Classifications

• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E04—BUILDING
  • E04H—BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL
  • E04H6/00—Buildings for parking cars, rolling-stock, aircraft, vessels or like vehicles, e.g. garages
  • E04H6/02—Small garages, e.g. for one or two cars
  • E04H6/06—Small garages, e.g. for one or two cars with means for shifting or lifting vehicles

Definitions

• This invention relates to vehicle garaging apparatus.
• a vehicle garaging apparatus comprising a two level platform structure coupled to lifting apparatus located in a sunken pit so that the structure can be raised and lowered within the pit. A vehicle may be parked on the
• the upper platform forms a roof over the vehicle and may be able to take the weight of another vehicle.
• vehicle garaging apparatus comprising vehicle supporting upper and lower platforms spaced one above the other by support means and power driven lifting means located in a pit sunk with respect to an approach area adjacent the pit.
• the lifting means being coupled to the lower platform for together raising the platforms and support means between a lower position in which the upper platform is generally level with said approach area while the lower platform is within the pit, and an upper position in which the lower platform is generally level with said approach area while the upper platform is raised above it
• the apparatus comprises retractable platform extension means for moving to at least substantially bridge a gap between said lower platform and said approach area when the lower platform is at said upper position.
• Said retractable platform means may comprise at least one elongate plate extending along a respective edge of the lower platform and supported by hinge means for the plate to extend upwards from the hinge means when the lower platform is within said pit and to lie generally horizontally when the lower platform is at said upper position.
• said platform means comprises hard-standing material such as concrete blocks or paving and said upper platform comprises support means adapted for supporting hard-standing material for matching the material of said approach area.
• Said lifting means may comprise one or more hydraulically operated scissor jacks.
• the base and walls of said pit may be defined by a prefabricated liner, for example, the liner can be made of metal and comprise inner and outer walls and girder section reinforcement between the inner and outer walls.
• the liner can be formed as a one-piece fibre reinforced composite moulding.
• the pit is formed with one or more stepped or channel-section edges for receiving the edges of the upper platform.
• said lifting means is hydraulically operated and includes a conduit coupled to the lifting means and extending to a position accessible outside said pit for enabling the lifting means to be operated by an auxiliary hydraulic pressure source.
• the apparatus may comprise one or more further vehicle support platforms between said upper and lower platforms and supported and spaced apart by said support means for enabling a respective vehicle to be positioned between each two adjacent platforms, the lifting means being operable for bringing each platform to the level of said approach
• apparatus comprising vehicle supporting upper and lower platforms spaced one above the other by support means and power driven lifting means located in a pit sunk with respect to an approach area adjacent the pit, the lifting means being coupled to the lower platform for together raising the platforms and support means between a lower position in which the upper platform is generally level with said approach area while the lower platform is within the pit and an upper position in which the lower platform is generally level with said approach area while the upper platform is raised above it characterised in that said approach area comprises hard-standing material (4) such as concrete blocks or paving and wherein said upper platform comprises support means (17, 18) adapted for supporting hard-standing material (19) for matching the material of said approach area.
• vehicle garaging apparatus comprising vehicle supporting upper and lower platforms spaced one above the other by support means and power driven lifting means located in a pit sunk with respect to an approach area adjacent the pit, the lifting means being coupled to the lower
• lifting means and extending to a position accessible outside said pit for enabling the lifting means to be operated by an auxiliary hydraulic pressure source.
• apparatus comprising vehicle supporting upper and lower platforms spaced one above the other by support means and power driven lifting means located in a pit sunk with respect to an approach area adjacent the pit, the lifting means being coupled to the lower platform for together raising the platforms and support means between a lower position in which the upper platform is generally level with said approach area while the lower platform is within the pit and an upper position in which the lower platform is generally level with said approach area while the upper platform is raised above it characterised in that the apparatus comprises one or more further platforms between said upper and lower platforms and supported and spaced apart by said support means for enabling a respective vehicle to be positioned between each two adjacent platforms, the lifting means being operable for bringing each platform to the level of said approach area to gain access to that platform.
