Carrier-facility-site Relationship Patents (Class 414/261)
  • Publication number: 20150139762
    Abstract: A parking system includes automated guided vehicles (AGVs) for moving automobiles to and from parking spaces in a parking facility. Each AGV is provided with a Hall effect sensor array. The parking facility has magnet arrays affixed to the floor of the parking facility. Each magnet array includes a plurality of magnets, with a specified arrangement of positive and negative poles of the magnets in the magnet array. The Hall effect sensor array senses the magnets and guides the AGV through the parking facility based on the position and alignment information determined by the Hall effect sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventor: Troy Allen Stephens
  • Publication number: 20130183124
    Abstract: A parking system includes a plurality of trays having a parking platform for supporting a vehicle and legs for keeping the parking platform in an elevated position on a supporting surface of the parking facility. The parking system also has at least one automated guided vehicle for moving the tray with the vehicle thereon between an access location and a specified parking location. The automated guided vehicle has a frame and drive devices mounted on the frame. Each drive device has a turntable rotatable about a vertical axis and two independently driven wheels mounted on the turntable. The automated guided vehicle can fit beneath the parking platform of the tray and can lift the tray for moving the tray and the vehicle between the access location and the specified parking location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: PARK PLUS, INC.
    Inventor: Park Plus, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8288989
    Abstract: A method for managing charge of a plurality of battery-driven AGVs (automated guided vehicles) circulating on the main route provided with an automatic charge station includes: a first step of detecting, using an AGV, a marker for battery voltage check provided on a main route to measure the voltage of a battery of the AGV; a second step of changing the route of the AGV to advance it into a charge route provided in an automatic charge station, stopping the AGV in a charging position, and charging the battery automatically by using an automatic charger, if the measured battery voltage has lowered to a level requiring charging; and a third step of conveying the AGV that has been automatically charged to a standby place provided in the automatic charge station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroyoshi Baba
  • Publication number: 20100234980
    Abstract: A multi-level parking lot has a multi-level parking lot comprising a roadway disposed on aground surface. A plurality of parking containers each adapted to receive and store an automotive passenger vehicle. At least two of the parking containers being vertically stacked to form an inner stack of vertically stacked parking containers extending generally parallel to a first side of the roadway. At least two of the parking containers are vertically stacked to form an outer stack of vertically stacked columns of parking containers extending generally parallel to the first side of the roadway, and located between the first side of the roadway and the inner stack of vertically stacked parking containers. Each of the plurality of parking containers having an access aperture generally facing toward the first side of the roadway for passage of the vehicle therethrough.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2010
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Inventor: Armand Lapre
  • Publication number: 20020176767
    Abstract: A vessel racking device comprising a wheeled material handling system that rides on a ground based track system which lies between a staging area and a storage area. The storage area is made up of a plurality of cells positioned above, at or below ground level. Through a set of fixed longitudinal rails, the ground based track system enables the wheeled towerless material handling system to move between the water's edge and the storage area in a reproducible manner by a moderately skilled operator. The wheeled towerless material handling system is capable of lifting a vessel out of the water and placing it in a cell. The wheeled towerless material handling system is capable of altering its vertical profile to avoid and/or clear overhead obstructions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2001
    Publication date: November 28, 2002
    Inventor: Dave Gisselberg
  • Publication number: 20020029534
    Abstract: A storage container and method of storage that safely protects objects and allows convenient access. The invention is particularly useful for the parking of more than one automobile using the same space necessary to park just one automobile. The invention is an enclosure to be used as a parking capsule for automobiles or for the storage of other desired items. The invention resembles a capsule that is used to store items in a protected environment. The capsulized system contains known retractable mechanisms that move the storage base from a stored position inside the capsule to an extended position allowing convenient access to the storage area. The capsule's uniquely designed cover provides for an area to be treated with material so as to blend into the surrounding surface. For example, the cover allows for grass if the capsule were to be installed in a home yard, or the cover area is filled with cement, dirt, concrete or black top, when the capsule is placed in a street or road.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2001
    Publication date: March 14, 2002
    Inventor: Kevin McKeown
  • Patent number: 6336781
    Abstract: The invention relates to an installation for parking motor vehicles (5) in a space-saving manner, having a plurality of parking spaces (2) arranged on top of each other and designed to hold the motor vehicles (5). The invention provides for a lifting device (3) for transporting the motor vehicles (5) to the individual parking spaces (2), the lifting device being mounted on a turntable (8). In addition, the lifting device (3) can be horizontally displaced on the turntable (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Assignee: Lagertechnik Gesellschaft m.b.H.
