Patent Publication Number: US-2015071744-A1

Title: Library apparatus and article transporting apparatus

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority of the prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2013-185445, filed on Sep. 6, 2013, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD 
     The embodiments discussed herein are related to a library apparatus and an article transporting apparatus that are equipped with a transporting unit. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Along with the increase in the amount of data in recent years, library apparatuses equipped with a rack that stores a large amount of recording media such as, for example, several thousands of magnetic tape media and with, for example, several tens of tape drives that perform reading and writing of data from and to the recording media have been proposed. 
     Among such library apparatuses, a library apparatus that includes a loading and ejecting mechanism (for example a mail slot) that is capable of loading and ejecting a large amount of recording media at one time has been known. The library apparatus transports the recording media, for example, by jobs from a plurality of servers or by loading and ejection of the recording media in the loading and ejecting mechanism. 
     Conventionally, an information storage system equipped with a magazine rack that accommodates a magazine loaded with a plurality of portable recording media and with a magazine transporting mechanism that transports the magazine has been known (for example, see Patent document 1). 
     An automatic changer equipped with a magazine that stores recording media in units of a plurality of recording media and with a transporting mechanism that transports the magazine has been known (for example, see Patent document 2). 
     A magnetic tape apparatus equipped with two or more pairs of cell blocks that store a plurality of cartridge magnetic tapes with an opening part of the cell blocks positioned opposite to that of each other, configured to perform taking-out or storing of a cartridge magnetic tape in the cell blocks on the both sides of a hand unit, has been known (for example, see Patent document 3). 
     Patent document 1: Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2008-165895 
     Patent document 2: Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 08-138355 
     Patent document 3: Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 06-111439 
     SUMMARY 
     According to an aspect, a library apparatus includes a storing unit configured to store a plurality of recording media, and a transporting unit configured to shift in a first direction and in a second direction that intersect each other and to transport the recording media. The transporting unit includes an accommodating unit configured to be able to accommodate a plurality of the recording media, and a transferring unit configured to transfer the recording media one by one between the storing unit and the accommodating unit. 
     According to an aspect, an article transporting apparatus includes a transporting unit. The transporting unit is configured to shift in a first direction and in a second direction that intersect each other and to transport an article. The transporting unit includes an accommodating unit configured to be able to accommodate a plurality of articles, and a transferring unit configured to transfer the articles one by one between the accommodating unit and a storing unit configured to store a plurality of the articles. 
     The object and advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the claims. 
     It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are not restrictive of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating a library apparatus; 
         FIG. 2A  is a back perspective view illustrating a recording medium transporting apparatus; 
         FIG. 2B  is a front perspective view illustrating a recording medium transporting apparatus; 
         FIG. 3A  is a perspective view (1) illustrating a transporting unit; 
         FIG. 3B  is a perspective view (2) illustrating a transporting unit; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view illustrating a transferring unit; 
         FIG. 5A  is a top perspective view illustrating a first conveyer mechanism; 
         FIG. 5B  is a bottom perspective view illustrating a first conveyer mechanism; 
         FIG. 5C  is a plan view illustrating a first conveyer mechanism; 
         FIG. 6  is a sectional view for VI-VI in  FIG. 5C ; 
         FIG. 7A  is an exploded perspective view illustrating a hand unit from which a first conveyer mechanism and a second conveyer mechanism are removed; 
         FIG. 7B  is a perspective view illustrating a hand unit; 
         FIG. 8A  is an exploded perspective view illustrating a hand unit from which a first driving source and a first driving mechanism are removed; 
         FIG. 8B  illustrates a view from the direction of arrow A in  FIG. 8A ; 
         FIG. 9A  is a perspective view illustrating a hand unit in which a first conveyer mechanism and a second conveyer mechanism have approached each other; 
         FIG. 9B  is a perspective view illustrating a hand unit in which a first conveyer mechanism and a second conveyer mechanism are apart from each other; 
         FIG. 10A  is an exploded bottom perspective view illustrating a hand unit from which hand unit arms are removed; 
         FIG. 10B  is a bottom perspective view illustrating a hand unit; 
         FIGS. 11A-11E  are bottom plan views for explaining the movement of hand unit arms; 
         FIG. 12A  is an exploded perspective view illustrating a tray from which stopper arms are removed; 
         FIG. 12B  is a perspective view illustrating a tray; 
         FIG. 13A  is an exploded perspective view illustrating a transferring unit from which a hand unit is removed; 
         FIG. 13B  is a perspective view illustrating a transferring unit; 
         FIG. 14A  is a perspective view (1) for explaining the shifting of a hand unit in a third direction; 
         FIG. 14B  is a perspective view (2) for explaining the shifting of a hand unit in a third direction; 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view illustrating a transferring unit in which a hand unit is in an initial state; 
         FIG. 16A  is a perspective view (1) for explaining the movement of a hand unit; 
         FIG. 16B  is a perspective view (2) for explaining the movement of a hand unit; 
         FIG. 16C  is a perspective view (3) for explaining the movement of a hand unit; 
         FIG. 16D  is a perspective view (4) for explaining the movement of a hand unit; 
         FIG. 16E  is a perspective view (5) for explaining the movement of a hand unit; 
         FIG. 16F  is a perspective view (6) for explaining the movement of a hand unit; 
         FIG. 16G  is a perspective view (7) for explaining the movement of a hand unit; 
         FIG. 16H  is a perspective view (8) for explaining the movement of a hand unit; 
         FIG. 16I  is a perspective view (9) for explaining the movement of a hand unit; 
         FIG. 17A  is a perspective view (1) for illustrating the movement in a portion B (a hand unit arm and a guide pin) in  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 17B  is a perspective view (2) for illustrating the movement in a portion B in  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 17C  is a perspective view (3) for illustrating the movement in a portion B in  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 17D  is a perspective view (4) for illustrating the movement in a portion B in  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 17E  is a perspective view (5) for illustrating the movement in a portion B in  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 17F  is a perspective view (6) for illustrating the movement in a portion B in  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 17G  is a perspective view (7) for illustrating the movement in a portion B in  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 17H  is a perspective view (8) for illustrating the movement in a portion B in  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 17I  is a perspective view (9) for illustrating the movement in a portion B in  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 18A  is an explanatory diagram (1) for explaining the flexibility of a stopper arm; 
         FIG. 18B  is an explanatory diagram (2) for explaining the flexibility of a stopper arm; 
         FIG. 19A  is an explanatory diagram (1) for explaining the transfer of a recording medium from a storing unit to an accommodating unit; 
         FIG. 19B  is an explanatory diagram (2) for explaining the transfer of a recording medium from a storing unit to an accommodating unit; 
         FIG. 19C  is an explanatory diagram (3) for explaining the transfer of a recording medium from a storing unit to an accommodating unit; 
         FIG. 19D  is an explanatory diagram (4) for explaining the transfer of a recording medium from a storing unit to an accommodating unit; 
         FIG. 19E  is an explanatory diagram (5) for explaining the transfer of a recording medium from a storing unit to an accommodating unit; 
         FIG. 19F  is an explanatory diagram (6) for explaining the transfer of a recording medium from a storing unit to an accommodating unit; 
         FIG. 19G  is an explanatory diagram (7) for explaining the transfer of a recording medium from a storing unit to an accommodating unit; 
         FIG. 19H  is an explanatory diagram (8) for explaining the transfer of a recording medium from a storing unit to an accommodating unit; 
         FIG. 19I  is an explanatory diagram (9) for explaining the transfer of a recording medium from a storing unit to an accommodating unit; 
         FIG. 19J  is an explanatory diagram (10) for explaining the transfer of a recording medium from a storing unit to an accommodating unit; 
         FIG. 20A  is an explanatory diagram (1) for explaining the transfer of a recording medium from an accommodating unit to a storing unit; 
         FIG. 20B  is an explanatory diagram (2) for explaining the transfer of a recording medium from an accommodating unit to a storing unit; 
         FIG. 20C  is an explanatory diagram (3) for explaining the transfer of a recording medium from an accommodating unit to a storing unit; 
         FIG. 20D  is an explanatory diagram (4) for explaining the transfer of a recording medium from an accommodating unit to a storing unit; 
         FIG. 20E  is an explanatory diagram (5) for explaining the transfer of a recording medium from an accommodating unit to a storing unit; 
         FIG. 20F  is an explanatory diagram (6) for explaining the transfer of a recording medium from an accommodating unit to a storing unit; 
         FIG. 21A  is an explanatory diagram (1) for explaining the transportation of only one recording medium; 
         FIG. 21B  is an explanatory diagram (2) for explaining the transportation of only one recording medium; 
         FIG. 21C  is an explanatory diagram (3) for explaining the transportation of only one recording medium; 
         FIG. 21D  is an explanatory diagram (4) for explaining the transportation of only one recording medium; 
         FIG. 22A  is a perspective view illustrating a transporting unit; 
         FIG. 22B  is an exploded perspective view illustrating a transporting unit from which an accommodating unit is removed; 
         FIG. 23A  is a front perspective view illustrating an accommodating unit; 
         FIG. 23B  is a back perspective view illustrating an accommodating unit; 
         FIG. 23C  is a bottom perspective illustrating an accommodating unit; 
         FIG. 24A  is an exploded perspective view illustrating an accommodating unit from which a top cover is removed; 
         FIG. 24B  is an enlarged view of a portion C in  FIG. 24A ; 
         FIG. 24C  is an exploded perspective view illustrating a portion C in  FIG. 24A ; 
         FIG. 25A  is an exploded perspective view illustrating an accommodating unit from which a bottom cover is removed; 
         FIG. 25B  is an enlarged view of a portion D in  FIG. 25A . 
