ENHANCEMENT Technical Field

The embodiments of the invention relate to storage systems and methods and in particular, to underground storage of loads and enhanced storage systems.

Background Art

Underground storage systems are well known per se. For example, US Patent No. 5,072,810 to Theis, referred to as Theis hereinbelow. recites a garbage storage device having a wheeled garbage container and a drive elevator to lift the wheeled garbage container. The drive elevator has upright guides, which are fixedly connected to a cylindrical open ended steel wall positioned in an underground pit. The drive elevator has a cantilevered platform coupled to the upright guides that are positioned substantially within the underground pit except for an uppermost end which support a single cable drive. The single cable drive is positioned above the underground pit, thus above ground level.

In addition, many companies are known to supply underground garbage storage systems with garbage containers supported on a platform. The platform is raised and lowered by a lifting means disposed under the platform, which lifting means are a scissors-lift that is supported at the bottom of an excavation. In operation, first the lid of the underground garbage storage system is opened by remote control. Thereafter, while the lid is open, the garbage container may be raised to ground level.

However, it would be advantageous to provide a system using low cost hoisting means to raise the platform. In addition, it would be beneficial to dispose the hoisting means such that maintenance is possible from ground level. Furthermore, it would be advantageous to ensure that a lid closing an opening of the underground storage system may not remain open while the platform is disposed deep down in underground storage to prevent the recurrence of accidents where a child running after a ball falls into the opening. Technical Problem

The problem to be solved concerns hoisting means, maintenance of the hoisting means, and safety features regarding appropriate closure of opening(s) leading to an underground storage facility.

Hoisting means must be easy to maintain, be protected from damage caused by the environmental conditions, and be low cost. Scissor lifts are an example of hoisting means used to support a platform holding a load. A scissor lift disposed at the bottom of an excavation mostly requires retrieval of the load and of the platform to allow access thereto for maintenance. Furthermore, a scissor lift disposed underground at the bottom of an excavation is prone to damage caused by water, for example rainwater that may seep into and flood the bottom of the excavation.

With presently available underground storage systems, the lid uncovering an opening providing access to storage is first opened by remote control. Thereafter, the load is lifted to the surface. Safety measures should prevent the lid from remaining open while the load is stored underground.

Solution to Problem

A solution to the problems is provided by operation of a hoisting mechanism using a suspension assembly from which a platform hangs. The hoisting mechanism may be disposed proximate a top opening of the storage system, which opening is close to or at ground level. Thereby, maintenance of the hoisting mechanism and of the suspension assembly is made possible from ground level.

In addition, a hoisting mechanism disposed proximate the ground level is protected from damage such as from rainwater accumulating at the bottom of the storage system.

Furthermore, the disposition of the lid of the storage system may be mechanically slaved to and associated with the disposition of the platform relative to the ground level.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

The solution to the problem is low-cost since the hoisting mechanism requires only a drive means such a motor with a reduction, and a drive shaft. Furthermore, a suspension assembly, such as cables for example, and pulley supports for the suspension assembly, are also of economic benefit. Maintenance is facilitated, and may be performed from ground level. In addition, damage to the hoisting mechanism from water that may flood the bottom of the garbage storage system is prevented. Finally, since the lid is coupled to the platform, it becomes impossible to leave the lid open while the platform is below ground level.

Summary of Invention

A system and a method for storage of at least one load below ground level include a suspension assembly and a hoisting mechanism. Both the suspension assembly and the hoisting mechanism are disposed below ground level. At least one platform hangs from the suspension assembly, such as cables for example. The platform has at least one platform surface, which supports one or more loads thereabove. The platform surface is supported by a platform structure to which the cables of the suspension assembly are coupled. The hoisting mechanism is coupled to the suspension assembly to ind and unwind the cables to respectively, lift the platform surface to ground level and to lower the load into underground storage.

