WO1997021890A1

WO1997021890A1 - Parking system

Info

Publication number: WO1997021890A1
Application number: PCT/IL1996/000176
Authority: WO
Inventors: Maurice Segal
Original assignee: Maurice Segal
Priority date: 1995-12-14
Filing date: 1996-12-10
Publication date: 1997-06-19
Also published as: AU7707696A; IL116383A0

Abstract

A four wheeled vehicle parking system comprising a multi-storied structure having a cross section essentially in the shape of at least part of an annulus with a central tower (12) extending at least the height of the structure, a plurality of parking bays (4) radially disposed at each story of the structure and at least one radially disposed dock for loading and unloading vehicles. The parking system further comprises one or more routing mechanisms, each provided with power means and including a carriage (16) slidably mounted on the tower and movable between the stories, a cantilevered platform (24) swingably articulated to the carriage and swingable between the parking bays of each story and having an edge essentially flush with an adjacent edge of a parking bay or dock. A dolly (50) is movable along the cantilevered platform and an adjacent parking bay or dock.

Description

PARKING SYSTEM

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is in the field of vehicle parking solutions and more specifically it is concerned with a multi-storied automatic parking system suitable for parking four wheeled vehicles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The term "automatic parking system " as used herein denotes a parking system in which vehicles are deposited by their drivers at load¬ ing/unloading docks, and wherein by automatic means the vehicles are transferred to and from parking bays without the driver's interference.

The evergrowing number of vehicles in urban areas along with massive exploitation of land in and around cities, requires new and improved parking solutions.

Among the important characteristics of a modern parking system is the ability to accommodate as many vehicles within minimal space by avoiding "maneuvering space " i.e. the space required for maneuvering the vehicles to and from parking bays. It is also important that the time required for depositing and picking up a vehicle be minimal, both for saving client's time and for minimizing operational time of the system.

Multi-storied parking systems are not normally designed to be modular or pre-fabricated. However, a modular construction would be advantageous for erection ad hoc, e.g. near multi-participant events such as at fairground sites or at sport events, etc.

Many parking systems have been suggested throughout the years, however, they share the drawbacks of being expensive, requiring a long time for construction and occupying essentially large areas compared to their vehicle capacity and also requiring a long time for parking and picking-up a vehicle. Other disadvantages of known ramped garages are accumulation of carbon monoxide fumes, the cost of fuel consumed while driving inside the garage and maneuvering, the danger to pedestrians and their vehicles from other moving vehicles and criminals who may harm the customers and burglarize their vehicles.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved automatic parking system of the kind specified in which the above-referred to disadvantages are substantially reduced or overcome and the above-referred desiderata are substantially fulfilled.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a four wheeled vehicle parking system comprising: a multi-storied structure having a cross-section essentially in the shape of at least part of an annulus; a plurality of parking bays radially disposed at each story of the structure; at least one radially disposed dock for loading and unloading vehicles; a tower centrally positioned within the structure and extending at least the height thereof; one or more routing mechanism including:

(a) a carriage slidably mounted on said tower and movable between the stories;

(b) a cantilevered platform swingably articulated to the carriage, the cantilevered platform being swingable between the parking bays of each story and having an edge essentially flush with an adjacent edge of a parking bay or dock; (c) a dolly associated with and movable along the cantilevered platform, the dolly adapted for transporting a vehicle between its associated cantilevered platform and between an adjacent parking bay or dock; and power means articulated with said one or more routing mechanism for operating same. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the parking system further comprises detector means emitting signals responsive to the presence or absence of a vehicle in a parking bay and in response to carriage platform and dolly positions, processor means adapted for receiving said signals and emitting control signals to the routing mechanism to route the cantilevered platform between a selected parking bay and between said at least one dock.

The dolly is adapted for engaging the vehicle adjacent its front end and hoisting the front wheels, whereby the vehicle may be rolled on its rear wheels to and from the cantilevered platform. The vehicle remains engaged by the dolly until it is transported into a parking bay or dock.

