Multi-level, automated vehicle parking structure

Abstract

A multi-level, automated vehicle parking structure comprising a plurality of horizontal, planar platform assemblies respectively located on a plurality of structure levels through which a central air shaft extends vertically. Each assembly comprises a rotary platform surrounding the shaft that is rotatable about a vertical axis of rotation extending through the shaft. In one embodiment, at least two oppositely directed vehicle elevators vertically and separately displaceable in the shaft have respective, substantially parallel, base centre lines that are off-radial with respect to the axis of rotation. Each rotary platform has a plurality of parking spaces arranged in circular array with respect to the axis of rotation and having respective base centre lines off-radially inclined in the same sense with respect to the axis of rotation Each rotatable platform is rotatably displaceable so as to bring any selected pair of opposite parking spaces into respective communication with the elevators with the central base lines of the elevators being co-directional with the central base lines of the selected parking spaces. The structure further comprises at least one vehicle entry and exit level for selective communication with the elevators for transfer thereto and therefrom of vehicles to be parked and to be retrieved. Motorised dollies transport vehicles between the elevators and the parking spaces on the stationary platform.

1 . A multi-level, automated vehicle parking structure, comprising: 
 a plurality of horizontal, planar platform assemblies respectively located on a plurality of structure levels;    a central air shaft extending vertically through said levels;    each assembly comprising a rotary platform surrounding said shaft and rotatable about a vertical axis of rotation extending substantially through said shaft;    at least two oppositely directed vehicle elevators vertically and separately displaceable in said shaft and having respective, substantially parallel, base centre lines which are off-radial with respect to said axis of rotation; 
 each of said rotary platforms having defined thereon a plurality of parking spaces arranged in circular array with respect to said axis of rotation and having respective base centre lines off-radially inclined in the same sense with respect to said axis of rotation; 
 said base centre lines of said vehicle elevators and of said parking spaces being substantially tangentially directed with respect to a circle centred on said axis of rotation and of diameter substantially equal to the normal distance between the parallel base centre lines of said vehicle elevators;  
 
 each rotatable platform being rotatably displaceable so as to bring any selected pair of opposite parking spaces into respective communication with said elevators with the central base lines of said elevators being substantially co-directional with the central base lines of the selected parking spaces;  
   at least one vehicle entry and exit level for selective communication with said elevators for transfer thereto and therefrom respectively vehicles to be parked and to be retrieved; 
 motorised dollies for transporting vehicles from and to said elevators to and from parking spaces on said stationary platform co-directional with said elevators; and  
   drive means for respectively rotatably displacing said rotatable platforms and for vertically displacing said elevators    
   
   
       2 . A vehicle parking structure according to  claim 1  wherein each platform assembly furthermore comprises a stationary platform surrounding the rotary platform and having defined thereupon a plurality of like off-radial parking spaces, there being furthermore provided motorised dollies for transporting vehicles from and to said rotary platforms to and from parking spaces on said stationary platforms. A vehicle parking structure according to  claim 2  wherein there are furthermore provided additional elevators located adjacent to an outer periphery of each rotary parking platform and having similarly off-radial center lines  
   
   
       3 . A vehicle parking structure according to  claim 2  wherein there are furthermore provided additional elevators, vertical displaceable in additional elevator shafts located adjacent to an outer periphery of each rotary parking platform and having similarly off-radial center lines.  
   
   
       4 . A vehicle parking structure according to  claim 3  wherein said additional elevators are located in intervals formed in said stationary platforms.  
   
   
       5 . A vehicle parking structure according to  claim 1  wherein there are provided a pair of successive entry and exit of said structure and wherein one or more of said elevators is/are formed with double, superimposed decks designed respectively to communicate with respective successive entry and exit levels of said structure.  
   
   
       6 . A vehicle parking structure according to  claim 1  wherein two pairs of said oppositely directed elevators are provided, each pair being directed substantially normally with respect to the other pair.  
   
   
       7 . A vehicle parking structure according to  claim 1  wherein a vehicle entry turn-table is provided having an automatic centering device for aligning the entering vehicle with the associated elevator center-line.  
   
