New style Portable aerial rig

Ludwig's Portable aerial rig

Setting up is a dangerous activity. Incorrect assembly, failing to
properly secure screws, tipping over during set-up etc.

DO NOT allow someone to set up this rig that has not studied
and thoroughly understands the set-up procedure.

Do NOT allow children to set-up. Too easily distracted and will make mistakes.
The set-up and use of this equipment is YOUR responsibility. Take it seriously.

Inspect ALL components of rig and hardware and ROPE often.

If the rope is left outside for extended time, consider that the rope gets UV damage from the sun and needs special attention and inspection.

If you are planning on using a Pulley System, It would be a good idea to read this article on
The Physics of Rigging for a Freestanding Aerial Rig
by Delber Hall, President of D2 Flying Effects, LLC
ETCP Certified Rigger - Theatre
ETCP Recognized Trainer

Pulley System usage and warnings.
Pulleys systems 101
Please READ

Pulley Systems

Buy from a reputable supplier, there are aerial equipment suppliers that provide pulley systems, or if you assemble your own pulley system, use mountain climbing quiality equipment.

All Pulley system components need to me of high quality.
NOT HARDWARE STORE ROPES OR PULLEYS.
Use Mountain Climbint ropes and pulleys.
In mountain climbing rope the rated strength is of the inner core, The outer braided section is not part of the structural part of the rope. it is a protective cover of the core

Inspect your rope often, If you need replacement rope, the rope most commonly used and the rope you originally got from Aerial Animals pulley system is the mountain climbing rope, 11 mm, Static, ( not dynamic rope)

There are many different combinations for pulley systems.
I will present several here, from the simples to the more elaborate.

Caution:
If the pulley system is not a block & tackle type of arrangement that provides a mechanical advantage.
Then all the weight and forces of a drop are focused on the ONE leg that the pulley rope is tied off too.
If it is a multi-pulley 'Block and Tackle' type system, which is preferred, then only a portion of the weight and force is transferred to the one leg.
Example, if it is a 3:1 system, then 1/3 of weight and force is transferred to the leg.

If not using block& tackle system for a mechanical ADVANTAGE, then the apparatus & performer should be supported by 2 ropes tied off to 2 different legs, preferably opposite corners.

Video clips
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2CLt4BEBMRk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZoFTetFlHN8

And just for fun https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2V-RKHtBIFg
.

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The 1st Pulley system below is a SINGLE pulley/single rope system witch is NOT advised for performing on.
This is the arrangement that would be better suited for rigging pulley on the side of header and used to temporarily hoist up a temporary fabric or rope, climb up to rig other apparatus directly to the header eyebolts, then come back down, lower the temp fabric/rope and then wrap the pulley ropes around the legs to get them out of the way.
For a pulley system to PERFORM ON, it should be a either 2 ropes or Block & Tackle type with at least a 2:1 mechanical advantage.

All pulleys and rope are mountain climbing level equipment. ( no hardware style stuff)

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System-1, 1 single wheel suspension pulley, single rope (down 1 rig leg.)
              This set up is not advised for performing on, Rather, as a way to temporarily
               climb up and attach apparatus straight to header, then climb back down
                  For just a small amount more $, see System-2

1 single wheel pulley in middle, one medium size pulley in corner,
The amount of rope needed is 2 times the max rig height. plus some spare length. 75ft of rope.
SS means Stainless Steel

Variation,
Use two system 1 arrangements for single & double point rigging.
This also puts load across 2 ropes and pulleys vs. just one.
See system-4 on how these would be hung, just no mechanical advantage for lifting like system 3 & 4

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System-2 Single Block & Tackle style:
1 single wheel suspension pulley, single rope (down 1 rig leg.)
2:1 mechanical advantage.
Perform on the system for fabric, lyra or any single point apparatus.
Then if you need to switch to a 1 point apparatus like trapeze bar,
Hoist fabric with pulley system, including hoisting up the trapeze bar by temp. hanging it at top of fabric.
Climb up, rig trapeze to header,
come down, lower temporary fabric. put a weight on bottom pulley where fabric was hanging and
hoist weight up to get pulleys and rope out of way during trapeze performance.

1 single wheel pulley in top middle, 1 single wheel pulley in bottom middle, one medium size pulley in corner,
The amount of rope needed is 3 times the max rig height, plus some spare length. 100ft of rope.
SS means Stainless Steel

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System- 3       Block & Tackle style:
                                    Double wheel suspension pulley, double rope (down 2 rig legs.)
                                    2:1 mechanical advantage.

1 dbl wheel pulley in top middle, 1 single wheel pulley in bottom. middle, one medium size pulley in corner,
The amount of rope needed is 4 times the max rig height. plus some spare length. 100ft of rope.

When tying off a 2 rope system, easiest is to pull both ropes at same time to desired height,
walk to one leg and tie off 1 rope, then take other rope to other leg, adjust for evenness, then tie it off.

SS means Stainless Steel

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Adding & removing pulley system from your rig

Just unhook the pulleys leaving ropes in place, gather them together at top and
put a carabineer through them to hold them, then put into storage bag etc.

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Aerial Apparatus and Pulley system components

Tie-off cleats for extension feet.
The extension feet come with 1/2" holes at bottom that can be used for a 1/2" rod to be used as a tie-off cleat.

1. 2. 3. $12 each.
These have a stop on one side of rod against the 'foot',
and a hole on other side for a retainer pin.

Notice the tie-off technique. This is the same tie-off that is used by ships to a dock.
hoist the apparatus up and loop the rope around the cleat as shown in photo-2. Then make multiple wraps around the cleat.

NOTE that each time you put a wrap around the cleat it hase a 1/2 twist so that the lose end of the rope always comes out from behind the loop. Click on photo 3 for close-up.

Video clips
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2CLt4BEBMRk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2CLt4BEBMRk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZoFTetFlHN8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZoFTetFlHN8

And just for fun https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2V-RKHtBIFg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2V-RKHtBIFg

For rescue, to LOWER a performer that is stuck.
Carefully unwrap loops from cleat BUT, NOT ALL THE WAY. oOnly un-wrap to the point shown in photo 2.
Have people help you to keep control of rope so performer does not drop as you unwrap.

Once you have un-wrapped to the point in photo-2, you use the friction of the rope around
the cleat to slow down the rope and make it easier to control the rope to help lower a performer slowly.
This is similar to how friction is used to control rope on a fugure-8 while doing a rescue in mountaineering.

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Warning, Inspect your carabineers often for wear and damage.

Do not use Aluminum carabiners on STEEL pulleys.
The steel pulleys will wear through the Aluminum.