Mechanical underground car parks under streets and pedestrian areas

Abstract

 The mechanical underground car parks under streets and pedestrian areas are constructed along the street, they consist of supporting walls, floor and roof of reinforced concrete, which form tunnels (1), (2), and (3) and they are used as an underground parking space for parking cars by mechanical means.
In all the cases, the car enters the enclosure (10) on the street level and passes through the rectangular opening that lies on the enclosure floor, descends inside the tunnel (1) by the assistance of a lever system (8) or elevator.
In the first case (fig. 1 and 2), the car is positioned on the platform (7) and then placed upon the trailer (6), which moves on the rails (5) to the first available vacant parking space inside the tunnels (1) and (2), after that, by the assistance of a lever system (9) or elevator, the platform with the car descends and is placed on the floor of the tunnel, and simultaneously the trailer (6) is released. For exiting the car park, the reversed procedure is followed. In the second case, that concerns fig.3, the continuous movement of a unique system of trailer-platforms (6) and (7) is used. The trailer-platforms (6) and (7) move continuously on two series of rails (5) that are found on different levels inside the tunnel (1) (fig.3), and by the assistance of a lever system (9) or elevator at both ends of the tunnel (1), they pass from one level to the other. During exiting the car park, the reversed procedure is followed.

Description

[0001] The invention refers to mechanical underground car parks that are constructed under the surface of streets, pedestrian areas and other public spaces. The existing mechanical car parks are constructed underground or over-ground in public or private areas. These car parks occupy large areas of land belonging to the State and private companies and are not usually situated near the driver's place of work or home. They have a capacity for a minimum percentage of cars; the result of this is the continuation of illegal parking on the streets and the hindrance of traffic. The price of land for these car parks, require large amounts of money to be invested, a fact that makes them disadvantageous.

[0002] The advantage of this invention is that it is constructed by the State and the Municipality or by self-finance methods and ensures that most of the residents of every house or apartment building will have permanent and safe parking spaces in front of their houses. This also offers alternate parking with a parking meter in places that many people gather, i.e. Courts, malls, Public Services Buildings etc. that are located in the centre of the city. It also requires less financial investment because buying or expropriation of private building plots is not needed because it is constructed in a public area. It will also derive a substantial profit from selling or renting the parking areas or the alternate parking with a time-limit parking meter. Finally it is not causing a traffic disturbance on a large scale because the opening of the trench is done quickly with the modern excavating machines. After excavation, a waterproof and compact longitudinal tunnel is constructed by the moulding, construction of supporting walls, the tunnel flooring and roof. After completion, the street is immediately open to traffic. The remaining mechanical and electrical installations are completed underground inside the tunnel without any further disturbance to the traffic. It is indicated that the surface parking spaces on the street remain as they were before.

[0003] For ease of reference, identical numbers have been used for the specification of common elements on the drawings. Figure 1 is showing a mechanical underground car park under a street or pedestrian area using only one tunnel (1) and only one trailer (6) that moves on a pair of fixed rails (5) and carries the platforms (7) which are as many as the parking spaces minus one under the opening and they are descending to the level of the tunnel floor by the use of a lever system (8) or elevator. So, a series of constant parking spaces are ensured at the floor level. Figure 2 refers to the exact same system of mechanical underground car park but with the use of two parallel tunnels (1) and (2) and a perpendicular tunnel (3) the use of which is for the communication between the tunnels (1) and (2). Otherwise, the parking is in both tunnels as in fig. 1.
In figure 3, the tunnel (1) is constructed the same way as in fig.1 and fig.2 with the difference that for every car there is a different trailer (6) which is at the same time a platform (7) that moves on two pairs of metallic rails (5) and each pair is placed at a different level of the tunnel (1). When the trailer ― platform (6) and (7), moving horizontally, reaches the end of the tunnel (1), it is occasionally ascending or descending by the assistance of a lever system (9) or elevator and ensures a clockwise or anti-clockwise interminable movement for all the system.
For the construction of the mechanical underground car park under streets and pedestrian areas, the following procedure is required: one trench (fig.1 and fig.3) or more trenches (fig.2) are created by the excavation of the ground from the street level and downwards. These trenches are opened along the street. After that, the supporting walls, tunnel flooring, and roof are constructed from reinforced concrete and so the tunnels are formed. The first tunnel (1) in all the three figures has an opening at the roof for the vertical entrance and exit of the cars. After the forming of the tunnels (1), (2), and (3) has been completed, the street is repaved and is re-opened to traffic. In contact with tunnel (1) in fig. 1, 2, and 3 and deep enough under the pavement level, a smaller tunnel (4) is constructed by being excavated from inside the tunnel (1) and is consolidated by supporting walls, roof, and tunnel flooring constructed by GUNITE, at the same floor level as tunnel (1). Therefore, there is no damage to the pipes of the water distribution system, the sewerage, the electric company distribution system, the telephone company distribution system, the gas company distribution system, optic fibres etc., installations that pass through a small depth under the pavement level. This second tunnel (4) is communicating with tunnel (1) through fireproof doors, one per parking space and is used by the maintenance personnel of the mechanical underground car park. It also has, in determined distances between them, small shafts that end to a manhole (12) at the pavement for the maintenance personnel to ascend and descend with a metallic ladder.
Over the tunnel opening (1), an enclosure (10) is constructed with entrance and exit garage-door systems that protect the opening from unauthorised persons and the seepage of rainwater.

