Pneumatic lifting bag comprising a lateral valve connection

Abstract

The present invention relates to a pneumatic lifting bag (1) with a variable internal volume (5) for filling with a pressurised medium, in particular pressurised air, for increasing the variable internal volume (5) and for lifting loads (80), wherein the pneumatic lifting bag (1) comprises at least the following components and has the following features: (i) an internal bladder (6) made of vulcanised rubber material, the internal bladder (6) enveloping the variable internal volume (5); (ii) a reinforcing layer (7) which is wrapped around the internal bladder (6) in an outward direction toward the surroundings (U); and (iii) a valve connection (20) which, in order to fill the internal bladder (6) with the pressurised medium, provides a continuous connection from the surroundings (U) into the variable internal volume (5) of the internal bladder (6).

Description

[0001] Pneumatic lifting bag with side valve connection

[0002] The invention relates to a pneumatic lifting bag, a method for producing a pneumatic lifting bag, a valve connection for such a lifting bag, and a rubber sheath for such a valve connection. In particular, the invention relates to a pneumatic lifting bag having the features of the preamble of claim 1, a manufacturing method (claim 13), a corresponding valve connection (claim 15), and a corresponding rubber sheath (claim 16).

[0003] A wide variety of pneumatic lifting bags are known in the art. They have a variable internal volume, which can be significantly increased by filling them with a pressure medium, such as compressed air, allowing loads resting on the bag to be lifted. Such lifting bags are typically constructed with an internal bladder made of vulcanized rubber material surrounding the variable internal volume, and a reinforcement layer wrapped around the inner bladder, facing the outside. For inflation, a valve connection is also provided, providing a continuous connection from the environment to the variable internal volume of the inner bladder.

[0004] The valve connection can be problematic both during the manufacture and use of such lifting bags. The provision of the valve connection often weakens the structural components of the lifting bag, particularly the inner bladder. Especially with round lifting bags, to avoid the weakening in one of the more sensitive areas, the valve connections are often not located in a side area, but rather in the head or foot area of ​​the geometric base body of the round lifting bag, i.e., not in the peripheral surface of the round lifting bag.However, this poses the problem that the alignment of the valve connection changes significantly when filling the lifting bag, resulting in either difficulty in accessing the connected pressure media sources or requiring the valve connection to be supplemented with complex, moving components (such as a ball joint). Moving components such as ball joints can also represent mechanical wear parts or weak points.

[0005] Furthermore, extreme caution must always be taken when inserting the valve connection into the lifting bag, especially when attaching it to the inner bladder, to ensure a firm connection is achieved.

[0006] Based on this, the object of the invention is therefore to propose a pneumatic lifting bag, as well as a suitable valve connection or suitable aids and a method for producing a pneumatic lifting bag, with which a simple production and at the same time an easy-to-handle and also low-wear, safe use is possible.

[0007] This object is achieved by a lifting bag having the features of the characterizing part of claim 1. Furthermore, the object is achieved by a method having the features of claim 13. Furthermore, the object is achieved by a valve connection having the features of claim 15. Finally, the object is achieved by a rubber sheathing having the features of claim 16. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims or can be gathered from the following description, in particular the figures and their description.

[0008] Essential to the invention is the finding that both of the described disadvantages of the prior art can be avoided by using a separate rubber sheath around the generally metallic components of the valve connection to ensure a secure connection of the valve connection to the inner bladder. This advantageously allows a rigid structure for the valve connection to be used, eliminating the need for movable components such as ball joints to ensure constant alignment of the valve connection to the side of the filling components during use. In particular, the manufacturing process can be made considerably easier by the rubber sheath, as it can be bonded to the inner bladder during the vulcanization process.The pneumatic lifting bag according to the present disclosure is a pneumatic lifting bag with a variable internal volume for filling with a pressure medium, in particular compressed air, to increase the variable internal volume and to lift loads. The pneumatic lifting bag has at least the following components and fulfills the following features: an internal bladder made of vulcanized rubber material, wherein the internal bladder encloses the variable internal volume; a reinforcing layer that is wrapped around the external environment of the internal bladder toward the environment; and a valve connection that provides a continuous connection from the environment to the variable internal volume of the internal bladder for filling the internal bladder with the pressure medium.

[0009] The pneumatic lifting bag is characterized in that the valve connection has a connection nipple arranged outside the inner bladder and a filling nozzle extending through a wall of the inner bladder and into the variable inner volume, wherein the filling nozzle has an inner flow channel for the pressure medium and is at least partially covered on the outside with a separate rubber sheath in such a way that the separate rubber sheath firmly connects the valve connection to the inner bladder.

[0010] According to the present disclosure, it can further be provided that the pneumatic lifting bag has an outer shell made of vulcanized rubber material, which envelops the inner bladder and the reinforcement layer outwards towards the environment.

[0011] According to the present disclosure, it may further be provided that the pneumatic lifting bag has a round appearance such that the pneumatic lifting bag is designed as a flat cylinder in an unfilled state, wherein the valve connection is arranged on a circumferential surface of the flat cylinder.

