The present disclosure, in general, relates to the field of manufacturing engineering. Particularly, but not exclusively, the present disclosure relates to conveyor systems and conveying apparatus. Further, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a conveying apparatus that may be employed in manufacturing facilities for transportation of articles, materials and components from one point to another.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
Conventionally, manufacturing facilities had runners (individual employees employed to deliver articles and/or components from store to assembly line) to hand deliver articles and/or components to workers working on assembly lines and workstations. Such arrangement for delivering articles requires additional manpower and extra space for movement of runners alongside assembly lines and workstations. Further, hand delivery of articles may be risky and hazardous as the assembly lines and workstations often include machines operating at high speeds and multiple movable parts. In an alternative arrangement, the worker working in the assembly lines and/or workstation, may have to go to a store/warehouse at regular intervals to fetch articles in a basket/trolley. Such arrangements will increase lead time of in manufacturing facilities and results in loss of actual production time available for the worker.
To overcome drawbacks associated with above-described arrangements, conveyors/conveyor systems are commonly employed in manufacturing facilities for transport of articles, materials, and components from one point to another. Conveyors are generally used in assembly lines and workstations that require components and/or articles to be delivered repetitively and at regular intervals, to persons manning the assembly lines and workstations. Conveyors are also used in warehouses and manufacturing facilities for transfer and sorting of components and/or articles. However, commonly used conveyors/conveyor systems are generally bulky, include multiple moving parts, and consume substantial space

alongside assembly lines and workstations. Further, as the conveyors include multiple moving parts, such conveyors may require frequent maintenance and regular servicing.
In addition to the above, conveyor/conveyor systems generally include devices such as motors, scanners, diverters and tracking equipment for regulating movement of articles and components over the conveyor bed. Consequently, installation of such conveyor systems is expensive and increases maintenance costs associated therewith. Further, operation of such conveyor systems require skilled technicians and servicemen, whereby further increasing costs associated therewith.
The present disclosure is directed to overcome one or more limitations stated above or any other limitations associated with the conventional configuration of the conveyors/conveyor systems employed in manufacturing facilities.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
One or more shortcomings of the prior art are overcome by a conveying apparatus for conveying articles as claimed and additional advantages are provided through the conveying apparatus as claimed in the present disclosure. Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed disclosure.
In one non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, a conveying apparatus (also referred to as the 'apparatus' hereinafter) is disclosed. The apparatus includes a track for conveying an article from a first end to a second end of the conveying apparatus. The first end of the apparatus is at an elevated position relative to the second end of the apparatus. A holder is coupled to the second end of the conveying apparatus. The holder is structured to reciprocate between a first position and a second position, relative to the track. Further, a plurality of arresters are positioned relative to the track. The plurality of arresters are adapted to restrict movement of the article over the track. The apparatus further includes a support beam spanning

between the first end and the second end. The support beam is positioned above the track of the conveying apparatus. The holder and the plurality of arresters are coupled to the support beam. The apparatus eliminates requirement of runners employed to deliver articles to workers working on assembly lines and workstations, whereby reducing additional manpower and extra space requirements alongside assembly lines and workstations.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the track is at least one of a rail and a plurality of rollers configured to convey the article from the first end to the second end of the conveying apparatus. Such configuration of the apparatus, makes the apparatus simple in construction with lesser number of moving parts and minimal maintenance requirement.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, in the first position of the holder relative to the track, the plurality of arresters allow movement of the article over the track. Such configuration of the apparatus eliminates requirement of an external control/regulation, for allowing movement of the article over the track.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, in the second position of the holder relative to the track, the plurality of arresters restrict movement of the article over the track. Such configuration of the apparatus eliminates requirement of an external control/regulation, for restricting movement of the article over the track.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the holder is moveable to the second position by weight of the article. Further, the holder is configured to remain in the second position by virtue of the weight of the article held therewithin. Such configuration of the apparatus eliminates requirement of external actuation for movement of holder to second position.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the holder is moveable to the first position by a biasing element positioned at the second end of the conveying apparatus, upon removal of the article from the holder. Such configuration of the

