Leverage Within Knots


The original Z Rig animation

zrig.swf

 

How can a baby hold a bus?

BabyHoldingBus.swf

 

Knots and rigging are much alike. Each is just a rope machine. Therefore, studying rigging can give an enlarged view of the same operating forces; inside the microcosm of a knot.

 

These knot mechanics, work on force; as any other machinery. Force is Power X Distance. Force will want to work in a straight line or inline, to have the minimal distance multiplier; for a straight line is the minimal distance between 2 points. Any non-straight, or bent line, takes longer than the minimal straight line distance, therefore has a larger multiplier of distance to the power input, for a higher force output; this is called leveraging. The bend also shows that this multiplying is always rotational, to get the bend, of the longer distance route.

 

Therefore, only straight lines, can carry the same power all, along the length; bent lines alter this, by altering the distance needed for the same task. Just like a longer wrench takes a longer route for more power output; and is rotational force input to do so.

 

 

Friction, degrades the amount of force running in a line, this can happen on a straight run, but will always happen on a bend/ curve.

 

So, i think these are the prevailing forces in knots and in rigging too. Straight runs not manipulating force, while all bends and angles multiply force(s) as they have more distance than inline parts. Friction subtracts force, and must happen on a multiplying event(bend) to lessen it, and can happen on a straight run too. In the confined spaces of a knot, mostly the straights that don't manipulate force are dropped out, and the bends and frictions to manipulate force are kept.