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.

1 - 20 . (canceled)  
   
   
       21 . A charger comprising: 
 a first adapter electrically connectable to a first power tool battery pack, the first adapter having a first set of terminals electrically connectable to the first power tool battery pack, and a second set of terminals; and    a charger electrically connectable to the first adapter via the second set of terminals.    
   
   
       22 . The charger of  claim 21 , wherein the first power tool battery pack cannot be directly electrically connectable to the charger.  
   
   
       23 . The charger of  claim 21 , wherein the first power tool battery pack has a first terminal configuration.  
   
   
       24 . The charger of  claim 23 , further comprising a second adapter electrically connectable to a second power tool battery pack, the second adapter having a first set of terminals electrically connectable to the second power tool battery pack, and a second set of terminals, wherein the charger is electrically connectable to the first adapter via the second set of terminals.  
   
   
       25 . The charger of  claim 24 , wherein the second power tool battery pack has a second terminal configuration different than the first terminal configuration.  
   
   
       26 . The charger of  claim 24 , wherein the second power tool battery pack cannot be directly electrically connectable to the charger.