US2840248A - Self-propelled traverse for mechanical car parking systems - Google Patents

Description

June 24, 1958 D. E. GROVE ETAL 2,840,248 SELF-PROPELLED TRAVERSE FOR MECHANICAL CAR PARKING SYSTEMS Filed May 27, 1955 v '7 Sheets-Sheet J JNVENTOR.

Donnm 5.82M a, CnnusnefMaunueu BY I a 53 A'r'rounav D. E. GROVE ETAL SELF-PROPELLED TRAVERSE FOR MECHANICAL June 24; 1958 CAR PARKING SYSTEMS 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 FiledMay27, 1955 3. .33. [CECE 13. .31 EEEEL 1 .1.

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EE IS ATTORHEY E. GROVE ET AL 2,840,248

TRAVERSE FOR 4 MECHANICAL MS June 24, 1958 -D.

SELF-PROPELLED CAR PARKING SYSTE I 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed May 27. 1955 INVENTOR.

76 I Damn 2.620% r, Cams Li F. MamuaH A-r-ronnav D. E. GROVE ET AL SELF-PROPELLED TRAVERSE FOR MECHANICAL June 24, 1958 CAR PARKING SYSTEMS 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 27. 1955 INVENTOR. DonmEC-nova Cnnusua F. Mnmueu ATTORNEY June 24, 1958 D. E. GROVE ET AL 2,840,248

. SELF-PROPELLED'TRAVERSE FOR MECHANICAL CAR PARKING SYS TEMS E ..El DONALV LGROVE y QDRUSLE Mnmuen TORNEV June 1958 D. E. GROVE ET AL SELF-PROPELLED TRAVERSE FOR MECHANICAL CAR PARKING SYSTEMS 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed May 27, 1955 w m Y mw E NOQ H WRM R m n M. A

Q m0 U United States Patent SELF-PROPELLED TRAVERSE FOR MECHANICAL CAR PARKING SYSTEMS Donald E. Grove, Northridge, and Carlisle F. Manaugh, Pacific Palisades, Calif.

Application May 27, 1955, Serial No. 511,584

11 Claims. (Cl. 214-161) plurality of stalls arranged'in rows on each of the upper stories of a parking structure, and between any selected one of which and street level entrance and exit ways cars are. transported by a suitable crane. The crane carries a so-called traverse device, which is selectively operable to move cars on and olf the lift platform of the crane when the platform is positioned at the street level entrance or exit way, or in alinement with a selected upper story stall.

In operation of such a parking system, a car delivered by an owner is positioned in a loadingarea opposite the craneway, whereupon the operator of the parking facility controls the crane mechanism to bring the lift platform to its ground floor loading position in line with the car. The traverse device is then'operated to move the unoccupied car onto the crane platform, the crane is elevated and translated to a'position of alinement with a selected stall of the system, and the traverse then again operated to move the car from the crane platform into the selected'stall. The operation of the system is substantially reversed when a car is redelivered to its owner.

A copending application of Carlisle F. Manaugh, Serial No. 376,152, filed August 24, 1953, now Patent No. 2,714,456, and entitled Car Parking System discloses one form of the above described system, and to which the present traverse device is illustratively applicable.

One of the primary deficiencies of prior traverse devices, for use in such mechanical parking systems, has been their inability to function satisfactorily with all makes of cars owing to the differences in tread width, length and underframe formations of the various makes of cars.

These prior traverse devices generally were of two types, one of which types functioned to push orpull the car from one point to another with the car moving. on its own wheels, while in the other type, the car was elevated, carried from one point to another and then deposited.

It will be apparent that in the former type of traverse device, means for guiding the vehicle are required, which means generally consisted of troughs for receiving the wheels of the vehicle. Obviously, such an arrangement is not adapted for use with cars of varying tread widths.

In the latter of the above mentioned types of traverse devices, the traverse generally comprised a wheeled vehicle which carried power operated lift means for engaging the underframe of the car to lift the latter on 2,840,248 Patented lune 24, 1958 "ice 7 o A V of its wheels. Suitable drive mechanism for propelling the vehicle.

The lift means in such traverse devices generally consisted of either a platform for indiscriminately engaging several points of the underframe or a plurality of simultaneously operable lift devices or supports for engaging certain predetermined pointson the underframe.-

A platform type lift mechanism is unsatisfactory since the platform must -be of a width to permit vertical movement thereof between the wheels of a car of mini mum tread width while providing adequate supportfor a car of'maximum tread width. Owing to relatively great difference in-tread Widths of'present day vehicles, those of maximum tread width cannot be stably'supported on platforms designed, for example, to support sports cars. Moreover, since the platform engaged the underframe of the car indiscriminately, damage was often caused to the latterjdue to bearing of the platform against grease fittings and other fragile elements not designed as pressure points.

