Vertical integrated parking system

Abstract

A vertically integrated parking system whereby the parking spots are attached to certain apartments or offices in a residential or commercial building. The parking system provides in the residential building parking spots for certain residential apartments such that the parking spot is located on the same floor as the apartment. The parking system includes various safety precaution devices such as carbon monoxide and nitrous dioxide detectors to protect residents of the building and an infrared detector system is used to guide and avoid damage to the automobiles.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the priority of provisional application Ser. No. 60/951,746 filed in the United States Patent and Trademark Office on Jul. 25, 2007.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention is generally directed to a vertical integrated parking system whereby a parking garage is attached to an apartment on the same floor as the apartment. Typically people park their cars in a garage located in the building of their residence, on the street or in a garage located some distance away. In the latter instances, the driver has to walk a distance to get to his residence and this can be burdensome if carrying heavy items or there is inclement weather. In addition, if privacy is a concern, parking a distance away from your apartment building is not desired. As for the garage attached to the residential building, the garage is usually in the underground portion of the building, still requiring the driver to carry items a long distance to his residence. There have been some attempts to incorporate a parking garage on the same floor as a residence. However, certain safety precautions, security measures and privacy issues were not contemplated and therefore, these parking systems have not become widely used in urban areas. Accordingly, there is a need for an integrated parking system that will address the convenience and safety and security concerns that this type of system requires.

Accordingly, with the increasing problematic parking situation in cities, the idea of having parking attached to one's residence in a way which is feasible is desireable. The invention relates to a residential apartment building having several floors and apartments with parking spots located on the same floor as the apartment. This type of parking system allows the tenants of the building to have the convenience of parking right outside their apartment as well as enhanced privacy entering and leaving the building.

There is a need for a parking system which incorporates a freight elevator in the building as a car lift which transports the car from the ground floor to the apartment floor where the driver can pull into his parking spot just outside his apartment. When the tenant desires to leave, the car lift will transport the car back down to the ground level. In addition to providing the convenience of a parking space right outside the apartment, such a parking system would also need to incorporate many safety precautions and security devices that have not been addressed in the past to conform with current safety standards and codes.

There is a need, for example, to protect the residents of the building from CO and NO2 by installing CO and NO2 detecting devices in the parking spot and the car lift. Such detectors would need to detect certain preset potentially dangerous levels of CO and NO2 and activate a ventilation system to air out the areas to lower the levels. There is also a need for a parking system which utilizes a sophisticated video monitor system that will authorize access to the building and parking system for enhanced security as well as guide the driver throughout the parking system by assisting the driver with proper alignment of the vehicle when pulling in and out of the car lift and the parking spot. Accordingly, an improved vertical integrated parking system which provides for the convenience of parking adjacent to one's apartment while providing enhanced safety and efficiency in a complex urban environment is provided.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is generally directed to a parking system for automobiles or other motor vehicles in a residential or commercial building with a plurality of residential apartments or commercial spaces in the building with a parking spot for an automobile associated with at least one residential apartment or commercial space located on the same floor of the residential apartment or commercial space, a car lift for transporting the automobile from a ground floor to the parking spot and back to the ground floor, a first set of safety precaution devices installed in the parking spot to protect the automobile and residents or users in the building, and a second set of safety precaution devices installed in the car lift to protect the automobile and passengers.

The invention is also generally directed to a parking system whereby the parking spots are attached to certain apartments in a residential building.

An object of the parking system is to provide parking for certain residential apartments such that the parking spot is located on the same floor as the apartment and adjacent to the apartment.

A further object of the invention is to provide a parking system to provide parking adjacent to commercial spaces in a commercial building located on the same floor as the commercial space where the automobile or other vehicle can be driven into the parking space through the parking system.

Another object of the present invention is to create a parking system for a residential building in which parking spots are adjacent to residential units which meets the safety requirements of relevant Department of Building regulations.

Still another object of the parking system is to construct a system which can meet City Planning Commission requirements and is generally safe for use in a multistory urban building.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a parking system that is safe for the residents of a building by utilizing proper ventilation, carbon monoxide detection and fire safety precautions while providing easy access to private parking garages adjacent to their units.

