WO2016083855A2

WO2016083855A2 - Bee frame with adjustable height

Info

Publication number: WO2016083855A2
Application number: PCT/HU2015/000076
Authority: WO
Inventors: Péter FENDRIK; Ármin FENDRIK
Original assignee: Fendrik Péter; Fendrik Ármin
Priority date: 2014-11-26
Filing date: 2015-11-26
Publication date: 2016-06-02
Also published as: WO2016083855A3; HUP1400558A2; HU5127U

Abstract

A beekeeping frame universally used in beekeeping, with its material made of wood, beeswax, metal, plastic or the combination thereof, and matching the dimensions of the various types of beekeeping hives with the foundation fixed into it, which foundation is drawn by the bees with beeswax after the frame is placed in the hive, characterised by that bounding plates (1) are integrated in the comb (2) in horizontal planes perpendicular to the principal plane of the frame (4) and the bounding plates (1) segment the comb (2) in the frame (4) at least partly into comb sections (7), by that the end bars (5) of the frame (4) comprise several coupled lateral segments (6), by that the comb sections (7) with the lateral segments joining them (6) can be moved along the bounding plates (1) in relation to one another, by that the height of the frames (4) can be regulated by shifting the comb sections (7).

Description

Bee frame with adjustable height Scope of application

The invention relates to bee frames with adjustable height that we have developed having noticed the numerous technological obstacles beekeepers are confronted with when using any of the conventional beekeeping frames. Such obstacles mostly result from the non-adjustable dimensions of conventional beekeeping frames. Conventional beekeeping frames are furthermore used in an outstandingly great variety of dimensions. Therefore, compatibility issues arise between technologies based on conventional beekeeping frames of differing but rigid dimensions, which are difficult to resolve. Conventional beekeeping frames cannot be used in several types of hive, and it is expensive to mechanise technologies based on rarer dimensions.

A further advantage of the bee frame with adjustable height as compared with the conventional ones is that, due to their structural design, they can be manipulated in many ways which will allow for delivering upon objectives like swarm control or rearing queen bees in a simple and efficient way without the need to relocate larvae. Using bee frames with adjustable height in movable frame hives, which are currently dominant in the world and are based on conventional shallow frames, will make it simple to unify the so far separate rows of frames in the brood nest, to checkerboard the brood nest and to ensure the lateral insulation of the brood nest. As opposed to the deep frames adjusted to the less frequent deep brood nests, adjustable frames allow for limiting the size of the brood nest significantly, which will result in remarkable extra yield.

Bee frame with adjustable height, by allowing for beekeeping without major compromises, eliminates most of the shortcomings of conventional beekeeping frames and allows for merging different technologies and for simpler mechanisation, while also entailing the coming of new, state-of-the-art hybrid beekeeping technologies.

Therefore, the introduction of adjustable-height beekeeping frames to practice may lead to the expansion of already existing beekeeping opportunities, and significant improvement in both efficiency and productivity. Background

Currently and generally used conventional beekeeping frames, hereinafter referred to as frames, due to their dimensions and design, demonstrate several shortcomings that significantly limit the effectiveness of beekeeping operations. As a first step in our research resulting in our invention, the beekeeping frame with adjustable height, hereinafter referred to as adjustable frame, we identified the inherent shortcomings of beekeeping frames used to date.

Frames have replaced traditional hives because their application made it possible to remove the honey or the brood nest with the bees in it from the hive without damaging the honeycomb. Frames also spread because of the introduction of artificial foundations. One advantage of frames is that wood, their material is easily accessible to everyone, the design is also simple, and therefore frames are cheap and can be made at home. The application of frames dating back to nearly two hundred years signalled a significant change in apiculture. Their structure and design has, however, remained unchanged since their invention.

Frames have a highly simple design. The four bars of frames limit the foundation fixed within that is to be drawn by bees. The frame's bars are not jointed and are connected to each other at the corners. The foundation is generally melted onto a thin wiring created by threading wire through the holes drilled in the frame's bars. Bees will draw the foundation secured in the frame and make a honeycomb provided the conditions in the hive are beneficial after the foundation is placed within. While doing so, bees will not only draw cells on the foundation but will also connect the edges of the honeycomb to the inner surfaces of the frame's bars.

Nowadays the frames' bars are also made of plastic. Some of them are designed to allow for the frames bars to be opened up along their principal plane in their mid-line so that the foundation could be inserted between the opened up bars and secured between them without wiring. More recently, plastic frames are made that already include plastic foundations that are either integrated within the frame's bars by moulding or come separately. Before placing plastic foundations in the hive, they are covered with beeswax so that they would be better received and drawn by bees.

The chamfered ends of the frames' top bars ensure that frames can be suspended in the hive. The frame's ends also allow for a seam of an adequate size to be created between the frame, the hive's wall and the adjacent combs. The size of such seam will fit the bees' biological needs and the natural build-up of combs.

Frames remain movable since, due to the design of the seams, bees will not connect the honeycombs in the frames to one another or the hive's walls.

