Abstract: The passenger and vehicle elevator system includes a plurality of elevator cars arrayed substantially equidistantly and equiangularly from a central shaft of the building (B). Each elevator car (12, 14, 16) includes a housing and at least one door (54). The housing has a floor, a ceiling, and at least one sidewall. A linearly translating platform (50) is mounted on the floor of each of the housings. The linearly translating platform (50) is adapted for automatically carrying the vehicle (V) and the at least one passenger through the at least one door (54). Further, the vehicle (V) may be rotated within the housing by driven rotation of the platform (50) or the floor, allowing for selective angular positioning of the vehicle (V) with respect to the housing. The elevator car (12) ascends and descends within a corresponding elevator shaft in a manner similar to that of a conventional elevator.

Abstract: A storage structure (10) according to the invention comprises a plurality of pallets (14) that is each configured to carry a load such as a car (16), a vertical conveyor (12) including a number of endless chains (26), a support structure (24) that defines storage bays (18) in which the pallets (14) and cars (16) can be stored, a number of brackets (30) on each chain (26), and a sliding mechanism (44,46) on each level, for sliding the pallets (14) between the bays (18) and a position in which the pallet (14) is supported on some of the brackets (30) on the chains (26). The bays (18) are provided on opposing sides of the vertical conveyor (12) and are spaced apart vertically on multiple levels, with equal vertical spacing between the levels. The brackets (30) are spaced apart on the chains (26) by a distance equal to the spacing between the levels of bays (18).

Abstract: The passenger and vehicle elevator system includes a plurality of elevator cars arrayed substantially equidistantly and equiangularly from a central shaft of the building. Each elevator car includes a housing and at least one door. The housing has a floor, a ceiling, and at least one sidewall. A linearly translating platform is mounted on the floor of each of the housings. The linearly translating platform is adapted for automatically carrying the vehicle and the at least one passenger through the at least one door. Further, the vehicle may be rotated within the housing by driven rotation of the platform or the floor, allowing for selective angular positioning of the vehicle with respect to the housing. The elevator car ascends and descends within a corresponding elevator shaft in a manner similar to that of a conventional elevator.

Abstract: A system of shuttle cars for transporting a vehicle in an automated parking facility. Each shuttle car includes an x-shuttle that supports two z-shuttles. The z-shuttles move from the x-shuttle and under the vehicle for transport. The z-shuttles locate and engage the front and rear tires of a vehicle to lift the vehicle from the floor. Once the z-shuttles have engage the vehicle tires, the z-shuttles return to the x-shuttle so that the x-shuttle can transport the vehicle (and the z-shuttles) to and from the appropriate parking space.

Abstract: An automated parking system and method for controlling a parking garage employ a distributed control system to control the transport of a vehicle between an entry/exit station and a parking space. The distributed control system employs an independent controller (PLC) for each mechanical element, such as elevators and shuttle cars. The PLCs are interconnected by a network and coordinate with each other to control the operation of the automated parking system. An operator panel including a touchscreen display may be used by an operator to control directly the operation of a particular PLC and its associated mechanical element. A central management computer is used to coordinate the overall operation and management of the distributed control system and to provide enhanced features including redundant safety checks.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bicycle parking apparatus. The disclosed bicycle parking apparatus comprises: a rotational driving member providing driving power; a rotating storage unit consisting of multiple levels, rotated by the driving power from the rotational driving member, and partitioned so as to store bicycles in a radial configuration; an elevating unit, provided at a peripheral side of the rotating storage unit, for raising and lowering loaded bicycles; and a loading/unloading unit, provided at the elevating unit, for grasping and loading a bicycle from the outside onto the elevating unit or unloading a bicycle from the elevating unit to the outside.

Abstract: A system of shuttle cars for transporting a vehicle in an automated parking facility. Each shuttle car includes an x-shuttle that supports two z-shuttles. The z-shuttles move from the x-shuttle and under the vehicle for transport. The z-shuttles locate and engage the front and rear tires of a vehicle to lift the vehicle from the floor. Once the z-shuttles have engage the vehicle tires, the z-shuttles return to the x-shuttle so that the x-shuttle can transport the vehicle (and the z-shuttles) to and from the appropriate parking space.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring and controlling an automated parking system using a graphical user interface is described. The described method includes the step of displaying a graphical representation of a floor of an automated parking garage. The method also includes the step of displaying a number of objects in relation to the floor. The method further includes the step of displaying a plurality of control objects. A system for implementing the steps of the method is also described.

Abstract: Each of the wheeled worktables 1, which is isolated from the others, travels self-dependently with drive of the motor M and the sensor (optical recognition device) 5 is provided on each wheeled worktable 1 while the optical recognition tape T as the recognition object for the sensor 5 is attached to the predetermined conveyance passage on the floor 11 for inducement of the wheeled worktables 1.

Abstract: The invention relates to a parking apparatus having a plurality of vertically movable vehicle supporting platforms for being lifted and lowered between a lower vehicle supporting level and an upper vehicle supporting level and arranged horizontally in a mutually parallel relationship, positioning structure for respective vertically movable vehicle supporting platforms for selectively preventing the vertically movable vehicle supporting platforms from being lowered from their upper vehicle supporting level or from being lifted from a vehicle positioning state of their lower vehicle supporting level, the positioning structure being switchable from the vehicle positioning state to a released state in which lifting or lowering if the vertically movable vehicle supporting platform is enabled, a lifting drive of the vertically movable vehicle supporting platforms, the lifting drive including a motor, and a wind-up body driven by the motor, a frame, a plurality of suspending cables suspending respective vertically m

Abstract: A vehicle transporting arrangement for transporting a vehicle in a parking building automatically from a drive-in module to a parking space (27), wherein the arrangement includes a first carriage (1), a so-called transfer carriage, which can be moved on and between different parking floors or storeys of the parking building and which includes a second carriage (2) and a third carriage (3), each of which includes lifting devices (4, 5, 6, 7) for lifting and supporting a pair of vehicle wheels, the second and third carriages being positioned sequentially in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement of the first carriage on a parking floor and being movable in relation to the first carriage at right angles to its direction of movement on a parking floor. According to the invention, at least one of the second and the third carriages (2, 3) includes drive wheels (10) and drive elements for moving the carriage in relation to the first carriage (1).

