Technical Design Solutions for Theatre

James Bender

Zero-Throw Casters

 

Most commonly, technicians see fixed and swivel casters as the only alternatives for rolling a platform across the stage. Even the more versatile of these, the swivel caster, has limitations when a change of direction is required. In reversing directions, the swivel caster tends to pivot around its point of contact with the floor, causing a familiar and unwelcome lurch.

The problem is avoidable, however. The solution lies in the use of the zero-throw caster, which allows a platform to move easily in any direction without the “throw” of the standard swivel caster. See Figures 1A through 1C.

FIGURE 1: THE Z