Patent ID: 6987928
Filing Date: 2006-01-17
Classification: E01C,E04D,F24D

Abstract:
1. A snow melting mat system for clearing driveways, sidewalks, and roofs from snow and ice comprising: a heated air source; a first generally rectangular snow melting mat of flexible material having an upper wall, a lower wall, an upper end wall, a lower end wall, and spaced first and second sidewalls defining an interior space, said mat being positioned lengthwise from said upper wall to said lower wall during use, substantially covering the driveway; said mat defining a heated air inlet port communicating with said interior space; a heated air conduit extending between said heated air source and said heated air inlet port; a plurality of spaced baffles located within said interior space of said mat extending between said upper wall and said lower wall and forming a sinuous path directing heated air received through said heated air inlet port from said heated air source through the substantial portion of said interior space as heat is conducted through said upper wall for melting snow thereon; a cool air outlet port in said mat for exhaust of air from said interior space of said mat, said cool air exit being so located as to exhaust said air at a point past said sinuous path; a cool air return conduit extending between said cool air outlet port and said heated air source; said mat having an upper end portion defined by said upper end wall and the upper portions of said first and second sidewalls, said mat further comprising a cool air return wall within said mat upper end portion extending between said upper and lower walls, said cool air return wall extending between said mat sidewalls and parallel with and spaced from said upper end wall and forming a cool air return path, said cool air return wall separating said heated air inlet port from said cool air outlet port, said heated air inlet port and said cool air outlet port being located in said first sidewall in said upper end portion of said mat proximate said heated air source; whereby heated air is introduced from said source through said conduit and into said mat, gives up heat through said upper wall as it travels said sinuous path, thereby melting snow and ice on said mat, and is exhausted from said mat.