GB2547652A

GB2547652A - Lifting device

Info

Publication number: GB2547652A
Application number: GB1603096.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Soukupova Zlata
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2016-02-23
Filing date: 2016-02-23
Publication date: 2017-08-30
Anticipated expiration: 2036-02-23
Also published as: GB201603096D0; GB2547652B

Abstract

A lifting device 11 is disclosed, for coupling to a submersible pump 10, preferably one that is located in a sewage pumping station, below ground level submerged and/or not visible from ground level. The lifting device 11 comprises a first guiding member 15 for guiding the lifting device 11 to the load 10, wherein the first guiding member 15 comprises a releasable attachment means, preferably an openable shackle, for releasably coupling to a guiding cable 212 connected to a lifting member 19 on the load. The lifting device also comprises an attachment member 13 to affix itself to an overhead lifting system 101, and a coupling member, preferably a hook, (18, fig. 3) which may couple to the lifting member 19 on the load. The lifting device may have a bell-shaped body with a second guiding member 16, comprising a guiding surface 23, to guide the hook 18 onto the lifting member 19.

Description

Lifting Device

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a lifting device, a lifting system and a method for coupling a lifting device to a load. Particularly, but not exclusively, the invention may be applied in the lifting of a submersible pump that is located in a confined space below ground level and submerged below water or otherwise not visible from ground level.

Background of the Invention A submersible pump is a pump that moves a liquid or slurry when wholly or partly submerged in the liquid or slurry. A common application for a submersible pump is in the pumping of fluids in a sewage pumping station. A sewage pumping station typically comprises a shaft that extends below ground, with such a submersible pump located inside the shaft. The pump is typically installed within the shaft using a substantially vertical guide fixed on the wall of the shaft, which allows the pump to be aligned and connected to the outlet pipes of the pumping station.

It is often necessary for a worker to remove the pump from the shaft of the pumping station, for example to maintain, repair or replace the pump. Pumping station shafts can be deep, dark and narrow, which means that direct human access to the pump can be difficult. Furthermore, the pump is often submerged well below the level of the liquid or slurry to be pumped, particularly if the pumping station is flooded. This means that the pump is often not visible to the worker at the working level, and it may not be accessible without encountering significant danger.

Removal of a pump is commonly performed using an overhead lifting device that comprises a winch, whereby the cable of the winch is connected to the top of the pump using a hook. It is standard practice for the pumping station to be pumped out in order to expose the pump before removal begins. However, this is not always possible, so it is also standard practice for a cable or chain to be attached to the top of the pump at one end and attached at a point close to the top of the shaft at the other end. In the event that the pumping station cannot be pumped out before removal, the overhead lifting device raises the chain as high as possible, before workers unhook and re-hook the chain until the pump reaches the surface. There are two disadvantages associated with having a chain permanently attached to the submersible pump. First, the chain will be subject to corrosion or fouling as a result of being submerged in the liquid to be pumped for prolonged periods. Therefore, it is possible that the chain will fail when load is put on it. In such a case, the pump can fall back into the shaft and be damaged or destroyed. A worker is then required to enter the pumping station shaft to retrieve the pump and chain. In doing so, the worker is exposed to a hazardous and very toxic environment. Second, a part of overhead lifting device (e.g. the boom of a crane) must be raised to account for the length of the chain.

In order to overcome these disadvantages, a loop or ring can be fitted to the top of the pump, for connection to the overhead lifting device via a releasable and freely-rotating hook provided at the end of its lifting cable. In this system, the hook must be manually guided to the ring or loop. This is a difficult and time-consuming task, which exposes the worker to significant risk of injury. Additionally, when manually guiding the hook to the pump, the worker is exposed to the toxic environment of the pumping station shaft. If the connection between the hook and the pump fails and the pump falls back down the shaft, the pump may be irreparably damaged and the release of tension in the cable can turn the hook into a lethal projectile. Furthermore, it is not viable to use this method if the pumping station is flooded and the pump is unable to pump out the pumping station.

It is also known to employ a lifting device that is attached to an overhead lifting device via a chain, the length of which is generally determined by the depth of the pumping station shaft. The lifting device is lowered on the chain towards the submersible pump. An automatic coupling system located on the lifting device couples the device to a lifting member located on the submersible pump. This allows the pump to be lifted out of the pumping station without the need to manually guide a freely-rotating hook.

