US3613909A

US3613909A - Vehicle-parking system

Info

Publication number: US3613909A
Application number: US720952A
Authority: US
Inventors: Charles R Salloum
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1968-04-12
Filing date: 1968-04-12
Publication date: 1971-10-19
Anticipated expiration: 1988-10-19
Also published as: DE1918559A1; JPS4820397B1

Abstract

The invention disclosed and claimed herein comprises an improved system for the efficient parking of automobiles and the like. The invention provides a plurality of vertically separated parking levels with each being composed of a plurality of concentric rotatable parking platforms. Of particular importance herein is the location of access and egress means for these parking levels. Elevators, or the like, are herein provided in a circular, or semicircular, array extending vertically through the plurality of parking levels about a central platform at each level. Such central platform may comprise a turntable to turn vehicles for ready movement outwardly to parking stalls. By the above-noted arrangement, the present invention provides for minimizing the required number of elevators employed, while at the same time maximizing available parking space and facilitating fully automated vehicle parking or storage.

Description

United States Patent [72] Inventor [54] VEHICLE-PARKING SYSTEM 5 Claims, 6 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 2l4/l6.l A

[51] Int. Cl E0411 6/06 [50] Field of Search 214/161, 16.1 1

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,528,893 3/1925 Rother 2l4/l6.1(l)

2,631,743 3/1953 Homick.... 214/16.1(1) 2,676,714 4/1954 Buranelli 2l4/l6.l(l)

FOREIGN PATENTS Primary Examiner-Gerald M. Forlenza Assistant Examiner-Raymond B. Johnson Attorney-Gregg & l-lendricson 2l4/l6.1(l) 214/16.1(1) 214/16.1(1)

ABSTRACT: The invention disclosed and claimed herein comprises an improved system for the efiicient parking of automobiles and the like. The invention provides a plurality of vertically separated parking levels with each being composed of a plurality of concentric rotatable parking platforms. Of particular importance herein is the location of access and egress means for these parking levels. Elevators, or the like, are herein provided in a circular, or semicircular, array extending vertically through the plurality of parking levels about a central platform at each level. Such central platform may comprise a turntable to turn vehicles for ready movement outwardly to parking stalls.

By the above-noted arrangement, the present invention provides for minimizing the required number of elevators employed, while at the same time maximizing available parking space and facilitating fully automated vehicle parking or storage.

VEHICLE-PARKING SYSTEM This application is a continuation-in-part of my prior copending US. Pat. application Ser. No. 404,622, filed in the U.S. Patent Office on Oct. 19, 1964 and now 11.8. Pat. No. 3,378,151, and US. Pat. application Ser. No. 646,671, filed in the US. Patent Office on June 16, 1967 and now US. Pat. No. 3,382,990.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION In attempting to overcome the admittedly serious problem of automobile parking in congested areas, there have been developed a wide variety of structures and systems. Many of these developments have proven to be primarily theoretical; however, certain advancements in the art have been at least tested. Despite the multitude of novel systems and approaches advanced by prior workers in the art, it yet remains conventional to employ normal building structures with ramps between parking levels in modern parking garages. This indicates a certain lack of practicality in prior art approaches to the solution of the problem of parking and storing the myriads of vehicles clogging the streets and highways, particularly in congested areas such as the major cities of the world.

Despite the wealth of published material and patented inventions in the field of vehicle parking, it is true to date that only a very few significantly different parking systems have actually been tested in full scale, let along being actually employed in commerce. One mechanical car-parking scheme which has been built and is now in existence is that termed the RotoPark which is reported to have been built and is operating satisfactorily in Geneva, Switzerland. This particular system is recommended for installation beneath a building and comprises a plurality of levels made up of one or more conveyors serviced by an elevator for each conveyor of each level and employing a type of retractable combs as the vehicle-support means for each elevator and cooperating with conveyor trucks which automatically transfer the vehicle to and from the elevator.

