A surgical access system includes a connector including an arm, a coupling element, a rod, and a ridged slider. The arm includes first and second notched sections disposed in opposed lateral sides thereof. The coupling element includes a body section defining an opening therethrough, and opposed tabs protruding therefrom that are configured to receive the second notched section therebetween such that the arm is pivotably coupled to the coupling element. The rod includes a shaft having a plurality of angled grooves defined partially along a length thereof. The rod extends through the opening of the coupling element and the first notched section of the arm. The ridged slider includes a first surface having a plurality of ridges extending along a partial length thereof. The ridged slider extends through the coupling element with the plurality of ridges operably engaged with the plurality of angled grooves of the rod.