By a specific embodiment of the present invention the dolly comprises a hoisting device having a first position for introducing under the vehicle's chassis and a second position in which the front wheels of the vehicle are slightly elevated and the dolly may be moved along the cantilevered platform; the dolly having two wheel engaging members fixed to the hoisting device and adapted for introducing in front of each front wheels of the vehicle, and two respective bars hinged to the hoisting device and swingable between a first position where said bars are parallel with one another and may be introduced under the vehicle, and a second position where said bars laterally project from the cantilevered platform essentially parallel with fixed engaging members at a distance which is substantially less than a wheel's diameter; the dolly further comprises power means for raising and lowering the hoisting device and for moving it along the cantilevered platform.

By still a preferred embodiment of the invention said carriage is formed with a rigid cantilevered arm radially extending above the platform at a suitable height for accommodating a vehicle whereby the carriage depends from a cable attached adjacent an end of said cantilevered arm. The arrangement being such that said cantilevered arm radially extends to an extent so as to keep the platform essentially balanced.

In a specific embodiment of the invention, the multi-storied structure is divided into quadrants, each quadrant comprising an independent routing mechanism. The parking system according to the invention may be at ground level or at least partially below ground level with at least one loading and unloading dock constructed at any required level with suitable access routes.

The vehicle parking system according to the invention may be prefabricated and may be modular, suitable for construction against a straight wall of a building or against an inner corner of 90° or an outer corner of 270° of a building.

According to specific embodiments of the present invention, each parking bay comprises stopper means for restricting forward and rearward displacement of the vehicle within the parking bay. In a preferred embodiment, said stopper means being pairs of chocks positioned so as to arrest the front wheels of the vehicle. The cantilevered platform is also provided with anti-skidding arrangements for preventing skidding of the vehicle, such anti-skidding arrangements being for example, guidance rails or ridges.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For better understanding, the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a partially sectioned isometric schematic illustration of a parking system according to the present invention, with the roof removed; Fig. 2 is a schematic vertical section of a parking system according to the present invention;

Fig. 3 is a schematic top view of a parking system according to the present invention, with the roof removed;

Fig. 4 is a top view of a routing mechanism and a parking bay of the parking system according to the invention;

Fig. 5 is a side view of a routing mechanism according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, and a parking bay with a parked vehicle thereon;

Fig. 5a is a side view of a routing mechanism according to a second embodiment of the invention, and a parking bay with a parked vehicle thereon;

Fig. 6 is a top view partially cross-sectioned, illustrating the connec- tion of the routing mechanism to the central tower;

Fig. 7(a) is a side view illustrating a vehicle on a parking bay, after it has been engaged by a dolly;

Fig. 7(b) is a top view of Fig. 7(a), with the vehicle removed, but showing the position of the vehicle's wheels; Fig. 8(a) is a side view illustrating a vehicle on a platform, after it has been engaged by a dolly;

Fig. 8(a) is a top view of Fig. 8(a), with the vehicle removed, but showing the position of the vehicle's wheels; Fig. 9(a) is a top view of a dolly for use in a parking system according to the present invention in its pre-engaging position;

Fig. 9(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line IX-IX in Fig. 9(a); Fig. 10(a) is a top view of the dolly used with the parking system in its vehicle transporting position;

Fig. 10(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line X-X in Fig. 10(a); Fig. 11 is a partially sectioned isometric schematic view of a further embodiment according to the present invention;

Figs. 12(a) to 12(c) are isometric schematic illustrations of different embodiments of a parking system according to the present invention; and Fig. 13 is a schematic top view of a parking system according to another embodiment of the present invention, having two radially disposed parking bays.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS Reference is first made to Figs. 1 to 3 of the drawings illustrating the parking system consisting of a multi-storied structure 1 having an annular-like shape constructed of a supporting truss 2 and having a head truss 3' and a roofing 3, each story comprising a plurality of radially extending parking bays 4 with dimensions suitable for accommodating a variety of vehicles 6 such as passenger cars, station wagons, vans, etc. Bays 4' of different sizes may be constructed for accommodating vehicles of different sizes (seen in Fig. 2).