Such an automatic coupling system requires that the lifting device be brought into contact with the pump, so that the lifting member on the pump can engage the automatic coupling system. However, the lifting device can only be lowered to the approximate location of the pump. As explained above, it is often the case that the workers operating the overhead lifting device cannot see the pump they are removing and cannot access it directly from the working level. Therefore, to locate a submerged pump, or a pump that is otherwise not visible, the workers must manually move the chain attached to the device or repeatedly lift and lower the lifting device until it contacts the pump. As the device is a heavy weight on the end of a chain, it is difficult for the workers to control the position of the device with any accuracy. Furthermore, movement of the chain can result in it behaving like a pendulum. Additionally, time is wasted in locating the pump using this method, meaning that the workers spend more time at a pumping station than is necessary, which translates to increased costs.

Summary of Invention

The present invention sets out to provide a lifting device that overcomes the abovementioned problems of the prior art.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a lifting device for lifting a load that has a guiding cable attached thereto or to a lifting member on said load, the said lifting device comprising: an attaching member for connecting the lifting device to overhead lifting apparatus; a coupling member for coupling the said lifting device to the lifting member located on the load; and a first guiding member for guiding the said lifting device towards the said load as the lifting device is lowered towards the load; wherein said first guiding member comprises a releasable attachment means for releasably coupling with the said guiding cable.

The releasable attachment means may comprise a loop-shaped member for location around the cable.

The loop-shaped member may comprise a shackle.

The lifting device may comprise a second guiding member for guiding the coupling member into a coupled relationship with the lifting member.

The second guiding member may have a guiding surface that is adapted to direct the orientation of the coupling member to align with that of the lifting member.

The lifting device may comprise a bell-shaped body having the second guiding member formed in a lower end region thereof, the said guiding surface being formed inside the said body.

The guiding surface may be adapted to cause the lifting device to rotate about a vertical axis when the second guiding member comes in to contact with the lifting member, so as to align the coupling member with the lifting member and enable the coupling member to couple with the lifting member.

The guiding surface may comprise a radially-inwardly projecting rib and have a reniform perimeter when viewed in cross-section.

The coupling member may comprise a pivoted hook and the lifting member may comprise a loop.

The lifting device may further comprise a locking mechanism for resisting movement of the hook once it has engaged the lifting member.

The lifting device may further comprise a release mechanism for releasing the locking mechanism from resisting movement of the hook.

The locking mechanism may comprise a rotatable locking member that is adapted to be rotated between a first position in which it resists decoupling of the hook and the lifting member and a second position in which it releases the coupling of the hook from the lifting member by the action of the release mechanism.

The release mechanism may be manually operable and comprise a cable attached to the rotatable locking member. A further aspect of the invention provides a lifting member comprising a base for connection to a load and a loop or eye member that projects from the base for connection to a lifting device, wherein the base comprises attaching means for attachment to a guiding cable. The attaching means may comprise a hole in the base and the hole may be situated in a radially extending projection member of the base. A further aspect of the invention provides a lifting system for lifting a load, the said lifting system comprising a lifting device and a lifting member according to the above aspects of the invention and a guiding cable attached to the lifting member.

The said guiding cable may have a first end, which is attached to the lifting member, and a second end, which is attached to a stationary object at a working level above the load. A further aspect of the invention provides a method for coupling a lifting device to a load using a lifting system according to the above aspect of the invention, the said method comprising: attaching the lifting device to an overhead lifting apparatus; coupling the first guiding member to the guiding cable; lowering the lifting device towards the load using the overhead lifting apparatus; coupling the coupling member to the lifting member; and raising the load using the overhead lifting apparatus.

