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.