GB2118586A - Vehicle parking area - Google Patents

Abstract

A vehicle parking area having a wall 1 or 2 along at least one side and means for positioning a vehicle close to the wall comprising a longitudinally extending rail 4 or 5 or other structure so located relative to the wall that when a conventional motor vehicle moves relative to the guide rail or structure with the tyre wall of two of its wheels in contact therewith, contact between the wall and the side of the vehicle is prevented, said guide rail being of such height that it does not extend substantially above the rim of a normally inflated vehicle tyre but is not so low that the wheel can readily ride over it. At the vehicle entry end 8 of the parking area the guide rail is inclined towards the wall. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improved vehicle parking area This invention relates to vehicle parking areas having a wall along one side and especially to domestic garages, carports and the like.

With the modern tendency for reduced site sizes of domesmtic dwellings the dimensions of garages and carports and even driveways in houses have been reduced to such an extend that it is frequently necessary to drive a vehicle very close to a wall in order that the vehicle can be parked in such a way to allow the drivers door to be opened to allow him to leave the vehicle. Frequently, drivers parking their vehicles in these positions scrape the side of the vehicles against the wall.

This invention provides a guide means by which a vehicle can be positioned close to a wall in a confined space such as a garage or carport or narrow passageway which comprises a longitudinally extending rail or like structure so located relative to the wall such that when a conventional motor vehicle moves relative to the guide rail or like structure with the tyre wall of two of its wheels in contact therewith, contact between the wall and the side of the vehicle is prevented, said guide rail being of such height that it does extend substantially above the rim of a normally inflated vehicle tyre but is not so low that the wheel can readily ride over it and, at the end at which the vehicle is introduced into the space is turned in towards the wall so that it presents to a vehicle approaching in a direction parallel to the direction of general extend of the guide rail a vertical face inclined in that direction.

The guide means may, for example, comprise a rail mounted either on the wall and spaced therefrom or in the floor of the parking space with its top surface say 6 inches above the floor level so that the wheels of a vehicle in contact with the rail are unlikely to ride over the rail or even comprise a kerb extending outwardly from the wall. Preferably, however the guide means comprises a steel plate of generally L-shaped configuration mounted on the floor of the parking space. At the entry end into the parking space the guide means is turned towards the wall so that there is no face presented to an approaching vehicle either that could damage the tyre of the vehicle on impact or which would allow a vehicle hitting it at normal speed to ride over it.

The guide means may be provided on one or both sides of a confined space having walls on both sidies allowing a vehicle to be driven in either backwards or forwards while still allowing the driver to get out of his vehicle.

Preferably there is provided a wheel stop adjacent a far end wall of the parking space to provide an indication to the driver that he is fully into the parking space.

The invention will now be described in greater detail by way of example with reference to the drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a domestic garage provided with vehicle guides according to the invention; Figure 2 shows one form of guide; and Figure 3 shows a second form of guide.

As shown in Fig. 1 a garage according to the invention comprises side walls 1 and 2, and an end wall 3. Running parallel to the side wall 1 is a guide rail 4 and running parallel to side wall 2 is a guide rail 5. The guide rails 4 and 5 are spaced from their respective walls 2 and 3 by a distance such that when the near side wheels of an ordinary motor vehicle are in contact therewith the bodywork of the vehicle is spaced from the wall. A wheel stop 6 and 7, respectively, is associated with each guide 4 and 5.

At the entrance end of the garage the rail 4,5 is inclined inwards at 8 towards its respective wall 1,2 thereby presenting a vertical surface inclined to the direction of approach of a vehicle.

As shown in Fig. 2 the guide rail 4,5 comprises a circular cross-section rail 9 mounted either on a plurality of spaced supporting bars 10 or on a continuous strip, the bars or strip being set into the garage floor.

The top surface 11 of the rail 9 is approximately 6 inches above the surface of the garage floor.

As shown in Fig. 3 the guide rail 4,5 comprises a substantially L-shaped strip 1 2 which is mounted in the garage floor, for example by plugs and screws or by cementing in. The upright arm 1 3 of the strip 1 2 is bent over towards the wall of the garage so as to reduce the area of contact between the tyre wall and the arm 13.

1. A vehicle parking area having a wall along at least one side and means for positioning a vehicle close to the wall comprising a longitudinally extending rail or like structure so located relative to the wall that when a conventional motor vehicle moves relative to the guide rail or like structure with the tyre wall of two of its wheels in contact therewith, contact between the wall and the side of the vehicle is prevented, said guide rail being of such height that it does not extend substantially above the rim of a normally inflated vehicle tyre but is not so low that the wheel can readily ride over it and, at the end of which the vehicle is introduced into the parking area is turned in towards the wall so that it presents to a vehicle approaching in a direction parallel to the direction of general extent of the guide rail, a vertical face inclined in that direction.

