Device for lifting frames of a magazine hive for beekeeping

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a lifting device for the processing of beehives.

[0002] In traditional beekeeping, bees are kept in magazine hives. Magazine hives consist of one or more stacked frames. Frames are boxes that are open at the top and bottom and into which wooden frames with honeycombs can be hung. The brood chamber frames with the brood chamber are located in the lower part of the hive. Honeycomb frames are placed above the brood chamber for storing the honey.

[0003] Typically, the first honey super is placed on top of the brood chamber(s) after cherry blossoms. Depending on the nectar supply and the strength of the colony, one to four honey supers are usually placed on top of one or two brood chambers. The weight of a full honey super is approximately 20 kg to 40 kg, depending on the frame size. This means that the beekeeper must lift a corresponding number of heavy supers from the stack and replace them after each intervention in the colony—depending on the height of the intervention in the magazine hive.

[0004] Interventions in the bee colony that require removing frames from the stack forming the magazine hive include: Cutting drone frames, checking food reserves, swarm control, with two brood boxes: checking the lower box, removing brood or forming nucs, installing bee escapes before honey harvesting, installing or removing queen excluders, introducing a queen, etc.

[0005] Currently, either stationary cranes, e.g., with trolleys over the hives, or mobile frame lifters similar to forklifts are used to lift or remove frames from the magazine hive. The former is complex to install, while the latter is extremely heavy and unwieldy, especially when the frame lifter has to be transported to different hives in the field.

[0006] Document RU 182 674 U1 discloses a mobile box lifter with a lower frame supported on the side rails of a lower box and on a base on the ground, and a lever-operated lifting carriage mounted on the lower frame for movement. To expose the lower box, the lifting carriage is moved beneath the side rails of an upper box, actuated to raise the boxes above the lifting carriage, and moved with the raised boxes on the lower frame toward the beekeeper. This box lifter is bulky to transport, difficult to handle, and requires the beekeeper to walk long distances to reach the exposed box.

[0007] The invention aims to create a lifting device for frames of a magazine hive which is particularly easy to transport and handle and enables effortless intervention in the magazine hive.

[0008] This aim is achieved with a device for lifting the frames of a magazine hive for beekeeping, which frames each have an approximately horizontal, projecting ledge on two opposite sides of the magazine hive, wherein the device according to the invention has two pairs of support elements, each with an upper and a lower support element, wherein each pair can be arranged on one side of the magazine hive and the support elements of a pair can be inserted between the ledges of two frames, and wherein in each pair the support elements are connected via a scissor mechanism which can be spread apart by means of a toggle lever consisting of two lever elements hinged to one another.

[0009] The frame lifter of the invention is particularly simple in design and reduced to the essential elements for lifting one or more frames, making it particularly lightweight and space-saving. This allows it to be transported quickly and easily to a wide variety of beehives, for example, in the trunk of a car, and enables effortless, effortless handling of the frames on site.

[0010] In use, the support elements are inserted between the slats of an upper and a lower frame on each side of the magazine hive and then - by spreading the support elements apart using the scissor mechanisms and toggle levers - allow easy intervention in the stack, for example to insert or remove a frame into or from the stack.

[0011] Preferably, each lever element of the two toggle levers is connected to one another via a common handle that transversely encompasses the magazine bag, so that the lifting device can be operated with just one hand after being inserted between the bars. The handle connecting the lever elements of the two toggle levers also provides additional mechanical stabilization of the device.

[0012] According to a further preferred feature of the invention, the toggle levers are designed to be hyperextensible, so that in their hyperextended position, they lock the scissor mechanisms in the spread-apart position. This results in a very simple, self-locking mechanical fixation of the device in the raised position.

[0013] According to the invention, the upper support element of each pair is formed by a rail that can be placed against a bar from below and is divided into at least two parts that can be moved relative to one another in the longitudinal direction of the rail, one part of which can be placed against a bar and the other part is connected to the scissor mechanism. This results in a secure and stable support for the raised hive(s). Furthermore, the raised hive(s) can be moved horizontally, like a drawer, relative to the remaining stack of hive(s) below. The beekeeper can thus work on a hive to be processed directly from above. This enables a particularly simple and convenient method of working.

[0014] According to a further preferred feature of the invention, the upper support elements can be connected to one another via a strut that transversely encompasses the magazine hive in order to further stabilize the device.

[0015] The lower support element of each pair can also be designed in a variety of ways, in the simplest case by the lower bearing points of the scissor mechanism itself. Preferably, however, the lower support element of each pair is formed by a leg of a U-shaped bracket that can be placed on a bar and crosswise encompasses the magazine hive. This provides, on the one hand, effective force dissipation to the lower frame and, on the other hand, additional mechanical stabilization of the device via the crosswise bracket.

