WO2008061286A1

WO2008061286A1 - Artificial beehive

Info

Publication number: WO2008061286A1
Application number: PCT/AU2007/001466
Authority: WO
Inventors: Joseph Hines
Original assignee: Joseph Hines
Priority date: 2006-10-06
Filing date: 2007-10-04
Publication date: 2008-05-29
Also published as: AU2006100847A4

Abstract

An artificial beehive comprising in one example a pair of elongate tubular chambers, the chambers each having end walls and removable end caps, the end caps having entry and exit means for bees to enter and leave the chambers, the end walls in rotatable connection with one another, the end walls having one or more alignable apertures to permit passage of bees between the chambers, and the chambers adapted to house one or more removable frames for the production of honey. In another example, the beehive comprises a sole chamber with a removable divider to divide the chamber into at least two compartments.

Description

ARTIFICIAL BEEHIVE

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to beehives and beekeeping, in particular, but not exclusively to a beehive or bee-box of tubular configuration and construction.

BACKGROUND ART

Beekeeping is both a hobby and an industry of great commercial significance worldwide. Prior art, beehives, or bee-boxes come in a multitude of shapes and designs but are generally of a modular and demountable configuration to provide the ready access and extraction of the honey produced within without too much disturbance or annoyance to the bees.

In all types of beekeeping apparatus, cleanliness is a priority, not only to ensure the quality of the honey produced, but also for the health and survival of the bees. The cleaning of artificial beehives is therefore a regular and important task, and usually involves washing the beehives with detergent and antibiotics to prevent the cultivation of bacteria, viruses and parasites detrimental to the bees.

As most of the prior art construction of beehives is of timber and possibly plastics of usually a rectangular or square configuration, cleaning is difficult, especially in corners and the durability of the beehive is often compromised by the repeated wetting of the cleaning cycle. Prior art beehives or bee-boxes, such as those disclosed by US 4459715, US 4199832, US 5035668 generally follow fairly traditional patterns of construction of square or rectangular shape. These bee-boxes are usually assembled into sections to form a stack wherein one or more box sections can be removed for cleaning and maintenance purposes. Inside the bee-boxes are usually suspended removal racks or frames for the bees to build honeycombs and on which to secrete their honey.

OBJECTION OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to seek to ameliorate some of the disadvantages of the prior art artificial beehives or bee-boxes or at least to provide the public with a useful choice. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, in one aspect therefore, the invention resides in an artificial beehive, including in combination,

at least a pair of elongate tubular chambers,

the chambers each having end walls and removable end caps,

the end caps having entry and exit means for the ingress and egress of bees into and from the chambers,

the end walls in rotatable connection with one another,

the end walls having one or more alignable apertures to permit passage of bees between the chambers, and

the chambers adapted to house one or more removable frames for the production of honey.

In another example, the invention resides in an artificial beehive, including in combination,

an elongate tubular chamber,

the chamber having an end wall and a removable end cap, the end cap having entry and exit means for bees to enter and leave the chamber,

a rotatable divider housed in the chamber dividing the chamber into at least two compartments,

the divider having one or more closable apertures to permit passage of bees between the compartments, and

the compartments adapted to house one or more removable frames for the production of honey. Preferably, the chambers are of a circular cross section and are typically fabricated from PVC pipe of 30 cm diameter or more.

Preferably, the end walls and end caps are plastic covers normally used to cap or cover the pipes.

Preferably, the entry and exit means are holes in the end caps covered with a removable cap or hinged flap.

Preferably, the end caps and end walls are screw fitted or interference fitted to the ends of the chambers.

Preferably, there are markings on the outside of each chamber to facilitate the alignment or non alignment of the apertures.

Preferably, the apertures in the end walls are of a size or are meshed with a mesh size to permit only bees of a certain size to pass through.

Typically, this is to confine the queen bee in one of the chambers while allowing the passage of the drones and worker bees between the chambers.

Preferably, the end caps each have a handle to facilitate the rotation of the chambers with respect to one another.

Preferably, there are detent means between the end walls to align the chambers between an aperture open and an aperture closed position. Typically this can be a slot and pin mechanism wherein there is one or more curved slots in one end wall that engages one or more pins in the end wall of the adjoining chamber whereby the rotation of the chambers are limited between a first position where the apertures are aligned and open and a second position where they are not aligned and are closed off.

Suitably, the one or more removable frames are circular in configuration and adapted to snugly fit into the cylindrical chambers.

Preferably, the frames are supported on a rack in the chambers. In a preferred example, the chambers are split longitudinally into semi-circular half sections that are hinged along one edge whereby the chambers can be opened to enable removal of the one or more frames.

