PARKING SYSTEM COMPRISING AT LEAST TWO PARKING SPACE ROWS

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a parking system comprising a first row of parking spaces and a second row of parking spaces. Access to the first row is from an entrance at an entrance level. Access to the second row is by means of a movable feeder platform that bridges a parking space gap in the first row. The feeder platform can be lifted by means of a lifting mechanism from a lowered home position to a crossing position at a passage level.

Claims

1. A parking system comprising a first row of parking spaces and a second row of parking spaces, wherein access to the first row takes place from an entrance at an entrance level, and wherein access to the second row takes place via a movable feeder platform which bridges a parking space gap in the first row, wherein the feeder platform can be lifted via a lifting mechanism from a lowered home position into a crossing position at a passage level.

2. The parking system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the feeder platform at the passage level forms a level passage to the second row.

3. The parking system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lifting mechanism has a lift drive which drives a lifting movement of a parking platform arranged below the feeder platform, and the lifting mechanism has a carrier device via which lifting movements of the parking platform arranged below the feeder platform act on the feeder platform.

4. The parking system as claimed in claim 3, wherein via the carrier device, the lifting movement of the parking platform arranged below the feeder platform is for part of the time decoupled from the movement of the feeder platform, and for part of the time coupled to the movement of the feeder platform.

5. The parking system as claimed in claim 3, that wherein the carrier device has at least one coupling element which corresponds to a carrier such that the coupling element comes into contact with the carrier when the distance between the feeder platform and the lower parking platform becomes less than a minimum distance, such that the feeder platform is movement-coupled to the parking platform when the distance is less than the minimum distance.

6. The parking system as claimed in claim 5, wherein when the minimum distance is exceeded, the feeder platform is movement-decoupled from the parking platform.

7. The parking system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the carrier device has at least a second coupling element, wherein the coupling element corresponds to a carrier such that when the distance is less than a minimum distance from the parking platform arranged below the feeder platform, the coupling element makes contact with one of the carriers such that the feeder platform is movement-coupled to the parking platform arranged below the feeder platform when the distance is less than the minimum distance.

8. The parking system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the or each coupling element is formed by a contact plate and the or each carrier by a support.

9. The parking system as claimed in claim 3, wherein the parking platform arranged below the feeder platform can be lifted by the lifting mechanism up to the passage level, wherein the feeder platform is also lifted beyond the passage level.

10. The parking system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the feeder platform is configured so as to be lowerable or attachable or fixable at the passage level.

11. The parking system as claimed in claim 1, wherein it has a fixing device which in controlled and/or switching fashion assumes either a first or a second state, wherein in the first state, the fixing device blocks a lowering of the feeder platform below the passage level and/or fixes the feeder platform at the passage level, and in the second state of the fixing device, a lowering of the feeder platform below the passage level is permitted.

12. The parking system as claimed in claim 11, wherein in the first state of the fixing device, the parking platform arranged below the feeder platform can be lowered so far that the distance between the parking platform arranged below the feeder platform and the feeder platform is greater than the minimum distance, wherein the feeder platform is fixed at the passage level.

13. The parking system as claimed in claim 11, wherein if, in the first state of the fixing device, the feeder platform is held by the fixing device at the passage level, the parking platform arranged below the feeder platform can be lowered so far that it comes to rest and is relieved of the load of the feeder platform.

14. The parking system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the parking platform arranged below the feeder platform can be lifted so far that the feeder platform is liftable beyond the passage level, and can be lowered such that in the first state of the fixing device, the feeder platform is positionable at the passage level.

15. The parking system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the fixing device has at least one locking element via which, in the first state of the fixing device, the feeder platform is locked to a frame of the parking system.

16. The parking system as claimed in claim 11, wherein the fixing device has a switching controller which switches between the first and second state when the feeder platform exceeds a switching height which is higher than the passage level.