The presence of the first guiding member enables the lifting device to be easily and safely directed to the load, even when it is submerged, thereby overcoming the problems of the prior art.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:-

Figure 1a is a perspective view of a lifting device according to an embodiment of the invention and Figure 1b is an alternative perspective view of the lifting device shown in Figure 1a;

Figure 2 shows the attaching member of the lifting device of Figures 1a and 1b;

Figure 3 shows the coupling member of the lifting device of Figures 1a and 1b;

Figure 4 shows the locking mechanism of the lifting device of Figures 1a and 1b;

Figure 5 is a section through the lifting device of the previous figures;

Figure 6 shows the first guiding member of the lifting device of Figures 1a and 1b;

Figures 7a and 7b respectively show two alternative embodiments of the lifting member;

Figure 8 shows the lifting device of Figures 1a and 1b in use;

Figures 9a and 9b show vertical cross sections of the lifting device of Figures 1a and 1b and provide further detail of the second guiding member;

Figures 10a and 10b show horizontal cross sections of the lifting device of Figures 1a and 1b and provide further detail of the second guiding member;

Figures 11a and 11b show the lifting device of Figures 1a and 1b coupled to the lifting member of Figure 7a; and

Figures 12a and 12b show the lifting device of Figures 1a and 1b coupled to the lifting member of Figure 7b..

Description

The following description, which is given by way of example only, is provided in order to give a more precise understanding of the subject matter of the present invention.

The figures illustrate a lifting device 11 for coupling to a load 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The load 10 to which the lifting device 11 of the present invention can be applied is not limited. However, for the purposes of the following description, the load 10 is a submersible pump used in a pumping station. The pump is lowered into the shaft of the pumping station using substantially vertical guides that are fixed to a wall of the shaft, so that the pump outlets may be properly aligned and connected to the outlet pipes of the pumping station.

The lifting device 11 comprises a bell-shaped body 12, an attaching member 13, an automatic coupling mechanism 14, a first guiding member 15, a second guiding member 16 and a locking mechanism 17. The second guiding member 16 is formed in a lower end region of the body 12. The automatic coupling mechanism 14 includes a coupling member in the form of a pivoting hook 18. The shape of the second guiding member 16 allows the automatic coupling mechanism 14 to align with and engage a lifting member 19 fitted to the submersible pump.

The lifting member 19 comprises a base 201 from which a ring or eye member 20 projects perpendicularly, which the hook 18 passes through when the automatic coupling mechanism 14 is engaged. The base 201 further comprises an attaching means such as a hole 211, groove, shackle or loop, to which a guiding cable 212 can be attached.

Two alternative embodiments of the lifting device 19 are respectively shown in Figures 7a and 7b. In each case, a hole 211 is provided in the base 201, as described above. The difference between the two lies in the shape of the base plate 201. It will be seen that the embodiment shown in Figure 7a has a generally oval plate-shaped base that extends a relatively large radial distance beyond the base of the eye member 20 and therefore contains the hole 211 generally within its area. Such a structure is suitable for relatively large loads. The embodiment shown in Figure 7b has a base 201 with a smaller area for use with smaller loads. In view of this, to facilitate the connection between the attaching means and the guiding cable 212, the hole 211 is situated within a radially extending projection member, which enables a relatively large radial separation between the hole 211 and the eye member 20, despite the relatively small size of the base plate 211. It is emphasised that many further variations in the shape and size of the base 211 are possible within the scope of the invention.

In use, the lifting device 11 is typically attached to a chain 101, which is suspended from an overhead lifting device, such as a crane, located at a working level substantially vertically above the shaft. The overhead lifting device may be attached to a vehicle or it may be standalone, provided that it is suitable for lifting the pump out of the pumping station. The chain 101 has a hook 102 or shackle at its lower end, which is attached to the attaching member 13 of the lifting device 11. The attaching member 13 is a shackle in this embodiment, but a hook or ring may be provided in an alternative embodiment.

The attaching member 13 is pivotally attached to the hook 18 of the automatic coupling mechanism 14. The hook 18 can pivot between a coupled and an uncoupled position. In the coupled position, the hook 18 can be engaged with the eye member 20 of the lifting member 19. The locking mechanism 17 maintains the hook 18 in the engaged position until a release mechanism (not shown) is activated, which releases and disengages the hook 18 from the eye member 20, releasing the submersible pump from the lifting device. In this embodiment, the release mechanism takes the form of a release cord attached to the locking mechanism 17.

