U.S. patent application number 10/489723 was filed with the patent office on 2004-12-30 for vehicle storage facility.
Invention is credited to James, Justin Willliam Allen.
Application Number | 20040265096 10/489723 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 3831534 |
Filed Date | 2004-12-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040265096 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
James, Justin Willliam
Allen |
December 30, 2004 |
Vehicle storage facility
Abstract
A boat storage facility for storing sail and power boats (10) is
shown. The storage facility includes a supporting structure in the
form of a building (11). Within the building (11) are two fixed
columns (17, 18) and two movable columns (20). One of the fixed
columns (17) is located adjacent to one of the pair (14) of
sidewalls of the building (11), while the second fixed column (18)
is located adjacent to the other of the pair (14) of sidewalls. The
two movable columns (20) are disposed between the two fixed columns
(17, 18) and are horizontally movable in the direction of arrow (A)
therebetween. Each movable column (20) includes a central, upwardly
extending frame (21), while all columns (17, 18 & 20), include
a plurality of pairs (22) of laterally outwardly extending,
substantially horizontal support arms (23) for supporting a boat
(10). In an alternative embodiment, the storage facility does not
have a building constructed therearound and the supporting
structure can be in the form of substantially horizontal floor
located at elevated from or recessed into adjacent surrounding
ground by some distance. For example, this can include an asphalt
or concrete pad or even a wharf or dock located adjacent a body of
water.
Inventors: |
James, Justin Willliam Allen;
(Birchgrove, AU) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SEYFARTH SHAW
55 EAST MONROE STREET
SUITE 4200
CHICAGO
IL
60603-5803
US
|
Family ID: |
3831534 |
Appl. No.: |
10/489723 |
Filed: |
August 20, 2004 |
PCT Filed: |
September 16, 2002 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/AU02/01253 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
414/234 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B63C 15/00 20130101;
E04H 6/183 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
414/234 |
International
Class: |
E04H 006/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 14, 2001 |
AU |
PR 7691 |
Claims
1. A vehicle storage facility including: a support means; and a
movable column having a plurality of storage bays for storage of a
respective plurality of vehicles, wherein the column is
horizontally movable on or at the support means relative to an
adjacent multiplicity of storage bays.
2. A storage facility according to claim 1 wherein the adjacent
multiplicity of storage bays is a fixed column.
3. A storage facility according to claim 1 wherein the adjacent
multiplicity of storage bays is a second movable column.
4. A storage facility according to claim 2 wherein the movable
column storage bays are disposed in a plurality of vertically
adjacent rows.
5. A storage facility according to claim 2 wherein the fixed column
storage bays are disposed in a plurality of vertically adjacent
rows.
6. A storage facility according to claim 1 including wheels
attached to a base of the movable column/s to allow the horizontal
movement of the column/s.
7. A storage facility according to claim 6 including a plurality of
parallel rail tracks disposed on a floor of the support means,
wherein each wheel is located on the base such that they are
rollable upon a corresponding track.
8. A storage facility according to claim 1 wherein the column
includes a central, upwardly extending frame, and a plurality of
pairs of laterally extending substantially horizontal support arms,
wherein the pairs are disposed at regular intervals, and each bay
includes one said pair.
9. A storage facility according to claim 8 wherein the disposition
of each pair is adjustable.
10. A storage facility according to claim 1 wherein each storage
bay includes a front access defined by a bay floor, a bay roof and
adjacent bay walls disposed between the bay floor and bay roof.
11. A storage facility according to claim 1 wherein each storage
bay is shaped as a rectangular prism.
12. A storage facility according to claim 10 wherein at least one
bay includes a support guide on its bay floor for supporting a boat
in an upright position, where the boat has a hull with a
multi-planar shape.
13. A storage facility according to claim 12 wherein the support
guide includes a pair of parallel guide rails.
14. A storage facility according to claim 1 wherein the support
means is a substantially horizontal floor located at, elevated from
or recessed into adjacent surrounding ground.
15. A storage facility according to claim 1 wherein the support
means is a structure including sidewalls extending upwardly from a
floor perimeter to define an open top and a roof upon the top,
wherein at least one sidewall includes a door for access into the
facility.
16. A method of storing a vehicle in a storage facility including
the step of placing a vehicle into a first storage bay in the
storage facility and thereafter moving the first or another storage
bay to a position in which the vehicle is not accessible for
retrieval until the first or the other storage bay is moved out of
the position.
