Vertical Frame Orientation Bee Container

Abstract

The Vertical Frame Orientation Bee Container is unique in that it allows for positioning of Langstroth bee hive frames in said container in the vertical frame position and allows access to said frames without removal of any hive body or super above, or requiring movement of the container (excluding covers) on any axis, with the best embodiment having dimensions that allow it to be used interchangeably with Langstroth type hive bodies, supers, compatible hives, and most devices for Langstroth hives. It also adds features that are designed to allow for ease in separating propolized components from each other while limiting any damage to the container constituents.

Claims

1. I claim a container for housing bees comprising: a plurality of vertical constituents; a plurality of horizontal constituents, with at least one through opening; said constituents being assembled to form a container comprising two horizontal faces, two vertical faces, and two open faces on opposing vertical faces; said container having means to hold at least one removable Langstroth bee hive frame with said removable Langstroth hive frame being in a vertical frame orientation; and said Langstroth bee hive frame able to be placed in or removed from said container through either open face without the need to rotate, pivot or adjust said container on any axis from said container's conventional orientation.

2. A container for housing bees as in claim 1, wherein, there is at least one notch on a corner or surface allowing for the locating of a mechanical device to aid in separation of said container from an adjacent object.

3. A container for housing bees as in claim 1, wherein, there is a covering or covering device used to at least partially close or cover at least one open end of said container.

Description

DRAWINGS DESCRIPTIONS

[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the vertical frame orientation bee container shown with the cover constituents offset.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the vertical frame orientation bee container with a Langstroth style frame shown in the vertical frame position.

[0014] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of vertical constituent 1b with mechanical pry points shown in the best embodiment locations.

[0015] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a typical Langstroth style body or super.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] A container with two vertical constituents 1b, two horizontal constituents 1a, and cover constituents 5 on each open end comprise the preferred embodiment.

[0017] The horizontal constituents contain at least one opening 2 to allow for bee movement through the horizontal constituents. The opening's longer sides run parallel to the vertical constituents in the preferred embodiment.

[0018] The vertical constituents 1b are typically solid but may have cut-outs on their surfaces, although iterations could be made with some, or none, of the cut-outs present. An example would be for hand-holds. Through-openings could be made in the constituents for various purposes.

[0019] The cover constituents 5 on each end are typically solid and removable. They may be hinged, sliding, etc., or secured by any convenient means. They may be secured closed by some means. The horizontal constituents 1a, in the preferred embodiment, have a plurality of spacing constituents 3, or a similar means of support, on them to maintain adequate spacing between the frames 6 and the horizontal constituents 1a. These should be attached to the horizontal constituents 1a by any appropriate means, or the spacers could be a part of the horizontal constituents 1a. The spacers 3 should raise the frame's end 6a 0.312+0.05/0 above the horizontal constituent 1a, in the preferred embodiment.

[0020] The horizontal constituents have at least one, or a plurality of, rabbet wall(s) 4 adjacent to each cover constituent 5 that allow the frame-top extensions 7 to be inserted into the container and execute a positive stop inside the container.

[0021] The best embodiment container is sized such that it will accept a plurality of standard Langstroth deep frames 6, and maintain the spacing of frames needed for bee keeping in a hive, while holding said frames in a vertical frame position, and dissuade the bees from building rogue comb.

[0022] The best embodiment container is sized such that it is externally dimensionally equivalent to a Langstroth hive body or super 9, based on the horizontal dimensions of a Langstroth hive, and accepting to most products for said hive type. The width dimension W( ) is subject to change due to the number of frames used. The external height and length of the best embodiment are L( ).

[0023] The vertical constituents 1b, covers 5, or horizontal constituents 1a may have a notch 8, or notches, in them, properly located on a surface or edge, such that the notch may be used as a tool locating point for prying off objects attached to, adjacent to, above, or below the container. These are referred to as a mechanical pry point (MPP).

