Claims
- 1. A parking garage elevator system for storing vehicles, said system comprising:
a plurality of platforms for storing a plurality of vehicles thereon; and circulation means for moving the platforms along an endless circulation path having un upward-movement portion and a downward-movement portion to thereby cause -the platforms to move in sequence along said path, such that each platform passes through a first position along said circulation path.
- 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the platforms are preferably arranged in first and second storage towers, wherein at least two platforms reside within each of said towers, wherein said platforms are horizontally stacked one above the other to thereby define a vertical space therebetween for storing a vehicle, each tower having at least two storage levels including an upper level and a lower level, wherein at least two platforms reside adjacent to each other at some point along the circulation path.
- 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the circulation means comprises a vertical movement means and a horizontal movement means.
- 4. The system of claim 3, wherein the circulation means further comprises movement means for imparting alternating vertical and horizontal movement to at least some of the platforms.
- 5. The system of claim 4, wherein the movement means comprises a means for providing unidirectional movement to said platforms without a reversal in movement; direction.
- 6. The system of claim 4, wherein the movement means comprises a means for providing unidirectional movement to said platforms, and a reversing means for reversing a movement direction of said platforms.
- 7. The system of claim 3, wherein the vertical movement means comprises a system of chains and sprockets.
- 8. The system of claim 4, wherein the circulation means further comprises movement means for moving platforms within the first storage tower in an upward direction while moving platforms within the second storage tower in a downward direction.
- 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the circulation means comprises a lateral movement means for moving the platforms in a lateral direction, said lateral movement means comprising a lateral transfer system of idlers, chains and sprockets.
- 10. The system of claim 3 wherein the horizontal movement means comprises a conveyer system.
- 11. The system of claim 3 wherein the horizontal movement means comprises a slidably attached lifting mechanism.
- 12. The system of claim 1, wherein the circulation means further comprises a vertical movement means, said vertical movement means comprising a plurality of endless chains disposed in meshing engagement with a plurality of gear members, respectively.
- 13. The system of claim 12, wherein the chains each include lifting means for lifting an object.
- 14. The system of claim 13, wherein the lifting means comprises a plurality of pins extending outwardly from links of the chains.
- 15. The system of claim 14, wherein the vertical movement means further comprises a set of four endless chains comprising a first, second, third and fourth endless chain each extending in an upward direction, each endless chain being disposed in meshing engagement with at least two opposing gear members, wherein the first and second endless chains reside on a first side of the platforms and the third and fourth endless chains reside on a second side of the platforms, said chains being positioned such that some of the pins reside in contact with a portion of the platforms.
- 16. The system of claim 15, wherein each platform includes a plurality brackets extending outwardly from sides of the platform.
- 17. The system of claim 16, wherein at least some the brackets are rotatably disposed on the sides of the platforms.
- 18. The system of claim 16, wherein the chains are positioned such that the pins reside in alignment with at least one of the brackets.
- 19. The system of claim 18, wherein the chains are positioned such that the pins reside in vertical alignment with at least one of the brackets.
- 20. The system of claim 17, wherein the brackets are rotatably disposed in a first position, further comprising:
return-action means for returning the brackets to the first position responsive to displacement of said brackets from said first position.
- 21. The system of claim 1, wherein the circulation means further comprises lateral movement means for moving the platforms in a lateral direction.
- 22. The system of claim 9, wherein the lateral movement means comprises positioning means for moving the lateral transfer system from an idle position to a transfer position residing beneath a platform.
- 23. The system of claim 1, wherein the circulation means comprises a lateral movement means for moving the platforms in a lateral direction, and wherein the lateral movement means comprises positioning means for moving the lateral transfer system from an idle position to a transfer position residing beneath a platform.
- 24. The system of claim 1, wherein a portion of said system resides in a subterranean location.
- 25. The system of claim 24, wherein at least one-third of said system resides in a subterranean location.
- 26. The system of claim 1, wherein said system resides on a means for moving the system.
- 27. A parking garage elevator system for storing vehicles, said system comprising:
a plurality of platforms for storing a plurality of vehicles thereon; support means for supporting said platforms in separate, spaced-apart storage positions, respectively and moving means for moving the platforms simultaneously to thereby advance any selected platform to a loading or unloading position.
- 28. The system of claim 27, wherein the platforms are preferably arranged in first and second storage towers, wherein at least two platforms reside within each of said towers, wherein said platforms are horizontally stacked one above the other to thereby define a vertical space therebetween for storing a vehicle, each tower having at least two storage levels including an upper level and a lower level, wherein at least two platforms reside adjacent to each other at some point along the circulation path.
- 29. The system of claim 27, wherein the moving means comprises a vertical movement means and a horizontal movement means.
- 30. The system of claim 29, wherein the moving means further comprises movement means for imparting alternating vertical and horizontal movement to at least some of the platforms.