One of the difficulties experienced by prior art advancements in the field of vehicle parking is the difficult in maximizing the number of vehicles that may be parked in a limited volume, and at the same time minimizing the complexity of structure and cost of construction. The above-noted copending patent applications of the present inventor set forth certain novel principles of vehicle parking employing concentric rotatable platforms at each of a plurality of vertically spaced parking levels and accomplishing the objective of maximizing the number of vehicles that may be parked in a limited volume. The present invention proceeds further along this basic approach to vehicle parking in the provision of a system which not only accomplishes the above-noted objective but also minimizes the necessary complexity of structure and cost thereof. Of particular importance in this respect is the location of means employed for vertical movement difficulty vehicles between parking levels.

Reference is made to my above-noted copending patent applications for an extensive listing of generally relevant prior art in the field of vehicle-parking systems and structures. These indicate the extent of effort that has been expended in this field and emphasize the importance of the problems involved, but yet they appear to have failed to have achieved public acceptance. The present invention, on the other hand, presents a highly practical solution to the basic problems involved in high-density vehicle parking and storage, with sub stantially immediate access to each individual vehicle, and accomplishes the foregoing with a minimum of complexity so as to materially enhance the economic feasibility of this system.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION The parking system of the present invention provides a plurality of vertically based parking levels. Although it is not required for there to be any particular number of vertical parking levels, advantages of the invention become more pronounced as the number of levels is increased up to a very substantial number, such as, for example, 10, 20 or more. While this would generally indicate that the invention is adapted to be employed above ground, it is also possible, if desired, to provide the levels underground, although in such instance it would not normally be expected that a very large number of levels would be employed. Each of the parking levels of the present system is comprised of a plurality of con centric, rotatable platforms, with each platform having radial width slightly greater than the length of automobiles to be parked thereon, and circumferentially divided into a plurality of parking stalls. The individual rotary platforms are controllably driven to rotate any particular stall thereon into position for vehicle access or egress. Control over the indexing or positioning of the rotary-parking platforms may be accomplished either at a central location or locally, and the former is particularly adapted to fully automated parking of vehicles.

In distinction to prior parking systems, the present invention provides for the location of vertical-positioning means for vehicles in a circle or semicircle about a central platform that may comprise a turntable. Such a turntable is provided at each vertically spaced parking level and the elevators, as they are hereinafter termed, extend vertically through the core of the levels so as to be disposed in a semicircle, or partial circle, about the turntable at each level. Each of these elevators is adapted to carry an individual vehicle, with such vehicle then being directed toward the turntable of the level at which the elevator is located. Consequently, the vehicle will be seen to be disposed in the most advantageous position for movement into an individual parking stall of a rotary parking platform, for the turntable itself is either locally or remotely controlled to rotate the vehicle for directing same toward an opening between elevators, so that it is properly directed for movement radially outward, either under its own power or by mechanical means onto a parking platform that has been rotated or indexed to position an empty stall in line with the vehicle.

Removal of vehicles from the separate parking levels is accomplished in a preferred embodiment of the invention by a plurality of elevators disposed radially outward of the rotatable parking platforms and extending about a portion of the circumference of same.

In accordance with the present invention, individual automobiles may be driven by their operators to the final parking positions and so removed therefrom. Under such conditions the parking levels are preferably provided with annular sta tionary platforms of sufficient radial width to accommodate foot traffic. Such stationary platforms are so located that each rotary platform is adjacent a stationary platform. On the other hand, fully automated vehicle parking in accordance with the present invention does not necessarily require stationary platforms, turntables or separate exit elevators. In this case it is also possible to provide the rotary platforms only as annular frames adapted to receive and retain vehicles thereon, as placed by vehicle-movement means of the elevators.

