Rail structure for a conveyor

A link type rail structure for a conveyor device, said structure comprising

• a plurality of support links with each of said support links being of a U-shaped cross-sectional configuration, said U-shaped configuration being defined by a pair of opposing vertical side walls and a horizontal lip connected between said side walls along the bottom edges thereof,
• a connecting link interposed between successive support links, opposite ends of each of said connecting links being pivotally connected to an adjacent end of a support link and being positioned between said side walls of that support link, each connecting link providing a foot portion at each end thereof adapted to contact an associated support link's lip to establish said links in a straight in-line attitude and an offset portion at each end thereof adapted to contact a transverse edge of said lip to establish said links in a curved line attitude, and each end of each connecting link beyond the pivotal connection of that link with its adjacent support links being configured such that same is confined between the side walls of said adjacent support links as said rail structure is translated between the rigid in-line attitude and the curved line attitude, thereby aiding in the elimination of pinch points between successive links of said rail structure, and
• means adapted to mount a plurality of one of rollers and skate wheels to said rail structure.