MULTI-TIER PARKING LOT FOR VEHICLES

Abstract: Area of engineering: parking lots for vehicles, in particular - mechanized parking lots. Soluble problem: increases of efficiency of area use of the device and extension of its functionality. Essence of the invention: a device contains inter-tier elevator (3) with load-receiving platform (4), consisting of two sections (4a) and (4b) for placing vehicle, and turntable (5). On each tier the main parking platforms (1) adjoin to the sides of load-receiving platform (4) from mutual-perpendicular directions. The mentioned parking platform (1) can adjoin to some sides pairwise. Additional parking platforms (2) can also adjoin pairwise to the mentioned pairs of platforms (1). The device contains also a truck (10) for horizontal movements of vehicles to parking platforms. The alternate solutions: the separate additional platforms (2b) can also be placed between two main parking platforms (1). Upon it driven truck (10) contains a unit for setting the wheels of this truck into one of mutually perpendicular positions.

Description: Multi-tier parking lot for vehicles Area of engineering. This invention relates to parking lots for vehicles, in particular - to parking lots with mechanized means for movement of vehicles in horizontal and vertical directions. Preceding level of engineering. There is well known multi-tier parking lot for vehicles (EP 0547552), which contains the rows of the parking platforms, located on each tier, inter-tier elevator with load-receiving platform located between mentioned rows of parking platforms, and a device for horizontal movement of vehicles with the aim of placing them on the parking platforms and removing from them. However an availability in such parking lot of long transportation passages makes it uneconomical because of small efficiency of area use on each of tiers, and also reduces its traffic capacity due to the additional time expenses for horizontal movements along these transportation passages. There is a well known multi-tier parking lot for vehicles (Japanese patent application No. 60-93006, B65G 1/10), containing inter-tier elevator with load-receiving platform located in a shaft, and parking platforms located directly against to each other on each tier. In such system the vehicles are delivered to a required tier and then transported to a required parking platform via other parking platforms. However this system does not allow placing vehicles on all parking platforms since a part of them should be unoccupied for transporting vehicles to more remote parking platforms. This reduces the efficiency of area use of a parking lot on each of the tiers and makes it not economically feasible enough. In addition, such system is inconvenient in operation, since to ensure access to remote parking platforms, nearby parking platforms should be temporarily cleared from loads, that extends vehicles transportation time. There is a well known parking lot (USA patent No. 3.613.009), containing a multi-tier elevator with load-receiving platform located in shaft, parking platforms located on each tier in a ring round a shaft and communicating with load-receiving platform, and device for changing the direction of horizontal movements of vehicles accomplished in the form of a turntable. Though in such system the losses of the useful area on transportation passages are partially eliminated and the duration of horizontal movements is reduced, however it still does not ensure sufficient efficiency of area use for parking due to big area losses both in the zones between adjacent parking platforms and on the turntable itself. The remaining unutilized area consists of scattered small sections that have non-rectangular form, unfit for placing vehicles on them. Besides that, such parking lot has limited functionality because only one sections for vehicle accommodation on the load-receiving platform exists. Insufficient efficiency in the area using in such systems and their limited functionality make them not enough economical in the process of production and utilization. Disclosure of the applied invention. It is the object of the present invention to create a multi-tier facility for vehicle parking wherein a load-receiving platform and parking platforms would have such shape and such relative dimensions and would be placed relative to one another in such a way, that would raise the efficiency of using the facility area and to expand its functionality and, in so doing, make it more economical in production and in the course of utilization. The set task is solved by the fact, that the multi-tier parking lot for vehicles that contains inter-tier elevator with load-receiving platform located in shaft, main parking platforms, located on each tier and communicating with load-receiving platform, device for horizontal movements of vehicles with the purpose of placing them on the parking platforms and removing them from the platforms, and the device for changing of a direction of these movements; according to the inventton, what each parking platform has an elongated shape, close to a rectangle, main parking platforms are adjacent to neighboring sides of a load- receiving platform from mutually perpendicular directions, and the load-receiving platform has such sizes, that at least in one of the positions of the mentioned load-receiving platform, its sides coincide over their entire length with the sides of the main parking platforms adjoined to it, and, at