- 31. The system of claim 30, wherein the movement means comprises a means for providing unidirectional movement to said platforms without a reversal in movement direction.
- 32. The system of claim 30, wherein the movement means comprises a means for providing unidirectional movement to said platforms, and a reversing means for reversing a movement direction of said platforms.
- 33. The system of claim 29, wherein the vertical movement means comprises a system of chains and sprockets.
- 34. The system of claim 30, wherein the moving means further comprises movement means for moving platforms within the first storage tower in an upward direction while moving platforms within the second storage tower in a downward direction.
- 35. The system of claim 27, wherein the moving means comprises a lateral movement means for moving the platforms in a lateral direction, said lateral movement means comprising a lateral transfer system of idlers, chains and sprockets.
- 36. The system of claim 29 wherein the horizontal movement means comprises a conveyer system.
- 37. The system of claim 29 wherein the horizontal movement means comprises a slidably attached lifting mechanism.
- 38. The system of claim 27, wherein the moving means further comprises a vertical movement means, said vertical movement means comprising a plurality of endless chains disposed in meshing engagement with a plurality of gear members, respectively.
- 39. The system of claim 38, wherein the chains each include lifting means for lifting an object.
- 40. The system of claim 39, wherein the lifting means comprises a plurality of pins extending outwardly from links of the chains.
- 41. The system of claim 40, wherein the vertical movement means further comprises a set of four endless chains comprising a first, second, third and fourth endless chain each extending in an upward direction, each endless chain being disposed in meshing engagement with at least two opposing gear members, wherein the first and second endless chains reside on a first side of the platforms and the third and fourth endless chains reside on a second side of the platforms, said chains being positioned such that some of the pins reside in contact with a portion of the platforms.
- 42. The system of claim 41, wherein each platform includes a plurality brackets extending outwardly from sides of the platform.
- 43. The system of claim 42, wherein at least some the brackets are rotatably disposed on the sides of the platforms.
- 44. The system of claim 42, wherein the chains are positioned such that the pins reside in alignment with at least one of the brackets.
- 45. The system of claim 44, wherein the chains are positioned such that the pins reside in vertical alignment with at least one of the brackets.
- 46. The system of claim 43, wherein the brackets are rotatably disposed in a first position, further comprising:
return-action means for returning the brackets to the first position responsive to displacement of said brackets from said first position.
- 47. The system of claim 27, wherein the moving means further comprises lateral movement means for moving the platforms in a lateral direction.
- 48. The system of claim 35, wherein the Lateral movement means comprises positioning means for moving the lateral transfer system from an idle position to a transfer position residing beneath a platform.
- 49. The system of claim 27, wherein the moving means comprises a lateral movement means for moving the platforms in a lateral direction, and wherein the lateral movement means comprises positioning means for moving the lateral transfer system from an idle position to a transfer position residing beneath a platform.
- 50. The system of claim 27, wherein a portion of said system resides in a subterranean location.
- 51. The system of claim 50, wherein at least one-third of said system resides in a subterranean location.
- 52. The system of claim 27, wherein said system resides on a means for moving the system.
- 53. An individual vehicle storage device for the storage of vehicles, said device comprising:
a rectangular shaped platform, said platform having an upper surface and a lower surface; an anti-slip means disposed on the supper surface of said platform; and a centrally located depression formed on said platform.
- 54. The vehicle storage device of claim 53, wherein the depression extends along a majority length of said platform.
- 55. The vehicle storage device of claim 53, wherein the depression extends along an entire majority length of said platform.
- 56. The vehicle storage device of claim 53, further comprising a means to prevent the vehicle from moving laterally on the platform.
- 57. The vehicle storage device of claim 56, wherein the means comprises a ledge disposed on the ends of said platform.
- 58. The vehicle storage device of claim 56, wherein the means comprises a portable blocking device.
- 59. A parking garage elevator system for storing vehicles, said system comprising:
a plurality of platforms for storing a plurality of vehicles thereon; support means for supporting said platforms in two separate arrays; and a single-drive mechanism for imparting movement to the first and second arrays of platforms simultaneously to thereby advance any selected platform to a loading or unloading position.
- 60. The system of claim 59, wherein the platforms are preferably arranged in first and second storage towers, wherein at least two platforms reside within each of said towers, wherein said platforms are horizontally stacked one above the other to thereby define a vertical space therebetween for storing a vehicle, each tower having at least two storage levels including an upper level and a lower level, wherein at least two platforms reside adjacent to each other at some point along the circulation path.
- 61. The system of claim 59, wherein the single-drive mechanism comprises a vertical movement means.
- 62. The system of claim 61, wherein the single-drive mechanism further comprises movement means for imparting alternating vertical and horizontal movement to at least some of the platforms.