The internal structure of frames is highly similar but even to date major differences can be observed in frame dimensions all over the world. These differences mainly result from the fact that inventors in beekeeping have developed their own beekeeping technologies with bespoke frame dimensions.

Frame dimension is a fundamental issue in beekeeping since it has a major impact on the specific beekeeping technology. It defines the shape and size of the hive as well as the beekeeping system. This is what beekeeping manipulations as well as the size of tools to extract honey depend on as well as the means to migrate hives and the layout of apiaries.

Two frame dimensions have spread in the world: deep and shallow frames. This definition is obviously a relative one, which refers to the frame's height i.e. the distance between the top and bottom bars of the frame.

Of shallow frame hives, movable frame beekeeping systems have spread in the world in which hives can easily be enlarged vertically to adapt to the colony's growth. Furthermore this type is also the one that better serves the bees' biological needs too (Langstroth, Dadant, Propokovych, Berlepsch or Hunor).

In deep frame hives, it is difficult to move beekeeping frames together for their heavy weight. With such frame dimensions, either movable frame hives with deep and shallow supers or horizontal beekeeping systems have become widespread. In the former system, deep frames are placed in the hive's brood chamber while shallow frames are used in the honey super. This method calls for the application of frames of differing heights within one system, which significantly complicates the technology. In horizontal hives, identical deep frames are used universally. In the latter system, the colonies can only be built up horizontally in the hives.

It can be stated that each beekeeping system entails major drawbacks that result from the rigid dimensions of the frame.

When applying technologies using shallow frames in movable frame hives, several major compromises are to be made. The essence of the technology is to ensure that the frames could be handled together, which should improve productivity in the various beekeeping manipulations. In movable frame hives, frames are moved together by removing the super containing them. Therefore, their weight including that of the super's is an issue of significance. To avoid heavy labour, how to optimise the supers' weight has become a practical question. The height of the shallow frames most widely used in movable frame hives is currently between 18 cm and 30 cm to limit weight. There are rare exceptions however. Such is for example the deep frame used in Nagy Boczonadi movable frame hives in Hungary, where no compromise was made in terms of weight, and where the frames' height is 36 cm. Therefore the weight of the super full of honey can reach as much as fifty kilograms. Movable deep frame hives are only used in certain technologies and only in the brood supers due to the physical difficulty arising from handling the frames together.

Another very important consideration when choosing the frames' dimensions is to be given to the biological needs of bees. The shape of the brood nest and of the winter cluster is roughly spherical primarily to ensure better heat economy and the continuity of the queen bee's egg laying process. Homeostasis and the constant internal temperature of the brood nest must be maintained by the colony within this roughly spherical formation at all times.

The brood nest of an Apis mellifera colony at the height of their build-up fits in a space corresponding to a 40 cm diameter sphere. Since the shallow frames used in movable frame systems for the above-described weight limitations falls below the optimum brood nest height, in such systems two rows of frames placed one over the other make up the colony's brood nest together, which can be moved together with their supers. However, when two rows of frames are used in movable frame hives, significant disadvantages appear. One of the major disadvantages is that the relatively big gap between the brood nests built up in the two rows of frames placed one over the other will cause a delay in the continuous build-up of the colony. The queen bee will mostly stay in the heated brood nest and only lays eggs in the heated cells. In the brood nest, the egg laying process starts in the central parts of the frames, and the queen bee extends this area in the honeycomb circularly in all the direction of the space. In the initial growth phase of the colony, the queen bee starts to lay eggs in the warmer part of the brood nest in most cases, in the upper row of the frames, directly under the band of honey. In parallel with the increase in population and the expansion of the heated area, the area warmed by the bees is increasing and the queen bee extends her egg laying process to the whole of the upper row of frames. When the brood reaches the lower edge of the comb frames in the upper row, the egg laying process stops.

It is general beekeeping experience that certain beekeeping manipulations are required to induce queen bees to lay eggs in the lower row of frames in the brood nest. Such manipulation is to replace a brood frame in the upper row of frames with one from the lower row or to narrow down the brood nest laterally. These manipulations are often risky and labour-intensive. Determining colonies' optimum strength is a difficult task too; in adverse weather conditions, the brood easily gets cold. This situation is further worsened by the fact that the number of cells in which eggs can be laid between the two rows of beekeeping frames is practically zero. This is an inevitable waste in the colony's life. The space where the queen bee cannot lay eggs between the two rows of frames is comparatively very large. When defining its size, we must not only consider the seam between the two rows of beekeeping frames but also the width of the bottom bar of the upper row of frames and the top bar of the lower row of frames. We must furthermore consider the gaps the bees create between the bottom bar of the upper row of frames and the built up comb so that they can communicate with each other. The gap between the edges of the combs in the two rows of frames one under the other can be as large as 4-5 cm. This gap is huge for the bees in proportion to the size of the area they can warm up. Furthermore, if our calculations are based on the height of the frames, not having eggs in this gap will result in an approximately 15% loss of population and therefore at least a 20% loss of production in early bee pastures. No matter how much the colony strives to build up the area between the rows of frames in the brood nest in part, it will only succeed in doing so in a later growth phase. Colonies create so called brace combs here where mostly drones are nurtured. A further disadvantage of using shallow brood frames in movable frame systems is the difficulty with which manipulations such as checkerboarding can be carried out in the brood nest. Checkerboarding is a frequent beekeeping manipulation that could be carried out on both rows of frames at the same time, but which so far has been impossible to perform with shallow frames in the brood nest. Reducers can also only be placed next to shallow frames if the beekeeper separates the brood supers. One can only access the frames in the lower brood super if the upper brood super is removed.

