Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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PASSENGER AND VEHICLE ELEVATOR SYSTEM
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to elevators, and particularly to a passenger
and
vehicle elevator system for carrying a vehicle and at least one passenger
within a multi-story
building.
BACKGROUND ART
The increasing cost of urban land, together with the need to provide
affordable
high density housing, as well as low-cost commercial or professional office
space, presents
several problems in the development of building complexes, particularly
including motor
vehicle parking facilities. Specifically, the need to develop affordable high-
density housing,
such as apartment or condominium complexes, has presented a problem in
providing
adequate space for parking personal motor vehicles in close proximity to the
apartment or
condominium building or buildings without encountering the prohibitive cost of
erecting
buildings with garage facilities directly above, or more commonly, directly
below the
building floors or levels that are dedicated to multiple dwelling units.
National and local regulatory requirements with respect to fire ratings of
structures with garages directly underneath residential dwelling units is cost
prohibitive with
respect to providing affordable housing in many urban areas. Further, the
irregular shape of
land parcels usually available for high-density housing in highly developed
urban areas also
presents a problem with respect to the placement of adequate parking spaces
for personal
automobile vehicles, which are closely adjacent the vehicle owner's dwelling
unit.
One solution to the above-mentioned problems is the development of multi-story
garages for motor vehicles directly adjacent to, or within, the buildings that
include the
dwelling units to be occupied by the persons normally parking their vehicles
in the garage.
Multi-story garages are desired in areas where land costs require a maximum
utilization of
land area for rentable or saleable building space. However, multi-story
garages can be
inconvenient to use for many building occupants if parking is required on an
upper level of
the garage and a pathway between an upper level dwelling unit and the garage
requires travel
between ground level and the upper garage level, as well as travel between
ground level and
an upper level dwelling or other occupiable unit in the building or buildings
adjacent to the
garage.
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Multi-story garages have been constructed in which connecting bridges or
walkways between parking decks and upper floors of buildings adjacent thereto
have required
stairways interconnecting the walkways or bridges with the parking decks,
since the decks
and the respective building floors have not been placed at the same
elevations. Such
arrangements have been unsatisfactory for elderly and disabled persons, as
well as when
moving large articles and furnishings between the garage and living units on
the closest
adjacent floors.
Other considerations that must be taken into account in the development of
high-
density housing with multistory garages adjacent thereto concerns placement of
the garage
with respect to the dwelling units while maintaining adequate open space
therebetween to
conform to regulatory requirements and aesthetic desires of the building
occupants.
It would obviously be desirable to be able to provide the same access between
a
building dwelling unit on an upper floor or level and an upper story garage
parking space as
is provided for persons occupying a ground floor dwelling unit and
corresponding ground
level parking. Consideration should be given not only to the convenience of
walking a
substantially level pathway between a dwelling unit and the parking place for
the building
occupants' personal vehicles, but also with regard to such activities as trash
disposal, mail
delivery and pickup and the ease of moving personal effects and furniture in
and out of a
dwelling unit. Further, it would also be desirable to be able to maximize
space for both
parking and the residential or office spaces in such an arrangement.
Thus, a passenger and vehicle elevator system solving the aforementioned
problems is desired.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
The passenger and vehicle elevator system carries a vehicle containing at
least
one passenger to a desired parking spot within a multi-story building. The
passenger and
vehicle elevator system includes a plurality of elevator cars arrayed
substantially
equidistantly from a central shaft of the building. Each elevator car includes
a housing and at
least one door. The elevator car housing has a floor, a ceiling and at least
one sidewall. The
elevator car is dimensioned and configured for carrying a vehicle and at least
one passenger.
Preferably, parking location-related information is read from the vehicle by
an external
sensor, such as an RFID sensor, bar code reader, or the like.
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A linearly translating platform is mounted to the floor of each of the
elevator car
housings. The linearly translating platform is adapted for automatically
canying the vehicle
and the at least one passenger through the at least one door. Further, the
vehicle may be
rotated within the housing by driven rotation of the platform or rotation of
the floor, allowing
for selective angular positioning of the vehicle with respect to the housing.
The elevator car
ascends and descends within a corresponding elevator shaft in a manner similar
to that of a
conventional elevator.
These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent
upon further review of the following specification and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic plan view of a single exemplary floor of a multi-
story
building utilizing a passenger and vehicle elevator system according to the
present invention.
Fig. 2A is a diagrammatic side view in section of an individual elevator car
of the
passenger and vehicle elevator system according to the present invention.
Fig. 2B is a diagrammatic top view of the individual elevator car of Fig. 2A.
Fig. 3A is a diagrammatic environmental top view, partially in section,
illustrating a vehicle approaching an individual elevator of the passenger and
vehicle elevator
system according to the present invention.
Fig. 3B is a diagrammatic environmental top view, partially in section,
illustrating extension of a platform of the elevator of Fig. 3A to carry the
vehicle into the
elevator.
Fig. 3C is a diagrammatic environmental top view, partially in section,
illustrating the vehicle carried within the elevator of Fig. 3A.
Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently
throughout the attached drawings.
BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Fig. 1 illustrates an exemplary floor plan of a single floor of a multi-story
building B utilizing the passenger and vehicle elevator system 10. In the
exemplary floor
plan of Fig. 1, three separate elevators 12, 14, 16 are shown positioned about
a central axis A
of the building B. It will be understood that each elevator 12, 14, 16
includes an elevator car
that may be selectively raised or lowered within a cylindrical elevator shaft
by conventional
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elevator machinery, which is not shown in the drawings for clarity. It should
be understood
that the cylindrical elevator shaft is shown for exemplary purposes only, and
that the
contouring and relative dimensions of both the elevator shaft and
corresponding elevator car
may be varied as desired. Each elevator car includes at least one inner set of
doors (or a
single door) that selectively open and close, and each floor of the multi-
story building
includes at least one set of outer doors (or a single door), and preferably
two angularly offset
sets of outer doors, corresponding to each elevator 12, 14, and 16. It should
be understood
that any desired number of elevators may be utilized, and that their
positioning with respect
to a building floor may be varied. In the exemplary configuration of Fig. I,
in which the
three elevators 12. 14, 16 are positioned such that their centers are
equidistant from axis A,
the elevators 12, 14, 16 are arrayed as an equilateral triangle, with each of
elevators 12, 14,
16 serving one of regions 18, 20, 22. For the circular arrangement of the
floor plan shown in
the example of Fig. 1, each of regions 18, 20, 22 spans approximately 120 of
arc, and each
region 28, 20, 22 is separated from the adjacent region(s) by exemplary
stairwells S or the
like.
In the exemplary configuration of Fig. 1, each of regions 18, 20, 22 is
bisected (as
indicated by the dashed, radial lines in Fig. 1), such that region 18 is
divided into sub-regions
24, 26; region 20 is divided into sub-regions 28, 30; and region 22 is divided
into sub-regions
24-34. Each of the sub-regions 24-34 represents an individual office or
dwelling space.
Thus, in this exemplary layout, each of the three regions 18, 20, 22 contains
two individual
offices or dwelling spaces. As shown, there are two parking spaces allocated
for each sub-
region 24-34. Sub-region 24 includes a pair of parking spaces 36; sub-region
26 includes a
pair of parking spaces 38; sub-region 28 includes a pair of parking spaces 40;
sub-region 30
includes a pair of parking spaces 42; sub-region 32 includes a pair of parking
spaces 44; and
sub-region 34 includes a pair of parking spaces 46. The living quarters or
office space for
each sub-region may be disposed radially outward from the corresponding
parking spaces for
the sub-region.
Each of elevators 12, 14 and 16 operates in an identical manner. In Figs. 2A
and
2B, a single elevator car 12 is illustrated. In order for the elevator car 12
to provide access to
.. any of the two parking space pairs 36,38 in sector 18 (in the configuration
of Fig. 1), either
the inner doors 54 of the elevator car of elevator 12 may comprise one set
spanning 180 of
the elevator car and the elevator 12 may be equipped with a turntable to
select either sub-
region 24 to access parking spaces 36 or sub-region 26 to access parking
spaces 38, or the
inner doors 54 of the elevator car may comprise two side-by-side sets which
each span 90
5
and the floor of the elevator car may rotate to select either sub-region 24 or
sub-region 26.
Preferably sub-region 24 has one set of outer doors 56 that open when sub-
region 24 is
selected, and sub-region 26 has another set of outer doors 56 that open when
sub-region 26 is
selected. In the exemplary circular configuration of the elevators illustrated
in Figs. 1 and
2B, the inner doors 54 and the outer doors 56 must open and close along an
arcuate or
circumferential path, rather than the conventional rectilinear path of
conventional elevator
doors.
As shown in Fig. 2A, the vehicle V is positioned on a platform 50 within the
elevator 12, and the platform 50 is mounted on a controllable, rotational
mount 52. This
rotational mount drives rotation of the platform 50. This rotation not only
allows selection of
any of the four parking spaces within a particular region, but further allows
the vehicle V to
enter the elevator 12 front end first and then be rotated within the elevator
to also exit the
elevator 12 front end first. Such rotating platforms and drive systems are
well known, and any
suitable type of controllable, rotational mount 52 may be utilized. One such
rotating
platform is manufactured by PALIS Global Parking Technologies GmbH of
Gersthofen,
Germany. Another such mount is the Turntable 505, manufactured by Otto WOhr
GmbH of
Fiolzheim, Germany. Other examples of such rotating platforms for vehicles are
shown in U.S.
Patent No. 4,264,257, issued to Saurwein, and U.S. Patent Application
Publication No. US
2005/0095092 Al, to Segal et al.
In addition to the rotation of the platform 50 by rotational mount 52, the
platform
50 is also preferably horizontally translatable. Fig. 3A illustrates a vehicle
V first
approaching the doors 54 of the elevator 12. In Fig. 3B, the doors 54 have
circumferentially
opened, as described above, and the platform 50 is linearly translated beneath
the vehicle V
and raised to carry the vehicle V. Once the platform 50 is fully positioned
under the vehicle
V and raised to support the vehicle, the platform 50 is translated back into
the elevator 12, as
shown in Fig. 3C, and the vehicle V may be carried to the desired floor.
