Vehicle Assigned To Particular Supporting Member (e.g., Platform, Dolly, Cage, Etc.) Having Some Degree Of Independence Either As To Means, Time, Or Direction Of Movement Patents (Class 414/234)
  • Patent number: 11505961
    Abstract: A single-row multilayer storage warehouse system comprises a plurality of storage layers, a plurality of storage warehouse lifting apparatus, shafts arranged at both ends and/or in the middle of the storage warehouse system, a plurality of supporting mechanisms, a supporting mechanism lifting apparatus and a plurality of self-delivering trolleys. Each storage layer is provided with a plurality of storage shelf groups arranged symmetrically side by side; each storage shelf comprises a first supporting component for storing goods and a first rail; the first supporting component is arranged at the lower part of the storage shelf; the first rail is arranged at the upper part of the storage shelf; the self-delivering trolleys is capable of running between the rails of the storage shelves on the lower layer and the bottom of the first supporting component of the storage shelves on the layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Inventor: Caixiong Huang
  • Patent number: 11434652
    Abstract: A parking system includes an inventory status storage storing the status of inventory of a bicycle, two-wheeled vehicle, or car, and a control system that controls the status of inventory of the bicycle, two-wheeled vehicle, or car and controls check-in and check-out of the bicycle, two-wheeled vehicle, or car based on data stored in the inventory status storage. The parking system further includes a cooperative control unit for communicating with an external rental operator's server, converting instruction data on check-in and check-out transmitted from the server to commands processable for the control system, and instructing to do check-in and check-out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: GIKEN LTD.
    Inventors: Toshio Ikeda, Mamoru Uesugi
  • Patent number: 11280102
    Abstract: A vehicular parking apparatus includes a frame defining horizontal rows and vertical columns of parking spaces. Subframes are configured to have a vehicle parked thereon and can move vertically in the columns. Platforms move horizontally in the rows and are configured to engage and move the subframes with the vehicles thereon. The subframes, the platforms and the frame provide electrical connections for charging parked electric vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Park Plus, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Richard Bates
  • Patent number: 9881347
    Abstract: Automated entry to properties is provided. A user selects a property for automated entry. It is confirmed whether the property is available for automated entry by the user. Automated entry to the user is enabled when automated entry is available for the user and when the user is within a predetermined distance from the property.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Consumer 2.0, Inc.
    Inventors: Merrick Schmidt-Lackner, Clark Zhe Li
  • Patent number: 9255420
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Inventor: Gil Dezer
  • Publication number: 20140321952
    Abstract: Facility for parking and recharging electrical vehicles. It comprises platforms (1) where electrical vehicles (2) are parked and/or kept connected to the electricity supply, means for keeping (3) said platforms horizontal in all the positions of the facility and access for vehicles to the inside of facility (14).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2012
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Inventors: Jordina Sala Branchadell, Anna Sala Branchadell
  • Patent number: 8632290
    Abstract: An automated parking system for a parking structure includes a controller which receives a vehicle loading request from a vehicle customer. A loading bay accepts the vehicle and transfers to the parking system. Equipment is provided for transferring the vehicle horizontally and vertically through the parking system. The vehicle parking system includes a rack structure that is integrated as part of the parking structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Auto Parkit, LLC
    Inventor: Christopher Alan
  • Patent number: 8628289
    Abstract: A system and method for optimizing the storage capacity of an automated material handling and storage system wherein rows of vertical columns of storage bins are spaced in opposing relationship with one another such that at least one elevator is vertically movable in engagement with the opposing columns of storage bins so that pallets, support platforms or containers may be transferred to or from the elevator to bins of the opposing rows and wherein the elevator may be selectively elevated by overhead carriers that are movable along an intersecting grid track system that is disposed above the storage bins. In one embodiment, the at least one elevator may be independently vertically movable between the opposing column of storage bins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Inventors: Charles E. Benedict, Brian G. Pfeifer, Christian A. Yates, Scott K. Bladen, Richard E. Lackinger, James R. Dobbs
  • Patent number: 8613582
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Unitronics Parking Solutions Ltd
    Inventor: Haim Shani
  • Patent number: 8290613
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Unitronics (1989) (R″G) Ltd.
