GB2247008A - Mechanical garage - Google Patents

Abstract

A vehicle park is disclosed comprising a plurality of movable platforms each for receiving a motor vehicle, the platforms being disposed in a storage area having a plurality of storage regions arranged in a grid format. Each platform has orthogonally-arranged rollers (320, 250), which roll over orthogonally-arranged rollers (200, 220) arranged in the storage regions. The platforms are moved by reciprocating bars with raisable pins for engaging receivers (500) on the platforms. <IMAGE>

Description

Apparatus for storage of an article This invention relates to apparatus and a method for storage of articles, particularly but not exclusively, for the storage of motor vehicles.

Motor vehicles are conventionally stored, for long or short periods, in car parks which may simply comprise plots of land marked out with parking spaces and lanes throughout the vehicles to be driven in and out or may be of a multi-storey building structure with parking spaces connected by lanes and/or lifts to an entrn' F) t region.

It is a disadvantage of existing such car parks that their space-efficiency is poor, because lanes to allow the cars to be driven in and out and parking spaces of sufficient size to allow for a margin of error in parking the cars and to allow the occupants to get out are required. Space-efficiency is particularly important in areas of high population density and/or high land prices, for example in large cities and in Hong Kong and Japan.

It is an object of the invention to provide a storage apparatus and method which alleviates the aforementioned problem.

According to the invention in a first aspect there is provided apparatus for storing a plurality of articles, the apparatus comprising a plurality of movable platforms each for receiving an article to be stored, a storage area having a plurality of storage regions each for receiving a said platform, each storage region being adjacent another and means for moving a said platform across the boundaries between said regions.

Preferably the storage regions are arranged in an array and the array is provided with a number of platforms equal to the number of storage regions in the array less a minimal number for allowing the platforms to move between the storage regions by displacement of an empty space or spaces. In an orthogonal array, the number of empty spaces is preferably three.

The moving means preferably comprises a grid of rollers for supporting the platforms and allowing movement in pre-selected (e.g. orthogonal) directions and means for urging the platforms over the roller grid from one storage region to the next.

The storage apparatus is preferably computer controlled so that an operator or user need not enter the st,-aae e area. If the apparatus is used to store vehicles, the storage area and platforms can be made of a similar size to the vehicles, thus saving considerably on side and height margins.

Furthermore, as the platforms move across the boundaries between the storage regions, there is no need for additional lanes to allow the platforms to be positioned in a particular storage region.

According to the invention in a second aspect there is provided a method of moving a selected platform through the storage area of the apparatus of the first aspect of the invention comprising the steps of moving the platforms in said storage area to provide a series of regions not occupied by any platform into which the selected platform may be sequentially moved towards a desired location.

Preferably the series of regions are left unoccupied one by one so that the selected platform moves into the unoccupied regions step by step.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by wa- cf example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a schematic plan view of an embodiment of the invention, for the storage of motor vehicles; Figure 2 is an underneath view of a platform used in the embodiment of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a side view of the platform of Figure 2, taken across section 3'-3'; Figure 4 is a plan view of a storage region for receiving a platform, of the embodiment of Figure 1; Figure 5 is a perspective view of a pin; Figure 6 is a schematic view of a receiver for engaging the pin of fig 5; Figure 7 is a schematic diagram similar to Figure 1 showing the arrangement of longitudinal and transverse rollers for allowing sliding movement of the } forms in the storage area;; Figure 8 is a view similar to Figure 6 but showing the mechanism for moving the platforms around the storage area; Figure 9 (l)-16) illustrates how a platform is moved in the transverse direction; Figures 10, 11 and 12 illustrate how a selected platform may be moved around the storage area; Figures 13 and 14 show, respectively, a side and plan view of a turntable used in the storage area of figure 1.

With reference to the figures, in particular Figure 1, an embodiment of storage apparatus of the invention is shown, used in a car park application.

The storage apparatus generally designated 100 is divided into a plurality of regions identified by columns A-C and rows 1-6 and columns D-L and rows 1-8. Each region may accommodate a storage platform which is movable throughout the storage apparatus.

