System for lifting a load using lifting cushions and end elements

Abstract

The invention relates to a system for lifting a load, comprising at least one lifting bag (1), wherein the at least one lifting bag (1) is designed to be inflatable from a flat state for placement beneath the load to an inflated state for lifting the load. The system is characterized in that an upper and / or lower end element (5, 7) is provided for receiving convex surfaces (2) of the at least one lifting bag (1), which are arranged between the load and the lifting bag (1) and / or between the ground and the lifting bag (1). Furthermore, the invention also relates to a system with at least two lifting bags 1, a kit of parts with at least one lifting bag (1), a method for lifting a load with at least one lifting bag (1), and an end element (5, 7) for use in a system with at least one lifting bag (1).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a system for lifting a load comprising at least one lifting cushion, wherein the at least one lifting cushion is designed to be inflatable from a flat state for placing under the load into an inflated state for lifting the load.

[0002] Lifting bags for lifting loads above a subsurface are well known in the art. They have a variable internal volume, which can be significantly increased by filling them with a pressurized medium, such as compressed air. By increasing the internal volume, loads resting on the lifting bag can be lifted. Such lifting bags are typically constructed so that a bladder made of vulcanized rubber material encloses the variable internal volume. The bladder can be protected from the external environment by a reinforcing layer. To fill the lifting bag with pressurized medium, a valve connection is also provided, which can provide a continuous connection from the environment to the variable internal volume of the bladder for inflating the lifting bag or deflating it.

[0003] Depending on their size, lifting bags are capable of lifting loads of several tons over a distance of several decimetres or metres. For example, vehicles, machinery, concrete components, building debris, and the like can be lifted. To lift the load, at least one of these lifting bags is placed flat and uninflated beneath the load and then usually inflated with compressed air. The lifting bag expands and increases in height or thickness. When the lifting bag makes contact with the load, it lifts the load. The described change in thickness or height of the lifting bag during inflation can also be referred to as the lifting bag's stroke.

[0004] Lifting bags can also be used to lift loads at an angle, shift them sideways, or spread components apart. Practical applications include, for example, lifting vehicles, lifting components, especially concrete parts, collapsed buildings, or shifting loads sideways, as well as spreading jammed vehicle doors or vehicle parts after accidents. The inclined lifting, shifting sideways, or spreading occurs analogously to the vertical lifting of a load in the vertical or perpendicular direction primarily described in the application, so that the lifting of the load in the present application is always to be understood as representative of the other applications as well.When in this context we speak in particular of stacking components of the system on top of each other, this can also mean arranging the components of the system next to each other with any spatial orientation of the system.

[0005] Several systems with lifting bags are known from the prior art. EP 3 303 208 B1 discloses a modular rescue system comprising a first and at least one second inflatable lifting bag, a connecting collar on the top and bottom sides as well as between each successive lifting bag for enclosingly receiving the inflatable lifting bag. The connecting collar is provided on one peripheral side with i attachment points that can be pivotally connected to a first and a second radial bracket. This first radial bracket can be pivotally connected to the connecting collar on the one hand and has a coupling segment on the other hand.

[0006] US 2 610 824 A discloses a lifting system comprising a plurality of rectangular inflatable bags arranged one above the other and having communicating air channels, a base supporting the bottom of the bags, a platform on top of the bags, a rigid frame enclosing the edges of each bag, a clamp device on opposite sides of the bags connecting the platform to the base, a device connecting the frames to the clamps, and a device for supplying compressed air to the bags.

[0007] US 5 938 179 A discloses a geometrically shaped cushion for lifting and positioning objects, which has a layer of liquid-impermeable, non-porous material forming an expandable bladder with opposite ends, and a first layer of wound threads enclosing the expandable bladder.

[0008] US 2007 / 0186712 A1 discloses a double-acting, deformable, three-chamber fluid actuator consisting of three axisymmetric, coaxial diaphragms held together by two end pieces to form three chambers, namely an inner chamber, an intermediate chamber and an outer chamber, each chamber being supplied with fluid under pressure through corresponding ports attached to one of the end pieces.

[0009] When a lifting bag is inflated, two opposing convex surfaces form. One surface is in contact with the ground (lower surface) and the other surface with the load (upper surface). If the ground or the load in the contact area with the lifting bag has sharp edges or pointed shapes, or if there are pointed / sharp-edged objects such as stones or shards in the contact area, the lifting bag or its surface can be damaged, causing the pressure medium to escape unintentionally. This means that considerably more pressure medium must be supplied to the lifting bag to lift or hold the load than would be the case without damage. In the worst case, this can lead to the failure of the lifting bag, causing the load to sink uncontrollably.

[0010] In addition, the more the lifting bag is inflated to lift the load, the smaller the (lower) contact area between the lifting bag and the ground, as well as the (upper) contact area between the lifting bag and the load, become, as the curvature of the respective convex surfaces of the lifting bag increases during inflation. This also poses the problem that the surface pressure in the contact areas between the lifting bag and the load, as well as between the lifting bag and the ground, also increases.

[0011] Depending on the surface pressure, both the load and the surface may be deformed. The previously mentioned problem of damage to the lifting bag caused by sharp-edged or pointed objects or sections in the contact area is also exacerbated by high surface pressure.

[0012] Another problem when inflating the lifting bag is that the two opposing convex surfaces cause the lifting bag to change shape toward a more rounded (possibly spherical or ellipsoidal) shape as it inflates. The rounder the lifting bag becomes, the greater the risk that it will roll along the ground and / or beneath the load, potentially shifting the load perpendicular to the lifting direction or even rolling out from under the load. This could result in an uncontrolled descent or fall of the load, which would be fatal.

[0013] Therefore, the object of the invention is to provide a system with at least one lifting bag, as well as a system with at least two lifting bags, as well as a kit of parts with at least one lifting bag, as well as a method for lifting a load with at least one lifting bag, and finally a closure element for use in a system with at least one lifting bag, each of which enables a safer lifting of a load compared to the prior art.

[0014] This object is achieved by the subject matter and methods having the features of the independent claims. Further, particularly advantageous embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the respective dependent claims and the following description.

[0015] It should be noted that the features listed individually in the claims can be combined with one another in any technically reasonable manner (even across category boundaries, for example, between methods and devices) and demonstrate further embodiments of the invention. The description further characterizes and specifies the invention, particularly in conjunction with the figures.

[0016] It should also be noted that a conjunction "and / or" used herein between two features and linking them together is always to be interpreted in such a way that in a first embodiment of the subject matter according to the invention only the first feature can be present, in a second embodiment only the second feature can be present and in a third embodiment both the first and the second feature can be present.