    Inventor: Haim Shani
  • Patent number: 8260454
    Abstract: An automated storage system comprises a plurality of storage locations, at least one access location, a plurality of storage containers provided on the storage locations, a control system and at least one user interface, the control system further comprising a retrieval mode and a storage mode, and a delivery system for delivering a storage container from a storage location to an access location during the retrieval mode, and for returning the storage container to a storage location during the storage mode. User instructions at the control interface initiate the retrieval mode and the storage mode, and a user is provided access to the retrieved storage container while it is located at the access location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Boomerang Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Stanley J. Checketts
  • Patent number: 8011870
    Abstract: A structure having floors for receiving and delivery of cars, and parking floors. Receiving and delivery floors have slat conveyors with platform carriers placed in slots in the conveyor. Cars are parked by patrons on the platform carriers. After the patron exits the car the conveyor conveys the carrier on which the car is parked to the front of an elevator. A power arm in the elevator draws the carrier into the elevator, and the elevator rises to a parking floor. On the parking floor the elevator power arm pushes the platform carrier with the car on top onto a waiting transfer module, which moves laterally to the front of an allotted parking slot. A power arm on the transfer module pushes the platform carrier with the car on top into the parking slot. Upon the patron's return the car is retrieved as described above but in reverse order.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Inventors: Subramanian Venkatraman, Venkatraman Guruprasad
  • Patent number: 7909558
    Abstract: A system and method for the safe storage of vehicles wherein a storage structure is provided having a first section in which vehicles are stored in vertically oriented cells with each vehicle being carried within a vehicle storage unit such that the units may be stacked one upon another and wherein at least one transfer vehicle is provided for selectively engaging and conveying the vehicle storage units along an overhead grid track system between the first section and a second section wherein the grid track system is at least partially oriented over a roadway such that the at least one transfer vehicle may be used to either lift or lower a vehicle contained within a vehicle storage unit relative to the roadway and move the vehicle storage unit to and from a storage position in one of the vertical storage cells of the first section of the storage structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: BEC Companies, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles E. Benedict, Brian G. Pfeifer, Christian A. Yates, Scott K. Bladen, Richard E. Lackinger, James R. Dobbs
  • Publication number: 20100284771
    Abstract: A roof-top parking system and method for automatically parking and retrieving a vehicle on a roof. The system includes a communication system adapted to receive a parking request or a retrieval request, and a vehicle positioning device which positions a vehicle a queuing space on the ground adjacent a building and a parking space assigned to the vehicle on the roof of the building.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2007
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Applicant: HIGH PARKING LTD.
    Inventor: Shimon Stierler
  • Patent number: 7815410
    Abstract: A vehicle parking apparatus for parking a vehicle comprises a main structure having a plurality of storage racks capable of storing vehicles lined up in a vertical direction, a lift cage capable of being mounted with a vehicle, a coupling mechanism having a second coupling member, a first coupling member capable of making contact with the second coupling member from a lower side and capable of relative movement in a downward direction from a position of making contact with the second coupling member, and an urging mechanism causing a prescribed urging force to act in a downward direction on the first coupling member; a wire capable of suspending the lift cage in an elevator shaft H next to the storage racks via the coupling mechanism, and winding apparatus capable of winding the wire up and down. The first coupling member is fixed to one end of the wire, and the second coupling member is fixed to the lift cage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Ishikawajima Transport Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Shinozuka
  • Patent number: 7465141
    Abstract: A multilevel vertical general aviation hangar, comprising a traffic inflow/outflow path and a pallet stack subsystem. There is also a pallet turntable located with the path. A pallet shuttle moves the pallet and contained vehicle from the turntable to a lift. The lift moves the pallet and vehicle to a predetermined location within a storage structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: A-V Stak Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Oscar A. Fournier, John N. Bowman, Thomas Brew, Glenn C. Friedly, Steven Lange, Eric P. Olsen, William D. Slicker, Eric A. Whitted
  • Patent number: 7168905
    Abstract: A storage and retrieval system includes a plurality of individual storage units stacked in multiple columns. Each storage unit includes wheels which engage a track for selective movement along the track. Vertical and horizontal actuators are used to move the storage units in sequence. Preferably, the actuators are power-driven, and control circuitry is used to coordinate the movement of the actuators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Worthwhile products
    Inventors: Stanley B. Solomon, Tsuneo Shishido, Burton Barnett
  • Patent number: 6858119