The structure is divided into four quadrants indicated 2(a) through 2(d), respectively, each having at least one loading/unloading dock 8 accessible by a ramp 10.

A central modular steel tower 12 is secured to the structure 1 supporting the radially extended parking bays by radial trusses 2' positioned between the quadrants (schematically indicated in Fig. 1) for stabilizing the entire structure. The central modular steel tower 12 has a square cross-section, each face thereof provided with a routing mechanism 14, having an elevating mechanism generally designated 15 and consisting of a carriage 16 fitted with a rigid cantilevered arm 17 and slidably mounted on vertical rails 18 and movable along by means of an elevating mechanism comprising among others a motor driven pulley 18, free wheel 19, counterweight 20 and cable 22 having one end attached adjacent an end 23 of the cantilevered arm 17 for suspension of the carriage 16.

According to a second embodiment of the invention, as seen in Fig 5a of the drawings, the carriage 16' does not comprise the cantilevered arm 17 and accordingly, depends directly from the cable 22' , whereby the elevating mechanism is devoid of the free wheel 19, with all the other components being essentially the same.

A cantilevered platform 24 is swingably linked to the carriage 16 in a manner which will hereinafter be explained in more detail. However, as seen in Figs. 4 and 5 the platform 24 extends right up to the parking bays 4 and has a curved free end 26 corresponding with the inner radius 28 of the annulus. The cantilevered platform 24 is rotatable around a section of approximately 90° (see Fig. 4), so as to reach all parking bays within the respective quadrant.

Referring to the first embodiment, the cantilevered arm 17 depending at or adjacent it's free end 23, radially extends at an essentially right angle to an extent at which gravity forces acting on the carriage 16 in a vertical direction are essentially balanced (taking in consideration that vehicles supported by the platform have their center of gravity at essentially the same place over the platform). Obviously, the cantilevered arm 17 extends at a suitable height above the cantilevered platform 24 so as to allow vehicles to be received over the platform , as can be seen, for example, in Fig. 8a of the drawings. Each platform 24 is supported by tension cables 30 and side brackets 32 and comprises two bumpers 34 for dampening shocks in case the edges of the platform reach their extreme angular positions as illustrated by the dashed lines in Fig. 4 and four spring or pneumatic buffers 35 for absorbing impact of the platform if it hits the floor slab.

As can best be seen in Figs.9b and 10b, the platform 24 has a wide central depression 38 with wheel guides 40 . As seen in Figs. 4, 7b and 8b, the bays 4 have a central wide depression 38' and when the platform 24 is radially aligned with a bay 4, they have a continues profile enabling a dolly to freely run between them, as will hereinafter be explained. The platforms comprise also ridges and side rails 44 for preventing skidding of a vehicle during transfer. Other or additional anti- skidding means may be provided such as roughening the wheel surfaces 45 e.g, by embossed protrusions (not shown). Each platform further comprises a dolly assembly generally designated 50 which will hereinafter be described in detail.

