Patent GB-1092368-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to apparatus for storing articles such as motor vehicles
IPC: E04H6/28
Filed: 1964-12-02
Abstract: 1,092,368. Mechanical storage systems. G. BEAU. Dec. 2, 1964 [Dec. 2, 1963; June 16, 1964], No. 49087/64. Heading B8E. Apparatus for storing articles, e.g. vehicles, comprises a structure providing a plurality of storage levels each having members for supporting platforms carrying the vehicles in storage positions, and an access passage which extends vertically to provide access to the levels, a column 6, Figs. 1 and 2, extending vertically between the access passage and the storage positions, and an elevator 5 mounted for vertical travel on the column 6 between an entrance 20 and the storage levels for carrying the loaded platforms. The structure is formed by a cylindrical well 1 covered by a surface plate 32 having the entrance 20 formed therein, and the elevator 5 has a fork 7 for carrying the platforms. The well is arranged in three sectors, two of which are used for the storage of the vehicles and the other providing the access passage in which the elevator 5 travels and which is located beneath the entrance 20. The platform support members are formed by brackets 8, 9 and members 11, 12 and these are arranged so that a platform at one level is disposed at 90 degrees with respect to the upper and lower adjacent platforms. Figs. 1 and 2 show a platform 2 in the access passage and platforms 3 and 4 in adjacent storage positions and carrying respectively vehicles 29, 30. The platform 2 is adapted to close the entrance 20 when at that position. The entrance 20 may be positioned otherwise than shown, and two entrances may be provided, Fig. 5 (not shown), retractable brackets (41) being provided for supporting platforms at the entrances until the fork 7 is positioned therebelow. The brackets (41) may be retracted automatically. Each platform has wheel guides 17 and the plate 32 has co-operating guides 17a, and each platform may have a rim for collecting water and the like. The column 6 is a threaded rod and is maintained in position by telescopic guides 15, and the elevator 5 includes a nut engaging the rod 6, the nut being rotated by a motor 26 to move the elevator 5 vertically. The fork 7 is rotated by a motor 38 and is vertically displaceable by an amount corresponding to the thickness of the plate 32 for engaging the platforms. The elevator 5 passes the guides 15 by having ramps thereon which engage rollers on the ends of the guides. The stored platforms may be at other than 90 degrees apart. The rod 6 may be replaced by a tube (42), Fig. 5 (not shown), the elevator having rollers mounted on circular self-drive bogies and firmly gripping the tube. The tube has ball races (35), Fig. 4 (not shown), thereon. The elevator 5 may, alternatively, be moved vertically by a winch and suspending cables, or the column may have racks thereon. As described with reference to Fig. 5 (not shown), the elevator has a cylindrical sleeve (43) arranged to rotate on the column and provided with rollers (44), the elevator being moved by an endless chain (not shown). A toothed annulus (45) supporting the fork 7 is mounted on the sleeve (43) which supports a motor 26 driving the annulus. The entrance 20 may be surrounded by a barrier 18 which is provided at one end with gates 19 and is retractable downwardly by threaded rods 22, 23 driven by a motor 25. Elements 36 are provided beneath the plate 32 which are slidable horizontally or pivotable vertically to close the entrance 20 when no platform is there present. A movable platform 28 is provided for closing the entrance 20 when the elements 36 are retracted and opposite this platform the well 1 may have a control room. A gangway may be provided at each storage level and ladders may connect the levels. Platforms (47) are stored on supports (48), Fig. 5 (not shown). A second elevator may be provided below the elevator 5. One platform may be used for two vehicles, one of which is on an auxiliary platform which is adapted to be retracted into recesses 39, 40 in the well wall to leave the other vehicle free for discharge. The well may comprise a plurality of sections having successively reduced diameters, the larger vehicles being stored in the upper portion. The platforms 3, 4 may be on the same level and may be different in size, the size of the entrance 20 being modified by retractable pivoted portions (49) for the smaller platforms. A plurality of wells may be disposed beneath a road, Fig. 3 (not shown), and these may be of different diameters. In another embodiment, Figs. 6 and 7, a circular well 51 has two platforms 52, 53, at each level and an elevator 66, 68. Each platform is on a movable bracket comprising a frame 55 secured by stays 56, 57 to a plate 58 having arms 58a, 58b supporting the platform. The frame 55 has rollers 61 bearing on a circular rail 60 extending round the well wall, and the plate 58 has a rail 59 bearing against rollers 63, 64 supported on the wall, the wheels 64 being driven by motors 65 which are synchronized. The frame 55 and the plate 58 may be transposed. Alternatively, the rollers and motors may be on the bracket, the rollers engaging the well wall or the bracket may be moved by a single motor driving endless cables extending round the well wall, or by a rack-andpinion drive. The platforms 52, 53 may be at different levels and at 90 degrees to each other. The elevator travels on a threaded column 67. Two elevators may be provided in axial alignment, and reversing contacts may be provided on the elevators to prevent collision; the lower elevator is indicated at 69 and its fork is designed to attain at the entrance the same level as the upper elevator. Alternatively, each elevator may comprise a sleeve 71 sliding on a tubular column. The sleeve may be moved by racks, suspended chains or endless chains. Operation may be programme controlled and two-speed operation' of the elevator and the movable brackets may be provided giving a fast speed for loaded platforms and a slow speed for unloaded platforms.