Charles E Trame

US Patent:

52577627, Nov 2, 1993

Filed:

Aug 20, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/569429

Inventors:

Charles E. Trame - Mequon WI
Mark A. Fredricks - Elm Grove WI

Assignee:

Everbrite, Inc. - Greenfield WI

International Classification:

F16L 320

US Classification:

248 50

Abstract:

A unitary helical coil spring assembly is inserted in a tubular body to form a neon tube support. The assembly is molded of plastic using a mold comprised of two planar blocks in each of which there are a series of axially spaced apart recesses configured to form half convolutions of a spring and there are projections having rounded ends projecting from between half convolution recesses on each mold block which interdigitate and project into the half convolution recesses in the opposite mold block when the planar surfaces are interfaced so the rounded ends cooperate to form a circular inside diameter of the spring when plastic is injected in the recesses.

US Patent:

40953599, Jun 20, 1978

Filed:

Dec 30, 1976

Appl. No.:

5/755713

Inventors:

Charles Edward Trame - Mequon WI

Assignee:

Everbrite Electric Signs, Inc. - South Milwaukee WI

International Classification:

G09F 1124

US Classification:

40446

Abstract:

In a display device, a precoiled plastic tape bearing informational indicia runs over a back-up surface to present the front side of the tape for observation and for manual access to enable translating the tape. The tape also runs over stationary pins which allow the tape to coil when translated in one direction. Opposed ends of the tape are provided with apertures which are entered by the pins when one end portion of the tape is nearly uncoiled so that further translation and complete uncoiling of the tape is prevented. The tape end portion is automatically disengaged from the pins by the inherent coil forming stress in the tape when reverse translation is initiated.

US Patent:

47839236, Nov 15, 1988

Filed:

Sep 28, 1987

Appl. No.:

7/101490

Inventors:

Harold M. Grinwald - Big Bend WI
Charles E. Trame - Mequon WI

Assignee:

Everbrite Electric Signs, Inc. - Greenfield WI

International Classification:

G09F 700

US Classification:

40488

Abstract:

A sign has slat panels mounted for sliding laterally on one side of a base plate and bars having cam followers mounted on the other side. Each bar has a pin, some of which project through slats in the bars and all of which project through slots in the base plate to terminate in a hole in the panels, respectively for driving the panels laterally in response to sequential lateral shifting of the bars. A first driven gear has axially extending cam pins of increasingly greater lengths to engage successive followers and shift the bars and panels to present a series of pictures. A second commonly driven gear has one cam pin which orbits in the opposite direction for periodically engaging all followers simultaneously and driving said bars back to initial position to start a new display cycle.

US Patent:

39395847, Feb 24, 1976

Filed:

Oct 29, 1974

Appl. No.:

5/518560

Inventors:

Charles E. Trame - Milwaukee WI

Assignee:

Everbrite Electric Signs, Inc. - South Milwaukee WI

International Classification:

G09F 318

US Classification:

40 10R

Abstract:

A plurality of elongated opaque holders with elongated openings therein are removably connected together at their longitudinal edges by light excluding joints, there being a light source behind the interconnected holders. Opaque strips bearing translucent indicia are removably connected to the holders over the openings. The indicia may specify items of merchandise. Pre-curled plastic film tapes bearing numbers are movably mounted at one end of each opaque strip to display the price for the item. The pre-curled tapes are mounted behind holder portions having window openings through which the numbers are visible and through which the pre-curled tapes can be manually contacted to conveniently change the prices.

US Patent:

49708163, Nov 20, 1990

Filed:

Jan 11, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/463595

Inventors:

Charles E. Trame - Mequon WI

Assignee:

Everbrite Electric Signs, Inc. - Greenfield WI

International Classification:

G09F 1304

US Classification:

40552

Abstract:

An illuminated sign is comprised of single piece molded plastic front, intermediate and rear frame members which are substantially coextensive with the width of the sign. All of the characters are formed on the intermediate frame member and they fit into a front frame which serves not only as a support but as a means for masking those parts of the intermediate frame which connect between characters, for example, and which should not be illuminated. The sign is hingedly mounted to a fixed support member which, in turn, supports fluorescent tubes which run along the length of the sign for illuminating the characters to make them visible at night as well as during the daytime. The sign swings down on its hinges to its normal readable position wherein it is secured to the support member by means of quarter-turn fasteners which effectuate a seal for compressing a gasket which is interposed between the sign and the supporting structure.

US Patent:

50450000, Sep 3, 1991

Filed:

Jul 9, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/550123

Inventors:

Charles E. Trame - Mequon WI
Gary L. Reidenbach - Franklin WI

Assignee:

Everbrite, Inc. - Greenfield WI

International Classification:

H01R 470
H01R 1344
G09F 1326

US Classification:

439892

Abstract:

A connector is provided for the conductors running between the electrode-containing ends of a neon tube and the high voltage power supply. Two half-shells composed of rigid insulating plastic are joined together to form a housing after the electrical connection is made between a power supply lead wire and the neon tube to completely enclose the connection. At least one end of the housing resulting from combining the half-shells contains a substantially round hole and a circular groove inwardly thereof. An insulating feedthrough adapter has an integral collar which is captured in the groove. A spirally grooved or corrugated flexible insulating sleeve screws onto the adapter which results in the lead wire being double insulated. One of the end portions of the neon tube fits through a hole in the insulating housing opposite of the hole in which the adapter resides.

US Patent:

48276448, May 9, 1989

Filed:

Jun 22, 1987

Appl. No.:

7/064695

Inventors:

Charles E. Trame - Mequon WI

Assignee:

Everbrite Electric Signs, Inc. - Greenfield WI

International Classification:

G09F 1112

US Classification:

40472

Abstract:

A tambour-type sign has carrier bars hinged together to form a closed loop. The bars provide for inserting strips which display information. Pin and socket elements are formed on opposite edges of each carrier bar for the pin of one to engage in the socket of the next one to form a hinge. The loop is translated on a ring gear having internal teeth and a periphery in which there are equiangularly spaced apart grooves into which the sockets on the hinges register as a chain would on a sprocket. The ring gear is journaled for rotation on a bearing member exemplified by a square having four walls, the corners of which are segments of a circle whose diameter is equal to the diameter between the tips of the ring gear teeth. This drive structure is mounted on the laterally spaced apart support members so as to support the loop at both ends of the carrier bars. There are spaced apart pinions fixed on the cross shaft which engage with the respective ring gears.

US Patent:

42209480, Sep 2, 1980

Filed:

Oct 12, 1978

Appl. No.:

5/950920

Inventors:

Charles E. Trame - Mequon WI

Assignee:

Everbrite Electric Signs, Inc. - South Milwaukee WI

International Classification:

G08B 502

US Classification:

3403782

Abstract:

A sign board comprises an opaque front plate interfacing with a translucent or reflective back plate. Slots in the front plate define the segments of 7-segment characters. Shutters are slideable within the interface to selectively open and close slots for defining individual characters. Means are provided for retaining the shutters in open and closed positions.