"An Improved Storage Assembly" This invention relates to a storage assembly and more particularly, but not exclusively, to a storage assembly for storing a vehicle such as a motor car or the like. It is found during studies of the usage of motor vehicles, particularly private motor cars, that a large percentage of private motor cars are used during the working week to transport a person to a work place and then remain parked for the whole of the working day. This type of usage of a motor car results in the vehicle occupying a parking space for eight hours a day in areas such as city centres where parking spaces are at a premium and the cost of the provision of parking spaces is high. In addition, it is often difficult for businesses to make adequate provision for car parking in high density city centre locations without incurring unacceptably high costs due to high land values.

It is also found in suburban areas of high density housing that the car parking facilities are inadequate to accommodate the needs of families who have more than one vehicle. Furthermore, it is also found that families often have a second motor car or other type of specialist vehicle, trailer or the like which is infrequently used and occupies a parking space or garage space during lengthy periods of inactivity.

The object of this invention is to provide an

improved storage assembly for optimising the use of available parking facitities.

According to this invention, a storage assembly for a vehicle comprises a first section adapted to provide two parallel spaced-apart elongate trarck-s"' an ertricrh the vehicle's wheels are located, operating means for moving the structure from a first ground engaging position in which a vehicle can be loaded onto the first section and a second position in which the first section is elevated to enable the space therebeneath to be used for parking a second vehicle, wherein the operating means is assisted by counterbalance means for counterbalancing at least part of the weight of the first section and the vehicle to facilitate movement of the first section between the first and the second position.

Preferably, the first section is connected to a second ground engaging section for movement relatively thereto between the first and the second positions.

Preferably, also, the second section comprises two spaced-apart upright support members and the first section is disposed substantially between the support members.

The first section is, preferably, pivotably connected to the support members.

Preferably, the first section is pivotably moveable from the first position in which the front end of the first section is in contact with the ground to the second

position n which the structure is at least horizontal or inclined downwardly from the front to the rear thereof.

Preferably, also, the first section in the first position is inclined upwardly with the front end thereof n contact with the grouird.

The counterbalance means, preferably, comprises the weight of the rear portion of the first section disposed beyond the pivot point and the weight of the portion of the vehicle disposed on said rear portion of the first section.

Alternatively, the counterbalance means may comprise a weight whose counterbalancing effect is adjustable.

Preferably, the magnitude of the weight is adjustable. Preferably, also, the position of the weight relative to the pivot point is adjustable to adjust the counterbalancing effect thereof.

The operating mechanism, preferably, comprises a piston-and-cyl inder mechanism connected between the first and the second sections.

Preferably, the piston-and-cyl inder mechanism is double-acting.

Preferably, also, the piston-and-cyl inder mechanism is capable of being hydraul ical ly locked in position. Locking means is, preferably, provided for locking the first section in the first and/or the second

pos l t i ons .

Preferably, obstruction means is provided for restricting unauthorised access to the space beneath the first section when the first section is n the second > elevated position.

Preferably, also, the first section is provided at the or each side edge with a walkway to provide access by a driver and/or passenger to or exit from the vehicle

The first section is, preferably, provided with stop means for stopping the wheels of the vehicle located thereon at a desired position.

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings of which:- Figure 1 is a diagrammatic side view of a storage assembly in a first ground engaging position;

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic side view of the storage assembly in a second elevated position;

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic side view of an alternative storage assembly.

Figure 4 is a diagrammatic side view of a further storage assembly in a first ground engaging position;

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic side view of the storage assembly of Figure 4 in an intermediate position; and Figure 6 is a diagrammatic side view of the storage assembly of Figure 4 in a second elevated position.

Referring now to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, a storage assembly for storing a vehicle 10 which is not immediately required to allow access for a second vehicle 12 to be parked in the space therebeneath comprises a first section indicated generally at 14 in the form of a unitary ramp structure fabricated from steel comprising two interconnected spaced-apart elongate members 16 providing tracks onto which the vehicle 10 to be stored can be driven. The first section 14 is connected to a second ground engaging section 18 comprising two spaced-apart upright support members 20 and the first section is disposed between the two support members 20 and is pivotally connected thereto so as to be pivotably moveable from a first upwardly inclined position in which the front end of the first section 14 is in contact with the ground to a second elevated positon in which the first section 14 is inclined downwardly from the front end to the rear end thereof. Locking means (not shown) is provided for locking the first section 14 in the upwardly inclined position whilst the vehicle 10 is driven into position. The upward inclination of the first section 14 is arranged to be a three in one slope and the height of the pivot point on the support members 20 is arranged to be sufficient to allow adequate space beneath the first section 14 when it

is pivoted into the downwardly inclined position to enable the second vehicle 12 to be parked therebeneath. A further locking means (not shown) is provided to lock the first section 14 in the downwardly inclined position. The first section 14 is provided at -eh σr each side edge with external walkway portions to enable a driver or passenger to leave the vehicle 10 once it has been driven onto the first section 14 prior to it being moved to the second elevated position. The elongate members 16 forming the tracks are also provided with stop means 22 engaged by the vehicle's wheels so that the vehicle 10 can be driven onto the first section 14 to a predetermined position.