[0012] According to the present disclosure, it can further be provided that the separate rubber sheath and the inner bladder are integrally connected to one another, in particular vulcanized together. According to the present disclosure, it can further be provided that the separate rubber sheath, the inner bladder, and the outer shell are integrally connected to one another, in particular vulcanized together.

[0013] According to the present disclosure, it may further be provided that the separate rubber sheath for connection to the inner bladder has two opposing wings.

[0014] According to the present disclosure, it can further be provided that the wings are each arranged so as to rest on the inner bladder from the outside. In this case, a material bond can advantageously be formed between the wings and the inner bladder, particularly during a joint vulcanization step.

[0015] According to the present disclosure, it can further be provided that the wings each extend at least in an initial region substantially perpendicular to a filling direction, in particular substantially perpendicular to the flow channel, away from the filling nozzle.

[0016] According to the present disclosure, it can further be provided that the wings connect to a filling nozzle section adjacent to the filling nozzle and enclosing the latter.

[0017] According to the present disclosure, it can further be provided that the wings each have an inner side facing the inner bladder and an outer side opposite the inner side, and the outer side has at least one thickened region from a side edge to a center.

[0018] According to the present disclosure, it can further be provided that the wings are configured to merge into one another in a transition region, and preferably, the transition region has at least one, in particular two, opposing retaining web(s) resting on the inner bladder. According to the present disclosure, it can further be provided that the wings, in particular including the transition region, have a substantially constant width when viewed in a width direction.

[0019] According to the present disclosure, it can further be provided that a width of the wings, viewed in a width direction, in particular including the transition region, is greater than a width, viewed in the width direction, in particular greater than a diameter, of the filling nozzle section.

[0020] According to the present disclosure, it can further be provided that the wings are arranged in a central region, in particular between 40% and 60%, preferably between 45% and 55%, of the length of the valve connection (20), with respect to a length of the valve connection viewed in a height direction of the valve connection.

[0021] According to the present disclosure, it can further be provided that the wings are each wrapped on the outside with the reinforcement layer, which is designed in particular as a fabric tape, preferably as a Kevlar cord, in such a way that the wings are firmly pressed against the inner bladder.

[0022] According to the present disclosure, it can further be provided that the separate rubber sheath for receiving the connection nipple has a receiving section and, in particular, terminates with the receiving section when viewed in a vertical direction of the valve connection. Preferably, the receiving section has a greater width or a larger diameter, viewed in the width direction, than a filler neck section arranged lower in the vertical direction.

[0023] The valve connection, which according to an independent aspect of the present disclosure has independent inventive character, is provided for filling a pneumatic lifting bag, preferably a lifting bag described above or below, with a pressure medium, in particular compressed air. The valve connection has a connection nipple located on the outside in the vertical direction and a filling nozzle adjoining the connection nipple further in the vertical direction. The filling nozzle has an internal flow channel for the pressure medium and is at least partially covered on the outside with a separate rubber sheath.

[0024] The rubber sheath, which according to an independent aspect of the present disclosure has its own inventive character, is provided for at least partially enclosing a filling nozzle of a valve connection, preferably a valve connection described above or below, for filling a pneumatic lifting bag, preferably a lifting bag described above or below, with a pressure medium, in particular compressed air, wherein the rubber sheath has a filling nozzle section which is hollow on the inside and has two opposite wings which adjoin the filling nozzle section on the outside.

[0025] According to an independent aspect, the disclosure also relates to a method for producing a pneumatic lifting bag (preferably a lifting bag as described above or below) having a variable internal volume for filling with a pressure medium, in particular compressed air, for increasing the variable internal volume and for lifting loads. According to the manufacturing method, the following method steps are carried out: an internal bladder is provided from rubber material, wherein the internal bladder encloses the variable internal volume; a valve connection (preferably aThe valve connection (valve connection described below) is provided with a connection nipple arranged outside the inner bladder, as well as with a filling nozzle extending through a wall of the inner bladder and into the variable internal volume, with an internal flow channel for the pressure medium and at least partially covered on the outside with a separate rubber sheath (preferably a rubber sheath described above or below), and is arranged on the inner bladder in such a way that: the valve connection, for filling the inner bladder with the pressure medium, provides a continuous connection from an external environment into the variable internal volume of the inner bladder; a reinforcing layer is wound around the outside of the inner bladder in the direction of the environment; and the separate rubber sheath is connected to the inner bladder to firmly connect the valve connection to the inner bladder.

[0026] Features described in the context of a device, such as the features of the rubber sheath, the valve connection, or the lifting bag, can also individually contribute to inventively characterizing a manufacturing method for a lifting bag according to the present disclosure. Likewise, features described above or below only in connection with one of the three devices (rubber sheath, valve connection, lifting bag) can be transferred to the respective other subject matter in a technically reasonable manner, thus forming an independent embodiment according to the present disclosure.

