Preassembled platform for vertical vehicle parking and storage

Abstract

An apparatus and system for vertical vehicle parking and storage includes a platform having a platform drive assembly and a side rail assembly that is preassembled for cost effective installation at an existing site. The platform drive assembly includes a motor, a drive axle and a control panel. The side rail assembly includes a continuous chain that is driven by the motor and drive axle using an exterior control pendant to move the preassembled platform between a lowered position for receiving a vehicle and a raised position for parking and storing the vehicle. The preassembled platform is suspended from an overhead supporting structure in one embodiment. In another embodiment, the preassembled platform is supported on an elevating structure. The side rail assembly may further include one or more drive sprockets, driven and loop sprockets, chain guides, locks, slack sensors, limit switches, over length position sensors and/or over height position sensors.

That which is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for vertical vehicle parking and storage comprising:
 a generally planar platform having a platform drive assembly and a side rail assembly on the platform;   wherein the platform drive assembly comprises a motor and a drive axle;   wherein the side rail assembly is operably coupled with the platform drive assembly and comprises a continuous chain that is driven by the motor and the drive axle to move the platform between a lowered position for receiving a vehicle and a raised position for parking and storing the vehicle.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the platform drive assembly further comprises a control panel and wherein a control pendant is electrically connected to the control panel to operate the motor to move the platform between the lowered position and the raised position. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the chain is secured to an overhead structure and the platform is suspended from the overhead structure by only the chain. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the overhead structure comprises vertical support beams and horizontal support beams attached to the vertical support beams, and wherein the chain is secured to a horizontal support beam to suspend the platform. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein the side rail assembly further comprises a lock for retaining the platform in at least the raised position. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the overhead structure comprises opposing support beams, and wherein the chain is secured to a support beam to suspend the platform. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the side rail assembly further comprises a lock for retaining the platform in the raised position. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the platform is supported on a scissors lift. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the control pendant is pivotally mounted on the side rail assembly and is moveable between a generally vertical position when the platform is in the lowered position and a generally horizontal position when the platform is in the raised position. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the platform is preassembled with the platform drive assembly and the side rail assembly on the platform for delivery and installation at an existing site. 
     
     
         11 . A system for vertical vehicle parking and storage comprising:
 a preassembled platform having a platform drive assembly and a side rail assembly contained on a generally planar platform;   wherein the platform drive assembly comprises an electric motor and a drive axle; and   wherein the side rail assembly is operably coupled with the platform drive assembly and comprises a continuous chain that is driven by the electric motor and the drive axle to raise and lower the preassembled platform.   
     
     
         12 . The system according to  claim 11 , wherein the preassembled platform is suspended from an overhead structure by only the chain. 
     
     
         13 . The system according to  claim 12 , further comprising a lock for retaining the preassembled platform in at least a raised position. 
     
     
         14 . The system according to  claim 12 , wherein the overhead structure comprises at least a pair of opposing support beams, and wherein the chain is secured to a support beam to suspend the preassembled platform from the overhead structure. 
     
     
         15 . The system according to  claim 11 , further comprising a control panel and a control pendant electrically connected to the control panel to operate the electric motor to raise and lower the preassembled platform. 
     
     
         16 . A generally planar platform having decking for receiving and supporting an item;
 a platform drive assembly comprising at least a motor and a drive axle;   a side rail assembly comprising at least a continuous chain operably coupled to the drive axle of the platform drive assembly;   wherein the motor of the platform drive assembly is contained on the platform such that the platform is self-lifting between a lowered position and a raised position.   
     
     
         17 . The platform according to  claim 16 , wherein the platform is suspended from an overhead structure by only the chain. 
     
     
         18 . The platform according to  claim 17 , wherein the overhead structure comprises a support beam and the chain is secured to the support beam. 
     
     
         19 . The platform according to  claim 16 , further comprising a control panel and a control pendant electrically connected to the control panel to operate the motor to move the platform between the lowered position and the raised position. 
     
     
         20 . The platform according to  claim 17 , wherein the motor of the platform drive assembly is an electric brake motor and the platform is not raised or lowered by a hydraulic driven motor or a pneumatic driven motor.