US3637099A

US3637099A - Elevating apparatus

Info

Publication number: US3637099A
Application number: US850030A
Authority: US
Inventors: Jean Georges Perrier
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1968-08-14
Filing date: 1969-08-14
Publication date: 1972-01-25
Anticipated expiration: 1989-01-25
Also published as: DE1939977B2; CH511998A; DE1939977C3; NL6912412A; BE737497A; DE1939977A1; SE358202B; DE1966630A1; AT314424B; GB1258670A; ES371065A1; CA926313A

Abstract

Elevating apparatus for motor vehicles comprising vehicle supporting platforms each inclined slightly to the horizontal and supported by a cradle which is movable up and down inclined or vertical guide rails; each cradle is connected by a power transmission mechanism to means for bodily moving the platform (and vehicle) along the rails. The power transmission mechanism being operated at least partially by the vehicle engine through the intermediary of the driven wheels of the vehicle so that displacement along the rails is effected at least partially by the vehicle engine.

Description

United States Patent Perrier 1 1 Jan. 25, 1972 54 ELEVATING APPARATUS 1,697,345 1/1929 Chaudoir ..2l4/16.1l 2,538,517 1/1951 Hayden 214/1618 CX 1 lnvenwfl Georges Perrier, 84 Chemm (is 2,579,688 12 1951 McCormick ...214/16.18 c x 191288, Tassm-la-Deml-bune, France 2,796,952 6/1957 Brumby ..214/16.18 c x [22] Filed: Aug 14,1969 2,915,203 12/1959 Kurmer ..214/16.16 A [21] Appl. No.: 850,030 Primary Examiner-GeraldMt Forlenza Attorney-Sughrue, Rothwell, Mion, Zinn & Macpeak [30] Foreign Application Priority Data ABSTRACT Aug. 11, 1968 France ..50306 Dec 20 1968 France 50783 Elevating apparatus for motor vehicles comprismg vehicle Au 1969 France 5 supporting platforms each inclined sl1ghtly to the horizontal and supported by a cradle which is movable up and down [52] U S Cl 214/660 214/16 1 ED 187/8 56 inclined or vertical guide rails; each cradle is connected by a [51] B66f power transmission mechanism to means for bodily moving [58] Field C 16 18 the platform (and vehicle) along the rails. The power transmission mechanism being operated at least partially by the 214/1616 187/856 vehicle engine through the intermediary of the driven wheels of the vehicle so that displacement along the rails is effected at [56] References cued least partially by the vehicle engine.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 4 Claims, 25 Drawing Figures 1,261,656 4/1918 Vogel t.214/16.18CX

Pmmwmsmz mamas SHEET NF 9 PATENTED \M25 1972 SHEET 3 [1F 9 PATENTED JANZS I972 SHEET 4 0F 9 PATENIED JANZS 1972 SHEET 6 BF 9 PATENTEU M25 522 SHEET 70F 9 mow PATENTEB mas-x912 SHEET 8 BF 9 ELEVATING APPARATUS This invention relates to elevating apparatus for motor vehicles.

At present, in order to allow vehicles, and particularly motor vehicles, to move from one level to a substantially higher level, low gradient inclined ramps are used, which ramps tend to be of substantial width and to occupy considerable ground area. Such ramps are used for access to parking areas or the interior of garages and access ways to urban road or highways.

Such ramps have the disadvantage of occupying, both by their carriageway area and their banking, a very considerable area so that the cost of constructing these ramps, which is already very high in itself, becomes prohibitive in urban zones where the price of land is substantial.

To replace such access ramps to parking areas extending over several superimposed stories or levels, it is possible to use elevators or lifts. Such a solution makes it possible to reduce the ground surface area occupied by the ramp, but due to their low output, elevators or lifts reduce the quantity of vehicles entering or leaving the garage during a given time.

In addition, the cost of installing and maintaining an elevator or lift is relatively high.

