Classifications

• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E04—BUILDING
  • E04H—BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL
  • E04H6/00—Buildings for parking cars, rolling-stock, aircraft, vessels or like vehicles, e.g. garages
  • E04H6/08—Garages for many vehicles
  • E04H6/12—Garages for many vehicles with mechanical means for shifting or lifting vehicles
  • E04H6/18—Garages for many vehicles with mechanical means for shifting or lifting vehicles with means for transport in vertical direction only or independently in vertical and horizontal directions
  • E04H6/20—Garages for many vehicles with mechanical means for shifting or lifting vehicles with means for transport in vertical direction only or independently in vertical and horizontal directions characterised by use of conveyor chains or rotatable rollers for horizontal transport

Definitions

• the present invention is directed towards a vehicle storage structure, for the parking or garaging of vehicles.
• the present invention is directed to the storage or garaging of vehicles in a vehicle storage structure.
• vehicle storage structures typically comprise an array, having both width and height, so that a number of cars can be stored in an area having a relatively small footprint - a valuable attribute where land is at a premium.
• a pallet will be designed to cater for the longest vehicle able to be transported and stored, yet many vehicles may be much shorter. For instance, a vehicle parking place may be only two pallets deep, hut capable of storing three compact cars. The pallet system, therefore has a number of disadvantages.
• a number of systems provide for storage only in a stack - i.e. an arrangement with height, but only one vehicle wide. This simplifies the lifting arrangement, which requires only a lifting device for raising vehicles to the necessary height. However, such arrangements are limited in size and not practicable (due to the cost of multiple lifting equipment - one for each stack) where larger numbers of vehicles are to be stored.
• Some arrangements utilise fork type arrangements to lift and position vehicles within a parking bay.
• such arrangements are not kind to many modern vehicles which can be easily damaged by lifting in such a manner, or by not being supported at precise body lifting positions.
• vehicle stacking apparatus comprising a plurality of vehicle parking bays, and at least one travelling vehicle lifter; a said vehicle parking bay including conveying means, upon which a vehicle can rest, and which conveying means is capable of moving forwardly or rearwardly; said travelling vehicle lifter including conveying means, upon which a vehicle can rest, and which conveying means is capable of moving forwardly or rearwardly; said travelling vehicle lifter able to travel both horizontally and vertically between at least at least two members of the group comprising: a provided vehicle access point or points, and vehicle parking bays.
• vehicle stacking apparatus substantially as described above, in which said array comprises a plurality of vehicle parking bays in both a vertical and horizontal direction.
• vehicle stacking apparatus substantially as described above, in which a said vehicle parking bay has depth, able to accommodate a plurality of vehicles end to end.
• vehicle stacking apparatus substantially as described above, in which the conveying means for a said parking bay comprises a conveyor comprising an endless loop track.
• the conveying means of a parking bay comprises a pair of conveyors each comprising an endless loop track, situated to be in the normal position of the wheel track or ground contact points of a vehicle positioned in the vehicle parking bay.
• vehicle stacking apparatus substantially as described above, in which said parking bay conveying means has its own motor for driving it as well as a vehicle positioned on same.
• vehicle stacking apparatus substantially as described above, in which the conveying means on a vehicle parking bay is locked against operation unless a travelling vehicle lifter is aligned therewith.
• a said access point comprises a platform with conveying means upon which a vehicle can rest, and which conveying means is capable of moving in at least one direction.
• vehicle stacking apparatus substantially as described above, in which the access point conveying means is the same type as a vehicle parking bay conveying means.
• vehicle stacking apparatus substantially as described above, in which the conveying means on an access point is locked against operation unless a travelling vehicle lifter is aligned therewith.
• vehicle stacking apparatus substantially as described above, in which the conveying means for a said travelling vehicle lifter comprises a conveyor comprising an endless loop track.
• vehicle stacking apparatus substantially as described above, in which the conveying means of a travelling vehicle lifter comprises a pair of conveyors each comprising an endless loop track, situated to be in the normal position of the wheel track or ground contact points of a vehicle positioned thereon.
