US3037646A - Structure for the storage of objects - Google Patents

Description

June 5, 1962 s. PETIT 3,037,646

STRUCTURE FOR THE STORAGE 0F OBJECTS Filed Jan. 2o, 1960 2 sheets-sheet 1 June 5, 1962 s. PETIT 3,037,646

STRUCTURE FOR THE: STORAGE OF OBJECTS Filed Jan. 2O, 1960 2 sheets-sheet 2 s er:

3,037,646 Patented June 5, 1962 3,037,646 STRUCTURE FOR THE STORAGE F OBJECTS Simon Petit, 86 Rue Mallar, Verviers, Belgium Filed Jan. 20, 1960, Ser. No. 3,638 Claims priority, application Belgium Jan. 27, 1959 7 Claims. (Cl. 214-16.4)

Hitherto for the storing of terrestrial devices such, in particular, as motor vehicles and motor cycles and aerial devices, such as aircraft, use has -been made of types and designs 4of the most diverse kind.

In connection with constructions serving as garages for vehicles, there are known, for example, those which are equipped with access ramps allo-wing a driver to reach one or another of the levels where he can park his vehicle according to the space which is at his disposition. The number of levels in this type `of construction is ordinarily fairly restricted as it is advantageous to avoid an excessively long rise; consequently, if such garages are to be of large capacity, the building must cover as large a ground area as possible, which is not easy to achieve in the centre of towns where, moreover, ground is expensive.

Multi-level garages are also known in which the vehicle is elevated by a lift to the le'vel at which it is to be parked.

The constructions which have so far been mooted for the garaging of motor vehicles do not give complete satisfaction, either because their cost price is too high or because it is d iflicult to find at the appropriate place a building plot on which a sufliciently large and productive structure can be built or because existing types require for their exploitation a large personnel and an expensive installation if they rare to be made automatic.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a structure which is suitable for the storage of land or aerial devices and which does not require a large constructional area at ground level but which can house a large number of devices which can be easily and selectively sheltered.

In accordance with the invention, a structure is provided which comprises -a xed central guide tower surrounded by a helical element for supporting the devices to be stored. Coupled to the hel-ical element is means for rotating the same to axially move it in opposite directions. An access platform is positioned perpendicular to said tower and adjacent the helical element to provide access thereto as said element is axially moved. The platform is preferably situated lat ground level beneath which 4is disposed the base of the central tower which is advantageously hollow and contains an elevator leading from the base to a resistant flat roof which caps the structure.

ln one particular form of construction, the lower part of the tower, which is beneath ground level, is in Ka pit in which the entire helical element can be accommodated and thus provide protection for all the devices on the helical element.

In accordance with a further feature of the invention, the pitch of the helical element is slightly greater than t-he height of the devices being stored. Additionally, the helical element is provided with supporting and guiding rollers, and is arranged for displacement along the guiding tower under the action of driving pinions meshing with a helical rack. Motors for driving the pinions can be disposed either in the outer periphery lwall of the pit or in the stationary central tower.

The invention Iwill be more easily understood from the following description of the accompanying drawings which -elate purely by way of illustration to one form of construction.

FIG. l is an axial longitudinal section of an embodiment according to the invention taken on the line II-II shown in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view of the embodiment and is shown partly in perspective and partly in section.

From the drawings it will be seen that beneath the ground level 1, there is a cylindrical pit 2a, defined by side wall 2 and base 3, both of which are massive to provide ladequate reinforcing.

A hollow vertical column 4 is erected on base 3 within which is installed an elevator (not shown). The column is surmounted with a fiat roof 5, 'the size and strength `of which can be such as to permit the helicopter to land thereon and take off therefrom. A hole is provided in the fiat roof which is closed `by a removable cover 6 which provides access to a ladder 7 and thence to the elevator within the column.

On `and around the column 4 is a helical element 8 constructed so that it can carry land devices such as, for example, motor cars. Element 8 is in the form of a helical ring defining a continuous helical space. The helical ring can be maintained in position by stiffening uprights 9. The external diameter of the helical element is chosen in accordance with the desired capacity of the structure and such that the slope of the helical element may not be too great. Furthermore, the pitch of the helix is selected to `accommodate the height of the stored devices.

The helical element 8 is provided at its end face with a rack 10, having teeth which mesh with driving pinions 11 which are driven by motors 12..

In operation of the device, the helical element S rotates about the column 4 upwardly o-r downwardly to position the suitable portion of the helical element in front of the platform 13 through which the -devicees to be stored are supplied or delivered. The element 8 can ybe completely housed in the pit 2a where it is protected. The column 4 serves both as a support and as a guide for the helical element 8. To that effect, column `4 is provided on its outer face with a roller and guiding tnack 14, on which ybear rollers 15 mounted on the lower face of the element 8 adjacent its inside edge 3a.

It should be noted that the structure which has just been described can have a large capacity with a relatively small ground area, 'and by the use of constructional expedients it can, of course, be made to have a fairly large number of turns. Another advantage of this type yof structure is that it makes it easy to provide for automatic operation. Further, if this type of structure is used for the storage of aircraft and other aerial devices, ift is possible, by maintaining the element 8 below ground level, to protect the devices which it carries.

The invention is not limited to the form of construction which has been described for the storing of motor vehicles but, according to need, it can be applied to a structure for the storage of industrial and agricultural products of all kinds. It can be used, for example, for the selective storing of books, furnitu-re, spare parts, and other like apparatus.

What I claim is:

l. A structure for storing objects comprising a fixed elongated tower, a helical element for storing said objects there-on and surrounding said tower, said helical ele-ment being substantially perpendicular to the tower, -an `access platform intermediate the ends of the fixed tower, said access platform being also substantially perpendicular to said fixed tower and adapted for being coextensive with said helical element to permit access thereto and means for rotating the helical element to axially move the same in opposite directions to operatively position the helical element relative to said access platform to provide said access, said means comprising la rack on the helical element, a pinion engaging said rack in driving relation, drive means connected to said pinion for driving the same, rollers on said helical element and a guide track on said tower, said rollers being in said guide track and movable therein.

2. A structure as claimed in claim l further comprising means defining a pit encircling said tower below the access platform, said helical element being advanceable into said pit,

3. A structure as claimed in claim 2 wherein said pit is located underground.

4. A structure as claimed in claim 2 wherein said rack is helical and is positioned adjacent the edge of the helical element.

5. A structure as claimed in claim 3 wherein said access platform is at ground level.

6. A structure as claimed in claim l further compris-4 ing a at roof on said tower.

7. A structure as claimed in claim 2 wherein said helical element and said pit are of substantially equal length.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 973,921 Dodge Oct. 25, 1910 1,303,978 Smith May 20, 1919 2,788,140 Becker Apr. 9, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS 807,933 France Jan. 25, 1937 833,624 Germany Mar. l0, 1952

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