Vehicle storage system

Abstract

A vehicle stacking apparatus includes a plurality of vehicle parking bays, and at least one traveling vehicle lifter. The vehicle parking bay includes conveying elements, upon which a vehicle can rest, and is capable of moving a vehicle forwardly or rearwardly. The traveling vehicle lifter is able to travel both horizontally and vertically between at least a vehicle access point, and a vehicle parking bay.

1 . Vehicle stacking apparatus comprising a plurality of vehicle parking bays, and at least one travelling vehicle lifter;
 a said vehicle parking bay including conveying means, upon which a vehicle can rest, and capable of moving a said vehicle forwardly or rearwardly;   said travelling vehicle lifter including conveying means, upon which a vehicle can rest, and capable of moving a said vehicle forwardly or rearwardly; said travelling vehicle lifter able to travel both horizontally and vertically between at least one loading point, and the access point to a vehicle parking bay.   
   
   
       2 . Vehicle stacking apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  in which said array comprises a plurality of vehicle parking bays in both a vertical and horizontal direction. 
   
   
       3 . Vehicle stacking apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  in which a said vehicle parking bay has depth, able to accommodate a plurality of vehicles end to end. 
   
   
       4 . Vehicle stacking apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  in which the conveying means on the travelling vehicle lifter, can interact with the conveying means on a access point, and the the conveying means of a vehicle bay, to facilitate the transfer of a vehicle between the vehicle lifter and either of the access point and vehicle bay respectively. 
   
   
       5 . Vehicle stacking apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  in which the conveying means on a travelling vehicle lifter is locked against operation unless the lifter is correctly aligned with either or both of a vehicle parking bay, or a vehicle access point. 
   
   
       6 . Vehicle stacking apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  in which the conveying means on a vehicle parking bay is locked against operation unless a travelling vehicle lifter is aligned therewith. 
   
   
       7 . Vehicle stacking apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  in which the vehicle travelling lifter is capable of moving simultaneously horizontally and vertically. 
   
   
       8 . Vehicle stacking apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  in which the vehicle parking bays are positioned within a structure constructed of modular units. 
   
   
       9 . Vehicle stacking apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  in which the vehicle parking bays are positioned within a structure comprising a dismantlable frame. 
   
   
       10 . Vehicle stacking apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  in which a travelling vehicle lifter comprises a travelling carriage, a vehicle platform, and platform lifting means. 
   
   
       11 . Vehicle stacking apparatus as claimed in  claim 10  in which travel of a travelling vehicle lifter is by any one or more of: a chain drive system, motorised wheels, a screw and nut type system, electromagnetic propulsion, a gear and rack type system, cable and pulley system, hydraulics or pneumatic systems. 
   
   
       12 . Vehicle stacking apparatus as claimed in  claim 10  in which lifting of the vehicle platform of a travelling vehicle lifter is by any one or more of: chain drive mechanisms, screw and nut type systems, a gear and rack type system, jack and ratchet type systems, cable and pulley systems, hydraulics or pneumatic systems. 
   
   
       13 . Vehicle stacking apparatus as claimed in  claim 10  in which there is provided sensing means on the travelling vehicle lifter to ascertain whether it is aligned accurately with a vehicle parking bay and/or vehicle access point. 
   
   
       14 . Vehicle stacking apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , in which there are allocated temporary storage positions into which the travelling vehicle lifter can temporarily place vehicles when accessing vehicles stored behind the front vehicle in vehicle stacking apparatus providing vehicle parking bays more than one vehicle deep. 
   
   
       15 . Vehicle stacking apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  in which there is provided at least one vehicle service bay associated with either or both of vehicle servicing equipment or vehicle refuelling equipment, and to which a vehicle may be temporarily transferred for servicing or grooming. 
   
   
       16 . Vehicle stacking apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  in which the vehicle parking bays are arranged in a structure which is, when viewed in top plan view, either curved or substantially circular. 
   
   
       17 . Vehicle stacking apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  which includes a control system capable of controlling at least a said travelling vehicle lifter and to implement at least one of: remembering which vehicle is stored where for access and retrieval by a travelling vehicle lifter; prioritising movements of a travelling vehicle lifter, optimising travel of a travelling vehicle lifter between positions for the transfer of vehicles; recording estimated time of driver return for prioritising movements of a travelling vehicle lifter; 
   
   
       17 . Vehicle stacking apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  which includes a control system capable of recording and implementing instructions for: special security requests by a vehicle user; facilitating vehicle user requests for available options such as servicing and grooming; allowing for retrieval by other authorised or designated persons; providing account management, cost and accounting facilities associated with use and services requested.