Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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MULTI-LEVEL PARKING LOT AND METHOD
5FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The present invention relates generally to parking lots for vehicles,
and
is more particularly concerned with a compact multi-level parking lot and
method therefor.
.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
10[002] Parking lots having multiple floors or levels containing parking
spaces in
which vehicle may be parked are well known in the art. Typically, such
parking lots have a plurality of parking spaces on each level with a ramp
or roadway extending between each row of parking spaces on each
level and extending between each level to allow passage of vehicles
15 levels. Thus, vehicles may navigate between levels and within each
level to find a parking space.
[003] Unfortunately, the roadways between each level and between each
horizontal strip of parking spaces on each level requires allocation of
space within the parking lot, thus reducing the amount of space
20 available for use as parking spaces. Further, navigation of vehicles
through the roadways can become complex and cumbersome,
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especially when there are a large number of vehicles navigating through
the parking lot at the same time.
[004] Accordingly there is a need for an improved multi-level parking lot and
method therefore.
5SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[005] In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known devices
now present in the prior art, the present invention, which will be
described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide objects and
advantages which are:
10[006] To provide for an improved multi-level parking lot to allow for use of
less
space for the parking lot.
[007] Another advantage of the present invention is that less navigation of
the
multilevel parking lot is required, as compared to conventional multi-
level parking lots.
15[008] Still another advantage of the present invention is that the multi-
level
parking lot and method of the current invention may provide increased
security.
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[009] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a multi-level parking
lot
has a multi-level parking lot comprising a roadway disposed on aground
surface. A plurality of parking containers each adapted to receive and
store an automotive passenger vehicle. At least two of the parking
containers being vertically stacked to form an inner stack of vertically
stacked parking containers extending generally parallel to a first side of
the roadway. At least two of the parking containers are vertically stacked
to form an outer stack of vertically stacked columns of parking
containers extending generally parallel to the first side of the roadway,
and located between the first side of the roadway and the inner stack of
vertically stacked parking containers. Each of the plurality of parking
containers having an access aperture generally facing toward the first
side of the roadway for passage of the vehicle therethrough. A vehicle
carrying device adapted and configured for transporting the automotive
passenger vehicle, wherein the vehicle carrying device includes a
vertical displacement mechanism adapted to raise and lower the
automotive passenger vehicle for inserting and removing through the
access aperture of one of the parking containers; and a mechanism for
moving the inner and outer stacks parallel to the roadway.
20[0010] The mechanism for moving the inner and outer stacks comprises guide
rails extending in a parallel fashion to the roadway; and wherein a
plurality of inner and outer stacks of parking containers are provided;
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and wherein each of the inner stacks and each of the outer stacks are
independently movably mounted on respective guide rails to allow linear
displacement of each stack, and access to the access apertures of each
stack for the vehicle carrying device to insert and remove the vehicles
therethrough.
[0011] The lowermost parking container of each the inner and outer stack
further includes a plurality of movement members on a lower outer
surface thereof, and wherein each the guide rail includes a guide path,
such that each of the movement members is adapted to slideably
interact with each respective guide path of the guide rail, such that each
the inner and outer stack is slideable along respective guide rails.
[0012] Guide rails extending along both sides of the roadway, thereby allowing
for stacks of parking containers to be placed on either or both sides
thereof.
15[0013] Each the stack includes connection members placed upon at least one
of the parking containers that are adapted to connect with the
mechanism for moving the inner and outer stacks, such that a plurality
of adjacent stacks can be moved at the same time.
[0014] Each of the parking containers includes connection members on
opposite sides thereof that are adapted to connect with connection
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members of adjacent parking containers of adjacent stacks, thereby
interconnecting the parking containers, such that a plurality of adjacent
stacks can be moved more efficiently at the same time.
[0015] The connection members are chosen from a group of connection
5 members including clips, clasps, hooks, and handles.
[0016] The guide rails further include motorized mechanisms adapted to
provide movement of the inner and outer stacks along the guide rails.
[0017] A computer member for controlling the movement of each of the inner
and outer stacks along the guide rails, the computer member adapted to
keep track of empty containers, indicate in which container each vehicle
is to be placed, and keep track of which vehicle is in which container;
and wherein the computer member is also adapted to control the
motorized guide rails such that the inner and outer stacks could
automatically be displaced to provide access to a desired container.
15[0018] The vehicle carrying device is a forklift; and wherein the vertical
displacement mechanism is a hydraulic lift including at least one fork
members adapted to be releasably insertable into corresponding slots of
a vehicle carrying platform, such that the vehicle is carried, raised, and
lowered on the forklift to a desired vertical level to insert and remove the
platform and the vehicle into and out of a desired vehicle container.
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[0019] The mechanism for moving the inner and outer stacks comprises a
ceiling mounted displacement mechanism adapted to attach to a ceiling
of a warehouse and move the stacks with respect thereto.
[0020] A multi-level parking lot having a method for parking vehicles
comprising
the steps of:
[0021] a) Forming at least one outer stack and at least one inner stack of
vertically stacked parking containers adapted and configured for the
storage of a vehicle in each respective container therein.
[0022] b) Identifying one of the at least one parking containers in which a
vehicle is to be inserted.
[0023] c) Horizontally displacing at least one of the inner or outer stacks to
provide access to an access aperture of the chosen parking container.
[0024] d)Transporting a vehicle with a vehicle carrying device along a roadway
extending parallel to the stacks in which the chosen parking container is
situated.