Columns A-C define an entry/exit area for the storage apparatus. Regions A, 1-6, B1 and C1 are platform return regions and provide a means of returning empty platforms to the storage area. These regions are covered and a motor vehicle may be driven over regions (A, 1-6) into vehicle entry regions 118, 119 (B-C, 2). A movable platform e.g. 123 is shown at position (B, 2) and a vehicle may be driven on to the platform at this position, the platform then being moved into a storage area. Pedestrians walkways 102-110 are provided, so that drivers and passengers may alight from the motor vehicle before this is stored. Regions 116, 117 (B-C, 5) provide exit regions at which a car can be delivered from the storage area when required.

The entry/exit regions 118, 119, 116, 117 are connected to a storage area generally designated 120 via intermediate, spate, entry and exit regions in column C. The storage area comprises an array of story regions in columns D-L and rows 1-8. Each storage region is shown by a dotted box and each region may be occupied by a platform (shwon in full lines) for storing a motor vehicle or other article of which one platform shown at position (I, 8) is labelled 122.

The storage area further includes centralised machinery rooms 124, 125, 126 which contain motors for driving apparatus for moving the platforms around the storage area as is described below.

It is envisaged that a car park of the construction shown in Figure 1 may be of a multi-storey design and to allow transfer of platforms between levels, two lifts 128, 130 are also provided.

With reference to Figures 2-4, 6 and 7, a platform and a mechanism for allowing sliding movement of a platform around the storage area is shown.

The nì-x-ing mechanism is based on two sub systems, the first being a grid of longitudinally and transversely extending support rollers arranged in pairs, which allow the platforms to move in orthorgonal directions throughout the storage area and vehicle entry/exit regions. At the vehicle entry/exit area, one set of longitudinal return rollers 220(i) for platform return and four sets of longitudinal entry/exit rollers 220(ii)-(v) corresponding to the entry/exit regions 118, 119, 117, 116 are provided. One set of transversely extending return rollers 200(A) is also provided in the platform return region. In the storage area 120 a network of sets of support rollers comprising transverse support rollers 200(D)-200(L) and longitudinal support rollers 220(1) - 220(8) are provided.As entry lane 118 and exit lane 116 do not line up exactly with any row of the storage area, longitudinally extending support rollers 220 (iii) and 220 (v) extend into column D to provide some overlap. The lateral and longitudinal rollers also extend into the lift areas 128, 126 (G3, E6) to allow platfc -ms to be moved into these areas.

With reference to Figure 3 a platform (122 shown in fig 1) is shown suspended on the support roller sets. The platform comprises a sub-frame 300 in which four sets of platform rollers are provided; two sets 320, 330 extend transversely with each roller having a longitudinal rotational axis and sets 340, 350 extending longitudinally, each roller having a tranverse rotational axis. The platform rollers 340, 350 are supported by the longitudinal support rollers 220, whereas the platform rollers 320, 330 are supported by the transverse support rollers 200. It will be apparent that the arrangement of having two sets of orthogonal rollers allows the platform to move either longitudinally or transversely.For longitudinal movement the rollers 340, 350 rotate over the longitudinally extending surface of the rollers 220 with the rollers 200 rotating as the transverse rollers 320, 330 engage them so that longitudinal movement is not impeded. For transverse movement, the rollers 320, 330 rotate over the transversly extending surfaces of the rollers 200, with the rollers 220 rotating when they come into contact with the rollers 340 and 350.

The roller arrangement for storage region I, 8 is shown in more detail in Figure 4 in which it can be seen that the shown portion of longitudinal roller set 220(8) comprises a plurality of support rollers 400-415 with the shown portion of transverse roller set 200(I) comprising support rollers 418-425.

In order to assist the guidance of the platforms between storage regions in the storage area, each storage region is provided with four pins 430, 432, 434 and 436. The platform 122 is provided, in the sub-frame 300, with a network of channels comprising two longitudinal channels 440, 442 and two transverse channels 44t, 446 which engage the pins as the platform moves. The channels are provided with tapered portions e.g. 450, 452 which allow errors in the position of the platform 122 relative to the support rollers to be corrected as the platform moves.

