Patent Application
20170350151
The invention relates to parking mechanisms for automobiles and in particular, sliding platforms used to park automobiles.
Sliding platforms are useful in moving cars to be parked to maximize the space available for parking in a parking system, deck or lot. Sliding platforms are used to move vehicles to available space, such as behind equipment, walls and columns, which cannot be reached by normal means. Sliding platforms are also used in mechanical parking systems to free up space thus enabling other platforms to be moved to that space.
Sliding platforms are typically configured to be located on a sliding track or rail supported on the ground or in a structure and powered by an electric motor contained therein. Each sliding platform must be capable of moving in various directions and in random order, therefore each sliding platform contains its own electric motor which necessitates an electric distribution system having a wire flexibly connected to each sliding platform to provide power. The placement of the electric motor is critical so that it does not occupy space required for parking the vehicle and does not require the platform to be made larger. The speed at which the platform can be operated is dependent upon the size of the electric motor incorporated therein and the electrical distribution system connected thereto. Larger electric motors allow an increase of speed but at a significant increase in mounting space and cost.
There is a need in the art for a sliding platform system that does not require an electrical distribution system flexibly connected to individually mounted electric motors and a system that can be operated at higher speeds. Provided herein are embodiments of a sliding platform system wherein plural platforms are situated upon a rail and a drive system is mounted externally, eliminating the need for an electrical distribution system, flexibly connected wire and electric motor on or connected with each platform. The drive system is operable to move the platforms reciprocally along the rail.
In accordance with an embodiment a sliding platform system is disclosed having at least one platform with rollers positioned on and rotatably movable upon a rail, and a chain drive assembly or system including a chain, motor and sprockets, a chain guide channel, a latching mechanism mounted to the platform and slidably engageable in the chain guide channel, and a latch set mechanism.
In accordance with further embodiments, a sliding platform system includes a vehicle platform having a front and rear end, opposing sides between the front and rear end extending along a long axis of the platform, the platform having a top surface configured to accommodate a vehicle thereon and an opposite, bottom surface, at least two front end rollers mounted proximal the front end and extending from the bottom surface of the platform, at least two rear end rollers mounted proximal the rear end and extending from the bottom surface of the platform, wherein the front end rollers are in axial alignment with each other and the rear end rollers are in axial alignment with each other, and a latching mechanism coupled proximal to an end of the platform and extending from the bottom surface of the platform, the sliding platform system further including a first rail, a second rail, a chain guide channel positioned adjacent the first rail, a chain drive assembly including an endless chain mounted on axially aligned sprockets, wherein one of the sprockets is operably coupled to a motor, wherein the chain is positioned within and in axial alignment with the chain guide channel, the latching mechanism is positioned in and configured to move along the channel and the latching mechanism further includes a latch aperture through which the chain passes and a chain engagement element operable to releasably engage the chain, wherein in the engaged state movement of the chain is operable to move the latching mechanism and the platform along the chain guide channel, and wherein the chain guide channel further includes at least one detent formed in the channel configured to receive and retain a portion of the latching mechanism when the platform is moved to a desired position, and a latch set device operable to set and/or reset the latching mechanism.
In accordance with certain embodiments the latching mechanism is or includes a spring-loaded plunger which remains in a biased position in the chain guide channel due to force imparted against the plunger by a wall of the chain guide channel until it is positioned in axial alignment with the detent. This design enables the latch mechanism to slide freely within the chain guide channel until it is positioned in alignment with the detent, at which point the biasing force is removed and the plunger extends into the detent sufficiently to lock the platform in a desired position. The movement of the plunger into the detent also serves to disengage the chain engagement element from the chain, permitting the chain drive to operate to move an adjacent platform while preventing movement of the platform associated with the latching mechanism engaged in the detent.
In one or more embodiments the latching mechanism is operable to engage the drive chain and move the platform in the direction the drive chain is moving. The latching mechanism is operable to engage the drive chain in one or more positions. Once the platform starts moving, the chain guide channel is operable to keep the latching mechanism engaged with the drive chain. The latching mechanism is configured to disengage from the drive chain when the platform is in the proper position and the drive chain releases tension on the latching mechanism.