[0017] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a system for lifting a load comprises at least one lifting bag, wherein the at least one lifting bag is inflatable from a flat state for placement under the load to an inflated state for lifting the load, and wherein the at least one lifting bag forms at least two convex surfaces in the inflated state, wherein the at least two convex surfaces are arranged opposite one another on the at least one lifting bag, wherein one of the at least two convex surfaces of the at least one lifting bag is arranged close to the load when lifting the load and the other of the at least two convex surfaces of the at least one lifting bag is arranged far from the load when lifting the load. The system is characterized in that a) an upper-side closure element is provided, wherein the upper-side closure element has a receiving area for at least partially receiving the convex surface of the at least one lifting cushion arranged near the load and is arranged on the convex surface of the at least one lifting cushion arranged near the load, and / or b) a lower end element is provided, wherein the lower end element has a receiving area for at least partially receiving the convex surface of the at least one lifting bag arranged remote from the load and is arranged on the convex surface of the at least one lifting bag arranged remote from the load.

[0018] In the following description of at least one lifting bag, for the sake of simplicity, we will from now on refer to only one lifting bag, which is also to be understood as representative of several lifting bags, since the features and descriptions (such as the shape, geometry, etc.) can be applicable to or can apply to all lifting bags.

[0019] If multiple lifting bags are provided in the system, the multiple lifting bags in the system are designed identically. However, the lifting bags can also be designed differently from one another.

[0020] The lifting bag has a variable internal volume for filling with a pressure medium, in particular compressed air, to increase the variable internal volume. The lifting bag is designed for lifting loads. For this purpose, the lifting bag can have a bladder, wherein the bladder encloses the variable internal volume. In particular, the bladder is made of vulcanized rubber material or homogeneous raw rubber.

[0021] The bladder can be surrounded by a reinforcement layer arranged around the inner bladder, facing the external environment. The environment includes, for example, the substrate and the load. The reinforcement layer serves, on the one hand, to protect the bladder from damage caused by contact with the load or the substrate, and, on the other hand, to strengthen the bladder so that it can, for example, absorb higher pressures and greater loads.

[0022] It can be provided that the reinforcement layer and the inner bladder are integrally bonded to one another, in particular vulcanized together.

[0023] The reinforcement layer can be integrated into the bladder, eliminating the need for a separate internal bladder. In other words, the bladder is reinforced by an integrated reinforcement layer.

[0024] The reinforcement layer can be formed as a fabric layer, for example made of Kevlar.

[0025] The lifting bag is placed flat under the load, in a state in which it is not or only partially inflated. Whether or how much the lifting bag is inflated is of secondary importance. The lifting bag only needs to be flat enough to be placed in a gap or space between the load and the ground. After being placed under the load, the lifting bag is filled or further filled with the pressure medium, i.e., inflated.

[0026] The lifting bag has two oppositely arranged convex, in particular hemispherical or semi-ellipsoidal, surfaces when inflated. The convex surfaces of one lifting bag are arranged facing away from each other. The concave backs of the convex surfaces face each other. The concave backs correspond to the inside of the lifting bag that delimit the free internal volume. One convex surface is arranged close to the load (far from the ground) when the load is being lifted, i.e. this convex surface points in the direction of the load and, in the inflated state, has indirect contact with the load via an upper end element. The other convex surface is arranged far from the load (near the ground) when the load is being lifted, i.e. this convex surface points in the direction of the ground and, in the inflated state, has indirect contact with the ground via an lower end element.

[0027] It can further be provided that the lifting bag has a three-dimensional spherical or three-dimensional ellipsoidal shape in an inflated state. In particular, the lifting bag therefore has at least one spherical or ellipsoidal shape in the inflated state, with the convex surfaces each being formed from at least a portion of the spherical or ellipsoidal surface.

[0028] Spherical and ellipsoidal (or spherical and ellipsoidal) are to be understood in the context of this application to mean that the external shape of the lifting bag in the inflated state without the effect of a load essentially corresponds to a three-dimensional sphere or a three-dimensional ellipsoid, respectively. However, smaller corners or projections or functional elements or sections may protrude from the sphere or ellipsoid. The corners or projections may, for example, result from a basic shape of the lifting bag in the non-inflated state (for example, from a flat polygonal shape or connections for filling, attachment points, handles, etc.). The aforementioned sphere or ellipsoid does not have to be a perfect, geometrically exact shape. The sphere or ellipsoid may also be deformed and / or compressed or stretched in one or more spatial directions.In particular, the lifting bag may be severely deformed when the load is lifted due to the effect of the load, so that it may deviate from the shape described here due to the corresponding load.

[0029] When the lifting bag is not inflated, it is in the deflated state, which can also be referred to as the ground state or flat ground state. In the deflated state, the lifting bag can be shaped as a flat cuboid, flat cube, flat prism, or flat cylinder, each with a low height. A low height or flat in this context means that the height is many times smaller than the other dimensions of the lifting bag, such as its width and length, or its diameter.

[0030] With a cuboid-shaped basic shape of the lifting bag in the deflated state, the cross-section of the lifting bag in the inflated state can be elliptical or circular. In this case, the cross-section runs, for example, through a minimum diameter of the lifting bag in the inflated state.

[0031] The lifting bags described here can lift loads of varying weights depending on their size. Practical tests have shown that a lifting bag with a basic square shape, i.e. when deflated, with a width and length of 14 cm each, can lift a load of approximately 1.3 t. With a width and length of 32 cm, approximately 10 t can be lifted; with a width and length of 61 cm, approximately 40 t; with a length of 86 cm, approximately 80 t; and with a length of 95 cm, approximately 100 t. These dimensions correspond in magnitude to the typical sizes of the lifting bags discussed here, as well as to the typical loads that can be lifted. The sizes of the lifting bags and the loads that can be lifted can be larger or smaller, in particular, by a factor of five.

[0032] A key feature of the invention is the finding that the contact between the lifting bag and the load to be lifted, as well as between the lifting bag and the ground beneath it, is significantly improved by the proposed end elements. For example, an upper end element optimises the contact between the lifting bag and the load, and / or a lower end element optimises the contact between the lifting bag and the ground beneath. The upper end element is positioned between the lifting bag and the load, and the lower end element is positioned between the lifting bag and the ground beneath. In particular, the lifting bag therefore has no direct contact with the load or the ground beneath, but only with the end elements. The task of carrying out the lifting movement can thus be separated to a certain extent from the task of transmitting force to the load.The requirements for the reaction forces acting on the ground are met by separate, independent system components. Accordingly, the end elements can be optimized on one side for contact with the lifting bag, specifically the convex surfaces of the lifting bag made of flexible vulcanized material, and on the other side, facing away from the lifting bag, for contact with the load or the ground. This allows for an increase in the contact surface area with the ground or load, even with large lifts, compared to if the end element were not provided.

[0033] The top and bottom end elements can, in particular, be of identical design. However, it is also possible for the two end elements to be designed differently.