[0027] Further advantageous and preferred embodiments will become apparent from the following description with reference to the figures. The drawing, which merely shows one exemplary embodiment, shows

[0028] Fig. 1 shows a pneumatic lifting bag according to the present disclosure in the unfilled state;

[0029] Fig. 2 a lifting bag in a load situation in the filled state;

[0030] Fig. 3 shows the lifting bag from Fig. 1 in a partial section along the section line A-A from Fig. 1;

[0031] Fig. 4 shows a valve connection according to the present disclosure in a perspective view;

[0032] Fig. 5 shows five different views of the valve connection in Fig. 4, namely according to Fig. 5A in a front view, according to Fig. 5B in a sectional view according to the section lines AA in Fig. 5A, in Fig. 5C in a side view, according to Fig. 5D in a plan view, and according to Fig. 5B in a sectional view according to the section lines BB in Fig. 5D;

[0033] Fig. 6 shows a section of a partially sectioned and schematic representation of an inner bladder 6 of a lifting bag 1 together with the valve connection 20 attached to the inner bladder 6; and

[0034] Fig. 7 shows a separate rubber sheath 50 according to the present disclosure in a perspective view.

[0035] Figure 1 shows a pneumatic lifting bag 1. The lifting bag 1 is in an unfilled state and therefore has the basic geometric shape of a flat cylinder. The lifting bag 1 has a head and foot surface 2, which correspond to the top surface and base surface of the geometric body of a cylinder, respectively. The outer surface of the cylinder, specifically the outer surface of the flat cylinder of the lifting bag 1 in the unfilled state, is also referred to as the peripheral surface 3 of the lifting bag 1.

[0036] Due to its flat appearance as a flat cylinder, the lifting bag 1 advantageously has a low insertion height and can thus be easily pushed under loads 80 to be lifted (see Figure 2), even when space is limited. The insertion height can be considered the extension of the lifting bag 1 as a flat cylinder along the lifting height direction Zi (see Figure 2) when the lifting bag is in an unfilled state and is to be inserted under the load 80 in that same state. The extension of the lifting bag 1 in the filled state, as shown in Figure 2, along the lifting height direction Zi can be referred to as the lifting height.

[0037] The lifting bag 1 has an outer shell 4 which is made of vulcanized rubber material and which delimits a variable inner volume 5 of the lifting bag 1 (not shown separately in Figure 1) (cf. partial section through the outer shell 4 in Figure 2 or Figure 3 and Figure 5) from an external environment U.

[0038] A valve connection 20 is provided in the area of ​​the peripheral surface 3 of the lifting bag 1. The valve connection 20 serves to connect various sources of a pressure medium, such as a compressed air cylinder and / or a compressor, for filling the lifting bag 1 with such a pressure medium, such as compressed air. For this purpose, the valve connection 20, as can be seen from the sectional view in Figure 3, provides a continuous connection from the environment U to the variable internal volume 5 of the lifting bag 1.

[0039] In order to lift a load 80, the lifting bag 1 is first pushed under the load 80 in an empty state and then, after a source of the pressure medium has been connected to the valve connection 20, is filled using the pressure medium, which results in a considerable increase in the variable internal volume 5 and thus of the entire lifting bag 1. Such a situation is shown in Figure 2 with the lifting bag 1 in a filled state. The underside of the lifting bag 1 rests on a base 90 and lifts the load 80 lying on its upper side. The lifting bag 1 has a considerably greater extension in the vertical direction than in the empty state. This or the corresponding lifting height is indicated in Figure 2 by a dashed double arrow indicating the lifting height direction Zi.

[0040] Because the valve connection 20 is arranged in the region of the circumferential surface 3, the filling process of the lifting bag 1 can, on the one hand, be carried out in a simple manner without the need for any special additional equipment. Thus, even during the filling process, the valve connection 20 continuously points to the side, specifically along the connection direction Yi, which runs essentially perpendicular to the lifting height direction Zi. Components connected in the connection direction Yi, such as a compressed air cylinder or a compressor, can therefore be easily connected to the valve connection 20 arranged on the circumferential surface 3. On the other hand, this arrangement of the valve connection 20 also enables a simple structural design of the valve connection 20. Thus, a rigid configuration of the valve connection 20 can be used, as shown in detail in Figures 3 to 7.A valve connection with components that can move relative to one another can be dispensed with, in particular a valve connection with ball joints that change the orientation of the valve connection during filling. According to the prior art, according to another design of a round lifting bag by the applicant, it is customary to arrange the valve connection not in the area of ​​the circumferential surface, but in an edge area of ​​the head or foot surface. This, however, resulted in the need to integrate ball joints into such a valve connection in order to ensure continuous alignment of the valve connection to the side (along the connection direction Yi) and thus to the filling components (pressure cylinder and / or the like), even with the considerable increase in volume of the lifting bag during the filling process, which also results in both upward movement and inward tilting of the valve connection.

