US2626718A

US2626718A - Parking system

Info

Publication number: US2626718A
Application number: US88345A
Authority: US
Inventors: Ihno F Weber
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1949-04-19
Filing date: 1949-04-19
Publication date: 1953-01-27
Anticipated expiration: 1970-01-27

Description

Jan. 27', 1953Y l. F. WEBER 2,626,718

PARKING SYSTEM Filed April 19, 1949 s sheets-sheet 1 FIGZ ` mlvENroR` /HNo WEBER BM amm ATTORNEYS l; F. WEBER PARKING SYSTEM Jan'. 27, 1953 Filed April 19, 41949 -3 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN NTE IHNOFWBR Jan. 27, 19.5 3 l. F. WEBER 2,626,718

\ PARKING SYSTEM Filed April 19, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 NVEIVTOR IHNO E WEBER 333W a ma.

ATTORNEYS Patented `Ian. 27, 1953 PARIUNG SYSTEM Ihno F. Weber, Dayton, Ohio Application April 19, 1949, Serial No. 88,345

6 Claims. (Cl. 21d-16.1)

This invention relates to a built up structure in which automobiles can be parked.

It is the general conception that a complete garage building shall be provided for the purpose of parking automobiles off the street. However, such complete buildings are expensive to construct, and are wasteful of parking area because of the large amount of space required for ramps and driveways in the building.

Even such open-air structures as have been provided in the past are primarily no 'different from the usual buildings except that the side Walls have been eliminated to form an open-air structure. However, even here it is necessary to have the usual ramps extending between the various oors of the building and driveways to take care of the movement of cars through the structure.

It is, therefore, the object of this invention to provide a built up structure that will conserve parking space and in which the automobiles can be parked side by side in parallel rowsv one behind the other without any provision for movement of cars between the various rows.

n It is still another object of this invention to provide a built up structure for the parking of automobiles on several oor levels in which the automobiles can be placed in a specific space on any floor level without requiring any reshifting of the automobiles that have already been parked in the structure. I Y

It is still another object of this invention to provide a skeleton vtype of structure in which automobiles can be parked at various levels, the skeleton type of structure greatly reducing the cost of producing the same.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a system and apparatus for parking of automobiles wherein the automobiles are moved automatically into a selected space on a selected floor, thus eliminating the necessity of the great number of attendants for parking of the automobiles.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a system and apparatus for parking of automobiles wherein .the several floor levels of a Vbuilt up structure in which the automobiles are parked each consist of a plurality of movable platforms that are adapted to receive the automobiles, and which platforms can be moved into selected positions to place selected parking spaces in a predetermined position to receive automobiles from an elevator operating between the various levels of the structure. Y

.1 Further objects and advantages will become 2 apparent from the drawings and following description.

In the drawings: V

Figure 1 isl a verticalelevational view of a side of a built up structure constructedy in accordance with this invention.

Figure 2 is a plan view of one of the floor levels of the structure. i

Figure 3 is an enlarged perspective elevational view of a portion of the structure to illustrate in more detail the mechanical arrangement of the structure.

Figure 4 is a plan view of a car carrier that carries theautomobiles and moves them into and out of the parking space in the structure.

Figure 5 is an elevational side view of the car carrier shown in Figure 4.

Figure 6 is an elevational view of a portion of the structure illustrating the apparatus for operating the car carrying platforms.

Figure 7 is a diagrammatic illustration of a hydraulic system for operating the car lifting mechanism provided on the car carrier shown in Figures 4 and 5.

Figure 8 is a schematic wiring diagram of a control system for the apparatus.

In this invention there is provided a built up skeleton-like structure consisting of a plurality of floor levels that is adapted to receive automobiles for parking. The various'floor levels or parking levels are spaced vertically one from another only a suicient height to permit the automobiles to be moved into and out of at various parking levels. Thus, considerable space is saved as Well as considerable height and building materials. Y

On the various parking levels of the built up structure there is provided on each of the levels a plurality of platforms that are movable trans-- versely of the structure. These platforms are each adapted to receive several automobiles which when once placed on the platforms remain in. place until the automobile is to be deliveredto the owner.

The platforms are adapted to be moved relative to a central isle in the structure to bring the several parking spaces into alignment with the loading aisle so that automobiles can be placed in.

the various parking spaces on the several platforms selectively by merely advancing the automobiles down the loading aisle.