The locking mechanism 17 comprises a locking member 171 that is pivotally attached to the body 12 at an axis 172. The locking member 171 comprises a first portion located on one side of the axis 172 that comprises an abutment portion 173. The abutment portion 173 is adapted to bear against the hook 18. The locking member 171 comprises a second portion that terminates in a loop 174 on an opposite side of the axis. The loop 174 is connected to the release cord. No significant load is placed on the release cord during use of the lifting device. The release cord may be a metallic or non-metallic cable or a length of rope. The release cord is attached to loop 174 on the locking member 171 either by means of a loop or via a shackle. Pulling on the cord pivots the locking member 171 about the axis 172 and releases and decouples the hook 18 from the eye member 20. The locking mechanism 17 cannot be activated when the load 10 is suspended from the lifting device 11, as the weight of the load 10 prevents the movement of the hook 18. It can only be activated when the load 10 is on the ground at working level or located in the mounted position at the base of the shaft and there is no weight on the hook.

In this embodiment, the release mechanism 17 is mechanically activated. However, it is not limited in this regard. In a further embodiment, the release mechanism comprises a linear actuator that is activated remotely by means of a signal from a remote control. The linear actuator is displaceable between a locked position, in which the actuator engages the hook 18 with the lifting member 19, and an unlocked position, in which the hook 18 is disengaged from the lifting member and able to freely move away from it.

The release mechanism 17 may be managed by a control system. The control system may be a manually operated control system controlled by an operator. Alternatively, the control system may be an automatic system. The automatic control system may include a linear feedback system, a control loop including sensors, control algorithms and actuators, and be arranged so as to regulate a variable around a set point or reference value. When the automatic control system monitors the parameter that is being regulated and employs feedback it can adapt to varying circumstances.

The actuator may be electrically operated and responsive to a disengaging signal detected by a radio receiver located in the body 12 of the lifting device 11. Alternatively, the actuator may be pneumatically or hydraulically operated. For example, a remotely operated release mechanism that is actuated by hydraulic or pneumatic means may be provided in order to rotate the locking member 171 of the release mechanism 17, such that the hook 18 releases from the eye 20 of the lifting member 19, thereby decoupling the pump from the lifting device 11.

When the lifting device 11 is attached to an overhead lifting apparatus via a chain and is lowered down the shaft of the pumping station towards the submersible pump, the first guiding member 15 and second guiding member 16 ensure that the lifting device 11 automatically locates the submersible pump. The first guiding member 15 comprises a releasable attachment means 21 secured within an aperture 22 provided in a flange 121 on the outer surface of the body 12 in the region of the second guiding member 16. The releasable attachment means 21 attaches to the guiding cable 212. In this embodiment, the releasable attachment means 21 is loop shaped and formed by a shackle. The size of the loop is larger than the diameter of the guiding cable 212. However, the size of the loop must not be so large that it prevents the first guiding member 15 from guiding the lifting device 11 to the exact location of the load 10. The shackle is releasably attached to the guiding cable 212 by means of a bolt 213, which, in a closed position, forms a loop. In an open position, there is an opening in the loop through which the guiding cable 212 can pass. The bolt 213 may be threaded and cooperate with a threaded recess in the shackle to secure the bolt in the closed position. The bolt can then be moved to the open position by unscrewing the threaded bolt from the threaded recess. The bolt 213 may be held in position by other means, such as a spring-loaded mechanism. In another embodiment, the releasable attachment means 21 is an integral part of the lifting device 11 and no additional attachment means are required. In further embodiments, the releasable attachment means may be a hole or groove in the second guiding member 16. Additionally, the guiding cable 212 may be releasably attached at multiple points on the lifting device, by the same or different releasable attachment means. For example, the guiding cable 212 may be attached at one or more points on the body of the lifting device 11 and further attached at one or more points on the second guiding member 16.

The guiding cable 212 has a first end, which is attached to the lifting member 19, and a second end, which is attached to a stationary object at the working level. In this embodiment, the first end of the guiding cable 212 is attached to the lifting member 19 at a hole 211 positioned on a base 201 of the lifting member 19, such that the first guiding member 15 and the hole 211 substantially align along a vertical axis when the lifting device 11 is coupled to the lifting member 19. The first end may alternatively be attached at the load 10. The second end of the guiding cable 212 may, for example, be attached to the opening at the top of the pumping station shaft. Alternatively, the guiding cable 212 may be attached to the overhead lifting device. The ends of the guiding cable 212 can be attached by a variety of means, including a loop or knot in the cable, or by means of a shackle or other coupling device. The guiding cable 212 is not placed under any significant load or tension during use of the lifting device 11 as it does not bear the weight of the pump or lifting device 11. The material of the guiding cable 212 is therefore not particularly limited and can be, for example, rope, metallic cord or non-metallic cord. It may be advantageous for the material of the guiding cable 212 to be chosen based upon the environment that the lifting device will be used in. For example, if the guiding cable 212 will be exposed to a corrosive environment, a corrosion-resistant material may be suitable.