    Abstract: An exemplary mobile plating system is provided for performing a plating process using virtually any known or available deposition technology for coating or plating as substrate. The mobile plating system may include a vacuum chamber positioned in a mobile storage volume, an external vacuum pump, and a control circuitry to control the operation of some or all of the operations of the external vacuum pump. The external vacuum pump is positioned in the mobile storage volume when the mobile plating system is in transit, and is positioned external to the mobile storage volume when the mobile plating system is stationary and in operation. The external vacuum pump may be mounted on a skid, and, in operation, the external vacuum pump couples with the vacuum chamber to assist with producing a desired pressure in the vacuum chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Basic Resources, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry D. Kidd, Craig D. Harrington, Daniel N. Hopkins
  • Patent number: 6851921
    Abstract: An automated parking garage. The garage comprises a multi-floor building having a plurality of vehicle storage racks in a storage area for storing a loaded pallet or an unloaded pallet. An entrance-level floor of the building includes an entry/exit station (EES) on for receiving a vehicle, the EES having an exterior entrance through which the vehicle is driven and, an opposing interior entrance that provides access to the storage area and through which the loaded pallet is transported, the loaded pallet and unloaded pallet adapted to be positioned at floor level in the EES. The garage includes a pallet stacking station for storing the unloaded pallet, the pallet stacking station located over a shuttle aisle that extends under the EES. A pallet shuttle that traverses the shuttle aisle to a first position under the EES for handling the unloaded pallet in the EES, and to a second position under the pallet stacking station for stacking the unloaded pallet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Inventor: Gerhard Haag
  • Publication number: 20040265096
    Abstract: A boat storage facility for storing sail and power boats (10) is shown. The storage facility includes a supporting structure in the form of a building (11). Within the building (11) are two fixed columns (17, 18) and two movable columns (20). One of the fixed columns (17) is located adjacent to one of the pair (14) of sidewalls of the building (11), while the second fixed column (18) is located adjacent to the other of the pair (14) of sidewalls. The two movable columns (20) are disposed between the two fixed columns (17, 18) and are horizontally movable in the direction of arrow (A) therebetween. Each movable column (20) includes a central, upwardly extending frame (21), while all columns (17, 18 & 20), include a plurality of pairs (22) of laterally outwardly extending, substantially horizontal support arms (23) for supporting a boat (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2004
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventor: Justin Willliam Allen James
  • Publication number: 20040131450
    Abstract: A multi-level parking or storage device is designed to park/store goods to upper decks independently from the goods stored on the ground level. The device is designed in such a way that a platform can be moved up and down at left of the existing parking/storage space; and it can be moved left and right over the existing parking/storage space. When the platform is directly over the existing ground parking/storage space, there are only sets of additional posts grouped together and situated at the inner side of the back end of the existing parking/storage space. This design can multiply the efficiency of an existing parking/storage space without sacrificing or changing the current utility of the ground space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventor: How Sen Yang
  • Patent number: 6739821
    Abstract: A vertical conveyor device for accommodating motor vehicles of varying heights. Short and tall containers for motor vehicles alternate around a vertical carousel. When a container is placed in an accessible position, movable walkways and ramps change positions allowing patrons and vehicles easy access to the containers. The positions of the walkway and ramp vary depending on the heights of the containers and vehicles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Autospace Holdings Corporation
    Inventors: Ladd M. Levis-Thorne, Rick E. Morgan, Robert J. Lang, Stephen B. Douglas, Daniel J. McGuire
  • Publication number: 20040067124
    Abstract: Device and method for automatic transfer of a car in a parking system, the device including a main frame for moving between platforms each for placing a car thereon, a first elevating part fitted to the main frame for lifting some of wheels of the car to a preset height from the platform, including at least one first leg fitted to be movable to an outside of the main frame for supporting the wheels, and a first supplementary frame for moving up together with the first leg, and a second elevating part fitted to the main frame for lifting rest of the wheels of the car to a preset height from the platform, including at least one second leg fitted to be movable to an outside of the main frame for supporting the wheels, and a second supplementary frame for moving up together with the second leg, thereby transferring the car lifted by the first and second elevating parts to another platform the main frame desires, and permitting fast loading/unloading of the car.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2002
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Inventor: Bong Ryeol Lee
  • Publication number: 20040037678
    Abstract: A vehicle parking method uses a multilevel building structure with plural floors, including an entry-exit floor with reception and discharge parking spaces, and storage floors with storage parking spaces for parking plural inbound motor vehicles; and an elevator having elevator spaces, the elevator adapted for moving between the floors of the building structure, and a plurality of inbound and outbound vehicle movers, each of the movers adapted for supporting and moving one of the vehicles between the floors of the building structure using the elevator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2002
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Inventor: Pete J. Bonin
  • Patent number: 6662077
