tension is caused in the conveyor belt leads to a variety of possible causes for belt failure. More specifically, while the conveyor belt is running in a straight travel path, the tension in the conveyor belt is evenly distributed to both the inner and the outer edges. As the belt moves into a curved path, however, the outer edge of the conveyor belt receives a much greater portion of the belt tension while the inside edge is put under a slight compression or tension. Each time this situation arises, that is, each time the conveyor belt transitions between a straight path and a curved path, the welds between the transverse rods and the links pass through a xe2x80x9cduty cycle.xe2x80x9d Repeated duty cycles of this nature may eventually causeweld fatigue in itself may not significantly impede the operation of the conveyor system, it may be a precipitating factor for other belt problems, such as belt tenting. Belt tenting can be described as the connecting links bending upwards out of the travel plane of the conveyor belt. When the conveyor belt collapses into a turn, compressive forces act to collapse the inner edge links and thereby allow the belt to traverse the curved path. However, without the presence of secure welds to restrict the rotational movement of the link relative to the rod, the links may raise out of the travel plane of the conveyor belt and form an upstanding tent. Tenting may cause undesirable movement and damage to the conveyed product, as well as a complete