Abstract:
A system for parking automobiles in a garage which uses a single-drive mechanism to simultaneously move automobile platforms. The automobile platforms reside in contiguous storage towers and are stacked in multiple levels. The automobile platforms simultaneously move in the towers. In one tower, the platforms move upward while the platforms in the other tower move downward. The automobile platforms rest on movement chains which move vertically among the various levels. The automobile platforms are moved from the vertical movement chains to a lateral movement means to move horizontally from tower to tower. The vertical movement system is powered by single-drive mechanism through a series of gears, sprockets and chains. Horizontal movement in the upper and lower lateral transfer areas is done by a lateral movement means.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of a U.S. Provisional Application, filed Apr. 2, 2001, entitled “PARKING GARAGE ELEVATOR SYSTEM,” which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety, including but not limited to those portions that specifically appear hereinafter. 
     
    
     
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
         [0002]    Not Applicable.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    1. The Field of the Invention.  
           [0004]    The present invention relates generally to parking garage elevator systems, and more particularly, but not entirely, to a parking garage system having simultaneously moving vehicle storage platforms.  
           [0005]    2. Description of Related Art.  
           [0006]    Parking garage systems are useful because of the lack of parking space in urban areas. Parking garage systems are typically multi-level structures in which the automobiles are stored. Automobiles may travel from level to level by driving along an elevation ramp connecting the levels. Such multi-level garages increase the available parking space by providing the additional levels, thereby utilizing previously unused vertical space. However, the elevation ramp and drive-through lanes take up space.  
           [0007]    Some parking garage systems have been developed to improve the multi-level garage concept by making it more compact. Some such systems utilize an elevator or other suitable lift system to move the automobile vertically to the desired level, and a separate moving platform or pallet to move the automobile horizontally into the desired parking space. Although such systems have indeed made multi-level parking garage designs more compact, the requirements of an elevator shaft (or series of elevator shafts) to contain the elevator or lifting means still takes up space that is rendered unusable for storing the vehicles The elevator shafts are used to move the automobile vertically from level to level. Once the automobile arrives at a desired level, a movable platform or pallet is used to move the automobile horizontally from space to space. When all available storage spaces are used, the elevator shaft remains as unused space.  
           [0008]    The prior art is characterized by garage systems that require a large amount of space for the operating equipment, and which is therefore not available for parking. The spaces used for elevator shafts or other lifting means take up valuable space that could be used for -he storage of additional automobiles.  
           [0009]    These and other disadvantages are addressed by the present invention. The present invention is, more efficient than the prior art designs in addressing the above-mentioned failures, and other problems, by utilizing the methods and structural features described herein.  
         BRIEF SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION  
         [0010]    It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a parking garage system that more efficiently utilizes the available space.  
           [0011]    It is another object of the present invention, in accordance with one aspect thereof, to provide a parking garage system that is powered by a single-drive mechanism capable of powering two or more towers of simultaneously-moving automobile platforms.  
           [0012]    It is a further object of the present invention, in accordance with one aspect thereof, to provide a parking garage system that allows automobiles to be stored in and retrieved from the system without the need for a separate elevator shaft in which the automobiles cannot be stored.  
           [0013]    It is an additional object of the invention, in accordance with one aspect thereof, to provide a parking garage system having an array of storage platforms that operate to move in a circulating manner to allow automobiles to be loaded and unloaded from the system faster on the average than other automobile elevator systems.  
           [0014]    The above objects and others not specifically recited are realized in a specific illustrative embodiment of a parking garage system having automobile storage platforms that move generally simultaneously and in a circulating manner. The apparatus includes a plurality of automobile storage platforms that are supported by a support structure and powered in a preferably vertical direction by a single-drive mechanism. The automobile platforms are equipped with traction mesh to prevent the automobiles from slipping when the system is in motion, and drip pans to contain fluids that might drip from the automobiles. The single-drive mechanism is driven by a power supply, which provides power to a series of sprocket gears through a drive gear in a reduction box. The sprocket gears turn a plurality of preferably vertical movement chains, which mesh with a series of support sprocket gears. The automobile platforms rest on pins attached to said movement chains.  