The suspension assembly is coupled to the platform surface for the hoisting mechanism to lift the platform surface from underground storage to ground level. The suspension assembly is coupled to the platform structure at a coupling point distanced away from and below the platform surface by a hooking depth distance. A hoisting mechanism depth ranges down from the ground level to a hoisting mechanism bottom portion, which hoisting mechanism depth is at most equal to the coupling depth distance.

A housing is configured to accommodate the underground storage system therein. The housing has a top opening to which a lid is pivotally coupled for disposition in a state ranging reversibly from an open state to a closed state. A lid arm is coupled at one end to the platform surface Or to the platform structure and at the other end to the at least one lid; The lid is configured to associate a hoisting disposition of the platform with a disposition of the lid, thus to associate a lifted and a lowered disposition of the platform surface with a disposition of the lid, respectively in an open and a closed state.

The lid has a top surface, which is disposed at ground level when the lid is closed, and the lid has a bottom surface that is coupled to a lid arm. The lid has at least one pivotal lid pane, and at least one lid arm is configured for operation in association with the at least one lid pane.

The housing has at least one top opening and the hoisting mechanism is disposed proximate the ground level to allow maintenance thereof from the ground level. The hoisting mechanism is disposed at a hoisting mechanism depth distance proximate the ground level to prevent potential damage caused by accumulations of matter in an interior of the housing.

The hoisting mechanism is configured to store the at least one load at different underground storage depths, and the load storage depth may be selected at command.

The suspension assembly is configured to support a plurality of platforms. Each platform out of the plurality of platforms has a platform surface, and each platform surface is configured for being hoisted to ground level. In addition, in an embodiment, the lid of the housing may be supported by a modified platform structure above the at least one platform surface and configured to support a load, where the lid is reversibly liftable above and below the ground level. The platform structure may be configured to support at least one load on either one or on both the lid and the at least one platform surface. Moreover, a load may be supported on both the lid and the platform surface(s), where the lid is reversibly liftable above and below the ground level.

Finally, there is provided a method for hoisting a load stored underground to ground level. The method includes supporting the load on at least one platform surface hanging from a suspension assembly. The method further includes disposing a hoisting mechanism below ground level, coupling the hoisting mechanism to the suspension assembly, and operating the hoisting mechanism to hoist the at least one platform surface to ground level.

Brief Description of Drawings

In order to understand the invention and to see how it may be carried out in practice, referred embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figs. 1 is a cross-section of a schematic representation of housing containing an underground storage system, Fig. 2 is an isometric view of the housing,

Fig. 3 shows a load lifted to ground level,

Fig. 4 depicts a mechanism for opening the lid of the housing,

Figs. 5 and 6 illustrate details of the suspension means and of the hoisting means,

Fig. 7 is a cross-section showing the load in storage disposition,

Fig. 8 illustrates an underground storage with more than one platform, Figs. 9 and 10 show details of a lid opening mechanism for an underground storage having more than one platform,

Figs. 11 to 14 depict embodiments of the lid, and

Figs 15 and 16 illustrate an enhancement of the storage system.

Description of Embodiments

Figs. 1 to 3 are schematic illustrations used for the description of the storage system and method where at least one load may be stored underground and lifted to ground level. There is shown how a hoisting mechanism 30 may hoist at least one platform 40 by operating a drive means 50 associated with a suspension assembly 60 that may run on suspension assembly supports 70. Even though the drive means 50, the suspension assembly 60, and the suspension assembly supports 70 are disposed below ground level GL, the at least one platform 40 may be raised high enough to reach the ground level onto which the load 10 may be, for example, hauled, dragged, or rolled away. It is noted that a lid 24 covering a top opening of the storage system 100 is omitted in Figs. 1 to 3 for the sake of clarity. The stored item(s) 10, or loads 10, may be selected to include garbage containers, vehicles, building material, maintenance equipment, or any type of desired load.

The term load 10 is used in the singular but also refers to loads in the plural. A load is a physical body having a volume and a weight, and may have wheels or rollers.

