ES341128A1 - Vehicle Stacking Apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

In apparatus for stacking vehicles in garages and car parks, platforms 6 for the vehicles are supported by a series of nuts 5, 9 which are non- rotatably mounted upon screwthreaded spindles 3, 8 supported by post members 1, I1. Vertical displacement of a selected platform is effected by rotation of the spindles associated with it. Adjacent ends of a motor-driven overhead shaft 12 are engaged by a coupling 19 having axial movement controlled by a handle (25), Figs. 3, 7 (not shown). Teeth 191 on the coupling may engage teeth 151 formed on tubes 15 to which bevel gears 14, 16 are secured, these gears being in constant mesh with gears 13, 18 secured to the spindles 3, 8 shown in the centre of Fig. 2. The tubes 15 also carry gears 141, 161 which engage gears 131, 181 on the other spindles 3, 8. To minimize damage or wear between the nuts and spindles, guides 4 of the platforms are fixed to nut portions 51 which are mounted on the bodies of the nuts 5 with some play, Fig. 4. Limit switches 23, 24 control the motor 21, switch 24 being positioned such that, when the platform reaches the floor the nut 5 disengages from the portion 51 before operating the switch 24. This arrangement permits the motor to restart off load and the coupling control to be more easily operated. In Fig. 8 the coupling 19 is shown in its non- engaged centre position. By moving the coupling to either of its engaged positions one or other of the platforms can be raised or lowered. In the event of breakdown of the motor drive, the platforms may be lowered manually by means 20, 22. The spindles have unthreaded end portions 31, 81 so that if the limit switches 23, 24 fail and the spindles continue to be driven the nuts disengage themselves from the threaded portions. The drive shaft (12) may be below ground level, Fig. 1 (not shown) or at some intermediate height. More than one motor may be used.