It is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate these various disadvantages.

According to the present invention there is provided an elevating apparatus for motor vehicles comprising at least one substantially horizontal platform supported by a cradle displaceable along inclined or vertical rails, rollers adjacent each end of the platform to be driven by the vehicle engine with each roller connected by a power transmission mechanism to means for entraining the cradle and consequently the platform and vehicle along the guide rails such that, when the vehicle is driven onto the platfon'n, the torque of the engine of this vehicle transmitted by the driving wheels of the latter to the corresponding driven rollers, ensures, at least in part, the displacement of the cradle, platform and vehicle assembly along the guide rails.

Thus, in order to reach a higher or lower level, it is sufficient for the driver to drive his vehicle on to the platform and to maintain the rate of acceleration. As soon as the vehicle driving wheels engage the corresponding driven rollers, relative movement between the vehicle and platform is arrested and the elevation of the platform carrying the said vehicle is effected.

Preferably, the elevating apparatus comprises two cradle/platform assemblies which are displaceable at different levels between parallel guide rails and which are connected by a movement transmitting means and counterbalancing weight means, so that, at the end of its descent, the lower assembly is at substantially the same level as the upper assembly is at the end of its ascent whereby the vehicle can transfer from one platform to the other.

The superpositioning and/or the combination of several such assemblies makes it possible to reduce the time taken using each of them while decreasing their unit journey and, consequently, makes it possible to multiply the output of the assembly.

Preferably also, each driven roller is associated with a parallel free-running roller which, prevents a vehicle driving wheel from traversing the power driven roller and ensures the positioning of the vehicle wheel against the driven roller.

in addition, in order to prevent a vehicle which is thrown forwards from traversing the driven roller and in order to have only a single power transmission system for the intake of power at each end of the platform whatever size of wheelbase, the diameter of the vehicle wheels and the traction system of the vehicle (front or rear) the platform is loosely mounted on its cradle so that it can tilt as a whole relative to the horizontal.

The resulting inclination under the wheels of the vehicle allows the vehicle to stop horizontally as it is driven forwards on to the platfonn and then provide its entire driving force during bodily movement of the cradle.

In addition, a system for shock absorbing and for the recovery of the movement transmitting energy of the vehicle makes it possible to absorb the shocks of the movements.

For this purpose, the platform rests on its cradle through the intermediary of two sets of rollers one of which is connected to the movement transmitting system of the cradle and supported on ramp/cams tending to alter the attitude of the platform if the latter moves during bodily movement on its cradle and thus independently of the proper movement of the cradle during the same time.

The means for entraining the cradle during movement is constituted at each side of the cradle, on the one hand, by a drive pulley driven by the terminal gear wheel of a gear power transmission of the platform, and on the other hand, by one of the two pulley wheels supporting the cradle on its guide rail, the lower pulley constituting, with the aforesaid drive pulley, a winch around which there passes a traction rope and the distance between which pulleys changes depending on the position of the rollers of the platform on the ramp/cams of the cradle.

According to a modification, the platform is rigidly integral with two front sidearrns which give the assembly a T-shape and which maintain the upper wheels with which they are provided, applied against the rear sides of the guide rail roller track and has two rear pivoted sidearms, each having at their free end, a drive wheel applied to the front side of the corresponding roller track, above the pivot point of the arm, a mechanism being provided to connect the wheels of the pivoted arms to the captor rollers of the front and rear of the platform which drive them. Thus, the inclination of the platform adapts itself automatically to the variations of torque.

Preferably, each captive or receiving roller is arranged between two idler rollers which are arranged to be offset varying with the inclination of the platform, relative to the upper level of the captive roller. The object of this arrangement is to maintain in abutment with the captive roller, the driving wheels of the vehicle whatever its weight, its engine power, the distribution of loads between its axles, and the accelerations likely to appear. It is preferably to mount the front idler roller of the rear captive roller set on retractable crank pins controlled by the passage of the front wheels of the vehicle over a pedal, which returns to its initial position during the passage of the rear wheels, thus to facilitate entry and departure of vehicles on the platform without giving rise to jolts or shocks.