apparatus eliminates requirement of external actuation for movement of holder to first position.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the plurality of arresters are positioned between the first end and the second end of the conveying apparatus. The plurality of arresters are positioned equidistant from each other. The plurality of arresters of the apparatus enable maintaining sufficient distance between the articles when conveyed over the track.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a height of the plurality of arresters is configured relative to position of each of the plurality of arresters from the first end and the second end of the conveying apparatus. The plurality of arresters prevent accidental/unnecessary contact between the articles when conveyed over the track, whereby ensuring safe operation.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the height of the plurality of arresters is at least one of gradually decreasing and increasing, relative to the position of each of the plurality of arresters from the first end and the second end of the conveying apparatus. Such configuration of the apparatus, allows for a wide range of elevation between the first end and the second end of the apparatus.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the holder includes guide rails and a bracket coupled to the support beam. In the embodiment, one end of the guide rails is coupled to the bracket and an other end opposite the one end of the guide rails is configured to hold the article. The holder acts as a delivery and temporary storage bay for the article, until the article is picked up by an operator.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the holder is moved to the first position by a counterweight positioned at the first end of the conveying apparatus, upon removal of the article from the holder. The counterweight may at least one of improve and/or eliminate requirement of biasing element positioned at the second end of the conveying apparatus.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the article is a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine. Accordingly, the apparatus could be employed in assembly lines of automobile manufacturing facilities.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the track is configured to convey a plurality of articles, whereby allowing continuous delivery of articles.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the support beam is mounted on a pair of support posts positioned at the first end and the second end of the conveying apparatus, respectively. The support beam is at least one of pivotally coupled and fixedly coupled to the first support post and the second support post. Such configuration allows pivotal movement of the support beam relative to the pair of support posts.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the holder is fixedly coupled to the support beam, to receive the article and hold it temporarily until picked up an operator/user.
The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
The novel features and characteristics of the disclosure are set forth in the appended claims. The disclosure itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives, and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures. One or more embodiments are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a conveying apparatus, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 2 illustrates a view of the conveying apparatus with a holder of the conveying apparatus in a first position;
Figure 3 illustrates another view of the conveying apparatus with the holder of the conveying apparatus in the second position;
Figure 4 illustrates a perspective view of the conveying apparatus with the holder of the conveying apparatus in the second position;
Figure 5 illustrates a perspective view of the conveying apparatus without a base frame;
Figure 6 illustrates a view of the conveying apparatus without the base frame;
Figure 7 illustrates a magnified view of the holder of the conveying apparatus in the first position;
Figure 8 illustrates another magnified view of the holder of the conveying apparatus in the second position;
Figures 9 illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment of the conveying apparatus with a counterweight;
Figure 10 illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment of the conveying apparatus with a plurality of rollers.
The figures depict embodiments of the disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the apparatus illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While the embodiments in the disclosure are subject to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by the way of example in the figures and will be described below. It should be understood, however that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternative falling within the scope of the disclosure.
The terms "comprises", "comprising", or any other variations thereof used in the disclosure, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions, such that an apparatus, device, assembly, mechanism, system, and method that comprises a list of components does not include only those components but may include other components not expressly listed or inherent to such apparatus, system, assembly, or device. In other words, one or more elements in a system proceeded by "comprises... a" does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or method.
Embodiments of the present disclosure disclose a conveying apparatus (also referred to as the 'apparatus' hereinafter) for conveying articles. The apparatus includes a track for conveying an article from a first end to a second end of the conveying apparatus. The first end of the apparatus is at an elevated position relative to the second end of the apparatus. A holder is coupled to the second end of the conveying apparatus. The holder is structured to reciprocate between a first position and a second position, relative to the track. Further, a plurality of arresters are positioned relative to the track. The plurality of arresters are adapted to restrict movement of the article over the track. Furthermore, the holder and the plurality of arresters are coupled to a support beam spanning between the first end and the second end of the apparatus. The support beam is positioned above the track of the apparatus
In an embodiment, the term 'conveying apparatus' (also referred to as the 'apparatus' hereinafter) as used herein refers to any material handling equipment