17. The parking system as claimed in claim 1, wherein it has at least one displaceable parking platform in the first row of parking places which is mounted so as to be displaceable along the first row, wherein in the lowered home position of the feeder platform, the displaceable parking platform can move over the feeder platform, and wherein in the crossing position of the feeder platform, the displaceable parking platform cannot move over the feeder platform.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0030] Further features, details and advantages of the invention arise from the wording of the claims and the following description of exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawings. The drawings show:

[0031] FIG. 1 a perspective view of a parking system;

[0032] FIG. 2 a schematic side view of a parking system, wherein a feeder platform is arranged in a home position;

[0033] FIG. 3 a schematic side view of a parking system, wherein a feeder platform is arranged in a home position and a parking platform has been moved over the feeder platform;

[0034] FIG. 4 a schematic side view of a parking system, wherein a feeder platform is arranged above a passage level;

[0035] FIG. 5 a schematic side view of a parking system, wherein a feeder platform is lowered to a passage level;

[0036] FIG. 6 a schematic side view of a further parking system, wherein a feeder platform is lowered to a passage level;

[0037] FIG. 7 a schematic sketch of the function of a parking system, wherein a feeder platform is arranged in a home position and a parking platform is partially moved over the feeder platform;

[0038] FIG. 8 a schematic sketch of the function of a parking system, wherein a feeder platform is lowered to a passage level; and

[0039] FIG. 9 a schematic sketch of the function of a parking system, wherein a feeder platform is raised above a passage level.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a parking system 1 with a first row R1 of parking spaces S with laterally displaceable parking platforms 50, and an indicated second row R2 of parking spaces S which has parking platforms or also regular parking spaces in buildings.

[0041] Access to the first row R1 takes place via an entrance 100 at an entrance level. Access to the second row R2 takes place by means of a movable feeder platform 10 on which no vehicles are parked. The feeder platform is configured to bridge a parking space gap in the first row R1 so that a vehicle can drive from the entrance into the second row R2.

[0042] The feeder platform 10 can be lifted by means of a lifting mechanism 20 from a lowered home position P1 as shown into a crossing position P2 (see FIGS. 5 and 6).

[0043] The home position P1 shown here is also illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, wherein here the feeder platform 10, in particular its surface level, lies below the entrance level (see reference sign N in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9). The first and/or second row R1, R2 of parking spaces S, in particular their parking surfaces, however always lie at the entrance level.

[0044] The lifting mechanism 20 has a (merely indicated) lift drive 21 which drives a lifting movement of a parking platform 11 arranged below the feeder platform 10. This mechanism may for example comprise lifting cylinders, synchronizing devices and chain hoists. The lifting mechanism 20 also has a carrier device 22 with which lifting movements of the parking platform 11 arranged below the feeder platform 10 act on the feeder platform 10. The feeder platform 10 as such has no drive. Instead, the carrier device 22 ensures that the lifting movement of the parking platform 11 arranged below the feeder platform 10 is for part of the time decoupled from the movement of the feeder platform 10 and for part of the time coupled to the movement of the feeder platform 10.

[0045] The carrier device 22 has precisely four coupling elements 23, 24, 25, 26 which each correspond to a carrier 27, 28, 29, 30 such that the coupling element 23, 24, 25, 26 is in contact with the carrier 27 when the distance between the feeder platform 10 and the lower parking platform 11 is less than a minimum distance (see reference sign A in FIGS. 2, 3 4), such that when the distance is less than the minimum distance A, the feeder platform 10 is movement-coupled to the parking platform 11. When the minimum distance A is exceeded, the feeder platform 10 is however movement-decoupled from the parking platform 11, in that the coupling element 23 detaches from the carrier 27 when the minimum distance A is exceeded. This is particularly evident in FIGS. 5, 6 and 8.

[0046] The coupling elements 23, 24, 25, 26 and the carriers 27, 28, 29, 30 are arranged on the periphery of the feeder platform 10 viewed from above. Here in particular, in each case two of the coupling elements 23, 24, 25, 26 and two of the carriers 27, 28, 29, 30 sit spaced apart from one another on the long sides of the feeder platform 10, namely on the sides which extend between the entrance 100 and the second row R2.

