Article storage facility

Abstract

In this article storage facility, each of a pair of storage shelves disposed apart from each other in the X-direction is provided with a plurality of arrangement members arranged in the Y-direction. A scaffold is provided with a locking structure (4) that is locked to each of the pair of storage shelves in a state of being disposed so as to span between the pair of storage shelves in the X-direction. The locking structure (4) is provided with a Y-direction restricting structure (4Y) that restricts movement of the scaffold in the Y-direction. The Y-direction restricting structure (4Y) comprises: a first facing part (41) that faces a first arrangement member (11A), which is one arrangement member in each of the pair of storage shelves, from a Y-direction first side (Y1); and a second facing part (42) that faces the first arrangement member (11A) in each of the pair of storage shelves or a second arrangement member (11B), which is an arrangement member different from the first arrangement member (11A), from a Y-direction second side (Y2).

Description

Article Storage Facility

[0001] The present invention relates to an article storage facility including a pair of storage shelves arranged to face each other and a scaffold detachably configured with respect to the pair of storage shelves.

[0002] An example of the above-described article storage facility is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-82213 (Patent Document 1). Hereinafter, in the description of this background art, the reference numerals in Patent Document 1 are cited within parentheses. The article storage facility of Patent Document 1 includes a pair of racks (4A, 4B) arranged to face each other and a scaffold (40, 50, 60) detachably configured with respect to the pair of racks (4A, 4B). The scaffold (40, 50, 60) includes beam engagement portions (43, 53, 63) that engage with the beam members (4g) of the racks (4A, 4B) at both ends in the facing direction where the pair of racks (4A, 4B) face each other.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-82213

[0004] In order to appropriately ensure the safety of workers using the scaffold, the scaffold detachably configured with respect to the pair of storage shelves is required to have high stability in the state of being attached to the pair of storage shelves. Regarding this point, paragraph 0042 of Patent Document 1 describes providing a rubber block for anti-slip on the scaffold (in Patent Document 1, the step), but when a force exceeding the frictional force by the rubber block acts on the scaffold, the scaffold can move. Therefore, there is room for improvement in the stability of the scaffold in the technology described in Patent Document 1.

[0005] Therefore, it is desired to realize an article storage facility that can easily enhance the stability of the scaffold in the state of being attached to the pair of storage shelves.

[0006] The article storage equipment according to this disclosure comprises a pair of storage shelves arranged facing each other, and a scaffold detachably configured to be attached to the pair of storage shelves, wherein the direction in which the pair of storage shelves face each other is the X direction, the direction perpendicular to the X direction in an up-and-down view is the Y direction, one side of the Y direction is the Y direction first side, and the other side of the Y direction is the Y direction second side, the pair of storage shelves are spaced apart in the X direction, each of the pair of storage shelves is provided with a plurality of arrangement members arranged in the Y direction, and the scaffold is attached to the pair of storage shelves The scaffolding is provided with a locking structure that is positioned to span across the X-direction and is locked to each of the pair of storage shelves, the locking structure includes a Y-direction restricting structure that restricts the movement of the scaffolding in the Y-direction, the Y-direction restricting structure includes a first opposing portion that faces a first array member, which is one of the array members in each of the pair of storage shelves, from the first side in the Y-direction, and a second opposing portion that faces a second array member, which is either the first array member or an array member other than the first array member, in each of the pair of storage shelves, from the second side in the Y-direction.

[0007] With this configuration, when the scaffolding is positioned to span between a pair of storage shelves in the X direction, the movement of the scaffolding toward the first side in the Y direction can be restricted by a second opposing part that faces the arrangement member from the second side in the Y direction, and the movement of the scaffolding toward the second side in the Y direction can be restricted by a first opposing part that faces the arrangement member from the first side in the Y direction. In this way, with this configuration, the movement of the scaffolding attached to a pair of storage shelves toward both sides in the Y direction can be restricted by contact between members rather than friction between members. Therefore, the stability of the scaffolding attached to a pair of storage shelves can be easily increased.

[0008] Further features and advantages of the article storage facility will become clear from the following description of the embodiment described with reference to the drawings.

[0009] Perspective view of the article storage facility according to the first embodiment. Explanatory diagram of the method of using the scaffolding according to the first embodiment. Perspective view of the rail according to the first embodiment. Front view of the rail according to the first embodiment. Perspective view of the scaffolding and additional scaffolding according to the first embodiment. Perspective view of the Y-direction restricting structure according to the first embodiment. Perspective view of the X-direction restricting structure according to the first embodiment. Perspective view of the connecting part according to the first embodiment. Perspective view of the connecting part and fitted part according to the first embodiment. Perspective view of the scaffolding and additional scaffolding according to the second embodiment. Perspective view of the X-direction restricting structure and Y-direction restricting structure according to the second embodiment. Perspective view of the scaffolding and additional scaffolding according to the second embodiment. Perspective view of the scaffolding according to the third embodiment. Perspective view of the X-direction restricting structure and Y-direction restricting structure according to the third embodiment.

[0010] [First Embodiment] The first embodiment of the article storage equipment will be described with reference to the drawings (Figures 1 to 9). As shown in Figure 1, the article storage equipment 100 includes a pair of storage shelves 1 arranged facing each other. Here, the direction in which the pair of storage shelves 1 face each other is defined as the X direction, and the direction perpendicular to the X direction in the vertical Z direction view is defined as the Y direction. The vertical Z direction is the vertical direction, and the X and Y directions are mutually perpendicular horizontal directions. Furthermore, one side in the X direction is defined as the first X direction side X1, the other side in the X direction is defined as the second X direction side X2, one side in the Y direction is defined as the first Y direction side Y1, and the other side in the Y direction is defined as the second Y direction side Y2. The pair of storage shelves 1 are spaced apart in the X direction. The scaffolding 3, which will be described later, is arranged to span across the space between the pair of storage shelves 1 in the X direction.

[0011] The storage shelf 1 includes a shelf section 10 that supports an item A. The item A is stored in the storage shelf 1 while being supported by the shelf section 10. The item A is, for example, a container (such as a container or cardboard box) for storing goods (products, etc.). Multiple items A are supported on the shelf section 10 in a line in the Y direction. It is also possible to configure the shelf section 10 so that multiple items A are supported on it in a line in the Y direction at multiple positions in the X direction (i.e., multiple positions in the depth direction).

[0012] As shown in Figure 1, in this embodiment, each of the pair of storage shelves 1 is provided with multiple shelves 10 arranged in the vertical direction Z. Figure 1 shows five shelves 10 arranged in the vertical direction Z. In each of the pair of storage shelves 1, shelves 10 of the same level are arranged at the same position in the vertical direction Z.

[0013] Each of the pair of storage shelves 1 is provided with a plurality of arrangement members 11 arranged in the Y direction. The plurality of arrangement members 11 are arranged such that gaps are formed between adjacent arrangement members 11 in the Y direction. The spacing of the plurality of arrangement members 11 in the Y direction may vary depending on the location, but in this embodiment, the plurality of arrangement members 11 are arranged at equal intervals in the Y direction.

[0014] As shown in Figure 1, in this embodiment, the members constituting the shelf section 10 are arranged members 11. Specifically, each of the arranged members 11 is arranged to extend along the X direction in the shelf section 10. The upper surfaces of each of the multiple arranged members 11 arranged in the Y direction form a support surface (placement surface) for the article A in the shelf section 10. The article A is supported by the multiple arranged members 11. As shown in Figure 14 of the third embodiment which will be described later, in this embodiment, the arranged member 11 is a groove-shaped member having a cross-sectional shape with an open lower side Z2, and comprises an upper part that forms the support surface for the article A, and side parts that extend from both ends in the Y direction of the upper part to the lower side Z2.

[0015] In this embodiment, the article storage equipment 100 includes a transfer machine 9 that travels along the Y direction and transfers articles A between the storage shelves 1. The transfer machine 9 travels along the Y direction between the pair of storage shelves 1 in the X direction. The transfer machine 9 is configured to transfer articles A to either of the pair of storage shelves 1. In the example shown in Figure 1, the transfer machine 9 is configured to transport articles A one at a time. The transfer machine 9 can also be configured to transport multiple articles A (for example, two articles A) together.

