WO2006103384A1

WO2006103384A1 - Beehives

Info

Publication number: WO2006103384A1
Application number: PCT/GB2006/000658
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael Vesty
Original assignee: Michael Vesty
Priority date: 2005-03-30
Filing date: 2006-02-24
Publication date: 2006-10-05
Also published as: GB0506374D0; GB2438579A; GB0703718D0

Abstract

A brood chamber assembly for a beehive (12) with an inner chamber part (20) mounted to an outer chamber part (18) by a pair of double slider assemblies (52), such that the inner chamber part (20) can be slid wholly outside of the outer chamber part (18) whilst being supported by the assembly. A bee gap is provided around the various components of the chamber ,(12) which is of a size to prevent bees being crushed therein, comb being formed by bees therein, and the respective components being bonded together by propolis.

Description

Beehives

This invention concerns brood chamber assemblies for beehives, and also beehives incorporating such an assembly.

Typical constructions of beehives include a brood chamber in the form of a brood box with a plurality of removable frames which contain brood combs. A plurality of chambers referred to as honey supers, are located generally above the brood chamber, invariably in a modular configuration.

It is necessary to regularly inspect the interior of the brood box, and particularly during the swarming season. Such supers will thus require removal from the brood box to permit an inspection, and these supers can be relatively heavy making this a relatively difficult operation. Attempts have been made at providing constructions which alleviate the need to dismantle a hive to inspect the brood box. Such attempts have though generally not proved wholly successful. A particular problem is that components can become stuck together, and especially by propolis, often known as 'bee glue'.

According to the present invention there is provided a brood chamber assembly for a beehive, the assembly including an outer chamber part, an inner chamber part arranged to permit a plurality of brood frames to be removably supported therein, the inner chamber part being selectively movable between a closed position located within the outer chamber part, and an open position located wholly outside of the outer chamber part but supported by the assembly, the inner chamber part including side walls to protect any frames supported therein, and particularly in the open position.

A sliding assembly is preferably provided to permit the inner chamber part to slidingly move between the open and closed positions. The sliding assembly preferably locates wholly within the outer chamber part when the inner chamber part is in the closed position.

The sliding assembly is preferably located on the exterior of the inner chamber part. The sliding assembly may include a double runner mechanism, with a first runner arrangement telescopically movable relative to the outer chamber part, and a second runner arrangement telescopically movable relative to the first runner arrangement. The second runner arrangement is preferably mounted to the inner chamber part.

The inner chamber part preferably includes front, rear and side walls.

The outer chamber part preferably includes rear and side walls. The assembly is preferably arranged such that in the closed position, the inner chamber part front wall overlaps the ends of the outer chamber part side walls.

The gap between the side walls of the inner and outer chamber parts when the former is in the closed position, is preferably substantially such as to prevent bees being crushed therein, comb being formed by bees therein, and the respective components being bonded together by propolis. The gap is preferably between 5 and 8mm.

The inner chamber part preferably includes formations to support brood frames extending thereacross. The formations may be arranged such that the tops of supported brood frames are substantially level with the top of the inner chamber part.

In a first arrangement the brood frames extend parallel to the direction of opening of the inner chamber part.

In a second arrangement the brood frames extend perpendicular to the direction of opening of the inner chamber part. The assembly is preferably arranged such that there is a height difference between the tops of the inner chamber part and the upper chamber part, which difference is substantially such as to prevent bees being crushed therein, comb being formed by bees therein, and the respective tops being bonded together by propolis. The difference is preferably between 5 and 8mm.

The assembly is preferably arranged such that there is a height difference between the bottoms of the inner chamber part and the outer chamber part, which difference is substantially such as to prevent bees being crushed therein, comb being formed by bees therein, and the respective bottoms being bonded together by propolis. The difference is preferably between 5 and 8mm.

A lower divider is preferably provided across the bottom of the outer chamber part, with a plurality of gaps therein, the gaps being substantially such as to prevent bees being crushed therein, comb being formed by bees therein, and the gaps being closed by propolis. The gaps are preferably between 5 and 8mm.

An upper divider is preferably provided across the top of the outer chamber part, with a plurality of gaps therein, the gaps being substantially such as to prevent bees being crushed therein, comb being formed by bees therein, and the gaps being closed by propolis. The gaps are preferably between 5 and 8mm.

The lower and/or upper dividers may be in the form of slatted racks.

The assembly may be arranged such that the upper and/or lower dividers are selectively removable from the outer chamber part. The upper and/or lower dividers may include an external frame and a plurality of divider members extending thereacross to define the gaps therethrough, and the dividers members may be arranged in the frame to provide a space thereabove or therebelow, which space is substantially such as to prevent bees being crushed therein, comb being formed by bees therein, and propolis being formed across the space. The space is preferably between 5 and 8mm.