Each platform is provided with four wheel lock devo. f > locking the wheels of a vehicle once in place. of which devices 450, 452 are shown in Figure 3.

The second sub-system comprises a mechanism for moving the platforms through the storage area and this is shown in Figures 3-4 and 7.

The moving mechanism basically comprises a orthogonal network of bars which are powered to move in a linear reciprocal manner. Each bar is provided with a plurality of pins which are controllable to lie either in an inoperative position or in a raised position where they "catch" and engage a corresponding receiver provided on a platform so that the platform is urged in the direction the bar is moving.

With reference to Figure 8 the arrangement of movable bars is shown. The bars are arranged in an orthogonal network and are generally provided as a driven pair or triplet connected via a gear box to a motor in one of the machinery areas 124, 125 or 126.

In to figure, transverse movement bars are shown by heavy dotted lines, for example transverse bar pairs 551, 552 -and 553, 554 shown in column A and 555, 556 and 557, 558 shown in column F. The pairs 551, 552; 553, 554; 555, 556; and 557, 558 are connected to contra-rotating gear boxes 560, 561, 562 and 563.

The longitudinal bars are arranged in sets of three, for example as shown in row 8 in which bars 580, 581 and 582 are shown. Bars 580 and 582 are connected together to move as one, with bar 581 moving in the contrary direction, the bars being connected to a motor in a machinery space via contra-rotating gear box 583.

Two transverse bar sets e.g. 551, 552 and 553, 554 are used for a single transverse movement of a platform whereas a single set of bars for example the set 580, 581, 582 is provided for movement longitudinally.

The t-* 9 are arranged in reciprocal pairs or triplets so that when one bar e.g. 551 moves in position, the corresponding bar 552 also changes position reciprocally so that, after a movement is complete, bar 551 has effectively taken up the position of bar 552 and vice versa.

For the triplets, the same applies except that, for example, the single bar 581 takes the place of the pair 580, 582 and vice versa.

Bars 585, 586 are provided for allowing a platform to be moved into a lift area. These are of single and not reciprocal construction and thus need to be returned to their original position, under action of a motor in one of the machinery spaces, once a movement operation is completed, to allow a further movement operation subsequently.

As shown in figures 3 and 4, the longitudinal bars overlie the transverse bars and both sets of bars are received between rollers of the roller grid. In figures 3 and 4 the longitudinal bars are labelled 592, 593 and 594 and the two sets of transverse bars are labelled 588, 589; 590, 591.

A pin for engaging a platform with a movement bar is shown in fig 5. The pin comprises an engagement member 700 having two ends 702, 704 each corresponding to the shape of a notch of a platform-mounted receiver described below. The engagement member 700 is connected to a shaft 710 which is received in a corresponding bore 712 in a bar 714, the bar 714 further including a recess 716 for receiving the engagement member 700 when this is in a lowered position. The shaft 710 has a disc 718 connected to its free end and, between the disc 718 and the bar 714 a helical spring 720 is provided which biases the pin into the lowered position.

At frequent positions below the bars, actuators of which one generally designated 730 is shown in fig 5, are provided. The actuator comprises a solenoid or hydraulic ram 732 connected to an elongate plate 734. htl. the solenoid 732 is energized, this pushes the plate 734 upwardly, this serving to raise the pin to the position shown in fig 5.

The actuators 730 are provided at adjacent locations under all the transverse and longitudinal bars, to allow a pin to be raised and engaged with a plateform at any position.

When a pin is raised, this is arranged to engage a receiver shown in Figure 6 and generally designated 500. A notch 504 is formed at the apex 502 of a triangular guiding member 506. This guiding member is hingably connected to a pair of members 512, 514 which are hingably connected to the sub-frame 300 of the platform. Four springs 520, 522, 524, 526 extend, via a platform-connected intermediate member 528 between members 512 and 514. The receiver 500 provides a guiding arrangement to allow for errors in the position of the platform to be compensated as when the hook is not in line with the receiver 500, the receiver can swing sideways and catch the pin engagement member 700.

