Patent GB-1050180-A (GB)
IPC: E04H6/18
Filed: 1964-12-31
Abstract: 1,050,180. Traversers for vehicles; rail vehicles for transporting vehicles; load supports adjustable in height. J. W. FRANGOS. Dec. 31, 1964 [Sept. 11, 1964], No. 52985/64. Headings B7J and B7L. [Also in Divisions B8] In a multi-storey garage 10, Fig. 1, each storey has a clearance space for movement therealong of a dolly 14 carrying cars 18 to be parked in spaces 24, 26 disposed above and below the clearance space, the cars being carried on platens 16 and the dolly having lifting and lowering means for lifting the platens into the spaces 24 where they are supported on mechanisms 28 or for lowering the platens into the spaces 26 where they are supported on the floor of the storey. The garage has an elevator 12 for lifting the car from an entry 22 to a selected storey, the cars being driven through the entry 22 on to a platen 16 provided on the dolly 14 situated on the elevator 12. The dolly has a rectangular central opening 32, Fig. 4 (not shown), for the platen to pass vertically therethrough; it is self-propelled, e.g. by an electric motor energized by batteries or a trolley system, and runs on rails 34 extending along each storey, the elevator 12 being provided with corresponding rails. The lifting and lower means comprises four inner telescopic hydraulic lifts 36 for lowering the platens and four outer telescopic hydraulic lifts 46 for raising the platens, the lifts 36, 46 having arms 38, 52 which are rotatable by piston and cylinder means 40, 48, Fig. 3 (not shown), into and out of engagement with the platen. The support mechanisms 28 comprise latches 54 pivotally mounted for operation by hydraulic cylinders 56 through rods 58 and shafts 60, Fig. 2 (not shown). In a second embodiment, Figs. 5, 6, 7 (not shown), rails 64 for a wheeled dolly 66 extend along the floor of each storey, the dolly having a raised chassis 72 supported by vertical members 74 which are interconnected at the bottom by side members 76. The lifting and lowering means comprises driven chains 82 provided with support arms 86. When the dolly is moving, a platen carried thereon is disposed at position B to clear cars parked on the floor of the storey and in upper spaces 68. In the latter, the platens are retained by retractable lugs 90. In a third embodiment, Figs. 8, 9, 10 (not shown), cars are parked in spaces 96 98, 100, 102 disposed above, below and to each side of the clearance space. The dolly 110 is similar to the dolly 14 but includes hydraulicallyoperated retractable rails 120 for supporting the platen 106 which has rollers 124 on which the platen is movable from the rails 120 on to rails 104 disposed in the side parking spaces 100, 102; the rollers 124 may be driven by electric motors 126. In a fourth embodiment, Fig. 11 (not shown), similar to that described with reference to Figs. 5, 6, 7 (not shown), portable raised platforms 94 are provided having legs 96 for spanning cars parked on the floor of the storey, the platforms 94 being used to provide additional parking in the clearance space when the garage is otherwise full. The embodiment may be used for movable parking systems, e.g. when cars are to be transported by train or ship. The garage may be operated manually or automatically. Power may be hydraulic, pneumatic or electric.