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Beesy Frames
(with Plastic Lugs)

These are a method of assembling bee hive frames using snap on plastic corners that will fit on to wooden parts that are simple in design and easy to machine compared with conventional wooden frames. The design was by Richard Alabone.

His design is an attempt to reduce the contact between parts so as to reduce propolising. (The standard wooden Hoffman frame has a contact length of 585 mm (23") that will attract propolis.

Moulded plastic corner pieces...

	Are shown in this diagram, the top right corner is in cross section. The plastic corner pieces are designed for assembling into frames to suit all hive types, in deep and shallow versions, and provide features impractical using wood. The "clip on" corners incorporate the lugs, frame spacing, and frame joints, as well as making all the contact with the hive and adjacent frames, using point contact, rather than contact along lines or between flat faces, which would be readily propolised.

Are shown in this diagram, the top right corner is in cross section. The plastic corner pieces are designed for assembling into frames to suit all hive types, in deep and shallow versions, and provide features impractical using wood. The "clip on" corners incorporate the lugs, frame spacing, and frame joints, as well as making all the contact with the hive and adjacent frames, using point contact, rather than contact along lines or between flat faces, which would be readily propolised.

The wooden parts are straight and simple they plug into the corners to make a frame with woodwork that is 25.4 mm (1") wide in all places.

Crossed "V"s ensure that frame spacing is at contact points, not line contact, thus minimalising propolis attraction. The spacing occurs on every corner avoiding uneven comb width at the bottom of deep frames by ensuring that frames are held vertical and are controlled parallel to each other.

The lugs are tapered to allow room for the finger tips between lugs. The spacing at the lug ends is greater than a bee space, but they do not normally build brace comb in this position.

A small lip around the top edge of the lug gives adequate purchase when lifting out a heavy frame with gloved fingers.

Assembly is made easy by sprung tongues that snap-in to grooves in the wooden top and side parts. Assembly simply involves pushing parts together with glue in the top bar joints.

National, Commercial, Smith or Langstroth types are made using mouldings suited to each, the ones illustrated being National.

The ones that I have used (about 200) were all B.S. National sized (deep and shallow) and I have nothing adverse to report about them. I used to sell them when I was in business, but they were not as popular as I believed they deserved to be.

I have no connection with the "Beesy" business.

Dave Cushman.

Page created 17/02/2002

Page updated 06/12/2022

					Originated... 17 February 2002, New Domain... 16 June 2004, Upgraded... 29 August 2004,

Beesy Frames(with Plastic Lugs)

Originated... 17 February 2002, New Domain... 16 June 2004, Upgraded... 29 August 2004,

Beesy Frames
(with Plastic Lugs)