    Inventors: Michael Doppelmayr, Peter Malin
  • Patent number: 6302634
    Abstract: The multitier facility for vehicle parking according to this invention comprises a main parking platform located on each tier, and an intertier elevator for delivering a vehicle to a required tier. The elevator has a rectangular-shaped load-receiving platform, a facility for horizontal movements of vehicles with the aim of placing them on the parking platforms and removing from them. Also included is a device for changing the direction of these movements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Inventor: Michael Grenader
  • Patent number: 6212832
    Abstract: The silo structure of a vehicle parking system includes multi-layers of parking floors Twelve sector-shaped parking spaces are separated equally at 30° angle intervals around the central axis of the silo structure. An elevator carrier moves vertically in the inner shaft up and down to convey a pallet with a vehicle from the entry/exit opening to parking floors. A rotary base mounted on the elevator carrier rotates 360° around the central axis. The conveyer platform, which is mounted on the rotary base, can point toward a sector-shaped parking space. A cantilever body, which moves in two opposite directions by means of a hydraulic device, extends to press the pallet hook-type lock device in the dent place in each parking space. The single piece of chain transferring device, which is mounted on the above stated conveyer platform, transfers the pallet with a vehicle in or out of the sector-shaped parking spaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Inventor: Zhuangmei Gao
  • Patent number: 6077017
    Abstract: A vehicle handling system is provided for an automated parking garage. The system includes a loading platform dimensioned to support a vehicle, the loading platform including gratings each formed by a plurality of spaced-apart, parallel bars. The system also includes a carriage also formed with a grating having a plurality of spaced-apart, parallel bars, wherein the gratings of the loading platform and the carriage being sized and configured to allow the bars of the carriage to pass between the bars of the loading platform. The system also includes a lifting mechanism for lifting a vehicle away from the loading platform. The lifting mechanism may be a stacker crane assembly allowing both vertical and horizontal movement of the carriage or a robot trolley and lift assembly. The system may also include a turntable for changing the orientation of the vehicle within the garage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Park Plus, Inc.
    Inventor: Jacob Lodewyk Durant
  • Patent number: 6065921
    Abstract: The invention includes a device for parking vehicles for supplying and delivering at an entry/exit position, wherein the device is provided with vertically displaceable lifting devices with which one carrying platform at a time is displaceable in vertical direction. This carrying platform is intended to support a vehicle. The device also includes horizontal transporting devices for taking a platform, which may or may not be loaded with a vehicle, in horizontal direction of the vertical transporting means and carrying it into a parking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Assignee: Designer & Licensee of Products and Projects, Inc.
    Inventor: Tjebbe Meindort Van Dijk
  • Patent number: 5915907
    Abstract: A storage structure has an entry chamber for receiving articles, a storage area for storing the articles, a lift passage for connecting the entry chamber and the storage area, and a lift for conveying the articles through the lift passage between the entry chamber and the storage area. The storage structure includes a turning chamber provided separately from the entry chamber and connected to the lift passage for changing the orientation of an article. A turntable device is supported in the turning chamber to receive an article from the lift within the lift passage and to transfer an article to the lift. The turntable device includes a rotatable carrying surface and two auxiliary supports. One auxiliary support is located on each of two opposite sides of the turntable device for supporting the carrying surface when the carrying surface rotates. The carrying surface is movable between a position within the lift passage and a position outside of the lift passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 29, 1999
    Assignee: Fuji Hensokuki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuyoshi Yatou, Wakao Mamiya
  • Patent number: 5829941
    Abstract: The present invention refers to improvements provided by a robotized, radial type parking system, allowing twelve vehicles to be parked per floor without the need of areas for vehicle maneuvering or circulation, and which can be used in any urban area, especially where the land is scarce and expensive; the result is a high level of efficiency and density for vehicle parking as compared with the overall land and building area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Inventor: Luis Rodolfo Zamorano Morfin
  • Patent number: 5707199
