USOO83281 64B2
(12) United States Patent (10) Patent No.: US 8,328,164 B2
Feiler et al. (45) Date of Patent: Dec. 11, 2012
(54) PRY BARTOOL FOR APARISTS (56) References Cited
U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
(76) Inventors: Fred John Feiler, Oneonta, NY (US);
Susan Carolyn Garing, Kirkwood, NY 3,987.827 A * 10/1976 Mills ................................. 81.45
(US) 5,054, 180 A * 10/1991 Combs ............................ 29/275
5,092,562 A * 3/1992 Bomark . ... 254/104
5,322,264 A 6/1994 Giambro ......................... 254/25
(*) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this 5,820, 107 A * 10/1998 Hall ................................ 254/25
patent is extended or adjusted under 35 6,488.266 B2 12/2002 Macor ............................. 254/25
2003.007571.0 A1* 4, 2003 Sim ..... ... 254f131
U.S.C. 154(b) by 301 days. 2011 O155979 A1* 6, 2011 Sindt ....... ... 254f131
2012/009 1408 A1* 4/2012 Feiler et al. ................... 254f131
(21) Appl. No.: 12/905,180 * cited by examiner
Primary Examiner — Lee D Wilson
(22) Filed: Oct. 15, 2010
(57) ABSTRACT
(65) Prior Publication Data Ahive tool comprises an integrally formed elongated flat bar
shaft with concavely shaped sides having a “Z” shaped por
US 2012/OO91408 A1 Apr. 19, 2012 tion at one end of the longitudinal axis and a gradually tapered
straight edge on the other end. The “Z” shape end thereof is
proportioned to slide between the frames of a hive box in the
(51) Int. C. bee space and engages a top bar of a frame. The portion of the
B66F 3/00 (2006.01) “Z” shape adjacent to the shaft provides a fulcrum holding
(52) U.S. Cl. .......................................... 254/131; 254/25 one frame in place, while simultaneously lifting the other
(58) Field of Classification Search .................. 254/131, with an end flanged plane. A thrust and throw of the lever
254/21, 25, 28, 24, 131.5 handle is required for operation.
See application file for complete search history. 4 Claims, 2 Drawing Sheets
- 99 r 99
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U.S. Patent Dec. 11, 2012 Sheet 1 of 2 US 8,328,164 B2
99 - 99
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103
200 103
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101 101
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FIGURE 1 FIGURE 2
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Prior Art
U.S. Patent Dec. 11, 2012 Sheet 2 of 2 US 8,328,164 B2
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US 8,328,164 B2
1. 2
PRY BARTOOL FOR APARISTS adjacent sides of a 90 degree rectangular blade and the oppos
ing end showing an arc shaped hook to be Smaller than the
FIELD OF INVENTION width of the handle.
U.S. Pat. No. 2.593,304 for HIVE TOOL, issued Apr. 15,
This invention relates to the harvesting of honey from 1952 to William H. Howard discloses a hive tool comprising
moveable frame beehives and, more particularly, to prying a flat shank portion having one end portion disposed at an
apart and separating hive structural components including angle to the plane of the shank and a coplanar lug portion
hive boxes and removable frames. flange, projecting laterally beyond the width of the shank
portion at respective sides.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 10 U.S. Pat. No. 865,062 for BEE-KNIFE, issued Sep.3, 1907
to Isaac F. Sawyer discloses a tool consisting of a bar-form
In recent years the population of honey bee colonies has handle, having at one end a blade with a thin edge extending
been declining due to mites and the many diseases that afflict parallel to the handle, and a thin, wedge shaped edge extend
honeybees. Presently, State agriculture departments are look ing perpendicular to the handle and having at its other end a
ing to increase the number of amateur hobbyist keepers. The 15 hook.
United States Agriculture Department estimates that over the U.S. Pat. No. 1,559,868 for TOOL FOR APIARISTS,
last two decades the number of commercial beehives fell to issued Nov. 3, 1925 to Dean S. Hall discloses a tool for
2.4 million, down a quarter, and the loss of beekeepers by apiarists consisting of a utility tool with an elongated longi
one-half. Manipulating honey bees effectively in a managed tudinal shank having on one endan angled section disposed to
setting requires beekeepers to acquire a thorough understand one side of the longitudinal axis and on the other end a straight
ing of honeybee biology and the treatment and prevention of blade section. An apparatus for gripping frames by mechani
diseases. Honeybee management also requires knowledge of cal means, including movable parts, is connected to the shank
apiary establishment, hive construction and beekeeping handle.