The present invention provides a central, or core, location of elevators extending through the vertically spaced parking levels about a centrally located station or turntable at each parking level so that the required number of elevators for adequately servicing the plurality of levels is minimized. This is highly advantageous in achieving a truly practical parking system. Not only is the cost of construction minimized, but, also, the incoming vehicles are initially positioned in the best location for immediate movement to selective parking positions or stalls. in a preferred embodiment of this invention, the flow of vehicles is into the core and thence vertically to preselected parking levels, from whence the vehicles ultimately move radially outward for vehicle movement back to the outlet level. When the present invention is embodied as a physical structure extending upwardly from the ground, it is contemplated that vehicles shall enter a sublevel, or basement, where they are placed upon the inlet elevators and raised to the appropriate floor, or parking level, for storage. Vehicles are removed from storage by radial movement outward to the egress elevators about the level, and thence lowered to ground level where they may be driven away by their operator.

DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES The present invention is illustrated as to particular preferred embodiments thereof in the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of one parking level of a plurality of vertically spaced levels, in accordance with present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of an entrance level in the parking system of the present invention as embodied in part in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of a multiple-level parking system showing entrance and exit;

FIG. 4 is a partial plan view of the entrance level of an alternative embodiment of the system;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a parking level of the system of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 6 is a partial plan view of a parking level of a further embodiment of the system.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Considering first one preferred embodiment of the present invention, reference is made to FIGS. 1 to 3 of the drawings. There is shown in FIG. 1 a single parking level comprised of a plurality of

annular parking platforms

11, 12 and 13. It is, of course, to be understood that the number of concentric annular parking platfonns employed at each level may be increased or decreased, and three such platforms are shown only for purposes of illustration. A central core 14 is shown to be provided within the innermost rotary platform 11 and comprising a central rotatable platform or turntable 16 surrounded in part by a plurality of elevators 17 arranged to discharge vehicles onto the turntable. These elevators will be seen to be located in a generally annular array about the turntable, but with at least one opening, or driveway, 18 extending outwardly from the turntable through the array of elevators. This driveway is provided for traverse by vehicles deposited upon the turntable 16 from an elevator 17.

Provision is made for controllably rotating the rotatable parking platforms ll, 12 and 13, and such control may be located in a variety of different positions. For certain types of operation of the present system, it is convenient to provide indexing, or rotary-control, means 19 in the driveway 18. Thus, an automobile or other type of vehicle being driven from the turntable 16 onto the driveway 18 will there be stopped, and the operator shall actuate the control 19 to thereby controllably rotate one of the platforms 11 to 13 into position to place an empty parking stall in line with the driveway. Preferably, the rotary parking platforms are each provided with at least LII one driveway extending radially thereacross which is not adapted for storage of a vehicle. Thus the control means 19 will not rotate or index the inner platform 11, for example, to place the driveway 21 thereof in front of the driveway 18 when it is desired to park a vehicle on the platform. On the other hand, if the control means 19 are operated to rotate the intermediate platform 12 into a position to align an empty parking stall with the driveway 18, such control will automatically rotate the inner platform 11 if necessary to align the driveway 21 thereof with the driveway 18, so that the vehicle may be driven across the inner platform onto the intermediate platform and parked thereto. Likewise, signalling of a parking stall on the outer platform 13 will cause the driveways 21 and 22 of the platforms I1 and 12 to be placed in alignment with the driveway 18, so that the vehicle can be moved across both of these platforms 11 and 12 onto the platform 13.

With regard to positioning of the

rotary platforms

11, 12 and 13 illustrated in FIG. 1, it is to be appreciated that a variety of different schemes may be employed. Thus, it is possible to provide each of these platforms with a normal position at which the platform remains until called, or indexed, to rotate for the placement of a vehicle thereon or removal of a vehicle therefrom. In such a circumstance, the platform chosen will then rotate into desired position for loading of a vehicle, for example, and following such loading will return to normal position. Alternatively, it is possible to have the individual platforms remain in rotated position after placement of a vehicle thereon, at least until the platform is entirely filled. This has the advantage, insofar as loading is concerned,

that less platform rotation is required. It is possible to sequentially fill the stalls of the platforms by only moving the platform one stall at a time. On the other hand, this does not particularly arrange the platforms for easiest unloading of the platforms.