Still other objects and advantages of the invention will, in part, be obvious and will, in part, be apparent from the specification.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combinations of elements and arrangements of parts which will be exemplified in the construction as hereinafter set forth, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the Claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the invention, reference is made to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a floor plan diagram of an apartment with a parking spot on the same floor;

FIG. 2 is a diagram of the entrance and exit for the automobiles on the ground floor of the building;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the inside of the car lift;

FIG. 4 is a flow chart diagram of the video guidance system at the entrance to the building;

FIG. 5 is a flow chart diagram of the video guidance system at the entrance to the car lift;

FIG. 6 is a diagram of the CO and NO2 detection system for the parking garage;

FIG. 7 is a diagram of the CO and NO2 detection system for the car lift;

FIG. 8 is a diagram the infrared detection system at the different locations of the parking system;

FIG. 9a is a flow chart diagram of the car lift door control sequence;

FIG. 9b is a flow chart diagram of the car lit drive through sequence; and

FIG. 10 is a floor plan of another embodiment of an apartment with a parking spot on the same floor.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In our increasingly complex and difficult urban environments, where space is at a premium and the interface of humans and automobiles clashes with the limitations of space and the increasingly expensive cost of space, people's needs to store and have ready access to their automobiles or other vehicles is generally unfulfilled. With higher and higher density living and working arrangements in urban and even suburban environments there is a desire for the convenience and safety of being able to drive one's car directly into a private parking area, without security or weather issues and access one's living space. Similarly, the ability to have one's vehicle essentially available, safely, within the confines of one's living space and then exit the building without the need to be exposed to the public is highly valued both as a more efficient means of utilizing a car in an urban environment and as a safer way of maintaining access to the car and transportation without suffering the vagaries of curbside parking, public parking garages or other less convenient and more dangerous options.

Reference is first made to FIG. 1, in which an apartment 200 in a building 150 (FIG. 2) has a parking spot 100 associated with and privately located on the apartment floor with access from parking spot 100 to apartment 200. The parking system includes a variety of elements described below which incorporate a parking garage 100 on the floor of a residential building, such as a condominium, cooperative controlled apartment or rental building, for example. In accordance with the invention, the occupant of the apartment will have direct access to his or her floor and perhaps the apartment directly when exiting the car.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 10, this is accomplished by including an individual parking space 100 on the same floor of certain apartments 200 in building 150. In a current preferred embodiment a residential building 150 is constructed with a private parking garage 100 for a single vehicle on each floor above the first floor, with each of the private parking garages 100 being associated with an apartment 200. In some cases, as shown in FIG. 10 there is only a single apartment 250 on each floor in which the private parking garage 150 is integrated into the layout of the floor with the access from the apartment 250 to the parking garage 150 being essentially within the confines of the apartment 250. In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, where there is more than one apartment 200 on the floor, there is a common area 210 that connects the garage 100 to the apartment 200.

Reference is next made to FIG. 2, wherein a plan view of the ground floor of building 150 is shown. As shown in FIG. 2, to access one's parking space 100, which is on the same floor as the user's apartment 200, the user driving a vehicle 50 enters the building 150 through building opening 300 and drives the vehicle 50 along the arrow marked path 310 to a car lift entrance 350.

At the building opening 300 there will be a security device 320 allowing access only to authorized users. Examples of contemplated security devices are: RFID tags, intercom to call the concierge, a key fob reader, key pad with code, or a biometrics touch sensor. It should be noted that these are just examples and other security devices could be implement. These devices control access to the doors 330 in building opening 300. Unless and until an authorized user car 50 approaches opening 300 the doors 330 are closed and no access to the inside of building 150 is available. The user's car 50 will also be provided with a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag 55 that will allow access to the parking system. This device acts like the highway toll RFID tags which allow drivers to pass through toll booths without stopping or handing money to a toll taker (like the EZ Pass device in use in New York), which will be keyed to allow access to the inside of building 150 and the user's apartment floor information so that the user does not have to manually press any buttons or show identification to someone while inside the car. However, if RFID Tag 55 is lost or stolen, or the user authorizes another car to enter his or her private parking garage 100, there is manual access to the building through security device 320 or by calling the concierge who will have both visual and audio contact with the area outside the building opening 300 via security device 320. A weight bearing device can be placed in the driveway outside the gates 330 to make sure there is actually a car present and not just a pedestrian. Infrared detectors 325 will be located at the building opening 300 to detect when the vehicle 50 moves through the opening 300. This allows for gates 330 to open and close when authorized vehicles approach and not harm either the vehicle or a pedestrian who may wander in or out or the gates 330 themselves. The infrared detectors 325 detect the car 50 moving inside the building 150 so that the gates 330 can close without coming into contact with or damaging the vehicle.