While traverse devices incorporating lift mechanisms designed to engage selected points of the underframe were generally satisfactory from the standpoint of not causing damage to the car inasmuch as bearing points were selected that were capable of sustaining the weight of the car, such traverses functioned properly only with cars which incorporate'such points. Since the under framesof cars differ greatly in size and arrangement of parts, the use of such a traverse device was severely re stricted. Moreover,the use of such traverse arrange ments necessitated extremely careful alinement of the car and traverse device.

Further, while the points on the underfrarne of the car that were selected as pressure points for bearing 1 against the lift mechanismwere theoretically capableof sustaining the'weight'of the car, such points were'not, in the manufacture of the car, designed specifically as pressure points so that frequently the structure consti tuting said bearing points would become deformed or misalined under the weight of the car.

Accordingly, it 'may be stated as a general'object of the present invention the provision of a traverse: de vice for mechanical parking systems which avoids the foregoing and "other deficiencies of existing traverse devices.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a traverse device which is capable of functioning in a completely satisfactory manner with substantially all existing makes of cars. 1 'l Still another object of the invention is the provision of a traverse device which is operable to elevate" and transport a car from one point to another and wherein the lift mechanism for elevating the'car contacts the latter at points whichare specifically designed as pressure points for sustaining the weight of the car. 7 V

Afurther object of the invention is the provision of a traverse device which incorporates lift mechanisrii engageable under the wheels of the 'car so the weight of the latter is supported Without the possibility'ofdamf age to the car and which is designed to accommodate substantially all existing makes of cars. J Still a further object is the provision of an improved self-propelled traverse device for mechanical parking systems. Yet a further object of theinvention is the provision of a traverse deviee'as in the foregoing which is relatively simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture, easy to operate, and requires a minimum of service andmaintenance. j The traverse of this invention in a present preferred illustrative embodiment thereof, comprises a self-propelled vehicle consisting of forward andafter lift sections anda was provided center tractor section. Each of the forward and after sections mount, at opposite sides thereof, horizontally extendable and retractable and vertically movable fork lift' devices for the four'wheels'ofa car. Each of these fork lift devices comprises fork mernbers which are adapted to befprojecte d" between {spaced car wheel supporting Tmembers on the floors of the several parking stalls and floorof the ground level loading and unloading area of the parking facility. The wheel supporting members at -opposite sidesof the car define therebetween a central.runway into which the traverse is movable when thefork lift'devices are retracted for positioning of the traverse under a car supported on said members. The forward and .after lift sections carry operating means for first horizontally moving the fork lift devices totheir: laterally extended positions wherein their fork membersare received between'the spaced wheel supporting members under the car wheels supported thereon, and subsequently to their elevated positions wherein their fork members are'raised above the wheel supporting members. The traverse is movable; with the car carried in elevated position thereon, onto the lift platform of a crane mechanism, the latter being operable to transport the traverse and car between said ground level loading and unloading area and a selected one of said parking stalls. x

...The traverse, with the car supported thereon is movable off the crane platform, when the latter is at the ground level loading and unloading area'or at a selected one of. said parking stalls, to deposit the canon the wheel supporting. members on the .fiooriof said area or stall by operation of said" fork lift operating means to first lowerand subsequently horizontally retract the fork lift devices.;...". f V

A more complete understanding of the invention as well "as a fullerappreciation of its objects and advantages may be had by a reading of the following detailed description of a present preferred embodiment thereof, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Fig. 1 isa partial perspective view of a mechanical parking .installation utilizing the traverse device of this invention, the traverse being illustrated in general outline only owing to its.'reduc'ed. sizeinthe figure and shown in. its loading and unloading position in one of the stalls of the installation with certain fork lift devices embodied in theftraverse shown in their-elevated position; .Fig. 2 is an enlarged view in perspective of a section taken substantially alongline 2 2 of Fig. l; i

Fig. 3 is .a;section taken .along line. 33 of Fig. 2; Figs. 4.and 5 are enlarged sections taken transversely through one ofthe parking. stalls of Fig. ,1 and illustrating certain phases of the operation ofthe present traverse; Fig. 6 is a top plan viewof a forward lift section embodied in the present traverse with certain hydraulic lines carried thereby omitted for the sake of clarity; Fig. 7 is a side elevation of the l ift section of Fig. 6; Fig. 8 is a section taken alongline 88 of Fig. 7; Fig. 9 is. a section taken. along line 9--9 of Fig. 7; Fig. 10 is a section takenalong line 1010 of Fig. 7; Fig. "11. is a section taken along line;11-1l ofFig.v 10; FigglZ is a section taken along line 12-12 of Fig. 7 illustrating the fork lift devices and operating means therefor, embodied in the forward lift section, in their. retracted position; p Fig. 13 is a view similar to Fig. 12 illustrating the forward section fork lift devices and their operating means in extended position, an intermediate position of these parts being indicated in phantom lines; s Fig. 14 is a section taken along line 14-1 4 of Fig. 7; Fig. 15 is a 'top .plan view of an after lift section embodied in the present traverse with certain hydraulic lines carried thereby omitted for the sake of clarity;