It is to be noted that automobiles, if driven either by their operators or an attendant, should normally be required only to move forward in parking and removal from parking. The system of the present invention does provide for forward movement only. Thus, as an automobile, or other vehicle, is moved radially inward of the core from an elevator onto the turntable 16, provision is made for rotating the turntable to align the car with the driveway 18. This may be accomplished by the provision of an overhead control, if desired, or, in certain circumstances, may be accomplished automatically, as, for example, by control contacts operable from separable elevators and pressure-sensitive means actuating turntable movement upon vehicle loading thereof. There has been briefly discussed above the movement of vehicles in loading of the parking platforms, and it is noted that somewhat similar operations are involved in unloading of same. Thus, a vehicle located in any particular parking stall of the outer rotatable platform 13 may be readily moved into alignment with one of the plurality of exit elevators 21 disposed about a part of the circumference of the level, as indicated, merely by controllably rotating this outer platform. Such control may be, for example, provided at or above each of the parking stalls, if desired. A vehicle located on an inner, or intermediate, parking platform may also be aligned with an exit elevator by rotating such platform. In this instance, however, it is necessary for at least one other platform to be rotated in order to align the driveway thereon between the vehicle and selected elevator. Consequently, rotation of the inner, or any intermediate, platform for egress of the vehicle therefrom is preferably auto matically interconnected with rotation of radially outward platfonns therefrom. In this manner, the outwardly disposed platforms will, at the same time, be rotated to dispose a driveway thereacross in line with the vehicle and selected exit elevator, whereby the vehicle may be readily moved from its parking stall into the elevator for descent to the exit level.

In addition to the rotatable platfonns disposed at each level, it is noted that annular stationary platforms may also be provided. Particularly in the instance wherein vehicles are intended to be parked by an operator driving the vehicle, it is highly advantageous to provide walkways for such operator to then leave the parked vehicle. It is also preferable in this instance to provide some separate elevator means for operators and possible vehicle passengers to leave each parking level. Any desired number of passenger elevators may be provided in the system hereof, and same are illustrated, for example, at 26 of FIG. 1. Again, in connection with an embodiment of the present invention wherein vehicle operators and possible passengers will actually drive to the individual parking stalls, it is advantageous for there to be provided annular stationary platforms, or walkways, such as indicated at 27 of FIG. 1. Such stationary platforms should have a sufficient width to accom modate such traffic, and thus might have a radial width of 5 feet, or the like. In addition, the stationary platforms should be so located that each rotary platform is adjacent one stationary platform. This, then, removes the necessity of individuals having to walk across a number of rotary platforms in order to reach the stationary walkway. It is also, of course, possible to provide one or more passenger elevators, or escalators, for each level or each stationary platform or walkway. It is believed apparent that a relatively wide range of variations is possible in carrying out the present invention. Thus, also, for

example, it is possible to locate the exit elevators at spaced positions around the periphery of each level, if desired; however, it is important hereto that the central core will contain a rotatable turntable at each level with elevators thereabout, and that other elevators shall be located radially outward of the rotary platforms.