An elevator is/provided in the structure for carrying the automobiles to the various parking levelsl and for returning them to the floor level. It is the purpose of the invention to provide a built up structure for parking automobiles that uses the cubical space of the structure to the fullest extent. Further, the structure is provided with no internal walls, but the interior of the structure is a steel skeleton framework, thereby reducing construction costs to a minimum. However, if desired, a suitable roof can be placed over the structure and sheet metal side Walls can be secured for the outer walls of the structure for the purpose of enclosing the parked automobiles to keep them out of the weather.

The built-up structure consists of a plurality of vertical risers I5 that are arranged in parallel rows transversely of the structure and longitudinally thereof, as shown in Figure 2. The vertical risers I are preferably steel I beams and form the main supports for the structure. Extending between each of the risers III from front to rear of the structure are a plurality of I beams II. These I beams II are secured to the risers I by means of gusset plates I2 in a convement or conventional manner. Extending transversely of the structure on each side of the risers I0 are the rails I3. Rigidity of the structure is thereby established by the I beam supports and the rails I3.

The rails I3 also provide the support for the automobile receiving platforms I5. These platforms I5 are each adapted tc receive several automobiles and are movable from side to side of the structure for the purpose of aligning the several spaces I5-A, I5-B, I5-C, I5-D and I5-E with an elevator I6 whereby an automobile can be moved from the elevator into the selected space positioned in front of the elevator.

Each of the platforms I5 consists of a plurality of parallel and horizontally disposed supporting beams I1. Each of these supporting beams I1 is provided with a flanged wheel I8 carried at each end thereof that rests on the transverse rails I3 that extend across the structure at each end of the support beams I1, shown in Figures 2 and 3.

The supporting beams I1 are inter-connected by channels I9 that extend transversely of the supporting beams I1 to thereby tie the several supporting beams I1 into a platform unit which can be moved as a unit transverselyA of the structure while supported on the rails I3. The upper face of the supporting beams I1 can provide a catwalk.

Positioned alongside of the supporting beams I1 there is a rail 2B that may be carried on the channels I9. These rails 23 are provided with a pocket or recess 2l adapted to receive the front or rear wheels of an automobile when it is in position on the platform to prevent the automobile from rolling in one direction or another on the platform.

Between each of the cooperating rails 2i) adjacent the supporting beams I1 which receive the automobile, as shown in Figure 3, there is provided a pair of rails 22.

As shown in Figure 2 the pairs of rails 22 provided on the platforms I5 are all adapted to align one with the other when the platforms are in their normal positions, these pairs of rails 22 are also adapted to align with a pair of rails 23 carried on the elevator I6 provided within the elevator shaft 25.

On the elevator I6 there is provided a car carrier 30 illustrated in Figures 4 andV 5. This car carrier is supported on the pair of rails 23 on the elevator I3 and is adapted to lift the automobile from engagement with the elevator and to carrythe automobile forward into one of the spaces on one of the platforms in the structure.

In Figure 7 there is a diagrammatic illustration of the hydraulic system used in the car carrier 35. In this diagrammatic system the hydraulic pump 43 draws liquid from the reservoir 45 through the suction pipe 46 and discharges it through the pipe 41 into the hydraulic motor 42. Movement of the piston 48 forwardly will cause the lift mechanism to operate to raiseV an automobile.

A return line 55 is provided between the hydraulic motor 42 and the reservoir 45, a solenoid operative valve S being provided in the line 50 to allow free now of hydraulic fluid from the motor to the reservoir when the valve is open, and thereby permit the automobile to be lowered, in a manner hereinafter described.

Independent electric motors 60 are provided for driving the several platforms I5 to move them transversely of the structure. are suitably mounted on the structure beneath the various platforms. Each of the motors 60 carry a drum 6I on the driveshaft thereof over which a cable E2 passes.

The cable @2 extends between

pulleys

63 and 64 positioned at opposite sides of the structure. The cable is attached to the platform I5 by a fastening device 66 having a turnbuckle connection E5 to tighten the cable.

Rotation of the drum 6I in one direction will cause the platform to move in one direction on the rails I3, and reverse rotation of the drum 6I will cause the platform to move in a reverse direction.

The car carrier 3i) may consist of the car frame 3l having pairs of

wheels

32 and 33 at each end thereof that engage the rails 23 of elevator I6. The wheels are anged to prevent the car carrier from jumping loff the rails.