         FIG. 25C  is an exploded perspective view illustrating a portion D in  FIG. 25A ; 
         FIG. 26A  is an explanatory diagram (1) for explaining the shifting of a handle; 
         FIG. 26B  is an explanatory diagram (2) for explaining the shifting of a handle; 
         FIG. 26C  is an explanatory diagram (3) for explaining the shifting of a handle; 
         FIG. 27A  is an explanatory diagram (1) for explaining the locking of a handle; 
         FIG. 27B  is an explanatory diagram (2) for explaining the locking of a handle; 
         FIG. 28A  is an explanatory diagram (1) for explaining the elastic deformation of a leaf spring; 
         FIG. 28B  is an explanatory diagram (2) for explaining the elastic deformation of a leaf spring; 
         FIG. 29A  is a top perspective view illustrating the portion of a transporting unit excluding an accommodating unit; 
         FIG. 29B  is a bottom perspective view illustrating the portion of a transporting unit excluding an accommodating unit; 
         FIG. 30A  is an explanatory diagram (1) for explaining the attachment and detachment of an accommodating unit; 
         FIG. 30B  is an explanatory diagram (2) for explaining the attachment and detachment of an accommodating unit; 
         FIG. 30C  is an explanatory diagram (3) for explaining the attachment and detachment of an accommodating unit; 
         FIG. 30D  is an explanatory diagram (4) for explaining the attachment and detachment of an accommodating unit; 
         FIG. 30E  is an explanatory diagram (5) for explaining the attachment and detachment of an accommodating unit; 
         FIG. 30F  is an explanatory diagram (6) for explaining the attachment and detachment of an accommodating unit; 
         FIG. 31A  is an explanatory diagram (1) for explaining the shifting of a handle at the time of the attachment and at the time of the detachment of an accommodating unit; 
         FIG. 31B  is an explanatory diagram (2) for explaining the shifting of a handle at the time of the attachment and at the time of the detachment of an accommodating unit; 
         FIG. 31C  is an explanatory diagram (3) for explaining the shifting of a handle at the time of the attachment and at the time of the detachment of an accommodating unit; 
         FIG. 31D  is an explanatory diagram (4) for explaining the shifting of a handle at the time of the attachment and at the time of the detachment of an accommodating unit; 
         FIG. 31E  is an explanatory diagram (5) for explaining the shifting of a handle at the time of the attachment and at the time of the detachment of an accommodating unit; 
         FIG. 31F  is an explanatory diagram (6) for explaining the shifting of a handle at the time of the attachment and at the time of the detachment of an accommodating unit; 
         FIG. 32A  is an explanatory diagram (1) for explaining the position of an accommodating unit in a transporting unit; 
         FIG. 32B  is an explanatory diagram (2) for explaining the position of an accommodating unit in a transporting unit; 
         FIG. 33  is a perspective view illustrating a transporting route of a plurality of recording media from a storing unit to a drive; 
         FIG. 34A  is a perspective view (1) for explaining the transportation of a plurality of recording media from a storing unit to a drive; 
         FIG. 34B  is a perspective view (2) for explaining the transportation of a plurality of recording media from a storing unit to a drive; 
         FIG. 34C  is a perspective view (3) for explaining the transportation of a plurality of recording media from a storing unit to a drive; 
         FIG. 34D  is a perspective view (4) for explaining the transportation of a plurality of recording media from a storing unit to a drive; 
         FIG. 34E  is a perspective view (5) for explaining the transportation of a plurality of recording media from a storing unit to a drive; 
         FIG. 35A  is a side view (1) for explaining the transportation of a plurality of recording media from a storing unit to a drive; 
         FIG. 35B  is a side view (2) for explaining the transportation of a plurality of recording media from a storing unit to a drive; 
         FIG. 35C  is a side view (3) for explaining the transportation of a plurality of recording media from a storing unit to a drive; 
         FIG. 35D  is a side view (4) for explaining the transportation of a plurality of recording media from a storing unit to a drive; 
         FIG. 35E  is a side view (5) for explaining the transportation of a plurality of recording media from a storing unit to a drive; 
         FIG. 36A  is an explanatory diagram (1) for explaining the loading and ejection of an accommodating unit into and from a library apparatus; 
         FIG. 36B  is an explanatory diagram (2) for explaining the loading and ejection of an accommodating unit into and from a library apparatus; 
         FIG. 36C  is an explanatory diagram (3) for explaining the loading and ejection of an accommodating unit into and from a library apparatus; 
         FIG. 36D  is an explanatory diagram (4) for explaining the loading and ejection of an accommodating unit into and from a library apparatus; 
         FIG. 36E  is an explanatory diagram (5) for explaining the loading and ejection of an accommodating unit into and from a library apparatus; 
         FIG. 37A  is an enlarged view of a portion E in  FIG. 36B ; 
         FIG. 37B  is an enlarged view (1) of a portion F in  FIG. 36D ; 
         FIG. 37C  is an enlarged view (2) of a portion F in  FIG. 36D ; 
         FIG. 38  is a side view illustrating a transferring unit in a comparison example; 
         FIG. 39A  is a plan view (1) for explaining the transfer by a transferring unit in a comparison example; 
         FIG. 39B  is a plan view (2) for explaining the transfer by a transferring unit in a comparison example; 
         FIG. 39C  is a plan view (3) for explaining the transfer by a transferring unit in a comparison example; 
         FIG. 39D  is a plan view (4) for explaining the transfer by a transferring unit in a comparison example; 
         FIG. 40A  is a plan view (1) for explaining the contact condition at the time of the shifting of a transferring unit in a comparison example; 
         FIG. 40B  is a plan view (2) for explaining the contact condition at the time of the shifting of a transferring unit in a comparison example; and 
         FIG. 41  is a perspective view illustrating a library apparatus according to a related art. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 41  is a perspective view illustrating a library apparatus  400  according to a related art. 
     A transferring unit  401  is placed to be able to access any medium storage position in a storing unit  405 . The transferring unit  401  transfers recording media between an accommodating unit  402  and the storing unit  405 . The transferring unit  401  shifts in the height direction along a height-direction guide  404 . 
     The height-direction guide  404  is shifted in the lateral direction along a lateral-direction guide  403  by three rollers  404   a.    
     The accommodating unit  402  is capable of accommodating a plurality of recording media. The accommodating unit  402  is provided in the height-direction guide  404 . 
     As described above, while the transferring unit  401  shifts in the lateral direction and in the height direction, the accommodating unit  402  shifts only in the lateral direction. Therefore, the transfer of the recording media by the transferring unit  401  to the accommodating unit  402  involves a shift in the height direction (arrow D 400 ). 
     Meanwhile, as described above, in a case in which recording media are transported in units of a magazine, the transporting apparatus becomes larger compared with that in a case in which recording media are transported one by one. Furthermore, when a plurality of recording media to be transported are respectively stored in different magazines, the transportation takes time, since the magazines are to be transported a plurality of times. 
     In addition, as illustrated in  FIG. 41 , in a case in which a recording medium M is to be transported after a recording medium is transported by the transferring unit  401  from the storing unit  405  to the accommodating unit  402 , the action for the transferring unit  401  to shift to the accommodating unit  402  takes time. 
     According to an aspect, an objective of the present invention is to provide a library apparatus and an article transporting apparatus with which efficiency in transportation may be enhanced. 
     Hereinafter, a library apparatus  1  and a recording medium transporting apparatus  5  that is an example of an article transporting apparatus according an embodiment are explained. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating the library apparatus  1 . 
       FIG. 2A  and  FIG. 2B  are a back perspective view and a front perspective view illustrating the recording medium transporting apparatus  5 . 
       FIG. 3A  and  FIG. 3B  are perspective views illustrating a transporting unit  10 . 
     The library apparatus  1  illustrated in  FIG. 1  includes storing units  2 , drives  3 , a casing  4 , and the recording medium transporting apparatus  5 . 
     The storing unit  2  stores a plurality of recording media M. The storing unit  2  is, for example, a rack. The recording medium M is an example of an article. The recording medium M is, for example, a magnetic tape, an optical disk, or the like. In article transporting apparatuses used for purposes other than for the library apparatus  1 , the article may be anything that is transported, and it does not have to be the recording medium M. Two storing units  2  are placed in each of a second portion  4 - 2  and a third portion  4 - 3  of the casing  4  described later, in a way in which the recording media M oppose each other. The number of the storing unit(s)  2  to be placed may be 1 or greater. 
     The drive  3  performs reading and writing of data from and to the recording medium M. A plurality of drives  3  are placed in a fourth portion  4 - 4  of the casing  4 . 
     The storing units  2 , the drives  3 , the recording medium transporting apparatus  5  are placed inside the casing  4 . The casing  4  includes the second through fourth portions  4 - 2 ,  4 - 3 , and  4 - 4  described above, and a first portion  4 - 1 . A loading and ejecting opening  4   a  through which an accommodating unit  200  illustrated in  FIG. 2A  is loaded and ejected is formed in the first portion  4 - 1  of the casing  4 . The respective portions  4 - 1 ,  4 - 2 ,  4 - 3 , and  4 - 4  described above are given merely as an example, and they may be either partitioned or not partitioned from each other. 
     The recording medium transporting apparatus  5  includes a first-direction guide  6 , a second-direction guide  7 , and the transporting unit  10 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2A  and  FIG. 2B , the first-direction guide  6  guides the second-direction guide  7  in a first direction (arrow D 1 ) that is for example a horizontal direction. The first-direction guide  6  is placed across the respective portions  4 - 1 ,  4 - 2 ,  4 - 3 , and  4 - 4  of the casing  4 . 
     The second-direction guide  7  guides the transporting unit  10  in a second direction (arrow D 2 ) that intersects the first direction (arrow D 1 ) that is for example a vertical direction. The second-direction guide  7  includes for example three rollers  7   a . The second-direction guide  7  is shifted along the first-direction guide  6  by the shifting of the rollers  7   a  along the first-direction guide  6 . 
     The transporting unit  10  shifts in the second direction (arrow D 2 ) along the second-direction guide  7 . The transporting unit  10  is also shifted in the first direction (arrow D 1 ) by the shifting of the second-direction guide  7  in the first direction (arrow D 1 ) along the first-direction guide  6 . The transporting unit  10  shifts to a plurality of positions including those of the storing unit  2 , the drives  3 , and the loading and ejecting opening  4   a.    
     As illustrated in  FIG. 3A  and  FIG. 3B , the transporting unit  10  includes a frame  11 , a base part  12 , a second driving source  13 , and a third driving mechanism  14 . While the transporting unit  10  further includes a transferring unit  100  and an accommodating unit  200 , they are described later. In addition, descriptions about a first driving source  115 , a first driving mechanism  116 , and a second driving mechanism  117  are also given later. 
