Patent Publication Number: US-10781089-B2

Title: Lifting device, particularly a mobile lifting device

Description:
This application claims priority to German Application No. 10 2009 014 951.1 filed on Mar. 30, 2009, which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     The invention relates to a lifting device, particularly a mobile lifting device, for lifting loads, vehicles or similar. 
     A lifting device, which is also denoted a single column platform, is known in WO 98/30488. A lifting device of this type includes a base frame with a lifting column arranged thereon, in which a carrier with a load handling attachment arranged thereon can be moved up and down. A lifting unit is provided for lifting and lowering, which includes at least one control and a hydraulic cylinder, in order to move the load handling attachment up and down. The carrier can be moved by roller guides, which engage on the lateral recesses of the lifting column. 
     An arrangement of this type has the disadvantage that a greater wall thickness is required for creating sufficient rigidity due to the open profiles used, which requires more effort in production. In addition, constructive measures are taken by additional components, in order to achieve the rigidity in single-column lifting platforms. 
     The object of the invention is to create a lifting device, which facilitates a constructive design with increased rigidity, particularly using fewer components. 
     According to the invention, the object is achieved with a lifting device, in which the carrier has a sleeve-shaped or cartridge-shaped design, and at least partly surrounds the lifting column. This embodiment has the advantage that the lifting column dips into the carrier, and the carrier can be moved up and down in relation to the lifting column. It is therefore possible that a simple sleeve-shaped profile or hollow profile can be used for forming the carrier, of which the side walls can be designed to be open or closed, whereby the carrier as such has increased rigidity with a low wall thickness. Simultaneously, it is therefore made possible that the lifting column can also be designed by a quasi-closed profile, of which the side walls or side surfaces can be partly open or completely closed, as required. Through this arrangement, the number of required components for production of the lifting device is reduced. Simultaneously, a weight reduction can also be achieved through this, whereby a saving of material costs is also given in turn. In addition, overall, a lifting device of this type, which is preferably designed as a single column lifting device, can be designed with a narrower lifting column. Furthermore, this gives the advantage that the drive element situated in the lifting column can be protected. 
     A preferred embodiment of the invention intends that at least one lower guide element is provided on a lower end of the carrier or on the load handling attachment, which guide element is supported on the lifting column, and can be moved with the carrier during a lifting movement, as well as at least one upper guide element being attached on the upper end of the lifting column, which guide element is provided fixed to the carrier, which can be moved up and down, during the lifting movement, and supports the carrier. Due to this separation of the upper and lower guide elements, which up to now were both arranged on the carrier, and were moved together with the carrier in relation to the lifting column, it is now made possible, particularly at the start of the lifting process, that a distance of the respective guide elements to the power intake, corresponding to almost the whole height of the lifting column, is available. A very large lever arm is therefore created, which causes a considerable reduction of the acting forces, particularly during the start of the lifting movement of the carrier. Through this, lower wear and tear can be achieved, since only in an upper end position, a distance of the at least one upper guide element on the lifting column to at least one lower guide element on a carrier is taken, which up to now in most cases corresponds to the distance of two fixedly arranged guide elements on the carrier. A considerable extension of lifespan can be achieved by this reduction of wear and tear. 
     According to a preferred configuration of the invention, it is intended that the carrier surrounds the lifting column in a lowered position of the load handling attachment, and the lifting column preferably has a profile, which is particularly closed. Through this, in particular, the drive equipment arranged in the lifting column, such as drive spindle or a lifting cylinder can also be protected in an upper lifting end position of the carrier. Due to the configuration of the lifting column, which preferably also has a closed profile, increased rigidity can also be achieved. At the same time, simple production is facilitated by using hollow profiles. The corresponding cross-sectional geometries of hollow profiles of this type are adapted to the application. The wall sections of the lifting columns can comprise individual recesses, but can also be designed with an entire surface. 
     According to an advantageous further development of the invention, it is intended that at least one lower guide element, provided on the load handling attachment or outside of the lifting column on the carrier, engages on at least one guide surface on the lifting column directed to the load pick up. This alternative configuration can then be provided, if a particularly compact configuration of the lifting column is provided, so that the at least one guide element is to be relocated outside of the lifting column. 
     According to a preferred configuration of the invention, the drive unit and/or control and/or at least one accumulator are provided on the carrier. By carrying along the drive unit and/or control and/or the at least one accumulator, it can be made possible, in an upper lifting end position of the lifting device, that these partly delicate parts are also positioned outside of the working area of the worker. This embodiment is preferably powered by accumulators, and also has the advantage that the risk of damages is reduced, since the drive unit and control unit are also lifted. Preferably, it is also intended that an operating device is arranged on a base device accommodating the lifting column. This base device can be designed as a screen with a keypad or a touch-screen or similar, in order to give, request and read individual commands. Input signals are preferably forwarded to the control via a wireless connection. Alternatively, a wired data transfer can also take place. 
