Patent Publication Number: US-2019174727-A1

Title: Collapsible beehive assembly

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims the priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/597,620 filed on Dec. 12, 2017, entitled “COLLAPSIBLE BEEHIVE ASSEMBLY”. The disclosure of the foregoing application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present invention relates generally to beehive assemblies and more specially to collapsible and selectively insulated beehive assemblies for both personal and commercial use. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Apiculture, otherwise known as beekeeping involves the maintenance of honeybee colonies for the collection of honey, beeswax, and pollen. Bees are also used as a pollinator of crops, or may be produced and sold to other beekeepers. This practice has been dated back many millennia as a valuable component of commerce. Man-made hives allow for continuity of a colony, rather than destroying the hive to harvest its products and starting over thereafter. 
     A variety of man-made hive designs have been constructed throughout history. In present day apiary, some notable designs include but are not limited to Langstroth hives, top-bar hives, long box hives, and Dartington long deep hives. Each hive design has its own advantages and disadvantages but share a common goal. Configurations largely depend on location and climate conditions. 
     Also, well known in the arts are modular beehive assemblies. These designs permit the beekeeper to select the overall size of the hive when in use, however they lack they advantage of a reduced storage size when not in use. 
     The current arts do not provide for a collapsible beehive assembly to facilitate storage and transportation. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Embodiments disclosed herein relate to a collapsible beehive assembly is comprised of a bottom assembly having a plurality of collapsible boxes stacked thereon. Each of the plurality of collapsible boxes is configured to house a plurality of beehive frames. Each of the plurality of collapsible boxes is further configured to receive one or more insulation components to winterize the collapsible beehive assembly. An inner cover is positioned on top of the plurality of collapsible boxes and a hive cover positioned on top of the inner cover to enclose the beehive frames within the collapsible boxes. A weight is positioned on top of the hive cover to retain the hive cover in a suitable position. 
     In one aspect, each of the collapsible boxes is comprised of a first sidewall and a second sidewall. Each sidewall includes a handle portion to facilitate carrying of each of the collapsible boxes. A first end wall and a second end wall include a pivoting means permitting the folding of each of the end walls to a storage configuration. 
     In one aspect, each sidewall and each end wall are impermeable. 
     In one aspect, the storage configuration reduces a storage volume to between a tenth and a twentieth in relation to an in-use volume. 
     In one aspect, each of the sidewalls and each of the end walls slidingly engage with the one or more insulation components. The one or more insulation components are selected from the group consisting of Styrofoam, and tar paper. 
     In one aspect, the weight is comprised of an aperture and a closure wherein materials are disposed. The hive cover is comprised of a recessed portion dimensioned to receive and retain the weight. Materials of the weight may include water or sand. 
     In one aspect, the bottom assembly is further comprised of a varroa monitoring tray disposed within a varroa monitoring tray opening of the bottom assembly. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A more complete understanding of the embodiments, and the attendant advantages and features thereof, will be more readily understood by references to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an exploded view of the collapsible beehive assembly, according to some embodiments; 
         FIG. 2A  illustrates a perspective view of the collapsible beehive assembly, according to some embodiments; 
         FIG. 2B  illustrates a perspective view of the collapsible beehive assembly, according to some embodiments; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of the collapsible box in an in-use configuration, according to some embodiments; 
         FIG. 4A  illustrates a top plan view of the collapsible box in a storage configuration, according to some embodiments; 
         FIG. 4B  illustrates a perspective view of the collapsible box in a storage configuration, according to some embodiments; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a perspective view of the collapsible box and insulation components, according to some embodiments; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates an exploded view of the collapsible box and the inner cover, according to some embodiments; 
         FIG. 7A  illustrates an exploded view of the hive cover and weight, according to some embodiments; 
         FIG. 7B  illustrates a perspective view of the bottom side of the hive cover, according to some embodiments; and 
         FIG. 8  illustrates perspective views of the bottom assembly and varroa monitoring tray, according to some embodiments. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The specific details of the single embodiment or variety of embodiments described herein are set forth in this application. Any specific details of the embodiments are used for demonstration purposes only, and no unnecessary limitation or inferences are to be understood therefrom. 