    Abstract: Architecture for management of an automated parking and storage facility. A management system provides interactive interface capability to access, monitor, and control the parking and storage facility locally and remotely, as well as to provide limited access locally and remotely to a patron for obtaining facility products and services. In support of operator interaction, the interface includes graphic objects displayed in relation to facility components such as a facility floor thereby representing the state of the floor, which graphic objects are associated with facility components allowing the operator to monitor, control and perform diagnostics therewith. In support of patron interaction, the interactive interface includes web page capability to a patron node wherein the patron can obtain occupancy information and transact to reserve or secure a storage space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Inventor: Gerhard Haag
  • Patent number: 6641351
    Abstract: A system for parking automobiles in a garage which uses a single-drive mechanism to simultaneously move automobile platforms. The automobile platforms reside in contiguous storage towers and are stacked in multiple levels. The automobile platforms simultaneously move in the towers. In one tower, the platforms move upward while the platforms in the other tower move downward. The automobile platforms rest on movement chains which move vertically among the various levels. The automobile platforms are moved from the vertical movement chains to a lateral movement means to move horizontally from tower to tower. The vertical movement system is powered by single-drive mechanism through a series of gears, sprockets and chains. Horizontal movement in the upper and lower lateral transfer areas is done by a lateral movement means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Inventor: William S. Payne
  • Publication number: 20030136670
    Abstract: An exemplary method for using a mobile plating system is provided that includes locating the mobile plating system at a desired location for plating, positioning an external vacuum pump from an interior position of a mobile storage volume of the mobile plasma plating system to an exterior position, and coupling the external vacuum pump to a vacuum chamber within the mobile storage volume of the mobile plasma plating system using a flexible piping segment, rigid coupling with a dampening effect, or other arrangement operable to reduce and/or eliminate the mechanical vibrations within the vacuum chamber due to the operation of the external vacuum pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2003
    Publication date: July 24, 2003
    Inventors: Jerry D. Kidd, Craig D. Harrington, Daniel N. Hopkins
  • Publication number: 20030121776
    Abstract: An exemplary mobile plating system is provided for performing a plating process using virtually any known or available deposition technology for coating or plating as substrate. The mobile plating system may include a vacuum chamber positioned in a mobile storage volume, an external vacuum pump, and a control circuitry to control the operation of some or all of the operations of the external vacuum pump. The external vacuum pump is positioned in the mobile storage volume when the mobile plating system is in transit, and is positioned external to the mobile storage volume when the mobile plating system is stationary and in operation. The external vacuum pump may be mounted on a skid, and, in operation, the external vacuum pump couples with the vacuum chamber to assist with producing a desired pressure in the vacuum chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2003
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Inventors: Jerry D. Kidd, Craig D. Harrington, Daniel N. Hopkins
  • Publication number: 20030123959
    Abstract: Device and method for automatic transfer of a car in a parking system, the device including a main frame for moving between platforms each for placing a car to be parked thereon, and an elevating part fitted to the main frame for lifting the car on the platform to a preset height, inclusive of at least one or more than one leg fitted to be movable to an outside of the main frame for supporting wheels of the car, and a supplementary frame for moving up together with the legs, thereby transferring the car lifted by the elevating part to an other platform the main frame desires, and permitting fast loading/unloading of the car.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2002
    Publication date: July 3, 2003
    Inventor: Bong Ryeol Lee
  • Patent number: 6503379
    Abstract: An exemplary mobile plating system and method are provided for performing a plating process using virtually any known or available deposition technology for coating or plating. The mobile plating system may include a vacuum chamber positioned in a mobile storage volume, an external vacuum pump, and a control module to control the operation of some or all of the operations of the external vacuum pump. The external vacuum pump is positioned in the mobile storage volume when the mobile plating system is in transit, and is positioned external to the mobile storage volume when the mobile plating system is stationary and in operation. The external vacuum pump may be mounted on a skid, and, in operation, the external vacuum pump couples with the vacuum chamber to assist with producing a desired pressure in the vacuum chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Basic Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry D. Kidd, Craig D. Harrington, Daniel N. Hopkins
  • Patent number: 6502011
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Inventor: Gerhard Haag
  • Patent number: 6491488
    Abstract: A vehicle parking structure particularly well adapted for providing a parking capacity of up to about 20 vehicles has a structure framework with an entrance/exit level and a plurality of parking level floors, each of the floors having a pair of parking bays located on opposite sides of an elevator shaft. Vehicles to be parked are driven onto a vehicle tray, which is raised and lowered by means of an elevator in the elevator shaft. The elevator includes a shifter on which the tray is supported which allows the tray to be cantilevered outwardly from the elevator at a parking level. With the tray so cantilevered outwardly, the tray is incrementally lowered to rest on a pair of tray supports in the desired parking bay. The shifter is then retracted and the elevator can be raised or lowered to another level as required. To retrieve a vehicle, the elevator and shifter is positioned incrementally below the identified tray, and the shifter is extended into the bay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Inventors: Lawrence Vita, Jack Mize, Sr.