     According to a further alternative configuration of the invention, it is intended that the lifting column comprises a cross-section, particularly a U-shaped cross-section, at least partly surrounding the carrier, and a continuous rear wall is given in the region of the lifting section, which comprises at least one guide surface for the at least one guide element arranged on the carrier. If only one guide element is provided on the carrier, a guide surface can be designed in the centre of the rear wall, for example, in order to form a counter-bearing to the at least one further guide element arranged on the upper end of the lifting column. 
     According to a preferred further development of the alternative configuration of the invention, the at least one lower guide element is provided within the lifting column, which is preferably supported on a guide surface on a profile element in or on the lifting column or on a rear wall of the lifting column. This arrangement facilitates a closed arrangement, so that the moved parts are not accessible from the outside, whereby a compact arrangement can be created. 
     A further preferred configuration of the alternative embodiment of the invention intends that the at least one upper guide element arranged in a fixed position on the upper end of the lifting column, is directly attached to the lifting column, for example, on the side walls and/or the rear wall. 
     According to a configuration of the alternative embodiments of the invention, it is intended that the at least one upper guide element arranged in a fixed position on the upper end of the lifting column is directly attached to the lifting column, or is attached to a component group, which can be attached to the upper end of the lifting column. This configuration of the component group has the advantage that the at least one upper guide element can be pre-assembled separately, so that simple completion of the lifting devices is subsequently made possible, by the component group being attached and fixed to the lifting column. In the same way, a simple replacement can take place at a later point in time, whereby the carrier can remain in the lifting column. 
     The component group advantageously comprises recesses, which at least partly surround frontal end sections of the lifting column. It is preferably intended here that these recesses positively engage on the frontal end sections of the lifting column. Therefore, a reinforcement of the lifting column can be achieved in the upper end region, so that even in an upper end position of the load handling attachment, the preferably U-shaped cross-section of the lifting column remains uninfluenced in its geometry and is reinforced. 
     According to a further preferred configuration of the invention, it is intended that this component group is designed as a mounting panel, and in secured against lifting in a vertical direction by at least one detachable connection. This arrangement facilitates simple assembly and attachment. For example, a bolted connection or a safety splint or similar can be provided, in order to safeguard the component group attached on the upper end of the lifting column against lifting, and/or to fix in the position of the lifting column. Simultaneously, a simpler and quicker exchange of the component group with the at least one upper guide element arranged thereon is made possible. The exchange can take place in a rest position of the load pick-up position. 
     The lifting column, preferably at least partly surrounding the carrier, preferably comprises side walls, which can be attached to the rear wall for the formation of the U-shaped cross-section, which comprises an edging or splay on a front side lying opposite the rear wall. Due to this edging or splay, the side walls are reinforced in geometry and distortion for taking the loads during the lifting movement. An expansion of the gap in the lifting column can therefore be prevented. Simultaneously, simple positioning and mounting with the rear wall is made possible due to the configuration of the separate side walls. 
     According to a further preferred configuration of the invention it is intended that the carrier comprises a closed, particularly sleeve-shaped or tube-shaped cross-section, within which a drive element of the lifting unit is arranged. The geometry of the sleeve-shaped or tube-shaped cross-section can be round, quadratic, rectangular, or can include further geometries or include other profiles. A box structure of the carrier for the lifting column and the simultaneous integration of the drive element, particularly a hydraulic element, can therefore be maintained. 
     Furthermore, in the region of the upper lifting end position of the carrier, a clamp or locking element is preferably provided on the lifting column, which reinforces the position of the side walls to one another and to the rear wall. In this region of the lifting end position, the distance in each case between the at least one lower guide element on the carrier and the lifting column is the smallest, so the greatest forces occur. Due to the simple addition of a clamp element, the housing of the lifting column, forming a U-shape in the cross-section, can be secured and reinforced in a simple way. 
     The alternative embodiment preferably intends that the carrier, which is at least partly surrounded by the lifting column, consists of four wall elements arranged at right angles to each other, whereby two opposite-facing wall elements are arranged in an inwardly offset manner opposite the longitudinal edges of both other wall elements. This arrangement enables guide surfaces to be formed in both other wall elements, due to the inward offsetting of the wall elements arranged between them, on which guide surfaces the guide elements in a fixed position on the upper end of the lifting column can engage on the carrier. Preferably, in each case, the pair of rollers engages on the protrusions of the wall elements, which form guide surfaces. These can be designed as running surfaces for rollers or as sliding surfaces for sliding guides. At the same time, additionally, another side guide of the carrier can be given by the wall elements, which are inwardly offset. 
