Abstract: A power supply for high voltage, low current gas discharge tubes such as neon, argon, and mercury vapor. A free running, flyback oscillator, converts D.C. voltage energy into radio frequency energy by means of a compact, ferrite transformer and associated circuitry. The primary winding is tuned by a resonant capacitor and driven by a power transistor. A high voltage, centertapped winding of a ferrite transformer drives the gas tube load directly. A feedback winding arranged across the transistor base and emitter junction sustains oscillation and controls the drive level of the transistor by means of a regulating circuit which controls the amplitude of the current. Oscillator starting is achieved by means of an on-off switch which supplies a single starting pulse to the power transistor or by means of a time delayed starting pulse.

Abstract: A power supply for high voltage, low current gas discharge tubes such as neon, argon, and mercury vapor. Free running, flyback oscillator, converts D.C. voltage energy into radio frequency energy by means of a compact, ferrite transformer and associated circuitry. The primary winding is tuned by a resonant capacitor and driven by a power transistor. A high voltage, centertapped winding of a ferrite transformer drives the gas tube load directly. A feedback winding arranged across the transistor base and emitter junction sustains oscillation and controls the drive level of the transistor by means of a regulating circuit which controls the amplitude of the current. Oscillator starting is achieved by means of an on-off switch which supplies a single starting pulse to the power transistor or by means of a time delayed starting pulse.

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.

Abstract: A sign composed of modules mounted adjacent each other. Each module having laterally spaced apart side wall members and a pair of longitudinally spaced apart parallel rollers mounted between the side wall members for rotating. Opposite end portions of a web containing a series of indicia are wound on the rollers, respectively, such that a selected indicia can be positioned in viewing position by winding web on one roller while unwinding it on the other roller. There are motor means mounted inside of each of the rollers for rotating the rollers to translate the web. In the depicted embodiment, an electric motor means is mounted inside of one of the rollers and a constant force spring motor means is mounted on the inside of the other of the rollers. The motors oppose each other in such a way that the web is maintained taut between them.