CN112969649A

CN112969649A - Guide rail system for automated material handling, shipping, storage and parking facilities

Info

Publication number: CN112969649A
Application number: CN201980071048.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 查尔斯·E·贝内迪克特
Original assignee: BAKER
Current assignee: BAKER; BEC Companies Inc
Priority date: 2018-10-31
Filing date: 2019-10-25
Publication date: 2021-06-15
Also published as: CA3116755A1; EP3873830A1; BR112021007176A2; WO2020092149A1; EP3873830A4; SG11202103854QA; MX2021004371A

Abstract

An overhead rail system for an automated material handling and storage facility, wherein at least one transport unit suspended on a carriage moves along the rail system, and wherein the rail system comprises a plurality of inverted "T" beams assembled in an X-Y axis manner such that first and second support beams cross each other in a perpendicular relationship, and wherein each inverted "T" beam comprises a horizontal flange connected to a central vertical web, and wherein at least one end of the plurality of vertical webs of the inverted "T" beams is connected to a vertically oriented base at the plurality of intersections of the inverted "T" beams, and the base has a transport deck over which the carriage passes and through an open gap between the horizontal flange at the intersection and the transport deck.

Description

Guide rail system for automated material handling, shipping, storage and parking facilities

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to an automated multi-directional material handling system that may be used to selectively pick up and drop off containers, supplies, containers, vehicles, weaponry, storage bins, and the like, either within or outside of a storage facility, automated parking facility, warehouse, marine vessel, and the like. The system includes a low cost and sophisticated overhead cross-over "T" beam-type track along which transport units or carriages travel in a transverse direction to move materials and items to and from storage spaces to and between different types of transport systems associated with warehouses, supply yards, rail warehouses and/or ports and other shipping facilities.

Background

Elevated rail systems for supporting motorized or non-motorized vehicle bodies or transport units for moving or transporting physical components or groups of components within warehouses, storage structures, vehicle parking or storage facilities, ship storage facilities, shipping or port handling and transportation facilities are well known. These systems may include overhead open box beams such as described by way of example in U.S. patent nos. 7,753,637, 7,850,412, 7,909,558 and 8,408,863 to Benedict et al, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

These overhead transport systems include load conveyors or container carriers, commonly referred to as conveyor units or TUs, which are suspended from carriages supported within open box beams. The transport unit is suspended by a shaft or yoke extending through an open channel or slot in the lower surface of the hollow box beam. As described in the previous U.S. patents, the most efficient and economical way to ship cargo on land and water is to use standardized cargo containers or shipping containers. Containers are produced with standard dimensions, typically twenty to forty feet in length. Containers are especially designed so that they can be loaded into a hold below the deck of a marine vessel, stacked and stored open air or stored in a land warehouse and/or removed from the vessel or warehouse using a crane on board or land that places the containers directly onto land vehicles such as railroad trains and trucks. Conventional container ships, warehouses, open storage areas, and the like include one or more silos or storage spaces that in some configurations may be divided into a plurality of vertical tiered compartments by vertical beams that serve as guides for the corners of containers to be stacked on top of each other within each compartment. Conventional vertical compartments may hold six to ten or more stacked containers. In other constructions, the storage space may be more open so that containers may be stacked on top of each other without vertical guide beams.

The same type of vertical storage compartment structure with and without vertical guides can be used in other environments, such as high density automated parking facilities used as vehicles in cities, high density storage for ships in parking areas, and general storage for any type of goods and materials in warehouses and other storage facilities where standardized containers may not be suitable.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention relates to a motorized material access and handling system for controlling and storing standardized and other types of containers, supporting cabinets, pallets, vehicle containers or racks, and the like, within vertically oriented compartments of ships, warehouses, and other open or closed storage facilities for vehicles (including cars, trucks, and buses), ships, shipping boats, and other items. In addition, the system includes an elevated grid guide track structure that is securely mounted above the storage compartments and the handling area and defines intersecting, substantially vertically oriented guide tracks or tracks on which the container transfer units move. Each conveyor unit is mounted by a plurality of carriage or roller assemblies supported by rails such that the conveyor units are suspended on overhead rails and are movable in an X-Y axis manner so as to be positioned for placement or retrieval of containers or other goods or items relative to the compartments or other storage spaces.

The transport unit is conventionally driven by a motor which drives a drive gear or wheel system which may engage with a grid guide of the system. The drive motor has an anti-back drive feature so that the motor acts as a lock against movement of the delivery unit when not activated.

The system of the present invention is designed to provide space above the upper level of each vertical storage compartment that is large enough for the conveyor unit to travel while hanging a hoist rope, a spreader beam, or the like, so that containers or other items can be manipulated via the rail system and moved from one compartment area to another below the elevated rail system but above the storage compartment.

The system of the present invention also reduces the amount of labor and manual labor required to operate containers, vehicles, supplies, etc., and allows multiple containers to be moved within an open area or within an area below the deck or ceiling of the structure but above the cell structure so that containers or other items can be manipulated alternately from one space to another or from one cell to another.

The primary objective of the present invention is to provide an automated material handling, extraction and storage system for warehouses, parking and ship storage buildings, container ships and the like that allows these structures to operate at optimum capacity for a given area of "footprint" so that the maximum number of goods or containers can be stored and/or extracted in such a storage system.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a material handling, extraction and storage system for standardized and other internationalized and localized freight containers that enables a particular container to be taken from any one of a plurality of levels of a multi-level vertical cell structure and manipulated through the structure in an X-Y axis path so that multiple transport units can be operated simultaneously within a given system.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an overhead grid guide track system for supporting mobile and non-mobile load carrying units provided with a load lifting system such as a boom structure suspended from a crane or cable means, hoists, winches and other lifts, and wherein the substantially vertically crossing guide tracks of the system are formed of inverted "T" shaped steel beams which are connected by welding and sometimes bolted or otherwise attached to each other to form crossing guide tracks on which the carrying units move.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a structural grid guide or track structure that is constructed at low cost by an inverted "T" shaped steel beam structure in an X-Y axis grid system and by providing a load transfer unit that is capable of moving across an open intersection formed at each area where the X-axis and Y-axis inverted "T" beams intersect each other.

