Method and apparatus for the removal and handling of honey frames from beehive boxes

A system for the removal, handling, and inspection of honey frames from beehive boxes comprising:

• a handle bar, said handle bar being generally longitudinal in configuration and having a length generally longer than a top plate of one of said honey frames, said handle bar further comprising a plurality of threaded bolts positioned in spaced relationship on said handle bar and oriented generally orthogonally to the longitudinal dimension of said handle bar, said threaded bolts rotatably captive on said handle bar;
• a plurality of threaded aperture inserts, at least one of said threaded aperture inserts for each of said threaded bolts, said aperture inserts positioned on said top plate of each of said honey frames so as to receive and hold said threaded bolts when said handle bar is positioned and aligned adjacent to said top plate and said threaded bolts are turned, said handle bar attachable to said honey frame with said threaded bolts and said threaded aperture inserts in a manner that facilitates the removal of said honey frame from said beehive box;
• and
• an inspection clamp attachable to a structure fixed on the ground, at a height suitable for viewing, said inspection clamp comprising a cylindrical grip for receiving and holding at least one end of said handle bar attached to said honey frame, said cylindrical grip having an axis generally coincident with an axis of said handle bar.

A method for the removal, handling, and inspection of honey frames from beehive boxes comprising the steps of:

• positioning a plurality of threaded aperture inserts in a top plate of each of said honey frames;
• providing a handle bar comprising a plurality of threaded bolts positioned thereon;
• positioning said handle bar in aligned relation to said top plate of one of said honey frames in a manner that permits the attachment of said handle bar to said top plate of said honey frame;
• threading said plurality of threaded bolts into said plurality of threaded inserts so as to attach said handle bar to said honey frame;
• gripping said handle bar at each end thereof and exerting a force directing said honey frame out of said beehive box;
• and
• holding said handle bar and said honey frame attached thereto for inspection.

A method for the removal, handling, and inspection of honey frames from beehive boxes comprising the steps of:

• positioning a plurality of threaded aperture inserts in a top plate of each of said honey frames;
• providing a handle bar comprising a plurality of threaded bolts positioned thereon;
• positioning said handle bar in aligned relation to said top plate of one of said honey frames in a manner that permits the attachment of said handle bar to said top plate of said honey frame;
• threading said plurality of threaded bolts into said plurality of threaded inserts so as to attach said handle bar to said honey frame;
• gripping said handle bar at each end thereof and exerting a force directing said honey frame out of said beehive box;
• removing said handle bar and said honey frame attached thereto from said beehive box;
• inserting at least one of said ends of said handle bar into a circular clamp rigidly positioned at a height suitable for viewing;
• rotating said honey frame to an angle suitable for the inspection of the condition of a honeycomb contained within said honey frame;
• and fixing said handle bar within said circular clamp so as to prevent further rotation of said honey frame during inspection.