After the vehicle 50 clears gates 330, gates 330 close behind the vehicle 50 and the vehicle 50 passes an area 390 designated for unloading or loading a car. People who want to get out of the car can exit the car, or heavy packages which will be carried up by building staff can be removed from the car. Next, as the car 50 continues along path 310 it has the option of continuing straight into the elevator lift 400, or accessing the car bypass 385. Car bypass 385 would be useful for deliveries to be made to the building which aren't going to go up in the car elevator 400 or when someone is dropping off a resident inside but continuing outside without stopping and parking in the garage 100. The car bypass 385 avoids the elevator 400 and allows for direct exit out of building exit 372 through exit doorways 375. If a car 50 is larger and cannot not fit through the car bypass 385, there is a drive through button located on the device 340 to activate the drive through option 1200. As shown in the flow chart of FIG. 9b, when the drive through option is chosen 1210, as the car lift returns to the lobby and is empty of another car, both doors 500 and 510 will open 1215. The doors 500 and 510 are programmed 1220 to remain opened for a longer period of time to allow the car 50 to pass through. The system 1200 is also programmed to ignore the ID tag 55 until the car is completely out of the car lift 1225. Once the car 50 has cleared the car lift the doors 500 and 510 will close 1230.

Once the car 50 has made its way along path 310 to the car lift entrance 350, another security device 340 is provided. Again, this security device 340 could consist of an RFID reader, an intercom to call the concierge, a key fob reader, key pad with code, a biometrics touch sensor or other similar devices which provide secure access to the elevator 400. It is also possible to have at the car lift entrance 350 a call button 360 for the user to call the car lift 400 if the ID tag device is lost or not working. In most cases, such a call button would not directly operate the elevator 400, instead putting the user in touch with the concierge or other controlling individual who could provide the access to elevator 400 and direct the floor to which the elevator would take vehicle 50. Naturally, if there is only room for one vehicle in a parking garage 100, it is important not to direct a second vehicle to a parking garage 100 when it is filled. In addition, another infrared detector 326 and/or a weight sensor is provided to sense that a car 50 has pulled up to the car lift 400 entrance 350.

A video system 600 guides the driver as he moves within the car parking system as shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 5. A first video monitor 321 is located at the entrance to the building 300, and will display a “welcome message” 610 on its screen as shown in FIG. 4. When the infrared or other detectors (such as a weight sensor imbedded in the sidewalk outside of entrance 300) 325 detect a vehicle at the front entrance, video monitor 321, once the car has been authorized by system 320, will display move forward instruction 620 on its screen and a safety precaution message 630 will then be displayed. As the driver approaches the car lift entrance 350, another set of infrared or weight detectors 326 will detect the presence of the vehicle and a second video monitor 340 will alert the user to either enter the car lift 400 or that the car lift 400 is in use and the user must wait. The monitor 340 will also show the estimated time of arrival of the car lift 400 and the floor that car lift 400 is presently on. Because the system can only handle one car at a time in the car lift 400 there may be a backlog of cars waiting to get in or out of the parking garages 100. Monitor 340 will display a message in this case identifying the queue of lift requests that the system has to deal with before the user's car will be transported to the user's parking garage 100.

As shown in the flow chart in FIG. 9a, once the car lift 400 arrives, and entry lift door 500 (FIG. 3) opens 1105, the video monitor 340 will guide the user by issuing a pull the vehicle forward message 650 on its screen (FIG. 5), directing in step 1115 the vehicle 50 into the car lift 400. A third video monitor 370 is located inside the car lift 400 to guide the driver into car lift 400 for proper alignment of the vehicle 50 within lift 400. The door will remain open in step 1110 waiting to detect if the car 50 is properly aligned. Also provided in car lift 400 are another set of infrared detectors 450 for detecting the vehicle's position within car lift 400. Also provided are crash bars 460 along the walls to prevent a vehicle from smashing through the wall in the event of a sudden acceleration and to minimize damage to the vehicle 50 and car lift 400 in the case that the vehicle makes contact with car lift 400. Once the vehicle is properly aligned and pulled far enough into car lift 400 so that the entry lift door 500 can close and the vehicle 50 is not resting against exit lift door 510, the user will be instructed via a message displayed on video monitor 370 to turn the engine off in step 1145 for safety purposes. The system 1100 will wait a predetermined time in step 1150 for the driver to turn the engine off and then start the door closing process of steps 1125-1140. If the system 1100 detects in steps 1155-1175 that the car 50 is not properly aligned, the monitor 370 will issue a display message 660 to direct the user that he needs to realign the car 50. Once the car 50 is properly aligned a door closing warning message will be displayed in step 1125. Once the door is fully closed in step 1135, the car lift 400 will begin movement in step 1140. When the vehicle is in the car lift 400 and making its way to the indicated floor where the user's parking garage 100 is located, the video monitor 370 will display a floor number message 670. Once the car lift 400 has reached the proper floor, the video monitor 370 will issue a message 680 to the user start the engine and the doors will be opening shortly. Once the doors 500 are opened, the video monitor 370 will issue a display message 690 directing the user to slowly back the car out of the car lift 400 into the user's parking garage 100. Parking garage 100 is designed to leave enough room for the driver to exit through a car door, access the doors of the car and any trunk or hatch area and exit parking garage 100 on the user's floor for access into apartment 200, or common corridor 210 to the apartment 200 as shown in FIG. 1.

