Lifting device for processing and rearranging magazine beehives

Abstract

Beehive lifting device, consisting of a base frame (1) with double-sided extension rail carriers (2) guided on it by guide rollers (3) and their lower and upper extension rails (4) and (5), wherein the lower and upper extension rails (4) and (5) can be moved laterally independently of each other, wherein the extension rail support (2) can be moved upwards and downwards via a drive, wherein the distance between the lower extension rails (4) and the upper extension rails (5) is chosen depending on the type of frame such that when the extension rail support (2) is lifted, the unit sitting on the upper extension rails (5) first detaches and when the frame sitting on the lower extension rails (4) detaches from the unit below with sufficient distance.

Description

TECHNICAL AREA:

[0001] The present invention relates to an improved “beehive frame lifting device” which facilitates the work of the beekeeper on sometimes very heavy frames (in Fig. 2. (exemplarily represented by Z1 to Zx) is considerably simplified in multi-story Langstroth hives 16. Langstroth hives 16 are predominantly freestanding. A single Langstroth hive 16 houses a bee colony year-round. The colony size varies from approximately 10,000 bees in winter to 70,000 or more in summer. This necessitates adapting the Langstroth hive 16, which then consists of more or fewer boxes with integrated combs depending on the season. The number of boxes also varies during the nectar flow, when the bees store pollen and nectar (honey). This requires ample space, which significantly increases the number and weight of the boxes. Depending on the beekeeper's management practices, additional boxes within the Langstroth hive 16 are also required for raising new bee colonies.Depending on the type of hive boxes and the beekeeper's working methods, up to five or even more boxes can be stacked on top of each other over the course of a year. The total weight of all the boxes in a 16-inch Langstroth hive can thus reach 100 kg or more during the nectar flow and swarming season. These boxes must be added to, reduced in, or rearranged several times throughout the year by the beekeeper. Even simply accessing specific boxes during the beekeeping year—for example, for checking brood, food stores, or swarms, as well as inserting bee escapes, scent screens, queen excluders, etc.—is very labor-intensive, especially if heavy boxes stacked above them have to be temporarily moved by hand.

[0002] The type of hive body depends primarily on the integrated honeycombs in terms of length, width, height, and number of combs. Due to industrial manufacturing, trade, and interchangeability, hive bodies are generally limited to a few standard sizes. Therefore, the present invention can be limited to and standardized for the production of a few mass-produced items. STATE OF THE ART:

[0003] It is known that there are devices that allow free access to individual frames of a magazine hive by means of a tilting, lifting device onto the open bee frame to be worked on.

[0004] See, for example: - DE 10 2004 023 088 A1 (Lifting device for magazine hives)

[0005] It is also known that there are lifting and transport devices that make it possible to lift and move beehives.

[0006] See, for example: - DE 20 2008 004 207 U1 (Lifting device, especially for bee boxes in beekeeping technology)

[0007] It is also known that there are lifting devices that allow the lifting and swiveling of beehive frames for free access to the open beehive frame.

[0008] See, for example: - DE 20 2004 019 030 U1 (Lifting device for beehives)

[0009] It is also known that there are extraction devices that allow the beekeeper to access the lower bee box for work by lowering and pulling it out.

[0010] See, for example: - DE 32 05 448 A1 (Extraction device for magazine beehives)

[0011] It is also known that there are lifting devices which, via a scissor mechanism, allow a desired beehive to be removed horizontally by hand by lifting all the hives above it.