The invention also provides a beehive, the beehive incorporating a brood chamber assembly as defined in any of the preceding fifteen paragraphs.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a beehive according to the invention;

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic front perspective exploded view of part of the hive of Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic cross sectional view through the part of the hive shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic cross sectional end view through the part of the hive shown in Fig. 2; and

Figs. 5, 6 and 7 are similar views respectively to Figs. 2, 3 and 4 of an alternative part for the hive of Fig. 1.

Fig. 1 shows a beehive 10 with a brood chamber 12 and four honey supers 14 located thereabove, closed off by a lid 16. The brood chamber 12 can be seen in more detail in Figs. 2 - 4. The chamber 12 includes an outer chamber part 18 and an inner chamber part 20. The outer chamber part 18 comprises side walls 22 and an end wall 24 and handle recesses 26 are provided in the outside of the side walls 22.

An upper divider in the form of a slotted rack 28 is provided across the top of the outer chamber part 12 and is selectively mounted thereto by metal pegs 30. The rack 28 includes an outer frame 32 and a plurality of slats 34 extending front to back. The slats 34 are provided extending across a lower part of the frame 32 and define a space 36 above the slats 34 and still within the frame 32. The space 36 is a "bee space", and is of a size to prevent bees being crushed, and is also of a size to prevent the space being filled with comb, or being blocked by propolis. Accordingly the space will generally be between 5 and 8mm. The space is marked S in Fig. 4, and such a space when provided elsewhere in the beehive 10 is also marked as S.

A lower divider in the form of a rack 38 is provided extending across the bottom of the outer chamber part 18, and mounted thereto by screws 40. Here the rack 30 includes an outer frame 42 and a plurality of slats 44 of substantially the same thickness as the outer frame 42.

The inner chamber part includes a front wall 46, side walls 48 and a rear wall 50. The inner chamber part 20 is mounted to the outer chamber part 18 by a pair of double slider assemblies 52. Each assembly 52 includes a first runner 54 which is telescopically movable relative to a mounting on the inside of the respective side wall 22, and a second runner 56 telescopically mounted to the outside of a one of the side walls 48. The slider assemblies 52 extend in a recess 58 in the inside lower edge of the side walls 22.

Rebates 60, 62 are provided respectively towards the top of the front and rear walls 46, 50 by extensions 61 closed by strips 63. Frame runners 64 are provided at the lower outside edges of the rebates 60, 62. A plurality of brood frames (not shown) can extend between the rebates 60, 62, with lugs on the frames resting on the runners 64. The inner chamber part 20 is arranged such that the tops of such brood frames are substantially level with the top of the inner chamber part 20. The inner chamber part 20 is also dimensioned so as to provide a bee gap thereabove relative to the outer chamber part 18, and also between the respective side walls 48 and 22, and rear walls 50 and 24.

Figs. 5 to 7 show an alternative brood chamber 66 which is similar in many respects to the chamber 12, and only the differences will therefore be described. In this instance the brood chamber 66 is usable with a plurality of brood frames of a long-lugged pattern, with the frames extending transversely across the inner chamber part 68. Here rebates 70 are provided along the top of the inner chamber part side walls 72 by transfer extensions 74 closed by plastic material strips 76. Runners 78 are again provided on the inner edges of the extensions 74. Similar upper and lower racks 80, 82 are provided, but in this instance the slats 84 extend transversely parallel to the brood frames.

In use with either chamber 12, 66, in the closed condition the inner chamber part 20, 68 will be located wholly within the outer chamber part 18. To inspect the brood frames, the inner chamber part 20, 68 can be pulled outwardly, and the slider assemblies 52 mean that the inner chamber parts 20, 68 can be pulled fully clear of the outer chamber part 18. The brood frames can readily be selected and removed as required. If required the upper racks 28, 80 can be lifted upwardly from the pegs 30.

These arrangements permit the brood plates to readily be inspected without dismantling the hive. The various bee gaps/spacers substantially prevent bees being crushed, whilst preventing the filling of gaps with comb or propolis, which could otherwise affect the operation and ease of inspection of the hive 10. The provision of the slider assemblies 52 on the outside of the inner chamber parts 20, 68, means that these are unlikely to become blocked up for instance with propolis. As the front wall 44 overlaps the ends of the side walls 46, if required for example due to a build up of propolis, a hive tool can readily be used to break the propolis seal and open the chamber 12, 66. A stopped chamfer 86 is provided in the outer free end of a one of the side walls 22, to facilitate use of a hive, tool if required.

