Abstract:
Re-configurable electrical connector including a pair of endcaps, a pair of elongate rails, each removably attached at one end to one of the endcaps, and connector modules arranged between the endcaps and including one or more male or female connecting members adapted to electrically connect at a first end to one electrical component or part thereof and at a second, opposite end to another electrical component or part thereof. The connector modules are individual modules in the sense that they are separated from one another. When the rails are detached from the endcaps, each connector module can be moved relative to the rails, i.e., slid off of the end of the rails, to enable different configurations of connector modules to be positioned between the endcaps.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/453,660 filed Jun. 15, 2006 which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/741,284 filed Dec. 1, 2005, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein. 

   FIELD OF INVENTION 
   The present invention relates generally to electrical connectors which connect electrical components together and more particularly to electrical connectors which can be adjusted to provide for different configurations of connecting members so that the connectors can be used with different electrical components. 
   BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
   Electrical connectors are needed to connect electrical components together. As used herein, electrical components include cables, wires, patch panels and the like. Each connector is typically provided with a fixed configuration of male or female connecting members which enables it to connect only to an electrical component with the complementary configuration of connecting members. There is therefore no flexibility to use the same connector to connect to two or more electrical components having different configurations of connecting members. 
   It would be beneficial if a single connector were able to be re-configurable to connect to electrical components having different configurations of connecting members. 
   OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
   It is an object of the present invention to provide new and improved electrical connectors which connect electrical components together. 
   It is another object of the present invention to provide new and improved electrical connectors which are adjustable to provide different configurations of connecting members so that the same connectors can be used with electrical components having different configurations of connecting members. 
   It is yet another object of the present invention to provide new and improved electrical connectors which are re-configurable to connect to electrical components having different configurations of connecting members. 
   In order to achieve these objects and others, one embodiment of an electrical connector for removable attachment to a plurality of different electrical connectors in accordance with the invention includes a pair of endcaps, a pair of elongate rails, each removably attached at one end to one of the endcaps (and possibly removably attached at each end to a respective endcap), and connector modules arranged between the endcaps and including one or more male or female connecting members adapted to electrically connect at a first end to one electrical component or connecting member thereof and at a second, opposite end to another electrical component or connecting member thereof. The connector modules are individual modules in the sense that they are separated or separable from one another and movable relative to one another. When the rails are attached to the endcaps, the connector modules are fixed in position by the attachment of the rails to the endcaps, but when the rails are separated or detached from the endcaps, each connector module can be moved relative to the rails, i.e., slid off of the end of the rails. By arranging different numbers and types of connector modules along the rails between the endcaps, different configurations of connector modules and thus different connectors can be provided. 
   More specifically, in one configuration of the connector modules, all of the connector modules are identical and include a pre-determined number of male connecting members, e.g., pins, or female connecting members, e.g., sockets. To obtain a different configuration of connector modules, one or more of the connector modules is removed and replaced with a connector module having a different number of connecting members or possibly even with a blank, i.e., a module without any connecting members. Replacement of the connector modules(s) would be performed when the connector is intended to be used to connect to a different electrical component, i.e., an electrical component having a different complementary configuration of connecting members. Thus, when the connector modules are all identical, the connector connects to one electrical component and when the connector modules are not all identical, the connector connected to a second, different electrical component. 
   By selecting particular connector modules and their relative position between the endcaps and/or orientation relative to the endcaps, numerous different configurations of connectors can be obtained. Moreover, changing between connector configurations is easy to perform as it entails simply separating or detaching the rails from the endcaps, moving one or more of the connector modules out of engagement with the rails, placing connector modules in the new, desired order and in engagement with the rails, and then re-attaching the rails and the endcaps together. 