• vehicle stacking apparatus substantially as described above, in which said travelling vehicle lifter conveying means has its own motor for driving it as well as a vehicle positioned thereon.
• vehicle stacking apparatus substantially as described above, in which the motor for said travelling vehicle lifter includes transmission connection means for connecting, when the travelling vehicle lifter is aligned with a parking bay, to transmission connection means associated with said parking bay's conveying means; the connection of said transmission connection means allowing the motor of the conveying means of the travelling vehicle lifter to drive the conveying means of said parking bay.
• vehicle stacking apparatus substantially as described above, in which the motor for said travelling vehicle lifter includes transmission connection means for connecting, when the travelling vehicle lifter is aligned with an access point, to transmission connection means associated with said access point's conveying means; the connection of said transmission connection means allowing the motor of the conveying means of the travelling vehicle lifter to drive the conveying means of said access point.
• vehicle stacking apparatus substantially as described above, in which the conveying means of a vehicle parking bay includes a motor, said vehicle parking including transmission connection means for connecting, when the vehicle parking bay is aligned with a travelling vehicle lifter, to transmission connection means associated with said travelling vehicle lifter's conveying means; the connection of said transmission connection means allowing the motor of the conveying means of the vehicle parking bay to drive the conveying means of said travelling vehicle lifter.
• vehicle stacking apparatus substantially as described above, in which the conveying means on a travelling vehicle lifter, can synchronise with the conveying means of a vehicle parking bay to facilitate the transfer of a vehicle positioned on a said conveying means between said vehicle lifter and said vehicle parking bay.
• vehicle stacking apparatus substantially as described above, in which the conveying means on a travelling vehicle lifter, can synchronise with the conveying means of an access point to facilitate the transfer of a vehicle positioned on a said conveying means between said vehicle lifter and said vehicle parking bay.
• vehicle stacking apparatus substantially as described above, in which the conveying means on a travelling vehicle lifter is locked against operation unless the lifter is correctly aligned with either or both of a vehicle parking bay, or a vehicle access point.
• vehicle stacking apparatus substantially as described above, in which the apparatus comprises a structure constructed of modular units.
• vehicle stacking apparatus substantially as described above, in which a modular unit comprises one or more vehicle parking bays.
• vehicle stacking apparatus substantially as described above, in which vehicle parking bays are positioned within a structure comprising a dismantleable frame.
• vehicle stacking apparatus substantially as described above, in which the vehicle travelling lifter is capable of moving simultaneously horizontally and vertically.
• a travelling vehicle lifter comprises a travelling carriage, a vehicle platform, and platform lifting means.
• vehicle stacking apparatus substantially as described above, in which travel of a travelling vehicle lifter is by any one or more of: a chain drive system, motorised wheels, a screw and nut type system, electromagnetic propulsion, a gear and rack type system, cable and pulley system, hydraulics or pneumatic systems.
• vehicle stacking apparatus substantially as described above, in which lifting of the vehicle platform of a travelling vehicle lifter is by any one or more of: chain drive mechanisms, screw and nut type systems, a gear and rack type system, jack and ratchet type systems, cable and pulley systems, hydraulics or pneumatic systems.
• vehicle stacking apparatus substantially as described above, in which there is provided sensing means on the travelling vehicle lifter to ascertain whether it is aligned accurately with a vehicle parking bay and/or vehicle access point.
• vehicle stacking apparatus substantially as described above, which include vehicle parking bays more than one vehicle deep.
• vehicle stacking apparatus substantially as described above, in which there is more than one travelling vehicle lifter, and in which at least one travelling vehicle lifter services higher level parking bays.
• vehicle stacking apparatus substantially as described above, in which there is provided at least one transfer access point, which is a temporary storage position and which may comprise an allocated vehicle parking bay, into which vehicles can be temporarily loaded by a travelling vehicle lifter servicing one set of vehicle parking bays or levels until retrieved by a travelling vehicle lifter servicing another set of vehicle parking bays or levels.
• at least one transfer access point which is a temporary storage position and which may comprise an allocated vehicle parking bay, into which vehicles can be temporarily loaded by a travelling vehicle lifter servicing one set of vehicle parking bays or levels until retrieved by a travelling vehicle lifter servicing another set of vehicle parking bays or levels.