In use, if it is desired to engage a pin with a platform, the pin is moved adjacent a platform mounted receiver 500 and the appropriate plate 734 is raised to raise the engagement member 700; the bar 714 is then moved into contact with the platform receiver as shown in fig 6 and described below, the receiver and engagement portion 700 then interlocking one with the other so that, when the pin moves off the plate 734 by further movement of the bar 714, the pin remains engaged with the platform due to engagement with the receiver 500. To disengage the pin from the receiver, all that is required is for the bar to be moved slightly eg, 3cm in the reverse direction, this releasing the pin 700 from the receiver 500, the pin then being retracted b action of the spring 720.

As will be apparent with reference to Figures 8 and 4, the longitudinal bars lie across the top of the transverse bars. Thus, when driving a platform in a transverse direction, it is not possible for one transverse bar to move the platform the complete dicta e as the raised pin will foul against the longitudinal bars during such movement. For this reason, transverse movement is accomplished by using both bars of a pair. This is illustrated in Fig 9 (1)-(6) in which the left hand end of a platform is shown. The movement shown in fig 8 can be envisaged as movement of platform 122 from position G7 to position G6 in fig 8.

With reference to the figures, in figure 9 (1) as shown, the platform 122 is slightly out of alignment with the pair of lateral bars 530, 532 so that hook 700a is slightly out of alignment with the apex of receiver 500. When the bar is moved in a direction of the arrow, it can be seen that the receiver 500 distorts against the bias of springs 520, 522, 524, 526 to align with pin 700a. The platform 122 is then urged in the direction of the arrow. The hook 700a is able to move the platform 122 until it conflicts with the set of horizontal bars labelled 600/2/4.

Shortly before this point, as shown in figure 8(3), the bar 530 is stopped and pin 700a lowered by reversing the movement of the bar for a short dista!. Bar 530 is then advanced to the position shown in Figure 8(4) in which pin 552 of the corresponding bar, which moves in a reciprocal fashion, now lies adjacent receiver 530. At this point the pin 700b is raised and the movement direction of bars 530, 552 reversed as shown in Figure 8(5) to complete the movement of the platform 122.

By comparison figures 8(1) and 8(6) it can be seen that pins 700a and 700b have returned to their starting positions and are thus in position for a new transverse movement.

Longitudinal movements take place in a similar manner to transverse movements except that no intermediate step as illustrated in figure 8 is required for movement between adjacent storage regions.

It is a particular feature of the embodiment of the invention as described that the storage regions within the storage area 120 can practically all be filled with platforms and removal of any particular platform can still be performed with only a minimal number of spaces unoccupied by platforms.

Furthermore, the movement of the platforms, b means of the movement bars as shown in Figure 8 can be computer controlled, the computer monitoring the position of each platform in the storage area and actuating the moving means to move the platforms into any desired position and retrieve/store any platform from/to any desired locations.

It is possible for all the storage regions except one to be filled with storage platforms. However, the inventor has found that, advantageously, a minimum of 3 empty spaces be provided to allow flexibility in movement.

Some examples of movement cycles are shown in Figures 10, 11 and 12 and these are described below with reference to the following examples.

In the examples, different movements in the same step take lace simulaneously and C denotes a selected platform to be moved and E denotes an empty space.

EXAMPLE I - CONTINUOUS DIAGONAL MOVEMENTS (FIGURE 10) 1. Move car platform at L5 to 5 leaving L5 empty.

2A. Move car platform at KS to K6 leaving K5 empty.

B. Move platforms at L6 and L7 to L5 and L6 respectively with L7 left empty.

3A. Move car platform at K6 to J6 leaving K6 empty.

B. Move platforms at J5 and I5 to K5 and J5 respectively with I5 left empty.

C. Move platforms at K7 and J7 to L7 and K7 respectively with J7 left empty.

4A. Move car platform at J6 to J7 leaving J6 empty.

