Abstract: A device comprising a spiral building having greenhouse enclosures mounted thereon. The greenhouse enclosures include an interior growing area and at least one slanted glass surface having a reflective surface. The at least one slanted glass surface is disposed over a growing tray which is orientated towards perpendicular rays of the sun, when the sun is at an equinox. The reflective surface of the at least one slanted glass surface is reversed from its normal orientation such that the reflective surface is disposed on an inside of the at least one slanted glass surface, thus reflecting light admitted through the at least one slanted glass surface and directing the light to parts of the interior growing area.

Abstract: In one instance, a parking lot system is presented with a first driveway in a first direction and a second driveway in a second direction opposite the first direction. The first driveway includes a first plurality of parking spaces, wherein each parking space comprises a first rectangular space to accommodate an automobile. A second rectangle is adjacent to the first rectangular space. The second driveway includes a second plurality of parking spaces, wherein each parking space comprises a third rectangular space sized to accommodate an automobile. The second rectangle is adjacent to the third rectangle. The second rectangle forms a buffer zone into which automobile doors in the second and third rectangle may open. The first and second plurality of parking spaces at least partially abut one another directly. Other systems are also presented.

Abstract: A structure for effectively providing charging capacity for electric vehicles within urban environments in a safe and space conscious manner uses a new vertical building typology. A modular helix ramp structure with integrated wireless charging panels/coils charges vehicles as they drive up and down the structure without the need to physically park the vehicle in a traditional parking structure. A license plate reader, transponder or other vehicle identification technology registers a vehicle entering the tower, authorize purchase and initiate the up/down charging cycle thru the helix structure. The structure reduces the building footprint required to charge a given number of vehicles. This consolidates electrical infrastructure connection requirements to a single location, and because the vehicles are not occupied during charging exposure of vehicle inhabitants to electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: An aircraft may include a cabin having a first portion, a second portion, a first ramp and a second ramp. The first portion of the cabin may include an upper deck and a lower deck. The upper deck and the lower deck may be disposed proximate to each other with vertical separation therebetween. The second portion may include an intermediate deck disposed in a plane that is substantially parallel to planes in which the upper deck and the lower deck lie. The intermediate deck may be vertically separated from both the upper deck and the lower deck. The first ramp may extend between the lower deck and the intermediate deck to provide access therebetween. The second ramp may extend between the upper deck and the intermediate deck to provide access therebetween.

Abstract: A gravity conveyer, including an inlet, an outlet, a multi-loop spiral belt connecting the inlet and the outlet, the belt being installed around a vertical axis and designed as a ferroconcrete surface, each loop of the belt being square shaped, a plurality of gravity driven carts movable along the belt, a plurality of overhead manipulators detached from the carts and mounted on the belt, a first guide formed on a lower surface of the belt and defining a travel route for the overhead cart manipulators, a second guide formed on an upper surface of the belt and defining a travel route for the carts, and a plurality of stations, located along the belt along the second guide such that the carts and the overhead manipulators can arrive at the stations.

Abstract: Implementations of the present invention contemplate utilizing the communicative connections between a telematics service provider (TSP), a communication device, and a telematics unit in a vehicle parked in a multilevel parking garage to determine location information of the vehicle and to provide such information to a subscriber of the TSP. A subscriber of a TSP may transmit a request for information pertaining to the location of a vehicle parked within a multilevel parking structure from a communication device. Upon the receipt of such a request, the TSP provides the information requested by the subscriber. In various implementations, the providing of such information by the TSP may involve querying the telematics unit in the vehicle or querying a database storing location information pertaining to one or more vehicles and may further involve performing calculations to derive the information requested by the communication device.

Abstract: A three-dimensional urban road system capable of intensively utilizing land and avoiding traffic jam is provided, including a straight section, a longitudinal slope section and an intersection. The straight section and the intersection are connected to form a road network. The longitudinal slope section is connected with the straight section, realizing connection between the straight section and the ground. The straight section includes a bottom road, a parking layer and a running layer; parallel ramps for small cars only arranged such that small cars in the straight section can switch among the three layers. Roads are changed into three layers: the upper running layer for small cars; the middle parking layer, a transfer layer for parking and connecting the ground road and the upper running layer; and the bottom road for large vehicles. Large vehicles and small cars are completely shunted, thus effectively solving the problem of traffic jam.

