A silent chain includes a number of interleaved rows of link plates
articulately connected together by joint pins. Each of the link plates has
a pair of teeth and a pair of pin holes. The link plate further has a
tubular portion protruding continuously from one surface of the link plate
and defining a peripheral surface of each of the pin holes. The tubular
portion has a height substantially equal to the thickness of the link
plate. The tubular portion increases the contact area between the plate
and the joint pin and thus suppresses wear on the joint pin. Further, by
the tubular portion, the plate can retain sufficient rigidity and strength
without narrowing the web width between each pin hole and the outside
flank or the inside flank of the corresponding tooth. The silent chain as
a whole is relatively light in weight.