On the car carrier 30 there is provided an electric motor 34 that may be driven in either direction of rotation for moving the car carrier forward and backwardly. The motor 34 is connected by means of a chain drive 35 with the axle of the pairs of

Wheels

32 and 33.

Also carried on the car carrier 30 is a hydraulic lifting device for raising the automobile from the elevator so that it will be carried fully by the car carrier. This lifting device may consist of a pair of

parallel arms

36 and 31 provided at each end of the car carrier 30. These arms have a supporting member 33 inter-connecting them. On the

arms

36 and 31 are gear segments 39 and 4I) that engage a rack 4I. The rack 4I is connected to a hydraulic motor 42 through the connecting rod 49 whereby forward and rearward movement of the rack 4I through the hydraulic operation of motor 42 will raise or lower the lifting mechanism. A hydraulic motor 42 is provided at each end of the car carrier 3@ for operating the respective lift mechanisms at the respective end of the car carrier.

The hydraulic motors 42 are` supplied with fluid under pressure by means of a pump 43 which is driven by the electric motor 44. A reservoir 45 is provided for supplying the pump 43.

In the arrangement of the structure, a central loading aisle Iii@ is free Yof automobiles at all times, the platforms on any one level all having their end portions in alignment to form the loading aisle. Th-is loading aisle and the rails therein are in alignment with the rails 23 on the elevator I6. Also when any one of the platforms I5 are moved relative to the loading aisle I-00 The motors 60 the rails 22 of any space on the platform `aligns. with the other rails in the loading aisle. Thus,

the car carrier 30 can move from the elevator I6 along the loading aisle IIIIJ to depositI a car in any space on any platform according to a preselection of the platform to be used and the space to be lled.

As shown in Figure 1 the platforms alternate from the left to the right hand side of the structure from one parking level to another to balance the structure. However, since the platforms extend on both sides of the loading aisle any two parking levels form a complete utilization of space for the parking of automobiles, the loading aisle being the only unoccupied space in any part of the platform structure.

vAs will be seen from the arrangement illustrated invFigures l and 2, the minimum working space for each platform comprises a space equal to at least Vtwice the parking spaces on the movable platform for automobiles, less one. This arrangement permits the back-and-forth movement of each` parking platform and provides for one space, which is ordinarily unoccupied, for utilization during transfer of an automobile from the elevator I 6 to a parking space on an adjacent platform.

Operation The sequence in the general operation of the parking system and apparatus is such that an automobile can be placed in position on the elevator of the building. Y

When the automobile is placed on the elevator, the hydraulic system of the Ycar carrier will be actuated to lift the car from the elevator and support it upon the car carrier.

The operator will make a selection of the oor to which the elevator will rise and will also select the platform and the space on the platform that is to receive the automobile.

The operator will then cause the control circuit to function whereby to cause the elevator to rise to the selected floor.

During the time the elevator is rising to the selected floor, the selected platform on the floor moves to place the particular space in position to receive the automobile when the elevator arrives at the floor.

, When the elevator arrives at the selected floor,

the car carrier will move forward t-o place the automobile in the selected position on the selected platform. When the car is positioned in its place on the platform, the hydraulic system of the car v will be actuated to allow the automobile to drop onto the platform in its selected space.

When the automobile drops into its selected space on the platform, the car carrier will be returned to the elevator. When the car carrier returns to the elevator, the elevator will be actuated to return to the ground floor ready rto receive another automobile.

The control circuit for automatically obtaining this sequence of operations is shown in Figure 8. Inthe schematic electric circuit of Figure 8, M represents the electric motor for operating the pump ofV the hydraulic system on the car carrier. EM is the elevator motor for raising and lowering the elevator between the oors 'of the building. CM is the car carrier motor for moving the car carrier to and from the elevator. PM represents the several motors that move the platforms on the respective floors.

lIn :the electricv circuit only sufcient elements have been shown to complete a cycle of operation of theparki'g system, but it is understood that additional units can be provided to take care of various floors `of the building.

vator, the switch A is closed to make circuit to the car carrier motor M from the power line X to the power line Y through the lines I0, II and I2. The interlock switch B is closed at this time. Concurrently, current is carried to the relay coil C to close the holding'relay D so that when the pump motor M causes operation of the hydraulic car lift and the switch A is opened, the motor will continue to operate the pump until the limit switch E is opened, whereupon the pump motor will stop with'the automobile supported on the car carrier in elevated position.

