Parking methods and device with multiple movable vehicle carriers

Abstract

The present invention discloses devices for parking of vehicles and methods of using the devices for parking of vehicles. A preferred embodiment of the invention discloses a device for parking of vehicles comprising at least three vehicle carriers movably installed on the device, at least one actuation mechanism configured to actuate movement of each of said at least three vehicle carriers and a control system. Each of the at least three vehicle carriers is designated an elevated parking position and is capable of moving between a central bottom position and its designated elevated parking position.

1 . A device for parking of vehicles, comprising:
 i. At least three vehicle carriers;   ii. At least three conveying elements, each conveying element corresponds to one of at least three vehicle carriers;   iii. at least one actuation mechanism configured to actuate movement of each of said at least three conveying elements;   iv. a control system;   wherein each of said at least three vehicle carriers is installed on its corresponding conveying element; and   wherein each of said at least three conveying elements is configured to move its corresponding vehicle carrier between its designated one of multiple elevated positions and a bottom central position.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said at least three conveying elements comprising:
 a left-side conveying element configured to allow movement of its corresponding vehicle carrier between an elevated left-side position and a bottom central position; and   a central conveying element configured to allow movement of its corresponding vehicle carrier between an elevated central position and a bottom central position; and   a right-side conveying element configured to allow movement of its corresponding vehicle carrier between an elevated right-side position and a bottom central position.   
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said at least three conveying elements is a telescopic shaft having its corresponding vehicle carrier connected to its distal end, such that the vehicle carrier is movable by expansion and contraction of said telescopic shaft; and
 wherein said expansion and contraction of said telescopic shaft are actuated by said actuation mechanism.   
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said at least three conveying elements is an elongated solid element comprising a chain movably installed throughout the length of said elongated solid element and actuated by said actuation mechanism; and
 wherein one of said at least three vehicle carriers corresponding to said elongated solid element is fixed to one area of said chain, such that movement of said chain mobilizes said one of said at least three vehicle carriers between two ends of said elongated solid element.   
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said at least three of said conveying elements is an elongated solid element comprising a track extending throughout the length of said elongated solid element; and
 wherein a gear is movably installed on said track in a rack and pinion configuration and connected to one of said at least three vehicle carriers corresponding to said elongated solid element; and   wherein said gear is actuated by said actuation mechanism such that rotation of said gear mobilizes said one of said at least three vehicle carriers between at least two ends of said elongated solid element.   
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein angle in which said telescopic shaft is positioned is adjustable; and
 wherein adjustment of angle of said telescopic shaft is actuated by an angle adjustment mechanism.   
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , wherein said angle adjustment mechanism is configured to rotate said telescopic shaft during movement of its corresponding vehicle carrier between said bottom central position and its designated elevated position in order to avoid contact of vehicle carrier and vehicle parked on it with any of the remaining of at least three vehicle carriers and vehicles parked on or under any of the remaining of at least three vehicle carriers. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one proximity sensor installed on at least one of said vehicle carriers. 
     
     
         9 . A device for parking of vehicles, comprising:
 i. At least three vehicle carriers;   ii. a support structure comprising a central bottom parking position and multiple elevated parking positions comprising at least an elevated left-side parking position and an elevated right-side parking position disposed on both sides of elevated tier and an elevated central parking position disposed on yet more elevated tier;   iii. a track system disposed on said support structure to form path between each elevated parking position and said central bottom parking position;   iv. at least one actuation mechanism configured to actuate movement of each of said at least three vehicle carriers;   v. a control system;   wherein each of said at least three vehicle carriers is designated an elevated parking position; and   wherein each of said at least three vehicle carriers is movably installed on said track system to allow each of said at least three vehicle carriers to move between its designated elevated position and a central bottom position.   
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one vehicle carrier is rotatably installed on its corresponding conveying element and actuated by a tilting mechanism configured to controllably tilt said vehicle carrier. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein said tilting mechanism is configured to tilt said vehicle carrier during movement of its corresponding conveying element between said bottom central position and its designated elevated position in order to avoid contact of vehicle carrier and vehicle parked on it with any of the remaining of at least three vehicle carriers and vehicles parked on or under any of the remaining of at least three vehicle carriers. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said vehicle carriers is comprising a joint allowing folding of a horizontal surface of said vehicle carrier into upright position when not occupied by vehicle. 
     
     
         13 . The device of any of  claim 1 , wherein said control system is configured to coordinately control all of said at least three conveying elements. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said at least three vehicle carriers is installed on its corresponding conveying element lengthwise, such as to allow vehicle to park on said vehicle carrier perpendicularly to its corresponding conveying element. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said at least three vehicle carriers is installed on its corresponding conveying element widthwise, such as to allow vehicle to park on said vehicle carrier in parallel to its corresponding conveying element. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said at least three vehicle carriers is configured as a fork engaging with the chassis of the vehicle parking on said vehicle carrier. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein said fork comprises at least two movable support bars engaging with the chassis of the vehicle parking on said vehicle carrier, each of said at least two movable support bars is capable of moving to adjust support position under the vehicle parked on said vehicle carrier. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said at least three vehicle carriers is configured as an elongated bar positioned across length of vehicle; and
 wherein said elongated bar comprising at least four pairs of retractable rods each corresponding to different wheel of vehicle and configured to engage wheel of vehicle from its front and rear sides, thereby limiting movement of vehicle.   
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said at least three vehicle carriers further comprising at least one retractable stopper in contact with at least one pair of wheels of vehicle parked on said vehicle carrier. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said at least three vehicle carriers comprises an alignment mechanism for aligning vehicle parked on said vehicle carrier. 
     
     
         21 . A method of using the device of  claim 1  for parking and unparking vehicles, comprising the steps:
 i. All but one of said at least three vehicle carriers are positioned each in its designated elevated position, while the remaining vehicle carrier is positioned in said bottom central position; 
 ii. Vehicle is transported and parked on said vehicle carrier positioned in said bottom central position; 
 iii. Said vehicle carrier positioned in said bottom central position is moved by said at least one actuation mechanism into its designated elevated position with vehicle parked on it; 
 iv. Another one of said at least three vehicle carriers not occupied by vehicle is moved by said at least one actuation mechanism into said bottom central position, standing by to receive another vehicle; 
 V. For parking, steps ii-iv are repeated for each vehicle carrier not occupied by vehicle, and for unparking, steps ii-iv are reversely repeated for each vehicle carrier occupied by vehicle.