PART

Field of the invention

The invention relates to a service device for facilitating access to or at a structure above ground or sea level.

Further, the invention relates to a method of using such a service device. Background of the invention

Service lifts, work platforms, scaffolding, etc. are known in a wide variety of embodiments and in connection with many technical fields, such as for example in connection with high rise building, where lowerable lifts can be arranged at the top and lowered down, e.g. for example when cleaning windows or otherwise performing work operation on e.g. the building front. Also, scaffolding in many varieties are known when working on buildings, towers and other constructions above the ground. Also, lifts for lifting work personnel, tools and/or spare parts upwards from the ground are widely known. Also, in connection with sea-based constructions, such as e.g. oil rigs, sea-based wind turbines, etc. it is known to use lifts and similar constructions, which can be lifted up from a lower level and upwards and similarly from the top or near the top and downwards, carrying e.g. work personnel, tools and/or spare parts, etc. Also in connection with ships, boats or the like it is known to use e.g. lowerable platforms or the like for performing e.g. work at the side of a ship or the like.

Other uses of platforms, service lifts, etc. are known from a wide range of other technical fields. For all these solutions it is recognized that complex e.g. lift or scaffolding apparatus, machinery, constructions, etc. are utilized, also due to safety considerations, which naturally must be met, which all in all entails that the solutions are relatively costly and furthermore are not easily movable, e.g. from one site to the next.

Thus, when there is a need to perform some kind of work at some height at a construction, even if only a couple of meters above ground or foundation, it must be planned in advance and the correct type of lifting or scaffolding equipment must be provided, which complicates the job and infers relatively large additional costs.

In view of the above issues, it has been realized that there is a need for solutions that allow an easier and less costly access to constructions above ground level or foundation level, while still fulfilling the personnel safety requirements, and which with relatively ease can be moved from place to place.

These and other objects are achievable by the invention as explained in further detail in the following.

Summary of the invention

The invention relates to a service device for facilitating access to or at a structure above ground or sea level, said service device comprising

- an at least partially inflatable platform part, wherein

- said platform part is configured to be flexibly storable, when being in an essentially un-inflated state, and wherein

- said platform part, when being in an essentially inflated state, is configured for being load carrying,

- attachment locations for attachment of suspending means such as suspending lines, and

- a guard railing,

wherein the attachment locations are arranged at or connected to said platform part, and

wherein the guard railing is arranged essentially along the perimeter of the platform part. Hereby, a service device is provided, which may also be referred to as an inflatable lift, whereby the inflatable platform part, when inflated, functionally serves as a rigid platform board and can be used for e.g. lifting or lowering one or more persons, tools and/or spare parts, etc. when it is connected to suspending means such as for example suspending lines at the attachment locations, that may be e.g. placed at the ends and/or sides of the platform part or below the platform part. Other options for placing the attachment locations are possible, even at the upper surface of the platform part.

Since the platform part is inflatable, it is inherently light in weight and it is furthermore configured to be flexibly storable, for example configured to be rolled together, folded or the like, which makes the service device in total light in weight and in the uninflated state small in volume and therefore easy to move around. For example, it can be packed in a small box, bag or the like together with a small air pump, which makes it possible for one or two persons to carry it around and which makes it possible to transport it in for example a standard size car from site to site. It will be understood that the platform part, when being in an essentially un-inflated state, may comprise e.g. some remaining amount of air, but may nevertheless be flexibly storable, e.g. meaning that it may be e.g. folded, rolled or the like to be easier to handle, transport or the like.

Furthermore, since the service device is configured with a guard railing in order to facilitate the personnel safety requirements and attachment locations for attachment of suspending lines, the service device is readily available for being used after the platform part has been inflated, for example for lifting or lowering a load such as one or more persons, tools, spare parts, service parts and/or other objects. Such use of the service device can be made by attaching suspending lines to the respective attachment locations and by means of for example a hoist, a block, a crane or other known hoisting means within the technical field. Thereby, the service device according to the invention provides a solution that may allow an easier and less costly access to constructions above ground level or foundation level, while still fulfilling the personnel safety requirements, and which with relatively ease can be moved from place to place.