least, to one of the sides of a load-receiving platform two mentioned main parking platform adjoin with their short sides, and the load-receiving platform contains within the limits of one of its rectangular halves a section for placing vehicle. Fulfillment parking platforms of the rectangular elongated form and accommodation them with adjoining to the adjacent sides of load-receiving platform provides, on the one hand, capability to serve, in each position of load-receiving platform more than two parking platforms, that reduces losses of the area on transport passages; on the other hand, it forms between mentioned parking platforms rectangular sections, which can completely be used for accommodation of additional automobiles, that increases efficiency of use of the being available area for parking lot. Location of a section for the vehicle within the limits of one of rectangular halves of a load-receiving platform, and coincidence of sides of load-receiving platform with sides of main parking platforms, provides more full area use of the load-receiving platform, within the limits of which an additional section for accommodation of one more vehicle occurs. It allows on the one hand to use more effectively the area of all parking platforms, and on the other hand expands functionality of the system; a change of orientation of the mentioned sections allows the double number of parking platforms to be communicate with these sections on each tier. Paired adjoining of main parking platforms to one side of a load-receiving platform provides the maximum area use of the system, as allows to place pairs of elongated rectangular parking platforms in identical rectangular cells. It provides also economies of the area upon association of several offered systems into united parking lot. The different versions of the accomplishing of the proposed facility are possible. So, in one version the parking lot contains additional parking platforms communicating with the load-receiving platform through the said main parking platforms, in this case the load-receiving platform has two sections for placing vehicles on them, and device for horizontal movements of vehicles is placed, at least, on one of the mentioned sections. In this version the area of the system is used even more efficient, because only the area of two sections is used for overloading operations. It allows expanding the number of served parking platforms in two times. Upon this, the specific cost of the equipment per one parking place is essentially reduced. The version of the parking lot is possible, in which, at least, one from main parking platforms adjoins to load-receiving platform with a long side (and/or one additional parking platform is placed between two main parking platforms adjoined to the adjacent sides of load- receiving platform), the device for horizontal movements of vehicles is accomplished as a driven truck and contains a unit for setting the wheels of this truck into one of the mutually perpendicular positions. In this version of the system, where the device for horizontal movements of vehicles is executed as the truck with a unit for setting the wheels into one of the mutually peφendicular positions, the capability of direct service of parking platforms adjoined to load-receiving platform, both by short and long sides is provided. It expands functionality of the system, because allows moving vehicles both along and across their central axis. Upon this it is possible an accommodation of additional parking platforms between two main parking platforms adjoined to the adjacent sides of load-receiving platforms; that provides a maximum effective area use of the system, that further increases the number of served parking platforms. It allows also even more to reduce the specific cost of the equipment per one parking place. The parking lot can contain in each of the mentioned versions not less than two inter- tier elevators with load-receiving platforms and relating to a them parking platforms, upon this on each tier between, at least, one pair neighboring parking platforms relating to one load- receiving platforms, the parking platform relating to adjacent load-receiving platform is placed. This version of the system allows complete using of sections between parking platforms communicating with the adjacent sides of each load-receiving platform. It provides an increase of efficiency of system area use. In each of the above mentioned versions a device for changing the direction of the horizontal movements can be accomplished in the form of a turntable, the load-receiving platform is limited by the sides of the square inscribed into the circle of this turntable. This version of the system allows to place in each of mutually peφendicular directions more than two parking platforms, with a ratio of the sides close to 1:2. It increases quantity of served parking platforms and reduces the specific costs for the equipment of the system. It is possible also block version of the parking lot with mentioned main and additional parking platforms, which contains four inter-tier elevators with load-receiving platforms; the shaft portions on each tier and parking platform, relating to these portions, represent square and rectangular cells; these cells are established, at least, on one tier in adjacent to each other mutually peφendicular rows jointly forming the unit with a ratio of the sides, close to 4:7; at a center of each row located on a perimeter of the