     The portion of the transporting unit  10  that is placed on the base part  12  rotates for example by 180 degrees in a fifth direction (arrow D 5 ) on the base part  12 , as illustrated in  FIG. 2A  and  FIG. 2B . The portion of the transporting unit  10  that is placed on the base part  12  includes, for example, the frame  11 , the second driving source  13 , the third driving mechanism  14 , the transferring unit  100 , and the accommodating unit  200 . For example, the fifth direction (arrow D 5 ) is a rotation direction whose center of rotation is a vertical direction. Accordingly, the transporting unit  10  is able to face both of the storing units  2  illustrated in  FIG. 1  that oppose each other. 
     The frame  11  illustrated in  FIG. 3A  and  FIG. 3B  assumes a quadrangular shape in a front view (a back view) that for example has openings on the front face side (see  FIG. 2B ) and on the back face side (see  FIG. 2A ). The accommodating unit  200  is detachably placed into the frame  11  from its back face side. Thus, the accommodating unit  200  is detachable with respect to the transporting unit  10 . 
     The accommodating unit  200  is capable of accommodating a plurality of recording media M. For example, the accommodating unit  200  accommodates the recording media M so that the recording media M are arranged in a fourth direction (arrow D 4 ) that is a vertical direction. The recording medium M is placed for example on a partition plate  211 . 
     The fourth direction (arrow D 4 ) is orthogonal to a third direction (arrow D 3 ) that is a transporting direction of the recording medium M by first and second conveyer mechanisms  111  and  112  described later. The third direction (arrow D 3 ) is a direction that intersects, that is, for example, a direction that is orthogonal to, a plane defined by the first direction (arrow D 1 ) and the second direction (arrow D 2 ). It is preferable that the fourth direction (arrow D 4 ) is a direction that is different from the third direction (arrow D 3 ). 
     The third driving mechanism  14  makes the transferring unit  100  shift in the fourth direction (arrow D 4 ). For example, the third driving mechanism  14  includes a drive transmission belt  14   a  and a ball screw  14   b.    
     A drive transmission belt  14   a  makes the ball screw  14   b  rotate by a power transmitted from the second driving source  13 . A nut part  122   a  of a tray arm  122  is placed on the ball screw  14   b . The first tray arm  122  is provided in a tray  120  of the transferring unit  100 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 3A  and  FIG. 3B , the nut part  122   a  is moved upward and downward by the rotation of the ball screw  14   b . That is, the transferring unit  100  shifts upward and downward. The direction in which the second driving source  13  makes the transferring unit  100  shift is the fourth direction (arrow D 4 ) that is the direction in which the recording media M are arranged in the accommodating unit  200 . It is preferable that a ball screw that rotates in a manner that is similar to the manner in which the ball screw  14   b  rotates is placed as well on the side opposite to the ball screw  14   b  across the frame  11 . 
     The position of the transferring unit  100  is detected by a position detecting means such as a tachometer provided in the second driving source  13 . Accordingly, the transferring unit  100  may be shifted to any position. The position of a hand unit  110  described later may also be detected by providing a position detecting means in the first driving source  115  for example. 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view illustrating the transferring unit  100 . 
     The transferring unit  100  transfers the recording media M one by one between the storing unit  2  and the accommodating unit  200 . 
     The transferring unit  100  includes a hand unit  110  and a tray  120 . 
     The hand unit  110  includes a pair of a first conveyer mechanism  111  and a second conveyer mechanism  112 , and a hand unit base  113 . 
     The first conveyer mechanism  111  and the second conveyer mechanism  112  are an example of a carrying unit that carries the recording medium M in the third direction (arrow D 3 ). The first and the second conveyer mechanisms  111  and  112  oppose each other and hold the recording media M therebetween. For example, the carrying unit may also be one in which a slider on which the recording medium M is placed or a slider that holds the recording medium M by the magnetic power or the like shifts. In addition, the conveyer mechanism may be a single one on which the recording medium M is placed. 
     The first conveyer mechanism  111  and the second conveyer mechanism  112  include a carrying means such as a belt or a roller (for example carrying belts  111   e  and  112   e ), and they carry one recording medium M continuously in the third direction (arrow D 3 ). While each of the first conveyer mechanism  111  and the second conveyer mechanism  112  assumes an endless-belt form, the form does not have to be endless, and does not have to be a belt form. 
     While details are described later, the first conveyer mechanism  111  and the second conveyer mechanism  112  themselves also shift in the third direction (arrow D 3 ) while carrying the recording medium M in the third direction (arrow D 3 ). 
     The tray  120  includes a tray main body  121 , a first tray arm  122 , and a second tray arm  123 . 
     The hand unit  110  is placed on the tray main body  121 . 
     The first tray arm  122  and the second tray arm  123  are arranged for example to protrude horizontally from the tray main body  121 , and they extend in parallel to each other. The first tray arm  122  and the second tray arm  123  include nut parts  122   a  and  123   a  that are penetrated by the above-mentioned ball screw  14   b  illustrated in  FIG. 3A  and  FIG. 3B . 
       FIG. 5A  and  FIG. 5B  are a top perspective view and a bottom perspective view illustrating the first conveyer mechanism  111 . 
       FIG. 5C  is a plan view illustrating the first conveyer mechanism  111 . 
       FIG. 6  is a sectional view for VI-VI in  FIG. 5C . 
     Meanwhile, while the first conveyer mechanism  111  is illustrated in  FIG. 5A  through  FIG. 6 , the second conveyer mechanism  112  assumes for example a shape that is laterally symmetrical to that of the first conveyer mechanism  111 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 5A  and  FIG. 5C , the first conveyer mechanism  111  includes a conveyer base  111   a , a driving pulley  111   b , a driven pulley  111   c , driven rollers  111   d , a carrying belt  111   e , a guide pin  111   f , and a drive transmission shaft  111   m.    
     As illustrated in  FIG. 5B , the first conveyer mechanism  111  further includes bevel gears  111   g  and  111   k , drive transmission pulleys  111   h  and  111   i , a drive transmission belt  111   j , slide shaft through-holes  111   n  and  111   o , and a tension spring hook part  111   p.    
     The conveyer base  111   a  assumes for example a plate form that extends in a horizontal direction. 
     The driving pulley  111   b  is placed coaxially with the drive transmission pulley  111   i  placed on a lower portion of the conveyer base  111   a . The driving pulley  111   b  is placed on a top part of the conveyer base  111   a.    
     The driven pulley  111   c  is placed on the side opposite to the driving pulley  111   b , with the six driven rollers  111   d  between the driven pulley  111   c  and the driving pulley  111   b.    
     The carrying belt  111   e  is placed across the driving pulley  111   b  and the driven pulley  111   c . As illustrated in  FIG. 5B , the carrying belt  111   e  is rotated (arrow D 17 ) by the rotation of the driving pulley  111   b  (arrow D 16 ). Accordingly, the carrying belt  111   e  abuts on the recording medium M and carries the recording medium in the third direction (arrow D 3 ) illustrated in  FIG. 4 . Meanwhile, the driven pulley  111   c  also rotates (arrow D 18 ) together with the carrying belt  111   e.    
     The guide pin  111   f  is arranged to extend downward from the conveyer base  111   a . While details are described later, the guide pin  111   f  is inserted into a recessed part  118   c  of a hand unit arm  118  illustrated in  FIG. 10A . 
     The bevel gear  111   g  is provided at the lower end of the drive transmission pulley  111   h . The drive transmission pulley  111   h  is provided on the lower portion of the conveyer base  111   a . The bevel gear  111   g  meshes with the bevel gear  111   k  provided at an end of the drive transmission shaft  111   m , so as to convert a rotating motion (arrows D 11 , D 12 ) around a horizontal axis transmitted from the drive transmission shaft  111   m  into a rotating motion (arrow D 13 ) around a vertical axis. 
     The drive transmission pulley  111   h  rotates together with the bevel gear  111   g . The drive transmission belt  111   j  placed across the drive transmission pulley  111   h  and the drive transmission pulley  111   i  is rotated (arrow D 14 ) by the rotation of the drive transmission pulley  111   h  (arrow D 13 ). Accordingly, the drive transmission pulley  111   i  rotates (arrow D 15 ), and the driving pulley  111   b  placed coaxially with the drive transmission pulley  111   i  rotates (arrow D 16 ). Accordingly, the carrying belt  111   e  rotates as well (arrow D 17 ). 
     The drive transmission shaft  111   m  is connected to a connecting shaft  116   c  of a first driving mechanism  116  illustrated in  FIG. 8A  described later. The drive transmission shaft  111   m  receives the transmission of the rotating motion (arrow D 11 ) around a horizontal axis mentioned above from the first driving mechanism  116 . 
     The connecting shaft insertion part  111   m −1 provided at an end part that is opposite to the bevel gear  111   k  in the drive transmission shaft  111   m  assumes a quadrangular shape whose top, bottom, left, and right sides are cut into a flat surface and whose corners are rounded, as illustrated in  FIG. 6  (the sectional view for VI-VI in  FIG. 5C ). 
     The slide shaft through-holes  111   n  and  1110  are penetrated by slide shafts  113   b  and  113   c  described later. 
     An end of a tension spring  114  described later is hooked on the tension spring hook part  111   p.    
       FIG. 7A  is an exploded perspective view illustrating the hand unit  110  from which the first conveyer mechanism  111  and the second conveyer mechanism  112  are removed. 
       FIG. 7B  is a perspective view illustrating the hand unit  110 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 7A  and  FIG. 7B , the hand unit  110  further includes the two tension springs  114 , the first driving source  115 , and the first driving mechanism  116 . While the hand unit  110  further includes a second driving mechanism  117  and hand unit arms  118 , they are described later. 
     The hand unit base  113  includes a base main body  113   a , four slide shafts  113   b ,  113   c ,  113   d , and  113   e , tension spring hook parts  113   f  and  113   g , and connecting shaft through-holes  113   h  and  113   i . While the hand unit base  113  further includes two guide rail through-holes  113   m  and  113   n , they are described later. 
     On the base main body  113   a , the first and the second conveyer mechanisms  111  and  112  are respectively placed at the both ends of its longitudinal direction. 
     The slide shafts  113   b  and  113   c  penetrate slide shaft through-holes  111   n  and  1110  of the first conveyer mechanism  111 , and the both ends of them are supported on the base main body  113   a.    
     The slide shafts  113   d  and  113   e  penetrate slide shaft through-holes  112   n  and  112   o  of the second conveyer mechanism  112 , and the both ends of them are supported on the base main body  113   a.    