In order to increase the capacity and output of the elevating apparatus, it is advantageous to provide a system for recovering the power which stores up the kinetic energy of the vehicles during their arrival on the platform, in order to restore it at the time it leaves. Such a system for recovering energy may be branched off the lateral swingable arms in such a manner as to allow the platform to rise and more forwards as a vehicle arrives, the excess energy being stored, either by geometrical mounting of the platform or by the compression of springs, or by a variation in the length of a counterbalancing rope if a system of compensation by counterweights is used. This excess energy is restored by a backwards movement of the plat form and of the vehicle which it supports. In each case, the adherence of the driving wheels on the front sides of the roller track can be obtained by various means. For example, these wheels may be toothed and may cooperate with racks on the roller track; on the other hand, they may be constituted by pulleys on which there is wound an elevating rope, or even by wheels with adhering tires.

According to another modification, the inclination effect of the platform is obtained by oscillating the only set of captive rollers relative to the platform.

Finally, the assembly of roller tracks can constitute a gantry swingable about a vertical pivot. For this, there are provided two conical rollers orientated coaxially opposite each other above the ends of two captive rollers and between the latter, each of the conical rollers being connected by a transmission to a pinion of the gantry which engages on a fixed, common pinion, coaxial with the vertical pivot of the gantry.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1 and 2 show diagrammatically two possible uses of the elevating or lifting apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of the elevating apparatus;

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal section of a platform used in the apparatus;

FIG. 5 is a side view corresponding to FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a view corresponding to FIG. 5 of a modified apparatus;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a side view of a platform during elevation;

FIG. 9 illustrates the initial displacement of the platform under the impulse received due to inertia of the part of a vehicle disposed on the platform;

FIG. 10 is a side view corresponding to FIG. 5 of another modified apparatus with sets of rocking rollers;

FIG. 11 is a partial plan view corresponding to FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a detail view of the platform at the level of one of the rocking sets of captive rollers;

FIG. 13 is a similar view to FIG. 12 when this set of captive rollers rocks;

FIG. 14 illustrates the principle of the inclination effect thus obtained by FIGS. 12 and 13;

FIG. 15 is a schematic view of a winding drum which the two rollers of one set control;

FIG. 16 is a section on the line XVIXVI (FIG. 11);

FIG. 17 illustrates the manner in which inclination is effected by rocking the captive rollers in the case of a vehicle with rear wheel drive;

FIG. 18 is a view similar to FIG. 17 for the case of a vehicle with front wheel drive;

FIG. 19 is a front view of the rotating gantry which constitutes the roller track in a modification of the invention;

FIG. 20 is a detail view of the upper part of this gantry;

FIG. 21 is a plan view corresponding to FIG. 11;

FIG. 22 is a side view showing diagrammatically the path of the elevator ropes;

FIG. 23 is a partial perspective view showing diagrammatically the working principle of the present invention operated by a front steering and driving wheel;

FIG. 24 is a corresponding front view to FIG. 23 which shows the lateral disengagement of the front steering and driving wheels; and

FIG. 25 illustrates the kinetic chain which connects the conical rollers and the fixed orientation pinion of the elevating apparatus.

There are shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 two possible uses of the elevating apparatus according to the invention.

In the case of FIG. 1, this apparatus comprises a platform 1, slightly inclined to the horizontal, which can move along an inclined track 2. By means of successive stages, it can be seen that such an elevating apparatus allows motor vehicles 3 to ascend high-gradient slopes.

In the case of FIG. 2, the elevation of a motor vehicle 3 allows it to move from one level or story to another, for example inside a garage or a car park. In this case there are used vertical tracks 2.

In FIGS. I to 5 there is shown in detail a first embodiment of the invention.