• vehicle stacking apparatus substantially as described above, in which there is provided at least one vehicle service bay associated with either or both of vehicle servicing equipment or vehicle refuelling equipment, and to which a vehicle may be temporarily transferred for servicing or grooming.
• vehicle stacking apparatus substantially as described above, in which the vehicle parking bays are arranged in a structure which is, when viewed in top plan view, either curved or substantially circular.
• vehicle stacking apparatus substantially as described above, which includes a control system capable of controlling at least a said travelling vehicle lifter and to implement at least one of: remembering which vehicle is stored where for access and retrieval by a travelling vehicle lifter; prioritising movements of a travelling vehicle lifter; optimising travel of a travelling vehicle lifter between positions for the transfer of vehicles; recording estimated time of driver return for prioritising movements of a travelling vehicle lifter;
• vehicle stacking apparatus substantially as described above, which includes a control system capable of recording and implementing instructions for at least one of: special security requests by a vehicle user; facilitating vehicle user requests for available options such as servicing and grooming; allowing for retrieval by other authorised or designated persons; providing account management, cost and accounting facilities associated with use and/or services requested.
• vehicle stacking apparatus substantially as described above, in which the vehicle is a boat, there being provided a boat loading lifter comprising lifting means capable of extending into water for launching and removing boats, said boat loading lifter being capable of lifting floating boats up to the level of the travelling vehicle lifter for transfer on to, and from, either or both of: i) conveying means on the vehicle lifter, or ii) a wheeled carriage or trailer present on conveying means on
• vehicle stacking apparatus substantially as described above, in which the boat loading lifter includes conveying means for conveying a boat onto, and off of, the boat loading lifter.
• a travelling vehicle lifter includes proximity sensors directed to detect occupation of either or both of a vehicle parking bay or access point, and which is connected to prevent loading of a vehicle from the travelling vehicle lifter into an already occupied vehicle parking bay or access point.
• vehicle stacking apparatus substantially as described above, in which one or more vehicle parking bays include readable data relevant to said vehicle parking bay, said readable data presented in a manner able to be read by a sensor on a said travelling vehicle lifter when in proximity.
• vehicle stacking apparatus substantially as described above, which includes sensing means on either or both of a vehicle parking bay and travelling vehicle lifter, said sensing means assisting with accurate alignment of the conveying means of both of said vehicle parking bay and travelling vehicle lifter.
• the apparatus of the present invention typically comprises a plurality of vehicle parking bays, one or more vehicle access points, and one or more travelling vehicle lifters capable of transferring vehicles between access points and a parking bays. Other vehicle movement operations may occasionally be performed.
• vehicle comprises not only cars, vans, and trucks, but also includes trailers, boats, and aircraft (though typically small aircraft). Where non-wheeled vehicles are used (e.g. boats) then the conveying means may be modified to suit the ground contacting or support portions of the vehicle (e.g. V shaped conveyor arrangements to support a boat's hull), or use may be made of trailers or wheeled carriages to support the vehicle.
• the plurality of vehicle parking bays are arranged in at least a two dimensional array having height and width.
• the array from top plan view, may be linear, though it is also envisaged that the array may be constructed to be curved, angled, or circular in top plan view. This will typically be a case of user choice, or where available space (land) requirements necessitate alternative designs.
• Multiple arrays of vehicle parking bays may be provided, and may be accessed by one of more travelling vehicle lifter.
• a travelling vehicle lifter may service two arrays of vehicle parking bays that it is positioned between (see figure 1 later herein). Travelling vehicle lifters may also transport vehicles between different arrays of vehicle parking bays.
• the vehicle parking bays will typically be arranged in a regular pattern, though need not be so.
• Each bay may be of substantially constant height and width, though differently sized bays may be provided to cater for certain vehicles, such as over-height or over- width vehicles.
• the structure comprising the vehicle parking bays will be modular (each module comprising one or more vehicle parking bays) or of a construction allowing the structure to be readily dismantled or changed.
