In the form in which it is employed in this present specification, the concept of"high density"signifies connections in a specific length of the strip corresponding to the connection zone, this length being between 75 mm. and 100 mm. The width of the strip normally does not exceed 18 mm Also an object of the invention are the components for the actual strip, as well as the connection terminals utilised therein and the means for fastening the strip to a supporting frame corresponding to an electrical cabinet.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Multi-terminal connection strips are known which employ pairs of metal terminals fixed to each other in an elongated row for their connection, capable of displacing the insulation, with an incoming pair of electrical conductors and with its corresponding outgoing conductor pair (subscriber side). The terminals can be arranged in order to provide direct electrical connections between the incoming and outgoing cable pairs, or they can facilitate the insertion electrical devices for testing circuits or for circuit protection (for example gas discharge tubes), between the incoming and outgoing terminals, generally involving flexible contacts which electrically connect the terminals to each other, be this through an electrical device inserted between the flexible contacts.

When strips of this type are employed for connections of signals at high transmission rates, high frequencies are present which give rise to interference in one pair by another. In some known cases of DIN-5 category strips, the terminals are widely separated within the strip connection zone in order to prevent the interference, which reduces the number of contacts which can be accommodated within the given dimensions of the strip. Another known solution consists in introducing a metallic lamina between contacts. This lamina acts as a screen, but involves the use of a significant amount of additional material and likewise

implies the taking up of useful space in the strip.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The strip according to this invention has been designed to address the aforementioned problems, in particular to reduce or prevent interference without recourse to screening of whatever type. More specifically, the multi-terminal communications connector strip proposed, which preferably employs a particular type of terminal as hereinafter described, is characterised in that the spacing between terminals is such that the separation between the contacts or terminals intended for different wire pairs is equal to or greater than the separation between the contacts or terminals intended for a same wire pair, in such a manner that, by means of said spacing, interference is reduced or prevented. The invention can thus avoid use of the aforementioned metallic screening laminas and optimum use is achieved of the useful space available on the strip without excessively increasing the overall dimensions in the so-called connection zone thereof.

Spanish Utility Model No. 1051355 entitled"High-density Connector Module and Terminal for Telecommunications Connections", in the name of the same applicants as this application, namely, Mondragon Telecommunications, s. l. and Kunt Elektronik San. & Tic. A. s., describes a preferred terminal for use in the strip of the present invention. This preferred terminal has a pair of substantially flat blade or leaf contacts, which are arranged at an angle to each other symmetrically about the central axis of the pair, so as to reduce interference or cross- talk in the module. The leaf contacts are preferably at an angle between 25 and 40 degrees to the central axis, corresponding to an angle of 50 to 80 degrees between the flat surface planes of the respective leaf contacts. These terminals are preferably used in combination with the separations described in the present invention to enhance the ability of the strip to achieve high- density connections with DIN 5 category.

Another aspect of the invention relates to the means that the strip incorporates for its assembly on and fastening to the respective supporting frames of the electrical cabinet or any other device that it is possible to use in the field of telecommunications, two distinct types of fastening being applicable for high-density strips, these being the following: The first of these fastening aspects consists in the means of assembly and fastening being

formed by two independent fastening pieces which are inserted into the extremities of the strip in correspondence with the respective guide rings which are normally provided thereon for guiding wires around the ends of the strip. The two independent fastening pieces comprise two matched flexible lugs which are in relation with respective actuating extensions ("pushbuttons") which project upwards, pressing of which towards the strip produces a slight swivelling outwards of the lower part of the lugs in order to permit their positioning over the frame, followed by engagement of the lugs in respective orifices or openings of the frame upon release of the applied pressure. The pressure can be simply re-applied in order to permit the release of the lugs from said engagement, in the case of having to disassemble the strip from the frame.