The elevating apparatus comprises a platform 1 supported by the arms 3 and 4 of a cradle which can move along two vertical guide rails constituting the track 2. The platform 1 has at its upper part two runways 5 for the guidance and the entrainment of the vehicle wheels. Near each end, each runway 5 has two apertures 6 which enable the wheels of a vehicle to engage two captive rollers, namely a power receiving roller 7 and a positioning roller 8.

Each captive roller 7 is keyed on a shaft 9, which drives through the intermediary of a pulley, a trapezoidal belt 10. These two belts 10 (FIG. 4) drive a common shaft 11, the

rotation of which causes rotation of a side pulley 12. The latter so-called drive-pulley is mounted to rotate freely on a shaft 13.

Each of the shafts 13 projects laterally from the platform I and supports a guide roller 14 which rests on a cam-shaped ramp 15 provided on the horizontal extension of each of the arms 3 and 4 of the cradle.

Each side arm 3 and 4 comprises a substantially vertical part, the bottom of which mounts a shah 16, while its upper part mounts a shaft 17. A double pulley 18 rotates on the shaft 16. A pulley 19 rotates on the upper shaft 17. Each pulley l8 and 19 has a rolling rim which rests respectively on the rear and front side of the vertical track 2.

Moreover, the end of the shaft 16 is provided on each sid with a roller 20 on which can roll the platform 1.

At the free end of each arm 3, 4 of the cradle there is attached a rope 21 which, after passing over a return pulley (not shown) provided at the top of each of the rails 2, passes over the return pulleys l9 and 18, makes several turns about the drive pulley 12 and passes back over the return pulley 18. Then the rope is guided downwardly towards a device (not shown) which regulates its tension at the foot of the guide rails of the track 2.

With such an elevating apparatus in order to elevate a motor vehicle from a lower level to an upper level, the process is as follows:

The driver at the wheel of his vehicle 3 drives the latter onto the platform 1 which is substantially horizontal. As soon as the driving wheels 22 of the vehicle come into contact with one of the pairs of receiving rollers 7, the movement of this vehicle in relation to the platform 1 is arrested and the rollers 7 are rotated in the direction of the arrow 23 (FIG. 4). This movement continues as long as the driver does not disengage his gears, and it is communicated through the intermediary of the transmission belt 10 and shaft 11, to the driving pulley 12. The latter rotates in the direction of the arrow 24. The rope 21 is thus pulled in the direction of the arrow 25 and the platform cradle and vehicle assembly is lifted vertically in the direction of arrow 26 (FIG. 5) being guided by the rail track 2.

By means of this arrangement, the platform and its load are elevated under the sole action of the vehicle engine.

The presence of two pairs of receiving rollers 7 at the front and rear of the platform 1 make it possible to receive rear wheel drive vehicles as well as front wheel drive vehicles.

In order to prevent a vehicle which is thrown forwards from traversing the captive rollers 7, the platform is mounted on its cradle so that it can tilt as a whole relative to the horizontal.

This tilting provides an inclination efi'ect under the wheels of the vehicle so effectively that the car is arrested horizontally during its forwards movement, while all the power of the engine is supplied to the captive rollers 7.

A variation of the inclination of the platform 1 on its cradle is obtained by the relative movement of the rollers 14 on their cam-shaped ramps 15. This movement is caused by the pulleys l2 and 18 approaching one another under the action of the forces of inertia and/or the tension in the rope 21.

An enclosing and retaining safety frame 35 adapted to lie along each side and the front or rear of the vehicle is pivoted at 36 on the upright arms of the cradles 3 and 4. The frame 35 is provided with formations to engage the vehicle from or rear bumper bar.

A ram 37 is connected to each cradle 3 and 4 at 39 and to a transverse formation 38 on the platform 1 to permit variation of the relative attitudes.

There is shown in FIGS. 6 to 9 a modified construction in which the platform is produced in one piece with the cradle arms.