Various other modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, different slider assemblies or other opening arrangements could be used. Different dividers could be used, and if for instance supers were provided beneath the brood chamber, then a lower divider which defines a bee space within the frame could be used.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

1. A brood chamber assembly for a beehive, the assembly including an outer chamber part, an inner chamber part arranged to permit a plurality of brood frames to be removably supported therein, the inner chamber part being selectively movable between a closed position located within the outer chamber part, and an open position located wholly outside of the outer chamber part but supported by the assembly, the inner chamber part including side walls to protect any frames supported therein, and particularly in the open position.

2. An assembly according to claim 1, characterised in that a sliding assembly is provided to permit the inner chamber part to slidingly move between the open and closed positions.

3. An assembly according to claim 2, characterised in that the sliding assembly locates wholly within the outer chamber part when the inner chamber part is in the closed position.

4. An assembly according to claim 3, characterised in that the sliding assembly is located on the exterior of the inner chamber part.

5. An assembly according to any of claims 2 to 4, characterised in that the sliding assembly includes a double runner mechanism, with a first runner arrangement telescopically movable relative to the outer chamber part, and a second runner arrangement telescopically movable relative to the first runner arrangement.

6. An assembly according to claim 5 when dependent on claim 4, characterised in that the second runner arrangement is mounted to the inner chamber part.

7. An assembly according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the inner chamber part includes front, rear and side walls.

8. An assembly according to claim 7, characterised in that the outer chamber part includes rear and side walls.

9. An assembly according to claim 8, characterised in that the assembly is arranged such that in the closed position, the inner chamber part front wall overlaps the ends of the outer chamber part side walls.

10. An assembly according to claims 8 or 9, characterised in that the gap between the side walls of the inner and outer chamber parts when the former is in the closed position, is substantially such as to prevent bees being crushed therein, comb being formed by bees therein, and the respective components being bonded together by propolis.

11. An assembly according to claim 10, characterised in that the gap is between 5 and 8mm.

12. An assembly according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the inner chamber part includes formations to support brood frames extending thereacross.

13. An assembly according to claim 12_» characterised in that the formations are arranged such that the tops of supported brood frames are substantially level with the top of the inner chamber part.

14. An assembly according to claims 12 or 13, characterised in that the brood frames extend parallel to the direction of opening of the inner chamber part.

15. An assembly according to claims 12 or 13, characterised in that the brood frames extend perpendicular to the direction of opening of the inner chamber part.

16. An assembly according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the assembly is arranged such that there is a height difference between the tops of the inner chamber part and the upper chamber part, which difference is substantially such as to prevent bees being crushed therein, comb being formed by bees therein, and the respective tops being bonded together by propolis.

17. An assembly according to claim 16, characterised in that the difference is between 5 and 8mm.

18. An assembly according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the assembly is arranged such that there is a height difference between the bottoms of the inner chamber part and the outer chamber part, which difference is substantially such as to prevent bees being crushed therein, comb being formed by bees therein, and the respective bottoms being bonded together by propolis.

19. An assembly according to claim 18, characterised in that the difference is between 5 and 8mm.

20. An assembly according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that a lower divider is provided across the bottom of the outer chamber part, with a plurality of gaps therein, the gaps being substantially such as to prevent bees being crushed therein, comb being formed by bees therein, and the gaps being closed by propolis.

21. An assembly according to claim 20, characterised in that the gaps are between 5 and 8mm.

22. An assembly according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that an upper divider is provided across the top of the outer chamber part, with a plurality of gaps therein, the gaps being substantially such as to prevent

5 bees being crushed therein, comb being formed by bees therein, and the gaps being closed by propolis.

23. An assembly according to claim 22, characterised in that the gaps are between 5 and 8mm.

I O

24. An assembly according to any of claims 20 to 23, characterised in that the lower and/or upper dividers are in the form of slatted racks.

25. An assembly according to any of claims 20 to 24, characterised in that 15 the assembly is arranged such that the upper and/or lower dividers are selectively removable from the outer chamber part.

26. An assembly according to claim 25, characterised in that the upper and/or lower dividers include an external frame and a plurality of divider 0 members extending thereacross to define the gaps therethrough, and the dividers members are arranged in the frame to provide a space thereabove or therebelow, which space is substantially such as to prevent bees being crushed therein, comb being formed by bees therein, and propolis being formed across the space. 5

27. An assembly according to claim 26, characterised in that the space is between 5 and 8mm.

28. A beehive, characterised in that the beehive incorporates a brood 0 chamber assembly as defined in any of the preceding claims.