equipment. U.S. Pat. No. 5,850,657 for WOODWORKING TOOL
Advancement in hive construction came in the 19th Cen 25 FOR PREPARING AWOOD SURFACE FOR FINISHING,
tury with the invention of a movable comb hive by Lorenzo issued Dec. 22, 1998 to Richard S. List, et al. discloses a wood
Lorraine Langstroth, utilizing the discovery by Francois working tool comprising an elongated handle with a straight
Huber that there is a specific natural spacing by honey bees spreader element on one end and a scraper element on the
between their wax combs, Langstroth designed a rectangular other end inclined longitudinal to the long axis of the handle
hive box containing a series of parallel wooden frames placed 30 less than 90 degrees.
within the box leaving a space of 5 to 8 mm, or 4 to 3/8" Similar United States patents that disclose hand tools with
between the frames. This measurement is known as “the bee sections for prying, pulling, or lifting and in combination with
space'. It is now a standard element incorporated in movable tools used for cutting or scraping include: U.S. Pat. No. 3,091,
frame hive designs. When the hive design incorporates this 852 to Mathew De Larber, Jun. 4, 1963: U.S. Pat. No. 2,496,
bee space there is less wax and propolis buildup in the hive by 35 280 to Claude A. Endicott, Feb. 7, 1950; U.S. Pat. No. 1,434,
the honey bees, thus allowing easier manipulation of hive 744 to Eldred M. Hibbler, Nov. 7, 1922; U.S. Pat. No. 1,261,
components. The ability to remove and inspect frames (or 844 to Chambers S. Orr, Apr. 9, 1918; U.S. Pat. No. 6,488.266
naturally formed comb) from the hive box is a legal inspection to Richard J. Macor, Dec. 3, 2002; U.S. Pat. No. 6,629,684 to
requirement for all managed hives in the United States. The Robert H. Youngren, et al., Oct. 7, 2003: U.S. Pat. No. 5,957,
bee space also provides an access between components for 40 429 to Zareh Khachatoorian, Sep. 28, 1999; U.S. Pat. No.
the frame removal process. Wax and propolis deposited by 5,695,172 to Kenneth W. Hreha, Dec. 9, 1997: U.S. Pat. No.
honeybees will bind the frames strongly to the hive boxes and 5,322,264 to Peter Giambro, Jun. 21, 1994; U.S. Pat. No.
to adjacent frames. Removal of frames often requires a tool 4,844,416 to Patrick Hand, Jul. 4, 1989; and U.S. Pat. No.
inserted into the bee space to separate and remove the frames 3,134,574 to Aldor S. E. Reuterfors, May 26, 1964.
for inspection of cells and for harvesting honey. 45 A problem with the prior art exists whereby there is a
Hive tools with combined edges and shapes for removing degree of difficulty with the technique required for the opera
the frames and prying apart movable hive sections are known tion of frame removal. There is a need for an improved com
to exist. Such prying and cutting tools are commonly shaped bination hive tool to efficiently perform that operation in a
from flat /8" steel sheet and may include a hook to facilitate user-friendly manner. None of these prior patents disclose or
leverage for lifting the frame ear, and a blade for cutting the 50 Suggest the novel combination tool of the present invention.