It should be noted that the guard railing may be designed in a multitude of forms, depending on e.g. the actual use of the service device, e.g. for personnel or for tools/parts/materials etc. only. In the latter case the height of the guard railing may correspond to the parts being e.g. lifted or lowered. In case of a service lift for use by personnel, the height of the guard railing may be designed to reflect e.g. certain standards, norms, etc. It should also be noted that it will be understood that an arrangement of the guard railing essentially along the perimeter of the platform part may comprise a location along the edge, e.g. the outer edge or edges of the platform, or placed with a small distance to the edge e.g. for practical reasons, which will be apparent to a skilled person.

It should also be noted that the service device may be lifted and lowered by means of suspending means connected below the platform part, e.g. to attachment locations placed here. For example, the service device may be lifted and lowered by forks, coupling means or other connecting means arranged at an extendable crane arm, a telescopic loader, a forklift or the like and used as a work platform or the like.

Furthermore, it should be noted that in the present context it should be understood that a structure above ground or sea level, to which the service device may facilitate access, may comprise a multitude of structures such as buildings, towers, industrial structures, etc. (where access may be within as well as outside of the e.g. building, structure, etc.), bridges, tunnels, harbor structures, well structures or the like (where in case of an e.g. well the ground level will be understood as being the e.g. foundation or bottom of the well), etc.

According to an embodiment, the guard railing is at least partially collapsible.

The guard railing may be made from light weight material, such as flexible lines, net, web, mesh, etc. made of for example synthetic materials having the necessary strength to fulfil the safety requirements, and may thus be made to be at least partially collapsible, e.g. folded or rolled together such that it takes up little space and can be packed together with the inflatable platform part.

Furthermore, the guard railing may for example also comprise one or more parts that are at least partially inflatable and which are inflated at the same time or after the platform part has been inflated. Such inflatable parts may be at least partly connected to the platform part itself.

According to an embodiment, the guard railing may be at least partially inflatable. The guard railing may even be designed to be completely inflatable. A further option is that the guard railing may be integrated with the platform part and may be inflated together with the platform part or as an individual part.

The guard railing will nevertheless fulfil the safety function of for example preventing a person or a tool, parts or the like falling off the platform part, when the service device is used to e.g. lift personnel, tools, parts or the like.

According to an embodiment, the attachment locations may comprise extension parts extending from a platform level of the platform part to a level above the platform level to one or more upper attachment locations.

Hereby, the suspending line or lines may expediently be connected to the service device at the one or more upper attachment points due to the extension parts, which for example may be located at e.g. comers or ends of the platform part. At the same time the extension parts may serve as e.g. fastening posts for the guard railing. It is noted that the extension parts may be rigid, for example made from metal or plastic materials, or may be flexible, e.g. made from rope like material, synthetic material or the like. According to an embodiment, at least two of the extension parts extending from the platform level of the platform may be mutually connected via intermediate connectors.

Hereby, the extension parts, which for example at a suitable level above the platform level may be connected by e.g. the horizontally placed intermediate connectors, and may be arranged to form a frame for the service device, which furthermore at the top may form one or more upper attachment locations, to which the suspending lines can be attached.

The extension parts may be made from e.g. metal or synthetic materials and may be made as essentially stiff rods, tubes or the like, which can withstand the forces or stress, with which the extension parts are affected, when they are connected between the extension parts.

According to an embodiment, an upper part of the platform part may comprise a resilient protective layer, which may be an independent and exchangeable plate or sheet material.

Hereby, the resilient protective layer will serve to withstand the wear on the upper side of the inflatable platform part, e.g. the wear stemming from a person or from tools, parts or the like that are placed on the inflatable platform part. The resilient protective layer may be an independent layer that is exchangeable, e.g. when the wear is too great. It is noted that the resilient protective layer may also serve to protect the inflatable platform part from being damaged, e.g. by falling tools, sparks from angle grinders, welding equipment or the like, which is being used by a person on the service device. Further, the resilient protective layer may be configured to be able to withstand chemical materials, acid materials or other aggressive materials that may be used in connection with e.g. work being performed using the service device.

In this manner the platform part itself will be protected from such materials and such impacts. The platform part is thus protected from being damaged and possibly punctured and a reliable work operation can be achieved as well as a long service life for the service device.

It should be noted that the resilient protective layer, which can be made from a wide variety of e.g. sturdy materials known within the art and using reinforcing materials such as e.g. Kevlar® fibers, can be made to be exchangeable so that in case it has been worn or otherwise damaged, it can be removed and a new resilient protective layer can simply be placed on the inflatable platform part.

Even further, it is noted that the resilient protective layer preferably can be provided with an anti-slip or non-slippery surface to enhance the safe work environment that is provided by the service device.