• the arrangement allows for the construction and use of temporary and semi-permanent structures (as well as permanent structures) which can be removed or relocated after a period of use. Both arrangements also allow for the ready expansion of the structure should more parking bays be necessary, or different types of bays included.
• Modular units will typically comprise individual bays (though may comprise several bays), which ideally can be lifted into position by crane. The required conveying means may be included, or installed subsequently to lifting a module into position.
• Each vehicle parking bay will have at least one opening which the travelling vehicle lifter can visit.
• the opening will allow for the transfer of a vehicle between the lifter and the bay.
• a bay may have access openings at each end, particularly when able to be serviced by travelling vehicle lifters at each end of the bay.
• Vehicle parking bays may be more than one vehicle deep, to maximise space.
• the length may be optimised, such as two large vehicles or three compact vehicles in length. Positioning a car in an appropriate bay will be overseen by the control system, to maximise stacking efficiency.
• temporary storage bays In multiple depth parking bay systems, it may be desirable to include temporary storage bays, so that end vehicles can be temporarily placed while retrieving a vehicle deeper in the bay. Other vacant vehicle parking bays may also be used in such operations, though it may be desirable to include a temporary storage bay - which may be a normal parking bay merely allocated for temporary storage - for situations when the structure is close to full. Temporary storage bays may also be used as transfer access points for temporarily positioning vehicles from one travelling vehicle lifter to be subsequently retrieved by another travelling vehicle lifter servicing a different set of vehicle parking bays, or perhaps upper or lower level bays. Different travelling vehicle lifters may also service sets or arrays of vehicle parking bays at different levels. There will be a maximum height at which point it becomes better to introduce another travelling vehicle lifter.
• one or more service bays may be provided to which vehicles may be delivered for options such as servicing, cleaning and grooming etc.
• Servicing options may include, for example, fuel filling, lubrication checks, cooling fluid checks, mechanical servicing, tyre replacement, etc.
• Vehicles booked in for various types of grooming or servicing options can be delivered to the service bay according to a sequence determined by the control system. The sequence can be determined based on a number of factors, including (but not limited to): time of entry into the structure, expected time of retrieval from the structure, urgency indicated by driver, expected time to complete operation, backlog, job-type priority, etc.
• the control system may also include integrated accounting, so that the servicing can be paid for when a driver parks or retrieves their vehicle, or invoiced later - various credit card payment, electronic banking, invoicing and account arrangements can be implemented.
• the service bay may merely be a vehicle access point where a valet or service person retrieves a vehicle and takes it for servicing. However, it may be a specialised bay containing all of the equipment that may be required - e.g. a cleaning bay, may comprise an automated car wash, for instance. By implementing such options, a driver can return to have their vehicle fully fuelled and cleaned etc. - a valuable option for the busy executive.
• Vehicle access points are generally points where drivers can position their vehicles for storage, or retrieve them. They will typically comprise a platform, able to load the vehicle onto, or from, a travelling vehicle lifter (though may be the lifter itself). More than one travelling vehicle lifter may visit a particular access point. One or more vehicle access points may be provided. Each vehicle access points will typically include conveying means.
• each access point is accompanied by a station where a driver can enter their instructions. This may be for storage,' or retrieval. Various available options, such as servicing and grooming (etc.) may also be entered. Operation may be by keypad, touch panel/screen, swipe cards, audible instructions to an operator or automated system, instructions from software provided in a Smartphone or PDA or dedicated device, and/or remote control units (such as many people may use to open their garage door). Help station facilities may be provided, including physical operators or valets to assist drivers.
• the apparatus also includes one or more travelling vehicle lifters, able to transport a vehicle between various bays and/or access points as may be required.
• a travelling vehicle lifter may take many designs, though it is desirable that it is able to travel (horizontally) while lifting or lowering so as to reduce access times.
• the lifter may be mounted on a travelling carriage able to travel along the length of a parking bay structure (or part thereof when multiple lifters are used to service different parts of a structure).
• the carriage may be driven by a variety of means, including a chain drive system, motorised wheels, a screw and nut type system, electromagnetic propulsion, a gear and rack type system, cable and pulley system, hydraulics or pneumatic systems, etc.
