across the belt, with the transverse rods having inner and outer ends along inner and outer edges of the belt; a plurality of connecting links arranged in at least one longitudinal row along the inner and outer edges of the belt and pivotally interconnecting the inner and outer ends of the transverse rods, respectively, with each of the connecting links having a pair of openings extending laterally therethrough such that the transverse rods extend through the openings; and a weld connection between the rods and the connecting links, each of the weld connections including only a weld connection point between a trailing side of the transverse rod and the connecting link.
The present invention also provides a method of manufacturing a conveyor belt including the steps of providing aplurality of transverse rods, providing a plurality of connecting links having a first pair of openings extending laterally therethrough and a second pair of openings extending therethrough, arranging the transverse rods through the first and second pair of openings so as to pivotally interconnect the transverse rods in a longitudinally spaced arrangement, and welding the connecting links to the transverse rods at the first pair of openings on only a trailing side of the transverse rod.