The elevating apparatus shown in FIGS. 6 to 9 is mainly characterized in that it comprises a platform 101 integral with two front sidearrns 102 which gives the assembly an inverted T-shape (FIG. 6). This structure is in welded sheet iron. In particular, the platform 1 is preferably manufactured from folded sheet iron, in such a manner as to define two strengthening frames 1113 which extend along each side for its entire length. Under this pladorm, there is welded a lower, stamped sheet 1114 which defines a strengthening crosspiece joining the two frames 1113 under the connecting region of the front arms 1112. In order to increase the rigidity of the assembly, it is advantageous to weld inside this sheet 1114, transverse couplings 1115, themselves cut out in the sheets. These couplings are thus arranged in vertical planes parallel to those of the frames 1113.

The structure obtained is capable of sustaining the torsional stresses which may appear between the two side members 1113 due to the variations of the positioning and of the distribution of load from one vehicle to the next.

Moreover, in the platform 1111 there is cut out a transverse aperture 1116 behind the arms 1112, and a transverse aperture 107 located in front of these same arms. In the aperture 1116, slightly below the upper side of the platform 1111, there is housed a captive roller 1118 and two idler rollers 1119 and 1111, one at each side of the roller 103.

Similarly, there is placed in the aperture 1117, a captive roller 111 located between two

idler rollers

112 and 113. Continuous ropes, chains or

belts

114 and 115 connect pulleys or

pinions

116 and 117 keyed on the

shafts

118 and 159 of the captive rollers 111 and 1118 respectively on each side of the platform 1111 to two pulleys or pinions 119, the shafts 1211 of which are in alignment above each of the side members 1113 (FIG. 6 and 7).

These shafts 1211 rotate in bearings provided on the side members 1113. On these same bearings there are pivoted two rear side arms 123. Each arm 123 is produced from sheet iron. At its upper end it supports a transverse shaft 124 (FIG. 6) on which is keyed a wheel 125 placed outside the vertical plane of the arm 123 of the side member 1113. An internal mechanism housed in the arm 123 and comprising conical pinions makes it possible to connect positively the shafts 1211 and 124 while leaving the arm 123 to swing freely.

The drivewheels 135 are provided with teeth which enable them to engage on a vertical rack 128 provided on the front side of a guide track 129. The two tracks 129 are constituted by vertical uprights located on either side of the platfomr 1111.

in addition, there is arranged at the top of each arm 1112, an upper wheel 1311 (FIGS. 6 and 11) which rolls freely on the rear side 131 of the corresponding roller track 129.

In the region of its pivot shaft 1211, each arm 123 has a forwardly projecting flange 132. This flange is connected to the adjacent side member 1113 by a suspension member 133 which incorporates a dashpot and compression spring. Consequently, under the sole action of this spring the arm 123 tends to swing in the direction of arrow 134 (FIG. 6).

In order to ensure counterbalancing the weight of the platform and of the vehicle, this platform is suspended on two lateral ropes 311. In addition these ropes 33 are connected to counterweights (not shown) which may be constituted by the assembly of another platform which would descent when the latter ascend, and vice versa. The anchorage of the rope 38 on the platform 1111 takes place in the following manner:

The rope passes between two guide rollers 139 and 1411 in order to pass next onto a pulley 141 supported by a shaft located at the base of the corresponding arm 1112. The rope 33 is then directed between the pulley 141 and the free end of the swinging arm 123, and it is then secured to an attachment point of the platform 1111. Consequently, each arm 123 tends to rock in the direction of the arrow 134 under the joint action of the spring of the suspension member 133 and of the traction of the rope 133 due to the weight of the platform and vehicle.

The platform 101 is completed by a safety barrier 142 which can be raised automatically when there is a stoppage by rotation about a pivot 143 (FIG. 6).