[0034] The upper end element has a receiving area for at least partially receiving the convex surface of the lifting bag arranged close to the load.

[0035] This receiving area can be concave, corresponding to the convex surface. The receiving area does not have to be continuously or consistently concave; in particular, the receiving area can be flattened in the center, thus interrupting the concave shape in the center, so that the convex surface of the lifting bag can still be sufficiently accommodated in the receiving area of ​​the end element.

[0036] The upper end element is, in particular, slidably mounted on the convex surface of the lifting bag located near the load. In other words, the upper end element is, in particular, not rigidly connected to the convex surface of the lifting bag located near the load.

[0037] The underside end element has a receiving area for at least partially receiving the convex surface of the lifting bag, which is located farthest from the load. This receiving area can be concave, corresponding to the convex surface. The receiving area does not have to be continuously or consistently concave; in particular, the receiving area can be flattened in the center, thus interrupting the concave shape in the center, so that the convex surface of the lifting bag can still be adequately accommodated in the receiving area of ​​the end element.

[0038] The lower end element is, in particular, slidably mounted on the convex surface of the lifting bag, which is located far from the load. In other words, the upper end element is, in particular, not rigidly connected to the convex surface of the lifting bag, which is located far from the load.

[0039] In the following, only the end elements will be referred to as representative of both end elements (top and bottom end elements) and, as a rule, where it is not necessary, no distinction will be made between the top and bottom end elements, since the features and descriptions can be applicable or apply to both end elements, in particular with regard to their geometries.

[0040] The end elements prevent direct contact between the lifting bag and the load or the ground, thus protecting the lifting bag from the direct effects of the load or the ground. For example, contact between the lifting bag and sharp-edged or pointed surfaces of the load and the ground is prevented, as well as objects (such as sharp stones) that may be located between the system and the load or between the system and the ground.

[0041] To make the end elements resistant to damage, they can be made solid, meaning they are not inflatable, unlike lifting bags. This way, minor damage to the surface of the end elements does not impair their functionality.

[0042] In this context, "solid" refers to a component made of solid material that is not predominantly hollow. A solid end element already has its final geometric shape in its basic form. It can also be flexible or deformable, allowing it to assume a different shape under the application of force. Hollow spaces can also be provided in the solid end element, but these hollow spaces do not exceed the volume of the end element.

[0043] The end elements could also be designed to be inflatable, allowing for particularly space-saving transport.

[0044] In particular, the end elements are made of natural rubber or raw rubber. They can preferably be reinforced with a reinforcing layer, for example, analogous to the described reinforcing layer of the lifting bags, especially if the end elements are inflatable.

[0045] The arrangement of the bottom end element, the top end element, and the lifting bag arranged in between is referred to as the stacked state of the system. In the stacked state, the bottom end element (farthest from the load) is followed by the lifting bag, and then the top end element (closest to the load). If the system is in the stacked state, the system can also be referred to as a stack. The end elements and the lifting bag can be arranged along a stacking axis, which can, for example, run essentially centrally through the lifting bag or essentially centrally through the two convex surfaces of the lifting bag. The stacking axis can run vertically or vertically upright, particularly at the beginning of the load lifting. During the lifting of the load, the stacking axis can tilt or bend due to the load effect.

[0046] In particular, the lifting bag can be uninflated, partially inflated, or fully inflated in the stacked state. When stacked with partially or fully inflated lifting bags, the load is raised higher than when not inflated. The system can also be placed under the load in a stack in the uninflated state, i.e., with the lifting bag in a flat state. The flat state of the lifting bag includes the uninflated state of the lifting bag and, in particular, also a partially, i.e., slightly, inflated state of the lifting bag, in which the system can still be placed under the load.

[0047] The alignment of the stack or stack axis can change during load lifting, as the load is generally not resting exclusively on the system but has additional support points on the ground. Therefore, the load is not always lifted exactly vertically, but tilted during lifting depending on the additional support points, i.e., it is lifted more in the area of ​​the system than in areas close to the additional support points of the load on the ground. Therefore, since the contact point of the upper end element with the load does not move exactly along the stack axis when the lifting bag is inflated, while the lower end element remains in its position relative to the ground, the stack axis can bend or tilt when the load is lifted.

[0048] Before lifting the load, the end elements can be deliberately offset relative to the center on the corresponding convex surface, thus being positioned off-center with respect to the stacking axis. Such offsetting or off-center alignment of the end elements achieves a certain inclination of the end elements, allowing the alignment of the end elements to be adapted to the orientation of the contact surface to the load or the contact surface to the substructure.

[0049] Advantageous embodiments and variants of the invention emerge from the dependent claims and the following description. The features listed individually in the dependent claims can be combined with each other in any technically reasonable manner, as well as with the features explained in more detail in the following description, and represent other advantageous embodiments of the invention.

[0050] In one embodiment of the system, the upper-side closure element has a flat closure surface which is arranged opposite the receiving area of ​​the upper-side closure element, and / or the lower-side closure element has a flat closure surface which is arranged opposite the receiving area of ​​the lower-side closure element.

[0051] The flat end surface of the top end element serves to optimize the contact between the system and the load by forming a contact surface between the top end element and the load.

[0052] The flat end surface of the underside end element serves to optimize the contact of the system with the substrate by forming a contact surface between the underside end element and the substrate.

[0053] A flat surface is defined as a substantially flat surface. However, in this context, "substantially flat" also means that the surface may also have structures, nubs, ribbing, roughness, and the like.

[0054] A flat end face is ideal because it provides a much better connection to the load or the ground than a convex end face. A flat end face is particularly advantageous when the surface of the load or the ground with which the end element forms the contact surface is also flat. This creates a large contact area between the end element and the load or the ground. With a convex end face, such as is generally provided by a lifting bag without a corresponding end element, the end element could tend to roll off the contact surface.

[0055] Instead of a flat end surface on the respective end elements, however, another design can also provide a concave end surface, which is arranged opposite the respective receiving area of ​​the end element. A concave end surface is particularly suitable when the load or the substrate has a convex surface as a contact surface with the end element. For example, when a load is to be lifted over a corner located on it. The concave end surfaces can be designed in particular analogous to the concave receiving areas.

[0056] In a first variant of the invention, the upper and / or lower end element comprises a measuring unit for detecting the absolute inclination of the upper end element and / or the lower end element. A measuring unit can be provided for detecting the absolute inclination of the respective end elements, i.e., the orientation or inclination of a plane of the end elements in space.

[0057] The inclination of a plane can be determined, for example, using a normal vector.

[0058] The absolute inclination of the plane of the end element refers to the inclination compared to a horizontal plane.

[0059] For the sake of simplicity, to determine the absolute inclination, only the angle between the normal vectors of the horizontal plane and the plane of the end element can be determined, without taking into account the orientation of the plane of the end element in space. The inclination of the plane of the end element is then determined using only this single angle.