It is another object of the present invention to reduce the cost of construction and maintenance of an elevated grid guide rail system by using a more economical, lighter weight inverted "T" shaped steel beam to form an X-Y axis grid over which the vehicle body can move, and wherein the inverted "T" beam provides greater strength, less deflection and less fatigue problems by using replaceable reinforced wear plates or reinforced tracks secured to existing horizontal flanges of the inverted "T" beam of the grid guide rail system, as compared to more conventional hollow box beam structures.

It is another object of the present invention to facilitate the incorporation of the grid guide rail system into and as part of an existing support structure, thereby eliminating the entire hollow grid guide rail of prior art systems, which significantly reduces the overall weight and therefore the cost of the grid guide rail system.

It is yet another object of the present invention to facilitate maintenance of carriages supporting conveyor units on an overhead grid guide system by allowing direct access to carriages and their components (e.g., motors, bearings, rollers, ball mounts) and allowing open inspection of the grid guide system and the members of the carriages, thereby detecting and preventing damage and possible failure of the grid guide structure and carriages over time.

Drawings

The invention will be better understood with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 is a top perspective view of a prior art elevated grid guide track system showing a plurality of vertically oriented storage compartments mounted above that open horizontally toward an island (isle) between spaced rows of storage compartments, and wherein one or more conveyor units are mounted for movement along intersecting open box beams above the island, and wherein the conveyor units raise or lower a carrier or lift supporting cargo to be placed in and/or removed from the storage compartments.

Fig. 2 is a top perspective view, similar to fig. 1, of another prior art elevated open box girder grid guide track system showing a plurality of vertically oriented storage compartments mounted above that open vertically to receive containers, racks and other containers for storing goods and products, and wherein one or more conveyor units are mounted for movement along the intersecting open box girders, and wherein the conveyor units raise or lower containers holding goods to be placed in and/or removed from the storage compartments.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the prior art conveyor unit shown in fig. 1 suspended on pins extending through central slots from four brackets mounted in open box beams of an overhead grid guide rail system.

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken through two intersecting open box beams of the overhead grid guide rail system shown in figure 3 showing a prior art support bracket mounted within one of the intersecting open box beams and also showing slots located in the intersecting open box beams of the grid guide rail system.

Figure 5 is a top cross-sectional view showing the prior art bracket of figure 4 installed within an open box girder of a prior art grid guide rail system.

Figure 6A is a partial perspective view of a first embodiment of one of the inverted "T" beams of the present invention with both ends modified to form the intersection of the elevated grid guide rail system of the present invention. An inverted "T" beam includes a pair of oppositely oriented horizontal flanges that form bracket support rails or surfaces on opposite sides of the central vertical web of the beam. The vertical webs of the inverted "T" beams are configured to terminate at the intersections of the grid guide rail system and include opposing projecting end portions that project from the horizontal flanges relative to the beam's axis of elongation a-a.

Figure 6B is a partial perspective view of a variation of the embodiment of the inverted "T" beam of figure 6A, only one of the ends of the beam being modified to form the intersection of the overhead grid guide rail system of the present invention, such that the modified end of the central web extends outwardly beyond a pair of oppositely oriented horizontal flanges forming a tray support rail on opposite sides of the vertical web.

FIG. 6C is a view similar to FIG. 6A, wherein the upper surface of the vertical web of the inverted "T" beam is substantially planar.

FIG. 6D is a view similar to FIG. 6B, wherein the upper surface of the vertical web of the inverted "T" beam is substantially planar.

FIG. 7A is an end view of the inverted "T" beam of FIG. 6A, as viewed along line 7A-7A of FIG. 6A.

FIG. 7B is an end view of the inverted "T" beam of FIG. 6C, as viewed along line 7B-7B.

Figure 8A is a perspective view of a base bracket for joining the ends of two pairs of oppositely oriented inverted "T" beams extending in perpendicular X-axis and Y-axis directions for forming an open intersection in an overhead grid guide rail system using a plurality of joined X-axis and Y-axis inverted "T" beams in accordance with the teachings of the present invention and using the improved beam structure shown in figures 6A-6D.

FIG. 8B is a perspective view similar to FIG. 8A, showing the protruding end portion of the web of one of the inverted "T" beams of FIG. 6A or 6B being mounted and secured to a support base.

FIG. 8C is a perspective view similar to FIG. 8A, showing the protruding end portion of the web of one of the inverted "T" beams of FIG. 6C or 6D being mounted and secured to a support base.

FIG. 9A is a cross-sectional view showing the base bracket of FIG. 8B welded between the webs of the opposed inverted "T" beams of the grid guide track structure of the present invention and showing a carriage having spherical and bi-directional rollers for supporting the load carrying unit on the guide track structure at the intersection of the X-axis and Y-axis beams.

FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view showing the base bracket of FIG. 8C welded between the webs of the opposed inverted "T" beams of the grid guide track structure of the present invention and showing a carriage having spherical and bi-directional rollers for supporting the load carrying unit on the guide track structure at the intersection of the X-axis and Y-axis beams.

Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 10-10 of figures 9A and 9B showing spherical and bi-directional rollers for supporting a carriage on the upper surface of the horizontal flanges of the inverted "T" beam forming the elevated grid guide track structure of the present invention.

Fig. 11 is a top plan view of the bracket of fig. 10, showing an upper portion of the bracket.

Fig. 12 is a side view of the bracket of fig. 11 as viewed along line 12-12 of fig. 11.

Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 13-13 of fig. 11.

Fig. 14A is a partial cross-sectional view similar to fig. 7A and 7B, showing an additional substantially planar wear plate secured to the upper surfaces of two oppositely oriented flanges of one of the inverted "T" beams.

FIG. 14B is a partial cross-sectional view similar to FIGS. 7A and 7B, showing the reinforced, vertically oriented tracks mounted on the upper surfaces of two oppositely oriented flanges of one of the inverted "T" beams.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 10 showing spherical and bi-directional pulley-type rollers for supporting the carriage of FIG. 16 on a reinforcing rail shown in FIG. 14B mounted on the upper surface of the horizontal flanges of the inverted "T" beam forming the elevated grid guide track structure of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a view through section 15-15 of FIG. 15 showing the base bracket of FIG. 8B welded between the webs of the opposing inverted "T" beams of the grid guide track structure of the present invention and showing a carriage having the spherical rollers and the two-way pulley rollers of FIG. 15 for supporting the load transfer unit on the guide track and track structure at the intersection of the X-axis and Y-axis inverted "T" beams of the present invention.