The car lift 400 may also contain traditional green, yellow and red traffic light indicators (not shown) to guide the user when pulling in. Infrared detectors 450, will also be located along the walls 410 of the car lift 400 to prevent the user from hitting the walls 410 and doors 500, 510 with car 50. Detectors 450 will beep or make an alerting sound and/or flash a visual signal as a proximity sensor if the user is close to hitting the walls 410 or doors 500, 510.

To exit the building with the car, the driver enters the parking garage 100 from his apartment 200, calls the car lift 400 by pressing either a button or signaling device in the parking garage 100 or on the RFID tag used for security 55, and drives into the lift 400 when the lift door 510 opens from his parking garage 100. The lift then brings the elevator 400 down to the ground floor, the lift exit door 510 opens and then the car 50 can advance on the ground floor out exit 372 of the building. Infrared detectors 327 will detect the presence of the car 50 and activate the opening of exit gates 375. The exit gates 375 will be opened in the same ways as the entry gates 330 and then the car 50 can exit to the street via exit doorway 372. As one can appreciate from FIG. 2, the entrance 300 and exit 372 of the parking system in accordance with the invention are on different faces of the building 150. This can be adjusted based on the traffic flow. In a preferred embodiment, the entrance and exit are set up to allow easy access to and from the building without the need to cross traffic in either direction. The entrance and exits could be set up in other embodiments to be on the same surface of the building or even set up to use the same gateway for entrance and egress from the building depending on the layout of the building and surrounding traffic flows.

In a preferred embodiment, the car lift 400 will stay at the lobby landing with the doors closed when the car lift is not in use, though other possibilities, such as remaining at the last floor that the car lift 400 was sent to or some central floor can be utilized as a sleep mode. The car lift 400 can perform as a single button collective operation with slight modification. Single Button Collective means that calls are answered one at a time, hall call then car call then hall call etc. Because we can only take one car at a time we must complete the trip and allow the auto to exit in order to answer the next hall call request. Single Button Down Collective means that calls are answered one at a time and that there are only down hall calls, no up calls as an up call is not an allowed request as cars do not exit in the up direction. The system works the same as the single button collective. Down Button Selective Collective means that car calls and hall calls are answered collectively in the down direction. As the elevator moves down towards the lobby, the elevator stops at each of the requested calls. In the up direction the elevator will go to the highest car call and then proceed to the highest down hall call. The present system when in normal operation will operate as a single button down collective. When the lift is on attendant operation it will operate as a down button selective collective.

Calls as they are entered will be queued as they arrive to the car lift controller. Since the car lift will be primarily used to move automobiles 50, only one call can be handled at a time. When a ground floor 350 call is answered at the lobby by either the radio tag 55 or the call button 360 or concierge or other remote access, the car lift will proceed to the lobby landing and open only its entry doors 500. When the doors 500 open, the automobile 50 will be signaled by the video control system 600 to enter the car lift 400. When the automobile 50 enters car lift 400, detectors 450 will indicate to the car lift system (number) that a car 50 has now boarded. The system will read the RFID tag 55 in the car and place a car lift call for the appropriate floor. If no RFID tag 55 is present elevator 400 will wait for a car call to be entered manually via call box 380 and the system will indicate on the monitor 370 that the radio ID tag 55 cannot be read. If the ID tag 55 is read properly the system will indicate the floor that the ID tag 55 corresponds to. When all sensors 450 are clear, car lift 400 will close its front doors 500 and proceed to the landing indicated in a non-stop fashion, and open its front doors 500 for the auto to back out of car lift 400.

Hall calls at the upper landings will be entered and queued by the car lift controller 1100 and handled on a first come first serve basis. When the car lift 400 is available it will proceed to the next call in the queue and open its doors 500 for the automobile to enter. The system 1100 will provide instructions and control signals to the car lift monitor 370 for the auto to enter. When the automobile 50 has boarded car lift 400 the system 1100 as shown in FIG. 9a, will place a call to the lobby. The car lift 400 will proceed to the lobby and open the rear doors 510. The car lift 400 will wait for the automobile 50 to exit the car lift 400 before proceeding to the next call. In the event that the car lift system 1100 receives a front lobby call, i.e. a new car looking to go from the lobby to its parking garage 100, while the car lift 400 is already in the process of going to the lobby to discharge an auto, or the car lift 400 is already in the process of discharging an auto at the lobby, the car lift 400 will respond to the front lobby call prior to answering a hall call above. Otherwise, after discharging the auto at the lobby the car lift will proceed to the next call above until all service requests are completed. When all requests are repeated the car lift will then park at the lobby landing with the doors closed.