2. A vehicle parking area as claimed in

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (2)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Improved vehicle parking area This invention relates to vehicle parking areas having a wall along one side and especially to domestic garages, carports and the like. With the modern tendency for reduced site sizes of domesmtic dwellings the dimensions of garages and carports and even driveways in houses have been reduced to such an extend that it is frequently necessary to drive a vehicle very close to a wall in order that the vehicle can be parked in such a way to allow the drivers door to be opened to allow him to leave the vehicle. Frequently, drivers parking their vehicles in these positions scrape the side of the vehicles against the wall. This invention provides a guide means by which a vehicle can be positioned close to a wall in a confined space such as a garage or carport or narrow passageway which comprises a longitudinally extending rail or like structure so located relative to the wall such that when a conventional motor vehicle moves relative to the guide rail or like structure with the tyre wall of two of its wheels in contact therewith, contact between the wall and the side of the vehicle is prevented, said guide rail being of such height that it does extend substantially above the rim of a normally inflated vehicle tyre but is not so low that the wheel can readily ride over it and, at the end at which the vehicle is introduced into the space is turned in towards the wall so that it presents to a vehicle approaching in a direction parallel to the direction of general extend of the guide rail a vertical face inclined in that direction. The guide means may, for example, comprise a rail mounted either on the wall and spaced therefrom or in the floor of the parking space with its top surface say 6 inches above the floor level so that the wheels of a vehicle in contact with the rail are unlikely to ride over the rail or even comprise a kerb extending outwardly from the wall. Preferably, however the guide means comprises a steel plate of generally L-shaped configuration mounted on the floor of the parking space. At the entry end into the parking space the guide means is turned towards the wall so that there is no face presented to an approaching vehicle either that could damage the tyre of the vehicle on impact or which would allow a vehicle hitting it at normal speed to ride over it. The guide means may be provided on one or both sides of a confined space having walls on both sidies allowing a vehicle to be driven in either backwards or forwards while still allowing the driver to get out of his vehicle. Preferably there is provided a wheel stop adjacent a far end wall of the parking space to provide an indication to the driver that he is fully into the parking space. The invention will now be described in greater detail by way of example with reference to the drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a domestic garage provided with vehicle guides according to the invention; Figure 2 shows one form of guide; and Figure 3 shows a second form of guide. As shown in Fig. 1 a garage according to the invention comprises side walls 1 and 2, and an end wall 3. Running parallel to the side wall 1 is a guide rail 4 and running parallel to side wall 2 is a guide rail 5. The guide rails 4 and 5 are spaced from their respective walls 2 and 3 by a distance such that when the near side wheels of an ordinary motor vehicle are in contact therewith the bodywork of the vehicle is spaced from the wall. A wheel stop 6 and 7, respectively, is associated with each guide 4 and 5. At the entrance end of the garage the rail 4,5 is inclined inwards at 8 towards its respective wall 1,2 thereby presenting a vertical surface inclined to the direction of approach of a vehicle. As shown in Fig. 2 the guide rail 4,5 comprises a circular cross-section rail 9 mounted either on a plurality of spaced supporting bars 10 or on a continuous strip, the bars or strip being set into the garage floor. The top surface 11 of the rail 9 is approximately 6 inches above the surface of the garage floor. As shown in Fig. 3 the guide rail 4,5 comprises a substantially L-shaped strip 1 2 which is mounted in the garage floor, for example by plugs and screws or by cementing in. The upright arm 1 3 of the strip 1 2 is bent over towards the wall of the garage so as to reduce the area of contact between the tyre wall and the arm 13. CLAIMS

1. A vehicle parking area having a wall along at least one side and means for positioning a vehicle close to the wall comprising a longitudinally extending rail or like structure so located relative to the wall that when a conventional motor vehicle moves relative to the guide rail or like structure with the tyre wall of two of its wheels in contact therewith, contact between the wall and the side of the vehicle is prevented, said guide rail being of such height that it does not extend substantially above the rim of a normally inflated vehicle tyre but is not so low that the wheel can readily ride over it and, at the end of which the vehicle is introduced into the parking area is turned in towards the wall so that it presents to a vehicle approaching in a direction parallel to the direction of general extent of the guide rail, a vertical face inclined in that direction.

2. A vehicle parking area as claimed in Claim 1, substantially as described herein with reference to Figs. 1 and 2 or Figs. 1 and 3 of the drawings.