[0012] See, for example: - EP 4 159 032 A1 (Device for lifting frames of a magazine hive for beekeeping) DEFECTS OF PREVIOUSLY KNOWN VERSIONS:

[0013] All known state-of-the-art designs have the disadvantage that each design only fulfills its specific, defined function. For more complex tasks, either multiple devices must be used or the work must be done manually. Moving door frames, even with these devices, is only possible with physical effort, requiring manual manipulation of the frames. This sometimes necessitates intermediate steps, such as temporarily placing them elsewhere. Even the subsequent precise placement of one frame on top of another is often very difficult, especially with heavy or high-mounted frames. TASK OF THE INVENTION:

[0014] The invention is therefore based on the objective of creating a solution that allows, on the one hand, all tasks on the magazine hive 16 from the prior art to be carried out and, in addition, the removal, insertion and rearrangement of frames and additional equipment to be carried out with only one device.

[0015] This technique should also allow free, direct access to all frames without manually lifting individual frames or returning the parked units exactly to their original position.

[0016] The aim of this invention is to enable beekeepers to work throughout the year without great physical exertion, in a way that is easy on the back and saves considerable time. SOLUTION TO THE INVENTION:

[0017] In this improved "beehive frame lifting device," the problem according to claim 1 is solved by enabling access to and gripping of the individual frames by means of two pairs of extension rails arranged one above the other and independently laterally movable. Releasing the individual frames from the hive is achieved—via a drive—by lifting the extension rail support and the defined distance between the upper and lower extension rails. Similarly, positioning the gripped frames is carried out by raising or lowering them via this drive. PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION:

[0018] The basic elements of the invention are shown in the drawing. Fig. Figure 1 is shown. All elements and their functions can be deduced from it.

[0019] In Fig. Figure 2 shows a magazine hive 16, commonly used by beekeepers in open-air setups, with frames Z1 to Zx. The "bee frame lifting device" shown here is explained for all subsequent examples.

[0020] The “beehive frame lifting device” is inserted sideways under the bottom unit 15 of the magazine hives to be processed.

[0021] The “beehive lifting device” is thus positioned stably and precisely in a three-point support of the support frame 1, firstly on the magazine hive stand 14 and secondly by the adjustable stabilizing foot 12 on the ground.

[0022] The stabilizing foot 12 is equipped with a single-foot operation (similar to the mechanism of a door stop). By pressing on the upper pin of the stabilizing foot 12, the support frame 1 can be adjusted in height to the terrain. By pressing on the angled return lever 13, the stabilizing foot 12 can be returned to its original position.

[0023] The double-sided, interconnected extension rail supports 2, guided by four guide rollers 3 on the support frame 1, can be raised or lowered vertically by turning the hand crank 8 (or alternatively any motorized unit) via the winch pulleys 10. The wire ropes 11 running over the winch pulleys 10 are anchored at the upper end of the support frame 1.

[0024] The most important feature of the invention is the lower and upper pairs of extension rails 4 and 5. Each pair consists of ball-bearing mounted, heavy-duty, double-extendable telescopic full-extension rails. For easier handling, extension levers 6 are provided on the operating side. The individual frames can be extended via the extension rails using the handle strips 7 (see also [reference]). Fig. 3a) grasp and detach from each other by lifting the extension rail support 2 and thus also pull them out horizontally to the side independently of each other.

[0025] The distance between the lower and upper extension rails is designed to be at least one frame height and also provides enough clearance above and below to prevent bees from being brushed off when the frame is pulled out sideways.

[0026] When lifting the drawer slide carrier 2, if both drawer slides are used, the frame (and any frames above it) held by the upper drawer slides 5 is lifted first. Further lifting releases the frame held by the lower drawer slides 4 from the frame below or from the base unit 15. This allows the frames on the drawer slides to be pulled out sideways independently of each other using the drawer levers 6.

[0027] The hand crank 8 is equipped with an axially displaceable, internal retaining pin 9 (see also the section on hand crank 8 in the Fig. 1) In its retracted state, it blocks the winch pulley 10 at the nearest point on the support frame 1, thus locking the height position of the extension rail support 2.