The parking system constructed in accordance with the invention incorporates a variety of features and systems which make the system particularly suitable for incorporating a private parking spot on the floor of an apartment (or in a commercial context on the floor of an office). While the examples are those of a residential apartment, similar application in a commercial context can be achieved in accordance with the invention. In a preferred embodiment, the car lift 400 is preferably a freight elevator designed for class “B” loading. The weight capacity is preferably between about 6,000 and 12,000 pounds and more preferably about 8,000 lbs with a travel speed of between 100 and 500 FPM and more preferably about 350 FPM. The size of the freight elevator is between 9 feet and ten feet wide and preferably at least 9′4″ wide and between 18 and 22 feet deep and preferably at least 20′ 10″ deep. In order for tenants with cars to use this car lift, a video training course can be offered to the tenants so that they can comply with the requirements of operating a freight elevator. In some jurisdictions, like New York, the tenants must submit a signed statement that he/she has completed the video training course. At that time the tenant would be issued the RFID tag for the car.

A minimum of four different door standing open times can be provided. A car call time value shall predominate when only a car lift call is canceled. A hall call time value shall predominate whenever a hall call is canceled. In the event of a door reopen caused by the safety edge, photo eye, etc., a separate short door time value shall predominate. A separate door standing open time shall be available for lobby return. The door open times are adjustable from the controller. Long door time and short door time. Long door time keeps the door open a fixed minimum time after the system answers a request and full opens the appropriate door. When long door time expires the door will start to close unless one of the door protection beams is obstructed telling the system to keep the door open. When the door protection device clears and the door is no longer obstructed, the door will stay open time additional time of the short door timer. After the short door timer expires the door will start to close. If the door becomes obstructed again the door will open and the short door timer will be set.

A timer shall be provided to limit the amount of time a car is held at a floor due to a defective hall call or car call, including stuck push-buttons. Call demand at another floor shall cause the car, after a predetermined time, to ignore the defective call and continue to provide service in the building.

The doors 500, 510 shall open automatically when the car lift is leveling at the respective landings and shall close after a predetermined time interval or immediately upon pressing a car button. If additional time is needed a “Door Open” button shall be provided in the car, the momentary pressing of which shall reopen the doors and reset the time. The system can alert the user to the fact that there are other users are waiting to use the system and further delays in the door closings will not operate if desired.

In addition, to enhance the safety of the users in the cars, the occupants of the apartments 200 adjoining the parking garages 100 and the other occupants of the building 150, as well as to comply with the municipal codes requiring certain permits to operate the elevator system the parking spots need to be properly vented to prevent toxic fumes from entering the living spaces, prevent fires and overheating of the parking area. The building is provided with a building management computer system that operates and controls various functions of the building. (SCADA—supervisory control and data acquisition program) This system will continuously monitor the CO and NO2 levels in the car lift and the garage. This system will also monitor for smoke or fire. When the system detects motion or high CO and NO2 levels or smoke it will respond according to certain preprogrammed responses.

Each of the garage spaces 100 and the car lift 400 includes mechanical ventilation and features state-of-the-art carbon monoxide and nitrous dioxide detectors 700 and 800 as well as a fire suppression system 1000. When the fire suppression system I 000 is activated, the system will ring an alarm in the building as well as an alarm alerting the concierge of a fire. If the building does not contain a concierge, the system can be programmed to place a call to an outside emergency service. When the fire alarm is set off, the system will instruct the elevator to stop what ever calls it is responding to and head directly to the ground floor and open its doors.

Cars produce carbon monoxide and diesel vehicles produce nitrous dioxide. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 7, the exhaust system for the car lift 400 provides a combination CO/NO2 sensor 700 in car lift 400. CO/NO2 sensors 700 shall be located in the breathing zone (between 5′ and 7′ away from floor (AFF) and away from the direct airflow of any vent. The sensor should also not be in the direct line of the auto exhaust.

The controller shall have preferably have the following adjustable setpoints:

	CO	NO2
	Low Alarm	10 ppm	1 ppm
	High Alarm	100 ppm	5 ppm

Whenever the elevator door opens or whenever the CO/NO2 sensor 700 detects a level of either gas above its pre-arranged Low Alarm setpoints, the system will perform the following:

1. Start the car lift mounted exhaust fan 710.

2. The motorized damper 720 interlocked with the exhaust fan 710 will open automatically.

3. Open the outdoor intake damper 720 allowing air to enter and exit the elevator. Once started, the fan 710 will not stop until about 7 minutes (or more or less than this time as indicated by the capacity of the fan and the volume of the lift cab) after the clearing of the low alarm level or the last door opening, which ever is later.