   The endcaps may be different depending on whether the connector is used in a fixture or a receiver. In the former case, the fixture includes male endcaps each having one or more coupling members oriented so that a projecting portion thereof is in the same direction as the mating surface whereas in the latter case, the receiver includes female endcaps each having a similar number of coupling members oriented so that a recessed portion thereof is in the same direction as the mating surface. In one embodiment, the male endcap includes a single guide pin and the coupling member and the female endcap includes a single aperture as the coupling member which is constructed to receive the guide pin. In other embodiments, a pair of coupling members is provided on each of the male and female endcaps. 
   One particularly useful configuration of a female connector in accordance with the invention is one in which the connector is adapted for connection to a Virginia Panel Series 90 patch panel and wherein there are 480 Hypertronics contacts arranged in 48 connector modules each including 10 sockets. Another useful configuration is one in which the female connector is adapted for connection to a Mac Panel 60 RFI patch panel and wherein there are 500 Hypertronics contacts arranged in 50 connector modules each including 10 sockets. 
   To provide for engagement between the endcaps and the rails, each endcap includes one or more channels on each side and each rail includes a similar number of elongate projections having a form substantially complementary to the form of the channel(s), e.g., a dovetail form. Each projection on the rail is slidable into and along a respective channel on a respective side of the endcaps. That is, on each side of each endcap, there are one or more channels and each channel aligns with a respective one of the channels on the same side of the other endcap. One projection on the rail engages with each aligning pair of channels. In one embodiment, each endcap includes only a single channel on each side and thus each rail includes only a single projection. In another embodiment, each endcap includes two channels on each side and each rail includes two projections. 
   Screws or another attachment mechanism are used to removably attach the rails to the endcaps. Such screws may be placed at one or both ends of the rails so that the rails can be removably attached to only one endcap or to both endcaps. 
   A dielectric housing of the connector modules is also provided with a channel on each side having a form complementary to the form of a projection on the rail. Accordingly, in its assembled form, this projection on each rail is situated within the channel on a respective side of the housings of the connector modules to thereby secure the connector modules in place between the endcaps. 
   Another way to consider the electrical connector in accordance with the invention is as a connector having individual connector modules each including at least one male or female connecting member adapted to electrically connect at a first end to a first electrical component or connecting member thereof and at a second, opposite end to a second electrical component or connecting member thereof, a pair of elongate rails and a pair of endcaps. Each connecting member preferably includes a single projection at the first end for engaging with the first electrical component or connecting member thereof and a single projection or receptacle at the second end for engaging with the second electrical component or connecting member thereof. Each connector module engages at one side with one rail and at an opposite side with the other rail. Each rail is removably attached at one end to one of the endcaps, and possibly at each end to a respective endcap. When the rails are separated or detached from the endcap(s), different configurations of connector modules are positionable between the endcaps, to thereby form different connectors in a similar manner as described above. 
   Yet another way to consider an electrical connector in accordance with the invention is as a connector including a frame having a plurality of side members defining an interior space, at least a first side member being detachable from any remaining side members (or assembly thereof) to enable access to the interior space. The side members could be the endcaps and rails described above, with one of the endcaps being detachable from the remaining assembly of the rails and other endcap, or may be other forms of rigid members which cooperate to define a border around an interior space. Connector modules are arranged in the interior space defined by the side members. The connector modules are separated from one another and each includes at least one male or female connecting member adapted to electrically connect at a first end to a first electrical component or part thereof and at a second, opposite end to a second electrical component or part thereof. The connector includes cooperating channels and projections formed in the frame and the connector modules to enable relative movement between the connector modules and the frame such that when the first side member is detached from any remaining side members, enable different configurations of connector modules can be arranged in the interior space and thereby provide for removable engagement with a plurality of different first electrical components and a plurality of different second electrical components. 
   Other objects and advantages of the present claimed invention and inventions disclosed below are set forth below and others will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The following drawings are illustrative of embodiments of the invention and are not meant to limit the scope of the invention as encompassed by the claims. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a connector in accordance with the invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a side view of the connector shown in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3  is a front view of the connector shown in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 4  is a side view of an endcap of the connector shown in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 5  is a view taken along the line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 4 . 
