Improved Construction of Beehives and of Apparatus Connected therewith.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 16th Feb., 1887
Complete Left, 15th Nov, 1887
Complete Accepted, 27th Dec., 1887
Improved Construction of Beehives and of Apparatus Connected
therewith.
I JAMES LEE of 43 Glycena Road Lavender Hill in the County of Surrey Joiner
and Beehive Manufacturer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
For the purpose of providing a hive or home for Bees for the storage of their honey
and for a ready and more convenient way of taking the same without destroying or
injuring the Bees I have invented the improved Beehive hereinafter described and in
this description 1 shall include all such novelty in the fittings and details of such
Beehive as I wish to include in my Invention.
Inasmuch as in fitting up of my said Beehive it is necessary that great care should
be observed I have invented and shall hereinafter describe the mode of so fitting the
Beehive ready for work and the apparatus which I have invented for this purpose.
For the same reason that after the honey comb is formed and filled with honey in
my said hive great care is necessary in taking it from the hive I have invented and
shall hereinafter describe my mode of so removing the honey comb and the apparatus
which I have invented for this and other purposes connected with the same.
AND FIRST AS TO THE BEEHIVE.
The Beehive consists of two or more wooden boxes the top or cover and the bottom
or floor board are removable.
The side pieces have near each end a continuous dovetail groove from top to bottom
the depth and position of which depends on the thickness of the material used in the
construction of the hive.
The front and back of the hive are suitably tongued to slide in these grooves.
The back of the box is made to fit close to the bottom but the front board is made
to leave an aperture for the entrance of the bees.
The floor board is made of sufficient length that when forming a complete floor
to the hive it projects several inches in front of front board of the hive which
projection forms an alighting board.

page_text: The entrance to the hive is formed on the floor board entirely independent of
the hives.
When two or more boxes are placed one above the other it is only necessary that
the lower one should have a floor board and the upper one a top or cover board and
as to such top or cover I claim no protection.
Wood boxes for the purpose of Beehives have been in use before this application
but I claim as novel in my Invention the use of continuous dovetail grooves to form
the sides bottom and top of a Beehive without the aid of nails screws or glue.
Should it be necessary to vary the dimensions of the beehive to hold frames of a
smaller size I can by my system of continuous dovetail grooves and tongues introduce
side pieces to suit the particular frames to be introduced.
This portion of my invention consists of a frame for holding the comb foundation
upon which the bees build their comb and in which they deposit the honey.
The frame is made of wood the side pieces of which are grooved across the top
and bottom with continuous dovetail grooves.
The top and bottom of frame are tongued to fit into the grooves in the sides and are
divided longitudinally in the centre for the purpose of receiving the comb foundation.
In the top, the inner edges of these pieces are made slightly convex towards each
other so that on the comb being placed between them and pressure applied to grip
it this pressure is first obtained in the centre and risk of bulging or crinkling is
avoided.
In this part of my said Invention I claim that such securing at the top is sufficient
and that in other respects the foundation may be left free and without other pressure
in the frame either when the comb foundation is used as a starter or guide only or in
a piece its full size of the frame.
By this method of constructing the frame with the projecting lugs at bottom it will
be seen that when a standing frame is placed in the hive the bottom of frame is
raised to give a half bees space the other half being provided on the floor board and
when two or more of such frames are placed one above the other the before mentioned
half bee spaces in each frame coming together gives sufficient access from frame to
frame for bees to pass and in such method of construction the weight of the frames when
filled with honey is borne by the perpendicular sides resting on the floor board and
that no projections from the sides of the hive or other methods of support are needed
except only in cases of invertion when the screws provided at the side of hive are
adjusted.
'
Having already exhibited invert standing frames with such projecting lugs I do
not claim protection for this portion of the frame but for the novel method of con-
struction and the fixing of comb foundations.
AS TO IMPROVEMENTS IN SQUARE FRAMES AND SECTIONS.
I claim also that the above novel method of construction of invert standing frame
or such portions only as are necessary to the case can also be applied to frames of
every description and size such as Hanging Frames and Square Frames, that is to
say, that they can be made with continuous dovetail grooves and tongues and that
the top and bottom pieces are longitudinally divided for fixing the foundation.
AS TO THE SECTION Box.
This portion of my invention consists of a frame usually known as a Section. It
is made of wood of varying width and size, the top bottom and sides being fitted
together as before mentioned with dovetail grooves and tongues.
The portions having the tongue are divided longitudinally to receive the foundation