     Furthermore, it is preferably intended in the embodiment, in which the carrier surrounds the lifting column, that the carrier is designed as a closed sleeve, through means of which the lifting column can be dipped into the carrier. In particular, this arrangement has the advantage that both the lifting column as well as the carrier can be formed on a static, rigid cross-section, so that a closed force flow is given within the cross-section. Increased rigidity and therefore increased load pick up is made possible, along with a reduced use of material. 
     A further preferred embodiment of the carrier intends that the guide surfaces are arranged at an obtuse or right angle to each other. Through this, during the up and down movement of the carrier and the gliding along on the upper guide elements, an independent centering of the carrier to the lifting column can take place. It is therefore possible that lateral guide elements between the carrier and the lifting column are no longer required. Preferably, the sliding or running surfaces of the guide elements are also arranged in this obtuse or right angle. For example, in the case of rollers, the rotational axes are arranged parallel to the guide surfaces. In the case of sliding elements, the sliding surfaces and the contact surfaces are also preferably arranged in parallel. Alternatively, sliding elements can also be provided, which have a wedge shape between the sliding surface and its support surfaces. 
     This arrangement of the guide surfaces at an obtuse or right angle to the carrier applies for both alternative embodiments, so those embodiments in which the lifting column at least partly surrounds the carrier, or in which the lifting column dips into the carrier, which thus surrounds the lifting column. 
     A further preferred configuration of the invention intends that along a movement area of the carrier, within which the at least one lower guide element engages on at least one guide surface of the lifting column, a material is provided for forming the guide surface which is more resistant to wear and tear than in the head area of the lifting column. Due to the separated arrangement of the at least one lower guide element on the carrier and the at least one upper guide element on the lifting column, an upper region, which is determined by the minimal distance of the respective guide elements in an upper lifting end position, can be formed from a material which is less resistant to wear and tear, than the material which is used in lifting devices according to the prior art. A saving of costs can therefore be achieved. 
     The at least one upper and lower guide element is preferably designed as at least one roller. Rollers, for example, particularly with rolling bearings, can be used here. Alternatively, the at least one guide element can be designed as at least one sliding element. In this way, for example, different pairings of sliding material can be provided. 
     The lifting device preferably comprises rollers on the carrier, which are assigned to each other in pairs, and rollers on the component group, which are assigned to each other in pairs. In each case, these rollers are preferably arranged lying outside, as far as possible, within the lifting column. 
     It is preferably intended that the lifting column and/or the carrier are designed as punched and bent parts or as laser bent parts, and the lifting column and/or the carrier are particularly designed as a welded construction. For this purpose, the side walls comprise a latching hole, into which the pins of the rear wall engage, so that at least this connection can be subsequently welded. This facilitates a configuration of the lifting column, which saves material and costs, with a sufficiently rigid construction being given simultaneously. 
     For securing a sleeve-shaped or cartridge-shaped carrier to the lifting column, a further preferred embodiment includes a locking device, which comprises a controllable, mechanical locking element, which engages in a locking position on a counter-bearing on the lifting column. In the process, this locking device can be moved up and down together with the carrier, and facilitates a secure positioning of the carrier to the lifting column, depending on the working position of the load pick up element after its pick up. 
     According to a further preferred embodiment of this locking device, the counter-bearing is designed as a perforated plate with several recesses arranged at a regular distance from one another, which plate is held to the load pick up on the upper end of the lifting column with a suspension device, and preferably fixed in position to the lifting column by a detachable connection. This arrangement of a perforated plate and its suspension on the upper end of the lifting column on a suspension device has the advantage that the whole load is picked up in the locking engagement of the locking element of the locking device via the perforated plate or the suspension device, and is passed by the lifting column into the base element. The preferably detachable connections of the counter-bearing to the lifting column serve only for fixing in position and do not take any loads. Through this, the effort involved in production of the counter-bearing, which is usually fixed to the lifting column by a welded connection, is considerably reduced. Above all, the advantage is therefore achieved, that there is no distortion of the lifting column due to heat input. In addition, a simple exchange of the counter-bearing is made possible. Furthermore, this arrangement has the advantage that the perforated plate rests on a closed rear wall of the lifting column, whereby complete breakthroughs are excluded, which in turn have a lower risk of injury. 
     A further preferred configuration of the locking device intends that the locking element is designed as an L-shape, and is pivotably arranged in an oblong-shaped recess on the carrier. This facilitates a simple mechanical construction, which is robust in use. The recess is preferably assigned to a stiffening element, particularly a U-shaped stiffening element, which is oriented closed in the direction of the load pick-up. Through this, the carrier can basically be formed with the wall strengths for maximal load pick-up, and only the region of the locking device can have a reinforced design, so that in the application of the locking device as a drop device, the load can be securely picked up. 