When the lifting device 11 is suspended above the opening of the shaft in preparation for lowering it into the shaft to retrieve the pump, the releasable attachment means 21 of the first guiding member 15 is attached to the guiding cable 212. This is done by manually removing the shackle 21 from the flange 121 by unscrewing the threaded bolt 213, locating the loop of the shackle around the guiding cable 212 and re-installing it upon the flange 121 by screwing the threaded bolt 213 into the threaded recess. The lifting device 11 is then lowered down the shaft towards the pump using the overhead lifting device. As the lifting device 11 descends the shaft, the coupling of the lifting device 11 to the guiding cable 212 ensures that the lifting device 11 maintains a path to the exact location of the submersible pump.

The second guiding member 16 is provided on the lifting device 11 in order to automatically couple the lifting device 11 to the lifting member 19. The second guiding member 16 is situated in a lower end region of the body 12 of the lifting device 11. The second guiding member 16 comprises an inner surface 23 and an outer surface 24, with an opening 25 at a first (mouth) end of the inner surface 23 and a slot 26 at an opposite (neck) end. A radially-inwardly projecting rib 27 is located on the inner surface 23 of the guiding member 16 and extends from the first end to the opposite end thereof. Conjoined concave surfaces define and extend from either side of the rib 27, thereby forming a unilocular cavity that is generally reniform in cross-section. The slot 26 is shaped to receive the upper end of the lifting member 19, which contains the eye member 20. The inner surface 23 is shaped to allow the lifting device to automatically locate the lifting device 11 upon the lifting member 19 once the first guiding member 15 has brought the lifting device 11 to the exact location of the submersible pump. As the lifting device 11 is lowered towards the pump, it contacts the lifting member 19. The shape of the rib 27 and the inner surface 23 cause the lifting device 11 to oscillate rotationally until the eye member 20 of the lifting member 19 is aligned with and able to locate within the slot 26. The guiding wire is sufficiently slack that the lifting device can rotate into a position whereby the lifting member 19 and slot 26 are aligned. Once the eye is situated within in the slot 26, the hook 18 of the automatic coupling mechanism 14 engages the eye member 20, securing the lifting device 11 to the submersible pump. At this point, the submersible pump can be raised from the shaft of the pumping station using the overhead lifting device.

As described above, the lifting member 19 comprises a hole 211 is positioned on the base 201 so that, when the lifting device 11 is attached to the guiding cable 212, the attaching means and the first guiding member are substantially aligned along a vertical axis which intersects the base at a point which is short lateral distance from the eye 20. The distance may be, for example, 1 cm or 2 cm. This arrangement is advantageous for improving the manoeuvrability of the lifting device 11 when the second guiding member 16 is engaging the lifting member 19. A camera may be affixed to the lifting device 11 to monitor the connection between the hook 18 and the lifting member 19. This allows a worker to remotely operate and view the area in the camera’s field of view. The camera may be mounted on the body of the lifting device 11, the second guiding member or part of the overhead lifting device. A camera is particularly useful when the pump is submerged or otherwise not visible from the working level. A light, for example an LED light, may be attached to the lifting device 11 to illuminate the connection and improve the image received by the camera.

The weight of the pump on the lifting device 11 can be monitored by a load cell located between the end of the chain and the lifting device 11. The load cell ensures that the safe lifting weights of the lifting device 11 or overhead lifting device 11 are not exceeded. A load cell is typically a transducer that can convert force into an electrical output. A control system for operating the release mechanism 17 such as described above can also provide feedback on the position of the connection. For example, as the hook of the automatic coupling mechanism 14 moves to engage or disengage the lifting member 19, its position can be relayed to an operator. The operator can use this information to detect and monitor the position of the hook 18 relative to the lifting member 19. In this example, the exact position of the hook 18 can be monitored by a proximity sensor.

