Methods and Apparatus for a Modular Parking System

Abstract

A modular parking system comprising at least one modular parking structure for use on a ground surface comprising a pair of opposing horizontal support members, a pair of opposing end plates, vertical support members, and a parking surface. The opposing end plates are coupled to the opposing horizontal support members. The vertical support members are coupled to at least one end plate. The parking surface is coupled to an upper surface of the pair of horizontal support members, positioned above the ground surface, and oriented generally horizontally. The modular parking system may also comprise a levelling system configured to align the modular parking structure, a laser monitoring system configured to monitor the height of each modular parking structure, a fire suppression system, and an electrical management system.

1 . A modular parking system comprising at least one modular parking structure for use on a ground surface comprising:
 a first modular parking structure comprising:
 a pair of opposing horizontal support members each having a first end and a second end; 
 a pair of opposing end plates, wherein:
 a first end plate is coupled to the first end of the pair of opposing horizontal support members; and 
 a second plate is coupled to the second end of the pair of opposing horizontal support members; 
 
 two pairs of vertical support members having first and second ends, wherein each vertical support member is coupled to at least one end plate; 
 a parking surface coupled to an upper surface of the pair of horizontal support members, wherein the parking surface is positioned above the ground surface and oriented generally horizontally; 
 a plurality of baseplates, wherein the number of plurality of baseplates corresponds to the number of vertical support members; and 
 a levelling system coupled to the two pairs of vertical support members and the plurality of baseplates, wherein the levelling system is configured to align the modular parking structure. 
   
     
     
         2 . The modular parking system of  claim 1 , further comprising a second modular parking structure comprising:
 a pair of horizontal support members each having a first end and a second end;   a pair of opposing end plates, wherein:
 a first end plate is coupled to the first end of the pair of opposing horizontal support members; and 
 a second plate is coupled to the second end of the pair of opposing horizontal support members; 
   a pair of vertical support members spaced apart from the vertical support members of the first modular parking structure and having first and second ends, wherein each vertical support member is coupled to at least one end plate;   a parking surface coupled to an upper surface of the pair of horizontal support members, wherein the parking surface is positioned above the ground surface and oriented generally horizontally;   a plurality of baseplates, wherein the number of plurality of baseplates corresponds to the number of vertical support members; and   a levelling system configured to align the first modular parking structure with the second modular parking structure comprising:
 a helical anchor coupled to a lower surface of the base plate; wherein the helical anchor is configured to secure the vertical support member to the ground surface; and 
 a column jack coupled to the vertical support member comprising a foot and an adjustment mechanism, wherein the foot resides on an upper surface of the baseplate and the adjustment mechanism allows the height of the vertical support member to be raised or lowered. 
   
     
     
         3 . The modular parking system of  claim 2 , further comprising a laser monitoring system configured to monitor the height of each modular parking structure comprising:
 a transmitter installed at an end of the first modular parking structure; and   a receiver installed at an end of the second modular parking structure, wherein if a height of either modular parking structure moves more than half an inch, the laser monitoring system will send an alert.   
     
     
         4 . The modular parking system of  claim 2 , further comprising a fire suppression system comprising:
 a main conduit coupled to the modular parking structures adjacent the end plates and having a pair of ends, wherein the ends of main conduit between the first modular parking structure and the second parking structure are coupled by a flexible conduit;   a delivery conduit coupled to the main conduit between the pair of ends of the main conduit and extending along the length of the modular parking structures under the support surface; and   a plurality of sprinklers coupled to the delivery conduit.   
     
     
         5 . The modular parking system of  claim 4 , wherein one of the pair of ends of the main conduit is connected to a water source. 
     
     
         6 . The modular parking system of  claim 5 , wherein the fire detection system comprises a communication system configured to initiate flow of fire suppressant from the sprinklers upon detection of a fire. 
     
     
         7 . The modular parking system of  claim 4 , wherein the main conduit and delivery conduit are constructed of mild steel. 
     
     
         8 . The modular parking system of  claim 1 , wherein the horizontal support members, the vertical support members, the support surface, and the end plates are constructed from structural steel. 
     
     
         9 . The modular parking system of  claim 1 , wherein the wherein the horizontal support members, the vertical support members, the support surface, and the end plates are coupled together using a stainless steel bolted connection. 
     
     
         10 . The modular parking system of  claim 1 , wherein the horizontal support members are I-beams. 
     
     
         11 . The modular parking system of  claim 1 , wherein the levelling system comprises:
 a helical anchor coupled to a lower surface of the baseplate; wherein the helical anchor is configured to secure the vertical support member to the ground surface; and   a column jack coupled to the vertical support member comprising a foot and an adjustment mechanism, wherein the foot resides on an upper surface of the baseplate and the adjustment mechanism allows the height of the vertical support member to be raised or lowered.   
     
     
         12 . The modular parking system of  claim 11 , wherein the adjustment mechanism further comprises a hand crank. 
     