Abstract: A parking garage in which parking zones are arranged at both sides of a self-running lane, and slat conveyers are arranged at the lane and the parking zones, such that a vehicle that has run on the lane is conveyed to one of the parking zones by the slat conveyers. At exit, a vehicle in one of the parking zones is conveyed to the self-running lane by the slat conveyers, and it runs by itself on the lane to exit the garage.

Abstract: A manufacturing system and method for processing semiconductor wafers through a plurality of processing stations that perform manufacturing operations on wafers includes a plurality of processing stations, each of which are capable of performing at least one processing operation on a wafer, each of the processing stations having a controlled environment for processing the wafers, and a branched tunnel joined and communicating with the controlled environment. A means is provided for maintaining a clean environment in the tunnel. Within the tunnel there are provided a plurality of guided transport vehicles adapted to travel between the process stations. A plurality of wafer carriers, each adapted to support a single wafer and be carried by the transport vehicles, are part of the system.

Abstract: An automatic parking device for a multi-deck parking lot for motor vehicles is described. The device includes a carrier to carry a moveable platform from a parking position to a base or from a base to the parking position, and a hydraulic cylinder to move the moveable platform from the carrier to a fixed platform at an exit or from the fixed platform to the carrier. An inductor is provided on a moveable rod, which is driven by the hydraulic cylinder to move the moveable platform between the carrier and the platform and to automatically control an electromagnetic switch which drives two retaining iron strips to lock the moveable platform in the carrier.

Abstract: An automatic roadside multi-storied parking system including collapsible parking racks each having a plurality of vertically spaced parking platforms and between each two parking racks a lift conveyer capable of ascending and descending stepwise to reach the level of each parking platform. The parking system is also equipped with an emergency ladder on one side of each rack for a person to climb up or down during an emergency. A wheeled moving device is provided on the bottom of each module of the system to assist in adjustment of the angle and direction of the individual modules and is spring-released to flip into a storage recess for the stability of the modules. Parking racks and lift conveyers are fitted and supported each on both sides thereof with lazy tong-type links and oil cylinders are provided for lifting and unfolding of the parking racks and for raising and lowering of the lift conveyer to or from the level of a selected parking platform.

Abstract: Storage and retrieval apparatus and method using pallets for storing vehicles and other loads. A number of storage levels aligned vertically are reached by a pair of lifts in shafts which bracket the levels. A transfer mechanism can push a pallet and automobile from either lift onto any level. Each level is always filled with pallets and sized to exactly hold an integral number of pallets. When a pallet is pushed into a level from one lift the intermediate pallets are pushed laterally to the opposite lift, resulting in the farthest pallet being ejected onto the opposite lift located at the same level. Separate loading stations are provided on ground level for each lift. An automobile can be driven on or off a pallet or a load placed on or off a pallet at the loading station. A loading station mechanism can move a pallet with a load to be stored from the loading station onto a lift.

Abstract: A multistory parking garage has an elevator constrained to move vertically within a central core to reach a plurality of vertically stacked parking cells. A vehicle transport carriage mounted on the elevator rolls the vehicle from the elevator into an empty parking cell and returns to the elevator or rolls a vehicle from the parking cell onto the elevator. The carriage includes resilient members for engaging and disengaging the underside of the vehicle without damage thereto.

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 parking system for automotive vehicles, comprises a building structure divided into a ground parking level and at least two upper parking levels, each having a floor and a ceiling defining between them one or more lines of parking spaces extending longitudinally of the respective level. The floor and ceiling of each level are spaced from each other a distance which is greater than twice the height of the vehicles to be parked in the respective level, to define a lower zone of parking spaces for supporting the vehicles, and an upper zone for conveying the vehicles to a selected parking space in the lower zone.

Abstract: A device for controlling access to a shaded parking area. In the invention, a parking space is provided with shade. Access to the shade is controlled by a meter in combination with a removable barrier. When the user gains access by insertion of a "credit card", the time of entry is noted together with the later time of exit. The elapsed time is used to compute the amount of charge to the user.

Abstract: A full automatic storehouse having a storeroom composed of one or more boxes of a transportable size provided with racks for storing articles. The storeroom further comprises at least one traveling crane which is capable of reaching any desired position of the racks and an operating station for controlling the operation of the traveling crane. The storehouse may further has a lift which is moved vertically to receive the articles or discharge at the upper extremity of the storehouse and to transfer the articles to or from the crane at a lower position. This storehouse can be prefabricated in a factory or composed of several units which are prefabricated in the factory, and it can be easily set up at the site where it is installed. This storehouse can be installed under the ground to save a space on the ground.

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 system for operating a vehicle storage conveyor is disclosed in which a programmable digital computer system is used to automatically control the operation of the conveyor, to monitor the safeties of the storage conveyor and to cease operation thereof upon the detection of an unsafe condition, and for controlling a plurality of electromagnetic radiation beam transmitting and detecting devices systematically located throughout a loading area of the storage conveyor so as to detect the presence of a vehicle or a person and to distinguish between them. The system prevents operation of the vehicle conveyor until the vehicle is properly positioned thereon and the person who drove the vehicle is detected as leaving the conveyor loading system.