[0016] Preferably, each scissor mechanism has two crossed scissor arms, of which the first scissor arm is articulated at one end to the upper support element and the other end can roll over a roller on the lower support element or on a strip, and the second scissor arm rolls over a roller on the upper support element and the other end is articulated at the lower support element. The scissor mechanisms are thus reduced to the bare essentials and are therefore very lightweight. If the lower end of the first scissor arm rolls directly onto the strip of the lower frame, the length of the lower support element, for example the leg of the U-shaped bracket, can be shortened, thus further saving weight.

[0017] In an alternative variant, the scissor mechanisms can also be designed as crossed crank arms. Each scissor mechanism has two crossed scissor arms, one end of which is connected to the upper support element and the other end to the lower support element via a rocker. The second scissor arm is connected to the upper support element via a rocker and the other end to the lower support element via a rocker.

[0018] The device of the invention can be used for frames already equipped with side rails. Alternatively, the device itself can also comprise a set of rails that can be mounted on the frames, which are installed on all frames that do not have such rails as standard before the device is put into operation.

[0019] According to a preferred feature of the invention, the strips of the device according to the invention each rise on their underside in the direction of the frame, so that the upper support elements or rails engage in the resulting undercuts on the underside of the strips and cannot slip off.

[0020] Preferably, each strip also has a recess on its upper side for engagement with a projection on the underside of the respective lower support element, which prevents the device from slipping off the lower frame, particularly when the handle is operated. The recess can preferably also be provided with at least one drainage hole extending through the strip.

[0021] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the drawings: the Fig. 1 bis 3 the device of the invention in three different operating positions on a magazine hive in a perspective view from above; Fig. 4 the device of the invention in the operating position of Fig. 2 in a perspective view from above; Fig. 5 a cross-section through one of the slats of the frames of the magazine hive of the Fig. 1 - 3 ; and Fig. 6 another embodiment of the device of the invention in a side view.

[0022] In the Fig. 1 - 4 a device 1 is shown for lifting one or more frames 2, which are stacked one above the other as a stack S to form a magazine hive 3, as used in beekeeping. The magazine hive 3 usually also has a base 4, on which the lowest frame 2 of the stack S is placed, and a lid (not shown) that covers the uppermost frame 2 of the stack S. The magazine hive 3 is placed on a substructure made of, for example, two squared timbers 5 or a pallet.

[0023] Each box 2 has the shape of a flat box, usually made of wood, which is open at the top and bottom and into which wooden frames with honeycombs (not shown) can be hung, as is known to the expert. The bottom box(es) 2 is / are usually used as a brood chamber, whereby the bottom box 2 or the floor 4 is provided with an entrance hole at the front 6 of the magazine hive 3 (in the Fig. 1 - 3 shown at the back and therefore not visible). The base 4 can be mounted on the back 10 of the magazine loot 3 (in the Fig. 1 - 3 shown at the front) have an inspection opening 31 which can be closed, for example, with a flap (not shown).

[0024] Between two frames 2, queen excluders, intermediate floors and bee escapes (not shown) can also be inserted, for example between brood chamber and honey chamber frames 2. Other types of frames 2 can also be used in the stack S of the magazine hive 3, for example feeding frames, etc.

[0025] For the use of the lifting device 1, the frames 2 on two opposite sides 7, 8 of the magazine hive 3 are each provided with (at least) one approximately horizontal, projecting strip 9. The strips 9 preferably run - but not necessarily - over the entire depth T of a frame 2. The device 1 is inserted between the strips 9 of two frames 2 lying directly on top of each other in the stack S - or with intermediate frames 2 - while encompassing the magazine hive 3, see Fig. 1 , and then the strips 9 are spread apart by means of the device 1 and thus the upper frame 2 belonging to the upper strips 9 and all frames 2 possibly stacked on top of it are lifted, see Fig. 2 .

[0026] This allows the gap G created between the lifted part S' of the stack S of frames 2 and the remaining part S" of the stack S to be used to reach into it and thus to work on the uppermost frame 2 of the remaining part S", for example for inspection or replacement of the frames suspended therein.

[0027] The resulting gap G can also be used to insert another frame 2 between two frames 2 stacked directly on top of each other, as can be seen from the sequence of Fig. 1 und 2 Or, for example, the middle frame 2 of a group of three frames 2 can be removed and processed if the device 1 is inserted between the strips 9 of the lowest and top frame 2 of the group of three, as can be seen from Fig. 2 visible alone.