Reference is now made in particular to Figs. 4 to 6 for under¬ standing the elevating and swinging mechanisms . Each face of the tower 12 comprises a pair of U-like shaped vertical rails 52 facing one another with angled corners 54. Two vertical rails 56 are attached to each inner face of the tower. Each carriage 16 comprises at least four pairs of pressure rollers 58 (only two pairs of which are seen in Fig. 6), the rollers being disposed at right angles and adapted for rolling on the angled corners 54 for cancelling tolerances between the carriage 16 and the rails 52. The carriage 16 depends by cables 22 (seen in Fig. 2) from the motor driven pulley 18 with a counterweight 24 attached at an opposed end of the cables as known per se with respect to elevators. The counterweight is slidable along the rails 56 by means of recess 60 receiving a lateral bracket 62 of the rails 56. The carriage 16 comprises two horizontally projecting brackets 64 supporting an axle 66 about which the platform 24 is rotatable. A plate 68 is fixedly attached to the top bracket 64, the plate having an arced geared edge 70 extending slightly more than 90°, centrally disposed with respect to a longitudinal axis of the axial 66. A worm gear 72 is keyed to or integral with a shaft 74 engaged at one end with a motor 76 and at an opposed end to an electric brake 78, both securely fixed to the platform 24, whereby rotating the worm gear 72 brings about angular displacement of the platform 24 around the longitudinal axis of axle 66, so that the platform 24 can be radially aligned with any respective parking bay 4 of a story within its respective quadrant.

Attention is now directed to Figs. 9 and 10 for a detailed description of the dolly 50 and its operation. A rigid frame 80 is moveable within the depression 38 of the platform 24 by means of wheels 84 adapted for running over the wheel guides 40 and runner rollers 86 bearing against side walls 90 of the depressed portion 38.

A rack 92 is centrally attached at the bottom of the depression 38 of the platform 24 and a gear wheel 94 is keyed to a shaft connected at one end to a motor 96 and at an opposed end to an electric brake 98, said motor and electric brake being fixed to the frame structure 80 of the dolly 50 at an end thereof facing the hinged end of the platform. The arrangement is such that rotation of the gear 94 by motor 96, brings about linear displace¬ ment of the dolly 50 along the platform.

The dolly 50 further comprises a wheel engaging structure generally designated 100 straddled to the frame 80 being capable of vertical displacement with respect to the frame 80 and comprising two fixed lateral projecting front arms 102, the span of the arms being wider than the width of an average vehicle (the span being approximately two meters). The front arms 102 are essentially horizontal and are positioned at a level above the chocks 105 suitable for taking position in front of a front wheel 104 of the vehicle but below the wheel's center.

Two rear arms 106 are hinged at 108 to the wheel engaging structure 100 and are pivotal between a first position in which they are perpendicular to the front arms 102 (as seen in Fig. 9(a), and between a second position in which they are parallel to the front arms 102 (as seen in

Fig. 10(a)). The rear arms 106 have essentially the same span and extend at the same height as the front arms 102.

As seen in Fig. 10(a), the distance between the front arms 102 and the rear arms 106 (in their second position) is less than the diameter of the wheel 104 of the vehicle so as to allow its elevation, as known per se and as will herein-below be explained.

As can be seen in Figs. 9 and 10, each of the rear arms 106 is associated with two links 110 and 111 connected to one another by a joint 112 provided with a roller surface (not seen) and being pivotally connected at 116 to the rear arm 106 and at 118 to the wheel engaging structure 100.

The dolly comprises an arresting member 113 provided with a solenoid operated latch 114 for automatically arresting the rear bar 106 in its second position (parallel extending with said front arms 102), which arresting member does not enable the rear arms 106 to return to their first position until a correct control signal is received, and spring biassing means (not seen) for returning the rear arms to their first position, as will be explained.

The spring biassing means may be for example a torsion spring mounted on the pivots 108 of the rear arms 106 etc. A stopper bar 120 is fixedly attached to the parking bay 4 at the depressed portion 38' , having a gliding surface 122 inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of the wheel engaging structure 100, the gliding surface

122 facing each of the joints 112. The arrangement is such that as the dolly 50 travels over the parking bay 4 or loading dock 8, towards stopper bars 120, the roller surface of joint 112 encounters the gliding surfaces 122, whereby the links 110 and 111 are caused to expand, as seen in Fig. 10(b), as a result of which the rear arms 106 are pivoted about their axis 108 to the second position so as to extend parallel with the front arms 102. The manner in which the vehicle is engaged by the dolly's hoisting mechanism will be hereinafter explained in detail.