• a chain drive system including a chain drive system, motorised wheels, a screw and nut type system, electromagnetic propulsion, a gear and rack type system, cable and pulley system, hydraulics or pneumatic systems, etc.
• the system is relatively simple to implement, easy to maintain, reliable, and suitable for the task of moving a carriage with vehicle.
• a vehicle platform upon which a vehicle may rest.
• This platform will be able to be raised, with or without a vehicle as a load.
• the vehicle platform may be lifted in a variety of manners, including chain drive mechanisms, screw and nut type systems, a gear and rack type system, jack and ratchet type systems, cable and pulley systems, hydraulics or pneumatic systems, etc.
• a support mast is provided at each corner of the platform, the height of the mast being substantially the same as, or higher than, the array of parking bays (except in systems utilising lifters at different elevations — see below).
• This supports one or more types of lifting arrangements e.g. hydraulic rams, chain drive systems, etc. which are synchronised to lift a vehicle platform evenly and without tilting.
• travelling vehicle lifters operating at different elevations may be used. For instance, to access an upper level, the lowest lifter may lift a vehicle to a temporary storage bay at its highest lifting height. Here it can be accessed by another travelling lifter operating at a higher elevation. This operation can be repeated over again to gain increasing height.
• using multiple lifters can slow access times and be inefficient. Accordingly, it is envisaged that such systems may be best utilised when access points at different elevations are available (perhaps with their own on/off ramps at different street levels) — for instance, a person may enter at one level, though free parking bays may only be accessible at a level serviced by a different lifter. It would also allow the driver to return and retrieve their car at a different (street) level, for instance.
• a conveyor type system In used. Essentially the wheels (using a wheeled vehicle in this example) of the vehicle rest on a conveyor, which can propel the vehicle forwardly or backwardly, as may be required.
• the conveyors on aligned components can be operated to work together, to facilitate (for instance) transferring a vehicle between a vehicle platform and access point, or a vehicle platform and parking bay, or a vehicle platform and service bay, etc.
• the associated conveyer systems may be divided into several independently moveable conveyors so one vehicle can be moved in the bay without affecting another.
• the conveying means typically comprise endless loop tracks, which may be like the tracks on a bull-dozer. While metal track sections may be used to make up the loop, preferred embodiments use solvent resistant, tough plastics materials. Many suitable plastics, including various nylons, urethanes and polyurethanes, synthetic rubbers, etc. may be considered. While a conveying means may comprise one track, typically two tracks are provided - generally situated to correspond to the wheel track of a typical wheeled vehicle.
• Each conveying means (on a travelling vehicle lifter, vehicle parking bay, or access point) may have its own associated motor to drive it as well as a vehicle which may rest on same. However, in a large structure this can mean a lot of motors (if one is associated with every vehicle parking bay).
• a motor on the travelling vehicle lifter can also drive the conveyor of a vehicle parking bay with which it is aligned. This may be simply achieved by providing a suitable transmission connection on the lifter and vehicle parking bay which couple when the two are aligned. Drive can then be transmitted to drive both conveying means.
• a separate motor may be provided on the travelling vehicle lifter for the purpose of driving the vehicle parking bay conveying means.
• Other variations also exist. For instance the same arrangement may exist between an access point and the travelling vehicle lifter.
• the vehicle parking bays and/or access points may instead have their own motors which also drive the conveying means of the travelling vehicle lifter through a transmission connection - in such a case the conveying means on a travelling vehicle lifter is only operable when aligned and connected with an access point and/or vehicle parking bay.
• Readable data e.g. optical (such as barcode for example), magnetic, etc
• optical such as barcode for example
• magnetic, etc may be stored at the front of each vehicle parking bay to record information about the bay. This may be read by the travelling vehicle lifter to reconfirm its position.
• a proximity sensor may also be provided on the travelling vehicle lifter to detect the presence of a vehicle within a parking bay. This can be used to prevent attempted loading of a vehicle into an already occupied bay.
• modified conveyor systems can be provided.