- 63. The system of claim 62, wherein the movement means comprises a means for providing unidirectional movement to said platforms without a reversal in movement direction.
- 64. The system of claim 62, wherein the movement means comprises a means for providing unidirectional movement to said platforms, and a reversing means for reversing a movement direction of said platforms.
- 65. The system of claim 61, wherein the vertical movement means comprises a system of chains and sprockets.
- 66. The system of claim 62, wherein the single-drive mechanism further comprises movement means for moving platforms within the first storage tower in an upward direction while moving platforms within the second storage tower in a downward direction.
- 67. The system of claim 59, further comprising a lateral movement means for moving the platforms in a lateral direction, said lateral movement means comprising a lateral transfer system of idlers, chains and sprockets.
- 68. The system of claim 67 wherein the lateral movement means comprises a conveyer system.
- 69. The system of claim 67 wherein the lateral movement means comprises a slidably attached lifting mechanism.
- 70. The system of claim 59, wherein the single-drive mechanism further comprises a vertical movement means, said vertical movement means comprising a plurality of endless chains disposed in meshing engagement with a plurality of gear members, respectively.
- 71. The system of claim 70, wherein the chains each include lifting means for lifting an object.
- 72. The system of claim 71, wherein the lifting means comprises a plurality of pins extending outwardly from links of the chains.
- 73. The system of claim 72, wherein the vertical movement means further comprises a set of four endless chains comprising a first, second, third and fourth endless chain each extending in an upward direction, each endless chain being disposed in meshing engagement with at least two opposing gear members, wherein the first and second endless chains reside on a first side of the platforms and the third and fourth endless chains reside on a second side of the platforms, said chains being positioned such that some of the pins reside in contact with a portion of the platforms.
- 74. The system of claim 73, wherein each platform includes a plurality brackets extending outwardly from sides of the platform.
- 75. The system of claim 74, wherein at least some the brackets are rotatably disposed on the sides of the platforms.
- 76. The system of claim 74, wherein the chains are positioned such that the pins reside in alignment with at least one of the brackets.
- 77. The system of claim 76, wherein the chains are positioned such that the pins reside in vertical alignment with at least one of the brackets.
- 78. The system of claim 75, wherein the brackets are rotatably disposed in a first position, further comprising:
return-action means for returning the brackets to the first position responsive to displacement of said brackets from said first position.
- 79. The system of claim 59, wherein the single-drive mechanism further comprises lateral movement means for moving the platforms in a lateral direction.
- 80. The system of claim 67, wherein the lateral movement means comprises positioning means for moving the lateral transfer system from an idle position to a transfer position residing beneath a platform.
- 81. The system of claim 67, wherein the horizontal movement means comprises a lateral movement means for moving the platforms in a lateral direction, and wherein the lateral movement means comprises positioning means for moving the lateral transfer system from an idle position to a transfer position residing beneath a platform.
- 82. The system of claim 59, wherein a portion of said system resides in a subterranean location.
- 83. The system of claim 82, wherein at least one-third of said system resides in a subterranean location.
- 84. The system of claim 59, wherein said system resides on a means for moving the system.
- 85. A parking garage elevator system for storing vehicles, said system comprising:
a plurality of platforms for storing said vehicles; first and second storage towers, wherein at least two platforms reside within each of said towers, wherein said platforms are horizontally stacked one above the other to thereby define a vertical space therebetween for storing a vehicle, each tower having at least two storage levels including an upper level and a lower level, wherein at least two platforms reside adjacent to each other at some point along the circulation path; and a moving means for moving said platforms.
- 86. The system of claim 85, wherein the moving means further comprises a vertical movement means and a horizontal movement means.
- 87. The system of claim 86, wherein the moving means comprises a means for providing unidirectional movement to said platforms without a reversal in movement direction.
- 88. The system of claim 87, wherein the moving means comprises a means for providing unidirectional movement to said platforms, and a reversing means for reversing a movement direction of said platforms.
- 89. The system of claim 86, wherein the vertical movement means comprises a system of chains and sprockets.
- 90. The system of claim 85, wherein the moving means further comprises movement means for moving platforms within the first storage tower in an upward direction while moving platforms within the second storage tower in a downward direction.
- 91. The system of claim 85, wherein the moving means comprises a lateral movement means for moving the platforms in a lateral direction, said lateral movement means comprising a lateral transfer system of idlers, chains and sprockets.
- 92. The system of claim 86 wherein the horizontal movement means comprises a conveyer system.
- 93. The system of claim 86 wherein the horizontal movement means comprises a slidably attached lifting mechanism.
- 94. The system of claim 85, wherein the moving means further comprises a vertical movement means, said vertical movement means comprising a plurality of endless chains disposed in meshing engagement with a plurality of gear members, respectively.