           [0015]    The automobile platforms and support structures are preferably arranged in at least two storage towers having multiple levels, with said towers having a width that is preferably equivalent to (or slightly larger than) the automobile platforms. When the drive mechanism is engaged, the automobile platforms simultaneously moves upward in one storage tower and downward in the other storage tower. This simultaneous vertical movement allows one platform to be elevated to another level for storage while the platforms in the other tower will move downward toward ground level. A lateral movement means horizontally moves the platforms one at a time from one tower to the other preferably at the upper-most level, while a conveyer means laterally transfers the platforms one at a time in the lower storage area.  
           [0016]    Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by the practice of the invention without undue experimentation. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0017]    The above and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a consideration of the subsequent detailed description presented in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 1 is a schematic, perspective view of a parking garage elevator system, made in accordance with the principles of the present invention;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 1A is a close-up view of an automobile platform shown in FIG. 1;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 1B is a close-up view of a section of a vertical movement chain shown in FIG. 1;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 1C is a side view of a swing arm depicted in FIG. 1;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 2 a partial, top view of the garage system power supply and drive chain mechanisms shown in FIG. 1;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 3 is a top view of the parking garage elevator system of FIG. 1;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 4 is a front view of the parking garage elevator system of FIG. 1;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 5 is an alternative embodiment of the parking garage elevator system of FIG. 1;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 6 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of the means for horizontal movement of FIG. 1;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 6A is a close-up view of a spring pivot U-bracket shown in FIG. 6;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 7A is a partial front view of the alternative embodiment of a means for horizontal movement as shown in FIG. 6; and  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 7B is partial side view of the alternative embodiment of a means for horizontal movement as shown in FIG. 6.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0030]    For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles in accordance with the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications of the inventive features illustrated herein, and any additional applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated herein, which would normally occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the invention claimed.  
         [0031]    It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the particular configurations, process steps, materials and features disclosed herein as such configurations, process steps, materials and features may vary somewhat. It is also to be understood that the terminology employed herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting, since the scope of the present invention will be limited only by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.  
         [0032]    The publications and other reference materials referred to herein to describe the background of the invention and to provide additional detail regarding its practice are hereby incorporated by reference herein. The references discussed herein are provided solely for their disclosure prior to the filing date of the present application. Nothing herein is to be construed as a suggestion or admission that the inventor is not entitled to antedate such disclosure by virtue of prior invention.  
         [0033]    It must be noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.  
         [0034]    In describing and claiming the present invention, the following terminology will be used in accordance with the definitions set out below.  
         [0035]    As used herein, “comprising,” “including,” “containing,” “characterized by,” and grammatical equivalents thereof are inclusive or open-ended terms that do not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps.  
         [0036]    As used herein, the term “vehicle”, and grammatical equivalents thereof, refers to any device used for transportation of an object from one location to another, whether the device is self-propelled or not. The term “vehicle” is intended to include, but is not limited to: any automobiles (including cars or trucks), water craft (including boats and barges), airplanes, motorcycles, all terrain vehicles, tractors, bicycles or other devices used for transportation.  
         [0037]    Applicant has discovered that the space-saving benefits of a parking garage are greatly enhanced by a garage having side-by-side, contiguous storage sections or towers, without the need for an elevator shaft between the storage towers. This arrangement is rendered useable by providing a plurality of automobile support platforms that move simultaneously and circulate in sequence from one storage tower to another. By causing the automobile storage platforms to move simultaneously and in tandem with each other, in a circulating movement path, the need for a temporary displacement space, such as a central elevator shaft, is unnecessary.  
         [0038]    Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a side view of a parking garage elevator system, designated generally at  10 . The system  10  includes a plurality of automobile platforms  20 . Traction pads  22  are preferably disposed on an upper surface of each platform  20 , for receiving the wheels of an automobile (not shown) thereupon. The traction pads  22  would inhibit any slipping of the automobiles during movement of the automobile platforms  20 . The automobile platforms  20  also contain a drip pan  24  to collect any fluids dripping off of a vehicle and to shield the automobile below from becoming soiled.  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 1A (a partial view of a platform  20  shown in FIG. 1) shows two downward-facing, preferably U-shaped, brackets  21  that attach to the two longitudinal edges of the automobile platform  20  and wherein said brackets  21  extend from the sides of the platform  20 , such that each platform  20  preferably carries four brackets  21 . Referring again to FIG. 1, the U-brackets  21  on the platforms  20  in the upward vertical storage tower  32   a  align with the upward vertical movement chains  26   a . Similarly, the U-brackets  21  on the platforms  20  in the downward vertical storage tower  32   b  align with the downward vertical movement chains  26   b  in the downward vertical storage tower  32   b . FIG. 1B (a close-up view of a section of the vertical movement chains  26  shown in FIG. 1) shows a pin  23  attached to a vertical movement chain  26 . Referring again to FIG. 1, the pins  23  are spaced such that the distance between them corresponds to the height of one level  27  of the parking garage system  10 . The storage levels  27  are preferably equivalent in height to one another.  