In order to eliminate the above-described problems, some beekeepers use relatively deep frames in the nest of movable frame hives. This, however, also has major drawbacks that are in part identical to the ones described in relation to horizontal systems. The situation is aggravated by problems arising from differing frame dimensions.

When relatively deep frames are used in horizontal hives, the above drawbacks do not appear, so there is nothing to hinder the bees' build-up. Therefore, in the relatively deep continuous nest of the horizontal hive system we can observe the proportionately uninterrupted and better spring build-up of colonies. Still the relatively deep frames used in horizontal systems have disadvantages too.

As mentioned above, the supers laden with relatively deep frames containing large combs filled with honey are very heavy to carry. A further disadvantage of horizontal systems with relatively deep frames is that manipulations are to be performed frame by frame during the nectar flow and harvesting, which is highly labour-intensive. A further significant problem caused by the application of relatively deep frames in the horizontal system is that honey production manipulations, such as limiting the queen bee before the main nectar flow, are more difficult to perform. In order to complete all the extra operations arising from the technology seasonal workers are to be employed. Larger hives are also less suitable for transportation and migration, and are heavier. The above-described considerations explain why movable frame hives are predominant in beekeeping.

Therefore, it can be concluded that both shallow and deep frames have advantages as well as considerable drawbacks as compared to one another.

This branch of industry is faced with a further problem arising from the high variety of frame dimensions. Since frame dimensions cannot be changed, a major obstacle is encountered when changing over from a frame system of one size to another. This switching over may be necessitated by the beekeeper's changed physical abilities, by a good bargain, or the wish to adopt a more modern technology etc. However, it does not stop here. Frame dimensions determine the design of the honey extractor, the dimensions of the means to transport frames, the dimensions of the boxes to store frames and the settings and dimensions of automatic uncapping machines too.

Since many frame dimensions are used in apiculture, technological devices of different dimensions are to be used with each type of frame. This is a major impediment in the development of beekeeping as a whole.

Our invention of adjustable frames helps solve these problems and with its application, the technological problems arising from differing frame heights can be eliminated.

Our invention does not, however, address only the drawbacks resulting from rigid frame dimensions and different frame sizes.

The frame itself has failed to be an efficient tool to prevent swarming. Our invention, the adjustable frame, can also involve structural modifications that will allow efficient anti-swarming measures to be taken by altering the position of swarm cells. When the colony intends to swarm, it builds swarm cells in various areas of the combs and beekeepers can prevent swarming by checking the frames and destroying swarm cells. Finding swarm cells, however, robs you of your valuable time, and swarm cells are difficult to spot since bees cover the frame bars very thickly. Therefore, they very frequently go unnoticed and the colony swarms out. The adjustable frame, by virtue of its design, may be suited to make the performance of this task much faster and much more efficient since the comb therein can be turned 180 degrees so the location of the cells can instantly be modified. Bees themselves will destroy the cells with their open ends looking upwards. If this manipulation is carried out with the necessary frequency, the swarming impulse can be delayed without undermining the colony's harvesting impulse, which can be highly desirable during the main nectar flow.

The adjustable frame can also be put to uses other than the above-described ones. Since within the adjustable frame a comb section comprising one row of cells can also be integrated and moved independently in the adjustable frame. When desired, the cells therein can also be rotated so that their open ends would look downwards and their height can be cut back, therefore with adjustable frames we can breed queen bees without the need to relocate larvae. Consequently, adjustable frames make an extremely simple breeding tool for beekeepers. Similar solutions

Although the frames in the hives with rotating brood frames described in patent description ES2328021 can be joined in the hive, they cannot be handled outside the hive nor can be extracted while kept together. The rotating nest solution was worked out to inhibit swarming and to stimulate the egg-laying process of the queen bee. In the hives with rotating brood frames, the height neither of the frames nor of the combs therein can be modified. The frames cannot be joined in the hives with rotating brood frames and neither the brood nest can be limited before the main nectar flow. For these reason this solution is not suited to eliminate the drawbacks that we have identified and described above. Joining the frames used in hives with rotating brood frames will not allow for handling the frames together manually. Another major drawback of hives with rotating brood frames is that extracting the honey from the special round frames applied in hives with rotating brood frames requires a new technology to be employed. The special frame used in these hives cannot be used in the honey super for their shape. A further disadvantage lies in the fact that if such frames are used, all possibly existing hives will need to be replaced to accommodate the modified geometrical demands. This largely raises the price of the technology and impedes it spreading. The structure and design of the frames created in hives with rotating brood frames is fundamentally different from the adjustable-height frames we have developed.