     
         13 . The modular parking system of  claim 2 , further comprising an electrical management system comprising:
 an electrical conduit coupled to the modular parking structures adjacent the end plates comprising:
 a main distribution line coupled to the electrical conduit and extending along the length of the modular parking structure under the support surface; and 
 a plurality of junction boxes coupled to the main distribution line; and 
   a plurality of lights coupled to the modular parking structure adjacent the plurality of junction boxes.   
     
     
         14 . The modular parking system of  claim 1 , further comprising a ramp configured to allow a vehicle to access the support surface from the ground surface. 
     
     
         15 . A modular parking system comprising at least one modular parking structure for use on a ground surface comprising:
 a pair of opposing horizontal support members each having a first end and a second end;   a pair of opposing end plates, wherein:
 a first end plate is coupled to the first end of the pair of opposing horizontal support members; and 
 a second plate is coupled to the second end of the pair of opposing horizontal support members; 
   two pairs of vertical support members having first and second ends, wherein each vertical support member is coupled to at least one end plate;   a parking surface coupled to an upper surface of the pair of horizontal support members, wherein the parking surface is positioned above the ground surface and oriented generally horizontally;   a plurality of baseplates, wherein the number of plurality of baseplates corresponds to the number of vertical support members; and   a levelling system configured to align the modular parking structure comprising:
 a helical anchor coupled to a lower surface of the base plate; wherein the helical anchor is configured to secure the vertical support member to the ground surface; and 
 a column jack coupled to the vertical support member comprising a foot and an adjustment mechanism, wherein the foot resides on an upper surface of the baseplate and the adjustment mechanism allows the height of the vertical support member to be raised or lowered; 
   a laser monitoring system configured to monitor the height of each modular parking structure comprising:
 a transmitter installed at a first end of the modular parking structure; and 
 a receiver installed at a second end of the modular parking structure, wherein if a height of the modular parking structure moves more than half an inch, the laser monitoring system will send an alert; 
   a fire suppression system comprising:
 a main conduit coupled to the modular parking structure adjacent the end plates and having a pair of ends, 
 a delivery conduit coupled to the main conduit between the pair of ends of the main conduit and extending along the length of the modular parking structures under the support surface; and 
 a plurality of sprinklers coupled to the delivery conduit. 
   
     
     
         16 . The modular parking system of  claim 15 , further comprising an electrical management system, comprising:
 an electrical conduit coupled to the modular parking structures adjacent the end plates comprising:
 a main distribution line coupled to the electrical conduit and extending along the length of the modular parking structure under the support surface; and 
 a plurality of junction boxes coupled to the main distribution line; and 
   a plurality of lights coupled to the modular parking structure adjacent the plurality of junction boxes.   
     
     
         17 . The modular parking system of  claim 15 , wherein the main conduit and delivery conduit are constructed of mild steel. 
     
     
         18 . The modular parking system of  claim 15 , wherein the horizontal support members, the vertical support members, the support surface, and the end plates are constructed from structural steel. 
     
     
         19 . The modular parking system of  claim 15 , wherein the wherein the horizontal support members, the vertical support members, the support surface, and the end plates are coupled together using a stainless steel bolted connection. 
     
     
         20 . A modular parking system comprising at least one modular parking structure for use on a ground surface comprising:
 a pair of opposing horizontal support members each having a first end and a second end;   a pair of opposing end plates, wherein:
 a first end plate is coupled to the first end of the pair of opposing horizontal support members; and 
 a second plate is coupled to the second end of the pair of opposing horizontal support members; 
   two pairs of vertical support members having first and second ends, wherein each vertical support member is coupled to at least one end plate;   a parking surface coupled to an upper surface of the pair of horizontal support members, wherein the parking surface is positioned above the ground surface and oriented generally horizontally;   a plurality of baseplates, wherein the number of plurality of baseplates corresponds to the number of vertical support members; and   a levelling system configured to align the modular parking structure comprising:
 a helical anchor coupled to a lower surface of the base plate; wherein the helical anchor is configured to secure the vertical support member to the ground surface; and 
 a column jack coupled to the vertical support member comprising a foot and an adjustment mechanism, wherein the foot resides on an upper surface of the baseplate and the adjustment mechanism allows the height of the vertical support member to be raised or lowered; 
   a laser monitoring system configured to monitor the height of each modular parking structure comprising:
 a transmitter installed at a first end of the modular parking structure; and 
 a receiver installed at a second end of the modular parking structure, wherein if a height of the modular parking structure moves more than half an inch, the laser monitoring system will send an alert; 
   a fire suppression system comprising:
 a main conduit coupled to the modular parking structure adjacent the end plates and having a pair of ends, 
 a delivery conduit coupled to the main conduit between the pair of ends of the main conduit and extending along the length of the modular parking structures under the support surface; and 
 a plurality of sprinklers coupled to the delivery conduit; and 
   an electrical management system comprising:
 an electrical conduit coupled to the modular parking structures adjacent the end plates comprising:
 a main distribution line coupled to the electrical conduit and extending along the length of the modular parking structure under the support surface; and 
 a plurality of junction boxes coupled to the main distribution line; and 
 
 a plurality of lights coupled to the modular parking structure adjacent the plurality of junction boxes.