The operation of this elevating apparatus is as follows:

Under its own weight, the platform 1111 remains suspended in the manner shown in FIG. 6.-Tlre upper wheels 1311 rest against the rear side 131 of the tracks 129, and the lower drive wheels 135 are meshed with the rack 123 of the front side of the tracks 129. Balance is established between the orientation of the arm 123, and the opposing forces developed by the rope 311 and by the spring of the suspension member 133.

When a vehicle 144 arrives, it moves forward in the direction of the arrow 145 (FIG. 9) and it is driven onto the platform 1111 at a speed which remains appreciable. For example, this speed may be between 15 and 20 kilometers an hour. Due to the effect of inertia, the platform 1111 tends to rise while moving forward. For this purpose, the rear of the platform rolls by means of a roller 146 on the fixed part 147 of the departure bay while the opposite part of the platform rolls on rollers 145 located opposite each other on another stationary bay 149. Thus, the swinging arms 123 are brought back in the opposite direction to the arrow 134 (FIG. 6) i.e., in the direction of the arrow 1511 (FIG. 9) Some energy is thus stored up both in the suspension member 133 and, possibly in the counterweight provided on the counterbalancing ropes 38. As soon as the vehicle is in position, its drive wheels being supported on the captive roller 1113 if it is a front wheel drive vehi cle, or on the captive roller 111 if the vehicle is a rear wheel drive vehicle, the idler rollers 1119 and 111 rotate and, the energy stored up due to the impulse of the vehicle arrival is restored, which starts the elevating movement of the platform and vehicle assembly (FIG. 8, arrows: 151). The drive wheels of the vehicle 144 (for example the front wheels 152) drive the captive roller 1116, which causes the rotation of the pulleys or pinions 119 and the lower wheels 125. The upper wheels 1311 of the rigid arms 1112 rest against the rear side of the tracks 129 so that the platform 1111 assumes a more or less pronounced inclination by pivoting about the shaft of the wheels 1311, depending on the obliquity of the swinging arm 123. With permanent conditions this obliquity depends both on the weight of the platform and vehicle on the resilient characteristics of the return members 133 and on the power developed at the drive wheels 152 of the vehicle. The greater the power developed, the more the counterbalancing rope 138 tends to pull on the arm 123 in the direction of the arrow 134, which increases the inclination of the platform 1111. There is thus provided a system of stable equilibrium which prevents the vehicle 144 from advancing beyond the captor rollers 1118 and 1 1 1.

it is within the scope of the claimed invention to replace the details of the embodiments described by other equivalent arrangements. 1n particular, the rotation of the drive wheels could be assisted by means of an auxiliary motor, the action of which would be added to that of the car engine, 144.

There is shown in FIGS. 111 to 25 another embodiment of the invention.

in a rear, transverse aperture 1116 of the platform there are located two

captive rollers

171 and 172. Similarly, in a front, transverse aperture 1117 there are mounted two

captive rollers

173 and 174.

The spindles of the

captive rollers

171 and 172 are supported at their ends by swinging sideplates 175. Each of these sideplates pivots about a transverse shaft 176 supported by the platform 1111. Coaxially with the shaft 176 there is mounted a drum 177 connected by a central pinion 173 to pinions 179 and 1311 keyed respectively on the shaft of the

captive roller

171 or 172.

Thus, the

set

171, 172, 175 of rear captive rollers can turn freely about the shaft 176 rotation of one or other of the

rollers

171, 172 driving the drum 177. The latter is connected by a chain or by a toothed belt 131 (FIG. 111) to a central pinion 132 which is connected by a similar kinematic chain to the

captive rollers

173 and 174 of the front set. This front set includes the

rollers

173 and 174 and their swinging end plates 1113.

On the drum 177 there is wound one end of a hoisting rope 134 which passes under a return pulley on the platform 1111 and then up the track 129.