[0016] The transfer machine 9 illustrated in Figure 1 is configured as follows. The transfer machine 9 comprises a traveling body 90 that travels along the Y direction and a transfer device 92 that transfers article A. The traveling body 90 is equipped with a plurality of wheels 91 that roll on the running surface of the rail 2, and at least a portion of the plurality of wheels 91 are rotationally driven by a drive device such as an electric motor, so that the traveling body 90 travels along the rail 2. The rail 2 is, for example, constructed by connecting a plurality of rail members in the Y direction.

[0017] The transfer device 92 moves the item A along the X direction to transfer the item A to the transfer target location (such as the shelf portion 10 of the storage rack 1). For example, the transfer device 92 can be configured to push the item A to the transfer target location by using an unillustrated contact portion (for example, a hook that can swing around an axis along the X direction) that contacts the item A, and to receive the item A from the transfer target location by using the contact portion to pull the item A in.

[0018] The rails 2 on which the transfer machine 9 (specifically, the traveling body 90) travels are arranged to extend along the Y direction. In this embodiment, each of the pair of storage shelves 1 is provided with rails 2. The transfer machine 9 is equipped with wheels 91 that roll on the running surface of the rails 2 of one storage shelf 1, and wheels 91 that roll on the running surface of the rails 2 of the other storage shelf 1. Thus, in this embodiment, the travel path of the transfer machine 9 is formed by the pair of rails 2. The pair of rails 2 are arranged at the same height but spaced apart in the X direction.

[0019] As shown in Figure 1, the storage shelf 1 is equipped with support columns 12 that extend along the vertical direction Z. The support columns 12 are erected on the floor so as to extend upward Z1 from the floor. Multiple support columns 12 are arranged in a row in the Y direction at each of the multiple positions in the X direction. Specifically, multiple support columns 12 are arranged in the Y direction at positions in the X direction corresponding to each of the two ends in the X direction of each storage shelf 1. The rail 2 is supported by the multiple support columns 12 arranged in the Y direction by being connected to these multiple support columns 12. In this embodiment, the second surface S2 (see Figure 4), which will be described later, of the rail 2 is connected to the support columns 12, for example, via a bracket.

[0020] The rail 2 is connected to the X-direction ends of the arrangement members 11 that constitute the shelf section 10, and the arrangement members 11 are supported by the support columns 12 via the rail 2. In the example shown in Figure 1, one end of the arrangement member 11 in the X direction (the side on which the transfer machine 9 is placed) is connected to the rail 2, and the other end of the arrangement member 11 in the X direction is connected to a horizontal member 15 that connects adjacent support columns 12 in the Y direction. Therefore, in the example shown in Figure 1, the arrangement member 11 is supported by the support columns 12 via the rail 2 and the horizontal member 15. Note that if the rail 2 is provided instead of the horizontal member 15, and the transfer machine 9 travels on both sides of the storage shelf 1 in the X direction, both ends of the arrangement member 11 in the X direction are connected to the rail 2.

[0021] In this embodiment, the travel path of the transfer machine 9 is formed to correspond to each of the multiple levels of shelf sections 10. Specifically, a pair of rails 2 forming the travel path of the transfer machine 9 are provided at heights corresponding to each of the multiple levels of shelf sections 10. Figure 1 shows only the transfer machine 9 located on the uppermost travel path among the multiple levels of travel paths, but for example, one or more transfer machines 9 may be placed on each of the multiple levels of travel paths. The transfer machine 9 transfers items A between the travel path on which the transfer machine 9 is located and the shelf section 10 on the same level.

[0022] In this embodiment, the article storage facility 100 includes a relay section 13 and a lifting and conveying device 14. The relay section 13 is provided corresponding to each of the multiple shelves 10, and the transfer machine 9 conveys articles A between the shelves 10 and the relay section 13, which are arranged on the same level. The lifting and conveying device 14 conveys articles A in the vertical direction Z. In the example shown in Figure 1, the relay section 13 and the lifting and conveying device 14 are provided with conveyors that convey articles A in the Y direction.

[0023] Item A to be stored in storage shelf 1 is transported by the lifting and conveying device 14 to the intermediate section 13, which is located on the same level as the shelf section 10 where item A will be stored. Then, item A is transported from the intermediate section 13 to the shelf section 10 by the transfer machine 9 and stored in the shelf section 10. Similarly, item A to be removed from storage shelf 1 is transported by the transfer machine 9 from the shelf section 10 where item A was stored to the intermediate section 13. Then, item A is removed from the intermediate section 13 by the lifting and conveying device 14. In the example shown in Figure 1, the intermediate section 13 and the lifting and conveying device 14 are provided on both sides in the X direction. The intermediate section 13 and the lifting and conveying device 14 on one side in the X direction are used for storing item A, and the intermediate section 13 and the lifting and conveying device 14 on the other side in the X direction are used for storing item A.

[0024] In the example shown in Figure 1, the relay unit 13 and the lifting and conveying device 14 are located on the second side Y2 in the Y direction relative to the storage shelf 1. However, the relay unit 13 and the lifting and conveying device 14 may also be located on the first side Y1 in the Y direction relative to the storage shelf 1. Furthermore, the relay unit 13 and the lifting and conveying device 14 may be located on both sides in the Y direction relative to the storage shelf 1.

[0025] The goods storage equipment 100 is equipped with a scaffolding 3 that is detachably configured to attach to a pair of storage shelves 1. The scaffolding 3 is normally removed from the pair of storage shelves 1 and is attached to the pair of storage shelves 1 only when in use. The scaffolding 3 is attached to the installation part of the scaffolding 3 on the pair of storage shelves 1 (in this embodiment, a pair of rails 2 arranged at the same height) by resting it from above Z1. The scaffolding 3 is removed from the pair of storage shelves 1 by moving it to the upper Z1. The scaffolding 3 is used when a worker W performs work (for example, maintenance work on the storage shelves 1 or the transfer machine 9). Maintenance work on the storage shelves 1 is, for example, work to correct the position of goods A stored in the shelf section 10. Maintenance work on the transfer machine 9 is, for example, work to restore the transfer machine 9 that has malfunctioned or otherwise malfunctioned.

[0026] Scaffolding 3 may be installed individually or in multiples. When multiple scaffolding 3 are installed, for example, multiple scaffolding 3 may be arranged in a staircase pattern, or multiple scaffolding 3 may be arranged side by side at the same height. Figure 2 shows an example of how scaffolding 3 can be used, in which multiple scaffolding 3 are arranged in a staircase pattern so that a worker W can climb up. In this example, it is assumed that the worker W climbs onto the uppermost scaffolding 3 to perform work, and an additional scaffolding 8, described later, is positioned adjacent to the uppermost scaffolding 3 on the first side Y1 in the Y direction. This ensures that the width in the Y direction of the tread (the surface on which the worker W stands) at the uppermost step where the worker W performs work is large.

[0027] The scaffolding 3 is positioned to span between the pair of storage shelves 1 in the X direction. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 5, the scaffolding 3 is positioned to span between the pair of storage shelves 1 in the X direction and is supported from below Z2 by rails 2 on each of the pair of storage shelves 1. The rails 2 have a portion on which the wheels 91 of the transfer machine 9 roll and a portion to which the arrangement members 11 are connected, and the scaffolding 3 is supported by a portion of the rails 2 other than these two portions.

[0028] Specifically, in this embodiment, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the rail 2 includes a mounting surface forming section 20 that forms a mounting surface on which the scaffolding 3 (specifically, the bottom surface 30b described later) is placed, and a running surface forming section 21 that forms the running surface of the transfer machine 9 (the surface on which the wheels 91 roll). The mounting surface is formed by the upper surface of the mounting surface forming section 20, and the running surface is formed by the upper surface of the running surface forming section 21. The mounting surface forming section 20 is positioned above the running surface forming section 21 at a position Z1. The scaffolding 3 is supported from below at a position Z2 by the rail 2 while resting on the mounting surface formed by the mounting surface forming section 20.