Attention is now directed to Figs. 9(a) and 10(a) for understand- ing the construction of the hoisting device. The wheel engaging structure 100 is capable of vertical displacement with respect to the frame 80 of the dolly (side bars 101 of the wheel engaging structure 100 are seen in Fig. 10(b) in an elevated position with respect to the side bars 81 of the dolly's frame 80). A motor 130 is supported within the frame 80 having two laterally extending threaded shafts 132 centrally positioned between the arms 102 and 106, the free ends of the shafts 132 being rotatably supported by bushings 134. A nut 136 is mounted on each of the shafts 132 restrained from revolving, whereby rotating of the shaft 132 brings about axial displacement of the nuts 136 along the shafts. Two frame-like links 138 and 140 are linked to one another at 142, pivotally attached at 144 to the frame 81 and at 146 to the nut 136. and joints 142 are articulated to the wheel engaging structure 100.

Upon operating the motor 130, the shafts 132 revolve causing lateral displacement of nuts 134, whereby as the frame members 138 and 140 advance towards one another, the joint 142 elevates, consequencing in elevation of the joints 142 with the articulated wheel engaging structure 100 along with the vehicle's wheels 104. It should be understood that the overall height of the dolly 50 and wheel engaging structure 100 at the non elevated position does not exceed the lowest point of a vehicle.

Reference will now be made to the previous described figures as well as to Figs. 7 and 8, for understanding how a vehicle is parked and delivered by the parking system according to the present invention. First, the driver drives his vehicle via the ramp 10 into any one of the vacant loading/unloading docks 8, leaving the vehicle with its front wheels 104 positioned between pairs of chocks 105 positioned at fixed locations on the parking bays 4, the vehicle left at the so-called "neutral gear" position, with the wheels un-braked. The driver then receives a code number identifying the address of the parking bay in which the vehicle will be parked and may then go on his way.

Once the vehicle is left in the position as above described, the routing mechamsm receives a signal to proceed to the loading dock 8 and the edge of the platform 24 is levelled with the dock by cooperation of the elevating mechanism 15 and the swinging mechamsm as above described. Then, the motor 96 of the dolly 50 is activated and the frame 80 advances to the position seen in Fig. 7 in which the center-line extending parallel between the front and rear arms 102 and 106 respectively, is positioned between the chocks 105.

At a certain stage, as dolly 50 keeps moving on the loading dock 8, the roller surface of the joints 112 of links 110 and 111 encounter the gliding surface 122 of the stopping bars 120, causing the rear arms 106 to swing into their second position, i.e. , into a position parallel with the front arms 102, whereat the rear arms are 106 are locked in their second position by the solenoid operated arresting member and whereby the front and rear arms are positioned at two sides of the vehicle's front wheels 104, below the wheels axle, as hereinbefore explained. At this stage, the motor 130 is operated, causing elevation of the frame 100 along with the front wheels 104 of the vehicle and then the motor 96 is activated for retracting the dolly 50 to the position of Figs. 8, with the vehicle 6 being transferred over to the platform 24. Right after, while the front wheels of the vehicle are still raised, the elevating mecha¬ msm 15 is signalized to elevate (or lower, as the case may be), the carriage 16 and associated platform 24 to the level of a story in which a vacant parking bay 4 has been detected. Simultaneously, as the elevating mechamsm 15 operates, the motor 76 receives a signal so as to bring about rotation of the platform 24 to the required angular position of the vacant parking bay 4, so that the platform 24 and the respective bay 4 are radially aligned. As the platform 24 reaches full stop and it is levelled with the parking bay, the motor 96 is operated in a reverse direction so as to move the dolly 50 onto the parking bay 4, transferring the vehicle in a rearward motion over the chocks 105, and into the parking bay. As the dolly has reached the position of Fig. 7 (in which the front wheels 104 are between chocks 105), motor 130 is operated in reverse direction causing the frame 100 to descend and the front wheels come to rest between the chocks 105 of the parking bay 4. Than, a signal is transmitted to the solenoid operated latch 114 of the arresting member 113, whereby the rear arms 106 are released to swing into their second position by means of the spring biasing means (not shown).

