Patents by Inventor Ronald D. Upton

Ronald D. Upton has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7065977
    Abstract: A refrigerated cold beverage merchandiser (10) includes an enclosure defining an insulated, refrigerated display cabinet (25) and a compartment (30) heat insulated therefrom wherein a compressor (40) a condenser (50) and a condenser fan (60) are disposed. The condenser (50) is formed by a plurality of in-line tube banks (52). Each tube bank (52) is a serpentine tube formed a plurality of unfinned, straight tube segments (54) extending in parallel rows (55) between a pair of spaced, opposed end plates (58) and elbow turns (56) connecting neighboring straight tube segments (56) in a conventional manner. Each successive tube bank (52) is arranged with the other tube banks so that respective parallel tube rows (55) are disposed in-line from the front to the rear of the condenser (50) or with each successive tube bank being offset in a slightly staggered arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Carrier Commercial Refrigeration, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald D. Upton, Harry A. Brancheau, Robert J. Reese, Eugene Duane Daddis, Jr., Timothy J. Roberts
  • Patent number: 7047755
    Abstract: A refrigerated cold beverage merchandiser (10) includes an enclosure defining an insulated, refrigerated display cabinet (25) and a compartment (30) heat insulated therefrom wherein a compressor (40) a condenser (50) and a condenser fan (60) are disposed. The condenser (50) is formed by a plurality of in-line tube banks (52). Each tube bank (52) is a serpentine tube formed a plurality of unfinned, straight tube segments (54) extending in parallel rows (55) between a pair of spaced, opposed end plates (58) and elbow turns (56) connecting neighboring straight tube segments (56) in a conventional manner. Each successive tube bank (52) is arranged with the other tube banks so that respective parallel tube rows (55) are disposed in-line from the front to the rear of the condenser (50) or with each successive tube bank being offset in a slightly staggered arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Carrier Commercial Refrigeration, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald D. Upton, Harry A. Brancheau, Robert J. Reese, Eugene Duane Daddis, Jr., Timothy J. Roberts
  • Patent number: 7028497
    Abstract: A refrigerated cold beverage merchandiser (10) includes an enclosure defining an insulated, refrigerated display cabinet (25) and a compartment (30) heat insulated therefrom wherein a compressor (40) a condenser (50) and a condenser fan (60) are disposed. The condenser (50) is formed by a plurality of in-line tube banks (52). Each tube bank (52) is a serpentine tube formed a plurality of unfinned, straight tube segments (54) extending in parallel rows (55) between a pair of spaced, opposed end plates (58) and elbow turns (56) connecting neighboring straight tube segments (56) in a conventional manner. Each successive tube bank (52) is arranged with the other tube banks so that respective parallel tube rows (55) are disposed in-line from the front to the rear of the condenser (50) or with each successive tube bank being offset in a slightly staggered arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Carrier Commercial Refrigeration, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald D. Upton, Harry A. Brancheau, Robert J. Reese, Eugene Duane Daddis, Jr., Timothy J. Roberts
  • Patent number: 6851271
    Abstract: A refrigerated cold beverage merchandiser (10) includes an enclosure defining an insulated, refrigerated display cabinet (25) and a compartment (30) heat insulated therefrom wherein a compressor (40) a condenser (50) and a condenser fan (60) are disposed. The condenser (30) is formed by a plurality of in-line tube banks (52). Each tube bank (52) is a serpentine tube formed a plurality of parallel straight tube segments (54) extending in horizontal rows (55) between a pair of spaced, opposed end plates (58) and elbow turns (56) connecting neighboring straight tube segments (56) in a conventional manner. Each successive tube bank (52) is aligned with the other tube banks so that respective parallel tube rows (55) are disposed in-line from the front to the rear of the condenser (50).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: Carrier Commercial Refrigeration
    Inventors: Ronald D. Upton, Harry A. Brancheau, Robert J. Reese, E. Duane Daddis, Jr., Timothy J. Roberts
  • Publication number: 20030213259
    Abstract: A refrigerated cold beverage merchandiser (10) includes an enclosure defining an insulated, refrigerated display cabinet (25) and a compartment (30) heat insulated therefrom wherein a compressor (40) a condenser (50) and a condenser fan (60) are disposed. The condenser (30) is formed by a plurality of in-line tube banks (52). Each tube bank (52) is a serpentine tube formed a plurality of parallel straight tube segments (54) extending in horizontal rows (55) between a pair of spaced, opposed end plates (58) and elbow turns (56) connecting neighboring straight tube segments (56) in a conventional manner. Each successive tube bank (52) is aligned with the other tube banks so that respective parallel tube rows (55) are disposed in-line from the front to the rear of the condenser (50).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2003