[0041] While the lifting bag 1 is shown in Figure 1 in the unfilled state and in Figure 2 filled in a load situation, Figure 3 shows a partial section through the lifting bag 1 in the unfilled state along the section line A - A in Figure 1. Figure 4, in turn, shows the valve connection 20, which according to the present disclosure has its own inventive character according to an independent aspect, in a perspective view. This valve connection 20 is again shown in five different views in Figure 5, namely according to Figure 5A in a front view, according to Figure 5B in a sectional view along the section lines A - A in Figure 5A, in Figure 5C in a side view, according to Figure 5D in a plan view, and according to Figure 5B in a sectional view along the section lines B - B in Figure 5D.Figure 6 shows a section of a partially sectioned and merely schematic representation of an internal bladder 6 of a lifting bag 1, including the valve connection 20 attached to the internal bladder 6. Finally, Figure 7 shows a separate rubber sheath 50, which, according to the present disclosure, has its own inventive character in an independent aspect, in a perspective view. The same reference numerals have been used throughout the illustration for the same technical features. The above and following descriptions therefore serve to facilitate a simultaneous understanding of all Figures 1 to 7.

[0042] The inner bladder 6 is made of vulcanized rubber material. During production, web-like roll material is typically used. The outer shell 4 can also be, and in this case is, made of vulcanized rubber material, which is applied as a web-like roll material to the inner layers (inner bladder 6 and reinforcement layer 7) during the manufacturing process. Chloroprene or neoprene is preferably used as the rubber material. Before vulcanization, the roll material is easily moldable. Vulcanization hardens the rubber material, allowing the individual sheets to be bonded together.

[0043] The inner bladder 6 encloses and thus defines the variable inner volume 5. When filled with the pressure medium, in particular with compressed air, the variable inner volume 5 is considerably enlarged, whereby the lifting of the load 80 with the pneumatic lifting cushion 1 is possible.

[0044] In order to create the inner bladder 6 in the manner described during the manufacturing process using the roll material made of unvulcanized rubber material, such that after vulcanization, a hollow space is present as a variable internal volume 5, the inner bladder 6 is formed around a Styrofoam core. During or after vulcanization, the Styrofoam core is destroyed and removed, thus forming the hollow space or variable internal volume 5. In this respect, the Styrofoam core is also referred to as a lost core. The Styrofoam core therefore initially defines the innermost shape, specifically for the unfilled state of the lifting bag 1.

[0045] The lifting bag 1 is subjected to great stresses, particularly during the filling process and when used to lift heavy loads 80. In addition to the already described inner bladder 6 made of vulcanized rubber material, as well as the outer shell 4 made of vulcanized rubber material, which outer shell 4 encloses the inner bladder 6 outwards towards the environment U, a further layer in the form of a reinforcement layer 7 is provided for reinforcement. The reinforcement layer 7 is wrapped around the inner bladder 6 on the outside, towards the environment. The reinforcement layer 7 is arranged between the inner bladder 6 and the outer shell 4.

[0046] In Figure 3, the reinforcement layer 7 is indicated in the sectional view with rectangles and dotted lines. The reinforcement layer 7 is located outside the inner bubble 6 in the direction of the environment U. For the sake of clarity, the reinforcement layer 7 is not shown across the entire cross-section, but is generally located in the entire area around the inner bubble 6. In Figure 3, the dividing line 8 between the inner bubble 6 and the reinforcement layer 7 or between the inner bubble 6 and the outer shell 4 is also marked with a dashed line. It is also conceivable that the reinforcement layer 7 is not provided over the entire area of ​​the inner bubble 6, so that the inner bubble 6 can also at least partially directly contact the outer shell 4 and thus the dividing line 8 can represent the dividing line 8 between the inner bubble 6 and the outer shell 4.The reinforcement layer 7 is essentially formed as a fabric band. In the present case, and preferably, the reinforcement layer 7 is formed as a Kevlar cord.

[0047] To carry out the filling process, the pneumatic lifting bag 1 further has a valve connection 20. The valve connection 20 provides, as can be seen particularly in the sectional view in Figure 3, a continuous connection from the environment U into the variable internal volume 5 of the internal bladder 6. Sources for the pressure medium can be connected via the external connection nipple 21, which protrudes from the internal bladder 6. This allows the pressure medium to flow into the variable internal volume 5 via the connection nipple 21 and then via the internal filling nozzle 22 of the valve connection 20 and the internal flow channel 23 formed therein. The filling nozzle 22 extends through the wall of the internal bladder 6 into the variable internal volume 5.Likewise, the two further layers in the form of the reinforcement layer 7 and the outer shell 4 are penetrated by the valve connection 20, specifically by means of the connection nipple 21 and / or the filling nozzle 22.

[0048] The connection nipple 21 and the filling nozzle 22 can be formed as a single piece and preferably made of metal, for example, brass. The valve connection 20 is specially designed in such a way that at least the filling nozzle 22 is at least partially covered with a separate rubber sheath 50 on the outside, i.e., on the side facing away from the inner flow channel 23.