In an alternative example, by removing the end caps, the rack supporting the frames can be withdrawn from the chambers to facilitate removal and replacement of the frames.

Preferably, the end walls are connected by a centrally located rotatable fastening means, for example a central bolt and locknut to allow the end walls to rotate against each other.

Preferably, there may be water resistant gasket means between the end walls to prevent the entry of water and any foreign material between the rotatable adjacent end walls.

Preferably, the beehive is mounted in a horizontal position elevated above ground level on a frame or stand.

In an alternative example, the beehive can comprise chamber stacked vertically on top of one another with passages between end walls of adjacent chambers for the movement of bees therebetween.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION THE DRAWINGS

In order that the invention be better understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying illustrations wherein;

Figure 1 shows a preferred embodiment according to Example 1 ,

Figure 2 shows use of the invention of Figure 1 ,

Figure 3 shows partially exploded view of the invention of Figures 1 and 2,

Figure 4 shows a cross sectional elevation of the invention,

Figure 5 shows detail of the rotatable end walls of the invention, Figure 6 shows detail of the exit means of the invention,

Figure 7 shows detail of the rack supporting removable frames of the invention, and

Figure 8 shows detail of a removable frame.

Figure 9 shows another example of the invention according to Example 2.

Figure 10 shows a cross sectioned view of the example of Figure 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Example 1 :

Referring now to Figure 1 there is shown a preferred artificial beehive 10 according to the invention.

The beehive 10 is preferably mounted in a horizontal position elevated above ground level on a stand 12. The beehive is preferably constructed of PVC pipe of 30cm diameter and proprietary covers acting as end caps 14, 16 and end walls 18, 20 which are interference fitted over the circumference of the tubular chambers 10a, 10b.

The chambers 10a, 10b are shown preferably strapped to the stand by means of bands 22, 24 however they may be located under their own weight.

The end caps 14, 16 have apertures 14a, 16a with hinged flaps 14b or caps to cover the apertures for the ingress and egress of bees in and out of the beehive.

Referring now to Figure 2 there is shown a beekeeper 30 removing end cap 16 wherein one (1) or more removable frames 32, 34, 36 supported by the rack 40 can be withdrawn by withdrawing the rack from the chamber 10b on removal of the end cap 16.

Figure 3 shows a partially exploded view of the invention of Figure 1 and Figure 2 wherein detail of the rack 40 with the removable frames 32, 34, 36 is shown with the rack having handles 40a, 40b for withdrawing the rack from the chamber 10a on the removal end cap 16. The end cap has an exit hole 16a for bees which can be covered with a hinged flap or removable cap 16b. To rotate the chambers whereby the apertures in the end walls of chambers are aligned or misaligned, there is provided a lever 10c to turn one of the chambers. The entry for bees in chamber is shown by broken line 14c.

Figure 4 shows a side cross section of the invention according to the preferred embodiment.

The invention comprises two (2) circular chambers 10a, 10b of PVC pipe of 30cm in diameter with end caps 14, 16 and end walls 18, 20. The end walls are bolted together with a centrally located bolt 42 and lock nut with washers whereby the adjacent end walls 18, 20which can be rotated against each other. The apertures 18b, 18c and 20b, 20c in the end walls 18,20 can be aligned and misaligned in order to open or close off the passage between the chambers 10a, 10b shown by arrows 44, 46, respectively.

The removable frames 32, 34, 36 are supported by a rack 40 which can be removed on removing end cap 16. The egress of the bees from the hive is via the exit 16a which is a flanged hole which can be capped for transportation purposes. Bees enter the hive by means of a slotted aperture 14a which has a hinge flap 14b at the other end of the hive.

A lever 10c on one of the end walls can be provided to facilitate the rotation of the chambers 10a, 10b with respect to one another.

Figure 5 shows detail of the end wall 18 wherein the end walls 18, 20 have meshed apertures 18b, 18c, 20b, 20c which can be aligned with one another to permit the passage of bees between both chambers (not shown). By rotating the end wall 20 of one chamber about the central pivoting bolt 42, the pins 2Od, 2Oe on one end wall engage the slots 18d, 18e in the end wall 18 to limit the movement so that the apertures 18b, 20b and 18c, 20c are aligned.

By counter rotating the end wall 20 the pins engage the other end of the slots wherein the end walls 18, 20 are now misaligned so that the passage of bees between the chambers is blocked off.

Referring now to Figure 6 there is shown detail of the exit 16a for the egress of bees on end cap 16.

An internal view of the exit 16a shows details wherein there is a V-shaped entrance 17 behind the exit to further protect the exit aperture from weather. Figures 7 A and 7B show an end elevation and a side elevation respectively of detail of the rack 40 supporting one of the removable frames 32. The rack has handles 40a, 40b to allow withdrawal of the rack from the chambers and preferably runs on guides 10d, 10e located in the chambers to provide a smooth withdrawal and replacement of the rack and the supported frames.