configured to move and/or transport at least one article from one location to another. The apparatus may be employed in any manufacturing facility such as, but not limited to, automobile manufacturing plants, mining industries, steel plants, cement plants, package sorting facilities, shopping centers, mail sorting facilities and the like, where articles needs to be shipped and/or sorted across long and/or short distances, repetitively and at regular/irregular intervals. The term 'article' as used herein refers to at least one of a component, a part, a workpiece, a product (finished/unfinished), material, stock, goods, packages, and the like, that needs to be transported from one location to another. Although the apparatus of the present disclosure is described in the context of being employed in a manufacturing facility, and the article is described in the context of a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine, such description is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternative falling within the scope of the disclosure.
The disclosure is described in the following paragraphs with reference to Figures 1 to 8. In the figures, the same element or elements which have same functions are indicated by the same reference signs. It is to be noted that, the entire set up of the apparatus including an operator/worker operating (which may include loading the article onto the conveyor and unloading of the article from the conveyor and the like) the apparatus is not illustrated in the figures for the purpose of simplicity. One skilled in the art would appreciate that the apparatus as disclosed in the present disclosure may be used with automated loading and unloading systems that may be employed in manufacturing facilities.
Figures 1 to 8 are exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure which illustrate a conveying apparatus (10) (also referred to as the 'apparatus' hereinafter) in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of the apparatus (10). Figures 2 and 3 illustrate a front view of the apparatus (10) as viewed from direction depicted by pointer 'A' in Figure 1. The apparatus (10) is now described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. The apparatus (10) includes a track (1) for conveying an article (2) from a first end (3) to a second

end (4) of the conveying apparatus (10). The term 'first end' (3) as used herein may refer to a leftmost end of the apparatus (10) as shown in Figure 2. In an embodiment, the first end (3) may refer to an end at which the article (2) is loaded onto the track (1) of the apparatus (10). However, the first end (3) may also refer to a starting point of the track (1) of the apparatus (10). The term 'second end' (4) as used herein may refer to the rightmost end of the apparatus (10) as shown in Figure 2. In an embodiment, the second end (4) may refer to an end at which the article (2) is offloaded or unloaded from the track (1) of the apparatus (10). However, the second end (4) may also refer to an end point/terminal point of the track (1) of the apparatus (10). As depicted in Figures 1 to 3, the apparatus (10) may be mounted on a base frame (18). The base frame (18) may include a plurality of legs (19) and a plurality of cross members (20) connected between the plurality of legs (19) for mounting of the track (1) of the apparatus (10). As illustrated in Figure 1, the track (1) may be mounted on the plurality of cross members (20) in a length direction depicted by pointer 'B' in the Figure 1.
Referring again to Figures 1 to 3, the first end (3) of the apparatus is at an elevated position relative to the second end (4) of the apparatus. The first end (3) of the apparatus (10) is at a higher elevation with respect to the elevation of the second end (4). The difference in elevation between the first end (3) and the second end (4) of the apparatus (10) facilitates the movement of at least one of rolling and sliding of the article (2) on the track (1), without requirement of any prime mover such as a motor, for conveying the article (2) and/or for actuating the track (1) carrying the article (2).
In an embodiment, the difference in elevation between the first end (3) and the second end (4) may be achieved by varying height (length along a vertical direction, relative to ground) of the plurality of legs (19) at the first end (3) and the second end (4). As depicted in Figures 2 and 3, the first end (3) may be configured to have higher elevation by increasing the length of plurality of legs (19) at the first end (3) in comparison with the plurality of legs (19) at second end (4). The height of the

