Apparatus for handling motor vehicles in multiple parking-floor parking systems

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus, including a safety device, for handling motor vehicles in multiple parking-floor parking systems, which apparatus comprises a pallet or frame (1) for supporting a motor vehicle, the supporting frame (1) being provided with wheels (6) and including a central rod (5) which longitudinally projects from the frame (1), the central rod (5) being removably engaged by driven rollers which are supported by swinging jaws associated with a handling bar or rod which can be displaced so as to engage and disengage the jaws of the central rod.

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an apparatus for handling motor vehicles in multiple parking-floor parking systems, which apparatus includes a handling safety device. As is known, in multiple floor parking systemsin which the motor vehicles are conventionally supported on supporting frames or pallets, there are at present encountered great difficulties in order to displace the pallet or supporting frame from the lifting device to the parking floor. In fact, it is very difficult to drive, by simple and quick movements, the mentioned supporting pallet or frame by controlling it by means of controlling assemblies which are usually arranged on the lifting devices. Moreover, the several parking zones are closed by doors which are opened as the lifting device is aligned with the door; on the other hand, it could occur that the motor vehicle is displaced toward the door as the lifting device is absent. Thus, since the closing door is a comparatively weak construction, the motor vehicle could fall into the lifting device shaft. The document WO-A-8 904 900 discloses a storage system in particular a moltifloor car park, which comprises a displaceable lift resembling a tower and transport pallets with a guide rails on their lower side. The pallets are gripped by the transfer device forming part of the lift which transfers them from the roller rails of the lift to stationary roller rails of the parking places. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the aim of the present invention is to overcome the above mentioned drawbacks, by providing an apparatus, including a safety device, for handling motor vehicles in multiple parking-floor parking systems, which allows to drive the motor vehicles and, more specifically, to transfer said motor vehicles from the lifting devices therefor to the parking zone and vice-versa, in a very quick and efficient way, and, moreover, is specifically designed for causing the motor vehicles to automatically engage their supporting pallets or frames. Within the scope of the above mentioned aim, a main object of the present invention is to provide such an apparatus in which the parked motor-vehicle is firmly restrained so as to safely prevent it from impacting against the parking zone closing door and which apparatus, furthermore, can be easily installed even in existing parking systems, while providing a safe and reliable operation. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such an apparatus including a safety device which can be operated in a very quick and safe way, so as to cause said safety device to firmly restrain the motor vehicle if the motor vehicle lifting device is not aligned with the motor vehicle parking enclosed zone. According to one aspect of the present invention, the above mentioned aim and objects, as well as yet other objects, which will become more apparent hereinafter, are achieved by an apparatus, including a safety device, for handling motor vehicles in multiple parking-floor parking systems, according to the main claim. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed disclosure of a preferred, through not exclusive, embodiment thereof, which is illustrated, by way of an indicative, but not limitative, example in the figures of the accompanying drawings, where: Figure 1 is a schematic top view of the motor vehicle supporting pallet or frame; Figure 2 is an elevation view of the motor vehicle supporting frame; Figure 3 is a front elevation view of the motor vehicle supporting frame; Figure 4 is a top plan view of the driving assembly included in the apparatus according to the present invention; Figure 5 is an elevation view of the driving assembly; Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view, substantially taken along the line VI-VI of Figure 4; Figure 7 is a front elevation view of the rollers supported by the jaws included in the apparatus according to the present invention; Figure 8 is a side elevation view showing a swinging arm included in the apparatus according to the present invention; Figure 9 is a further side elevation view of the swinging arm; Figure 10 is a top plan view of the swinging arm; Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XI-XI of Figure 9; and Figure 12 is a further cross-sectional view substantially taken along the line XII-XII of Figure 9. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS With reference to the figures of the accompanying drawings, the apparatus, with safety device, for handling motor vehicle in multiple parking floor parking systems according to the present invention, substantially comprises a supporting pallet or frame, generally indicated at the reference number 1, which comprises a framework including a pair of side tracks 2, longitudinally extending, and in which there are engaged the wheels of the motor vehicle. At one end thereof, a recessed zone 3 is provided, designed for housing and restraining the front wheels of the motor vehicle. Advantageously, the above mentioned recessed zone 3 is of trapezoidal shape, so as to fit several types of motor vehicle wheels. At the bottom portion thereof, the supporting frame 1 is provided with a central rod 5 which longitudinally extends and projects from the two longitudinal end portions of said supporting frame. The supporting frame is mounted on driving wheels 6, so that said supporting frame can be freely driven to in turn displace the motor vehicle. In order to drive the supporting frame and, in particular, in order to transfer it from the lifting devices to the parking zone and vice-versa, a driving assembly is provided, which has been generally indicated at the reference number 1, which substantially comprises a driving rod 11 which is slidably driven by rollers 12 which are associated with the fixed framework. In order to drive the driving rod 11, a driving motor 15 is provided, which is coupled to a reducing unit 16, controlling a rack 17, which is mounted on the top of the driving rod 11, so as to cause said rod to be driven in the desired direction. At one end portion of the driving rod 11, moreover, there are mounted two opposite jaws 20 which are pivoted on vertical pivot pins 21 engaging with an intermediate portion of the jaws. At one end portion thereof, the jaws 20 rotatably support driving rollers 25, which are opposite to one another and so arranged as to engage with the central rod 5 in order to both restrain and drive the motor vehicle supporting frame. More specifically, the driving rollers 25 are coupled to driving motors 26, which in turn are supported by their related jaws, so that, as the motors 26 are energized, the driving rollers 25 are caused to turn thereby displacing the supporting frame 1, since its central rod is restrained between the driving rollers. At the other end portions of the jaws 20, a pushing spring 27 operates which can be adjusted so as to in turn control the contacting portion between the driving rollers 25 and central rod. In this connection it should be moreover pointed out that on the driving rod 11 there are also arranged guide rollers, indicated at 30, which engage with the end portion of the central rod 1. During the operation, in order to take up a supporting frame, the driving rod 11 is driven, through the motor 15-rack 17 assembly, so as to cause the central rod to be engaged by the driving rollers, and cause the free end of said rod to enter the guide roller 30. Then there are driven the driving or entraining rollers 25 which, being motorized, will cause the pallet or supporting frame to be displaced to the desired zone. After having properly arranged the motor vehicle in its parking region, it is necessary to provide a safety means for preventing the motor vehicle from accidentally falling into the lifting device shaft, since the provided door would not be able of restraining the motor vehicle itself. To that end, at each parking zone, adjoining the access door of the lifting devices, there is provided a body, generally indicated at the reference number 101, comprising a cross-member 102, consisting of parallel rods which, at the ends thereof, are coupled to arms 104 which, at the other end portions thereof, are pivoted and adapted to swing, with respect to the floor 105 of the motor vehicle parking zone, with the motor vehicle arranged, as stated, above the supporting pallet or frame 1. The arm 104, as clearly shown in figures 11 and 12, comprises an attachment portion 110 which is coupled to the pivot zone 111, and which is telescopically engaged with a removable portion 112 coupled to the cross-member 102. More specifically, the attachment or coupling zone is made of a flat element, having a longitudinal slot 120, which is pressed between a pair of friction plates 121, which constitute the removable or withdrawing portion. Outside of the friction plates there are provided supporting metal arms 125, in turn restrained by outer reinforcement plates 126. The several layers, constituted by the friction plates or pads, of the outer reinforcement plates, are coupled by bolt rows 130, engaging outside of the attachment zone, and a central row which is housed inside the slot 120. As the mentioned bolts are clamped, the friction plates will be abutted against the attachment zone, so as to operate as braking elements. In the case in which a motor vehicle impacts accidentally against the cross-member, this impact will be cushioned by the braking force provided by the mentioned friction pads, which will cause the withdrawable portion to withdraw from the attachment zone while properly restraining the motor vehicle which can not fall into the lifting device shaft. In this connection it should be pointed out that on the fixed structure there are provided abutment pads 140, where the cross-member is arranged as it is located in its second position, i.e. a passage position, as well as a stop element 141 defining for said cross-member its locking position against the edge of the door. Moreover, as shown, on the arm 104 there is provided a stop small bracket, indicated at the reference number 150, which engages with a portion of the supporting pallet 1 so as to prevent said supporting pallet from being accidentally displaced. Thus, as a motor vehicle is arranged in its parking zone, and no lifting device is present at this zone, the cross members will be