17A-17D illustrate cross-sectional views of additional embodiments of inverted "T" beams for use in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

Figure 18 is a top perspective view of a double-deck elevated grid guide rail system using the inverted "T" beams and support bases of the present invention, showing above the ship docking area and truck loading areas extending therefrom, the storage warehouses with vertically stacked storage compartments, and the rail loading areas, wherein the view includes cut-away sections showing the intersections characteristic of the grid guide rail system of the present invention.

Figure 19 is a top perspective view of a single layer elevated grid guide rail system using the inverted "T" beams and support base of the present invention, showing above the ship docking area and truck loading areas extending therefrom, the storage warehouses with vertically stacked storage compartments, and the rail loading areas, wherein the view includes cut-away sections showing the intersections characteristic of the grid guide rail system of the present invention. In this embodiment of the invention, where a lift conveyor platform is not used, the grid guide track system of the invention is instead located above the berthing area of the container ship, so that the overhead container transfer car or transfer unit of the invention is used to load and unload containers from and into the container ship and to move containers to and from land carriers such as railroad trains and trucks.

Detailed Description

With particular reference to fig. 1 of the drawings, the system of the present invention will be described with reference to or using a prior art storage warehouse or building 20. It should be noted that the system may be used in other environments, such as private storage warehouses, distribution warehouses, garages, ship storage facilities, port container terminals, on-board use, and the like. The building 20 is divided into a plurality of horizontal rows 23 of vertically tiered compartments 24. The compartments are defined by vertically and horizontally extending steel beams. In this embodiment, the compartments are opened horizontally, for example at 28, for receiving goods or containers "C" supported on pallets "P" carried by lifting devices such as lifts 29 or the like connected by cables 32 to load transfer cars or units 30 that are linearly movable in the X-axis and Y-axis directions along an overhead grid guide track system 22 formed by hollow open box beams as taught in the prior art. The grid comprises open box beams 25 extending in the X-axis direction and intersecting open box beams 26 extending in the Y-axis direction. Due to this open grid system, multiple transport units 30 may be operated simultaneously within the system, see for example two modified transport carts or transport units as shown at 40 in fig. 2, but only a single transport unit 30 is shown in fig. 1.

Referring to fig. 2, the storage and transport system of the present invention may also use a slightly different prior art elevated grid guide rail system 22' that runs above a plurality of vertically open storage compartments 34 that are different from the horizontally open compartments of fig. 1. A plurality of containers "C1-C7" may be stacked on top of each other in each vertical cell, with the cells in side-by-side abutting relationship to maximize storage capacity of buildings, ships, open storage areas (e.g., port container terminals), and the like. As with the system of fig. 1, containers are transported by load-carrying carriages or units 40 along an overhead grid guide track system 22 ' formed by intersecting hollow open box beams 25 ' and 26 ' oriented along X and Y axes similar to those described for the embodiment of fig. 1. In this embodiment, the cells 40 may be sized to allow conventional and standardized cargo containers or international shipping containers "C1-C7" to be transported into and out of each compartment. In some cases, these compartments may be sized to accommodate other sized items to be stored or temporarily placed, such as trays that can support vehicles or boats in high density automated parking garages and boat storage facilities, and the like. A grid guide system 22' for supporting the movable conveyor units 40 is disposed above the compartments and spaced above the top of the compartments a sufficient distance to allow the conveyor units 40 and any items they support to move through above the compartments. Each transport unit includes a hoist 41 for raising and lowering a container engagement structure, such as a conventional lifting beam 42 supporting one of the containers "C1-C7" as it is lowered or raised relative to the cell 34.

Referring to fig. 3, a conveyor unit or cart 30, similar to that shown in fig. 1, is suspended from a pair of parallel and

intersecting box beams

25 or 26 by pins or axles 27 extending through open slots 31 in the lower surfaces of the

box beams

25 and 26. As shown in fig. 4 and 5, the axle is mounted on a carriage 35 that is movable within the box beam. In general, four brackets are connected to each conveyor unit 30 such that the conveyor units are supported on two adjacent X-axis beams 25 or two adjacent Y-axis beams 26 oriented to cross each other in a substantially perpendicular relationship at an open intersection 37. As shown in fig. 3, each conveyor unit 30 includes a hoist 38 for controlling the cable 32 for raising and lowering the pallet or item carried on the elevator 29 to be aligned with the compartment 24 for moving the goods or items into and out of the conveyor unit and compartment.

The conveyor unit or car 40 of fig. 2 is suspended from a pair of parallel and adjacent open box beams 25 'and 26' of the overhead grid guide rail system by pins or axles (similar to the axle 27 and slot 31 shown in fig. 3) that extend through open slots in the lower surface of the box beams. As shown in fig. 4 and 5, the axle is mounted on a carriage 35 that is movable within the box beam. As shown in fig. 3, the conveyor unit 40 includes a drive gear or wheel 33 driven by an on-board motor to move the unit along the box beam.

Referring specifically to fig. 4 and 5, a portion of a conventional hollow box grid guide rail system is shown. The grid guide rail system comprises the intersection of the X-axis and Y-axis of the open box beams forming the guide rails 25 and 26, respectively. At least one

movable conveyor unit

30 or 40 is mounted for movement along the rail system in an X-Y axis motion and is supported by a carriage 35 which is moved along the upper surface of the lower horizontal flange 45 of the box beam by means of bidirectional rollers 46 and spherical rollers 47.

As described above, in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a plurality of conveyor units may be operated within the grid guide track system of the present invention to enable containers to be simultaneously moved within an open area defined above the upper level of vertical compartments within or outside of a building or other structure.

The system of the present invention may be fully automated and connected to an inventory control system so that each delivery unit is directed to a designated compartment and a designated storage location within the storage area by the inventory control system by multiplexing control signals via power conduit grid wiring or by remote control. With such a system, a designated container can be automatically positioned and the containers above the designated container can be suitably moved and then repositioned after the designated container has been removed using the transport units and their hoisting mechanisms.

