To provide a mechanical braking means and an electric braking means for an article carrying means which are inexpensive and do not require extra space.

A pair of photosensors 85' provided to an encoder sensor 85 counts the number of rotation times of an encoder rotor plate 86 and, by setting this count number, a driving motor stops when the set value is reached and a brake unit 87 functions. A brake pad plate 88 attaches a pad 88' to itself, an interval between the pads is narrowed by an energizing force of a brake spring 89 and the rotor plate is fixed. A brake release shaft 90 is connected to a solenoid 91 and, at the time of retreat of the brake release shaft (at the time of energizing), the interval at an end part on the brake release shaft side is narrowed as its reaction, the interval on the side of pad is broadened as a reaction, a brake of the rotor plate is released, and the rotor plate can be rotated freely by rotation of the driving motor.