Cable trough cover

• US 7,469,090 B2
• Filed: 04/05/2007
• Issued: 12/23/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/20/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: CommScope Technologies, LLC (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: ADC Telecommunications Incorporated (TE Connectivity Limited)
• Inventors: Ferris, Matthew D., Fisher, Joel T.
• Primary Examiner(s): PENG, CHARLIE YU
• Application Number:
  US11/784,512
• Publication Number:
  US 20070248309A1
• Time in Patent Office: 628 Days
• Field of Search: 277/376, 16221-392, 385/134, 385/135
• US Class Current: 385/135
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4459 Ducts; Conduits; Hollow tubes for air blown fibres
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/0418 Covers or lids; Their fastenings
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 9/04 in surface ducts; Ducts or covers therefor

Abstract

A cable trough cover assembly and method of assembly including a cover plate and a hinge piece. The cover plate includes a pivot member along at least one edge, and the hinge piece defines a pocket for releasably receiving the pivot member. The pocket and pivot member arrangement allow the cover plate to be rotated relative to a cable trough to which the hinge pieces may be mounted.

Claims

1. A three-piece hinge arrangement for mounting a trough cover to a cable trough, the hinge arrangement comprising:

a) a hinge piece separate from the trough cover and the cable trough, the separate hinge piece including;

i) a clip portion having first and second arms interconnected to one another by a middle member, one of the arms defining a window;

ii) a retaining tab provided on one of the first and second arms of the clip portion, the retaining tab protruding from the one arm toward the other arm; and

iii) a pocket portion including first and second extension members that define a rounded channel, the first and second extension members being interconnected to one another by the middle member;

b) a threaded fastener sized for insertion through the window of the hinge piece; and

c) a plate piece;

d) wherein during use, the clip portion of the hinge piece receives a flange of the cable trough and the pocket portion of the hinge piece receives a pivot member of a trough cover; and

e) wherein during use, the threaded fastener is inserted through the window of the hinge piece and engages the plate piece such that the flange of the cable trough and the hinge piece are pinched between the threaded fastener and plate piece to prevent the hinge piece from sliding relative to the cable trough.

2. The hinge arrangement of claim 1, wherein the retaining tab provides a snap-fit connection between the separate hinge piece and the cable trough.

3. The hinge arrangement of claim 2, wherein the retaining tab has a ramped surface.

4. The hinge arrangement of claim 1, wherein the clip portion of the hinge piece is U-shaped.

5. The hinge arrangement of claim 1, wherein the fastener includes a tightening knob.

6. The hinge arrangement of claim 1, wherein a boss is provided on each of the first and second extension members of the pocket portion, the bosses being arranged to protrude toward one another.

7. The hinge arrangement of claim 5, wherein the bosses are arranged to provide a snap-fit connection between the separate hinge piece and the trough cover.