     Furthermore, the locking device advantageously includes a control device, particularly a controllable magnetic clamp, which is disconnected from the mains after a travelling movement of the carrier to the lifting column. A control signal, particularly a current feed, can therefore be given by the control for taking an unlocking position and the lock can be converted to an unlocking position. As soon as the control device is disconnected from the mains, the locking element independently adopts a locking position and engages on the counter-bearing. 
     A further preferred configuration of the invention intends that only guide elements which are supported on the lifting column are provided on the carrier. For example, two or more guide elements can be arranged lying opposite each other on an inside wall section of the carrier, which can be moved along the lifting column, and absorb the forces occurring during lifting and lowering of a load. Alternatively, it can be intended that these guide elements are only provided on the lifting column, so that the carrier can be moved along this on the guide elements arranged on the lifting column. Both sliding elements and support rollers or rollers or similar can be provided as guide elements. When using rollers or support rollers, these have a constant distance from one another, and are fixedly arranged on the carrier or sleeve. When using sliding elements, these can extend partly or completely along the carrier or the lifting column. 
    
    
     
       The invention as well as advantageous embodiments and further developments of the same are subsequently explained in more detail and described by means of the examples shown in the drawings. The features to be taken from the description and the drawings can be used individually or in any combination according to the invention. In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a lifting device in a rest position, 
         FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of the lifting device according to  FIG. 1  in an upper lifting end position, 
         FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of a component group of the lifting device, 
         FIG. 4  shows a schematic side view of the lifting device according to  FIG. 1  for arrangement of the guide elements in a starting position, 
         FIG. 5  shows an enlarged view of the lifting device according to  FIG. 4  in an upper lifting end position, 
         FIG. 6  shows a schematic view from above of the embodiment in  FIG. 4 , 
         FIG. 7  shows a perspective view of a lifting device as a two-column lifting device, 
         FIGS. 8   a, b, c  show different schematic views of an embodiment alternative to  FIG. 1 , 
         FIGS. 9   a, b, c  show different schematic views of an embodiment alternative to  FIG. 1 , 
         FIGS. 10   a, b, c  show different schematic views of an embodiment alternative to  FIG. 1 , 
         FIGS. 11 a  to  d    show schematic views of another embodiment of a lifting device alternative to  FIG. 1 , 
         FIGS. 12 a  to  d    show a schematic view from above of alternative embodiments of lifting devices according to  FIGS. 11 a  to  d   , and 
         FIGS. 13 a  and  b    show a schematic sectional view and perspective view of a locking device of the embodiment according to  FIGS. 11 a    to  d.    
     
    
    
     A perspective view of a lifting device  11  according to the invention is shown in  FIG. 1 , which is preferably suitable for mobile use. Lifting devices  11  of this type are also denoted as single column lifting devices  11 . The lifting device  11  comprises a base device  12 , which is designed as a mobile lifting device  11  according to the execution example of the lifting device  11 , and preferably includes a chassis or a steering chassis. Alternatively, the base device  12  can also be designed as a carrier plate or mounting panel, which fixes the lifting device  11  to the floor of a workshop, or in a mobile or stationary working area. For example, on a stationary two column lifting device, a single carrier plate or two separate carrier plates can be provided for attachment to the ground. A lifting column  14  is provided on the base device  12 . A lifting unit  16 , which includes a control  17  as well as a drive unit  18 , is provided on the lifting column  14  or alternatively on the base device or on the base frame  12 . This drive unit  18  can have an electro-hydraulic, hydraulic or mechanical design, for example, and drives a spindle drive or similar. This drive unit  18  comprises a hydraulic unit  20  according to this design. A carrier  21  is positioned so that it can move up and down in the lifting column  14 . A load handling attachment  22 , which according to the execution example is designed as a mobile column element, can be attached to the carrier  21 . Through this, the mobile lifting platform together with one or other lifting devices  11  can each engage on a tyre of the vehicle, and lift the vehicle. The individual lifting devices  11 , which form a lifting system for lifting vehicles, are connected together by means of supply lines or control lines, not shown in more detail. These supply lines can serve for power supply. Preferably, the lifting devices  11  can be provided independently, which are operated with at least one accumulator  63  (see  FIG. 11 a   ), which are preferably assigned to the control  17  or the drive unit  18 . The controls of the lifting device  11  communicate with each other wirelessly for a simultaneous lifting movement. 
     The lifting device  11  is arranged in a rest position  24  according to  FIG. 1 . In  FIG. 2 , the carrier  21  is extended in relation to the lifting column  14 , and the load handling attachment  22  is arranged in an upper lifting end position  25 . The lifting device  11  is therefore simple, so not telescopically extendable. The lifting path is determined by the height of the lifting column  14  less the necessary minimum distance between both guide elements  41 ,  43 . 