Abstract: A cross street station and interchange for use at the intersection of a local traffic artery with significant pedestrian-oriented improvements and features that runs between but not through two communities and a primary traffic artery that divides two dissimilar communities. It uses a variable bi-level regional mass transit platform for ticketed passengers lowered from the upper level of the cross street station and interchange to the street level and provide a platform level with the regional mass transit vehicle floor and a ramp to the height elevation of the sidewalk to disembark arriving regional mass transit passengers and allow for the boarding of the new mass transit passengers. The cross street station and interchange includes in close proximity to this platform a metropolitan mass transit stop on the primary traffic artery and local community transit services stop on the local traffic artery that can also accommodate paratransit passengers.

Abstract: An improved entranceway to an enclosure for people and/or vehicles including a frame having a pair of laterally-spaced side wall portions and a top wall portion which, combined, encompass an inclined pathway. The frame is adapted for contact with an exterior wall of the enclosure and is placed in surrounding relation to a first opening therein, the side wall portions extending outwardly from the exterior wall on opposite sides of the inclined pathway. The inclined pathway and the side and top wall portions cooperate so as to define a second opening distally located to the exterior wall. The first opening has a lower boundary and the second opening has an upper boundary, with the lower boundary being at an elevation higher than that of the upper boundary. In use, the presence of a temperature differential within the entranceway causes warmer air to be sustainably trapped in an upper portion of the entranceway and above the upper boundary.

Abstract: A multi-storied garage having an energy efficient ventilation system that incorporates a unique window array and vertically mounted energy producing wind turbines located in a corner of the garage structure that would otherwise be unusable for vehicle parking.

Abstract: The system described provides a single stop shopping facility that is capable of providing not only various goods and services to a consumer, but also dispensing various types of fuel to meet the needs of different types of vehicles. The various types of fuel supported may include liquefied natural gas (“LNG”), compressed natural gas (“CNG”), hydrogen, electricity, fuel cells, bioalcohol fuels including ethanol, methanol, and butonal, biogas, biodiesel, or biomass fuels, as well as more traditional fuel types, such as gasoline and diesel fuel.

Abstract: A mixed-use development that includes one or more buildings in an approximate L-shape along a parcel of land wherein one elongate axis of the one or more buildings in an approximate L-shape is positioned substantially parallel to a first edge of the parcel of land. The first edge of the parcel of land may be positioned near a road or sidewalk. A separate building that has an axis that is substantially parallel to one of the axis of the one or more buildings in an approximate L-shape may be positioned near the one or more buildings in an approximate L-shape to form an approximate U-shape of buildings with a green space in the interior of the U-shape of buildings. The green space may be elevated above ground level. A method of designing a mixed-use development is also provided.

Abstract: A transportation system for rider propelled vehicles, zero-emission vehicles, and pedestrians is disclosed. The system includes pathways (517, 317, 717, 519, 119, 319, 719, 919, 523, 123, 323, 723, 923, 525, 325, 725) that are integrated into a building structure (101) or a series of building structures (100, 300, 500, 700, 900) connected by bridges (34, 35, 36, 37, 30, 31, 32, 33) which have an overall downward sloping grade. Elevators (515, 520, 522, 527, 115, 120, 122, 127, 315, 320, 322, 327, 715, 720, 722, 727, 915, 920, 922, 927) are utilized to transport riders, vehicles, and pedestrians to the integrated pathway.

Abstract: A pre-engineered building (50) includes a patient service enclosure (62) and a mobile imaging unit enclosure (64) sharing a common wall (66) to seamlessly wrap a mobile imaging unit (18, 56) within the mobile imaging unit enclosure (64) of the building (50), thereby providing patient service rooms (94) integral with an adjacent the mobile imaging unit (18, 56). Walls (66, 70, 72, 74, 84, 86, 88) of the building (50) are pre-engineered so that the walls (66, 70, 72, 74, 84, 86, 88) are manufactured in panelized configurations that may include structural support components, exterior sheathing, and utility components prior to installation of the walls (66, 70, 72, 74, 84, 86, 88) upon a foundation (58) supporting the pre-engineered building (50).