[0060] However, the orientation of the plane of the end element in space can also be determined. For example, the orientation of the plane of the end element can be determined using the two angles of the plane of the end element with respect to a horizontal x-axis and a y-axis orthogonal to it and also horizontally arranged (a Cartesian coordinate system fixed in space). If the normal vector of the plane of the end element is known, the orientation of the plane of the end element in space can also be determined from the normal vector. The orientation of the Cartesian coordinate system can be determined using the cardinal directions.

[0061] In particular, three reference points on the end element can be used to define the plane of the end element. The plane of the end element is, in particular, aligned parallel to a plane spanned by the flat end surface and, in particular, coincides with it. In this way, the inclination of the flat end surface can be determined.

[0062] In a second variant of the invention, the upper and / or lower end element comprises a measuring unit for detecting a relative inclination of the upper end element, in particular relative to the lower end element. It is also conceivable that a relative inclination of the lower end element, in particular relative to the upper end element, is detected.

[0063] The relative inclination is recorded analogously to the absolute inclination recording described above.

[0064] In a third variant of the invention, the top and / or bottom end element comprises a measuring unit for detecting the distance between the top end element and the bottom end element. The distance between the two end elements can, for example, refer to the direct distance between the two geometric centers of the end elements. In other words, the distance then corresponds to the length of the direct connecting line between the two geometric centers of the two end elements.

[0065] The distance can also refer to the direct distance between two defined points, with one point being located on the top end element and the other point on the bottom end element. The points can be located, in particular, on the flat end surfaces of the end elements, for example, at the respective geometric centers of the flat end surfaces.

[0066] In particular, the direct distance between the two end elements can be used to determine, for example, the stroke of the lifting bag or the total stroke of a system consisting of several lifting bags. The total stroke is the sum of the strokes of the individual lifting bags.

[0067] In a further embodiment of the system, the system comprises a compressed air control for supplying compressed air to the at least one lifting bag.

[0068] The compressed air control regulates the flow of pressure medium into and out of the lifting bag. It can fill the lifting bag with compressed air via the valve connection or release the compressed air from the lifting bag. The pressure in the lifting bag or other measured values ​​can be used for control purposes.

[0069] The compressed air control system can also include an automatic control system that automatically regulates the inflation of the lifting bag. Control parameters can include, for example, a change in the pressure in the lifting bag over time or other measured value changes. Control systems that maintain certain parameters can also be beneficial, such as keeping the pressure in the lifting bag constant or maintaining other measured values ​​constant.

[0070] In a further embodiment of the system, one or both of the end elements have an anti-slip surface, which is arranged opposite the receiving area of ​​the end element. The anti-slip surface can be arranged on the flat end surface of the end element. Since the end elements should form the most secure contact with the load or the ground, an anti-slip surface is recommended in the contact area between the load and the upper end element and in the contact area between the ground and the lower end element.

[0071] Such an anti-slip surface can be formed by a microscopically rough surface structure (i.e., a roughness that exceeds the natural roughness of the anti-slip surface material), and / or a macroscopically rough surface, and / or a material with a high coefficient of friction (such as rubber or silicone). Various structures such as concentrically arranged rings, grooves, nubs, or the like with macroscopic dimensions (e.g., in the millimeter or centimeter range) are suitable as macroscopically rough surface structures.

[0072] Therefore, the anti-slip surface has in particular a structured surface and / or a rubber coating and / or notches introduced into the surface and / or projections protruding from the surface, in particular knobs and / or ribs.

[0073] In a further embodiment of the system, the upper-side closure element comprises a toroidal body, wherein the toroidal body forms the receiving area of ​​the upper-side closure element in such a way that a continuous contact surface is formed along a circular line with the convex surface of the at least one lifting bag arranged near the load. Reference to a circular line here and subsequently does not necessarily have to be the geometrically exact shape of a circle with a constant radius. Rather, the contact surface can also be formed along a circumferential line that deviates from an ideal circle or corresponds to another geometric shape (e.g., an ellipse).The contact surface does not have to be exactly linear, but can also be flat to a certain extent, particularly due to the deformability of at least the adjacent lifting cushion along the circular line, so that a circular contact surface is formed.

[0074] The lower end element can also comprise a toroidal body, wherein the toroidal body forms the receiving area of ​​the lower end element in such a way that a continuous contact surface is formed along a circular line to the convex surface of the at least one lifting cushion arranged remote from the load.

[0075] A torus is a ring-shaped body with a circular cross-section. To form the torus, the circular cross-section is rotated one full revolution around a central axis and spaced by a radius, and the circular cross-section is thereby extruded. The torus-shaped body of the end element can essentially correspond to such a torus.

[0076] The receiving area comprises a circular or annular contact surface along a circular line. The width of the contact surface extends perpendicular to the circular line and depends on the deformability of the end element and the lifting bag. The more deformable the end element and the lifting bag, the wider the contact surface.

[0077] In a further embodiment, the receiving area of ​​the upper-side closure element is formed by a concave section of a molded body. The concave section is preferably formed as part of the inner surface of a cut-open ellipsoid, in particular a cut-open sphere, in particular a truncated cone.

[0078] The receiving area of ​​the lower end element can also be formed by a concave section of a shaped body. The concave section is preferably formed as part of the inner surface of a cut-open ellipsoid, in particular a cut-open sphere, in particular a truncated cone.

[0079] The shaped body of the end element can be mirror-symmetrical and, in particular, rotationally symmetrical.

[0080] The concave sections each form the receiving area for the convex surfaces of the lifting bag. The concave sections can have a greater curvature than the corresponding convex surfaces of the lifting bag. This allows the convex surfaces to form a circular contact surface with the receiving area.

[0081] However, it can also be advantageous if the concave sections have a smaller curvature than the corresponding convex surfaces of the lifting bags. This allows the convex surfaces to extend far into the receiving areas.

[0082] In a further embodiment of the system, the receiving area of ​​the upper-side end element and / or the receiving area of ​​the lower-side end element is formed by a cup-shaped molded body.

[0083] For the purposes of the application, a bowl is understood to be an open container with a relatively small vertical extension, which body is generally round, oval, or polygonal in shape. The bowl has a raised rim on its open side with a depression in the center. Examples of a bowl-shaped body are a bowl, a plate, a soup bowl, or a cup.

[0084] The receiving area can then be formed from the open side of the bowl.

[0085] In a further embodiment, the upper end element and / or the lower end element are inflatable. This means that the end element can be inflated from its basic shape, from a non-inflated state with a basic shape, to an inflated state with a shape that differs from the basic shape and has a larger volume.