With the invention described in patent description WO2007022544, the inventor aims to reduce the gaps between the combs built in the frames. This aim has partly been realised by thinning the top and bottom bars of the frames. The invention is, however, unsuitable for fully eliminating the gaps between the combs in the frames. The frame's height is not adjustable, neither is that of the comb. The seam between the combs will always remain there. Within the frames, the comb cannot be segmented into comb sections; neither can the comb sections be moved independently.

Patent description US4216557 describes a frame that is built out of several segments that can be joined together when the frame is assembled. Whether the height of the frame was adjustable or the location of the comb sections could be altered in several ways is not even mentioned. Patent description US4234985 illustrates a frame the end bars of which are reduced in width, but this is motivated by the aim to reduce weight and facilitate logistics.

Patent description US337143 shows small honey boxes attached to one another and designed to be placed within beekeeping frames to produce comb-honey. These small honey boxes split the comb up into comb sections, but such comb sections cannot be displaced without disrupting the unity of the frame. This solution is not capable of modifying the height of the frames either. Patent description CN201094220Y introduces a beekeeping frame system that consists of two half-frames hinged together. This allows for detaching and coupling the halves and the frames can be moved together. It is important to note that the two half frames are separated from each other vertically, and for this reason, in this solution, when arranging the combs in the two half frames one next to the other, the frames can be placed in mating hives matching the height of the supers in the production hives but having different width and length. The frames' end bars do not directly lie next to each other; they are separated by the hinge. A major difference as compared with our invention is that in the solution described under the above-stated reference number the height of the frames cannot be modified. The description under the reference number above does not allow for eliminating the gap between the rows of frames suspended in shallow frame hives or creating a uniform brood nest. The application of the frame described in the above-referenced patent description does not allow for transferring bees effortlessly between hives of differing heights. Neither does it guarantee compatibility between the various beekeeping technologies. The description of the above reference number does not allow for rotating the comb sections 90 or 180 degrees within the frame, and therefore it is not suitable for breeding queen bees or preventing swarming. Another major difference is that, with changing the height dimensions of the frame and the brood therein, our invention also relies on the biological building impulse of bees. A further difference is that, in case of our invention, it is possible to move the separate comb sections within the frame in one plane and the split comb sections even at different angles. In our invention, fitting the comb sections lying in the joint principal plane together or joining them is not impeded by a hinge; the seam between the comb sections can be eliminated.

The frame described in document CN 103583414A is highly similar to the frame described in document CN201094220Y. The difference lies in joining the vertically split frames, since there is no gap between the joined comb sections in this description. A further difference is that when the combs are arranged into parallel planes, the connection ceases between the frames. Considering the fact that the frames described in the above-referenced descriptions are essentially identical, we have already explored their differences and disadvantages when considering patent description CN 201094220Y. A further major difference as compared to our invention is that when the comb sections are arranged in separate parallel principal planes, with our invention, the height of both the frame and the comb can be reduced while maintaining the connection between the lateral segments of the frame while the comb sections are moved. Although the small frames employed in some of the widely used mating hives are joined with a leather band or tar board hammered onto their top bars, this only aims to guarantee the easier manipulation of the frames while kept together, and separating them from each other is cumbersome. This type of connection between the frames allows the frames to be folded away from their parallel positions so that the beekeeper can spot the queen bee more easily. The small frames can only be disconnected if the material making the connection is cut through or removed. These designs do not allow for joining the connected small frames in a mutual principal plane either.

Several solutions have also been worked out to split up beekeeping frames. Beekeeping frames have been split up to produce comb-honey. Smaller round or rectangular capsules were placed in the conventional beekeeping frame that had separate walls to themselves.

Such a solution is presented in patent description US 3187353. Although capsules of a smaller dimension than beekeeping frames are suitable for comb-honey production, and comprise several comb sections, the unused space created by the walls of the small frames is generally significant, and therefore they are not used due to the increased dead area within the brood nest and for cumbersome handling. The height of the frames is not adjustable; the location of the combs within the frame cannot be modified without disrupting the frame's unity.

In order to re-tailor beekeeping frames of larger dimensions to smaller ones to fit hives designed to accommodate shallower beekeeping frames, generally drastic methods are adopted even today. Such a method involves sawing the frames to size when the frame with the brood in it is cut up to pieces. This can be labelled as a barbarous method since the brood is physically damaged and can even get cold in the process. In addition, the stress the bees are exposed to can lead to illnesses.

Brief summary of the invention

When creating the adjustable frame, one of our priorities was to lay the foundations for standardising the various honey production systems. Since frames mostly differ in their height, as a first step, we strived to create a structure by which we can arbitrarily modify the frame's height in a simple way and within certain limits.