Fig. 16 is a section taken along line 16-16 of Fig. 15; Fig. 17 is a top plan view of .an intermediate tractor section embodied in the present traverse with certain '4 hydraulic lines carried thereby omitted for the sake of clarity; V

Fig. 18 is a side elevation of the tractor section of Fig. 17;

Fig. 19 is a section taken along line 1919 of Fig. 17; Fig. 20 is a section taken along line 20-20 of Fig. 17; Fig. 21 is a section taken along line 2121 of Fig. 17 Fig. 22 is a sectiontaken alongline 22--22 of Fig. 17; Fig. 23 is a reduced top plan view of the entire traverse of this invention illustrating the hydraulic system embodied therein; 7

Fig. 24 is a side elevation of the traverse of Fig. 23; Fig. 25 is a section taken along line 25-25 of Fig. 24; and

Fig. 26 is a section taken along line 2626 of Fig. 24. Referring first to Figs. 1-5 of the drawings, there is illustrated a section of a mechanical parking system incorporating the traverse device of this invention.

While this parking system is-preferably of the type other typesof parking systems, and, in fact, the present other conduit, serving as the supply line when traverse device may be'considered as having general utility for transporting cars or other similar objects from one point to another. 7 a

The illustrated parking system comprises acrane mechanism 30 which is movably supported on tracks, not shown, for horizontal movement in the directions indi cated by the arrow A in a craneway E between two multiple story storage units, in a conventional arrangement, only a fragmentaryportion of one story or tier of one such unit being illustrated. Each upper story tier of each such storage unit has a row of open front parking stalls 31 opening to.the craneway.Crane mechanism 30 carries a verticallymovable lift platform 32, the crane mechanism and lift platform being operated by suitable drive mechanism, not shown, and controlled from a control panel 33 ofone side of the lift platform. p In operation of the parking system, the crane mechanism and lift platform are adapted to be controlled from panel 33, for vertical and horizontal'movement of the platform between loading and unloading positions at street level, not 'shown, and a loading and unloading position, illustrated in Fig. l, in alinement with a selected one of the parking stalls 31. V

Generally indicated at 34 is the traverse device of this invention, consisting generally of aforward lift section 35, an intermediate propulsion ortractor section 36, andan afterlift section 37, the forward and afterlift sections being provided withwheels 38 and the tractor section being provided withtreads 39. Each of the forward and after lift sections incorporate fork-type lift devices generally indicated at 40, 41, 42, and 43 and equipped with wheel engagingfork members 83 which may belaterally extended'and vertically moved through the operation of certain mechanism, preferably hydraulic, not shown in Fig. 1, as will be presently more fully de scribed. These fork lift devices are, in Fig. 1, shown in their laterally extended, elevated positions.-

Tractor section 36 incorporates drive means, preferably in the form of a hydraulic motor, not shown in Fig. l, for driving thetreads 39 so as to propel the traverse in opposite directions, as will be presently more fully described.

The above mentioned hydraulic mechanism for operating the .fork lift devices on the forward and after sections of the traverse are supplied with operating fluid through'a pair offlexible conduits 44 and 45, one of such conduits serving as the supply line and the other as the exhaust line when the fork lifts are to be extended, and said oneconduit serving as theexhaust line and said the fork lifts are tobe retractedr a The hydraulic motor for propelling the traverse is F likewise supplied with operating fluid through a pair offlexible conduits 46 and 47 each of which serves either as a supply line or an exhaust line depending upon the desired direction of motion of the traverse.

Conduits 44 and 45 each pass between a pair of spaced,coplanar sheaves 48 rotatably mounted below and accessible through openings in thelift platform 32, as shown, and are wound on a pair ofdrums 49 journaled on'vertical axes and enclosed within cylindrical,stationary housings 49, the sheaves being substantially tangent to the plane of the upper surface of the lift platform, as illustrated.

Conduits 46 and 47 similarly pass between pairs of spaced,coplanar sheaves 50 andare wound on a pair of drums journaled'on vertical axes and enclosed withinstationary housings 51 in the same manner as drums 49, the spacing between the pairs ofsheaves 50 being somewhat less than the spacing between the pairs ofsheaves 48, as shown. The drums are spring tensioned, as shown in Fig. 3, in a direction to rewind the conduits thereon. The spring tension is equalized on the several drums so that the equal tension in theconduits 44, 45, 46, and 47 will tend to maintain straight line movement of the traverse;

Fluid for operating the traverse is received from asource 52 through piping 53 connecting the source to theconduits 44, 45, 46, and 47 through rotary fluid couplings at thedrums 49 and 51, as shown in Fig. 3. Operation of the traverse, and also the crane mechanism, is controlled, as previously mentioned, by an operator located at the control panel 33.