     The carrier  21  consists of four wall elements  27 , for example, which are arranged at right angles to one another, such as is particularly shown in  FIG. 6 . Two of the four wall elements  27  are arranged inwardly offset in relation to the longitudinal edges of both other wall elements  27 . Through this, guide surfaces  28  develop, which are used for guiding the carrier  21 . The wall elements  27  preferably consist of sheet metal parts, which are produced by a punching process or laser cutting process. Subsequently, these individual wall elements  27  are put together, and firmly joined together by a welded connection. Through this, a welded construction, which saves weight and costs, can be formed. Within the carrier  21 , a drive spindle  19  or a lifting cylinder is preferably arranged as a drive element  18 . The load handling attachment  22  can be fixedly arranged on the carrier  21 . Alternatively, a suspension device can also be provided on the carrier  21 , so that different load handling attachments  22  can be attached thereon. Furthermore, the lifting columns  14  and the carrier  21  can also be designed with a load handling attachment, not shown in more detail, on the upper front side of the carrier  21 , instead of a load handling attachment  22  engaging on the wall element  27 . 
     The lifting column  14  is preferably designed as an essentially U-shaped housing, which is formed of a rear wall  31  and two side walls  32  arranged parallel thereto. Along a longitudinal edge, on which the rear wall  31  engages, the side walls  32  can comprise a latching hole  33 , into which engage pins  34  of the rear wall designed according to the contact spacing of the latching hole  33 . Through this, the side wall  32  can be positioned on the rear wall  31 . The side walls  32  are fixed to the rear wall  31  by subsequent welding. For reinforcement of the side walls  32 , the rear wall  31  is provided facing an edging  36  running along the height of the lifting column  14 . 
     Guiding the carrier  21  in the lifting column  14  is done by at least one upper guide element  41  arranged on the carrier  21 , as well as by at least one lower guide element  43  arranged in a fixed position on the lifting column  14 . Through this, the upper guide element  41  is arranged in a fixed position to the lifting column  14 , and the lower guide element  43  passes through a lifting movement in analogy to the travel distances or lifting movement of the carrier  21 . Preferably, on the lower end of the carrier  21  within the lifting column  14 , a pair of guide elements  41 , particularly rollers, are arranged, which engage on guide surfaces  42  in each case, whereby the guide surfaces  42  are formed by the rear wall  31  or by separately attached guide surfaces  42  or as processed or particularly hardened guide surfaces  42  or attached thereon. The arrangement of the upper guide elements  41  on the carrier  21  is disclosed in the schematic sectional representation according to  FIG. 4 . On the upper end of the lifting column  14 , a pair of guide elements  41  is preferably provided, whereby these can be attached either directly to the side walls  32  or these can be attached to a component group  45  according to an advantageous configuration according to  FIG. 3 . 
     The component group  45  is preferably designed as a mounting panel or head plate, which can be attached on the upper end of the lifting column  14 . It is preferably intended here that the component group  45  comprises a recess  46 , which enables the carrier  21  to pass through. Furthermore, the component group  45  preferably comprises recesses  47 , in order to positively surround the U-shaped housing. Through this, an expansion of the free side of the U-shaped housing is prevented, whereby an additional stiffening of the lifting column  14  is achieved. The component group  45  preferably lies on a front side of the edging  36 , for example. On the rear side, a mounting element or a mounting plate  48  is provided, which accepts the component group on one side, and on the other side includes web-shaped protrusions  49 , which engage in oblong-shaped recesses  50 . The component group  45  is safeguarded from lifting upwards by form closure and/or by a detachable connection  53 , particularly by a bolted connection. In each case, the component group  45  accepts an upper guide element  41  via a bearing  54 , which upper guide element engages on the guide surfaces  28  of the carrier  31 . This is shown in more detail in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 . 
     Through this arrangement, in a load pick-up F according to  FIG. 4 , the load handling attachment  22  causes the lower guide elements  43  to compulsorily engage on the rear wall  21  or the guide surfaces  42  arranged thereon according to the force F 2 , and the guide elements  28  of the carrier  21  engage on the upper guide element  41  according to the force F 3 . Due to the lower supporting force F 2  and the upper counterforce F 3 , which act against each other, and the large distance of the upper and lower guide elements  41 ,  43  at the start of the lifting movement, which essentially corresponds to the height of the lifting column  14 , is achieved due to the lever arms, which act in such a way that the forces occurring on the guide surfaces  28 ,  42  are considerably reduced at the start of the lifting movement and over a large area of the lifting movement. 
     Near to an upper end, the lifting column  14  comprises a clamp element  56 , which is shown in  FIGS. 1 to 3 . This clamp element  56  is preferably provided at a distance to the upper end of the lifting column  14 , in which the lower guide elements  43  engage on the rear wall  31  of the lifting column  14  in an upper lifting end position  25  of the carrier  21 . Additional rigidity is given by this clamp element  56 . This preferably also concerns a punched part or laser part, which is welded to the lifting column  14 . Through this, possible locking forces of a mechanical locking can be passed into the lifting column  14 . 