For the sake of orientation, up and above refer to a skyward direction, while down, below, and under are oriented in an opposite direction.

In Figs. 1 and 2 the platform 40, which is shown disposed below ground level GL, is suspended to hang on a suspension assembly 60, which may include suspension elements 60C such as cables, wires, ropes, or chains for example. In Fig. 3, the platform 40 is shown raised such that a platform surface 40TS is disposed level with the ground level GL.

Fig. 1 illustrates a cross-section of an excavation 12 dug below ground level GL. The excavation 12 may contain a housing 20 having a housing bottom 20B, from which rise housing walls 22 defining a housing top opening 21 pointing skywards. In the cross- section of Fig. 1, a front housing wall of the housing 20 has been removed to show the housing interior 20IN. The housing interior 20IN supports a hoisting mechanism 30, and a platform 40 configured to lift the load 10. The platform surface 40TS is supported above a platform structure 41, and may support thereabove at least one load 10. The platform 40 may have a rectangular platform surface 40TS for example, that is disposed on top of the platform structure 41. The platform structure 41 may support cable engagement means 43 for engagement thereof with a free end portion 61 of a respective cable 60C. The free end portion 61 of a cable 60C may be selected as a hook 62 and the cable engagement means 43 may be configured as a matching ring or shackle for example. The cable engagement means 43 may be disposed below and away from the platform surface 40TS for attachment to a hooking point P disposed on the platform structure 41. The hooking point P is attached to the platform structure 41 at a distance below and away from the platform surface 40TS, which distance is referred to as a hooking depth distance 40H, or hooking depth 40H. The hooking depth 40H thus extends below and away from the platform surface 40TS down to the cable engagement means 43.

To hoist the platform 40, the hoisting mechanism 30 operates a drive means 50, best seen in Fig. 2. The hoisting mechanism 30 includes the drive means 50 and a driven shaft 51, which driven shaft may be configured to wind and unwind the suspension assembly 60, such as cables 60C for example that are coupled to the platform 40. The hoisting mechanism 30 may be disposed below ground level GL, may be supported for example on one of a housing wall 22 of the housing 20. Means for providing power to the hoisting mechanism 30 are not shown in the Figs, but are well known to those skilled in the art.

At least a portion of the suspension assembly 60, or cables 60C, may be supported by suspension assembly supports 70, such as cable supports 71. A cable support 71 may be selected for example as a roller, a pulley, a sheave, or a low- friction rod. Such a cable support 71 is configured to reduce the friction of the cable 60C passing thereover and the friction caused by a change of angle of a cable.

The hoisting mechanism 30 may be disposed to extend from proximate the housing top opening 21, in a direction down and away from the ground level GL, to a hoisting mechanism bottom portion 30B. As shown in Fig. 1, the depth of the hoisting mechanism bottom portion 30B below ground level GL is referred to as the hoisting mechanism depth 30DP. The hoisting mechanism depth 30DP thus extends from the ground level GL down to the bottom portion 30B of the hoisting mechanism.

To hoist the platform surface 40TS to reach up to the ground level GL, the drive means 50 rotate the driven shaft 51 to wind the cables 60C. Practically, the suspension cables 60C from which the platform 40 hangs, cannot be wound to hoist the platform surface 40TS higher up and above a cable winding element such as the driven shaft 50 or a winding sheave coupled thereto. Winding of the cables 60C may continue at most until the cable engagement means 43 reach the bottom portion 30B of the hoisting mechanism 50, but not further up. This means that to hoist the platform surface 40TS the ground level GL, the hooking depth 40H has to be is at least equal to the hoisting mechanism depth 30DP. Evidently, the platform surface 40TS will not be able to be raised to the ground level GL should the hooking depth 40H be shorter than the hoisting mechanism depth 30DP.

