US3683432A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Internal comb softening means for beehives
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-10-22
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Granted: 1972-08-15
•
Expires: 1990-10-22
Abstract
Abstract A beehive construction wherein the comb foundation is provided with a low voltage heating element having contacts engageable by connectors mounted on the foundation supporting brood frame, the connectors on the brood frame seating on and making electrical contact with metallic frame supporting rabbets extending along the opposite ends of the hive body, the metallic rabbets being adapted to be connected to a source of low voltage electric current.
Inventors
- 👤 John Musgrove
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 15:26
CPC Classifications
A; A01; A01K; A01K47/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
120 words
In a beehive construction, a rectangular hive body, metallic rabbets extending along the opposite ends of said hive body, means for connecting said metallic rabbets to a source of low voltage electric current, at least one brood frame adapted to be suspended within said hive body from said rabbets, said brood frame mounting a comb foundation, a wire heating element embedded in said foundation, electrical contacts at the opposite ends of said wire heating element, connectors mounted on said brood frame, said conncetors having inner portions thereof positioned to engage the electrical contacts at the opposite ends of said foundation and outer portions thereof positioned to contact said metallic rabbets when said brood frame is suspended within said hive body.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
120 words
In a beehive construction, a rectangular hive body, metallic rabbets extending along the opposite ends of said hive body, means for connecting said metallic rabbets to a source of low voltage electric current, at least one brood frame adapted to be suspended within said hive body from said rabbets, said brood frame mounting a comb foundation, a wire heating element embedded in said foundation, electrical contacts at the opposite ends of said wire heating element, connectors mounted on said brood frame, said conncetors having inner portions thereof positioned to engage the electrical contacts at the opposite ends of said foundation and outer portions thereof positioned to contact said metallic rabbets when said brood frame is suspended within said hive body.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
The beehive construction claimed in claim 1 wherein said connectors comprise spring metal members the inner portions of which comprise tongues biased to engage the electrical contacts of said heating element, said outer portions comprising outwardly projecting extensions adapted to seat on said rabbets.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The beehive construction claimed in claim 2 wherein the electrical contacts on the opposite ends of said wire heating element comprise metallic frame members extending along the opposite ends of said foundation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The beehive construction claimed in claim 3 wherein the means for connecting said metallic rabbets to a source of low voltage electric current comprises binding posts projecting outwardly from the wall of said hive body.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
80 words
For use in a beehive having a brood frame including connectors for connecting said brood frame to a source of low voltage electric current, a comb foundation adapted to be mounted in said brood frame, said foundation having an electric wire heating element embedded therein, and electrical contacts connected to the opposite ends of said wire heating element, saId electrical contacts being positioned to engage the connectors on said brood frame when said foundation is mounted in said brood frame.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
80 words
For use in a beehive having a brood frame including connectors for connecting said brood frame to a source of low voltage electric current, a comb foundation adapted to be mounted in said brood frame, said foundation having an electric wire heating element embedded therein, and electrical contacts connected to the opposite ends of said wire heating element, saId electrical contacts being positioned to engage the connectors on said brood frame when said foundation is mounted in said brood frame.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The comb foundation claimed in claim 5 wherein the electrical contacts at the opposite ends of said wire heating element comprise metallic frame members extending along the opposite end edges of said foundation.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
100 words
For use in a beehive having a hive body including contact means for connecting a brood frame suspended therein to a source of electric current, a brood frame adapted to be suspended within said hive body, connectors mounted on said brood frame, said connectors being positioned to engage said contact means to effect an electrical connection between said hive body and said brood frame, said connectors having portions thereof positioned to effect an electrical connection between said brood frame and the contacts of an electric heating element incorporated in a comb foundation adapted to be mounted in said brood frame.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
100 words
For use in a beehive having a hive body including contact means for connecting a brood frame suspended therein to a source of electric current, a brood frame adapted to be suspended within said hive body, connectors mounted on said brood frame, said connectors being positioned to engage said contact means to effect an electrical connection between said hive body and said brood frame, said connectors having portions thereof positioned to effect an electrical connection between said brood frame and the contacts of an electric heating element incorporated in a comb foundation adapted to be mounted in said brood frame.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
The brood frame claimed in claim 7 wherein the portions of said connectors positioned to effect an electrical connection with the contacts of the heating element comprise resilient tongues biased to engage the contacts carried by the comb foundation.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
45 words
The brood frame claimed in claim 8 wherein said connectors include outwardly projecting extensions adapted to seat on rabbets secured to the inner wall surfaces of the hive body which serve as contact means for connecting said brood frame to a source of electric current.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-08-15 | 1976-02-14 | 1976-08-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-08-15 | 1980-02-14 | 1980-08-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-08-15 | 1984-02-14 | 1984-08-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |