Patent ID: 7360743

Claim:
A coupler for a cable trough system including first and second trough members having terminal ends, the coupler comprising: a body having open ends and including first and second guiding surfaces defining a first spacing in a first half of the body and a second spacing in a second half of the body, the terminal end of the first trough member being inserted into the first spacing in a longitudinal direction and the terminal end of the second trough member being inserted into the second spacing in the longitudinal direction; and a releasable spring mechanism disposed on the body adjacent the first guiding surface, wherein the releasable spring mechanism includes a first portion that engages the terminal end of the first trough member and a second portion that engages the terminal end of the second trough member, and wherein the first portion of the releasable spring mechanism is released independently of the second portion to release the terminal end of the first trough member while maintaining engagement of the second portion with the terminal end of the second trough member.