       FIG. 6  is a top view of a rail of the connector shown in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 7  is a front view of a rail of the connector shown in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 8  is a top view of a connector module of the connector shown in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 9  is a front view of the connector module shown in  FIG. 8 . 
       FIG. 10  is a view taken along the line  10 - 10  of  FIG. 9 . 
       FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a connector in accordance with the invention. 
       FIG. 12  is a side view of the connector shown in  FIG. 11 . 
       FIG. 13  is a front view of the connector shown in  FIG. 11 . 
       FIG. 14  is a side view of an endcap of the connector shown in  FIG. 11 . 
       FIG. 15  is a view taken along the line  15 - 15  of  FIG. 14 . 
       FIG. 16  is a top view of a connector module of the connector shown in  FIG. 11 . 
       FIG. 17  is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a connector in accordance with the invention. 
       FIG. 18  is a side view of an endcap of the connector shown in  FIG. 17 . 
       FIG. 19  is a view taken along the line  19 - 19  of  FIG. 17 . 
       FIG. 20  is a top view of a rail of the connector shown in  FIG. 17 . 
       FIG. 21  is a front view of a rail of the connector shown in  FIG. 17 . 
       FIG. 22  is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a connector in accordance with the invention. 
       FIG. 23  is a side view of an endcap of the connector shown in  FIG. 22 . 
       FIG. 24  is a view taken along the line  24 - 24  of  FIG. 22 . 
       FIG. 25  is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of a connector in accordance with the invention. 
       FIG. 26  is a view taken along the line  26 - 26  of  FIG. 25 . 
       FIG. 27  is a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of a connector in accordance with the invention. 
       FIG. 28  is a view taken along the line  28 - 28  of  FIG. 27 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements, a first embodiment of an electrical connector in accordance with the invention is shown in  FIGS. 1-10  and is designated generally as  10 . Connector  10  includes a pair of endcaps  12 , a pair of elongate rails  14  attached at their ends to the endcaps  12  and a plurality of connector modules  16  arranged between the endcaps  12  and in engagement with the rails  14 . 
   Connector  10  is a male connector in the sense that the connector modules  16  all include only male connecting members, specifically pins  18  (see  FIGS. 9 and 10 ). Pins can be any known type of pins used in electrical connectors but in a preferred embodiment, the pins are Hypertronics round pins designated YPN006-046H-A81, although other 0.024 round pins could be used as well. Pins  18  are held in place by a dielectric housing  20  to form each connector module  16 . Thus, at least a part of each pin  18  is fixed in the dielectric housing  20  and isolated thereby from other pins  18 . Each pin  18  includes connecting projections each extending from a respective side of the housing  20 . Each lateral side  22  of the housing  20  includes a channel  24  in the form of a dovetail groove (see  FIGS. 8 and 10 ). 
   Endcaps  12  are male endcaps in the sense that they include a pair of coupling members  26  having projections  26 A oriented in the same direction as the pins  18  (i.e., in the direction of the mating surface) and recesses  26 B on an opposite side (see  FIGS. 1 ,  4  and  5 ). Projections  26 A of the coupling members  26  are designed to mate with a complementary female coupling recess on another electrical component (discussed below). 
   With reference in particular to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , endcaps  12  each have a housing  28  having a front side  30 , a rear side  32 , a top  34 , a bottom  36  and lateral sides  38 . Projections  26 A project from the top  34 . A flange  40  also extends upward at a rear of the housing  28  from the top  34  and has a rear surface contiguous with the rear side  32 . Screw holes  42  are formed in the lateral sides  38 , the purpose of which is explained below. Lateral sides  38  each include a channel  44 , and an additional, larger channel  46  is formed partially in the lateral side  38  and partially on the side of the flange  40 . 
   Rails  14  each include a first projection  48  on an inner side extending along substantially the entire length of the rail  14  and a second projection  50  along the inner side extending along substantially the entire length of a stepped portion  52  of the rail  14  (see  FIGS. 6 and 7 ). Projection  50  is wider than projection  48 , although different relative sizes of these projections  48 ,  50  can be provided. 