In Fig. 2, the hoisting mechanism 30 shown in the housing interior 20ΪΝ, is coupled to a housing wall 22, say a first housing wall 22-1 of the housing 20. The drive means 50 may operatively coupled to the driven shaft 51. The driven shaft 51 may extend along the width of the first housing wall 22-1, which extends between the second housing wall 22-2 and the third housing wall 22-3, last both walls may be parallel to each other and perpendicular to the first housing wall 22- 1. The second housing wall 22-2 and the third housing wall 22-3 may perpendicular to the fourth housing wall 22-4 that was removed in Fig. 1 to show the housing interior 20IN. The housing 20 is shown to have the shape of a parallelepiped for ease of description, but may have other practical shapes.

The hoisting mechanism 30 is disposed at a hoisting mechanism depth distance 30DP proximate the ground level GL to prevent potential damage caused by accumulations of matter in an interior of the housing 20IN.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, a first cable 60-1 and a second cable 60-2 may be wound on the driven shaft 51. If desired, the first cable 60-1 and the second cable 60-2 may be wound on the driven shaft 51, or on a winding means 52, such as a sheave 55, not shown, that is fixedly coupled to the driven shaft 51. If desired, grooves, not shown, may be cut o the shaft 51 to accommodate orderly winding of the cables 60C. Each first cable 60-1 and second cable 60-2 may have a cable free end 61, with a hook 62 for example, which is coupled to the cable engagement means 43 of the platform 40. For example, the first cable 60-1 may be wound on a portion of the driven shaft 51 closer to the second housing wall 22-2 and the second cable 60-2 may be wound on a portion of the driven shaft 51 closer to the third housing wall 22-3, but other configurations may also be practical.

A suspension assembly support 70, such as a cable support 71, may be selected for example as a roller, a pulley, a sheave, or a low-friction rod. Such a cable support 71 is configured to redirect the direction of a cable 60 at the cost of minimal friction.

A first suspension assembly support 70, such as a first cable support 70-1, may be configured to receive a cable 60-3 that may be disposed on the second housing wall 22-2 and may be coupled to the cable winding means 52 fixedly coupled to the shaft portion 51-2 closer to the second housing wall. A second cable support 70-2 may be disposed on the third housing wall 22-3 in mirror image to the first cable support 70-1 to receive a fourth cable 60-4 coupled to the driven shaft 51 on the shaft portion 51-3 closer to the third housing wall 22-3. Both cables 60-3 and 60-4 have their cable free end 61 coupled to the platform 40 by a hook 62 for example.

In Fig. 3 the platform 40 is shown suspended on cables 60C with the platform surface 40TS raised flush, thus level, with the ground level GL. The driven shaft 51 has wound a portion of the cables 60C. It is noted that, as shown in Fig. 1, the depth of the drive means bottom portion 50B below the ground level GL, which is indicated as the hoisting mechanism depth 30DP, is shorter than the hooking depth 40H. Therefore, the cables 60C will not be completely wound up by the driven shaft 51 when the platform surface 40TS is level with the ground level GL.

Fig. 4 is a schematic illustration used for the description of the safety measures taken to prevent the housing top opening 21 of the underground storage system to remain inadvertently in the open state. Such safety measures include the slaving of the lid 24 of the housing 20 to the platform 40 such that the state of opening of the lid is mechanically slaved to the state of hoisting height of the platform 40. Thereby, lid 24 is disposed in the closed state when the load 10 is disposed at rest in storage state below ground level GL. Furthermore, it is the gradual lifting of the platform 40 that simultaneously and gradually opens the lid 24 to the fully open state. The lid 24 has a lid top surface 26, such that when the lid is closed, the lid top surface provides a flat planar surface that is flush and level with the ground level GL.

Fig. 4 shows the platform 40 at mid-way between the lifted state and the lowered state, the lid arm 44, and the partially open lid 24, but does not show the load 10, the hoisting mechanism 30, and the suspension assembly 60, for the sake of clarity.