• Figure 1 is a side view of one embodiment of the garaging apparatus of the
• Figure 2 is an end view corresponding to Figure 1 ;
• Figure 3 is a plan view, sectioned on the line III III in Figure 4, of a second
• Figure 4 is a section on the line IV IV in Figure 3 showing a movable platform / support structure of the second embodiment in its raised position;
• Figure 5 is a view corresponding to Figure 4 but with the movable platform
• Figure 6 is an elevation in the direction of arrow VI in Figure 3 of a platform lifting mechanism;
• Figures 7 and 8 are respectively a side view, sectioned on the line VII VII in Figure 6, and a top view, sectioned on the line VIII VEH in Figure 6, of the
• Figures 9 and 10 are respectively a simplified hydraulic system diagram and a simplified electrical system diagram of the second embodiment of the apparatus.
• the apparatus comprises a platform structure 1 supported by one or more hydraulic scissor jacks 2 located in a pit 3 formed in an approach area 4 which is made of concrete or like hard standing material, for example, blocks or paving stones.
• the pit 3 is lined
• the prefabricated pit liner 5 is supported on a reinforced concrete base 9.
• scissor jack 2 comprises crossed limbs which are pivoted together and pivotably connected with respect to the lower platform 11.
• the two platforms 10 and 11 are spaced with respect to each other by a series of supporting columns 13.
• Each scissor jack 2 is driven by a hydraulic ram 14.
• Beneath the platform 11, there is power unit 15 comprising the appropriate hydraulic pumps, motors, valves and header tanks for powering the ram 14 and such as required and known to those skilled in the art.
• the jack 2 and power unit 15 are housed within the depth of the area beneath the platform 11.
• a pump 16 is provided to drain any water collected within the pit 3 and to pump it to the exterior bv a suitable conduit 40.
• the upper platform 10 comprises a metallic horizontal plate 17 to which a framework of girders 18 or rolled steel joists (RSJs) is fixed, mainly to strengthen the upper platform 10 but also to retain on the platform hard standing material 19, for example concrete, blocks or paving stones, which can match the material of the hard standing approach area 4 around the pit.
• a framework of girders 18 or rolled steel joists (RSJs) is fixed, mainly to strengthen the upper platform 10 but also to retain on the platform hard standing material 19, for example concrete, blocks or paving stones, which can match the material of the hard standing approach area 4 around the pit.
• a series of hinged elongate plates 20 are provided along the edges of platform 11 to form a retractable means for bridging the gap between the lower platform 11 and the approach area when the lower platform is in its upper position.
• Each hinged plate 20 is hinged at its lower edge 21 and, whilst the platform is in the pit, the plate extends vertically upwards from the hinge.
• the platform extension is able to turn with respect to the hinge and lay horizontally over the gap between the lowermost platform and the hard standing approach area.
• Lowering the platforms causes the plates 20 to be pushed upwards to the upright position by engagement with the top edges and sides of the liner 5.
• wheel guides On the lower platform 11, there are provided two wheel guides; one for each side of the car and each defined by elongate members 22.
• the function of these wheel guides is to guide the vehicle on to the lowermost platform 11 and ensure it remains generally midway between the sides of the platform.
• the lift power pack is coupled by a conduit 30 to a union 31 set into the approach area.
• An auxiliary hydraulic pump brought for example, by a service man/ woman at the request of the vehicle owner, may then be coupled to the union 31 and used to operate the scissor jack and bring the lower platform to its upper position.
• edges of the pit are formed with a step, or even better, a channel shaped recess 32, to receive any water which may be drained off the upper platform.
• the edges of the platform may comprise downwardly extending edge plates 60 which enter the recess 32.
• a drain pipe 33 leads from the recess 32 over to an underground soak-away or other
• the liner may be built in situ.
• the pit may be lined with a moulded glass-fibre reinforced composite material tank (not shown) of a suitable size to fit into and define the walls of the pit.
