Abstract: Two identical components assembled together constitute a guide rack for optical cables fixed at the bottom of a subrack fitted with circuit boards. Optical jumpers are guided between support members and guide members. Each optical cable is easily positioned pending connection with its terminal connector part resting between two support members. This avoids tangling of the optical jumpers and ensures that any of the cables connected to the front panel of any circuit board can be replaced by the cable put into the waiting position without risk of confusion.

Abstract: An electromagnetic seal consists essentially of an oblong metal plate with two bends along two parallel longitudinal bending axes (D1, D2) defining on the plate two lateral flanges (34, 35) inclined relative to a central panel (36), and an central oblong opening (29) which has a width (a) slightly less than the distance (b) between the bending axes so that parts of the central panel situated on the longitudinal edges of the central oblong opening, separated before bending by cut-outs on the transverse edges of the opening and between the bending axes and the central oblong opening, are adapted to form oblique extensions of said lateral flanges in the region of the central oblong opening.

Abstract: A housing provides protection against electromagnetic interference for an electrical connection device adapted to connect at least one first electrical cable provided with a protective screen against electromagnetic interference (EMI) to at least one second electrical cable. It consists of two half-shells made of an EMI-tight material adapted to contain, when assembled together, the connection device connecting the cables. The inside face of a first half-shell is provided with a system for simultaneously ensuring establishment of contact thereof with the screen of the first cable over one part of the outer contour of the screen. The inside face of the second half-shell is provided with members for simultaneously ensuring establishment of contact thereof with the screen of the first cable over the other part of the outer contour of the screen and establishment of pressure of the screen against the first half-shell at the position of establishment of contact thereof with the screen.

Abstract: A metal housing for an electrical connector such as a standardized HE12 connector comprises two half-housings enclosing a connector plug adapted to be inserted into a socket. Each half-housing comprises a half-hinge and an orifice having a contour which is open when the two half-housings are open to enable insertion of cables and which is closed when the two half-housings are closed. Fork-shape projections in each half-housing constitute two insulation-displacement contacts for establishing an electrical connection between the half-housing and the screening braid of each cable and to prevent the cable being pulled out. Tangs in each half-housing are inserted in insulation displacement contacts when the two half-housings are closed to constitute electrical screens preventing electromagnetic interference between nearby contacts. A captive screw constitutes both a rotation spindle for the hinge and means for fixing the housing to a nut fixed to the chassis.

Abstract: A system for interconnecting orthogonally disposed printed circuit boards in first and second stacks comprises first contact members on facing edges of the boards of the two stacks used to interconnect the boards. A mother board is disposed perpendicular to and between the two stacks of boards. Second contact members are disposed on the same facing edges of the boards as the first contact members. They define with the first contact members a series of first multiway plug-in connectors along the respective edge of each board in the first stack and a series of second multiway plug-in connectors along the respective edge of each board in the second stack. The mother board comprises a distribution network in the form of an array of conductive tracks assigned to distributing signals to the boards. The mother board also carries connecting contact members and distribution contact members connected to the distribution network.

Abstract: The variable optical attenuator varies the angle and distance of coupling between two fiber ends by moving the end of one of the fibers along a circular arc passing through the end of the other fiber. It comprises a rectangular block 3 to support said fibers 1 and 2, having a slit 6 through its end, running parallel to its broad surfaces and dividing the block into two branches 7, 8, a cylindrical through hole 9 traversing one of the branches 7 substantially in line with the inside end of the slit and opened on the side of the supporting surface 4 of the block to establish the coupling zone between the fibers afixed to said surface, and driving and control means 20, 25 for swivelling the branch 7 carrying one of the fibers, which means act substantially on the free end of said branch 7.

Abstract: A connector comprises a socket and a plug. The socket is located on the edge of a printed circuit card and comprises two contact tabs at different distances from the edge. A housing is placed near the tabs to receive the plug and to hold two electrically interconnected spring contact blades in contact with the tabs. If the plug is inserted one way up into the socket, its blades are connected to respective ones of the tabs, therby establishing a connection. Alternatively, if the plug is inserted the other way up, the tabs of the socket are interconnected by the first spring contact blade of the plug, thereby establishing parallel connection.

Abstract: A terminal for electrically connecting electrical conductors (6) to rigid electrical terminal pins (7) comprises a plurality of U-shaped individual contacts (2). One arm (20) of each contact (2) is connected to one of the conductors (6). The other arm (23) is flat and is adapted to connect to one of the pins (7). The terminal further comprises identical contact supports (1, 1') having an internal groove (10) with a rounded bottom. It has internal compartments (12) along the lateral walls of this groove (10) and external compartments along the lateral walls of each contact support (1, 1'). The internal compartments (12) accommodate the flat contact arms (23) and the respective pins (7). The external compartments accommodate the contact arms (20) adapted to contact the conductors (6). An insulating member (3) maintains the contact supports (1, 1') in alignment.

Abstract: The box comprises a shallow bowl (1) which is hermetically sealed to a bell-shaped cover (2). Repeaters are housed in individual casings (4) which are fitted into a mother board (3) extending over the greater part of the bowl. Connector tabs (20) are provided through the mother board, with pressure contact points for making electrical contact with the individual repeater casings, and self-stripping prongs for making electrical contact with the insulated wires of a cable (8). This arrangement leads to very few connections being made in the path between a cable conductor and a repeater, and enables the box to be wired to a cable on site and without soldering.

Abstract: The invention is characterized by connectors 17, 18, connected by a plug-ended cord 15, it being possible to prewire and wrap the assembly in the factory, to connect a distribution frame 11 to a connector 18.The contacts in the connectors are disposed on juxtaposed terminal strips each of which includes two rows of contacts, this allowing semiautomatic connections.