B. Move platforms at I6 and I7 to I5 and I6 respectively with I7 left empty.

C. Move platforms at K7 and K8 to K6 and K7 respectively with K8 left empty.

By this technique, car platform C has moved diagonally from L5 to J7.

EXAMPLE II - CONTINUOUS FORWARD MOVEMENTS (FIGURE 11) 1. Move car platform at L7 to K7 leaving L7 empty.

2A. Move car platform at K7 halfway to J7.

B. Move platform at L6 to L7 leaving L6 empty.

3A. Continue step 2A by moving car platform at K7 completely to J7 with K7 left empty.

B. Move platforms at K6, J6, I6 and H6 halfway to L6, K6, J6 and 16 respectively.

4A. Move car platform at J7 halfway to I7.

B. Continue step 3B by moving platforms at K6, J6, I6 and H6 completely to L6, K6, J6 and I6 respectively with H6 left empty.

C. Move platform at K8 to K7 leaving K8 empty.

5A. Continue step 4A by moving car platform at J7 completely to I7 with J7 left empty.

B. Move platform at H7 to H6 leaving H7 empty.

C. Move platforms at J8, I8, H8 and G8 halfway to K8, J8, I8 and H8 respectively.

6A. Move car platform at I7 halfway to H7.

B. Move platform at J6 to J7 leaving J6 empty.

C. Continue step 5C by moving platforms at J8, I8, H8 and G8 completely to KS, J8, I8 and H8 respectively with G8 left empty.

As illustrated the time taken by a transverse movement is only half of that of a longitudinal movement.

In F' arnrle I step 4, empty space J7 to where the car platform has been moved is provided by moving other platforms to fill up the empty space left behind by the car platform in step 1. This represents a cycle of repeated use of one empty space. The use of the space starts when an empty space is left behind by a movement of a car platform and ends when the space is moved to become the empty space where the car platform is to be moved. Similarly in Example II step 6 the empty space H7 is also derived in the same way.

Continuous transverse movements of a car platform require too many initial empty spaces and too many platforms have to be moved to fill up the empty space left behind by each movement in a cycle making repeated use of the empty space. Therefore the above examples are designed to limit such movements as much as possible. Usually a car platform can be moved to a lift or an exit by combinations of continuous diagonal and forward movements. However where a lift is on one side of the car park while the exit is on the ther side, then a row of empty spaces is specifically reserved for car platforms from this lift to be moved across the car park to the exit as, for example, shown in figure 1 row F (3-7).

During a continuous forward movement more than one car platform can be delivered to a lift or an exit at the same time. This is done by using any available empty space or the three initial empty spaces to move any selected car platforms on the same route.

In Example II above, suppose car platform (C-1) is also wanted. It has first to be moved to the present location at H7 before the farther car platform (C) starts to be moved. The first two steps of movements are the same. But thereafter there are slight differences and they are shown in figure 12.

3A. Continue step 2A by moving car platform (C) at K7 completely to J7 with 7 left empty.

B. Move platforms at K6, J6, I6, H6 and G6 halfway to L6, K6, J6, I6 and H6 respectively.

4A. Move car platform (C) at J7 halfway to I.

B. Continue step 3B by moving platforms at K6, J, I6, H6 and G6 completely to L6, K6, J6, I6 and H6 respectively with G6 left empty.

C. Move platform at KS to K7 with KS lift empty.

5A. Continue step 4A by moving car platform (C) at J7 completely to I7 with J7 left empty.

B. Move platform at G7 to G6 leaving G7 empty.

C. Move platforms at J8, I8, H8, GS and F8 halfway to K8, J8, I8, H8 and GS respectively.

6A. Move car platforms (C-l and C) at H7 and 17 halfway to G7 and H7 respectively.

B. Move platform at J6 to J7 leaving J6 empty.

C. Continue step 5C by moving platforms at J8, I8, H8, G8 and F8 completely to K8, J8, I8, H8 and G8 respectively with F8 left empty.