  • Publication number: 20020164234
    Abstract: An automated parking garage. The garage comprises a multi-floor building having a plurality of vehicle storage racks in a storage area for storing a loaded pallet or an unloaded pallet. An entrance-level floor of the building includes an entry/exit station (EES) on for receiving a vehicle, the EES having an exterior entrance through which the vehicle is driven and, an opposing interior entrance that provides access to the storage area and through which the loaded pallet is transported, the loaded pallet and unloaded pallet adapted to be positioned at floor level in the EES. The garage includes a pallet stacking station for storing the unloaded pallet, the pallet stacking station located over a shuttle aisle that extends under the EES. A pallet shuttle that traverses the shuttle aisle to a first position under the EES for handling the unloaded pallet in the EES, and to a second position under the pallet stacking station for stacking the unloaded pallet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2002
    Publication date: November 7, 2002
    Inventor: Gerhard Haag
  • Publication number: 20020164233
    Abstract: A system for parking automobiles in a garage which uses a single-drive mechanism to simultaneously move automobile platforms. The automobile platforms reside in contiguous storage towers and are stacked in multiple levels. The automobile platforms simultaneously move in the towers. In one tower, the platforms move upward while the platforms in the other tower move downward. The automobile platforms rest on movement chains which move vertically among the various levels. The automobile platforms are moved from the vertical movement chains to a lateral movement means to move horizontally from tower to tower. The vertical movement system is powered by single-drive mechanism through a series of gears, sprockets and chains. Horizontal movement in the upper and lower lateral transfer areas is done by a lateral movement means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2001
    Publication date: November 7, 2002
    Inventor: William S. Payne
  • Publication number: 20020146305
    Abstract: A modular automated parking garage. The parking garage includes a first multilevel vehicle storage structure with at least a first vehicle storage rack for storing a vehicle and a second multilevel vehicle storage structure with at least a second vehicle storage rack for storing a vehicle. A vehicle lift structure is arranged between the first multilevel vehicle storage structure and the second multilevel vehicle storage structure, the vehicle lift structure including a vehicle lift mechanism for bringing a vehicle pallet into alignment with a selected level of the first multilevel storage structure. The vehicle lift mechanism is accessed by driving the vehicle through at least one of the first multilevel storage structure and the second multilevel vehicle storage structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2002
    Publication date: October 10, 2002
    Inventor: Gerhard Haag
  • Publication number: 20020127086
    Abstract: A vertical conveyor device to accommodate motor vehicles of varying height. Short and tall containers for motor vehicles alternate around a vertical carousel. When a container is placed in an accessible position, movable walkways and ramps change position allowing patrons and vehicles access to the containers. The position of the walkway and ramp vary depending on the height of the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2001
    Publication date: September 12, 2002
    Applicant: DIMENSIONAL PARKING TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ladd M. Levis-Thorne, Rick Morgan, Robert J. Lang, Stephen B. Douglas, Daniel J. McGuire
  • Patent number: 6422799
    Abstract: A overhead transport system with load-bearing members, in particular transverse bars for attachment of loads, includes running rails which extend in at least two horizontal planes in spaced-apart, parallel disposition, and at least one crane which travels in an upper one of the planes transversely to the running rails for transfer of the load-bearing members from one running rail to another running rail. In order to provide the overhead transport system in a cost-efficient manner with two production or treatment planes while yet saving time as far as transfer of the load-bearing members is concerned, the transfer of the load-bearing members in a lower one of the planes is realized by at least one self-propelled transfer vehicle which travels transversely to the running rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: Mannesmann AG
    Inventors: Reinhard Birkigt, Gerhard Kroll
  • Publication number: 20020039526