Abstract: A vehicular drive-thru food ordering and delivering system and method are provided. The system includes a lot, a drive-thru lane and a building for receiving and filling drive-thru orders. The building has a primary food delivery window for passing ready orders to drive-thru customers, and a downstream in-line parking area for drive-thru vehicles having a delayed order. Proximate to and downstream from the primary food delivery window is a doorway for attendant access from the primary food delivery window to the downstream in-line parking area. An attendant runway is proximate and downstream of the doorway and proximate to the in-line vehicle waiting area. A customer with a delayed order can be directed to wait in the downstream in-line waiting area. When the delayed order is ready for delivery, an attendant can deliver the ready order via the proximate doorway and proximate attendant runway to a vehicle waiting in the in-line vehicle waiting area.

Abstract: A vehicular drive-thru food ordering and delivering system and method are provided. The system includes a lot, a drive-thru lane and a building for receiving and filling drive-thru orders. The building has a primary food delivery window for passing ready orders to drive-thru customers, and a downstream in-line parking area for drive-thru vehicles having a delayed order. Proximate to and downstream from the primary food delivery window is a doorway for attendant access from the primary food delivery window to the downstream in-line parking area. An attendant runway is proximate and downstream of the doorway and proximate to the in-line vehicle waiting area. A customer with a delayed order can be directed to wait in the downstream in-line waiting area. When the delayed order is ready for delivery, an attendant can deliver the ready order via the proximate doorway and proximate attendant runway to a vehicle waiting in the in-line vehicle waiting area.

Abstract: An architectural structure comprises a core column structure (1), a plurality of recessed platform structures (2) vertically spaced apart from each other and supported by the column structure, and landfill filled in the recessed platform structures form plots. A water reticulation system moves through all the plots from a central water supply system. Dwellings (4) are built on the plots.

Abstract: A mixed-use pedestrian-oriented parking structure, includes at least two sequential multi-level parking units; a series of one-directional parking access aisles; angled parking around a central atrium and parallel parking at the outer edge of the parking decks; a liner building surrounding the parking units on at least one side of each parking unit; and a multi-use buffer corridor defining an interface between the parking units and the liner building which includes at least one common wall with the buffer corridor, the wall including passages for access to and from the buffer corridor.

Abstract: A multistory, multiple dwelling unit building complex includes at least one three story module wherein first and third levels include one or more dwelling units serviced by an elevator. A corridor is provided on an intermediate level and stairways extend between the dwelling units on the first and third levels and the corridor. Exit stairways also extend between the corridor and the first and third levels and may be accessed directly from vestibules associated with the elevator or from other doorways between stairway landings and respective dwelling units.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a drive-in movie theater and/or events center preferably located on top of one or more parking garages located at a shopping mall or other similar complex. The drive-in theater preferably has a short range radio broadcast system that can send radio signals to cars on the parking garage, wherein movie-goers can listen to the movie sound tracks on their own car stereos/radios. When needed, the present system contemplates having more than one transmitter, each operating at the same or different frequency, so that the effective service range of each transmitter can be made within limited guidelines set by the FCC. The drive-in theater can be combined with an events center and connected to a shopping mall where access to restaurants and retail establishments can be provided.

Abstract: Barrier-free multiple level residential housing can be constructed by employing ramps between adjacent housing levels where the housing levels are offset by one half the normal full story height found in multiple story houses. The ramps are constructed in a stacked and side-by-side manner so that the full standard height between housing levels is maintained between the ramps that are stacked one above the other.

Abstract: Barrier-free multiple level residential housing can be constructed by employing ramps between adjacent housing levels where the housing levels are offset by one half the normal full story height found in multiple story houses. The ramps are constructed in a stacked and side-by-side manner so that the full standard height between housing levels is maintained between the ramps that are stacked one above the other.