     The four slide shafts  113   b ,  113   c ,  113   d , and  113   e  in total guide the sliding shifts of the first and the second conveyer mechanisms  111  and  112  in a direction in which they approach each other and in a direction in which they move apart from each other. 
     The two tension spring hook parts  113   f  and  113   g  are provided on the base main body  113   a.    
     The tension spring hook part  113   f  on one side catches the other end of the tension spring  114  that is opposite to one end supported by the tension spring hook part  111   p  of the first conveyer mechanism  111 . 
     The tension spring hook part  113   g  on the other side catches the other end of the tension spring  114  that is opposite to one end supported by a tension spring hook part of the second conveyer mechanism  112  that is not illustrated in the drawing. 
     The tension springs  114  pull the tension spring hook parts  111   p  of the first and the second conveyer mechanisms  111  and  112  toward the tension spring hook parts  113   f  and  113   g  sides. Accordingly, the first and the second conveyer mechanisms  111  and  112  are energized by the two tension springs  114  in the direction in which they approach each other (arrows D 21 , D 22  illustrated in  FIG. 7B ). Thus, the tension springs  114  function as an example of a conveyer energizing mechanism that energizes the first and the second conveyer mechanisms  111  and  112  in the direction in which they approach each other. 
     In addition, while this is described later, by the pressing of the guide pin  111   f  by the hand unit arm  118 , the first and the second conveyer mechanisms  111  and  112  are shifted not only in the direction in which they approach each other but also in the direction in which they move apart from each other. Thus, the first and the second conveyer mechanisms  111  and  112  shift in the direction in which they approach each other and in the direction in which they move apart from each other (arrows D 23 , D 24  illustrated in  FIG. 7B ). 
       FIG. 8A  is an exploded perspective view illustrating the hand unit  110  from which the first driving source  115  and the first driving mechanism  116  are removed. 
       FIG. 8B  illustrates a view from the direction of arrow A in  FIG. 8A . 
       FIG. 9A  is a perspective view illustrating the hand unit  110  in which the first conveyer mechanism  111  and the second conveyer mechanism  112  have approached each other. 
       FIG. 9B  is a perspective view illustrating the hand unit  110  in which the first conveyer mechanism  111  and the second conveyer mechanism  112  are apart from each other. 
     The first driving source  115  is placed on the base main body  113   a . The first driving source  115  is a single driving source that generates both the driving power for the first driving mechanism  116  and the driving power for the second driving mechanism  117 . 
     The first driving mechanism  116  actuates the first and the second conveyer mechanisms  111  and  112 . That is, the first driving mechanism  116  makes the carrying belts  111   e  and  112   e  of the first and the second conveyer mechanisms  111  and  112  rotate. Accordingly, the recording medium M is carried in the third direction (arrow D 3  illustrated in  FIG. 4 ). 
     The first driving mechanism  116  includes a drive transmission belt  116   a , a drive transmission pulley  116   b , a connecting shaft  116   c , and a worm  116   d.    
     As illustrated in  FIG. 8A , the drive transmission belt  116   a  is placed across the first driving source  115  and the drive transmission pulley  116   b . As illustrated in  FIG. 9A , the drive transmission belt  116   a  is rotated (arrow D 31 ) by the driving by the drive transmission belt  116   a , and it makes the drive transmission pulley  116   b  rotate (arrow D 32 ). 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 8A , the drive transmission pulley  116   b  is provided on the connecting shaft  116   c . The connecting shaft  116   c  is rotated by the rotation of the drive transmission pulley  116   b . Accordingly, the driving power is transmitted to the first conveyer mechanism  111  through the drive transmission shaft  111   m  that is inserted in to a square hole  116   c −1 of the connecting shaft  116   c  illustrated in  FIG. 8B . Then, as illustrated in  FIG. 9A , the carrying belt  111   e  of the first conveyer mechanism  111  rotates (arrow D 34 ). 
     In a similar manner, the driving power is transmitted to the second conveyer mechanism  112  through a square hole that is not illustrated in the drawing provided on the side opposite to the side of the square hole  116   c −1 in the connecting shaft  116   c . Then, the carrying belt  112   e  of the second conveyer mechanism  112  rotates (arrow D 34 ). 
     Meanwhile, a prescribed length of the connecting shaft insertion part  111   m −1 of the drive transmission shaft  111   m  is inserted into the square hole  116   c −1. For this reason, as illustrated in  FIG. 9B , the drive transmission shaft  111   m  is still inserted in the square hole  116   c −1, even when the first and the second conveyer mechanisms  111  and  112  shift in the direction in which they move apart from each other (arrows D 41 ,  42 ). 
     The worm  116   d  is placed on the connecting shaft  116   c , and it transmits a power to a worm wheel  117   a  of the second driving mechanism  117  described later. 
     The structure of the first driving mechanism  116  described above is given merely as an example, and it may be appropriately modified as long as a carrying unit (the first and the second conveyer mechanisms  111  and  112 ) is driven so as to transport the recording medium M in the third direction (arrow D 3 ). For example, an appropriate modification such as to change the drive transmission belt  116   a  to a gear may be made. 
     The second driving mechanism  117  illustrated in  FIG. 8A  makes the first and the second conveyer mechanisms  111  and  112  with the entirety of the hand unit  110  shift in the third direction (arrow D 3  illustrated in  FIG. 4 ). For example, the second driving mechanism  117  includes a worm wheel  117   a  and a gear  117   b.    
     The worm wheel  117   a  meshes with the worm  116   d  that makes a rotating motion around a horizontal axis, and it rotates around a vertical axis. 
     The gear  117   b  is provided coaxially with the worm wheel  117   a , and it rotates around a vertical axis in a manner similar to the manner in which the worm wheel  117   a  rotates. While details are described later, the gear  117   b  meshes with a rack tooth  125   a  of a rack rail  125  illustrated in  FIG. 12A , so as to make the first and the second conveyer mechanisms  111  and  112  shift in third direction (arrow D 3  illustrated in  FIG. 4 ). 
     The structure of the second driving mechanism  117  described above is given merely as an example, and it may be appropriately modified as long as it makes a carrying unit (the first and the second conveyer mechanisms  111  and  112 ) shift in the third direction (arrow D 3 ). 
     Meanwhile, a case in which the carrying unit is not the first and the second conveyer mechanisms  111  and  112  but a carrying unit in which a slider on which the recording medium M is placed or a slider that holds the recording medium M by the magnetic power or the like shifts is considered. In this case, the second driving mechanism  117  may be configured so that a slider that makes the first and the second conveyer mechanisms  111  shift and a base on which the slider is placed are shifted by the second driving mechanism  117 . 
       FIG. 10A  is an exploded bottom perspective view illustrating the hand unit  110  from which the hand unit arms  18  are removed. 
       FIG. 10B  is a bottom perspective view illustrating the hand unit  110 . 
     The hand unit arm  118  is provided with an arm base  118   a , an arm pin  118   b , and a recessed part  118   c . The hand unit arm  118  is placed in each of a lower portion of the first conveyer mechanism  111  and a lower portion of the second conveyer mechanism  112 . 
     The arm base  118   a  assumes, for example, a rectangular plate form that extends in a horizontal direction. 
     The arm pin  118   b  protrudes downward from the arm base  118   a  at one end of the longitudinal direction of the arm base  118   a.    
     The recessed part  118   c  assumes a shape hollowed out in a semicircle shape in a plan view, at the other end of the longitudinal direction of the arm base  118   a.    
     An attachment hole  118   d  is formed so as to penetrate the arm base  118   a  in a vertical direction at the center of the arm base  118   a . Arm attachment shafts  113   j  and  113   k  provided so as to protrude downward on the both ends of the longitudinal direction of the hand unit base  113  are inserted into the attachment hole  118   d.    
     Two guide rail through-holes  113   m  and  113   n  of the hand unit base  113  are provided on the bottom face of the base main body  113   a . A guide rail  126  illustrated in  FIG. 13A  described later is inserted into each of the two guide rail through-holes  113   m  and  113   n . The guide rail  126  guides the hand unit  110  when the hand unit  110  shifts in the third direction (arrow D 3  illustrated in  FIG. 4 ) that is a carrying direction of the recording medium M. 
       FIGS. 11A-11E  are bottom plan views for explaining the movement of the hand unit arms  118 . 
     The shifting of the hand unit  110  in the third direction (arrow D 3  illustrated in  FIG. 4 , which is the upward and downward directions in  FIGS. 11A-11E ) is described later. The movements in which the first conveyer mechanism  111  and the second conveyer mechanism  112  shift in the direction in which they approach each other and in the direction in which they move apart from each other are explained here. 
     First, the hand unit arms  118  are rotated by the pressing of the arm pins  118   b . While this is described later, the hand unit  110  shifts in the third direction to shift to each of the accommodating unit  200  side and the side opposite to it (for example, the storing unit  2  side or the drive  3  side). When the hand unit  110  reaches the accommodating unit  200  side and the side opposite to it, the arm pins  118   b  are pressed by protruding parts  124   a  and  124   b  of stopper arms  124  or by tray stoppers  121   e ,  121   f ,  121   g , and  121   h  illustrated in  FIG. 12A . 
     Accordingly, as illustrated in  FIGS. 11A and 11B , the hand unit arm  118  on the first conveyer mechanism  111  side rotates in a clockwise direction in  FIGS. 11A-11B  (arrow D 51 ). Meanwhile, the hand unit arm  118  on the second conveyer mechanism  112  side rotates in an anticlockwise direction in  FIGS. 11A-11E  (arrow D 52 ). 
     Accordingly, as illustrated in  FIGS. 11A and 11B , the arm bases  118   a  press the guide pins  111   f  and  112   f  in the direction in which the first conveyer mechanism  111  and the second conveyer mechanism  112  move apart from each other (arrows D 53 , D 54 ). 
