US1925442A - Garage - Google Patents

Description

9 Sheets-Sheet' l ATTORNEY- Sept. 5, 1933. H. L. FOURNIER y GARAGE Filed March 1, 1932 Spt. 5, 1933. H.` L. FOURNIER 1,925,442

GARAGE Filed March l, 1932 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR f:EHIITNESSES lfer'ber/L. 1701424211167' Sept. 5, 1933. H. L. FOURNIER v1.925,442

GARAGE Fil'e'a March 1, 1952 9 sheets-sheet s ATTORNEYS BY WW1/Fra.

Sept. 5, 1933. H. L. FOURNIER 15925,*,442

GARAGE Filed March l, 1932 9 She'ets-Sh'eet 4 INVENTOR J'ererLJbur/zzer Ml/fn ATrRNEYs A. 5, 1933. H. L. FoURNiER GARAGE Filed March 1, 1932 9 Sheets-Sheet- 5 sept. 5, 1933.

H. L. FOURNIER 1,925,442

GARAGE Filed March 1 1952 9 sneetssheet 6- y INVENTOR WITNESSES )Lerberllfournl/er /vrv .BY NVM@ ATTORNEYS Sept. 5, `1933. H. L. FOURNIER 1,925,442

` l GARAGE Filed March l, 19252 9 Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENTdR A By ATTORNEYS Sept. 5, 1933.

H. L. FOURNIER GARAGE Filed March l, 1932 9 sheets-sheet 8 INVENToR JfererLIburn Le ATTORNEYS ,mm1/Fv.

WITNESSES 5, 1933. H. L. FOURNIER .1,925,442

GARAGE Filed March l, 1932 9 SheetS-Shei' 9 lNvNToR ITNESSES JerberLFournz/er www@ ArroRNEYs Patented Sept, 5, 1933 'TED STAT-Es 1,925,442 GARAGE Herbert L. Fournier, Nutley, N.

Application March 1, 1932. Serial No. 596,104

14 Claims.,

This invention relates to a power automobile garage system,

One of the objects ci the invention is the provision of a powersystem garage for receiving, transferring, parking and delivering the automobiles in an expeditious manner.

Smother object of the invention is to be able to expedite the movement of automobiles into the garage during rush hours.

Yanother object of the invention is the provision of a power system garage in which the minimum or power is used in handling the automobiles.

Another object of the invention is to so store or park a relatively large number of automobiles as to conserve space.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention resides in the combinations, oonstruction and operation of the parts hereinafter fully described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of agarage from sub-street level to a point short of the top thereof, portions being broken away-to show certain features;

Figure 2 is an enlarged floor plan. Qfhe garage or building showing the arrangement of automobile parking, receiving and transferring cradles, and also showing the elevator with its assembly of automobile receiving and transferring units;

Figure 3 is a sub-street level plan of the garage or building,-showing its arrangement of the automobile receiving and transferring units, and also showing the elevator with its assembly of automobile receiving and transferring units.

Figure 4 is an enlarged section on"'the line 4 4 of Figure 3; an automobile being shown in dot and dash lines about to be transferred to the elevator;

Figure 5 is an enlarged `transverse section of the type of track of the receiving and transferring units used. f

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 4, but showing the automobile being .transferred to the elevator;

Figure 7 is a plan view' of the automobile receiving and transferring unit and a portion of the elevator shown in Figures 4 and 6;

Figure 8 is an enlarged fragmentaryvertical section of the elevator showing an automobile in place on one of the receiving and transferring turnable assembly units;

Figure 9 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section showing an automobile parked in one of the oor receiving and transferring cradles, and

(CL 2kb-e161) ferring units on each oor or the elevator;

Figure 12 is a section of the control valve shown as a part of the means appearing in Figure 11;

Figure 13 is an enlarged fragmentary plan of one of the floors and the elevator showing certain features;

Figure 14 is an enlarged longitudinal section of one ofthe automobile boosters;

Figure 15 is a detail section showing the means for controlling the operation of the outgoing automobile receiving and transferring units;