         [0040]    The U-brackets  21  engage the pins  23 , which are attached to the upward and downward vertical movement, chains  26 , and allow the platforms  20  to rest on the pins  23 . The four vertical movement chains  26   a  in the upward moving storage tower  32   a  move simultaneously in an upward direction. As the upward vertical movement chains  26   a  move in an upward direction, the platforms  20  are caused to ascend upwardly within the upward moving storage tower  32   a . Platforms  20  descend in the downward moving storage tower  32   b  as the downward vertical movement chains  26   b  move at; the same speed and at the same time in tandem with the upward vertical movement chains  26   a . When a platform  20  reaches the upper lateral transfer area  30   a  of the upward moving storage tower  32   a , a separate platform  20  in the downward moving storage tower  32   b  simultaneously reaches the lower lateral transfer area  36   b . Vertical movement of the vertical movement chains  26  stops when a platform  20  reaches a lateral transfer area  36   b  or  30   a  in the appropriate storage tower  32 , responsible to any suitable sensing and stopping means known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Said platforms  20  are now in position to move laterally to the other storage tower  32 .  
         [0041]    In one embodiment, horizontal movement in the upper lateral transfer area  30   a - b  is accomplished with L-shaped swing arms  64 . The L-shaped swing arms  64  are attached to a lateral movement means  72  with a hinge  70 . The lateral movement means  72  has a sleeve  73  that is slidably circumscribed around the support structure  52 . Referring to FIG. 1A, the automobile platforms  20  may have four slots  62  formed therein, two of which are preferably located on each of the bottom longitudinal edges of said platform  20 . These slots  62  receive the bottom portion  64   b  of L-shaped swing arms  64  as shown in FIG. 1C (a partial view showing a side view of the swing arm  64  depicted in FIG. 1).  
         [0042]    Referring again to FIG. 1, the L-shaped swing arms  64  preferably robotically swing into position with the bottom portion  64   b  of the swing arm  64  fitting in to the four slots  62  of the platform  20 , in any suitable manner known to those skilled in the field of robotics or other movement mechanics. The four swing arms  64  preferably swing on a hinge  70 . The hinge  70  is attached to a lateral movement means  72 . The lateral movement means  72  functions to move said platform  20  laterally to the downward storage tower  32   b . The lateral movement means  72  preferably first lifts the platform  20  until the platform  20  is high enough to clear the pins  23  attached to the vertical movement chains  26 . (Alternatively, spring-pivot U brackets  25  of FIG. 6A could be used in lieu of brackets  21 , to eliminate the need to lift the platform. The lateral movement means  72  then is caused to slide along the support structure  52  in any suitable manner known to those of ordinary skill in the field, to thereby laterally transfer the platform  20  from the upward storage tower  30   a  to the downward moving storage tower  32   b . The lateral movement means  72  then lowers the platform  20  until the U-brackets  21  rest on the pins  23  (see FIG. 1B) attached to the downward vertical movement chains  26   b  in the downward storage tower  32   b . After the platform  20  is lowered onto the pins  23 , the swing arms  64  are caused in any suitable manner to swing in an upward direction and out of the path of the platform  20 . The lateral movement means  72  then returns to its original position in the upward moving storage tower  32   a  until the next platform  20  is raised into the upper lateral transfer area  30   a.    
