Adjustable trough-couplers
View Patent ↗A telecommunications infrastructure includes first and second trough members for routing signal-carrying fibers. Latching members may be used to adjustably couple coupling members adjustably coupled with a trough members. Support members may also be used to adjustably couple trough members together with coupling members.
1. A tool-less telecommunications support member comprising:
a first structural member comprising:
a post member having:
a top opposite a bottom;
a first surface opposite a second surface, the first and second surfaces of the post member arranged between the top and the bottom of the post member, wherein:
the second surface of the post member adjustably couples with a first passageway wall of a trough; and
the top of the post member couples to an underside of a coupling member adjustably coupled with the trough;
a substantially I-Beam shaped rail member having:
a top surface opposite a bottom surface, the top and bottom surfaces extending substantially perpendicular to the post member and form flanges of the rail;
a wall extending substantially perpendicular to the post member disposed between and substantially perpendicular to the top surface and the bottom surface and forming a web of the rail;
a latching mechanism arranged on the wall between the top and bottom surfaces, wherein:
the top surface of the rail member supports at least a portion of an underside of the trough; and
the latching mechanism of the rail member adjustably couples with a cooperating latching mechanism of a second structural member;
wherein the top and bottom surfaces and a first side of the wall define a first cavity; and
wherein the top and bottom surfaces and a second side of the wall define a second cavity.
2. The tool-less telecommunications support member of claim 1 , wherein the post member is formed integral with the rail member.
3. The tool-less telecommunications support member of claim 1 , wherein the second structural member comprises:
a cooperating rail member comprising:
a first prong member disposed at least partially inside the first cavity;
a second prong member disposed opposite the first prong member and at least partially inside the second cavity;
a cooperating latching mechanism disposed on one or more of the first prong member and the second prong member proximate a first end of the cooperating rail member, the cooperating latching mechanism adjustably coupled with the latching mechanism of the rail member; and
a gripping member disposed proximate a second end of the cooperating rail member.
4. The tool-less telecommunications support member of claim 3 , wherein the cooperating latching mechanism comprises a spring latch; and
the latching mechanism comprises an array of indentations or protrusions arranged to removeably latch with the spring latch.
5. The tool-less telecommunications support member of claim 3 , wherein the gripping member comprises a gripping surface opposite a coupling surface, the coupling surface of the gripping member arranged distal to the gripping surface and the coupling surface couples with a second passageway wall opposite the first passageway wall of the trough.
6. The tool-less telecommunications support member of claim 1 , wherein the trough has a width of at least about 4 inches and up to at most about 6 inches;
the first structural member has a length of about 7 inches; and
the second structural member has a length of about 8 inches.
7. The tool-less telecommunications support member of claim 1 , wherein the trough has a width of at least about 12 inches;
the first structural member has a length of about 7 inches; and
the second structural member has a length of about 12 inches.
8. The tool-less telecommunications support member of claim 1 , the latching mechanism comprising a plurality of protrusions disposed on the wall.
9. The tool-less telecommunications support member of claim 3 , the cooperating latching mechanism comprising a plurality of protrusions disposed on an inner wall of the first prong, the second prong, or both;
wherein the wall is disposed between the first prong and the second prong.
10. A tool-less telecommunications support member comprising:
a first structural member comprising:
a post member having:
a top opposite a bottom;
a first surface opposite a second surface, the first and second surfaces of the post member arranged between the top and the bottom of the post member, wherein:
the second surface of the post member adjustably couples with a first passageway wall of a trough; and
the top of the post member couples to an underside of a coupling member adjustably coupled with the trough;
a rail member having:
a top surface opposite a bottom surface, the top and bottom surfaces extending substantially perpendicular to the post member;
a wall extending substantially perpendicular to the post member disposed between and substantially perpendicular to the top surface and the bottom surface;
a latching mechanism arranged on the wall between the top and bottom surfaces, wherein:
the top surface of the rail member supports at least a portion of an underside of the trough; and
the latching mechanism of the rail member adjustably couples with a cooperating latching mechanism of a second structural member;
wherein the top and bottom surfaces and a first side of the wall define a first cavity; and
wherein the top and bottom surfaces and a second side of the wall define a second cavity.
11. The tool-less telecommunications support member of claim 10 , wherein the second structural member comprises:
a cooperating rail member comprising:
a first prong member disposed at least partially inside the first cavity;
a second prong member disposed opposite the first prong member and at least partially inside the second cavity;
a cooperating latching mechanism disposed on one or more of the first prong member and the second prong member proximate a first end of the cooperating rail member, the cooperating latching mechanism adjustably coupled with the latching mechanism of the rail member; and
a gripping member disposed proximate a second end of the cooperating rail member.
12. The tool-less telecommunications support member of claim 11 , wherein the cooperating latching mechanism comprises a spring latch; and
the latching mechanism comprises an array of indentations or protrusions arranged to removeably latch with the spring latch.
13. The tool-less telecommunications support member of claim 10 , the latching mechanism comprising a plurality of protrusions disposed on the wall.
14. The tool-less telecommunications support member of claim 3 , the cooperating latching mechanism comprising a plurality of protrusions disposed on an inner wall of the first prong, the second prong, or both;
wherein the wall is disposed between the first prong and the second prong.