Whenever the CO/NO2 sensors detect a level of either gas above its pre-arranged High Alarm setpoints, the system will perform the following:

1. Start the car lift mounted exhaust fan 710. The motorized damper 720 interlocked with the exhaust fan 710 will open automatically.

2. Open the outdoor intake damper 720 allowing air to enter the car lift.

3. Ring a local alarm in the car lift.

4. Flash a strobe 730 in the car lift.

5. Alert the operator at the operator workstation in the lobby.

6. Execute a car lift recall which will automatically bring the car lift 400 to the lobby level and open the car lift doors 500 and 510.

The car lift 400 will be provided with a bell silence switch 740 which will allow the alarm bell to be silenced but will not disable the strobe. The bell silence switch shall be reachable from the driver's side window of the vehicle 50. Once the alarm is cleared at the CO/NO2 sensor 700 and panel, the bell silence switch 740 will automatically reset. Manual reset of the bell silence switch is not an acceptable approach as it invites the possibility that it will not be reset.

The parking space 100 will be provided with a similar detection system. The garage space with be provided with a group of “master” controllers for monitoring the CO/NO2 sensors in the storage rooms (garages) on each floor. It is not required to have a dedicated controller per storage room (garage), however, it must be assured that all points from any single storage room report to the same master DDC controller.

A shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, A combination CO/NO2 sensor 800 is provided in each storage room. The sensor 800 shall be located in the breathing zone (between 5′ and 7′ AFF and away from the direct airflow of any vent). The sensor must also not be in the direct line of the auto exhaust.

Controllers shall have the following adjustable setpoints:

	CO	NO2
	Low Alarm	10 ppm	1 ppm
	High Alarm	100 ppm	5 ppm

Whenever the CO/NO2 sensor detects a level of either gas above its pre-arranged Low Alarm setpoints in the parking spot, the system will perform the following:

1. Start exhaust fan 810 in the storage room/garage that is in alarm. The motorized damper 820 interlocked with exhaust fan 810 will open automatically.

2. Open the outdoor intake damper 820 (Auto Damper) allowing air to enter and exit the garage.

Once started, the exhaust fan 810 will not stop until 7 minutes after the clearing of the low alarm level.

Whenever the CO/NO2 sensor detects a level of either gas above its pre-arranged High Alarm setpoints, the system will perform the following:

1. Start exhaust fan 810 in the storage room/garage that is in alarm. The motorized damper interlocked with exhaust fan 810 will open automatically.

2. Open the outdoor intake damper 820 allowing air to enter the storage room/garage

3. Ring a local alarm in the storage room/garage 100 that is in alarm

4. Flash a strobe 830 in the storage room/garage that is in alarm

5. Alert the operator at the operator workstation in the lobby.

Again, a bell silence switch 840 is provided that will allow the alarm bell to be silenced but will not disable the strobe. Once the alarm is cleared at the CO/NO2 sensor and DDC panel, bell silence switch will automatically reset.

In order to comply with city codes, in a preferred embodiment the walls 410 of the parking garage 100 will be constructed with dense Concrete Masonry Unit CMU block and reinforced concrete to eliminate any possibility of a car 50 breaking through the walls of the car lift 400. The walls 410 will be able to withstand a load of 300 ponds per linear foot. Also, the interior of the car lift 400 will be lined with protective railings 460 to further protect the structural integrity of the walls.

To adhere to certain buildings safety standards, the “garage” is classified as a “B-2 storage” space, which is expressly contemplated by the zoning resolutions. The garage qualifies as legal B-2 storage because it complies with the relevant sections of the building code which require at least one three hour fire rated wall 120 and is mechanically ventilated 800.

The parking spot 100 will also contain a drainage system 110 for draining any type of fluid that my leak onto the floor, such as oil or water. When the fluid is drained, a separator will separate out the oil for proper disposal.

Further, in order for the present invention to comply with city regulations which do not have any specific rules or regulations that expressly contemplate the integration of parking space and living space hundreds of feet above the ground, in a preferred embodiment the present invention has to deal with the issue of the “curb cut” at the entrance to and exit from the parking facility where ramps to the street cross a sidewalk.