[0024] The preferred embodiment vertical 1b and horizontal 1a constituents are made from 0.75+/0.03 thick material. The cover constituents 5 in the preferred embodiment are 0.50+/0.05 thick.

[0025] In the preferred embodiment, two horizontal constituents 1a and two vertical constituents 1b are connected; with the vertical constituents setting on a horizontal constituent. The outside edges will align with each other creating a flush surface. These constituents may be joined in any manor deemed appropriate for the strength required. The preferred embodiment would be glued, and screwed from two directions. Various joints may be used (butt, dove, lap, box, etc.) as deemed fit. The preferred embodiment would use a box joint. Each horizontal constituent 1a, in the best embodiment, receives four spacing constituents 3 evenly spaced to support the frames 6. These may be beveled if desired on the leading edges, although it is not strictly required. The spacers may be attached by any means deemed appropriate such as nails, glue, staples, etc. All mechanical fasteners should be flush or recessed, with neither end of the fastener protruding. Two covers 5 are required and are set into the recessed area at each end of the container. They should be substantially flush to the ends of the horizontal constituents 1a, and not extend past the vertical constituents 1b on either side. The covers 5 must be removable or movable, but may be affixed to the container by any means desired. The covers 5, in best practice, need to lock in place and be flush to the container around all four edges. Multiple iterations of the covers are possible, including width W( ) changes for frame quantity.

[0026] The container is loaded or unloaded with frames 6 from each end, after the covers 5 have been opened or removed allowing access. The frames 6 are moved out of the container until removed or into the container until the frame ends 7 engaging the rabbet wall 4 prevent further inward movement. All precautions regarding frame spacing, empty space, and other precautions for bee keeping are applicable. The frames 6 are standard frames for the Langstroth hive which are installed in the vertical frame position instead of in the horizontal frame position. The end 6a of the frame 6 will rest on the spacing constituents 3. Replacing and securing the cover 5 will prevent the frames 6 on the covered side from moving out of the rabbet area. The loading and unloading is identical for both sides of the container. Various devices may be used to space the frames as the bee keeper sees fit. With a symmetrical design, horizontal constituent 1a may be considered the top or bottom. By cutting a rabbet across the width of each end of the horizontal constituent 1a 1 wide and 0.375 deep and using the best embodiment height for the container, there is an appropriately sized space between the opposing bottoms of the frames 6 in the middle of the container using Langstroth deep frames 6. The vertical constituents 1b should cover the inner 0.50 of the width of the rabbet cut to hold the frames in location. If frames 6 are used that do not provide the expected gap, which in the preferred embodiment would be 7 mm to 11 mm, then measures should be taken to fill any excessive space or remove any restrictive device or protrusion.

[0027] To create mechanical pry points notches 8 may be placed on the vertical constituents 1b, horizontal constituents 1a, or on the cover constituents 5 if desired. These may be a plurality or singular. They may be of any length, width, or depth as long as they fit the desired purpose. They should not extend inside of the container, or create a gap in the container closure on any edge. The preferred embodiment of a mechanical pry point would be at least one notch of reasonable length and depth on each horizontal 1a or vertical constituent 1b to allow a hive tool to be inserted and used to pry against a stuck top, body or super, or accessory device.

[0028] The preferred embodiment uses notches 0.20 deep, 0.20 wide and 2.5 long. FIG. 3 shows a sample location, however, this is not the only manifestation that would be a suitable mechanical pry point.

[0029] By design, the Vertical Frame Orientation Bee Container will stack upon any appropriate Langstroth type body 9 or super 9 it is designed to work with, and vice versa, as well as be compatible with most appropriate Langstroth type devices. It will also be compatible with any other type of hive that will accept a Langstroth type hive body or super. The opening passing through the horizontal constituents 2 are sized such that a honey bee can pass through. The preferred embodiment uses an opening 0.375 wide and 2.5 long, with a pattern placing 5 openings evenly between each set of spacers, and between the vertical constituents. In less preferred embodiments, the opening's width, length, and quantity can be adjusted.