Patent ID: 8028825

Claim:
A handling apparatus comprising: a plurality of bars extending in spaced relation to each other; and a pair of endless drive chains connected to said plurality of bars, said plurality of bars extending in transverse relation to said pair of endless drive chains, each of said endless drive chains comprising: a plurality of links in which a pair of adjacent links of said plurality of links are connected together by an end of the bar, one of said pair of adjacent links having an end overlying an end of another of said pair of adjacent links, said end of the bar received in a port formed in said ends of said pair of adjacent links such that said pair of adjacent links do not swivel with respect to each other at a linkage axis at said port in said ends of said pair of adjacent links, each of said plurality of links being flexible along a length thereof, each of said plurality of links comprising: an internal armature formed of a high tensile strength flexible braid, said internal armature having a loop at opposite ends thereof, said loop having a rigid eyelet received therein, said rigid eyelet having said port therein, said internal armature being covered with a flexible coating.