[0025] e) Positioning the vehicle adjacent to the access aperture of the
chosen
parking container of the vehicle using the vertical displacement
mechanism of the vehicle carrying device.
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[0026] f) Inserting the vehicle into the chosen parking container through the
access aperture.
[0027] The method for parking vehicles further comprising the steps of:
[0028] a) Identifying one of the at least one parking containers in which a
vehicle is to be removed.
[0029] b) Horizontally displacing at least one of the inner or outer stacks to
provide access to an access aperture of the chosen parking container.
[0030] c) Positioning the vehicle carrying device adjacent and parallel to the
stack in which the chosen parking container is situated.
10[0031] d) Attaching the vehicle inside the chosen parking container to the
vertical displacement mechanism of the vehicle carrying device.
[0032] e) Removing the vehicle of the chosen parking container through the
access aperture.
[0033] There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important
features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof
that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present
contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional
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features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will
form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.
[0034] In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the
invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited
in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements
of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in
the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of
being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be
understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are
for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
[0035] As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception,
upon
which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the
designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the
several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that
the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions
insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present
invention.
[0036] Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S.
Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially
the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar
with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a
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cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of
the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention
of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to
be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.
5[0037] These together with other objects of the invention, along with the
various
features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with
particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this
disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating
advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference
should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter
which contains illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0038] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a multi-level
parking
lot in accordance with the present invention;
[0039] Figure 2 is a top plan view of the multi-level parking lot shown in
Figure
1; and
[0040] Figure 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a parking container for the
multilevel parking lot shown in Figure 1.
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mechanism for moving the outer and inner stacks (30a, 30b) such that a
plurality of adjacent stacks (30) can be moved at the same time.
[0046] Each of the parking containers (12) includes connection members (36)
on opposite sides thereof that are adapted to connect with connection
members (36) of adjacent parking containers (12) of adjacent stacks
(30), thereby interconnecting the parking containers (12), such that a
plurality of adjacent stacks (30) can be moved more efficiently at the
same time.
[0047] The connection members (36) are chosen from a group of connection
members (36) including clips, clasps, hooks, and handles.
[0048] The guide rails (18) further include motorized mechanisms adapted to
provide movement of the outer and inner stacks (30a, 30b) along the
guide rails (18).
15[0049] A computer member for controlling the movement of each of the outer
and inner stacks (30a, 30b) along the guide rails (18), the computer
member adapted to keep track of empty containers (12), indicate in
which container (12) each vehicle (28) is to be placed, and keep track
of which vehicle (28) is in which container (12). The computer member
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is also adapted to control the motorized guide rails (18) such that the
outer and inner stacks (30a, 30b) could automatically be displaced to
provide access to a desired container (12).
[0050] The vehicle carrying device is preferably a hydraulic forklift (32)
includes at least one fork member (44) adapted to be releasably
insertable into corresponding slots (46) of a vehicle carrying platform
(48), such that the vehicle (28) is carried, raised, and lowered on the
forklift (32) to a desired vertical level to insert and remove the platform
(48) and the vehicle (28) into and out of a desired vehicle container (12.
10[0051] The mechanism for moving the outer and inner stacks (30a, 30b)
comprises a ceiling mounted displacement mechanism adapted to
attach to a ceiling of a warehouse and move the stacks (30) with respect
thereto.
[0052] The multi-level parking lot (10) has a method for parking vehicles (28)
comprising the steps of:
[0053] a) Forming at least one outer stack (30a) and at least one inner stack
(30b) of vertically stacked parking containers (12) adapted and
configured for the storage of a vehicle (28) in each respective container
(12) therein.
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[0054] b) Identifying one of the at least one parking containers (12) in which
a
vehicle (28) is to be inserted.
[0055] c) Horizontally displacing at least one of the outer or inner stacks
(30a,
30b) to provide access to an access aperture (20) of the chosen parking
container (12).
[0056] d)Transporting a vehicle (28) with a vehicle carrying device (26) along
a
roadway (24) extending parallel to the stacks (30) in which the chosen
parking container (12) is situated.
[0057] e) Positioning the vehicle (28) adjacent to the access aperture (20) of
the chosen parking container (12) of the vehicle (28) using the vertical
displacement mechanism (32) of the vehicle carrying device (26).
[0058] f) Inserting the vehicle (28) into the chosen parking container (12)
through the access aperture (20.
[0059] The method for parking vehicles (28) further comprising the steps of:
15[0060] a) Identifying one of the at least one parking containers (12) in
which a
vehicle (28) is to be removed.
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[0061] b) Horizontally displacing at least one of the outer or inner stacks
(30a,
30b) to provide access to an access aperture (20) of the chosen parking
container (12).
[0062] c) Positioning the vehicle carrying device (26) adjacent and parallel
to
5 the stack (30) in which the chosen parking container (12) is situated.
[0063] d) Attaching the vehicle (28) inside the chosen parking container (12)
to
the vertical displacement mechanism (32) of the vehicle carrying device
(26).
[0064] e) Removing the vehicle (28) of the chosen parking container (12)
10 through the access aperture (20).
[0065] As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the
present invention, the same should be apparent from the above
description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of
usage and operation will be provided.
15[0066] With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that
the
optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to
include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of
operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious
to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those
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illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are
intended to be encompassed by the present invention.
[0067] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the
principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and
changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to
limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and
described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents
may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.
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