         [0043]    The platform  20  in the downward moving storage tower  32   b  then descends in said tower  32   b  on the downward moving vertical chains  26   b  until a platform  20  reaches the lower lateral transfer area  36   b . Any suitable conveyance means, such as two conveyer belts  28 , preferably span the lower lateral transfer area  36   b . As the platform  20  lowers, the bottom of said platform  20  comes in contact with and rests upon the conveyer belts  28 . The downward vertical movement chains  26   b  continue downward and the pins  23  attached to said chains  26   b  descend below the platform  20 , and the chains  26   a  and  26   b  are caused to stop responsive to any suitable sensing and stopping means. The conveyer belts  28  laterally transfer the platform  20  to the upward moving storage tower  32   a , in simultaneous tandem with the lateral transfer of a platform  20  in the upper lateral transfer area  30   a - b.    
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 2 illustrates a partial, top view of the garage system  10  power supply  38  and drive chain  90  mechanisms. The garage system  10  is powered by a power supply  38 . The power supply  38  propels a gear reduction transfer box  41 . The gear reduction transfer box  41  turns a drive gear  40 , which in turn meshes with a transfer gear  42 . The transfer gear  42  meshes with an axle gear  44 . The axle gear  44  is affixed to a drive axle  80  that spans the width of the garage system  10 , and preferably is wider than a platform  20 . Two, sprockets  50   a  and  50   b  (not shown in FIG. 1) are fixed to the proximate (front) end of the drive axle  80 , while a single sprocket  50   c  is fixed to the distal end of said drive axle  80 . The outside sprocket  50   a  on the proximate end of drive axle  80  meshes with a first master drive chain  90   a . The first drive chain  90   a  in turn meshes with sprocket  50   d , and transfer gear  50   u , which drives transfer gear  50   v , and gear  50   v  drives second drive chain  90   b,  which drives sprockets  50   f  and  50   h  in the lower lateral transfer area  36   a - b.  The outside sprockets at locations  50   d ,  50   f  and  50   h  are attached to axles  81   a,    81   b  and  81   c  respectively. Inside sprockets  50   e,    50   g  and  50   i  are also attached to said axles  81   a,    81   b  and  81   c  respectively, in the same manner as the two sprockets  50   a  and  50   b  are attached to the drive axle  80  when the drive mechanisms are engaged, the drive axle  80  turns sprocket  50   a , said sprocket  50   a  meshes with the master drive chain  90 , which in tarn meshes with sprockets  50   d ,  50   f  and  50   h  and drives axles  81   a,    81   b  and  81   c.    
         [0045]    Inside sprockets  50   e,    50   g  and  50   i  attach to axles  81   a,    81   b  and  81   c  respectively, and sprocket  50   b  attaches to the drive axle  80 . Said sprockets  50   e,    50   g,    50   i  and  50   b  mesh with the movement chains  26  on the proximate (front) side of the system  10 . Referring to FIG. 1, the vertical movement chains  26  drive the upper sprockets  50   j,    50   k,    50   l  and  50   m  on the front of the garage system  10 , said upper sprockets  50   j,    50   k,    50   l  and  50   m  being attached to the support structure  52 , in the upper lateral transfer area  30 . Referring again to FIG. 2, the distal sprockets  50   n,    50   o  and  50   p  attached to axles  81   a,    81   b  and  81   c,  respectively, and sprocket  50   c  attached to drive axle  80 , mesh with movement chains  26  on the distal (back) side of the system  10 . Referring to FIG. 1, said movement chains  26  mesh with the upper sprockets  50   q,    50   r,    50   s  and  50   t  on the back of the garage system  10  in the upper lateral transfer area  30 , said upper sprockets  50   q,    50   r,    50   s  and  50   t  being attached to the support structure  52 . By utilizing the two transfer gears  50   u  and  50   v , upward vertical movement chains  26   a  and downward vertical movement chains move in opposite directions, respectively.  
         [0046]    Referring now to FIG. 3, a top view of the parking garage elevator system showing automobile platform  20   a  in the upper lateral transfer area  30   a  of the upward vertical storage tower  32   a  and automobile platform  20   b  in the downward vertical storage tower area  32   b , said platform  20   b  being one level below the upper horizontal transfer area  30 . The automobile platform  20   a  in the upward vertical storage tower area  32   a  is in position to move horizontally to the downward vertical storage tower  32   b . Swing arms  64  swing on a hinge  70  and lock in the lateral movement position. The upper lateral movement means  72  lifts the platform  20   a  above the pins  23  on the upward vertical movement chains  26   a , then laterally moves the platform  20  across the support structure  52  until the platform  20   a  reaches the downward vertical storage tower  32   b . The platform  20   a  is lowered until the four U-brackets  21  on the platform  20   a  rest on the four pins  23  attached to the downward moving vertical chains  26   b  in the downward vertical storage tower  32   b.    
