Apiary Tool Lever Cam Vertical Frame Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bee hive removal tools are slow, tedious, and often damage frames or harm bees due to the need for sequential prying and the difficulty in lifting frames laden with propolis, wax, and honey, which requires significant finger strength and can result in broken frames and bee injury.

Innovation Solution

A dual-handled apiary tool with lever cams that allows for simultaneous vertical lifting and breaking of propolis tacks between frames and the bee box, minimizing bee impact and enabling efficient frame removal, inspection, and transport.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If sequential prying with putty knives or pry bars is used to break propolis tack, then the frame can be loosened from the bee box, but the process becomes slow and tedious requiring multiple steps around each frame

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveframe removal speedVSAvoidtime spent on sequential prying

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The tool divides the frame into multiple lifting points by providing two separate lever arms that can engage different sections of the frame simultaneously, allowing parallel rather than sequential action across the frame structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The tool combines multiple functions into a single device: the lever arms serve both as pry bars to break propolis tack and as lifting mechanisms to support the frame, eliminating the need to switch between different tools during the process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of operation

If fingers are used to pinch and lift the frame after prying, then the frame can be held for inspection, but significant finger strength is required and frames may bind at an angle inside the box

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of frame liftingVSAvoidfinger strength required

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using fingers to lift the frame directly, the tool inverts the approach by using lever arms that engage the frame at multiple points and provide mechanical advantage, transferring the lifting force from human fingers to the lever mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The lever arms act as intermediaries between the operator and the frame, providing mechanical advantage and distributing the lifting force across multiple contact points on the frame, thereby reducing the force required from the operator's fingers

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If bee keepers work closely with frames laden with honey, then inspection can be performed, but the repetitive lifting of heavy frames is terribly demanding and requires great finger strength

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinspection efficiencyVSAvoidphysical demand on bee keeper

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The tool serves as an intermediary that bears the weight of the honey-laden frame, allowing the bee keeper to perform inspection tasks without directly supporting the full weight, thereby reducing physical strain during repetitive operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Ease of operation

If conventional tools are set down during frame inspection, then the bee keeper can inspect the frame, but bees may be squished or the tool may be awkwardly doubled-up in the hand

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconvenience of frame inspectionVSAvoidbee injury from tool handling

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The tool merges the lifting function with the inspection support function, allowing the frame to be held securely in one position during inspection without needing to set the tool down, thereby eliminating the risk of bee injury from tool handling

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The tool efficiently breaks propolis tacks, allows for balanced and vertical frame lifting, reducing bee harm and frame damage, and facilitates easy inspection and transport without needing to set the tool down, thus improving the efficiency and safety of bee hive maintenance.

Implementation Method 1

A lever cam provides a rolling lift force on and underneath the frame top bar as the handles are rotated

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Advantage: Mechanical Advantage

Implementation Method 2

The handles act as levers for providing upward force

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLever: Lever

Implementation Method 3

A lever cam is partially inserted in between adjacent bee hive frame top bars and under one of the top bars. A lever cam has a cam to provide a rolling lift force

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCam: Cam

Data Source

PatentUS11490600B2Apiary tool with lever cam for vertical removal and transport of a bee frame

Publication Date: 2022.11.08 ELPEL NICHOLAS ANDREW

AI summary

An apiary tool for breaking free and vertically lifting, removing, inspecting and transporting a frame from a bee hive box. The apiary tool having one or more handles, a cross member and one or more lever cams, where a lever cam includes a cam that slides underneath a bee hive frame top bar and an arcuate rolling surface. Rotation of a handle providing dual action that forces the arcuate rolling surface to hold down an adjacent frame while the lever cam pushes upward on the desired frame.