[0004] Following that, the movable and the immovable mechanical installations are placed in the tunnels.
Inside the tunnels (1) and (2) (fig. 1 and fig.2), a pair of stable horizontal rails (5) are assembled halfway through the height of the tunnel, on which the sole trailer (6) moves. The trailer (6) is constructed of a metallic perimetric frame that externally has wheels like a train so that it can move on the rails (5), internally it is hollow, allowing the platforms (7) with the cars that they carry, to pass through it. Each platform (7) can be placed on the tunnel's (1) and (2) (fig. 1 and fig.2) floor by the assistance of a vertically moving lever system (9) or elevator which is placed on the floor and corresponds with one system for every parking space.

[0005] For the parking procedure, the following series of acts are carried out: the driver is driving on the street and in order to park he stops at the waiting zone, when his turn arrives, he inserts his card in the parking meter (11), after that, the entrance garage-door of the enclosure (10) opens and he drives in and steps on the platform (7) that has previously been raised to street level and has blocked the entrance ― exit opening of the tunnel (1). Following this, the driver locks his car and leaves through the entrance door (garage-door) and by the use of his card he locks it. The car then descends carried by the platform (7) which by the assistance of a lever system (8) or elevator is placed on the trailer (6) that rests underneath it, the platform (7) is then stabilized by a locking device, the trailer (6) then moves on the rails (5) and by the assistance of an automated system (computer), finds the nearest empty parking space, over which it is immobilized again. Afterwards, from the floor of the empty parking space, the lever system (9) or elevator is raised and after it unlocks the locking device, it takes the platform (7) with the car and passes it through the internally hollow trailer (6). The lever system (9) or elevator and platform (7) then descend vertically until it reaches the floor of the tunnel where the car is parked. The trailer (6) is then released in order to receive the next car that is waiting on the street or to go to another parking space where a car, parked in the tunnel is being called through the parking meter (11), by its driver, to exit the car park. To exit the car park, the reverse procedure is followed, that is that the driver, re-uses the same card that he had collected at the parking meter (11) during the parking procedure. Then, automatically the trailer (6) is guided over the parked car that is on the platform (7), which by the assistance of the lever system (9) or elevator passes inside the trailer (6) and is stabilized on it by a locking device. After that, the trailer (6) moves until the position of the tunnel (1) opening , where it is stabilized and by the assistance of the lever system (8) or elevator the platform (7) is freed and raised, passed through the opening up to the street level inside the enclosure (10) where it is stabilized. Afterwards, the exit garage-door of the enclosure (10) opens; the driver enters his car and leaves the enclosure (10). After the departure of the car, the exit garage-door is secured by the use of a photocell mechanism.

