Patent ID: 7364038

Claim:
A conveyor comprising an endless conveyor belt made from a plurality of rows of hinged interconnected belt links, where each row extends in a width direction substantially perpendicular to a traveling direction of the belt and comprises at least one link, where substantially all links further comprise: a front end substantially parallel to the width direction; a back end substantially parallel to the width direction; a top surface; a bottom surface; wherein the top surface and the bottom surface have a thickness therebetween; a pair of opposing side surfaces; front hinge parts separated by first apertures arranged along the front end and having a top portion and a bottom portion that are substantially flush with the top surface and bottom surface respectively, two side portions, a free front portion, and protrusions on one or both side portions of a plurality of the front hinge parts each having an inner surface opposite the front end; rear hinge parts separated by second apertures arranged along the back end such that the front hinge parts of a link will correspond with the second apertures on the back end of an adjacent link, and having a top portion and a bottom portion that are substantially flush with the top surface and bottom surface respectively, two side portions, a free front portion, and third apertures provided in the side portions of the rear hinge parts such that the protrusions on the front hinge parts correspond with the third apertures on an adjacent link; at least one roller aperture provided through the thickness of the link, the at least one roller aperture comprising at least one axle receiving, guiding, and retaining means, such that an axle may be arranged substantially parallel to the top surface; and a roller arranged coaxially with the axle.