Figure 16 is a section on the line 16-16 of au Figure 15;

Figure 17 is a diagrammatic view of themeans for controlling the operation of the turntable of the receiving and transferring units situated in relation to the street level;

Figure 18 is a diagrammatic view of the means for controlling the operation of the door cradles;

Figure 19 is a diagrammatic view of the means for operating the assembly of receiving and 9o transferring units on the elevator;

Figure 20 is a Ldiagrammatic view of the means for controlling the devices shown in Fig- Figure 21 is a diagrammatic view of the means 95 for holding the assembly of receiving and transferring units on the elevator in place.

Stated, generally, the invention consists of an automobile garage system comprising a. building or tower having floors, an elevator operable within the building or tower, means on'the elevator to receive and transfer incoming automobiles, means situated in'relation to the street level to receive and transfer the incoming automobiles to said first means when brought in rela.- tion thereto, and means on each of said oors to receive the incoming automobiles from the means on the elevator, when brought in relation thereto, and also serving to transfer said automobiles as outgoing automobiles to said means 11o per on the elevator, when in receiving relation thereto, and said means' on the elevator also serving to transfer the outgoing automobiles to the means situated at the street level of the building or tower, to thus deliver the automobiles to their respective owners. n

The garage will include a building or tower l which may be of any exterior type of architecture. l'This building or tower is subdivided to provide a plurality of floors '11. The building or tower lo may be of any preferred height so as to provide the desired number of floors 1l. ',l'he automobiles enter the building lo from the street level to the first door, which is below. the street level, through an entrance indicated at l2. The outgoing automobiles leave the building from the second door, which is above the street level, as illustrated in Figure 1 of the'drawings. It is to be understood that suitably inclined runways leading from the street level to the i'lrst and second oors oit the building will be provided. An exit iorthe outgoing automobiles similar to the entrance 12 will be provided andy may be situated above the entrance 12 or at a point remote therefrom.

In accordance with the invention, incoming automobile receiving and transferring units are situated at regular intervals within the building lil vat the first door. These units are designated 13. Each of the units 13 includes a structure or ttable which rotates on a vertical axis. 'The said structure comprises a frame li, gear l and t 16. The frame it consists of channel beams 17 connected together and spaced in parallel relation by transverse tie members 18. The two intermediate members 18 are rigidly secured to the gear l5 on the top thereof and in this manner the fe 1d is turnable with the gear 15. The shaft it is securedto the gear and depends downwar therefrom into a bearing 19 anchored in the bottom of a pit 20. The unit 13 also includes Abeams 2l in the form ofv angle irons which are respectively supported by the beams 17. Each beam 2l is pivotally connected at one end with the related beam l? as at 22 so as to move up and down from a position at rest on the beam 17 to a position in which it is disposed at an angle'in re lation to the beam 17. The beams 2i constitute a track for the wheels of each automobile driven thereon. 1f desired, each track beam 21 may be provided with means 23 to receive one of the front wheels of the automobile and'thus prevent une intentional movement of the automobile when it is brought toa standstill on the turntable. I7lihe beams 17 have traction rollers 2li which travel on pit the shaft of the motor having a pinion 27 I kwlfilcl'i meshes with the gear 15. The means for controg the operation of the motor 26 will be described hereinafter. The turntable of each unit 13 is turned approximately 90 in opposite die rections. Vihen the turntable 'frame 1li is in the position indicated byl dotted lines in Figure 7 it be 5w to receive an automobile which wlll'be driven on the track beams 21, which are thenrestlng on 4the beams i7. The turntable frame le is then turned by operating the motor 2d-to bring the framel lo to the position shown in lines in Figure '1, in which position the fre' is y.' f. w' for transferring the automobile onto me to be hereinafter described for conveying the automobile to any one of the doorsy i1 for Salim untill wml/8d. The'vltgbu@ s v message transferred from the turntable frame le by elevating the track beams 2l. to inclined position. This is accomplished by any practical means and in the present `instance it. consists of a bifurcated lever 23 arranged in the pit 20 below the gear 15, the fulcrum or pivot 29 of the lever being positioned on the bottom of the pit 20. One end of the lever 28, the actuated end, is upturned as at 30, and v the opposite ends, the actuating ends, are upturned as zat-3l. The end 30 of the lever 28 is actuated by means to be hereinafter described to rock the lever 28 on its fulcrum and to cause its ends 3l to push upwardly on a transverse member 32 connecting adjacent ends of the track beams 21 thereby causing them to move upwardly on then pivots 22. This'will cause the automobile to move forwardly under the action of gravity to travel on the beams 21, and the said beams 21 will also guido the automobile. The track beams 21 may be inclined 10 or 15 which will cause an automobile to travel a distance greater than its own length under the action of gravity. It is to be understood that the brakes of the automobile will be fully released after it has been driven to a position on the track beams 2l.