[0047] As evident from FIGS. 2 to 9, the coupling elements 23, 24, 25, 26 are each formed by a contact plate, and the carriers 27, 28, 29, 30 are each formed by a rigid driveless support.

[0048] According to FIGS. 2 to 5 and 7 to 9, the supports are each attached to the parking platform 11 arranged below the feeder platform 10, and the contact plates are arranged on the feeder platform 10. In FIG. 6, the arrangement is reversed. There the supports are each attached to the feeder platform 10 and the contact plates are formed on the parking platform 11 arranged below the feeder platform 10.

[0049] These contact plates each detach from their assigned support as soon as the minimum distance A is exceeded, in particular when the feeder platform 10, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 8, is locked at the passage height H1.

[0050] As shown in particular in FIG. 5, the feeder platform 10as illustrated in FIG. 1can be lifted and is lowerable or attachable or fixable at the passage level H1. The passage level H1 lies at the entrance level of the entrance 100. The passage level H1 also corresponds to the height level of the first and second rows R1, R2 of parking spaces S. Thus the feeder platform 10 at passage level H1 forms a level passage to the second row R2.

[0051] As evident in particular from FIGS. 2 to 6, which each illustrate a parking system as shown in FIG. 1, the parking system 1 has a fixing device 40. Under control and/or by switching, this assumes either a first or a second state Z1, Z2. In the first state Z1 as illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3 and 5, the fixing device 40 blocks a lowering of the feeder platform 10 below the passage height H1, or fixes the feeder platform 10 at the passage height H1. In the illustrations in FIGS. 2 and 3, in which the feeder platform 10 is arranged below the passage level H1, this serves in particular for safety since, as soon as the feeder platform 10 as illustrated in FIG. 4 is lifted beyond a switching height H3, the feeder platform 10 can no longer be lowered below the passage height H2 without switching to state Z2. Only in the second state Z2 of the fixing device 40 is lowering of the feeder platform 10 below the passage height H1 permitted.

[0052] When the feeder platform 10 is fixed at passage height H1, as evident in particular in FIGS. 5 and 6, the parking platform 11 arranged below the feeder platform 10 can be lowered so far that the distance between the parking platform 11 arranged below the feeder platform 10 and the feeder platform 10 is greater than the minimum distance A. Accordingly, the parking platform 11 arranged below the feeder platform 10 no longer carries the feeder platform 10. Rather, the feeder platform 10 is lowered to the passage height H1 and in particular loads the frame 2 of the parking system 1. The parking platform 11 arranged below the feeder platform 10 can be lowered so far that it rests on a stop or on the ground. This relieves the load on the lift drive 21.

[0053] As evident in particular from FIG. 4, the parking platform 11 arranged below the feeder platform 10 can be raised so far that the feeder platform 10 is raised above the passage level H1 and is only then lowered and comes to rest at the passage level H1 in the first state Z1 of the fixing device 40 as shown in FIG. 5. This over-lifting serves for smooth drive of the fixing device 40 and secures the fixing device 40 in the first state Z1. Only when the feeder platform 10 is raised again can the fixing device 40 switch to state Z2 and the feeder platform 10 can then be lowered.

[0054] According to FIGS. 2 to 6, the fixing device 40 has at least two locking elements 41, 42 via which, when the fixing device 40 is in the first state Z1, the feeder platform 10 is locked to the frame 2 of the parking system 1. The locking elements 41, 42 are arranged on the frame 2 and, when the fixing device 40 is in the first state Z1, stand in engagement with the feeder platform 10 as soon as this has been lowered onto the locking elements 41, 42 at the passage level H1.

[0055] The fixing device 40 has a switching controller or switching mechanism which switches between the first and second state Z1, Z2 when the feeder platform 10 exceeds a switching height H3 which is higher than the passage level H1, as shown in FIG. 4.