[0029] The rail 2 further includes a connecting portion 22 that connects the mounting surface forming portion 20 and the running surface forming portion 21. The connecting portion 22 connects the ends of the mounting surface forming portion 20 and the running surface forming portion 21 on the same side in the X direction (left side in Figure 4). Here, of the two faces of the connecting portion 22 in the X direction, the face on the side where the mounting surface forming portion 20 and the running surface forming portion 21 are positioned relative to the connecting portion 22 (right side in Figure 4) is designated as the first face S1, and the opposite face is designated as the second face S2. In each of the pair of storage shelves 1, the rail 2 is positioned so that the first face S1 faces the space between the pair of storage shelves 1. The X-direction end of the arrangement member 11 is connected to the rail 2 from the side of the second face S2. For example, an engaging portion (e.g., a slit) that engages with the array member 11 is formed on the connecting portion 22, or on the mounting surface forming portion 20, or extending across both the connecting portion 22 and the mounting surface forming portion 20. The mounting surface forming portion 20, the running surface forming portion 21, and the connecting portion 22 (and in this embodiment, the first extending portion 23 and the second extending portion 24 described below) are integrally formed.

[0030] The rail 2 further comprises a first extension portion 23 and a second extension portion 24. The first extension portion 23 is formed to extend downward Z2 from the end of the mounting surface forming portion 20 on the side away from the connecting portion 22 in the X direction (right side in Figure 4). As will be described later, the first extension portion 23 restricts the movement of the scaffolding 3 in the X direction. The second extension portion 24 is formed to extend upward Z1 from the end of the running surface forming portion 21 on the side away from the connecting portion 22 in the X direction (right side in Figure 4). The second extension portion 24 prevents the wheels 91 of the transfer machine 9 from falling off the rail 2.

[0031] In this embodiment, the portion of the scaffolding 3 on the second side X2 in the X direction is configured in the same way as the portion of the scaffolding 3 on the first side X1 in the X direction. Specifically, the portion of the scaffolding 3 on the second side X2 in the X direction corresponds to the portion of the scaffolding 3 on the first side X1 in the X direction being inverted in the X direction. That is, the portion of the scaffolding 3 on the first side X1 in the X direction and the portion of the scaffolding 3 on the second side X2 in the X direction are configured to be mirror-symmetric with respect to a plane perpendicular to the X direction. Therefore, the following description of the scaffolding 3 basically applies to both sides of the scaffolding 3 in the X direction. Similarly, the portion of the additional scaffolding 8 on the second side X2 in the X direction is configured in the same way as the portion of the additional scaffolding 8 on the first side X1 in the X direction. Therefore, the following description of the additional scaffolding 8 basically applies to both sides of the additional scaffolding 8 in the X direction.

[0032] As shown in Figure 5, in this embodiment, the goods storage facility 100 is equipped with a first scaffolding 3A as a scaffolding 3. The first scaffolding 3A is equipped with a scaffolding body 30 that forms a tread. The tread is formed by the upper surface of the scaffolding body 30. The scaffolding body 30 is formed in a plate shape that follows a horizontal plane. The upper surface of the scaffolding body 30 does not need to be flat, and irregularities may be formed on the upper surface of the scaffolding body 30. Also, a through hole that penetrates the scaffolding body 30 in the vertical direction Z may be formed in the scaffolding body 30. In this embodiment, the dimension of the scaffolding body 30 in the Y direction is smaller than the dimension of the scaffolding body 30 in the X direction. That is, the first scaffolding 3A is attached to a pair of storage shelves 1 in a position where the longitudinal direction of the scaffolding body 30 is aligned with the X direction. In the following, unless otherwise specified, the state in which the first scaffolding 3A and the additional scaffolding 8 are attached to a pair of storage shelves 1 will be described.

[0033] In the following descriptions of the first scaffolding 3A and the additional scaffolding 8, the side of the scaffolding body 30 (or the additional scaffolding body 80, described later, in the case of the additional scaffolding 8) that faces the center in the X direction is referred to as the "inside in the X direction," and the opposite side is referred to as the "outside in the X direction." In Figures 7, 11, and 12, the first side X1 in the X direction is the inside in the X direction, and the second side X2 in the X direction is the outside in the X direction. In Figures 6, 8, 9, and 14, the first side X1 in the X direction is the outside in the X direction, and the second side X2 in the X direction is the inside in the X direction. Also, in the following descriptions of the first scaffolding 3A and the additional scaffolding 8, the side of the scaffolding body 30 (or the additional scaffolding body 80, in the case of the additional scaffolding 8) that faces the center in the Y direction is referred to as the "inside in the Y direction," and the opposite side is referred to as the "outside in the Y direction." In Figures 8 and 9, the first side Y1 in the Y direction is on the outside in the Y direction, and the second side Y2 in the Y direction is on the inside in the Y direction.

[0034] In this embodiment, the first scaffolding 3A includes side portions 30a extending downward Z2 from both ends in the Y direction of the scaffolding body 30, and a bottom portion 30b extending inward in the Y direction from the end of the side portion 30a in the lower Z2 direction. The side portions 30a and the bottom portion 30b are formed integrally with the scaffolding body 30, for example. As shown in Figures 5 and 7, the first scaffolding 3A is attached to a pair of storage shelves 1 such that the bottom portion 30b is placed on the mounting surface forming portion 20 of the rail 2.

[0035] The first scaffolding 3A is positioned to span across the X-direction between a pair of storage shelves 1 and is equipped with a locking structure 4 that locks to each of the pair of storage shelves 1. The locking structure 4 includes a Y-direction restricting structure 4Y (see Figure 6) that restricts the movement of the first scaffolding 3A in the Y-direction. In this embodiment, the locking structure 4 further includes an X-direction restricting structure 4X (see Figure 7) that restricts the movement of the first scaffolding 3A in the X-direction. The Y-direction restricting structure 4Y and the X-direction restricting structure 4X may be configured to restrict the movement of the first scaffolding 3A while allowing it within a predetermined range (for example, a range corresponding to the gap between members). Allowing the movement of the first scaffolding 3A within a predetermined range facilitates the installation of the first scaffolding 3A.

[0036] In this embodiment, the "structure" in the locking structure 4, the Y-direction restricting structure 4Y, and the X-direction restricting structure 4X is composed of a single member or multiple members. In this embodiment, the locking structure 4 is composed of multiple members, including the members that constitute the Y-direction restricting structure 4Y and the members that constitute the X-direction restricting structure 4X. In this embodiment, the Y-direction restricting structure 4Y is composed of multiple members, including the first restricting member 71 and the second restricting member 72, which will be described later. In this embodiment, the X-direction restricting structure 4X is composed of multiple members, including the third restricting member 73 and the fourth restricting member 74, which will be described later.

[0037] Furthermore, the locking structure 4 can be implemented by swapping the configuration provided on the side of the first scaffolding 3A with the configuration provided on the side of the storage shelf 1, and the locking structure 4 may have either configuration. For example, the locking structure 4 may have a projection that locks into a hole provided on the side of the storage shelf 1, or it may have a hole into which the projection provided on the side of the storage shelf 1 is locked. Similarly, the Y-direction restricting structure 4Y and the X-direction restricting structure 4X can be implemented by swapping the configuration provided on the side of the first scaffolding 3A with the configuration provided on the side of the storage shelf 1, and the Y-direction restricting structure 4Y and the X-direction restricting structure 4X may have either configuration.

[0038] As shown in Figure 5, the first scaffolding 3A (specifically, the locking structure 4) includes a first restricting member 71 and a second restricting member 72. The first restricting member 71 and the second restricting member 72 are provided at the ends of the first scaffolding 3A in the X direction. In this embodiment, the first restricting member 71 is positioned on the second side Y2 in the Y direction relative to the second restricting member 72. The first restricting member 71 and the second restricting member 72 are locked to the storage shelf 1 (specifically, the arrangement member 11) when the first scaffolding 3A is positioned to span between the pair of storage shelves 1 in the X direction.

[0039] In this embodiment, the first scaffolding 3A is equipped with a bracket 31 for fixing the first restricting member 71 and the second restricting member 72. As shown in Figure 9, the bracket 31 is fixed to the side portion 30a (specifically, the side portion 30a facing inward in the Y direction) while resting on the bottom portion 30b. As shown in Figure 6, the first restricting member 71 is fixed to the bracket 31 by a first bolt B1 (an example of a fastening member), and the second restricting member 72 is fixed to the bracket 31 by a second bolt B2 (an example of a fastening member). The first restricting member 71 is fixed by one first bolt B1, and the second restricting member 72 is fixed by one second bolt B2. The shaft of the first bolt B1 is oriented along the vertical direction Z, and the shaft of the second bolt B2 is oriented along the vertical direction Z.