The dolly 50 is then retracted onto the platform 24 by operation of the motor 96 as above described, and the parking system is now ready for performing a new parking or delivery sequence.

It should be readily understood by a skilled person that delivery of a vehicle from a parking bay 4 to an unloading dock 8 or transferring a vehicle from one parking bay to another parking bay, are performed in reverse sequence of operation, with necessary changes made, mutatis mutandis.

Attention is now directed to Fig. 11 of the drawings in which a parking system according to the present invention is shown with several stories below ground level and with the ramps 10' and loading/unloading docks 8' being at ground level. However, it should be noted that ramps and docks may be disposed at any level, e.g. via a bridge to a level higher than ground level or via a tunnel to underground level. It should also be noted that the entire system may be constructed under ground level, or with only the loading and unloading bays at ground level. Furthermore, it is also possible that an entire story comprise only loading/unloading docks without any parking bays ,or even have one story comprising only loading docks and another story comprising only unloading docks, that being useful in particular at extremely busy areas. Figs. 12(a) to 12(c) of the drawings are schematic illustrations of different applications of the parking system. In Fig. 12(a) the parking system 150 has a semi-circular cross-section which may be suitable for construction adjacent an exterior wall 152 of a building 154. In Fig. 12(b) the parking system 156 is constructed against an external right-angled corner 158 of a building 160, the construction of the parking system having a three-quarter circular structure. In Fig. 12(c), the parking system 162 has the shape of a quarter of a circle, suitable for construction at an external right-angled corner 164 of a building 166.

Reference is now made t Fig. 13 of the drawings which is a top planer view of another embodiment of the present invention in which two parking bays 170 and 172 are following in radial order. For such an arrangement, the inner parking bays 170 have a cross section similar to that of the platforms 24 and a rack 174 extends the entire length of the bays, whereby the dolly 50 may travel from the platforms 24 over to the first bays 170 for transferring a vehicle to or from the second bays 172. However, for this arrangement, an empty bay must always be kept at each story within a quadrant, for the purpose of shifting car positions, i.e, moving a car positioned in a first parking bay 170 into the vacant parking bay for picking-up (or delivering) a vehicle from (or to) a second parking bay 172. Such an arrangement is suitable in particular for permanent parking systems and is useful for parking vehicles for longer periods.

It should be obvious that the parking system's construction is not restricted to right angles and that the routing mechanisms of the parking systems may be adopted for serving larger or narrower segments, e.g. third or semi-circles. It should also be understood to a skilled person that each of the motors may be of any type, i.e electric motors, hydraulic, pneumatic or combinations thereof and that different transition means may be used. An important parameter of parking systems is the speed of parking and delivering of the vehicles . In order to have the time required for these operations reduced to minimum, a processing unit is used in conjunction with a control system constantly receiving and emitting data such as nearest vacant parking bay, correct position of a vehicle on loading dock and on platform, angular position of platform, location of carriage, etc. all as can be appreciated by a person versed in the art.

As seen in Fig. 2, the loading/unloading docks 8 are considerably higher than most bays, this is to allow the passage of higher vehicles. An electro-optic sensor positioned at the docks will be associated with the control system for addressing higher vehicles to higher parking bays.