When the sliding platform reaches the proper position, which is defined by a detent, the plunger of the latching mechanism is operable to extend into the detent, disengaging the latch mechanism from the drive chain and holding the platform in position. The drive chain can then move freely through the latch aperture of the latching mechanism, allowing it to engage other platforms in the system.
In some embodiments the latch set device is a solenoid or actuator operably coupled to a push arm operable to exert force on a surface of the latch mechanism. The solenoid or actuator may be coupled to a switch, remote control or the like, via a wired or wireless connection, as is well-known in the art. The latch set device is optimally positioned adjacent to a detent in the chain guide channel, wherein the latch set device is operable to cause the latching mechanism to engage the drive chain. Once the drive chain has been engaged and starts to move the platform, the latching mechanism may be held in place by the chain guide channel until it reaches the next parking location.
The chain drive assembly may include a motor such as but not limited to an electric motor, hydraulic motor, or the like suitable to operate the drive chain coupled thereto. For example, and not by way of limitation, the chain drive assembly may include a variable speed electric motor of sufficient size to allow the platforms to be moved rapidly in either direction while controlling acceleration and deceleration.
The chain drive assembly may be mounted below the floor or above the floor or upon a structural member when used as part of a mechanical parking system.
The chain guide channel is of sufficient size and strength to accommodate the drive chain. The chain guide channel may include detents positioned at selected positions, such as but not limited to desired or proper parking locations, to allow the plunger of the latching mechanism extend into the detent.
The platform may include at least one drive on ramp, wheel stop and wheel runways. Parallel runways may be defined by curbs positioned longitudinally along the platform periphery. The runway curbs are used to confine the passage of vehicle tires in the runways and direct the vehicles onto the platform straightaway and are sized, dimensioned and positioned so that they keep an automobile substantially centered on the platform. In some embodiments the curbs are of such a width that the mirrors and other parts of the car that extend beyond the outside walls of the tires do not extend beyond the platform edge. This allows placement of adjacent platforms close together, conserving space from side to side, without hitting the mirrors of adjacent cars.
In one embodiment a drive-on ramp is disposed at an entrance end of the platform and may have sloped front and back ends so that as a car is driven onto the platform and onto the runway the sloped back end serves as a block to prevent the car rolling off the entrance end of the platform. A wheel stop at the platform end opposite the entrance end may be used. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that drive on ramps may be disposed at either or both ends of the platform, as in some cases it may be desirable to accommodate entrance and exit of a car from either end of the platform.
The thickness of the platform employed in some embodiments is from about 2 mm to about 10 mm. This allows the wheels of the vehicle to be parked on the very bottom of the platform. Employing a minimal platform thickness, such as 2 mm, permits a reduction of space between the platform and the ground beneath the platform.
In accordance with still further embodiments a sliding platform system includes a vehicle platform having a front and rear end, opposing sides between the front and rear end, the platform further including a first pair of rollers mounted proximate the front end of the platform and extending vertically with respect to a horizontal plane of the platform and in axial alignment with the short axis of the platform, the first pair of rollers being positioned between the sides of the platform, and a second pair of rollers mounted proximal the rear end of the platform and extending vertically with respect to a horizontal plane of the platform and in axial alignment with the short axis of the platform, the second pair of rollers being positioned between the sides of the platform. In some embodiments, one or more additional rollers positioned in axial alignment with the first and/or second pair of rollers may be employed. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that any suitable number of rollers may be employed.
In accordance with an embodiment, the first pair of rollers is mounted to a support bracket proximate the front end of the platform orthogonal to the opposing sides and the second pair of rollers is mounted to a support bracket on the rear end of the platform orthogonal to the opposing sides. The platform may include at least one latch mounting bracket extending vertically with respect to the horizontal plane attached to the roller support bracket at one end of the platform.
In other embodiments an additional latching mechanism and chain guide channel may be installed at the opposite end of the platform to engage a second drive system synchronized to the first drive system.