[0040] The first restricting member 71 includes a first opposing portion 41. The fixed portion of the first restricting member 71 that is fixed to the bracket 31 is positioned above the bracket 31 by Z1. The first opposing portion 41 is formed to extend downward by Z2 from the outer end of the fixed portion of the first restricting member 71 in the X direction (first side X1 in the X direction in Figure 6). Rotation of the first restricting member 71 (in other words, the first opposing portion 41) about its axis along the vertical direction Z is restricted by the portion of the first restricting member 71 that is positioned outside the bracket 31 in the X direction (the portion above the first opposing portion 41 by Z1 in the example shown in Figure 6) contacting the bracket 31.

[0041] The second restricting member 72 includes a second opposing portion 42. The fixed portion of the second restricting member 72 that is fixed to the bracket 31 is positioned above Z1 relative to the bracket 31. The second opposing portion 42 is formed to extend downward Z2 from the outer end in the X direction of the fixed portion of the second restricting member 72. The rotation of the second restricting member 72 (in other words, the second opposing portion 42) about its axis along the vertical Z direction is restricted by the portion of the second restricting member 72 that is positioned outside in the X direction relative to the bracket 31 (in the example shown in Figure 6, the portion above Z1 relative to the second opposing portion 42) contacting the bracket 31.

[0042] Here, one array member 11 in each of the pair of storage shelves 1 (specifically, a pair of shelf portions 10 on the same level) is designated as the first array member 11A. The first array member 11A on one of the pair of storage shelves 1 and the first array member 11A on the other of the pair of storage shelves 1 are array members 11 arranged at the same position in the Y direction. Also, an array member 11 different from the first array member 11A in each of the pair of storage shelves 1 (specifically, a pair of shelf portions 10 on the same level) is designated as the second array member 11B. The second array member 11B on one of the pair of storage shelves 1 and the second array member 11B on the other of the pair of storage shelves 1 are array members 11 arranged at the same position in the Y direction.

[0043] In a state where the first scaffold 3A is attached to the pair of storage shelves 1, the first opposing portion 41 is arranged to oppose the first array member 11A from the first side Y1 in the Y direction, and the second opposing portion 42 is arranged to oppose the second array member 11B from the second side Y2 in the Y direction. In the present embodiment, the second array member 11B is an array member 11 adjacent to the first array member 11A on the first side Y1 in the Y direction. Therefore, the first opposing portion 41 and the second opposing portion 42 are arranged to oppose the opposing surfaces of two adjacent array members 11 in the Y direction, respectively. Note that "opposing" includes both the case of being in contact (opposing without a gap) and the case of not being in contact (opposing with a gap).

[0044] Since the first opposing portion 41 and the second opposing portion 42 as described above are provided on the first scaffold 3A, the movement of the first scaffold 3A to the first side Y1 in the Y direction is restricted by the second opposing portion 42, and the movement of the first scaffold 3A to the second side Y2 in the Y direction is restricted by the first opposing portion 41. Thus, the Y-direction restricting structure 4Y for restricting the movement of the first scaffold 3A in the Y direction includes the first opposing portion 41 that opposes the first array member 11A from the first side Y1 in the Y direction in each of the pair of storage shelves 1, and the second opposing portion 42 that opposes the second array member 11B from the second side Y2 in the Y direction in each of the pair of storage shelves 1.

[0045] In this embodiment, the first opposing portion 41 and the second opposing portion 42 are formed in a plate shape perpendicular to the X direction. Therefore, it is easy to keep the amount of outward protrusion of the first opposing portion 41 and the second opposing portion 42 relative to the rail 2 in the X direction small, and as a result, as shown in Figures 5 and 7, even when the item A is placed near the rail 2 in the shelf portion 10, it is easy to position the first scaffolding 3A while avoiding interference with the item A.

[0046] In this embodiment, the Y-direction restricting structure 4Y includes a spacing adjustment mechanism 5 for adjusting the distance in the Y direction between the first opposing portion 41 and the second opposing portion 42. As shown in Figure 6, in this embodiment, the spacing adjustment mechanism 5 includes an elongated hole 50 through which the shafts of the first bolt B1 and the second bolt B2 are inserted. In this example, the elongated hole 50 is formed in the bracket 31. The elongated hole 50 is made long in the Y direction so that the respective Y-direction positions of the first bolt B1 and the second bolt B2 can be adjusted. Therefore, by loosening the first bolt B1, the Y-direction position of the first restricting member 71, which includes the first opposing portion 41, can be adjusted, and by loosening the second bolt B2, the Y-direction position of the second restricting member 72, which includes the second opposing portion 42, can be adjusted. This makes it possible to adjust the distance in the Y direction between the first opposing portion 41 and the second opposing portion 42.

[0047] In this embodiment, the first scaffold 3A (specifically, the locking structure 4) further includes a third restricting member 73 and a fourth restricting member 74. The third restricting member 73 and the fourth restricting member 74 are provided at the X-direction end portions of the first scaffold 3A. The third restricting member 73 and the fourth restricting member 74 are formed in a plate shape orthogonal to the Y direction. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the third restricting member 73 is fixed to the side surface 30a of the second side Y2 in the Y direction (specifically, the surface facing the outside in the Y direction of the side surface 30a) among the pair of side surfaces 30a. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the fourth restricting member 74 is fixed to the side surface 30a of the first side Y1 in the Y direction (specifically, the surface facing the outside in the Y direction of the side surface 30a) among the pair of side surfaces 30a. The third restricting member 73 and the fourth restricting member 74 are locked to the storage shelf 1 (specifically, the rail 2) in a state where the first scaffold 3A is arranged so as to span between the pair of storage shelves 1 in the X direction.

[0048] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, in a state where the first scaffold 3A is attached to the pair of storage shelves 1, the third restricting member 73 is arranged to face the rail 2 (specifically, the first extending portion 23) from the inside in the X direction (in FIG. 7, the first side X1 in the X direction). Although not shown, in a state where the first scaffold 3A is attached to the pair of storage shelves 1, the fourth restricting member 74 is arranged to face the rail 2 (specifically, the first extending portion 23) from the inside in the X direction. Therefore, the movement of the first scaffold 3A to the first side X1 in the X direction is restricted by the third restricting member 73 and the fourth restricting member 74 provided at the end portion of the first scaffold 3A on the first side X1 in the X direction, and the movement of the first scaffold 3A to the second side X2 in the X direction is restricted by the third restricting member 73 and the fourth restricting member 74 provided at the end portion of the first scaffold 3A on the second side X2 in the X direction.

[0049] Thus, in this embodiment, the X-direction restricting structure 4X for restricting the movement of the first scaffold 3A in the X direction includes a third opposing portion (third restricting member 73) and a fourth opposing portion (fourth restricting member 74) that face the rail 2 from the inside in the X direction in each of the pair of storage shelves 1. The third opposing portion and the fourth opposing portion face the rail 2 from the inside in the X direction at different positions in the Y direction.

[0050] In this embodiment, the members constituting the X-direction restricting structure 4X are different from the members constituting the Y-direction restricting structure 4Y. However, the X-direction restricting structure 4X can also be constructed using the members constituting the Y-direction restricting structure 4Y. With such a configuration, the structure of the first scaffolding 3A can be simplified.

[0051] Specifically, as shown in Figure 6, with the first scaffolding 3A attached to the pair of storage shelves 1, the first opposing portion 41 and the second opposing portion 42 are positioned to face the rail 2 from the outside in the X direction (the first side X1 in the X direction in Figure 6). Therefore, even if the third restricting member 73 and the fourth restricting member 74 are not provided, the movement of the first scaffolding 3A toward the first side X1 in the X direction is restricted by the first opposing portion 41 and the second opposing portion 42 provided at the end of the second side X2 in the X direction of the first scaffolding 3A, and the movement of the first scaffolding 3A toward the second side X2 in the X direction is restricted by the first opposing portion 41 and the second opposing portion 42 provided at the end of the first side X1 in the X direction of the first scaffolding 3A. In this case, the X-direction restricting structure 4X can be said to include the first opposing portion 41 and the second opposing portion 42 that face the rail 2 of each of the pair of storage shelves 1 from the outside in the X direction.