    Abstract: A device is disclosed for storing objects in a storage block having identical storage places arranged behind, next to or above each other in the X, Y and Z directions and at least one lifting member associated to the storage block. Each storage place is equipped with a driving unit for moving the objects in the Y direction. Further driving units are provided for moving the objects in the X direction between the entrance area and the transfer side of the storage block. All successive rows in the X direction have at least one free storage place and one plane of the storage block is designed as a storage and return plane for empty pallets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1998
    Inventor: Alexander Jun Faller
  • Patent number: 5690462
    Abstract: A parking device including a base frame, a top frame, four cylindrical poles mounted between four corners of the base and top frames, each of the cylindrical poles having two tubular members slidably mounted thereon, an upper platform fixedly mounted on the tubular members at an upper position, a lower platform fixedly mounted on the tubular members at a lower position, a plurality of first hydraulic cylinders mounted on a bottom of the top frame and drivingly connected with the upper platform, a plurality of second hydraulic cylinders mounted mounted on the base frame and drivingly connected with the lower platform, and a positioning device having a casing mounted on each of the tubular members, solenoid fitted within the casing, a plunger fitted within the casing and a spring arranged between the solenoid and the plunger, the plunger being forced by the spring to go partly into a tube radially arranged within each of the poles through the tubular members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Inventors: James Fan, Che Kao Chang
  • Patent number: 5678972
    Abstract: The mechanical facility, according to the invention, for the space-saving parking of motor vehicles has at least one entrance and exit EA and a multiplicity of parking spaces EP, and a multiplicity of stacking carriages SW, which are arranged one beside the other and can be displaced to the side, is provided, of which each stacking carriage is formed such that a multiplicity of pairs of pallets PL, located one beside the other and intended for receiving parked motor vehicles, can be arranged thereon one above the other and/or one beneath the other. By lateral displacement of the stacking carriages SW, a lifting passage HGS can be produced between any two selected stacking carriages SW. A lifting carriage HW can travel to the lifting passage, which lifting carriage can remove individual pallets PL from a stacking carriage SW adjacent to the lifting passage HGS, and introduce them into said stacking carriages SW. The lifting carriage HW can lift any pallet PL onto the level of at least one entrance or exit EA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hans Bockler, Dieter Schutt
  • Patent number: 5601390
    Abstract: A conveyor-type three dimensional parking system which comprises a storage structure having an entrance port and an exit port. A conveyor assembly is built into the storage structure for holding a plurality of motor vehicles. A pair of gates are provided to cover the entrance port and the exit port of the storage structure. A facility, operated by each driver is for actuating the entrance gate to open, so that each driver can drive their motor vehicle through the entrance port and into the conveyor assembly in the storage structure. A mechanism, operated by each driver, is for actuating the exit gate to open, so that each driver can retrieve their motor vehicle from the conveyor assembly and then drive out through the exit port of the storage structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1997
    Inventor: Craig N. Cummings
  • Patent number: 5551831
    Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for elevating a cargo container chassis for storage in a substantially vertical position. The chassis is positioned on a lifting platform having a hinged axis around which the platform may tilt upwardly. The platform is then tilted upwardly to lift the chassis to an elevated position in which the longitudinal axis of the chassis approaches or assumes a vertical or upright position. The chassis may then be transferred to a transport vehicle. The transport vehicle does not actively tilt the chassis upward, but instead accepts the already tilted chassis and transfers it to a storage area for vertical storage. This method thereby avoids the necessity of a transport vehicle firmly clamping the chassis and actively tilting it into the storage position, which may damage the chassis. Also, the transport vehicle need not be fitted with expensive heavy tilting devices, and a very large and heavy chassis may more easily be moved to the vertical storage position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Assignee: Chassis Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Nelson H. Corbett
  • Patent number: 5487636