IThe pit 20 is closed at the top by a closure plate 33, to protect the operating parts within the pit 20. This plate 33 occurs directly below the frame 1d. Removable stops 34 limit the movement of the turntable frame la to desired positions.

1n 'order to convey automobiles between the floors 1l there is provided an elevator or hoist. The term elevator or hoist is to embrace the platform 40, and also the means for raising and low ering the platform 40, and also suitable control means which will be arranged on the platform conveniently accessible to an attendant who will ride on the platform. inasmuch as the elevator platform raising and lowering means and the control means therefor may be of any well known standard type, these features have been omitted from the drawings. The building or tower l0 has' a centrally located shaft or well in which the elelvater platform 40 travels. The platform do is circular, and each of the floors ll has a circular opening to accommodate the platform, and the said openings denne the shaft for the platform e0. An assembly of automobile receiving and transferring units is arranged on the platform all. and this assembly turns or rotates for a purpose to appear. The, assembly includes a turntable l1 having rollers l2 on the under side thereof which travel on circular tracks 43 secured to the elevator platform 40. The automobile re ceiving and transferring units or devices desighated dll.- are arranged on the turntable 4l and are disposed radially and are spaced ecgiidistantm ly to correspond to the arrangement of the units 13 so as to be brought into registration with the tracks 2l of theunits 13. Each. unit de coinprises channel beams e8 arranged in spaced parm allel relation and secured to the turntableel, and angle ironswhich constitute tracks 42. These tracks ed, are arranged respectively forpivotai movement into and out of the channel beams at and are' pivotally connected as at 50 to the outer ends of the beams 48, so that the tracks may be moved from anormal horizontally posedposition within the beams 48 to an inclined position in which the tracks incline downwardly toward the circumferential edge of the turntable 41. The. tracks 49 have means to give irnpetus to the movement of the automobile in re spense to the tilting of the tracks d'9 in transferring the automobile therefrom. The said its means is in the form of an arcuate booster 51 pivotally connected .as at 52 with the inside end of each of the4 tracks 49. Each booster 51 normally rests on a support 45 on the turntable 4l. The booster 51 is arcuate to conform to the shape of the wheel of the automobile which it receives when the automobile is received by the tracks 49. Each booster 51 may have a roller 46 on its free end so as not to injure the tires. A link 53 is pivotally connected at one end with the turntable 41 as at 54, andy its other end is pivotally connected with the booster 51 beyondv its point of pivotal connection 52 as at 55. It will now be understood that when the tracks 49 are moved upwardly to bring them to inclined positions, the boosters 51 will be caused to move on their pivots 52 thereby acting on the wheels of the automobile causing impetus to the movement of the automobile in moving olf the units 44.

