large circumferential footprint in order to maintain a stabilized equipment boom. One disadvantage of such booms are that they are difficult to move and position, the extensive foot print often interferes with other floor structures including walls or other floor supported items, in the large base makes storage more difficult. Further, conventional boom arms and equipment booms require a great deal of strength to adjust the height of the boom arm, particularly when supporting a piece of equipment and is also difficult to position the upper boom arm in terms of being balanced relative to a boom upright and being easily positioned and in a manner that allows for finding position adjustments.

Accordingly, there remains room for improvement and variation within the art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is one aspect of at least one of the present embodiments of the invention to provide a boom stand having a wheeled base in which the distance the wheels extend from the base can be adjusted when the boom is being positioned, move, or stored.

It is a further aspect of at least one embodiment of the present invention to provide for a boom stand, in which the vertical upright member comprises at least two pneumatic actuators which operate in concert to provide for a assisted lifting of the telescopic vertical upright and when the boom is supporting equipment.

It is a further aspect of at least one of the present embodiments to provide a boom stand comprising a locking mechanism positioned between the vertical upright and the horizontally positionable boom arm that allows for a series of locked positions of the boom arm relative to the vertical upright. The locking mechanism further comprises a pin lock which allows the boom arm to pivot or swivel within a defined plane, the pin lock being responsive to a spring mechanism which engages the pin into one of a plurality of openings within a plate of the locking mechanism.

It is a further aspect of at least one of the present embodiments of the invention to provide a boom stand having a counterweight positioned along one end of the boom arm, the counterweight adapted for sliding engagement along the boom arm and having a engageable clamp for reversibly securing and releasing the counterweight relative to a desired position of the counterweight on the boom arm.

It is one aspect of at least one of the present embodiments to provide a boom stand10comprising:

a vertical upright20, the vertical upright20having a lower section22and an upper section24, the lower section22defining a hollow interior and adapted for receiving a portion of a length of upper section24therein;

at least one pneumatic actuator26operationally disposed within the lower section22;

optionally, a second pneumatic actuator28operatively disposed within a portion of the upper section24and lower section22, the first pneumatic actuator26and the second pneumatic actuator28being in axial engagement with each other;

a clamping, member120secured to one end of lower section22and having an engaging member122which supplies a variable securing force to one end of upper section24;

a locking mechanism50having a first tubular connector52adapted for receiving a free end of upper section24, the locking mechanism50further defining a second tubular connector54positioned above the first tubular connector52;

a telescopic boom arm30inserted within the second tubular connector54, the boom arm having a sliding counterweight40, counterweight40having a locking member42to secure the counterweight40to the boom arm30, a terminal end34of boom arm30defining an attachment member for supporting a microphone;

a wheeled base60having at least three wheels62, each wheel62secured to a first end of a corresponding leg64and each respective leg64and wheel62combination positioned along a pivot67attaching a second end of each leg to the base.

It is one aspect of, at least one of the present embodiments to provide a boom stand10comprising;

a vertical upright20, the vertical upright20having a lower section22and an upper section24, the lower section22defining a hollow interior and adapted for receiving a portion of a length of upper section24therein;

a first pneumatic actuator26operationally disposed within the lower section22;

a second pneumatic actuator28operatively disposed within a portion of the upper section24, the first pneumatic actuator26and the second pneumatic actuator28being in axial engagement with each other.

It is one aspect of at least one of the present embodiments to provide a boom stand10comprising;

a vertical upright20, the vertical upright20having a lower section22and an upper section24, the lower section22defining a hollow interior and adapted for receiving a portion of a length of upper section24therein;

a locking mechanism50having a first tubular connector52adapted for receiving a free end of upper section24, the locking mechanism50further defining a second tubular connector54positioned above the first tubular connector52;

a telescopic boom arm30inserted within the second tubular connector54, the boom arm having a sliding counterweight40, counterweight40having a locking member42to secure the counterweight40to the boom arm30, a terminal end34of boom arm30defining an attachment member for supporting a microphone.

It is one aspect of at least one of the present embodiments to provide a boom stand10comprising;

a vertical upright20, the vertical upright20having a lower section22and an upper section24, the lower section22defining a hollow interior and adapted for receiving a portion of a length of upper section24therein;

a wheeled base60having at least three wheels62, each wheel62secured to a first end of a corresponding leg64and each respective leg64and wheel62combination positioned along a pivot67attaching a second end of each leg64to the base60.

It is one aspect of at least one of the present embodiments to provide a boom stand10comprising;

a vertical upright20, the vertical upright20having a lower section22and an upper section24, the lower section22defining a hollow interior and adapted for receiving a portion of a length of upper section24therein;

a locking mechanism50having a first tubular connector52adapted for receiving a free end of upper section24, the locking mechanism50further defining a second tubular connector54positioned above the first tubular connector52.

It is one aspect of at least one of the present embodiments to provide a process of operating a boom stand comprising:

providing a vertical upright, the vertical upright having a lower section and an upper section, the lower section defining a hollow interior and adapted for receiving a portion of a length of upper section therein;

a first pneumatic actuator operationally disposed within the lower section;

a second pneumatic actuator operatively disposed within a portion of the upper section, the first pneumatic actuator and the second pneumatic actuator being in axial engagement with each other;

releasing a mechanism that retains the upper section within the hollow interior of the lower section;

raising the upper section by the operation of the first pneumatic actuator and the second pneumatic actuator which exert an upwardly directed force thereby extending a portion of the length of the upper section of the vertical upright;

engaging the locking mechanism when the height of the upper section of the vertical upright is in a desired position.

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims.