[0049] The rubber sheath 50 can be made of the same rubber material, such as chloroprene (neoprene), as previously described with regard to the inner bladder 6 or the outer shell 4. In the illustrated and preferred embodiment, the rubber sheath 50 is made of the same material as the inner bladder 6. The term "separate" can indeed be understood to mean that there is a detachable connection between the rubber sheath 50 and the inner filling nozzle 22. However, this does not have to be the case. "separate" can also simply be understood to mean that the two components are made of different materials, namely the filling nozzle 22 is made of metal, while the rubber sheath 50 is made of vulcanizable or vulcanized rubber material. The rubber sheath 50 can be wrapped around the filling nozzle 22 orIf necessary, it may also be glued around a section of the connection nipple 21, or it may also be connected via a press fit to the other components of the valve connection 20 (filling nozzle 22; possibly connection nipple 21). In particular, the rubber sheath 50 can be connected to the metallic components of the filling nozzle 22 and, if applicable, the connection nipple 21 even in the unvulcanized state. In the unvulcanized state, the rubber material generally adheres well to the metallic components of the valve connection 20.

[0050] The filling nozzle 22 is covered with the separate rubber sheath 50 in such a way that the separate rubber sheath 50 firmly connects the valve connection 20 to the inner bladder 6.

[0051] This becomes particularly clear when considering the manufacturing process of the lifting bag 1. The process steps for manufacturing a pneumatic lifting bag 1 with the variable internal volume 5 for filling with a pressure medium, such as compressed air, for increasing the variable internal volume 5, and for lifting loads 80 are as follows:

[0052] In a first method step, the inner bladder 6 made of rubber material is provided, wherein the inner bladder 6 envelops the variable inner volume 5.

[0053] In a second method step, the valve connection 20 with the connection nipple 21 arranged outside the inner bladder 6, as well as with the filling nozzle 22 extending through the wall of the inner bladder 6 and into the variable internal volume 5, with the inner flow channel 23 for the pressure medium and at least partially with the separate rubber sheath 50 on the outside, is provided and arranged on the inner bladder 6 in such a way that: the valve connection 20, for filling the inner bladder 6 with the pressure medium, provides a continuous connection from the environment U outside to the variable internal volume 5 of the inner bladder 6.

[0054] In a third process step, the reinforcement layer 7 is wound around the inner bladder 6 in the direction of the environment U.

[0055] In a fourth process step, the separate rubber sheath 50 is connected to the inner bladder 6 to firmly connect the valve connection 20 to the inner bladder 6.

[0056] According to an independent aspect of the present disclosure, this method for producing the lifting bag 1 has its own inventive character. The lifting bag 1 described in the disclosure brings specific advantages precisely in that manufacturing method. Likewise, the valve connection 20 described in the disclosure (and shown separately in a particular embodiment in Figures 4 and 5) brings about manufacturing-specific advantages, wherein the valve connection 20 also has its own inventive character according to an independent aspect of the present disclosure. Finally, the rubber sheath 50 described in the disclosure (and shown separately in a particular embodiment in Figure 7) brings about manufacturing-specific advantages, wherein the rubber sheath 50 also has its own inventive character according to an independent aspect of the present disclosure.

[0057] In this case, it is preferably provided that the reinforcement layer 7 is wound in a star shape around the outer bladder 6. In particular, parts of the rubber sheath 50 are wound (preferably the wings 52 described in more detail later), thus holding the rubber sheath 50 and the entire valve connection 20 firmly to the inner bladder 6. To connect the valve connection 20 to the inner bladder 6, it is preferably provided that the rubber sheath 50 of the valve connection 20 is vulcanized together with the inner bladder 6, forming a material-locking bond. In addition, the outer shell 4 made of rubber material can also be applied outside the reinforcement layer 7 and the inner bladder 6, preferably before the vulcanization process. After a joint vulcanization process, the inner bladder 6 and the outer shell 4, orThe rubber sheathing 50 of the valve connection 20 also forms a firm bond where they are in contact with each other. The different layers are therefore preferably vulcanized together, with the reinforcing layer 7, preferably formed as a Kevlar cord, not participating in the actual vulcanization itself, but rather being firmly bonded between the outer shell 4 and the inner bladder 6, or even between the rubber sheathing 50 located further inside the outer shell 4.

[0058] For a better understanding of the two special components of the lifting bag 1 in the form of the rubber sheath 50 and the entire valve connection 20, reference is made in particular to Figures 3 and 6, which show the valve connection 20 together with the rubber sheath 50 integrated into the lifting bag 1 and connected to the internal bladder 6 (Figure 6). Furthermore, reference is made to Figures 4 and 5, which show the valve connection 20 in isolation, and to Figure 7, which shows the rubber sheath 50 in isolation. Figures 4, 5, and 7 depict an independent coordinate system for better comprehensibility and description. The direction x describes a width direction x of the valve connection 20 or the rubber sheath 50, while the direction y perpendicular thereto refers to a length direction y, and the direction z, again perpendicular to the two aforementioned directions, refers to a height direction z (of the valve connection 20 orthe rubber sheath 50). These mutually perpendicular directions are present in particular in the basic state of the valve connection 20 or the rubber sheath 50. As soon as the components are installed and in particular integrated into the described lifting bag 1, the components described below in their orientation in the basic state no longer have to be perpendicular to one another according to the orthogonal directions x, y, and z. In particular, the wings 52 of the rubber sheath 50, as described below, can no longer be configured to extend along the longitudinal direction y when connected to the internal bladder 6, but rather can assume a curved shape.