1n order to turn or rotate the -turntable 41 to gether with the assembly of units 44, there is provided a ring gear -56 which is secured in place on the under side of the turntable 4l. An e1ectric motor 57 is mounted on a bracket 58 on the underside of the elevator platform 40. A pinion 59 on the shaft of the motor 50 meshes with the gear 56. It will bel apparent that the motor 57 serves for'rotating the turntable 41 through the intervention of the gear 56 and pinion 59. The means for controlling the motor 57 will be described hereinafter. It is to be understood that the elevator platform will be brought to a desired level in relation to the lower floor having the units i3 so that the tracks 49 ofj the units 44 may be brought into registration with `the tracks ci" the units i3. The tracks 49 of the units 44 may be brought into alnement with the tracks 21 of the units 13 by virtue of the turntables 41 and 14, respectively, of the units 44 and 13.

The tracks 49 of the units 44 are severally tilted to transfer the automobiles therefrom by means under the control of an attendant on the elevator turntable 41. rlhe said means may be of any suitable power type. in the .present instance the means employed is a pneumatic-me chanical means. On reference to Figure 6, it will be apparent that this pneumatic-mechanical means includes an air cylinder 66 disposed centrally of the elevator platform 46 and'extending beneath. the same. A smaller cylinder 61 is mounted on the cylinder `and provides an air reservoir 62. rlhis reservoir 62 is in communication with the interior of the cylinder 69 at the top thereof by a check valve 63. The cylinder 66 has a check valve 64 at the top thereof to permit air to enter the cylinder60 and to prevent air from owing out of the cylinder 60. lA. piston 65 is arranged for operation in the cylinder 60 and has a rod 66 which extends through a guide 67 on the lower end of the cylinder 66. A casing 68 is arranged on top of the cylinder 6.1. This casing 66 provides an air chamber 69 which may receive air from the reservoir 62 by operating a control valve 70 which is normally closed. The

valve 70 includes a handle 7l pivoted as at 72.

The handle 71 may be swung to operate a check valve 73 to release air from the chamber 69. A small cylinder 74 is secured to the under side of the turntable 41 in relation to the tracks 49 of each of the units 44. A piston 75 operates 'in the cylinder 74 and is provided with a rod 76 which is connected with the tracks 49. The cylinder 74 has air delivered thereto by a pipe A77 connected with the casing 68, and in communication with the chamber 69. Vifhcnthe elevator.

platform 40 descends to its lowermost level, the lower end of the rod 66 will encounter a block 78 on the subbasement floor. lThis will cause the l'air in the cylinder 60 above the piston 65 to be forced into the reservoir 62 through the valve 63. The lower end of the rod 66 has a head 79 which is engaged by spring actuated jaws pivotally connected with the block 78. These'jaws 80 engage the head 79 in the downward movement of the elevator platform 40. `As the elevator platform 40 moves upwardly, the jaws 80 in engagement with the head 79 hold the rod 66 and its piston 65 against movement until the piston 65 encounters the guide 67, whereupon the jaws 80 will be forced to release the rod 66. Under this action air will be drawn into the cylinder 60 through the check valve 64. This air is vthen forced into the reservoir 62 when the elevator platform 40 is brought down to its lowermost level, as will be understood. It will now be apparent that when the attendant presses downwardly on the handle 77 to actuate the valve 70, air will flow from the reservoir 62 into the pipes 77 thereby tilting or moving the tracks 49 to inclined positions, as shown in Figure 9. In this way `the automobile on the tracks 49 of the units 44 may be transferred from the elevator platform. In this connection it will be obviousthat air flowing through the pipes 77 will force the pistons 75 upwardly causing the tilting of the tracks 49. Thel air in the cylinders 74 below the pistons 75 will be released by swinging the handle 7l to a position to operate the valve 73.

When the tracks 2l of the units 13 are disposed radially with respect to the vertical axis l of the elevator platform, and therefore in alinement with the tracks 49 of the units 44,' the said tracks 2l will be tilted in response tothe downward movement of the elevator platform 46. To this end there is provided an actuator for each lever 28.A Each actuator 85 is in the form of a block and has guided movement in a guide 66 secured to the under side of the platform 46 near the circumferential edge thereof. The actuator 65 is moved into and out of an actuating position.