   Apertures  54  are provided proximate the longitudinal ends of the rails  14  and align with the screw holes  42  in the sides  38  of the housing  28  of the endcaps  12  (see  FIG. 7 ). Screws  56  can therefore be inserted through apertures  54  into screw holes  42  and tightened to thereby secure the rails  14  at their longitudinal ends to the endcaps  12 . Instead of screws, other attachment mechanisms which enable the rails  14  to be selectively attachable to and detachable from the endcaps  12  can be provided in the invention without deviating from the scope and spirit thereof. 
   Projections  48 ,  50  have a form, i.e., size and shape, substantially complementary to the form of channels  44 ,  46 , respectively, on the housing  28  of the endcaps  12 . As such, the endcaps  12  can be engaged with the rails  14  by aligning the projections  48 ,  50  on the rails  14  with the channels  44 ,  46 , respectively, on the endcaps  12  and sliding them into the respective channel  44 ,  46 . To assemble connector  10 , one end of each rail  14  is attached to one endcap  12 , one rail  14  on each side of the endcap  12 , by inserting the projections  48 ,  50  on the rail  14  into the respective channel  44 ,  46  on the housing  28  of the endcap  12 . Screws  56  are then inserted through apertures  54  into screw holes  42  and tightened. Connector modules  16  are selected for the particular use of the connector  10 , e.g., 48 of the connector modules  16  as shown, and each is slid along the rails  14  by aligning the projection  50  on the rails  14  with the channels  24  on the lateral sides  22  of the housing  20 . Once the desired connector modules  16  are engaged with the rails  14  attached to one endcap  12 , the other endcap  12  is engaged with the rails  14  by aligning the projections  48 ,  50  with the channels  44 ,  46  in the housing  28  of the endcap  12 . Screws  56  are then inserted through apertures  54  into screw holes  42  in this second endcap  12  and tightened to thereby form connector  10 . 
   By appropriate dimensioning of the rails  14  and selection of connector modules  16 , it is possible to provide for a degree of float or play of the connector modules  16  when in the assembled connector  10 . Specifically, when using connector module  10 , it is useful to be able to slightly slide the connector modules  16  along the rails  14  to ensure proper positioning for mating engagement with other electrical connectors. This ability is thus provided by selection of the dimensions of the components of the connector  10 . 
   If and when it is desired to reconfigure connector  10 , the rails  14  are detached from one of the endcaps  12  by loosening the screws  56  and removing them from the screw holes  42  and apertures  54 . The endcap  12  is then slid off of the rails  14  and the connector modules  16  are then also slidable off of the rails  14 . The different connector modules  16  sought to be used for the re-configured connector are then placed in engagement with the rails  14  in the desired order and once all of the connector modules  16  are in place, the endcap  12  and rails  14  are re-attached to one another. When reconfiguring the connector  10 , it is not required to detach both endcaps  12  from the rails  14  but rather only one of the endcaps  12  needs to be detached from the rails  14  to enable removal and replacement of the connector modules  16 . 
   In the embodiments described above, the combination of the endcaps  12  and rails  14  defines a frame with a plurality of side members, at least one of which is separable from the remaining side members. During use of the connector  10 , this separable side member (either of the endcaps  12 ) is fixed to the other side members (the rails  14  which in turn are fixed to the other one of the endcaps  12 ) but when it is desired to re-configure the connector  10 , this separable side member is detached from the other side members to allow access to the interior of the frame, i.e., to allow the connector modules  16  in the interior of the frame to be removed and replaced as desired. Instead of endcaps  12  and rails  14 , other constructions for defining such a frame with an accessible interior are envisioned to be within the scope and spirit of the invention. For example, the frame could be defined by only two side members, namely, a U-shaped side member and an elongate side member which closes the opening of the U-shaped member and is removably attached thereto. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 11-16 , a second embodiment of an electrical connector in accordance with the invention is designated generally as  60  and includes a pair of endcaps  62 , a pair of elongate rails  14  as described above and a plurality of connector modules  64  arranged between the endcaps  62  and in engagement with the rails  14 . 