     The arrangement shown in  FIGS. 1 to 4  can also be varied to the effect that instead of rollers, which are designed as guide elements  41 ,  43 , sliding elements can also be used. In the execution example, rollers are used for the upper and lower guide elements. Alternatively, it can be intended that the upper and lower guide elements  41 ,  43  differ from each other in nature and design. For example, the lower guide elements  43  are designed as rollers and the upper guide elements  41  are designed as sliding elements. 
     In  FIG. 7 , a perspective view of a two-column lifting device  61  is shown, which consists of two individual lifting elements  11  according to  FIG. 1 . In this respect, reference can be made fully to  FIGS. 1 to 6 . Differently to the embodiment according to  FIGS. 1 to 6 , the two-column lifting device  61  comprises a load handling attachment  22 , which for example is formed by two support arms arranged so that they can pivot to one another. Through this, an adaptation to loading points on a vehicle frame can be made possible. In the same way, a rail can also be incorporated. In each case, both of these lifting devices  11  can be provided separately on a base device  12  or a carrier plate. Alternatively, a common mounting or fastening plate can be provided as a base device  12 . 
     An alternative arrangement of the upper and lower guide elements  41 ,  43  of the embodiment according to  FIG. 4  intends that the lower guide element  43  can be arranged in such a way on the carrier  21  that this runs outside of the lifting column  14 . For example, the lower guide element  43  can be supported on the edging  36  of the side walls  32 . The upper guide element  41  attached to the lifting column  14  can, in the same way as in  FIG. 4 , or, as shown for example in  FIG. 7 , engage on the wall element  27  turned away from the rear wall. In the process, the upper guide element  41  can again be directly arranged on a side wall  32  of the lifting device  14  or on the component group  45 . 
     Further schematic views of an alternative embodiment to  FIGS. 1 to 6  are shown in  FIGS. 8 a, b  and  c   .  FIG. 10 a    shows the lifting device  11  in a rest position,  FIG. 10 b    shows the load pick-up  22  in an upper lifting end position  25 , and  FIG. 10 c    shows a view from above of the lifting device  11  according to  FIG. 10 a   . This embodiment differs from the embodiment according to  FIGS. 1 to 6  to the effect that the guide surfaces  28  and the guide elements  41  engaging thereon do not lie in a common axis, but rather the guide surfaces  28  and therefore also the roller surfaces or sliding surfaces of the guide elements  41  are arranged at an obtuse or right angle to one another. In the process, the obtuse or right angle is oriented in such a way that self-centering guiding is made possible due to the loads occurring during a lifting movement from a rest position  24  to an upper end position  25 . Therefore, further guide elements of the carrier  21  to the lifting column  14  can be omitted. 
     A further embodiment of the lifting device alternative to  FIGS. 1 to 6  is shown in  FIGS. 9 a, b  and  c   . These upper guide elements  41  are preferably arranged on a component group  45 , which includes a centrical recess  46 , through which the carrier  21  can pass during its lifting movement. For accepting the counterforce F 3 , two upper guide elements  41  are preferably provided, which engage on a guide surface  28  of the carrier  21  in each case, whereby both guide surfaces  28  of this carrier  21  are arranged at an obtuse or right angle to one another. In this embodiment, the carrier  21  is designed as a closed, pentagonal tube, whereby both guide elements  28  are arranged in a roof shape to the other side wall surfaces of the carrier  21 , which are preferably arranged at right angles to one another. This closed, polygonal profile of the carrier  21  represents an embodiment alternative to the previously named profiles and geometries of the carrier  21 . 
     This configuration has the advantage that in absorption of the counterforce F 3 , an independent self-centering of the carrier  21  to the upper guide elements  41  takes place. Preferably, these upper guide elements  41  are designed as sliding elements. Alternatively, however, rollers can also be used. 
     A further alternative embodiment to  FIGS. 10 a, b  and  c    is shown in  FIGS. 9 a, b  and  c   . This embodiment differs to the extent that the centrical recess  46  is designed as quadratic or rectangular, and the upper guide elements  41  lie in a common axis, instead of being at an obtuse or right angle to one another. Through this, the profile of the carrier  21  or its cross-sectional geometry can be designed as quadratic or rectangular, whereas the carrier  21  according to according to  FIGS. 9 a, b  and  c    is designed as a pentagonal profile, for example, in order to arrange the guide surfaces  28  at an obtuse or right angle to one another. Alternatively, it is intended in this embodiment, for example, that the upper guide elements  41  are designed as sliding elements and the lower guide elements  43  are designed as rollers. An arrangement of this type can also be have an inverted design. The mixture of rollers and sliding bearings can be conducted according to the application. 