[0006] In fig.3, the same procedure for entering and exiting the enclosure (10) is used. The difference lies inside the tunnel (1), where there are trailers (6) that are simultaneously platforms (7) and are as many as the underground parking spaces minus one that stays vacant so that the continuous (interminable) circular movement is ensured. Under the opening (4) there is a double (shaped like scissors) lever system (8) or elevator that is running between three levels, these are: The street level, the middle level of the tunnel (1) and the tunnel floor level. At the middle and floor level , there are pairs of rails (5) where on them, the trailers-platforms (6) and (7) are moved. At the two ends of the tunnel (1), there are lever systems (9) or elevators that transfer every trailer-platform (6) and (7) that has reached the end of the tunnel (1), from the middle level to the floor level and vice-versa. In this way, a continuous rotation of the cars between the two levels is ensured.
As soon as the car is in the enclosure (10), the double lever system (8) or elevator ascends, and takes the car with the trailer-platform (6) and (7) on which it is mounted and then brings it to the middle level or the floor level of the tunnel (1) it is then placed onto the rails (5) of the corresponding level, afterwards, the trailer-platform (6) and (7) moves horizontally on the rails (5), either clockwise or anti-clockwise until it reaches the end of the tunnel (1) where it ascends or descends to the next level where it moves constantly together with the rest of the platforms during the parking and exiting procedure of other cars. This lasts until the car is called to exit the car park, then the reversed procedure is followed. The trailer-platform (6) and (7) arrives underneath the superficial opening of the tunnel (1), the lever system (8) or elevator carries the trailer-platform (6) and (7) with the car through the superficial opening to the street level, inside the enclosure (10), from where the car is ready to depart.
It is noted, that the parking spaces have the same standard dimensions, and the length of the tunnels, for all the cases, depends on the number of the cars that are to be parked, and of course, determines the speed of parking or exiting the car park.
Inside the tunnels (1) and (2) (fig. 1, 2, and 3), left and right along the roof, there is enough space for the pipes of different calibres to pass through, i.e., the water distribution system, the sewerage, the electric company distribution system, the telephone company distribution system, the gas company distribution system, optic fibres etc., which are accessible in case of damage.
At the centre of the floor and along the tunnels (1), (2), and (3) (fig. 1, 2, and 3), there will be an inclined water channel, where possible rain water seepage will be collected and led inside the central catch basin at the bottom of the tunnel, where a water pump will convey it into the street's rainwater drainage system.
On the roof of the tunnels (1), (2), and (3) (fig. 1, 2, and 3), there will be an automatic fire extinguishing system of water, foam, and dry powder which works by sensors in the case of fire.

Claims

1. Mechanical underground car parks under streets and pedestrian areas, are constructed by excavating a trench, the underground tunnels used for parking cars by mechanical means are constructed of reinforced concrete. The said mechanical underground car parks are characterized by the creation of these tunnels that follow under streets and pedestrian areas. The internal dimensions are relative to the type of cars that are to be parked i.e., passenger cars, jeeps, station wagons, and vans.

2. Mechanical underground car parks under streets and pedestrian areas, according to claim 1, The said mechanical underground car parks are characterized in that on the top of the tunnel (1), a rectangular opening is constructed to be of use for the ascending and descending of the car inside the tunnel. This opening is covered by an enclosure (10) that has side walls, roof, and two garage-doors, one for the entrance and one for the exit of the cars. Electronic parking meters (11) are placed before the entrance of the cars, on the pavement.

3. Mechanical underground car parks under streets and pedestrian areas, according to claim 1, The said mechanical underground car parks are characterized in that there are two parallel tunnels (1) and (2) constructed, with the same dimensions, which are connected between them by a perpendicular tunnel (3).

4. Mechanical underground car parks under streets and pedestrian areas, according to claim 1, The said mechanical underground car parks are characterized in that a smaller tunnel (4) is constructed (with reinforced concrete) for the maintenance personnel, underground, parallel and in communication with tunnel (1). This tunnel has sufficient internal dimensions so that an adult can pass, and also has, in determined distances between them, vertical shafts with manholes that lead to the pavement level.

5. Mechanical underground car parks under streets and pedestrian areas, according to claim 1, The said mechanical underground car parks are characterized by the mechanical equipment which consist of stable elements, as follows: inside tunnel (1) and tunnels (1), (2), and (3) (fig.2), a series of horizontal train rails (5) are placed at the middle level of the tunnel. Inside tunnel (1) (fig.3), two series of rails (5) are placed, one at the middle level of the tunnel (1), and one at the floor of the tunnel (1). The lever systems (8) and (9) or other elevator systems are also installed.

6. Mechanical underground car parks under streets and pedestrian areas, according to claim 1, The said mechanical underground car parks are characterized by the movable mechanical equipment which are: the trailer (6) and the platforms (7) (fig. 1 and 2) and the trailer-platforms (6) and (7) (fig.3).