Abstract: A multistory apartment building complex may comprise vertically stacked modules and includes one or more vehicle parking levels grade and one or more dwelling unit levels vertically stacked above the vehicle parking levels. At least one of the parking levels includes private garages for at least selected ones of the dwelling units and occupants of the selected dwelling units may move between their own garage and their dwelling unit via an elevator extending directly to the individual dwelling units on each level. The elevators may also serve plural dwelling units on each dwelling unit level. A service corridor is provided on selected dwelling unit levels which may be accessed by a service elevator or spaced apart stairways to provide secondary access between each dwelling unit on each dwelling unit level and street level. Each dwelling unit may include a small service room having a lockable door between the service room and the dwelling unit and a door opening to the service corridor.

Abstract: A multi-story apartment or condominium building complex includes one or more vehicle parking levels above or below grade and one or more dwelling unit levels vertically stacked above the vehicle parking levels. At least one of the parking levels includes private garages for at least selected ones of the dwelling units and occupants of the selected dwelling units may move between their garage and their dwelling unit through an interior corridor at the parking level and an elevator extending directly to the individual dwelling units on each level. The elevators may serve one, two or several dwelling units on each dwelling unit level. A service corridor is provided on each dwelling unit level which may be accessed by a service elevator or spaced apart stairways to provide secondary access between each dwelling unit level and street level.

Abstract: A dwelling system having a housing for enclosing an oversized vehicle where the oversized vehicle is generally an oversized vehicle such as a large truck, a recreational vehicle or a mobile home, for example. In one embodiment, the housing uses oversized doors with mock doors and windows such that the oversized garage enclosure is externally concealed. In another embodiment, the garage includes components that are vertically actuable so as to accommodate ingress and egress of an oversized vehicle.

Abstract: An aircraft terminal/hangar facility having the passenger areas and maintenance/hangar areas located in the same building such that the two area are separate but adjoining and transverse with respect to each other.

Abstract: A multilevel building including a first row of personal occupancy spaces arranged on one side of one level of the building which is above ground level, a second row of personal occupancy spaces arranged on an opposite side of the one level of the building, an elevated street arranged on the one level of the building between the first and second rows of personal occupancy spaces, and at least one helical ramp for carrying a vehicle between the ground level outside the building and the elevated street inside the building.

Abstract: A dwelling system having a housing which lacks plumbing. The housing is elevated so as to accept a portable unit below the housing. The housing uses a mating structure to provide bi-directional access through the roof of the portable unit that plumbing is provided by the portable unit.

Abstract: A building for housing an ordered collection of items--for example, a library, archive, or patent office--places the items along a spiral arm (1), and makes the items easily movable with wheeled cases, so that the collection can grow. Preferably the spiral is housed in a spiral building arm starting at a central building (2) and winding outward, with interconnecting legs (2) providing access to the far reaches of the arm. The building never becomes too small because the end (E) of the building can be extended gradually. As the collection grows, the cases are merely pushed along to make room as needed. The collection never gets out of order.

Abstract: An underground construction has: a circumference wall forming therein a cone shaped space; plural support members located at the circumference of the cone shaped space at vertically the same height; floor construction bodies each having plural bed beams and a floor portion, the ends of the bed beams being supported by the support members, and the floor portions being disposed in the middle of the cone shaped space at a fixed interval from the circumference wall.No pillars for supporting the floors are needed, thereby leaving a maximum clear space on the floors for use.

Abstract: A three-dimensional structure adapted to be assembled dissociably and placed on a substantially flat surface is disclosed. This structure includes a plurality of upright support members each integrally molded from concrete, the upright support members each including a base portion extending horizontally with a predetermined width, and being to be placed on the surface; and an upright portion extending upwardly from the base portion, and having opposite side surfaces defining a widthwise thickness and opposite end surfaces defining a horizontal length. These upright support members are spaced from each other in a horizontally transverse direction and a horizontally longitudinal direction. Transversely adjacent upright support members are connected together by beam means, while longitudinally adjacent upright support members are connected together by connecting means.