It should be understood that any suitable type of driven platform may be
utilized.
Such translational dollies and mounts are well known. One such driven platform
is
manufactured by PALES Global Parking Technologies GmbH of Gersthofen, Germany.
Other examples of other such systems are shown in PCT Application Publication
No. WO
2004/045932 Al, to Zangerle et al., and U.S. Patent No. 4,768,914, issued to
Sing.
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It should be understood that the system 10 may be used in combination with any
suitable type of multi-story building. In use. vehicle V enters a ground
floor, below-ground
floor or lobby level and drives to one of elevators 12, 14, 16, positioning
the vehicle as shown
in Fig. 3A. Preferably, at the entrance, the vehicle passes by a sensor 70, as
shown in Fig.
3A. Sensor 70 may be a bar code reader, an RFID sensor or the like, exchanging
signals 72
with a matching label or device mounted on vehicle V for identifying the
vehicle, including
data identifying the vehicle's assigned floor and parking space. In response
to the
identification of the particular vehicle V and its assigned floor and parking
space, the vehicle
V is directed towards the appropriate entry or staging area in front of the
corresponding one
of elevators 12, 14. 16 for the particular parking space.
Once at the appropriate staging area, the driver turns off the ignition of
vehicle V
and preferably remains within the vehicle V. The doors 54 to the elevator
associated with the
particular staging area open and the automatically controlled translating
platform or dolly 50
moves outward from the elevator. The platform 50 moves underneath the vehicle
V, lifts the
vehicle V, and withdraws back into the elevator with the vehicle V remaining
on the platform
50. The elevator doors 54 then close and the elevator ascends to the
appropriate floor or
level.
Once at the appropriate floor or level, the elevator doors 54 open and the
laterally
moving platform extends outward and deposits the vehicle V in its assigned
parking space.
.. The laterally moveable platform then withdraws from under the vehicle V,
moves back into
the elevator, the elevator doors 54 close, and the elevator is then ready to
move the next
vehicle. When the driver of vehicle V wishes the leave the building B, the
driver signals for
the appropriate elevator and the process is reversed.
As noted above, since at least two parking spaces are preferably associated
with
each office or residential unit, the system 10 not only raises the vehicle V
from the entrance
level to the appropriate floor of the building B, but is also capable of
moving the vehicle V to
the correct parking space. This is accomplished by the rotating mount 52 for
rotating the
platform 50. As an alternative, the platform 50 may be equipped with its own
turntable,
rather than being mounted thereon. During the ascent from the entrance level,
the platform
50 may be rotated, if necessary, such that the vehicle V is placed into the
correct parking
space. During the descent back to the street level, the platform 50 is rotated
so that when the
elevator doors 54 open, the platform 50 moves the vehicle V outwardly into the
departure
area. Preferably, the departure area is spaced apart from the staging or
loading area such that
vehicles may egress from the building without interfering with the progression
of other
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vehicles which are entering the building and waiting in the staging area. It
should be
understood that though two exemplary parking spaces are shown for each office
or residential
unit, any desired number of parking spaces may be allotted.
Since the vehicle V is being transported vertically with one or more
passengers
.. within the elevator, and since the vehicles are being parked within the
building at a level
coextensive with an office or a residence, it is desirable to avoid having the
vehicle engine
operating either in the elevator or in the parking area. Thus, once the
vehicle V initially
enters the loading or staging area, a carbon monoxide detector 74 will
register if the vehicle
engine is operating and a positive response from the carbon monoxide detector
74 will
prevent loading the vehicle onto the elevator. For example, doors 54 may
remain closed until
a zero or minimal level of carbon monoxide is measured by sensor 74. Should
the vehicle
engine be off upon the entry into the elevator, but the engine started
thereafter, one or more
carbon monoxide sensors 76 within the elevator will stop the elevator's ascent
and return the
elevator to the entrance level. It should be understood that any suitable type
of sensors may
be utilized to ensure that the vehicle is not in operation. Additional sensors
may be used to
measuring vehicle dimensions, motion or the like, such as laser sensors, for
example.
In order to avoid injury to the operator of the vehicle and/or any passengers,
suitable motion detectors or optical sensors 78 may further be provided within
the elevator to
detect opening of the vehicle door or trunk, which may be utilized as a basis
for stopping the
ascent or descent of the elevator. Further, conventional smoke, heat or fire
detectors may
also be mounted within the elevator.
Although the elevators 12, 14, 16 may be varied in number, size and overall
confiauration, each elevator should be of a size sufficient to accommodate,
for example, a
vehicle of approximately six meters in length and two meters in width.
Similarly, each
elevator should be able to accommodate the weight of a motor vehicle and its
passengers,
preferably being able to carry loads up to approximately 3,500 kg.
It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the
embodiments
described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of
the following
claims.
