U.S. patent application number 11/297290 was filed with the patent office on 2006-05-18 for ruggedized tradesworkers radio.
Invention is credited to Joseph Domes.
Application Number | 20060105721 11/297290 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26749984 |
Filed Date | 2006-05-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060105721 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Domes; Joseph |
May 18, 2006 |
Ruggedized tradesworkers radio
Abstract
A tradesworker's radio has a weather and impact resistant
features to enable a tradesworker to use the radio under adverse
working conditions, such as construction or other work sites.
Louvered grills covering moisture resistant loudspeakers are angled
downward to protect the speakers from direct splash in case the
radio is left outdoors in a heavy downpour. A layer of felt-like
material is interspersed between the louvered grills and the
loudspeaker cones to offer improved moisture resistance. A
non-telescoping antenna of the rubber covered spring type material
folds neatly into recess when not in use. The controls include
waterproof pushbuttons for on/off, volume adjustment, a weather
channel, AM/FM selection and tuning. Elastomeric blocks are bonded
to the interior of the housing and the blocks have bonded threaded
studs, which are used to shock mount the radio circuit board to the
inside of the housing. This circuit board is treated with a
conformal coating to improve its moisture resistance. The preferred
housing material is a layer of rigid plastic, which is impact
resistant and the outer covering is a resilient tough elastomer.
The radio can be used with an adapter to convert to a power hand
tool battery pack to accommodate a variety of different battery
packs and adapters. The battery compartment is generous in size and
lined with a soft polyurethane material to protect the battery pack
from damage.
Inventors: |
Domes; Joseph; (Huntington,
NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
THE BLACK & DECKER CORPORATION
701 EAST JOPPA ROAD, TW199
TOWSON
MD
21286
US
|
Family ID: |
26749984 |
Appl. No.: |
11/297290 |
Filed: |
December 8, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10758492 |
Jan 15, 2004 |
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11297290 |
Dec 8, 2005 |
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10215657 |
Aug 10, 2002 |
6788925 |
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10758492 |
Jan 15, 2004 |
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09963356 |
Sep 25, 2001 |
6456837 |
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10215657 |
Aug 10, 2002 |
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09209721 |
Dec 11, 1998 |
6308059 |
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09963356 |
Sep 25, 2001 |
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60069372 |
Dec 12, 1997 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
455/90.1 ;
455/351 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y02E 60/10 20130101;
H02J 7/00047 20200101; H01M 10/46 20130101; H02J 7/0003 20130101;
H04B 1/06 20130101; H04B 1/08 20130101; H02J 9/062 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
455/090.1 ;
455/351 |
International
Class: |
H04B 1/08 20060101
H04B001/08 |
Claims
1-20. (canceled)
21: An audio equipment for tradesworkers comprising: a housing; a
radio receiver disposed within the housing for receiving radio
signals and generating audio output signals responsive thereto; a
DC voltage power source for powering a power tool; an AC powered DC
charger disposed within the housing for charging the DC voltage
power source; a power conversion circuit disposed between the DC
voltage power source and the radio receiver for providing power to
the radio receiver; wherein the DC voltage power source is
detachably connected to the charger.
22: The audio equipment of claim 21, wherein the power conversion
circuit is a DC/DC converter.
23: The audio equipment of claim 21, further comprising an
electrical cord engageable with an electrical outlet.
24: The audio equipment of claim 23, wherein the electrical cord
provides power to the charger.
25: The audio equipment of claim 23, wherein the electrical cord
provides power to the radio receiver.
26: The audio equipment of claim 21, wherein the DC voltage power
source has a voltage of at least about 9.6 volts.
27: The audio equipment of claim 21, wherein the DC voltage power
source has a voltage of about 18 volts.
28: The audio equipment of claim 21, wherein the housing has a hand
recess.
29: The audio equipment of claim 21, further comprising a display
supported by the housing.
30: The audio equipment of claim 29, wherein the display is an LCD
display.
31 The audio equipment of claim 21, wherein the housing further
comprises a battery compartment for disposing the DC voltage power
source within the housing when the DC voltage power source is
electrically connected to the charger.
32: The audio equipment of claim 31, wherein the housing further
comprises a door for providing access to the battery
compartment.
33: An audio equipment for tradesworkers comprising: a housing; a
DC voltage power source for powering a power tool; an AC powered DC
charger disposed within the housing for charging the DC voltage
power source; an audio circuit disposed within the housing for
producing an audio signal comprising audio unrelated to the
charger; a power conversion circuit disposed between the DC voltage
power source and the audio circuit for providing power to the audio
circuit; wherein the DC voltage power source is detachably
connected to the charger.