Abstract: A multistory, multiple dwelling unit building complex includes a multistory vehicle parking garage having vertically spaced parking decks which are disposed at the same elevations as the building corridors or breezeways which provide pathways to dwelling unit entrances in the buildings at various levels. Bridges or catwalks interconnect each parking deck with a corresponding corridor or breezeway at each floor of each building so that an occupant of a particular unit in a building may move between the unit entrance and a corresponding parking deck in the garage without changing elevation. The buildings may be clustered around plural sides of the garage with each building being connected to the garage by vertically spaced bridges or catwalks connecting the respective building levels with a corresponding parking deck. The garage may include elevators, stairways, trash disposal ducts and mailbox clusters at one or more corners of the garage.

Abstract: A three-dimensional parking facility which includes an upper parking portion and a lower parking portion. The three-dimensional parking facility further includes a device for swinging the upper parking portion and the lower parking portion. The swinging device is supported by a member running along a horizontal axis on a solid foundation.

Abstract: A multi-level parking lot made from prefabricated reinforced concrete modular elements is disclosed. The modular elements include plural parking compartments with defined parts for passage between the compartments and approach routes for entering the parking lot. The parking compartments include connecting plates and integral units with four columns, each integral unit including a slab integreal with and resting on the four columns. A steel pipe protrudes from an upper surface of the column for interfitting engagement with a corresponding hole in the connecting plate. The individual units bear against themselves in a stable manner by virtue of their weight without the need for any linking connections therebetween.

Abstract: The facility consists of a silo module of either reinforced concrete or steel, built above or below ground level, or partly above and partly below ground level. The central section of the silo interior is occupied by a handling unit that can be of an electromechanical type, for the transfer of automobiles onto the lateral storage stalls and their retrieval. The incoming and outgoing automobile handling operations are carried out by means of metal platforms on which the automobiles are loaded. The platforms are hoisted and transferred horizontally by the electromechanical unit. The platform holding the incoming vehicle is hoisted to the level at which a free place is found available and then moved horizontally and made rest on stationary iron brackets abutting from the silo module walls and located on various levels. The module can be provided with a sole doorway to be used as both entry and exit, and alternatively, can have two doorways opposing each other, one for entry and the other for exit.

Abstract: A multi-story parking facility comprises a double helical descending ramp structure in the shape of a rectangle, a pair of ascending ramps located on each side and sandwiching the double helical descending ramp structure therebetween, and a pair of connecting passages provided on each floor for connecting the double helical descending ramp structure and the ascending ramps. The ascending ramps are provided with parking spaces on one or both sides thereof. The pair of connecting passages provided on each floor are positioned symmetrically about the center of the descending ramp structure. The above configuration permits speedy entry and exit of cars to realize a high turnover and accommodation efficiency.

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.

Abstract: A multi-level parking lot made from prefabricated reinforced concrete modular elements is disclosed. The modular elements include plural parking compartments with defined paths for passage between the compartments and approach routes for entering the parking lot. The parking compartments include connecting plates and integral units with four columns, each integral unit including a slab integral with and resting on the four columns. A steel pipe protrudes from an upper surface of the column for interfitting engagement with a corresponding hole in the connecting plate. The individual units bear against themselves in a stable manner by virtue of their weight without the need for any linking connections therebetween.

Abstract: Multi-story car park, comprising parking floors divided into lanes having a width approximately equal to the length of the vehicle, and a length which is a multiple of the width of the vehicle, these lanes being sub-divided into elevator lanes (2), in which there are elevators to move the vehicle vertically, fixed space lanes (4) for the parking of vehicles, and flexible space lanes (3) situated between the elevator lanes (2) and the fixed space lanes (4).

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.

Abstract: A crossroad includes two roads intersected with each other. One of the roads is level and straight, and the other road is provided with a pair of second dimensional passages, such as tunnels, subways or elevated roadways, each with a respective bypass merging into one side thereof. The entrance of each passage is provided adjacent to and a short distance from the level road. The exit of each passage is provided adjacent to the opposite side of the level road.

