Link assemblies which are interconnected to provide a self-tensioning conveyor belt

A link assembly for use in an endless conveyor belt movable along a conveyor rack when driven by a drive mechanism, said assembly comprising a plurality of links interconnected adjacent to each other to form the belt, said links comprising a pair of side links being engageable with said rack, each of said links also having an upper bearing surface and a lower bearings surface, said upper bearing surface and said lower bearings surface of adjacent ones of said interconnected links being arranged in overlapping relationship to form said endless conveyor belt, a center link disposed between and connected to said side links of each of said links, means on said center links for engagement with said drive mechanism for providing motion to said endless conveyor belt, means connected between said side links and the center links of adjacent ones of said interconnected links for coupling said links in overlapping relationship to form said belt, and said coupling means including means formed on said side links and disposed in engagement with said center links for mating in spring-loaded relationship said adjacent links to provide tension in said endless conveyor belt.