US 5,980,185 AGranted

Vehicle parking structure

AssigneeVita Auto Stack, Inc.

InventorLawrence Vita

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Abstract

An improved automated parking garage structure comprising a supporting framework bearing a plurality of vehicle parking stalls arranged in a radial manner on a plurality of levels about a central core. Each of the stalls support a vehicle on a series of fingers. An elevator tower is located within said central core and has an elevator platform adapted for vertical travel, the tower rotating about a vertical axis. A transfer lift for transferring a vehicle between ground level and a level for transfer to or from said elevator platform; is located at ground level and accepts vehicles for parking and return. The elevator platform includes an extension carriage for transferring a vehicle between the platform and the stalls and transfer lift. Operation of the transfer lift, elevator and tower are coordinated by an automated control system, which may include a first unit located at the tower and a second unit, serving as a customer interface, at a remote location. The two units are preferably coupled together by a wireless communication link.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An automated parking garage structure comprising:

a supporting framework bearing a plurality of vehicle parking stalls arranged on a plurality of levels, each of said stalls having means for the support of a vehicle therein;
an elevator tower having an elevator platform adapted for travel between said stalls on said plurality of levels;
a transfer lift for transferring a vehicle between ground level and a level for transfer to or from said elevator platform, said transfer lift having a composite vehicle support surface;
means for moving said elevator tower and elevator platform and means for raising and lowering said elevator platform within said tower;
said elevator platform having an extension carriage for transferring a vehicle between said platform and said stalls and transfer lift;
and,
means for coordinating the operation of said transfer lift, said moving means, said raising and lowering means, and said extension carriage for transporting a vehicle placed on said transfer lift to a vacant parking stall in said structure and for retrieving a vehicle from a parking stall to said vehicle lift, said transfer lift comprises a fixed frame and a lift platform, said lift platform having a frame having a pair of opposed lateral edges bearing a spaced plurality of stub beams located and arranged to support the tires of a vehicle thereon, and a lift platform plate having lateral fingers interdigitating with said stub beams.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.