7. Mechanical underground car parks under streets and pedestrian areas, according to claim 1, The said mechanical underground car parks are characterized by the parking/ exiting of the car park procedure, where the following procedure is attended: the driver is driving on the street and in order to park he stops at the waiting zone, when his turn arrives, he inserts his card in the parking meter (11), after that, the entrance garage-door of the enclosure (10) opens and he drives in and steps on the platform (7) that has previously been raised to street level and has blocked the entrance ― exit opening of the tunnel (1). Following this, the driver locks his car and leaves through the entrance door (garage-door) and by the use of his card he locks it. The car then descends carried by the platform (7) which by the assistance of a lever system (8) or elevator is placed on the trailer (6) that rests underneath it, the platform (7) is then stabilized by a locking device, the trailer (6) then moves on the rails (5) and by the assistance of an automated system (computer), finds the nearest empty parking space, over which it is immobilized again. Afterwards, from the floor of the empty parking space, the lever system (9) or elevator is raised and after it unlocks the locking device, it takes the platform (7) with the car and passes it through the internally hollow trailer (6). The lever system (9) or elevator and platform (7) then descend vertically until it reaches the floor of the tunnel where the car is parked. The trailer (6) is then released in order to receive the next car that is waiting on the street or to go to another parking space where a car, parked in the tunnel is being called through the parking meter (11), by its driver, to exit the car park. To exit the car park, the reverse procedure is followed, that is that the driver, re-uses the same card that he had collected at the parking meter (11) during the parking procedure. Then, automatically the trailer (6) is guided over the parked car that is on the platform (7), which by the assistance of the lever system (9) or elevator passes inside the trailer (6) and is stabilized on it by a locking device. After that, the trailer (6) moves until the position of the tunnel (1) opening , where it is stabilized and by the assistance of the lever system (8) or elevator the platform (7) is freed and raised, passed through the opening up to the street level inside the enclosure (10) where it is stabilized. Afterwards, the exit garage-door of the enclosure (10) opens; the driver enters his car and leaves the enclosure (10). After the departure of the car, the exit garage-door is secured by the use of a photocell mechanism.
In fig.3, the same procedure for entering and exiting the enclosure (10) is used. The difference lies inside the tunnel (1), where there are trailers (6) that are simultaneously platforms (7) and are as many as the underground parking spaces minus one that stays vacant so that the continuous (interminable) circular movement is ensured. Under the opening (4) there is a double (shaped like scissors) lever system (8) or elevator that is running between three levels, these are: The street level, the middle level of the tunnel (1) and the tunnel floor level. At the middle and floor level , there are pairs of rails (5) where on them, the trailers-platforms (6) and (7) are moved. At the two ends of the tunnel (1), there are lever systems (9) or elevators that transfer every trailer-platform (6) and (7) that has reached the end of the tunnel (1), from the middle level to the floor level and vice-versa. In this way, a continuous rotation of the cars between the two levels is ensured.
As soon as the car is in the enclosure (10), the double lever system (8) or elevator ascends, and takes the car with the trailer-platform (6) and (7) on which it is mounted and then brings it to the middle level or the floor level of the tunnel (1) it is then placed onto the rails (5) of the corresponding level, afterwards, the trailer-platform (6) and (7) moves horizontally on the rails (5), either clockwise or anti-clockwise until it reaches the end of the tunnel (1) where it ascends or descends to the next level where it moves constantly together with the rest of the platforms during the parking and exiting procedure of other cars. This lasts until the car is called to exit the car park, then the reversed procedure is followed. The trailer-platform (6) and (7) arrives underneath the superficial opening of the tunnel (1), the lever system (8) or elevator carries the trailer-platform (6) and (7) with the car through the superficial opening to the street level, inside the enclosure (10), from where the car is ready to depart.
It is noted, that the parking spaces have the same standard dimensions, and the length of the tunnels, for all the cases, depends on the number of the cars that are to be parked, and of course, determines the speed of parking or exiting the car park.

8. Mechanical underground car parks under streets and pedestrian areas, according to claim 1, The said mechanical underground car parks are characterized by the electronic equipment that regulates the parking/exiting of the car park procedure.

9. Mechanical underground car parks under streets and pedestrian areas, according to claim 1, The said mechanical underground car parks are characterized in that inside the tunnels (1) and (2) (fig. 1, 2, and 3), left and right along the roof, there is enough space for the pipes of different calibres to pass through, such as, the water distribution system, the sewerage, the electric company distribution system, the telephone company distribution system, the gas company distribution system, optic fibres etc. which are going to be able to be reached in case they are damaged.

10. Mechanical underground car parks under streets and pedestrian areas, according to claim 1, The said mechanical underground car parks are characterized in that at the centre of the floor and along the tunnels (1), (2), and (3) (fig. 1, 2, and 3), there is going to be an inclined water groove, where the rain water that might enter will be collected and will be led inside the central catch basin at the bottom of the tunnel, from where by a water pump is going to be conveyed into the street's rainwater drainage system.

Drawing