Coupler for cable trough

{
  "publication_number": "US8186633B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Coupler for cable trough",
  "abstract": "Couplers for a cable trough system including a spacing defined by first and second guiding surfaces, the spacing being sized to receive the terminal end of a trough member into the spacing. One or more springs are carried on the couplers and may be at least partially disposed within the spacing between the first and the second guiding surfaces. The springs urge the terminal end of the trough member against the coupler upon insertion of the terminal end into the spacing. One or more locking elements are coupled adjacent to the springs to move between a locking position and a released position. The locking elements may slide longitudinally or move perpendicularly to the couplers. A first trough member may be released from the couplers independent from a second trough member coupled to the couplers. Methods for use of the couplers are also provided.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A coupler for a cable trough system, the coupler comprising: a first edge portion of a body of the coupler having a terminal end that is sized to slidably receive a terminal end of a trough member; and a release mechanism on the body and moveable relative to the body without use of a tool between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein the release mechanism slides in a longitudinal direction of the body between the locked and unlocked positions; wherein in the locked position the trough member is automatically retained within the coupler upon insertion, wherein in the unlocked position the trough member is removable from the coupler, and wherein the body includes a second terminal end that is sized to receive a second trough member, wherein in the locked position the second trough member is automatically retained within the coupler upon insertion.",
    "2. The coupler according to claim 1, wherein first trough member is removable from the coupler without the use of a tool while the second member is retained within the coupler.",
    "3. The coupler according to claim 1, wherein the release mechanism releases the first trough member independently from the second trough member.",
    "4. The coupler according to claim 1, wherein the coupler retains the release mechanism in the locked position until the release mechanism is moved to the unlocked position by a user.",
    "5. A coupler for a cable trough system, the coupler comprising: a body having a first terminal end that is sized to slidably receive a terminal end of a first trough member; and a lock assembly on the body having a spring, the spring including an edge portion and being moveable without use of a tool between a locked position and an unlocked position wherein the lock assembly slides in a longitudinal direction of the body between the locked and unlocked positions; wherein in the locked position the edge portion engages the terminal end of the first trough member and opposes removal of the first trough member from the coupler, wherein in the unlocked position the first trough member is removable from the coupler, wherein the coupler retains the lock assembly in the locked position until the lock assembly is moved to the unlocked position by a user, and wherein the body includes a second terminal end that is sized to slidably receive a terminal end of a second trough member.",
    "6. The coupler according to claim 5, wherein the spring includes a second edge portion that engages the terminal end of the second trough member and opposes removal of the second trough member when the lock assembly is in the locked position.",
    "7. The coupler according to claim 6, wherein in the unlocked position the spring opposes removal of the second trough member from the coupler."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The present invention relates to a system for the management and routing of telecommunication cables, and, more particularly, to a coupler for joining two or more trough members.\n\nIn the telecommunications industry, the use of optical fibers for signal transmissions is accelerating. With the increased utilization of optical fiber systems, optical fiber cable management requires industry attention.\n\nOne area of optical fiber management that is necessary is the routing of optical fibers from one piece of equipment to another. For example, in a telecommunications facility, optical fiber cables may be routed between fiber distribution equipment and optical line terminating equipment. In buildings and other structures that carry such equipment, the cable routing can take place in concealed ceiling areas or in any other manner to route cables from one location to another.\n\nWhen routing optical fibers and other cables such as copper wires, it is desirable that a routing system will be readily modifiable and adaptable to changes in equipment needs. Accordingly, such routing systems include a plurality of components, such as trough members and couplers, for defining the cable routing paths. The trough members are joined together by couplings. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,067,678, 5,316,243, and 5,752,781 all teach cable routing systems that include a plurality of trough members and couplers.\n\nVarious concerns arise in the use of couplers for coupling trough members. One concern is that a plurality of hardware is used for joining the trough members. This hardware can be cumbersome.",
  "cpc": [
    "G02B 6/4459",
    "F16B 7/0406",
    "H02G 3/0608",
    "Y10T 403/32483",
    "Y10T 403/551",
    "Y10T 403/599"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "F16B 7/04",
    "F16L 3/22",
    "H02G 3/06"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "ADC Telecommunications Inc"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Matthew D. Ferris",
    "Timothy J. Haataja"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2008-02-29",
  "publication_date": "2012-05-29",
  "grant_date": "2012-05-29",
  "priority_date": "2001-11-16",
  "application_number": "US-3993308-A",
  "family_id": "25537158",
  "cited_by_count": 5,
  "citations": [
    "FR1479341A",
    "US2316166A",
    "GB549840A",
    "US2360159A",
    "US2821154A",
    "US2741499A",
    "US2823056A",
    "US2834622A",
    "US2891750A",
    "US3022972A",
    "US3042351A",
    "US3471629A",
    "US3351699A",
    "US3370121A",
    "US3493917A",
    "US3457598A",
    "US3603625A",
    "US3782420A",
    "GB1342085A",
    "US3875618A",
    "US4099749A",
    "US3915420A",
    "US4023697A",
    "US4305236A",
    "US4854665A",
    "DE3636412A1",
    "EP0315023A2",
    "US5067678A",
    "US5316243A",
    "US5100221A",
    "US5142606A",
    "US4954015A",
    "US5038528A",
    "US5035092A",
    "US5161580A",
    "EP0486442B1",
    "USD348651S",
    "US5134250A",
    "US5078530A",
    "EP0571307A1",
    "US5469893A",
    "US5753855A",
    "US6037543A",
    "US5720567A",
    "US6402418B1",
    "US6193434B1",
    "USD402262S",
    "USD402263S",
    "USD447737S1",
    "US5752781A",
    "US5792993A",
    "EP0874260A1",
    "WO1999006746A1",
    "US5995699A",
    "US5924260A",
    "US5998732A",
    "USD419962S",
    "US6188024B1",
    "US6143984A",
    "USD413306S",
    "EP1033800A1",
    "US6454485B2",
    "WO2000075550A1",
    "USD430543S",
    "US20030147690A1",
    "US20020096606A1",
    "US6450458B1",
    "EP1160949A2",
    "EP1160950A2",
    "US6523791B2",
    "US6476327B1",
    "US20020006312A1",
    "WO2002018991A1",
    "WO2002033445A2",
    "US6424779B1",
    "US6634825B2",
    "US6512875B1",
    "WO2002031939A1",
    "EP1249912A1",
    "WO2002086576A1",
    "DE10212285A1",
    "US6520192B1",
    "US7175137B2",
    "US6709186B2",
    "US7360743B2",
    "US20080298884A1",
    "US6715719B2",
    "US7029195B2",
    "US7093997B2",
    "US7614817B2",
    "US7246778B2",
    "US7463809B2"
  ]
}