US122279A - Improvement in bee-hives - Google Patents

Description

v 2 Sheets--Sheet 1. `J. S. PROCTOR.

improvement in Be-e Hives.

. No. 122,279, .Patmed Dec. 26,1871;

UNITED STATES JAMES S. PROCTER, OF FRANKLIN, KENTUCKY.

4IMPROVEMENT IN BEE-HIVES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 122,279, dated December 2d, 1871.

To all whom it may concern: j

Be it known that I, JAMES S. PRooTER, of Franklin, in the county of Simpson and `State of Kentucky, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Bee-Hives; and I do hereby declare that the following' is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference beinghad to the accompanying drawing and to the letters of ret'- erence marked thereon which form a part of this specification.

The nature of my invention consists in the construction and arrangement of a bee-hive, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

In order to enable others skilled in the art to which my invention appertains to make and use the same, I will now proceed to describe'its construction and operation, referring to the annexed drawing, in which- L Figure l is a transverse vertical section, and Fig. 2 a longitudinal vertical section of my hive. Fig. 3 is a perspective View of one of the combi frames.

The lower or brood-chamber A is made twelve and three-quarters inches wide, eighteen and' three-quarters long, and nine and three-eighths deep, inside measurement, and has a bottom, a,

.of wire-cloth. The sides are planed or rabbeted out on the inside to receive the ends of the top bars of the frames B, which rest upon a thin metal side or rest, b, attached to the side in such a manner that when the frames are suspended on them the top of the bars are raised to a level with the top of the chamber. The upper chamber C is movable., and is made exactly the same width, length, and depth 5 the tops and side constructed the same as the sides ot' the lower chamber. The chamber C has no bottom, but, when adjusted, rests in part on the outer walls of the lower chamber A, and the inner side resting ou the ends of the top bars of the frames, thus securing said fra-mes in their places, and preventing the bees from approaching their ends to glue or wax them to the sides of the chamber. The top D is movable, fitting equally well either chamber, and, when adj usted, also rests on the' outer wall of the chamber and the ends of the top bars, in the same manner and for the same purpose as the upper chamber. .It has a false or inner bottom, E, of Wire-cloth, by which the bees are confined to the chamber Without obstructing free ventilation in connection with the ventilators d in the ends of the top, but permits the escape of heat or moisture; and, when the ventilators are closed, it gives ample dead-air space above the chamber, just Where it is most needed. The fra-mes B B are so constructed and arranged that, when suspended in the cham bers, they leave a suitable distance between their sides and bottom and the sides and bottom of the hive, while their distance from each other is determined by the width of the top bars, which counect throughout their length, and which have a vertical opening or openings, c, (slots or holes,),

through their centers connecting With a horizontal opening or space, c', in the top of the combguide f, and in combination with which a space is formed which admits the tree passage through them of bees or currents of air in either a horizontal or vertical direction. The moth-trap consists of vertical slots or Vholes h through the alightin g board Gr, communicating with the drawer or receiver H below. Above the slots are adjustable or fixed shields k, which, when adjusted, prevent the beesfrom approaching the slots, but furnish a safe retreat or approach for the miller to the slots, through which he passes to the drawer beneath, which, being separated by a partition or separate drawer, I, from the vbottom ofthe hive, prevents the deposit ofthe eggs where they can have sufficient heat and nourishment for their progeny to be reared, while the volume of light admitted by the ventilators attracts the miller to the front of the drawer and prevents his escape. By means of the ventilators t' t' inboth ends and partitions of moth and trashdrawer, and in each end ofthe movable top, the ventilation may be regulated and controlled at will, rendering the hive amply warm for a northern or cool enough for a southern latitude. In the brood-chamber AY forV a strong colony I use ten frames, and confine the colony to the space occupied by the frames by introducing a false end or partition, J, in one or both ends, lea-ving air-spaces in the'end or ends of the chamber. Then adjust the top and regulate the ventilation at will. j

When for any purposeit is desired to open or examine, remove the top, slip the false ends back to the ends ofthe chamber, when the frames may be spread or taken out; or each one may be examined as it is moved back on the rest b Without raising from its bearing. If surplus honey stored in boxes is desired, close the vertical openings e in the top bars of the frame, leaving only as many open as correspond with the openings in the boxes; place theboxes; then adjust the chamber and top. If in frames, suspend the same or a less number as in the llower chamber; adjust the false ends and top. When a less number is used above than is in the lower chamber, close slots in top bars of lower frames, that would otherwise permit the bees to pass into the airchambers. To form nucleuses for queen rearing, cover the vertical openin gs in the top bars of Ythe lower chamber with Wire-cloth or perforated tin; form nucleuses in the upper chamber by introducing the necessary number of movable partitions; close openings in the top bars ofthe frames used for nucleuses with strips of wire-cloth or perforated tin; make asinall opening in rear of the own I affix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

JAMES S. PROCTER."

Witnesses:

JOHN H. SMITH, M. MITCHELL.

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