As noted above, there are problems with the open box beam elevated grid guide rail system shown in fig. 1-5 for supporting transport vehicles (e.g., 30 and 40) relative to the storage compartments and loading/unloading area. First, open box beams are expensive to manufacture and difficult to inspect to ensure that the open box beams are free from fatigue or cracks, which can damage the storage system. Cracks or defects are often created inside the box structure and are therefore not easily observable by technicians, mechanic's or inspectors. Furthermore, in order to retain the support brackets 35 within the box beam, the brackets must be removed, which significantly increases maintenance costs.

Referring particularly to fig. 6A-13, details of various embodiments of the elevated grid guide rail system of the present invention will be described in detail. Unlike the prior art elevated grid guide structure shown in fig. 1-5, which uses open hollow box beams to form the grid guide system, according to the present invention, the grid guide system is formed of inverted "T" shaped steel beams that are connected to each other in a crossed X-Y pattern. In this regard, and with particular reference to FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D and 7A, 7B, two different and preferred embodiments of the inverted "T" beam of the present invention are shown. The inverted "T" beams 50 and 50 ' each include horizontal flanges 53 and 53 ' that extend outwardly at right angles from opposite sides of central vertical webs 54 and 54 ' in FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C and 6D. The brackets for supporting a transport unit (e.g., 30 or 40) that may be used with the present invention are designed to be supported on the upper surfaces of the flanges 53 and 53 ' of the inverted "T"

beam

50 or 50 ' on opposite sides of the vertical webs 54 and 54 ' in FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C and 6D. The bracket will be described in more detail with reference to fig. 9A, 9B and 10.

As shown in fig. 10, the use of inverted "T" beams with horizontal flanges to form an elevated grid guide structure "G" enhances the accessibility of the carriages 80 associated with each conveyor unit (e.g., 30 or 40), thus making carriage maintenance and repair simpler, more efficient, and less costly than the prior art possible with closed hollow box beam structures. Furthermore, the use of inverted "T" beams with horizontal flanges reduces the cost in the construction and maintenance of the overhead grid guide track system by using more economical and lighter weight steel beams to form the X-Y grid on which the conveyor units or carriages move. An inverted "T" beam with horizontal flanges provides greater strength and less deflection while exhibiting fewer fatigue problems than the more conventional hollow box beams used in the prior art described above. By leaving the beam structure open for visual inspection, any cracking or signs of failure or fatigue of the inverted "T" beam can be quickly determined so that proper handling or maintenance can be performed before the beam has completely failed, thus creating a safer and more reliable track system for supporting conveyor units or cars to be used with the grid track system of the present invention.

In order to allow passage of the carriage 80 supporting the transport unit or vehicle moving along the inverted "T" beam of the present invention, the configuration of the inverted "T" beams 50 and 50' must be adjusted. In each embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 6A-6D, a lower cut-away portion 60 and 60 ' is provided at least one end of each inverted "T" beam such that the horizontal flanges 53 and 53 ' each include a

leading edge

53A and 53A ' terminating at a protruding end 62 and 62 ' that does not reach at least one upper end of the vertical webs 54 and 54 '.

The inverted "T" beam 50 of FIG. 6A includes a pair of oppositely oriented horizontal flanges 53 that form bracket support rails or surfaces on opposite sides of the beam's vertical web 54. The vertical webs of the beams are configured to terminate at the intersections of the grid guide rail system and include opposing projecting end portions 62 projecting from the front and rear edges 53A of the horizontal flanges relative to the elongate axis a-a of the beams. The protruding portions are configured to be cooperatively placed on and secured to support bases 70 (shown in fig. 8B and 8C) that are suspended from an overhead truss or structural member "S" (shown in fig. 9A and 9B) of a building, vessel or other structure in which the grid guide system of the present invention is established.

The opposing projecting end portions 62 of the inverted "T" beam 50 of FIG. 6A are notched at 60 relative to the front and rear edges 53A of the horizontal flange 53. The notch or open area 60 of the vertical web 54 is configured to form a gap for passage of the bracket 80 relative to the support base 70. Further, when the beams are connected in an assembled relationship in an X-Y axis pattern, the notches or open areas 60 will be disposed in the X-and Y-axis directions so that the carriage can move linearly along the inverted "T" beam 50 at all of its intersections 59.

In order to securely connect intersecting inverted "T" beams 50 to one another in a desired X-Y grid pattern, the web 54 of each beam must be secured to at least the webs 54 of the intersecting other beams. In the embodiment shown in fig. 6A, the opposite end 62 of each central vertical web also includes a concave, or notched, lower free end portion 63 for facilitating placement of the inverted "T" beam over a supporting convex arcuate support shoulder 74 of the support base 70, as shown in fig. 8A and 8B. The vertical web 54 of each X and Y oriented inverted "T" beam 50 is intended to be welded to a support base. The base is configured to be secured (e.g., by welding or bolting, etc.) to an elevated structural member "S" of an open or closed storage area, building, vessel, etc. in which the system of the present invention is installed, as shown in fig. 9A and 9B. In this embodiment, one or both ends of the upper surface of the vertical web 54 have notches 66 formed therein for receiving arm portions 77 of a mounting plate 76 of the support base 70, which will be described below.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in fig. 6B, only one of the projecting end portions 62 of the beam has notches at 63 and 66. The protruding end portions of the indentations are supported by the support base 70 at each intersection 59 of the X-Y axis grid system. The opposite ends 64 of the inverted "T" beam 50 are configured to have the same cross-section as the remainder of the web region 60 of the beam without the gap or opening. Thus, the end 64 of a beam may be connected to a similar end of another beam by conventional welding or bolting. This configuration allows a row of beams that should not be connected to the support base 70 to be directly connected. Although not shown in the figures, both ends of some inverted "T" beams may be formed as shown at 64 in FIG. 6B.

The embodiment of the inverted "T" beam 50 ' shown in FIG. 6C is similar to the embodiment of the beam 50 shown in FIG. 6A, in that opposite ends of the beam include projections 62 ' and have notches or openings at 60 ' relative to the leading edge 53A ' of the flange 53 '. The opposite projecting end portion 62 ' of the vertical web also includes a concave or notched lower free end portion 63 ' for conveniently seating the inverted "T" beam 50 ' on a supporting convex arcuate support shoulder 74 of the support base 70, as shown in FIGS. 8B and 8C. The vertical web 54 'of each X and Y oriented inverted "T" beam 50' is intended to be welded to a support base. The base is configured to be secured (e.g., by welding or bolting, etc.) to an elevated structural member "S" of an open or closed storage area, building or vessel in which the system of the present invention is installed, as shown in fig. 9A and 9B. In the embodiment of fig. 9B, the upper surface of the projecting end portion 62 of the vertical web is planar and thus is free of gaps as shown and described at 66 in the embodiment shown in fig. 6A and 6B.

The embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 6D is similar to the inverted "T" beam 50 of FIG. 6B, in that one end 64 'of the beam is not supported at the intersection of the X-Y grid, such that only one end of each inverted "T" beam 50' is configured to form a protruding end portion 62 'having a concave indentation or configured with a lower free end portion 63' for conveniently placing the inverted "T" beam on a convex arcuate support shoulder 74 of one of the support bases 70. The opposite end 64 ' of the beam has the same cross-section as the remainder of the web region 60 ' of the beam that does not have the gap region 63 ' or opening. Thus, the end 64' of a beam may be connected to a similar end of another beam by conventional welding or bolting. Again, although not shown in the figures, both ends of some of the inverted "T" beams 50 'may be formed as shown at 64' in FIG. 6D.

Referring to FIGS. 7A and 7B, the inverted "T" beams 50, 50' of the present invention may have a web dimension T that will vary depending on the anticipated load bearing capacity of the operating system₁And a flange dimension T₂. In addition, as shown in fig. 6A and 6B, the vertical height dimension of the vertical webs 54, 54 'and the horizontal width dimension of the flanges 53, 53' may also vary.

Referring to FIG. 9A, at each intersection 59 of the X-Y axis inverted "T" beam, two pairs of open areas "A1" must be provided to allow the passage of carriages 80 supporting the more conventional transport units discussed above and described in the prior art. The bracket opening is formed by aligning the cut-out portions 60/60 'of each beam 50/50' on opposite sides of each support base 70.

As shown in fig. 8A-8C, each support base 70 includes a central vertically oriented body 71 that is substantially enlarged and square at its lower end 72 and is integrally formed with an upper end 73 to a smaller cross-sectional dimension, and in which an outwardly bowed or convex shoulder 74 is formed as a transition region along each of the four sides 75 of the base as described above. The curvature of the shoulders is configured to form a complementary shaped resting surface to support the arcuate free ends or notches 63, 63 'of the projections 62, 62' of the central vertical web 54, 54 'of each of the four inverted "T" beams 50, 50' connected at each intersection 59 of the grid guide rail system, as shown in FIG. 9A.

Each support base 70 further includes an elevated steel mounting plate 76 formed with four outwardly projecting arms 77 as shown in fig. 8A-8C and wherein the arms are oriented in a substantially perpendicular relationship to the orientation of a lower steel transfer plate 78 integrally formed or welded to the bottom of the lower portion 72 of the main body 71 of each base. Each lower transport plate 78 is substantially square having four sides and is sized to fit within the open area "a 1" defined between the opposed projecting end portions of the lower flanges 53, 53 'of each inverted "T" beam 50/50', thereby forming four spaced open channels 95 between the ends of the lower flanges of the X and Y-oriented beams and the four sides of the transport plate for the passage of the support frame of the pallet 80 as described below. The upper steel plate 76 of each base may be welded or integrally formed with the upper portion 73 of the body 71 of each base 70. In fig. 9A and 9B, both the upper plate 76 and the lower transport plate 78 are shown as being formed integrally with the body of the base. It should be noted that the relative size, width and shape of the elements of the base may vary based on the load bearing capacity intended to be placed on the base in use. Furthermore, the cross-section of the vertical body 71 may be circular or otherwise configured to vary the manner in which forces and stresses are distributed between the inverted "T" beam and the support base during operation of the system according to the teachings of the present invention. Further, the upper plate 76 may be formed in other shapes, such as a square, a rectangle, or a circle, instead of having the arm portion 77.

With continued reference to FIG. 8C, the elevated steel mounting plate 76 may have a varying width dimension "W" based on the operational requirements of the system during use₁"and thickness dimension" T₃". Accordingly, the relative size between the dimensions of the web and flanges of the beam and the dimensions of the overhead mounting plate is variable and within the teachings of the present invention.

Referring to fig. 6A, 6B and 8B, in an embodiment of the invention in which at least one of the projecting end portions 62 of the web 54 is notched as shown at 66 to form a cooperating rest surface for the arms 77 of the elevated mounting plate 76, the arms 77 of the mounting plate are placed within the notches 66 of the web 54 and the notches 63 at the projecting end portions of the web 54 are placed on the shoulders 74 of the base 70, as shown in fig. 9A. The notch 63 of the web 54 is welded to the shoulder 74 of the base 70, the nose portion 62 is welded to the upper end 73 of the base, and the arm 77 of the elevated mounting plate 76 is also welded at line 65 within the notch 66 of the nose portion 62 of the web 54 of the inverted "T" beam 50.

Referring to the embodiment of fig. 6C and 6D and as shown in fig. 8C and 9B, the upper surface of the projecting end portion 62 ' of the web 54 ' is not notched and the arm portion 77 of the overhead mounting plate 76 is mounted on the upper surface of the projecting end portion of the web 54 ' as shown. When the projecting end portion 62 'of the beam 50' is secured to the base 70, as shown for example by the hatched weld line at 65, the notch 63 'of the web 54' is placed and welded on the shoulder 74 of the base 70. The arm 77 of the elevated mounting plate 76 is also welded to the upper edge of the projecting end portion 62 ' of the web 54 ' of the inverted "T" beam 50 ' at line 65.

Referring to fig. 9A-13, one of the carriages 80 for supporting one of the

conveyor units

30 and 40 or a similar conveyor unit is shown in greater detail. Fig. 11 is a top plan view of the carriage 80 showing four spaced apart upper corner plates 82 in solid lines mounted and secured as shown in fig. 12 to four posts 83 connecting the upper corner plates to a substantially solid base 84 (shown in fig. 9A and 9B) having a central opening 90 therein for the passage of a T-pin 87 connecting the carriage 80 to the conveyor unit. The frame of each bracket formed by the plate, the post and the base is preferably formed of steel to provide maximum support strength. As shown in fig. 11,

open channels

91 and 92 are formed between the four upper corner plates 82 allowing the passage of the bracket relative to the support base 70 as shown in fig. 10 and 11. As noted above, typically four brackets are used to support or suspend each conveyor unit (e.g., 30 and 40) from two pairs of spaced apart and opposing inverted "T" beams 50.