[0028] For insertion between the strips 9 of an upper and a lower frame 2, the device 1 is essentially U-shaped when viewed from above, see Fig. 4 so that it can be pushed, for example, from the rear side 10 of the magazine hive 3 onto the magazine hive 3 in the direction of arrow P between the bars 9 and pulled out again from these.

[0029] According to Fig. 4 the device 1 has two pairs of support elements 11, 12, namely a left pair consisting of an upper support element 11 and a lower support element 12 and a right pair consisting of an upper support element 11 and a lower support element 12. Each pair 11, 12 comes in the operating position ( Fig. 1 - 3 ) to lie on one side 7, 8 of the magazine hive 3, wherein the support elements 11, 12 of a pair are inserted between the slats 9 of two frames 2 lying directly on top of one another or with frames 2 in between.

[0030] The upper support elements 11 are, for example, rails that run along the entire length of the strips 9. As in Fig. 5 As shown, the undersides 13 of the strips 9 can rise diagonally (or stepped, not shown) towards the frame 2, so that an undercut 14 is created between the strip 9 and the frame 2. The respective upper support element 11 (here: the rail) can engage in the undercut 14. For this purpose, the upper side of the support element 11 can be designed to complement the underside 13.

[0031] The lower support elements 12 could also be rails that lie on the upper side 15 of the respective bar 9 and, for example, run over the entire length of the bar 9. In the example shown, however, the lower support elements 12 are short legs of a U-shaped bracket 16 that spans the magazine loot 3 transversely on the rear side 10, ie, encompasses it.

[0032] The upper support elements 11 can be connected to each other in a similar manner via a strut 17 on the side 10 of the magazine loot 3. Bracket 16 and / or strut 17 can also be omitted, at the cost of somewhat reduced stability, but with the advantage of reduced weight.

[0033] In order to vertically spread apart the support elements 11, 12 and thus lift the upper frame(s) 2 from the lower one(s), the support elements 11, 12 in each pair are connected to one another via a scissor mechanism 18, and the scissor mechanisms 18 can each be spread apart by means of a toggle lever 19.

[0034] The scissor mechanisms 18 can be constructed from any number of scissor arms, even in the style of Nuremberg scissors. In the illustrated embodiment with the lowest weight, each scissor mechanism 18 has only two scissor arms 21, 22 hinged together in the shape of an "X" at 20. The first scissor arm 21 is pivotally hinged with its upper end to the upper support element 11 at 23, specifically (here:) at the end of the support element 11 facing the bracket 16. The lower end of the first scissor arm 21 rolls over a roller 24 on the upper side 15 of a lower bar 9 or—if the lower support element 12 extends, for example, over the entire length of the bar 9—on the lower support element 12. In the latter case, the lower end of the first scissor arm 21 can also be slidably guided on the lower support element 12 without a roller 24.

[0035] The upper end of the second scissor arm 22 is slidably guided on the upper support element 11, e.g., in a corresponding sliding guide, or rolls on the upper support element 11 with the aid of a roller 25. The lower end of the second scissor arm 22 is pivotally connected at 26 to the lower support element 12. Optionally, the second scissor arm 22 could also roll directly on the underside 13 of an upper strip 9 by means of the roller 25, if the upper support element 11 is, for example, as short as the lower support element 12.

[0036] For additional stabilization, the two second scissor arms 22 can optionally be connected to each other via a further U-shaped bracket 27 that surrounds the side 10 of the magazine hive 3. If desired, the ends of the two first scissor arms 21 facing the side 10 could also be connected to each other via a similar bracket (not shown).

[0037] The toggle levers 19 for actuating the scissor mechanisms 18 are each composed of two lever elements 28, 29, one end of which is pivotally connected to one another at 30 and the other end of which each engages either one of the support elements 11, 12 or (here:) one of the scissor arms 21, 22 far away from their mutual linkage 20.

[0038] One or more of the lever elements 28, 29 can be equipped with a handle or extended to form one. In the example shown, each lever element 29 is extended beyond its linkage 32 on the respective scissor arm 22 to form a two-armed lever, ie has a handle 33 opposite its linkage 30 on the other lever element 28 with respect to the linkage 32. The handles 33 of both lever elements 29 can optionally be connected to one another via a rod 34 to form a handle 35, which transversely encompasses the magazine loot 3 on its rear side 10. As can be seen from the sequence of Fig. 1 und 2 As can be seen, by pivoting the handle 35 downwards, the toggle levers 19 can be stretched and thus the scissor mechanisms 18 can be spread in order to lift the upper frame(s) 2 from the stack S. Optionally, the toggle levers 19 can be overstretched in order to lock the scissor mechanisms 18 in the spread-apart position in their overstretched position.