page_text: In this portion of my invention i.e. in the construction of sections I claim the novel
use of lugs or projections so that when two sections are brought together (placed
side by side or one above the other) a bee space is provided for the more ready access
of the bee from one section to another.
I claim also that in arranging my said sections either in or without frames the
novel method of putting them so that there is a vertical bee space between the sections
and the sides of the frames
the sections become continuous from one end of the hive to the other.
As TO THE FRAME BLOCK FOR PUTTING FRAMES TOGETHER
FOUNDATIONS AT THE SAME TIME.
AND FIXING COMB
The frame block is that portion of my said Invention for fixing the comb foundation
in the frame before described when the latter is about to be placed in the hive.
It consists of a rectangular centre block the height of which is equal to half the
width of the frame to be inverted.
Outside this block is a raised ridge surrounding the block at a distance which
permits one of the frames being placed between them.
When it is desired to put a frame together and comb foundation in the frame, the
following method is advisable but it is not the only way in which it could be done.
As before explained the frame is made of separate pieces of wood held together by
dovetailed tongues and grooves.
The two ends of the frame are first placed in position in the groove of frame block
and then one half of the top and half of the bottom with the projecting dovetails aro
pressed into them when they should be level with the block in the centre.
A piece of comb foundation having been cut the inside width of frame and the
outside depth of frame is then laid on the remaining half of the top being pressed
tightly down on the comb foundation and the remaining piece of bottom also pressed
in but so as not to touch the foundation leaving the foundation perfectly free.
In using strips of comb foundation for "starters" instead of whole pieces it is
pressed between the top pieces of wood in a similar manner.
The frame can now be lifted from the block and is ready for putting into the hive.
A block of suitable dimensions similar to that above described is used for inserting
comb foundations into sections.
AS TO THE SECTION REMOVAL BLOCK.
The object of the block now to be described is with reference to the removal of
sections when filled with honey comb.
Several Sections (usually 3 but not of necessity this number) having been placed
in one of such frames (hereinbefore described) and when filled with honey it is
necessary to remove them from the frames without injury.
This is done by the use of my section removal block.
It consists of a raised rectangle the height of which slightly exceeds the width of
the section and the outside length and width slightly less than the inside measurement
of the frame.
It is surrounded by a second raised rectangle the height of which is greater than
the inner rectangle and this outside rectangle acts as a guide to a frame placed
within it.
When the frame containing the sections is taken from the hive it is placed within
the outer rectangle. By pressure of the hand the frame is gently forced down the
recess thus provided for it leaving the sections resting on the inner rectangle clear of

page_text: The sections containing the honey comb as taken from the section block should be
at once carefully stored in suitable packing cases or boxes for preservation sale or
carriage.
To secure them from dirt or dust I place one or more, in a box usually fitted with a
glass side to allow examination but not of necessity so, the dimensions of such box
being determined by the number and size of sections to be put in.
By the use of in part or in whole of grooves and tongues as has already been described
with reference to the hive frames and sections and partly with leather hinges or other
suitable material I construct the box for containing the sections.
It will be seen that by such grooves the top bottom and back are moveable and can
be detached from each other and when so detached the front and sides would fold in
the case of leather or other similar hinge over each other the whole being packed
very compactly for storage or carriage but when fitted in with each other they form
a rigid box capable of sustaining any moderate degree of pressure or knocking about
in carriage.
The same compactness can also be obtained when the box is entirely made of wood
or dovetail grooves and tongues.
As to the continuous grooves and the sliding tongues herein referred to I claim as
a novelty in their construction for the purposes hereinbefore described either that they
should be wholly dovetail or partly so.
Having now set out the chief features of novelty of my said invention I claim all
such modifications of detail for general or specific purposes as properly come within
the scope of my said Invention.
Dated this 16th love of Fobu 1007

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Construction of Beehives and of Apparatus Connected
therewith.
I JAMES LEE of 43 Glycena Road, Lavender Hill in the County of Surrey,
Joiner & Beehive Manufacturer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement :-
For the purpose of providing a hive or home for bees for the storage of their honey,
and for a ready and more convenient way of taking the same without destroying or
injuring the bees I have invented the improved beehive hereinafter described and in
this description I shall include all such novelty in the fittings and details of such
beehive as I wish to include in my invention.
Inasmuch as in the fitting up of my said beehive it is necessary that great care
should be observed I have invented and shall hereinafter describe the mode of so fitting
the beehive ready for work and the apparatus which I have invented for this purpose.
For the same reason that after the honey comb is formed and filled with honey in
my said hive great care is necessary in taking it from the hive I have invented and
shall hereinafter describe my mode of so removing the honey comb and the apparatus
which I have invented for this and other purposes connected with the same.
AND FIRST TO THE BEEHIVE.
The Beehive consists of two or more wooden boxes the top or cover and the bottom
or floorboard of which are removable (see Fig. 1 of accompanying drawings).
The side pieces have near each end a continuous dovetail groove from top to bottom,
the depth & position of which depend on the thickness of the material used in the
construction of the hive. The front & back of the hive are suitably tongued to slide
in these grooves. The back of the box is made to fit close to the bottom but the front
board is made to leave an aperture for the entrance of the bees.
The floor board is made of sufficient length that when forming a complete floor to
the hive it projects several inches in front of the front board of the hive which
projection forms an alighting board.
When two or more boxes are placed one above the other it is only necessary that
the lower one should have a floor board and the upper one a top or cover, and as to
such floor board and top or cover I claim no protection.
Wood boxes for the purpose of beehives have been in use before this application
but I claim as novel in my invention the use of continuous dovetail grooves to form
the sides of a beehive without the aid of nails screws or glue.
Should it be necessary to vary the dimensions of the beehive to hold frames of a
smaller size I can by my system of continuous dovetail grooves and tongues introduce
inner walls to suit the particular frames to be introduced.