[0059] As already indicated, the rubber sheath 50 has two opposing wings 52, which serve to connect to the inner bladder 6. The wings 52 are each arranged to rest on the inner bladder 6 from the outside. During the manufacturing process, the wings 52 are placed against the outer surface of the inner bladder 6 and thus nestle against this outer surface. This is particularly advantageous in the presently illustrated and therefore preferred embodiment, in which the pneumatic lifting bag 1 is designed as a flat cylinder in the unfilled state and the valve connection 20 is attached to the peripheral surface 3 of the flat cylinder. The wings 52 are then advantageously placed flat against the peripheral surface of the inner bladder 6 (which inner bladder 6 is also a flat cylinder in this basic state).The wings 52 assume a curved shape, as can be seen in Figure 6, wherein the curved shape runs along a partial section of the circumferential surface of the inner bladder 6.

[0060] The wings 52 each extend essentially perpendicular to the filling direction, i.e. essentially perpendicular to the flow channel 23, away from the filling nozzle 22. This orientation is understood with reference to the basic state of the valve connection 20 or the rubber sheath 50, as shown in Figures 4, 5 and 7, respectively. Even in the state attached to the internal bladder 6 (cf. Figure 6) or in the state integrated in the lifting bag 1, the wings 52 each extend essentially perpendicular to the filling direction, at least in an initial region 53. The filling direction corresponds to the opposite direction of the height direction z of the valve connection 20. The wings 52 extend along or against the length direction y.

[0061] In the illustrated and, in this respect, preferred embodiment, a wing 52 extends along / counter to the length direction y, at least as far as, or in the present case even further than, the filling nozzle 22 of the valve connection 20 and the filling nozzle section 51 of the rubber sheath 50 surrounding it, counter to the height direction z into the variable internal volume 5. The wings 52 are formed adjoining the filling nozzle section 51 lying against the filling nozzle 22 and surrounding it. This makes it possible, in particular, to achieve a one-piece transition between the tubular filling nozzle section 51 and the wings 52. Because the wings 52 extend relatively long to the side, a stable connection to the inner bladder 6 or a stable integration between the inner bladder 6 and the outer layers in the form of the reinforcement layer 7 orif necessary, the outer shell 4.

[0062] The filling nozzle section 51 of the rubber sheath 50 is hollow on the inside to accommodate the filling nozzle 22 of the metal section of the valve connection 20. Two wings 52 extend from the filling nozzle section 51 on the outside, each opposite the other.

[0063] The wings 52 each have an inner side 54 facing the inner bladder 6. The inner sides 54 are preferably flat. The inner sides 54 serve in particular as a support surface for the inner bladder 6 during the manufacturing process. The wings 52 and thus the rubber sheath 50, and thus also the entire valve connection 20, are connected to the inner bladder 6 via the inner sides 54.

[0064] The wings 52 also have an outer side 55 opposite the inner side 54. In the presently illustrated and therefore preferred embodiment, the outer sides 55 are not flat. Rather, the outer sides 55 have an exposed region 57 viewed from a side edge 56 to a center. In this way, the wings 52 can be formed to be stable in their basic state, and rolling up or twisting of the wings 52 can be reliably prevented. On the other hand, the material thickening in the central region can achieve further manufacturing advantages. During production, the wings 52 are pressed against the outer surface of the inner bladder 6, for example even by hand using a bone, with which the rubber material of the wings 52 is pressed against the substrate in the shape of the inner bladder 6 with a sliding longitudinal movement.The material thickening offers advantages here, as more material is available for pressing. The central thickened areas 57 are also used in the manufacturing step of applying the reinforcement layer 7. The wings 52 basically serve to be wrapped or encompassed by the webs of the reinforcement layer 7. For this purpose, the Kevlar cord, which is basically wound in a star shape around the inner bladder 6, is also laid over the wings 52. The cord tightly encompasses or wraps the wings 52. The thickened areas 57, in turn, also help to ensure a larger contact surface when wrapping with the cord and also make it easier to prevent the reinforcement layer 7 from slipping sideways off the wing 52 during wrapping.

[0065] The wings 52 are designed to merge into one another in a transition region 58. The transition region 58 has two opposing holding webs 59 that rest on the inner bladder 6. The transition region 58 is thus designed as a strip-shaped connecting section between the laterally extending wings 52. As a result, the inner side 54 of the wings 52 is further enlarged, and the contact surface on the inner bladder 6 is advantageously increased. The connection of the rubber sheath 50 or the entire valve connection 20 to the inner bladder 6 is thus further improved.