[0086] In another embodiment of the system, the end elements or the shaped bodies are solid. In this context, "solid" refers to a body made of solid material, i.e., not hollow. The solid end element already has its final geometric shape in its basic form. A solid end element can also be designed to be flexible or deformable, so that it can assume a slightly different shape under the application of force. Hollow spaces can also be provided in the solid end element, but these hollow spaces do not predominate in the volume of the end element.

[0087] In a further embodiment of the system, the system comprises at least two lifting bags, wherein the at least two lifting bags are designed to be inflatable from a flat state for placing beneath the load to an inflated state for lifting the load, and wherein the at least two lifting bags each form at least two convex surfaces in the inflated state, wherein the convex surfaces of a lifting bag are arranged opposite one another on the lifting bag, wherein one of the two convex surfaces of one of the at least two lifting bags is arranged close to the load for lifting the load and one of the two convex surfaces of the other of the at least two lifting bags is arranged far from the load for lifting the load, wherein the at least two lifting bags are arranged adjacently in a stacked state such that the other of the two convex surfaces of the at least two lifting bags are arranged facing one another.The system is characterized in that an upper-side end element is provided with a receiving area for at least partially receiving the convex surface of the lifting bag arranged close to the load, wherein the upper-side end element is arranged on the convex surface arranged close to the load, and / or that a lower-side end element is provided with a receiving area for at least partially receiving the convex surfaces of the lifting bag arranged far from the load, wherein the lower-side end element is arranged on the convex surface arranged far from the load.

[0088] The key difference from the previously described system with only one lifting bag is that more than one lifting bag is now used to lift the load, and the lifting bags are stacked on top of each other. The lifting bags are stacked along a stacking axis, beginning with the bottom end element, followed by a bottommost lifting bag. The bottom end element is followed by additional lifting bags, if necessary, and finally by a topmost lifting bag, followed by the top end element.

[0089] The upper end element is arranged on the topmost lifting bag in the stack, in particular also along the stack axis. The upper end element closes off the stack in the direction of the load and is arranged between the topmost lifting bag and the load. The lower end element is arranged below the bottommost lifting bag in the stack, in particular also along the stack axis. The lower end element closes off the stack in the direction of the ground and is arranged between the bottommost lifting bag and the ground.

[0090] In the stacked state, the lifting bags are stacked in such a way that the convex surfaces of adjacent lifting bags face each other.

[0091] The lifting bags can be stacked vertically, i.e., vertically aligned, or arranged side by side, horizontally, to form a stack. The alignment of the stack is adapted to the specific task of the system, for example, vertically lifting a load, diagonally or sideways shifting a load, or spreading two components apart. Therefore, the system is not only suitable for lifting a load, but also for diagonally lifting or moving a load, and / or sideways shifting a load, and / or spreading components apart.

[0092] The features of the previously described system with one lifting bag can be transferred to the system with at least two lifting bags.

[0093] In one embodiment of the system with at least two lifting bags, at least one intermediate element can be provided, wherein the at least one intermediate element has two oppositely arranged receiving areas for at least partially receiving the mutually facing convex surfaces of the at least two lifting bags, wherein the at least one intermediate element is arranged between the at least two lifting bags in the stacked state of the system for lifting the load, wherein one of the two oppositely arranged receiving areas is designed and arranged in the stacked state of the system to receive one of the two mutually facing convex surfaces, and the other of the two oppositely arranged receiving areas is designed and arranged in the stacked state to receive the other of the two mutually facing convex surfaces.

[0094] Due to the arrangement of the convex surfaces of the lifting bags relative to one another, the lifting bags may tend to roll off one another, potentially causing the stack to collapse. This occurs more frequently when the system is loaded off-center by the load or the substructure, i.e., offset from a stacking axis running through the center of the stack. Particularly with heavy loads such as vehicles, concrete parts, or heavy machinery, it would be fatal if the lifting bags rolled away or the stack collapsed. Therefore, the present embodiment uses an intermediate element that impedes or even prevents the lifting bags from rolling over their mutually facing convex surfaces.

[0095] Preferably, in a system with an integer number n of lifting bags, a number n-1 of intermediate elements are provided, so that an intermediate element is always arranged between two adjacent lifting bags.

[0096] One receiving area of ​​the intermediate element serves to at least partially accommodate a convex surface of one lifting bag, and the other receiving area serves to at least partially accommodate a convex surface of the other lifting bag arranged adjacent to the one lifting bag. The convex lifting bags can thus be partially accommodated by the receiving areas. The intermediate element is arranged between two adjacent lifting bags, so that the two mutually facing convex surfaces of adjacent lifting bags are accommodated in the receiving areas of the intermediate element.

[0097] The formulation that the convex surfaces are at least partially recordable means that not the entire convex surface needs to be recorded in the recording area. To stabilize the stack, it is sufficient if only a portion of the convex surface is recorded in the recording area. For example, if 20%, 30%, 50%, 70%, or 90% of the convex surface is recorded in the recording area. In particular, however, it can also be advantageous if the entire convex surface, i.e., 100%, is recorded in the recording area.

[0098] The wording “covered by the receiving area” means in the context of the application that the part of the convex surface which is covered by the receiving area is covered, concealed, enclosed and / or enclosed by the intermediate element or the receiving area.

[0099] The intermediate element and its receiving areas can, in particular, be designed such that the two convex surfaces of the lifting cushions do not touch each other. For this purpose, the receiving areas can, for example, be shaped accordingly or adapted with regard to their geometric dimensions, in particular the depth of the receiving area.

[0100] In one embodiment of the system, the at least one intermediate element comprises a toroidal body, wherein the toroidal body forms the two receiving areas in such a way that, in the stacked state of the system, a contiguous contact surface along a circular line to the convex surfaces of the at least two lifting cushions is produced.

[0101] In particular, the intermediate element is formed from the toroidal body.

[0102] To prevent the convex surfaces from touching through the torus, the opening in the center of the torus-shaped body can be closed by a separating layer. Alternatively or additionally, the circular cross-section of the torus can be chosen so large, and at the same time, the radius of the torus can be chosen so small, that the convex surfaces can no longer touch through the opening in the center of the torus-shaped body due to their curvature. In particular, there may even be no opening at all in the center of the torus.

[0103] The receiving areas of the intermediate element each comprise a circular contact surface with the respective convex surface along a circular line. The two resulting contact surfaces are arranged opposite one another on the toroidal body. The width of the contact surface extends transversely to the circular line and depends on the deformability of the intermediate element and the lifting bag. The more deformable the intermediate element and the lifting bag, the wider the contact surface becomes. At this point and subsequently, whenever a circular line is mentioned, this does not have to be the geometrically exact shape of a circle with a constant radius. Rather, the contact surface can also form along a circumferential line that deviates from an ideal circle or corresponds to another geometric shape (e.g., an ellipse).The contact surface does not have to be exactly linear, but can also be flat to a certain extent, particularly due to the deformability of at least the adjacent lifting cushion along the circular line, so that a circular contact surface is formed.

