To provide a chain having a mechanism for preventing backbend which does not cause any reduction in
power transmission efficiency when the chain is operating, which can suppress string vibration in the chain spans, and which is highly durable. A mechanism for preventing backbend is provided, in the
chain length direction, with a plurality of spring
washer structures (5) consisting of a pair of left-right spring
washer parts (50, 51) which have linking pins (3) inserted therein, and linking bars (55) for linking the areas between the spring
washer parts (50, 51); and adjacent spring washer structures (5) in the
chain length direction extend in the length direction of the chain in a state in which the spring washer parts (50, 51) of each are overlapping. When link plates (2) undergo backbend, the spring washer structures (5) flex together with the link plates (2), and the mutual rotation of the spring washer parts (50, 51) causes an increase in the thickness of the spring washer structures (5).