Apparatus for treating substantially vertical surfaces

Abstract

Disclosed is an apparatus comprising a base unit, a pole (3), and a tool carrier head. The base unit is connected to the tool carrier head via the pole. The tool carrier head is equipped with one or more tools selected from nozzles, jets, brushes, etc. The base unit further preferably comprises a winch (6). A line is attached to the winch (6). The line is connected to the tool carrier head and / or the pole via an overhead support. In operation, the tool carrier head can climb substantially vertical walls to perform surface treatments such as cleaning processes.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for treating substantially vertical surfaces, in particular surfaces forming the interior of cargo rooms of cargo ships, in particular dry bulk and liquid bulk carriers, which treatment may be a cleaning process. [Background technology]

[0002] In modern shipping, it is common for cargo ships to receive different cargoes. Therefore, a typical cargo organization assigns the ship closest to the new cargo that needs to be transported. This can cause a cargo ship's load to change from one delivery to the next.

[0003] Operating a cargo ship in this manner may require cleaning of the cargo holds between cargoes (between cargoes) to avoid contamination of the cargo with debris from the previous cargo. The cleaning process typically involves spraying a cleaning solution (usually water) onto the contaminated surface, optionally supplemented with cleaning chemicals depending on the nature of the contamination, and possibly with additional steps such as brushing. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] US Patent Application Publication No. 2019 / 0186148 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Cargo holds on cargo ships can be large, up to 20m high or more, making it difficult for ship crews to perform efficient cleaning operations from the bottom of the holds. Therefore, there is a need to provide appropriate tools that enable crews to efficiently clean the walls of such holds. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention relates to an apparatus for treating substantially vertical and / or overhanging surfaces, the apparatus comprising a base unit, a pole, and a tool carrier head section, wherein: a) the base unit provides a structure for attachment to the pole, the base unit includes a means for rolling on a substantially horizontal surface, grip(s) for an operator, and control elements for the device; b. The pole is attached to a base unit at one end and to the tool carrier head at the other (distal) end; and c. The tool carrying head comprises means for rolling up or down the substantially vertical or protruding surface and is adapted to accommodate one or more tools, wherein: The base unit is connected to the pole by a pivotal hinge, which allows the pole to move about the pivotal hinge so that the pole can have an angle relative to the horizontal ranging from 0 to 90 degrees. The other end of the pole is connected to the tool carrier head by a connection that allows the tool of the tool carrier head to engage with the surface on which the tool of the tool carrier head is located.

[0007] Preferably, the base unit includes a winch and a line attached to the winch. During operation, the line can be routed via an overhead support to the distal end of the pole or to the tool carrier head. In this way, a significant portion of the weight of the pole, tool carrier head, and optional feed tube can be carried by the line, thereby reducing the force required by the operator when using the device.

[0008] The invention further relates to the use of the device of the invention for treating a substantially vertical surface. The treatment operation may be washing, painting, impregnating, anti-rust treatment, abrasive treatment, etc., but is preferably a cleaning process. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows a tool carrier head of the present invention. For details, see Example 1. Figure 1 also shows a high-pressure nozzle (1) already attached to the tool carrier head. The tool carrier head is equipped with wheels (2a and 2b) and is connected to a pole (3) via a hinge (12). [Figure 2] Figure 1 shows a tool carrier head of the present invention, see Example 2 for details. The figure shows a high-pressure nozzle (1) attached to the tool carrier head, which further comprises wheels (2a and 2b) and is connected to a pole (3) via a hinge (12). [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows the end of the pole element: Figure 3 shows the end of the pole part (3) with holes (4a and 4b) for locking the element in the assembled state. [Figure 4] Figure 1 shows a cross section of a typical cargo hold of a bulk carrier. [Figure 5A]The details of the base unit of the present invention are shown. For details, see Example 4. The base unit is configured with a mounting portion for the pole (3), an operator handle (5), and a winch (6). [Figure 5B] The details of the base unit of the present invention are shown. For details, see Example 4. The base unit is configured with a mounting portion for the pole (3), an operator handle (5), and a winch (6). [Figure 5C] The details of the base unit of the present invention are shown. For details, see Example 4. The base unit is configured with a mounting portion for the pole (3), an operator handle (5), and a winch (6). [Figure 6A] The details of the device of the present invention are shown in Example 4. [Figure 6B] The attachment points for the pole (3), operator handle (5) and winch (6) are shown. [Figure 6C] Shows a pole (3) and a line (7). One end of the line (7) is already connected to a winch, and the other end of the line (7) is already connected to the pole (3). [Figure 6D] The supply tube (8) that supplies high pressure water to the nozzle is shown. The supply tube hangs down from above. [Figure 7A] Figure 1 shows details of a base unit of the present invention, see Example 5 for details. On the base unit can be seen part of a pole section (3) for attaching further pole elements, an operator's handle (9), a winch (10) and an arrangement (11) for storing the pole elements when not in use. [Figure 7B] Figure 1 shows details of a base unit of the present invention, see Example 5 for details. On the base unit can be seen part of a pole section (3) for attaching further pole elements, an operator's handle (9), a winch (10) and an arrangement (11) for storing the pole elements when not in use. [Figure 8A] Photograph of the apparatus disclosed in Example 5 for treating the surfaces of a cargo hold of a ship. [Figure 8B]Photograph of the apparatus disclosed in Example 5 for treating the surfaces of a cargo hold of a ship. [Figure 8C] The overhead support (7) can be seen in the form of a wire spanning the open top hatch of the cargo hold, supporting the line at point (11). [Figure 8D] The overhead support (7) can be seen in the form of a wire spanning the open top hatch of the cargo hold, supporting the line at point (11). [Figure 9] 1 is a schematic diagram of a device of the present invention installed on the wall of a cargo hold of a ship. The force vectors are shown in the diagram to show how the weight is carried by the line. For a more detailed description, see Example 8. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The present invention provides an apparatus for treating substantially vertical and / or overhanging surfaces, comprising a base unit, a pole, and a tool carrying head, wherein: The base unit provides a structure for attachment to a pole, the structure including a means for rolling on a substantially horizontal surface, a grip for an operator, and control elements for the device.