By continuing this process, car platforms C-I and C can be delivered to a lift or an exit at the same time.

In the storage arrangement as shown in Figure 1, it is also desirable to provide a means for turning vehicles round so that they face outwards when they exit from the storage area. For this purpose, two turntables 600, 610 are provided and one of these is shown in more detail in Figures 13 and 14. The turntable comprises a circular rotatable platform 610 upon which two sets of longitudinal and transverse rollers 612, 614; 616, 618 are provided. When a platform is moved on to the turntable, the turntable is raised b a hydraulic jack (not shown) to a position where the rollers of the platform do not engage the rollers of the grid adjacent to the turntable, otherwise this would foul one another when the turntable is turning the vehicle through 180 degrees.

Once the operation is completed the turntable is lowered and the platform removed either transverse or longitudinally by use of the adjacent longitudinal or transverse movement bars.

Preferably, each vehicle, when driven on to a platform, is covered with a fire insulating housing or flexible cover, to protect the vehicle when in the sto-a r area.

While the storage apparatus of the invention has been described with reference to a specific embodiment for use in storing/parking cars, this is not to be construed as limitative and the invention in its more general aspects is applicable for not only cars but other articles. The apparatus may therefore be used for warehousing and cold storage.

Claims (22)

1. Apparatus for storing a plurality of articles comprising a plurality of movable platforms each for receiving an article to be stored, a storage area having a plurality of storage regions each for receiving a said platform, each storage region being adjacent to another and means for moving a said platform across the boundaries between said regions.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the storage regions are arranged in an array.

3. .i Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the array is an orthogonal array.

4. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the number of platforms stored in the storage area when filled, is less than the number of storage regions by at least one.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein the number of platforms is at least three less than the number of storage regions.

6. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the moving means comprises a grid of rollers, the platform being adapted to be supported and slide over the rollers.

7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein the rollers are formed in an orthogonal grid, the platforms being provided with corresponding orthogonally disposed rollers for engaging with the rollers of the grid and allowing sliding motion in orthogonal directions.

8. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the moving means comprises means for urging the platforms from one storage region to the next.

9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein the urging means comprises a plurality of linearly movable members.

10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein the rollers are arranged in reciprocally movable pairs.

11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9 or claim 10 wherein the members are arranged in an orthogonal grid.

12. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 8-11 si!,erein the urging means and platforms have selectively engageable means.

13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein the said selectively engageable means comprises a receiver connected to the platform and a plurality of pins coupled to the urging means at spaced positions, a selected pin being actuatable to engage the receiver.

14. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims further comprising turntable means for rotating a said platform.

15. Apparatus as claimed in claim 14 wherein the turntable means is disposed in the storage area at a said storage region.

16. A vehicle park comprising a plurality of movable platforms, each for receiving a motor vehicle, a storage area having a plurality of storage regions each for receiving a said platform, each storage region being adjacent to another and means for moving the platforms across the l r.daries between said regions.

17. A vehicle park as claimed in claim 16 wherein said moving means comprises an orthogonal grid of rollers running between said regions and means for moving the platform over said rollers between said regions.

18. Storage apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

19. A vehicle park substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

20. A method of moving a selected platform through the storage area of the apparatus of any one of claims 1-15 and 18 or the vehicle park of claims 16, 17 or 19 comprising the steps of moving the platforms in said storage area to provide a series of storage regions not occupied by any 1 fcrm into which a selected platform may be sequentially moved towards a desired location.

21. A method as claimed in claim 20 wherein the series of regions are left unoccupied one by one so that the selected platform moves into the unoccupied regions step b step.

22. A platform adapted for two-dimensional movement over a region provided with a roller assembly, the platform having first and second platform roller means adapted to engage first and second roller means of the assembly for supporting the platform relative thereto, the axes of rotation of the first assembly roller means and the second platform roller means being parallel and the axes of the second assembly roller means ad the first platform roller means being parallel.