The'operator can at that time, or previously, make vthe selection of the floor to which the automobile will be 'sent and of the platform and space on the platform to which it will be delivered. The operator closes one of the oor selector sWitchesF, one of the platform selector switches G for that particular oor and one of the space selector switches H for that particular platform. For example, floor selector switch F2 is represented as being closed by the dotted arrow through it to select the second floor, platform selector switch G2 is represented as being closed to select the second platform on the second'fioor and space selector switch H3 has been closed to select the third space on the second platform on the second floor.

With the selection `thus made, the operator will close the starting button S which momentarily makes circuit between power lines X and Y through the lines I3, I 4, and I5, switch F2, and the forward starting relay I. concurrently, current is supplied to the holding relay coil J to close the contacter J I upon the lower contacts and lthus establish a holding circuit through the starting coil I until the elevator reaches the selected second iloorat which time the floor limit switch K2 will `open to break the circuit through the starter I and the relay coil J, thus stopping the elevator at the second nom. similar umn switches KI and K3 are in series with the floor selector switches FI and F3.

When the holding relay J is energized during the up movement of the elevator, thecircuit through the upper contacts of the holding coil is broken to prevent actuation of the car carrier motor while the elevator is moving. 4

The car carrier motor CM is energized by operation of the one way acting switch L which when the arm I6 is rotated counter-clockwise closes the switch, and when operated clockwise, causes no operation of the switch L. The switch L is located on the elevator and is tripped as itr reaches the various floors. Thus, so long as the elevator is in motion and the relay coil J is energized to retain the elevator in motion, the tripping action of the switch L will not eect operation of the car carrier motor to cause it to move forward olf of the elevator.

The switch L will be delayed in its closed position for a shortinterval after tripping the same by the time delay device I1. This allows suiiicient time to cause the car motor CM to begin its forward movement olf of the elevator. Promptly upon forward movement of the car motor CM as caused by closing of the circuit through the lines I8, I9 and 20 through the forward starting control N, the forward linut switch O will be closed. This energizes the holding relay coil P through the lines I9 and 22, relay coil P and lines 23 and 24. The relay Q is then closed to establish a holding circuit through the lines I8 and 22 to the forward starting control N of the car motor CM to keep the car motor in forward motion until the limit switch O is opened mechanically by engagement with a mechanical part of the platform selected to receive the automobile.

When the car motor moves the car carrier to its position over the selected platform to receive the automobile, switch R is closed to energize the solenoid operated valve S to open the same and release the hydraulic lift system on the car carrier to permit the lift system todrop the automobile onto the platform, a selected platform having previously been placed in a selected position to receive the automobile in a manner hereinafter described.

When the automobile drops to the platform the double switch T is operated to close the contacts U and open the contacts B. The closing of the contacts U establishes an electric circuit to the reverse starter control W for the car motor CM through the

lines

25, 26, 21 and 28. Concurrently, a circuit is established through a relay coil AA through the

lines

26, 29 and 28 to close the relay BB. 'I'his establishes a holding circuit to the reverse starting control W for the car motor CM.

When the automobile is dropped to the platform. the switch A is closed, which would tend to start the hydraulic lifting system on the car carrier, if it were not for the fact that the interlock switch B is noW open to prevent a circuit being made through the pump motor M.

Reverse operation of the car carrier motor CM will return the car carrier to the elevator. When the car carrier is on the elevator the switch CC will open to stop the car carrier motor CM.

As the car carrier motor reaches its position on the elevator the one way acting switch DD will be operated to momentarily close the contacts DD-l to establish a circuit through the reverse starter control II for the elevator motor EM. Concurrently, an electric circuit is mad-e through the relay coil EE to close theY relay FF thereby establishing a holding circuit through the reverse starter' control II for the elevator motor EM which will return the elevator to the first iioor whereat the limitl switch GG will be opened to break circuit through the holding circuit of the reverse control II and thereby stopl the elevator motor.