plurality of legs (19) may be changed based on the elevation required between the first end (3) and the second end (4) of the apparatus (10).
Further, a holder (5) may be coupled to the second end (4) of the apparatus (10). The holder (5) may be structured to reciprocate between a first position (6) and a second position (8), relative to the track (1). Figure 2 illustrates the holder (5) in first position (6). In the first position (6), the inclination of the holder (5) relative to the track (1) is substantially in-line with the inclination of the track (1). Particularly, the slope of the holder (5) may be configured substantially equal to the slope of the track (1), where such slope of the track (1) is based on the elevation between the first end (3) and the second end (4) of the apparatus (10).
Figure 3 illustrates the holder (5) being moved to the second position (8) relative to the track (1). The direction of movement of the holder is depicted by pointer 'C in Figure 3, where such direction is parallel to the plurality of legs (19) of the base frame (18). Figure 4 illustrates the holder (5) in second position (8). In the second position (8), the inclination of the holder (5) is different and out of line with respect to the inclination of the track (1).
The apparatus (10) further comprises a support beam (11) spanning between the first end (3) and the second end (4) of the apparatus (10). The apparatus (10) also includes a plurality of arresters (9), that are coupled to the support beam (11), positioned along the track (1). The plurality of arresters (9) may be pivotally coupled to the support beam (11). The plurality of arresters (9) may be spaced apart from each other and may be positioned along a longitudinal direction (direction along pointer B) of the track (1). Each of the plurality of arresters (9) may be positioned equidistant from each other, over the track. The plurality of arresters (9) are adapted to restrict movement of the article (2) over the track (1). The holder (5) and the plurality of arresters (9) are coupled to the support beam (11) spanning between the first end (3) and the second end (4) of the apparatus (10). The support beam (11) may be positioned above the track (1) of the apparatus (10). The support beam (11) may be mounted on a pair of support posts (12, 13) positioned at the first

end (3) and the second end (4) of the apparatus (10). A first support post (12) is positioned at first end (3) of the apparatus (10). The support beam (11) may be either fixedly coupled or pivotally coupled to the first support post (12). A second support post (13) may be positioned at the second end (4) of the apparatus (10). The support beam (11) may be either pivotally coupled or fixedly coupled to the second support post (13).
As can be seen in Figure 5, each of the pair of support posts (12, 13) may include a pair of vertical rods mounted on the base frame (18) (not shown in Figure 5) and a cross bar connected between the pair of vertical rods, to enable mounting of the support beam (11). The pair of support posts (12, 13) may have an equal elevation. However, the pair of support posts (12, 13) may also be configured to have different elevations relative to each other. The first support post (12) may be configured at a higher elevation in comparison with the second support post (13). Similar to that of the elevation between the first end (3) and the second end (4) of the apparatus (10), difference in elevation between the pair of support posts (12, 13) facilitates at least one of rolling and sliding of the article (2) on the track (1), without requirement of any prime mover such as a motor, for conveying the article (2) and/or for actuating the track (1) carrying the article (2).
In an embodiment, the difference in elevation between the pair of support posts (12, 13) may be achieved by varying height of the pair of vertical rods (21). Further, as depicted in Figure 6, the first support post (12) may be configured to have higher elevation by configuring the pair of vertical rods of the first support post (12) to be longer in length than the pair of vertical rods of the second support post (13). Length of the pair of vertical rods of the first support post (12) and the second support post (13) may be configured based on the elevation required between the first end (3) and the second end (4) of the apparatus (10). In an embodiment, length of the pair of vertical rods of the first support post (12) and the second support post (13) may be configured to be varied as per requirement of elevation between the first end (3) and the second end (4) of the apparatus (10). Accordingly, increasing and decreasing the length of the pair of vertical rods of the first support post (12) and

the second support post (13) results in variation of elevation between the first end (3) and the second end (4) of the apparatus (10). In an embodiment, there may be no difference in elevation between pair of support posts (12, 13). In such embodiment, the elevation required between the first end (3) and the second end (4) of the apparatus (10) may be achieved by making the track (1) inclined relative to base frame (18).
In an embodiment, the track (1) may be at least one of a rail (7) (as shown in Figure 4) configured to convey the article (2) from the first end (3) to the second end (4) of the apparatus (10). As can be seen in Figures 1 and 4, the track (1) may include a pair of rails (7) that are configured to enable at least one of rolling and sliding of the article (2) on the track (1), without requirement of any prime mover such as a motor, for conveying the article (2) and/or for actuating the track (1) carrying the article (2). The pair of rails (7) may be spaced apart such that a part/portion of the article (2) may be held in between the pair of rails (7) during at least one of rolling and sliding of the article (2) on the track (1). However, the track (1) may include only one rail (7) or more than two rails (7) to enable conveying of the article (2) from the first end (3) to the second end (4) of the apparatus (10).
In an embodiment, illustrated in Figure 10, the track (1) may include a plurality of rollers (24) configured to convey the article (2) from the first end (3) to the second end (4) of the apparatus (10). The plurality of rollers (24) may be arranged in a transverse direction relative to the length direction depicted by pointer 'B' in the Figure 1. The plurality of rollers (24) may be configured to enable at least one of rolling and sliding of the article (2) on the track (1), without requirement of any prime mover such as a motor, for conveying the article (2) and/or for actuating the track (1) carrying the article (2). The plurality of rollers (24) may be arranged continuously along the length of the track (1) to form a conveyor bed for holding and conveying the article (2). However, the plurality of rollers (24) may also be spaced apart from each other, without affecting the aspect of holding and conveying the article (2) from the first end (3) to the second end (4) of the apparatus (10).