With regard to entry of the vehicles into the parking system thereto, reference is made to FIG. 2 illustrating the semicircular array of vehicle elevators 17. Each of these elevators is adapted to be entered at this entrance level from the outer side thereof. There are shown in FIG. 2 curved lines with arrows thereon indicating vehicle paths, as, for example, from two separate entries and along which vehicles are adapted to be moved to enter the individual elevators. At this level it is not necessary to provide a central turntable: it is particularly noted at this level that the elevators are open at their outer sides rather than their inner sides, as at the parking levels. In FIG. 3 there is schematically illustrated a plurality of parking levels 311 with an entrance level 32 being provided as a basement or sublevel beneath the ground and having, for example, an entrance ramp 33 as from a street, or the like. The central core 14 is shown in FIG. 3 as extending upwardly from the entrance level 32 through the plurality of vertically spaced parking levels 31L There is also illustrated schematically an exit elevator 21 extending between each of the parking levels and terminating, for example, at the street level, or ground level, whereat a vehicle may be driven away from the parking system. Although the system is illustrated in FIG. 3 somewhat as a free-standing building, or structure, it is to be appreciated that the system of the present invention may be incorporated in other structures, as well as being provided as a single, separate structure. Further with regard to the motion of individual portions of the present system, it is noted that the elevator mechanism may, for example, be located at the top of the core and above the exit elevators, if desired; furthermore, that individual drive means are incorporated beneath each of the parking levels and engage the separate rotatable parking platforms thereat. Such drive means may be relatively conventional, such as, for example, means described in above-noted copending patent applications. Likewise, mounting of the rotatable platforms may be accomplished in a variety of ways, including that suggested in my above-noted US. Pat. No. 3,382,990. Control over the movement of vehicles or the location to which a particular vehicle is sent may be accomplished from a central station, such as one located at 34 at the entrance to the sublevel 32. Conventional indicating means may be provided to identify upon a board, or the like, the location of filled and unfilled parking stalls, so that as each vehicle enters the system it is directed to an appropriate level whereat vacant stalls are available, and possibly even to particular stalls at such level.

It will be appreciated that the parking system of the present invention provides for a relatively uninterrupted flow of vehicles into and out of storage. Particularly with the location of entrance and exit at different physical levels, there is attained a freedom from interferring traffic. Also, by the provision of inlet elevators in a central core and exit elevators radially outward of storage locations, individual vehicles may be readily and rapidly moved to storage and equally easily removed therefrom. It is, of course, to be appreciated that varying degrees of automation may be incorporated in the present invention. It is further discussed below.

Although the present invention has been described above in connection with a ring of elevators substantially entirely about turntables at successive parking levels, it is noted that a lesser number of inlet elevators may be employed, if desired. Naturally, it is advantageous to minimize the number of elevators utilized in any parking system, for the cost of installation and maintenance of elevators is admittedly substantial. Thus it is possible in accordance with the present invention to provide the central core of the system with a turntable at each parking level and a limited number of inlet elevators about these turntables. For example, the elevators may be arranged in a semicircle about the turntables to thus provide only about one-half as many elevators as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 described above. Similarly, the number of exit elevators may be reduced. In order to maximize the utilization of each elevator employed, it is advantageous for each elevator to be capable of traveling to each parking level. Thus each of the inlet elevators is available to transport a vehicle from the entry to any of the parking levels; likewise, the outlet, or egress, elevators are each available to remove the vehicles from each of the parking levels. While this provides a maximum degree of flexibility, it is noted that most efficient elevator utilization may, for many circumstances be attained by some type of elevator programming which may range from a very simple system to one of substantial complexity for a large number of parking levels requiring a high degree of vehicle movement in short periods of time. Naturally, the total number of elevators provided is, in part, dependent upon the number of parking stalls, or locations, incorporated in any particular system and the predetermined degree of vehicle movement within limited periods of time.

As noted above, the requisite number of elevators for any particular system, in accordance with the present invention, is determined by a variety of factors, including the number of parking levels involved and the desired rapidity with which vehicles are to be moved in and out of the system, It is admittedly advantageous to minimize complexity and cost of any particular system formed in accordance with the present invention, and in this respect attention is invited to FIGS. 4 and 5 of the drawings illustrating a system wherein a limited number of elevators or vertical vehicle-movement means are employed. While the present invention is particularly applicable to large-scale vehicle parking, basic advantages of maximized utilization of space and minimized complexity of vehicle movement may yet be realized in relatively small installations, in accordance with the invention. In FIG. 4! there is illustrated an entry level having a plurality of vehicular elevators 41 arranged in a semicircle. Entrance to these elevators by vehicles is preferably accomplished from the outside of the semicircle, as, for example, along drive paths indicated by Iines 42 extending from an entrance 43 to each of the elevators. The remaining portion of the entrance level may be em ployed in any desired manner, as, for example, by the provision of conventional, fixed parking stalls M.