To place a selected platform on as'elected floor in a selected position the platform selector switch G has previously been closed as Well as the space selector H-3 for the platform motor PM-2, as previously described. After the closing of the selector switch the time delay switch HH is closed manually by the operator which thereby establishes a circuit through the` forward starting control JJ of the starter for the platform motor PM-2 through the

lines

3B, 3l, 32, 33, 34 and 35. The time delay switch HI-I is so constructed and timed to maintain a circuit through the starting control JJ for sufficient time to allow the maximum movement of the platform. When the platform reaches its selected forward position the limi-t switch KRL-3 in series with the space selector H-3 will be open to stop the platform at the selected space.

After the automobile has been placed upon the platform in the selected space and the car carrier has returned to the elevator in the man- 8* ner previously" described, and the "elevator has started its down movement, the one way acting switch LL will be operated by the down movement of the elevator to momentarily close the contacts LL-I. This makes a circuit through the return starting control NN for the platform motor PM-2 to start the platform to return to its initial positon, Concurrently, a circuit is made through the holding coil OO through the -

lines

35, 3l, 33, 29 and All to close the relay PP and thereby retain circuit to the return control NN for the platform motor PlVl-2 until it returns to its initial position, at which the limit switch-QQ will open to break circuit to the holding relay coil OO and de-energize the starting control NN to stop the platform motor PM-2.

Incidentally, when circuit is made to the reverse .starting control NN of the platform motor PM2, similar circuit is made to the other platform motors PM-l and PM-3 to assure that these platforms will be in their starting position and to return them in the event they might not have been returned previously due to some faulty operation.

While the apparatus disclosed and described herein constitutes a preferred form of the invention, yet it will be understood that mechanical alterations can be made to the apparatus Without departing from the spirit of the invention, and that the modifications that fall within the scope of the appended claims are intended to be included herein.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

l. A built up automobile parking structure which includes, a skeleton structure having a plurality of horizontally positioned parking levels, each of said parking levels comprising a plurality of platforms each having a plurality of parking spaces thereon on which to place automobiles in side by side relationship longitudinally of the said platform, said platforms on the respective levels being movable horizontally in a path parallel to other platforms on the same level, the said parking spaces on said platforms being longitudinally in alignment with one another whereby to park automobiles on adjacentl platforms in end to end relationship, each of said platforms operating in a minimum worklng space for shifting of the platform equal to twice the parking spaces arranged on the platform, less one, one of said parking spaces being an aisle space across which an automobile can be moved from one platform to another, means individually moving the said platforms to place a parking space in alignment with the aisle space of an adjacent platform, and an elevator in longitudinal alignment with Ithe aisle spaces of the platforms at the various parking levels, a transfer car movable onto said elevator and movable therefrom over the aligned aisle spaces,

Y control means for selecting a particular parking space in -a particular platform at a particular parking level including, means for rendering said control means active to cause the selected platform on the selected level to place the selected parking space in alignment With the loading aisle of the selected level, control means for causing said elevator to rise to the selected level, control means actuated in response to the arrival of the elevator at the selected level to actuate the said transfer car to advance the same to the selected parking space on the selected platform.

control means actuated in response to the arrival of the transfer car at the selected space for causing said transfer car to drop the cary onto said platforminto its parking space, control means actuated in response to the placing of the car on the platform for causing return of the transfer car onto the elevator, and control means actuated in response `to the return of the transfer car onto the elevator for causing the elevator to return `to its starting position.

2. An automobile parking structure which includes, a structure having a plurality of parking levels, each of said levels comprising a plurality of 'platforms movable in parallel adjacent paths through said structure, said platforms each consisting of a plurality of parking spaces arranged for parking of automobiles therein in side by side relationship longitudinally of the platforms, each of said platforms operating in a minimum working space for shifting of the platform equal to twice the parking spaces arranged on the platform, less one, one of said parking spaces being alignable with other like spaces on adjacent platforms forming therewith a loading aisle extending across the several platforms in the respective parking level, an elevator for raising and lowering automobiles relative to the several parking levels positioned longitudinally in alignment with the said loading aisle spaces when in alignment, the said loading aisles of various parking levels being positioned vertically one above the other, a transfer car movable onto said elevator and movable therefrom over aligned loading aisle spaces and parking spaces aligned therewith, track means in the loading'aislespace of each of said platforms to receive said transfer car whereby to move an automobile across said loading aisle space on any platform, corresponding track means in each of said parking spaces on said platforms alignable with the track means in said loading aisle spaces-whereby to receive said transfer car thereon, said transfer car including drive means thereon for moving the same from the elevator over said track'means longitudinally along the loading aisle spaces to place an automobile in a parking space on a platform aligned therewith, control means for selecting a particular parking space in a particular platform at a particular parking level including, means for rendering said control means active to cause the selected platformen the selected level to place the selected parking space in alignment with the loading aisle of the selected level, control means for causing said elevator to rise to the selected level, control means actuated in response to the arrival of the elevator at the selected level to actuate the said transfer car to advance the same to the selected parking space on the selected platform, control means actuated in response to the arrival of the transfer car at the selected space for causing said transfer car to drop the car onto said platform into its parking space, control means actuated in response to the placing of the car on the platform for causing return of the transfer car onto the elevator, and control means actuated-in response to the return of the transfer car onto the elevator for causing the elevator to return to its starting position.

