Parking device

The present invention refers to a parking device of the type suitable for transporting vehicles in a guided fashion into and out from defined spaces, such as lockups, parking spaces, garages, car parks, car workshop areas and the like, without the driver having to be present inside the vehicle.

Parking devices of the type specified above are known that comprise chain or belt-operated mechanisms or mobile platforms on which the vehicle can be positioned and through which the vehicle can be transported into a parking space after the driver has got out from the vehicle itself and, similarly, it can be taken out from the parking space with nobody inside. The actuation of known parking devices usually occurs through a user interface, for example a push-button panel that can be easily accessed from outside of the parking space and connected with one or more electric actuation motors to move the vehicle into and out from the parking space.

Known parking devices, whilst satisfactory from the point of view of operation and reliability, have some drawbacks resulting from difficult, expensive and invasive installation that often requires major work on the masonry of the garage and on the floor of the parking area, as well as from a limited versatility with reference to the shape and size of the garage, often requiring specially-made adaptations and manufacturing in short series of parking devices that are often different according to their place of installation.

The purpose of the present invention is therefore to provide a parking device having characteristics such as to avoid the quoted drawbacks with reference to the prior art.

In the main purpose, a particular purpose of the present invention is to propose a parking device that reconciles the requirements of remote controlled transportation of a vehicle in narrow parking spaces with the requirements of simple, cost-effective and non-invasive installation and of easy adaptation to shapes and sizes of different garages.

These and other purposes are accomplished through a parking device for remote controlled transportation of a vehicle int.o a parking space and out from the parking space, comprising:

- a trolley with a support platform configured to receive and support a part of the vehicle and a plurality of wheels for moving the trolley into and out from the parking space,

- guiding means able to be mounted at the parking space and configured to collaborate with the trolley to ensure its guided movement,

- an electric motor mounted directly at the trolley and connected through transmission means with at least one part of the wheels to actuate them,

- a user control member to control the parking device, a control unit in signal connection with the user control member and with the electric motor and configured to drive the electric motor as a function of signals received from the user control member.

Thanks to this particular configuration of the parking device, in particular to the guide of the trolley able to be mounted in the parking space and to the electric motor onboard the trolley itself assembly is simple and not very invasive and the structure is strong and reliable, easily adapting to various shapes and sizes of parking spaces.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the trolley rests through its wheels directly on a preexisting floor of the parking space and the guiding means comprise two guide rails that laterally engage the trolley, in particular the wheels themselves.

This allows space to be saved in height and allows the pre-existing floor to be used for the function of supporting and moving the vehicle.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, the trolley comprises two half-platforms spaced apart and configured to respectively receive a right wheel and a left wheel of the same axle of the vehicle, in which the two half- platforms are structurally connected together through only one or more axles that carry the wheels of the trolley.

This facilitates the installation of the parking device in small spaces, sensibly reduces the weight of the trolley and allows easy access to the floor, to the axles, to the wheels and to the electric motor.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, the electric motor and a reducing transmission are pre-assembled to form a gearmotor block screwed to the trolley and having an output shaft directly connected with a driving axle of the axles that carry the wheels.

In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, the device comprises end stops both going in and out configured so as to interrupt the movement of the trolley when one or more predetermined end stop positions are reached. The ends stops can comprise stop blocks configured to interfere with the trajectory of motion of the trolley or optical, magnetic or mechanical sensors (switches) configured to generate and send an end stop signal to the control unit, which interrupts the power supply to the motor.

These and other aspects and advantages of the present invention will emerge from the following detailed description of an embodiment given as a non-limiting example, with reference to the attached figures, in which:

Figure 1 is a view from above of a parking device according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2Ά is a side view of the device in figure 1;

Figure 2B is a side view of the device in figure 1 with the wheels removed;

Figure 3A is a side view of the parking device according to a further embodiment;

Figure 3B is a side view of the device in figure 3A with the wheels removed;

Figure 4 is a front view of the parking device according to an embodiment;

Figure 5 is a schematised side view of the parking device according to a further embodiment;

Figures 6 and 7 are front and rear perspective views of the parking device according to an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 8 is a rear perspective view of the parking device according to a further embodiment of the invention;

Figure 9 is a perspective view of a manual switching system of the device according to an embodiment.

With reference to the figures, a parking device is wholly indicated with reference numeral 1. The device 1 is configured for remote controlled transportation of a vehicle into a parking space 2 and out from the parking space 2 and comprises a trolley 3 with a support platform 4 configured to receive and support a part of the vehicle and a plurality of wheels 5, 6 for moving the trolley 3 into and out from the parking space 2, guiding means, for example two elongated guiding profiles 7, able to be mounted at the parking space 2, in particular on its floor, and configured to collaborate with the trolley 3 to ensure its guided movement, as well as an electric motor 8 mounted directly on the trolley 3 and connected through transmission means 13, for example a reduction gear, with at least one or more driving wheels 6 of the aforementioned wheels 5, 6 to actuate them.