The engagement of said lugs and therefore of the strip with respect to known standard supporting frames of smaller dimensions, is performed by means of a hook in the lower (as illustrated) extremity of the lugs, which engages in one of the aforementioned orifices or openings of the supporting frame. This same independent fastening device can be configured also to permit securing of the strip in known standard frames of larger dimensions, with no need to alter the dimensions of the strip, by provision of an upper hook formation capable of engagement in the orifices or openings which such larger frames have.

The second of the fastening aspects consists in that the means of assembly and fastening are formed by two fastening pieces joined to or integral with the actual extremities of the strip, which pieces on their underside (as illustrated) have two prolongations terminated in respective hooks facing inwards towards the strip for their engagement in a known frame of smaller dimensions; and at their upper (as illustrated) region have another outwards-facing hook or projection for engagement in known frames of larger dimensions, likewise without alteration to the overall dimensions of the strip. For extraction from the respective frames, the hooks or projections are formed so that it shall be sufficient to pull on the guide ring, since as all this forms a solid piece, and the hooks or projections will be thereby moved out of the orifices or openings of the frames.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS With the object of assisting in a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which, by way of illustration and not restrictively, the following is

shown: Figure 1.-Shows a general view in perspective of the strip object of the invention.

Figure 2. -Shows an end part of the strip represented in the previous figure, permitting determined essential aspects thereof to be seen in greater detail.

Figure 3. -Shows schematically the separation between two terminals of a same pair and the separation between two terminals of different pairs.

Figure 4. -Shows a general view in perspective of the strip of the invention with independent fastening pieces assembled on a supporting frame of smaller dimensions, that can correspond to an electrical cabinet of those employed in telecommunications.

Figure 5. -Shows a view in perspective from one side of the special or particular terminal which is preferably employed in the strip of the invention.

Figure 6. -Shows a general view in perspective of the strip of the invention with integral fastening pieces assembled on a supporting frame of smaller dimensions, that can correspond to an electrical cabinet of known type employed in telecommunications.

Figure 7. -Shows a general view in perspective of the strip of the invention with integral fastening pieces assembled on a supporting frame of larger dimensions, that can correspond to an electrical cabinet of known type employed in telecommunications.

Figures 8 and 9. -Show two views in perspective of the independent fastening piece that is employed in the strip shown in Fig. 4.

Figure 10. -Shows a reverse view in perspective of the integral fastening piece that is employed in the strip Figs. 5 and 6, showing the"lower"and"upper"hooks.

Figure 11.-Shows, finally, a view in perspective from the other side of the special or particular terminal shown in Fig. 5.

With reference to figures 1,2 and 3, the multi-terminal connector strip (1) for high- density connections in telecommunications of the invention is formed by means of an elongated body in which are established the pertinent housings for the terminals (2), which offer constructional and functionality features which shall be expanded upon below. In figure 3, the detail is shown corresponding to two matched wire pairs (3), in which the separation between the terminals or contact (2) of the same pair (3) is labelled (du), whilst the separation between the terminals or contacts (2) of different pairs (3) is labelled (D2), in such a manner that the distance (D2) has to be greater than or equal to the distance (D1), as is shown in said figure 3 and also in figure 2. By applying said separations between terminals (2) of the strip (1),

interference is prevented without having to employ metallic screening laminas, thereby achieving best use of the space available in the actual strip and also a saving in material and in the manufacture of the laminas themselves.

Another aspect of the invention relates to the means that the strip (1) incorporates for implementing its assembly on and fastening to supporting frames of different dimensions (4) and (4'), which can belong to an electrical cabinet.