Each parking level of this simplified embodiment of the present invention may be comprised as generally illustrated in FIG. 5, wherein the vertically extending elevators 41 are illustrated as being disposed on a semicircle about a central tumtable 46. In this arrangement, vehicles are adapted to be moved radially inward of the elevators at any parking level, so as to move onto the turntable 46 for rotation into alignment with a driveway 47 extending from the turntable. About the central core there is disposed a plurality of concentric rotatable parking platforms and 49. Each of these rotatable platforms is divided into parking stalls for the location of vehicles thereon. Exteriorly of the parking platforms, there is shown to be provided a group of exit elevators 51 which may, for example, be located across the level from the driveway 47, if desired. In addition, there may further be provided passenger elevators 52 located at convenient points about the levels and extending therebetween from each level to an exit level.

With regard to operation of the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, it is believed that same will be generally understood from the foregoing description of the embodiments of FIGS. I to 3. In a system in accordance with the present invention wherein it is contemplated that vehicles will be driven to and from individual parking stalls on the separate levels, it is, of course, necessary to provide appropriate controls, as, for example, on the turntables &6, so that the operator may readily move the vehicle onto and out of parking stalls. It is also possible, in accordance with the present invention, to substantially entirely automate the movement of vehicles. Thus, for example, an automobile driven through the entry 43 of FIG. 4 and along one of the drive paths 42 may be driven upon a platform, or carriage, 54 extending from any one of the elevators 41. The operator may then leave the vehicle and under master control the loaded carriage 54 may be drawn into the elevator 41 and the elevator actuated to move to the appropriate parking level. At such level, the inner rotatable parking platform 48 may be indexed to place an empty parking stall adjacent the elevator carrying the vehicle and the vehicle then moved upon its platform, or carriage, onto this parking stall with the platform then retracting into the elevator to leave the vehicle in the parking stall, so that the elevator is free to return. In such an automated system there is provided a driveway across each of the rotatable platforms, as indicated for example at 56 and 57. Thus, if it is desired to move a vehicle from an elevator to a parking stall on an outer rotatable platform, the inner platform is rotated to place the driveway adjacent the elevator carrying the vehicle, so that the vehicle may be automatically moved on its carriage, or the like, from the elevator to the driveway, and a similar vehicle-movement means on the driveway will, then, lift the vehicle and move it into the desired parking stall on the next outwardly disposed rotatable parking platform. Retrieval of vehicles from such an automated system may be accomplished by movable carriages provided in the exit elevators 51, such that a parking stall carrying the desired vehicle is aligned with one of the exit elevators and the movable carriage therein then passes under the vehicle and lifts it to horizontally move it into the elevator for lowering.

With regard to the direction of vehicle movement in an automated system, as briefly discussed above, it is noted that the vehicle may be moved either forward or backward, inasmuch as no actual backing operation under control of a vehicle operator is involved. This, then, means that the vehicle may be moved radially outward from the elevators 41 of FIG. in the manner previously described, rather than being moved radially inward. Under these circumstances it is not necessary to provide a turntable at the separate parking levels. Furthermore, it is possible with automated systems to locate the exit elevators at the central core, if desired. In the arrangement of FIG. 5, with the exit elevators 51 radially outward of the parking platforms, a vehicle would be removed from a parking level by rotation of the parking platforms into alignment with the desired elevator and automated movement of the vehicle into such elevator for descent to the exit level, whereat the vehicle would be automatically deposited radially inward of the elevator to be driven away in a forward direction. With the central core elevators being employed for removal of vehicles, as well as entrance of same, the above-described automated operation of depositing vehicles in parking stalls may merely be reversed.