The sliding platform system of the disclosed embodiments allows the system to operate at a faster rate of speed than prior art systems. The systems disclosed herein also provide a major cost savings, at least insofar as material requirements, such as electrical distribution system and driving motors, over prior art systems. Due to the space-saving features, the disclosed systems can be used in confined spaces where other prior art systems cannot be deployed.
Sliding platforms and systems as disclosed herein may be used in connection with various lift systems. For example, they can be used at the ground level to create an empty space to be used for lowering a platform from the parking structure to the ground level in a system such as but not limited to that disclosed and described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/432,980 filed Feb. 15, 2017 (“Lift-Slide Parking System”) incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. By way of further example, the sliding platforms and systems can be used at the ground level with suspension lifts such as but not limited to those disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/071,284 filed Mar. 16, 2016, (“Suspension Lift”), incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
For the purposes of illustration, there are forms shown in the drawings that are presently preferred, it being understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.
The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which illustrative embodiments of the invention are shown. In the drawings, the relative sizes of regions or features may be exaggerated for clarity. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.
It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “coupled” or “connected” to another element, it can be directly coupled or connected to the other element or intervening elements may also be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly coupled” or “directly connected” to another element, there are no intervening elements present. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. As used herein the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
In addition, spatially relative terms, such as “under”, “below”, “lower”, “over”, “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is inverted, elements described as “under” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “over” the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “under” can encompass both an orientation of over and under. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.
Well-known functions or constructions may not be described in detail for brevity and/or clarity.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
Although the systems described herein depict two platforms operating over three parking spaces, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that this depiction is merely exemplary and that any number of platforms can be employed and operated in linear fashion by the systems disclosed herein.
Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the FIGURES. With reference to
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the number of platforms 22 that can be employed in the system 2 is only limited by space and equipment constraints. In some embodiments the system 2 may include from one to ten platforms 22. In other embodiments the system 2 may include more than ten platforms 22.
With reference to
The motor 19 may be any suitable motor such as but not limited to an electric motor, hydraulic motor, or the like suitable to operate the drive chain 21 coupled thereto. For example, and not by way of limitation, the motor 19 may be a variable speed electric motor of sufficient size to allow the platforms 22 to be moved rapidly in either direction while controlling acceleration and deceleration.
The chain guide channel 12 is positioned adjacent a rail 11 at one end of a platform 22 or series of platforms 22. In some embodiments a chain guide channel 12 may be positioned adjacent a rail 11 at each end of the platform or platforms 22. The drive chain 21 is positioned within and in axial alignment with the chain guide channel 12. As further described hereinbelow, the drive chain 12 is routed through one or more latch mechanisms which depend from the platform(s) 22 and are slidably coupled to the chain guide channel 12.
Now referring to
With reference to
With further reference to
The plunger 31, being spring-loaded, remains in a biased position in the chain guide channel 12 due to force imparted against the plunger 31 by a wall of the chain guide channel 12 until it is positioned in axial alignment with a detent 13. This design enables the latch mechanism 26 to slide freely within the chain guide channel 12 until it is positioned in alignment with the detent 12, at which point the biasing force is removed and the plunger 31 extends into the detent 13 sufficiently to lock the platform 22 in a desired position. The movement of the plunger 31 into the detent 13 also serves to disengage the chain engagement teeth 32 from the drive chain 21, permitting drive chain to operate to move an adjacent platform while preventing movement of the platform associated with the latching mechanism engaged in the detent.
Now referring to
Although the devices and systems of the present disclosure have been described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, the present disclosure is not limited thereby. Indeed, the exemplary embodiments are implementations of the disclosed systems and methods are provided for illustrative and non-limitative purposes. Changes, modifications, enhancements and/or refinements to the disclosed systems and methods may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, such changes, modifications, enhancements and/or refinements are encompassed within the scope of the present invention.
This non-provisional application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/344,097 filed Jun. 1, 2016, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62344097 | Jun 2016 | US |
