Abstract: An electrical connector system includes a pin connector and a socket connector that each attach to a cable having multiple twisted pairs of wires. The connectors include features for shielding each pair of pin or socket contacts from the other pairs of pin or socket contacts to reduce interference and crosstalk. A contact-retaining shell of one of the connectors includes an integrally formed insertion plug having cantilever elements that electrically contact a conductive surface of the mating connector to provide a low-impedance pathway between the shell and the mating connector for purposes of grounding and/or shielding. The electrical connector system is designed to be readily disassembled and reassembled for repair or re-work without the use of special tools.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable assembly is provided. The cable assembly includes a housing, a plurality of furcation tubes, and a bundled cable. The housing has an opening at a first end and a plurality of channels at a second end. The furcation tubes are aligned with corresponding channels. One end of the bundled cable extends into an interior space of the housing through the opening. The bundled cable has a cable jacket and cable filaments. A first portion of the cable filaments extends beyond the end of the cable jacket in the interior space. A plurality of optic fibers is disposed in the bundled cable and the housing, and a molding compound is disposed around the furcation unit. Individual optic fibers are in individual furcation tubes and movable to slide longitudinally relative to the housing.

Abstract: A fiber optic cable assembly is provided. The cable assembly includes a housing, a plurality of furcation tubes, and a bundled cable. The housing has an opening at a first end and a plurality of channels at a second end. The furcation tubes are aligned with corresponding channels. One end of the bundled cable extends into an interior space of the housing through the opening. The bundled cable has a cable jacket and cable filaments. A first portion of the cable filaments extends beyond the end of the cable jacket in the interior space. A plurality of optic fibers is disposed in the bundled cable and the housing, and a molding compound is disposed around the furcation unit. Individual optic fibers are in individual furcation tubes and movable to slide longitudinally relative to the housing.

Abstract: A cable assembly comprises a plurality of electrical or fiber-optic cables, a spacer, and a collar. The cables are arranged lengthwise in a bundle, which includes a segment having a cross-sectional arrangement organized into a plurality of columnar sections of contiguous cables. Each columnar section has at least one cable. The spacer is disposed between adjacent columnar sections of cables and thus forms a dividing line between the adjacent columnar sections. The spacer spans substantially entirely across a cross section of the segment of the bundle in one direction. The collar is disposed entirely around the bundle and the spacer along at least a portion of the segment. The collar is sufficiently tight such that the collar and the spacer cooperate to hold the adjacent columnar sections in substantially fixed relative positions within the cross-section of the bundle.

Abstract: A cable assembly includes a plurality of electrical or fiber-optic cables, a spacer, and a collar. The cables are arranged lengthwise in a bundle, which includes a segment having a cross-sectional arrangement organized into a plurality of columnar sections of contiguous cables. Each columnar section has at least one cable. The spacer is disposed between the adjacent columnar sections. The spacer spans substantially entirely across a cross section of the segment of the bundle in one direction. The collar is disposed entirely around the bundle and the spacer along at least a portion of the segment. The collar is sufficiently tight such that the collar and the spacer cooperate to hold the adjacent columnar sections in substantially fixed relative positions within the cross-section of the bundle.

Abstract: A latch system for a connector assembly, such as an electrical or fiber-optic connector assembly, includes a latch arm extending from one connector housing for engaging a corresponding catch of a mating connector housing. Some embodiments include a pair of opposing latch arms that slidably seat in a pair of opposing slots in the housing of the mating connector. In one embodiment, the connector housings of plug and socket connectors are identical, with latch arms and catches being interchangeable. Some embodiments include tactile features for indicating that the latch system is securely latched.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly comprises a main housing section and a strain relief member that is selectively connected to the main housing in one of a plurality of predetermined angularly offset positions each defining a corresponding exit path for a wire or cable that extends through the strain relief member and into the main housing section to terminate at a connector body of the electrical connector assembly, which is supported on the main housing section opposite the strain relief member. The main housing section and the strain relief member may be formed of a die-cast or molded electrically conductive material and may be closely mated together to shield the connector body and/or the wires from electro-magnetic interference (EMI).

Abstract: A cable assembly comprises a plurality of electrical or fiber-optic cables, a spacer, and a collar. The cables are arranged lengthwise in a bundle, which includes a segment having a cross-sectional arrangement organized into a plurality of columnar sections of contiguous cables. Each columnar section has at least one cable. The spacer is disposed between adjacent columnar sections of cables and thus forms a dividing line between the adjacent columnar sections. The spacer spans substantially entirely across a cross section of the segment of the bundle in one direction. The collar is disposed entirely around the bundle and the spacer along at least a portion of the segment. The collar is sufficiently tight such that the collar and the spacer cooperate to hold the adjacent columnar sections in substantially fixed relative positions within the cross-section of the bundle.

Abstract: A cable support device for use in combination with equipment to which multiple electrical and/or fiber-optic cables are connected, such as computer or telecommunications equipment, comprises a frame and one or more cable-support bars. The cable support bars are typically aligned in generally parallel relation proximal to a connector panel of the equipment for supporting the cables. A first end of each bar is slidably supported by the frame for movement from a closed position spanning across the connector panel, toward an open position affording access to the equipment. When in the closed position, a second end of each bar is preferably engaged in a bracket of the frame, which provides added support for the bar and prevents inadvertent opening thereof.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly comprises a main housing section and a strain relief member that is selectively connected to the main housing in one of a plurality of predetermined angularly offset positions each defining a corresponding exit path for a wire or cable that extends through the strain relief member and into the main housing section to terminate at a connector body of the electrical connector assembly, which is supported on the main housing section opposite the strain relief member. The main housing section and the strain relief member may be formed of a die-cast or molded electrically conductive material and may be closely mated together to shield the connector body and/or the wires from electro-magnetic interference (EMI).

Abstract: A set of connectors, such as electrical or fiber-optic cable connectors, is supported on a holder body to form a ganged array of cable connectors. The holder body includes a bearing surface for maintaining a latch release of at least a first one of the cable connectors in a disengaged position to prevent it from latching when the ganged array of connectors is connected to an array of mating connectors. The holder body also defines one or more clearance regions that allow the latch release of at least a second one of the cable connectors to operate, to thereby allow the second cable connector to latch when the set of cable connectors is connected to the array of mating connectors, for releasably retaining the set of cable connectors in place. Spaced-apart clearance regions may be provided for facilitating proper operation and preventing damage to cables and connectors.