• a moulded glass-fibre reinforced composite material tank (not shown) of a suitable size to fit into and define the walls of the pit.
• rubble or stones 34 between the tank and the surrounding
• various safety items are provided for use with the garaging apparatus, for example, various sensor switches may be provided to avoid the possibility of the platforms being raised whilst somebody is standing very close, say to the lowermost platform.
• sensor switches such as perimeter light sensors 35 fitted to the supporting columns may be used. These are arranged to signal the lift control apparatus to bring the platforms to the correct height.
• white painted on lines may be used and/or there may be further sensors. It will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to the embodiment shown. For example, there may be one or more intermediate platforms (not shown) between platforms 10 and 11 so that two, three or even more vehicles may be garaged.
• a car parking installation could comprise a number of vehicle garaging units each comprising several vertically spaced platforms and each arranged to be lowerable into a respective sunken
• lift comprises a rectangular sunken pit 90 with a concrete base 91 and with sides and ends formed by a pre-fabricated double-walled metal liner 92 with inner and outer skins
• a platform / support structure 105 is movable up and down within the pit 90
• the structure 105 comprises a lower platform 106 having a sheet steel floor 107 on a framework of girders 108 and an upper platform 109 formed by a steel tray 1 10 also on a framework of steel girders or joists 111.
• the tray 110 is filled with paving material 1 12. for example, bricks, concrete blocks, pavers or the like to match the material and level of a hard standing surface 113 around the pit 101.
• the upper platform is supported on the lower platform by upright support columns 1 14.
• the liner 92 has an outwardly extending portion defining a central vertical channel 96 with its mouth open to the interior of the pit and having a
• a hydraulic platform lifting mechanism 120 is housed within each channel 96.
• Each mechanism 120 comprises a rectangular frame formed by two spaced metal channel-shaped elongate members 121 arranged vertically within the respective channel
• the two members 121 have a cross-bar 122 fixed between them at the top and. at the
• a metal support plate 123 is fixed to the two members, for example by welding or by bolts (not shown).
• the plate 123 is positioned directly adjacent the rear of the frame formed by the members 121, the cross-bar 122 and the support plate 123, i.e. so
• the plate 123 has a flange 125 at its lower edge and this flange extends in between the members 121 to form a mounting for the bottom of a vertically arranged hydraulic piston and cylinder assembly 99.
• the cylinder 126 of this assembly extends to just below the middle of the members 121 and, just below that, there is a plate 127 with its ends fixed to the members 121 so that, like the plate 123, it faces away from the pit 90.
• a flange 128 is fixed to the lower edge of the plate 127 and extends forwards between the members 121. There it is formed with an aperture in which the cylinder 126 is fixed and supported.
• the piston 129 of the piston and cylinder assembly extends from the top end of the cylinder 126 and, at its top end, it supports a trunnion 130 carrying a shaft (not shown) with two pulleys 131 mounted thereon.
• the mechanism 120 also comprises a vertically movable carriage 97. This comprises a plate 132 which lies adjacent the two upright channel shaped elongate members 121 so that it faces towards the pit 90 and two flanges 133 extending from the plate 132
• Each flange 133 has two rollers 134 mounted thereon, one above the other, and engaged in the respective channels of the members 121 so that the carriage 97 can move vertically up and down relative to the members 121.
• each of two cables 136 is fixed to the carriage 97, say to the bottom edge of the plate 132.
• Each cable extends up and over a respective one of the pulleys
• a bracket 98 is fixed to the top of the trunnion 130 to overlie each pulley 131 and prevent the cables from jumping out of engagement with the pulleys.
• the ends of the lower platform 106 of the structure 105 are fixed to respective ones of the carriages 97, e.g. by being bolted to the plates 132.
• the periphery of the pit 90 is fitted with appropriate stepped guttering 150, for example that known by the trade name Ascon guttering.
• the edges of the upper platform 109 are fitted with L-shaped overhangs 151 which extend over the periphery of the pit 90 so that surface water can drain from the top of platform 109 into the Ascon guttering 150.