[0104] If the torus is aligned horizontally, one recording area is located on the upper, inner part of the torus, and the other recording area is located on the lower, inner part of the torus.

[0105] The part of the convex surface that is received by the receiving area can be considered as the area enclosed by the circular contact surface or the part of the convex surface that is received by the receiving area because it projects into the intermediate element.

[0106] In particular, an intermediate element as described above can also be suitable as a final element.

[0107] In a further embodiment of the system, the receiving area of ​​the upper-side closing element and / or the receiving area of ​​the lower-side closing element is designed such that, in a transport state of the system, the at least one intermediate element can be stored in the receiving area of ​​the upper-side closing element and / or in the receiving area of ​​the lower-side closing element.

[0108] The transport state of the system is the state in which the system and its components are not in use, for example, when being transported between deployment locations or between deployment locations and storage locations. In this transport state, any inflatable components (lifting bags, end elements, intermediate elements) are essentially deflated and in their ground state. In this context, "essential" means that the components may still contain a negligible amount of air.

[0109] The receiving areas of the end elements typically have a recess that can be used to store the intermediate elements during transport of the system. For example, an intermediate element can be stored in a single receiving area.

[0110] However, it is also conceivable to combine the receiving areas of the two end elements into a common cavity. To this end, the two end elements can be arranged and connected to each other in such a way that the two receiving areas enclose a common cavity in which one or more intermediate elements can be stored. In this way, the end elements form a kind of transport box for the intermediate elements.

[0111] Other components of the system such as compressed air controls, compressed air fittings, compressed air hoses, compressors, cables, lifting bags, mounting materials, connecting elements or the like can also be stored in the recess or cavity.

[0112] In particular, the upper-side closure element and the lower-side closure element of the system are therefore designed to be connectable to one another in a transport state of the system in such a way that the receiving area of ​​the upper-side closure element and the receiving area of ​​the lower-side closure element form a common, preferably closed, inner cavity for storing components, in particular for storing the at least one intermediate element.

[0113] According to a further independent aspect of the invention, a kit of parts is also proposed, which comprises at least one lifting cushion for use in a proposed system and a top-side closure element for use in such a system, wherein the at least one lifting cushion and the top-side closure element can be positioned together for lifting a load in the stacked state.

[0114] In one embodiment of the kit of parts, a lower end closure element for use in the system is also part of the kit of parts, wherein the lower end closure element can be positioned together with the at least one lifting cushion and the upper end closure element for lifting a load in the stacked state.

[0115] Conversely, it could also be provided that the proposed kit of parts with at least one lifting bag, in its simplest embodiment, initially has a lower end element, and the at least one lifting bag can be positioned together with this lower end element in the stacked state for lifting a load. According to an advantageous embodiment, this kit of parts can then additionally comprise a top end element, as described above, as a third component.

[0116] According to a further independent aspect of the invention, a method for lifting a load by means of at least one lifting bag, an upper end element, and a lower end element is also proposed, wherein the at least one lifting bag is inflated from a flat state for placement under the load to an inflated state for lifting the load, wherein at least two convex surfaces are formed during inflation, wherein the at least one lifting bag, the upper end element, and the lower end element for lifting the load are arranged adjacently in a stacked state such that one of the two convex surfaces of the at least one lifting bag is arranged close to the load and the other of the two convex surfaces of the at least one lifting bag is arranged far from the load. The method is characterized in that at least the following steps are carried out: a) arranging the upper end element with a receiving area for at least partially receiving the convex surface arranged close to the load between the at least one lifting cushion and the load; and b) arranging the underside end element with a receiving area for at least partially receiving the convex surface arranged near the load between the at least one lifting cushion and a substrate; and that the convex surface arranged close to the load, which is formed by the inflation of the at least one lifting cushion, is at least partially received in the receiving area of ​​the upper-side closure element, and the convex surface arranged far from the load, which is formed by the inflation of the at least one lifting cushion, is at least partially received in the receiving area of ​​the lower-side closure element.

[0117] The order of the procedural steps is not mandatory. If technically possible and reasonable, the procedural steps can be performed in a different order.

[0118] According to the invention, at least during the inflation of the at least one lifting bag, a distance between the upper end element and the lower end element is detected, or at least during the inflation of the at least one lifting bag, a relative inclination between the upper end element and the lower end element is detected, or at least during the inflation of the at least one lifting bag, an absolute inclination of the upper end element and / or the lower end element is detected.

[0119] According to a further independent aspect of the invention, a closure element for use in a proposed system as an upper or lower closure element, in particular for use in a proposed method as an upper or lower closure element, is also proposed, wherein the closure element has a receiving area for receiving a convex surface of a lifting bag arranged near or far from the load.

[0120] The present invention will be explained in detail below using exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying figures. They show: Fig. 1 a system for lifting a load comprising a lifting cushion and two end elements, Fig. 2 a perspective and cutaway view of the system from Fig. 1, Fig. 3 a system for lifting a load in a non-inflated state comprising two lifting bags, two end elements, and an intermediate element, and Fig. 4 the system Fig. 3 in an inflated state.

[0121] In the figures, unless otherwise stated, the same reference symbols designate the same or corresponding components with the same function.

[0122] Fig. Figure 1 shows a system for lifting a load, comprising a lifting bag 1, a top end element 5, and a bottom end element 7. The system is shown in a stacked state, with the end elements 5 and 7 spaced apart from the lifting bag 1 in an exploded view for better visualization of the individual components. In use, the end elements 5 and 7 rest against the lifting bag 1 or its convex surfaces 2. The lifting bag 1 is inflated by compressed air, i.e., it is in the inflated state.

[0123] The one in the Fig. The stack shown in Figure 1, consisting of the lifting bag 1 and the end elements 5 and 7, is oriented perpendicularly or vertically, so that it can be used in this orientation to lift a load. For this purpose, the lifting bag 1 and the end elements 5 and 7 are arranged along a perpendicular or vertically extending stacking axis 16. Both the lifting bag 1 and the two end elements 5 and 7 are arranged centrally with respect to the stacking axis 16.

[0124] However, in another application, the stack can also be tilted by, for example, 90°, so that a load can be moved sideways. Other stack orientations are also conceivable, for example, to lift or move a load at an angle, or to spread components apart.

[0125] In the inflated state, the lifting bag 1 forms two oppositely arranged convex surfaces 2. The convex surfaces 2 and their arrangement to each other result from a flat basic state of the lifting bag 1, which in Fig. 3. In its basic state, the lifting bag 1 is in a non-inflated state and has a square or cuboid basic shape with a low height. When the lifting bag 1 is inflated, the large surfaces (the top and bottom in the figures) of the lifting bag 1 bulge out significantly more than the surfaces of the lifting bag 1 arranged laterally or vertically in the figures. In the figures, the lifting bags 1 are shown in the inflated state in a simplified manner by the graphic overlay of the convex surfaces 2 with the square basic shape of the lifting bag 1. In its final, inflated state, the square basic shape is no longer recognizable, but rather a round, inflated shape of the lifting bag 1 is present.