According to an embodiment, the platform part, which may comprise an essentially box-shaped outer inflatable structure, may comprise an inner supporting structure for enhancing the load carrying characteristic in the inflated state, e.g. an inner supporting structure comprising wires, web, inner walls, etc., for example inner walls arranged in a honeycomb structure.

Thus, the e.g. box-shaped inflatable platform part may preferably have inner parts, such as wires, web, inner walls, etc., which connect the respective sides, corners, etc. of the platform and ensure that the platform, when inflated, will be rigid, essentially non-deformable and will maintain its essentially flat form when a load such as a person, tools, parts or the like is placed on the upper side of it. The form and shape of such an inner supporting structure may take many forms and shapes as it will be apparent to a skilled person, including e.g. a honeycomb structure or the like, where a series of walls may connect the respective two essentially flat sides, e.g. the upper side and the underside, of the platform part.

According to an embodiment, the platform part may comprise two or more individually inflatable sub-platforms, which are connectable to each other in the essentially inflated state to form the load carrying platform part and/or wherein the platform part may comprise two or more individually inflatable cells.

The inflatable platform part may have a standard size, for example corresponding to 1 meter by 2 meter or any other suitable size, but in case a larger platform is required, two or more of such standard platforms may be used as sub-platforms that may be stiffly connected to each other to provide a platform of the required size.

Furthermore, when the platform part comprises two or more individually inflatable cells, a higher degree of certainty against malfunction of the service device can be achieved, since the individually inflatable cells can be configured in such a manner that in case one of these cells should collapse, e.g. due to a puncture, the other cell or cells will remain un-affected, e.g. maintaining pressure and functioning as stiff platform parts. Thus, the platform part and the service device can still function essentially as intended, e.g. for lifting/lowering a person, parts or the like, since the deflated cell will not prevent the platform part as a whole in maintaining its rigidity, especially when the platform part comprises a relatively large number of cells, e.g. 10, 20, 30 or more, e.g. up to a hundred or more, where a single or some defective cells will have only little influence. To this should be noted that even if a cell is defective, e.g. punctured, it will still provide support by its cover, even in case a relatively large number of cells have been damaged and/or deflated. Furthermore, in addition to this it should be noted that in view of safety regulations, a person being supported by the service device must be secured additionally by a personnel safety line, which is attached to an anchorage point, e.g. at the construction in question, which anchorage point is independent of the service device.

According to a further aspect, the invention relates to a method of using a service device according to any one of claims 1-8, said method comprising

- providing the service device with the platform part being in an essentially un inflated state,

- inflating the platform part to a predefined inflated state,

- deploying the guard railing, - attaching one or more suspending means such as suspending lines to respective attachment locations and attaching the one or more suspending means such as suspending lines to respective anchor points, if not already attached, and

- lifting or lowering the service device via the one or more suspending means such as suspending lines.

Hereby, the service device may relatively easily be deployed, e.g. by rolling or folding out the un-inflated platform part, inflating the platform part by means of e.g. an air pump, a compressor or the like, until the platform is in a predefined inflated state, for example having been pumped to a predefined pressure. When inflated to this state, and since the service device is configured with a guard railing, the platform part can functionally serve as a rigid platform board of the service device, when one or more suspending lines are attached to the respective attachment locations on the platform part and attached to respective anchor points, e.g. hoists or the like, if this has not already been performed. The service device can now be used for e.g. lifting or lowering of one or more persons, tools and/or spare parts, service parts and/or other objects, etc., by means of for example a hoist, a block, a crane or other known hoisting means within the technical field

Since the platform part is inflatable, it is inherently light in weight and it is furthermore configured to be flexibly storable, for example configured to be rolled together, folded or the like, which makes the service device in total light in weight and in the uninflated state small in volume and therefore easy to move around. For example, it can be packed in a small box, bag or the like together with a small air pump, which makes it possible for one or two persons to carry it around and which makes it possible to transport it in for example a standard size car from site to site.

The guard railing may be made from light weight material, such as flexible lines, net, web, mesh, etc. made of for example synthetic materials having the necessary strength to fulfil the safety requirements. Thus, the guard railing will fulfil the safety function of for example preventing a person or a tool, parts or the like falling off the platform part, when the service device is used to e.g. lift personnel. Furthermore, the guard railing may for example also comprise one or more parts that are at least partially inflatable and which are inflated at the same time or after the platform part has been inflated. Such inflatable parts may be at least partly connected to the platform part itself.

