Conveyor belt with alignment features

A modular conveyor belt configured to travel in a longitudinal direction, the conveyor belt comprising:

• a first link that is at least partially U-shaped to be at least partially defined by a first leg, a second leg, and a connecting portion between the first leg and the second leg of the first link, the connecting portion at least partially defining a longitudinal end of the first link, the first link also having a first rod receiving aperture and a first protrusion extending a first distance from a surface of the first link, wherein a first mating surface of the first protrusion is located a predetermined distance from the first rod receiving aperture;
• wherein the first mating surface of the first protrusion is configured to abut a portion of a second link including a second rod receiving aperture, the second link being restrained against movement in less than three orthogonal directions relative to the first link due to abutment of the first mating surface with the portion of the second link;
• and
• wherein, when the first mating surface of the first protrusion abuts the portion of the second link, the first rod receiving aperture is substantially aligned with the second rod receiving aperture to form a rod receiving path.

A modular conveyor belt comprising:

• a first link having a first rod receiving aperture and a first protrusion extending a first distance from a surface of the link, wherein a first mating surface of the first protrusion is located a predetermined distance from the first rod receiving aperture;
• wherein the first mating surface of the first protrusion is configured to abut a portion of a second link including a second rod receiving aperture;
• and
• wherein, when the first protrusion abuts the portion of the second link, the first rod receiving aperture is substantially aligned with the second rod receiving aperture to form a rod receiving path,
• wherein the first link is at least partially U-shaped to be at least partially defined by a first leg, a second leg, and a connecting portion between the first leg and the second leg, wherein the second link is at least partially U-shaped to be at least partially defined by a first leg, a second leg, and a connecting portion extending between the first leg and the second leg of the second link, wherein the first protrusion of the first link is configured to abut the connecting portion of the second link, and wherein, when the first protrusion of the first link abuts the connecting portion of the second link, the connecting portion of the second link is nested between the first leg and the second leg of the first link further in a longitudinal direction than when the first rod receiving aperture and the second rod receiving aperture are precisely aligned.

A method of assembling a conveyor belt, comprising:

• providing a first link having a first protrusion, wherein the first protrusion is positioned proximate a first rod receiving aperture extending through the first link, wherein the first protrusion extends a first distance from a first surface of a first leg of the first link, and wherein the first protrusion has a first mating surface extending away from the first surface;
• providing a second link having a second protrusion, wherein the second protrusion is positioned proximate a second rod receiving aperture extending through the second link, wherein the second protrusion extends a second distance from a second surface of a second leg of the second link, and wherein the second protrusion has a second mating surface extending away from the second surface;
• restraining the second link against movement in less than three orthogonal directions relative to the first link by abutting the first mating surface of the first protrusion with the second mating surface of the second protrusion;
• and
• aligning the first receiving aperture with the second rod receiving aperture by moving the first link toward the second link until the first mating surface of the first protrusion abuts the second mating surface of the second protrusion.

A conveyor belt comprising:

• a first link having a recess in a surface of the first link, wherein the recess includes a first mating surface, and wherein the recess is disposed proximate a first rod receiving aperture extending through the first link;
• and
• a second link having a protrusion extending a second distance from a surface of the second link, wherein the protrusion includes a second mating surface, wherein the protrusion is disposed proximate a second rod receiving aperture extending through the second link, and wherein, when the protrusion is engaged with the recess, the first mating surface of the recess abuts the second mating surface of the protrusion,
• wherein, when the protrusion is engaged with the recess, the first link is in substantial non-alignment with the second link.

A conveyor belt comprising:

• a first link having a first protrusion that protrudes from a first base surface of the first link, the first protrusion including a first mating surface, the first base surface surrounding the first protrusion, wherein the first mating surface is disposed proximate a first rod receiving aperture extending through at least a portion of the first link;
• and
• a second link having a second protrusion that protrudes from a second base surface of the second link, the second protrusion including a second mating surface, the second base surface surrounding the second protrusion, wherein the second mating surface is disposed proximate a second rod receiving aperture extending through at least a portion of the second link, wherein the first mating surface is disposed in a mating relationship with the second mating surface;
• and
• wherein, when the first mating surface abuts the second mating surface, the first rod receiving aperture is substantially aligned with the second rod receiving aperture to form a rod receiving path.