Rope Lock Lockout

[MHSTech]

Here's a picture of our rope locks.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...8/2741620c.jpg

Now the problem. Since we built this K-12 building, there is no longer and Auditorium, we have a combination Auditorium and Cafeteria. This has made our stage a rather high traffic place compared to how it used to be. Also, this is the first time we have ever had a fly system and we have other groups comming in to use the stage when I'm not around. I am worried that somebody will release the rope locks as they are walking by or perhaps mess with my counterwieghts. I am looking for a solution to locking the rope lock with a padlock. Is there something out there for my style of fly system? I know SECOA has theirs built so that a padlock can stop the handle from comming down. I could build something like it, but I would like to see if there is any product already being manufactured.

[Footer]

The loop on the top of the lock is sometimes used to lock the lock. They do make a locking version of the lock that has a key in it to totally lock down the lock, and from the looks of things you do not have too many lines, so this is something that you could do for fairly cheap. If you can build some type of U bolt type thing that will go through the hole in the top of the lock and around the rope then that would be your best bet after replacing the locks. Otherwise, a large wire tie (I know you would have to cut it off each time, but it is an option). As far as people changing weight... I really do not think you should have a problem with that, people tend not to screw with things that are big and heavy. If anything, spray paint your weights after you get them in weight to verify that you have the right about in. If you can get a steel bander band the weights on after you get them in weight, or a chain and a padlock.

or you could get something like this, though I am not sure this will mount on your rail because Secoa uses a different hole configuration.
http://www.secoa.com/specsbrochures%...ckCutSheet.pdf

[CURLS]

Great QUESTION GREAT THOUGHT!

I remember JUST the product you are searching for that came out maybe less than a year ago from JRCLANCY, pretty much industry standard rigging people. Way to be SAFE GUYS! Here is your product! http://www.jrclancy.com/Downloads/Su...DataSheet1.pdf

Hope this helps and hope it's not too expensive!

[Van]

Looking at your picture it appears to me you could padlock the top of your brake handles to make it difficult for people to remove the locking ring. other than that I second what Footer said and highly suggest painting the top pig on the arbor, when it is at batten weight, with either Day glow orange, red or yellow it's a good place to count from when re-weighting so you don't have to do the math of how much to subtract for batten weight, just count the pigs above the paint line. < I mean really, do you want the guys loading weight to be doing math at the same time ? I didn't think so. >

My Sons school has a gymatorium and I was looking at the stage one day and noticed the battens had been tied to the wall using a couple of coat hooks. Needless to say I had to do a little volunteer work that week.

Who built that fly system ? the uprights look a little sketchy < if you don't mind me saying> I would love to take a closer look at the engineering of those, any more picts ?

[Footer]

Originally Posted by CURLS

Great QUESTION GREAT THOUGHT!
I remember JUST the product you are searching for that came out maybe less than a year ago from JRCLANCY, pretty much industry standard rigging people. Way to be SAFE GUYS! Here is your product! http://www.jrclancy.com/Downloads/Su...DataSheet1.pdf
Hope this helps and hope it's not too expensive!

Those are basically a re-branded magic locks. They can get a bit annoying at times. They can slow down how fast a piece moves. They also have a tenancy to catch of spike tape. I think they give a false sense of security. It is also nearly impossible to tell if it is the load out of balance or the lock locking up.

[Van]

Originally Posted by Footer4321

Those are basically a re-branded magic locks. They can get a bit annoying at times. They can slow down how fast a piece moves. They also have a tenancy to catch of spike tape. I think they give a false sense of security. It is also nearly impossible to tell if it is the load out of balance or the lock locking up.

And EXPENSIVE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[MHSTech]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...8/ropelock.jpg

Here is a closer more detailed picture of two of the locks. I like the SECOA locks, but I don't really want to replace the rope locks all together. My idea was to build two post that would bolt into the two holes on either side of it. There would be two holes in the top of the post where a Mastelock could go through. I'm going to try to get it sketched in autocad... when I get time.

[Van]

I see, Well looking at that close-up pic, you could tap a hole through the handle at the top of the recessed area, just below where the lock ring notch is, and use the for a place to insert a lock. Doing so should not structural integrity at all. My concern for a closer picture was for the uprights, below the brake and lock lever it appears to me that there is no common rail tieing the onstage edge of all the uprights together. There also doesn't appear to be anything tieing the upright to the T-bar wall, it appears to me that there is only a 1/4" X 3 1/2 " steel flat bar running up from the floor where it is tied into the anchor point for the bottom sheave. Seems more than a little flimsy to me. Again I'm not bashing your new facility, this is more of a safety concern of mine, having installed more than a few fly systems. This must be set up to top out at VERY light loads. Under extreme loads that brake lever upright would be pulled into the center of the rig. After repeated use under heavy load this would result in stress fractures and eventual failure of the upright bar at the point where it ties into the anchor plate for the bottom sheave.

Just sticking my nose in.

[koncept]

it looks to me like you can just slide your rope lock loop (the loop the goes between the handle and rope) up slightly just use a larger than standard master lock such as http://www.masterlock.com/images/pro...t_6230KALH.gif. that should be a safe and cost effective method.

[MHSTech]

Originally Posted by Van

it appears to me that there is only a 1/4" X 3 1/2 " steel flat bar running up from the floor where it is tied into the anchor point for the bottom sheave.

Thats a concern of mine too, but there's not much I can do about it other than complain. They are used strictly for 3 lightbars and 3 teasers. I have no intentions on using them for anything else for as long as I'm here (I'm done in less than 2 years). I want to leave this program knowing that its better safer than it was when I left. And if you saw the pictures of what our control room used to be, you know this new equipment is about 100 times safer.

Don't worry about hurting my feeling on the new building thing. We got screwed over with so many different things during the whole project. Rumor has it that a certain state government organization came in and cut our budget because "We had too nice of a building." But...thats a whole different story and situation.