Multi-tier parking lot with a waterproof parking space under each ground parking space

Abstract

A parking lot having a plurality of parking spaces with a waterproof underground structure therebelow as an additional parking space is provided. The underground structure has a first waterproof member mounted around opening. A hydraulically-powered platform is mounted in the underground structure. A hydraulically-powered cover has a peripheral second waterproof member. In response to parking an automobile on the platform the platform is activated to lower and the cover is adapted to close onto the underground structure, and the second waterproof member is sealingly engaged with the first waterproof member when the platform lowers to a stop position in the underground structure.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The invention relates to multi-tier parking structures and more particularly to a parking lot having a plurality of parking spaces with a waterproof underground structure therebelow as an additional parking space.

2. Description of Related Art

Parking in urban areas has become increasingly difficult due to less space available. Hence, how to effectively utilize a few available parking spaces is an important issue.

Nowadays, many multi-storey car parks or the like are constructed worldwide for saving parking spaces. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,302,634 and 5,374,150 disclose multi-tier parking lot. Thus, continuing improvements in the exploitation of multi-tier parking structure are constantly being sought.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore one object of the invention to provide a parking lot having a plurality of parking spaces with a waterproof underground structure therebelow as an additional parking space.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of multi-tier parking structure according to the invention;

FIG. 2A is a longitudinal sectional view of the parking structure of FIG. 1 where the platform have been lowered to be flush with the ground to allow a car to park thereon;

FIG. 2B is a view similar to FIG. 2A where the platform is being further lowered in the underground structure and the cover is pivoting downward at the same time;

FIG. 2C is a view similar to FIG. 2A where the platform has been fully lowered to a stop position in the underground structure and the cover is flush with the ground to conceal the car;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of multi-tier parking structure according to the invention;

FIG. 4A is a longitudinal sectional view of the parking structure of FIG. 3 where the platform have been lowered to be flush with the ground to allow a car to park thereon;

FIG. 4B is a view similar to FIG. 4A where the platform is being further lowered in the underground structure with the cover being lowered at the same time;

FIG. 4C is a view similar to FIG. 4A where the platform has been fully lowered to a stop position in the underground structure and the cover has been lowered to be flush with the ground to conceal the car;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a third preferred embodiment of multi-tier parking structure according to the invention;

FIG. 6A is a view similar to FIG. 5 where a car is parked on the platform and the platform is flush with the ground;

FIG. 6B is a view similar to FIG. 6A where the platform is being lowered in the underground structure and the cover is moving to partially conceal the underground structure; and

FIG. 6C is a view similar to FIG. 6A where the platform has been fully lowered to a stop position in the underground structure and the cover has been moved to fully conceal the underground structure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 2C, a multi-tier parking structure in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the invention is shown. The parking structure is one of a plurality of such structures of a parking lot. The parking structure comprises a rectangular underground structure 10, an automobile jack 20, a platform 30, and a cover 40. Each component is discussed in detail below.

A space 11 is defined in the underground structure 10. The underground structure 10 has four walls of steel and a bottom of steel. Further, concrete is filled between the steel walls and bottom and the ground so as to fix the underground structure 10 in the soil in construction. Moreover, a first waterproof member 12 made of rubber is adhered to four top edges of the underground structure 10. Alternatively, the first waterproof member 12 is made of plastic or similar materials having excellent waterproof property.

The jack 20 is a hydraulic device and comprises two X-shaped supports 21 mounted between the platform 30 and the bottom of the underground structure 10. The jack 20 can be activated to raise or lower the platform 30 as known in the art.

The cover 40 is rectangular and has a second waterproof member 41 made of rubber adhered to four edges thereof. Alternatively, the second waterproof member 41 is made of plastic or similar materials having excellent waterproof property. The cover 40 is hingedly secured to one top edge of the underground structure 10. The cover 40 is controlled by the jack 20 in opening or closing operation (i.e., they activate and operate at the same time). The cover 40 is shaped to conform to the top edges of the underground structure 10 so that the second waterproof member 41 is adapted to tightly engage with the first waterproof member 12 when the cover 40 is closed onto the underground structure 10 by pivoting (see FIG. 2C).

It is contemplated by the invention that the parking structure is a waterproof, structurally strong one. The operation of the parking structure is as follows. First, a driver drives his or her car 50 onto the platform 30 which is flush with the ground (see FIG. 2A). Next, the driver or a parking lot employee activates the jack 20 manually or by means of a remote control. The jack 20 thus lowers the platform 30 and the cover 40 also pivots downward (see FIG. 2B). Finally, the platform 30 is fully lowered to a stop position in the underground structure 10 and the cover 40 is flush with the ground to conceal the car 50 (see FIG. 2C).