• the two conveyors of preferred car embodiments can instead be mounted in a 'V arrangement to accommodate the shape of the hull of the boat.
• the elements of the conveyor may be resilient, flexible, and/or biased (to allow movement) to allow differently sized boats and hull shapes to be accommodated.
• Each conveyor track may be part of a sprung or biased system; for instance, at rest, the two conveyor tracks may form a tight, narrow 'V" shape.
• the weight of a boat can push the conveyor tracks outwardly to accommodate the shape of the hull - various hinged and biased arrangements are often seen on the rollers for boat trailers.
• a keel guide (which may comprise a series of rollers) may be provided.
• An alternative arrangement is to load boats onto trailers, and to store the trailers as you would vehicles.
• the present invention uses conveyor arrangements to move vehicles in and out of parking bays, the system is not restricted to powered vehicles - i.e. trailers, caravans, etc. can all be stored if they fit within the dimensions of the bays.
• the apparatus will typically have an associated control system, which can be quite simple in design through to quite sophisticated.
• the control system will provide for functions such as: remembering which vehicle is stored where, prioritising movements, and optimising travel between positions for the transfer of vehicles.
• a more sophisticated system may include functions such as: recording estimated time of driver return (potentially factoring this into optimised vehicle movements); special security requests; facilitating available options such as servicing and grooming and taking associated driver requests; allowing for retrieval by other authorised or designated persons; providing account management, cost and accounting facilities; etc. It is envisaged that this type of control system will comprise a predominantly software solution for flexibility.
• control system may have the ability to interface with other systems - e.g. it may send requests and receive information from a service department. This could, for instance, allow the service department to request retrieval of the next vehicle on their service list. Again this may be integrated with an accounting system to allow charges to be stored against an account, and/or automatically debited to a bank or other type of funds or credit account.
• a service department may send requests and receive information from a service department. This could, for instance, allow the service department to request retrieval of the next vehicle on their service list. Again this may be integrated with an accounting system to allow charges to be stored against an account, and/or automatically debited to a bank or other type of funds or credit account.
• Figure 1 is a perspective view of one preferred embodiment of the present invention.
• Figure 2 is an end view of another embodiment of the present invention.
• Figure 3 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention.
• Figure 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a travelling vehicle lifter and access point arrangement
• Figure 5 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a travelling vehicle lifter
• Figure 6 is an end view of the embodiment of figure 5;
• Figure 7 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of conveying means
• Figure 8 is a partial cutaway view of the embodiment of figure 7;
• Figure 9 is a perspective view of a step in a vehicle retrieval process
• Figure 10 is a perspective view of another step in a vehicle retrieval process
• Figure 11 is a side view of an embodiment of an multiple vehicle depth parking bay
• Figure 12 is a plan view of a curved embodiment of the present invention.
• Figure 13 is front view of a marine embodiment of the present invention.
• Figure 14 is a variation of the embodiment of figure 13, in which boats are stored on trailers.
• vehicle stacking apparatus (generally indicated by arrow 1) comprising a plurality of vehicle parking bays (generally indicated by arrows 2), vehicle access points (3a, 3b), and a travelling vehicle lifter (generally indicated by arrow 4).
• Figures 1 through 3 show two arrays (5a, 5b) of parking bays (2) in a spaced apart disposition to be serviced by a lifter (4) travelling between the arrays (5 a, 5b).
• Figure 3 shows parking bays (2) positioned in a non-regular arrangement, and wherein different height bays are also provided for differently sized vehicles.
• Figure 4 illustrates the access points (3 a, 3b) with the travelling vehicle lifter (4) in a position to receive a vehicle.
• the parking bay arrays are stored in the building (8), such as also illustrated in figure 3.
• a command entry station (9) is provided for a driver to interface with the system in order to store or retrieve a vehicle. This may include payment means, such as a cash payment mechanism, and/or Electronic Funds
• EFT Electronic Transaction Transfer
• Figures 5 and 6 illustrate a preferred embodiment of a travelling vehicle lifter (4).
• This comprises a supporting carriage (10) able to travel along rails (11).
• An electric motor (12) interacts with either a chain or cable to move the carriage (10) horizontally.