propolis and bees wax that may cement together any of the
movable sections of a hive. Prying and Scraping tools SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
designed for non-beekeeping purposes are also used by bee
keepers and are often preferred over currently available hive In accordance with the present invention, there is provided
tools. 55 an elongated flat shaft with sides forming a grip, being arc
This application for United States patent discloses a unique segments tangent to the mid-section of a lever handle. Dis
hive tool Supplying a specific functional need of the bee posed on one end of the longitudinal axis is a ground edged
keeping industry. United States patents listed below disclose blade, not necessarily sharp, and on the other end a flanged
none of the hive tools or pry bartools are specifically designed “Z” shape prying platform. A ground edged blade being
for all the particular dimensional elements of hive frames 60 broader than the handle grip is known to exist in other com
necessary to Successfully accomplish the required tasks and bination tools, used in this case for general scraping and
expedite the beekeeper's work. cutting wax and propolis, and for inserting into and prying
U.S. Pat. No. D248,086 for HIVE TOOL, issued Jun. 6, apart movable joints having become fused with wax and
1978 to William T. Maxant discloses the ornamental design of propolis. A flanged “Z” shape of the invention contains a
a hive tool, showing a combination cutting and prying tool 65 raised fulcrum for lifting frames, and a flanged edge to insert
shaped from a flat plane of material. A handle with two into the bee space, providing a method to grasp and lift the
implements on opposing ends, one with honed edges on two bottom edge of the top bar of a frame. The length of the planes
US 8,328,164 B2
3 4
of the “Z” shape and the adjoining angles of the planes are chosen for purposes of disclosure, the length of hive tool 99 is
calculated to work with a variance in the bee space and the approximately 230 millimeters on the longitudinal axis,
predetermined dimensions of hive frames. A vertical down approximately 43 millimeters in width at the flanged edge
ward thrust into the bee space to contact the fulcrum on the 101 of the “Z” end, and approximately 40 millimeters in
top of a frame, and a throw of the lever will engage the bottom width at the other end 104. It will be recognized that other
edge of the top bar of an adjacent frame with the flange, predetermined measurements could be chosen to meet par
extracting it in a generally vertical upward path. Such action ticular apiary and beekeepers requirements. Consequently,
will break the seal of propolis and wax deposited by the honey the invention comprehends any dimension of width ranging
bees to seal the components together. The arrangement of the from 10 to 100 millimeters and length ranging from 100
offset planes disposed to one side of the longitudinal axis of 10 millimeters to 1 meter. The hive tool 99 including a “Z”
the shaft will lift a frame in a generally vertical direction shaped platform end may be made from any carbon steel
allowing enough clearance for the beekeeper to grip the top alloy, cold forged and heat treated, or any other metal and
bar section of the frame with his or her hands, thereby com process known to those of skill in the art of metallurgy. The
pletely removing it from the hive box. hive tool fabrication may include any coating, plating and
15 finishes known to those skilled in the art for aesthetic and
A BRIEF DISCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS practical purposes. The disclosed embodiment also shows in
FIG. 2, centered on the shaft 100 in close proximity to the “Z”
A complete understanding of the present invention may be end, a 3/8 inch hole 105 useful for the pulling of headed nails.
attained by refrence to the accompanying drawings and a The hole 105 may be round or any other shape, including a
detailed description for further consideration will show: nail slot parallel to the long axis.
FIG. 1 is a proportionally scaled profile view of a side Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a scaled propor
elevation of the invention including detailed proximate and tional profile view of a side elevation of hive tool 99 including
distal ends, respectively, and angled plane sections thereof; detailed proximate and distal ends respectively to FIG. 2 and
FIG. 2 is detailed front elevation proportionally scaled angled plane sections 101, 102, and 103 of the “Z” shaped
perspective view of plane dimensions, respectively, to FIG.1; 25 platform end. In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 1,
FIG.3 is a perspective view of the hive tool of the invention lever shaft 100 shows an adjacent plane 103 measuring
and of prior art. approximately 27 millimeters in length, disposed to one side
FIG. 4a is a perspective view showing the “Z” end of the of the long axis at an angle of 71 degrees. On the other end of
invention engaged in a work application. plane 103 is an adjacent plane 102 measuring approximately
FIG. 4b is a proportionally scaled profile showing detail 30 35 millimeters disposed to one side of plane 103 at an angle of
cross-section of a side elevation of the “Z” end of the inven 71 degrees and generally parallel to the long axis. Finally, on
tion in a work application with respect to FIG.3a. the other end of plane 102 is an adjacent plane 101 measuring
For the purpose of clarity and brevity, like elements will approximately 8 millimeters disposed to one side of plane
bear the same designations and symbols throughout the FIG 102 at an angle of 85 degrees. Plane 101, previously referred
URES. 35 to as a flanged edge, may be ground to close tolerance remov
ing inside radius and shaping outside radius 201 to perform
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT plunging action when inserted into “the bee space between
hive components. A stop and fulcrum 200 is disposed to an
Two useful tools are disposed on opposite ends of a lever angle of 289 degrees by plane 100 and adjacent plane 103. It
handle. On one end of the lever handle is a broad flat tapered 40 will be recognized that other predetermined measurements of
end (104) for the multipurpose uses of scraping, cutting, planes and angles could be chosen to meet particular changes
prying and lifting, and on the other end is a “Z” shaped in hive frame dimensions. Consequently, the invention com
arrangement of planes and angles of a platform used for the prehends any measurement of planes 102 and 103 in a range
removal of hive frames. The lever action and lifting capabili of 10 millimeters to 100 millimeters, and plane 101 in a range
ties of the hive tool on the “Z” end is dependent on a flanged 45 of 5 millimeters to 50 millimeters. Likewise, the invention
edge being offset from the lever handle and a fulcrum (200) comprehends any measurements of angles formed by adja
predisposed by a plane adjoining the handle plane with adja cent planes 100, 103, 102, and 101 respectively, to be in a
cent sides forming an acute angle. The flanged edge is range of 20 degrees to 160 degrees to the long axis of the
inserted into the bee space and will stop at the fulcrum, resting preferred embodiment described herein.
