Portable Stage Rigging Bar With Block-and-Tackle Lifting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing stage rigging methods for heavy items like lighting fixtures are hazardous and inefficient, as they require manual carrying and climbing towers, especially when bucket lifts are not available, due to their large and expensive nature.
Innovation Solution
A portable lifting apparatus with a lightweight, elongate bar and block-and-tackle system that can be easily attached to stage towers, allowing for safe and efficient lifting and lowering of fixtures using a flexible line, enabling a rigger to operate from the ground or tower, with a locking mechanism for one-directional rope movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a bucket lift is used to lift heavy stage fixtures, then the lifting capability and safety are improved, but the equipment size, cost, and availability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the lifting system into separate components: a portable lifting bar that attaches to the tower, a block-and-tackle mechanism for force multiplication, and a flexible line for load transmission. This segmentation allows each component to be simple and lightweight while collectively providing safe lifting capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The lifting bar serves as an intermediary component that bridges the tower structure and the block-and-tackle mechanism. It transfers forces between the tower and the lifting system, enabling the rigger to operate from the ground without needing to climb the tower or use large equipment.
2Productivity
If a bucket lift is used for stage rigging, then the lifting efficiency is improved, but the equipment cost and availability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces expensive, heavy bucket lift equipment with inexpensive, simple components: a lightweight lifting bar, a block-and-tackle mechanism, and a flexible line. These simple objects can be easily stored, transported, and deployed when needed, eliminating the need for costly specialized equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operational parameters by allowing the rigger to work from the ground level rather than requiring climbing or large equipment. The block-and-tackle mechanism provides mechanical advantage, enabling efficient lifting with minimal force expenditure while using simple, low-cost components.
3Device complexity
If manual carrying and climbing is used to install fixtures, then the equipment requirement is reduced, but the safety and operational difficulty deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible line acts as an intermediary that transmits the lifting force from the block-and-tackle mechanism (operated from the ground) to the fixture. This allows the rigger to control the lifting operation without physically climbing the tower or directly handling the heavy fixture at height.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the dangerous climbing and direct handling tasks from the rigging process. The lifting bar and block-and-tackle system are positioned on the tower structure itself, allowing the rigger to operate from the ground while the mechanism handles the heavy lifting and positioning functions.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Facilitates safe and efficient movement of heavy stage fixtures by allowing a single person to raise or lower objects without constant force exertion, reducing the risk of injury and improving operational efficiency in situations where traditional lifting equipment is unavailable.
Implementation Method 1
hold a block-and-tackle beyond the periphery of the tower element to allow the rigger to attach a stage fixture on the ground to a flexible line, such as a rope, cable, chain, and the like connected to the block-and-tackle to raise it to a desired location
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for use in rigging stages includes a portable bar sized to extend across standard widths of a tower or a cross beam with a portion extending beyond the side of the tower or beam. A lifting mechanism, such as a block-and-tackle, is attached to the portion to allow a rigger to raise or lower heavy objects. In a method of use, a rigger carries the lifting bar to a desired location on a tower or beam and secures at least one end of the portable bar to one or more cross bars. Then the rigger can raise or lower heavy objects by attaching a flexible line from the lifting mechanism to the object and manipulating the lifting mechanism to assist in moving the heavy object to a desired location.