To provide an article conveying apparatus having a reverse rotation preventing function and an article intrusion releasing function and enabling the easy removal of an intruded article.

A restraining plate 11 is connected to a drive shaft 8 for transmitting the drive force of a motor 7 to a drive roller 4 through a one-way clutch 12. Elongated holes 13A, 13B as reverse rotation allowing parts are formed in the restraining plate 11, and sliding bars 14A, 14B engaged with the elongated holes 13A, 13B and functioning as reverse rotation restraining parts are installed on the frame of the belt conveying apparatus. When the motor 7 is stopped by the article intruded therein, and the drive shaft 8 is reversely rotated, the one-way clutch 12 connects the drive shaft 8 to the restraining plate 11, and the restraining plate 11 is rotated and reversed until the elongated holes 13A, 13B are brought into contact with the end edges of the sliding bars 14A, 14B. Since the reverse rotation of the drive roller is allowed by a predetermined amount, the intrusion can be released by the reverse rotation of a belt 6.