Tension and Hinge Force Problem

[Art_Vandelay]

Homework Statement

The 135-N uniform beam from which 14-N wooden blocks are suspended is pinned to the ground. The beam is then supported by a cable (attached at the center of the beam) to allow the blocks to hang freely.

If the blocks are attached two-fifths and three-fifths of the way up the beam, θc=12° and θb=20°, what tension must the cable supply?
What is the hinge force at the bottom of the beam?

The image can be seen here: http://i.imgur.com/tVm7RMS.jpg

Homework Equations

τ = rmgsinθ
Fx = 0
Fy = 0

The Attempt at a Solution

I'm not even sure where to begin tackling this problem. The two angles given are throwing me off, so I can't decide when or how to use either and if I should find the hinge forces first or the wire tension. Any help to point me in the right direction would be greatly appreciated!

 

[ehild]

Draw all force vectors. Find their horizontal and vertical components and write up the equations of equilibrium for the beam. Two for the x and y components of the forces and one for the torque. ehild

 

[Art_Vandelay]

Draw all force vectors. Find their horizontal and vertical components and write up the equations of equilibrium for the beam. Two for the x and y components of the forces and one for the torque. ehild

Does this seem correct? It's the closest thing I could think of. Also, would I substitute 1 for L, since the blocks are given as fractions along the beam?
Fx: Tension*cos12 - HingeForce*cos20 = 0
Fy: Tension*sin12 + HingeForce*sin20 - 135 N - 14 N = 0
τorque = (-gravity*.5Length*cos20) + (-gravity*(2/5+3/5)Length*cos20) + (Tension*.5Length*cos12) + (HingeForce*cos20)

 

[ehild]

But nobody knows what are the meanings of the letters.

ehild

 

[Art_Vandelay]

But nobody knows what are the meanings of the letters.

ehild

Oops... :p

Just corrected it.

 

[ehild]

A hinge can exert force to any direction, not only in the direction parallel to the beam.
What do you mean on "gravity" in the equation for the torque?
If you wrote the torque with respect to the hinge, what is the torque of the hinge force?

ehild