block, the square cell being a shaft portion is placed and the rows of parking platforms and shaft portions placed along the short side of the unit, represent interleaved cells of the square and rectangular form. This version of the system with provides further increase of efficiency and profitability of such block system. Upon it, on the one hand, such structure of the block allows to increase to the maximum the number of parking platforms served by one load- receiving platform and to achieve high specific profitability, and on the other hand, the same indications provide the most efficient area use of the rectangular block with four shafts. It is possible also the version of the parking lot containing mentioned driven truck, where two main parking platforms adjoin to one of the adjacent sides of load-receiving platform, and one main parking platform adjoin to other side of load-receiving platform, and all parking platforms are oriented similarly, and the unit for setting the wheels of the mentioned truck into one of mutual - peφendicular positions is used as a device for changing the direction of horizontal movements This version of the system provides compact accommodation of rectangular parking platforms with any ratio of their sides that expands area of use of the system The brief description of drawings. The essence of the invention will now be explained with reference to the drawings in which Fig 1 - is a schematic general view of the facility according to the invention, top view; Fig 2 - is schematically a section II-II in Figure 1, Fig 3 - is schematically a section III-III in Figure 1 , Fig 4 - is schematically one of the versions of the facility, as the unit with four load- receiving platforms, Fig 5 - is schematically another version of the facility wherein all parking platforms are oriented similarly, top view The multi-tier parking lot contains main 1 (Fig.1) and additional 2 parking platforms located on each tier, and inter-tier elevator 3 (Fig.2) for delivering a vehicle to a required tier. The elevator has in its upper portion load-receiving platform 4 Load-receiving platform 4 is divided into two sections 4a and 4b The lower portion of elevator 3 is secured on turntable 5, fitted with drive 6 Turntable 5 is a means for changing the direction of vehicle movement while placing them on parking platforms 1 and 2 or removing them from these platforms. Each of platforms 1 and 2 as well as sections 4a and 4b are of rectangular shape wαth the side lengths ratio of 2.1 (close to the shape of a vehicle) Two main parking platforms la adjoin with its short sides to each of the two opposite sides of load-receiving platform 4, and one main parking platforms lb adjoins wαth its long side to each of other sides of load-receiving platform 4. Additional parking platforms 2a adjoin with their short sides to free short sides of the main parking platforms la, and the other additional parking platforms 2b are placed between main parking platforms la and lb adjoining to them by their long and short sides respectively Mutually peφendicular horizontal guides 7 are installed on each of sections 4a and 4b. At certain turn angles of turntable 5 the guides 7 coincide with horizontal guides 8, installed on parking platforms 1 and 2. Each of platforms 1,2 carries its bottom plate 9 for a vehicle. On the each of sections 4a and 4b the truck 10 in guides 7 is installed. The truck is fitted with the bottom plate hoist unit (not shown) and the unit (not shown) of setting of the truck's wheels into the one of the mutually peφendicular positions. Guides 7 and 8 together with trucks 10 form a facility for horizontal movements of vehicles from load-receiving platform 4 to parking platforms 1 and 2 and vice versa. One of the tiers on one side of load-receiving platform 4 carries, instead of a parking platform, a platform 1 1 with bottom plate 9 intended for receiving vehicles to the facility and delivering from it. There are different possible versions of accomplishing the proposed facility and its separate parts differing from the one described above. For example, one truck 10 can be applied instead of two, another known means for horizontal movements of vehicles or another devices for changing the direction of these movements can be used in the facility; vehicles can be placed directly on parking platforms without using bottom plates etc. The versions of the facility with another schemes of accommodation of the main and additional parking platforms are possible also, as well as versions with several load-receiving platforms. The version of fulfillment of the offered system as the unit 12 with four load-receiving platforms 4 and relating to them parking platforms 1 and 2 is shown on the Fig. 4. On each tier pairs of parking platforms la and 2a and the shaft portions of inter-tier represent square cells, and parking platforms lb and 2b represent rectangular cells. All cells on each tier of the block are established in five adjoined to each other mutually peφendicular rows by seven cells in each row. Upon it the rows of cells placed along the short side of the unit represent interleaved square and rectangular cells. At center of each row located on a perimeter of the block 12, the square cell being a shaft portion is placed. The indicated arrangement of cells in the unit 12 is optimal from the point of view of a peak efficiency of area use; upon this a delivery of vehicles to any of load-receiving platforms 4 is provided. The