'by a solenoid 57 secured to the under side of the platform 46. The core 68 of the solenoid is connected with the actuator 85. The core 88 is under the influence of a spring 89 which has a normal tendency to-urge the core 88 in one direction to retain the actuator 65 in a retracted non-actuating position. The circumferential edge of the ele-' vator platform 40 has a notch 90 therein in alinement with each of the actuators. The cores 88 are disposed radially, consequently the actum1 ators 85 will be moved radially outward and inward. Each actuator 85 is moved outwardly tc its actuating position by allowing current to flow through the coil of the related solenoid and this is accomplished by connecting the coil in series with any electric circuit 91 having a suitable source yof electrical energy, and a control switch 92 arranged on the elevator platform above 'the turntable 41 for the convenience of the attendant. See diagram Figure 20. By closing each switch 92, the particular actuator 65 will he moved to its actuating position so as to encounter the end 30 of the related lever 28 to rock the latter causing the tilting elevation of the particular track beams 21, to cause the automobile to be transferred onto the track beams 49 in alinen'ient therewith.

ln accordance with the invention each floor 11 has a suitable number and arrangement of automobile parkingreceivng and transferring units,

devices or cradles 100. These units 100 are anranged radially in order to aline with the .track beams i9 o1 the units it on the elevator platform. The units 100 .are substantially similar to the units te. Each unit 100 includes channel be 101 arranged in spaced parallel relation and these beams are rigidly secured to the door 11, and may also be connected together by transverse members lili w the automobile as it rolls by gravity such as those designated 18 in Figure 5. Track vbeams 102 in the form of angle irons are tiltable respectively in relation to the beams 101, and each is therefore pivotally connected at one end with the related beam 101 as at 103.- The be 102 are connected togethery to move in n by a transverse member 10d. Each oi the beams 102 has means thereon to give impetus to the movement of the automobile when being transferred onto the elevator units ed. Il'his means is substantially similar to that applied to the be 49 oi the units et, sbpwn in Figure 11i. 0n reference to Figure 11 it will be apparent that each. be 102 has an arcuate booster 105 pivotally connected, as at 106, with one end thereof. 'The booster is limited in its downwardmovement by the member 104i. The free end of the booster hm a roller 107 engageable with the tirev o1 the wheel o1 the automobile. A link 108 has one end thereof plvotally connected with an extension 109 on the beam 100, as at 110, and the opposite end of the link is pivotally connected with the booster at one side of its pivot 106, as at 111. 1t will be ap parent that when each booster 105 is in its down position, it will receive one of the wheels o1 the aul tomobile, and .will prevent unintentional move-s ment of the automobile. 1t will be apparent that (t 12, it will be apparent that said hydraulic-mechanical means includes a pump 115, and a water tank 110 connected with the pump. The pump is operated by an electric motor 117 through the intervention of a belt 118. A pipe 110 leads to a valve for each unit 100. The valve 120 includes a casing-121 with which the pipe 110 is connected by a branch pipe 122- i lllhe casing4 121 has an outlet 123 which is connected with a return How pipe 12d by a branch pipe 125. The pipe 124i is connected with the ta'nlr'll. `The casing 121 has an outlet connection 120 which leads to the lower end of a cylinder 127. ifi-rod 128 forming a part of the valve 120 has sliding movement in relation to the casing 121. The rod has an open,-

ing 120 therein which may be brought into and .out of registration with the outlet 123. A valve member 130, on a stem 131 connected with the rod 123, controls an orifice or port 132 within the lvalve casing 121. ,It will be apparent that when the rod 128 is moved to itsv in position, the valve member will be ou the seat surrounding the port 132, and the opening 129 will be out of registration with the outlet 123. This will allow liquid tofenter the valve casing from the tenir '11e Vthrough the pipes 119 and 122. The liduid will idow through the port y132 intoxthe outlet conne'cs tion 120 into the ilower end o1 ,the cylinder 127. il piston 133 operates in the cylinder 127 and has libanesa a rod 135iu which is pivotally acted as at 100 with the member 10d connecting the related track be 102. 1t will now be understood t the duid entering the cylinder 127 will force the piston 133 upwardly causing the track beams 102 to tilt or move to inclined position for trerring the automobile. The rod 120 ci the valve 120 'is under the uence of a sp 130 which it to a normal position causing the valve member 130 to close the port 132 and bringing the opeg 120 in registration with the outlet 123, so that the liquid in the cylinder 127 may now out oi it bach into the 110 through the pipes 125 and 12d.