[0011] b. the pole is attached to the base unit at one end and to the tool carrier head at the other end; and c) The tool carrying head is provided with a means for lifting (rolling up) or lowering (rolling down) a vertical or overhanging surface. The tool carrying head is adapted to accommodate one or more tools.

[0012] Here, the base unit is connected to the pole by a pivoting hinge, allowing movement of the pole around the pivoting hinge so that the pole can have an angle relative to the horizontal ranging from 0 to 90 degrees. The pole at the other end is connected to the tool carrier head by a connection that allows the tool of the tool carrier head to engage a surface on which the tool of the tool carrier head is placed.

[0013] Preferably, the base unit includes a winch and a line (cable) attached to the winch. During operation, the line can be routed to the distal end of the pole or tool carrier head via an overhead support. In this way, a significant portion of the weight of the pole, tool carrier head, and optional feed tube can be carried by the line, thereby reducing the force required by the operator when using the device.

[0014] <Base unit> The base unit of the apparatus is the control portion of the apparatus and is the portion manipulated by the operator during operation. It has a base capable of standing on a substantially horizontal surface at an operable distance from the surface to be treated, as well as a handle for the operator to engage the base unit and rolls or wheels for moving the base unit across the substantially horizontal surface. The base unit can include controls, e.g., in the form of control panels, for the engine, brakes, winch, tools, etc., if provided on the apparatus.

[0015] A "substantially horizontal surface" is a surface in free space adjacent to the surface to be treated and on which the device rests during operation. For example, but not limited to, if the surface to be treated is the side of a tank, e.g., a cargo tank on a bulk carrier, the surface may include the floor / bottom of the tank. The substantially horizontal surface must be sufficiently rigid to allow the base unit to roll over the surface.

[0016] The rolls or wheels may be any rolls or wheels known in the art that allow for easy movement of the device towards or away from the surface to be treated, or repositioning of the device from the section where the treated surface is located to the next section to be treated.

[0017] To provide a stable image during operation, the base unit preferably has three or more wheels. For example, if the substantially horizontal surface is the metal floor / bottom of a tank on a bulk carrier, small wheels may be selected which have good grip on such surfaces, whereas if the substantially horizontal surface is grass, wider and larger wheels are preferred to facilitate movement on such surfaces. Selecting wheels appropriate for the intended use is within the capabilities of one of average skill in the art.

[0018] The base unit may include an engine connected to one or more wheels to facilitate movement of the device. Additionally, one or more wheels may be provided with a brake to prevent unintended movement of the device. The brake may be of a type that prevents the wheel from rolling at all. Alternatively, the brake may be of a type that allows the wheel to roll in one direction but prevents it from rolling in the other direction. The latter may be beneficial when the device is used on a vessel that moves due to ocean waves, as it allows the device to roll towards or away from the surface to be treated as needed during operation, but prevents it from rolling in the other direction.

