Latching Trough-Coupling System

Abstract

A telecommunications infrastructure includes first and second trough members for routing signal-carrying fibers. A coupler is used to releasably couple the first and second trough members together. The coupler includes a first pair of rotatable latches for releasably securing the first trough member to the coupler, and a second pair of rotatable latches for releasably securing the second trough member to the coupler.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description refers to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The use of the same reference numbers in different figures indicates similar or identical items.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a trough member coupled to a coupler in an exemplary trough-coupling system.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view showing the exemplary trough-coupling system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3A-3D are perspective, plan, front, and side views, respectively, of a latch of the exemplary trough-coupling system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of an exemplary trough-coupling system showing two trough members coupled together by a coupler.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary trough-coupling system of FIG. 4, taken along line 5-5.

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of a coupler of another exemplary trough-coupling system.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing an exemplary method of assembling a trough system.

Claims

1. A telecommunications infrastructure comprising: first and second trough members for routing signal-carrying fibers; anda coupler for releasably coupling the first and second trough members together, the coupler including a first pair of rotatable latches for releasably securing the first trough member to the coupler, and a second pair of rotatable latches for releasably securing the second trough member to the coupler.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein each latch is rotatable between a coupled position in which the latch engages the respective trough member, and a released position in which the latch does not engage the respective trough member.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein each latch comprises an actuator portion by which the latch can be rotated between the coupled and released positions, and an engaging portion which engages the respective trough member when the latch is in the coupled position.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein each latch includes a locking mechanism for releasably locking the latch in the coupled position.

5. The system of claim 2, wherein the first and second trough members include ridges extending along at least a portion of the length of the trough members, and each of the latches includes an engaging portion adapted to engage at least one of the ridges when the latch is in the coupled position.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein each latch comprises: an elongated latch body defining an axis about which the latch is rotatable;an actuator arm disposed at one end of the latch body, the actuator arm extending radially outward from the axis to provide a lever a user can use to rotate the latch; andan engaging portion disposed at an opposite end of the latch body from the actuator arm, the engaging portion configured to engage the respective trough member to secure the trough member to the coupler.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the engaging portion comprises a pair of prongs protruding radially from the axis.

8. The system of claim 6, further comprising a second engaging portion disposed at the end of the latch body proximate the actuator arm, the second engaging portion being configured to engage the respective trough to secure the respective trough member to the coupler.

9. The system of claim 6, wherein each latch further comprises a locking mechanism disposed on the actuator arm, the locking mechanism being adapted to engage a portion of the coupler to hold the latch in a position engaging the respective trough member.

10. The system of claim 6, wherein the latch body is tapered, the end of the latch body at which the actuator arm is disposed being larger than the end of the latch body at which the engaging portion is disposed.

11. The system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of couplers directly or indirectly coupling the first and second trough members to a plurality of additional trough members.

12. A coupler for releasably coupling first and second trough members together, the coupler comprising: a coupler body;a first pair of rotatable latches disposed in the body for releasably securing a trough member to the coupler; anda second pair of rotatable latches disposed in the body for releasably securing another trough member to the coupler.

13. The coupler of claim 12, wherein each latch is rotatable between a coupled position in which the latch is adapted to engage the respective trough member, and a released position in which the latch is adapted not to engage the respective trough member.

14. The coupler of claim 13, wherein each latch comprises an actuator portion by which the latch can be rotated between the coupled and released positions, and an engaging portion adapted to engage the respective trough member when the latch is in the coupled position.

15. The coupler of claim 13, wherein each latch includes a locking mechanism for releasably locking the latch in the coupled position.

16. The coupler of claim 13, wherein each of the latches includes an engaging portion adapted to engage at least one ridge on the respective trough when the latch is in the coupled position.

17. The coupler of claim 12, wherein each latch comprises: an elongated body defining an axis about which the latch is rotatable;an actuator arm disposed at one end of the body, the actuator arm extending radially outward from the axis to provide a lever a user can use to rotate the latch; andan engaging portion disposed at an opposite end of the body from the actuator arm, the engaging portion configured to engage the respective trough member to secure the trough member to the coupler.

18. The coupler of claim 17, wherein the engaging portion comprises a pair of prongs protruding radially from the axis.

19. The coupler of claim 17, further comprising a second engaging portion disposed at the end of the latch body proximate to the actuator arm, the second engaging portion being configured to engage the respective trough member to secure the respective trough member to the coupler.

20. The coupler of claim 17, wherein each latch further comprises a locking mechanism disposed on the actuator arm, the locking mechanism being adapted to engage a portion of the coupler to hold the latch in a position engaging the respective trough member.

21. The coupler of claim 17, wherein the latch body is tapered, the end of the latch body at which the actuator arm is disposed being larger than the end of the latch body at which the engaging portion is disposed.

22. A method of assembling a trough system of a telecommunications infrastructure comprising: inserting a first trough member into a first receptacle of a coupler;rotating a first plurality of latches of the coupler to a coupled position, in which engaging portions of the first plurality of latches engage the first trough member and secure the first trough member in the first receptacle of the coupler; andlocking the first plurality of latches in the coupled position.

23. The method of claim 22, further comprising: inserting a second trough member into a second receptacle of the coupler;rotating a second plurality of latches of the coupler to a coupled position, in which engaging portions of the second plurality of latches engage the second trough member and secure the second trough member in the second receptacle of the coupler; andlocking the second plurality of latches in the coupled position.