In a first form, shown in Figs. 1, 2,4, 8, and 9, the fastening means consists in two individual independent pieces (5a) to be inserted into the extremities of the strip (1) in correspondence with the wiring guide rings (9), which incorporate two matched flexible lugs (5) which at their lower end terminate in a hook (6) for engagement in one of the orifices or openings (7) practiced for this purpose in the sides of the supporting frame of smaller dimensions (4), as may be seen in figure 4. The operation of said flexible lugs (5) for permitting both the assembly of the strip (1) and corresponding engagement of the hooks (6), and for achieving the disengagement thereof and thereby permitting the disassembly of said strip, is performed by means of a pushbutton (8) provided also on each end of the fastening piece (5a) itself, projecting upwards therefrom, in such a manner that by pressing on said pushbutton an outward swivelling of the lug (5) and therefore of the hook (6) results, permitting the aforementioned operations to be carried out. On the sides of each of said pieces (5a) is a nipple (14) by means of which they are mounted with the facility to swivel in the respective orifices (15) provided for this purpose at the extremities of the strip. Additionally, this independent fastening piece (5a) has another hook (6') to be engaged in the orifices or openings (7) practiced for this purpose in the sides of the supporting frame of larger dimensions (4'), as may be seen in figure 5.

In a second form shown in Figs. 6,7, and 10, the fastening means consists in having as fastening pieces, two pieces (5b) integral with the actual ends of the strip (1) which incorporate on their underside (as shown) two prolongations terminated in respective hooks (6") for their engagement in a frame of smaller dimensions (4) and an internal projection (6"') for its engagement in a frame of larger dimensions (4'), as may be seen in figures 6,7 and 10. In this case, for the extraction of the strip (1) from the corresponding frame (4) or (4'), it is sufficient to pull on the guide ring (9) for the piece (5b) to swivel due to the flexibility of the zone of the

material which joins it to the strip, permitting in this manner that the corresponding hooks (6") or (6"') are displaced to the outside of the orifices of the respective frames, since all of this constitutes an integral piece.

In figures 5 and 11 can be seen the preferred terminals (2), these being constituted from an electrically conductive and duly shaped metal sheet, establishing therein two leaves (10) that define the contacts, in each of which is provided a central and longitudinal slot (11) finishing at its extremity or free edge in a"V-shaped"enlargement (12), into which an insulated wire to be connected is laterally pressed causing it to pass laterally through the slot (11), the edges of which are ground in order to penetrate the insulation of the wire and establish the electrical connection between the wire conductor and the leaf (10) itself, that is, between the conductor and the terminal. Such terminals (2) have their leaves (10) rotated around the longitudinal axis of the slots (11), for the purpose of positioning the main plane of each element of the terminal at an acute angle, preferentially between 25 and 40 degrees, with respect to the longitudinal axis of the strip (1). Said angular disposition of the elements of the terminal, collaborates in reducing the level of induced coupling or crosstalk between adjacent terminals, when the strips are in use.

Forming part of said terminals (2) are some flexible contacts (13) arranged in a manner generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the slots (11), the free end of said flexible contacts (13) extending on the underside beyond the lower end of the leaves (10), leaving them free to move when flexed elastically. The terminals (2) are formed integrally in mirrored pairs, with the respective flexible contacts (13) between the slotted leaves (10), and facing each other, preferentially with the free ends close together or in direct contact. Such paired terminals (2) can be separated by cutting between the linked upper (as shown) extremities of the flexible contacts (13), thereby producing mirrored pairs of separated terminals. These can be conveniently mounted in the strip (1) and an electrical connection can be established between the remote ends of their respective flexible contacts (13), either by direct touching between them, or through the intervention of a gas discharge module or other circuit protective element or test apparatus inserted therebetween in use.

From all the foregoing, the conclusion may be drawn that the combination of the aforementioned separation between terminals or contacts (2) of a given pair (3) labelled D1 which has to be less than or equal to the distances between contacts (2) of different pairs (3)

labelled D2, preferably together with the use of the preferred terminals (2), tends to produce a multi-terminal connector strip (1) with high-density properties and DIN 5 category. The use or disposition of the different systems for fastening by means of the piece (5a) or the piece (5b) in the aforementioned strip (1) permits its coupling in frames of known dimensions, with no requirement to alter the overall dimensions thereof.