The parking stalls 31 are each. formed with a floor which includes acentral runway 54 and raised front andrear side portions 55, each of the latter being transversely grooved so as to formalternate ribs 56 andgrooves 57 extending normal to theway 54. The spacing between theelevated side portions 55 on opposite sides ofway 54 is less than the tread width of the smallest car made while the width of the stall is sufficient to accommodate the largest car. A car C when parked in the stall is disposed with its wheels W resting on the raisedside portions 55, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5.

The forward end of the traverse mountsbumpers 58 for engagement with therear end wall 59 of the stall, the arrangement being such that whenbumpers 58 are engaged withend wall 59, thefork members 83 of thefork lift devices 46, 41, 42, and 43 will be alined with thegrooves 57 inside portions 55 of the stall floor, the spacing between the forks being the same as the spacing between the grooves.

Similar bumpers 58 are mounted on the after end of the traverse for engagement with the end wall of a stall (not shown) on the opposite side of the craneway, the traverse being adapted to move ofi the lift platform in either direction into a parking stall.

In the operation of the traverse, as thus far described, to remove a parked car from a stall, and assuming the crane mechanism has been operated to aline its lift platform with'a selected oneof thestalls 31 from which a car C is to be withdrawn, the operator on the platform controls the traverse, by the manipulation of suitable controls, not shown, on control panel 33 to propel it off the lift platform and into the parking stall to the position of Fig. 1. Suitable means, not shown, such as conventional overload relief valves may be incorporated in the hydraulic system for bypassing fluid around the propulsion motor upon the increase in line pressure occasioned by engagement ofbumpers 57 withwall 58.

During the previous operation of depositing the car in the stall, the car will have been positioned with its wheels horizontally alined withthe fork lift devices of the traverse when the latter has itsbumpers 58 engaged with theend wall 59 of the stall, thefposition of Fig. 1.

' The operator now actuates the controls for 'the hydraulic mechanism of thelift devices 40, 41, 42, and 43 to cause the latter to first move from their retracted position (solid lines Fig. 4) to their laterally extended positions (phantom lines Fig. 4),withtheir fork members 83 extending into thegrooves 57 under the wheels of the car, and then to their raised positions (Figs. 1 and 5) so as to elevate the car and fork members above theribs 56. The traverse is now controlled to move, with the car supported in elevated position thereon, onto the lift platform and the latter is lowered to its unloading position at ground floor level. I

The traverse is then moved off the lift platform, and the fork lift device are lowered and retracted so as to deposit the car on the floor at ground level, the latter being provided with suitable means to permit the fork lifts to be so retracted. A grooved floor structure generally similar to that used in the stalls may be employed.

Parking of a car is, of course, accomplished by a reversal of the above described procedure for returning a car from a parking stall to its owner.

The traverse will now be described in greater detail by reference to Figs. 6.through 26 of the drawings.

Referring first to Figs. 6 through 14, theforward lift section 35 comprises a main frame 66, of generally channel construction, to opposite sides at adjacent opposite ends of which are fixed pairs ofbrackets 61 bridged by I bearingplates 62 between which are journaled thewheels 38 for supporting the front lift section.

Thecentral portion offrame 60 is recessed, as at 63, and fixed to the underside-oftop plates 64 of the frame 66, adjacent to and on opposite sides of this recessed portion are parallel, transversely extending guides 65.

As shown more clearly in Figs. 8 and 9, each of these guides comprises a center, Lbeam section 66 which is bolted, or otherwise secured to the underside oftop plates 64.Plates 67 are bolted to the flanges at opposite sides of the beam to form, in each beam, a pair of guideways 68 and 69. Extending through and normal toplates 67 and the web of beam 66, adjacent the flanges of the latter, are pairs ofshafts 70 each having journaled thereon, at'opposite sides of said web, a pair ofrollers 71.

Mounted in each pair of guideways 68 and 69, between therollers 71 thereof, for movement laterally of theframe 60, are pairs of guide bars 72 and 73 which support thefork lift devices 40 and 41 on theframe 60.

The ends of the pair of guide bars '72 at one side offrame 60 are secured to and bridged by across frame 74"and the ends of the pair of guide bars 73, at the other side of frame 69, are secured to and bridged by across frame 75. Cross frames 74 and 75 are similar in construction, the latter frame, however, being somewhat longer owing to the greater spacing between guide bars 73.

'Referringnow to Figs, 10 and 11,cross frame 74 comprises abottom cross tie 76 fixed at opposite ends to the guide bars '72 and a pair oftop cross ties 77 and 78 each having one end fixed to the guide bars 72 and terminating in spaced relation, as shown. Extending between and fixedat opposite ends to crossties 76 and 77 are avertical guide 79, a reinforcing bar 80, and atoggle support bar 81 having an enlargedlower portion 81, as shown. Extending between and fixed at opposite ends to crossties 76 and 78 are a secondtoggle support bar 81, also having an enlarged lower portion 81', and a secondvertical guide 79.

As indicated in Figs. 6 and 7cross frame 75 is similar in construction to crossframe 74 except that itslower cross tie 76 andupper cross ties 77 and 78' are somewhat longer than those ofcross frame 74 to accommodate the increased spacing of guide bars 73.