[0028] The above-described method of gripping the frames via the handle strips 7 can be used as well as in Fig. 3b, and Fig. As shown in Figure 3c, this can be implemented with frames featuring recessed handles 18 or a top-mounted support rail 19. For this purpose, the extension rails 4 and 5 are supplemented by fold-out retaining brackets 17. After inserting the extension rails, the retaining brackets 17 are folded into the recessed handles 18 or the top-mounted support rails 19. The frame is thus secured for lifting. EXAMPLES OF EXECUTION

[0029] Three exemplary embodiments demonstrating the present invention are described below. The individual, sequential steps are indicated here by the bullet points “-”. Example of implementation: Frame replacement (honey frame removal)

[0030] Task: e.g., remove the bottom frame Z1 and place it on the top frame Zx. Solution: - Position the drawer slide supports 2 so that the lower drawer slides 4 can be inserted under the handle strips 7 of frame Z1 and the upper drawer slides 5 can be inserted under the handle strips 7 of the frame Z2 above. - Slide extension rails 4 and 5 into the frames until the extension levers 6 stop. - Extension rail support 2 then with the help of the crank 8 - move upwards until frame Z2 separates from frame Z1 - then move it further upwards until frame Z1 detaches from base unit 15 - now pull out frame Z1 horizontally using the extension levers 6 - Turn the extension rail carrier 2 downwards with all frames until frame Z2 rests on the base unit 15. - pull empty upper drawer slides 5 back into their starting position - Move extension rail support 2 upwards until frame Z1 comes to a stop above frame Zx. - Now insert frame Z1 and place it onto frame Zx. - Pull back empty lower drawer slides 4 - The frame replacement is now complete

[0031] Even a full honey super can easily be removed from any point in the magazine hive, as described here in the first 7 steps. Example of implementation: inserting an external frame

[0032] Task: Insert an additional frame at any desired position. Solution: - Position the upper extension rails 5 under the handle strips 7 of the frame(s) to be lifted and slide them in against the frame(s) until they stop. - Place the frame to be inserted onto the extended lower drawer slides 4 by hand. - Turn the extension rail support 2 with all frames upwards until the frame to be inserted can be slid in. - Insert the lower drawer slides 4 with the attached frame. - Lower extension rail support 2 until the inserted frame rests on the frame below it. - Lower extension rail support 2 further until all frames sitting on the upper extension rails 5 come to rest on the inserted frame. - Pull out empty extension rails 4 and 5 to restore the original state

[0033] Example of implementation: free access to any frame from above.

[0034] Task: Move all door frames above the frame to be worked on laterally. Solution: - Position the extension rail support 2 so that the upper extension rails 5 can be inserted under the handle strips 7 of the side-sliding frames. - Slide the upper extension rails 5 all the way to the stop against the frame - Rotate the extension rail carrier 2 with all the frames sitting on the upper extension rails 5 upwards until the frame to be worked on is free. - now the captured upper frames can be pulled out (parked) sideways using the extension levers 6. - If desired, the extended frame sections can be temporarily lowered for better access to the open frame. - Insert retaining pin 9 to fix the winch pulley - Unrestricted access to the frame being worked on is now possible - A final insertion and placement of the pulled-out, parked frames restores the original state.

[0035] This embodiment also allows for the insertion of additional equipment such as bee escapes, scent grids, barrier grids, and the like at any desired position.

[0036] All these examples illustrate the basic principle and functionality of the improved "beehive lifting device". Throughout a beekeeping year, every beekeeper has various tasks and procedures to perform, which can be easily carried out with this invention, adapted from the examples shown, without requiring much physical effort. FIGURE DESCRIPTION Fig. 1. Technical overview drawing of the invention Fig. 2 Application overview drawing of the invention Fig. 3a Frame engagement via the handle strips 7 (is used in all embodiments) Fig. 3b Frame mounting for frames with recessed handles 18 Fig. 3c Frame mounting for frames with surrounding support rails 19 REFERENCE MARK LIST 1 support frame 2 extension rail supports 3 leadership roles 4 lower extension rails 5 upper extension rails 6 extension levers 7 handle strips 8 hand crank 9 retaining pin 10 winch pulleys 11 wire ropes 12 stabilizing foot 13 reset levers 14 magazine hive stands 15 floor units 16 magazine loot 17 mounting brackets 18 recessed handles 19 circumferential support rails Z1 Frame 1 Z2 Frame 2 Zx frame x (x stands for any multiple frames) PRESENTATION OF THE BENEFITS ACHIEVED:

