If you have never visited the US patent database this is patent
might be a good introduction. Searches of the database for various
apiculture related patents can be entertaining. I expect few have made money
from most of the listed patents.
 
        The scanned pages of the patent are available for most recent patents.
 
Visit:
        http://patent.womplex.ibm.com/details?patent_number=5571247
 
to see
        Patent 571247 :Self containing enclosure for protection from killer bees
 
        Searches for
 
                bee and hive
 
                hive and tool
 
                honey and frame
 
        yeild various patents. The database goes back to 1971.
 
        Happy surfing.