In an embodiment, the plurality of arresters (9) may be positioned between the first end (3) and the second end (4) of the apparatus (10). The plurality of arresters (9) may be positioned equidistant from each other. However, the plurality of arresters (9) may also be positioned at variable distances between each other. The distance between each of the plurality of arresters (9) may be configured based on at least one the length and other dimensions of the track (1), nature, form, shape, and dimensions of the article (2) being conveyed on the track (1), number of articles that are conveyed on the track (1) at an instant, conveying requirement of the manufacturing facility in which the apparatus (10) is installed and the like.
In an embodiment, a height (length in a vertical direction relative to ground) of the plurality of arresters (9) may be configured relative to position of each of the plurality of arresters (9) from the first end (3) and the second end (4) of the apparatus (10). The height of the plurality of arresters (9) may be configured such that the plurality of arresters (9) allow and restrict movement of the article (2) over the track (1), in the first position (6) and the second position (8) of the holder (5), relative to the track (1). Each of the plurality of arresters (9) may include a pair of arms (21) that are connected/linked together by a crosspiece (22). The plurality of arresters (9) including the pair of arms (21) may be connected to the crosspiece (22), by at least one of welding, brazing, fastening, and the like. In an embodiment, the crosspiece (22) may be coupled to the support beam (11). Further, in an embodiment, the plurality of arresters (9) may not include the pair of arms (21), however may have other configurations, suitable for restricting movement of the article (2) over the track (1).
In an embodiment, the height of the plurality of arresters (9) may be configured to be at least one of gradually decreasing and increasing, relative to the position of each of the plurality of arresters (9) from the first end (3) and the second end (4) of the apparatus (10). As illustrated in Figure 6, the apparatus (10) include four numbers of arresters (9a, 9b, 9c and 9d) positioned between the first end (3) and the second end (4) of the apparatus (10). Length of the pair of arms (21) of the plurality of arresters (9a, 9b, 9c and 9d) may be configured to decrease progressively from

the first end (3) to the second end (4), to accommodate and compensate for decrease in space available between the track (1) and the support beam (11) due to elevation between the first end (3) to the second end (4). In contrast, the length of the pair of arms (21) of the plurality of arresters (when considered in the order 9d, 9c, 9b and 9a) may be configured to increase progressively from the second end (4) to the first end (3), to accommodate and compensate for increase in space available between the track (1) and the support beam (11) due to elevation between the second end (4) and the first end (3).
Figure 7 illustrates a magnified view of the holder (5) in the first position (6). Figure 8 illustrates another magnified view of the holder (5) in the second position (8). In an embodiment, the holder (5) may include a pair of guide rails (15) and a bracket (16) coupled to the support beam (11). In the embodiment, while one end of the pair of guide rails (15) is coupled to the bracket (16), an other end opposite the one end of the pair of guide rails (15) may be configured to hold the article (2). In the embodiment, the other end of the pair of guide rails (15) may be bent to hold the article (2) without allowing the article (2) to move further.
In an embodiment, the holder (5) is moveable to the second position (8) by weight of the article (2). The holder (5) is moved to the second position (8), by virtue of weight of the article (2). The article (2) incoming from the track (1) is offloaded onto the pair of guide rails (15), whereby moving the holder (5) from the first position (6) to the second position (8). The holder (5) is configured to remain in the second position (8) by virtue of the weight of the article (2) held therewithin. Further, the holder (5) is moveable to the first position (6) from the second position (8), by a biasing element (14) positioned at the second end (4) of the apparatus (10), upon removal of the article (2) from the holder (5). The biasing element (14) may be mounted on the second support post (13) by being wound around the pair of arms (21). The biasing element (14) may be a helical compression spring. A central axis of the helical compression spring may be co-axial with an axis of the pair of arms (21), in which is the axis of the pair of arms (21) is along the length of the pair of arms (21).