llviechanism is provided for operating the valves 120, and also to start the motor 117 to selectively cause the tilting o1 the track` be 102 or the units 100. The said mechan includes p a rods 1410 for operating the valve rods 120. Each rod is mounted for axial movement in des 141 depending' from the door 11. The rod 100 `is under the inuence of a spring 142 arred ed in its movement to the retracted position by mi@ a collar or stop 14d on the rod which encounters the other guide 141. Solenoids 145 are employed for operating the rods 1610 and are secured in place on the under side of theIturntable ti1 at its circumferential edge. A solenoid 145 is moved to a retracted position by a spring 1617 surrounding the core and in engagement with the coil of thesolencid 'and the core itself. When the turntable .il is brought to a position so that its units et will be in registra- )l tion with the units 100, each oi the solenoid cores 140 will be in axial alinement with a certain one of thepush rodsv 140. lin e present instance there are ve units ad, and there will be five solenoids 1G15 to operate a vc rresponding nber l of rods 1410. e coils of t e solenoids `1.411 are connected in series in an electric circuit 140 having a suitable source o electric energy. The circuit ld includes selectingy switches 140 and a llhe coref'flid of lthe m5 isf master switch 15o. n is to be understood that 1% there will be five switches 140, one for each solenoid 145. By closing any uber of? the switches 149 any number of the solenoids 145 may be en ergized by closing the switch 150, to edectuate the movement of the selected rods i410. The E25 motor 117 is connected in a circuit v151. l Each valve rod 128 has a contact 152 insulated therefrom on one end, and each rod 1410 has a contact 153 insulatedltherefrom on one end. Theconl tacts 152 and 153` are electrically 'connected in 11,3@

series in the circuit 151. 1t `will now be under1 stood thatwhen the master switch is closed 4 to energize any selected number of solenoidsiild, x the cores le@ will be moved from-their retracted .positions to cause the movement oi the selected 3l this manner certain automobiles may be t am.

ierred from the parv units 'or cradles 10.0l to the units ed. in registration therewith. The cir cuit iti includes a pair or contacts ist and las M5 i foreach unit 100. The contactieis nuedin `any suitable manner, whereac'the contact 10E is carried by a switch mer 150 for up and down movement in relation to? the' traclrl was 102 tiene related una im.. 'rue member rse a 111.1150

der the inuence of a spring 157 which yieldingly holds the member 156 in a position in which its contact 155 is in engagement with the contact 154.` As the related track beams are moved upwardly by the piston 134, the member 156 will be moved upwardly by an arm 158 connectedA with the beams 102 causing disengagev ment of the contact 155 with the contact 154 arid the stopping of the motor 117. As the track beams 102 return to the normal horizontally disposed position, the related switch member 156 will be drawn down by the spring 157 to reengage the contact 155 with the contact 154 to close the circuit 151 at this point. When the master switch 150 is opened, the springs 142 will return the rods 140, and as a consequence the particular valve rods 128 which were under the influence of the rods 140 will be returned to their retracted positions by the springs 136, thereby allowing return ow of the liquid from the cylinders 127 to the tank 116. It is to be understood that the switches 149 and the switch 150 will be positioned above the turntable el on the elevator platform within easy and convenient reach of an attendant to control the movement of the automobile.