[0019] The base unit may further include a winch with a line connected to the tool carrying head via the overhead support, and / or a section for storing the pole and / or tool carrying head when not in use.

[0020] The base unit is connected to the pole by a pivoting hinge, allowing the pole to move about the pivoting hinge. The pole can have an angle relative to the horizontal ranging from 0 to 90 degrees, preferably 0 to 80 degrees, where 0 degrees is horizontal and 90 degrees is vertical.

[0021] <Paul> The pole is a component that connects the base unit and the tool carrier head, and also provides the device with a desired range of motion depending on the intended use.

[0022] The pole may have a length in the range of 1 to 40 m, such as in the range of 1.5 to 30 m, for example in the range of 2 to 20 m. The pole may be made as a single section having the desired length, or may be comprised of two or more sections that can be assembled prior to use at the intended length.

[0023] Preferably, a pole constructed of two or more sections is used to provide more flexibility and further facilitate storage and transport of the device. More preferably, the two or more sections forming the pole are provided with means for locking the sections together in an assembled configuration to prevent unintentional disassembly of the pole during operation. Such locking means are known in the art, and the present invention is not limited to any particular locking means.

[0024] The cross section of the pole may be any convenient geometric shape, such as circular, oval, square, triangular, polygonal, I-shaped, etc., and the invention is not limited to any particular shape. The pole is preferably made of a material and shape that provides sufficient rigidity for the pole. However, it is also preferable to use a material that is not too heavy to facilitate operation of the device. Examples of suitable materials for the pole include, but are not limited to, aluminum, light metals and alloys, acrylic, polycarbonate, polyester, wood, etc. Those skilled in the art will know how to select an appropriate material based on these requirements.

[0025] <Tool transport head> The tool carrying head is attached to the pole at the end closest to the base unit using a hinge that allows the tool connected to the tool carrying head to have essentially the same angle relative to the surface being treated as the tool carrying head moves up and down the surface.

[0026] In some applications, for example, cleaning the corrugated bulkhead sections of bulk carrier vessels, it is preferable to connect the pole to the tool carrying head with a hinge that allows movement in all directions, such as a ball and socket hinge.

[0027] Alternatively, the tool carrying head portion may be provided with a tool that can laterally engage a surface that is substantially perpendicular to the surface on which the tool carrying head portion rolls, and in this way is made able to process the corrugated bulkhead portion wall.

[0028] Furthermore, the tool carrying head can accommodate one or more tools. The selected tool may be any tool suitable for treating a surface, including, but not limited to, a nozzle, a jet, a water spray (sprinkler), a brush, an air tool (e.g., an air-powered flail, an air blower, a spray painting nozzle), a rotary brush, a high-pressure nozzle, a high-pressure turbo nozzle, a foam nozzle, a steam nozzle, a girt blast nozzle, a (video) camera, a measuring device, etc.

[0029] Some tools, such as nozzles, jets, air blowers, and sand blowers, require supply tubes to deliver a supply stream of pressurized water, air, sand, etc. Other tools, such as rotary brushes, are provided with an engine connected to the tool carrier head and an electrical cord to provide power to drive the engine. Other suitable tools include air tools, such as spray painting nozzles. The supply tubes and / or electrical cords may be connected to a pole to limit the movement of the tubes around the work area of ​​the equipment, or may hang down above the surface being treated. The latter is preferred because it not only avoids additional tubes and / or cords in the work area around the equipment, but also reduces the weight carried by the pole.

[0030] The tool carrying head preferably includes one or more wheels or rolls to facilitate up and down movement. Winches, lines, and overhead supports In some preferred embodiments, the apparatus further includes a winch and a line connected at one end to the winch, the other end of the line being connected to the tool carrier head and / or to a pole at a location remote from the base unit, and the line is further connected to an overhead support, which allows the line to move freely and which supports the weight borne by the line.

[0031] The winch is preferably mounted on a base unit and, since the winch is controlled by an operator, the winch and line arrangement carries the majority of the weight of the pole and tool carrying head.

[0032] An overhead support is a grip located above the surface to be treated, e.g., at the top of the surface, that can carry the line and the weight carried by the line, and when stationary, allows the line to slide within the grip under the action of a winch.

[0033] Overhead support can be provided by an eye or pulley through which the line can be passed. If the device is intended for use in the bulk cargo room of a vessel, the overhead section may be provided by a wire tied across the open top hatch of the cargo room.