         [0047]    Referring now to FIG. 4, a front view of the parking garage elevator system is shown having an automobile platform  20   a  in the lower lateral transfer area  36   a  of the upward vertical storage tower  32   a , said platform  20   a  resting on conveyer belts  28  and the pins  23  being attached to the upward vertical movement chains  26   a  and below said platform  20   a . The other platforms  20  are resting via their attached U-brackets  21  on pins  23  attached to the upward vertical movement chains  26   a . The upward vertical movement chains  26   a  mesh with sprockets  50   m  and  50   t  at the top of the garage system  10 , and with sprockets  50   i  and  50   p  at the bottom of the garage system  10 . Said sprockets  50  are attached to the support structure  52 .  
         [0048]    It will be appreciated that the structure and apparatus disclosed herein is merely one example of a lateral movement means  72 , and it should be appreciated that any structure, apparatus or system for lateral movement which performs functions the same as, or equivalent to, those disclosed herein are intended to fall within the scope of a means for lateral movement, including those structures, apparatus or systems for lateral movement which are presently known, or which may become available in the future. Anything which accomplished functions that are the same as, or equivalently to, a means for lateral movement falls within the scope of this element.  
         [0049]    [0049]FIG. 5 shows an alternative embodiment of the parking garage elevator system of FIG. 1. The features and workings of this alternate embodiment include the same elements (not shown) as the system  10  in FIG. 1. The difference in this alternate embodiment is the orientation and means for horizontal movement. In this embodiment, the system stores the automobiles horizontally rather than vertically, and horizontal movement of the platforms  20  is accomplished with any suitable alternative embodiment of a means for horizontal movement that could occur to one of ordinary skill in the relevant art having possession of this disclosure.  
         [0050]    Referring now to FIG. 6, a top view of the alternative embodiment of a means for horizontal movement is shown. The alternative embodiment for the horizontal movement means shown in FIG. 6 has the same elements and reference numerals as the embodiment for the garage system  10  in FIG. 1- 4 , with the exception of the alterative means for horizontal movement. Platform  20   c  is shown in the upper lateral transfer area  30   b  of the upward vertical storage tower  32   a , while platform  20   d  is in the downward vertical storage tower  32   b , one level below the upper lateral transfer area  30   b . In this embodiment, spring pivot U-brackets  25  are attached to the platform  20 .  
         [0051]    The platforms  20  do not need to be raised above the pins  23  for lateral movement. Referring to FIG. 6A (a close-up view of the spring pivot U-brackets  25  as shown in FIG. 6), the spring pivot U-brackets  25  may pivot back and forth by operation of a spring pivot hinge  27  (or its functional equivalent) which allows the U-bracket  25  to pivot. This spring pivot hinge  27  allows the platform  20  to slide off of the pins  23  without the need to lift the platform  20  over the pins  23 . The brackets  25  simply pivot responsive to contact with the pins  23  when the platform  20  is moved in a lateral direction.  
         [0052]    Referring again to FIG. 6, as the platform  20  moves laterally, the pin  23  on the vertical movement chain  26   a  causes the spring pivot U-bracket  25  to pivot. As the platform  20  continues to move laterally, the spring pivot U-bracket  25  releases the pin  23  and pivots back to its original position by operation of the spring pivot hinge  27 . As the platform  20  laterally moves to the next storage tower  32 , the spring pivot U-bracket  25  on the platform  20  pivots as said bracket  25  comes in contact with the pin  23  on the vertical movement chain  26   b . Once the center of the spring pivot Un, bracket  25  is above the pin  23 , the spring pivot U-bracket  25  pivots back to its original position as is now surrounding the pin  23 . This engagement of the pins  23  and spring pivot U-brackets  25  occurs substantially simultaneously with all four spring pivot U-brackets  25  attached to said platform  20 . The platform  20  is now resting on the vertical movement chains  26  and is in position to move vertically.  
         [0053]    In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, horizontal movement of the platforms  20  is accomplished with idler wheels  100  and horizontal movement chains  102 . The idlers  100  and horizontal movement chain sprockets  104  are attached to a shaft  106 . The shaft  106  is attached to a beam  108 , which is movably attached to the support structure  52  in a manner than allows the beams  108  to pivot.  