    Abstract: A multi-level storage facility comprising a plurality of vertically stacked storage chambers, each of a size to accommodate an item to be stored, such as a vehicle. Each chamber contains a platform, and all of the chambers are accessible from a common face of the facility. An elevator is mounted so as to move along the common face of the facility to provide access to any one of the chambers. Each of the chambers and the elevator provide a device for engaging one of the platforms in an upper or a lower position. The platform being movable between positions at any time including when the elevator is in motion. With the elevator aligned with any one of the chambers, the platform in the chamber may be exchanged with one on the elevator. The elevator provides a device for acheiving this result, saving the extreme expense of having exchange devices in each and every chamber, or on each platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1996
    Inventor: Mais Mkrtchyan
  • Patent number: 5478182
    Abstract: In an automatic parking garage with a storage silo having a circular periphery, the storage silo having a cylindrical inner shaft and including a plurality of radially positioned parking compartments opening toward the inner shaft on a plurality of stacked parking levels and with a conveying apparatus located in the inner shaft for the transportation of vehicles between at least one entrance and the parking compartments and between the parking compartments and at least one exit, the conveying apparatus including a plurality of vehicle-receiving transport surfaces which are moveable in the vertical direction and are rotatable together in a horizontal direction about a central axis, such that the transport surfaces can be positioned by vertical movement at the level of one of the parking floors, or the at least one entrance, or the at least one exit, and then, by rotation about the central axis, adjacent one of the parking compartments in the corresponding parking level: the transport surfaces as well as the pa
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1995
    Assignee: Schenk Interservice AG
    Inventors: Fritz Hildebrand, Ulrich Wernli
  • Patent number: 5333987
    Abstract: An automated high-raised parking system includes a parking rack structure having a plurality of racks disposed one above another for parking an automobile, an entrance/exit section for allowing entrance and exit of the automobile and a lift-translator device for transporting the automobile between the entrance/exit section to the racks. The lift-translator device includes a lift table vertically movable along a lift passage extending along a side of the parking rack structure and communicating with the entrance/exit section. In this system, the invention provides a shielding member for shielding an upward view from the entrance/exit section up through the lift passage when the lift table is positioned at the entrance/exit section for entrance or exit of the automobile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1994
    Assignee: Daifuku Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shigekazu Takaoka
  • Patent number: 5203660
    Abstract: A multistory parking space that is provided with an entrance and exit area, an elevator, power carriers and parking pallets. A vehicle in the entrance and exit area is transported by the elevator to the power carriers, and then the vehicle is transported to the parking pallets by the power carrier. All of these elements are provided with conveyors for transferring a vehicle. Entrance and exit of vehicles to and from the entrance and exit area, vertical travelling of the elevator, travelling of the power carrier are executed simultaneously to shorten the time required for entrance and exit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1993
    Assignee: Takenaka Corporation
    Inventor: Tsubota Takahiro
  • Patent number: 5185978
    Abstract: A place-on type assemblable structure includes a foundation beam and an assembly body assembled on the foundation beam. The foundation beam is placed on the surface of the ground via a pluarlity of jack means provided for the fondation beam. The level of the foundation beam can be easily adjusted by extending and contracting the jack means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1993
    Assignee: Just Japan Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mitsuo Sasaki
  • Patent number: 5090862
    Abstract: A multi-level structure includes a number of parking levels, each level defines a number of parking stations which are arranged circularly. Four elevators are provided in a middle portion of the structure, each of the elevators is vertically movable in order to transfer vehicles to any of the levels. Each elevator can transfer two vehicles so that eight vehicles can be transferred by the four elevators at a time and so that the elevators can transfer vehicles in a fast speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1992
    Inventor: Shui M. Lee
  • Patent number: 5067866
    Abstract: The device has two substantially vertical fixed guides along which sliders actuated by hydraulic cylinders can slide. The sliders support platforms which are each adapted to accommodate a motor vehicle. A bracket for each platform is associated with each slider and supports a profiled element on which the edge of the platform rests. The profiled element is provided with a gutter for conveying liquids to its ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1991
    Assignee: A.F.G. S.r.l.