In Fig. 4, a lid arm 44 is shown fixedly coupled to the platform surface 40TS and coupled in association with the lid 24. The lid arm 44 may be fixedly and vertically coupled to the platform surface 40TS, or to the platform structure 41, at a lid arm bottom 45 and may be slidably engage the lid 24 in slidable or rolling engagement at a lid arm top 46. Slidable or rolling engagement of the lid arm top 46 may be provided for example, by use of a slider or a roller that may slide or roll on the lid bottom surface 25, or on a guide, or in a lid guide rail 28. Thereby, the lid 24 becomes a follower of the lid arm 44, which is the driver. Hence, the lid 24 is coupled by mechanical interlocking linkage to the platform 40. Lifting of the platform 40 will cause the lid 24 to rise together and simultaneously therewith, starting from the height at which the lid arm top 46 engages the lid, and descent of the platform will bring the lid to follow and close down in the closed state. Therefore, it will become impossible for the lid 24 to be disposed in the fully open state when the stored load 10 and the platform 40 are stored at rest underground.

If desired, one or more guiding rollers 90 may be coupled to the platform 40, to ride in the housing interior 20IN on a wall 20 for example, or on a guide or a rail coupled to the wall. Such rollers 90 may counterbalance lateral forces induced on the platform 40 by the weight of the lid 24, or by a load 10.

Fig. 5 depicts the suspension assembly 60, shown as cables 60C, and the hoisting mechanism 30, which are shown in more detail in Fig. 6. Although not shown in the Figs., it is understood that cable length adjustment means, such as turnbuckles for example, may be added to one or more of the cables 60C, to keep the platform surface 40TS level. In Fig. 5, the cables 60C, i.e. 60-1, 60-2, 60-3, and 60-4 are clearly shown, but the suspension assembly supports 70-1 and 70-2 are deleted for the sake of clarity. The hoisting mechanism 30 to which the suspension assembly 60 is coupled are shown in more details in Fig. 6.

Fig. 6 depicts an example of a hoisting mechanism 30, including the drive means 50, and the suspension assembly 60 coupled thereto. The drive means 50 may include, for example, a motor 53 coupled to a reduction drive 54 that may engage and rotate the shaft 51. The cables 60C may be wound and unwound directly on the shaft 51, or as shown in Fig. 6, on drums 55, or sheaves 55. The shaft 51 may be journaled on shaft journals 56 fixedly coupled by brackets 57 to the wall 22-1, which is best seen in Fig. 2.

The motor 53 that rotates the shaft 51 may be selected as desired, for example as an electric motor, or as a hydraulic motor, or other motor. Supply of power, such as for an electric motor, a hydraulic motor or a pneumatic motor, as well as control means for a motor, is not shown in the Figs, but is well known to those skilled in the art and need not to be described. In the case of a pneumatic motor, a control mechanism may have to include position locking means of the platform 40, to prevent oscillations.

For use, control of the winding and unwinding of the suspension assembly 60 by the hoisting mechanism 30 may be operated by means of a control device CTR, not shown, either fixedly disposed or portable such as a remote control device for example. A remote control device CTR may require a receiver device RD, not shown in the Figs., to be coupled to the drive means 50. The remote control device CRT and the receiver device RD may be operated in mutual association.

An operator OPR may take advantage of a remote control device CTR for hoisting of the platform 40. The receiver device RD operatively matching the remote control device may be commanded by the operator OPR to wind and unwind, thus respectively to lift and lower the suspension assembly 60, to thereby lift and lower the load 10 disposed on the platform surface 40TS, or on the lid 40, as described hereinbelow. The load storage depth is thereby selectable at command. Fig. 7 schematically illustrates a load 10 stored in underground storage where the lid 24 is closed showing but selected elements to keep Fig. 7 simple. The lid arm 44 is not shown in Fig. 7. The load 10 is disposed on the platform surface 40TS, above the platform structure 41. If desired, guiding rollers 90 riding in the housing interior 20IN on housing walls 22 may be coupled to the platform 40 for stabilization purposes. The rollers 90 may be supported on elastic or self-adjusting supports.