    Abstract: A garage has increased parking capacity for vehicles. A parking level has water filling the parking structure so that boats or floating platforms may fill the parking level. The only passageway needed is that which will accommodate the boats or platforms. Vehicles entering the garage are driven onto an endless belt and this belt drives the vehicle onto a platform having another endless belt. When exiting the vehicle's belt drives it off the platform to an exit area. Multiple levels accommodate even larger capacity garages. A computer can control entry, exit, and movement of the platforms to random locations and/or to elevators in multiple level garages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Publication date: April 4, 2002
    Inventor: Teppo K. Jokinen
  • Patent number: 6345948
    Abstract: A simple and relatively inexpensive containerized vehicle storage system for holding self-parked vehicles. In one embodiment, the system includes a building or housing having an upper level and a lower level, with the lower level being situated below level of vehicle entrance into the housing. A plurality of containers are positioned in at least two vertically stacked columns in the housing. Each container is identically configured, and includes a weight tolerant structural shell. The shell is formed by a floor, sidewall and roof arranged to define a shell entrance and an oppositely situated shell exit to permit respective entry and exit of a vehicle into and from the shell of the container. The shell is typically configured to support the weight of a conventional automobile positioned inside the shell, and further support a stack of about ten similarly loaded and configured containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2002
    Inventor: John T. Irish
  • Patent number: 6332743
    Abstract: An elevator type parking system is disclosed. The system includes a main frame having a plurality of vertical columns and horizontal columns for forming a hoist way in a center portion thereof a plurality of parking rooms at both sides of the hoist way, a lift movable along the hoist way formed in the main frame, a lift lifting and lowering drive unit for lifting and lowering the lift, a parking unit installed in each floor of the parking room and being horizontally movable, a parking unit actuating unit installed on the lift for horizontally pulling the parking unit from the parking room to the hoist way and pushing the same from the hoist way to the parking room, a driven unit fixed to the parking unit and driven by the parking means actuating unit for thereby horizontally moving the parking unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2001
    Assignee: LG Industrial Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tae-Weon Park, Oh-Yeong Kong, Seon-Sun Lee, Jae-Whan Kim
  • Patent number: 6328521
    Abstract: A vehicle parking system including a pair of horizontal rails (11,12) spaced apart to define a line of vehicle parking spaces between them, a horizontal carrier (10) movable over the rails (11,12) for conveying vehicles to selected parking spaces, and a vertical lift laterally of the pair of rails (11,12) for lifting onto the horizontal carrier (10) a vehicle to be parked, the horizontal carrier (10) comprising a frame structure for receiving a vehicle to be parked, and four legs (14) depending from four corners of the frame structure and carrying wheels (15) rollable along the rails (11,12), the legs (14) being of a height to enable the frame structure, and the vehicle supported thereby, to move over other vehicles that may be parked in the parking spaces, at least the rail (11) adjacent to the vertical lift being interrupted to produce a gap (11a) sufficiently large to accommodate the vertical lift when lifting a vehicle onto the horizontal carrier (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Shakbar Investments, Ltd.
    Inventor: Itzhak Givati
  • Publication number: 20010026750
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2000
    Publication date: October 4, 2001
    Inventor: Toshiaki Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6106210
    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
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Miyoshi Iron Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shigeo Toxer
  • Patent number: 6085124
    Abstract: The present invention provides an automatic parking system in which the computer, the parking ticket issuer, and the parking ticket recognizer are connected in a network such that each unit exchanges information as it needs, and then the system controlling processes of loading and unloading a car, issuing the parking ticket, recognizing the parking ticket, and calculating the fee for ensuring accuracy of the calculation and convenience of the usage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: LG Industrial Systems Co, Ltd.