The sensor could be a sonar or ultrasonic sensor. Any number of other sensors may be used in conjunction with the lifting device 11. These may be specific to the environment that the device is being used in. For example, in a sewage pumping station, gas sensing, turbidity sensing or depth sensing sensors may be desired. The environment that the lifting device 11 is used in may also influence the materials used in the manufacture of the device. For example, anti-sparking material and a corrosion resistant paint would be suited for use of the lifting device 11 in a sewage pumping station.

The lifting device 11 can include the ability to be self-cleaning or it may include apparatus which provides for self-cleaning. The self-cleaning device may be a jet or high-pressure cleaning hose, which can be used to clean the lifting device 11 itself or it may be incorporated to clean the pumping station as the lifting device is operated. For situations where the lifting member 19 becomes fouled such that the lifting device 11 cannot be used, a lifting member 19 cleaning device may also be included. A flotation device can be attached to the lifting device 11 so that it may be recovered from the pumping station should the cable attaching the lifting device 11 to the overhead lifting device fail.

Many modifications and variations of the invention will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art upon making reference to the above-described embodiments thereof. It is to be understood however that the invention is not limited to be disclosed embodiments, but is determined instead by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A lifting device for lifting a load that has a guiding cable attached thereto or to a lifting member on said load, the said lifting device comprising: an attaching member for connecting the lifting device to overhead lifting apparatus; a coupling member for coupling the said lifting device to the lifting member located on the load; and a first guiding member for guiding the said lifting device towards the said load as the lifting device is lowered towards the load; wherein said first guiding member comprises a releasable attachment means for releasably coupling with the said guiding cable.

2. A lifting device according to Claim 1, wherein the releasable attachment means comprises a loop-shaped member for location around the cable.

3. A lifting device according to Claim 2, wherein the loop-shaped member comprises a shackle.

4. A lifting device according to Claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the lifting device comprises a second guiding member for guiding the coupling member into a coupled relationship with the lifting member.

5. A lifting device according to Claim 4, wherein the second guiding member has a guiding surface that is adapted to direct the orientation of the coupling member to align with that of the lifting member.

6. A lifting device according to Claim 5, wherein the lifting device comprises a bell-shaped body having the second guiding member formed in a lower end region thereof, the said guiding surface being formed inside the said body.

7. A lifting device according to Claim 6, wherein the guiding surface is adapted to cause the lifting device to rotate about a vertical axis when the second guiding member comes in to contact with the lifting member, so as to align the coupling member with the lifting member and enable the coupling member to couple with the lifting member.

8. A lifting device according to Claim 7, wherein the guiding surface comprises a radially-inwardly projecting rib and has a reniform perimeter when viewed in cross-section.

9. A lifting device according to any preceding claim, wherein the coupling member comprises a pivoted hook and the lifting member comprises a loop.

10. A lifting device according to Claim 9, further comprising a locking mechanism for resisting movement of the hook once it has engaged the lifting member.

11. A lifting device according to Claim 10, further comprising a release mechanism for releasing the locking mechanism from resisting movement of the hook.

12. A lifting device according to Claim 11, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a rotatable locking member that is adapted to be rotated between a first position in which it resists decoupling of the hook and the lifting member and a second position in which it releases the coupling of the hook from the lifting member by the action of the release mechanism.

13. A lifting device according to Claim 12, wherein the release mechanism is manually operated and comprises a cable attached to the rotatable locking member.

14. A lifting member comprising a base for connection to a load and a loop or eye member that projects from the base for connection to a lifting device, wherein the base comprises attaching means for attachment to a guiding cable.

15. A lifting member according to Claim 14, wherein the attaching means comprises a hole in the base.

16. A lifting member according to Claim 15, wherein the hole is situated in a radially extending projection member of the base.

17. A lifting system for lifting a load, the said lifting system comprising a lifting device according to one of Claims 1 to 13, a lifting member according to one of Claims 14 to 16 and a guiding cable attached to the lifting member.

18. A lifting system according to Claim 17, wherein the said guiding cable has a first end, which is attached to the lifting member, and a second end, which is attached to a stationary object at a working level above the load.

19. A method for coupling a lifting device to a load using a lifting system according to one of Claims 17 and 18, the said method comprising: attaching the lifting device to an overhead lifting apparatus; coupling the first guiding member to the guiding cable; lowering the lifting device towards the load using the overhead lifting apparatus; coupling the coupling member to the lifting member; and raising the load using the overhead lifting apparatus.