Insert for a multi-channel connector, multi-channel connector and multi-channel male and female connector kit

An insert for a multi-channel connector comprising a plurality of main contacts for carrying signals, said plurality of main contacts being arranged according to a main arrangement on a first face of said insert, said insert comprising a plurality of secondary contacts for carrying further signals, said plurality of secondary contacts being arranged according to a secondary arrangement at empty spaces of said first face of said insert, said secondary contacts being configured in such a way as to be operational and allow the carrying of said further signals when said insert for a multi-channel connector is coupled to a further reciprocal insert for a reciprocal multi-channel connector at respective first faces, said further reciprocal insert having the same main arrangement of a reciprocal plurality of main contacts and the same secondary arrangement of a reciprocal plurality of secondary contacts, and in such a way as not to be operational and at the same time not to interfere with the coupling between said insert and a reciprocal standard insert for a standard multi-channel connector at respective first faces, said reciprocal standard insert having the same main arrangement of a reciprocal plurality of main contacts and lacking a plurality of reciprocal secondary contacts,

• wherein a part of said main contacts is arranged on said first face on two concentric circles,
• wherein fourteen of said main contacts are arranged on a first outer circle, eight main contacts are arranged on a second inner circle, and in that three main contacts are arranged on a diameter of said first circle, and
• wherein said insert comprises a further secondary contact arranged along said diameter of said first circle, between four main contacts-arranged on the first and on the second circle surrounding it.

An insert for a multi-channel connector comprising a plurality of main contacts for carrying signals, said plurality of main contacts being arranged according to a main arrangement on a first face of said insert, said insert comprising a plurality of secondary contacts for carrying further signals, said plurality of secondary contacts being arranged according to a secondary arrangement at empty spaces of said first face of said insert, said secondary contacts-being configured in such a way as to be operational and allow the carrying of said further signals when said insert for a multi-channel connector is coupled to a further reciprocal insert for a reciprocal multi-channel connector at respective first faces, said further reciprocal insert having the same main arrangement of a reciprocal plurality of main contacts and the same secondary arrangement of a reciprocal plurality of secondary contacts, and in such a way as not to be operational and at the same time not to interfere with the coupling between said insert and a reciprocal standard insert for a standard multi-channel connector at respective first faces, said reciprocal standard insert having the same main arrangement of a reciprocal plurality of main contacts and lacking a plurality of reciprocal secondary contacts,

• wherein each of said plurality of secondary contacts is a pin with a retractable tip if compressed and able to return to its original position if not compressed, said plurality of secondary contacts being configured in such a way that they establish an operative connection for carrying said further signals when said insert is coupled to a further reciprocal insert at respective first faces, and in such a way that they do not establish an operative connection, retracting and therefore without interfering with the coupling between said insert and a reciprocal standard insert at the respective first faces, and
• wherein each of said plurality of retractable pins is configured to connect to a concavity of a reciprocal insert.