[0052] In this embodiment, the article storage facility 100 includes an additional scaffolding 8 that is positioned adjacent to the first scaffolding 3A on the first side Y1 in the Y direction. By positioning the additional scaffolding 8 adjacent to the first scaffolding 3A on the first side Y1 in the Y direction, a larger width of the tread surface in the Y direction can be secured compared to when the first scaffolding 3A is used alone.

[0053] As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the first scaffolding 3A is provided with a connecting portion 32 that is positioned to protrude from the scaffolding body 30 in the first Y direction Y1 and is connected to the additional scaffolding 8. The connecting portion 32 is provided at the end of the first scaffolding 3A in the X direction. In this embodiment, the connecting portion 32 is integrally formed with the fourth restricting member 74.

[0054] The connecting portion 32 is provided with a fitting recess 33 into which the additional scaffolding 8 fits from the upper side Z1. The fitting recess 33 is formed to open to the upper side Z1 and recess to the lower side Z2. In this embodiment, the fitting recess 33 is formed to open to both sides in the X direction. Specifically, the connecting portion 32 is provided with a bottom portion extending from the lower side Z2 end of the fourth restricting member 74 to the first side Y1 in the Y direction, and a side portion extending from the end of the first side Y1 in the Y direction of the bottom portion to the upper side Z1. The fitting recess 33 is formed surrounded by the fourth restricting member 74, the bottom portion, and the side portion.

[0055] The connecting portion 32 further includes a guide portion 34. The guide portion 34 is provided to extend in the first direction Y1 in the Y direction relative to the fitting recess 33. Furthermore, the guide portion 34 is inclined so as it moves toward the first direction Y1 in the Y direction, it moves toward the upper side Z1. Note that the connecting portion 32 can also be configured without the guide portion 34.

[0056] As shown in Figure 5, the extension scaffolding 8 includes an extension scaffolding main body 80 that forms a tread. The tread is formed by the upper surface of the extension scaffolding main body 80. The tread formed on the extension scaffolding main body 80 is positioned at the same height (or approximately the same height) as the tread formed on the scaffolding main body 30. The extension scaffolding 8 includes side portions 80a that extend downward Z2 from both ends in the Y direction of the extension scaffolding main body 80. The side portions 80a are formed integrally with the extension scaffolding main body 80, for example.

[0057] The main body portion 80 of the additional scaffolding is formed in a plate shape that conforms to the horizontal plane. The upper surface of the main body portion 80 of the additional scaffolding does not need to be flat, and irregularities may be formed on the upper surface of the main body portion 80 of the additional scaffolding. Furthermore, through holes that penetrate the main body portion 80 in the vertical direction Z may be formed in the main body portion 80 of the additional scaffolding. In this embodiment, the dimension of the main body portion 80 in the Y direction is smaller than the dimension of the main body portion 80 of the additional scaffolding. That is, the additional scaffolding 8 is attached to the pair of storage shelves 1 in a position where the longitudinal direction of the main body portion 80 of the additional scaffolding is aligned with the X direction.

[0058] In this embodiment, the additional scaffolding 8 does not have a structure to restrict its movement in the Y direction. On the other hand, the additional scaffolding 8 does have a structure to restrict its movement in the X direction. Specifically, as shown in Figure 5, the additional scaffolding 8 is equipped with a fifth restricting member 75 and a sixth restricting member 76. The fifth restricting member 75 and the sixth restricting member 76 are provided at the X-direction end of the additional scaffolding 8. The fifth restricting member 75 and the sixth restricting member 76 are formed in a plate shape perpendicular to the Y direction. The fifth restricting member 75 is fixed to the side portion 80a of the pair of side portions 80a on the second side Y2 in the Y direction (specifically, the surface of the side portion 80a facing outward in the Y direction), and the sixth restricting member 76 is fixed to the side portion 80a of the pair of side portions 80a on the first side Y1 in the Y direction (specifically, the surface of the side portion 80a facing outward in the Y direction).

[0059] With the additional scaffolding 8 attached to the pair of storage shelves 1, the fifth restricting member 75 and the sixth restricting member 76 are positioned to face the rail 2 (specifically, the first extended portion 23) from the inside in the X direction. Therefore, the movement of the additional scaffolding 8 toward the first side X1 in the X direction is restricted by the fifth restricting member 75 and the sixth restricting member 76 provided at the end of the additional scaffolding 8 toward the first side X1 in the X direction, and the movement of the additional scaffolding 8 toward the second side X2 in the X direction is restricted by the fifth restricting member 75 and the sixth restricting member 76 provided at the end of the additional scaffolding 8 toward the second side X2 in the X direction.

[0060] In this embodiment, the X-direction dimension of the additional scaffolding body 80 is shorter than the X-direction separation distance between the pair of rails 2 (here, the X-direction separation distance between the mounting surface forming portion 20 of one rail 2 and the mounting surface forming portion 20 of the other rail 2). Furthermore, as described below, the additional scaffolding 8 is configured to be supported from below Z2 by a pair of storage shelves 1 on the first side Y1 in the Y direction, and supported from below Z2 by the scaffolding 3 on the second side Y2 in the Y direction.

[0061] The additional scaffolding 8 comprises a pair of supported projections 81 and a fitting portion 82. Although only the first supported projection 81 in the X direction X1 of the pair of supported projections 81 is shown in Figure 5, the pair of supported projections 81 are formed to project outward on both sides in the X direction from the side of the first side Y1 in the Y direction of the additional scaffolding body 80. When the additional scaffolding 8 is attached to the pair of storage shelves 1, the pair of supported projections 81 are supported from below Z2 by each of the pair of storage shelves 1. Here, when the pair of supported projections 81 are placed on the mounting surface forming portion 20, they are supported from below Z2 by the rails 2 on each of the pair of storage shelves 1. In this embodiment, the supported projections 81 are integrally formed with the sixth regulating member 76.

[0062] The fitting portion 82 is provided on the side of the second side Y2 in the Y direction of the main body portion 80 of the additional scaffolding. The fitting portion 82 is provided on the end in the X direction of the additional scaffolding 8. As shown in Figure 9, in this embodiment, the fitting portion 82 is integrally formed with the fifth restricting member 75. When the first scaffolding 3A and the additional scaffolding 8 are attached to the pair of storage shelves 1, the fitting portion 82 fits into the fitting recess 33 of the connecting portion 32. Since the movement of the first scaffolding 3A in the Y direction is restricted, the movement of the additional scaffolding 8 in the Y direction is also restricted when the fitting portion 82 fits into the fitting recess 33. In this embodiment, the additional scaffolding 8 is configured such that the side of the second side Y2 in the Y direction of the additional scaffolding body 80 is supported from below Z2 by the connecting portion 32 (specifically, the bottom of the fitting recess 33) of the fitting portion 82.

[0063] Thus, the additional scaffolding 8 is supported from below Z2 by a pair of storage shelves 1 on the first side Y1 in the Y direction, and supported from below Z2 by the scaffolding 3 (specifically, the connecting part 32) on the second side Y2 in the Y direction. Therefore, even if the additional scaffolding 8, which does not have a structure to restrict movement in the Y direction, is to be used on its own, the additional scaffolding 8 is supported from below Z2 only on the side of the first side Y1 in the Y direction by the pair of storage shelves 1, so the side of the additional scaffolding 8 on the second side Y2 in the Y direction will be lowered to the lower Z2. Therefore, it is easy to avoid the additional scaffolding 8 being used by mistake on its own.

[0064] The position and dimensions of the fitting recess 33 in the Y direction are set so that the size of the gap between the first scaffolding 3A and the additional scaffolding 8 is within a range that ensures the safety of the worker W (for example, 30 mm or less). It is also possible to arrange the two first scaffoldings 3A side by side in the Y direction without using the additional scaffolding 8, but in this case, the worker W may need to adjust the position of the first opposing part 41 and the second opposing part 42 in the Y direction on site in order to reduce the gap between the two first scaffoldings 3A. In contrast, when the additional scaffolding 8 is used, such on-site work can be eliminated, improving the convenience and safety of the worker W.

