The invention provides a connecting element for use in an industrial fabric. The connecting element includes a center portion and a plurality of lobes extending therefrom. The industrial fabric may be a spiral link fabric. The connecting element deforms under compression or tension reducing the fabric thickness and permeability. 1373 Broadway,Albany,New York 12204, U.S.A. Albany International Corp. 666/MUMNP/2006 A 666/MUMNP/2006 INDIA 2009-03-20T11:23:31Z 2007-03-02 2006-06-07 318055 2004-12-10 PCT/US2004/041241 D21F1/00 WO 2005/059243 A1 Hans-peter BREUER, Jesus PEREZ, William LUCIANO 3619 0 459 U.S.A. 2003-12-15 60/529,488 2007-03-02 0 p26a0FG 2009-04-30T18:40:39Z 86269 HANS-PETER BREUER, JESUS PEREZ, WILLIAM LUCIANO 7982 ALBANY INTERNATIONAL CORP 50136 /app_images/2/a/2/e/a7ei_R2339.png