     By the pressing of the guide pins  111   f  and  112   f  by the arm bases  118   a , the guide pins  111   f  and  112   f  are inserted into the recessed parts  118   c , as illustrated in  FIG. 11C . Accordingly, the relative positions of the first conveyer mechanism  111  and the second conveyer mechanism  112  are regulated against the energizing force given by the tension springs  114  to the first conveyer mechanism  111  and the second conveyer mechanism  112 . Thus, the hand unit arms  118  function as an example of a regulating unit that regulates the relative positions of the first and the second conveyer mechanisms  111  and  112  against the energizing force given by the tension springs  114  (an example of the conveyer energizing mechanism) to the first and the second conveyer mechanisms  111  and  112 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 11D and 11E , the hand unit arm  118  on the first conveyer mechanism  111  and the hand unit arm  118  on the second conveyer mechanism  112  further rotate (arrows D 51 , D 52 ). Then, the regulation of the relative positions of the first and the second conveyer mechanisms  111  and  112  by the hand unit arms  118  are canceled. Then, the first conveyer mechanism  111  and the second conveyer mechanism  112  are energized in the direction in which they approach each other (arrows D 55 , D 56 ) by the tension springs  114 . An example of a canceling unit that cancels the regulation of the relative positions by the hand unit arms  118  (an example of the regulating unit) is the protruding parts  124   a  and  124   b  of the stopper arms  124 , and the tray stoppers  121   e ,  121   f ,  121   g , and  121   h  of the tray main body  121  illustrated in  FIG. 12A . 
       FIG. 12A  is an exploded perspective view illustrating a tray  120  from which the stopper arm  124  is removed. 
       FIG. 12B  is a perspective view illustrating the tray  120 . 
       FIG. 13A  is a perspective view illustrating the transferring unit  100  from which the hand unit  110  is removed. 
       FIG. 13B  is a perspective view illustrating the transferring unit  100 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 12A  and  FIG. 12B , the tray  120  includes a tray main body  121 , a first tray arm  122 , a second tray arm  123 , stopper arms  124 , a rack rail  125 , and guide rails  126  illustrated in  FIG. 13A  and  FIG. 13B . 
     They tray main body  121  assumes, for example, a rectangular plate form that extends in a horizontal direction. The tray main body  121  includes two grooves  121   a  and  121   b , two supporting members  121   c  and  121   d , four tray stoppers  121   e ,  121   f ,  121   g , and  121   h , and four guide rail supporting protrusions  121   i ,  121   j ,  121   k , and  121   m.    
     The grooves  121   a  and  121   b  extend in parallel to the third direction (arrow D 3 ) illustrated in  FIG. 13B . The grooves  121   a  and  121   b  are formed in a lower portion of the first conveyer mechanism  111  and the second conveyer mechanism  112  described above, so as to have an opening on an upper face of the tray main body  121 , and they are two in number. 
     The supporting members  121   c  and  121   d  illustrated in  FIG. 12A  support the stopper arms  124  in middle through-holes  124   c  from the lower side. The supporting members  121   c  and  121   d  are accommodated at the center of the grooves  121   a  and  121   b.    
     The four tray stoppers  121   e ,  121   f ,  121   g , and  121   h  in total are provided on the both ends of the two grooves  121   a  and  121   b , with one for each end. The tray stoppers  121   e ,  121   f ,  121   g , and  121   h  press the arm pins  118   b  illustrated in  FIG. 10A  and function as an example of the canceling unit that cancels the regulation of the relative positions of the first and the second conveyer mechanisms  111  and  112 , as described above. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 13A , the four guide rail supporting protrusions  121   i ,  121   j ,  121   k , and  121   m  in total are provided on the both ends of the two guide rails  126 , with one for each end. The guide rail supporting protrusions  121   i ,  121   j ,  121   k , and  121   m  support the both ends of the guide rails  126 . 
     As described above, the first and the second tray arms  122  and  123  illustrated in  FIG. 12A  and  FIG. 12B  extend so as to protrude from the tray main body  121 . The first tray arm  122  and the second tray arm  123  include nut parts  122   a  and  123   a  that are penetrated by the ball screw  14   b.    
     The two stopper arms  124  are placed along the grooves  121   a  and  121   b , respectively. The longitudinal direction of the stopper arm  124  is parallel to the third direction (arrow D 3 ). The protruding parts  124   a  and  124   b  that protrude upward are formed on the both ends of the stopper arm  124 . These protruding parts  124   a  and  124   b  also function as an example of the canceling unit, as well as the tray stoppers  121   e ,  121   f ,  121   g , and  121   h . The stopper arm  124  bends with the middle through-hole  124   c  as a fulcrum, so that the protruding parts  124   a  and  124   b  move downward (arrow D 88 ) as illustrated in  FIG. 18A  and  FIG. 18B  descried later. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 13A  and  FIG. 13B , the rack rail  125  is provided over the third direction (arrow D 3 ) illustrated in  FIG. 13B  at the center of the tray main body  121 . A rack tooth  125   a  is formed on one of the lateral sides of the rack rail  125 . As mentioned above, the rack tooth  125   a  mesh with the gear  117   b  illustrated in  FIG. 8A . Accordingly, the hand unit  110  shifts in the third direction (arrow D 3 ) with respect to the tray  120 . 
       FIG. 14A  and  FIG. 14B  are perspective views for explaining the shifting of the hand unit  110  in the third direction. 
     As described above, by the driving power (arrow D 61 ) of the first driving source  115  illustrated in  FIG. 14A , the first driving mechanism  116  makes the carrying belts  111   e  and  112   e  rotate (arrows D 62 , D 63 ). Accordingly, the recording medium M is carried in the third direction (arrow D 3 , D 65 ). 
     In addition, by the transmission of the driving power generated by the first driving source  115  to the second driving mechanism  117  through the first driving mechanism  116 , the gear  117   b  of the second driving mechanism  117  is rotated (arrow D 64 ). Accordingly, the hand unit  110  shifts in third direction (arrow D 3 , D 65 ) along the rack tooth  125   a  that meshes with the gear  117   b . Therefore, the recording medium M is transferred in the third direction (arrow D 3 , D 65 ) by both the actions of the carrying belts  111   e  and  112   e  and the shifting of the hand unit  110 . 
     A case in which the recording medium M is transferred in the opposite direction is similar, and as illustrated in  FIG. 14B , the carrying belts  111   e  and  112   e  are rotated (arrows D 72 , D 73 ) by the driving power (arrow D 71 ) of the first driving source  115 . Accordingly, the recording medium M is carried in the third direction (an D 3 , D 75 ). In addition, the gear  117   b  of the second driving mechanism  117  is rotated (arrow D 74 ), by the transmission of the driving power generated by the first driving source  115  to the second driving mechanism  117  through the first driving mechanism  116 . Accordingly, the hand unit  110  shifts in a direction (arrow D 3 , D 75 ) that is opposite to the third direction, along the rack tooth  125   a  that meshes with the gear  117   b.    
       FIG. 15  is a perspective view illustrating the transferring unit  100  in which the hand unit  110  is in an initial state. 
       FIG. 16A  through  FIG. 16I  are perspective views for explaining the movement of the hand unit  110 . 
       FIG. 17A  through  FIG. 17I  are perspective views for explaining the movement in a portion B (the hand unit arm  118  and the guide pin  111   f ) in  FIG. 15 . 
     First, the hand unit  110  in an initial state illustrated in  FIG. 15  shifts to the accommodating unit  200  (see  FIG. 3A  and  FIG. 3B ) side as illustrated in  FIG. 16A  (arrow D 81 ). This shifting direction (arrow D 81 ) is the third direction mentioned above, while this is not illustrated in the drawing. At this time, as illustrated in  FIG. 17A , the hand unit arm  118  is in a state in which the guide pin  111   f  is inserted into the recessed part  118   c  (a state in which the relative positions of the first and the second conveyer mechanisms  111  and  112  are regulated, that is, a non-holding state in which they are apart from each other). The arm pin  118   b  abuts on the protruding part  124   b  of the stopper arm  124  and it is pressed by the protruding part  124   b . Accordingly, the hand unit arm  118  is rotated (arrow D 82 ). 
     When the guide pin  111   f  is disengaged from the recessed part  118   c  of the hand unit arm  118  as illustrated in  FIG. 17B , the first and the second conveyer mechanisms  111  and  112  are moved to approach each other (arrow D 83 ) as illustrated in  FIG. 16B , by the tension springs  114  illustrated in  FIG. 7A . While details are described later, at this time, the first conveyer mechanism  111  and the second conveyer mechanism  112  approach each other and hold the recording medium M in the accommodating unit  200  therebetween. 
     Next, as illustrated in  FIG. 16C , the hand unit  110  shifts to the storing unit  2  (see  FIG. 1 ) side that is in the opposite direction (arrow D 84 ). This shifting direction (arrow D 84 ) is also the third direction mentioned above, while this is not illustrated in the drawing. At this time, as illustrated in  FIG. 17C , the arm base  118   a  abuts on the guide pin  111   f.    
     As illustrated in  FIG. 16D , while the hand unit  110  is shifting (arrow D 84 ), the guide pin  111   f  is not inserted in the recessed part  118   c  (a state in which the regulation of the relative positions of the first and the second conveyer mechanisms  111  and  112  is canceled). In this state, as illustrated in  FIG. 17D , the arm pin  118   b  passes through without abutting on the protruding part  124   a  of the stopper arm  124 , because the arm pin  118   b  has rotated as described above (arrow D 82 ). 
     After that, as illustrated in  FIG. 17E , the arm pin  118   b  abuts on the tray stopper  121   e , thereby making the hand unit arm  118  rotate (arrow D 85 ). Accordingly, the arm base  118   a  presses the guide pin  111   f . Accordingly, as illustrated in  FIG. 16E , the first and the second conveyer mechanisms  111  and  112  move apart from each other (arrow D 86 ). 
     Then, when the longitudinal direction of the arm base  118   a  becomes parallel to the moving-apart direction (arrow D 86 ) mentioned above, the guide pin  111   f  is held in a state in which it is inserted into the recessed part  118   c , as lustrated in  FIG. 16F  and  FIG. 17F . This state is the state in which the relative positions of the first and the second conveyer mechanisms  111  and  112  are regulated (the non-holding state), as described above. While details are described later, at this time, the recording media Min the accommodating unit  200  is stored into the storing unit  2 . 
     The hand unit  110  shifts again to the accommodating unit  200  side as illustrated in  FIG. 16G  and  FIG. 17G  (arrow D 87 =D 81 ). 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 16H  and  FIG. 17H , the hand unit arm  118  is in a state in which the relative positions are regulated (the non-holding state) in a manner similar to the manner illustrated in  FIG. 17A , and it abuts on an abutting part  124   a . However, a guide surface  124   a −1 that is for example slanted is formed on the protruding part  124   a  as illustrated in  FIG. 18A  and  FIG. 18B , so as to facilitate climbing over from an outer side of the stopper arm  124  (the right-hand side in ( FIG. 18A  and  FIG. 18B ). It is preferable that this guide surface  124   a −1 is provided on the protruding part  124   b  on the other side as well. 