   Connector  60  is a female connector in the sense that the connector modules  64  all include only female connecting members, specifically sockets  66  (see  FIG. 16 ). Sockets  66  can be any known type of sockets used in electrical connectors but in a preferred embodiment, the sockets are Hypertronics part number YSK006-031AH-A81. These sockets have a unitary construction and provide a single electrical path between a first electrical component or part thereof engaging with one end of the socket and a second electrical component or part thereof engaging with the other end of the socket. Sockets  66  are held in place by a dielectric housing  68  to form each connector module  64 . Thus, at least a part of each socket  66  is fixed in the dielectric housing  68  and isolated thereby from other sockets  66 . Each socket  66  includes a receptacle at one end and a connecting projection extending from the housing  68  at the other. Each lateral side of the housing  68  includes a channel in the form of a dovetail groove in a similar manner as housing  20  of connector module  16  includes a channel  24  in the form of a dovetail groove 
   Endcaps  62  are female endcaps in the sense that they include a pair of coupling members  70  having a receptacle or recess  70 A oriented inward in the same direction as the sockets  66  (i.e., in the direction of the mating surface) and a projection  70 B on an opposite side (see  FIGS. 14 and 15 ). Recesses  70 A are designed to accept a screw to fasten the connector  60  to, for example, a Virginia Panel Series 90 patch panel. Projections  70 B are designed to mate with a complementary female coupling (or recess) on the patch panel. 
   Endcaps  62  each have a housing  72  having a front side  74 , a rear side  76 , a top  78 , a bottom  80  and lateral sides  82 . A flange  86  extends upward at a rear of the housing  72  from the top  78  and has a rear surface contiguous with the rear side  76 . Screw holes  88  are formed in the lateral sides  82 , the purpose of which is explained below. Lateral sides  82  each include a channel  90  and an additional, larger channel  92  is formed partially in the lateral side  82  and partially on the side of the flange  86 . 
   Channels  90 ,  92  have a form, i.e., size and shape, substantially complementary to the form of projections  48 ,  50 , respectively, on the rails  14 . As such, the endcaps  62  can be engaged with the rails  14  by aligning the projections  48 ,  50  on the rails  14  with the channels  90 ,  92 , respectively, on the endcaps  12  and sliding them into the respective channel  90 ,  92 . 
   To assemble connector  60 , one end of each rail  14  is attached to one endcap  62 , one rail  14  on each side of the endcap  62 , by inserting the projections  48 ,  50  on the rail  14  into the respective channel  90 ,  92  on the housing  72  of the endcap  62 . Screws  56  are then inserted through apertures  54  into screw holes  88  and tightened. Connector modules  64  are selected for the particular use of the connector  60 , e.g., 48 of the connector modules  64  as shown, and each is slid along the rails  14  by aligning the projection  50  on the rails  14  with the channels on the lateral sides of the housing  68 . Once the desired connector modules  64  are engaged with the rails  14  attached to one endcap  62 , the other endcap  62  is engaged with the rails  14  by aligning the projections  48 ,  50  with the channels  90 ,  92  in the housing  72  of the endcap  62 . Screws  56  are then inserted through apertures  54  into screw holes  88  in this second endcap  62  and tightened to thereby form connector  60 . 
   If and when it is desired to reconfigure connector  60 , the rails  14  are detached from one of the endcaps  62  by loosening the screws  56  and removing them from the screw holes  88  and apertures  54 . The endcap  62  is then slid off of the rails  14  and the connector modules  64  are then also slidable off of the rails  14 . The different connector modules  64  sought to be used for the re-configured connector are then placed in engagement with the rails  14  in the desired order and once all of the connector modules  64  are in place, the endcap  62  and rails  14  are re-attached to one another. When reconfiguring the connector  60 , it is not required to detach both endcaps  62  from the rails  14  but rather only one of the endcaps  62  needs to be detached from the rails  14  to enable removal and replacement of the connector modules  64 . 
