Stacker crane with improved brake mechanism

Lifting apparatus comprising

• a generally vertical rigid mast,
• an assembly including a frame moveable along said mast, said frame including a generally vertical wall, and a load engaging mechanism mounted on said frame,
• a first member mounted against said frame wall for vertical movement relative thereto, and
• a brake mechanism including a housing fixed against vertical movement relative to said first member, a brake member which is supported by said housing and which engages said mast to prevent downward movement of said housing relative to said mast consequent to undesirable downward movement of said assembly relative to said mast, and a shock absorber which extends between said first member and said wall and which stops downward movement of said frame relative to said first member over a predetermined distance.

A stacker crane apparatus comprising

• a trolley movable above the ground,
• a generally vertical rigid mast depending from said trolley,
• an assembly including a frame moveable along said mast, said frame including a generally vertical wall having therein an opening, and a load engaging mechanism mounted on said frame, and
• a brake mechanism including an adaptor plate mounted on said frame for vertical movement relative thereto, said adaptor plate extending generally vertically against said wall, being aligned with said opening, and having therein an opening, a housing fixed against vertical movement relative to said plate, said housing being located in said opening in said plate, extending into said opening in said wall, and being movable horizontally relative to said plate, a brake member which is supported by said housing and which engages said mast to prevent downward movement of said housing relative to said mast consequent to undesirable downward movement of said assembly relative to said mast, and a shock absorber which extends between said plate and said wall and which stops downward movement of said frame relative to said plate over a predetermined distance.