• the clearance should be sufficiently small to enable a vehicle to be driven over the resulting gap between the platform and
• centimetres from one to four or, better, from two to three centimetres is best; two and a half centimetres (one inch) is preferred.
• the piston and cylinder assemblies 99 of the lifting mechanisms are driven by a hydraulic pumping and control system which is not in physical terms shown in the drawings although the system is shown symbolically in Figure 9.
• the actual system components other than the assemblies 99 can be housed beneath the lower platform 106 (similar to the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2) or in a well formed in the concrete base 91 or elsewhere as appropriate.
• the hydraulic system comprises the piston and cylinder assemblies 99 connected via flexible hoses 200 to respective hose burst protector valves 201. Each of these shuts off the flow of hydraulic fluid in the event that one of the hoses bursts.
• respective conduits 202 lead to an equalising manifold 203. This receives pressurised fluid at its inlet and is operable to supply a regulated flow of fluid to each piston and cylinder assembly 99.
• the fluid is supplied from a reservoir 204 via respective suction strainers 205 to two gear pumps 206 driven by respective electric motors 207.
• the pump outlets comprise respective bell housing/couplings 208.
• the outlet of each pump is coupled to a common flow conduit 209 via respective valves 210.
• the common conduit 209 leads to further manifold assembly 211.
• the conduit 209 leads to a check valve 212 and also to a pressure relief valve 213.
• the output of the relief valve 213 leads back via a drain pipe into the reservoir 204 and also via a solenoid check valve 214 to both the output side of check valve 212 and the output of the manifold assembly 211.
• the output of the manifold assembly 211 also leads via a
• Each assembly 99 is connected via a conduit 220 to an external port via which an emergency pressure can be applied as for the Figure 1/2 embodiment.
• the electrical system for the garaging apparatus can comprise a control box 300 mounted in or on a wall of the house for which the garaging apparatus is provided. It also includes a terminal box 301 within the pit 90. a wireless remote controller implemented as a key fob 302, a push-button switch 303 positioned near the garaging apparatus and a system of light-operated guards and safety sensors. The guards and sensors are not shown. Each guard may include an LED beam projector and photocell arranged to define a light beam received by the photocell so that, when the beam is broken, the photocell provides an output. The light beams are arranged to
• each platform defines "safe" positions on each platform, i.e. to define areas within the confines of each platform in which a vehicle may be parked. If a vehicle or any other object breaks a light beam, the operation of the lifting mechanisms is stopped.
• control box 200 there is provided a microprocessor based computer 304
• a socket 308 is provided for the computer 304 to enable it to be programmed and to be re-programmed to allow for
• the control box 200 continuously monitors the inputs from the pit, the key fob receiver input and the keypad input. It will also provide a constant feed to the water pump, which will automatically function when the water reaches a preset level.
• the lift is raised by use of the 'Up' button on the remote control as long as a security code has not been set on the keypad.
• the lift will only rise if none of the light beams are broken.
• the lift will rise to the top and stop when a 'at top' sensor is reached or a timeout has occurred. Breaking of a light beam will stop the lift immediately. If this
• a light guard When the vehicle is driven onto the lower platform, a light guard will feed a signal to
• control box indicating a vehicle is present
• two other light guards one situated to the front and one situated to the rear of the car, will indicate to the control box that the
• the lift will not move, or will stop moving if any light beam is broken. Once the system has stopped it will not start unless both buttons are pressed again.
• the lift will continue down until a 'at bottom' sensor is reached or a timeout has occurred.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Architecture (AREA)
• Civil Engineering (AREA)
• Structural Engineering (AREA)
• Road Paving Machines (AREA)

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• 2001
  • 2001-09-12 GB GB0122037A patent/GB0122037D0/en not_active Ceased
• 2002
  • 2002-09-12 EP EP02781182A patent/EP1436473A1/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2002-09-12 WO PCT/EP2002/010388 patent/WO2003023168A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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