arranged in their first position or locking position, in front of the door, and will be located on the front of the motor vehicle supported on the supporting pallet 1, thereby the motor vehicle will be safely locked and prevented from being displaced toward the parking zone door. As the motor vehicle must exit the parking zone, to be loaded on the lifting device, the mentioned arms will be downwardly turned, so as to disengage the passage zone and in this step also the stop elements 150 will be arranged at the floor level, so as to disengage the supporting pallet. From the above disclosure it should be apparent that the invention fully achieves the intended aim and objects. In particular, the fact is to be pointed out that an apparatus for handling motor vehicles in multiple parking floor parking systems has been provided, which comprises a safety device allowing the motor vehicle supporting pallets to be quickly and efficiently driven in a very safe manner: the apparatus, moreover, safely prevents a parked motor vehicle from being accidentally displaced. While the invention has been disclosed and illustrated with reference to a preferred embodiment thereof, it should be apparent that the disclosed embodiment is susceptible to several modifications and variations all of which will come within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims: An apparatus, including a safety device for handling motor vehicles in multiple floor parking systems, including a motor vehicle supporting frame (1) provided with wheels (6), characterized in that said apparatus further comprises a central rod (5) which longitudinally projects from said supporting frame (1),said central rod (5) being removably engaged by driven rollers (25) which are supported by swinging jaws (20) associated with a driving rod (11) which can be driven so as to engage with and disengage from said jaws (20) of said central rod (5), and in that said safety device comprises at each parking zone, adjoining the door of the motor vehicle lifting devices,a cross-member (102) arranged in front of said door and supported by side arms (104),pivoted on the floor (105) of each motor vehicle parking zone and swingably driven to a first locking position in which said cross member (102) locks the door access Zone, and a second position,or passage position, in which the cross-member leaves free the access zone of the door. An apparatus according to claim 1,characterized in that said driving rod (11) is slidably supported by guide rollers (30) in turn supported by the fixed framework of the apparatus. An apparatus according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that said apparatus further comprises a driving motor (15) operatively engaged with a reducing unit (16), in turn engaged with a rack portion (17) which is firmly associated with said driving rod (11). An apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said jaws (20) are pivoted to one end of said driving rod (11) so as to swing about a substantially vertical axis, said jaws (20) supporting said driven rollers (25) at one end thereof whereas at the other end portions thereof they are engaged by pressure springs (27) designed for adjusting the contact friction between said driven rollers (25) and central rod (5). An apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims characterized in that said apparatus comprises moreover driving motors (26) supported by said jaws (20) and driving said driven rollers (25). An apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims characterized in that said side arms (104) have a variable length and can be adjusted against braking means. An apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said cross-member (102) is supported on the free end portions of said arms (104) opposite to the pivoted end portions thereof. An apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said apparatus further comprises a bearing pad for bearing thereon said side arms (104), as they are arranged in their second passage position, as well as a restraining device for holding said motor vehicles supporting pallet or frame as said side arms (104) are arranged in their first position. An apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims characterized in that each of said side arms (104) is provided with an attacment portion (110) coupled to the pivot point (111),and which can be telescopically coupled to a withdrawing portion (112) coupled to said cross-member. An apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims characterized in that said attachment portion (110) comprises a flat element provided with a longitudinal slot (120), the flat element being arranged between two friction plates (121) of the withdrawing portion, outside said friction plates (121) there being provided supporting metal plates (125) restrained by outer reinforcement plates (126), said outer reinforcement plates, supporting plates and friction plates being coupled by screws (130) for adjusting the friction force provided by said friction plates on the central plate. An apparatus according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said apparatus further comprises a plurality of rows of clamping screws (130), at least a central row of clamping screws being arranged inside the longitudinal slot (120) provided on said attachment portion (110).

Inventors: CONSONNI ENRICO, CONSONNI, ENRICO
Applicants: ELECON SRL, ELECON S.R.L.
Application year: 1992
Main classification: E04H6
IPC codes: E04H6