[0065] [Second Embodiment] A second embodiment of the article storage facility will be described with reference to the drawings (Figures 10 to 12). The following description will focus on the differences from the first embodiment. Unless otherwise specified, the same reference numerals are used as in the first embodiment, and detailed explanations will be omitted.

[0066] As shown in Figure 10, in this embodiment, the article storage facility 100 is equipped with a second scaffolding 3B as the scaffolding 3. The second scaffolding 3B is the same as the first scaffolding 3A in the first embodiment unless otherwise specified. As shown in Figures 11 and 12, in this embodiment, the first regulating member 71 is positioned on the first side Y1 in the Y direction relative to the second regulating member 72. Also, in this embodiment, as will be described below, the second opposing portion 42 is positioned to face the first arrangement member 11A from the second side Y2 in the Y direction.

[0067] As shown in Figure 11, in this embodiment, the fixed portion of the first restricting member 71 that is fixed to the bracket 31 is positioned lower Z2 relative to the bracket 31. The first opposing portion 41 is formed to extend downward Z2 from the inner end in the Y direction of the fixed portion of the first restricting member 71. In this embodiment, the first opposing portion 41 is formed in a plate shape perpendicular to the Y direction. As shown in Figure 12, the first restricting member 71 includes a first claw portion 71a that extends upward Z1 from the fixed portion and is positioned inside the elongated hole 50. The rotation of the first restricting member 71 (in other words, the first opposing portion 41) around its axis along the vertical direction Z is restricted by the first claw portion 71a contacting the inner surface of the elongated hole 50.

[0068] As shown in Figure 11, in this embodiment, the fixed portion of the second restricting member 72 that is fixed to the bracket 31 is positioned lower Z2 relative to the bracket 31. The second opposing portion 42 is formed to extend downward Z2 from the inner end in the Y direction of the fixed portion of the second restricting member 72. In this embodiment, the second opposing portion 42 is formed in a plate shape perpendicular to the Y direction. As shown in Figures 11 and 12, the second restricting member 72 is provided with a second claw portion 72a that extends upward Z1 from the fixed portion and is positioned inside the elongated hole 50. The rotation of the second restricting member 72 (in other words, the second opposing portion 42) around its axis along the vertical Z direction is restricted by the second claw portion 72a contacting the inner surface of the elongated hole 50.

[0069] With the second scaffolding 3B attached to the pair of storage shelves 1, the first opposing portion 41 is positioned to face the first arrangement member 11A from the first side Y1 in the Y direction, and the second opposing portion 42 is positioned to face the first arrangement member 11A from the second side Y2 in the Y direction. That is, the first opposing portion 41 and the second opposing portion 42 are positioned to face opposite sides of one arrangement member 11. Thus, in this embodiment, the Y-direction restricting structure 4Y comprises a first opposing portion 41 that faces the first arrangement member 11A, which is one arrangement member 11 in each of the pair of storage shelves 1, from the first side Y1 in the Y direction, and a second opposing portion 42 that faces the first arrangement member 11A in each of the pair of storage shelves 1 from the second side Y2 in the Y direction.

[0070] [Third Embodiment] A third embodiment of the article storage facility will be described with reference to the drawings (Figures 13 and 14). The following description will focus on the differences from the second embodiment. Unless otherwise specified, the same reference numerals are used as in the second embodiment, and detailed explanations will be omitted.

[0071] As shown in Figure 13, in this embodiment, the goods storage facility 100 is equipped with a third scaffolding 3C as a scaffolding 3. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 13, the third scaffolding 3C is used to set the scaffolding body 30 in a stepped shape to form a stepped tread, and to install the scaffolding body 30 at the height between two adjacent shelf sections 10 in the vertical direction Z. Therefore, the goods storage facility 100 is equipped with a second scaffolding 3B in addition to the third scaffolding 3C as a scaffolding 3. It should be noted that the goods storage facility 100 can also be configured to be equipped with a first scaffolding 3A in addition to the third scaffolding 3C as a scaffolding 3.

[0072] The third scaffolding 3C will be described below, but unless otherwise specified, it will be the same as the second scaffolding 3B. As shown in Figure 14, the third scaffolding 3C includes a support section 35 and a connecting member 36 in addition to the scaffolding body section 30. The support section 35 is equipped with a locking structure 4 (here, a Y-direction restricting structure 4Y). In this embodiment, an elongated hole 50 is formed in the support section 35, and the first restricting member 71 and the second restricting member 72 are fixed to the support section 35. The third scaffolding 3C is attached to a pair of storage shelves 1 such that the support section 35 is placed on the mounting surface forming section 20 of the rail 2.

[0073] In this embodiment, the first restricting member 71 is positioned on the second side Y2 in the Y direction relative to the second restricting member 72. In this embodiment, the Y-direction restricting structure 4Y includes a first opposing portion 41 that faces the first arrangement member 11A in each of the pair of storage shelves 1 from the first side Y1 in the Y direction, and a second opposing portion 42 that faces the second arrangement member 11B in each of the pair of storage shelves 1 from the second side Y2 in the Y direction. That is, the third scaffold 3C is attached to the pair of storage shelves 1 such that the first opposing portion 41 and the second opposing portion 42 face opposing faces of two adjacent arrangement members 11 in the Y direction. Alternatively, the third scaffold 3C may be attached to the pair of storage shelves 1 in the same way as the second scaffold 3B, such that the first opposing portion 41 and the second opposing portion 42 face opposing faces of one arrangement member 11.

[0074] In this embodiment, the scaffolding body 30 is positioned below the support 35 by Z2. The vertical distance Z between the support 35 and the scaffolding body 30 is smaller than the vertical distance Z between two adjacent shelf sections 10 in each of the pair of storage shelves 1. Therefore, when the third scaffolding 3C is attached to the pair of storage shelves 1, the scaffolding body 30 is positioned at a height between the shelf section 10 to which the support 35 is attached and the shelf section 10 one level below this shelf section 10.

[0075] The connecting member 36 connects the support portion 35 and the scaffolding body portion 30 in the vertical direction Z. The connecting member 36 is provided at the end in the X direction of the third scaffolding 3C. The connecting member 36 is arranged to extend along the vertical direction Z. In this embodiment, the connecting member 36 is configured to extend further downward Z2 from the connection portion with the scaffolding body portion 30. The connecting member 36 is provided at each of the two locations in the Y direction, and the support portion 35 and the scaffolding body portion 30 are connected by the connecting member 36 at the two locations in the Y direction.

[0076] With the third scaffolding 3C attached to the pair of storage shelves 1, the connecting member 36 is configured to face at least the shelf portion 10 to which the support portion 35 is attached from the inside in the X direction (the second side X2 in the X direction in Figure 14). In this embodiment, facing the shelf portion 10 means facing the rail 2 provided on the shelf portion 10. The connecting member 36 can also be configured to face only the shelf portion 10 to which the support portion 35 is attached from the inside in the X direction, but in this embodiment, the connecting member 36 is configured to face not only the shelf portion 10 to which the support portion 35 is attached, but also the shelf portion 10 one level below this shelf portion 10 from the inside in the X direction. That is, the connecting member 36 is configured to face both of the two adjacent shelf portions 10 in the vertical Z direction from the inside in the X direction.

[0077] Movement of the third scaffolding 3C toward the first side X1 in the X direction is restricted by a connecting member 36 provided at the end of the third scaffolding 3C toward the first side X1 in the X direction, and movement of the third scaffolding 3C toward the second side X2 in the X direction is restricted by a connecting member 36 provided at the end of the third scaffolding 3C toward the second side X2 in the X direction. Thus, in this embodiment, the X-direction restricting structure 4X includes a connecting member 36 that faces the shelf portion 10 (specifically, the rail 2) of each of the pair of storage shelves 1 from the inside in the X direction. In order to ensure high stability of the third scaffolding 3C when it is attached to the pair of storage shelves 1, it is preferable that the connecting member 36 faces the shelf portion 10 without any gap (i.e., in contact) when the third scaffolding 3C is attached to the pair of storage shelves 1.

