Patent GB-1050607-A (GB)
IPC: E04H6/30
Abstract: 1,050,607. Mechanical garages. G. PETER. June 22, 1965 [June 25, 1964], No. 26379/65. Heading B8E. A parking plant comprises a plurality of parking areas P, Fig. 1, alongside of which is movably disposed a carriage A for conveying vehicles 4 to or from the areas P, the carriage having a plurality of I-section girders 29 which when the carriage is adjacent any selected area are aligned with similar girders 129 in that area, and having transfer elements 3 movable between upper positions wherein they project above the top N of the carriage and lower positions wherein they do not so project, the elements also being movable laterally of the carriage to a position in the selected area. Each element 3 is located between two of the girders 29 and has two pairs of rollers 5a, 5b, for running on the lower flanges of the latter. The earriage A is movable vertically and/or horizontally, and depending upon whether the vehicles are moved laterally or longitudinally, the girders 29 are disposed in sets spaced to accord with the average axle base or track width of the vehicles. The rollers 5a, 5b are mounted on the element 3 by means of pivoted arms 6a, 6b, and the elements are moved by cables 16a. 16b which respectively extend from anchorages 17a, 17b round pulleys 18a, 18b. which travel with the elements, pulleys 8b, 8a rotatably mounted on the carriage, pulleys 10b, 10a rotatably mounted on a shaft 11. which is movable laterally of the carriage, and pulleys 12b, 12a rotatably mounted on the carriage and to which the cables are secured. The pulleys 12a, 12b are rotatable by hydraulic motors 22a, 22b and the shaft 11 is movable by chains 23, Fig. 5 (not shown), which have their ends fixed to the shaft 11 and are driven by an hydraulic motor 28. Actuation of the motors 22a, 22b moves the elements 3 between their upper and lower positions, return springs 19 being provided, and actuation of the motor 28 moves the elements laterally of the carriage twice the distance moved by the shaft 11. The shafts 14a, 14b on which the pulleys 12a, 12b are mounted may be replaced by two pairs of shafts 114a, 214a and 114b, 214b, Fig. 5 (not shown), which are individually actuable by hydraulic motors 122a, 222a and 122b, 222b, to permit adjustment of the position of a vehicle on the carriage A by selective lifting and translatory motion of the ends of the vehicle. The shaft 11 may be similarly replaced by two individually driven shafts. In a second embodiment, Fig. 7 (not shown), in which the vehicles are movable longitudinally, each element 3 consists of a plurality of bars 30a, 30b... interconnected by the pivoted arms 6a, 6b, 60b . . . supporting the elements on the rollers 5a, 5b. In this arrangement a plurality of vehicles may be parked simultaneously. In a third embodiment, Fig. 8 (not shown), each element 3 consists of two bars 301, 302, pivotally interconnected by bars 354, each bar 301, 302 being supported on pairs of rollers 305a, 305b through pivoted arms 306a, 306b. The latter are interlinked by rods 350a, 350b which have racks 351a, 351b engaged by a freely rotatable pinion 352 carried by the bar 301 or 302. The elements are moved by cables 316a, 316b which respectively extend from anchorages on the rods 350b of the bar 301 and 350a of the bar 302 round pulleys 318a, 318b, pulleys 308b, 308a and pulleys 310b, 310a to anchorages on drums 312b, 312a. Clockwise movement of the latter unwinds the cable 316a and winds the cable 316b. The drums 312a, 312b are rotated by endless chains 400a, 400b which extend round pulleys 401a, 401b on the drum shafts, pinions 402a, 402b carried by the rods of hydraulic motors 404a, 404b, pinions 405a, 405b fixed on a shaft 406 which is drivable by an hydraulic motor 428, and pinions 407a, 407b attached to tension springs 408a, 408b. Actuation of the motors 404a, 404b moves the elements 3 between their upper and lower positions, return springs 319 being provided, and actuation of the motor 428 moves the elements laterally of the carriage. Translational movement of the drums 312a, 312b to provide correct winding of the cables thereon is ensured by providing screwed portions 410a, 410b on the drum shafts. U-shaped guides (not shown) may be provided on the carriage to ensure correct positioning of vehicles thereon, and the correct operation of the elements 3 may be checked by providing photo-electric cells (not shown) on the carriage co-operating with deyices producing light beams perpendicular to the girders 29.