The basis of our invention is the intention to reach the desired height increase in adjustable frames by banking upon the bees' natural building impulse. We have utilised the fact that bees are inclined to build upwards, that is they always draw the area between the foundation and the top bar of the frame. Therefore, we can also increase the vertical dimension of the adjustable frame by creating a gap to be built up by the bees between the top bar of the frame and the comb or the upper comb sections. To this aim, we have changed the frame's structure by segmenting its end bars and then connected the resulting lateral segments to each other while maintaining their movability, and ensuring the mechanical stability of the frame. We also horizontally segmented the comb built in the frame. We managed to do so by thin bounding plates that are also suitable for fixing the foundation in the frame. Since the comb is made of beeswax, we knew that the comb sections did not necessarily have to be separated from each other completely; the wax bridges or joined comb foundations will not hinder separation significantly. Since the bees will connect the comb sections with their corresponding bounding plates built in horizontally and with the lateral segments, the separate movement of the comb sections is not prevented either. By doing the above, we reached one of our main objectives to ensure that, by changing the position of the lateral segments of the frame in relation to each other, the comb sections can be separated from each other and from the top bar of the frame, and be positioned in various ways. Thus the height of the frame can be modified also by shifting the given comb sections vertically from each other within the frame. Bees instinctively draw the gaps created between the comb sections.

The height of adjustable frames can, however, also be modified so that the comb sections within the adjustable frame, having been separated from each other, could be placed in the hive in parallel to each other in different planes, and the other way around.

A further advantage is that the comb horizontally segmented by thin bounding plates is practically uniform for the bees and will not impede the queen bee's egg-laying process nor will it form an obstacle to building up the brood nest. Therefore, we can ensure the unity of the brood nest in movable frame systems with the help of adjustable frames, which has so far been impossible in movable shallow frame hives.

Being able to modify the width of adjustable frames was also an important priority since the frame widths are highly varied however small the differences are. We have realised that the widths of more frequently used frames differ to a relatively lesser extent only. As bees are less inclined to build up the drawn comb sideways, modifying the width has serious biological impediments. Therefore, we designed the end bars of the adjustable frame to allow for connecting further elements to them from the outside. The width of adjustable frames was modified by attaching widening components to the lateral segments of the frame, and by the arched ends that overreach the original chamfered ends of the adjustable frame to the desired extent on both sides and allow for suspending the adjustable frames in wider hives.

With the above changes we achieved that adjustable frames can fit almost all the beekeeping technologies with different frame dimensions without any problem. A further advantage is that the current tools and equipment (hives, extractors etc.) will not need to be replaced in order to introduce adjustable frames.

The application of adjustable frames also allows for developing new hybrid technologies that will combine the advantages of various technological systems. For example, with the adjustable frame, before the main nectar flow, the build-up of the brood can be limited even in horizontal hives in the way customary to movable frame systems, and this will result in a completely new type of horizontal movable frame systems.

It will also become possible to change the location of the comb within the adjustable frame. This will urge the bees, acting on their natural impulse, to draw the foundations fixed in the adjustable frame more efficiently. Turning the comb sections fixed in the adjustable frame upside down at regular intervals will provide efficient protection against swarming, and it will still not reduce the foraging impulse of the colony during the main nectar flow. By turning the open queen bee cells upside down we can get the bees to destroy the cells and therefore the colony will not swarm, and the bees will carry away the honey belt that got to the bottom of the comb, and the queen bee will lay eggs in the resulting empty cells, which will all mean further stimulation for the colony.

By rotating the starter strips 90 degrees, which contain at most one row of comb cells within the adjustable frame, we can induce the bees to draw queen cells in the rotated comb section. The starter strip matches the width of the adjustable frame, and therefore can be placed in the hive with ease with the bounding plates of the starter strip providing the necessary mechanical strength as well as ensuring the easy cutback of the cells in the starter strip. Separating elements can be installed onto the plates that bound the comb sections that will keep the drawn cells separated. The distance between the queen cells can also be regulated by a cover plate partly covering the cells in the starter strip since the bees can only draw queen cells on cells open downwards.

The separate comb sections in adjustable frames can be moved together, which will give rise to further advantages as compared with shallow frames. Joint handling requires less time when manipulating and extracting the frames. This joint handling will also allow for placing an insulating board next to the adjustable frames in the brood nest in a single movement that will ensure better lateral insulation along the total height of the brood nest. This could not be done with shallow frames; first the lower row had to be covered laterally and then the upper one separately.

We have noted that with our invention colonies can be built up in spring by checkerboarding in a single movement covering the total height of the brood nest thanks to the fact that adjustable frames in the movable frame systems are easy to move. This will also make beekeeping operations easier. There will be fewer frames to check for queen bees.

We have also noted that, by applying adjustable frames, we can create such very shallow combs often desirable in the honey super by which we can ensure the easier and more efficient extraction of honey varieties.

We have seen that if we place protective plates on the plates bounding the comb sections within the adjustable frames after their separation, we can prevent the bees from storing propolis directly on the surfaces of the bounding plates opposite the comb or build brace combs.

We have furthermore seen that we can also fix the foundation in the adjustable frame with the help of the plates bounding the comb sections.

We described some of the outstandingly favourable embodiments of the invention in the sub-claims.

Hereinafter, we will illustrate the invention in detail with the help of the attached figures, will also highlight the differences between adjustable and conventional frames, and will furthermore present some advantageous designs of the adjustable frame too.