17. A method as claimed in claim 16 wherein when in the position
the first storage bay is in a close facing relationship with an
adjacent storage bay.
18. (Cancelled)
19. (Cancelled)
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to vehicle storage facilities.
The invention has been developed primarily for use as a vehicle
storage facility and will be described hereinafter with reference
to this purpose. However, it will be appreciated that the invention
is not limited to this particular field of use.
[0002] For the purposes of this specification, the term "vehicle"
includes any conveyance for transporting people and goods, etc, on
land, sea, or through the air. For example, "vehicle" includes
automobiles, automobile trailers, caravans, motor or wind powered
boats, small aircraft and gliders, etc.
BACKGROUND ART
[0003] An example of a vehicle storage facility is a boat shed for
dinghys and power or speed boats. Such boat sheds typically include
a few rows of shelves contained in a secure building. Boat owners
may store their boat in a predetermined space on a shelf when the
boat is not in use. Such boat sheds are typically operated by
sailing boat organisations.
[0004] Another example of a vehicle storage facility is car parking
garage. Car parking garages in urban precincts typically include a
plurality of floor levels interlinked by ramps, whereby a driver of
a vehicle may direct their vehicle into a vacant car space on any
given level.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In a first aspect the present invention provides a vehicle
storage facility including:
[0006] a support means; and
[0007] a movable column having a plurality of storage bays for
storage of a respective plurality of vehicles,
[0008] wherein the column is horizontally movable on or at the
support means relative to an adjacent multiplicity of storage
bays.
[0009] Advantageously, the storage facility enables storage of a
plurality of vehicles in considerably less space when compared with
the prior art storage facilities.
[0010] Preferably the adjacent multiplicity of storage bays is a
fixed column.
[0011] Alternatively the adjacent multiplicity of storage bays is a
second movable column.
[0012] Preferably the movable column storage bays are disposed in a
plurality of vertically adjacent rows.
[0013] Preferably the fixed column storage bays are disposed in a
plurality of vertically adjacent rows.
[0014] Preferably the storage facility includes wheels attached to
a base of the movable column/s to allow the horizontal movement of
the column/s.
[0015] Preferably a plurality of parallel rail tracks disposed on a
floor of the support means, wherein each wheel is located on the
base such that they are rollable upon a corresponding track.
[0016] Preferably the column includes a central, upwardly extending
frame, and a plurality of pairs of laterally extending
substantially horizontal support arms, wherein the pairs are
disposed at regular intervals, and each bay includes one said pair.
Preferably the disposition of each pair is adjustable.
[0017] In an alternative arrangement each storage bay includes a
front access defined by a bay floor, a bay roof and adjacent bay
walls disposed between the bay floor and bay roof. Preferably each
storage bay is shaped as a rectangular prism. Preferably at least
one bay includes a support guide on its bay floor for supporting a
boat in an upright position, where the boat has a hull with a
multi-planar shape. Also, preferably the support guide includes a
pair of parallel guide rails.
[0018] In one embodiment the support means is a substantially
horizontal floor located at or elevated from adjacent surrounding
ground.
[0019] In an alternative embodiment the support means is a
structure including sidewalls extending upwardly from a floor
perimeter to define an open top and a roof upon the top, wherein at
least one sidewall includes a door for access into the
facility.
[0020] In a second aspect the present invention provides a method
of storing a vehicle in a storage facility including the step of
placing a vehicle into a first storage bay in the storage facility
and thereafter moving the first or another storage bay to a
position in which the vehicle is not accessible for retrieval until
the first or the other storage bay is moved out of the
position.
[0021] Preferably when in the position the first storage bay is in
a close facing relationship with an adjacent storage bay.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be
described, by way of example only, with reference to the
accompanying drawings in which:
[0023] FIG. 1 is a front elevation of a preferred embodiment of the
storage facility according to the present invention;
[0024] FIG. 2 is a detailed perspective view of the storage
facility illustrated in FIG. 1;
[0025] FIG. 3 is a front elevation of an alternative embodiment of
the storage facility;
[0026] FIG. 4 is a side elevation of an alternative embodiment of a
column according to a present invention;
[0027] FIG. 5 is a plan view of the storage facility illustrated in
FIG. 3, with the roof removed;
[0028] FIG. 6 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of a
storage facility with its roof removed;
[0029] FIG. 7 is a side elevation of a column of the embodiment
illustrated in FIG. 6; and
[0030] FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of two columns of the
embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4.
MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0031] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a preferred embodiment of the
present invention is shown in the form of a boat storage facility
for storing sail and power boats 10. Typically such a facility can
be located in the vicinity of a body of water where the stored
boats 10 may be used. The size of the boats 10 which are stored in
the storage facility are typically 4.5 metres to 10.5 metres in
length, 1.5 metres to 4 metres in width and up to 4 metres in
height. In the preferred embodiment, the storage facility includes
a supporting structure in the form of a building 11. The building
includes a floor 12, two pairs 14, 15 of opposing side walls
projecting upwardly from the perimeter of the floor 12, and a roof
16. One wall of pair 15 includes a door for access to the inside of
the building 11. The building generally provides weather protection
for the stored boats 10 which is useful for long term storage
during seasons when the boats are not in use.
[0032] Within the building 11 are two fixed columns 17, 18 and two
movable columns 20. One of the fixed columns 17 is located adjacent
to one of the pair 14 of sidewalls, while the second fixed column
18 is located adjacent to the other of the pair 14 of sidewalls.
The two movable columns 20 are disposed between the two fixed
columns 17, 18 and are horizontally movable in the direction of
arrow A therebetween. Each movable column 20 includes a central,
upwardly extending frame 21, while all columns 17, 18 & 20,
include a plurality of pairs 22 of laterally outwardly extending,
substantially horizontal support arms 23 for supporting a boat 10.
In an alternative embodiment, a supporting floor panel can extend
between the arms 23 of each pair 22, or in a further embodiment can
protrude directly from the columns 17, 18, 20 without the need for
any support arms 23.
[0033] The outwardly extending support arms on each of columns 17,
18, 20 are arranged in a plurality of vertically adjacent rows 25.
Each pair 22 of support arms 23 form part of a storage bay in the
form of a cell 24. As stated, one pair of the support arms 23 are
configured to receive and support a boat 10 and act as the "floor"
of a cell 24. The cell height is defined by the distance between
the pair 22 of support arms 23 and a like pair of support arms
which form the "floor" of the next uppermost storage cell 24 (or
for cells located at the top of each column, by the distance to the
roof 16).
[0034] As shown in FIG. 1, each boat is seated on a seat support 37
when received to rest on the pair 22 of arms 23 in a respective
cell 24. However it is also possible to seat the boat 10 directly
on its respective pair 22 of arms 23. The arms 23 are configured to
receive the boats in an end-to-end array on the columns 17, 18
& 20, however in an alternative embodiment can be configured to
receive the boats in a side-by-side array.
[0035] In an alternative embodiment, the pairs 22 of support arms
23 are vertically and/or horizontally adjustable on the columns 17,
18 & 20, to allow for a greater variation of the size of boats
10 to be stored in the facility.
[0036] The building 11 includes parallel rails on the floor 12. A
plurality of wheels 26 are located at regular intervals on the
underside of each base 27 of each movable column 20. The wheels are
positioned on each base 27 such that each wheel corresponds to a
rail on the floor 12 for rotatable movement thereon. The rails and
wheels are configured to allow the movable columns 20 to be moved
either towards fixed column 17 or fixed column 18, as desired.
[0037] In an alternative embodiment, the storage facility does not
have a building constructed therearound, and the supporting
structure can be in the form of a substantially horizontal floor
located at, elevated from or recessed into adjacent surrounding
ground by some distance, for example an asphalt or concrete pad or
even a wharf or dock located adjacent a body of water. In the event
that the movable and/or fixed column/s of such a storage facility
are arranged in an open environment, in some embodiments an
individual cover or roof may be placed over individual column/s to
deflect rainwater, and doors, flaps or other protective closures
can be fitted over the entry to each cell 24 as another way of
preventing the ingress of dirt and water onto stored vehicles.
[0038] FIGS. 3 to 5 illustrate an alternative embodiment of the
invention where like reference numerals are used to denote similar
or like parts. In this embodiment, each of columns 17, 18 and 20
also includes a plurality of vertical posts 28 and a plurality of
parallel, horizontal planks 30 that are spaced apart vertically as
well as laterally extending from and being supported on the
vertical posts 28. It is the vertical elements 28 and horizontal
planks 30 which define the interior space of each storage bay,
which is in the form of a cell 24. The interior space of each cell
24 is typically 4 metres in height, 4 metres in width and 10.5
metres in length/depth, although these dimensions may be different
depending on the size and type of boats to be stored.