3. An automobile parking structure which includes, a structure having a plurality of parking levels, each of said levels comprising a plurality of platforms movable in parallel adjacent paths through said structure, said platforms each consisting of a plurality of parking spaces arranged for parking of automobiles therein in side by side relationship longitudinally of the platforms, each of said platforms operating in a minimum working space for shifting of the platform equal to twice the parking spaces arranged on the platform, less one, one of said parking spaces being alignable with other like spaces on adjacent platforms forming therewith a loading aisle extending across the several platforms in the respective parking level, an elevator for raising and lowering automobiles relative to the several parking levels positioned longitudinally in alignment with the said loading aisle spaces when in alignment, the saidloading aisles of various parking levels being positioned vertically one above the other, a transfer car movable onto said elevator and movable therefrom over aligned loading aisle spaces and parking spaces aligned therewith, track means in the loading aisle space of each of said platforms to receive said transfer car whereby'to move an automobile across said loading aisle space on any platform, corresponding trackv means in each of said parking spaces on said platforms alignable with the track means in said loading aisle spaces whereby to receive :said transfer car thereon, said transfer car including drive means thereon for moving the same from the elevator over said track means longitudinally along the loadingaisle spaces to place anv automobile in a parking space on a platform aligned therewith and further including additional means to raise and lower an automobile relative to said platform, control means for selecting a particular parking space inv a particular platform at a particular parking level including, means for rendering said control means active to cause the selected platform on the selected level to place the selected parking space in alignment with the loading aisle of the selected level, control means for causing said elevator to rise to the selected level, control means actuated`in response to the arrival of the elevator at the selected level toV actuate said transfer car to advance the same to the selected space, control means actuated in response to the arrival ofthe transfer car at the selected space for causing said transfer car to drop the car onto said platform into its parking space, and control means actuated in response to the placing of the car on the platform for causing return of the transfer car onto the elevator.

4. An automobile parking structure which includes, a structure having a plurality of parking levels, each of said levelscomprising a plurality of platforms movable in parallel adjacentpaths through said structure, said platforms each consisting of a plurality of parking spaces arranged for parking of automobiles therein in side by side relationship longitudinally of the platforms, each of said platforms operating in a minimum working space for shifting of the platform equal to twice the parking spaces arranged on the platform, less one, one of said parking spaces being alignable with other like spaces on 'adjacent platforms forming therewitha loading aisle extending across the several platforms in the respective parking level, an elevator for raising and lowering autombiles relative to the several parking levels positioned longitudinally in alignment with the said loading aisle spaces When in alignment, the said loading aisles of various parking levels being positioned vertically one above the other, a transfer car movable onto said elevator and movable therefrom over aligned loading 'aisle spaces and 'parking yspaces aligned therewith,Y Ameans Aconnected Avvitlrsaid platforms individuallypperating each uof said platforms to p ositionha parking'space thereof in alignment with4` .the loading aisle spaces of vadjacent'platformsmand Withjsaid elevator, and ajcontrol systemwfor automatically controlling vthe parking of anj automobile including, means for actuating` the transfert@ because theisame tesuppertan automobile jplaced jthereover, control means rfor selectively operating a,p l atform at a', selected parking `levelto,position a ,selected parking space ingalignment ,withthe l loading aisle, means :for VselectivelyI causingjthe' elevatorv toj carry the automobile .t ,la Selectedmarkne, level, control means foru causing 'said "gtransfer- 'can to; remove thjevautom'obile.'fromithe elevator and place it in the selected parkingspace and return Ato the elevatoiy-'xand',control means for returning the elevatorV to its starting position:

