GB882343A - Storage apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

882,343. Mechanical garage and other storage systems. WHEELER, T. E. March 10, 1960, No. 8542/60. Class 78 (4). A multi-level storage structure has carriers arranged on each storage level in rank and file, any number of which carriers in a rank may be linked together to form a train which is movable towards and away from a shift space. Means are provided for moving one section of each carrier vertically between levels and control means for these movements are also provided. As described, a motor car may be stored in each of spaces 1-14, Fig. 6, in ranks A-G on each level except the ground floor of a multilevel car park. Each vehicle carrier comprises a lift fork section 20, Fig. 9, which is raised and lowered from a frame 21 by cables 22 wound on drums 23, power being supplied by belts 59 through a clutch 42. The carriers are coupled to form a train by solenoid-released gravity hooks 26, Fig. 4, the train being moved by wheels 27 and connecting rod 28 driven by a shaft 30. To park a vehicle in a given space A on a particular level an appropriate button is pressed. This breaks all the trains of carriers below the space A at an appropriate point and moves all these partial trains to clear a vertical shaft to the ground below the space A. As the carrier immediately below the space A is moved a bar 40, Fig. 10, is depressed by a roller 38 to extend guide blocks 41 and engage the clutch 42, Fig. 9. The clutch is disconnected and the guide blocks withdrawn as the bar 40 moves upwards. Engagement of the clutch closes a switch 48 which causes the lift fork to be lowered to the ground where a further switch is closed, which stops the lift forks. An attendant now starts up a conveyer which moves a vehicle on to the lift forks. As the vehicle moves on to the forks a tyre plate 63, Fig. 12, is pushed against a switch 64 which starts the lift forks moving upwards. A further switch is closed to arrest the lift forks when they reach the top of their travel. The carriages below the space A are finally moved to their original positions to leave the shift spaces at the ends of the ranks. A suitable electrical circuit is described for effecting the above automatic operation.