     A design of a lifting device  11  alternative to the above-described figures is shown in  FIGS. 11 a, b  and  c   . In this embodiment, it is intended that the lifting column  14  is arranged within the carrier  21 . This embodiment is almost an inverted arrangement of the existing embodiments. In this embodiment, it is preferably intended that the carrier has a sleeve-shaped or tube-shaped profile, which preferably substantially surrounds the sleeve  14  in a rest position, for example, according to  FIG. 11 a   . This embodiment allows the geometry of the lifting column  14  to be designed both as a tube-shaped or sleeve-shaped profile, or also as a closed profile, whereby increased rigidity of the lifting device is given. Through this, closed cross-sections can be created for both the lifting column  14  and the carrier  21 , which allow higher force absorption. In addition, the drive spindle or the lifting cylinder is arranged within the carrier  21 . The profile geometry for the lifting column  14  and the carrier  21  can be versatile. Furthermore, it is intended that that carrier  21  accommodates the control  17  and the drive unit  18  and preferably accumulators  63 , and can be moved up and down. Therefore, the design can be simplified by carrying along the control  17 , drive unit  18  and accumulators  63  on the carrier  21 , as well as the associated cabling and laying hydraulic cables, if applicable. 
     A half-section of the alternative embodiment of the lifting device  11  according to  FIGS. 11 a  to  c    is shown enlarged in  FIG. 11 d   . A lifting cylinder  23 , for example as a drive element  18 , is arranged in the lifting column  14  and within the carrier  21 . This is therefore not accessible from the outside and is protected. Furthermore, this configuration has the advantage that the upper guide element  41  and the lower guide element  43  are always inside and therefore protected. 
     It is preferably intended that the control  17 , drive unit  18 , inclusive of the hydraulic unit  20 , and the accumulators  63  are attached to a side wall or to an adapter panel, which can be attached to a side wall of the carrier  21 . Alternatively, this unit can also be arranged on the rear wall directed to the operating device  66 . 
     Additionally, in  FIG. 11 c   , a spacer  67  is shown for accommodating a lifting cylinder  23 . Before the assembly of the cylinder, this spacer  67  is screwed to the free end of the piston rod, or attached thereto. Subsequently, the lifting cylinder  23  is fixed in the carrier  21 . The carrier  21  is then put over the lifting column  14 , whereby the spacer  67  is introduced into the lifting column  14 . Therefore, an independent arrangement and spacing of the free piston end of the lifting cylinder in the lifting column  14  can take place. The spacer  67  is preferably designed similar to a clover leaf, or forming four fingers or a radial shape, particularly a star shape, so that each leaf end or each finger can be supported in a corner of the lifting column  14 , which is preferably designed with a quadratic or rectangular form, whereby the engaging fingers comprise a curve, in order to slightly leave out the corner region in the case of a welded lifting column  14 . An analogous embodiment also applies for a drive spindle or similar, instead of a lifting cylinder. 
     In the embodiment according to  FIG. 11 c   , the upper and lower guide elements  41 ,  43  are arranged as sliding members. These can be interchangeably arranged in a simple way with a fastening screw, for example. In  FIG. 11 d   , the guide element  41  is designed as a guide roller or roller or supporting roller, alternatively to a sliding member or sliding element. 
     All internal components, such as, for example, the sensors of the lifting cylinder or the drive spindle, as well as the guide elements  41 ,  43  can be protected against moisture and/or dirt by the closed embodiment of the carrier  21  with a cover  68  closing the lifting column  14  upwards. 
     The existing designs in  FIGS. 1 to 10   c  apply in the same way for  FIGS. 11 a  to  d   , insofar as these can be designed in the inverted arrangement of the carrier  21  and the lifting column  14 . 
     An embodiment of the lifting device  11  alternative to  FIGS. 11 a  to  d    is shown in  FIG. 12 a   . This embodiment differs from  FIGS. 11 a  to  d    to the extent that instead of a continuous upper roll, two rollers or two sliding elements are provided as an upper guide element  41 . Furthermore, it is intended that the lower guide elements  43  are designed as sliding elements. This arrangement can also be inverted. Likewise, only rollers or only sliding elements can be provided. Additionally, on the lateral side walls, another guide  44  for lateral positioning of the carrier  21  to the lifting column  14  can be provided, which guide is also preferably designed as a sliding element. These sliding elements, for configuration of the guide  44 , can extend in sections or continuously along an inner wall of the carrier  21 , or are arranged on an outer wall of the lifting column  14 . 