34: The audio equipment of claim 33, wherein the audio circuit is a
radio receiver disposed within the housing for receiving radio
signals and generating audio output signals responsive thereto.
35: The audio equipment of claim 33, wherein the power conversion
circuit is a DC/DC converter.
36: The audio equipment of claim 33, further comprising an
electrical cord engageable with an electrical outlet.
37: The audio equipment of claim 36, wherein the electrical cord
provides power to the charger.
38: The audio equipment of claim 36, wherein the electrical cord
provides power to the audio circuit.
39: The audio equipment of claim 33, wherein the DC voltage power
source has a voltage of at least about 9.6 volts.
40: The audio equipment of claim 33, wherein the DC voltage power
source has a voltage of about 18 volts.
41: The audio equipment of claim 33, wherein the housing has a hand
recess.
42: The audio equipment of claim 33, further comprising a display
supported by the housing.
43: The audio equipment of claim 42, wherein the display is an LCD
display.
44 The audio equipment of claim 33, wherein the housing further
comprises a battery compartment for disposing the DC voltage power
source within the housing and electrically connecting the DC
voltage power source to the charger.
45: The audio equipment of claim 44, wherein the housing further
comprises a door for providing access to the battery compartment.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to durable, rugged radios for
tradesworker in construction and other worksites.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Tradespersons working at construction sites regularly use
portable radios for entertainment and to obtain weather reports.
However, these radios lack certain features that would be desirable
for such use. Small radios often lack the power desirable for
overcoming ambient noise of other workers or to carry the sound
over long distances outdoors. Although "boom boxes" may have the
desired power output, they lack the ruggedness and splash proofing
that is desirable. Other features, such as the convenient use of
rechargeable batteries, are missing as well.
[0003] The prior art relates to some of these shortcomings. U.S.
Pat. No. 4,006,764 of Yamamoto et al. relates to a protection case
that can be used to enclose a tape recorder or radio to protect it
from water spray or dust without seriously impeding sound
transmission. U.S. Pat. No. 4,709,201 of Schaefer et al. discloses
a modular battery pack with an on/off switch and contacts arranged
for various modes of operation. U.S. Pat. No. 4,225,970 of
Jaramillo et al. relates to a splash proof portable two-way data
terminal/radio. It describes the use of tongue-in-groove
elastomeric gaskets in the housing assembly as well as
air-permeable water resistant material to achieve its results.
[0004] Other prior art include U.S. Pat. No. 5,572,592 of
Muckelrath, which describes a field remote control radio
transmitter/receiver which includes a weather resistant enclosure.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,164,830 of Kim discloses a radio receiver which
integrates a weather channel therein. U.S. Pat. No. 5,091,732 of
Mileski and U.S. Pat. No. 4,761,813 of Gammel describe field
oriented military radio systems. U.S. Pat. No. 4,961,994 of Cariou
describes a waterproof coating material.
[0005] Shock-mounts for mounting delicate objects are described in
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,395,619 and 4,395,619, both of Harigai and U.S.
Pat. No. 4,586,115 of Zimmerman. Retractable electric cords are
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,984,645 of Kresch. Moreover, portable
radios are described in general in U.S. Pat. No. 4,913,318 of
Forrester.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0006] It is an object of this invention to provide a radio with
improved impact resistance.
[0007] It is a further object to provide a radio that has a
built-in retractable line cord for operation from an AC supply.
[0008] It is yet another object to be able to power the radio with
modular batteries normally used in professional portable power
tools.
[0009] It is a further object to be able to recharge the batteries
with a built-in recharger while simultaneously powering the radio
from an AC supply.
[0010] It is yet another object to provide a splash proof
radio.
[0011] It is another object to include a switch-selectable weather
band tuned to the National Weather Service.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] In keeping with those objects and others which may become
apparent, the present invention includes a durable portable radio
for tradesworkers with a weather and impact resistant enclosure
having an exterior surface and an interior space. The enclosure
houses a radio receiver for receiving radio signals and generating
electronic audio output signals responsive thereto.
[0013] The enclosure of the radio is preferably made of a shock and
water resistant solid elastomer, such as acrylonitrile butadiene
styene (ABS). The exterior surface of the radio enclosure has a
plurality of planar surfaces, wherein a foldable antenna is
insertable within a recess extending below one planar surface of
the plurality of surfaces.
[0014] A handle is formed from a slot extending through a pair of
opposite planar surfaces of the radio, and a ventilation opening
extends from the interior space of said radio.
[0015] The weather and impact resistant enclosure includes one or
more downward angled louvered grills covering one or more moisture
resistant loudspeakers.