[0066] The wings 52 have a substantially constant width BF, viewed in the width direction x. The constant width BF is also provided along with the transition region 58. The width BF of the wings 52, or also of the transition region 58, is greater than a width BB, viewed in the width direction x, of the filling nozzle section 51 (or its diameter dß).

[0067] The vanes 52 are arranged approximately centrally relative to the valve connection 20. Specifically, the vanes 52 are arranged in a central region relative to a length Lv of the valve connection 20 viewed in a height direction z, specifically at a height between 40% and 60%, preferably between 45% and 55%, of this length Lv. This ensures, in particular, easy handling of the valve connection 20, since a significant portion of the valve connection 20 extends both above and below the vanes 52.

[0068] The rubber sheath 50 further comprises a receiving section 60 (see Figure 7), which receiving section 60 serves to receive the connection nipple 21. It is particularly advantageous that the rubber sheath 50, viewed in the vertical direction z of the valve connection 20, terminates with precisely that receiving section 60. Viewed in the width direction x, the receiving section 60 has a greater width or a larger diameter than the filler neck section 51, which is arranged lower in the vertical direction z. The transition region formed by the receiving section 60 from the rubber sheath 50 to the metallic components of the valve connection 20, specifically to the connection nipple 21, is thus widened in order to be able to easily accommodate the wider connection nipple 21. In addition, the widened area in the form of the receiving section 60 can advantageously serve to connect to the components made of rubber material of the lifting bag 1, as well as the outer shell 4.The outwardly projecting component in the form of the connection nipple 21 of the valve connection 20 is thus again advantageously free of rubber material.

[0069] A particularly advantageous feature of the described valve connection 20 is its use in the context of round lifting bags 1, i.e. lifting bags 1 with a round appearance, in particular round when viewed from above on the lifting bag 1 in the unfilled state. This is because, on the one hand, the connection nipple 21 can then continuously protrude to the side along the same orientation, even during the filling process, during which the appearance of the lifting bag 1 changes considerably. On the other hand, it is also advantageous that the filling nozzle 22 can be designed to extend relatively far into the variable internal volume 5 without colliding with an opposite or nearby inner wall of the lifting bag 1, as would be the case if the filling nozzle 22 protruded, for example, from a head or foot surface 2 into the variable internal volume 5.

[0070] The previously described technical features can also be combined in a technically expedient manner to create embodiments that differ from the essentially individual embodiment shown and described in the figures. In particular, it is possible, without making any intermediate generalizations, to implement individual technical features shown within a single figure or described there in connection with other features shown, and thus to arrive at an independent embodiment of the invention with only individual ones of the features shown. Merely as an example and not as an exhaustive list, it should be mentioned that, for example, only one lateral wing can be provided instead of the two opposite lateral wings 52 shown, thus forming an advantageous embodiment of the invention.

[0071] Features described in the context of a device, such as the features of the rubber sheath 50, the valve connection 20, or the lifting bag 1, can also individually contribute to inventively characterizing a manufacturing method of a lifting bag 1 according to the present disclosure.

[0072] Lifting cushion 57 thickened area (the wing

[0073] Head or foot surface 52) Circumferential surface 58 Transition area outer shell 59 Holding web variable internal volume 60 Receptacle section inner bladder 80 Load reinforcement layer 90 Subsurface dividing line between U surroundings of inner bladder (6) and Yi connection direction reinforcement layer (7) or Zi lifting height direction of inner bladder (6) and x width direction outer shell (4) y length direction valve connection z height direction connection nipple B F Width of the wings (52) Filling nozzle B BWidth of the filling nozzle section (51) Rubber sheath dß Diameter of the filling nozzle section (51) Wing Lv Length of the valve connection (20)

[0074] Initial area (of the wing 52) Inside (of the wing 52) Outside (of the wing 52) Side edge (of the wing 52)

Claims

Patent claims 1. Pneumatic lifting cushion (1) with a variable internal volume (5) for filling with a pressure medium, in particular compressed air, for increasing the variable internal volume (5) and for lifting loads (80), wherein the pneumatic lifting cushion (1) has at least the following components and fulfills the following features: - an inner bladder (6) made of vulcanized rubber material, the inner bladder (6) enclosing the variable internal volume (5); - a reinforcement layer (7) which is wound around the inner bladder (6) in the direction of an environment (U); and - a valve connection (20) which, for filling the inner bladder (6) with the pressure medium, provides a continuous connection from the environment (U) into the variable internal volume (5) of the inner bladder (6), characterized in that the valve connection (20) has a connection nipple (21) arranged outside the inner bladder (6) and a filling nozzle (22) extending through a wall of the inner bladder (6) and into the variable internal volume (5), wherein the filling nozzle (22) has an internal flow channel (23) for the pressure medium and is at least partially covered on the outside with a separate rubber sheath (50) in such a way that the separate rubber sheath (50) firmly connects the valve connection (20) to the inner bladder (6).

2. Pneumatic lifting bag (1) according to claim 1, comprising an outer shell (4) made of vulcanized rubber material, which envelops the inner bladder (6) and the reinforcement layer (7) outwards towards the environment (U).