     An alternative embodiment to  FIG. 12 a    is shown in  FIG. 12 b   . This embodiment differs from the embodiment according to  FIG. 12 a    as well as from the embodiment according to  FIGS. 11 a  to  d    to the extent that the cross-sectional geometries of the lifting column  14  and the carrier  21  are neither quadratic nor rectangular, but a pentagonal geometry, for example, is formed. At the same time, the rear wall  31  of the lifting column  14  is divided into two sections, which are arranged at an obtuse or right angle to one another. Alternatively, a half of a hexagonal or octagonal profile can be provided, whereby the inclined surfaces serve for centering. The same can apply for the corresponding outer surfaces of the carrier  21 . Therefore, in turn, a self-centering positioning of the carrier  21  to the lifting device  14  can be given during the up and down movement of the load pick-up  22 . 
     An alternative embodiment to  FIG. 12 b    is shown in  FIG. 12 c   , whereby in this embodiment, the self-centering guide surfaces are not provided on the rear wall of the lifting column, but rather pointing to the load pick-up  22 . 
     In these embodiments according to  FIGS. 12 b  and  c   , the guide elements  41  can be designed both as roller elements or sliding elements, or a combination thereof. 
     A further alternative embodiment to the abovementioned  FIGS. 11 a  to  d  and 12 a  to  c    is shown in  FIG. 12 d   . In this embodiment, the lifting column  14  has a cross-sectional geometry like the carrier  21  in the embodiment according to  FIGS. 1 to 6 . The carrier  21  has a perimeter, which completely surrounds the lifting column  14 . At the same time, the upper and lower guide elements  41 ,  43  are provided respectively on the side walls of the carrier  21 , so that these engage on the guide surfaces  28  of the profiled lifting column  14 . At the same time, these can be fixed to the carrier  21  by means of fastening elements. Alternatively to the sliding elements, rollers are also possible. The configuration of the profile of the lifting column  14  within the carrier  21  is only as an example. In addition, other profiles designed in other ways, also open ones, can be provided for the lifting column. 
     In  FIG. 13 a   , a schematic sectional view of a locking device  71  is shown, through which a carrier  21  can be securely held to the lifting column  14  according to an embodiment in  FIGS. 11 a  to  d   .  FIG. 13 b    shows a perspective view of a part of a locking device  71 , which is arranged on the lifting column  14 . The locking device  71  includes a control device  72 , particularly a magnetic clamp, in order to convert a locking element  74  from the locking position  75  shown in  FIG. 13 a    into an unlocking position. The locking element  74  is preferably designed as an L-shaped corner, which is pivotably mounted in an oblong-shaped, preferably rectangular-shaped recess in the carrier  21 . One end of the limb of the locking element  74 , which is mounted within a housing  77  of the locking device  71 , can have a narrower design than the other limb, which engages on the counter-bearing  82  and accommodates a gripping element  78 , which is drawn through the control device  72  for unlocking. The second limb of the locking element  74  is arranged between the carrier  21  and the lifting column  14 , and engages in a locking position in a recess  81  of a counter-bearing  82 . The load acting from above on the carrier  21  is transferred via the recess on the carrier  21  to the locking element  74 , and via its limb between the carrier  21  and the lifting column  14 , transferred to the recess  81  or into the lifting column  14  via the counter-bearing  82 . The recess on the carrier  21  is preferably reinforced with a particularly U-shaped stiffening element  84 , whereby the U-shaped stiffening element  84  is designed open towards the bottom, and surrounds the recess on the carrier  21 . 
     According to  FIG. 13 b   , the counter-bearing  82  consists of a perforated plate  86  with an anchoring element  87  arranged on the upper end, particularly a button head, which is arranged in a suspension device  88  for load-pick up. The suspension device  88  is fixedly connected to the lifting column  14  for load transfer. When a force is exerted over the locking element  74  onto the recess  81  of the counter-bearing  82 , the load pick-up takes place completely via the locking element. The counter-bearing  82  is only fixed in position to the lifting column by a detachable connection  91 , particularly a bolted connection. The counter-bearing  82  extends from the upper end of the lifting column  14  to the lower end, in which the load pick-up is arranged in a base position or pick-up position. 
     In this locking device  71 , simply a pivotable arrangement of the L-shaped locking element  74  in the recess on the carrier  21  is sufficient. The gripping element  78  is arranged in such a way that its weight, after the control device  72  is switched off, moves the locking element  74  into a locking position  75 . After a lifting movement of the carrier  21 , the locking element  74  is independently brought out of the locking position  75 . In addition, the control device  72  can still be activated or the gripping element can be powered, so that the locking element  74  can be actively held in an unlocking position during the movement of the carrier. As soon as the control of a lifting movement of the carrier  21  is completed, a deactivation of the control device  72  or a disconnection of the clamping magnet takes place, and the locking device  74  independently engages on the counter-bearing  82 , on or in the recess  81 . 
     Owing to the lifting device  11  according to the invention with the above-described embodiments, it is therefore possible that reduced wear and tear is given over almost the total lifting height, due to the increased distance of the upper and lower guide elements  41 ,  43 .