Abstract: A structure for garaging motor vehicles such as cars comprising a plurality of circular crown-shaped carousels mounted for rotation with respect to each other about a vertical axis. Driving means and control means maintain the carousels in rotation at mutually differential speeds. Each carousel has fixed thereto a plurality of radial sectors arranged sequentially and partially superimposed to define a saw-toothed configuration comprising a plurality of planes inclined arranged to accommodate at least one row of motor vehicles at a narrowest interior portion thereof closest to the axis of rotation. The sectors are spaced apart to allow the passage of motor vehicles from one sector to an adjacent one. One or more entrances are provided at the top of the structure for access to a radial section of the uppermost carousel passing the entrance. Motor vehicles can then be driven downwardly to lower carousels along a substantially helical path to an exit at the base of the structure.

Abstract: A place-on type assemblable structure comprising an assembly element having a base plate to be placed on a substantially flat surface and a pillar extending upwardly from the base plate, in which a vertical load acting on the pillar is borne substantially by the base plate. This structure needs not to be fixed to the flat surface, and therefore can be assembled and disassembled in the field and reutilized without scrapping.

Abstract: In the spaced between a plurality of airplanes that are supported by a rotatable bottom wall of an airplane hangar, lifting platforms are mounted on pivoting levers. The lifting platforms are adapted to support further airplanes on an elevated level. The lifting platforms can be lowered, thereby moving translationally in a radial outward direction. A single hydraulic cylinder arrangement is mounted in a sector containing a movable door section of the hangar peripheral wall. Each lifting platform, upon rotation into that sector, is automatically coupled to the cylinder arrangement for swinging the lifting platform downwards onto the level of the rotatable bottom wall. The lifting platform, after having been raised again, is automatically disengaged from the cylinder arrangement when it leaves that sector.

Abstract: Multiple level, horizontal parking lanes are provided with self park automotive access from intermediate drive lanes inclined transversely to the direction of automotive travel therealong.

Abstract: A parking garage building comprising a plurality of stories with each story having parking spaces marked thereon. The plurality of stories are divided into blocks of several stories each. An access ramp is connected to each story. A plurality of egress ramps are attached to the building with each egress ramp ascending from ground to one of the blocks without access to any lower block. Each egress ramp has access to each story of its associated block. The ramps can be arranged in helical fashion on the outside of the building.

Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus for elevating a mobile workover rig to an elevated operating position proximate wellhead. It includes a portable platform arranged for positioning proximate the wellhead with the platform having a fixed generally horizontal upper surface portion for receiving and supporting the wheels of the rig thereon. It also includes ram means comprising two longitudinally aligned portions connected to the platform for forming an inclined ramp extending from the upper surface of the platform to the ground for moving the rig thereonto. It also includes means connected to the ramp means for raising at least one of the portions of the rig to an elevated generally horizontal position substantially the same height as the upper surface of the platform while wheels of the rig are supported thereon to thereby elevate and support the rig in the elevated operating position.

Abstract: A parking garage includes a plurality of closely spaced, vertically extending columns arranged in files to form a regular array. The close column spacing largely eliminates the need for beams, spandrels, safety walls, guardrails, or cables previously used to connect adjacent columns. Two of the files form external garage walls whose columns each include portions which are offset with respect to a vertical column centerline. The offset portions alternate vertically and any given offset portion either projects or is recessed with respect to the offset portions immediately above and below it. Each offset portion faces a corresponding offset portion on an adjacent column so that all of the offset portions create a pattern when viewed from a distance. The appearance thus created eliminates the need for curtain walls or any other facade.

Abstract: The combination of a sheet of individual tiles attached together being mounted to a fiber glass shell and the method of constructing same. A plurality of panels are attached by adhesive means to a fiber glass shell. Each panel includes a plurality of individual tiles having edge portions attached to the edge portions of adjacent tile. The panels and the fiber glass shell are produced at a location remote from the final construction site. The fiber glass shell, configured as a shower stall or as a bathtub enclosure, is attached to a plurality of upright wooden studs. Tabs are provided on the fiber glass shell to receive conventional fastening devices extending into the studs. The fiber glass shell is provided with a rough, inwardly facing surface which adhesively receives the plurality of panels. In one embodiment, the shell includes a thickened top rib positioned flush with the panels whereas another embodiment includes a trim strip blending the panels into the shell.