[0126] The end elements 5 and 7 are each formed as a cup-shaped body and have receiving areas 6 and 8 in the form of concave sections 15 for receiving the convex surfaces 2 of the lifting bags 1. The concave sections 15 each have the shape of the inner side of a truncated cone. Therefore, the concave shape of the respective concave section 15 is interrupted or cut off in the middle. Nevertheless, the respective concave section 15 serves as a whole to receive the essentially corresponding convex surfaces 2.

[0127] The two convex surfaces 2 are received in the receiving areas 6 and 8 of the end elements 5 and 7. For this purpose, the end elements 5 and 7 are moved, starting from the representations of the system in the figures, in the direction of the lifting cushion 1 and along the stacking axis 16 until they make contact with the respective convex surfaces 2.

[0128] The end elements 5 and 7 improve the contact of the respective lifting bag 1 with the load or the ground. The end elements 5 and 7 each have a flat end surface 13, which can form a larger and more stable contact surface with the load or the ground compared to the convex surfaces 2 of the lifting bag 1. The receiving areas 6 and 8 of the end elements 5 and 7 have a concave shape, whereby the contact areas of the end elements 5 and 7 on the lifting bag side are adapted to the convex surfaces 2 of the lifting bag 1. The receiving area 6 or 8 is not continuously or consistently concave, but flattened in the middle, whereby the concave course is interrupted in the middle so that the convex surfaces 2 of the lifting bag 1 can still be sufficiently accommodated in the respective receiving area 6 or 8 of the end element 5 or 7.

[0129] The end elements 5 and 7, or just one of the end elements 5 and 7, can be arranged offset or tilted relative to the vertical or perpendicular stacking axis 16. By staggering or tilting the arrangement, the system can be adapted to an inclined (non-horizontal) surface or to an inclined contact surface for the load.

[0130] Fig. 2 shows a basic perspective sectional view of the system from Fig. 1. Here, it is clearly visible that the lifting bag 1 is hollow and inflatable. The concave sections 15 of the end elements 5 and 7, which are each part of the corresponding receiving area 6 and 8, respectively, are clearly visible in this illustration. The concave sections 15 are each formed as the inside of a truncated cone. The concave area is thus interrupted or cut off in the middle. The end elements 5 and 7 are each cup-shaped and rotationally symmetrical.

[0131] Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 each show the same system for lifting a load comprising two lifting cushions 1, as well as an intermediate element 3 arranged between the lifting cushions 1, as well as two end elements 5 and 7. In Fig. 3 the system is shown in a non-inflated state. In Fig. 4, the system is shown in an inflated state, with the components of the system being shown partially spaced apart from each other in the manner of an exploded view (end elements 5, 7 not adjacent to the lifting bags 1) and the lifting bags 1 being inflated again, analogous to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, in the inflated form with their square basic bodies indicated from the non-inflated state.

[0132] The system is shown in a stacked state. The resulting stack, consisting of the two lifting bags 1, two end elements 5 and 7, and the intermediate element 3, is aligned vertically along the vertical stacking axis 16, so that it can be used in this orientation to lift a load. For this purpose, the lifting bags 1 and the intermediate element 3 are arranged centrally along the vertical stacking axis 16. The end elements 5 and 7 are also arranged centrally along the stacking axis 16.

[0133] The two lifting bags 1 are arranged adjacent to each other, with one convex surface 2 of one (upper) lifting bag 1 facing the one convex surface 2 of the other (lower) lifting bag 1. The intermediate element 3 is arranged between these two facing convex surfaces 2. The two convex surfaces 2 are each received in a receiving area 4 of the intermediate element 3, which fits well in Fig. 3 is recognizable.

[0134] The upper end element 5 is arranged close to the load, thus forming the contact of the system to the load, and the lower end element 7 is arranged far from the load and forming the contact of the system to the ground.

[0135] The end elements 5 and 7 are analogous to the end elements 5 and 7 from the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 designed and arranged. List of reference symbols 1 lifting cushion 2 convex surface 3 Intermediate element 4 Mounting area of ​​the intermediate element 5 top end element 6 Mounting area of ​​the top end element 7 bottom end element 8 Mounting area of ​​the lower end element 13 flat end surface 15 concave section 16 Stacking axis

