Increasing traffic densities mean that the problem of parking in cities becomes ever more acute. The problem is exacerbated as street side parking areas are restricted, and car parks are redeveloped for housing or offices.

Alongside the problem of finding a parking space can be the problem of security of the parked car, cars parked in public car parks or by the side of the street being particularly vulnerable to vandalism or theft. Conventional car parks occupy a relatively large ground area, requiring ramps, separate entrances and exits and routes for circulation in addition to parking spaces.

Such large ground areas are increasingly unavailable in cities.

According to the present invention there is provided storage apparatus for vehicles, the apparatus comprising a plurality of movable support structures, each structure arranged to support a vehicle, moving means being provided to move each structure between an access position in which a vehicle can be loaded onto or unloaded from the said structure and a storage position.

Preferably the structure comprises a substantially horizontal planar platform member on which the vehicle is positionable. Preferably the platform member is solid. Alternatively, the platform member may comprise an aperture or apertures. Preferably the structure comprises a tray to collect water, oil, and/or fuel. Preferably the tray is located below the platform member, and may include a means for automatically emptying the tray.

Preferably the moving means comprises linkage means linking the support structures so that the support structures move together. Preferably the moving means moves the support structures in a continuous loop.

Preferably the loop is orientated substantially vertically. The linkage means may comprise a pair of chain loops, and the support structures may be mounted between the chain loops.

Preferably the linkage means supports the structures so that during the movement each platform member remains substantially horizontal. Preferably the-linkage means comprises pivotal mounting means for mounting the platform member. Preferably each structure is arranged so that the centre of gravity of the combined vehicle and the structure is below the axis of the pivotal mounting means. Preferably each structure includes a support member extending downwardly from the pivotal mounting means to the respective platform member.

Preferably the moving means comprises drive means for driving the linkage means. The drive means may comprise an electric motor and gearbox.

Preferably the apparatus is arranged so that a vehicle positioned on one of the structures in the storage position is inaccessible. A partition means may be provided to separate the access position from the storage position.

The partition means may include apertures through which the structures pass when moving between the access position and the storage position. When stationary, a structure or structures in one or more of the storage positions may locate in one or more of the partition apertures to prevent unauthorised access to vehicles positioned on the structures in the storage position.

Preferably the storage apparatus includes means to control the operation of the moving means. Preferably the control means is arranged to prevent access to vehicles during operation of the moving means.

Preferably the storage apparatus includes a housing which may support the support structures. The housing may comprise a support framework. The framework may comprise a module or a plurality of modules, and the module or modules may be prefabricated.

The housing may comprise cladding or sheeting mounted on the framework. Alternatively the housing may include a building.

The housing may include selectively moveable barrier means to control entry to the structure in the access position. The housing may include fire detection and fire control means. The fire detection means may include a smoke detector. The fire control means may include a sprinkler system.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Fig. 1 is a sectional front view of storage apparatus according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a sectional side view of the apparatus of Fig. 1; and Fig. 3 is a front view of the exterior of the apparatus of Fig. 1.

Fig. 1 shows a sectional front view of storage apparatus 10 comprising a housing in the form of a building 12, the building 12 comprising four side walls 16 upstanding from the ground 18 and supporting the roof 14.

The apparatus 10 comprises a plurality of movable support structures 30, each structure 30 arranged to support a vehicle and comprising a substantially horizontal planar platform member 32. The platform member 32 includes drainage apertures (not shown), and the structure 30 comprises a

tray 38 located beneath the platform member 32 to collect any water, oil or fuel which may leak or drip from a vehicle stored on the platform member 32.

Moving means is provided to move each structure 30 between an access position 40 in which a vehicle can be loaded onto or unloaded from the said structure 30 and a plurality of storage positions 50. The moving means comprises linkage means in the form of a pair of spaced, parallel chain loops 22, each chain loop 22 being supported by a pair of spaced wheels 20 which in turn are supported by the building 12. The chains 22 are of conventional form, comprising a plurality of overlapping links 24, each link 24 being articulated to an adjacent link by a pin 26. The periphery of each wheel 20 is provided with spaced recesses 28 which engage the pins 26. A drive means is provided such as an electric motor and gearbox to drive one of the wheels 20 of each chain loop 22.

A support member 34 extends upwardly from each of two adjacent corners of each platform member 32 and then curves inwardly to a bearing 35 pivotally mounted on a stub axle 36 extending laterally from the chains 22, the stub axle 36 replacing the normal pin 26 between the links 24. The bearing 35 allows pivotal movement of the support member 34 relative to the stub axle 36.

A partition 52 extends substantially horizontally above the access position 40 and between the access position 40 and the storage position 50.

