Operating device for a tube lifter and tube lifter

Tube lifter comprising an operating device for the tube lifter which comprises a lifting tube that has a tube interior and can be shortened by applying a vacuum to the tube interior, and comprising a suction grip device arranged on one end of the tube lifter, which suction grip device can be supplied with a vacuum through the tube interior,

• the operating device having a suction port for fluid communication with the suction grip device, a lifting tube port for fluid communication with the tube interior of the lifting tube, and valve means for controlling the fluid communications,
• the valve means comprising a control valve which is adjustable between a closed position and an open position, in the open position a flow path from the surroundings to the lifting tube port being open, and in the closed position said flow path being substantially closed;
• and a control mechanism comprising a manually actuable operating element being provided for adjusting the control valve,
• characterized in that the manually actuable operating element is configured as a manually grippable and rotatable rod having a neutral position, an end position, and an intermediate position, and designed such that it can slide through an operator's hand when the suction grip device is being raised or lowered during operation, and
• wherein when the operating device is actuated by manually rotating the rod from a neutral position towards an end position, firstly the control valve is shifted from the closed position towards the open position,
• and wherein the rod arrives at an intermediate position as a result of manual rotation of the rod starting from the neutral position towards the end position, and in that it is possible to overcome said intermediate position by further rotating the rod.