Even further, the guard railing may be at least partially inflatable. The guard railing may even be designed to be completely inflatable. A further option is that the guard railing may be integrated with the platform part and may be inflated together with the platform part or as an individual part.

Due to its low weight and mobility, the service device can for example be used even for facilitating access to minor levels, such as 1 meter or so above sea or ground level, but it can also be used for heights such as a few meters or more. Also greater heights, e.g. 100 meters or more, can be accessed by the service lift according to the invention.

It should also be noted that the service device may be lifted and lowered by means of suspending means connected below the platform part, e.g. to attachment locations placed here. For example, the service device may be lifted and lowered by forks, coupling means or other connecting means arranged at an extendable crane arm, a telescopic loader, a fork lift or the like and used as a work platform or the like.

According to an embodiment, the method may further comprise the step of

- deploying extension parts extending from a platform level of the platform part to a level above the platform level to one or more upper attachment locations.

Hereby, the suspending means such as a suspending line or lines may expediently be connected to the service device at the one or more upper attachment points due to the extension parts, which for example may be located at e.g. comers or ends of the platform part. At the same time the extension parts may serve as e.g. fastening posts for the guard railing. It is noted that the extension parts may be rigid, for example made from metal or plastic materials, or may be flexible, e.g. made from rope like material, synthetic material or the like.

According to an embodiment, the method may further comprise the step of

- attaching safety lines attached to one or more persons carried by the service device to personnel anchorage points.

Thus, when the service device is utilized for lifting or lowering one or more persons, the personnel safety will be provided by the safety lines that are attached to personnel anchorage points that are independent of the service device. Thus, in the unlikely event that an error should occur at the service device, e.g. a fault at the inflatable platform or the suspending lines, the safety of the person or person is secured by the safely lines, which are not attached to the service device but are independent of the service device and also independent as regards the personnel anchorage points. It is noted that the personnel safety lines are made to conform to the usual safety regulations when working at height and that thus for example two parallel safety lines may be used for each person in order to achieve a high degree of safety.

According to a still further aspect, it should be noted that the service device may in certain circumstances find use without a guard railing, such that the service device for facilitating access to or at a structure above ground or sea level comprises

- an at least partially inflatable platform part, wherein

- said platform part is configured to be flexibly storable, when being in an essentially un-inflated state, and wherein

- said platform part, when being in an essentially inflated state, is configured for being load carrying, and

- attachment locations for attachment of suspending means such as suspending lines, wherein the attachment locations are arranged at or connected to said platform part. The circumstances, under which such a service device may be used, depend on the load being carried, e.g. no persons being lifted, and/or the height, to which the service device is being lifted,

Thus, a method for using this service device, which is more or less void of a guard railing, comprises

- providing the service device with the platform part being in an essentially un- inflated state,

- inflating the platform part to a predefined inflated state,

- attaching one or more suspending means such as suspending lines to respective attachment locations and attaching the one or more suspending means such as suspending lines to respective anchor points, if not already attached, and

- lifting or lowering the service device via the one or more suspending means such as suspending lines.

It is noted that in connection with the service device according to the invention and in connection with the method of using the service device according to the invention, the respective means, e.g. suspending means such as suspending lines, attachment locations, attachment arrangements, attachment means, personnel safety lines, fall protection means, etc. are designed in order to conform to standards, norms, safety regulations, etc., national, regional as well as international, that apply in view of the particular locations of use and the particular working circumstances, e.g. when working at height, and depending on the particular use, e.g. for lifting, lowering or in general handling/carrying personnel or materials such as tools, spare parts, various materials, etc.

The figures

The invention will be explained in further detail below with reference to the figures of which

Fig. 1 shows in a schematic manner an exemplary embodiment of a service device according to the invention, Fig. 2a is an exemplary embodiment of a service device shown in a schematic view,

Fig. 2b shows in a schematic manner a platform part according to an embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 3 shows a platform part seen from above, wherein exemplary inner supporting structures are indicated,

Figs. 4a-b show examples of a platform part seen from one end in a sectional view,

Figs. 5-7 illustrate an example of a deployment of a service device according to an embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 8 shows in a schematic view an embodiment of a service device and an example of its use, and

Figs. 9-12 illustrate schematically further manners of using a service device according to embodiments of the invention.