page_text: This separator (Fig. 7) is so constructed with openings that the vertical passages
between the sections becomes continuous from one end of the hive to the other, but as
to such separator I claim no protection.
AS TO THE FRAME BLOCK FOR PUTTING FRAMES TOGETHER AND FIXING COMB
FOUNDATIONS AT THE SAME TIME.
The frame block is that portion of my said invention for fixing the comb foundation
in the frame before described when the latter is about to be placed in the hive.
(Fig. 4 is an illustration of a frame block for hanging frames and fig. 10 for a
standing frame).
It consists of a rectangular centre block the height of which is equal to half the
thickness of the frame to be inserted.
Outside this block is a raised ridge surrounding the block at a distance which permits
one of the frames being placed between them.
When it is desired to put a frame together, and a comb foundation in the frame
the following method is advisable but it is not the only way in which it could be done.
As before explained the frame is made of separate pieces of wood held together by
dovetail tongues and grooves. The two ends of the frame are first placed in position
in the groove of the frame block and then one half of the top and half of the bottom
with the projecting dovetails are pressed into them when they should be level with
the block in the centre.
A piece of comb foundation having been cut to the inside width of frame and also
the outside depth of frame it is then laid on, the remaining half of the top being
pressed tightly down on the comb foundation and the remaining piece of bottom also
pressed, but so as not to touch the foundation, leaving the foundation perfectly free.
If found necessary to prevent bulging a similar groove can be cut half way down
the ends and two similar half bars pressed tightly together gripping the foundation.
In using strips of comb foundation for starters" instead of whole pieces it is
pressed between the top pieces of wood in a similar manner. The frame can now be
lifted from the block and is ready for putting into the hive.
A block of suitable dimensions similar to that above described is used for inserting
comb foundations into sections (Fig. 6).
AS TO SECTION REMOVAL BLOCK.
The object of the block now to be described is with reference to the removal of
sections when filled with honey comb (Fig. 8).
Several sections (usually 3 but not of necessity this number) having been placed in
one of such frames (hereinbefore described) and when filled with honey it is
necessary to remove them from the frames without injury. This is done by the use
of my section removal block.
It consists of a raised inner rectangle the height of which slightly exceeds the width
of the section and the outside length and width slightly less than the insido measure-
ment of the frame. It is surrounded by a second raised rectangle the height of which
is greater than the inner rectangle and this outside rectangle acts as a guide to the
frame placed within it.
When the frame containing the sections is taken from the hive it is placed within
the outer rectangle. By pressure of the hand the frame is gently forced down the
recess thus provided for it leaving the sections resting on the inner rectangle clear
of the frame. They can then be removed without the necessity of touching or handling
the outer frame.
AS TO THE PRESERVATION OR TRANSIT Box.
11
1
111

page_text: at once carefully stored in suitable packing cases or boxes for preservation sale or
carriage.
To secure them from dirt or dust I place one or more in a box (Fig. 11) to be
usually fitted with a glass side to allow examination but not of necessity so, the
dimensions of such box being determined by the number & size of sections to be
put in.
By the use in part or in whole of grooves and tongues as has already been described
with reference to the hive, frames and sections, or partly with leather hinges or other
suitable material I construct the box for containing the sections.
It will be seen that by such grooves the top, bottom and back are movable and
can be detached from each other and when so detached the front & sides would
fold in the case of leather or other similar hinge over each other the whole being
packed very compactly for storage or carriage, but when fitted in with each other
they form a rigid box capable of sustaining any moderate degree of pressrue or
knocking about in carriage.
The same compactness can also be obtained when the box is entirely made of
wood or dovetail grooves and tongues.
As to the continuous grooves and the sliding tongues herein referred to I claim
as a novelty in their construction for the purposes hereinbefore described either
that they should be wholly dovetail or partly so.
Having now set out the chief features of novelty of my said invention I claim
all such modifications of detail for general or specific purposes as properly come
within the scope of my said invention.
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
1. The improved construction of a Beehive by the use of continuous dovetail
grooves and tongues in the manner herein before described.
2. The improved construction of an Invert standing frame, the top sides and
bottom of which are formed of continuous dovetail grooves and tongues with such
other novel methods of construction as is hereinbefore described.
3. The improved construction of Hanging frames and sections the top sides and
bottom of which are formed of continuous dovetail grooves and tongues with such
other novel methods of construction as is hereinbefore described.
4. The construction of a Frame Block for putting together either hanging or
standing frames & sections in the manner hereinbefore described.
5. The construction of a Section removal block in the manner hereinbefore
described.
6. The construction of a Preservation or transit box in the manner hereinbefore
described.
7. All such modifications or my said invention as properly come within the
scope of this invention.