Connecting arrangement for multiconductor cables

Claim 2

A connecting arrangement for at least two multiconductor cables, said arrangement comprising: at least Two coupling elements each mounted on an end of one of said cables and each carrying an array of contacts, each contact being electrically connected to a respective one of said conductors; a substantially planar mounting member holding said elements next to each other with said contacts in substantially the same plane, said cables extending away from said contacts on one side of said plane and said contacts being exposed on the other side thereof; at least two coupling bodies each provided with an array of contacts engageable from said other side of said plane with said first-mentioned contacts on said coupling element; a plurality of electrical connectors each extending between a contact on one of said bodies and a contact on the other of said bodies, whereby said conductors of one of said cables are individually electrically connected to said conductors of the other of said bodies; and a cover and means for sealingly engaging said cover with said member and hermetically enclosing said bodies and said connectors between said member and said cover, said member and said cover being formed with like registering outwardly extending respective flanges, said means including at least one clip engageable with said flanges for holding same together.

Claim 3

The arrangement defined in claim 4 wherein said member is formed with a peripheral annular channel, said cover having an edge engageable in said channel, said means including a flexible seal in said channel engageable with said edge.

Claim 4

The arrangement defined in claim 2 wherein said member is elongated, a plurality of said elements being provided with at least two rows transverse to the axis of said member, and two rows in line with said axis.

Claim 5

The arrangement defined in claim 4 wherein said contacts of each element are all unitarily imbedded in said element.

Claim 6

A connecting arrangement for at least two multiconductor cables, said arrangement comprising: at least two coupling elements each mounted on an end of one of said cables and each carrying an array of contacts, each contact being electrically connected to a respective one of said conductors; a substantially planar mounting member holding said elements next to each other with said contacts in substantially the same plane, said cables extending away from said contacts on one side of said plane and said contacts being exposed on the other side thereof; at least two coupling bodies each provided with an array of contacts engageable from said other side of said plane with said first-mentioned contacts on said coupling elements; a plurality of electrical connectors each extending between a contact on one of said bodies and a contact on the other of said bodies, whereby said conductors of one of said cables are individually electrically connected to said conductors of the other of said bodies; and at least one plate connected to said frame between said elements and said frame, said frame, plate, and elements forming a continuous unperforated surface.

Claim 7

A connecting arrangement for at least two multiconductor cables, said arrangement comprising: at least two coupling elements each mounted on an end of one of said cables and each carrying an array of contacts, each contact being electrically connected to a respective one of said conductors; a substantially planar mounting member holding said elements next to each other with said contacts in substantially the same plane, said cables extending away from said contacts on one side of said plane and said contacts being exposed on the other side thereof; at least two coupling bodies each provided with an array of contacts engageable from said other side of said plane with said first-mentioned contacts on said coupling elements; a plurality of electrical connectors each extending between a contact on one of said bodies and a contact on the other of said bodies, whereby said conductors of one of said cables are individually electrically connected to said conductors of the other of said bodies; and at least one plate connected to said frame between said elements and said frame, said frame, plate, and elements forming a continuous unperforated surface.

Claim 8

The arrangement defined in claim 5 wherein said frame and said elements are made of a nonoxidizable material.

Claim 9

The arrangement defined in claim 6 wherein said contacts of each element are all unitarily imbedded in said element.

Claim 10

The arrangement defined in claim 5 wherein said member is elongated and has an axis, a plurality of said elements being provided with at least two rows transverse to the axis of said member, and two rows in line with said axis.

Claim 11

A connecting arrangement for at least two multiconductor cables, said arrangement comprising: at least two coupling elements each mounted on an end of one of said cables and each carrying an array of contacts, each contact being electrically connected to a respective one of said conductors; a substantially planar mounting member holding said elements next to each other with said contacts in substantially the same plane, said cables extending away from said contacts on one side of said plane and said coNtacts being exposed on the other side thereof; at least two coupling bodies each provided with an array of contacts engageable from said other side of said plane with said first-mentioned contacts on said coupling elements; a plurality of electrical connectors each extending between a contact on one of said bodies and a contact on the other of said bodies, whereby said conductors of one of said cables are individually electrically connected to said conductors of the other of said bodies; and a box-like cover, said member and said cover being formed with similar outwardly extending flanges, said member being formed with a peripheral annular U-shaped channel, said cover having an edge engageable in said channel, said cover and said member being provided with a seal between said flanges and in said channel; and a plurality of substantially U-shaped spring clips engageable over said flanges.

Claim 12

A connecting arrangement for at least two multiconductor cables, said arrangement comprising: at least two coupling elements each mounted on an end of one of said cables and each carrying an array of contacts, each contact being electrically connected to a respective one of said conductors; a substantially planar mounting member holding said elements next to each other with said contacts in substantially the same plane, said cables extending away from said contacts on one side of said plane and said coNtacts being exposed on the other side thereof; at least two coupling bodies each provided with an array of contacts engageable from said other side of said plane with said first-mentioned contacts on said coupling elements; a plurality of electrical connectors each extending between a contact on one of said bodies and a contact on the other of said bodies, whereby said conductors of one of said cables are individually electrically connected to said conductors of the other of said bodies; and a box-like cover, said member and said cover being formed with similar outwardly extending flanges, said member being formed with a peripheral annular U-shaped channel, said cover having an edge engageable in said channel, said cover and said member being provided with a seal between said flanges and in said channel; and a plurality of substantially U-shaped spring clips engageable over said flanges.

Claim 13

A connecting arrangement for at least two multiconductor cables, said arrangement comprising: at least two coupling elements each mounted on an end of one of said cables and each carrying an array of contacts, each contact being electrically connected to a respective one of said conductors; a substantially planar mounting member holding said elements next to each other with said contacts in substantially the same plane, said cables extending away from said contacts on one side of said plane and said contacts being exposed on the other side thereof; at least two coupling bodies each provided with an array of contacts engageable from said other side of said plane with said first-mentioned contacts on said coupling elements; a plurality of electrical connectors each extending between a contact on one of said bodies and a contact on the other of said bodies, whereby said conductors of one of said cables are individually electrically connected to said conductors of the other of said bodies, each of said elements including a through-like metallic body having an array of perforations, at least one of each of said contacts for said cable conductors being arranged in each of said perforations, said trough-like metallic body being of narrowed width toward said perforations; and a sleeve engageable over said metallic body at the narrowed region thereof.

Claim 14

A connecting arrangement for at least two multiconductor cables, said arrangement comprising: at least two coupling elements each mounted on an end of one of said cables and each carrying an array of contacts, each contact being electrically connected to a respective one of said conductors; a substantially planar mounting member holding said elements next to each other with said contacts in substantially the same plane, said cables extending away from said contacts on one side of said plane and said contacts being exposed on the other side thereof; at least two coupling bodies each provided with an array of contacts engageable from said other side of said plane with said first-mentioned contacts on said coupling elements; a plurality of electrical connectors each extending between a contact on one of said bodies and a contact on the other of said bodies, whereby said conductors of one of said cables are individually electrically connected to said conductors of the other of said bodies, each of said elements including a through-like metallic body having an array of perforations, at least one of each of said contacts for said cable conductors being arranged in each of said perforations, said trough-like metallic body being of narrowed width toward said perforations; and a sleeve engageable over said metallic body at the narrowed region thereof.