Two side arms 123 each swing on a lateral shaft 136 of the platform. At one of its ends, each arm 123 has a wheel 125 which rests against the front of the track 129. On the other At its opposite end, each swinging arm 123 rests against the platform 101 through the intermediary of a return spring 187.

The end plates 175 of the set of rear captive rollers rest against the inside face of the platform 101 through the intermediary of abutment springs 187 which tend to oppose the rocking of the assembly in the direction of the arrow 188 (FIG. 14). Similarly, the sideplates 183 of the front swinging set rest under the platform 101 through the intermediary of abutment springs 187 (FIG. 10) which oppose the rocking in the same direction (arrow 188).

The operation is as follows:

It will be assumed that the motor vehicle 144 (FIG. 17) has a rear wheel drive. If this vehicle is stationary on the platform 101, the two sets of swinging, captive rollers retain the neutral position illustrated in FIG. 12. This is true for the front

captive rollers

173, 174 as for the

rear rollers

171, 172.

If the driver starts his vehicle engine and rotates the rear wheels in the direction of arrow 189 (FIGS. 14 and 17), the

captive rollers

171 and 172 rotate and drive the drum 177 in the direction of the arrow 190 (FIG. the rope 184 is wound up and the assembly of the platform 101 and the vehicle 144 rises. Thus, the reaction developed by the rope 184 on the drum 177 tends to rock the set of rear

captive rollers

171, 172 in the direction of the arrow 188, against the action of the spring 187. In a position of equilibrium (FIG. 14) all the power at the wheels 191 of the vehicle 144 is used for elevation, while the inclination effect obtained by the rocking of the sole set of

rollers

171, 172, 175 immobilizes the vehicle in longitudinal direction and prevents it from moving forwards on the platform 1.

A similar operation would be observed with the set of front,

captive rollers

173, 174 in the case of a front wheel drive vehicle.

In order to increase safety even more,it is advantageous to use, in front of the

front rollers

172 and 174 and behind the

rear rollers

171, 173, so-called

impassable rollers

192 and 193. Each of these

rollers

192 or 193 rotates freely on a swingable shaft 194, which makes it possible to bring it into contact with the upper part of the

captive roller

171, 172, 173

or 174 in question on which it rests by its own weight. It can be seen on FIG. 14 that if the drive wheel 191 of the vehicle rotates in the direction of the arrow 189, the front captive roller 192 rotates in the opposite direction such that the roller 192 rotates in the same direction as the drive wheel 191 (arrow 189). Thus, if the wheel 191 were tending to pass over the captive roller 172, i.e., to move forwards in the direction of the arrow 195 (FIG. 14) it would encounter the roller 192 which rotates in the same direction as it, and which would consequently tend to push it back in the opposite direction to the arrow 195.

According to another feature of the invention (FIGS. 19 to 25) the tracks 129 are constituted by vertical uprights joined to each other by a lower crossbar 196 and by an upper crossbar 197. The

assembly

196, 197, 129 constitutes a gantry which is able to rotate about a median, vertical shaft 198 (FIG. 21, arrows 199). This control of rotation is obtained from the vehicle 144, supported by the platform 101.

Thus, if it is assumed that the vehicle 144 has a front wheel drive, there are mounted slightly above the captive rollers 173,174 and level with their ends, two coaxial,

conical rollers

200 and 201 which converge towards the center of the platform. The

rollers

200 and 201 are preferably centered on the swingable shaft 176 of the set of

captive rollers

173 and 174.

A continuous rope, chain or notched belt 202 connects a pulley 203 keyed on the right-hand roller 200, to a pulley 204 which also controls the circulation of a continuous rope 205 stretched along the right-hand track 129 between two pulleys or

pinions

206 and 207. The upper pinion 207 is keyed on a half-shaft 208 which ends in a conical pinion 209. The latter engages on a stationary, conical pinion 210, the vertical shaft of which coincides with the rotation shaft 188 of the antry.