5f Anjautomobile parkingjstructure which ncludes;V a; structure havinga plurality Vof parking levels, each` of `saidilevels Vcomprising a plurality of platforms 'movable Yin Vparallel adjacent "paths througlrr said structure, said platforms eachconsistinglof a plurality ofparkingpspaces arrangedV for parking of automobiles therein in side bygside relationshiplongitudinally of the platforms,-each of said platforms also having a space al-ignable withl otherV like spaces on adjacent platforms forming, therewith a loading aisle veX- tending across-the severalplatform s inthe respective `parking j'level, anv elevator. for rraising andi-lowering automobiles relative; to the `several parking levels f positioned*longitudinallyv in alignment with thesaid loading aisle vspaces when in alignmentythe said loading aislesof various parking '-;levels being positioned -vertcall'y Yone above thelothenjatransfer car movable onto `said `elevator an'd'gmovable therefromcover'aligned loading;l aisle spaces and g parking spaces aligned therewith; means connectedV with said platforms individually*Y operating jeach' of said platforms to position-'fa parking spacethereof Airl-alignment with; the loading aisle r spaces of adjacent `platforms'and-{Withfsaid elevator, control means for selecting afparticularparking space ina particular-platform'at a'particular parking level includ-N ing;- means for-rendering said control means active-to Y cause-the selected platformon the selected-level to place-the selected-parking space in alignment With the loading aisle of the Yselected level,- control -means for -causingsaid elevator to rise-tothe selected-levelecontrol means actuated iniresponse tof-thev-arrivalof the elevator at vthe selectedffleveleto lactuate -thesaid transfer car to advance-the same vto the selected parking space onfth'e-selected platform, control means actuated in=response tothe arrival of the transfer car at th'exfselected space'forl causing said 'transfer car to.-.drop. thecar onto said platform into its parkingljspace,y control meansractuated inresponse to the placingof the car-on the platform for causingqreturn :offthe `transfer car :onto the, elevator, and `control;means actuatediniy response ;to the return"vpf .fthetransfer fcar onto the elevator for causingj the 'I elevator 'v to return:` tof its-1 starting position;

6.A An automobile parking 'structure #which includes, a-structurehavingva-Y-plurality of parking levels,A- each of-:said'levels comprising va plurality of platforms movable in parallel `adjacent paths throughsaidvstructure,` said platforms each consisting'of a pluralityr of parking spaces arranged for parkingpf automobiles therein. in sideby side relationship longitudinally of the platforms, each' of said platforms valso having-a space ,-alignable with: other'like-.spaceson adjacentplatforms forming; tl'i'erevvitlr a; loading,t aislef extending across the several platforms in .the` respective parking Ilevel, an elevator for .raising and. loweringpautomobiles relative to the:several parking levelspositioned longitudinally in alignment -With' the said loading aisle-'spaces when .in alignment,I the Vsaid loadingnaisles of variouslparking .levels being positionedvertioally one above .the other,'a transfer carmovableonto said elevator and movable therefrom over aligned. loading aisle. spaces andA parking spaces aligned l therewith', means connectediwith saidplatforms individually operatingleach of saidplatforms to position a parking space-thereof` inalignment with the loading aisle spacesof adjacent Lplatforms and withsaid ele'- vator, control means forl selecting, a `particular parking. space-in a Yparticular .platform at `a sparticular .parking leve1.including,=means for render,- ingfsaid control means active to cause the selected platform onthe selected.r level toplace the selected parking space in alignment with .theloadingaisle of. 'theaselected level, control means for causing said elevatorto` risesto the selected level,` control means actuated inresponse to the arrival of the elevator at .theseleoted level to-actuate said transfer 4car to advance the same to the selected space, control 1means,..actuated Vin responsexto the arrival ofthe v:transfer .car at the selected space for causing saidtransfer .car to drop the car onto said platform into :its parking-space,A control means actuated-in'response to the.,placingiiof the-car onthelplatform forcausing return of the transfer car onto the :elevatonrcontrol means .actuated in responseto the.v return of the :transfer-caronto the elevatorzforcausing.the elevator. to return to its starting position, and control means actuated in'response to the Ydown movement of the elevator for causingJthe selected platform toreturn toits starting position.

IHNOIFVWEBER;

REFERENCSY CITED.

The following -references areof -record inthe file of this patent:

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