    Publication date: November 20, 2003
    Inventors: Ronald D. Upton, Harry A. Brancheau, Robert J. Reese, E. Duane Daddis, Timothy J. Roberts
  • Patent number: 6578978
    Abstract: A refrigerated display case and process of illuminating the case is provided. The display case has a support mullion (22) positioned in proximity to a glass door. A fluorescent lamp (34) is located within a lateral opening along either side of the support mullion (22). A diffusing lens (32) is positioned within the lateral opening, opposite the lamps, scattering the light as it passes through from the side of the mullion and through the diffusing lens (32). The glass door provides a reflective surface which reflects a substantial portion of the scattered light towards the interior space of the display case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: Specialty Equipment Companies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald D. Upton, Harry A. Brancheau
  • Patent number: 6406108
    Abstract: In a refrigerated display cabinet, the door frame includes a top rail, a bottom rail, and a pair of opposed side rails. At least one of the rails of the door frame is formed as a unitary structure that forms part of a channel that receives a central panel of the door, receives a lighting fixture and receives a gasket for sealing the door against a wall of the cabinet or against a mullion. A generally L-shaped retainer member engages the rail, the door's central panel and a lamp shield and is selectively removable to facilitate installation and/or replacement of the central panel of the door. The side rail can be configured with a utility compartment that is configured so as to be capable of housing a locking mechanism or a casting for a hinge mounting, depending on how the door is mounted to the cabinet. A handle can be mounted to the exterior surface of the side rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: Specialty Equipment Companies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald D. Upton, Harry A. Brancheau
  • Patent number: 6273276
    Abstract: A rack for a shelf which may be mounted to an existing shelf. The rack has a series of front and rear securing clasps which maintain the rack in a tensioned fashion to the shelf. The rack provides a series of product sleeves defined by overhead rails. Stop members at the front and rear of the rails secure the rails in place and allow the rack to be reversible. The reversible nature of the rack also allows variation of the selected stop height within a single rack. The rack may be a part of a gravity feed shelf assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Specialty Equipment, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald D. Upton, Harry A. Brancheau
  • Patent number: 4977754
    Abstract: A beverage merchandiser for refrigerating and displaying single-serving containers disposed on gravity feed shelves has a refrigerated compartment accessed by sliding, multi-pane glass panel doors mounted on rollers engaging side-by-side overhead tracks. An evaporator is disposed inside the refrigerated compartment near the top and rear walls of same and is configured with a shallow height relative to the depth of the evaporator to save space. A duct panel forms a duct along the top wall of the refrigerated compartment to direct cooled air from the evaporator toward the product nearest the doors of the merchandiser to keep this product cool, since it is the next-to-be-purchased product. The glass panes of the doors are kept defogged by a defogging mechanism. One of the defogging mechanisms uses air warmed in a housing for the condenser and compressor and provides same to a slot oriented in a grill, which is disposed beneath the bottom edge of the doors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 18, 1990
    Assignee: Specialty Equipment Companies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald D. Upton, Michael A. Branz, Edmund S. Richardson
  • Patent number: D521536
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Robert J. Reese, Ronald D. Upton
  • Patent number: D458946
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: Specialty Equipment Companies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald D. Upton, Wendell Wilson, Robert J. Reese, Michael A. Baker
  • Patent number: D477335
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2003
    Assignee: Specialty Equipment Companies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald D. Upton, Wendell Wilson, Robert J. Reese, Michael A. Baker
  • Patent number: D350245
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1994
    Assignee: Specialty Equipment Companies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Branz, Ronald D. Upton
  • Patent number: D363398
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1995
    Assignee: Specialty Equipment Companies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Branz, Ronald D. Upton, Harry A. Brancheau
  • Patent number: D376157
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 3, 1996
    Assignee: Specialty Equipment Companies, Beverage Air Division
    Inventors: Michael A. Branz, Harry A. Brancheau, Ronald D. Upton
  • Patent number: D377800
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1997
    Assignee: Specialty Equipment Companies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Branz, Harry A. Brancheau, Ronald D. Upton, Dan G. Hopkins