With Means To Transfer Vehicle To Or From Supporting Member Patents (Class 414/241)
  • Patent number: 11603266
    Abstract: Among other things, a connection assembly for motion along a rail is disclosed. The connection assembly can include a first plate assembly, a second plate assembly, and a release assembly. The first plate assembly can include a first stop mounted to a first base. The second plate assembly can include a second stop mounted to a second base and a post mounted to the second base. The release assembly can include a rod and a spring. The rod can include an outward extension. The spring can be disposed between the extension and the second stop. The release assembly can be configured to occupy: a first state such that the spring pushes the extension against the first stop and thereby biases the first base away from the second base; and a second state such that the spring pushes the extension against the post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLC
    Inventors: Elias Aljallis, Vikranth Gopalakrishnan, Ronald S. Kyslinger
  • Patent number: 9719270
    Abstract: Disclosed is a car parking assembly (100). In one aspect, the car parking assembly (100) comprises a rail mechanism (104) and a plurality of V-bars (106) mounted on the rail mechanism (104) to facilitate the parking of a car and horizontal movement of a parked car respectively. The rail mechanism (104) further comprises a first rail (202), a second rail (204) and a plurality of equally spaced connection. The V-bars (106) further comprises a first bar (502) for facilitating parking of a rear wheel of the car and a second bar (506) for facilitating parking of a front wheel of the car and wherein one end of the first bar (502) and one end of the second bar (506) are connected such that to form a obtuse angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: HCL Technologies Limited
    Inventors: Shailendra Kumar Rohilla, Shivani Tomar, Navin Saini
  • Patent number: 8734078
    Abstract: A system and method for optimizing the parking and storage capacity of a vehicle parking garage wherein rows of vertical columns of parking spaces or cubicles are spaced in opposing relationship with one another such that at least one automatic guided and self propelled vehicle (AGV), with or without a vehicle support tray mounted thereon, is vertically movable in engagement with the opposing racks or chains that extend on opposite sides of the vertical columns of parking cubicles so that a vehicle may be loaded onto the AGV and thereafter transferred to, and later removed from a parking cubicles and transferred to an exit of the garage. If tray are used on the AGV, additional trays are stored in storage spaces adjacent each parking cubicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: BEC Companies Inc.
    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: 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: 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
  • 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
  • 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: 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: 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
  • Patent number: 6302634
    Abstract: The multitier facility for vehicle parking according to this invention comprises a main parking platform located on each tier, and an intertier elevator for delivering a vehicle to a required tier. The elevator has a rectangular-shaped load-receiving platform, a facility for horizontal movements of vehicles with the aim of placing them on the parking platforms and removing from them. Also included is a device for changing the direction of these movements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Inventor: Michael Grenader
  • Patent number: 6109853
    Abstract: A mechanical automobile parking facility with auto parking pallets, in which a vehicle is driven onto an auto parking pallet which is moved with the vehicle thereon to a predetermined space inside the facility. In order to guarantee reliable and abrasion free parking, a driving unit on rails is included whereby the driving unit with the auto parking pallet lying thereon, proceeds along a parking aisle and the auto parking pallet is pushed sideways from the driving unit by telescopic cylinders over glide rails into a free parking space, or conversely the auto parking pallet is taken from there onto the driving unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Inventor: Dieter Paulmichl
  • 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: 5863171
    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).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1999
    Assignee: Sky Park IC JR AB
    Inventor: Bengt Engman
  • Patent number: 5173027
    Abstract: An underground circular and non circular parking place where vehicle parking areas are obtained and arranged radius-like on several underground stories.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1992
    Assignee: Soilmec S.p.A.
    Inventor: Davide Trevisani
  • Patent number: 5109642
    Abstract: Multi-story car park, comprising parking floors divided into lanes having a width approximately equal to the length of the vehicle, and a length which is a multiple of the width of the vehicle, these lanes being sub-divided into elevator lanes (2), in which there are elevators to move the vehicle vertically, fixed space lanes (4) for the parking of vehicles, and flexible space lanes (3) situated between the elevator lanes (2) and the fixed space lanes (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1992
    Assignee: Camunsa Manutencion S.A.
    Inventors: Francisco Ayala, Jose M. Estradera
  • Patent number: 4986714
    Abstract: A vehicle elevator and conveyor arrangement in a parking building of the kind in which the vehicle is intended to be conveyed in the building without the assistance of a driver. The conveyor arrangement includes a so-called transfer carriage which is intended to raise and lower all wheel of the vehicle and which can be moved in a horizontal plane in the building and also in a vertical direction by means of the elevator arrangement, which elevator arrangement includes an elevator platform for supporting a transfer carriage. Each of the stories or floors of the parking building on which a transfer carriage (31) is intended to be moved is provided with two parallel rails (50, 51) which form a horizontal transfer-carriage conveyor path or track (71). One or more elevator shafts (61, 62) are positioned along the longitudinal extension of the rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1991
    Assignee: Sky Park AB
    Inventor: Goran Fernstrom
  • Patent number: 4488693
    Abstract: An aircraft handling system, particularly applicable to helicopters on board ship, said system incorporating a plurality of hydraulic winches for effecting movement of an aircraft from a first position to a second position; and secondary restraining mechanism preferably including hydraulically-actuated constant tension reels for controlling movement of an aircraft from said first position to said second position in order to prevent lateral movement or toppling of the aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 18, 1984
    Assignee: MacTaggart Scott & Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ulrich Brandt, Anthony J. Gray
  • Patent number: 4467725
    Abstract: A continuous rack support apparatus utilizing the gravity feed principle and in which goods to be stored are supported on rolling vehicles comprises thrust rods which are formed as motional impulse generators and arranged so as to be longitudinally displaceable in the center of a track. Pawls are associated with the thrust rods for acting upon the rolling vehicles. Each thrust rod has a locking member for holding it in a locked position following a displacement against the action of a spring. The locking member can be disengaged by the foremost rolling vehicle when the latter is removed. Along the thrust rods are wedges with which the pawls come into contact upon displacement of the thrust rods against the action of the spring to cause the wedges to swivel into a rest position below the track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 28, 1984
    Assignee: Tortuga S.A.
    Inventor: Hans R. Haldimann
  • Patent number: 4200421
    Abstract: The present invention provides a continuous shelf storage unit comprising a shelf, an inclined rail track on which non-driven wheeled carriages can move, with auxiliary equipment for the loading and unloading of the shelf, the rail track having a slight incline for causing a deceleration of wheeled carriages coasting thereon, and momentum-imparting apparatus acting on the wheeled carriages and disposed in the track. The momentum imparting apparatus is activated by the auxiliary devices during removal of a carriage from the shelf.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1976
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1980
    Assignee: Weelpal A.G.
    Inventor: Hans R. Haldimann
  • Patent number: 4170310
    Abstract: The invention relates to a mechanical storage installation in which the vertical axis of the elevator shaft orthogonally intersects the axis of the horizontal rolling tracks receiving the series of storage carriages. In this storage the elevator comprises at least a guide structure located outside the horizontal rolling tracks and a mobile device driven reciprocably along this vertical structure, this mobile device carries at least a retractable comb located in its active position inside the rolling tracks and in its inactive position outside of them, and the comb is connected to the mobile device by a single connection, which, during active vertical movements of the comb, traverses the horizontal rolling tracks by passages provided in these latter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1977
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1979
    Assignee: Rotopark S.A.
    Inventor: Roger Bajulaz