     Before describing in detail exemplary embodiments, it is noted that the embodiments reside primarily in combinations of components related to the apparatus. Accordingly, the apparatus components have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates the collapsible beehive assembly  100  according to an exemplary embodiment. A plurality of legs  102 ,  104 ,  106 ,  108  raise the collapsible beehive assembly  100  off of the ground surface and support each component of the collapsible beehive assembly  100 . A bottom board assembly is comprised of a bottom assembly  110  and a top  112  having a varroa monitoring tray  114  disposed therebetween. A plurality of boxes  116  having varying dimensions are stacked atop the top  112  of the bottom board assembly. An inner cover  118  is positioned on top of the uppermost of the plurality of boxes  116  with a hive cover  120  positioned on top of the inner cover  118 . A weight  122  is positioned on top of the hive cover  120  to hold the hive cover  120  in position. The collapsible beehive assembly  100  has impermeable sidewalls to adequately house and cultivate bees within the enclosure. The bottom of the hive I open permitting the ingress and egress of bees into and out of the environment wherein the collapsible beehive assembly  100  is disposed. 
       FIG. 2A  and  FIG. 2B  illustrate the collapsible beehive assembly  100  in an in-use configuration. According to some embodiments, at least one large box  201  is positioned beneath a small box  203  such that each box is stacked atop one another.  FIG. 2B  shows a hive opening  205  positioned at the bottom end  207  which permits the ingress and egress of bees. The bottom end opposes the top end  209  having the weight  122  and hive cover  120 . 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a collapsible box  116  which forms one of the plurality of boxes  116  (three of which are shown in  FIG. 1 ). The collapsible box  116  allows for convenient storage when the collapsible beehive assembly is not in use. During use, each collapsible box  116  along with the components described herein form a fully functional man-made beehive. Each collapsible box  116  has a first and a second of sidewall  301 ,  303  having equal dimensions and positioned on each side of the collapsible box  116 . First and second end walls  305 ,  307  having equal dimensions are positioned opposite one another and adjacent to the first and second sidewalls  301 ,  303 . Each sidewall  301 ,  303  and end wall  305 ,  307  are engaged to form a substantially rectangular container. Sidewalls  301 ,  303  and end walls  305 ,  307  may be comprised of a connection means  309  along each edge such that a substantially sealed connection is made when the collapsible box  116  is in an in-use configuration as shown in  FIG. 3 . Once in a storage configuration, as shown in  FIG. 4A  and  FIG. 4B , the collapsible box  116  may be condensed to a total volume between a tenth and a twentieth of the total volume of the in-use configuration. 
     In some embodiments, and in further reference to  FIG. 3 , end walls  305 ,  307  have at least one pivoting means  311  allowing each end wall  305 ,  307  to pivot about the pivot means  311  to fold into the interior space of the interior cavity of the collapsible box  116 . Meanwhile, each side wall  301 ,  303  travels toward one another to collapse into a configurations having a substantially decreased volume than the in-use configuration. Pivoting means  311  may include hinges, brackets, and other means known in the arts of collapsible containers. In a further embodiment, one or more locking mechanisms may be used to retain the assembly at least an in-use configuration wherein the end walls and sidewalls are erected, and potentially in the storage configuration when end walls and sidewalls are collapsed. 
     In some embodiments, the collapsible box  116  may fold from top to bottom, or side to side depending on the suitable configuration and ability to integrate with the various components described herein. 
       FIG. 4A  and  FIG. 4B  illustrates the collapsible box  116  in a storage configuration wherein the interior cavity  401  has a substantially decreased volume. Each end wall  305 ,  307  are folded within the interior cavity  401  to increase storage capacity. 
     Referring back to  FIG. 3 , in some embodiments, each sidewall  301 ,  303  includes a handle portion  313  which may be recessed into the surface to allow a user to easily pick up and transport the collapsible box  116 . One skilled in the arts may appreciate that handle portions  313  may be provided in a variety of configurations on the surface of the collapsible box  116 . 
     Winterization is necessary for many beekeepers, and techniques may vary depending upon location and environment of the beehive. To ensure proper winterization, sidewalls  301 ,  303  and end walls  305 ,  307  may comprise a plurality of retainers  501  for an insulation component  503 . In an embodiment, the retainer  501  may include pairs of protrusions  507 ,  509  disposed on the exterior of the sidewalls  301 ,  303  and end walls  305 ,  307 . Each protrusion is configured to receive one or more pieces the insulation component  503  comprised of an insulated material such as Styrofoam, tar paper, or other means of insulation known in the arts such that the insulation is releasably engaged to accommodate changing temperatures which necessitate changes in insulation. In alternate embodiments, various forms of retainers  501  can be used to hold the insulation component  503  during use. 
