Abstract: A fibre-optical relay for switching optical signals between signal paths contains a fixed first holder (12) with parallel optical fibres (13, 14, 15) and a movable slide (8), similarly with parallel optical fibres (19, 20, 21). The slide can be displaced by an actuating arm (7) at right angles to the axial direction of the fibres from an initial position to a final position situated at a fibre spacing (d) from each other. The fibres (19, 20, 21) on the slide (8) are further arranged in a fixed second holder (16) displaced in the transverse direction of the fibres by half a fibre spacing (d/2).

Abstract: An optical fiber switch comprising a fixed holder supporting a plurality of parallel fibers and a slide supporting a plurality of movable fibers having ends facing the ends of the fixedly mounted fibers. The slide is movable between first and second abutments in response to the activation of a magnetically activated armature. A first spring acts on the slide to displace it from the first abutment to the second abutment and a second stronger spring acts on the slide in opposition to the first spring. The armature carries an armature bracket which bears against the second spring to displace the second spring away from the slide when the armature is activated in order to diminish the action of the second spring so that the slide is displaced to the second abutment substantially only under the action of the first spring.