• a vehicle platform (14) is supported at each corner by a mast (15) along which it can travel vertically; the masts acting as a guide for travel.
• a chain drive system housed within the masts (15) is driven by a pair of electric motors (16) for raising and lowering the platform (14). Accordingly, in response to a control signal, the lifter (4) can travel horizontally while raising the platform (14) vertically for placing or retrieving a vehicle.
• FIGs 7 and 8 illustrate a conveyor assembly as is used in the parking bays (2), accessing points (3) and vehicle platform (14).
• the wheels of a vehicle (not shown) are positioned on the conveyor's tracks (17).
• An electric motor (18) driving connected rollers (19) move the tracks (17), as well as any vehicle thereon, either rearwardly or forwardly.
• a vehicle can be transferred between either of an access point (3) or bay (2) and the vehicle platform (14).
• Figures 9 and 10 illustrate the retrieval (or parking) of a vehicle (24) in a bay. hi figure
• the vehicle platform (14) of the lifter (4) is aligned with the bay (2) so that the conveyors (20) and (21) are aligned.
• the conveyors (20, 21) are operated so the car is moved onto the platform. Sensors may be provided to indicate that the vehicle is suitably positioned.
• the vehicle (24) is then in the position of figure 10.
• the supporting platform (14) and lifter (4) are operated to take the vehicle to the access point (3), or another position if required (e.g. service bay, or temporary placement), lowering the vehicle while travelling horizontally.
• one of the bays (30) is a service bay. This may include a manually operated petrol pump operated by a valet. An access point (not visible) may be provided at the rear to allow for service people to retrieve and park vehicles required for servicing.
• the bay (30) may also comprise or feed to an automated car wash. The same conveyor system may be used for the car wash.
• Each car parking bay can be modular units, as is shown in figures 9 and 10. Each module can be added or subtracted from the structure, and the control system programmed accordingly. If necessary the tracks (11) for the carriage (10) can be .extended.
• Figure 3 illustrates more of a framework type construction, which can be quickly assembled or disassembled for alteration or removal.
• Figure 11 illustrates a multiple depth parking bay structure, where parking bays (52) of more than one vehicle depth are used.
• the top bay shows where up to three compact cars (41) can be stored.
• the lower bay illustrates two larger vehicles (40) instead being stored.
• multiple conveyors (41a — d) are used to allow individual vehicles to be moved (end one first for retrieval) for placement. This represents a variation for some situations.
• Figure 12 illustrates a curved or part circular parking bay structure, as a variation for certain situations (be it for land and space limitations, aesthetics, or other).
• Figure 13 illustrates a variant for use for boat storage, such as in marinas.
• a boat loading lifter (103) which extends into the water (192) and is able to raise a boat (162) up to the level of the carriage (110) and its platform (114).
• the boat loading (and launching) portion (103) also includes a platform (160) with an angled conveyor system (161) able to accommodate the hull of a boat (162).
• the conveyor system (160) may be hinged to allow the conveyor tracks (120) to spread outwardly to accommodate different hull shapes.
• the platform (160) is lowered until a boat (162) is able to be floated into position. Once positioned the platform (160) is raised until the boat (162) is at a height in which it can be loaded on to the platform (114) of the carriage (110).
• the conveyors move the boat onto the carriage which then transport the boat to a suitable parking bay (130). Angled conveyor arrangements (121) within the bays (130) load the boat into the bay. Launching a stored boat is essentially a reversal of this procedure.
• a parking bay (130) is taken to in front of the boat loading/launching lifter (103). Instead of the boat being loaded directly onto the platform (114) of the carriage (110), it is loaded onto the empty trailer (180) on the carriage. The trailer with boat is then stored in the empty bay. Launching is essentially a reversal of this procedure. Additionally, a second loading portion (190) is provided, so that the boat with trailer may be connected to a car or land vehicle to be towed away.
• This second loading portion (190) is essentially the same as the loading portion for cars
• a second loading portion may also be provided in the embodiment of figure 13, so that a boat can be unloaded from the carriage's platform and onto a trailer attached to a land vehicle.

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