Patent ID: 6491488
Filing Date: 2002-12-10
Classification: E04H

Abstract:
A vehicle parking structure, comprising:a structure framework having an entrance/exit level and a plurality of vertically spaced floors above the entrance/exit level, each of the floors having first and second vehicle parking bays located on opposite sides of an elevator shaft extending upwardly from the entrance/exit level; at least one vehicle tray for supporting a vehicle thereon, the tray being dimensioned and adapted to be supported in a vehicle parking bay; an elevator located in the elevator shaft for travel between and among the entrance/exit level and the floors, the elevator having a frame and a shifter for supporting a vehicle tray and capable of extending laterally from the elevator frame and elevator shaft for depositing a tray in, and retrieving a tray from, a vehicle parking bay, the shifter comprising a pair of shifter assemblies each comprising upper and lower rolling beam assemblies mounted for alternative cantilever extension to opposite sides of the elevator frame and a motor drive for simultaneously extending or retracting both the upper and lower rolling beam assemblies; and an entrance and exit way for the elevator at the entrance/exit level for permitting a vehicle to be driven on and off of a vehicle tray on the shifter from an end thereof when the elevator is at the entrance/exit level.