- 95. The system of claim 94, wherein the chains each include lifting means for lifting an object.
- 96. The system of claim 95, wherein the lifting means comprises a plurality of pins extending outwardly from links of the chains.
- 97. A parking garage elevator system for storing vehicles, said system comprising:
a plurality of platforms for storing a plurality of vehicles thereon, respectively; and moving means for moving the platforms from one position to another; access means for providing access to multiple platforms simultaneously to permit entry to or exit from at least two platforms simultaneously by at least two vehicles, respectively.
- 98. The system of claim 97, wherein the platforms are preferably arranged in first and second storage towers, wherein at least two platforms reside within each of said towers, wherein said platforms are horizontally stacked one above the other to thereby define a vertical space therebetween for storing a vehicle, each tower having at least two storage levels including an upper level and a lower level, wherein at least two platforms reside adjacent to each other at some point along the circulation path.
- 99. The system of claim 97, further comprising a moving means, for moving said platforms.
- 100. The system of claim 99, wherein the moving means comprises a vertical movement means and a horizontal movement means.
- 101. The system of claim 99, wherein the moving means further comprises movement means for imparting alternating vertical and horizontal movement to at least some of the platforms.
- 102. The system of claim 101, wherein the wherein the movement means comprises a means for providing unidirectional movement to said platforms without a reversal in movement direction.
- 103. The system of claim 101, wherein the movement means comprises a means for providing unidirectional movement to said platforms, and a reversing means for reversing a movement direction of said platforms.
- 104. The system of claim 100, wherein the vertical movement means comprises a system of chains and sprockets.
- 105. The system of claim 101, wherein the moving means further comprises movement means for moving platforms within the first storage tower in an upward direction while moving platforms within the second storage tower in a downward direction.
- 106. The system of claim 99, wherein the moving means comprises a lateral movement means for moving the platforms in a lateral direction, said lateral movement means comprising a lateral transfer system of idlers, chains and sprockets.
- 107. A parking garage elevator system for storing vehicles, said system comprising:
a plurality of platforms for storing a plurality of vehicles thereon; and circulation means for moving the platforms along an endless circulation path having un upward-movement portion and a downward-movement portion to thereby cause the platforms to move in sequence along said path, such that each platform passes through a first position along said circulation path;
wherein the platforms are preferably arranged in first and second storage towers, wherein at least two platforms reside within each of said towers, wherein said platforms are horizontally stacked one above the other to thereby define a vertical space therebetween for storing a vehicle, each tower having at least two storage levels including an upper level and a lower level, wherein at least two platforms reside adjacent to each other at some point along the circulation path; wherein the circulation means comprises a vertical movement means and a horizontal movement means; wherein the circulation means further comprises movement means for imparting alternating vertical and horizontal movement to at least some of the platforms; wherein the movement means comprises, a means for providing unidirectional movement to said platforms without a reversal in movement direction; wherein the vertical movement means comprises a system of chains and sprockets; wherein the circulation means further comprises movement means for moving platforms within the first storage tower in an upward direction while moving platforms within the second storage tower in a downward direction; wherein the horizontal movement means comprises a conveyer system; wherein the circulation means further comprises a vertical movement means, said vertical movement means comprising a plurality of endless chains disposed in meshing engagement with a plurality of gear members, respectively; wherein the chains each include lifting means for lifting an object; wherein the lifting means comprises a plurality of pins extending outwardly from links of the chains; wherein the vertical movement means further comprises a set of four endless chains comprising a first., second, third and fourth endless chain each extending in an upward direction, each endless chain being disposed in meshing engagement with at least two opposing gear members, wherein the first and second endless chains reside on a first side of the platforms and the third and fourth endless chains reside on a second side of the platforms, said chains being positioned such that some of the pins reside in contact with a portion of the platforms; wherein each platform includes a plurality brackets extending outwardly from sides of the platform; wherein at least some the brackets are rotatably disposed on the sides of the platforms; wherein the chains are positioned such that the pins reside in alignment with at least one of the brackets; wherein the brackets are rotatably disposed in a first position, further comprising:
return-action means for returning the brackets to the first position responsive to displacement of said brackets from said first position; wherein the lateral movement means comprises positioning means for moving the lateral transfer system from an idle position to a transfer position residing beneath a platform.
- 108. An elevator system for storing objects, said system comprising:
a plurality of platforms for storing a plurality of objects thereon; and circulation means for moving the platforms along an endless circulation path having un upward-movement portion and a downward-movement portion to thereby cause -he platforms to move in sequence along said path, such that each platform passes through a first position along said circulation path.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of a U.S. Provisional Application, filed Apr. 2, 2001, entitled “PARKING GARAGE ELEVATOR SYSTEM,” which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety, including but not limited to those portions that specifically appear hereinafter.