Patent ID: 7004311

Claim:
A belt assembly for transmitting power or transporting materials on the top side of the assembly comprising: an interlocking link belt comprising a series of belt links arranged in superimposed successive overlapping relation, said belt having a thickness between its top and bottom sides corresponding to the thickness of at least two belt links, each of said belt links having: a body portion with a lateral width, a longitudinal length, at least one aperture, and an integral fastener at the leading end of said body portion and longitudinally-aligned with said aperture, said fastener comprising: a laterally constricted fastener neck portion; and a fastening tab connected to said body portion through said neck portion; said belt links of said series being secured together in overlapping relation to form a belt by the neck of said fastener extending from one of said sides of the belt through said aperture in the preceding belt link, said fastening tab engaging the other of said sides of said belt at the preceding belt link to secure the belt links together; and a resilient deformable gripping layer comprising a unitary element connected to the belt and overlying a substantial length of the top surface of the link belt.