As shown in fig. 9A and 9B, a plurality of sockets 85 are mounted at the bottom of each corner plate 82, which sockets carry spherical rollers 86 for supporting the carriage 80 on the upper surface of the flange 53 of each inverted "T" beam 50 and on the transfer plate 78 of the base 70. In fig. 10 and 11, nine spherical rollers 86 are mounted on each plate 82, however the number may vary. For example, referring to the embodiment of fig. 15 and 16, wherein only four spherical rollers 86 are used due to the addition of the track structure to each flange portion 53 of the inverted "T" beam, as will be described in detail below. Spherical rollers are heavy industrial rollers capable of supporting a large weight, as pallets can support tons of weight during use in a storage system. A set of spaced apart elongated bidirectional rollers 88, 88' are also mounted on the lower surface of the plate 82. Referring to fig. 11, the elongated axes of the bidirectional rollers 88 are oriented such that the rollers are used to support the carriage on the X-axis, while the elongated axes of the bidirectional rollers 88' are oriented to support the carriage as it moves along the upper surface of the flange 53 of the inverted "T" beam of the grid guide rail system in the Y-axis direction. Again, the number of directional rollers may vary and be within the teachings of the present invention.

As shown in fig. 9A and 9B and 10-13, sets of rollers 88, 88' are used to support the pallet on the inverted "T" beam 50, which passes through open spaces 95 formed between the conveyor plate 78 of the support base and the edges 53A of the spaced "T" beams as the pallet moves along the grid guide rail system. The spherical roller 86 and the bidirectional roller 88 are shown in phantom in fig. 11.

It should be noted that the inverted "T" beam 50' may be used in a manner similar to the inverted "T" beam 50 shown in FIGS. 9A-11.

Referring to fig. 14A and 14B, two additional embodiments of the present invention are disclosed which relate to variations for reinforcing the flanges 53 of an inverted "T" beam 50. Due to the weight of the brackets and the loads carried by the brackets during use of the system of the present invention, it is advantageous to reinforce the flanges 53 of the "T" beam to compensate for wear and tear. In fig. 14A, replaceable wear plates 100 are secured to the opposing flanges 53 along a portion or the entire length of the elevated grid system. The plate 100 may be formed of steel or other strong material that is removably secured to the flange. As wear plates wear out or break, they can be easily and quickly replaced, such as with bolts or the like. In this manner, the service life of the inverted "T" beam may be extended. The wear plates also add additional strength to the rail system and also extend the life of the inverted "T" beam 50. The same type of wear plate may also be used for the inverted "T" beam 50'.

Referring to FIG. 14B, further improvements in reinforcement and wear reduction may be achieved by securing a track structure 102 to each of the opposing flanges 53 of the inverted "T" beam 50. The track may be formed from the same material as wear plate 100 or structure which may have a plate member similar to 100 which mounts a vertically extending track member 105 which may be slightly curved or rounded at the upper end. As with the previous embodiment, the additional track structure not only strengthens the flanges 53 of the inverted "T" beam, but also extends the useful life of the flanges by being able to be replaced when worn to compensate for wear and tear. When using the embodiment of fig. 14B, the carriage 80 must be modified as described above to remove some of the supporting spherical rollers 86 shown in fig. 15 and 16. The same type of track structure may also be used for the inverted "T" beam 50'.

When using the improved

track structures

102 and 105, the middle row of spherical rollers 86 must be removed from the carriage so as not to impede the passage of the pulley rollers 110 having annular flanges 112 on opposite sides of the central roller 115 rolling on the upper surface of the track 105. As shown in fig. 15, two pairs of pulley rollers 110 are provided on opposite sides of the carriage to support movement of the carriage in the X-axis direction, and two additional pairs of pulley rollers are provided on opposite sides of the carriage to support movement of the carriage in the Y-axis direction relative to the conveyor plate 78 of the support base of the overhead grid system. The remaining spherical rollers are shown at 86 in fig. 15.

The present invention also contemplates additional embodiments of inverted "T" beams for use in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. A first variant embodiment of an inverted "T" beam 150 is shown in fig. 17A, in which oppositely directed flanges 153 are shown secured to or formed integrally with a vertical web 154 vertically spaced from upper and

lower edges

155, 156 of the beam, for example by welding, bolting. Preferably, the flanges 153 are horizontally aligned with one another on opposite sides of the web.

Another embodiment of an inverted "T" beam 250 is shown in FIG. 17B, which includes more than two vertical webs 254A and 254B that are secured or formed on oppositely oriented flanges 253 extending horizontally from the lower portion of the webs. A variation 250A of the inverted "T" beam of fig. 17B is shown in fig. 17C, wherein oppositely oriented flanges 253A and 253B project outwardly on opposite sides of two vertical webs 254A and 254B, intermediate the upper and

lower edges

255 and 256 of the vertical webs. Again, the flanges are preferably horizontally aligned with each other. In this embodiment, the connecting flange 253C may be welded or otherwise secured between the spaced vertical webs.

Another embodiment of an inverted "T" beam 350 is shown in FIG. 17D, wherein the beam includes a pair of lower vertical webs 354A and 354B from which oppositely oriented flanges 353 extend on opposite sides of the pair of webs. Another vertical web 354C is welded or otherwise secured to extend upwardly from the oppositely oriented flange.

Figure 18 is a top perspective view of the same port terminal storage and distribution system as disclosed in U.S. patent 7,753,637 to Benedict et al, which has been modified to cooperate with the inverted "T" beam of the present invention in a separate layer structure of an elevated grid guide rail system. The port system includes one or more ship berths 120 in which ships for transporting cargo or containers for handling cargo such as freight containers 121 may be berthed. The dock structure 122 extends along the berth and supports a vertically elevated cargo platform 123. The port storage and distribution system also includes a railway freight handling area 124, a vehicle or truck freight handling area 125, and an open or closed warehouse storage area 126. The warehouse storage area includes a plurality of vertically aligned storage compartments 127 that are vertically or horizontally accessible for transporting and/or storing goods or other cargo.