[0037] One advantage of this invention compared to the "prior art" is that this device makes it possible to rearrange frames without having to move one or the other frame aside in between.

[0038] One of the most important advantages is that access to the individual frames is possible via two independently usable pairs of drawer slides.

[0039] Another significant advantage is that any frame can be removed from a multi-tiered magazine hive.

[0040] An additional advantage is that an additional frame, a queen excluder, a scent screen, a bee escape or the like can be inserted at any position in the magazine hive.

[0041] Another important advantage is that free access to each of the frames to be worked on is possible without much effort by lifting and sliding aside the frames above and then moving them back again.

[0042] Another advantage is that the reinstallation of the frames can be done very precisely.

[0043] Another very important advantage is the healthy, back-friendly way of working, which also minimizes the risk of accidents.

[0044] In summary, this invention allows almost all the tasks of a beekeeping year to be carried out on the magazine hive in a simple way, without much effort, resulting in considerable time savings. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 10 2004 023 088 A1

[0004] DE 20 2008 004 207 U1

[0006] DE 20 2004 019 030 U1

[0008] DE 32 05 448 A1

[0010] EP 4 159 032 A1

[0012]

Claims

[1] Beehive lifting device, consisting of a base frame (1) with double-sided pull-out rail supports (2) guided on it by guide rollers (3) and their lower and upper pull-out rails (4) and (5), whereby the lower and upper pull-out rails (4) and (5) can be moved sideways independently of each other, wherein the pull-out rail support (2) can be moved up and down via a drive, wherein the distance between the lower pull-out rails (4) and the upper pull-out rails (5) is selected depending on the type of frame so that when the pull-out rail support (2) is lifted up, the unit sitting on the upper pull-out rails (5) is released first and when it is lifted up further, the frame sitting on the lower pull-out rails (4) is released from the unit below it with sufficient distance. [2] Beehive lifting device according to claim 1, characterized in that the pull-out rails (4) and (5) can be moved sideways in both directions of the pull-out rail support (2). [3] Beehive lifting device according to claim 1, characterized in that the vertical drive can be in the form of a manual hand crank (8) or a motorized unit. [4] Beehive lifting device according to claim 1 and 3, that the vertical displacement of the pull-out rail support (2) can be released starting from the drive type via cable winch rollers (10) with the wire ropes (11) anchored at the upper ends of the base frame (1) but also via another technology, such as chain drive, belts, threaded spindle and the like. [5] Beehive lifting device according to claim 1, characterized in that the support frame (1) rests on the magazine hive stand (14) and the stabilizing foot (12) via a three-point support. [6] Beehive lifting device according to claim 5, characterized in that the stabilizing foot (12) can be fixed in height by means of a foot operation and can also be released again by means of the reset lever 13. [7] Beehive lifting device according to claim 1 and 3, characterized in that the hand crank (8) can be fixed to the support frame (1) by an internally displaceable retaining pin (9). [8] Beehive lifting device according to claim 1, characterized in that the frames can be grasped, depending on the design of the frames, directly at the gripping strips (7) or also at the gripping recesses (18) or circumferential carrying strips (19) by folding in the holding angle (17). [9] Beehive lifting device according to claim 1, 2 and 4, wherein the pull-out rail support (2) can also be extended by further levels starting from the lower and upper pull-out rails. [10] Beehive lifting device according to claim 1, 2 and 9, that the pull-out rails are provided with pull-out levers (6) for better handling.

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