In a current preferred embodiment the building incorporating the vertical integrated parking system is designed with 16 residential condo units and a total of 15 parking spaces (14 single vehicle garages and the ground floor space). The design takes into account that (i) the additional parking is needed by and will be used by the occupants, (ii) there are insufficient parking spaces available within the vicinity of the site, (iii) the facility will not create or contribute to serious traffic congestion or unduly inhibit vehicular/pedestrian movement, (iv) the facility is so located to draw a minimum of vehicle traffic to and through residential streets and (v) adequate reservoir spaces are provided (20% of total number of spaces).

Accordingly, an improved vertical integrated parking system is provided. The system includes a separate entrance and exit for the system. The exterior of the building will be wired with audio and visual alarms to alert pedestrians about vehicles entering or exiting the building. The garage doors will be controlled with RFID tags or other devices installed in resident vehicles. These devices will also call the elevator down to the lobby when vehicles are entering the building and will cause the elevator to travel to a resident's specific floor after the vehicle has entered the elevator. Safety elements incorporated into the system provide heightened security and safety while enhancing the efficiency of the system.

It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those made apparent in the preceding description, are efficiently obtained and, since certain changes may be made in the above constructions without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention, herein described and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

Claims

1. A parking system for vehicles in a building comprising:

a plurality of apartments in the building;

a plurality of parking garages for a vehicle, each parking garage associated with one of the apartments, the parking garage being located on the same floor as its associated apartment;

an elevator for transporting vehicles between a ground floor of the building and the parking garages;

first pathway means for providing entry to the building and access to the elevator;

second pathway means for providing egress from the elevator at the ground floor and exit from the building; and

a control system for controlling access to and from the building, the elevator and the garages.

2. The parking system in accordance with claim 1 wherein the control system includes a user interface system located proximate to at least one of a vehicle entrance to the building, an entrance to the elevator and a vehicle exit from the building.

3. The parking system in accordance with claim 2 wherein the user interface system includes at least one video monitor to guide a driver of the vehicle and provide information via a display of instructions.

4. The parking system in accordance with claim 1 wherein the control system further includes security devices for allowing authorized access to a vehicle entrance to the building, the elevator, the parking garages and a vehicle exit from the building.

5. The parking system in accordance with claim 4 wherein the security devices include an RFID tag available to be used in an authorized vehicle for access to the first pathway means, the elevator, the parking garages and the second pathway means.

6. The parking system in accordance with claim 5 wherein the RFID tag communicates with the control system to provide a vehicle access to only an authorized parking garage.

7. The parking system in accordance with claim 4 wherein the security devices further includes a weight sensor outside the vehicle entrance to the building for detecting the presence of a vehicle seeking entry to the parking system.

8. The parking system in accordance with claim 1 wherein the control system further includes infrared sensors located inside the elevator and the parking garage for detecting a position of a vehicle entering or exiting the elevator or one of the parking garages to allow the control system to guide a driver to properly align the vehicle.

9. The parking system in accordance with claim 1 wherein the elevator and the parking garages include a safety system.

10. The parking system in accordance with claim 9 wherein the safety system includes a CO and NO2 detection system.

11. The parking system in accordance with claim 10 wherein the safety system also includes a smoke detector.

12. The parking system of claim 10 wherein the safety system is connected to the control system and provides warnings where the CO and NO2 detection system is located and remotely.

13. The parking system of claim 11 wherein the safety system is connected to the control system and provides warnings where the smoke, CO and NO2 detection systems are located and remotely.

14. The parking system of claim 13 wherein the safety system is connected to the control system and provides warnings where the CO and NO2 detection system is located and remotely in the event of preset levels of CO, NO2 or smoke.

15. The parking system of claim 1 further including an exhaust system for venting the gases in the elevator and the parking garages and forcing fresh air into the elevator and parking garages.

16. The parking system of claim 10 wherein the safety system continuously monitors CO and NO2 levels so that when a predetermined level of either CO or NO2 is reached in the elevator or the parking garages an exhaust system for venting the gases and forcing fresh air into the elevator and parking garages where the predetermined level is detected will automatically turn on.

17. The parking system of claim 16 wherein the safety system has two predetermined levels, and on detecting a first, lower predetermined level of CO or NO2, the exhaust system is turned on, and on detecting a second, higher predetermined level of CO or NO2, in addition to the exhaust system being turned on, an alarm condition is triggered where the second level is detected and remotely.

18. The parking system of claim 9 wherein the safety system further includes a motion detector in the parking garages that will automatically turn on an exhaust system for venting the gases in the parking garages and forcing fresh air into the parking garages when it detects any motion in the parking garage.

19. The parking system of claim 10 wherein an exhaust system for venting the air in the elevator and forcing fresh air into the elevator will be activated in the elevator when doors to the elevator are opened.

