Patent ID: 7367448

Claim:
A chain module, comprising: an upper conveying surface extending from a first side edge to a second side edge, the upper conveying surface having an opening defined therein for receiving a projecting portion of an adjacent chain module, the opening extending to the bottom of the chain module and capable of receiving the projecting portion of an adjacent module for pivotally connecting adjacent chain modules with a pivot rod, the upper conveying surface having a top edge connected to a leading edge by a curved portion and having a trailing edge, the leading edge having a first portion and a second portion separated by the opening, the trailing edge having a first portion and a second portion separated by the projecting portion, the projecting portion extending from the upper conveying surface to the bottom of the chain module; a pair of opposed first hinge eyes extending from the upper conveying surface and disposed in spaced apart relation on opposite sides of the opening, each hinge eye having a transverse pivot rod opening; a second hinge eye disposed in the projecting portion and having a transverse pivot rod opening, the transverse pivot rod opening in the second hinge eye capable of aligning with the transverse pivot rod openings in the first hinge eyes of an adjacent chain module; wherein the top edge, leading edge, and the trailing edge are defined by a plurality of alternating peaks and valleys, the peaks and valleys being offset such that the peaks on the trailing edge align with the valleys on the leading edge of an adjacent chain module.