[0039] The handle 35 can additionally be provided with an extension 36 which, in the downwardly pivoted position of the handle 35 ( Fig. 2 ) can be held, for example, with the foot or temporarily fixed to the floor 4 or the squared timbers 5 by means of a corresponding locking device (not shown).

[0040] Fig. 3 shows a further operating position of the device 1, which can be achieved with an optional embodiment of the upper support elements or rails 11. The support elements or rails 11 are divided into at least two parts 37, 38, 39 that can be displaced relative to one another in the longitudinal direction of the rails or in the direction of the arrow P. The uppermost or outermost part 39 is designed to grip an upper bar 9, and the lowermost or innermost part 37 is connected to the scissor mechanism 18. As a result, in the raised position of the upper stack part S' ( Fig. 2 ) by moving part 39 relative to part 37, the raised frame(s) 2 are moved in the direction of arrow P transversely to the remaining stack part S" of frames 2 below, see Fig. 3 . The thus exposed uppermost frame 2 of the remaining stack part S" can now be processed from above without having to be removed from the stack S.

[0041] As in Fig. 5 As shown, one or more recesses 40 for the engagement of projections 41 ( Fig. 4 ) of the lower support elements 12. This secures the device 1 against slipping in the direction of arrow P, particularly when pivoting the handle 35. To prevent water from standing in the recesses 40, these can be provided with drainage holes 42 penetrating the strip 9.

[0042] Fig. 6 shows an alternative embodiment of the scissor mechanism 18. The lower end of the first scissor arm 21 is here articulated via a rocker 43 to the end of the lower support element 12 opposite the articulation 26 of the second scissor arm 22, and the upper end of the second scissor arm 22 is articulated via a rocker 44 to the end of the upper support element 11 opposite the articulation 23 of the first scissor arm 21. The remaining elements of the scissor mechanism 18 and the toggle levers 19 are the same as in the embodiment of the Fig. 1 - 4 .

[0043] The invention is not limited to the embodiments shown, but includes all variants, modifications and combinations thereof that fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A device (1) for lifting frames (2) of a magazine hive (3) for beekeeping, which frames (2) each have an approximately horizontal, projecting strip (9) on two opposite sides (7, 8) of the magazine hive (3), characterised by two pairs of support elements (11, 12) each with an upper and a lower support element, wherein each pair can be arranged on one side (7, 8) of the magazine hive (3) and the support elements (11, 12) of one pair can be inserted between the strips (9) of two frames (2), wherein, in each pair, the support elements (11, 12) are connected via a scissor mechanism (18) which can be spread apart by means of a toggle lever (19) consisting of two lever elements (28, 29) articulated to one another, characterised in that the upper support element (11) of each pair is formed by a rail which is divided into at least two parts (37 - 39) which are displaceable relative to one another in longitudinal direction of the rail, of which the one part (39) can be abutted from below against one of the strips (9) and the other part (37) is connected to the scissor mechanism (18).

2. The device according to claim 1, characterised in that the respective one lever elements (29) of the two toggle levers (19) are connected to one another via a common handle (35) which transversely encompasses the magazine hive (3).

3. The device according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the toggle levers (19) can be overstretched in order, in their overstretched position, to lock the scissor mechanisms (18) in the spread-apart position.

4. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the upper support elements (11) are connected to one another via a strut (17) which transversely encompasses the magazine hive (3).

5. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the lower support element (12) of each pair is formed by a respective leg of a U-shaped bracket (16) which can be placed on a strip (9) and which transversely encompasses the magazine hive (3).

6. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that each scissor mechanism (18) has two scissor arms (21, 22) articulated crosswise to one another, of which the first scissor arm (21) is articulated with one end on the upper support element (11) and can roll with the other end via a roller (24) on the lower support element (12) or on a strip (9), and the second scissor arm (22) rolls with one end via a roller (25) on the upper support element (11) and is articulated with the other end on the lower support element (12).

7. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that each scissor mechanism (18) has two scissor arms (21, 22) articulated crosswise to one another, of which the first scissor arm (21) is articulated with one end on the upper support element (11) and with the other end via a rocker (43) to the lower support element (12) and the second scissor arm (22) is articulated with one end via a rocker (44) on the upper support element (11) and with the other end to the lower support element (12).

8. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further characterised by a set of strips (9) which can be mounted on the frames (2) and which each rise on their underside (13) in the direction of the frame (2).

9. The device according to claim 8, characterised in that each strip (9) has a recess (40) on its upper side (15) for the engagement of a projection (41) on the underside of the respective lower support element (12).

10. The device according to claim 9, characterised in that the recess (40) is provided with at least one drainage bore (42) passing through the strip (9).