The underground storage system 100 is not limited to a single platform surface 40TS but may accommodate a plurality of platforms surfaces disposed on one platform structure 41 to support loads at different levels. An example of a platform structure 41 with two platform surfaces 40TS is described hereinbelow even though more platform surfaces may be used.

Figs. 8 to 10 symbolically depict an example of an embodiment of a multilevel platform structure 400 or 41 having two platform surfaces 40TS, namely an upper platform surface 401, and a lower platform surface 402 to support different loads 10 at different levels. The multi-level platform structure 410 supports both platforms 401 and 402. The cable engagement means 43 are evidently appropriately coupled to the multi-level platform structure 410, at a distance below the lower platform surface 402, at a hooking depth 40H that is at least equal to, but preferably greater than the hoisting mechanism depth 30DP.

Hence, the hoisting mechanism 30 is configured to store the load 10 at different separated apart underground storage depths. It is noted that the suspension assembly 60 is configured to support a plurality of platforms 40. Furthermore, each platform out of the plurality of platforms has a platform surface, and each one of those platform surfaces is configured for hoisting to ground level.

To lift the lid 24, a lid arm 403 supporting one or more lid rollers 404 may be used for example. In Fig. 8, the lid arm 403 is schematically shown in fixed coupling to the multi-level platform structure 400, possibly perpendicular to the upper platform surface 401 and to the lower platform surface 402. The lid arm 403 is shown to support a series of lid rollers, for example five lid rollers marked from 404-1 to 404-5. An upper portion of the lid arm 403 protrudes above the upper platform surface 401 and a first lid roller 404-1 is engaged with a lid guide rail 28. Lifting of the multi-platform structure 400 will lift the lid 24, while lowering thereof will close the lid.

Fig. 9 is a conceptual representation of the opened lid 24 showing the upper platform surface 401 already lifted above ground level GL while the lower platform surface 402 nears the ground level. The first lid roller 404-1 has already been lifted high enough to exit out of the lid guide rail 28 while the second lid roller 404-2 is still inside the lid guide rail but close to exit thereout. The lid rollers 404-3 and 404-4 are engaged in the lid guide rail 28, into which the last lid roller 404-5 is ready to enter. Evidently, other configurations for lifting and keeping the lid 24 open are also possible.

Fig.10 illustrates a detail of a possible realization of the lid rollers 404 and of the lid guide rail 28. Only the lid guide rail 28, the lid arm 403, and a pair of lid rollers 404 are shown in Fig. 10. There is shown a lid guide rail 28 selected as a split box beam of rectangular cross-section whereout a couple of lid rollers 404-1 appear. The lid arm 403 may support the lid rollers 404, but only one pair of lid rollers 404-1 is seen in Fig. 10. If desired, the lid rollers 404 need not be disposed as a pair of rollers 404, but may be configured as a single roller or wheel.

Figs. 11 to 14 show various possible embodiments of lids 24, with one and more than one lid pane 24P, where all the lids are rectangular for example only. The configuration and the shape of the lid 24 may be selected as desired or according to needs.

Fig. 11 depicts for example one lid 24 havin one pane 24P that may be configured to pivot along either side of the lid. Fig. 12 shows a lid 24 with two panes 24P, where each pane may be configured for example to pivot respectively about one out of both opposite lateral sides of the lid. In Fig. 13, there are shown two panes accommodated to pivot respectively about opposite longitudinal sides of the lid 24. In turn, Fig. 14 illustrates a lid 24 with two panes of triangular shape where each pane may pivot either about a longitudinal or a lateral side of the lid.

It is noted that at least one lid arm 403 is needed for operation in association with at least one lid pane 24P. However, one lid arm 403 may be sufficient to slave the more than one lid pane 24P to the platform surface 40TS since inter-pane mechanical slaving may be implemented. This means that one pane 24P may be mechanically coupled to one or more panes without need for an additional lid arm 403.