The port container terminal storage and distribution system comprises two overhead grid guide rail systems used by the transfer units or carriages described herein and in the prior art, but wherein the overhead grid guide rails are formed using the inverted "T" beams of the present invention. The first grid guide track system 128 is elevated above the storage area 126, the truck transfer area 125, and the rail transfer area 124, and also extends outwardly above the one or more cargo transfer platforms 123. The second grid guide track system 129 extends above the height of the first system 128 and above the vessel berth 120, being erected above the storage deck and/or cargo hold of the vessel 130, and also above the one or more transfer platforms 123.

The enlarged view of fig. 18 shows the conventional intersection of the first and second grid

guide rail systems

128 and 129, wherein the grid guide rail system of the present invention is shown using inverted "T" beams and a support base. Each base 70 has an upper mounting plate 76, which may have a variety of configurations as described above. Each mounting plate is designed to be secured to an overhead support structure 132 of a building or other overhead structure 135 by welding, bolting, etc., which may be steel beams such as those used in flat-topped structures, or ceiling trusses or the like secured to one another in a substantially X-Y axis perpendicular relationship. In some configurations, a canopy, not shown, may be provided above the overhead support structure 132. According to the present invention, the base 70 is fixed to hang from the support structure 132. The inverted "T" beam is then welded or otherwise secured between two spaced apart pedestals 70 at each of its projecting ends 62, 62'. The notched ends 63, 63 ' of the vertical webs 54, 54 ' or the projecting ends 62, 62 ' of the inverted "T" beams are placed on the shoulders 74 of the bases above the transport bases or plates 78 of the bases and are thus securely connected to the building support structure 132. At each intersection of the grid guide rail system, the base ensures that all of the bracket support flanges of the inverted "T" beam are horizontally aligned. In addition, the conveyor deck 78 associated with each base will be aligned with the flanges of the inverted "T" beam so that the carriages associated with the conveyor units or cars move smoothly from one inverted "T" beam to another across the conveyor deck at each intersection of the grid guide track system.

Figure 19 is a top perspective view of another port terminal storage and distribution system similar to that disclosed in U.S. patent 7,753,637 to Benedict et al, which has been modified to cooperate with the inverted "T" beam of the present invention in the construction of a single-level overhead grid guide track system for transporting containers directly from ships to storage queues, truck transfer areas, and rail transfer areas.

The port terminal storage and distribution system of fig. 19 includes a continuous overhead grid guide rail system 160 for use with the transfer units or trucks described herein and in the prior art, but wherein the overhead grid guide rails are formed using the inverted "T" beams of the present invention. The grid guide track system 160 is erected above the storage area 126, the rail transport area 124, the truck transport area 125 and extends outwardly above the vessel berth 120, thereby being erected above the storage deck and/or cargo hold of the vessel 130.

The enlarged view of FIG. 19 illustrates a typical intersection of the grid guide system 150, wherein the grid guide system of the present invention is shown using inverted "T" beams and a support base. Each base 70 has an upper mounting plate 76, which may have a variety of configurations as described above. Each mounting plate is designed to be secured to an overhead support structure 132 of a building or other overhead structure 135 by welding, bolting, etc., which may be steel beams such as those used in flat-topped structures, or ceiling trusses or the like secured to one another in a substantially X-Y axis perpendicular relationship. In some configurations, a canopy, not shown, may be provided above the overhead support structure 132. According to the present invention, the base 70 is fixed to hang from the support structure 132. The inverted "T"

beam

50, 50 'is then welded or otherwise secured between two spaced apart pedestals 70 at each of its projecting ends 62, 62'. The notched ends 63, 63 ' of the vertical webs 54, 54 ' or the projecting ends 62, 62 ' of the inverted "T" beams are placed on the shoulders 74 of the bases above the transport bases or plates 78 of the bases and are thus securely connected to the building support structure 132. At each intersection of the grid guide rail system, the base ensures that all of the bracket support flanges of the inverted "T" beam are horizontally aligned. In addition, the conveyor deck 78 associated with each base will be aligned with the flanges of the inverted "T" beam so that the carriages associated with the conveyor units or cars move smoothly from one inverted "T" beam to another across the conveyor deck at each intersection of the grid guide track system.

In the port container terminal storage and distribution system of fig. 19, the transfer units or trucks move directly from vessel 130 to storage area 126, to vehicle or truck haul 125, and to rail haul 124, thus eliminating the need for transfer platform 123.

As described above, the grid guide rail system of the present invention forms an elevated guide rail structure using inverted "T" -shaped steel beams without losing strength, and significantly improves inspection and maintenance of the guide rail system and a conveyor unit or a conveyor car moving along the guide rail system, compared to the prior art elevated box girder system. According to the present invention, inverted "T" beams are assembled to form substantially vertical intersections of X-Y oriented rails or tracks, thereby reinforcing the intersections via the central base 70 by welding or attaching oppositely oriented horizontal webs to the base and to the elevated mounting plates of the base (as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B). Fig. 9A and 9B also illustrate how a carrier for supporting a conveyor unit on the grid guide system of the present invention passes through the central reinforced support base. Use of the grid guide rail system of the present invention can significantly reduce the cost of initial installation and extend the usefulness of the system by reducing maintenance and service costs.

The foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the invention has been presented to illustrate the principles of the invention and not to limit the invention to the particular embodiments illustrated. The scope of the invention should be determined by all of the embodiments contained within the following claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An overhead rail system for an automated material handling and storage facility, wherein at least one transport unit suspended from a carriage moves along the rail system such that the at least one transport unit moves items into and out of a vertically oriented storage area, the rail system comprising a plurality of first and second inverted "T" beams assembled in an X-Y axis manner such that the first and second inverted "T" beams intersect one another in a substantially perpendicular relationship at a plurality of intersections, and wherein each of the first and second inverted "T" beams comprises at least one vertical web from which horizontal flanges project outwardly on opposite sides of at least one of the vertical webs, the carriage being supported on an upper surface of the horizontal flange of each of the plurality of first and second inverted "T" beams, each of the first and second inverted "T" beams has opposing ends, a vertically oriented support base is disposed at each of the plurality of intersections, at least one of the opposing ends of the plurality of first and second inverted "T" beams is connected to the support base at the plurality of intersections, thereby providing a gap space between the opposing ends of the first and second inverted "T" beams and the support base, the gap space being sized to allow portions of a pallet to pass therethrough as the at least one transport unit moves along the rail system.