Figures 8A and 8B show detail of a circular frame 32 wherein the frame comprises an external band 32a with equal distance spaced wires 32b, 32c, 32d suspended across the diameter of the frame to divide the frame up into six (6) equal sections. The wires support a wax base 35 on which the bees 37 form their honeycombs 39 as shown in Figure 8B.

Example 2:

Figure 9 and 10 shows another version of the invention according to Example 2. In Figure 9 there is shown an artificial beehive 50 comprising a single tubular chamber 52 having an end wall 54 and a removal end cap 56. The end cap has entry and exit means for the bees in a aperture with a form of a cap or a hinged flap 58.

There is shown a rotatable divider 60 housed in the chamber for diving the chamber into at least two compartments. Although it is not shown in this view, the divider has one or more closable apertures to permit passage of bees between the compartments.

When the end cap 56 is removed there is shown one or more removable frames 62, 64, 66, 68 supported in a rack 70 which can be withdrawn from the beehive.

Figure 10 shows a cross sectional view of the beehive of Figure 9. There is shown the rotating divider 60 housed in the middle of the chamber 52 dividing the beehive into two compartments 53, 55. The rotatable divider here preferably comprises two circular planar members with holes 60c, 6Od which are alignable to allow the bees to pass through the divider. At the ends of the beehive are shown a removable end wall 54 and end cap 56. VARIATIONS

It will of course be realised that while the foregoing has been given by way of illustrative example of this invention, all such and other modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of this invention as is herein set forth.

Throughout the description and claims this specification the word "comprise" and variations of that word such as "comprises" and "comprising", are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.

Claims

1. An artificial beehive including in combination,

an elongate tubular chamber,

the compartments adapted to house one or more removable frames for the production of honey.

2. An artificial beehive including in combination,

at least a pair of elongate tubular chambers,

the chambers each having end walls and removable end caps, the end caps having entry and exit means for bees to enter and leave the chambers,

the end walls in rotatable connection with one another,

the end walls having one or more alignable apertures to permit passage of bees between the chambers, and .

3. An artificial beehive as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the tubular chambers are of a circular cross section.

4. An artificial beehive as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the tubular chambers are fabricated from PVC pipe of 30 cm diameter or more.

5. An artificial beehive as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the end walls and end caps are plastic covers used to cap or cover PVC pipes.

6. An artificial beehive as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the entry and exit means are holes in the end caps covered with a removable cap or hinged flap.

7. An artificial beehive as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the end caps and end walls are screw fitted or interference fitted to the ends of the chambers.

8. An artificial beehive as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein, the apertures are of a size or are covered with a mesh of a size to permit only bees of a pre determined size to pass between the chambers, such as to confine the queen bee in one of the chambers or compartments while allowing the passage of the drones and worker bees between the chambers or compartments.

9. An artificial beehive as claimed in Claim 1 , wherein, the end caps each have a handle to facilitate the rotation of the chambers with respect to one another.

10. An artificial beehive as claimed in Claim 1 , wherein there are detent means between the end walls to align the chambers between an aperture open and an aperture closed position.

11. An artificial beehive as claimed in Claim 10, wherein the detent means is a slot and pin mechanism comprising one or more curved slots in the end wall of one chamber that engages one or more pins in the end wall of the adjoining chamber whereby the rotation of the chambers are limited between a first position where the apertures of the respective chambers are aligned and a second position where they are not aligned.

12. An artificial beehive as claimed Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein there are markings on the outside of the chamber(s) to facilitate the alignment or non alignment of the apertures.

13. An artificial beehive as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the one or more removable frames are circular in configuration and adapted to snugly fit into the cylindrical chambers.

14. An artificial beehive as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the chamber(s) is split longitudably into semi-circular half sections that are hinged along one edge whereby the chamber(s) can be opened to enable removal of the one or more frames.

15. An artificial beehive as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the frames are supported on a rack in the chamber(s).

16. An artificial beehive as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein by removing the end cap(s), the frames can be withdrawn from the chambers to facilitate removal and replacement of the frames.

17. An artificial beehive as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the end walls are connected by a centrally located rotatable fastening means to allow the end walls to rotate against each other.

18. An artificial beehive as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein there is water resistant gasket means to seal the end wall(s) and end cap(s) from water or foreign material.

19. An artificial beehive as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 that is mounted in a horizontal position elevated above ground level on a frame or stand.

20. an artificial beehive as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 where chambers can be stacked vertically on top of one another with passages between end walls for the movement of bees between the chambers.