   The illustrated connector modules  16 ,  64  include ten, identical pins  18  or ten, identical sockets  66 . Alternative connector modules  16 ,  64  can be used in the invention provided each has the same general form of housing, i.e., a channel on each side which can engage with one of the projections on the rails  14 . For example, possible connector modules include one which has a different number of male connecting members, one which has different male connecting members (i.e., different types of pins alongside one another), and one which could conceivably have both a male and a female connecting member. In one embodiment, different pins are used depending on the signal intended to be used, i.e., the signal being conveyed through the connector. Of course, whatever configuration is used for one connector must have a complementary configuration in an electrical component to which the connector is to be mated. Typically, the existence of electrical components with known connecting member configurations will determine the manner in which the connector modules will be assembled in a connector in accordance with the invention. 
   In connectors  10 ,  60 , the coupling members  26  and  70  are shown mounted onto the endcaps  12 ,  62 , respectively, and this is designed to ensure that the connectors  10 ,  60  align properly into the mating receiver or fixture. In a similar manner, the receiver and fixture also have alignment points that ensure that they mate properly. 
   Although the dimensions of connectors  10 ,  60  are variable and may be selected as needed by those skilled in the art, in one particular embodiment, the connector  10  has a width, i.e., the distance between the outer surface of one rail  14  to the outer surface of the other rail  14 , of about 1.18 to about 1.20 inches, a distance between the centers of the projections  26 A on each endcap  12  of about 0.6 inches and a distance between the centers of aligning projections  26 A on opposing endcaps  12  of about 5.445 inches. The dimensions of the connector  60  would be similar. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 17-21 , a third embodiment of an electrical connector in accordance with the invention is shown and is designated generally as  110 . Connector  110  includes a pair of endcaps  112 , a pair of elongate rails  114  attached at their ends to the endcaps  112  and a plurality of connector modules  16 , as described above, arranged between the endcaps  112  and in engagement with the rails  114 . Connector  110  is a male connector in the sense that the connector modules  16  all include only male connecting members, specifically pins  18  (see  FIGS. 9 and 10 ). 
   Endcaps  112  are male endcaps in the sense that they include a single projecting guide pin  126  oriented in the same direction as the pins  18  (i.e., in the direction of the mating surface). Guide pins  126  are designed to mate with a complementary female coupling recess on another electrical component (discussed below). 
   With reference in particular to  FIGS. 18 and 19 , endcaps  112  each have a housing  128  having a front side  130 , a rear side, a top  134 , a bottom  136  and lateral sides  138 . Guide pin  126  projects from the top  134 . Screw holes  142  are formed in the lateral sides  138 , the purpose of which is explained below. Lateral sides  138  each include a single channel  144 . As shown in  FIG. 19 , two through apertures  140  are provided extending between the top  134  and the bottom  136 . 
   Rails  114  each include a single projection  148  on an inner side extending along substantially the entire length of the rail  114 , and partly along a stepped portion  152  of the rail  114  (see  FIGS. 20 and 21 ). 
   Apertures  154  are provided proximate the longitudinal ends of the rails  114  and align with the screw holes  142  in the sides  138  of the housing  128  of the endcaps  112 . Screws  156  can therefore be inserted through apertures  154  into screw holes  142  and tightened to thereby secure the rails  114  at their longitudinal ends to the endcaps  112 . Instead of screws, other attachment mechanisms which enable the rails  114  to be selectively attachable to and detachable from the endcaps  112  can be provided in the invention without deviating from the scope and spirit thereof. 
   Projections  148  have a form, i.e., size and shape, substantially complementary to the form of channels  144  on the housing  128  of the endcaps  112 . As such, the endcaps  112  can be engaged with the rails  114  by aligning the projections  148  on the rails  114  with the channels  144  on the endcaps  112  and sliding them into the respective channel  144 . 