Detailed description

In fig. 1 is shown an exemplary embodiment of a service device 10 according to the invention, which in the figure is illustrated in a schematic manner. The service device 10 is here depicted in connection with a land based construction such as a building 2, where it is used for lowering and lifting a person 50 from the top of the building 2 down along the front of the building 2, for example for working on the fa ade of the building, cleaning windows, painting windows or the like.

The service device 10 is shown comprising a platform part 20, which has been inflated in connection with the deployment of the service device 10 and where a guard railing 24, which for the sake of clarity is shown in a schematic manner only in fig. 1, has been arranged essentially along the perimeter of the platform part 20. Further, suspending lines 40 have been attached to a number of attachment locations 22 on or at the platform part 20. The suspending lines 40 have been attached to anchor points 42 at the top of the building 2, e.g. at outriggers or the like as indicated in fig. 1. The anchorage points 42 may for example comprise hoists or the like 44 for lifting and lowering.

As further shown in fig. 1, the person 50 being carried by the service device 10 is secured by means of a safety line 52, which is attached to a personnel anchorage point 54, which is independent of the service device 10, for example a fixed personnel anchorage point 54 on the top of the building 2 as shown or at another secure point of the building. In fig. 1 the safety line 52 is shown as being a single line, but it will be understood that it may be two (or even more) lines arranged for securing each person, for example to meet safety regulations for suspended work or the like. It should be noted, though, that the person 50 may be secured by a safety line to the service device 10 itself, depending on the specific safety regulations, certifications, etc. Further, it should be noted that the service device 10 may be used as a lift for persons or as a lift for tools, parts, etc. only, which may influence on the safety requirements.

It should also be noted that the service device 10 may be lifted and lowered by means of suspending means connected below the platform part 10, e.g. to attachment locations 22 placed here. For example, the service device 10 may be lifted and lowered by forks or other connecting means arranged at an extendable crane arm, a telescopic loader, or the like and used as a work platform or the like.

In fig. 2a is shown in a schematic manner an exemplary embodiment of a service device 10. The platform part 20 is shown as an essentially box-shaped part, which has been inflated, and which for example near its corners have attachment locations 22. Extension parts 26 have been connected to these attachment locations 22, such that upper attachment locations 30 are provided. Suspending lines 40 (not shown in fig. 2a) can thus be connected to these upper attachment locations 30. Further, it is noted that the extension parts 26 may serve as comer posts for a guard railing 24, which is arranged essentially along the perimeter of the platform part 20. This guard railing 24 may as shown be in the form of a web material, but other forms and various materials may be used as well, e.g. sheet material or the like, made from for example synthetic material having the necessary strength to serve as guarding material. It is noted that the guard railing in essence can be disassembled and packed for example together with the deflated platform part 20.

Further, it is shown in fig. 2a that the extension parts 26 can be connected for example horizontally by means of intermediate connections 28 that may be made from e.g. metal or synthetic materials and may be made as essentially stiff rods, tubes or the like, which can withstand the forces or stress, with which the extension parts 28 are affected, when they are connected between the extension parts 26. In this way a frame may be arranged for the service device 10, which furthermore at the top may form the one or more upper attachment locations 30, to which the suspending lines 40 can be attached.

Fig. 2b shows correspondingly in a schematic manner a platform part 20 on its own, e.g. with no guard railing present and with no extension parts 26 connected to the attachment locations 22. As shown, the attachment locations 22 are arranged at or above the upper plane of the platform part 20, but as shown they can be fastened by means of fastenings 23 for the attachment locations that can reach downwards and be connected to the side of the platform part 20 or can even extend down under the platform part 20. It should be noted that the attachment locations 22 can be located at the side of the platform part 20 or at the underside of this, so that suspending lines can be connected at these locations.

Alternatively, the service device 10 may be lifted and lowered by means of suspending means connected below the platform part 10, e.g. to attachment locations 22 placed here. For example, the service device 10 may be lifted and lowered by forks or other connecting means arranged at an extendable crane arm, a telescopic loader, or the like and used as a work platform or the like.

