A connector, comprising: a base including a first end and a second end forming an opening ; the first end including a first receiving portion , a first locking portion , and a first locking mechanism, the first receiving portion including a first receiving portion bore , the first locking portion being operatively connected to the first receiving portion and including a first locking portion bore in fluid communication with the first receiving portion bore , the first locking mechanism being positioned within the first locking portion bore and having an engaging position and a releasing position, the first locking mechanism having a biasing member , an engaging member , and a fastener , the engaging member including a first flanged portion extending at least partially into the first receiving portion bore in the engaging position, the first flanged portion configured and arranged to move within the first locking portion bore when the first locking mechanism moves between the engaging position and the releasing position; and a gate slidably operatively connected to the second end , the gate having a closed position and an open position, the gate spanning the opening and a portion of the gate extending through the first receiving portion bore in the closed position, the gate including a first engaging portion proximate the first receiving portion bore in the closed position, the first flanged portion extending at least partially into the first engaging portion when the gate is in the closed position and the first locking mechanism is in the engaging position to secure the gate to the base , the first flanged portion positioned out of the first engaging portion and positioned in the first locking position bore when the first locking mechanism is in the releasing position to allow the gate to be moved relative to the base . a base including a first end and a second end forming an opening ; the first end including a first receiving portion , a first locking portion , and a first locking mechanism, the first receiving portion including a first receiving portion bore , the first locking portion being operatively connected to the first receiving portion and including a first locking portion bore in fluid communication with the first receiving portion bore , the first locking mechanism being positioned within the first locking portion bore and having an engaging position and a releasing position, the first locking mechanism having a biasing member , an engaging member , and a fastener , the engaging member including a first flanged portion extending at least partially into the first receiving portion bore in the engaging position, the first flanged portion configured and arranged to move within the first locking portion bore when the first locking mechanism moves between the engaging position and the releasing position; and a gate slidably operatively connected to the second end , the gate having a closed position and an open position, the gate spanning the opening and a portion of the gate extending through the first receiving portion bore in the closed position, the gate including a first engaging portion proximate the first receiving portion bore in the closed position, the first flanged portion extending at least partially into the first engaging portion when the gate is in the closed position and the first locking mechanism is in the engaging position to secure the gate to the base , the first flanged portion positioned out of the first engaging portion and positioned in the first locking position bore when the first locking mechanism is in the releasing position to allow the gate to be moved relative to the base . <EOS>