Connector Shroud Assembly for a Hermaphroditic Connector Assembly

A network element comprising

• a printed circuit board;
• a flexible ribbon;
• a first connector coupled to the printed circuit board,
• a second connector coupled to the flexible ribbon, and
• a connector shroud assembly comprising a frame disposed conformally around the first connector and the second connector with the first connector and the second connector mated within an opening defined by the frame,
• wherein the frame comprises an internal alignment feature that engages an external alignment feature of each of the first connector and the second connector, and
• wherein the internal alignment feature of the frame prevents relative motion of the second connector with respect to the first connector when the first connector and the second connector are mated within the opening defined by the frame.

A method for using a connector shroud assembly for a hermaphroditic connector assembly, the method comprising

• disposing a frame of a connector shroud assembly conformally around a first connector of the connector assembly, and
• disposing a second connector of the connector assembly conformally within the frame opposite the first connector, the first connector and the second connector mating within an opening defined by the frame,
• wherein the frame comprises an internal alignment feature that engages an external alignment feature of each of the first connector and the second connector, and
• wherein the internal alignment feature of the frame prevents relative motion of the second connector with respect to the first connector when the first connector and the second connector are mated within the opening defined by the frame.