A brief description of the figures

Figure 1 gives the front view of one embodiment and structure of the adjustable frame. This figure illustrates one way to increase the height of adjustable frames. All the gaps appearing because of the increased height will be built up by the bees.

Figure 2 illustrates another embodiment of the adjustable frame. It offers the front view of an adjustable frame in which, after the adjacent comb sections are removed, we create a starting strip by rotating one of the comb sections 90 degrees.

Figure 3 illustrates another embodiment of the adjustable frame. It gives the perspective view of an adjustable frame in which we can gain space for the queen cells drawn on the starting strip by modifying the height. The comb sections of the adjustable frame can also be positioned upside down in the hive as indicated in the drawing, while the connection between the lateral segments also allows for the parallel arrangement of the comb sections, which can result in a reduction in height.

Detailed description of some possible designs

Bee frame with adjustable height (4) can be equipped with foundations (3) of various materials. When wax foundations (3) or artificial foundations are used, the foundations (3) will need to be fixed in the bee frame with adjustable height (4) before it is placed in the hive. Wax foundations (3) can be secured in the frames on horizontal wiring and by melting the foundation (3) onto the thin and horizontally adequately tightened wiring threaded through the end bars (5) of the bee frame with adjustable height (4). Foundations (3) can also be secured by forcing the edges of the bounding plates (1) into the artificial foundation (3) on both sides. In that case, the loose ends of the bounding plates (1) directed towards the vertical end bars (5) can be connected to the vertical end bars (5) of the bee frame with adjustable height (4). Since the bounding plates (1) are thin, vertical wiring threaded through them could distort the plates (1) bounding the comb sections (7) even if they are made of metal, and for this reason vertical wiring is not advised to be used due to the resulting large tensile force.

The bee frame with adjustable height (4) can also be fitted with a plastic foundation (3) when, in a practical way, the plates (1) bounding the comb sections (7) are integrated in the plastic foundation (3). It is advisable to spread a thin layer of wax on the plastic foundation (3) so that it would be accepted and drawn by the bees more vigorously.

The way the plates (1) bounding the comb sections (7) within the bee frame with adjustable height (4) are arranged and the height of the resulting comb sections (7) is greatly influenced by the aim for which we intend to use the bee frame with adjustable height (4) in beekeeping. If the beef frame with adjustable height (4) are used in movable frame hives with two shallow brood supers, in order to combine the combs in the brood nest (2), it is advisable to place the plates (1) bounding the comb sections (7) within the bee frames with adjustable height (4) fitted with high foundations (3) in the vertical mean line of the bee frame with adjustable height (4). If the aim is to build-up the colony, in the bee frame with adjustable height (4) the bounding plates (1) should be placed at a distance from each other corresponding to the width of a starter strip (9) so that starter strips (9) could be placed in the resulting gaps also after rotation.

For plastic foundations (3), the foundation (3) of the bee frame with adjustable height (4) is cut up completely by the plates (1) bounding the comb sections (7) even before they are introduced to the hive. If wax foundations (3) are used, it is an advantage that the comb (2) can be cut up anywhere along the plates (1) bounding the comb sections (7).

The plates (1) bounding the comb sections (7) can be connected to their corresponding lateral segments (6) thanks to their compatibility with each other.

After the bee frame with adjustable height (4) is placed in the hive, the bees will draw cells on the foundation (3) to build the comb (2). We can facilitate this build-up by feeding. During the build-up, bees will draw cells on both sides of the foundation (3) and connect the comb (2) to the inner sides of the lateral segments (6) of the bee frame with adjustable height (4) that face the comb and to the inner sides of its top (12) and bottom (11) bars.

In the arrangement illustrated in Figure 1 the vertical expansion of the bee frame with adjustable height (4) can be modified by increasing or decreasing the distance between the top (12) and bottom (11) bars. The change in height will result from the vertical shift of the comb sections (7) integrated in the lateral segments (6) of the bee frame with adjustable height (4). This shift is partly made possible by that the lateral segments (6) of the bee frame with adjustable height (4) can slide on one another. Detaching the comb sections (7) from each other and from the inner side of the top bar (12) of the bee frame with adjustable height (4) without causing any damage is ensured by the manner in which the plates (1) bounding the comb sections (7) are integrated. Thus, the plate (1) bounding the upper comb section (7) from upwards shall prevent the bees from connecting the upper edge of the comb (2) to the inner edge (12) of the bee frame with adjustable height (4). The upper end of the upmost comb section (7) can also be separated from the inner surface of the top bar (12) of the bee frame with adjustable height (4) by cutting if the foundation (3) is an artificial one.

When the height of the bee frame with adjustable height (4) is increase, a gap will appear between the various comb sections (7) of the bee frame with adjustable height (4), which the bees, acting upon their natural impulse, will be willing to fully build up. The direction of movement is indicated with an arrow. Since bees generally comb sections (7) in the resulting gap which are made up of drone cells, it is advisable to fill the resulting gap with a foundation (3) containing new foundations of the size of worker bee cells, which will direct the bees in building up the gap.

