Adjustable Grip Hitch

aeh20s

Well-Known Member
Hello riggers of CB. If I wanted to hang some lightweight vinyl banners from a pipe my first instinct would be to use tie line with a clove hitch on the pipe and bowline going through the grommet on the banners. Simple, but makes it a bit of a pain to adjust height and level of the banners having to go up a ladder and retie the clove hitch until everyone is satisfied. Would using the Adjustable Grip Hitch in the place of the bowline be acceptable? That way I could fly the batten in to working height, slide the knot and fly the batten back out. I know that it is a camping hitch used to secure tents and hammocks. If this isn't an acceptable usage of the hitch for flying something overhead, is there an easily adjustable knot/hitch that can be used for the sake of hanging banners like this. Thank you from a humble lighting guy.
 
Hello riggers of CB. If I wanted to hang some lightweight vinyl banners from a pipe my first instinct would be to use tie line with a clove hitch on the pipe and bowline going through the grommet on the banners. Simple, but makes it a bit of a pain to adjust height and level of the banners having to go up a ladder and retie the clove hitch until everyone is satisfied. Would using the Adjustable Grip Hitch in the place of the bowline be acceptable? That way I could fly the batten in to working height, slide the knot and fly the batten back out. I know that it is a camping hitch used to secure tents and hammocks. If this isn't an acceptable usage of the hitch for flying something overhead, is there an easily adjustable knot/hitch that can be used for the sake of hanging banners like this. Thank you from a humble lighting guy.
@aeh20s Is there anything HEAVY in close proximity, such as a 12 hundred pound LX pipe which could snag your banners on its way in &/or be snagged and lifted by your banners on their way out??
Toodleoo!
Ron Hebbard
 
tieline for a banner is fine.

If the banner is not directly under the batten, you're going to need to have some tension on the tieline to keep the banner from folding in on itself (Unless it has a conduit its attached to). I'm a fan of using a truckers hitch for this, as once I set it I can lock it down without fear of it moving.

Attaching directly to the batten via the grommets? A clove hitch is what I would start with, and if the batten flys in, then adjusting it vs any other knot becomes a moot point.
 
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I appreciate the response @egilson1, but I was specifically asking about the hitch. Is there an acceptable adjustable hitch that can be used in a situation like this that people are aware of?
 
I’m not a rigger, but I agree with @eglison1. Truckers hitch all the way.
 
A barrel knot would make an adjustable sliding hitch and when in final position some tape to make sure it does not move or use a round turn 2 1/2 hitches on the pipe because you can easily adjust it and it is more secure than a clove hitch. Both options keep the lines clean and presentable.
Regards
Geoff
 
This was a mostly hypothetical situation. In my experience it is difficult to get multiple banners leveled to themselves and matching heights on each other even with a fly system. To be able to make those adjustments on the ground, or even just a 6 ft ladder, and not have to get out a lift or 12+ft ladder is ideal.
 
This was a mostly hypothetical situation. In my experience it is difficult to get multiple banners leveled to themselves and matching heights on each other even with a fly system. To be able to make those adjustments on the ground, or even just a 6 ft ladder, and not have to get out a lift or 12+ft ladder is ideal.
Trim chains = 1/2 link finesse.
Toodleoo!
Ron Hebbard
 
Maybe I'm missing something here, but why not tie your banners to to a pipe or conduit? Then hang the pipes from your batten. You only have two points to level each one. And leveling the pipes to each other could be done easier and faster than worrying with soft goods bagging, etc. Then fine tune the one or two pipe/banners if needed.

Securing the pipes to the batten could be with knots (not recommended) or your favorite hardware.
 
Have you considered Griplock Systems fittings?

Side Note: Griplock Systems (griplocksystems.com) just acquired Cable Grippers, Inc. (cablegrippers.com).
 
Taking your question at face value, and assuming something lightweight and soft like the posited vinyl banner, this seems like a fine idea. I've not used this hitch, but what I see on wikipedia seems appropriate. Taut-line hitch or truckers hitch may be more common solutions. As long as you're within a design factor on the rating of the line, and properly de-rating for the hitch (I can't quote the numbers but they exist), I see no problem.

If there's anything heavy or hard or otherwise you wouldn't want it to fall on you, the hitch is not so much the problem; rather the tie line is. Many suggestions above are good.
 
teqniqal got there first – I was going to suggest a Gripple or similar product.

If you are going to do this, especially where people may be walking/sitting/standing under the sign, you should be using rated aircraft cable and assembly hardware. The Gripple is easily adjusted and generally more accurate than using rope or line, since you don't have "slippage" between getting the height set and securing the knot. This system is frequently used to hang lightweight video screens.
 

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