Abstract: A spline roller having a cylindrical barrel having a length, a first and second end, a centerline, and a circumferential surface, and at least a first drive portion formed integrally into the circumferential surface, having a first end and a second end, at least a first circumferential recess at the first end, and comprising a plurality of the parallel, radially-disposed, splines about the circumference, each spline extending along the length of the barrel from the first circumferential recess. Each spline has a ridge extending from the first end to the second end, and typically has a crown along the length of the ridge. The ridge can be oriented along a line that is parallel to the centerline of the spline roller, to provide a straight spline roller. The ridge can also be oriented along a line that is angled inwardly at a taper angle toward the centerline of the roller, to provide a tapered spline roller.

Abstract: A tapered spline conveyor roller, and a curved conveyor roller assembly using a plurality of the tapered spline rollers. The tapered spline roller has a cylindrical barrel and an inner and an outer drive portion that is formed of a plurality of parallel, radially-disposed, tapered splines about the circumference of the barrel portion. The splines can be tapered inwardly at a taper angle toward the center of the roller, along the length of the spline, from the first end toward the second end of the roller. A belt connects and engages the tapered splines of the drive portions of adjacent rollers, for rotationally coupling the rollers. The connecting belt typically has an inner surface having spaced-apart ribs for engaging the slots disposed between the tapered splines. The tapered splines of the two drive portions of adjacent rollers is provided with a taper angle that is one-half of the angle that is formed between the centerlines of the adjacent rollers.