Guided for vertical movement on the cross frames are thefork lift devices 40 and 41 each comprising a fork a 7 form, in effect, a depression for the carfl p w j Mounted on (the inner sides ofsupport plates 82, adjacent'thelower edges thereof, are pairs of guide blocks 84 each including pairs ofrollers 85 bearing on opposite sides of thevertical guides 79 for guidingsupport plates 82 in their vertical movement on thecross frames;

Also mounted on the inner sides ofsupport plates 82, adjacent the upper edges thereof, and in vertical alinement with the spaces between the enlargedlower portions 81 of toggle support bars 81 are toggle support blocks 86. Atogglelink assembly 87 is associated with each fork lift device, each assembly comprising a pair of pivotally connected toggle links 88 and 89. Toggle links 88 have their free ends pivoted. to toggle support blocks 86, as shown,'while the free ends oftoggle links 89 are pivotally connected to. and between the lower enlarged portions 81' of the toggle support bars 81 as by journal pins 90 extending through said enlarged portions and thelinks 89, as shown.

Indicated at 91 are a pair of hydraulic cylinder assemblies for operating the fork lift devices between their raised extended and retracted positions. Each of these cylinder assemblies comprises ahydraulic cylinder 92 provided intermediate its ends with oppositely extending,coaxial lugs 93 which are journaled in upstanding journal receiving the wheels ofblocks 94 fixed to the recessedcentral portion 63 offrame 60, the outer end of thecylinder extending through the adjacent cross frame and through, a clearance opening in the adjacent forklift support plate 82, as shown.

Thepiston rods 95 of thehydraulic cylinder assemblies 91 are pivoted to their adjacenttoggle link assemblies 87 as by thepin 96 which joins the toggle linksof each toggle link assembly, passing through the piston rod, as shown. V I

Operation of the hydraulic. cylinder and toggle link assemblies is as follows. When the fork and lift devices are in their retracted position the forklift support plates 82 are in their lowermost position on the cross frames 74 and 75'and the latter abut, the sides offrame 60, as shown in Figs. 6 and 12. With the parts in this position thepiston rods 95 are withdrawn into thecylinders 92 and the toggle links of thetoggle link assemblies are angulated as shown in Fig. 12.

Introduction of hydraulic fluid to the outer end ofcylinders 92, from theaforementioned'fiuid conduits 44 and 45 (only the cylinder ports have, for clarity, been shown in Fig. 6, the piping connecting said ports to conduits and to be presently described) causes thepiston rods 95 to move out of the cylinders. Owing to the relatively free movement of theguide rods 72 and 73 in theirguides 65, the toggle linkage assemblies will remain in the positions shown in Fig. 12 and the fork lift devices will be moved to their laterally extended positions shownin phantom lines inFigsi 4 and 12 wherein enlarged heads 96 (Fig. 6)'secured to the ends ofguide rods 72 and 73 abut the'sides of theframe 60. The-pistons in cylinders 92will now have completed only a portion of their strokes.

Continued admission of fluid to the cylinders with resultant further outward movement of thepiston rods 95 from the cylinders will cause straightening out of thetoggle linkages 87 with resultant elevatingof the forklift support plates 82 andforks 83 carried thereby to the position of Figs. 5 and 13. The pivotal mounting 93, 94 ofcylinders 92 onframe 60 accommodates the slight tilting of the cylinders which occurs during straightening out of the toggle linkages.

Introduction of hydraulic fluid to the opposite ends ofcylinders 92 results first in lowering of the fork lift support plates and then retraction of the fork lift devices to the position of Fig. 12.

The afterforklift section 37, as shown in Figs. .15 and. 16', is similar to the'forward section and differs-from thelatter only in the greater lengths of the after section frame cross frames 74' and 75', and fork lift support plates 82' and in the fact that twohydraulic cylinder assemblies 91 are employed to operate eachfork lift device 42 and 43 rather than one as in the case of the forward fork lift section. Also fourguide bars 72 and 73 rather than two, are employed in each fork lift device, the guides for the after section guide bars being identical to the guides for the forward section guide bars. The construction of the after cross frames 74 and 75' is generally similar to that of the forward cross frames, fourvertical guides 79 being provided on each frame for eooperationwith four guide blocks 84 on each fork lift support plate 82'.

The number offork members 83 carried by the after section fork lift support plates 82' is made greater than the number offork members 83 carried by the forward section fork lift support plates in order to accommodate the varying wheel bases of the dilferent makes of cars. Thus the distance between the center ones of thefork members 83 of the forward section and the forward ones of thefork members 83 on the after section is made less than. the minimum wheel base of any exist ing car while the distance between the center ones of the forward fork members and the after ones of the after fork members is made greater than the maximum wheel base of any car.

The remainder of the after section and operation of its fork lift devices is identical to the forward section, the cylinders associated with the afterfork lift devices 42 and 43 operating simultaneously to first laterally extend the later and then elevate the fork support plates 82' andfork members 83 carried thereby. Further description of this after section is, therefore, deemed unnecessary.