2. The overhead rail system for an automated material handling and storage facility of claim 1 wherein the horizontal flange is coplanar with and spaced apart from a support surface of at least one of the vertical webs.

3. The overhead rail system for an automated material handling and storage facility of claim 1 wherein each of the horizontal flanges of the first and second inverted "T" beams includes a track extending vertically upward along the length of the flange for supporting rollers associated with a carriage of the at least one conveyor unit.

4. The overhead rail system for an automated material handling and storage facility of claim 1 wherein the horizontal flanges of the first and second inverted "T" beams each comprise wear plates mounted along the upper surfaces of the horizontal flanges.

5. The overhead rail system for an automated material handling and storage facility of claim 1, wherein at least one of the vertical webs of at least one of the opposing ends of a plurality of the first and second inverted "T" beams includes an extension that extends outwardly beyond the horizontal flange in a direction along a longitudinal axis of the first and second inverted "T" beams.

6. The overhead rail system for an automated material handling and storage facility of claim 5 wherein the extension of the vertical web comprises a contoured surface for cooperatively resting on a complementary surface of a base.

7. The overhead rail system for an automated material handling and storage facility of claim 6 wherein each said base comprises: a vertical body portion having the complementary surface formed thereon; and an upper plate for mounting between the extensions of the vertical webs of each pair of opposing first and second inverted "T" beams to be connected to a common base.

8. The overhead rail system for an automated material handling and storage facility of claim 7 wherein the upper plate is formed with a portion extending in the X-Y axis direction toward the exterior of the base for engagement with the central vertical web.

9. The overhead rail system for an automated material handling and storage facility of claim 8 wherein the upper plate of each said base is placed within an upper notch formed in the extension of each central vertical web.

10. The overhead rail system for an automated material handling and storage facility of claim 7 wherein the contoured surface of the extension of the central vertical web is shaped concave to engage the convex complementary surface of the base.

11. The overhead rail system for an automated material handling and storage facility of claim 1 wherein a lower conveyor plate is connected to a lower portion of the vertical body portion of each said base, and said lower conveyor plate extends toward and is sized spaced apart from edges of adjacent said horizontal flanges of said first and second inverted "T" beams, thereby forming said clearance space for said portion of said carriage to pass therethrough.

12. The overhead rail system for an automated material handling and storage facility of claim 1, wherein at least one of the vertical webs at two opposing ends of a plurality of the first and second inverted "T" beams comprises an extension that extends outwardly beyond the horizontal flange in a direction along a longitudinal axis of the first and second inverted "T" beams.

13. The overhead rail system for an automated material handling and storage facility of claim 12 wherein the extension of the vertical web comprises a contoured surface for cooperatively resting on a complementary surface of a base.

14. The overhead rail system for an automated material handling and storage facility of claim 13 wherein each said base comprises: a vertical body portion having the complementary surface formed thereon; and an upper plate for mounting between the extensions of the vertical webs of each pair of opposing first and second inverted "T" beams to be connected to a common base.

15. The overhead rail system for an automated material handling and storage facility of claim 11, wherein a lower transport plate is connected to a lower portion of the vertical body portion of each said base, and said lower transport plate extends toward and is sized spaced apart from edges of adjacent said horizontal flanges of said first and second inverted "T" beams, thereby forming said clearance space for said portion of said carriage to pass therethrough.

16. A support cradle for supporting a conveyor unit in an overhead rail system for automated material handling, the support cradle comprising: four spaced apart upper corner panels and four posts, wherein each of the four spaced apart upper corner panels is mounted on a separate one of the posts; a base for supporting each of four said posts and said upper corner plate mounted thereto, each of the four said posts being mounted in a separate corner of said base, said base further having a central opening therein for the passage therethrough of a T-pin connectable to said conveyor unit, four spaced apart said upper corner plates defining a first open channel and a second open channel, wherein said first open channel is bisected by said second open channel, thereby allowing said support bracket to pass therethrough in an X-Y axis relative to the base; and a set of spherical rollers and a set of bidirectional rollers mounted on a bottom surface of each of the four spaced apart upper corner plates.

17. The support bracket of claim 16, wherein each set of said bidirectional rollers further comprises a first set of at least one bidirectional roller and a second set of at least one bidirectional roller, wherein said first set of at least one bidirectional roller is oriented perpendicularly with respect to said second set of at least one bidirectional roller.

18. The support cradle of claim 16, wherein each set of said spherical rollers further comprises nine spherical rollers.

19. The support cradle of claim 16, wherein each set of said spherical rollers further comprises four spherical rollers.

20. The support bracket of claim 16, wherein each set of said bidirectional rollers comprises pulley rollers.

21. The support bracket of claim 16, wherein each set of said spherical rollers and each set of said bi-directional rollers engage a plurality of first and second "T" beams oriented in an X-Y axis, thereby allowing said support bracket to move along an upper surface of a flange of each of said plurality of first and second "T" beams oriented in an X-Y axis.

22. The support bracket of claim 21, wherein each set of said bidirectional rollers further comprises a first set of at least one bidirectional roller and a second set of at least one bidirectional roller, wherein said first set of at least one bidirectional roller is oriented perpendicularly with respect to said second set of at least one bidirectional roller.

23. The support bracket of claim 22, wherein each of a first set of said at least one bi-directional rollers engages said upper surface of said flanges of a first plurality of said "T" beams oriented in an X-axis manner while said support bracket is moving in an X-axis direction, and wherein each of a second set of said at least one bi-directional rollers engages said upper surface of said flanges of a second plurality of said "T" beams oriented in a Y-axis manner while said support bracket is moving in a Y-axis direction.

24. The support cradle of claim 21, wherein each set of said spherical rollers further comprises nine spherical rollers.

25. The support cradle of claim 21, wherein each set of said spherical rollers further comprises four spherical rollers.

26. The support bracket of claim 21, wherein each set of said bidirectional rollers comprises pulley rollers.

27. The support bracket of claim 21, wherein each set of nine said spherical rollers engages the upper surface of the flange of each of a plurality of said first and second "T" beams oriented in an X-Y manner when the support bracket is moved in an X-axis direction and when the support bracket is moved in a Y-axis direction.