    Inventor: Dong Jin Choi
  • Patent number: 6065921
    Abstract: The invention includes a device for parking vehicles for supplying and delivering at an entry/exit position, wherein the device is provided with vertically displaceable lifting devices with which one carrying platform at a time is displaceable in vertical direction. This carrying platform is intended to support a vehicle. The device also includes horizontal transporting devices for taking a platform, which may or may not be loaded with a vehicle, in horizontal direction of the vertical transporting means and carrying it into a parking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2000
    Assignee: Designer & Licensee of Products and Projects, Inc.
    Inventor: Tjebbe Meindort Van Dijk
  • Patent number: 6048156
    Abstract: A vehicle parking device includes a base with four posts extending therefrom and every two adjacent of the posts have two rails connected therebetween on which three first parking units are moved. Each of the posts has a first sprocket mounted thereto and two first parking units movable on the rails and three second parking units movably located between any two adjacent posts. Each of the second parking units has two sprockets mounted to the rear end thereof so that a cable, which has one end thereof fixedly connected to one of two outermost post and the other end thereof engaged with a motor mounted to the other outermost post, reeved through the first sprockets and the second sprockets such that each of the second parking units are moved vertically between the two posts corresponding thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Inventor: Bosen Huang
  • Patent number: 6048155
    Abstract: A simple and relatively inexpensive containerized vehicle storage system for holding self-parked vehicles. In one embodiment, the system includes a building housing having an upper level and a lower level, with the lower level being situated below level of vehicle entrance into the housing. A plurality of containers are positioned in at least two vertically stacked columns in the housing. Each container is identically configured, and includes a weight tolerant structural shell. The shell is formed by a floor, sidewall and roof arranged to define a shell entrance and an oppositely situated shell exit to permit respective entry and exit of a vehicle into and from the shell of the container. The shell is typically configured to support the weight of a conventional automobile positioned inside the shell, and further support a stack of about ten similarly loaded and configured containers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2000
    Inventor: John T. Irish
  • Patent number: 5961270
    Abstract: An apparatus for storing vehicles in a multi-level structure defining several spaces, each one with an entrance. The vehicles are driven to a platform mounted on the upper level of an entrance supporting assembly. The platform is engaged to a carrier assembly with a longitudinal traction mechanism that brings the platform to its upper level while within platform is passed from the lower level of the carrier assembly to the lower level of the entrance supporting platform. The carrier assembly brings the vehicle, mounted on the platform housed with its upper level, in alignment with an entrance of a parking space wherein a similar procedure takes place. The vehicle and the platform with upper level is delivered to the upper level of the parking space while, simultaneously, the lower platform is retrieved and housed within the lower level of the carrier assembly ready for the next car.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Inventors: Hector M. Ortega, Hector S. Ortega
  • Patent number: 5868540
    Abstract: A vehicle storage apparatus including a plurality of storage frames. The apparatus is provided with a passage, which is located at the middle section of the frames, along the length of the apparatus. Storage compartments are provided at the left and right sides of the passage. Each compartment is provided with a transfer tray. An orienting tray is provided in a compartment of one of the frames. The orienting tray is moved between its associated compartment and a carriage. The transfer tray is also moved laterally between the compartments and the carriage. When a vehicle is stored in or retrieved from a designated compartment, the carriage is moved carrying the transfer tray. The orienting tray is accommodated in its associated compartment in this state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Assignee: Fuji Hensokuki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiaki Hirose, Katsuyoshi Yatou
  • Patent number: 5810539
    Abstract: A device for the efficient parking of vehicles is provided. The device includes: 1) a car-pan comprised of steel plate; 2) strengthening rods on the car-pan; 3) a parking space frame comprising a pair of steel C bars as its side beams and another pair of steel C bars as its end beams; 4) a number of (preferably two set) of free rollers with supports; 5) two pairs of driving rollers; 6) a parking power/control box affixed between the two side beams of the parking space; 7) chains connecting the driving rollers with the parking power/control box; 8) an elevator; 9) vertical rack-rails located at the two sides of the elevator; 10) an elevator power/control box affixed between the two side beams of the elevator; and 11) two pairs of chains connecting the driving rollers and the climbing gears of the elevator power/control box. The present device may further include 12) four cables with connectors, and 13) two balance weights between the vertical rack-rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Inventors: Ruyu Zhang, Qing Zhang