Claims

[1] A system for lifting a load comprising at least one lifting bag (1), wherein the at least one lifting bag (1) is designed to be inflatable from a flat state for placing under the load to an inflated state for lifting the load, and wherein the at least one lifting bag (1) forms at least two convex surfaces (2) in the inflated state, wherein the at least two convex surfaces (2) are arranged opposite one another on the at least one lifting bag (1), wherein one of the at least two convex surfaces (2) of the at least one lifting bag (1) is arranged close to the load when lifting the load and the other of the at least two convex surfaces (2) of the at least one lifting bag (1) is arranged far from the load when lifting the load, wherein: a) an upper-side closure element (5) is provided, wherein the upper-side closure element (5) has a receiving area (6) for at least partially receiving the convex surface (2) of the at least one lifting cushion (1) arranged close to the load and is arranged on the convex surface (2) of the at least one lifting cushion (1) arranged close to the load, and / or b) a lower-side closure element (7) is provided, wherein the lower-side closure element (7) has a receiving area (8) for at least partially receiving the convex surface (2) of the at least one lifting bag (1) arranged remote from the load and is arranged on the convex surface (2) of the at least one lifting bag (1) arranged remote from the load. characterized bythat the upper and / or lower end element (5, 7) comprises a measuring unit for detecting the absolute inclination of the upper end element (5) and / or the lower end element (7) or for detecting a relative inclination of the upper end element (5) relative to the lower end element (7) or for detecting the distance of the upper end element (5) from the lower end element (7). [2] System according to claim 1, characterized by that the upper-side end element (5) has a flat end surface (13) which is arranged opposite the receiving area (6) of the upper-side end element (5), and / or that the lower-side end element (7) has a flat end surface (13) which is arranged opposite the receiving area (8) of the lower-side end element (7). [3] System according to claim 1 or 2, characterized bythat the system comprises a compressed air control for supplying compressed air to the at least one lifting bag (1). [4] System according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that the upper-side closing element (5) has an anti-slip surface which is arranged opposite the receiving area (6) of the upper-side closing element (5), wherein, in particular and in this respect referring back to claim 2, the anti-slip surface is arranged on the flat closing surface (13) of the upper-side closing element (5), and / or that the lower-side closing element (7) has an anti-slip surface which is arranged opposite the receiving area (8) of the lower-side closing element (7), wherein, in particular and in this respect referring back to claim 2, the anti-slip surface is arranged on the flat closing surface (13) of the lower-side closing element (7). [5] System according to claim 4, characterized bythat the anti-slip surface has a structured surface and / or a rubber coating and / or notches introduced into the surface and / or projections, in particular knobs, protruding from the surface. [6] System according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized bythat the upper-side end element (5) comprises a toroidal body, wherein the toroidal body forms the receiving area (6) of the upper-side end element (5) in such a way that a continuous contact surface along a circular line results with the convex surface (2) of the at least one lifting bag (1) arranged close to the load, and / or that the lower-side end element (7) comprises a toroidal body, wherein the toroidal body forms the receiving area (8) of the lower-side end element (7) in such a way that a continuous contact surface along a circular line results with the convex surface (2) of the at least one lifting bag (1) arranged far from the load. [7] System according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized bythat the receiving area (6) of the upper-side end element (5) is formed by a concave section (15) of a shaped body (14), preferably that the concave section (15) is formed as a part of an inner surface of a cut-open ellipsoid, in particular a cut-open sphere, and / or that the receiving area (8) of the lower-side end element (7) is formed by a concave section (15) of a shaped body (14), preferably that the concave section (15) is formed as a part of an inner surface of a cut-open ellipsoid, in particular a cut-open sphere. [8] System according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by that the receiving area (6) of the upper-side end element (5) and / or the receiving area (8) of the lower-side end element (7) is formed by a cup-shaped shaped body (14). [9] System according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized bythat the upper end element (5) and / or the lower end element (7) is designed to be inflatable. [10] A system for lifting a load comprising at least two lifting bags (1), wherein the at least two lifting bags (1) are inflatable from a flat state for placement under the load to an inflated state for lifting the load, and wherein the at least two lifting bags (1) each form at least two convex surfaces (2) in the inflated state, wherein the convex surfaces (2) of a lifting bag (1) are arranged opposite one another on the lifting bag (1), wherein one of the two convex surfaces (2) of one of the at least two lifting bags (1) is arranged close to the load for lifting the load and one of the two convex surfaces (2) of the other of the at least two lifting bags (1) is arranged far from the load for lifting the load, wherein the at least two lifting bags (1) are arranged adjacently in a stacked state such that the other of the two convex surfaces (2) of the at least two lifting bags (1) are arranged facing each other,where:, an upper-side closure element (5) with a receiving area (6) for at least partially receiving the convex surface (2) of the lifting cushion (1) arranged close to the load is provided, wherein the upper-side closure element (5) is arranged on the convex surface (2) arranged close to the load, and / or a lower end element (7) with a receiving area (8) for at least partially receiving the convex surfaces (2) of the lifting cushion (1) arranged remote from the load is provided, wherein the lower end element (7) is arranged on the convex surface (2) arranged remote from the load, characterized bythat the upper and / or lower end element (5, 7) comprises a measuring unit for detecting the absolute inclination of the upper end element (5) and / or the lower end element (7) or for detecting a relative inclination of the upper end element (5) relative to the lower end element (7) or for detecting the distance of the upper end element (5) from the lower end element (7). [11] System according to claim 10, characterized bythat at least one intermediate element (3) is provided, wherein the at least one intermediate element (3) has two oppositely arranged receiving regions (4) for at least partially receiving the mutually facing convex surfaces (2) of the at least two lifting bags (1), wherein the at least one intermediate element (3) is arranged between the at least two lifting bags (1) in the stacked state of the system for lifting the load, wherein one of the two oppositely arranged receiving regions (4) is designed and arranged in the stacked state of the system to receive one of the two mutually facing convex surfaces (2), and the other of the two oppositely arranged receiving regions (4) is designed and arranged in the stacked state to receive the other of the two mutually facing convex surfaces (2). [12] System according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized bythat the receiving area (6) of the upper-side closing element (5) and / or the receiving area (8) of the lower-side closing element (7) is designed such that, in a transport state of the system, the at least one intermediate element (3) can be stored in the receiving area (6) of the upper-side closing element (5) and / or in the receiving area (8) of the lower-side closing element (7). [13] System according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized by in that the upper-side closure element (5) and the lower-side closure element (7) of the system, in a transport state of the system, are designed to be jointly connectable to one another in such a way that the receiving area (6) of the upper-side closure element (5) and the receiving area (8) of the lower-side closure element (7) form a common, preferably closed, interior space for storing components, in particular for storing the at least one intermediate element (3). [14] Kit of parts with at least one lifting bag (1) for use in a system according to one of the preceding claims and with a top closure element (5) for use in a system according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one lifting bag (1) and the top closure element (5) are jointly positionable for lifting a load in a stacked state. [15] Kit of parts according to claim 14, characterized by that a lower end element (7) for use in a system according to one of the preceding claims is also part of the kit of parts, wherein the lower end element (7) can be positioned together with the at least one lifting cushion (1) and the upper end element (5) for lifting a load in the stacked state. [16] A method for lifting a load by means of at least one lifting bag (1), an upper end element (5), and a lower end element (7), wherein the at least one lifting bag (1) is inflated from a flat state for placing under the load to an inflated state for lifting the load, wherein at least two convex surfaces (2) are formed during inflation, wherein the at least one lifting bag (1), the upper end element (5), and the lower end element (7) are arranged adjacently in a stacked state for lifting the load such that one of the two convex surfaces (2) of the at least one lifting bag (1) is arranged close to the load and the other of the two convex surfaces (2) of the at least one lifting bag (1) is arranged far from the load, wherein at least the following steps are carried out: a) arranging the upper end element (5) with a receiving area (6) for at least partially receiving the convex surface (2) arranged near the load between the at least one lifting cushion (1) and the load; and b) arranging the lower-side closure element (7) with a receiving area (8) for at least partially receiving the convex surface (2) arranged close to the load between the at least one lifting bag (1) and a substrate; and wherein the convex surface (2) arranged close to the load, which is formed by the inflation of the at least one lifting bag (1), is at least partially received in the receiving area (6) of the upper-side closure element (5), and the convex surface (2) arranged far from the load, which is formed by the inflation of the at least one lifting bag (1), is at least partially received in the receiving area (8) of the lower-side closure element (7). characterized bythat at least during the inflation of the at least one lifting cushion (1) a distance between the upper end element (5) and the lower end element (7) or a relative inclination between the upper end element (5) and the lower end element (7) or an absolute inclination of the upper end element (5) and / or the lower end element (7) is detected. [17] End element (5, 7) for use in a system according to one of claims 1 to 13 as an upper or lower end element (5, 7), in particular for use in a method according to claim 16 as an upper or lower end element (5, 7), wherein the end element (5, 7) has a receiving area (6, 8) for receiving a convex surface (2) of a lifting cushion (1) arranged near / far from the load.

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