In an embodiment, the lid 24 is not necessarily pivotable but may be supported by the platform structure 41 to translate together therewith. A load 10 may be supported on the lid 24 and on the platform surface 40TS, or on the lid or on the platform surface.

Fig. 15 shows an embodiment as an enhancement of the underground storage system having a platform structure 41 supporting a lid 24 and at least one platform surface 40TS. Access to the rectangular lid 24 and to the platform surface 40TS is available from all four sides.

Fig. 16 is a schematic cross-sectional representation of the platform structure 41 when lowered in storage disposition. The lid 24 is fixedly attached uppermost to the platform structure 41 and is disposed at ground level GL, but the platform surface 40TS is disposed below ground level GL. The hoisting mechanism 30, the drive means 50 and the suspension assembly 60, are configured as described hereinabove but are not shown in Fig. 16. Loads 10 are supported on the lid 24 and on the platform 40. To unload the load 10 from the platform 40, the hoisting mechanism 30 has to be operated as described hereinabove.

Unloading of the platform 40 is a procedure achieved by lifting of the platform structure 41. Lifting of the at least one platform 40 to ground level GL will cause lift of the lid 24 to above ground level. When the at least one platform 40 reaches ground level, the load 10 thereon may be removed therefrom or move away by its own power. Thereafter, the lid 24 may be lowered back to ground level GL. Evidently, the load 10 may be retuned for support by the platform 40 by reversal of the unloading procedure described hereinabove.

The enhancement of the underground storage system may be operative for storage of loads 10 on both the platform 40 and the lid 24, or on the lid, or on the platform surface 40TS. If desired, safety features may be appropriately disposed before lift of the platform structure 41 to prevent unintentional fall therefrom of loads 10. For example, a fence may be raised on the lid 24. Rising of such a foldable or collapsible fence may be coupled to the lifting of the platform structure 41. For example, lifting of the suspension assembly 60 may first raise a fence, or a telescopic collapsible fence, or a folding fence, and only thereafter lift the platform structure 41. Other security features may evidently be used if desired.

The enhanced storage method and system thus provides a platform structure 41 having a lid 24 which is supported uppermost above the at least one platform surface 40ST and is configured to support at least one load 10, where the lid is reversibly liftable above and below the ground level GL. The hoisting mechanism 30 is operable to reversibly lift the lid 24 above and below the ground level GL.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art, that the present invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather, the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and includes both combinations and subcombinations of the various features described hereinabove as well as variations and modifications thereof which would occur to persons skilled in the art upon reading the foregoing description. For example, materials, mounting, assembly, coupling, and attachment of elements are selected according to practice well known to those skilled in the art.

Industrial Applicability

The system and method described hereinabove may be produced by and used in industry.

Reference Signs List

GL ground level

P hooking point

10 load(s)

12 excavation

20 housing

20IN housing interior

20B housing bottom

21 housing top opening

22 housing wall

22-1 first housing wall

23 housing opening

24 lid of housing

24P lid pane

25 lid bottom surface

26 lid top surface

28 lid guide rail

30 hoisting mechanism

30B hoisting mechanism bottom portion

30DP hoisting mechanism depth

40 platform

40H hooking depth

40TS platform top surface

41 platform structure

43 cable engagement means

44 lid arm

45 lid arm bottom

46 lid arm top

47 ring or shackle

50 drive means

SOB drive means bottom portion

51 driven shaft

52 winding means

53 motor

54 reduction gear

55 sheave

56 shaft journal

60 suspension assembly

60C cable, wire, rope, or chain

61 cable free end portion

62 hook

70 suspension assembly supports

71 cable support

90 guiding roller

100 storage system

400 multi-level platform structure

401 upper platform surface 401

402 lower platform surface 402 H hooking depth lid arm lid rollers