Vehicle storage facility

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 ). In an alternative embodiment, the storage facility does not have a building constructed therearound and the supporting structure can be in the form of substantially horizontal floor located at elevated from or recessed into adjacent surrounding ground by some distance. For example, this can include an asphalt or concrete pad or even a wharf or dock located adjacent a body of water.

1 . A vehicle storage facility including: 
 a support means; and    a movable column having a plurality of storage bays for storage of a respective plurality of vehicles,    wherein the column is horizontally movable on or at the support means relative to an adjacent multiplicity of storage bays.    
     
     
         2 . A storage facility according to  claim 1  wherein the adjacent multiplicity of storage bays is a fixed column.  
     
     
         3 . A storage facility according to  claim 1  wherein the adjacent multiplicity of storage bays is a second movable column.  
     
     
         4 . A storage facility according to  claim 2  wherein the movable column storage bays are disposed in a plurality of vertically adjacent rows.  
     
     
         5 . A storage facility according to  claim 2  wherein the fixed column storage bays are disposed in a plurality of vertically adjacent rows.  
     
     
         6 . A storage facility according to  claim 1  including wheels attached to a base of the movable column/s to allow the horizontal movement of the column/s.  
     
     
         7 . A storage facility according to  claim 6  including a plurality of parallel rail tracks disposed on a floor of the support means, wherein each wheel is located on the base such that they are rollable upon a corresponding track.  
     
     
         8 . A storage facility according to  claim 1  wherein the column includes a central, upwardly extending frame, and a plurality of pairs of laterally extending substantially horizontal support arms, wherein the pairs are disposed at regular intervals, and each bay includes one said pair.  
     
     
         9 . A storage facility according to  claim 8  wherein the disposition of each pair is adjustable.  
     
     
         10 . A storage facility according to  claim 1  wherein each storage bay includes a front access defined by a bay floor, a bay roof and adjacent bay walls disposed between the bay floor and bay roof.  
     
     
         11 . A storage facility according to  claim 1  wherein each storage bay is shaped as a rectangular prism.  
     
     
         12 . A storage facility according to  claim 10  wherein at least one bay includes a support guide on its bay floor for supporting a boat in an upright position, where the boat has a hull with a multi-planar shape.  
     
     
         13 . A storage facility according to  claim 12  wherein the support guide includes a pair of parallel guide rails.  
     
     
         14 . A storage facility according to  claim 1  wherein the support means is a substantially horizontal floor located at, elevated from or recessed into adjacent surrounding ground.  
     
     
         15 . A storage facility according to  claim 1  wherein the support means is a structure including sidewalls extending upwardly from a floor perimeter to define an open top and a roof upon the top, wherein at least one sidewall includes a door for access into the facility.  
     
     
         16 . A method of storing a vehicle in a storage facility including the step of placing a vehicle into a first storage bay in the storage facility and thereafter moving the first or another storage bay to a position in which the vehicle is not accessible for retrieval until the first or the other storage bay is moved out of the position.  
     
     
         17 . A method as claimed in  claim 16  wherein when in the position the first storage bay is in a close facing relationship with an adjacent storage bay.  
     
     
         18 . (Cancelled)  
     
     
         19 . (Cancelled)