   To assemble connector  110 , one end of each rail  114  is attached to one endcap  112 , one rail  114  on each side of the endcap  112 , by inserting the projection  148  on the rail  114  into the channel  144  on the housing  128  of the endcap  112 . Screws  156  are then inserted through apertures  154  into screw holes  142  and tightened. Connector modules  16  are selected for the particular use of the connector  110 , e.g., 50 of the connector modules  16  as shown, and each is slid along the rails  114  by aligning the projection  148  on the rails  114  with the channels  124  on the lateral sides  122  of the housing  120 . Once the desired connector modules  16  are engaged with the rails  114  attached to one endcap  112 , the other endcap  112  is engaged with the rails  114  by aligning the projections  148  with the channels  144  in the housing  128  of the endcap  112 . Screws  156  are then inserted through apertures  154  into screw holes  142  in this second endcap  112  and tightened to thereby form connector  110 . 
   If and when it is desired to reconfigure connector  110 , the rails  114  are detached from one of the endcaps  112  by loosening the screws  156  and removing them from the screw holes  142  and apertures  154 . The endcap  112  is then slid off of the rails  114  and the connector modules  16  are then also slidable off of the rails  14 . The different connector modules  16  sought to be used for the re-configured connector are then placed in engagement with the rails  114  in the desired order and once all of the connector modules  16  are in place, the endcap  112  and rails  114  are re-attached to one another. When reconfiguring the connector  110 , it is not required to detach both endcaps  112  from the rails  114  but rather only one of the endcaps  112  needs to be detached from the rails  114  to enable removal and replacement of the connector modules  16 . 
   In the embodiment described above, the combination of the endcaps  112  and rails  114  defines a frame with a plurality of side members, at least one of which is separable from the remaining side members. During use of the connector  110 , this separable side member (either of the endcaps  112 ) is fixed to the other side members (the rails  114  which in turn are fixed to the other one of the endcaps  112 ) but when it is desired to re-configure the connector  110 , this separable side member is detached from the other side members to allow access to the interior of the frame, i.e., to allow the connector modules  16  in the interior of the frame to be removed and replaced as desired. Instead of endcaps  112  and rails  114 , other constructions for defining such a frame with an accessible interior are envisioned to be within the scope and spirit of the invention. For example, the frame could be defined by only two side members, namely, a U-shaped side member and an elongate side member which closes the opening of the U-shaped member and is removably attached thereto. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 22-24 , a fourth embodiment of an electrical connector in accordance with the invention is designated generally as  160  and includes a pair of endcaps  162 , a pair of elongate rails  114  as described above and a plurality of connector modules  64 , as described above, arranged between the endcaps  162  and in engagement with the rails  114 . Connector  160  is a female connector in the sense that the connector modules  64  all include only female connecting members, specifically sockets  66  (see  FIG. 16 ). 
   Endcaps  162  are female endcaps in the sense that they include a single coupling member  170  defining a receptacle or recess oriented inward in the same direction as the sockets  66  (i.e., in the direction of the mating surface). The recess of coupling member  170  is designed to accept a guide pin  126  to pre-align the connector  160  to, for example, a Virginia Panel Series 90 patch panel. 
   Endcaps  162  each have a housing  172  having a front side  174 , a rear side, a top  178 , a bottom  180  and lateral sides  182 . Screw holes  188  are formed in the lateral sides  182 , the purpose of which is explained below. Lateral sides  182  each include a channel  190 . Two through apertures  176  are provided extending between the top  134  and the bottom  136 . 
   Channels  190  have a form, i.e., size and shape, substantially complementary to the form of projections  148  on the rails  114 . As such, the endcaps  162  can be engaged with the rails  114  by aligning the projections  148  on the rails  114  with the channels  190  on the endcaps  112  and sliding them into the channel  190 . 