[0039] Also, within one storage facility, the cells 24 may be of
different dimensions, as illustrated in FIG. 5, for example, where
the width and depth of the cells 24 in the movable columns 20 are
smaller than the width and depth of the cells 24 in the fixed
columns 17, 18. The vertical posts 28 and planks 30 may be made
from any material suitable for load bearing support of the stored
boats, for example, steel bars, strong timbers, extruded hard
plastics and the like.
[0040] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the cells 24 of the
fixed columns 17 and 18 have one bay access side 32 while the cells
24 of the movable columns 18 have two bay access sides 32. The
access sides 32 are for insertion and removal of a boat 10 to and
from a cell 22. However, given that there are no walls between
horizontally adjoining cells 24, one cell 24 may be accessed from a
horizontally adjoining cell 24 if required.
[0041] In an alternative embodiment, the columns 17, 18 and 20 can
include additional horizontal supports each being positioned
between two vertical posts 28, and under the planks 30, such that
the planks 30 rest upon the additional horizontal supports to
further strengthen the apparatus when heavy loads are placed
thereon.
[0042] FIGS. 6 to 8 illustrate another alternative embodiment of a
storage facility, where like reference numerals are used to denote
similar or like parts. The main difference between the embodiment
illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 5 and the embodiment illustrated in FIGS.
6 to 8 is that the latter embodiment includes support guides in the
form of a pair of parallel guide rails 38. The guide rails 38 are
positioned on the top surface of the plank 30 at the bottom of each
cell 24, extending laterally with respect to the columns 17, 18 and
20. The guide rails 38 support a boat 10 in an upright position in
its cell 24. This is particularly useful where the boat has a hull
with a multi-planar shape. For example, the boat hull may be
curved, or v-shaped in cross-section.
[0043] In use, the storage facility is typically commercially
operated, and individual boat owners may have a lease-type contract
with a commercial operator to store their boat in the storage
facility when their boat is not in use. To store the boat in the
facility, a boat owner asks the operator to have their boat placed
in a storage cell 24. The operator then ensures a predetermined
cell to be used is accessible by having the movable columns 20
moved toward an appropriate side of the building 11 to make a
passageway 40 with access to a predetermined access side 32 of the
cell. This movement is typically electronically and hydraulically
controlled, though in alternative embodiments may be mechanically
controlled.
[0044] The boat is then lifted from the water either by hand, if
the boat is a small dinghy, or by conventional means, such as slung
crane, gantry crane, etc. Once out of the water, the boat is placed
into the predetermined cell-by conventional means, such as by
forklift truck 42, etc. After the boat is stowed, the storage cell
(and column of which the cell is a part) can be arranged in a
position in which the column and the cells are in a close facing
relationship with another column of storage cells. If the boat has
been stowed in a movable column of storage cells, this can be
accomplished by moving the entire column to be close to either a
fixed column of storage cells, located at one end of the storage
facility, or close to another movable column of storage cells.
Alternatively if the boat has been stowed in a fixed column of
storage cells, a movable column of such cells can be moved close to
the fixed column. In either case the cells containing the stowed
boat are inaccessible for retrieval of the boat until the relevant
columns are moved in relation to one another out of their adjacent
position.
[0045] In alternative embodiments, the storage facility may include
only one, or more than two movable columns 20, or one or no fixed
columns 17 or 18.
[0046] In other alternative embodiments, the storage facility is
adapted to store other vehicles, such as automobiles, trailers,
caravans, truck trailers and chassis, etc.
[0047] Now that preferred embodiments of the invention have been
described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the
storage facility has at least the following advantages:
[0048] 1 it allows for more efficient use of space for storage of
vehicles;
[0049] 2 it is useful at marinas, where in-water marina space and
moorings are in limited supply; and
[0050] 3 it is useful for bulk storage of automobiles, such as for
storage of automobiles by automobile manufacturers prior to
delivery to sale yards and show rooms.
[0051] Although the invention has been described with reference to
particular examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the
art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms. For
example, it is adaptable for storage of various machinery, vehicle
spare parts and machinery spare parts.
* * * * *