If necessary, widening components (13) of required dimensions to sufficiently enlarge the end bars can also be mounted on the bee frame with adjustable height (4). The arch (14) to expand the chamfered ends of the frame placed on the lateral widening components (13) allows for the suspension of the bee frame with adjustable height (4) in larger hives too. Should we wish to place the bee frame with adjustable height (4) in a smaller hive again, it is easy to do so by removing the lateral widening components (13) and cutting out a part of the uppermost comb section (7) of the right dimensions. By placing a queen excluder on the component bounding the uppermost comb section (7) from the bottom we can ensure that the queen bee would not lay eggs in the given uppermost comb section (7) and therefore it could be removed without any losses, if necessary.

Figure 2 illustrates one of the favourable arrangements of the bee frame with adjustable height (4) to rear queen bees. By separating the comb sections (7) and increasing the height of the bee frame with adjustable height (4) it will become possible to separate at least one starter strip (9) from the other adjacent comb sections (7). In the increased space, we can rotate the starter strip (9) 90 degrees around its horizontal axis along with the inner lateral segments (6) belonging to it. Since the width of the bounding plates (1) of the comb sections (7) adjacent to the starter strip (9) is smaller than the comb's (2) thickness, it will be easy to cut the cells in the starter strip (9) back along the bounding plates (1) after the rotation is completed. With the help of filling components (15) mounted on the bounding plates (1) of the comb sections (7) adjacent to the starter strip (9) we can induce the bees to draw queen cells in at most every third cell while the same filling components (15) that prevent the queen cells to be joined to one another will also prevent brace combs to be built. Protective plates (8) can also be mounted on the bounding plates (1) after the comb sections (7) are separated, which will make the removal of brace combs drawn by the bees easier.

Figure 3 shows an embodiment of the bee frame with adjustable height (4) in which the height of the comb (2) in the bee frame with adjustable height (4) can be reduced by shifting the comb sections (7) in the bee frame with adjustable height (4) into separate and parallel planes. We can adjust the height in the above-described arrangement by rotating the components (10) connecting the lateral segments (6). In the event we wish to limit the nest of the colony with the bee frame with adjustable height (4) since we intend to place the bee frame with adjustable height (4) in a shallower brood nest, it is advised to rotate the comb sections (7) of the bee frame with adjustable height (4) around the joint rotational axis of the components (10) connecting the lateral segments so that the original bottom comb section (7) would turn upwards and thereby the bottom (11) and top (12) bars of the bee frame with adjustable height (4) would be next to one another. In this way, the height of the bee frame with adjustable height (4) can be halved. After splitting the comb sections (7), protective plates (8) can be mounted onto the outer surfaces of the bounding plates (1) of the comb sections (7). If the height of the brood nest is required to be increased again, the above-described process is to be reversed. After removing the protective plates (8) mounted on the bounding plates (1) of the comb sections (7) and by rotating the comb section (7) in the bee frame with adjustable height (4), the comb sections (7) can be aligned in their joint principal plane. It is important to note that the seam between the adjacent comb sections (7) will disappear. As a result, the height of the bee frame with adjustable height (4) will double. Figure 3 furthermore describes the design in which the comb sections (7) of the bee frame with adjustable height (4) can be arranged in separate parallel planes while retaining their original heights. The comb sections (7) can be separated from the bottom (11) and top (12) bars of the bee frame with adjustable height (4) in the way described in relation to Figure 1 by arranging the lateral segments (6) connected to each other so that they can slide on one another in parallel so that gaps suitable to be built would appear above the comb sections (7) and between the inner surfaces of the bottom (11) and top (12) bard of the frame. These gaps are large enough to accommodate starter strips (9) and ensure their easy application as described in relation to Figure 2 above.

If the bee frame with adjustable height (4) enlarged in the manner described in Figures 1, 2, 3 are used in the brood nest, checkerboarding and insulating the brood nest laterally can be carried out without the need to move apart the shallow brood supers. Thanks to the uniform deep combs (2) used in the bee frame with adjustable height (4), the area where the queen bee can lay eggs will increase, and it will become easier to control the temperature and therefore the colony's build-up will be better. It is important to highlight that the slight thickness of the plates (1) bounding the comb sections (7) and the precision fit between the adjacent comb sections (7) will allow for the comb sections (7) to be perceived as a uniform comb (2) by the bees when the comb sections (7) are aligned in a joint principal plane.

By reducing the height of the bee frame with adjustable height (4) illustrated in Figures 1, 2, 3, the size of the brood nest can be reduced still before the main nectar flow, the queen bee's egg laying activity can be limited, and therefore in the old deep nest hives a significant increase in the yield can be realised even if the old technological tools are retained. By halving the height of large adjustable-height frames (4) the deep adjustable-height frames (4) used in the brood nest can be transferred to the half-deep honey supers and their handling along with the supers will become much easier.

If necessary, aged combs (2) can easily be cut out from the bee frames with adjustable height (4) or can be removed from the plastic foundations (3) while the wax can be melted out and the bee frame with adjustable height (4) reused in beekeeping.