There is also a user control member 9 to control the parking device 1 and a control unit 10 in signal connection with the user control member 9 and with the electric motor 8 and configured to drive the electric motor 8 as a function of signals received from the user control member 9.

Thanks to the guide 7 able to be mounted in the parking space 2 and to the electric motor 8 on-board the trolley 3 itself, assembly is simple and not very invasive and the structure is strong and reliable, easily adapting to various shapes and sizes of parking spaces.

Advantageously, the trolley 3 rests through its wheels directly on 'a pre-existing floor of the parking space 2 and the guides 7 laterally engage the trolley 3 and in particular its wheels 5, 6 and/or determine their path of motion.

This allows space to be saved in height and allows the pre-existing floor to be used for the function of supporting and moving the vehicle.

In accordance with an embodiment, the trolley 3 comprises two half-platforms 4A, 4B spaced apart and configured to receive a right wheel and a left wheel, respectively, of 'the same axle of the vehicle, in which the two half-platforms 4A, 4B are structurally connected to one another just through one or more axles 11, 12 that carry the wheels 5, 6 of the trolley 3.

This makes it easier to install the parking device in small spaces, substantially reduces the weight of the trolley and allows easy access to the floor, to the axles, to the wheels and to the electric motor.

In accordance with a further embodiment, the electric motor 8 and a reducing transmission 13 are pre-assembled to form a gearmotor block 14 screwed to the trolley 3 and having an output shaft directly connected with a driving axle 12 of the axles 11, 12.

The gearmotor block 14 can be connected in different areas of the trolley 3 and it preferably directly engages the driving axle 12..

There can also be end stop devices 15 both going in and out, configured so as to interrupt the movement of the trolley 3 when one or more predetermined end stop positions are reached. The end stop devices 15 can comprise mechanical stop blocks 15A configured to interfere with the trajectory of motion of the trolley 3 or optical, magnetic or mechanical sensors 15B (for example switches) configured to generate an end stop signal when the trolley 3 reaches an end stop position and to send such an end stop signal to the control unit 10, which interrupts the electrical power supply to the motor 8.

In accordance with an embodiment, the stop sensors 15B can comprise an actuation block suitable for actuating a tumbler switch, in which such an actuation block comprises a magnet and it is directly connected to the guides through gluing, so that the magnet provides the compression force during the setting of the glue. In this way, there is no need to perforate the guides and fix the actuation blocks through screws .

In accordance with a further embodiment (figure 8) , at least the mechanical stop block 15a that determines the mechanical end stop at the exit of the parking space comprises at least one seat 23 formed at one of the guides 7 and suitable for receiving or engaging an engagement portion 24 connected to the platform 4 or to one of the supporting half- platforms 4A, 4B so as to prevent the engagement portion 24 and, therefore, the platform 4 or half-platforms 4A, 4B from lifting up while the wheels of the vehicle go up and/or down.

Advantageously, the seat 23 is formed from a tubular profile welded or screwed to the guide 7 and the engagement portion 24 comprises a bar or pin extending in the direction of motion of the device and connected to a tab projecting from the platform or half-platform 4, 4A, 4B. In accordance with a further embodiment, the guides 7 are arranged at the inner wheels 5, 6 of the device 1 so as not to obstruct the parking of a ^' vehicle without the help of the device itself and to leave the space at the two side of the vehicle free.

Advantageously, but not necessarily, the guides 7 comprise a U-shaped profile 25 the cavity of which receives the wheels 5, 6 so as to guide them on both sides (figure 8) .

In accordance with an embodiment, the device 1 comprises one or more reference rods 26 positioned at the outer sides of the platform 4 or of the half-platforms 4A, 4B in order to make it easier for the vehicle to correctly go up onto the platform.

In accordance with embodiments, the support platform 4, i.e. the support half-platforms 4A, 4B can have dimensions such as to receive just a pair of wheels of the vehicle, dragging the other pair of (idle) wheels or, in particular for vehicles with four wheel drive and automatic gearshift, the support platform 4 or the support half-platforms 4A, 4B can have dimensions such as to receive all of the wheels. In this way, the device works well with the "parking" mode of vehicles with automatic gearshift.

Advantageously, the support platform 4, or else the support half-platforms 4A, 4B comprise one or more ramps 16 defining an inclined plane that makes it easier for the wheels of a vehicle to ^' go up onto and down from the platform itself.

The ramps 16 can advantageously be hinged to an elevated portion 17 of the platform 4 and further supported by one or more support rollers 18 arranged in a front area on the lower side of the ramps 16.