   To assemble connector  160 , one end of each rail  114  is attached to one endcap  162 , one rail  114  on each side of the endcap  162 , by inserting the projections  148  on the rail  114  into the channel  190  on the housing  172  of the endcap  162 . Screws  156  are then inserted through apertures  154  into screw holes  188  and tightened. Connector modules  64  are selected for the particular use of the connector  160 , e.g., 50 of the connector modules  64  as shown, and each is slid along the rails  114  by aligning the projection  150  on the rails  114  with the channels on the lateral sides of the housing  68 . Once the desired connector modules  64  are engaged with the rails  114  attached to one endcap  162 , the other endcap  162  is engaged with the rails  114  by aligning the projections  148  with the channels  190  in the housing  172  of the endcap  162 . Screws  156  are then inserted through apertures  154  into screw holes  188  in this second endcap  162  and tightened to thereby form connector  160 . 
   If and when it is desired to reconfigure connector  160 , the rails  114  are detached from one of the endcaps  162  by loosening the screws  156  and removing them from the screw holes  188  and apertures  154 . The endcap  162  is then slid off of the rails  114  and the connector modules  64  are then also slidable off of the rails  114 . The different connector modules  64  sought to be used for the re-configured connector are then placed in engagement with the rails  114  in the desired order and once all of the connector modules  64  are in place, the endcap  162  and rails  114  are re-attached to one another. When reconfiguring the connector  160 , it is not required to detach both endcaps  162  from the rails  114  but rather only one of the endcaps  162  needs to be detached from the rails  114  to enable removal and replacement of the connector modules  64 . 
   In connectors  110 ,  160 , the coupling members  126  and  170  are shown mounted onto the endcaps  112 ,  162 , respectively, and this is designed to ensure that the connectors  110 ,  160  align properly into the mating receiver or fixture. In a similar manner, the receiver and fixture also have alignment points that ensure that they mate properly. Also, when connecter  110  is used in combination with connector  160 , apertures  140  in end caps  112  will align with apertures  176  in endcaps  162  thereby enabling a connecting element to pass through the aligning apertures and aid in securing the connectors  110 ,  160  together. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 25 and 26 , an embodiment of a male connector  200  is similar to connector  110  shown in  FIG. 17  but connector module  202  includes four pins  16  and different endcaps  204 . Endcaps  204  include only a single screw hole  206  (see  FIG. 26 ). Otherwise, the same reference numerals designate the same elements. 
     FIG. 27  shows a mating female connector  208  for male connector  200  and is similar to connector  160  shown in  FIG. 22  but connector module  210  includes four sockets  66  and different endcaps  212 . Endcaps  212  include only a single screw hole  214  (see  FIG. 28 ). 
   In on embodiment, connectors  200 ,  208  each receive 50 connector modules  202 ,  210 , respectively, to provide each connector with 200 pin/socket connections. 
   In certain embodiments of the invention, different pins are used depending on the signal intended to be used, i.e., the signal being conveyed through the connector. Of course, whatever configuration is used for one connector must have a complementary configuration in an electrical component to which the connector is to be mated. Typically, the existence of electrical components with known connecting member configurations will determine the manner in which the connector modules will be assembled in a connector in accordance with the invention. 
   It is conceivable that in some connectors in accordance with the invention, there may be blank modules which do not contain any connecting members. Such blank modules could serve to position other connecting modules at desired locations intermediate the endcaps  12 . 
   Regarding the material composition of connectors disclosed herein, the rails and endcaps can be made of a metal, such as aircraft-grade aluminum, which provides them with an acceptable level of rigidity for use (which level would be understood or readily determinable by those skilled in the art). The connector modules are preferably made of a material selected based on its electrical properties, such as glass-filled nylon. 
   While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects, and, therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. For example, although in the illustrated embodiment, the rails includes two projections and endcaps include two complementary channels, it is possible to form the rails with only one projection in which case, this projection would pass through a single channel formed in the endcap housings and also through the single channel formed in the connector module housings.