Abstract: A mechanism for moving vehicles within a vehicle parking structure comprises a lift platform which can be moved vertically and laterally to positions in register with one or more transfer rooms through which vehicles enter and leave the structure and a selected parking space of the structure. A vehicle transfer mechanism is carried on the platform and includes four self-powered tractors carrying lift arms that can be driven off the platform to engage the tires of a vehicle and to transfer that vehicle onto the platform for transportation between a transfer room and a parking space. The tractors, when deployed, pass outside the vehicle tires with the lift arms folded and can then be operated to extend the arms in a way that engages the tires and lifts the vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention as disclosed herein is an improved vehicle parking structure and method for using the same. The vehicle parking structure provides for the automated storage and retrieval of vehicles in response to user inputs. In one aspect, the vehicle parking structure comprises one or more transfer rooms in which a vehicle operator may deposit and later retrieve a vehicle, a plurality of parking spaces of either fixed or variable dimensions, and one or more vehicle transporters used to move vehicles from the one or more transfer rooms to the plurality of parking spaces. The one or more vehicle transporters are in turn each preferably comprised of one or more vertical stabilizers, one or more tractors, one or more lifts, a lifting platform, and a dolly. The vehicle transporters move the lifting platform and dolly so that the dolly may be positioned to access a vehicle located in a transfer room or parking space.

Abstract: A mechanism for moving vehicles within a vehicle parking structure comprises a lift platform which can be moved vertically and laterally to positions in register with one or more transfer rooms through which vehicles enter and leave the structure and a selected parking space of the structure. A vehicle transfer mechanism is carried on the platform and includes four self-powered tractors carrying lift arms that can be driven off the platform to engage the tires of a vehicle and to transfer that vehicle onto the platform for transportation between a transfer room and a parking space. The tractors, when deployed, pass outside the vehicle tires with the lift arms folded and can then be operated to extend the arms in a way that engages the tires and lifts the vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention as disclosed herein is an improved vehicle parking structure and method for using the same. The vehicle parking structure provides for the automated storage and retrieval of vehicles in response to user inputs. In one aspect, the vehicle parking structure comprises one or more transfer rooms in which a vehicle operator may deposit and later retrieve a vehicle, a plurality of parking spaces of either fixed or variable dimensions, and one or more vehicle transporters used to move vehicles from the one or more transfer rooms to the plurality of parking spaces. The one or more vehicle transporters are in turn each preferably comprised of one or more vertical stabilizers, one or more tractors, one or more lifts, a lifting platform, and a dolly. The vehicle transporters move the lifting platform and dolly so that the dolly may be positioned to access a vehicle located in a transfer room or parking space.