platform 11, intended for a reception of vehicles to and issue from the system, is placed on one of tiers of the block 12. Two versions of accommodation of platforms 11 are shown on Fig. 4. In one version, the platform 11a is placed within the limits of a of shaft portion, that provides longitudinal placing on it of the pallet 9 and input of the vehicle to it in a direction, peφendicular to an exterior of the block 12. Such solution is expedient to use on availability of broad entrances to the system. In the other version the platform 1 lb is located on a place of main parking platform lb, that provides transverse placing on it of the pallet 9, and input of the vehicle to it in a direction parallel to an exterior of the block 12. Such solution is expedient to use on availability of narrow entrances to the system. Fig.5 shows the version of the accomplishment of the proposed facility wherein, in contrast to the design described above, turntable 5 is absent. All parking platforms 1 and 2 are oriented in the same way. Horizontal guides 7 are installed in mutually peφendicular directions. The facility contains one truck 10 with the unit (not shown) for setting its wheels in inter-peφendicular directions. Such design makes it possible to use parking platforms with the side length ratio other than 2: 1. Some additional platforms 2b are placed between the pair of main platforms la and lb. And, the guides 8 on the platforms 1, through which the mentioned platforms 2b communicate with the load-receiving platform, are also installed in mutually peφendicular directions. The description of preferable versions of the invention. The facility shown in figures 1-3 works in the following way. A vehicle to be parked is placed on one of bottom plates 9, installed on the platform 11 and moved to one of sections 4a or 4b of load-receiving platform 4 with the aid of truck 10. After this the truck with the vehicle is elevated to a required tier with the aid of elevator 3. Then turntable 5 is turned to such an angle, at which guide 7 of load-receiving platform 4 coincides with guide 8 of the parking platform on which the vehicle is to be placed (e.g. lb). Then with the aid of truck 10 the vehicle with the bottom plate 9 is moved to the required parking platform lb, removed from the truck and left on this parking platform. If a vehicle is to be installed to different parking platform (e.g. la) then the wheels of truck 10 should be previously installed to position providing its movement in longitudinal direction. The delivery of the vehicle from the parking lot is performed in a reverse order. In the case, when there is need to install the vehicle located on one of the sections, for example 4a, of the load-receiving platform, on the additional parking platform (e.g. 2a), and the parking platform la located before it is occupied, then the parked vehicle is temporarily transferred from this parking platform la to free section 4b. Then turntable 5 is turned through the angle of 180° until the coincidence of guides 7 on section 4a with guides 8 on emptied platform la, the vehicle to be parked is moved through this platform to additional parking platform 2a, after which the turntable is turned through 180° and the parked vehicle is moved back to its initial place. In the case, when there is need to install a vehicle on the additional parking platform (e.g. 2b), located between neighboring main parking platform, the parked vehicle is temporarily transferred from one of the parking platforms la to free section 4b Then, after turn of the turntable 5 on 180°, the vehicle is transferred first to this freed platform la. After setting of the truck's 10 wheels in the second position, the vehicle is transferred to the required additional parking platform 2a; then the truck 10 is moved back to its initial place on the section 4a. In block version of the system shown on Fig. 4, the rectangular area of a site is effectively used, and also the capability of simultaneous service of several vehicles. All this provides compactness of all structure and high throughput. In remaining, the activity of such unit system is similar to activity of the system circumscribed earlier. In version of a design of the system indicated on Fig. 5, all horizontal movement of the vehicle and the changes of a direction of these movements are executed with the aim of one truck 10; this is reached due to availability of mutually peφendicular guides and unit for setting the wheels of this truck into mutually peφendicular positions With the puφoses of reduction of overload operations cycle time, two trucks can be placed on load-receiving platform. In the remaining activity of this design is similar to activity of the system circumscribed earlier. Areas of use of the invention. The offered design of multi-tier parking lot allows to reduce essentially the specific costs of the equipment per one parking place, to increase an efficiency of area use of a structure and, thereby, to increase profitability of the system on a comparison with known designs. The modular character of a design of the offered system allows creating compact parking places of a various capacity in a broad range. The main area of application of the system is the parking lots in cities, where there are many vehicles and where the areas under parking are limited. Complementary area of application - multi-tier storage of the piece loads, in which the limited warehouse areas do not provide necessary capacity.