Referring now to Figs. 1722, the center tractor section comprises achannel frame 97 provided at opposite ends withtongues 98 which are bridged adjacent their free ends by bearingsleeves 99, for hingedly connecting thetractor section to the forward and after lift sections, as will presently be seen.

Joined to opposite sides offrame 97 areangle sections 100 having upper horizontal flanges substantially.

coplanar with the upper surface offrame 97. Extending through the side flanges offrame 97 and the vertical flanges of theangle sections 100 are a pair ofdrive shafts 101, fixedly mountingsprockets 102, and a pair ofidler shafts 103.

Driveshafts 101 are each journaled in a pair of bearings 104 (Fig. 20) carried at the ends of a pair ofarms 105 which have their other ends pivoted at 106 about a horizontal axis between pairs ofbrackets 107 depending from the underside of the horizontal flanges ofangle sections 100. Adjustable spring suspension means 108, extending between the horizontal flanges of theangle sections 100 andthearms 105, serve to resiliently bias the arms and driveshafts 101 journaled therein downwardly about thepivotal connection 107.

Idler shafts 103 are journaled in pairs of bearingblocks 109 which are slidably mounted for vertical movement inguides 110, bearing blocks 109 being resiliently supported by adjustable spring suspension means 111 (Fig. 20).

Driveshafts 101 mount coggedwheels 112 at their outer ends andidler shafts 103mount bogey wheels 113 at their ends, thewheels 112 and 113 having trained thereabout the internally cogged endless belt treads 39 thelower run of which extends slightly below the bottom offrame 97, as shown in Figs. 18 and 20, so that the tractor section is supported on the treads.

The tension in the treads, may be adjusted by adjustment of the spring suspension means 108 for the drive shafts, thebogey wheels 113 acting as idlers to maintain the lower run of the treads in contact with the ,floor over substantially the entire lower run.

Indicated at 115 is a reversible hydraulic motor, sup- V 9 ported on the underside offrame 97, which is supplied with operating fluid for reversed directions of operation through the flexible conduits $6 and 47 (Fig. 1) and subsequently described piping, not shown in Fig. 17, on the section. I The drivenshaft 116 of the motor mounts a pair ofsprockets 117 around which and the sprockets 102 ondrive shafts 101 are trained a pair ofdrive chains 118, the latter passing overidler sprockets 119. It will be seen that treads 39 are positively driven at the same speed, by virtue of the cogs on the treads and drivewheels 112, so that there is no tendency for the tractor section to turn as might occur if the treads could slip on the drive wheels.

The tractor section is connected to the forward and after lift sections by means of hinge pins 120 which, in the connected condition of the sections pass through the bearingsleeves 99 and side flanges of theframes 60, 60'

of the forward and after lift sections, as shown in Figs. 17 and 22. The sections are articulated in this fashion to accommodate any slight inclines to which the floors of the parking stalls may conform to provide for runoff of any rain water that may enter the stalls.

As shown in Figs. 23-26, hydraulic fluid is conveyed to thehydraulic cylinders 92 of the forward and after lift sections and 37 through a pair ofconduits 121and 122 carried by the traverse, suitableflexible sections 123 being provided in said conduits where they bridge the sections of the traverse.Conduit 121 has branches connected to the inner ends of thecylinders 92 whileconduit 122 .has branches connected to the outer ends of the cylinders.

Conduits 121 and 122 terminate at the forward end of the traverse inangle sections 124 each having an extension extending below theframe 60 of the forward lift section. These latter extensions terminate inswivel couplings 125 to which are connected theflexible conduits 44 and 45 of Fig. l.

Hydraulic fluid fordrive motor 115 is supplied through a pair of rearwardly extendingconduits 126 and 127, the latter havingflexible sections 128 where they bridge the tractor and after lift sections. These latter conduits terminate inU-sections 129 each having an arm extending below the frame 60' of the after section, said arms terminating in swivel couplings-130 to which theconduits 46 and 47 of Fig. 1 are connected.

The spacing between swivel couplings 130 is somewhat less than that betweenswivel couplings 125 so thatconduits 46 and 47 will lie withinconduits 44 and 45 as illustrated in Fig. l. a

Reiterating the operation of the present traverse, and assuming the traverse and crane to be in the positions illustrated in Fig. 1, the controls on panel 33 are actuated to supply fluid throughconduits 45 and 122 to thecylinders 92 of the fork lift devices of the forward and after lift sections to first cause the latter to be laterally extended to the phantom line position of Figs. 4 and 12 wherein thefork members 83 of the forward and after sections extend into thegrooves 57 in the raised side portions55 of the stall floor. As previously indicated, the fork members will be positioned below the wheels of the car C. When the devices have been thus extended, heads 96 on theguide rods 72 and 73 of the devices abut the sides of theframes 60 and 60 of the forward'and after sections so as to prevent further outward travel of the rods. Continued admission'of fluid to the cylinders results'in the aforede'scribed straightening out of thetoggle linkages 87 with a resultant elevating of thefork support plates 82 and 82' andfork members 83 carried thereby, the latter engaging under the wheels of the carW to elevate the latter to the position of Figs. 1, 5, and 13. I