The positioning of the vehicle 10 on the first section 14 is arranged so that the weight of the rear portion of the section 14 beyond its pivot point and the portion of the weight of the vehicle 10 disposed on said rear portion substantially counterbalances the weight of the front portion of the section 14 and the portion of the weight of the vehicle 10 disposed thereon. Alternatively or in addition, a counterbalance weight (not shown) is provided on the first section 14 between the pivot point and the rear end thereof to assist in counterbalancing the weight of the first section 14 and the vehicle 10 to facilitate the pivotal movement of the first section 14 and vehicle 10 from the first to the second position by operating means without undue force

being required. The magnitude of the counterbalance weight can be adjustable by forming the weight 20 as a container of a liquid or other flowable material to enable it to be adjusted to suit a particular type of vehicle. Alternatively, the position of the counterbalance weight on the first section 14 is adjustable to adjust the counterbalancing affect thereof according to the type of vehicle which is to use the storage assembly.

The operating means for effecting pivotal movement of the first section 14 between its first and second positions comprises a double-acting hydraul ical ly-operated piston-and-cyl inder assembly 24 which is connected between the first section 14 and the second section 18 at points adjacent to the rear ends thereof. The actuation of the assembly 24 is effected by a power-operated or manually-operated pump (not shown) via valve means which enable the assembly 24 to be hydraulical ly locked in either the first or second position of the first section 14 or any intermediate position. Alternatively, the assembly 24 can be replaced by simple manually-operated means (not shown) which can be operatated without undue manual effort to move the first section 14 from the first to the second position due to the provision of the above described counter-balancing arrangements.

Obstruction means in the form of a bar or plate 22 is

pivotally mounted on the first section 14 so that it pivots downwardly and is releasably locked in the position shown in Figure 2 of the drawings to restrict unauthorised access to the space beneath the first section 14 when it is moved to the second position.

In a modification, the structure 14 is mounted on members 18 of greater height and the pivotal movement of the structure 14 is limited so that in the second position the structure 14 is substantially horizontal. This modification will limit the overall height of the storage assembly to make it more suitable for use in locations where headroom is restricted such as in a garage or other building.

Referring now to Figure 3 of the drawings, an alternative storage assembly to the one shown in Figures 1 and 2 comprises a similar first section 30 formed of elongate members 32 connected to two spaced-apart support members 34 forming the second section but the first section 30 is arranged to move slidably on the members 34 from a lowered to a raised position both of which are shown in Figure 3 whilst remaining horizontal.

A counterbalance weight 36 is mounted in the members 34 and is connected to the first section 30 by a pulley and cable mechanism 38 and here again the positions of the weight 36 in the two positions of the first section 30 are shown in Figure 3. The weight 36 is also of adjustable

magnitude to facilitate adjustment of the counterbalancing effect thereof according to the type of vehicle to be stored on the storage assembly. Manually or power- operated means (not shown) is again provided for raising and lowering the structure 30.

Referring now to Figures 4 to 6 of the drawings, a further storage assembly comprises a first section 40 which is pivotally mounted on a second section 42 and operates in the same manner as the assembly described above with reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings. The further storage assemblies first section 40 is moved pivotally between the positions shown in the drawings by means of a hydraul ically-operated piston-and-cyl inder assembly 44 connected between the first section 40 and the second section 42. The first section 40 and the second section 42 differ from the corresponding parts of the storage assembly described in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings by being constructed as mouldings of concrete material facilitating in the case of the first section 40 the incorporation of increased weight at the rear end thereof to provide the counterbalancing effect.

In a modification of the storage assemblies described with reference to Figures 1 and 2 and Figures 4 to 6 of the drawings, in order to reduce the angle of "attack" when a vehicle is driven up the first sections 14 and 40, the front ends of the sections 14 and 40 are provided with

a hinged additional section (not shown) extending across the full width thereof which when folded outwardly about the transverse pivotal axis extends the sloping portion of the sections 14 and 40 and reduces said angle of "attack" enabling vehicles of low front end grσxznά clearance to use the storage assemblies. Once the vehicle is in position on the first sections 14 and 40, the hinged additional section is folded inwardly and forms a stop for the vehicle's rear wheels and can also be used as a display surface indicating, for example, the number of the vehicle allocated to the parking space.

It will be appreciated that the storage assemblies described above enable two vehicles to be parked in a single vehicle parking space to improve utilisation of available parking spaces both in outdoor and indoor locations.