1n accordance with another feature of the invention, the turntable 41 is retained in different positions around its axis to prevent unintentional turning movement thereof when automobiles are being transferred vfrom. the units 44 to certain of the units 100, and when they are transferred from the units 106 to the units 44. 'lo this end there is provided a solenoid 166 carried by the turntable 41 on the under side thereo. The core 161 of the solenoid 166 is the orm of a latching 'bolt to be received in any one of live notches 162 in the circular wall of each of the doors 11 surrounding the elevator shaft. The coil of the solenoid 166 is connected in an electric circuit 163 to include a control switch 164 under the control of the attendant. The core 161 is moved to a retracted position by a spring 165. When the switch 164 is closed, the coil of the solenoid 16d will be energized, causing the core to move outwardly to engage in the'adjacent `notch 162,

.thus preventing rotation or" the turntable el.

The motor 57 which operates the turntable 41 is controlled by an electric circuit 176 which includes a pole changing switch 171 and, a control switch 172. The provision of the switch 171 makes it possible to turn the turntable 41 in either direction by closing the switch 172. These switches 171 and 172 will bein reach of the attendant on the turntable.

1n order to selectively control the operation of the motors 26 of the units 13 to move the frames 14 and their track beams 21 to the receiving and transferring positions, there is. provided means presently to be described. A pole changing switch 173 for each motor 26 is connected in a main circuit 174, and this circuit also includes a master switch 175 operated by the attendant. The switch 175 will be disposed at a convenient location at the `floor 11 of the units 13. 1t will be apparent that by setting each of the switches 173 its related motor 26 may be caused to rotate in one direction or the other to cause the related turntable frame 1d to move to a receiving position as shown in dot and dash lines, and to a'transferring position as shown in dotted lines, Tligure 17.

lin accordance with the invention there are provided on the second floor, a half story above the streetlevel, automobile receiving and transferring units 180, which are similar to the units 13. In the present instance, there are ve units 13 and ve units 180 to correspond to the number and arrangement of the units 441 on the turntable 41. The units 180 are intended principally for receiving outgoing automobiles from the units 44 on the turntable A11. However, in rush hours when numerous automobiles are being brought for parking in the garage, the units 180 will 'be used for incoming automobiles in addition to the units 13. It will be apparent that the actuators may be brought into use for operating the levers 28 of the units 180 as well as the levers 28 of the units 13; and that, when said actuators 85 are retracted, the elevator platform 'i0 will clear the projecting ends 30 of the levers 28 of the units 186.

On reference to Figure 3 it will be apparent that the building or tower l0 of the garage has a horizontal entrance or exit for the automobiles disposed approximately at street level extending around the elevator shaft. When the trk beams 2l of the units 13 are disposed in the receiving positions, automobiles may pass thereover to the rearmost units 13. The automobiles may then be transferred to the units 44 on the elevator which may be used to convey the automobiles to any door 11. The automobiles may then be transferred to any selected parking units lll, and to this end the turntable 4l may be turned to select any vacant units 160. 1t will also be obvious that the automobiles may be transferred from the units to the units44 on the turntable l 11 ci the elevator to be conveyed down to the door level of the units 180 for delivery to the owners. 1t is to be understood that the units 13 may be used for discharging outgoing automobiles as well as the units 180 to expedite delivery during lil@ lll)

rush hours. Accordingly exits may be provided in addition to the passage l2.` Also a similar provision may be made for the units 156. l

'What is claimed isz- 1. .ln a vehicle parking garage, the combination of a building having provision through which incoming and outgoing vehicles may pass, a hoist operable within said building, an assembly of receive vehicles from or to transfer them to the devices -within the building at each level.

2. In a garage, in combination, a hoist, a turnable structure on the hoist including a radial arrangement of rockable automobile tracks, and apparatus to rock said tracks to deliver' incoming automobiles therefrom tc parkv them in the garage.

3. In a garage, in combination, an elevator, an arrangement of rockable tracks each adapted to receive an automobile and to transfer it to the elevator under the action of gravity by rocking the tracks, means on each of said tracks acted on by separate means on the elevator in its downward movement to a certain level to rock said tracks.

`4. lin a garage, in combination, an elevator, an arrangement of rockable tracks each adapted to receive an automobile and to transfer it to the elevator under the action oi gravity by rocking. 'the tracks, each of said tracks having its axis on which it rocks at or near one end thereof, a lever arranged in operative relation to each of said tracks, and said lever being acted on by separate means on the elevator in its movement to a certain level, to rock its track.