[0016] The weather and impact resistant enclosure includes a
moisture resistant sound transmitter insulating layer between the
louvered grill and the loudspeaker.
[0017] A plurality of waterproof push buttons control on/off
control, volume adjustment, AM/FM section an optional weather
channel and frequency tuning.
[0018] To prevent moisture buildup, the weather and impact
resistant enclosure includes a hydrophobic air permeable
therein.
[0019] The radio is powered by either a first power source
including an electrical cord engageable with an electrical outlet,
or a second power source including an adapter engageable with a
secondary direct current power source, such as a tradesworker's
hand tool battery pack.
[0020] The first power source includes a retractable line cord,
which is retractable within a subhousing enclosure within the
radio.
[0021] The radio receiver is shock mounted to an interior wall of
the weather and impact resistant enclosure by a plurality of
elastomeric blocks bonded to the interior wall of the weather and
impact resistant housing enclosure. The radio receiver itself is
preferably coated with a moisture resistant conformed coating, such
as acrylic or paralyene.
[0022] One or more watertight formed-in-place gaskets seal openings
within the weather and impact resistant enclosure.
[0023] The alternate DC power source may include a battery pack
having a voltage of between about 9.6 to about 18 volts, preferably
about 12 volts.
[0024] The secondary DC power source may optionally include a
combination power supply and battery charger supplied with 115 VAC,
which supplies about 13.6 volts through a diode and a switch to the
radio receiver. A button causes the power supply to supply voltage
through the diode, and the diode feeds current from the power
supply to the radio receiver.
[0025] Alternately, a plurality of diodes may act as an automatic
steering and isolation network to supply either AC supplied
current, battery power or simultaneous power and battery charging
from AC power.
[0026] An optional variable voltage feature permits use of battery
packs lower or higher than 12 volts to be used by the radio. The
variable voltage feature includes a socket having a plurality of
contacts mating with an adapter, matching predetermined
requirements of a DC source battery pack, and a double pole single
throw on/off switch controlling a DC/DC power source converter for
supplying power to said radio.
[0027] As a result, the radio provides a tradesworker with a
rugged, durable radio to provide audio entertainment and news under
adverse working conditions.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0028] The present invention can best be described in conjunction
with the following drawings, in which;
[0029] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the tradesman's radio of the
present invention;
[0030] FIG. 2 is a view of the rear panel of the radio as in FIG.
1;
[0031] FIG. 3 is a back view of the radio as in FIG. 1 with the
rear panel removed;
[0032] FIG. 4 is a cross section of the housing material of the
radio as in FIG. 1;
[0033] FIG. 5 is an exploded view of a power socket, adapter and
modular battery of the radio as in FIG. 1;
[0034] FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram of the radio as in FIG.
1; and
[0035] FIG. 7 is a schematic of an alternate embodiment of the
radio of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0036] FIG. 1 shows the tradesman's radio 1. Housing 13 is a molded
plastic structure, although alternate rugged materials such as
aircraft aluminum can be used. Stainless steel louvered grills 11
cover the moisture resistant loudspeakers. Louvered grills 11 are
angled downward to protect the speakers from direct splash in case
radio 1 is left outdoors in a heavy downpour.
[0037] A layer of felt-like material such as described in Jaramillo
et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,225,970 can be interspersed between the
louvered grills 11 and the loudspeaker cones to offer improved
moisture resistance. An example of such material which allows good
sound transmission while blocking moisture is known as NB-25,
manufactured by Nu-Way Speaker Products, Inc.
[0038] Non-telescoping antenna 2 is of the rubber covered spring
type material; it folds neatly into recess 3 when not in use. The
controls include waterproof pushbuttons for on/off 3, volume
adjustment 4 & 5, weather channel 6, AM/FM selection 7 and
tuning 9 & 10. The digital tuning display 8 is either a
self-illuminating vacuum fluorescent display or an LCD backlighted
by an electro-luminescent back light panel. Both of these
technologies are common in automotive radio applications. Side door
12 with piano hinge 15 and slide latch 14 provide access to the
retractable cord. A similar door (not shown) on the other side
provides access to the battery compartment. Both doors are sealed
watertight with appropriate gaskets.
[0039] FIG. 2 shows back panel 20 of radio 1. Back panel 20 is
screwed to housing 13 with screws 26. Slot 24 is a hand recess for
carrying radio 1. Small stainless steel louver 25 is a vent to
prevent moisture buildup within radio housing 13. Louver 25 covers
an opening in cover 20 that has a layer of hydrophobic
air-permeable material such as Tyvek made by the DuPont Company.
Other such materials of different composition are often used in
medical applications; these may be used here as well.