3. Pneumatic lifting bag (1) according to claim 1 or 2 with a round appearance such that the pneumatic lifting bag (1) is designed as a flat cylinder in an unfilled state, wherein the Valve connection (20) is arranged on a peripheral surface (3) of the flat cylinder.

4. Pneumatic lifting bag (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the separate rubber sheath (50) and the inner bladder (6) are materially connected to one another, in particular vulcanized together, or wherein the separate rubber sheath (50), the inner bladder (6) and the outer shell (4) are materially connected to one another, in particular vulcanized together.

5. Pneumatic lifting bag (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the separate rubber casing (50) for connection to the inner bladder (6) has two opposing wings (52), wherein, preferably, the wings (52) are each arranged to rest on the inner bladder (6) from the outside.

6. Pneumatic lifting bag (1) according to claim 5, wherein the wings (52) each extend at least in an initial region (53) substantially perpendicular to a filling direction, in particular substantially perpendicular to the flow channel (23), away from the filling nozzle (22).

7. Pneumatic lifting bag (1) according to one of claims 5 to 6, wherein the wings (52) connect to a filling nozzle section (51) which rests on the filling nozzle (22) and encloses the latter.

8. Pneumatic lifting bag (1) according to one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the wings (52) each have an inner side (54) facing the inner bladder (6) and an outer side (55) opposite the inner side (54), and the outer side (55) has at least one thickened region (57) from a side edge (56) to a center.

9. Pneumatic lifting cushion (1) according to one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the wings (52) are formed so as to merge into one another in a transition region (58) and, preferably, the transition region (58) at least one, in particular two opposite retaining web(s) (59) resting / resting on the inner bladder (6).

10. Pneumatic lifting bag (1) according to one of claims 5 to 9, wherein the wings (52), in particular together with the transition region (58), viewed in a width direction (x) have a substantially constant width (B F ).

11. Pneumatic lifting bag (1) according to one of claims 8 to 10, wherein a width (BF) of the wings (52), viewed in a width direction (x), in particular including the transition region (58), is greater than a width (BB) viewed in the width direction (x), in particular greater than a diameter (dß), of the filling nozzle section (51).

12. Pneumatic lifting bag (1) according to one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the separate rubber sheath (50) for receiving the connection nipple (21) has a receiving section (60) and, in particular, ends with the receiving section (60) when viewed in a height direction (z) of the valve connection (20), wherein, preferably, the receiving section (60) has a greater width or a larger diameter when viewed in the width direction (x) than a / the filling nozzle section (51) arranged lower in the height direction (z).

13. A method for producing a pneumatic lifting cushion (1) with a variable internal volume (5) for filling with a pressure medium, in particular compressed air, for increasing the variable internal volume (5) and for lifting loads (80), comprising the following method steps: an internal bladder (6) is provided from rubber material, wherein the internal bladder (6) encloses the variable internal volume (5); a valve connection (20) is provided with a connection nipple (21) arranged outside the internal bladder (6), as well as with a through a wall of the internal bladder (6) and in a filling nozzle (22) extending into the variable internal volume (5), having an internal flow channel (23) for the pressure medium and at least partially covered on the outside with a separate rubber sheath (50), and arranged on the internal bladder (6) in such a way that: the valve connection (20), for filling the internal bladder (6) with the pressure medium, provides a continuous connection from an external environment into the variable internal volume (5) of the internal bladder (6); a reinforcing layer (7) is wound around the external environment of the internal bladder (6) in the direction of the external environment; and the separate rubber sheath (50) is connected to the internal bladder (6) for firmly connecting the valve connection (20) to the internal bladder (6).

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the reinforcement layer (7) is wound in a star shape around the outer bladder (6), and / or wherein parts of the rubber sheath 50, in particular two opposing wings (52), are wrapped with the reinforcement layer (7), in particular in such a way that the rubber sheath (50) and the entire valve connection (20) are held firmly on the inner bladder (6), and / or wherein, in order to connect the valve connection (20) to the inner bladder (6), the rubber sheath (50) of the valve connection (20) is vulcanized together with the inner bladder (6) and forms a material-to-material bond.

15. Valve connection (20) for filling a pneumatic lifting bag (1), preferably according to one of claims 1 to 12, with a pressure medium, in particular compressed air, wherein the valve connection (20) has a connection nipple (21) located on the outside in the vertical direction (z) and a filling nozzle (22) adjoining the connection nipple (21) further in the vertical direction (z), wherein the filling nozzle (22) has an inner flow channel (23) for the pressure medium and outside is at least partially covered with a separate rubber sheath (50).

16. Rubber sheath (50) for at least partially enclosing a filling nozzle (22) of a valve connection (20), in particular according to claim 15, for filling a pneumatic lifting bag (1), preferably according to one of claims 1 to 12, with a pressure medium, in particular compressed air, wherein the rubber sheath (50) has an internally hollow filling nozzle section (51) with two opposite wings (52) adjoining the filling nozzle section (51) on the outside.

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