In an automated system, as briefly discussed above, the physical structure of certain portions thereof may be materially simplifred from that required for embodiments of the invention in which the vehicles are driven to parking stalls. Thus, the rotatable parking platforms may comprise only frameworks adapted to receive the vehicles in circumferentially spaced support means. In this manner it is possible to reduce the weight of the parking platforms, as fully paving thereof is not required. This is advantageous in a number of ways, including the resultant reduction in necessary strength of support means and power required for driving means. Also, in automated systems it is not necessary to provide walkways or stationary platforms of substantial width between rotary parking platforms for vehicle operators will not travel to the separate parking levels. The further provision of passenger elevators is obviated in a fully automated system. It will, of course, be appreciated that the rotatable platforms in allembodiments of the present invention are adapted to be rotated in either direction. Although loading of the platforms may be accomplished in a programmed manner, it is not possible to unload them in the same manner, for vehicle owners may call for their vehicles at any time they desire. Thus, it is preferable that the rotatable platforms be moved the least necessary amount to locate any particular vehicle in position for egress.

This also may be provided for automatically, so that any platform will rotate the shortest distance to dispose a chosen stall thereof in position for vehicle egress.

Further with regard to automation of this system it is noted that under certain circumstances, it may be desired to preserve the originally described direction of movement of vehicles so that they will ultimately leave the system pointed radially outward thereof. Under such circumstances, it is necessary to reverse the direction of vehicle orientation, as by a central turntable 46. Again, it is noted that through relatively conventional mechanical expediency, it is possible to have a carriage in each of the entrance elevators move radially outward of the elevator or radially inward therefrom. Thus the carriage may move out for deposition of a vehicle thereon at the entrance level and may move into place the vehicle on a central turntable 46 at a parking level. Full automation from a master control panel may be readily accomplished to move vehicles from an entrance location to a parking stall at any of a plurality of parking levels and subsequently to remove the vehicle from such parking stall and deposit it at an exit level. Mechanical details of vehicle carriages and control equipment are not included herein, inasmuch as it is believed that same are sufficiently conventional to be readily understandable by those skilled in the art.

As previously noted, it is highly advantageous under many circumstances to maximize simplicity of the present system. In certain types of installations of the parking system of this invention, it is possible to move vehicles by operator driving same and yet to dispense with the necessity of providing a turntable at each parking level. Such a system is schematically illustrated as to the core itself at FIG. 6 of the drawing, it being understood that the outer portion of this system may be the same as that illustrated in FIG. 1. This system is applicable to situations wherein a minimum number of elevators may be employed. It will be seen that a parking level, as partially illustrated in FIG. 6, incorporates a core structure 61 having elevators 62 disposed in a circle about a central platform 63. These elevators having openings radially inward of the core structure, so vehicles may be moved from the elevators onto the central platforms 63, as indicated by the arrows 64. In this arrangement, the elevators 62 of the core are spaced apart by driveways 66, with a driveway being located between each elevator. By the provision of an odd number of elevators and appropriate dimensioning of the driveways and elevators, there will thus be provided a driveway directly across the core structure from each elevator. Consequently, a vehicle may be driven from any elevator directly across the central platform 63 and out the driveway aligned with such elevator onto a rotary parking platform 67 disposed about the central core. Of course, additional concentric rotary parking platforms may be provided radially outward of the platform 67 at each level. With this particular arrangement of the present invention, the rotary mounting of the central platform and drive means therefor are excluded from the structure. This will be seen to provide a material simplification and minimization of cost which is highly desirable for certain applications of the invention. It is to be further noted that the central core of this embodiment need not provide an odd number of elevators, but in the instance wherein an even number of elevators are employed, it is provided that two of the elevators are adjacent to each other with the remaining elevators being separated from each other by driveways, so as to provide a driveway directly across the central platform from each elevator. It is believed that this variation is relatively self-evident without the necessity of separate illustration.

