GB881380A - Improvements in storage arrangements for wheeled vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

881,380. Storage of vehicles. POWER PARKING Ltd. Feb. 7, 1958 [Feb. 8, 1957], No. 4344/57. Class 78 (4). Cars are handled for parking purposes (e.g. in a multi-storey garage) by tilting platforms along which the car runs. In Fig. 3, the platform 86 is pivotally carried by lift platform 103 and is biased by a weight 89. Platforms 95, 96 at each level are pivoted and biased to tilt outwards, and the transfer of cars to and from the lift platform 86 is achieved by first locking the platforms concerned, as at 104, then suitably positioning the lift and retracting the appropriate stop 91 or 92. The entrance and exit ramps at ground level are sloped towards and away from the lift respectively, and retractable stops are provided at their forward ends. The lift is capable of stopping at three different positions for each floor level (indicated at H, M, L). In a second embodiment (Fig. 11) the platform 32 is mounted on adjustable mountings 34, 35 on lift platform 33. A tiltable entrance ramp 29 is normally locked in alignment with the approach road 28 (which may be sloping upwards), but can be tilted as shown to load the car 42 on to the lift. The slope of platform 29 in the position shown may be less than that of all the other platforms, so that if a car rolls freely on to the lift it can be assumed it will roll freely throughout the system. Each platform preferably has a trough or channel along one side to guide the car wheels. The car is discharged from the lift at any level in a manner similar to that of the first embodiment. The lift is mounted in a tower which may be movable horizontally to serve a number of columns. On restricted sites a turn-table with a sloping ramp may be used in the approach road. In another arrangement the lift platform is circular and rotatable to serve a number of columns arranged radially around the tower. In yet another form a " big wheel " is employed, Fig. 27, the cars being accommodated in cages 121 with tilting platforms and the lift tower being at 128. The tilting platform in the lift must, in this case slide forward to bridge the gap needed for clearance of the wheel framework. A form of bolt for locking two platforms together (shown at 104, Fig. 3), is shown at 135, Fig. 29. The bolt slides in guides 136, 137, and the latter allows limited vertical movement to allow for slight mis-alignment of the platforms 133, 134. The bolt may be poweroperated and is normally held central by buffers or springs 138, 139.