[0040] Waterproof button 23 turns on the battery charger; indicator
22 lights up during charging operations. Both of these are
accessible through opening 21.
[0041] FIG. 3 shows the interior of housing 13 when back panel 20
is removed. Retractable line cord housing 32 is at the left.
Battery compartment 31 is at the right atop charger housing 30.
Molded recess 35 communicates with the hand hold slot in back cover
20.
[0042] To prevent damage to radio 1, a plurality of elastomeric
blocks 34, such as four, are bonded to the interior of housing 13.
Blocks 34 have bonded threaded studs which are used to shock mount
radio circuit board 33. Circuit board 33 is treated with a
conformal coating such as acrylic or paralyene to improve its
moisture resistance.
[0043] All removable elements that penetrate or mount to housing 13
or back panel 20 are sealed watertight with appropriate gaskets or
sealant. "Formed-in-place" gaskets 36 are shown around the back
edge of housing 13 to seal cover 20. Another such gasket 37 is
shown on the surface of charger housing 30 to seal opening 21 in
back cover 20.
[0044] The preferred housing material is a layer of ABS
(acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) covered by a layer of
polyurethane of approximately 50 durometers as a superbly impact
resistant outer material. FIG. 4 shows this combination in cross
section where 41 is the layer of ABS and 40 is the layer of
polyurethane. Other combinations are also applicable as long as the
rigid plastic is quite impact resistant and the outer covering is a
resilient tough elastomer.
[0045] Modern battery operated professional power tools use battery
packs ranging from 9.6 to 18 volts. By selecting a 12 volt battery
pack for the radio 1, an automotive AM/FM radio circuit board and
display (augmented with a weather receiver) can be used with little
modification. These come with powerful audio amplifier output
stages and digital lighted displays. It is desirable to use a
battery pack that is also used in other tools owned by the
tradesman, or is at least the same brand. However, battery packs
from different manufacturers, even of the same voltage ratings,
have different contact configurations. For example, the Porter
Cable 8500 battery pack is different from the DeWalt DW9071 even
though both have similar ratings. For this purpose, FIG. 5 shows
the arrangement using a standard socket 45 attached to the radio 1,
with a replaceable adapter 46 which mates properly with both socket
45 at one end and a particular 12 volt battery pack 48 with its
contacts 49. A variety of these adapters 46 are available for
use.
[0046] FIG. 6 shows a schematic block diagram of the electrical
system. A combination power supply and battery charger 30 is
supplied with 115 VAC via plug 51 and retractable cord 50. It
supplies approximately 13.6 volts through silicon diode 56 to the
radio electronics circuit board 33 through on/off switch 3. When
button 23 is engaged, appropriate charge voltage is supplied to
battery pack 48 through diode 55. Diode 54 feeds current from
battery 48 to circuit 33 in the event that module 30 is not plugged
into an outlet. The three diodes (54,55 and 56) act as an automatic
steering and isolation network to supply AC supplied current to
operate radio 1, battery power to the radio 1, or to simultaneously
power and charge the batteries from AC. In all cases, a nominal 12
volts (i.e. 12 to 13.2 volts), is supplied to radio circuit board
33, which powers loudspeakers 52 and 53.
[0047] In an alternate embodiment, additional circuitry is provided
to permit the use of battery packs lower or higher than 12 volts to
be used in radio 1. In this embodiment, socket 45 is replaced with
socket 70 which now has six contacts mating with adapter 61, which
match the requirements of a particular battery pack 60. The on/off
switch is now upgraded to a double pole single throw variety for
controlling output DC/DC converter 68 for battery operation of
radio 1. This extra pair of contacts eliminate the "standby" losses
of converter 68 when radio 1 is turned off.
[0048] Charging DC/DC converter 69 is selected via relay 70 when
the charger is turned on. Although electromagnetic relay 70 is
shown, a solid state relay can be used instead. If battery pack 60
has a voltage rating higher than 12 volts (e.g. 18 volts), the
output converter 68 is a step down type reducing the battery
voltage to a nominal 12 volts while charge converter 69 is a step
up converting a nominal 12 volts from the charger to a nominal 18
volts at the battery. If the battery voltage were lower than 12
volts (e.g. 9.6 volts), the output converter 68 is a step up type
while the charging converter 69 is a step down type. Diodes 56 and
67 are used for power steering while diodes 66 and 65 are used for
DC/DC converter isolation.
[0049] To accommodate a variety of different battery packs and
adapters, the battery compartment is generously oversize and lined
with a soft polyurethane material to protect the battery pack from
damage.
[0050] It is further known that other modifications may be made to
the rugged tradesworker's radio of the present invention, without
departing from the scope of the invention, as noted in the appended
claims.
* * * * *