Lock bolts missing from arbor plate?

[MNicolai]

What's the saying, "Your patent is only as good as the money you have to defend it."?

Nothing is really a patent until it's been challenged in court and comes out on top.

Not to mention that had Tiffin filed in the 80's, wouldn't that patent have already expired?

 

[BillConnerFASTC]

Anyone know if the retrospreader is still available? Graybeard Solutions? The website seems not active. www.retrospreader.com

 

[barry.a.nelson]

Yes it is. We just used them on a rigging inspection followup repair.

 

[JChenault]

So now that we know they exist. What is a retrospreader used for?

 

[AudJ]

So now that we know they exist. What is a retrospreader used for?

For all us lucky folk, who had arbors installed originally with only one spreader plate at the top of the weight stack. There should have been a few plates on each arbor, but are not.

How much? How do I order? Anyone have a new link?

 

[egilson1]

@BillConnerFASTC
Sapsis still has them on their web site.

http://www.sapsis-rigging.com/Merch...SRI&Product_Code=03-00-1364R&Category_Code=13

 

[BillConnerFASTC]

Today's' standard requires a spreader plate every two feet. The one that caused me to ask has them one per 5'. They are also available from the originator. Figure $30 each to allow for shipping. It may be a little less.

 

[AlwaysLearning]

I recently worked as a weight loader in a subpar theater where they instructed me not to tighten thumb screws holding down the spreader plates to the arbor. I said this was a dangerous practice. My opinion was that if arbor should hit crash bar, ceiling or floor, a brick could fly off. They disagreed. They like to leave them loose to save work. Honestly I would hand tighten them just to keep from losing thumb screws. What proof can I show these people that it is not safe? Is this a bad practice, I could be wrong?

 

[egilson1]

You are correct. You should be tightening those set screws. It’s a critical step is the attempt to keep the counterweight in the arbor should you have a run-a-way line set situation. The attached photo is an example of the result of such an incident. Page 6 of the Clancy operation manual specifically states to hand tighten the locking collars.

https://www.wengercorp.com/Lit/JR%20Clancy_Wenger/misc_docs/JRC_Cntrwt_Rigging_w_Bridge.pdf

 

[DaveySimps]

I recently worked as a weight loader in a subpar theater where they instructed me not to tighten thumb screws holding down the spreader plates to the arbor. I said this was a dangerous practice. My opinion was that if arbor should hit crash bar, ceiling or floor, a brick could fly off. They disagreed. They like to leave them loose to save work. Honestly I would hand tighten them just to keep from losing thumb screws. What proof can I show these people that it is not safe? Is this a bad practice, I could be wrong?

I would also considering not taking work in that space again. If they have that much of a lack of understanding on the features of their system, do not adhear to standard safety procedures, and focus on saving only seconds of work, it is likely a dangerous place to work in. Who knows what other corners they are cutting.

~Dave