[0034] <Using the equipment> In use, the apparatus of the present invention is placed in front of a substantially vertical surface to be treated. The tool carrying head is in contact with the surface and the operator is positioned at the base unit. The base unit is moved towards the surface and, if provided, the winch is activated to raise the tool carrying head above the surface. When the tool carrying head reaches its maximum height above the surface, it is lowered again, and the apparatus is withdrawn from the surface. The procedure (treatment, step, process) can be repeated by moving to the next section requiring treatment.

[0035] The tools of the tool carrying head are enabled to engage and treat the surface to be treated when the tool carrying head is raised, lowered, or both, depending on the particular process. It would be possible to use one tool when the tool carrying head is raised, while using a second tool when the tool carrying head is lowered again.

[0036] For example, in the case of a cleaning process, a nozzle that sprays a cleaning agent can be activated when the tool carrying head is raised, and a nozzle that sprays a rinse water can be activated when the tool carrying head is lowered again, thus completing a two-stage process in one operation.

[0037] Preferred embodiment, use on bulk carriers. In a preferred embodiment, the device of the present invention is intended for use in cleaning the substantially vertical sides and overhangs of the cargo holds of bulk carriers.

[0038] In this embodiment, it is preferable to use the inventive device with a winch having a line supported by an overhead support, for example, by strapping a wire across the open top hatch of the cargo hold. Furthermore, it is preferable to supply supply tubes for the tools attached to the tool carrier head, for example, tubes supplying pressurized water for nozzles used to treat surfaces with high-pressure spray, and electrical cords supplying power to the device, from the deck of the ship. The supply tubes and electrical cords are suspended from above through the top hatch of the cargo hold to the respective connections of the device. In this way, the pole is freed from the weight of the tubes and cords. Furthermore, this arrangement avoids dangers around the working area of ​​the device caused by tubes and / or cords lying in the working area. If the cargo hold has a corrugated bulkhead surface, it is even more preferable to use a tool carrier head connected to the pole by a hinge that can move in all directions, or by providing the tool carrier head with a tool that can be engaged laterally to process the corrugated bulkhead surface.

[0039] In such equipment, one person located at the base unit operates the equipment while another person located on deck controls the feed stream fed into the feed tube. If necessary, two people can conveniently operate the equipment, moving the line along the overhead support as the surface preparation operation progresses from one portion of the surface to an adjacent portion of the surface. If the feed stream could be remotely controlled and the overhead support were equipped with a small engine, allowing the operator to control all elements from the base unit, it would be possible for only one person to perform the procedure.

[0040] However, it is common practice on many bulk carriers to have people on deck at all times when work is being carried out in the cargo holds. The deck personnel do not have to be fully dedicated to the cleaning work using the equipment, but are available to support the operators in the cargo holds when required, between other tasks on deck.

[0041] Traditionally, cleaning the walls of cargo ships has been performed using a variety of manually portable equipment, such as high-pressure washers, optionally supported on tripods. Because the range of such equipment is short, it is often necessary to use ladders, scaffolding, or gallows suspended along the wall. These ladders, scaffolding, or gallows may result in less-than-ideal ergonomic positions for crew members, potentially leading to injuries due to poor working posture. Furthermore, they may result in uneven cleaning of the surface. Therefore, traditionally, cleaning the walls of cargo ships is a labor-intensive task, typically performed by teams of four or more people. This heavy reliance on manual labor can result in uneven cleaning, as different people operate slightly different equipment with varying cleaning efficiencies. Furthermore, the extensive use of heavy machinery and awkward positions on ladders, scaffolding, and the like have resulted in numerous injuries to cleaners.

[0042] Thus, compared to conventional cleaning operations, the device of the present invention offers the following advantages: -The cargo area can be cleaned by one operator (or two operators depending on the setting).

[0043] - The (continuous) load required by the operator is low, typically 5-10 kg of force. Peak loads are somewhat high, up to 15-20 kg, but this is fully in line with many work environment recommendations.

[0044] -Good ergonomic positioning of the operator: the operator is located on the floor / bottom, thus avoiding dangerous positions. The angle of the tool relative to the surface and the speed of movement are controlled by the device, resulting in uniform performance.

[0045] Only one operation is required to carry out the cleaning operation, for example using high-pressure cleaning tools, optionally combined with the application of a cleaning agent. -Because workers are separated from the cleaning area (by the length of the pole), they are less exposed to water mist, dirt, cleaning agents and other chemicals.