In an embodiment, the holder (5) is moved to the first position (6) by a counterweight (23) (as shown in Figure 9) positioned at the first end (3) of the apparatus (10), upon removal of the article (2) from the holder (5). The counterweight (23) may be configured based on at least one of the weight of the article (2), elevation of the first end (3) relative to the second end (4) and the like.
In an embodiment, in the first position (6) of the holder (5) relative to the track (1), the plurality of arresters (9) allow movement of the article (2) over the track (1). In the first position (6), the plurality of arresters (9) are disengaged from the track (1) and/or the article (2), whereby allowing movement of the article (2) over the track (1). Further, in the second position (8) of the holder (5) relative to the track (1), the plurality of arresters (9) restrict movement of the article (2) over the track (1). In the second position (8) of the holder (5), the plurality of arresters (9) interact (by coming in contact) with the track (1) and/or the article (2), whereby restricting movement of the article (2) over the track (1).
In an embodiment, the article (2) may be a crankshaft (17) of an internal combustion engine. However, as described earlier, the article (2) may be any other object such as, but not limited to, a component, a part, a workpiece, a product (finished/unfinished), material, stock, goods, packages, and the like, that needs to be transported from one location to another.
Operation of the apparatus (10) is described with reference to Figures 1 to 8 of the present disclosure. Initially, plurality of articles (2) that are to be conveyed from the first end (3) to the second end (4) of the apparatus (10), are loaded/placed on the track (1) of the apparatus (10). The plurality of articles (2) either roll and/or slide on the track (1) from the first end (3) to the second end (4) of the apparatus (10). The first article (2) among the plurality of articles (2), upon reaching the second end (4), is received into the holder (5). Particularly, the article (2) that may be held in between the pair of rails (7) during at least one of rolling and sliding on the track (1), upon reaching end of the track (1), drops from the pair of rails (7) of the track

(1) onto the pair of guide rails (15) of the holder (5). Upon such dropping of the
article (2) into the holder (5), the holder (5) is moved from the first position (6) to
the second position (8). In addition, upon the holder (5) moving to the second
position (8), the plurality of arresters (9) engage with the track (1) and rest of the
plurality of articles (2), whereby restricting movement of rest of the plurality of
articles (2) over the track (1). Further, the holder (5) remains in the second position
(8) by virtue of the weight of the article (2) held therewithin. Upon removal of the
article (2) from the holder (5) (either by an operator or by an automated unloading
system), the holder (5) is retracted to the first position (6) from the second position
(8) by the biasing element (14). The biasing element (14) may be a helical coiled
spring. As described earlier, in the first position (6), the plurality of arresters (9) are
disengaged from the track (1) and/or rest of the plurality of articles (2), whereby
allowing movement of rest of the plurality of articles (2) over the track (1).
The apparatus (10) eliminates requirement of runners employed to deliver articles
(2) to workers working on assembly lines and workstations, whereby reducing
additional manpower and extra space requirements alongside assembly lines and
workstations. The apparatus (10) prevents redundant movement of workers in
assembly lines and reduces hazards and risks associated with hand delivery of
articles (2). The apparatus (10) prevents loss of production time in manufacturing
facilities and decreases manufacturing lead time. Further, the apparatus (10) of the
present disclosure is simple in construction, involves lesser number of moving parts
and requires minimal maintenance in comparison with commonly used
conveyors/conveyor systems that are generally bulky, include multiple moving
parts, and consume substantial space alongside assembly lines and workstations.
Furthermore, since the apparatus (10) does not include components such as motors,
scanners, diverters and tracking equipment for regulating movement of articles (2)
over the track (1), installation and maintenance costs associated with the apparatus
(10) are minimal and less expensive in comparison with commonly used
conveyors/conveyor systems. The plurality of arresters (9) of the apparatus (10)
enable maintaining sufficient distance between the articles (2) when conveyed over