Furthermore, it is shown in fig. 2b that the upper side of the inflatable platform part 20 can be covered with a protective layer 21. This may be a resilient protective layer that will serve to withstand the wear on the upper side of the inflatable platform part 20, e.g. the wear stemming from a person or from tools, parts or the like that are placed on the inflatable platform part. The resilient protective layer 21 may be an independent layer that can be exchanged, e.g. when it is worn. It is noted that the resilient protective layer 21 may also serve to protect the inflatable platform part 20 from being damaged, e.g. by falling tools, sparks from angle grinders, welding equipment or the like, which is being used by a person 50 on the service device. Further, the resilient protective layer 21 may be configured to be able to withstand chemical materials, acid materials or other aggressive materials that may be used in connection with e.g. work being performed using the service device. Thus, the platform part 20 will also be protected from being damaged and possibly punctured. It should be noted that the resilient protective layer 21, which can be made from a wide variety of e.g. sturdy materials known within the art and using reinforcing materials such as e.g. Kevlar® fibers, can be made to be exchangeable so that in case it has been worn or otherwise damaged, it can be removed and a new resilient protective layer can simply be placed on the inflatable platform part.

Even further, it is noted that the resilient protective layer 21 can be provided with an anti-slip or non-slippery surface to enhance the safe work environment that is provided by the service device.

In fig. 3 is shown a platform part 10 seen from above, wherein exemplary inner supporting structures 60, 62, 64 and 67 are indicated. These inner supporting structures may be walls or the like, which extends from one side of the platform part cover to the other side and which may be made in a multitude of varieties. For example, transverse inner supporting structures 60, longitudinal inner supporting structures 62 and askew inner supporting structures 62 may be used alone or in combination, whereby it will also be possible to form cells 68, that may be in essence independent of each other and configured in such a manner that they will be able to hold an air pressure in case a neighbouring cell 68 has been punctuated or deflated in another manner. Other inner supporting structures may be used such as a honeycomb structure 67 or the like, which is indicated within the cut-out 66, whereby a pattern of cells 68 is created, where each cell may hold an air pressure in case a neighbouring cell 68 has been punctuated or deflated in another manner.

Due to such an inner structure configuration, where the platform part comprises a plurality of individually inflatable cells, a higher degree of certainty against malfunction of the service device 10 is achieved, since the individually inflatable cells 68 can be configured in such a manner that in case one or a few of these cells 67 should collapse, e.g. due to a puncture, the other cell or cells will remain un-affected, e.g. maintaining pressure and functioning as stiff platform parts. Thus, the platform part 20 and the service device 10 can still function essentially as intended, e.g. for lifting/lowering a person, parts or the like, since the deflated cell will not prevent the platform part as a whole in maintaining its rigidity, especially when the platform part comprises a relatively large number of cells, e.g. 10, 20, 30 or more, e.g. up to a hundred or more, where a single or some defective cells will have only little influence. To this should be noted that even if a cell is defective, e.g. punctured, it will still provide support by its cover, even in case a relatively large number of cells have been damaged and/or deflated.

Figs. 4a and 4b show examples of a platform part 20 seen from one end in a sectional view. Here, it is shown in fig. 4a that the platform part 20 has an inner cell 68 structure and that a protective layer 21 is placed on top of the platform part’s cover to protect the e.g. box-shaped cover as previously mentioned.

In fig. 4b it is furthermore shown that in addition to the inflatable box-shape, the platform part 20 may have inflatable parts at the sides, which may be inflatable guard railing parts 70, e.g. parts, that aids in providing a guard railing together with the above mentioned guard railing 24 or which may even provide a complete guard railing 24 in itself, possible comprising reinforcing elements (not shown). Figs. 5-7 illustrate an example of a deployment of a service device 10 according to an embodiment of the invention, where in fig. 5 it is illustrated that the parts of the service device 10 has been transported to the location of use by means of e.g. a vehicle 8 such as a small van or the like. Substantially all essential parts of the service device 10 and further necessary tools may be packed in a single service package 6, which can be lifted, loaded, etc, by a single or two persons, when dealing with the smaller service devices.

The parts are now unpacked and as shown in fig. 6, the platform part 20 is unfolded, unrolled or the like, e.g. on the ground, and made ready to be inflated using a compressor 72 that may also have been packed in the service package 8. The air tube 74 is connected to the one or more inflation valves on the platform part 20 and the compressor is connected to a power supply via a power cord 78 or possibly powered with a battery power supply. The platform part 20 is inflated until a predefined pressure is reached, e.g. as indicated by the pressure indicator, or the compressor 72 may possibly be adapted to stop automatically when the predefined pressure is reached.