     The collapsible beehive assembly, when in an in-use configuration as seen in  FIG. 2A  and  FIG. 2B , includes an in-use interior cavity as shown in  FIG. 3 . The in-use interior cavity is dimensioned to house a plurality of frames permitting hives to be constructed by bees whom utilized the collapsible beehive assembly  100 . As known in the arts, commonly a ledge  601  (see  FIG. 6 ) is positioned on the interior of the sidewalls  301 , 303  and end walls  305 , 307  to retain the frames in position within the beehive assembly. Many styles of hives are utilized in the current state of the art but perhaps the most notable are Langstroth hives. One skilled in the art may appreciate that alternate hive style will also benefit from embodiments of the collapsible beehive assembly  100  in the instant application. 
     In a further embodiment, insulation components may be disposed along the bottom surface of the beehive assembly to provide further insulation. Much like the sidewall and end wall insulation, the bottom insulation component may be removably engaged with the bottom surface to provide modular insulation. In the present embodiment, the insulation component slidingly engages with the insulation retainers. Each insulation component may have a recessed portion to aid in carrying of the assembly. 
     In reference to  FIG. 7A  and  FIG. 7B , the top assembly  700  is illustrated according to some embodiments. The top assembly  700  is comprised of the weight  122  and the hive cover  120 . The hive cover  120  should be dimensioned to rest atop the continuous top edge of the side walls  301 ,  303  and end walls  305 ,  307  to form a sufficiently sealed connection therebetween.  FIG. 7B  illustrates the bottom side  701  of the hive cover  120 . Retaining members  703  may be positioned as protrusions to retain the hive cover  120  in position on top of the collapsible beehive assembly. 
     In some embodiments, the hive cover  120  has a recessed portion  705  to receive and retain the weight  122  thereon. To properly observe and maintain the colony within the beehive, the hive cover  120  is removable such that the beekeeper may open and close the collapsible beehive assembly when needed. 
     In some embodiments, the weight  122  has at least one aperture and closure  707  to permit the ingress and egress of a heavy material such as water or sand to provide suitable mass to the weight  122 . The ability for the user to modulate the heaviness of the weight  122  allows for the user to empty the weight  122  during storage to ease transportation when not in use. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates the varroa monitoring tray  112  and bottom assembly  110  according to some embodiments. The bottom assembly  110  may be comprised of any assembly known in the arts. In the specific embodiment, a varroa monitoring tray opening  801  permits the varroa monitoring tray  112  to be disposed between the top and bottom components of the bottom board assembly. The bottom assembly  110  can include securing means  803  such as regions for tie downs as known in the arts. Legs are received by the leg receivers  805  to retain the legs during use. 
     An exemplary method of use is provided. During use, a user removes an optional buckle and strap and removes the hive cover from the collapsible beehive assembly. The inner cover is then removed from the hive allowing for the removal of the frames. Each collapsible box can then be removed following the removal of a crate support. During operation, the pivoting means may be locked into place. During deconstruction the pivoting means are unlocked and the insulation component is removed. The collapsible box can then be collapsed to reduce the overall volume. Each collapsible box is stored in the storage configuration as shown as described above. This process is repeated for each collapsible box stacked upon one another. The bottom assembly is then stored. 
     In some embodiments, the collapsible beehive assembly is designed to have a consistent bee spacing of 5-9 mm depending on the location to suit the particular bee species. The hive opening is 5/16 inches high to permit the ingress and egress of bees. The inner cover can include a vent opening of 1 1/18 by 3¾ inch slow for accessing the hive or feeding therethrough. If the hive requires better ventilation, or the bees require a second entrance at the top of the hive, the hive cover can be positioned to allow the additional entrance. 
     In some embodiments, the bottom assembly includes a closed bottom unlike a typical beehive, therefor, no mite board is needed. 
     In some embodiments, a foam tape can be attached over any aperture of the sidewalls or end walls to windproof the collapsible beehive assembly. 
     Many different embodiments have been disclosed herein, in connection with the above description and the drawings. It will be understood that it would be unduly repetitious and obfuscating to literally describe and illustrate every combination and subcombination of these embodiments. Accordingly, all embodiments can be combined in any way and/or combination, and the present specification, including the drawings, shall be construed to constitute a complete written description of all combinations and subcombinations of the embodiments described herein, and of the manner and process of making and using them, and shall support claims to any such combination or subcombination. 
     It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present embodiment is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. A variety of modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings without departing from the following claims.