Continuous weight monitoring of beehives

Abstract

An apparatus and method for continuously monitoring the weight of an object are disclosed. The apparatus does not obstruct a central portion of the bottom of the object being monitored, and is especially well-suited for monitoring the weight of a beehive. In the illustrative embodiment, a ring-shaped fluid-filled bladder is sandwiched between a ring-shaped top surface and a ring-shaped base, and a pressure hose connects the bladder to a pressure gauge. Beehive weight data can be obtained in a continuous fashion, without requiring any moving of the beehive or of the apparatus, and without any other type of disruption. Moreover, the apparatus provides a stable platform that keeps the beehive immobile during monitoring, which is beneficial for the health of the colony. Advantageously, the apparatus can be constructed from inexpensive, off-the-shelf components and materials, and is capable of obtaining accurate measurements over a wide range of temperatures and environmental conditions.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method comprising continuously monitoring the weight of a beehive, wherein the bottom of said beehive is accessible during the continuous monitoring. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said beehive is stably supported during the continuous monitoring. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said beehive is level during the continuous monitoring. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the inside of said beehive is visible during the continuous monitoring. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein waste produced in said beehive is able to exit said beehive during the continuous monitoring. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein one or more gases are able to flow through the bottom of said beehive during the continuous monitoring. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein an object can enter said beehive through the bottom of said beehive during the continuous monitoring. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the continuous monitoring is solely via mechanical means. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the continuous monitoring comprises measuring a voltage. 
     
     
         10 . A method comprising continuously monitoring the weight of a beehive, wherein the inside of said beehive is visible during the continuous monitoring. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein said beehive is stably supported during the continuous monitoring. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10  wherein said beehive is level during the continuous monitoring. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10  wherein waste produced in said beehive is able to exit said beehive during the continuous monitoring. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10  wherein one or more gases are able to flow through the bottom of said beehive during the continuous monitoring. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10  wherein an object can enter said beehive through the bottom of said beehive during the continuous monitoring. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the continuous monitoring is solely via mechanical means. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the continuous monitoring comprises measuring a voltage. 
     
     
         18 . A method comprising continuously monitoring the weight of a beehive, wherein waste produced in said beehive is able to exit said beehive during the continuous monitoring. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein said beehive is stably supported during the continuous monitoring. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18  wherein said beehive is level during the continuous monitoring. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 18  wherein one or more gases are able to flow through the bottom of said beehive during the continuous monitoring. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 18  wherein an object can enter said beehive through the bottom of said beehive during the continuous monitoring. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the continuous monitoring is solely via mechanical means. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the continuous monitoring comprises measuring a voltage. 
     
     
         25 . A method comprising continuously monitoring the weight of a beehive, wherein an object can enter said beehive through the bottom of said beehive during the continuous monitoring. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25  wherein said beehive is stably supported during the continuous monitoring. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 25  wherein said beehive is level during the continuous monitoring. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 25  wherein one or more gases are able to flow through the bottom of said beehive during the continuous monitoring. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 25  wherein the continuous monitoring is solely via mechanical means. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 25  wherein the continuous monitoring comprises measuring a voltage. 
     
     
         31 . A method comprising continuously monitoring the weight of a beehive, wherein the continuous monitoring comprises measuring a voltage. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31  wherein said beehive is stably supported during the continuous monitoring. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 31  wherein said beehive is level during the continuous monitoring. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 31  wherein one or more gases are able to flow through the bottom of said beehive during the continuous monitoring.