A conveyor belt comprising: belting having a first end and a second end , wherein the belting has a thickness and wherein the belting comprises: a fabric base that is substantially coated with a rubber material; a first stepped region proximate the first end , wherein the first stepped region has a first aperture formed therein and wherein the first stepped region has a first thickness; a second stepped region proximate the second end , wherein the second stepped region has a second aperture formed therein and wherein the second stepped region has a second thickness; and a reinforcing member associated with at least one of the first stepped region and the second stepped region ; and a first fastener that extends through the first aperture and the second aperture to attach the first end to the second end , wherein when the first end is attached to the second end , characterized in that the first stepped region and the second stepped region have a combined thickness that is no greater than the thickness of the belting , wherein the fabric base is at least partially wrapped around the reinforcing member before the fabric base is coated with the rubber material. belting having a first end and a second end , wherein the belting has a thickness and wherein the belting comprises: a fabric base that is substantially coated with a rubber material; a first stepped region proximate the first end , wherein the first stepped region has a first aperture formed therein and wherein the first stepped region has a first thickness; a second stepped region proximate the second end , wherein the second stepped region has a second aperture formed therein and wherein the second stepped region has a second thickness; and a reinforcing member associated with at least one of the first stepped region and the second stepped region ; and a first fastener that extends through the first aperture and the second aperture to attach the first end to the second end , wherein when the first end is attached to the second end , characterized in that the first stepped region and the second stepped region have a combined thickness that is no greater than the thickness of the belting , wherein the fabric base is at least partially wrapped around the reinforcing member before the fabric base is coated with the rubber material. a fabric base that is substantially coated with a rubber material; a first stepped region proximate the first end , wherein the first stepped region has a first aperture formed therein and wherein the first stepped region has a first thickness; a second stepped region proximate the second end , wherein the second stepped region has a second aperture formed therein and wherein the second stepped region has a second thickness; and a reinforcing member associated with at least one of the first stepped region and the second stepped region ; and a first fastener that extends through the first aperture and the second aperture to attach the first end to the second end , wherein when the first end is attached to the second end , characterized in that the first stepped region and the second stepped region have a combined thickness that is no greater than the thickness of the belting , wherein the fabric base is at least partially wrapped around the reinforcing member before the fabric base is coated with the rubber material. <EOS>