As indicated in fig. 7, the service device 20 is now being assembled as it has been described above for example in connection with fig. 2a, e.g. by attaching the extension parts 26 to the attachment locations 22 on the platform part 20, by mounting the intermediate connections 28 and by arranging the extension parts 26 to form the upper attachment location 30 or locations 30 (if two or more are present), to which suspending lines (not shown in fig. 7) can be attached. Furthermore, the guard railing 24 is being arranged or erected along the perimeter of the platform part 20, depending on the particular form of the guard railing.

The service device 10 will now in principle be ready to be utilized for lifting/lowering parts, tools, etc. and/or one or more persons, as it has been explained above. Further uses of a service device 10 according to the invention will be exemplified in the following.

In fig. 8 a service device 10 is illustrated, essentially configured as described in connection with fig, 2a, e.g. with a platform part 20, extension parts 26, intermediate connections 28, guard railing 24 and upper attachment locations 30, to which suspending lines 30 are attached.

The suspending lines 40 are attached to hoists or the like 44, which are arranged on outriggers 46 that are placed on top of a building 2, but which might just as well be arranged on a wharf, the deck of a ship or another construction at sea, e.g. an oil rig or the like. Also, it is noted that other land-based constructions can as well be involved.

Two persons 50 are shown in the service device 10 and both of these are attached to safety lines 52 that are attached to personal anchorage points 54. Other manners of personal securing are possible, depending on the actual concrete regulations and requirements.

Fig. 9 illustrates in a schematic manner a further manner of using a service device 10 according to an embodiment of the invention. Here, the service device 10 is also shown lifting two persons 50, but it may be another number of persons, e.g. 1, 3, etc. and it may be material, parts, tools, etc, that are being lifted/lowered instead.

The suspending line 40 from the upper attachment location 30 is led to a block 80, e.g. a pulley block that is fixed via an anchor point 42 to a construction (not shown here). The suspending line 40 continues to a further block 80, e.g. a pulley block 80 that also is fixed via an anchor point 42 to a fixed construction (not shown here). From this block 80 the suspending line 40 continues to a person 50 holding a powered winch 82, by means of which the person can lift or lower the service device 10. The person 50 may for example be standing on the ground, on a deck or the like. It should be noted that the suspending line 40 and the blocks 80 are part of a geared pulley block system, this facilitating the service device being handled by a single person.

Fig. 10 illustrates in a schematic manner a further manner of using a service device 10 according to an embodiment of the invention. Here, the service device 10 is suspended by the suspending line 40 from a crane 84 on a vehicle 8, e.g. a tow truck, a crane lorry or the like, which is parked on a construction 4 such as a wharf or the like, whereby the service device 10 can be lowered down to e.g. the water level and be lifted again along the wharf.

Figs. 11 and 12 illustrate schematically further ways of using a service device 10 according to an embodiment of the invention. Here, the service device is used in connection with a wind turbine 90. In fig. 11 the wind turbine 90 is land based and the service device 10 is transported to the site by means of for example a vehicle 8 such as a small van. As described above, the service device 10 is being deployed and subsequently lifted up along the tower 92 by means of suspending lines 40.

As regards fig. 12, the wind turbine 90 here is sea based and the service device is transported to the site by means of for example a boat 96. The service device 10 is deployed as described above for example on the boat 96 or preferably at the wind turbine deck at the transition point (TP) 94. Subsequently, the service device can be lifted up along the tower 92 by means of suspending lines 40.

In the above description, various embodiments of the invention have been described with reference to the drawings, but it is apparent for a person skilled within the art that the invention can be carried out in an infinite number of ways, using e.g. the examples disclosed in the description in various combinations, and within a wide range of variations within the scope of the appended claims. List of reference numbers

2 Building

4 Fixed construction

6 Service package

8 Vehicle

10 Service device

12 Compressor, pump or the like

14 Inflator hose

16 Power supply

20 Platform part

21 Protective layer

22 Attachment location

23 Fastening for attachment location

24 Guard railing

26 Extension parts

28 Intermediate connection

30 Upper attachment location

40 Suspending line

42 Anchor point

44 Hoist or the like

46 Outrigger

50 Person

52 Safety line

54 Personnel anchorage point

60 Inner supporting structure - transverse 62 Inner supporting structure - longitudinal 64 Inner supporting structure - askew 66 Cut-out

67 Inner supporting structure - honeycomb

68 Cell

70 Inflatable guard railing part

72 Compressor Air tube

Pressure indicator Power cord

Block

Powered winch Crane

Wind turbine

Tower of wind turbine Transition point TP Boat