[0078] In this embodiment, the scaffolding body 30 is configured to be detachably attached to the connecting member 36. Specifically, as shown in Figure 14, the third scaffolding 3C is equipped with a holding part 37 that holds the scaffolding body 30, and the connecting member 36 connects the support part 35 and the scaffolding body 30 via the holding part 37. Although not shown, the holding part 37 is provided with a mounting part on which the scaffolding body 30 is placed. The connecting member 36 connects the support part 35 and the holding part 37 by being fixed to the support part 35 and the holding part 37, respectively. With the unit including the support part 35, the connecting member 36 (here, a pair of connecting members 36), and the holding part 37 attached to each of the pair of storage shelves 1, the scaffolding body 30 is attached so as to be placed on the holding part 37 from above Z1. The scaffolding body 30 is removed from the holding part 37 by moving the scaffolding body 30 to above Z1.

[0079] When the scaffolding body 30 is not attached to the holding portion 37, the movement of the unit inward in the X direction (second side X2 in the X direction in Figure 14) is restricted by the first opposing portion 41 and the second opposing portion 42, which are positioned to face the rail 2 from the outside in the X direction. Since this restriction is performed at the support portion 35, the lower portion of the connecting member 36, which is provided to extend downward Z2 from the support portion 35, can be displaced inward in the X direction. However, when the scaffolding body 30 is attached to the holding portion 37, the bracing of the scaffolding body 30 between the holding portions 37 on both sides in the X direction restricts the displacement of the connecting member 36 inward in the X direction.

[0080] In the example shown in Figure 14, when the scaffolding body 30 is attached to the holding part 37, the movement of the scaffolding body 30 in the Y direction is restricted by the connecting members 36 positioned on both sides of the scaffolding body 30 in the Y direction. Also, when the scaffolding body 30 is attached to the holding part 37, the movement of the scaffolding body 30 in the X direction is restricted by the holding parts 37 positioned on both sides of the scaffolding body 30 in the X direction.

[0081] [Other Embodiments] (1) In the embodiments described above, the additional scaffolding 8 was described as being supported from below Z2 by a pair of storage shelves 1 on the first side Y1 in the Y direction, and supported from below Z2 by the scaffolding 3 on the second side Y2 in the Y direction. However, the present disclosure is not limited to such a configuration, and the additional scaffolding 8 can also be configured to be supported from below Z2 by a pair of storage shelves 1 (specifically, a pair of rails 2) on both sides in the Y direction, similar to the scaffolding 3. Even in this case, the movement of the additional scaffolding 8 in the Y direction is restricted by the fitting portion 82 fitting into the fitting recess 33.

[0082] (2) In each of the above embodiments, a configuration in which the article storage facility 100 is equipped with an additional scaffolding 8 was described as an example. However, the present disclosure is not limited to such a configuration, and the article storage facility 100 can also be configured without an additional scaffolding 8. In this case, it is not necessary to provide the connecting portion 32 on the scaffolding 3, and for example, the fourth restricting member 74 in the first and second embodiments above can be a plate-shaped member perpendicular to the Y direction, similar to the third restricting member 73. Even if the article storage facility 100 is not equipped with an additional scaffolding 8, by arranging multiple scaffoldings 3 (for example, two scaffoldings 3) adjacent to each other in the Y direction, a larger width in the Y direction of the tread surface can be secured compared to when a scaffolding 3 is used individually. The position of the scaffolding 3 in the Y direction can be adjusted by adjusting the position of the first opposing portion 41 and the second opposing portion 42 in the Y direction. Therefore, even when multiple scaffoldings 3 are arranged adjacent to each other in the Y direction, it is possible to keep the gap between two adjacent scaffoldings 3 in the Y direction small.

[0083] (3) In each of the above embodiments, the Y-direction restricting structure 4Y was described as having a configuration in which it includes a spacing adjustment mechanism 5 for adjusting the distance between the first opposing portion 41 and the second opposing portion 42 in the Y direction. However, the present disclosure is not limited to such a configuration, and the Y-direction restricting structure 4Y may also be configured without the spacing adjustment mechanism 5.

[0084] (4) In each of the above embodiments, a configuration in which the member that forms the support surface for article A in the shelf section 10 (support surface forming member) is an array member 11 was described as an example. However, the present disclosure is not limited to such a configuration, and any member other than the support surface forming member can be used as the array member 11, as long as it is a member that is arranged in the Y direction in the storage shelf 1. For example, column members provided in the storage shelf 1, or bolts that connect members in the storage shelf 1 can be used as the array member 11.

[0085] (5) In each of the above embodiments, the scaffolding 3 was described as being positioned to span between a pair of storage shelves 1 in the X direction and supported from below Z2 by rails 2 on each of the pair of storage shelves 1. However, the present disclosure is not limited to such a configuration, and the scaffolding 3 can also be positioned to span between a pair of storage shelves 1 in the X direction and supported from below Z2 by members other than rails 2 on each of the pair of storage shelves 1 (for example, horizontal members 15 provided in place of rails 2).

[0086] (6) The configurations disclosed in each of the embodiments described above can be applied in combination with configurations disclosed in other embodiments (including combinations of embodiments described as other embodiments), as long as no inconsistencies arise. With regard to other configurations, the embodiments disclosed herein are merely illustrative in all respects. Therefore, various modifications can be made as appropriate without departing from the spirit of this disclosure.

[0087] [Summary of this embodiment] The following is a summary of the embodiment relating to the article storage facility described above.

[0088] The article storage facility comprises a pair of storage shelves arranged facing each other, and a scaffold detachably configured to be attached to the pair of storage shelves, wherein the direction in which the pair of storage shelves face each other is defined as the X direction, the direction perpendicular to the X direction in an up-and-down view is defined as the Y direction, one side of the Y direction is defined as the first Y direction side, and the other side of the Y direction is defined as the second Y direction side, the pair of storage shelves are spaced apart in the X direction, each of the pair of storage shelves is provided with a plurality of arrangement members arranged in the Y direction, and the scaffold is connected to the pair of storage shelves in the X direction The scaffolding is provided with a locking structure that is positioned to span between the two storage shelves and is locked to each of the pair of storage shelves, the locking structure includes a Y-direction restricting structure that restricts the movement of the scaffolding in the Y direction, the Y-direction restricting structure includes a first opposing portion that faces a first array member, which is one of the array members in each of the pair of storage shelves, from the first side in the Y direction, and a second opposing portion that faces a second array member, which is either the first array member or another array member in each of the pair of storage shelves, from the second side in the Y direction.

[0089] With this configuration, when the scaffolding is positioned to span between a pair of storage shelves in the X direction, the movement of the scaffolding toward the first side in the Y direction can be restricted by a second opposing part that faces the arrangement member from the second side in the Y direction, and the movement of the scaffolding toward the second side in the Y direction can be restricted by a first opposing part that faces the arrangement member from the first side in the Y direction. In this way, with this configuration, the movement of the scaffolding attached to a pair of storage shelves toward both sides in the Y direction can be restricted by contact between members rather than friction between members. Therefore, the stability of the scaffolding attached to a pair of storage shelves can be easily increased.

[0090] Here, the Y-direction restricting structure preferably includes a spacing adjustment mechanism for adjusting the distance between the first opposing part and the second opposing part in the Y-direction.

[0091] With this configuration, even when the spacing of multiple array members in the Y direction differs depending on the location, or when installing the same scaffolding on storage shelves with different spacings of multiple array members in the Y direction, the spacing between the first opposing part and the second opposing part can be adjusted to match the spacing of each array member in the Y direction. Therefore, the versatility of the scaffolding is easily increased.

[0092] Furthermore, the locking structure preferably includes an X-direction restricting structure that restricts the movement of the scaffolding in the X-direction.

[0093] This configuration makes it easier to further enhance the stability of the scaffolding when it is attached to a pair of storage shelves.

[0094] Furthermore, the article storage facility further comprises an additional scaffolding positioned adjacent to the scaffolding on the first side in the Y direction, the scaffolding having a connecting portion positioned to protrude on the first side in the Y direction from the main scaffolding portion that forms the tread surface and connected to the additional scaffolding, the connecting portion having a fitting recess formed to open upwards and recessed downwards into which the additional scaffolding fits from above, the additional scaffolding having an additional scaffolding main portion that forms the tread surface and the additional scaffolding main portion on the first side in the Y direction The additional scaffolding comprises a pair of supported protrusions formed to project outward on both sides in the X direction from the side of the 1 side and supported from below by each of the pair of storage shelves, and a fitted portion provided on the second side in the Y direction of the additional scaffolding body that fits into the fitting recess of the connecting portion, wherein the additional scaffolding is configured such that the second side in the Y direction of the additional scaffolding body is supported from below by the connecting portion through which the fitted portion is supported from below.

