Automated parking system and subassemblies therefor

In an automated parking system for vehicles, said vehicles having tires, said parking system including a ramp capable of supporting a vehicle, said ramp including a plurality of sets of spaced finger members for supporting each of the tires of a vehicle resting on said ramp,

• shuttle means for carrying said vehicle to and from said ramp, said shuttle means including a plurality of sets of fingers corresponding to the plurality of sets of fingers on said ramp, said shuttle means having wheels,
• means for moving said shuttle means from a position located under said ramp to a position removed from said ramp,
• means associated with said set of fingers on said shuttle means for moving the sets of fingers thereon above and below the ramp when said shuttle means is positioned below said ramp, the sets of fingers on said shuttle means being constructed and spaced to interdigitate with the corresponding sets of fingers on said ramp as said fingers on said shuttle means are raised and lowered past said fingers on said ramp,
• a platform associated with said ramp, said platform having a plurality of sets of fingers corresponding to the plurality of sets of fingers on said ramp, said fingers on said platform being constructed and spaced to interdigitate with said fingers on said ramp, and
• means for raising said platform into substantially coplanar relationship with said ramp so that said fingers on said platform interdigitate with said fingers on said ramp to form a substantially continuous upper surface for supporting pedestrian traffic, and for lowering said platform so that said shuttle means can be positioned above said platform and below said ramp, and
• a member joined to said plurality of sets of fingers on said platform, said member having a flat surface on the upper side therof for receiving the wheels of said shuttle means in rolling relationship when said platform is in the lowered position, thereby supporting said shuttle means under said ramp.