[0046] -There is no risk of workers or others falling during work due to power feed tubes or electrical cords hanging from the deck. The apparatus has been described primarily in relation to treating surfaces on cargo ships, however, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the apparatus can be used to treat any substantially vertical surface of any height, whether the surface is located on a ship or at a land-based facility.

[0047] <<Example>> <Example 1. Tool transport head> The tool transport head, as shown in Figure 1, was made of aluminum. Three rubber wheels were installed: two rubber wheels (2a) on both sides of the nozzle 1 at the front, and one rubber wheel (2b) at the rear, located under the hinge 12. The tool transport head was equipped with three high-pressure turbo nozzles (1) (maximum pressure 180 bar (18 MPa), maximum temperature 90°C, nozzle diameter (orifice diameter) 0.84 mm, divergence 40°), as well as a 1 / 2-inch (1.27 cm) inlet for a supply tube supplying high-pressure water.

[0048] The tool carrying head portion was attached to the aluminum pole (3) disclosed in Example 3, having an outer diameter of 80 mm and an inner diameter of 74 mm, via a hinge (12) and a connecting metal fitting. <Example 2. Tool transport head> The second tool carrier head was fabricated essentially as described in Example 1, except that the nozzle (1) was positioned so that it could treat a surface perpendicular to the surface over which the second tool carrier head ran. This tool carrier head is shown in Figure 2.

[0049] Example 3: Pole element The pole elements consist of aluminum tubing with an outer diameter of 80 mm and an inner diameter of 74 mm. One end of the pole element has a short, smaller diameter stub that fits onto the next element. Each end of the pole element has holes (4a, 4b) for inserting pins to secure the pole (3) in a locked position. The connecting ends are shown in Figure 3.

[0050] <Example 4. Base Unit> A base unit was fabricated based on a tripod (see Figure 5A), on which an operating handle (5) and a winch (6) were attached (see details in Figure 5B and a top view in Figure 5C).

[0051] The tool delivery head disclosed in Example 1 was positioned over the surface to be treated and connected to the pole (3) disclosed in Example 3 (see Figure 6A). The other end of the pole (3) was attached to a base unit as shown in Figure 6B and routed through an overhead support (7) to a winch (6) already attached to the pole (3). See Figure 6C.

[0052] The supply tube (8) for supplying high-pressure water hangs down from the deck and is attached to a nozzle already attached to the tool carrier head (see Figure 6D). <Example 5. Base Unit> See Figure 7A. The base unit is made of a rectangular base with rubber wheels at each corner. The base unit includes a handle (9) with a control panel, a pivoting hinge connected to a section of tubing adapted to receive one end of the pole (3), and a winch (10).

[0053] The base unit further comprises a location (11) for storing the pole elements as described in Example 3 when not in use (see Figure 7B). <Example 6. Cleaning device> A cleaning device comprising the base unit of Example 5, the pole elements forming the pole (3) according to Example 3, and the tool transport head part according to Example 1.

[0054] The device was installed in the cargo hold of a bulk carrier vessel. The tool carrier head was positioned adjacent to the wall to be treated. The line connected to the winch was routed through an overhead support (7) and attached to a pole (3) using two attachments. One attachment was attached to the tool carrier head, and the second attachment was attached approximately 2 m below the pole (3).

[0055] The treatment was initiated and the performance of the device was recorded. Figure 8A is a photograph taken immediately after the start of the test when the pole (3) was substantially horizontal and the tool carrying head was below the surface.

[0056] FIG. 8B is a photograph of the test after the tool delivery head has moved some distance above the surface. Figure 8C is a photograph of the test in which the tool transport head reached an overhang on the surface to be treated. The device of the present invention was able to move over the overhang and treat the surface.

[0057] FIG. 8D is a photograph of the test when the tool delivery head reaches the top of the surface to be treated, which is located above an overhang.

[0058] Figures 8C and 8D further show a line connected to the overhead support (7) in the form of a wire across the top hatch of the cargo hold. Example 7: Worker Load The experiment described in Example 6 was repeated and the force (in kg) that the operator had to exert to perform the cleaning task was measured using a balance to measure the force required to move the device back and forth.

[0059] The resulting force the operator had to exert was equivalent to a load of 6 to 10 kg, with peak loads reaching up to 12 kg. Example 8: Analysis of device balance The base unit disclosed in Example 4 was equipped with the pole (3) described in Example 3 and the tool carrier head unit of Example 1, and a line was provided between the winch (6) and the pole (3) via an overhead support unit (7). This device was tested in the cargo hold of a ship.