20. The parking system of claim 1 wherein a parking garage includes crash bars placed on the walls of the parking garage to prevent a vehicle from crashing through the walls.

21. The parking system of claim 1 wherein at least one parking garage contains at least one wall that is constructed of at least 3-hour rated fire wall to prevent the quick spread of fire to the building.

22. The parking system of claim 1 wherein at least one parking garage further includes a drain located in the floor for draining fluids that may leak onto the floor from a vehicle.

23. The parking system in accordance with claim 1 wherein the first pathway includes a drop off area for letting passengers or items out of the vehicle before entering the elevator.

24. The parking system in accordance with claim 1 wherein the first pathway includes an elevator bypass for moving the vehicle directly to the second pathway to exit the building without going through the elevator.

25. A parking system for vehicles in a building comprising:

a plurality of apartments in the building;

a plurality of parking garages for a vehicle, each parking garage associated with one of the apartments, the parking garage being located proximate its associated apartment;

an elevator for transporting vehicles between a ground floor of the building and the parking garages;

first pathway means for providing entry to the building and access to the elevator;

second pathway means for providing egress from the elevator at the ground floor and exit from the building; and

a control system for controlling access to and from the building, the elevator and the garages.

26. The parking system of claim 25 wherein the control system further includes security devices for allowing authorized access to a vehicle entrance to the building, the elevator, the parking garages and a vehicle exit from the building.

27. The parking system of claim 26 wherein the security devices include an RFID tag available to be used in an authorized vehicle for access to the first pathway means, the elevator, the parking garages and the second pathway means.

28. The parking system of claim 27 wherein the RFID tag communicates with the control system to provide a vehicle access to only an authorized parking garage.

29. The parking system of claim 25 wherein the control system further includes infrared sensors located inside the elevator and the parking garage for detecting a position of a vehicle entering or exiting the elevator or one of the parking garages to allow the control system to guide a driver to properly align the vehicle.

30. The parking system of claim 25 wherein the elevator and the parking garages include a safety system.

31. The parking system of claim 30 wherein the safety system includes a CO and NO2 detection system.

32. The parking system of claim 31 wherein the safety system also includes a smoke detector.

33. The parking system of claim 30 wherein the safety system is connected to the control system and provides warnings where the CO and NO2 detection system is located and remotely.

34. The parking system of claim 31 wherein the safety system is connected to the control system and provides warnings where the smoke, CO and NO2 detection systems are located and remotely.

35. The parking system of claim 25 further including an exhaust system for venting the gases in the elevator and the parking garages and forcing fresh air into the elevator and parking garages.

36. The parking system of claim 30 wherein the safety system continuously monitors CO and NO2 levels so that when a predetermined level of either CO or NO2 is reached in the elevator or the parking garages an exhaust system for venting the gases and forcing fresh air into the elevator and parking garages where the predetermined level is detected will automatically turn on.

37. The parking system of claim 36 wherein the safety system has two predetermined levels, and on detecting a first, lower predetermined level of CO or NO2, the exhaust system is turned on, and on detecting a second, higher predetermined level of CO or NO2, in addition to the exhaust system being turned on, an alarm condition is triggered where the second level is detected and remotely.

38. The parking system of claim 30 wherein the safety system further includes a motion detector in the parking garages that will automatically turn on an exhaust system for venting the gases in the parking garages and forcing fresh air into the parking garages when it detects any motion in the parking garage.

39. The parking system of claim 30 wherein an exhaust system for venting the air in the elevator and forcing fresh air into the elevator will be activated in the elevator when doors to the elevator are opened.

40. A method of remotely accessing a vehicle parking garage located on the same floor as an apartment in a building comprising the steps of:

Providing the car with a security device to provide access to the parking system;

Entering the building with authorization provided by the security device through an entry door from outside the building;

Following an interior path on a ground floor to a car elevator;

Entering the car elevator with authorization provided by the security device;

Selecting the appropriate floor for the elevator to move to based on a preset parking garage location in the security device;

Moving the elevator to the floor on which the parking garage is located;

Opening the door between the elevator and the parking garage when the elevator is on the parking garage's floor; and

Moving the vehicle from the elevator into the parking garage.

41. The method of claim 40 wherein the authorization is achieved by the security device sending a radio frequency coded signal to a parking system control system which includes an indication of the floor of the parking garage that the security device is authorized to use.

42. The method of claim 40 further comprising removing the vehicle from the parking garage by calling the elevator to the parking garage's floor with the security device, riding the elevator to the ground floor where the exit door of the elevator opens; driving the vehicle along an exit pathway to the exit door from the building; opening the exit door from the building with the security device; and driving the vehicle through the opened exit door out of the building.