    Inventors: Angelo Fusaro, Giancarlo Galeazzi
  • Patent number: 5046910
    Abstract: A main body structure for an underground parking lot has an outer wall formed in a substantially cylindrical shape to define a space under the ground. A radial structural body is formed in and connected to the outer wall to support the same on the inside thereof and to divide the space within the outer wall into plural vehicle accommodation spaces. The underground parking lot constructed with this main body structure includes vehicle accommodation mechanisms which are arranged in the respective vehicle accommodation spaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1991
    Assignee: Shimizu Construction Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoya Tokuhiro, Teruo Hatano, Koshin Kikuchi, Shinichi Ozaki
  • Patent number: 4971505
    Abstract: The present invention is to provide, for use on a limited site, an integrated architectural structure comprising particular personal occupancy space, particular automotive vehicle parking space, and particular access space communicating therebetween, all intimately juxtaposed. The personal occupancy space contains a plurality of personal occupancy units, i.e. apartments or offices, and at least one personal occupancy elevator and stairwell. The vehicle parking space contains one or more elevator lifts of specific design, namely, a lift that is movable only vertically and that includes a vertical array of levels, each level of which includes a horizontal array of automotive vehicle locations. Movement of this parking lift to selected vertical positions is such that selected levels of the vertical array communicate with the access level at selected times for vehicle storage or vehicle retrieval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1990
    Inventor: Frank Sawyer
  • Patent number: 4850784
    Abstract: In an automated multilevel rotary parking system double flow through vehicle paths including endless conveyors and elevators together with rotary parking platforms maximize vehicle handling capabilities. Vehicle flow paths are particularly arranged to facilitate vehicle movement in a rapid and orderly manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1989
    Inventors: Charles R. Salloum, Renee Milano
  • Patent number: 4826384
    Abstract: An apparatus for storing a plurality of chassis in a vertically spaced relationship, which comprises a structure and a pallet support mechanism including a plurality of long guide members suspended from the structure via lifting and rotating mechanisms, includes a plurality of vertically spaced hooks attached to the structure and adapted to support pallets thereon, and a plurality of support elements arrranged in confronting relation to the hooks, the support elements being movable to and from the pallets supported on the hooks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1989
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazumasa Okura, Kazuo Saito
  • Patent number: 4820107
    Abstract: A novel delivery method and vestibule system for underground and similar conveyors, particularly longitudinally traveling conveyors carrying successive automobile-storage platforms, involving under an open vestibule floor area, conveyor loop structures that carry the platform upwardly into the open floor area for car delivery or removal, with automatic gating and walkway insertion to permit safe parking or retrieval of the car by the owner without attendant assistance, other than car platform selection and platform delivery command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1989
    Assignee: Auto-Veyor, Inc.
    Inventor: Jacob I. Nevo-Hacohen
  • Patent number: 4778324
    Abstract: The present invention is to provide, for use on a limited site, an integrated architectural structure comprising particular personal occupancy space, particular automotive vehicle parking space, and particular access space communicating therebetween, all intimately juxtaposed. The personal occupancy space contains a plurality of personal occupancy units, i./e. apartments or offices, and at least one personal occupancy elevator and stairwell. The vehicle parking space contains one or more elevator lifts of specific design, namely, a lift that is movable only vertically and that includes a vertical array of levels, each level of which includes a horizontal array of automotive vehicle locations. Movement of this parking lift to selected vertical positions is such that selected levels of the vertical array communicate with the access level at selected times for vehicle storage or vehicle retrieval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1988
    Inventor: Frank Sawyer
  • Patent number: 4583902
    Abstract: The wheeled frame remaining after removal of the detachable cargo container, is gripped by clamping mechanism of a carrying unit mounted on a tractor or lift truck, then elevated above the ground and pivoted from its normal horizontal disposition to vertical position, and then transported to a multiple storage unit where it is deposited and retained in the vertical position removably in one of a plurality of compartments making up the storage unit. A plurality of such wheeled frames may be stored in this manner by deposit in successive ones of the compartments, and they are removed from the compartment in the reverse order of deposit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1986
    Assignees: Scott S. Corbett, Jr., Lynn F. Perrott
    Inventor: Joseph L. Riley
  • Patent number: 4362459
    Abstract: System for storing and transporting guided missiles and similar flying bodies includes a storage building and movable storage structures for supporting multiple guided missiles. The storage building is sized so that a row of the storage structures can be arranged along one side wall of the storage building with the normal travel direction of the structures being arranged transversely of the direction of the row and of the adjacent side wall. In the row, the storage structures are closely spaced so that there is no walkway between them. A passageway is provided within the storage building along the row of storage structures so that each storage structure can be moved out of the row without moving adjacent storage structures and then turned on a minimum turning circle in the passageway for movement out of the storage building.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1982
    Assignee: Steinbock GmbH
    Inventors: Gert Klausbruckner, Bernd Tushaus