Conveyor belt with alignment features

A 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 first connecting portion extending between the first leg and the second leg of the first link, the first link further including a first rod receiving aperture;
• a second link that is at least partially U-shaped to be at least partially defined by a third leg, a fourth leg, and a second connecting portion extending between the third leg and the fourth leg of the second link, the second link further including a second rod receiving aperture;
• and
• a connecting rod extending through the first rod receiving aperture of the first link and the second rod receiving aperture of the second link to connect the first link and the second link, the second connecting portion being received between the first leg and the second leg of the first link when the first link and the second link are connected,
• wherein the first link and the second link are configured for movement in a longitudinal direction,
• wherein the first link includes a first protrusion extending from a first surface of the first link, wherein the first protrusion includes a first mating surface, wherein the first mating surface is curved,
• wherein the first mating surface of the first protrusion receives and abuts a second surface of the second link to limit movement of the second link toward the first link in the longitudinal direction, and
• wherein the first mating surface of the first protrusion receives and abuts the second surface of the second link to align the first and second rod receiving apertures.

A 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 first connecting portion extending between the first leg and the second leg of the first link, the first link further including a first rod receiving aperture;
• a second link that is at least partially U-shaped to be at least partially defined by a third leg, a fourth leg, and a second connecting portion extending between the third leg and the fourth leg of the second link, the second link further including a second rod receiving aperture;
• and
• a connecting rod extending through the first rod receiving aperture of the first link and the second rod receiving aperture of the second link to connect the first link and the second link,
• wherein the first link and the second link are configured for movement in a longitudinal direction,
• wherein the first link includes a first protrusion extending from a first surface of the first link, wherein the first protrusion includes a first mating surface, wherein the first mating surface is curved,
• wherein the first mating surface of the first protrusion receives and abuts a second surface of the second link to limit movement of the second link toward the first link in the longitudinal direction,
• wherein the first mating surface of the first protrusion receives and abuts the second surface of the second link to align the first and second rod receiving apertures,
• wherein the second surface of the second link is defined on the second connecting portion of the second link, and
• wherein the second surface is curved and has a corresponding curvature to the first mating surface.

A conveyor belt comprising:

• a first link having a first protrusion extending a first distance from a first surface of the first link, wherein the first protrusion includes a first mating surface, wherein the first mating surface is curved, wherein the first protrusion is disposed proximate a first rod receiving aperture extending through the first link;
• a second link having a second protrusion extending a second distance from a second surface of the second link, wherein the second protrusion includes a second mating surface, wherein the second mating surface is curved, wherein the second protrusion is disposed proximate a second rod receiving aperture extending through the second link, wherein the second mating surface and the first mating surface abut to align the first rod receiving aperture and the second rod receiving aperture, wherein the second mating surface and the first mating surface have corresponding curvature, 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 and the second mating surface;
• and
• a connecting rod extending through the first rod receiving aperture of the first link and the second rod receiving aperture of the second link.