Spring engagement mechanism for mating electrical and fiber optic connectors independently

An apparatus for operatively coupling signal-transmitting elements, said apparatus comprising:

• (a) first and second support members;
• (b) first and second connector pairs adapted to be coupled to the signal-transmitting elements, each of said first and second connector pairs including first and second connectors which can be operatively engaged to couple the signal-transmitting elements;
• (c) said second connector pair being an optical connector pair and having means to retain optical signal transmitting elements;
• (d) means for mounting the first and second connectors on the first and second support members, respectively, said support members being relatively movable toward each other to operatively engage the connectors of the first connector pair;
• and
• (e) means for operatively engaging the connectors of the second connector pair after the connector sections of the first connector are operatively engaged, said engaging means including
• (i) means for mounting the second connector of the second connector pair on the second support member for movement relative to the second support member along a path toward and away from the first connector of the second connector pair when the connectors of the first connector pair are operatively engaged, and
• (ii) rotatable camming means carried by at least one of said support members for moving the second connector of the second connector pair along said path toward the first connector of the second connector pair.