[0056] As FIGS. 1, 3 and 7 show, the parking system 1 has at least one displaceable parking platform 50 in the first row R1 of parking spaces S, which is movable along the first row R1. When the feeder platform 10 is in the lowered home position P1, the displaceable parking platform 50 can be moved over the feeder platform 10. As evident however in FIG. 8, the displaceable parking platform 50 cannot be moved over the feeder platform 10 when the latter has been raised to the crossing position P2.

[0057] FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 again show schematically the function of the parking system 1. In a first row R1 of parking spaces S comprising multiple laterally displaceable parking platforms 50, a parking space gap L has been left clear. Thus the parking space gap L can be positioned in front of any parking space in a second row of parking spaces S. Parking platforms 11 are arranged in a pit below the surface level N and are each driven via a lift drive in order to be lifted and lowered. Just below the surface level in FIG. 7, a feeder platform 10 is arranged in a home position P1 and via a carrier device 22 loads the parking platform 11 arranged underneath.

[0058] According to FIG. 7, the laterally displaceable parking platforms 50 are moved from right to left in order to form the parking space gap L on the right as shown in FIG. 8.

[0059] Then according to FIG. 8, the feeder platform 10 can be raised to a crossing position P2. A vehicle can now drive from the entrance over the feeder platform 10 into the second row of parking spaces S. As shown in FIG. 8, the feeder platform 10 is fixed in the crossing position P2 and decoupled from the parking platform 11 arranged below. Accordingly, the own weight of the feeder platform 10 and the forces of the crossing vehicle do not act on the parking platform 11.

[0060] To unpark the vehicle on the parking platform 11, this can easily be lifted to the entrance level N, wherein the feeder platform 10 is easily also lifted.

[0061] As used herein, the terms general, generally, and approximately are intended to account for the inherent degree of variance and imprecision that is often attributed to, and often accompanies, any design and manufacturing process, including engineering tolerances, and without deviation from the relevant functionality and intended outcome, such that mathematical precision and exactitude is not implied and, in some instances, is not possible.

[0062] The invention is not restricted to one of the above-described embodiments but may be modified in many ways.

[0063] All features and advantages arising from the claims, the description and the drawing, including structural details, spatial arrangements and method steps, may be essential to the invention both alone and in widely varying combinations.

[0064] All the features and advantages, including structural details, spatial arrangements and method steps, which follow from the claims, the description and the drawing can be fundamental to the invention both on their own and in different combinations. It is to be understood that the foregoing is a description of one or more preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention. The invention is not limited to the particular embodiment(s) disclosed herein, but rather is defined solely by the claims below. Furthermore, the statements contained in the foregoing description relate to particular embodiments and are not to be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention or on the definition of terms used in the claims, except where a term or phrase is expressly defined above. Various other embodiments and various changes and modifications to the disclosed embodiment(s) will become apparent to those skilled in the art. All such other embodiments, changes, and modifications are intended to come within the scope of the appended claims.

[0065] As used in this specification and claims, the terms for example, for instance, such as, and like, and the verbs comprising, having, including, and their other verb forms, when used in conjunction with a listing of one or more components or other items, are each to be construed as open-ended, meaning that the listing is not to be considered as excluding other, additional components or items. Other terms are to be construed using their broadest reasonable meaning unless they are used in a context that requires a different interpretation.

TABLE-US-00001 List of reference numerals 1 Parking system 2 Frame 10 Feeder platform 11 Parking platform arranged below feeder platform 20 Lifting mechanism 21 Lift drive 22 Carrier device 23 Coupling element 24 Coupling element 25 Coupling element 26 Coupling element 27 Carrier 28 Carrier 29 Carrier 30 Carrier 40 Fixing device 41 Locking element 42 Locking element 50 Displaceable parking platform 100 Entrance A Minimum distance H1 Passage level H2 Lowered height H3 Switching height L Parking space gap N Entrance level P2 Crossing position P3 Over-lift position R1 First row of parking spaces R2 Second row of parking spaces S Parking space Z1 First state (of fixing device) Z2 Second state (of fixing device)