Connector including interlocking assembly and associated methods

A connector comprising:

• first and second connector portions movable between mated and unmated positions;
• first and second bladders carried by respective first and second connector portions, and each having an end movable between an open position and a closed position;
• and
• an interlocking assembly comprising first and second portions carried by respective first and second connector portions and being movable between an interlocked position, holding opposing ends of said first and second bladders together as the opposing ends of said first and second bladders move from the open position to the closed position, and a released position, permitting the opposing ends of said first and second bladders to move apart;
• said interlocking assembly being moved to the released position as said first and second connector portions are moved from the mated position to the unmated position, and being moved to the interlocked position as said first and second connector portions are moved from the unmated position to the mated position.

A connector comprising:

• first and second connector portions movable between unmated and mated positions;
• first and second bladders carried by respective first and second connector portions, and each having an end movable between a closed position and an open position;
• and
• an interlocking assembly comprising first and second portions carried by respective first and second connector portions and being movable between a released position, permitting opposing ends of said first and second bladders to move apart, and an interlocked position, holding the opposing ends of said first and second bladders together as the opposing ends of said first and second bladders move from the closed position to the open position, said first and second portions of said interlocking assembly providing a positive drawback therebetween during movement from the interlocked position to the released position;
• said interlocking assembly being moved to the interlocked position as said first and second connector portions are moved from the unmated position to the mated position, and being moved to the released position as said first and second connector portions are moved from the mated position to the unmated position.

A connector comprising:

• first and second connector portions movable between unmated and mated positions;
• first and second bladders carried by respective first and second connector portions, and each having an end movable between a closed position and an open position;
• and
• at least one pair of first and second tines carried by respective first and second connector portions and being movable between a released position, permitting opposing ends of said first and second bladders to move apart, and an interlocked position, holding the opposing ends of said first and second bladders together as the opposing ends of said first and second bladders move from the closed position to the open position;
• said at least one pair of first and second tines being moved to the interlocked position as said first and second connector portions are moved from the unmated position to the mated position, and being moved to the released position as said first and second connector portions are moved from the mated position to the unmated position.