[0095] With this configuration, the movement of the additional scaffolding in the Y direction can be restricted by fitting the receiving portion of the additional scaffolding into the fitting recess of the scaffolding, which restricts movement on both sides in the Y direction. Therefore, the need to provide a structure to restrict movement in the Y direction on the additional scaffolding can be reduced. Furthermore, with this configuration, the additional scaffolding is supported from below by a pair of storage shelves on the first side in the Y direction, while it is supported from below by the scaffolding on the second side in the Y direction. Therefore, unless used together with the scaffolding, the additional scaffolding cannot be properly installed, making it easier to avoid the additional scaffolding being mistakenly used alone. However, if a structure to restrict movement in the Y direction is not provided on the additional scaffolding, the additional scaffolding is more likely to move in the Y direction than in the case where it is not provided, and the need to avoid the additional scaffolding being mistakenly used alone becomes higher. Therefore, this configuration is particularly suitable when a structure to restrict movement in the Y direction is not provided on the additional scaffolding.

[0096] In the configuration described above, where the article storage facility is equipped with the additional scaffolding, it is preferable that the connecting portion is provided so as to extend toward the first side in the Y direction relative to the fitting recess, and that the guide portion is inclined to move upward as it moves toward the first side in the Y direction.

[0097] With this configuration, when fitting the fitted portion of the additional scaffolding into the fitting recess of the connecting portion, the fitted portion is guided toward the fitting recess along the guide portion, making the installation of the additional scaffolding easier. Furthermore, with this configuration, when the fitted portion is not fitted into the fitting recess, the second side in the Y direction of the additional scaffolding where the fitted portion is provided will be positioned higher than the correct position. Therefore, it is easier to visually determine whether or not the additional scaffolding is properly installed.

[0098] In the article storage equipment of each of the above configurations, each of the pair of storage shelves is provided with multiple shelves arranged in the vertical direction, the scaffolding is provided with a support part equipped with the locking structure, a scaffolding body part positioned below the support part and forming a stepping surface, and a connecting member that connects the support part and the scaffolding body part in the vertical direction, and it is preferable that the vertical distance between the support part and the scaffolding body part is smaller than the vertical distance between two vertically adjacent shelves in each of the pair of storage shelves.

[0099] According to this configuration, when scaffolding is installed on each of the shelf sections at different vertical heights in a storage shelf to form a stepped surface, even if the vertical distance between two adjacent shelf sections in the storage shelf is too wide, the scaffolding body can be positioned at the height between the two adjacent shelf sections by using the scaffolding of this configuration. Therefore, by using the scaffolding of this configuration in combination with scaffolding where the scaffolding body is positioned at the same height as the shelf section, it is possible to form stepped surfaces that are spaced appropriately in the vertical direction.

[0100] In the configuration described above, where the scaffold comprises the support portion, the scaffold body portion, and the connecting member, it is preferable that the connecting member is configured to face both of the two shelf portions adjacent to each other in the vertical direction from the inside in the X direction.

[0101] With this configuration, the outward movement of the connecting member in the X direction can be restricted by two shelf sections positioned at different heights in the vertical direction. Therefore, the scaffolding body, which is positioned below the support section, can be stably supported.

[0102] In the article storage equipment of each of the above configurations, it is preferable that the article storage equipment further comprises a transfer machine that travels along the Y direction and transfers articles between itself and the storage shelves, each of the pair of storage shelves is provided with a rail that extends along the Y direction on which the transfer machine travels, and the scaffold is configured to be supported from below by the rails on each of the pair of storage shelves, while being positioned to span between the pair of storage shelves in the X direction.

[0103] With this configuration, a scaffold can be installed by utilizing the rails provided on each of the pair of storage shelves for the movement of the transfer machine, and spanning between the pair of storage shelves in the X direction. Therefore, the need to provide dedicated components for installing the scaffold can be reduced, thereby reducing costs.

[0104] The article storage equipment relating to this disclosure only needs to achieve at least one of the effects described above.

[0105] 1: Storage shelf 2: Rail 3: Scaffolding 4: Locking structure 4X: X-direction restricting structure 4Y: Y-direction restricting structure 5: Spacing adjustment mechanism 8: Additional scaffolding 9: Transfer machine 10: Shelf section 11: Arrangement member 11A: First arrangement member 11B: Second arrangement member 30: Scaffolding main body section 32: Connecting section 33: Fitting recess 34: Guide section 35: Support section 36: Connecting member 41: First opposing section 42: Second opposing section 80: Additional scaffolding main body section 81: Supported protruding section 82: Fitting section 100: Article storage equipment A: Article X: X-direction Y: Y-direction Y1: First side in the Y-direction Y2: Second side in the Y-direction Z: Up and down direction Z1: Upper side Z2: Lower side

Claims

1. An article storage facility comprising a pair of storage shelves arranged facing each other, and a scaffold detachably configured to be attached to the pair of storage shelves, wherein the direction in which the pair of storage shelves face each other is the X direction, the direction perpendicular to the X direction in an up-and-down view is the Y direction, one side of the Y direction is the first Y direction side, and the other side of the Y direction is the second Y direction side, the pair of storage shelves are spaced apart in the X direction, each of the pair of storage shelves is provided with a plurality of arrangement members arranged in the Y direction, the scaffold is provided with a locking structure that is positioned to span across the pair of storage shelves in the X direction and locks to each of the pair of storage shelves, and the locking structure is provided with a Y direction restricting structure that restricts the movement of the scaffold in the Y direction. The Y-direction restricting structure comprises a first opposing portion that faces a first array member, which is one of the array members in each of the pair of storage shelves, from the first side in the Y direction, and a second opposing portion that faces a second array member, which is either the first array member or an array member other than the first array member, in each of the pair of storage shelves, from the second side in the Y direction, in an article storage facility.

2. The article storage equipment according to claim 1, wherein the Y-direction restricting structure is provided with a spacing adjustment mechanism for adjusting the distance between the first opposing part and the second opposing part in the Y-direction.

3. The article storage facility according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the locking structure further comprises an X-direction restricting structure that restricts the movement of the scaffolding in the X direction.

4. Further comprising an additional scaffolding positioned adjacent to the scaffolding on the first side in the Y direction, the scaffolding comprising a connecting portion positioned to protrude on the first side in the Y direction from the main scaffolding portion that forms the tread surface and connected to the additional scaffolding, the connecting portion comprising a fitting recess formed to open upward and recessed downward, into which the additional scaffolding is fitted from above, the additional scaffolding comprising: an additional scaffolding main portion that forms the tread surface; a pair of supported protrusions formed to protrude outward on both sides in the X direction from the first side in the Y direction of the additional scaffolding main portion and supported from below by each of the pair of storage shelves; and a fitted portion provided on the second side in the Y direction of the additional scaffolding main portion that fits into the fitting recess of the connecting portion, The article storage facility according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the additional scaffolding is configured such that the second side of the additional scaffolding body in the Y direction is supported from below by the connecting portion through which the fitting portion is supported from below.

5. The article storage device according to claim 4, wherein the connecting portion is provided so as to extend toward the first side in the Y direction with respect to the fitting recess, and includes a guide portion that is inclined upward as it approaches the first side in the Y direction.

6. The article storage equipment according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each of the pair of storage shelves comprises multiple shelves arranged vertically, the scaffold comprises a support portion equipped with the locking structure, a scaffold body portion positioned below the support portion and forming a tread, and a connecting member connecting the support portion and the scaffold body portion in the vertical direction, and the vertical distance between the support portion and the scaffold body portion is smaller than the vertical distance between two vertically adjacent shelves in each of the pair of storage shelves.

7. The article storage equipment according to claim 6, wherein the connecting member is configured to face both of the two shelf sections adjacent to each other in the vertical direction from the inside in the X direction.

8. The article storage facility according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a transfer machine that travels along the Y direction and transfers articles between the storage shelves, each of the pair of storage shelves having a rail that extends along the Y direction on which the transfer machine travels, and the scaffolding being positioned to span between the pair of storage shelves in the X direction and supported from below by the rails on each of the pair of storage shelves.

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