Patent ID: 7493005
Filing Date: 2009-02-17
Classification: G02B,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A cable trough system, comprising: a first trough member including an exterior surface defining a slot extending in a longitudinal direction along the exterior surface, and a clip including first and second ends positioned in the slot adjacent a terminal end of the first trough member, the clip defining an outer structure that fixedly retains the clip within the slot of the first trough member; and a coupler including a body including a bottom wall and two side walls defining a trough, the body having a body terminal end defining an overlap region, the overlap region being sized to slideably receive a terminal end of a first trough member along a longitudinal direction of the body, and the coupler including a locking element including a main body, a clip member configured to couple the main body to the coupler, a first arm extending from the main body, the first arm being configured to flex relative to the main body, and a first barb coupled to the first arm; wherein, as the first trough member is inserted into the coupler, the first barb of the locking element contacts and rides along a surface of the clip, and wherein, when the first trough member is fully inserted into the coupler, the first barb engages the first end of the clip in the slot to couple the first trough member to the coupler.