List of reference numbers

1. bounding plates

2. the comb 3. the foundation

4. the bee frame with adjustable height

5. end bars

6. lateral segments

7. comb sections 8. protective plates that can be mounted on the bounding plates

9. the starter strip

10. components to connect the lateral segments

11. the bottom bar

12. the top bar 13. components to widen the bars

14. arch to lengthen the frame's chamfered end

15. filling components to prevent queen cells to be joined

Claims

1. A beekeeping frame universally used in beekeeping, with its material made of wood, beeswax, metal, plastic or the combination thereof, and matching the dimensions of the various types of beekeeping hives with the foundation fixed into it, which foundation is drawn by the bees with beeswax after the frame is placed in the hive, characterised by that bounding plates (1) are integrated in the comb (2) in horizontal planes perpendicular to the principal plane of the frame (4) and the bounding plates (1) segment the comb (2) in the frame (4) at least partly into comb sections (7), by that the end bars (5) of the frame (4) comprise several coupled lateral segments (6), by that the comb sections (7) with the lateral segments joining them (6) can be moved along the bounding plates (1) in relation to one another, by that the height of the frames (4) can be regulated by shifting the comb sections (7).

2. The beekeeping frame (4) of claim 1, characterised by that the lateral segments (6) comprisi ng the end bars (5) of the frame (4) can be completely separated from each other along the comb sections (7) bounded by plates (1) and by way of this separation, a permanent horizontal seam can be created between the comb sections (7) in the frame (4), by that the separated lateral segments (6) can be joined at any time and thereby the seam between the separated comb sections (7) can be eliminated.

3. The beekeeping frame (4) of claim 1, characterised by that the end bars (5) of the frame (4) contain lateral segments (6) that are placed in parallel to each other and are joined together in a way so that they ca n slide on one another and can therefore be shifted vertically on one another, by that by this shift, the height of the frame (4) can be increased and a gap can be created between the separated comb sections (7) in the frame (4) and a new foundation (3) can be fitted in the resulting gap, by that the height of the frame (4) can also be reduced after removing the comb sections (7) contained by such a frame.

4. The beekeeping frame (4) of claim 1, characterised by that the lateral segments (6) comprising the end bars (5) of the fra me (4) are coupled by connecting components (10) and the connection points of the lateral segments (6) will move out of the principal plane of the comb sections (7), and, by moving the comb sections (7) at the connection points within the frame (4) in parallel, they can also be arranged at a distance matching the width of the seam from each other.

5. The beekeeping frame (4) of claims 1-4, characterised by that protective plates (8) can be mounted onto the surfaces of the bounding plates (1) not built up with the comb (2) and freed when the comb sections (7) are separated, and therefore the brace combs built on the protective plates (8) can be removed with ease.

6. The beekeeping frame (4) of claims 1-5, characterised by that the corresponding pairs of bounding plates (1) can be pushed onto the two sides of the foundation (3) in pairs and also connected to the lateral segments (6) of the frame (4), by that the connection between the bounding plates (1) with the lateral segments (6) can be easily terminated and the comb (2) or comb section (7) easily removed from the frame (4).

7. The beekeeping frame (4) of claims 1-6, characterised by that at least one comb section (7) is separated in the comb (2) that contains at least one completely sound row of comb cells but is shallower than the total width of the comb (2), therefore the resulting starter strip (9) can be rotated 90 degrees in relation to the principal plane of the comb (2), by that the width of the plates (1) bounding the starter strip (9) is smaller than the height of the cells in the starter strip (9) facing downwards after the rotation of the strip, and therefore the cells in the starter strip (9) can be cut back along the bounding plates (1), by that filling components (15) can be mounted on the bounding plates (1) to prevent queen cells to be joined, by that the plates (1) bounding the starter strip (9) consist of several smaller units or can easily be cut up, by that the starter strips (9) can be removed from the frame (4) and placed back into the frame.

8. The beekeeping frame (4) of claims 1-7, characterised by that widening components (13) to modify the thickness and width of the end bars (5) can be mounted on the lateral segments (6) of the frame (4) that will protect the lateral segments (6) of the frame (4) and the components to widen the end bars (13) will fill the space in larger hives so that only space corresponding to a seam would be created between the wall of the hive and the external surface of the end bars (5) of the frame (4) and that these widening components (13 ) can also increase the width of the end bars (5) and chamfered ends of the frame (4), by that the widening components (13) are 22 equipped with arches to expand the frame's ends (14) that would expand beyond the original ends of the frame (14) and allow for the suspension of the frames (4) also in hives of larger interior dimensions.

9. The beekeeping frame (4) of claims 1-8, characterised by that between the inner edge of the top bar (12) of the frame (4) and the comb (2) such a foundation (3) is also fitted that can be folded up and expanded like a concertina, and by moving the top bar (12) of the frame (4) vertically and by sliding the lateral segments (6) in parallel to each other, the folded foundation

(3) can gradually open up and be gradually built up by the bees, by that the height of the frames

(4) of similar design placed in parallel to each other in the hive can be changed by modifying the position in which the frames (4) are suspended even without taking the hive apart.