A similar system provided on the left-hand side of the platform 101 enables the conical roller 201 to drive by means of a continuous rope or belt 211 the control pulley 212 of a continuous rope 213.

The latter is provided on the other upright 129, and travels between two

pulleys pinions

214, 215. The upper pinion 215 is keyed on a half-shaft 216 which supports a conical pinion 217 meshing with the stationary pinion 210. The two half-

shafts

209 and 216 are in alignment.

The two front steering and driving wheels of the vehicle 144 have been referred to in FIGS. 23 and 24 by the

references

218 and 219. If the driver wishes to rotate the assembly of the gantry, of the platform 101 and of its vehicle 144 towards the right (FIG. 21, arrows 199). It is sufficient for him to turn the steering wheel of his car to the right. The right-hand front wheel 219 entrains the front,

rollers

173, 174 which causes the platform to rise, but at the same time it moves towards the right on these rollers (FIGS. 21 and 24, arrows 220). Thus it engages on the right-hand conical pinion 200 which is in turn rotated, which causes the meshing of the

conical set

209, 210 and turns the gantry in the desired direction (arrow 199). The conicity of the roller 200 prevents the

front wheels

218, 219 of the vehicle from leaving on the side of the

rollers

173, 174.

If, on the other hand, the driver wishes to turn thegantry towards the left, it would be sufficient for him to turn his car to the left, the front wheel 218 of which would engage on the conical roller 201 (FIG. 23).

Iclaim:

1. An elevating apparatus for motor vehicles comprising a platform for supporting the vehicle, means for bodily transporting the platform and vehicle upwardly and downwardly, rollers on said platform for engagement by the drive wheels of the vehicle for a rotation thereby, a transmission system interconnecting said driven rollers and the means for bodily transporting the platform and vehicle, means for inclining said platform for immobilizing the vehicle on said platform, and means for counterbalancing said platform including a swinging arm.

2. An elevating apparatus for motor vehicles comprising a platform for supporting the vehicle, means for bodily transporting the platform and vehicle upwardly and downwardly, rollers on said platform for engagement by the drive wheels of the vehicle for a rotation thereby, a transmission system interconnecting said driven rollers and the means for bodily transporting the platform and vehicle, means for inclining said platform for immobilizing the vehicle on said platform, and means for mounting said driven rollers whereby said driven rollers can be inclined relative to the vehicle wheels by swinging movement relative to said platform.

3. An elevating apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said swinging arm of said counterbalancing means is utilized to ensure the arrival and departure of the vehicle on the platform, the damping of shocks, the variations in inclination, the transfer of kinetic energy of the platform and of the vehicle as well as stopping of the platform assembly.

4. An elevating apparatus for motor vehicles comprising a platform for supporting the vehicle, means for bodily transporting the platform and vehicle upwardly and downwardly, rollers on the platform for engagement by the drive wheels of the vehicle for rotation thereby, transmission system means interconnecting said driven rollers and the means for bodily transporting the platform and vehicle, gantry means for supporting said transportation means, said gantry means being pivotable about a vertical axis, and two conical rollers oriented coaxially opposite each other and disposed between two driven rollers of the same set above their ends, each of said conical rollers being connected by difierential transmission to a pinion of said gantry means which meshes with a fixed common pinion coaxial with the vertical pivot of said gantry means.

Claims

4. An elevating apparatus for motor vehicles comprising a platform for supporting the vehicle, means for bodily transporting the platform and vehicle upwardly and downwardly, rollers on the platform for engagement by the drive wheels of the vehicle for rotation thereby, transmission system means interconnecting said driven rollers and the means for bodily transporting the platform and vehicle, gantry means for supporting said transportation means, said gantry means being pivotable about a vertical axis, and two conical rollers oriented coaxially opposite each other and disposed between two driven rollers of the same set above their ends, each of said conical rollers being connected by differential transmission to a pinion of said gantry means which meshes with a fixed common pinion coaxial with the vertical pivot of said gantry means.