Referring to FIG. 2C in conjunction with FIG. 1, the second waterproof member 41 of the cover 40 is adapted to tightly engage with the first waterproof member 12 of the underground structure 10 when the cover 40 is closed onto the underground structure 10. Hence, the underground structure 10 is waterproof so as to protect the car 50 therein. It is also noted that the cover 40 is closed onto the underground structure 10 when the underground structure 10 is not occupied by a car (i.e., the underground structure 10 is closed and waterproof) so as to prevent water or other foreign objects from getting in.

Referring to FIGS. 3 to 4C, a multi-tier parking structure in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the invention is shown. The characteristics of the second preferred embodiment are detailed below. The cover 40 has four corners being supported by four telescopic hydraulic pistons 42 of four hydraulic cylinders (not shown) which are mounted at four corners of the underground structure 10. For parking a car, the cover 40 is first lifted by raising the hydraulic pistons 42 (see FIG. 3). At the same time, the jack 20 is lifted until the platform 30 is flush with the ground (see FIG. 4A). Thereafter, a driver may drive his or her car 50 onto the platform 30. Next, the driver or a parking lot employee activates the jack 20 manually or by means of a remote control. The jack 20 thus lowers the platform 30 and the hydraulic pistons 42 also retract into the hydraulic cylinders to lower the cover 40 (see FIG. 4B). Finally, the platform 30 is fully lowered to a stop position in the underground structure 10 and the cover 40 is flush with the ground to conceal the car 50 (see FIG. 4C).

Referring to FIGS. 5 to 6C, a multi-tier parking structure in accordance with a third preferred embodiment of the invention is shown. The characteristics of the third preferred embodiment are detailed below. The cover 40 is provided as a conveyor having two bottom grooves (not shown) moveably put on two parallel rails 43 to the right of the underground structure 10 (see FIG. 5). Moreover, a driving mechanism (not shown) including chains, gears, and a motor is provided for activating both the jack 20 and the cover 40. Hence, the cover 40 is capable of moving along the rails 43 in operation. For parking a car, the cover 40 is open by moving along the rails 43 to its rightmost stop position (see FIG. 5). A driver may drive his or her car 50 onto the platform 30. Next, the driver or a parking lot employee activates the jack 20 manually or by means of a remote control. The jack 20 thus lowers the platform 30 with the cover 40 being moved leftward as a result of the activation of the driving mechanism (see FIG. 6B). Finally, the platform 30 is fully lowered to a stop position in the underground structure 10 and the cover 40 moves to the top of the underground structure 10 to conceal the car 50 (see FIG. 6C).

It is contemplated by the invention that the cover 40 flush with the ground can be utilized as another parking space when the underground structure 10 is occupied by the car 50. Therefore, the purpose of constructing a multi-tier parking structure is achieved. Further, the underground structure 10 is waterproof.

While the invention herein disclosed has been described by means of specific embodiments, numerous modifications and variations could be made thereto by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention set forth in the claims.

Claims

1. A parking lot having a plurality of parking spaces and a plurality of parking structures coinciding with the parking spaces, the parking structure comprising:

an underground structural member with an rectangular top opening and a space defined therein, the underground structural member including a first waterproof member mounted around the opening;

a hydraulically-powered platform mounted on the bottom of the underground structural member, the platform being adapted to raise out of the underground structural member or lower into the underground structural member;

a hydraulic mechanism; and

a cover shaped to conform to the opening of the underground structural member and including a peripheral second waterproof member, the cover being operable by activating the hydraulic mechanism;

wherein in response to parking an automobile on the platform the platform is activated to lower and the hydraulic mechanism is activated to cause the cover to close onto the opening of the underground structural member, and the second waterproof member is sealingly engaged with the first waterproof member when the platform lowers to a stop position in the underground structural member.

2. The parking lot of claim 1, wherein the cover is hingedly secured to one side of the opening of the underground structural member.

3. The parking lot of claim 1, wherein the hydraulic mechanism comprises four hydraulic cylinders mounted at four corners of the underground structural member, the hydraulic cylinders having four telescopic hydraulic pistons secured to four bottom corners of the cover.

4. The parking lot of claim 1, wherein the cover further comprises two parallel bottom grooves and the hydraulic mechanism comprises two parallel rails with the grooves slidably put thereon, and wherein in response to parking an automobile on the platform, lowering the platform, and activating the hydraulic mechanism the cover is adapted to move along the rails to close onto the opening of the underground structural member.