Alternatively, the front end of the ramps .16 can be elastically supported, for example through a spring 19 that acts between the structure of the trolley 3 and the ramp 16.

In accordance with a further embodiment, the elevated portion (s) 17 of the support platform 4 comprise holding barriers 20, for example configured as depressions or low holding walls, suitable for preventing the wheels of the vehicle from rolling when there are slight differences in level or in response to the movement of the trolley 3.

There can also be indication means to make it easier to position the vehicle on the platform 4, for example two rods with flags as visual aid (not illustrated in the figures) .

In accordance with an embodiment, the user control member 9 comprises a remote control in data connection with a receiver of the control unit 10 (arranged _. in the parking space or on-board the trolley, preferably integrated in the gearmotor block) .

The user control member 9 can have three buttons: a first button to actuate the entry into the parking space 2, a second button to actuate the exit from the parking space 2 and a third button that stops the trolley 3 from moving at any time.

The electrical connection of the motor 8 can be made through an electric power supply cable 22 able to be tightened through a cable-winder 21 that can be fixed to the parking space 2.

Hereafter the operation of the parking device 1 according to the invention will be described.

In order to make the vehicle enter into the parking space 2, the trolley 3 must be positioned ^' at the entry to such a space, in order to allow the vehicle to go up with the front or rear wheels and with the help of the ramps 16, onto the platforms 4A, 4B, by inserting just the front or rear end of the vehicle inside the parking space.

Then, once the motor is turned off and in neutral gear, without applying the hand brake, the driver comfortably gets out from the vehicle that is still outside of the parking space 2 and, through the user control member 9, activates the "forward" function. The vehicle will thus be driven inside the parking space 2, and its travel with be automatically stopped by the end stop device 15.

The wheels 5, 6 of the trolley 3 will be correctly directed by the guides 7 arranged flush with wheels and fixed with simple anchors to the floor of the parking space 2.

Similarly to the entry step, to make the vehicle come out from the parking space 2, it is sufficient to actuate the user control member ^' 9, selecting the "back" function and the motor 8 begins a reverse rotation, with respect to that of entry, and the trolley 3 with the vehicle is automatically brought back out from the parking space 2. Also in this case, the travel will be automatically stopped by the end stop sensors 15.

Once the trolley 3 has finished its travel and once the vehicle has exited the parking space 2, the driver can get in, start the engine and take it to the ground along the suitable ramps 16.

In accordance with a further embodiment manual switching means 27, 28 are foreseen that are suitable for coupling and decoupling the movement of the driving wheels 6 from the motor 8, so as to allow idle movement of the device 1 in the case of an interruption to the electrical power supply. This would allow the device 1 to be pushed together with the vehicle resting on it manually into and out from the parking space.

The manual switching means 27, 28 can comprise a coupling key 27 able to be removably inserted into a coupling seat 28 formed in part in a drive shaft 29 of the motor 8 and in part in a transmission shaft 30 of the transmission means 13, in which such a transmission shaft 30 is preferably formed directly by the driving axle 12. The coupling key 27 and the coupling seat 28 are formed so as to jointly make a shape coupling of the drive shaft 29 and of the transmission shaft 30; 12 rotating as a unit, and the coupling key 27 itself comprises a manual gripping portion 31 arranged outside of the motor 8 so as to make it easier to be accessed manually by the user .

The parking device 1 has numerous advantages.

It is very simple to install, without any construction work or wall demolition being necessary, being able to be installed even in pre-existing spaces, without having to obtain administrative authorisation or permits (like, for example, from the owners of the adjacent areas) , with obvious advantageous consequences, both in terms of cost and in terms of installation time. It is clear that, thanks to the characteristics of the parking device described up to now, it contributes to a possible overall reduction in size of equipped parking bays or (more generally) spaces, for the same size of vehicle and, therefore, to the possibility of making a greater number of parking spaces for the same space available.

Moreover, the device 1 is very compact, allowing free access to the car parking space, like, for example, for storing various goods (often, indeed, particularly deep lockups make it possible to put up shelves on which various objects and material can be placed), without taking up excessive bulk, without creating dangers and obstacles and without occupying precious space.

The device 1 is simple to make a strong with few components, which makes both installation and maintenance easier.

The simplicity of construction of the device 1 has the correlated benefit of being able to adapt the device 1 to various types of vehicle and parking space/lockup, by simply using longer or shorter axles and lengthening or shortening the travel of the device itself.

Of course, a man skilled in the art can bring further modifications and variants to the parking device 1 according to the present invention, in order to satisfy contingent and specific requirements, all of which are covered by the scope of protection of the invention, as defined by the following claims .