on the top of an adjacent frame (301) to one designated for 50 Referring to FIG.3, there is a perspective view showing the
removal (302). Force is applied to the lever handle engaging relationship of planes and angles of the hive tool of the inven
the flange on the bottom edge of the designated frame top bar tion 99. There is also shown in like perspective a comparative
(302) and lifting the entire frame upward. view of Prior Art known to exist. The aforementioned planes
Referring first to FIG. 2, there is shown a perspective front and adjoining angles of hive tool 99 provide greater leverage
elevation with view of the combination tool of the invention, 55 for lifting hive frames and ergonomic positioning for plung
including end regions thereof generally at reference number ing into the bee space.
99. Referring to FIGS. 4a and 4b, 4a is a perspective view
Hive tool 99 has an elongated flat shaft disposed longitu showing the hive tool of the invention 99 in use, and 4b is a
dinally with sides being arc segments tangent to the mid proportionally scaled profile showing detail of a side eleva
section 100 of a lever handle forming a grip having a center of 60 tion respectively to 4a, including a crosscut view of the top
gravity slightly closer to the “Z” end, comprised of three bars of a hive frame and “Z” platform end. Hive tool 99 may
planes 101,102 and 103 respectively, lending to an intuitive be used with one hand either left or right in any approach
Vertical position for use in the users hand. Corners and edges respective to the user's position to the hive box for the pur
of hive tool 99 are slightly rounded to allow the user to grasp pose of loosening frames for removal. Flanged end 201 is
the “Z” end in palm of hand when using the opposite end 104, 65 inserted into “the bee space'300 between the top bars of two
being in a continuous plane with handle leaver 100 and having frames to the point of contacting fulcrum 200 with frame 301.
a taper to a not necessarily sharp edge. In the embodiment The fulcrum thus provides a controlled stop to the plunging
US 8,328,164 B2
5 6
action causing limited damage to honeycomb cells and cor b) a “Z” shaped platform disposed at, at least one end of
rectly positioning the flange 201. Force is applied to one side said elongated shaft; and
of hive tool 99 engaging flange 201 beneath frame 302 and c) a tapered edge disposed at, at least one end said elon
lifting the frame. Consequently, a thrust and throw of the lever gated shaft, wherein said Z shaped platform extends
handle is required for operation of the invention hive tool 99. from said at least one end of said elongated shaft with
It will be recognized that the embodiment described here said Z shaped platform first end being at an acute angle,
inabove may require modification and changes varied to fit an intermediate section of said Z shaped platform
particular structures to which the invention is applied, obvi extending in opposite direction forming an inverse acute
ous to those skilled in the art. Consequently, the invention is angle and an end portion of said Z shaped platform
not considered limited to the examples chosen for the pur 1O extending perpendicularly to said intermediate portion
poses of disclosure, and covers all changes and modifications of said Z shaped platform and perpendicularly to said
which do not constitute departures from the true spirit and elongated shaft.
Scope of this invention. 2. The pry bar as recited in claim 1, wherein said end
portion appears as a flange which has a straight inner Surface
Having thus described the invention, what is desired to be 1 and3.aThe
tapered wedge shaped outer surface.
pry bar as recited in claim 1, wherein said elongated
protected by Letters Patent is presented in the subsequent shaft has a nail pulling slot proximate said second end before
appended claims:
1. A pry bar comprising an elongated shaft defining a major said4. acute
The
angled portion of said Z shaped platform.
pry bar as recited in claim 1, wherein said elongated
axis having a functional part disposed at the proximal end and
shaft has a nail pulling aperture proximate said second end
a functional part disposed at the distal end of said elongated 2 before
shaft; said acute angled portion of said Z shaped platform.
a) a lever handle centrally defined on said elongated shaft; k k k k k