     The protruding part  124   a  bends downward (arrow D 88 ) by abutting on the arm pin  118   b . For this reason, the hand unit arm  118  does not rotate when it abuts on the protruding part  124   a , and as illustrated in  FIG. 16I  and  FIG. 17I , it is maintained in the state in which the relative positions are regulated (the non-holding state). Meanwhile, the state of the hand unit  110  illustrated in  FIG. 16I  and  FIG. 17I  is the initial state illustrated in  FIG. 15 . When the hand unit  110  shifts not to the accommodating unit  200  side but to the storing unit  2  side for the first time, movements are similar to the movements illustrated in  FIG. 16A  through  FIG. 16I  and  FIG. 17A  through  FIG. 17I . In this case, the arm pin  118   b  first abuts not on the protruding part  124   b  but on the other protruding part  124   a  first. 
       FIG. 19A  through  FIG. 19J  are explanatory diagrams for explaining the transfer of the recording medium M from the storing unit  2  to the accommodating unit  200 . 
     The transporting unit  10  illustrated in  FIG. 19A  shifts in the second direction (arrow D 2 ) along the second-direction guide  7 , as described above. In addition, by the shifting of the second-direction guide  7  in the first direction (arrow D 1 ) along the first-direction guide  6 , the transporting unit  10  is also shifted in the first direction (arrow D 1 ). The transporting unit  10  is able to shift so as to face a specified storage position in the storing unit  2 , by shifting in the first direction (arrow D 1 ) and in the second direction (arrow D 2 ). 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 19B , the hand unit  110  shifts to the storing unit  2  side (arrow D 91 ) that is the same direction as the third direction (arrow D 3 ) mentioned above. At this time, the first and the second conveyer mechanisms  111  and  112  are in the non-holding state in which they are not holding any recording medium M therebetween (the state in which their relative positions are regulated). However, the first and the second conveyer mechanisms  111  and  112  operate as if they are carrying the recording medium M (arrows D 92 , D 93 ) in the third direction (arrow D 3 ), in tandem with the shifting action of the hand unit  110 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 19C , the first and the second conveyer mechanisms  111  and  112  shift to a position at which they are able to hold the recording medium M. At this position, the regulation of the relative positions of the first and the second conveyer mechanisms  111  and  112  is canceled as described above. Then, as illustrated in  FIG. 19D , the first and the second conveyer mechanisms  111  and  112  approach each other and hold the recording medium M therebetween (arrows D 94 , D 95 ). 
     After that, as illustrated in  FIG. 19E , the first and the second conveyer mechanisms  111  and  112  shift to the accommodating unit  200  side (arrow D 96 ) that is in the opposite direction. This shifting direction (arrow D 96 ) is also the third direction mentioned above. The first and the second conveyer mechanisms  111  and  112  operate so as to carry the recording medium M to the accommodating unit  200  side (arrows D 97 , D 98 ), simultaneously with the shifting action of the hand unit  110 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 19F , when the recording medium M is positioned at the center of the tray  120  (the tray main body  121 ), the carrying of the recording medium M stops, and the third driving mechanism  14  makes the transferring unit  100  shift upward and downward (arrow D 99 ). The third driving mechanism  14  makes the transferring unit  100  shift so as to face a prescribed area (an area partitioned by the partition plates  211  for example) in the accommodating unit  200 . 
     Then again, as illustrated in  FIG. 19G , the first and the second conveyer mechanisms  111  and  112  shift to the accommodating unit  200  side, and they also carry the recording medium M (arrow D 96 ). After that, as illustrated in  FIG. 19H , the recording medium M is transferred to the accommodating unit  200  side, and the relative positions of the first and the second conveyer mechanisms  111  and  112  are regulated as described above. 
     Accordingly, as illustrated in  FIG. 19I , the first and the second conveyer mechanisms  111  and  112  move apart from each other (arrows D 100 , D 101 ). Therefore, the recording medium M is released from the holding by the first and the second conveyer mechanisms  111  and  112 , and it is accommodated into the accommodating unit  200 . 
     After that, as illustrated in  FIG. 19J , the hand unit  110  shifts again to the storing unit  2  side (arrow D 91 ), and it returns to the state illustrated in  FIG. 19B . 
       FIG. 20A  through  FIG. 20F  are explanatory diagrams for explaining the transfer of the recording medium M from the accommodating unit  200  to the storing unit  2 . 
     The transferring unit  100  illustrated in  FIG. 20A  is shifted upward and downward (arrow D 111 ) by the driving power of the third driving mechanism  14 . The third driving mechanism  14  makes the transferring unit  100  shift so as to face a prescribed slot in the accommodating unit  200 . 
     Next, as illustrated in  FIG. 20B , the hand unit  110  shifts to the accommodating unit  200  side (arrow D 112 ). At this time, the first and the second conveyer mechanisms  111  and  112  are in the non-holding state in which they are not holding any recording medium M (the state in which their relative positions are regulated). However, the first and the second conveyer mechanisms  111  and  112  operate as if they are carrying the recording medium M (arrows D 113 , D 114 ), in tandem with the shifting action of the hand unit  110 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 20C , the first and the second conveyer mechanisms  111  and  112  shift to a position at which they are able to hold the recording medium M. Then, the regulation of the relative positions of the first and the second conveyer mechanisms  111  and  112  is canceled as described above, and the first and the second conveyer mechanisms  111  and  112  approach each other to hold the recording medium M therebetween (arrows D 115 , D 116 ). 
     After that, as illustrated in  FIG. 20D , the first and the second conveyer mechanisms  111  and  112  shift to the storing unit  2  side (arrow D 117 ) that is in the opposite direction. This shifting direction (arrow D 117 ) is also the third direction mentioned above. The first and the second conveyer mechanisms  111  and  112  operate so as to carry the recording medium M to the storing unit  2  side (arrows D 118 , D 119 ) simultaneously with the shifting action of the hand unit  110 . 
     When the recording medium M is transferred to the storing unit  2  side as illustrated in  FIG. 20E , the relative positions of the first and the second conveyer mechanisms  111  and  112  are regulated as described above. 
     Accordingly, as illustrated in  FIG. 20F , the first and the second conveyer mechanisms  111  and  112  move apart from each other (arrows D 120 , D 121 ). Then, the recording medium M is released from the holding by the first and the second conveyer mechanisms  111  and  112 , and it is stored into the storing unit  2 . 
     While the recording medium M is transferred from the accommodating unit  200  to the storing unit  2  in  FIG. 20A  through  FIG. 20F , the recording medium M may also be transferred to a different storage position in the accommodating unit  200 . 
       FIG. 21A  through  FIG. 21D  are explanatory diagrams for explaining the transportation of only one recording medium. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 21A , the transporting unit  10  shifts so as to face a specified storage position in the storing unit  2 . 
     Next, as illustrated in  FIG. 21B , the first and the second conveyer mechanisms  111  and  112  transfer the recording medium M onto the tray  120  (arrow D 131 ). 
     After that, as illustrated in  FIG. 21C , the transporting unit  10  shifts to a specified storage position in the storing unit  2  (arrow D 132 ). Then, as illustrated in  FIG. 21D , the transporting unit  10  transfers the recording medium M to the storing unit  2  (arrow D 133 ). While the transporting unit  10  transports the recording medium M to the storing unit  2  in  FIG. 21D , it may also transport only one recording medium M to the drive  3 . 
       FIG. 22A  is a perspective view illustrating the transporting unit  10 . 
       FIG. 22B  is a perspective view illustrating the transporting unit  10  from which the accommodating unit  200  is removed. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 22A  and  FIG. 22B , the accommodating unit  200  may be removed from the back face side of the frame  11  (arrow D 140 ). In addition, in the opposite manner, the accommodating unit  200  may be attached to the frame  11  from its back face side. Thus, the accommodating unit  200  is detachable with respect to the transporting unit  10 . 
       FIG. 23A  through  FIG. 23C  are a front perspective view, a back perspective view, and a bottom perspective view illustrating the accommodating unit  200 . 
     The accommodating unit  200  includes a main body  210 , a top cover  220 , a bottom cover  230 , and a handle  240 . While the accommodating unit  200  further includes a handle locking mechanism  250 , the handle locking mechanism  250  is described later. 
     The recording medium M is accommodated on the partition plate  211  provided in the main body  210 . 
     A main body protruding portion  212  that protrudes on the front side is formed at the front upper end of the main body  210  as described above. 
     Recessed parts  221  and  222 , and a groove  223  that are positioned on the upper face for example, and a top cover protruding portion  224  positioned on the main body protruding portion  212  are provided in the top cover  220 . Recessed parts  231  and  232 , and a groove  233  that are positioned on the bottom face for example are provided in the bottom cover  230 . The handle  240  is provided on the back face side of the main body  210 . On the both ends of the grooves  223  and  233 , expanding portions  223   a ,  223   b ,  233   a , and  233   b  whose width becomes wider toward the both ends are formed. 
       FIG. 24A  is an exploded perspective view illustrating the accommodating unit  200  from which the top cover  220  is removed. 
       FIG. 24B  is an enlarged view of a portion C in  FIG. 24A . 
       FIG. 24C  is an exploded perspective view illustrating the portion C in  FIG. 24A . 
       FIG. 25A  is an exploded perspective view illustrating the accommodating unit  200  from which the bottom cover  230  is removed. 
       FIG. 25B  is an exploded view of a portion D in  FIG. 25A . 
       FIG. 25C  is an exploded perspective view illustrating the portion D in  FIG. 25A . 
     The portion C (see  FIG. 24B ) in  FIG. 24A  and the portion D (see  FIG. 25B ) in  FIG. 25A  may assume the same shape with each other, and therefore, the same numerals are assigned to the respective parts. Accordingly, an explanation is given only about the C portion in  FIG. 24A . 
       FIG. 26A  through  FIG. 26C  are explanatory diagrams for explaining the shifting of the handle  240 . 