5. In a garage, in combination, a hoist, a turnable structure on the hoist; including a radial arrangement of rockable automobile tracks, apparatus torock said tracks to deliver incoming automobiles therefrom to park them in the garage, and means operable to cause lsaid structure to turn to diierent positions so that'the tracks y receive andalso transfer the automobiles;

6. In an automobile garage, means for elevating and lowering the automobiles within the garage, said means including a turnable structure having radially disposed rockable pairs of automobile supporting beams, said beams being connected in spaced relation; mechanism to ,turn said structure, and mechanism to rock said beams to cause the automobile to travel along the beams oli the same.

' '1. A vehicle receiving and transferring-apparatus including a cradle mounted to rock on a transverse horizontal axis, and means on one end of said cradle and movable relative thereto which is operated by the rocking movement of the cradle to give impetus to the movement of the vehicle in moving it from the cradle by rocking the latter.

8. An automobile receiving and transferring apparatus including a cradle mounted to rock on a transverse horizontal axis, said cradle consisting of interconnectedr beams in the form of angle Iirons constituting rails on which the wheels of the automobile travel, and means on the cradle and movable relative thereto whichare operated by the rocking movement of the cradle, and which act on certain of said Wheels, to give impetus to the movement of the automobile in moving it from the cradle by rocking the latter.

9. A vehicle receiving and transferring apparatus including a cradle mounted to rock on a transverse horizontal axis, and relatively movable means on one end of said cradle adapted to act on certain oi the wheels of the vehicle and which is operated by the rocking movement oi the cradle to give impetus to the movement or" the vehicle in moving it from the cradle by rocking the latter.

l0. A vehicle receiving and transferring apparatus including a cradle mounted to-rock on a transverse horizontal axis, a booster pivoted on one end ci the cradle, means connected with the booster at one side of its pivotal connection,

' whereby the booster will act on the vehicle in response to the rocking movement of the cradle to give impetus to the movement oi the vehicle in movingit from the cradle by rocking the latter.

il. An automobile receiving and transferring apparatus including a cradle mounted to rock on a transverse horizontal axis, said cradle consisting of interconnected beams in the form of angle irons constituting rails on which the wheels of the automobile travel, a booster pivoted to one end oi each around in the` building, a plurality of similarv automobile receiving and transferring devices, each device including a traclrtiltable on a horizontal axis and turnable on a vertical axis, d track being turnable on the vertical axis to a receiving position and a transferring position, said track in its transferring position being disposed radially with respect to a central point in thebuilding, andsaid track when'tilted causing an automobile disposed thereon to travel therefrom by the action oi gravity.

13. lin a garage, in combination with a bullding having a horizontal entrance passage disposed approtely at street level exten around in the building, a plurality of nl .i automobile receiving and transferring devices, each device including a track tiltable on a horizontal axis and turnable on a vertical axis, said track being turnable on the vertical axis to a receiving position and a transferring position, said track in its transferring position being disposed radially With respect to a central point in the building, and said track when tilted ca an automobile disposed thereon to travel therefrom by the action oi gravity, an elevator operable `within the building to convey the automobiles up and down to diierent door levels, and means on the elevator to receive the automobile from said devices for conveyance by the elevator.

le. In a garage, in combination with a building having a horizontalentrance passage disposed approximately at street level extending around in the building, a plurality of similar automobile receiving and transferring devices, each device including a track tiltable on a horizontal axis and turnable on a vertical axis, said track being turnable on the vertical axis to a receiving position and a transferring position, said track in its transferring position being disposed radially with respect to a central point in the building, and said track when tilted causing an automobile disposed thereon to travel therefrom by the action oi gravity, an elevator operable Within the building to convey the automobile up and down to diiierent door levels, and meansturnable about a vertical axis on said elevator adapted to receive the automobiles' from said its no v

devices, and for transferring the automobiles f

Images