There has been described above an improved vehicle-parking system, particularly directed to the solution of the problem of economically storing a large number of vehicles such as automobiles and providing for the substantially instantaneous retrieval of individual vehicles. Maximum utilization of physical space is provided by this invention, and minimization of physical complexity and cost of construction and operation are achieved hereby. The invention thus provides a marked mums 0014 advancement in a field of major interest in all localities suffering from the prevalent problem of vehicle congestion.

Although the present invention has been illustrated and described in connection with particular deferred embodiments thereof, it is not intended to limit the invention to the exact terms of the description or details of illustration, but, instead, reference is made to the appended claims for a precise delineation of the true scope of this invention.

That which is claimed is.

1. An improved vehicle parking system comprising:

a building with a central circular core,

a plurality of vertically aligned turntables disposed within said core one on each of a plurality of vertically spaced parking levels,

a plurality of circular disposed inlet elevators extending between parking levels and disposed about said turntables with at least one opening therethrough at each level as a driveway from each turntable, said elevators communicating with a turntable at each level for vehicle movement onto turntables from elevators,

a plurality of rotatably mounted annular parking platforms disposed concentrically about said elevators and driveways located at each parking level for movement of vehicles forwardly outward from turntables onto parking platforms,

means located adjacent each of said driveways for controllably rotating each of said platforms separately to align desired portions thereof with said driveway, and

a plurality of exit elevators disposedradially outward of said parking platforms in extension between and communicating with said levels for egress of vehicles from the system by movement of vehicles forwardly outward of the parking platforms into the exit elevators.

2. The parking system of claim I further defined by said first plurality of elevators being an odd number of elevators disposed about a central platform at each parking level with a driveway between each elevator to thus align a driveway with each elevator across the platform.

3. The parking system of claim 1 further defined by said plurality of exit elevators extending from an exit level to each of said parking levels and opening radially inward at said parking levels and opening outward at said exit level.

d. The parking system of claim 1 further defined by vehiclecarriage means on each of said elevators for substantially horizontal movement of vehicles onto and off of elevators.

5. The parking system of claim 4 further defined by said elevators opening radially outward of said core at all levels, said vehicle-carriage means moving vehicles outward from elevators to parking platforms, each of said parking plaflorms having at least one vehicle carriage for moving vehicles substantially horizontally onto and off of the platform, and means indexing said parking platforms to dispose individual vehicle parking stations thereon in predeterrninable position for movement of vehicles on and off of individual vehicle locations thereon.

Claims

1. An improved vehicle parking system comprising: a building with a central circular core, a plurality of vertically aligned turntables disposed within said core one on each of a plurality of vertically spaced parking levels, a plurality of circular disposed inlet elevators extending between parking levels and disposed about said turntables with at least one opening therethrough at each level as a driveway from each turntable, said elevators communicating with a turntable at each level for vehicle movement onto turntables from elevators, a plurality of rotatably mounted annular parking platforms disposed concentrically about said elevators and driveways located at each parking level for movement of vehicles forwardly outward from turntables onto parking platforms, means located adjacent each of said driveways for controllably rotating each of said platforms separately to align desired portions thereof with said driveway, and a plurality of exit elevators disposed radially outward of said parking platforms in extension between and communicating with said levels for egress of vehicles from the system by movement of vehicles forwardly outward of the parking platforms into the exit elevators.

2. The parking system of claim 1 further defined by said first plurality of elevators being an odd number of elevators disposed about a central platform at each parking level with a driveway between each elevator to thus align a driveway with each elevator across the platform.

4. The parking system of claim 1 further defined by vehicle-carriage means on each of said elevators for substantially horizontal movement of vehicles onto and off of elevators.

5. The parking system of claim 4 further defined by said elevators opening radially outward of said core at all levels, said vehicle-carriage means moving vehicles outward from elevators to parking platforms, each of said parking platforms having at least one vehicle carriage for moving vehicles substantially horizontally onto and off of the platform, and means indexing said parking platforms to dispose individual vehicle parking stations thereon in predeterminable position for movement of vehicles on and off of individual vehicle locations thereon.