       FIG. 27A  and  FIG. 27B  are explanatory diagrams for explaining the locking of the handle  240 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 24A  and  FIG. 24B , a forked-end part  241  of the handle  240  and a handle locking mechanism  250  are placed on an upper face of the main body  210  from which the top cover  220  is removed. 
     A stopper  213 , leaf spring supporting parts  214  and  215 , a lock lever supporting part  216 , a handle supporting part  217 , and a torsion spring supporting part  218  are provided on an upper face of the main body  210  illustrated in  FIG. 24B  and  FIG. 24C . 
     In the handle  240 , in each of the fixing parts on the both ends, the forked-end part  241  split into two toward the end portion is formed. As illustrated in  FIG. 26A  through  FIG. 26C , the handle  240  is provided on the back face side of the accommodating unit  200 . The handle  240  shifts between a first position P1 illustrated in  FIG. 26A  at which it stands from the back face (an example of an outer face) of the accommodating unit  200 , and a second position P2 illustrated in  FIG. 26C  at which it is laid down along the back face. 
     A torsion spring  241   a  is placed between the split portions of the forked-end part  241 . In one of the split portions of the forked-end part  241 , a hook part  241   b  to be hooked on a lock lever  251  described later is integrally formed. 
     The torsion spring  241   a  energizes the handle  240  toward the second position P2 mentioned above. 
     The handle locking mechanism  250  includes the lock lever  251  and the leaf spring  252 . 
     The stopper  213 , the leaf spring supporting parts  214  and  215 , the lock lever supporting part  216 , the handle supporting part  217  and the torsion spring supporting part  218  of the main body  210  are provided so as to protrude upward from the upper face of the main body  210 . 
     The stopper  213  is provided on the rear end of the upper face of the main body  210 , and it regulates the rotation of the hook part  241   b . Accordingly, as illustrated in  FIG. 26A , the handle  240  rotates from the first position P1 toward the second position P2 (arrow D 151 ) but does not rotate in the opposite direction from the first position P1 (arrow D 152 ). 
     The leaf spring supporting parts  214  and  215  support each of the both ends of the leaf spring  252 . As illustrated in  FIG. 28A  and  FIG. 28B , the leaf spring supporting part  215  on one side movably supports the leaf spring  252  in a long hole  252   a  (arrow D 172 ) so as to allow the elastic deformation (arrow D 171 ) of the leaf spring  252 . 
     The lock lever supporting part  216  rotatably supports lock lever  251 . 
     The handle supporting part  217  rotatably supports the handle  240  at the forked-end part  241 . 
     The torsion spring supporting part  218  supports one end of the torsion spring  241   a.    
     A hook part  251   a , a leaf spring abutting part  251   b  and a pressed part  251   c  are provided in the lock lever  251 . 
     The hook part  251   a  is mutually hooked with the hook part  241   b , so as to lock the handle  240  on the standing first position P1 mentioned above. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 27A , the leaf spring abutting part  251   b  abuts on the leaf spring  252 , and it is energized by the leaf spring  252  in the direction in which the hook part  251   a  is hooked on the hook part  241   b  (arrow D 161 ). 
     The pressed part  251   c  is pressed by pusher blocks  11   d  and  11   h  illustrated in  FIG. 29A  and  FIG. 29B  described later, and accordingly, it removes the lock lever  251  (hook part  251   a ) from the position at which it may be hooked on the hook part  241   b  (arrows D 162 , D 163 ). At this time, as illustrated in  FIG. 28B , the shape of the leaf spring  252  is changed by the pressing by the lock lever  251  (arrow D 171 ), and as described above, the supporting position of the leaf spring supporting part  215  shifts in the long hole  252   a  (arrow D 172 ). 
       FIG. 29A  and  FIG. 29B  are a top perspective view and a bottom perspective view illustrating the portion of the transporting unit  10  excluding the accommodating unit  200 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 29B , on an upper face in an inner side of the frame  11 , a guide rail  11   a  and two stoppers  11   b  and  11   c  are provided so as to extend in the front-back direction for example. In an upper portion of a lateral side in the inner side of the frame  11 , a pusher block  11   d  is provided so as to extend in the front-back direction for example. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 29A , on a bottom face in the inner side of the frame  11 , a guide rail  11   e  and two stoppers  11   f  and  11   g  are provided so as to extend in the front-back direction for example. In a lower portion of a lateral side in the inner side of the frame  11 , a pusher block  11   h  is provided so as to extend in the front-back direction for example. 
       FIG. 30A  through  FIG. 30F  are explanatory diagrams for explaining the attachment and detachment of the accommodating unit  200 . 
       FIG. 31A  through  FIG. 31F  are explanatory diagrams for explaining the shifting of the handle  240  at the time of the attachment and detachment of the accommodating unit  200 . 
       FIG. 32A  and  FIG. 32B  are explanatory diagrams for explaining the position of the accommodating unit  200  in the transporting unit  10 . 
     First, as illustrated in  FIG. 30A  and  FIG. 31A , the accommodating unit  200  is attached to the transporting unit  10  from the back face side toward the front side (arrow D 181  illustrated in  FIG. 31A ). At this time, as illustrated in  FIG. 31A , the handle  240  is fixed on the standing first position P1. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 30B  and  FIG. 31B , when a part of the accommodating unit  200  enters the frame  11 , the guide rails  11   a  and  11   e  guide the accommodating unit  200  in the grooves  223   a  and  233   a  of the top cover  220  and the bottom cover  230 , as illustrated in  FIG. 31B . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 30C  and  FIG. 31C , when the accommodating unit  200  continues to advance inside the frame  11 , the pusher blocks  11   d  and  11   h  in the upper and lower portions of the frame  11  respectively press the pressed part  251   c  of the lock lever  251  in the upper and lower portions. 
     Accordingly, the lock lever  251  changes the shape of the leaf spring  252  against the energizing force of the leaf spring  252 , and the hook part  251   a  is removed from the position at which it is hooked on the hook part  241   b  (arrow D 182 ). As described above, the pusher blocks  11   d  and  11   h  function as an example of a locking releasing mechanism that releases the locking by the lock lever  251  by pressing the lock lever  251  (an example of a handle locking mechanism) in a state in which the accommodating unit  200  is placed in the transporting unit  10 . 
     Accordingly, as illustrated in  FIG. 31D , the handle  240  is rotated to shift to the second position P2 (arrow D 183 ) by the energizing force of the torsion spring  241   a  described above. The accommodating unit  200  advances to a prescribed position in the frame  11  as illustrated in  FIG. 32A  and  FIG. 32B . Accordingly, as illustrated in  FIG. 30D , protruding parts  11   b −1,  11   c −1,  11   f −1, and  11   g −1 described above are inserted into the recessed part  221 ,  222 ,  231 , and  232 . Accordingly, the accommodating unit  200  is prevented from dropping off from the transporting unit  10 . 
     Meanwhile, the protruding parts  11   b −1,  11   c −1,  11   f −1, and  11   g −1 are formed on one end of the stoppers  11   b ,  11   c ,  11   f , and  11   g  provided in an inner side of the frame  11 . The recessed parts  221 ,  222 ,  231 , and  232  are formed in the top cover  220  and the bottom cover  230 , as described above. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 30E  and  FIG. 31E , when removing the accommodating unit  200  from the transporting unit  10  (arrow D 184 ), a human grasps the handle  240 . Accordingly, the handle  240  stands (the position P1) when it is raised (arrow D 185 ) by a power that is greater than the energizing force of the torsion spring  241   a  toward the second position P2 mentioned above. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 30F  and  FIG. 31F , when the accommodating unit  200  continues to be removed completely from the transporting unit  10  (arrow D 184 ), the pressed part  251   c  of the lock lever  251  is no longer pressed. Accordingly, the leaf spring  252  makes the lock lever  251  shift in the direction in which it is hooked on the hook part  241   b  (arrow D 186 ). 
       FIG. 33  is a perspective view illustrating a transporting route of a plurality of recording media M from the storing unit  2  to the drive  3 . 
       FIG. 34A  through  FIG. 34E  are perspective views for explaining the transportation of a plurality of the recording media M from the storing unit  2  to the drive  3 . 
       FIG. 35A  through  FIG. 35E  are side views for explaining the transportation of a plurality of the recording media M from the storing unit  2  to the drive  3 . 
     In the explanation of the transportation of a plurality of the recording media M from the storing unit  2  to the drive  3  given below, as illustrated in  FIG. 33 , the transporting unit  10  shifts to a plurality of positions in the storing unit  2  to take out the recording media M (arrows D 191 , D 192 ), and it transports the recording media M to the drive  3  (arrow D 193 ). 
     First, as illustrated in  FIG. 34A , the transporting unit  10  is shifted to so as to face the recording medium M in the storing unit  2  that is to be taken out first (arrow D 191 ), by the first-direction guide  6  and the second-direction guide  7  described above. When the recording medium M that is to be taken out first is positioned on the upper end of the storing unit  2  for example, the transferring unit  100  shifts to the upper end in the transporting unit  10  (arrow D 201 ), as illustrated in  FIG. 35A . This action of the transferring unit  100  may be regarded as an action to reduce the shifting space, because the more the transporting unit  10  shifts upward, the more the shifting space of the transporting unit  10  expands. 
     Next, as illustrated in  FIG. 34B , the transporting unit  10  shifts to a position that faces the recording medium M in the storing unit  2  that is to be taken out second (arrow D 192 ). On the way, the transferring unit  100  transfers the recording medium M into the transporting unit  10  (arrows D 202 , D 203 ). 
     After that, as illustrated in  FIG. 34C , the transporting unit  10  shifts again so as to face the recording medium M in the storing unit  2  to be taken out second (arrow D 192 ), as illustrated in  FIG. 34C . When the recording medium M to be taken out second is positioned on the lower end of the storing unit  2 , the transferring unit  100  shifts to the lower end in the transporting unit  10  (arrow D 202 ), as illustrated in  FIG. 35C . This action of the transferring unit  100  may also be regarded as an action to reduce the shifting space, because the more the transporting unit  10  shifts downward, the more the shifting space of the transporting unit  10  expands, in a manner similar to the manner explained above. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 34D , when the transporting unit  10  shift towards the drive  3  (arrow D 193 ), it is preferable that the transferring unit  100  keeps holding the recording medium M that is taken out last while it is transported. Accordingly, the action to accommodate the recording medium M that is taken out last into the accommodating unit  200  may be omitted. Meanwhile, as illustrated in  FIG. 35D , it is preferable that the transferring unit  100  shifts upward again in the transporting unit  10  to a height at which it faces the drive  3 , before reaching the prescribed drive  3  (arrow D 201 ). 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 34E  and  FIG. 35E , in the transporting unit  10 , the recording medium M held by the transferring unit  100  is transferred to the drive  3  in a similar manner as the manner in the transferring action described above. After that, the recording media accommodated in the accommodating unit  200  are sequentially transferred to the drive  3 . 