[0060] The setup is shown diagrammatically in Figure 9, along with the force vectors of the load carried by the line. The force vectors along the line on either side of the overhead support (7) are of equal magnitude. However, if the force vectors are divided into horizontal and vertical components, the horizontal component closest to the cargo bay wall is smaller than the horizontal component shown further away from the cargo bay wall. Therefore, it can be clearly seen in the diagram that the net effect of gravity and the arrangement of the line as overhead support (7) is to effectively press the pole (3) and tool carrier head against the wall.

[0061] The theoretical considerations based on the force vectors described above were confirmed in actual tests. It was found that the tool carrier head was pressed firmly against the wall during operation.

Claims

1. 1. An apparatus for treating a substantially vertical and / or overhanging surface, the apparatus comprising: a base unit, a pole, and a tool carrying head; a. the base unit i. a structure that allows attachment to the pole; ii. means for allowing the base unit to move on a substantially horizontal surface; iii. One or more grips for the operator; iv. a control element for said device; v. a winch attached to said base unit; It is equipped with b. the pole is attached at one end to the base unit and at the other end to the tool carrier head; c. The tool transport head unit is vi. means for allowing the tool carrying head to move up and down on the substantially vertical surface or the overhanging surface; vii. means for allowing one or more tools to be accommodated; It is equipped with the base unit is connected to the pole by a pivotal hinge, allowing the pole to move about the pivotal hinge so that the pole can have an adjustable angle with respect to the horizontal, the other end of the pole is connected to the tool carrier head and supports the tool carrier head; a line attached at one end of the line to the winch; The other end of the line is attachable to the distal end of the pole or to the tool carrying head via an overhead support. Device.

2. The substantially vertical surface is a surface having an angle in the range of 0 to 45 degrees relative to the vertical.

10. The apparatus of claim 1.

3. the substantially vertical surface and / or the overhanging surface is a surface of a section of a ship designed to transport material in bulk; 3. The apparatus of claim 2.

4. The adjustable angle relative to the horizontal ranges from 0 to 90 degrees. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. the pole is connected to the tool carrier head by a connecting portion; the connection portion is configured to allow the tool of the tool carrying head to engage a surface on which the tool of the tool carrying head is placed. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

6. the pole has a length in the range of 1 to 40 m, preferably in the range of 1.5 to 30 m, more preferably in the range of 2 to 20 m; The device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

7. The pole is modular and configured with one or more interlocking sections.

7. The apparatus of claim 6.

8. The portion of the pole is a tube, one end of the tube has a short tube section of relatively small diameter adapted to be fitted onto a subsequent tube; The end of the tube has a hole for inserting a pin to secure the pole in a locked position.

8. The apparatus of claim 7.

9. The pole is hollow, the apparatus further comprising wires and supply tubes to one or more tools in the tool carrying head within the pole; 8. The apparatus of claim 7.

10. the tool carrying head unit is equipped with one or more tools selected from the group consisting of nozzles, jets, sprinklers, brushes, air tools, rotary brushes, high-pressure nozzles, high-pressure turbo nozzles, foam nozzles, steam nozzles, girt blast nozzles, (video) cameras, and measuring instruments, and the air tools are, for example, air-driven flails, air blowers, and nozzles for spray painting; The device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

11. The tool carrying head is connected to the pole by a hinge that allows movement in one, two, or three dimensions.

11. The apparatus of claim 10.

12. the treatment of the substantially vertical surface and / or the overhanging surface is a cleaning treatment; The device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

13. the tool carrying head comprises one or more nozzles, jets or sprinklers adapted to treat the substantially vertical surface and / or the overhanging surface with a cleaning liquid; 13. The apparatus of claim 12.

14. The device further comprises a brush.

14. The apparatus of claim 13.

15. The cleaning fluid is pressurized water.

13. The apparatus of claim 12.

16. A tube for supplying pressurized water hangs down from above the device.

16. The apparatus of claim 15.

17. the apparatus further comprising one or more separate nozzles enabled to apply cleaning chemicals to the substantially vertical surface and / or the overhanging surface; 17. The apparatus of claim 16.

18. the treatment of the substantially vertical surface and / or the protruding surface is a painting treatment; The device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

19. The tool carrying head carries at least one nozzle for spray painting.

20. The apparatus of claim 18.

20. the overhead support is provided by the line spanning the open hatch; The device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

21. The winch is powered by an electric motor. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

22. A method for cleaning or painting said substantially vertical surface, Use of a device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

23. the substantially vertical surface being part of a cargo hold of a cargo ship; 23. The use according to claim 22.

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