The partition 52 includes a pair of spaced apertures 54 through which the structures 30 pass when moving between the access position 40 and the storage positions 50. The spaced apertures 54 correspond in size with the plan size of the structures 30. The structures 30 and the partition 52 are arranged so that when stationary, one structure 30 is located in each aperture 54, the corresponding sizes of the aperture 54 and the structures 30 being such that access by unauthorised persons to the vehicles positioned on the structures 30 in the storage positions 50 is prevented.

Fig. 3 shows an external front view of the apparatus 10. The building 12 includes an entry aperture 42 at ground level, access to the entry aperture being controlled by a pivotally mounted entry barrier 44, operated by a user interface 46.

Control means are provided comprising a controller to control the operation of the moving means. The control means includes the user interface 46 and safety means comprising a safety interlock (not shown).

In use, a user drives a vehicle up to the barrier 44 and inputs a code to the user interface 46 which raises the barrier 44 and allows the user to drive forward through the entry aperture 42 into the building 12 and onto the platform 32 positioned in the access position 40. The user then exits the vehicle and leaves the building 12. The user activates the safety interlock, confirming that the vehicle occupants have left the car and are clear of the platform 32, and that the platform 32 is clear to move. On receipt of a signal from the safety interlock, the controller operates the drive motors, turning the wheels 20, the wheels 20 rotating the chain 22 and moving the structures 30.

Movement continues until the structures 30 have indexed one position, so that a different platform 32 is located in the access position 40. The platforms 32 in the storage positions 50 are now inaccessible due to the partition 52.

The operation is repeated as further users park their vehicles, until every platform 32 is occupied by a vehicle.

On return of the user to retrieve his vehicle, the user inputs his code into the user interface 46 and the controller operates the motors, moving the structures 30 until the platform 32 supporting the users'vehicle is located in the access position 40. Once movement has stopped, the entry barrier 44 opens, allowing the user to drive his vehicle off the platform 32 and out of the building 12.

The structures 30 are arranged so that the centre of gravity of both the loaded and unloaded structure 30 maintains the platform 32, substantially horizontal. Stability of the platform 32 during movement is achieved by positioning the centre of gravity of both the loaded and unloaded structure 30 directly beneath the pivot axis. The variation in position of the centre of gravity due to different vehicle sizes and weights is minimised by the vehicles parking in alignment with the pivot axis, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the vehicles being shown in dotted lines.

Various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. The apparatus may comprise a different number of structures, and the structures may be of different form. The moving means may be of different form.

The housing may be of any suitable size and shape. The housing could comprise a support framework of, for instance, steel girder construction, which could be supplied as a prefabricated module or as a plurality of prefabricated modules. The modules could include pre-positioned cladding, or could be clad on site. Alternatively, the support framework could be positioned or constructed inside a building.

The housing could be provided with a fire detection system comprising smoke detectors, and a fire control system comprising a sprinkler system fed from a water tank located in the roof. Emergency and maintenance access means could be provided.

During storage, the vehicles may leak or drip oil, water and/or fuel, and these leaks are caught in the trays 38. The trays 38 could be emptied automatically and/or flushed on a periodic basis, and flushing means such as

detergent sprays could be provided for this purpose. The automatic emptying of the trays reduces the risk of soil and/or groundwater contamination.

The user interface 46 could be pre-programmed to allow only use by certain designated users in possession of access codes, or could include payment means allowing use by the general public on payment by credit card, cash or some other means. The control means could include detection means, such as proximity or optical sensors to detect when cars are positioned correctly on the platforms 32, and could include indication means such as lights informing the user that the car is positioned correctly. A further indication means such as a digital display could be provided at the entrance to inform the user whether spaces are available and the number available.

The control means could include gate means comprising a pair of gates, whereby the user is detained between the pair of gates until the structure carrying the user's vehicle has successfully moved to the storage position, thereby ensuring that the user has not departed before the storage position has been attained.

The housing could include a second aperture allowing exit, positioned oppositely from the entry aperture and forming a drive through passage, so that to exit the user simply drives through the housing and out of the other side. One housing could enclose several pairs of chain loops, so that as one pair of chain loops is filled, the next pair of chain loops comes into operation.

Alternatively, a plurality of housings could be positioned adjacent to each other, the entrances and exits aligned to achieve the same effect. The provision of a drive through passage allows the storage apparatus to be located on and integrated with roadways, allowing, for example, the relatively narrow gaps between buildings in city areas to be utilised for parking while allowing traffic flow along the roadway.

The apparatus thus provides safe and secure parking, with efficient utilisation of ground area. Within a ground area of size similar to a double garage, an increased number of vehicles can be parked, the number depending on the height of the building. The apparatus is relatively cheap in comparison with parking systems requiring excavation and the use of prefabricated modules allows rapid, cost effective construction with minimal disruption to surrounding buildings or traffic. The chain wheel and support structures can be located in existing buildings or the building housing the chain wheel and support structures can be designed to blend with local architectural styles. The apparatus has the particular advantage that, once the vehicle is in the storage position, it is physically inaccessible, and therefore cannot be vandalised or stolen.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.