The construction of the central tower 12 resembles that of a crane, so that erecting the parking bays' construction may be facilitated by the crane-like tower with the elevating mechamsm 15 and associated platforms 24 mounted thereon. For that purpose, the central tower 12 together with the elevating mechanism 15 and platforms 24 mat be erected first which facilitate the work of constructors while they assemble the annular structured parking bays.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A four wheeled vehicle parking system comprising: a multi-storied structure having a cross-section essentially in the shape of at least part of an annulus; a plurality of parking bays radially disposed at each story of the structure; at least one radially disposed dock for loading and unloading vehicles; a tower centrally positioned within the structure and extending at least the height thereof; one or more routing mechanism including:

(a) a carriage slidably mounted on said tower and movable between the stories;

(b) a cantilevered platform swingably articulated to the carriage, the cantilevered platform being swingable between the parking bays of each story and having an edge essentially flush with an adjacent edge of a parking bay or dock;

(c) a dolly associated with and movable along the cantilevered platform, the dolly adapted for transporting a vehicle between its associated cantilevered platform and between an adjacent parking bay or dock; and power means articulated with said one or more routing mechanism for operating same.

2. A vehicle parking system according to claim 1 , further compris¬ ing detector means emitting a first signal indicating the presence or absence of a vehicle in a parking bay, processor means adapted for receiving said first signal and emitting a control signal to a routing mechamsm to route the cantilevered platform between a selected parking bay and between said at least one dock.

3. A vehicle parking system according to claim 1 , wherein the dolly is adapted for engaging the vehicle adjacent its front end and hoisting the front wheels, whereby the vehicle may be rolled on its rear wheels to and from a cantilevered platform.

4. A vehicle parking system according to claim 3, wherein the vehicle remains engaged by the dolly until it is transported into a parking bay or dock.

5. A vehicle parking system according to claim 3, wherein the dolly comprises of a hoisting device having a first position for introducing under the vehicle's chassis and a second position in which the front wheels of the vehicle are slightly elevated and the dolly may be moved along the cantilevered platform; the dolly having two wheel engaging members fixed to the hoisting device and adapted for introducing in front of each front wheels of the vehicle, and two respective bars hinged to the hoisting device and swingable between a first position where said bars are parallel with one another and may be introduced under the vehicle, and a second position where said bars laterally project from the cantilevered platform essentially parallel with fixed engaging members at a distance which is substantially less than a wheels diameter; the dolly further comprises power means for raising and lowering the hoisting device and for moving it along the cantilevered platform.

6. A vehicle parking system according to claim 1 , wherein said carriage depends from a cable supporting the carriage at a position keeping it essentially balanced.

7. A vehicle parking system according to claim 7, wherein said carriage depends adjacent an end of a rigid cantilevered arm rigidly formed with the carriage, and radially extending above the platform to an extent so as to keep the platform essentially balanced, the cantilevered arm extending at a height suitable for supporting a vehicle on the platform.

8. A vehicle parking system according to claim 1, wherein approximately each quadrant of said annulus comprises an independent routing mechanism.

9. A vehicle parking system according to claim 1 , wherein said structure is at least partially below ground level.

10. A vehicle parking system according to claim 1 , wherein said structure is prefabricated.

11. A vehicle parking system according to claim 1 , wherein said cantilevered platform is swingable with respect to said carriage by a worm gear arrangement.

12. A vehicle parking system according to claim 1 , constructed against one or two walls of a building, said one or two walls forming the radii of the construction having a cross-section in the shape of part of an annulus .

13. A vehicle parking system according to claim 13, wherein said one or two walls are a straight wall or form an inner corner of 90° or an outer corner of 270° .

14. A vehicle parking system according to claim 1 , wherein the central tower is erected first and together with the slidingly mounted carriage and swingable platform serves as a crane facilitating construction of the multi story parking bays.

15. A vehicle parking system according to claim 1 , wherein each parking bay comprises stopper means for restricting forward and rearward displacement of the vehicle within the parking bay.

16. A vehicle parking system according to claim 15, wherein said stopper means are pairs of chocks so positioned as to arrest the front wheels of the vehicle.

17. A vehicle parking system according to claim 1 , wherein the cantilevered platform is provided with anti-skidding arrangements for preventing skidding of the vehicle.

18. A vehicle parking system according to claim 18, wherein said anti-skidding arrangements are side rails or ridges.