the track (1), prevent accidental/unnecessary contact between the articles (2) when conveyed over the track (1), whereby ensuring safe operation.
EQUIVALENTS
With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.
It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as "open" terms (e.g., the term "including" should be interpreted as "including but not limited to," the term "having" should be interpreted as "having at least," the term "includes" should be interpreted as "includes but is not limited to," etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases "at least one" and "one or more" to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles "a" or "an" limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases "one or more" or "at least one" and indefinite articles such as "a" or "an" (e.g., "a" and/or "an" should typically be interpreted to mean "at least one" or "one or more"); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at

least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of "two recitations," without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, and C, etc." is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a system (100) having at least one of A, B, and C" would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to "at least one of A, B, or C, etc." is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., "a system (100) having at least one of A, B, or C" would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase "A or B" will be understood to include the possibilities of "A" or "B" or "A and B."
In addition, where features or aspects of the disclosure are described in terms of Markush groups, those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure is also thereby described in terms of any individual member or subgroup of members of the Markush group.
While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.

We claim:

1. A conveying apparatus (10), comprising:
a track (1) for conveying an article (2) from a first end (3) to a second end (4) of the conveying apparatus (10), the first end (3) being at an elevated position relative to the second end (4);
a holder (5) coupled to the second end (4) of the conveying apparatus (10), wherein the holder (5) adapted to reciprocate between a first position (6) and a second position (8), relative to the track;
a plurality of arresters (9) positioned relative to the track (1), the plurality of arresters (9) adapted to restrict movement of the article (2) over the track (1); and
a support beam (11) spanning between the first end (3) and the second end (4) of the conveying apparatus (10), the support beam (11) positioned above the track (1) of the conveying apparatus (10) and wherein the holder (5) and the plurality of arresters (9) are coupled to the support beam (11).
2. The conveying apparatus (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the track (1) is at least one of a rail (7) and a plurality of rollers (24) configured to convey the article (2) from the first end (3) to the second end (4) of the conveying apparatus (10).
3. The conveying apparatus (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein in the first position (6) of the holder (5) relative to the track, the plurality of arresters (9) allow movement of the article (2) over the track.
4. The conveying apparatus (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein in the second position (8) of the holder (5) relative to the track, the plurality of arresters (9) restrict movement of the article (2) over the track.
5. The conveying apparatus (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the holder (5) is moveable to the second position (8) by weight of the article, and wherein

the holder (5) is configured to remain in the second position (8) by virtue of the weight of the article (2) held therewithin.
6. The conveying apparatus (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the holder (5) is moveable to the first position (6) by a biasing element (14) positioned at the second end (4) of the conveying apparatus (10), upon removal of the article (2) from the holder (5).
7. The conveying apparatus (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of arresters (9) are positioned between the first end (3) and the second end (4) of the conveying apparatus (10), and wherein the plurality of arresters (9) are positioned equidistant from each other.
8. The conveying apparatus (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a height of the plurality of arresters (9) is configured relative to position of each of the plurality of arresters (9) from the first end (3) and the second end (4) of the conveying apparatus (10).
9. The conveying apparatus (10) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the height of the plurality of arresters (9) is at least one of gradually decreasing and increasing, relative to the position of each of the plurality of arresters (9) from the first end (3) and the second end (4) of the conveying apparatus (10).
10. The conveying apparatus (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the holder (5) comprises guide rails (15) and a bracket (16) coupled to the support beam (11), wherein one end of the guide rails (15) is coupled to the bracket (16) and an other end opposite the one end of the guide rails (15) is configured to hold the article (2).
11. The conveying apparatus (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the holder (5) is moved to the first position (6) by a counterweight (23) positioned at the

first end (3) of the conveying apparatus (10), upon removal of the article (2) from the holder (5).
12. The conveying apparatus (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the article (2) is a crankshaft (17) of an internal combustion engine.
13. The conveying apparatus (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the track is configured to convey a plurality of articles (2).
14. The conveying apparatus (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein support beam (11) is mounted on a pair of support posts (12, 13) positioned at the first end (3) and the second end (4) of the conveying apparatus (10), respectively.
15. The conveying apparatus (10) as claimed in claim 14, wherein the support beam (11) is at least one of pivotally coupled and fixedly coupled to the first support post (12) and the second support post (13).
16. The conveying apparatus (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the holder (5) is fixedly coupled to the support beam (11).