Claims: CL AIMS : 1. The multi-tier parking lot for vehicles that contains inter-tier elevator (3) with load- receiving platform (4) located in shaft, main parking platforms (1), located on each tier and communicating with load-receiving platform, device (7,8, 10) for horizontal movements of vehicles with the puφose of placing them on the parking platforms and removing them from the platforms, and the device for changing of a direction of these movements, distinguished of themes, that each parking platform has an elongated shape, close to a rectangle, main parking platforms (1) adjoin to adjacent sides of load-receiving platform (4) from mutually peφendicular directions, and the load-receiving platform (4) has such sizes, that at least in one of the positions of the mentioned load-receiving platform (4), its sides coincide over their entire length with the sides of the main parking platforms, and, at least, to one of the sides of a load-receiving platform (4) two mentioned main parking platform (la) adjoin with their short sides, and the load-receiving platform (4) contains within the limits of one of its rectangular halves a section (4a and/or 4b) for placing a vehicle. 2. The parking lot according to claim l 3 distinguished so, that it contains additional parking platforms (2) communicating with the load -receiving platform (4) through the said main parking platforms (1), in this case the load-receiving platform (4) has two sections (4a and 4b) for placing vehicles on them, and device (7,8,10) for horizontal movements of vehicles is placed, at least, on one of the mentioned sections. 3. The parking lot according toctøiw 2, distinguished so, that, at least, one of main parking platforms (lb) adjoins to load -receiving platform (4) by its long side and/or one of additional parking platforms (2b) is placed between two main parking platforms adjoined to the adjacent sides of load-receiving platform (4), and the device for horizontal movements of vehicles is accomplished as a driven truck (10) and contains a unit for setting the wheels of this truck into one of the mutually peφendicular positions. 4. The parking lot according to any of f/d ws 1, 2 or 3, distinguished so, that it contains not less than two inter-tier elevators (3) with load-receiving platforms (4) and relating to them parking platforms (1 and 2), and on each tier the parking platform relating to, at least, one load-receiving platform is placed between pair of adjacent parking platforms relating to neighboring load-receiving platform (4). 5 The parking lot according to claim 4, distinguished so, that the device for changing the direction of the horizontal movements is accomplished as a turntable, the load-receiving platform is limited by the sides of the square inscribed into the circle of this turntable. 6. The parking lot according to claim 5, containing mentioned in item 3 main (1) and additional (2) parking platforms, distinguished so, that it contains four inter-tier elevators (3) with load-receiving platforms (4), the shaft portions on each tier and parking platform, relating to these portions, represent square and rectangular cells established, at least, on one tier in adjacent to each other mutually peφendicular rows jointly forming the block (12) with a ratio of the sides, close to 4 7, and at a center of each row located on a perimeter of the block (12), the square cell being a shaft portion is placed and the rows of parking platforms and shaft portions placed along the short side of the block, represent interleaved square and rectangular cells 7 The parking lot according to claim 4, containing a driven truck (10), mentioned in item 3, distinguished so, that two main parking platforms (la) adjoin to one of the adjacent sides load-receiving platform (4), and one main parking platform (lb) adjoin to other side of load-receiving platform (4), and all parking platforms are oriented similarly, and the unit for setting the wheels of the mentioned truck (10) into one of mutually peφendicular positions is used as a device for changing the direction of horizontal movements.

Inventors: GRENADER MICHAEL, VAINCHTEIN ARKADI, GRENADER, MICHAEL, VAINCHTEIN, ARKADI
Applicants: GRENADER MICHAEL, VAINCHTEIN ARKADI, GRENADER, MICHAEL, VAINCHTEIN, ARKADI
Application year: 2000
Main classification: E04H6
IPC codes: E04H6