Hydraulic fluid is nowsupplied to drivemotor 115 of thetractor section 36, through conduits -46 and.127, to actuate the motor'in a direction to propel the traverse, with the car supported in elevated position thereon, onto thelift platform 32. l y p Thecrane mechanism 30 is translated to a position of vertical alinement with the ground floor loading position 10 l of the parking system whilelift platform 32 is lowered tothe'ground floorlevel. Hydraulic fluid is again-supplied to' motor throughconduits 47 and 126 'to'move the traverse off the lift platform onto the loading and unloading area whereat fluid is supplied to thecylinders 92 throughconduits 44 and 121 to cause the forklift support plates 82 and 82 andforkmembers 83 to be lowered to deposit the car on suitable spaced elements, not

shown, which allow retraction of the forks from be-' neath the wheels. Continued admission of fluid to'the cylinders throughconduits 44 and 121 causes movement of the fork lift devices to their laterally retractedposi tion (position shown in solid lines in Figs. 4 and 12).

The operation of thetraverse during parking of cars is similar to that described above except that the car is transported from theloading area at the ground floor level onto the lift platform, the latter is elevated to a position of alinement with a selected parking stall, and the car is carried and deposited therein by the traverse, the latter being movable off the lift platform in either direction to deposit the car in a stall' at either side of the platform.

As previously mentioned, thefork members 83 of the forward and after lift sections will be alined with the grooves in the floor of the selected stall when one or the other of thebumpers 57 abut the end walls of the stalls. Suitable means such as overload relief valves may be incorporated in'the hydraulic system of thedrive motor 115 to discontinue the supply of fluid to the latter when the traverse so engages the end wall of the selected stall.

Obviously many modifications in the design and arrangernent of parts of the invention are possible in the light of the foregoing, teachings. It is to be understood, therefore, that within the scope of the following claims the invention may be practiced otherwise than is specifically described herein.

We claim:

1. A traverse device for use in mechanical car parking systems, comprising: an elongated movable vehicle, means carried by the vehicle for propelling the latter in opposite, directions, pairs of frame means at opposite ends of the vehicle with the frame means of each pair of frame means disposed at opposite sides of the vehicle, means mounting said frame means on the vehicle for horizontal movement between laterally extendedand retracted positions relative to the vehicle, vertically movable lift means carried by each of said frame means, toggle-linkage means connected between each of said lift means and its associated frame means for causing elevating of the lift means whenthe toggle means are operated in one direction and lowering of the lift means when the toggle means are operated in the other direction, and means for operating saidtoggle means, said last mentioned means also acting to extend and retract said frame means when said lift means are lowered.

, 2. The subject matter ofclaim 1 wherein said last mentioned means comprises fluid operated means connectedto each of said toggle means.

3. A traverse device for use in mechanical car parking systems, comprising: an elongated movable vehicle including a plurality of hinged sections, means carried by an intermediate one of said sections for propelling the vehicle in opposite directions, pairs of frame means associated vwith sections at opposite sides of said intermediate section, the frame means of each pair of frame means being dispos'ed at opposite sides of the vehicle, means mounting said frame means on the vehicle for opposite horizontal movement of the frame means of each pair of frame means between laterally extended and retractedposit-ions, vertically movable lift means carried by each of said frame means and including spaced. members for engagingunder the wheels of a car, a pair of pivotally connected, vertically" disposed, toggle links associated witheach frame and lift means, one link of 1 each pair {of links being pivotally connected to the respectiveframe means and the other link being pivotally connected to' Jthe respective, lift means and vfluid operated piston means carried by the vehicle associated with each pairof toggle links and including a piston rod pivotally connected to the center of each pair of links for moving the frame means between retracted and extended positions andfor elevating and lowering thelift means. v

4. In a traverse of the class described, a movable vehicle, a plurality of guide .bars mounted for horizontal, lateral movement on the vehicle, frame means bridging corresponding ends of the barsat one sideof the vehicle for movement with the bars between laterally extended and retracted, positions, a vertically movable fork lift device mounted on said frame means, toggle linkage means connected between said frame means and lift de-, vice for elevating and lowering the latter, and power operated means connected between the vehicle and said toggle :linkage means for movingsaid guide bars and frame means between extended and retracted positions and for operating said toggle linkage means to raise and lowerthe lift device.

