GB613557A - Improvements in or relating to underground storage structures - Google Patents

Abstract

613,557. Load-handling apparatus. GODDARD, E. H., CLIFFORD, T. W., GODDARD, E. A., and NEWCOMBE, T. W. June 15, 1946, No. 18051. [Class 78 (iii)] [Also in Group X] An underground storage structure comprising a pit in the ground, a platform mounted in the pit and movable from ground level to a position at or near the bottom of the pit and in the reverse direction from this position to ground level, mechanism for moving the platform up or down and means for covering the pit at such times as the platform is moved to its lower position, is characterised in that the means for covering the pit are automatically operable from and in suitable timed relation with the movement of the platform. In the embodiment shown, a garage is formed by a pit 1, Figs. 1, 2, built in situ and provided with a platform 2 supported on a ram 16 which is mounted in a cylinder 12 in a well 11 and operated by a pump driven by an electric motor, the pump, motor and associated oil reservoir preferably' being housed in a small pit adjacent the pit 1. The platform is maintained horizontal by cables 17, 18 which pass round pulleys 22, 24 and 21, 23, secured at the bottom and top of the pit, respectively, and are attached at their ends to tensioning bolts 19 provided in plates 20 fitted to the corners of the platform. Rotation of the platform is prevented by tubes 25 fitted at diagonally opposite corners of the pit engaging in holes formed in the plates 20. The platform is supported and locked in its raised position by a latching mechanism at each end comprising a pair of oppositely directed latch bars 28, Fig. 9, slidably mounted in guides 29 bolted to an end beam 4 of the platform and normally held withdrawn from their operative position by springs 35. After the platform has reached a position in which its upper surface is flush with the ground surrounding the top of the pit, it is raised a further small amount and during such movement a pivoted spring- loaded pawl 27, Fig. 2, on the pit engages one of four pins 34 on a disc 33 rotatably mounted on the platform, so as to rotate the disc through 90 degrees, whereby pins 32 also on this disc, separate the enlarged ends 31 of the bars 28 against the action bf the springs 35, whereby these bars are projected outwardly to engage abutments 30 in the walls of the pit. When the platform is to be lowered, it is first raised a small distance, whereby the discs 33 are again acted upon by the pawls 27 and rotated through 90 degrees to allow the bars 28 to be withdrawn by the springs 35. The lid for covering the pit comprises four longitudinal sections arranged in pairs 36, 37, Figs. 1, 2. The sections are mounted on wheels 39 and are maintained parallel to the sides of the pit by pinions 41 on shafts 40 on the sections 36 meshing with racks 42 secured to the top of the pit. The sections 37 are fitted with racks 43 engaging the pinions 41, whereby inward movement of the sections 36 effects inward movement of the sections 37 until they meet to close completely the pit. The sections are automatically operated by the movement of the platform through cables 47 which are connected at their ends to the sections 36, as shown in Figs. 12, 13 and pass round pulleys 44 mounted centrally upon each longitudinal side of the pit. During the initial lift of the platform lugs 46 thereon engage rollers 45 on the pulleys so as to rotate these against the action of springs 53 to the position shown in Fig. 1, in which the lids are half-open. When the pulleys have been rotated through 120 degrees, Fig. 7, the rollers lie above the axles of the pulleys and the lugs 46 pass upwards. At this point stop-pins 58 on the pulleys engage behind pivoted pawls 54 to prevent reverse rotation of the pulleys, whereby the lids are latched in their fully-opened position. When the platform is lowered again, towards the end of its travel, lugs 59 on the platform engage pins 60 on the pawls so as to trip these and permit the pulleys 44 to return to their original position under the action of the springs 53 and close the lid sections. The Provisional Specification describes also modifications in which the lid for covering the pit comprises : (1) a pair of opposed hinged members each moved through 180 degrees or one through 180 degrees and the other through 90 degrees when opened and operated from the platform through chain and sprocket or equivalent gearing; (2) a pair of members each pivotally mounted at its centre of gravity upon counter-balanced links which are in turn pivoted on opposite sides of the platform, the members in their vertical position being housed in recesses in the sides of the pit.