         [0054]    Referring now to FIG. 7A, a close up side view of the alternative embodiment of a means for horizontal movement shown in FIG. 6, as a platform  20  arrives in the lateral transfer area  30   b , the beams  108  pivot and any suitable locking means  112  locks the beams  108  in place. This motion (indicated with arrows) allows the rollers  100  to swing upward and into contact with the platform  20 . The horizontal movement chains  102  also swing upward and mesa with teeth  110  attached to the lower side of the platform  20 . The horizontal movement chains  102  are then caused by drive sprockets  104  to move the platform  20  laterally. In this embodiment, the spring loaded U-brackets  25  are attached to the platforms  20  and function as described above. The idlers  100  and horizontal movement chains  102  can also be used for horizontal movement in the lower lateral transfer area  36 .  
         [0055]    Referring now to FIG. 7B, a partial front view of the alternative embodiment of a means for horizontal movement shown in FIG. 6, the beams  108  are shown retracted. This position allows the platforms  20  to move vertically. The idlers  100 , horizontal movement sprockets  104  and horizontal movement chains  102  are also shown retracted.  
         [0056]    It will be appreciated that the structure and apparatus disclosed herein are merely examples of a parking garage elevator system  10 , and it should be appreciated that any structure, apparatus or system for a simultaneous parking garage system which performs functions the same as, or equivalent to, those disclosed herein are intended to fall within the scope of a means for said simultaneous parking garage system, including those structures, apparatus or systems for said simultaneous parking garage system which are presently known, or which may become available in the future. Anything which functions the same as, or equivalently to, a means for said simultaneous parking garage system falls within the scope of this element.  
         [0057]    In accordance with the features and combinations described above, a preferred method of the simultaneous parking garage system  10  includes:  
         [0058]    (a) a parking garage system  10  comprising two vertical storage towers  32  consisting of multiple levels  27 ;  
         [0059]    (b) automobile platforms  20  transported vertically by movement chains  26 ;  
         [0060]    (c) an upper lateral transfer area  30  consisting of idlers  100  and horizontal movement chains  102 ; and  
         [0061]    (d) a lower lateral transfer area  36  consisting of idlers  100  and horizontal movement chains  102 .  
         [0062]    It will be appreciated that the simultaneous parking garage system  10  provides a parking garage that efficiently utilizes the space. The simultaneous movement of the automobile platforms  20  provided by the vertical movement chains  26  alleviates the need for elevator shafts. This provides more space for the parking of automobiles because there is no space in the system dedicated for an elevator shaft.  
         [0063]    The simultaneous movement of the automobile platforms  20  also simplifies the process of loading and unloading automobiles from the system. This is most beneficial when a car needs to be unloaded. In some conventional parking garage systems, retrieval of an automobile requires the movement of other automobiles to gain access to the automobile that needs to leave the system. The present invention allows an automobile to exit the system without re-arranging other automobiles. The system merely has to circulate until the desired automobile platform  20  is at an exit level. Either lower-level position  90   a  (FIG. 4) may be used as an entry or exit. Alternatively, the system  10  may be partially subterranean, if by example ground level is at  92  (FIG. 4), in which case position  90   b  could function as an entry or exit.  
         [0064]    The simultaneous system also makes loading and unloading faster because the user does not have to wait for an elevator to go up and come back down before the next automobile is loaded or unloaded. The reversibility of the system also decreases the time required to load and unload. Any suitable enhancement may also be added. For example, removable wheel blocks may be placed about a wheel of a stored vehicle to prevent it from rolling forward. Any suitable means for temporarily preventing movement of the car on the platform is within the scope of invention.  
         [0065]    It should be appreciated to one skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited in scope to the storage of vehicles. The elevator system and storage platforms could be configured and arranged to store any object.  
         [0066]    It is to be understood that the above-described arrangements are only illustrative of the application of the principles of the present invention. Numerous modifications and alternative arrangements may be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and the appended claims are intended to cover such modifications and arrangements. Thus, while the present invention has been shown in the drawings and fully described above with particularity and detail in connection with what is presently deemed to be the most practical and preferred embodiment(s) of the invention, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications, including, but not limited to, variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use may be made without departing from the principles and concepts set forth herein,