= 5. The subject matter ofclaim 4 wherein said toggle linkage means comprises a pair of vertically disposed pivotally connected toggle links, one of said links being pivoted to said frame means and the other of said links being pivoted to said fork lift device, and said power operated means comprises fluid operated piston means carried by said vehicle and having a piston rod pivotally connected to the pivoted connection of said toggle links, said bars including stop means engageable with the vehicle for limiting laterally extendable movement thereof. 6. In a mechanical car parking system, a floor for r'eceivinga car and including supporting means for the wheels of the car, said supporting means comprising rneansspaced longitudinally of the car for supporting each wheel of the car, the wheel supporting means at one side of the car being spaced from the .wheel supporting means at the other side of the car, the last mentioned spacing being small enough toaccommodate cars of minimum tread width and said wheel supporting means being wide enough to accommodate cars of maximum tread width, and a traverse device for transporting a car to and from said floor, said device comprising an elongated vehicle movable between said wheel supporting means at opposite, sides of'the car, means for moving the vehicle, horizontally extendable and retractable means at opposite ends of the vehicle, vertically movable lift means at opposite sides of the vehicle carried by said extendable and retractable means, said lift means including spaced-apart members receivable in the extended position of said extcndable and retractable means be- I tween said means spaced longitudinally of the car for engaging under the wheels of the car, said lift means being vertically movable to'cllevate said spaced-apart members above said wheel supporting means, and said ex-,

tendable and retractable means, being retractable to .a

position wherein said spaced-apart members horizontally clear said wheel supporting means, and reversible means operable in one direction of operation to first extend said extendable and retractable means and then elevate said lift means and operable in the other direction of opera v of thevehiclefcarriedby said extendable and retractable means, and reversible meansfoperable in one: direction of theother direction of operation to first lower said lift meansand then retract said extendable and retractable means, said reversible means comprising fluid operated means and toggle linkage means actuated by said fluid operated means'and connected between said lift means and extendable and retractable means. 7

Q 8. In a traverse device for use in a mechanical car parking system, an elongated, movable vehicle including forward and after sections and a center section, said sections being hinged together, vertically movable and horizontally extendable and retractable lift means carried at opposite sides of the forward and after sections, means forIoperating said lift means, means carried by the center sectionfor propelling the vehicle in opposite directions operation t'ol firstextend said extendable and retractable iii'earils'l a'nd" theft" elevate "said lift rrieans aiid operable iii including pairs of synchronously rotatably driven wheels at opposite sides, of the center section and endless treads trained around and positively driven by said wheels, and a crane mechanism including an elevator platform onto and off of which said device is adapted to move, said lift operating means and vehicle propelling means comprising fluid operating means, pairs of flexible conduits for conveying fluid to and from each of said two last mentioned means, spring biassed rotatable drums mounted below the platform and upon which said conduits are adapted to be wound, and pairs of vertically disposed sheaves rotatably mounted in openings in the platform and having said conduits extending therebetween, the planesof said sheaves being parallel to the direction of movement of the traverse whereby said traverse is adapted to move off the platform in opposite directions, the tension .imposed on said conduits by said spring biassed drums aiding in guiding said device during movement thereof.

9. A traverse'for use in mechanical car parking systems, comprising: a movable vehicle, frame means supported'on the vehicle for horizontal extension and retraction relative to the vehicle, lift means supported on the frame means for vertical movement relative to the frame means, and reversible power means connected to said frame means and to said'lift means and operable to horizontally extend and retract said frame means relative to the vehicle and to vertically raise and lower said lift means relative to said frame means when the latter means are in extended position, said powermeanscom prising toggle link means connected between said frame means and lift means, and a power operated device anchored to the chassis of said vehicle and operatively connected to said toggle link means, said device being operative to exert a force on said toggle link means to extend and retract said frame means and to operate said toggle link means to raise and lower said lift means when the frame means are in extended position.

10. The subject matter of claim 9 wherein said device comprises a hydraulic cylinder having an piston connected to the "center pivot of said toggle link means.

' 11. In combination, in a mechanical car parking system, a traverse including a movable vehicle, atraverse 1 mechanism, including an elevator platform onto and off of which said traverse is adapted to move, a pair of hydraulic conduits extending between said platform and traverse, said platform having a pair of openings therein, apair of sheaves rotatably mounted in each of said openings and coplanarly disposed parallel to the direction of movement of the traverse, each ofsaid conduits extending between one pair of said sheaves, spring biassed drumsbelow said platform on which said conduits are wound, said pairs of sheaves'being disposed in substantially parallel planes spaced laterally'of the direction of movement of said vehicle and said conduits being secured to the traverse so as to extend substantially parallel'to said direction whereby said traverse is adapted to move off the platform in'opposite directions, the tension impos'e'doms'aid conduits by's'aid spring biassed drums aid References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Reese May 13, 1902 Dinkelberg May 11, 1926 Balkema et a1. June 12, 1934 Kent Feb. 16, 1937 Bach Sept. 7, 1937 10 14 Austin Apr. 21, 1942 Bratley July 20, 1943 Schreck Feb. 19, 1946 Lull Dec. 16, 1952 Sanders et a1. Ian. 20, 1953 Glenn et a1. Feb. 5, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS Germany Dec. 19, 1935 Germany Nov. 27. 1942

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