AN IMPROVED BEE HIVE
Year: 1884

page_text: I THOMAS EDWARD CLARK Certificated Master, Acton National School Sudbury
in the County of Suffolk, do hereby declare the nature of my invention for AN
IMPROVED BEE HIVE to be as follows:-
The body of the Hive shall be made of wood in the usual way and in section of
the form known as "diamond shape" as shown in (Fig 1) but with a view to
dispense with the ordinary frame or legs as now used, I provide a rectangular end
piece of board at each end so as to form a support similar to the transverse ends of
a V shape trough, as shown in (Fig. 1.)
The roof or cover shall be of board strongly nailed together of the usual shape.as
in (Fig. 1.) but instead of being lifted off as at present made, it shall be hinged at
one end or at one side with a stay brace or support of some kind, attached in such
manner that the said cover can be lifted back by one hand, and will be supported
in its open position by the said stay brace or support.
The entrance for the bees shall be arranged in the following manner so that
driving rain and light either direct or reflected shall be entirely excluded from the
Hive, and that insects cannot form traps at the entrance for the bees.
A slit about 6 inches long shall be formed in the front end of the hive such slit
being about 1 inch deep on the inside and about ½ of an inch deep on the outside
see (Fig 2.) letter A. A short distance below the slit shall be fixed the alighting
board, B, in size about 12 to 15 inches long by 5 inches wide and projecting
downwards from the Hive at an angle of about 60 degrees. At a similar distance
above the said slit shall be fixed another board called the porch (C) which shall be
about 12 to 15 inches long and 3 inches wide and projecting downwards towards
the alighting board at an angle of about 45 degrees, there being a space of about
half an inch between them at their nearest point of contact D. The space at each
end of the two boards and for a portion of the front shall be enclosed leaving about
six inches open in front & a sliding door or doors shall be fitted at D so as to close
this open portion when required, grooves being made in or upon the aforesaid
boards to carry the said sliding door or doors.
In the interior of the ordinary rectangular or diamond shaped Hive there are
several defects which prevent a rapid examination of the hive and tend to cause
propolisation and the frequent crushing of bees in the process of manipulation. To
avoid these evils I construct my interior as follows viz.
In my improved Hive the frames E, Fig 3 in which the foundation is inserted
and the comb" is to be built by the bees, are hung above the centre of gravity so

page_text: as to ensure their being perfectly steady when not in contact with each other, by
which means any one of them can be quickly examined without disturbing the
others. (See Figs 1. and 3.) The long arms H (Fig 1 and 3) projecting from the
said frames shall be of the same width as the frames themselves and may form a
continuation of the sides of such frames. The said "long arms" H (Fig 3 & 4)
shall be held in position by supports or projections (I) which may be flush at side
as in I or extended as in Y to form distance pieces and also by distance pieces (K)
so attached or arranged to the said long arms H that adequate space shall be left
beneath, or on either side of the said frames, for the free passage of the bees, and
that when the frames are removed for examination they can be replaced without
crushing the bees. A projecting ledge L is placed on the top of the lower portion
of the Bee Hive body (M) so as to receive the end of the long arm H with its
corresponding projection I which will rest on the aforesaid ledge Ĕ.
During the time when the Bees have to be fed artificially and while the Brood-
nest is enclosed with some heat retaining substance, a platform as shown in Fig 6
is placed on the summit of the frames E such platform having an opening N for
the passage of the Bees and corresponding openings into the Brood nest through
the interstices between the frames E. Upon the platform is placed my improved
Feeder (Fig. 5.) which consists of an outer tray or reservoir P with a glass cover.
Inside the said tray is a tube or enclosed orifice (R) through which the bees ascend
into the feeding cage (Fig 7.) placed in the said tray, the inner surface of the said
tube being rough to enable the bees to crawl up easily. Adjoining the said tube is
At the bottom of
placed a stage (Fig 8; with longitudinal divisions or channels T
the said stage space is left to allow the syrup or food to rise inside the said
channels. The said stage (Fig 8) is then placed within an enclosure (Fig 7)
having a glass top and openings at the bottom for the syrup or food to pass inside.
Inside the said case is a sliding bar with a wire handle projecting outside, from
which bar hang a vertical tongue or tongues (V) corresponding with the said
channel or channels so that by pushing or pulling the said wire handle the portion
of the said channels (containing the food) which is accessible to the bees can be
extended or diminished. The said channels & entrance being also covered in with
glass so that when the outer cover of the feeder is removed for filling the tray with
food, the bees cannot escape nor can the warmth of the nest ascend into the upper
portion of the Hive chamber.