   
       8 . A multi-level, automated vehicle parking structure, comprising: 
 a plurality of horizontal, planar platform assemblies respectively located on a plurality of structure levels;    a central air shaft extending vertically through said levels; 
 each assembly comprising a stationary platform surrounding said shaft and substantially coaxial with said shaft;  
   at least two oppositely directed vehicle elevators separately displaceable in a vertical direction in said shaft and being rotatable as a unit in said shaft about a vertical axis of rotation extending through said shaft, said pair of elevators having respective, substantially parallel, base center lines which are off-radial with respect to said axis of rotation; 
 each of said stationary platforms having defined thereon a plurality of parking spaces arranged in circular array with respect to said axis of rotation and having respective base center lines off-radially inclined in the same sense with respect to said axis of rotation; 
 said parallel base center lines of said vehicle elevators and of said parking spaces being substantially tangentially directed with respect to a circle centered on said axis of rotation and of diameter substantially equal to the normal distance between the parallel base center lines of said vehicle elevators;  
 
 said elevators being rotatably displaceable so as to bring the central base lines thereof into respective communication with any selected pair of opposite parking spaces with the central base lines of said elevators being substantially co-directional with the central base lines of the selected parking spaces  
   at least one vehicle entry and exit level for selective communication with said elevators for transfer thereto and therefrom respectively vehicles to be parked and to be retrieved; 
 motorised dollies for transporting vehicles from and to said elevators to and from parking spaces on said stationary platform co-directional with said elevators, and for return to their respective elevators; and  
   drive means for respectively rotatably displacing said elevators and for their separate vertical displacement.    
   
   
       9 . A multi-level automated vehicle parking structure comprising: 
 a plurality of horizontal, planar platform assemblies respectively located on a plurality of parking levels of said structure; 
 each assembly comprising a rotary, annular parking platform having a vertical axis of rotation and a stationary, annular platform surrounding said rotary platform, each of said platforms having defined thereon a plurality of parking spaces arranged in circular array with respect to said vertical axis;  
 a plurality of elevator shafts located, adjacent to peripheries of the rotatable platforms and being vertically displaceable for communication with the parking spaces on the rotatable platforms of each of said levels to convey vehicles to, and to retrieve vehicles from selected levels;  
   each rotatable platform being rotatably displaceable so as to bring any selected parking space thereon into and out of selective communication with the or each elevators and into and out of selective communicating, co-directional alignment of a parking space thereon with a parking space on said stationary platform; 
 motorised dollies respectively for transporting vehicles from and to said elevators to and from aligned vacant parking spaces on said rotary platform;  
 motorised dollies for transporting vehicles from and to said rotary platforms to and from parking spaces on said stationary platforms;  
   at least one vehicle entry and exit level for selective communication with said elevators for transfer thereto and therefrom of respectively of vehicles to be parked and to be retrieved; and    drive means for respectively rotatably displacing said rotatable platforms and for vertically displacing said elevators.    
   
   
       10 . A vehicle parking structure according to  claim 9  wherein said vehicle entry and exit level comprises: 
 a rotatable transfer platform having defined thereon a plurality of vehicle transfer locations arranged in circular array with respect to a vertical axis of rotation of said platform; 
 said elevators being vertically displaceable for selective communication with the transfer locations and the parking spaces on the rotatable platforms of each of said levels to convey vehicles to, and to retrieve vehicles from said levels;  
 a plurality of vehicle entry and exit stations radially distributed about an outer periphery of said rotatable transfer platform, each station being rotatable between vehicle entry and exit positions and an intermediate vehicle delivery and collecting position aligned with a vehicle transfer location;  
 said rotatable transfer platform being rotatably displaceable so as to bring any selected transfer location thereon into alignment with said station entry and exit position so as to receive a vehicle from or to deliver a vehicle to said station and so as to bring any selected transfer location thereon into alignment with an elevator so as to deliver a vehicle to or receive a vehicle from said elevator; and  
   motorised dollies for transporting vehicles from and to said transfer stations to and from aligned transfer locations of said transfer level; and for transporting vehicles from and to said elevators to and from aligned transfer locations and parking spaces.    
   
   
       11 . A parking structure according to  claim 9  wherein the radial distribution of said elevators and said vehicle stations with respect to the radial distribution of the transfer locations are such that rotary displacement of said transfer platform into alignment with an entry/exit position of a vehicle station results in the simultaneous respective alignment of the entry/exit positions of the other vehicle  
   
   
       12 . A parking structure according to  claim 10  wherein motorised dollies are positioned on a central turntable of said structure coaxial with and surrounded by said transfer platform, said turntable being rotatable so as to align an available dolly with an aligned entry/exit position of a vehicle station and an aligned transfer location on said transfer platform whereby said available dolly can be displaced through said aligned transfer location into said aligned entry/exit position so to be loaded with a vehicle and to displace said vehicle to said transfer location, or so as to be loaded with a vehicle in said transfer location and to displace it into said vehicle station, in either case the unloaded dolly returning to said central turntable.  
   
   
       13 . A vehicle parking structure according to  claim 9  wherein there are provided a pair of successive entry and exit of said structure and wherein one or more of said elevators is/are formed with double, superimposed decks designed respectively to communicate with respective successive entry and exit levels of said structure.