       FIG. 36A  through  FIG. 36E  are explanatory diagrams for explaining the loading and ejection of the accommodating unit  200  into and from the library apparatus  1 . 
     First, when an instruction to load or eject the accommodating unit  200  is issued to the library apparatus  1 , the transporting unit  10  shifts to the loading and ejecting opening  4   a  of the casing  4 , as illustrated in  FIG. 36A . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 36B  and  FIG. 37A , the accommodating unit  200  is taken out from the transporting unit  10  (arrow D 211 ) by the grasping of the handle  240  that has been laid down. Accordingly, the handle  240  is locked on the standing position P1. 
     After that, as illustrated in  FIG. 36C , the recording media M is accommodated into the accommodating unit  200  for example by a human hand (arrow D 212 ). 
     After the accommodation of the recording media M into the accommodating unit  200  is completed, as illustrated in  FIG. 36D  and  FIG. 37B , the accommodating unit  200  is loaded into the transporting unit  10  through the loading and ejecting opening  4   a  of the casing  4  (arrow D 213 ). Accordingly, the handle  240  shifts to the laid-down position P2 illustrated in  FIG. 37C  as described above. 
     After that, as illustrated in  FIG. 36E , the transporting unit  10  transports the recording media M to the storing unit  2  (arrow D 214  through D 216 ), as illustrated in  FIG. 36E . Alternatively, the transporting unit  10  transports the recording media M directly to the drive  3  (arrows D 217 , D 218 ). 
       FIG. 38  is a side view illustrating a transferring unit  301  in a comparison example. 
       FIG. 39A  through  FIG. 39D  are plan views for explaining the transfer by the transferring unit  301  in the comparison example. 
       FIG. 40A  and  FIG. 40B  are plan views explaining the contact condition at the time of the shifting of the transferring unit  301  in the comparison example. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 38 , the transferring unit  301  includes a pair of carrying belts  301   a  (see  FIG. 39A  through  FIG. 39D ), a base  301   b , and an up-down direction guide  301   c.    
     The pair of carrying belts  301   a  are placed on an upper face of the base  301   b.    
     The pair of carrying belts  301   a  and the base  301   b  move upward and downward along the up-down direction guide  301   c.    
     A accommodating unit  302  accommodates a plurality of recording media M arranged in an up-down direction. 
     A plurality of drives  303  are provided. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 39A , the pair of carrying belts  301   a  rotate so that their right ends approach each other and their left ends move apart from each other (arrow D 311 ). Accordingly, as illustrated in  FIG. 39B , the pair of carrying belts  301   a  hold the recording medium M between their right ends. Then, the pair of carrying belts  301   a  are actuated so as to carry the recording media M (arrow D 312 ), and they carry the recording medium M toward the drive  303  (arrow D 313 ), as illustrated in  FIG. 39D . 
     After the recording medium M is carried onto the transferring unit  301 , the pair of carrying belts  311   a  rotate so that their right ends move apart from each other and their left ends approach each other (arrow D 313 ), in a manner that is opposite to the manner illustrated in  FIG. 39A . After that, as illustrated in  FIG. 39D , the carrying belts  301   a  carry the recording medium M into the drive  303  (arrow D 313 ). 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 40A , when the transferring unit  301  shifts in a lateral direction (the up-down direction in FIG.  40 A) (arrow D 320 ), the carrying belts  301   a  contact the accommodated recording medium M as illustrated in  FIG. 40B . For this reason, in order to avoid interference between the transferring unit  301  and the accommodating unit  302 , the accommodating unit  302  is to be shifted to the rightward direction in  FIG. 40B , or the transferring unit  301  is to be shifted. 
     Two driving sources for actuation, one driving source for the holding action, and one driving source for upward and downward actions are provided for the carrying belts  301   a . Thus, four driving sources are provided in the transferring unit  301 . 
     In the present embodiment described above, the transporting unit  10  shifts in the first direction (arrow D 1 ) and in the second direction (arrow D 2 ) that intersect each other, and it transports the recording media M. The transporting unit  10  includes the accommodating unit  200  and the transferring unit  100 . The accommodating unit  200  is capable of accommodating a plurality of recording media M. The transferring unit  100  transfers the recording media M one by one between the storing unit  2  and the accommodating unit  200 . 
     Therefore, by transferring the recording media M between the transferring unit  100  and the accommodating unit  200  in the transporting unit  10 , the time to be taken to put the recording media M in and out the accommodating unit  200  may be shortened. In addition, a plurality of recording media M stored separately from each other in the storing unit  2  may be collectively transported, because the transporting unit  10  is able to shift in a state in which the accommodating unit  200  accommodates a plurality of recording media M. Furthermore, even in a case such as when a plurality of recording media M are arranged and stored in a depth direction of the storing unit  2 , the plurality of recording media M may be sequentially transferred to the accommodating unit  200 . 
     Therefore, according to the present embodiment, efficiency in transportation may be enhanced. 
     In the present embodiment, the transferring unit  100  includes the first and the second conveyer mechanisms  111  and  112  (an example of the carrying unit). The first and the second conveyer mechanisms  111  and  112  carry the recording medium M in the third direction (arrow D 3 ) that intersects a plane defined by the first direction (arrow D 1 ) and the second direction (arrow D 2 ). Therefore, the recording medium M may be transferred in a short time with a simple configuration. 
     In the present embodiment, an example of the carrying unit is the pair of conveyer mechanisms  111  and  112  that hold the recording medium M therebetween. In addition, the transferring unit  100  includes the tension springs  114  (an example of the conveyer energizing mechanism) and the hand unit arms  118  (an example of the regulating unit), the tray stoppers  121   e  through  121   h , and the protruding parts  124   a  and  124   b  (an example of the canceling unit) of the stopper arms  124 . The tension springs  114  energize the pair of conveyer mechanisms  111  and  112  in the direction in which they approach each other. The hand unit arms  118  regulate the relative positions of the pair of conveyer mechanisms  111  and  112  against the energizing force given by the tension springs  114  to the pair of conveyer mechanisms  111  and  112 . The tray stoppers  121   e  through  121   h  and the protruding parts  124   a  and  124   b  of the stopper arms  124  cancel the regulation of the relative positions. Therefore, the recording medium M may be held and the holding may be released with a simple configuration. 
     In the present embodiment, the transferring unit  100  further includes the first driving mechanism  116  and the second driving mechanism  117 . The first driving mechanism  116  actuates the conveyer mechanisms  111  and  112 , so as to make them carry the recording medium M in the third direction (arrow D 3 ). The second driving mechanism  117  makes the conveyer mechanisms  111  and  112  shift in the third direction (arrow D 3 ). Therefore, efficiency in transportation may be enhanced, because the recording medium M may be transferred by both the actions and the shifting of the conveyer mechanisms  111  and  112 . Furthermore, compared with a case such as the case in the comparison example described above ( FIG. 38A  through  FIG. 40B ) in which the carrying belts  301   a  do not shift, the interference between the recording medium M in the storing unit  2  or in the accommodating unit  200  and the transferring unit  100  may be suppressed. 
     In the present embodiment, the transferring unit  100  further includes a single driving source (the first driving source  115 ) that generates both the driving power for the first driving mechanism  116  and the driving power for the second driving mechanism  117 . Therefore, the transferring unit  100  may be configured in a simple manner, compared with a case in which a driving source is separately provided for the first driving mechanism  116  and for the second driving mechanism  117 , or compared with a case such as the case in the comparison example described above ( FIG. 38A  through  FIG. 40B ) in which a driving source is provided for each pair of carrying belts  301   a.    
     In the present embodiment, the accommodating unit  200  accommodates the recording media M so that they are arranged in the fourth direction (arrow D 4 ) that is different from the third direction (arrow D 3 ) that is the carrying direction of the recording medium M. The transporting unit  10  further includes the third driving mechanism  14  that makes the transferring unit  100  shift in the fourth direction (arrow D 4 ). Therefore, transporting unit  10  may be configured in a simple manner. 
     In the present embodiment, the accommodating unit  200  is detachable with respect to the transporting unit  10 . Therefore, the recording media M may be easily put in and out the accommodating unit  200 . 
     In the present embodiment, the accommodating unit  200  includes the handle  240 . The handle  240  shifts between the first position P1 at which it stands from an outer face and the second position P2 at which it is laid down along the outer face. Therefore, the accommodating unit  200  may be grasped with a simple configuration. 
     In the present embodiment, the accommodating unit  200  includes the handle locking mechanism  250  and the torsion spring  241   a  (an example of a handle energizing mechanism). The handle locking mechanism  250  locks the handle  240  on the first position P1. The torsion spring  241   a  energizes the handle  240  toward the second position P2. The transporting unit  10  includes the pusher blocks  11   d  and  11   h  (an example of the locking releasing mechanism). The pusher blocks  11   d  and  11   h  release the locking by pressing the handle locking mechanism  250  in a state in which the accommodating unit  200  is placed in the transporting unit  10 . Therefore, the accommodating unit  200  may be grasped with a simple configuration. 
     In the present embodiment, the storing unit  2  and the transporting unit  10  are provided inside the casing  4 . The casing  4  includes the loading and ejecting opening  4   a  through which the accommodating unit  200  is loaded and ejected. Therefore, the accommodating unit  200  may be loaded and ejected from the casing  4  with a simple configuration. 
     According to the library apparatus and the article transporting apparatus disclosed herein, efficiency in transportation may be enhanced. 
     All examples and conditional language provided herein are intended for the pedagogical purposes of aiding the reader in understanding the invention and the concepts contributed by the inventor to further the art, and are not to be construed as limitations to such specifically recited examples and conditions, nor does the organization of such examples in the specification relate to a showing of the superiority and inferiority of the invention. Although one or more embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, it should be understood that the various changes, substitutions, and alterations could be made hereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.