page_text: I, THOMAS EDWARD CLARK Certificated Master, Acton National School, Sudbury
in the County of Suffolk do hereby declare the nature of my invention for AN
IMPROVED BEE HIVE and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
The body of the Hive shall be made in the usual way, and in section of the form
known as "Diamond Shape" (as shown in Fig 1).
But with a view to dispense with the ordinary "diagonal frame" which yields
under pressure, I provide upright legs, supporting a Rectangular end piece to which
is affixed the V shaped Hive Body as shown in Fig 1.
The Roof or cover shall be of boards either plain as shown in Fig 1 or may be of
rebated Weather Boards strongly nailed to the triangular pieces forming the gable
ends of Hive, The said roof or cover shall be hinged to the front and supported
when open by a Bracket (Fig 2X) whose base rests on the Porch (Fig 2. C).
The entrance for the Bees shall be arranged in the following manner, so that
driving rain, and light, either direct or reflected, shall be entirely excluded from the
Hive, and further insects cannot form traps, at the entrance for the Bees.
A Slit about 6 in long shall be formed in the front end of the Hive such slit
being about inch deep (Fig 2A) A short distance below the slit shall be fixed
the alighting board (Fig 2 B) in size about 12 to 15 inches long by five wide, and
projecting downwards from the hive, at an angle of about 60 degrees, a similar
distance above the said slit shall be fixed another board called the porch (Fig 2 C
which shall be about 12 to 15 inches long, and 3 inches wide and projecting
downwards towards the alighting board at an angle of about 45 degrees, there
being a space of about 1/2 inch between them at their nearest point of contact
(Fig 2D) The space at each end of the two boards and a portion of the front shall
be enclosed, leaving about six inches open in the front, and a sliding door or doors
shall be fitted at D so as to contract this open portion when required, grooves.
being made in or upon the aforesaid boards to carry the said sliding door or doors,
To prevent any danger from suffocation by the doors being accidentally completely
closed, a stop is fixed in the centre of the said grooves, such stop being of a size so
as to keep the said door from any possibility of being closed to within the distance
of about of an inch.
In the interior of the ordinary rectangular or diamond shaped hive, there are
several defects, which prevent, a rapid, examination of the hive, and tend to cause
propolisation, and the frequent crushing of bees in the process of manipulation.
To avoid these evils, I construct my interior as follows, viz. In my improved
Hive the frames (Fig's 1, 2, 3 and 4 E) (in which the foundation is inserted, or
comb to be built by the Bees) are hung above the centre of gravity so as to ensure
their being perfectly steady when not in contact with each other, by which means

page_text: any one of them can be quickly examined without disturbing the others (Fig 1
and 3.) The long arms (Fig 3 and 4 H) projecting from the said frames, shall be
of the same width as the frames themselves and are a continuation of the under-
sides of such frames.
The said long arms (Fig and 4) shall he held in position by supports or
projection (I) which may be distanced or otherwise, and also by distance pieces (K)
so attached or arranged to the said long arms (H) that adequate space shall be left
beneath on either side of the said frames, for the free passage of the bees, and also,
provides means that when the frames are removed for examination they can be
replaced without crushing the Bees.
And to receive the supports or projections (I) attached to long arms (H a pro-
jecting ledge (L is placed on the top of the lower portion of the Bee Hive body
(Fig 4 M) on which will rest the aforesaid arms (I).
During the time when the Bees have to be fed, artificially, and while the brood
nest is enclosed, with some heat retaining substance, a platform as shown (Fig 6) is
placed on the summit of the frames (E) such platform having an opening (N) for
the passage of the Bees corresponding to the openings from the Brood nest in
frames (E).
Upon this platform is placed my Improved feeder (Fig 5) (made in earthenware,
metal or any other suitable material) which consists of an outer tray or reservoir (P)
with a glass cover, Inside the said tray is a tube or enclosed orifice (R) through
which the bees ascend into the feeding cage (Fig 7) placed in the said tray, the
inner surface of the said tube being rough to enable Bees to crawl up easily,
Adjoining the said tube, and inside Fig 7 is placed the stage (Fig 8) with longi-
tudinal divisions or channels (T's) at the bottom of the said stage space is left to
allow passage for the syrup or food. underneath it, so as to enable it to rise inside
said cliannels.
Also inside the said Case (Fig 7) is a sliding bar with a wire handle projecting
.utside, from which bar hangs a vertical tongue or tongues (V) corresponding with
the said channel or channels (in which it works) so that by pushing or pulling the
said wire handle, the portion of the said channel or channels (containing the food)
which is accessible to the Bees can be extended or diminished, and on account of
that part containing channels and entrance being covered with glass the Bees
cannot escape, nor can the warmth of the nest ascend into the upper portion of the
Hive chamber when other part is removed for filling the tray with food.
Or the Feeder may be placed behind the frames (E. in which case, Fig 6 and 7
may be dispensed with, and (Fig 8) modified to (Fig 9) which is placed in tray
instead of aforesaid Fig 6 and 7, but as the bees would then have access through
the side, marked in dotted lines (Fig 5 S) the ascending tube or orifice (Fig 5 R)
would also be dispensed with, the sliding bar with wire handle and vertical tongue
is also equally adapted to this stage.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what
I claim is
1st For making Hives with rectangular ends, as best means for supporting
V shaped body.
2nd For projecting ledge attached to V shaped body (Fig 4L) as furnishing the
lest means for maintaining frames in proper position.
3rd For the Triangular end or gable which can be fitted to a great nicety before
the top boards are attached to it thus ensuring the top or roof fitting very accurate
so as to effectually exclude all, wasps mice, and other vermin.
4th For the mode of constructing entrance in its entirety as shown (Fig 2 A. B. C.
& D) serving the purpose of providing baulk or hindrance to robber bees, preventing
insects forming traps, the total exclusion of light either direct or reflected, and
draught or driving rain.

page_text: 5th For Frames (marked E in drawings being so constructed as to be able to be
hung above the centre of gravity, as explained, also for the mode of distancing and
supporting same already described.
5th For the general make of saddle in its entirety as shown (Fig 6).
6th For the entrances to Feeder as shown (Fig 5 R and S) also for feeding cage
and stage, with sliding bar, vertical tongue and wire handle in their entirety as
shown (Fig's 5. 7. 8 and 9.
Dated thin wath dont
1000